I'm not very excited to return to school this fall, but I am. I've had an odd summer. I've been tired with little to no energy to get around. Well, sometimes I've had tonnes of energy to spare, but I've been out of it a lot. And I've hardly done anything on my course that I wanted to get a lot of it done by now... perhaps I'll get to work on it now, after remaking my bed for sleep tonight.
Probably not though. Most likely tonight will consist of sleep, tomorrow of packing and forest cliff concert, and then thursday will be packing, friday will be going to school.
Wow. It's that close already. Where'd the summer go?
30.8.04
ugh
I just found out that a guy from school's mom died last week and then his brother took his own life the next day. That's crazy and very tragic. It hits me in a completely different way. I can't comprehend the pain and feelings that would be going through his head right now. All I can do is pray.
email update
Hi Everyone!
I know I haven't been keeping in contact much this summer, and for that I apologize profusely. I haven't been to my old capacity of writing e-mail and being online, etc.
Just for the general populace to know, it's been a different summer for me. I came into the summer completely expecting to be working at the travel centre again, however that fell through and I began May unemployed with no prospects. No matter how hard I tried to find employment, there were no bites. I did receive two jobs through the Odd Job Squad at the Student Employment Centre in Sarnia. The first was ripping out drywall and carpet after the floods in may with Winmar, and the second was two weeks of moving computers around in an upgrade at Basell in Corunna. And in late May, I recieved an offer to mow the lawn on a weekly basis of a nice lady I know in Corunna. However, that is where my official employment ended and the rest of the summer was free.
So me being the type who doesn't like sitting around doing nothing, ended up volunteering as a lifeguard at camp for a week thinking that I'd look for a job when I got home. However one week turned into two weeks, turned into 7 weeks out of a possible 10 that the camp ran this summer. It's a completely different atmosphere than being paid. I enjoyed being at camp because I wanted to, rather than being at a workplace because I had to be there. So in the end, I lifeguarded for 3 weeks, counselled for 3 weeks, and my final week was spent as kitchen host. It was a summer for growing and learning. Hopefully I don't have any more unemployed summers in my future, but I'm highly ready for more learning experiences and chances to grow in who I am.
So now that August is drawing to a close, where does that leave me? I'm returning to Emmanuel Bible College this Friday for a week of Student Leadership Training so that I will be prepared to enter into my new role of Resident Advisor for this coming school year. I'm excited at the opportunity that I have to serve in a different yet similar way to camp. I know that it's going to be a challenging year at some parts, however I'm ready to get in there and have a blast in combining school work with relationship building and growing as a part of the community of believers that EBC is.
For those who pray, I appreciate your prayers towards this fall. Pray that the school year goes well. Pray for the floors in residence that they grow into a cohesive family of friends within a short period of time with little to no difficulties. Pray for me as I go into a leadership role on the floor that I'll be living on, and that it doesn't interfere with my school work (taking 5 classes, plus a correspondence course) and that I may be able to get my work done with little to no procrastination. I appreciate your prayers and e-mails, even though I may not reply immediately, I do read every e-mail that comes into my inbox and appreciate the thought and care that was put into writing it, no matter the length.
I hope all your summers went well and you're ready to dive into whatever September may hold for you.
Thanks for all that you've meant to me in the past, and I hope our friendships will continue into the future.
Tim
-- Tim --
"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lose all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him..." - Phillippians 3:7-9a
I know I haven't been keeping in contact much this summer, and for that I apologize profusely. I haven't been to my old capacity of writing e-mail and being online, etc.
Just for the general populace to know, it's been a different summer for me. I came into the summer completely expecting to be working at the travel centre again, however that fell through and I began May unemployed with no prospects. No matter how hard I tried to find employment, there were no bites. I did receive two jobs through the Odd Job Squad at the Student Employment Centre in Sarnia. The first was ripping out drywall and carpet after the floods in may with Winmar, and the second was two weeks of moving computers around in an upgrade at Basell in Corunna. And in late May, I recieved an offer to mow the lawn on a weekly basis of a nice lady I know in Corunna. However, that is where my official employment ended and the rest of the summer was free.
