Meaningless Without Jesus

I read through Ecclesiastes over the last few days. This book of the Bible is so different from most of the other books. It talks about how life is meaningless. We live, we work, we go through troubles, and we die. Whether we are righteous or not death awaits us all, nothing can change that fact. We work, and we work to gain wealth and when we die it gets handed off to someone who didn't earn it. Depressing huh? lol yet... it's true. All of the tasks that we do are meaningless... unless we can make a spiritual impact. That is the thing that is not meaningless. Even if I gave millions of dollars to help the poor, if I don't do it for God and draw people closer to God it is still meaningless; even though it is a wonderful thing to do. If I can fix a customer’s broken computer equipment, that in and of itself is meaningless, but if while doing so I can make a spiritual impact, suddenly I have purpose and meaning to what I am doing. So, if we feel like what we are doing today is meaningless, perhaps we need to re-evaluate our motives, and figure out how we can make a difference that will last for eternity for someone. I love the fact that it is possible make an impact on someone’s life, that not only changes there life on earth but literally affects the rest of eternity for them. The things that matter are the things that do not pass away. So, there is no need to hoard money, and be obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder, and having the new car, and a new home. I want to make sure that I don't hold on to tightly to the things that I can't take with me when I die, but instead cling desperately to Christ the one who was, and is, and is to come. the alpha and the omega. the one who conquered death and therefore extends past death forever and ever!

We Are Not Too Holy

I read in Isaiah chapter 5 and 6 today. Chapter 5 talks about how corrupt Israel is. Society was falling apart, and people had completely rejected God and his law. Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. "

In chapter 6, Isaiah, through a vision finds himself in the throne room of God. He knows the land where he just came from, and how evil it was. He says: "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then a seraph's flies over to Isaiah and touches his lips with the coal, and his sin is forgiven. I think it is important to not that the seraph does not have to touch the coal to his ears, or his eyes. think of all that Isaiah probably saw and heard other people doing. But the fact is that being around people that sin is not sin. God was concerned with Isaiah's own heart. Matthew 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Certainly being around such evil as Isaiah was, would have been tough to not let it affect you, and I am sure on some level it did.

Isaiah was now pure, and sinless before God. Then God says "who can I send?" God is asking who can go back to this people. Isaiah, now sinless and pure before God, says "send me, I will go!" I love that Isaiah is willing and ready! I also love that he DIDN'T say, "Well, I can't go back there, I'm too good for them now!" Let's make sure we don't conform to the stereotype that the world has for Christians. Let's be different. Let's make a difference!

Thankful for the Sacrifice

I am thankful for the sacrifice that was made and is continually made for my freedom here in the United States. As Robyn and I sat and watched with fireworks with friends and family that were able to join us (I missed those that couldn't be there by the way), I thought about the importance of showing Cyrus about sacrifice when he is old enough. It is a concept that I hope he will fully understand, and appreciate. As I watched the fireworks going off in the air, I was reminded what it must have been like. I don't think people sat in lawn chairs and said "awwww pretty..." When the real deal was happening, people were dying and, and at the same time freedom was being won. How bitter sweet it must have been! Those that died had something inside of them that said, if I don't make it out of here alive at least there is still a chance that my family and friends can enjoy freedom. dude... that is sacrifice. It is one thing to do something for your own gain. It is another to sacrifice your all, for someone elses gain. I am thankful that I have a cause worth dieing for today. Lord, help us to die to self so others can gain there Independence from the grip of the enemy.