Blindfolds

Most of my friends are Christian.
Sue me, sue me, what can you do me-- but being more involved in CCM and church has allowed me to develop deepened relationships with those in it as well and it has really been a tremendous blessing in my life. The striving-to-love-always-and-be-selfless-at-all-times-and-trying-to-emulate-the-kind-of-love-that-Christ-demonstrated-on-the-cross kinds of friendship is something that I've never really known before I came to college. Being surrounded by the constant encouragement, influence and example made a huge difference in my life as I imagined it would and I'm so very thankful.

But I think being in this Christian safe haven for the majority of my first two years, if not my entire life, has caused me to have a blindfold of what else is out there.

Recently I've been trying more and more to become more aware of what's happening outside of my comfort bubble. I'll share with you guys the blogs that have helped me to stay more aware

The Big Picture has allowed me to see what kind of things happen around the world through pictures! (from things related to war, religion, holidays, etc-- strange stuff, but very interesting and eye opening) It's like news in pictures slash photo journalism and it's really cool :o) VOM (Voice of the Martyrs) has a really great blog about people who are being persecuted around the world. It's really heart breaking to see the kind of suffering people have to go through to defend their faith, and it really rebukes my lack of appreciation for the kind of freedom I have here.

Today I found a blog on some random agnostic/atheist guy. He calls himself The Angry Philestine and he definitely opened my eyes. Not to see his side on the foolishness of the gospel or the message of Christ, but moreso, on how merciful and gracious God has been to me to bless me with the eyes to see Him and the spiritual understanding of the gospel. Everything I read thus far really made me sad, but it challenged me all the more to equip myself more and more with the knowledge, wisdom and love I need to defend this faith and this God I proclaim.

1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Here is a conversaton he had with someone who left a comment on one of his posts.


1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

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The gospel goes against alot of the things this self-seeking, self-exalting, self-serving world proclaims. It's seriously riding aginst the current of the world and more and more I'm learning that the gospel does seem foolish in the eyes of this world. The more I see this, the more I'm encouraged to really strive to be the "salt" that God calls us to be. I never really understood what this meant-- I dont really like salty things! But regardless, I wish that He would use me to be a salt in this world. To bring flavor to this dark and flavorless world, and to (like, salt) preserve the truth and beauty of Christ in this ever diminishing and rotting away world.

Speaking of salt, who remembers Psalty?
Haha



Let's be salty too



give thanks--mornings, learning alot in class, productive study times, eye-openers, lunch in 20 minutes, the million reminders of Your grace