So me being the type who doesn't like sitting around doing nothing, ended up volunteering as a lifeguard at camp for a week thinking that I'd look for a job when I got home. However one week turned into two weeks, turned into 7 weeks out of a possible 10 that the camp ran this summer. It's a completely different atmosphere than being paid. I enjoyed being at camp because I wanted to, rather than being at a workplace because I had to be there. So in the end, I lifeguarded for 3 weeks, counselled for 3 weeks, and my final week was spent as kitchen host. It was a summer for growing and learning. Hopefully I don't have any more unemployed summers in my future, but I'm highly ready for more learning experiences and chances to grow in who I am.
So now that August is drawing to a close, where does that leave me? I'm returning to Emmanuel Bible College this Friday for a week of Student Leadership Training so that I will be prepared to enter into my new role of Resident Advisor for this coming school year. I'm excited at the opportunity that I have to serve in a different yet similar way to camp. I know that it's going to be a challenging year at some parts, however I'm ready to get in there and have a blast in combining school work with relationship building and growing as a part of the community of believers that EBC is.
For those who pray, I appreciate your prayers towards this fall. Pray that the school year goes well. Pray for the floors in residence that they grow into a cohesive family of friends within a short period of time with little to no difficulties. Pray for me as I go into a leadership role on the floor that I'll be living on, and that it doesn't interfere with my school work (taking 5 classes, plus a correspondence course) and that I may be able to get my work done with little to no procrastination. I appreciate your prayers and e-mails, even though I may not reply immediately, I do read every e-mail that comes into my inbox and appreciate the thought and care that was put into writing it, no matter the length.
I hope all your summers went well and you're ready to dive into whatever September may hold for you.
Thanks for all that you've meant to me in the past, and I hope our friendships will continue into the future.
Tim
-- Tim --
"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lose all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him..." - Phillippians 3:7-9a
really, i don't have the answers...
but God does.
So I'm sitting at home last night and my parents return from my grandparents place and hand me an envelope. I open it up and it's a card... not any ordinary card, but a card that contains a cheque for $1000.00 from my Great Uncle who was told by his accountant to get rid of some of his money somehow. Why do I even bother not trusting God? This puts me closer to being able to not burden my parents with the cost of school this coming year.
Human stupidity and distrust really stinks sometimes.
So I'm sitting at home last night and my parents return from my grandparents place and hand me an envelope. I open it up and it's a card... not any ordinary card, but a card that contains a cheque for $1000.00 from my Great Uncle who was told by his accountant to get rid of some of his money somehow. Why do I even bother not trusting God? This puts me closer to being able to not burden my parents with the cost of school this coming year.
Human stupidity and distrust really stinks sometimes.
29.8.04
backstreet?
I found a backstreet boys cd in my player today. I guess someone forgot to remove it before leaving on Friday and now it's in my posession. If I weren't so ethical, I'd probably throw it as a frisbee into Talfourd Creek, because that's the closest thing to a cespool we have around here, which isn't even close to what it deserves... maybe a reactor core would be nice with maggots eating anything that enters it and then pooing it out into a bottomless pit... but I'm returning it to the camp for it's owner to retrieve it, or if it was left by someone else earlier in the summer, then it'll be the camps to torch... or something to that extent.
Darn morals.
Darn morals.
28.8.04
all camped out
so I'm done going to camp for full weeks for this year. Who knows if I'll go back at all next year, or end up applying for core staff sometime in the future. I know that I can't afford core staff, but it might be where I end up going. We'll see. What have I done with my summer at camp? Lifeguarded 3 times, counselled 3 times, and was kitchen host once. I've driven in a parade, helped light fireworks, played a round of golf or two, climbed the wall a few times, gotten stuck in the lake with no motor, so we had to paddle the sailboat back in, cut a toe on a chair, table, and my hand and toe when getting flung off the golf cart as it was being stolen by my fellow host in the kitchen this week. I've smelt the smell of 300 poos a few times as the septic truck was pumping the tank on various occasions. I rode on the boat 3 times total, 0 times on the banana. Otherwise, it was a good summer. With kids who were clowns, ones who puked at the smell of poo, lost a camper who was being a jerk and hiding in his bag as a joke and I ended up getting really ticked at him, but not showing it as much as I wanted to, kitchen boy who was flirting with campers this week, then switched to the beach crew when I "discussed" what he was doing with him, though he didn't understand why campers were off bounds...
It's been a good summer, all in all.
Now i have to pack and purchase before school hits. Ugh.
It's been a good summer, all in all.
Now i have to pack and purchase before school hits. Ugh.
