Randomness and Reviews

 

Guess who's done her Christmas shopping!?!?!? And had a blast too. Kaitlyn, Lish and I went into town around 3 and spent hours there just browsing around - checking EVERY store before we bought stuff to make sure we got the best. hehe. We had such a great time together searching high and low for the coolest touristy stuff for our families.

Oh and another cool thing, the US capitol picks a tree every year to set up at the White House and they picked one from Jackson this year so they were doing this little parade thing at 4:30. I'm telling, you ALL of Jackson was in the square - and I didn't know there were that many people in Jackson! It was crazy. The parade shindig was pretty lame but the tree - THAT was worth seeing. It was huge. I heard someone said it was 70ft! It was pretty sweet to see and all these people had like little sprigs from it and there was like a brass band playing and they had put the lights on the arches and stuff and it was all just so Christmasy and full of community spirit.

 

Also this weekend, we totally watch Toy Story 3, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Inheritance. I know, pretty crazy for a school that said we weren't allowed to watch movies. Anyways, Toy Story 3 was pretty amazing, I have to affirm all you people who kept telling me it was. However, I didn't find the monkey as creepy as the baby. Also, we decided it was ALMOST the worst movie in the world - (spoiler alert for all you who were like me and haven't seen it) you know the part where they are like all sitting holding hands ready to die in like the burning pit of Mt Doom? Well, ya, that would have been really stupid. However, it turned out pretty fabulous and not even THAT said, like you all said. I would give it a 41/2 out of 5 stars

Fiddler on the roof...now that was kind of a sad movie...just kind of. haha. Jessica was like, THAT'S IT!?!? and so I cheered everyone up with my imitation of the old man's dance (you know when he's marching around the barn singing "If I was a rich man...") Ya...ahem. They made me do it again for a video and me of course, ended it off by slipping on my Snuggie. which I happened to be wearing, and falling flat out. I will try to upload the video maybe so you can all laugh. Fiddler gets 3 1/2 stars.

And The Inheritance was also a pretty fab movie. Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, it actually didn't turn out how I thought it would which was pretty surprising. I mean, don't get me wrong, I still predicted most of it along with half the class but the ending wasn't what I thought it would all turn out to be when we first started it. It gets 4 stars.

So there you have it, some random stories from the weekend and some movie reviews. So go put on some Christmas music, smell some pine trees and drink in the anticipation for another coming Christmas season!

Surprised my head is still attached

We spent a while in class today on atheist blogs and wow, that is a scary place to go! The people on the other end ...well, they aren't Christian and they don't pretend to be. Seriously, they practically bite your head off every time you try to say anything. They are so mean! and I don't even mean just unkind, most of them are cussing you out, calling you names, putting down your intellect - everything except giving a real response to your questions. We went in there with 1 Peter 3:15 in our hearts (But sanctify the Lord God in you hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear)

It has been an enlightening experience but it saddens me so much. Those people are all so lost and there is no way that we can convince them of their folly. Everything we say really does sounds like foolishness to them and just like 2 Cor. 2:14 says they just can't understand or accept the things of God. But, we did not go into the lions den for their sakes, but for God's glory. We knew that we wouldn't convert anyone but the Holy Spirit can work through our feeble efforts and it debating like that really helps to sharpen and strengthen your own faith. But beware if you try it because it gets frustrating when they twist your words, it is disheartening to see that you are getting nowhere and despite it all, their comments hurt sometimes. However, I have found that my pity for them greatly overcomes any anger or hurt I may have. They are truly lost. 

I thank God that He saved me. It is only by GOD'S GRACE that I am on this side of the argument and not yelling terrible things back to a bunch of Christians in Wyoming. How great is my God!?! I can not even understand why He picked me and I know I don't truly grasp the magnitude of what He has done for me. How can I help but want to live every second for Him. I pray that I will continually glorify Him in all I do for, that is the least I can do.

To the Streets

Today, after lunch, we went as a class with a few staff members and witnessed to the people of Jackson. It was the first time I have ever done something like that and it was nerve-racking but exciting. I walked around with Shannon and though we didn't get into any deep conversations we were able to give out gospel tracts to quite a few people.

I still don't really know how I feel about tracts except that I know that God, the Holy Spirit can use anything and I believe we planted some seeds today. A few people in the group were able to really talk to people that were open to hearing the gospel. It was an amazing experience and I'm praying God will use the little work we have done here to glorify Him.

