In Not Of

"...for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." (John 17:14)

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." (John 17:16)

Christians are not of this world. We are to live a life that is holy, or "set apart", and pleasing to the Lord.

"Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world...'" (John 18:36)

We love Jesus because He first loved us. He invited us to join Him in His Kingdom and those who chose life, who chose Jesus, are to live a life worthy of the Kingdom.

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." (John 15:19)

As Christians, our lives should reflect our Kingdom values. Our lives should be "set apart", they should be holy lives.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:15-16)

I've been thinking about being "in" and not "of" the world a lot recently. I've pointed the finger at myself because I realize I am so eager to throw stones. I've been examing how I'm working out my salvation.

I've been asking myself what does salvation look like? What does living a holy life look like? Does it look the same to everyone?

I believe that a Christian's life should look different than a non-Christian's life,

"A life that is totally and completely dependent on God will always look different!"

just as Jesus' life looked different to the non-believers of His day. His disciple's lives looked different too. A life that is totally and completely dependent on God will always look different! A person who loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, will live a life that expresses that relationship and I really don't see how it can be avoided.

I believe that if I grabbed a person off the street and had them spend the day with a non-believer, and then another whole day with a Christian, that those days would, or should, look different to the person off the street.

I consider whether my life looks different? I think some things do. Somethings, unfortunately do not. Other things, I know aren't different...especially my thought life.

What kind of things do I fill my life with that reflects the fact that I dwell in His Kingdom? There are a few different things about my life that I would say shows that I am not "of" this world. One is that I am very discerning about what music I listen to. I choose to listen to mainly Christian music, and music that carries positive messages. It's been quite awhile since I purchased anything secular. The radio is tuned to Christian music stations and mostly talk radio, but I listen mainly to my CDs which contain music that edify and glorifies God.

Television is another aspect in my Christian walk that has really changed. Basically, I haven't watched tv since 1999. I have a tv in the house, but no cable, which means we can receive one channel, the local ABC affiliate. I don't watch it. No one here really does, except now and then the news and Katie does enjoy Lost. I don't think the kids are being deprived either, at least not watching tv keeps them from being depraved!

I do watch movies, but again, I am very discerning about what I watch. I won't go to movies rated above PG-13, and I usually "screen" movies at Plugged In before going to view any. The movies I watch at home are Clean Films versions.

I am selective about what I read as well. Most of my reading material consists of Bible studies, theological studies and apologetics, and devotional material. Lately though, I haven't been reading enough of that stuff! I also read CCM magazine and enjoy Reader's Digest, and other Christian magazines I subscribe to. I do read a lot of blogs too!

Then comes my finger pointing. One way I do NOT do very well with leading a holy

"As a Christian, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit"

life is giving my body as a living sacrifice. I am not big on excercising and should probably do better taking care of this body. I have improved in my eating habits over the last year though. I consciously try to eat healthier foods, fruit instead of snickers bars, and water, instead of Coke. I'm not very good with the water drinking though! As a Christian, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and how we care for them should reflect that fact.

I'm not always the tidiest person around either. I wonder sometimes if Christians should work a bit harder to maintain a clutter-free life and keep things simple. I pile things. Mail piles up all over the counter and my clothes pile up on my dresser. This is definitely an area I need to improve in and should, since I should be preparing for my mansion in paradise!

Another area of my life that is probably not serving Christ well all the time is the addiction I have to this computer and the Internet! I don't do anything "bad" on here, it is just possible that I spend too much time here and not with God. Katie keeps reprimanding me for making this an "idol". ugh. She's probably right.

I wonder sometimes what my life looks like to other people. I wonder if they can actually see that I live for God? I do believe it should be noticable, and if it isn't, maybe I'm living too much like the world.

I am in this world, not of it. The world should "hate" me. If the world doesn't hate me, it is quite possible that I look too much like it.

My Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

I said that for the first time seven years ago today.

:-)

It was Easter Sunday and I accepted Christ at First Baptist Church in Marshalltown, IA.

It is a day I will never forget, nor will I forget the people who were, and many still are, so influential in my life by introducing me to Jesus, so that I might have a personal relationship with Him.

He changed my life.

Racy Music, TV Blamed for Teen Sex

Racy music, TV blamed for teen sex - wow. really?

BRILLIANT DEDUCTION!

A new study suggests that youths who are exposed to sexually explicit media when they are 12 to 14 are more likely to have sex before they hit 16.

That is pretty evident by the way some children, barely tall enough to see over the FIRST row of CDs in my store, bump and grind their way through the songs their parents occupy them with on the listening points. Some children even sing along to all the memorized lyrics. Ugh.

But, there is good news from this study:

the study found they were far more influenced by attitudes of parents and friends than media.

So, in many cases, we should be more concerned about the attitudes of parents.

Would that be the attitudes of parents BUYING this stuff for their kids?

Too Soon?

The families of those aboard the flight don't think so, and the director, Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, Bourne Supremacy) moved ahead only after getting approval from each of the families who had loved ones on Flight 93.