21.8.04
camp
So I've returned from yet another week at camp (and I'm going back for one more starting tomorrow... don't ask) and it was a cool week. I had a reasonably good cabin, except for the 3 kids that didn't listen ever, the 2 that had word wars, the 6 that tried to circle beat me, the one that had rampant swearing issues and broke a window with a duct tape ball, and the one that was too comfortable in the camp environment. However, with all those numbers, there were only about 4 that I had real problems with out of 11 campers. But those four campers are the cause of my strained vocal chords and my headaches for the past week. Arg. Oh, and two of those 4 were identical twins. Wonderful!
But I had a good week. I got kangaroo courted for dumping a bucket of water on a fire during the game "Flame Battlers" on Sunday night with another counsellor, so my judgement was having to eat a meal with no hands completely. That was exciting. My campers put the stuff on my plate, and I ate it. Monday night we watched "Remember the Titans" and about 15 of us had a good time yelling out "Ratchett" everytime something stupid was said or done on the movie... we got creative and moved to crazy glue and mace by the end of it. The joys. Tuesday was making hemp bracelets or watching the 3 on 3 basketball game. I made a hemp bracelet. It was exciting. Wednesday was a concert by Disoriented Youth and Lost Coin. Thursday night was the Talent Show where my cabin sang Rock Stars Need Money and the Prune Song. It was pretty fun. The joys of camp. It was a good week in all. I'm going back next week but as something different than a counsellor and lifeguard, which is all I know how to do... I'm a Kitchen Host. I'm not sure the exact details yet, but I'm sure they'll come with the 'morrow.
But I had a good week. I got kangaroo courted for dumping a bucket of water on a fire during the game "Flame Battlers" on Sunday night with another counsellor, so my judgement was having to eat a meal with no hands completely. That was exciting. My campers put the stuff on my plate, and I ate it. Monday night we watched "Remember the Titans" and about 15 of us had a good time yelling out "Ratchett" everytime something stupid was said or done on the movie... we got creative and moved to crazy glue and mace by the end of it. The joys. Tuesday was making hemp bracelets or watching the 3 on 3 basketball game. I made a hemp bracelet. It was exciting. Wednesday was a concert by Disoriented Youth and Lost Coin. Thursday night was the Talent Show where my cabin sang Rock Stars Need Money and the Prune Song. It was pretty fun. The joys of camp. It was a good week in all. I'm going back next week but as something different than a counsellor and lifeguard, which is all I know how to do... I'm a Kitchen Host. I'm not sure the exact details yet, but I'm sure they'll come with the 'morrow.
14.8.04
some cheese for now
Ok... normally these things are left for e-mail, but whatever. I'm doing it here. Don't get too used to it.
THREE THINGS!
Three things that scare me:
1: Open Heights
2: Rocks underneath water
3: Change
Three Things I love:
1: The Triune God
2: Laughter
3: Music
Three Things I hate:
1: People scaring me
2: Stupidity
3: Papers
Three things I don't understand:
1: Stupidity
2: Telecom technology
3: Why I didn't get a job at the Travel Centre this year
Three things on my desk:
1: Monitor
2: Mike Salvatore's business card
3: The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration
Three things I'm doing right now:
1: Listening to Dan Robins "Hesed"
2: Wondering what my body wants in terms of food/beverage.
3: Filling out this survey thingy
Three things I want to do before I die:
1: Travel to New Zealand or Aussieland or both
2: Get married, or at least find the girl that I want to marry
3: Get a job that I love doing.
Three things I can do:
1: Play guitar
2: Drive
3: Read
Three ways to describe my personality:
1: Fill these blanks in. I don't like thinking about myself... but I think I need to soon.
2:
3:
Three things I can't do:
1: Dive from the 10 metre platform synchronous to another person
2: Run the marathon
3: Think of myself in an objective way.
THREE THINGS!
Three things that scare me:
1: Open Heights
2: Rocks underneath water
3: Change
Three Things I love:
1: The Triune God
2: Laughter
3: Music
Three Things I hate:
1: People scaring me
2: Stupidity
3: Papers
Three things I don't understand:
1: Stupidity
2: Telecom technology
3: Why I didn't get a job at the Travel Centre this year
Three things on my desk:
1: Monitor
2: Mike Salvatore's business card
3: The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration
Three things I'm doing right now:
1: Listening to Dan Robins "Hesed"
2: Wondering what my body wants in terms of food/beverage.