I fear that we as Christians really don't share our faith enough. Every time we leave the house we should be looking and ready to tell others the good news. We learned a lot about "The Way of the Master" and how to share the gospel by first starting with the law so that a person can see their need for salvation. I feel more equipped to actually talk to people because I know how to talk to them.

Also I have really seen how we need to go out there and tell people. I mean, Jesus commanded us to tell the world and even if people reject us - they are really rejecting God and they will have no excuse on Judgment Day. Judgment is real and I do care about my fellow man; if we truly believe what the Bible says then...all those lost people are headed for eternity in hell and if I can share the gospel with them and the may Holy Spirit uses me, then how can I not go out there?

Forgive me

Another challenge. Think of the gospel message today. Have you ever realized how much humanistic ideals have crept in. I was completely blown away today. Humanism says that the end of all being is the happiness of man; the reason for existence is the happiness of man. I know, you are denying that this is part of the gospel but think about it. How often have we heard "Jesus loves you so much and He wants to bless you and give you a reason to live. He will change your life and give you a joy you never knew" or something of that kind. Since my childhood, I remember praying that "everyone will become a Christian so they will go to heaven." How often have I feared for my friends or acquaintances because I want them to go to heaven. I'm only hoping for their happiness in the end. I don't want them to be damned to an eternity of terror. But the very purpose of salvation isn't for mankind's happiness - it's ultimately for God's glory

Is your salvation based on the end result of your happiness. What if it was only hell that awaited you in the end. Would you still serve God, simply because He is worthy. Would you still give your life to the only one who actually holds control. Are you willing to give EVERYTHING in your service to Him? Jesus did. Why are you a Christian? Are you sure you want to be a Christian.

Listen to this youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtFZhuFBlOo take a break and watch all 5 parts. If you aren't effected by this...I don't know what to say.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you feel about it. My first reaction: I cried

Significantly insignificant

Our first day of Eric Hovind's class blew us all away. God has convicted each one of us through this gifted man and wow. I'm excited but a little afraid of what the week is going to bring.

It's all about your worldview. That determines everything about you! And there are only two options:

God did it all or...
                                                                  He didn't
What you think about God tells a whole lot about you and determines how you live. Did you know that the word universe comes from Latin and means one (uni) spoken sentence (verse). I mean seriously! The scientists have spent hundreds of years debating how the "one spoken sentence" came into existence...ummmmmmmm...

It's a fact that every argument against God can be reduced to foolishness. Psalm 14:1 says "the fool hath said in his heart, 'there is no God.'" Furthermore Romans 1:18-22 tells us that EVERYONE knows God. They are willfully suppressing the truth. Since the creation of the world, God has shown Himself to man and yet man has rejected Him purposefully in sin. Eric says that the reason people scoff at the Bible is never because of science - it's always because of sin. People know the truth but they choose to go against God and live their own way. In reality, there is no such thing as an atheist because to say there is no God means that you know EVERYTHING about the earth, the universe and beyond. You have to know all that is out there in order to say resolutely that there is no God...but in that case, if you know everything, then you yourself are god...so...there is a god...YOU.

But no matter how much we argue and debate, even if we KNOW we are right, we will never convert anybody. It is only by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit that anyone can come to salvation in Christ. Sometimes I think I give myself too much responsibility in this matter because I blame myself for my inadequate presentation of the gospel and I freak out about people I know, my school friends, the WORLD that doesn't know Christ but in reality, it's God who brings people to Himself. Yes He uses us, but...He doesn't have to - He doesn't NEED us! If He did, He wouldn't be God.

But He is God. and oh, what a God He is. He is worthy to be praised. Just look at some pictures of the universe! Look at the stars, the galaxies, the planets and you can't possibly help but see God. The amazing thing is, it's all out there for HIS GLORY (Psalm 19:1). In fact EVERYTHING God does is to His glory. Think about it, if man's greatest goal is to glorify God, why would God's be any different. God has no one else to give glory to but Himself for He alone is worthy. Even at the cross, it was all for His glory.

It is impossible for us to understand how huge His love for us is until we begin to grasp how huge our God really is. And in doing this, maybe we will understand how significantly insignificant we really are. Just look at a picture of the universe if you need a wake-up call. Isaiah 40:17 says that the nations are nothing to God...and I, I am just one person among the nations. That God loved us enough to save us from our sin, to redeem His fallen creation, in His ultimate plan for HIS GLORY, is unbelievable. There is nothing I can give that isn't already His and I feel completely unworthy in His presence yet He welcomes me, moreover, I can call Him Father!

My only response is: How can I live today, for His glory?