The trailer has already stirred controversy with some theatres pulling it when moviegoers complained that it is "too soon".

Excerpts of the director's statement from the UNITED 93 Official Website:

"Made with the full support of the families of those on board, UNITED 93 will track in real time the dramatic story of what happened inside the aircraft as well as on the ground..."

"UNITED 93 will take us through the events of 9/11 as they happen in real time - all the confusion, violence, courage and endurance of a day that changed our lives forever."

I hear things like "we will never forget" or "always remember September 11" but within our country today, I do believe many have forgotten. I do not see an urgency to stop the attack on, or defend our American culture, our way of life as Americans. I do not see a united America...oh yeah...remember that? For weeks after 9/11 cars were decorated with flags and "United We Stand" stickers and it became a national slogan for a while. A short while.

I see a country divided and I believe it is because many have forgotten, or choose to ignore, or pass the blame for the events of 9/11 and the events of years prior that led to that dreadful day. There is an all out assault on American culture and I pray that this country does unite and come together to ward off those people in this world who want Americans to die and the United States to cease existing.

Those on UNITED 93 were united (ironic?) in their cause. What if they had chosen instead to bicker amongst themselves?

Is a movie about UNITED 93 coming to us too soon? I don't think so. I welcome it. This country is in need of reminding that there are forces of evil out there vying to destroy us, and hopefully we won't destroy ourselves first.

I'm concerned that the people thinking this is coming "too soon" either are in denial

"They are reminded when their loved one is not at the dinner table, watching their children grow up..."

that we are actually under attack as a country, or are actually consciously trying to forget, pretend it didn't happen, and not deal with the issue at hand. I can respect the fact that some families were deeply impacted and may be disturbed viewing such movies, but these would not be the people who need reminded. They are reminded when their loved one is not at the dinner table, watching their children grow up, or sitting next to them on the couch settling in for popcorn and a good film.

It is not too soon. My hope is that it is not too late.

Need a reminder? Go here. (THE best memorial I've ever seen!)
UNITED 93 Official Website

Back in the AA Gun Again!

Yes!

Ahhhhh, it felt so good to be back in the seat of the AA gun that became my trademark while playing Battlefield 1942. I tried flying...ugh...I was horrible. I am not a very good foot soldier either. I can be a decent engineer, but my skill is in the AA Gun. Pilots fear me. MWAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAHHAAAAAHHAAAAAA!

I've been a member with OSF, Outlaws of Sherwood Forest, since November 2003 as a player of Battlefield 1942, an awesome WWII game that I play online. I found OSF just surfing game servers one day and was impressed with the gaming attitude of its members so I applied and was welcomed in 2.5 years ago.

OSF hosts many games, so if you are a gamer looking for well-admined servers and fair rules for gameplay that is fair and balanced, check out OSF. You might like what you find! We host: bf1942, bf2, cs, dod, swbf so check out our game servers and join in the fun!

The McPassion

The McPassion

mmmmmmm

okay?

So, what do you think about the commercialization of Christianity?

I watched this. I wondered if I should be offended? I wonder if it is okay that I laughed?

Can't Sleep

Why is it when I know I have to get up early, I can't sleep?

I have an early morning inventory and have to be in Union City at 6:00am. In order to be there on time, I have to leave around 4:30am. I planned on getting up at 4:00am, but since I couldn't sleep all night worrying about the fact that I'd only be getting around 4.5 hours of sleep, I arose shortly after 3:00am!

It is not a good idea to work the closing shift the night before an early morning inventory.

Ugh.

Why are birds chirping at 3 am?

* * UPDATE * *

I get up at 3:00am because I couldn't sleep worrying about the fact that I didn't have a lot of time to sleep. I left my house at 4:30am to arrive in Union City at around 5:40am with enough time to pick up a quick breakfast and coffee, then headed to Sam Goody, where I was going to help with inventory.

When I arrived I was greeted with "bad news". It seems the inventory crew could only muster 3 members of what should have been 12 and that they wouldn't be arriving for a "couple more hours". *sigh* I said "April Fools?" LOL But then Shae, the manager, called his DM and said "This isn't an April Fools thing is it?" and then I knew it was no joke.

Shea, the manager, insisted on going ahead with the inventory because he is on vacation this upcoming week when it would most likely be rescheduled for. We waited around for a good hour while Shea was making calls and receiving calls and trying to figure out what to do, even though it was his desire to go ahead and do the inventory. I kept asking "how long will it take 3 people to scan this place? (While thinking it will take at least 8 hours! LOL). Finally, his DM, called it and cancelled the inventory.

Shea also said that they probably won't have me come back for the rescheduled inventory. Talk about a waste.

So I got up early, drove an hour and fifteen minutes to Union City, waited around an hour or so, and then drove back home. Talk about productivity.

At least I got to listen to Pastor Sipe's awesome message on strongholds, false teachers and conformity out of Micah.

I made it home around 7:45am, very tired, and went back to bed.

I've slept now and feel much better.