3: Filling out this survey thingy
Three things I want to do before I die:
1: Travel to New Zealand or Aussieland or both
2: Get married, or at least find the girl that I want to marry
3: Get a job that I love doing.
Three things I can do:
1: Play guitar
2: Drive
3: Read
Three ways to describe my personality:
1: Fill these blanks in. I don't like thinking about myself... but I think I need to soon.
2:
3:
Three things I can't do:
1: Dive from the 10 metre platform synchronous to another person
2: Run the marathon
3: Think of myself in an objective way.
again?
Guess what? I'm at camp again next week. Surprise, surprise.
If things work out, I'll be counselling, which should be cool. It'll be my first teen week counselling ever, so it'll be a new experience. I've lifeguarded.. 4 teen weeks and camped 3 of them, but never counselled one, so I guess it's another side of the camp. I'm pumped about it. They're having one day for Festivus... so I'm going to make a sign today that says "Festivus Yes! Bagels No!" (from Seinfeld) to carry around on that day. We'll see how that goes.
Anyways, the same goes for anyone who's interested. campmail@fccamp.org Subj: "Hi Paco" or at least something that includes the word "Paco" in the line. Whatev... I don't like that word. It's the lazy man's Whatever... I guess it's the more dangerous version, seeing as it's neglecting the ER... (pause for laughter) *nothing*... erm...
bye.
If things work out, I'll be counselling, which should be cool. It'll be my first teen week counselling ever, so it'll be a new experience. I've lifeguarded.. 4 teen weeks and camped 3 of them, but never counselled one, so I guess it's another side of the camp. I'm pumped about it. They're having one day for Festivus... so I'm going to make a sign today that says "Festivus Yes! Bagels No!" (from Seinfeld) to carry around on that day. We'll see how that goes.
Anyways, the same goes for anyone who's interested. campmail@fccamp.org Subj: "Hi Paco" or at least something that includes the word "Paco" in the line. Whatev... I don't like that word. It's the lazy man's Whatever... I guess it's the more dangerous version, seeing as it's neglecting the ER... (pause for laughter) *nothing*... erm...
bye.
12.8.04
bullying and the costs
I read in the paper that a person who once bullied me got arrested for holding child pornography. I'm speechless... There were a lot of people that picked on me during school. Some for a brief period of time, and some for years. One person picked on me every day of high school because he thought it was funny, no matter what anyone else said.
Sometimes I wish that I had stood up to them, or at least gone to people higher up. I don't know why people do stupid things. I was once stupid and did stupid things like the rest of them, but never to the extreme. I have no idea why I did it other than the notion of "being cool"... but my time in the Principal's office (after the two incidents I remember) learned me good. What's the point of picking on someone because it hurts for a long time after. I still have times that I wish my childhood were a bit better. Less people making jokes about me. More quality friendships throughout elementary school... but everything happens for a reason, and I've become who I am through these experiences.
Maybe my childhood taught me the value of having friends that actually cared, rather than those just in the market to go swimming in your pool or playing on your computer.
Things have changed since then... for me at least... maybe not as much for others.
Sometimes I wish that I had stood up to them, or at least gone to people higher up. I don't know why people do stupid things. I was once stupid and did stupid things like the rest of them, but never to the extreme. I have no idea why I did it other than the notion of "being cool"... but my time in the Principal's office (after the two incidents I remember) learned me good. What's the point of picking on someone because it hurts for a long time after. I still have times that I wish my childhood were a bit better. Less people making jokes about me. More quality friendships throughout elementary school... but everything happens for a reason, and I've become who I am through these experiences.
Maybe my childhood taught me the value of having friends that actually cared, rather than those just in the market to go swimming in your pool or playing on your computer.
Things have changed since then... for me at least... maybe not as much for others.
11.8.04
glassification
So I got my new glasses today. They're squarer than the past ones I've had... not the thick Drew Carey ones, but thin nice ones. You'll have to see it to understand...
friends
I wrote a little poem... erm work in progress that expresses how I feel towards my friends, past, present, and future... Some have stood the test of time and lasted for years, other friendships fell apart when the turbulence arose... some have yet to be, but they're all helpful for me. I learn something new from each person that comes my way. So here it is...
ode to the friends...
For those who were in the past, I say thanks for the lessons learned.
