Earlier this week, I received sad news that the mom of a family friend passed away. My mom, aunt, and cousins and I went to the viewing on Tuesday night, to pay our last respects and show our love and support for the family. Old friends whom I haven’t seen in years were there and although it was a very sad occasion, it was quite heart-warming to see old familiar faces as well.
It’s been raining quite a bit this week. Not a fan of it, I must say. I hate driving in the rain for the most part. Last night was quite challenging in particular, driving home from my friends’ house. The rain was pouring quite hard, and as I was making my way to the freeway, I was debating whether I should just talk side streets home or hop on the freeway (which will be quicker). At the last minute, I decided to hop on the freeway. Boy, was that a bad idea! My tires were skidding (is that a word?), and I couldn’t pick up my speed because I know for sure I was going to fishtail it if I went any faster than 40 miles/hour (I know! On the freeway!). I prayed that the Lord would keep me safe, and He did. Mental note: Do not take the freeway when it’s pouring rain!
This week, I’ve been rediscovering Doctor Who. I haven’t had a chance to watch David Tennant as The Doctor, but I’ve been catching up on the season in which Christopher Eccleston is the Doctor, and I’m hooked! I just love him! I think he’s such a fantastic actor, who hasn’t really gotten a lot recognition up until last year, when he joined Heroes as Claude, the invisible man. I really hope his character comes back (didn’t he die? I can’t recall. But it’s TV, they can bring back characters who are supposedly dead - haha).
Last night, I went to see The Color Purple (the musical) with April, Babie and Cat. Wow! It was great! It was an enjoyable experience. I was laughing out loud in some parts, hootin’ n’ hollerin’ in some, and cried in some. At some points, I even felt like we were havin’ church! (*throws hands up in the air* “Weeelll…..”) Michelle Williams, of Destiny’s Child fame, played Shug Avery. At first, I didn’t quite know what to expect from her, but I thought she did a great job with that character. She had most of the “big” solos/duets. It was moving, and the actress who played Celie (I believe this was Whoopi Goldberg’s character in the film), was so engaging. Her name escapes me at the moment. I felt for her as Celie. You really don’t need to see the movie to appreciate the musical. I haven’t (I know, shame! - haha). Well, I’ve seen parts of it when it was shown on TV once, and have started reading the book when I was in highschool, but I’ve never seen (nor read) it in its entirety. If you haven’t seen the musical, I recommend you check it out.
1.25.2008
1.15.2008
"Just and Illusion..."
Song lyrics from “Just an Illusion” by Kevin Max (formerly of DC Talk)
It is so simply put, but it drives the point across. Sadly, even Christians take on this mind-set. Some of us are so caught up in the trappings of this world, the line between being of Christ and being of this world is blurred to the point that the line is not there anymore. And they think it’s OK, because no one else sees the sin. But God does. We always here it said, “we can be in the world, but not of the world.” When are we taking a stand for Christ? We’d risk compromising our faith just so we can be with the “in” crowd? Jesus said, in Luke 21:17 (ESV), “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” And a lot of us can’t handle that because we worry too much about what the world thinks of us, than what God thinks of us. I hear people criticize fellow Christians for being “too Christian” or being in “the bubble” so-to-speak. I can understand why that can be a source of criticism. But when I think about it, some of these Christian brothers and sisters just strive to live a life worthy of the calling. Maybe the way they go about it could be viewed “legalistic” in some aspects, but their desires and intentions come from wanting to please God and show Him how much they love Him. Can I say the same thing for myself? Not quite, but hopefully, I can.
This year, I pray that the Lord will truly do some major changes in the way I view my life and this world. There are things I know that need a complete overhaul, and things that need reinforcing. I’m at a stage in my life where I need to be thankful for everything that God has provided me with. I don’t have a degree, and I know that people look at that as some sort of failure or disappointment. Therefore, I don’t have the “dream” job I’ve always wanted. I know I made wrong decisions in my life, and God showed me the consequences of those decisions, but He has led me out of those consequences, and is continuing to help me accept this part of my life. Who knows what the next year will bring? But I need to learn to be content, because God showed me that He is faithful and He continues to provide for my needs. I’ve learned how to live by faith. My prayer is for God to help me continue to focus on things that matter, things that are of His, and try to accomplish the work that He’s set out for me to do. Everything else is “just an illusion”.
Loving the good life won’t produce your heaven on earth
The fatal seduction?
The assumption you can live without God in your life.
It is so simply put, but it drives the point across. Sadly, even Christians take on this mind-set. Some of us are so caught up in the trappings of this world, the line between being of Christ and being of this world is blurred to the point that the line is not there anymore. And they think it’s OK, because no one else sees the sin. But God does. We always here it said, “we can be in the world, but not of the world.” When are we taking a stand for Christ? We’d risk compromising our faith just so we can be with the “in” crowd? Jesus said, in Luke 21:17 (ESV), “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” And a lot of us can’t handle that because we worry too much about what the world thinks of us, than what God thinks of us. I hear people criticize fellow Christians for being “too Christian” or being in “the bubble” so-to-speak. I can understand why that can be a source of criticism. But when I think about it, some of these Christian brothers and sisters just strive to live a life worthy of the calling. Maybe the way they go about it could be viewed “legalistic” in some aspects, but their desires and intentions come from wanting to please God and show Him how much they love Him. Can I say the same thing for myself? Not quite, but hopefully, I can.
This year, I pray that the Lord will truly do some major changes in the way I view my life and this world. There are things I know that need a complete overhaul, and things that need reinforcing. I’m at a stage in my life where I need to be thankful for everything that God has provided me with. I don’t have a degree, and I know that people look at that as some sort of failure or disappointment. Therefore, I don’t have the “dream” job I’ve always wanted. I know I made wrong decisions in my life, and God showed me the consequences of those decisions, but He has led me out of those consequences, and is continuing to help me accept this part of my life. Who knows what the next year will bring? But I need to learn to be content, because God showed me that He is faithful and He continues to provide for my needs. I’ve learned how to live by faith. My prayer is for God to help me continue to focus on things that matter, things that are of His, and try to accomplish the work that He’s set out for me to do. Everything else is “just an illusion”.
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