TELEVISION

Well, I recently moved from Lindale, TX to Van, TX.  While Lindale definitely isn't a booming metropolis, compared to Van Lindale is light years in the future.  You would probably guess that no matter how small town your city is, you could at least get internet, cable; or at the very least satellite tv.  Not in Van.  No internet provider, no cable provider.  Satellite is our last hope, but alas, our house is too swamped with trees to allow for reception.

Anyway, we try not to let it affect our mood too much.  Think about this, how much time do you spend watching TV in a given week?  I would bet that most of you in high school watch ridiculous amounts.  At least compared to me (although that's not saying much these days).

Think about what those shows are putting into you.  Take my favorite show for example; Modern Family.  Seemingly pretty soft, wholesome, family entertainment.  But even (maybe especially) the "good" stuff in our culture is what we should be careful to evaluate, because it's with those that I let my guard down to the negative things they put in my life and mind. 








Not saying TV, or most things for that matter, is in and of itself BAD.  But the thing I always have to remind myself of with tv, movies, music, our culture in general is:


COLOSSIANS 2:8

Make sure you're not letting the world influence you, take you captive.  Test everything you expose yourself to, that's all I'm saying!

Valentine's Day

There are a lot of definitions for LOVE out there.

Is it a chemical reaction?  Is it a mom's feeling for her baby?  Your feeling for your girlfriend/boyfriend?  What is love, really?  Most of us know love by experience, but it's important to remember that your experience might not be the best representation of what love TRULY is.

Look to Christ, he has the only true and complete answer for what LOVE truly is.

One of my favorite love songs trying to describe God's love for us:  How He Loves, by John Mark McMillan

This took me by surprise today:

sometimes
everyone of us feels
like we’ll never be healed
sometimes

sometimes
everyone of us aches
like we’ll never be saved
sometimes

and when we’ve given up, let your healing come
when theres nothing left, let your healing come
till we’re rising up, let your healing come

where you go we will follow
where you go we will follow

it’s your love that we adore, its like a sea without a shore, we’re lost in you
we’re lost in you

sometimes
its like we’re will never atone for all the love we’ve known
sometimes
like in the smile or a song
when you’ve feel it come, then thats feelings gone
it flies

and when we’ve given up, let your healing come
when theres nothing left, let your healing come
till we’re rising up, let your healing come

where you go we will follow
where you go we will follow

it’s your love that we adore, its like a sea without a shore, we’re lost in you
we’re lost in you

don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid
just set your sails and
Risk the Ocean, there’s only grace
Lets Risk the Ocean, there’s only grace
Lets Risk the Ocean, there’s only grace

where you go we will follow (I’m on my knees)
where you go we will follow (oh, God send me)

-David Crowder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObsBu2_CtAQ

What you Do

I saw this blog post by David duChemin a few weeks ago.  What an incredible encouragement!!!  It makes me think about Matt 6:25-31, goodness gracious our life is ABSOLUTELY short.  Jesus tells us to seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness; to trust in HIS promises of provision for us.

To me, it's more than just doing something to realize a dream, it's realizing that the grandest dream possible is to pursue Christ.  What is HE calling me to do and to be?  He has set us free never to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).  You have what you need to go and be obedient, to follow that greatest dream there ever was.

Are you lighting fires and setting others ablaze?  Are you living your life?

If you're feeling ambitious, read post number 16 by Chris Plante on this response to David's blog on living your dreams.  Tell me what you think!