dope.
Where would I go? (a communion devotion)
In John 6, Jesus starts saying some crazy things to His followers.
Relatively early in His ministry, He calls Himself “the bread of life” and even says: “whoever drinks my blood and eats my flesh has eternal life.”
This had to sound absurd to many of His followers. It was an absolutely fantastic claim — if not a bit cannibalistic. Many of Jesus’ followers abandoned Him that day.
But not Peter.
I am struck by what he said when Jesus asks the 12 if they want to leave too.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the holy one of God.”
Peter was so caught up in love for Jesus and His words and works that he couldn’t imagine life without Him. He professed that without Christ, he would be completely lost and ruined. And that’s where I want to be too.
So next time you take communion, remember not only are you proclaiming the death and resurrection of Christ but also that you couldn’t imagine life without it.
Tribute to Trent
It was an unlikely friendship.
Me, a scrawny, 24-year-old recent college graduate and lifelong Christian. And him, a 34-year-old, bulky ex-convict and ex-drug addict.
But our love for Christ was our bond. And even though we were friends for only about a year before his tragic death, I felt like Trent Kizer and I were brothers.
And during that time, he showed me what it means to have joy and peace during struggles. He showed me how to completely rely on God when you have nothing else left.
His life was a testimony of God’s power to redeem and make all things new. Trent’s life was made breathtakingly new by God, and it was amazing to watch Trent grow in his true identity.
A lot of people say they work hard, but for Trent it was more than lip service. He was the most intense worker I’ve ever met, never quitting until the job was done. He was also a gifted communicator and storyteller and had a smile that would light up any room. He was funny, kind and fiercely loyal.
His life was cut short, but I am honored to have known him and his story will live on.
That’s Not What I Read in Sunday School.
Via Amber Gollhardt (ifinallyfound.tumblr.com)
The Message is a Paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary language. I’ve noticed some phrases are more contemporary than others.
But soon word was going around in Judah, The builders are pooped, the rubbish piles up; we’re in over our heads, we can’t build this wall. - Nehemiah. 4:10
Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. -Matt. 6:9-3
The most precious 100 words to me right now (RIP Trent)
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…And God raised up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
If my math is correct, Saturday is the rapture
Harold Camping was wrong once before — he thought the end of the world would be June 9, 1994 — but this time he thinks he’s got the math right. Camping has calculated that the rapture is going to take place May 21.
And the logic is flawless:
- Christ is said to have died April 1, 33 AD. The time between that date and April 1, 2011 is 1,978 years.
- 1,978 x 365.2422 days = 722,449
- The time between April 1 and May 21 is 51 days.
- 51+722,449=722,500
- Camping says the number five represents “atonement,” 10 is “completeness,” and 17 means “heaven.”
It makes so much sense when you break it down mathematically. Sadly this guy is giving Christians a bad name (Matt. 24:36)
oops I did it again
submitted by Amber Gollhardt (ifinallyfound.tumblr.com)
Mistaking lyrics – when what we are singing is off, way off.
Song: Dude (Looks like a Lady)
Artist: Aerosmith
What I thought was being said: “You look like a lady”
What was really said: “Dude looks like a lady”
Song: Blue
Artist: Eiffel 65
What I thought was being said: “I’m blue if I was green I would die.”
What was really said: “I’m blue da ba dee da ba die…”
Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Artist: Nirvana
What I thought was being said: “Here we are now, in containers.”
What was really said: “Here we are now, entertain us!”
This commercial may be funny but the theme is serious. The facts are disheartening. The average age of someone finding porn online is 11. Ninety percent of eight to 16 year olds have viewed porn online. Sex and porn are among the top five search items for kids under 18.
It’s not just pornography but sexually-driven music, movies, TV shows and magazines. And the results of the sex-crazed culture are downright scary. The big story in Niles right now is about a group of teenage boys who allegedly made a sex tape with a teen girl and then used it to blackmail her into sexual favors. The community is shocked. How could these smalltown boys even think of such a thing? The answer can be stumbled upon by anyone online.
My mother is the complete package.
Janet Mueller is wise and witty. Smart but silly. A conversationalist and a listener.
Strong but gentle. Relentless but picks her battles. Self aware but selfless.
Joyful, generous, gentle. Caring, courageous, compassionate.
Persevering, battle tested and faithful beyond measure. A prayer warrior, carrier of peace.
A queen and a servant. A visionary and a doer.
She’s mentored and counseled countless people, encouraging, advising, inspiring and laughing. She’s a friend to all, a blessing to everyone she knows. But my brother and I are the only ones lucky enough to be able to call her…mom.
Celebrate justice, not death (a 265-word special report)
Yes, justice was served when Osama Bin Laden was killed Sunday. But no, I am not celebrating his death.
I can’t say I agree with many of the responses I saw on facebook after the news broke. “Burn in Hell” was a popular one. Celebrating the killing of a murderer is an irony not lost on me. Bin Laden was one of the most evil leaders in recent history, but I have hard time wishing hellfire on anyone.
Proverbs 24:17 says: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice.”
David was a perfect example of this. When King Saul, who tried to murder David on many occasions, kills himself in the book of I Samuel, David’s response isn’t to open a bottle of wine and celebrate. He actually mourns.
David ripped his clothes in torment and “mourned and wept and fasted til evening for Saul.”
In no way am I suggesting that our response should be to shed tears for the death of a man with such disregard for the sanctity of human life, nor am I suggesting that the U.S. shouldn’t have been trying to take him down. But Bin Laden’s death does remind me that we live in a fallen world, where sin and death still have a stranglehold, and that does sadden me.
It also reminds me that, as a sinner, I am no better than Bin Laden and deserve the same punishment. But Christ’s sacrifice saves me from that end.
“And in my best behavior I am really just like him.” — Sufjan Stevens