For those who are in the present, I appreciate you pushing me to change for the better.
For those who will be in the future, I look forward to what you have to teach me.
---
It's a work in progress nonetheless.
ode to the friends...
For those who were in the past, I say thanks for the lessons learned.
For those who are in the present, I appreciate you pushing me to change for the better.
For those who will be in the future, I look forward to what you have to teach me.
---
It's a work in progress nonetheless.
10.8.04
mission
Something I read tonight made me think. I was doing some reading for the fall, and it made me remember what a guy told me a few weeks back at camp. The thing said to make a personal mission statement that describes what your purpose in this life is. That just kinda jumped out at me because a janitor was talking to me and encouraged me to make one. He said that some people think the longer the mission the better it is, but that's not the way to go. A good mission, he commented, is one that can be read from 20 metres away when printed on the front of a T-shirt. His was "No life untouched". I remember the moment he told me. He had this smile on his face and a look of pure passion for life and reaching out to others.
I think I'm going to create a mission statement that describes the essence of "Tim". I've had the long ones in the past, but they just passed by the wayside as life continued... This one needs to stick in my mind as something that I'll remember... if only I could think.
I think I'm going to create a mission statement that describes the essence of "Tim". I've had the long ones in the past, but they just passed by the wayside as life continued... This one needs to stick in my mind as something that I'll remember... if only I could think.
finances
Well, a huge burden was lifted yesterday when I found out about the RA discounts for this fall at school. It saves me a lot of money that I don't have right now and probably wont have for quite some time... maybe not even until next year... phew.
On the other hand, my mom was asking about birthday presents this morning, so I have to start thinking about things that would be helpful in the future.
I know a few things that would be good to have..
1. 1/4 inch patch cord (20') for guitar.
2. DSL modem along with all cords and filters. I saw one on E-bay for about $30 including shipping... but I'm too cheap to get an E-bay account. It would be nice though... Hmm...
3. Princess Bride, Mr Holland's Opus, Hot Shots Part Deux, Robin Hood Men in Tights, The Terminal on DVD... well, any of the above would be nice, but I don't need them.
4. 8 rechargable AAA batteries with charger for my two-way radios
5. DI Box for guitar, but those are expensive.
6. $$$
On the other hand, my mom was asking about birthday presents this morning, so I have to start thinking about things that would be helpful in the future.
I know a few things that would be good to have..
1. 1/4 inch patch cord (20') for guitar.
2. DSL modem along with all cords and filters. I saw one on E-bay for about $30 including shipping... but I'm too cheap to get an E-bay account. It would be nice though... Hmm...
3. Princess Bride, Mr Holland's Opus, Hot Shots Part Deux, Robin Hood Men in Tights, The Terminal on DVD... well, any of the above would be nice, but I don't need them.
4. 8 rechargable AAA batteries with charger for my two-way radios
5. DI Box for guitar, but those are expensive.
6. $$$
weather
I'm airing a greivance right now regarding the weather. I'm not mad at it or anything because I have nothing to say about the weather because it's not my area, so maybe I should just shutup now.
... Well, I was looking at the weather, and the next week holds no temperatures above 23 C... it's August! Ah well, there's a reasoning behind this. I'll cope.
... Well, I was looking at the weather, and the next week holds no temperatures above 23 C... it's August! Ah well, there's a reasoning behind this. I'll cope.
9.8.04
prayer
I started praying for my floor this fall yesterday... well, seriously anyways. I was reading in Ephesians yesterday, well right through Ephesians last night, and this caught my eye. Paul writes: "
EPH 1:15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritn of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe."Eph 1:15-19a NIV.
So from that I can discern that his prayer included the following points:
1. Give thanks for who you're praying for
2. Pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be able to know Him better
3. That the eyes of their heart may be opened and enlightened
4. That they may be strengthened with power through the Spirit so Christ may dwell in their hearts (3:16,17)
I can't use the exact prayer, but the principles behind it can go beyond the basics.
EPH 1:15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritn of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe."Eph 1:15-19a NIV.
So from that I can discern that his prayer included the following points:
1. Give thanks for who you're praying for
2. Pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be able to know Him better
3. That the eyes of their heart may be opened and enlightened
4. That they may be strengthened with power through the Spirit so Christ may dwell in their hearts (3:16,17)
I can't use the exact prayer, but the principles behind it can go beyond the basics.
