Jesus...scaring the hell out of people since circa December 25, 6 B.C.

In one of my classes today we had a slight discussion about a popular church production called "Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames". It's a common tool for evangelism, or if you prefer a phrase I believe is more appropriate: fear induced salvation.

Fire. Brimstone. Sulfur. Weeping. Gnashing of teeth. Etc.

All of these unfortunate, hellish concepts are mentioned vividly in the Bible, but how much attention are we to give to them? Am I advocating that we drop them from conversations with Christians and non-Christians alike?

Forgive the pun, but....Hell no!

Someone in class stated that more so than any topic in the Bible, Hell or eternally damning ideas are mentioned and proclaimed.

While it's true that it is mentioned often, and with great emotion and weight, I don't think this is necessarily true.

I believe that where one may possibly head in the afterlife is a legitimate discussion point with a non-Christian, but I would prefer to discuss with them the aspects of Christ's love, service, and sacrifice; all which save us from damnation.

I'm not about peddling "fire insurance". I'm not about fear-mongering, which is what tends to happen too often with evangelism.

I do believe that there is an element of fear, but it must be properly placed.

Hell terrifies me, but it's not what makes me love Jesus.

Jar

Simplicity...

There are days when I feel as if the best thing for me to do is rip someone's head off.

Jar

Ain't not party like a...

Here's the deal...

We want to get the word out about this blog. We want as many people to read, write, and contribute in other fashions as possible.

To encourage that, I'm asking for your help.

We are a start up, there's no denying it. But I fully believe that we have the potential to go a long way as time progresses.

To inspire and possibly bribe you to get the word out, we are going to throw a party.

When we hit a thousand profile views, and I believe this is well within reach in the near future, Tyler and I will throw a bash to end all bashes. Or maybe just a barbecue.

Once we've hit the goal, all of you are invited, even if you've only read the blog once or twice.

So get the word out there. It's going to be awesome.

Not unlike this (Yay double negative!)...

Small Request

From now on, when ya'll leave us a comment, could you please leave your name so we know who you are? We love all the comments but we would love them just a bit more if we had a name with it. Thanks!

Ty

It's gettin' pretty esteemy in here...

Culture tells us that we are the most important things in our own lives. While I gather that to some degree, we should hold ourselves to be important and of value, to go so far is contradictory to what God calls from us.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14-16) and much more valuable than the sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31), but if we focus so much on our worth, we lose sight of our brokenness and the pain that comes with that

I’ve struggled with issues of self-esteem my entire life, like almost everyone else, but I can honestly say that having exercised certain struggles to the point of being able to look beyond them, I’m able to see myself in those moments for what I really am: a beautiful creation that has gone awry.

I’m not what was originally intended. Death was not a part of the plan. Disease was not a part of the plan. Divorce was not a part of the plan. Molestation was not a part of the plan.

It just so happens though, that these things became a part of the story. My story. Each one has provided along with it’s occurrence, a blow to the gut of my esteem. My perception of not just myself, but even others has been tainted by the crud of my past.

But it’s verses like the ones stated above that remind me I am not what and who I tend to think I am. Though we are a messed up work of art, we’re still the work of an Artist.

Our society though, tends to not think along these lines. Self-esteem is seemingly wrapped up in possessions, careers, sex, body image, etc. True, all of these things are aspects of self-esteem for Christians and non-Christians alike, but they are not, and should not, be the ultimate measuring stick for who we are.

If we stripped ourselves of our fancy clothes, flashy cars, and sexy relationships, what’s left? We are left with ourselves. Unfortunately, not enough people in this world really know who they are because they are blinded by the brightness of all that surrounds them, like deer in headlights.

How then are does one respond to a culture that reminds them that the most important is me, myself and I?

It takes integrity, honesty, love, and courage. You could even mix it up with a touch of bluntness.

Jar

Flies...

I'm not a big fan of people who constantly criticize my school, even though from time to time I could be considered one of them. At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I need to inform you that there are of course positive aspects about this place to counter the negative ones. Unfortunately though, the negative seems to be what we as a people tend to focus on the most. I think you could go to any small Christian college, or even a giant state funded one, and nearly every person there, when describing their perception of their respective schools, would overwhelmingly focus on the negative tenants of wherever they are.

Perhaps that's just human nature.

So, allow me to indulge my human nature.

I firmly believe that a majority of the people at my school lack the social awareness of a fruit fly.

Sure many of them grew up in homeschooling environments or Christian high schools, so their social skills weren't always encouraged or given the best room to grow. Please understand that this is not an indictment of homeschooling or Christian education. I'm a product of the latter, and I believe that I've come out of it with moderate to decent social ability.

So there IS hope.

My issue arises when I'm walking down the sidewalk and virtually every person I'm passing the other way has their eyes planted to the ground, so as avoid eye contact, which lead to the inevitable awkward interactions and exchanges. I'm not asking that everyone look me in the eye and ask me how I'm doing.

But come on people, can we at least ACKNOWLEDGE the fact that there are other people around you on this forsaken planet?

It's not even the sidewalk exchanges. So often I see everyone either freeze up, blow up, or just give up when presented with the opportunity for interaction. It's completely mind boggling to me. I understand that I need to be loving, but consider this a case of tough love.

Grow up people. The world is bigger than you. Find out what's going on in it and you just may be inspired to act for once in your life.

I was going to apologize for any of this sounding slightly incendiary, but I could not, in clean conscience, do that. I firmly believe in everything that I've written.

I'm sure some of you are shaking your heads and wondering what the heck is going on in mine. Let me assure you, not even I know that sometimes.

With that said, how 'bout them Jayhawks?

Jar

Some things to think about...

I thought I'd share some of these that I came across.

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

What is the speed of darkness?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up every two hours?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?


Did you ever stop and wonder......

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I’ll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its bum."

Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their bum when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why does your Obstetrician, Gynaecologist leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Stop singing and read on……. Yes, it caught me too!

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

Hope you all enjoyed those. Talk to you soon.

Ty