8.8.04
comfort
I was having a discussion this week at camp about what my feelings were towards apathy in Christian circles to modesty and appropriate speech. We can't deny it happens because we all know it does. Make fun of someone over something they say. Use obscene jokes as a method of getting others to laugh. Play stupid games that only exude some of the testosterone built up inside that we can't get out while being single. Wear clothes that show way too much, but it's ok because we can't cause other Christians to stumble because when you've been forgiven by God's grace, you don't look at people the same way.
We'd all like to go around thinking that there's no problem in those areas because we're forgiven by God's grace alone and because we're around fellow Christians, it's ok to be idiots in speech, dress, and love for each other. But reality is different. How many times have you been seriously hurt by something one of your brothers or sisters in Christ have said/done/worn? It happens to me repeatedly. And it hurts. A whole lot more than if I didn't have standards for my life set out for me.
Standards, you ask? There's a huge difference between the secular environment and Christian environment in terms of "ideal" standards. Just take a look at Colossians 3 or Ephesians 4-5 and you'll see lists of guidelines for Christian living. Here's an excerpt from Colossians.
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." Colossians 3:5-11
I don't know how many people think that it's ok to go around using profanities because they've been redeemed. It's not ok. God goes against it therefore we should too.
How does comfort stick in with all this? Most people find it comfortable to conform to the world that we live in because if we're just a part of the crowd, who's going to go against us? But remember the quote at the beginning of "What if I Stumble?" by DC Talk.
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
If we're comfortable with the world, we're not comfortable with our faith. Simple as that. Who cares if the world's against us? We've got God on our side. Give it your all. We're "in the world", but who said anything about being "of the world"? Paul put it in perspective in Ephesians.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible." Ephesians 5:8-14
In Conclusion, to bring back some DC Talk...
"I want to be in the light, as you are in the light
I want to shine like the stars in the heavens
O Lord, be my light, and be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light..." - In The Light - DC Talk
We'd all like to go around thinking that there's no problem in those areas because we're forgiven by God's grace alone and because we're around fellow Christians, it's ok to be idiots in speech, dress, and love for each other. But reality is different. How many times have you been seriously hurt by something one of your brothers or sisters in Christ have said/done/worn? It happens to me repeatedly. And it hurts. A whole lot more than if I didn't have standards for my life set out for me.
Standards, you ask? There's a huge difference between the secular environment and Christian environment in terms of "ideal" standards. Just take a look at Colossians 3 or Ephesians 4-5 and you'll see lists of guidelines for Christian living. Here's an excerpt from Colossians.
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." Colossians 3:5-11
I don't know how many people think that it's ok to go around using profanities because they've been redeemed. It's not ok. God goes against it therefore we should too.
How does comfort stick in with all this? Most people find it comfortable to conform to the world that we live in because if we're just a part of the crowd, who's going to go against us? But remember the quote at the beginning of "What if I Stumble?" by DC Talk.
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
If we're comfortable with the world, we're not comfortable with our faith. Simple as that. Who cares if the world's against us? We've got God on our side. Give it your all. We're "in the world", but who said anything about being "of the world"? Paul put it in perspective in Ephesians.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible." Ephesians 5:8-14
In Conclusion, to bring back some DC Talk...
"I want to be in the light, as you are in the light
I want to shine like the stars in the heavens
O Lord, be my light, and be my salvation
All I want is to be in the light..." - In The Light - DC Talk
6.8.04
for those who care/read
I'm home for a week and a bit now as next week is Girls week at Forest Cliff meaning that the only males on camp property are the core staff.
It feels really strange seeing as I've already spent a month at Forest Cliff this summer, and there's just under a month until I start school again. I have so much to do in this month, and I already have another week booked at Camp to counsel (15th-20th). It's hard to understand how I'm so pressed for time when I'm unemployed and not in school, though I do have this course I'm working on.
I don't know who reads this, if anyone, but I think it's still a nice place to write my thoughts down, seeing as I hate writing with pen.
It feels really strange seeing as I've already spent a month at Forest Cliff this summer, and there's just under a month until I start school again. I have so much to do in this month, and I already have another week booked at Camp to counsel (15th-20th). It's hard to understand how I'm so pressed for time when I'm unemployed and not in school, though I do have this course I'm working on.
I don't know who reads this, if anyone, but I think it's still a nice place to write my thoughts down, seeing as I hate writing with pen.
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