Enough.

I've had it. This is the last straw. For years I've said I'd be involved in politics, be a champion for what is good. I'd always imagined that it would happen under a president I could trust; I thought my launchpad into the career world would be one with firm backing for my staunch belief in freedom. I thought I would finish high school, go to college, and head into the world with a spring in my step. Yet, what I'm getting is far different.

Barack Obama has shown himself these past four years to be a man whose word we cannot trust. Read anything about Benghazi, Obamacare...you name it, and he's missed the mark. His politics are politics in every sense of the word. He says we will have increased self-governance, but more government institutions have been activated. He claims we are united, but pursues it only in greater government. A contradiction to his previous claim? Just maybe. He pleads that we will have a stronger military, yet cuts our military budget millions. He screams "freedom," and denies it to the youngest of us all. His cry? We must pursue our dreams and be united. Yet the past four years have been years of dissension and economic downturn.Take it or leave it,  President Obama has let the nation down.

Everyone knows the facts. If all we can do is keep looking at the overhanging past, though, and the dark future, we have no hope. In that case, freedom really is a lost cause, because freedom can only be lost when you cease to pursue its dream. No, leaving behind the American dream is not an option, and that's why over the next four years, Americans must pursue it with intensified passion.

Barack Obama will increase government dependency. Americans must create new jobs, and fight the debt cycle.

Barack Obama will encourage medical malpractice. Americans must seek the justice of the people, no matter the cost.

Barack Obama will make hard deals with foreign nations. Americans must rise above such low standards in their relations within the state.

Then America will stand closer to the American dream. And when we do, maybe we'll start to realize that Barack Obama isn't all he says to be -- in fact, he's worse. But, if we dare to face injustice in the eye, calling it what it is, and doing everything in our human power to oppose it, we might just see the light. Justice cannot be suppressed forever: evil is weak. The American people are not.

For me, I'm going to go ahead and get my college degree. I'm going to pursue the good of the people. And, moreover, I'm going to see Americans realizing their true identity: not world-changers, world-makers. Together, under God's omnipotent hand, America really can become and remain the greatest nation in all the world. But, it's going to take some help.

 

Are you willing?

Scratch that...

Apparently writing something every day doesn't happen too easily when I'm in the thick of the school year! :) But, I've decided to try to keep (loosely) to my word, and as such I am offering you this essay. Lord willing, I'll post a follow-up this weekend to show you *where* I'm seeing the political connection. =D

Meridian

Love and Glory: The Final Judge

            Glory has been a life-and-death word for many people. The ancient Greeks saw death in battle as the height of all glory; the Crusaders pursued the glory of God; modern terrorists are willing to go out of their way to achieve glory for their countries, themselves, or the gods they worship. Certainly, the human race pours a great deal of time, effort, energy, and sacrifice into glory. Yet, this engrossment with a single word, the world’s fascination with five letters, begs a question: why? As broad of a question as it may seem to be, perhaps the real answer lies in another single word: love. In his City of God, St. Augustine of Hippo proposes that two very different, but intertwined cities exist among humanity: namely, the city of God, and the city of man.^[1] These two cities, he suggests, are built entirely on two very different loves. This essay examines what those loves are, their Biblical nature, and what St. Augustine has to say about them.

            “Accordingly, two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.” (477, Book XIV.28) So begins one of the most definitive passages in Augustine’s most exhaustive work. The loves of these cities, he says, have become so deeply rooted that whatever does not meet the end of their love is held in contempt -- the word one dictionary defines as “willful disobedience.” (Merriam-Webster.com, “contempt”) In this passage, a sort of three-point outline is developed: first, there are two cities; second, they have two loves; finally, there are two Biblical passages that provide archetype-images of each city. The two cities are referred to as the city of God, and the city of man, where they are likewise defined by the love of God and the love of man. Serving as vivid depictions of each city are Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 15. A marked difference is easily seen between the two passages, which, when compared, show the incredible dissimilarity between the cities.To understand why Augustine makes the claims he does, and offers the Scriptures named, a consideration of the two Biblical passages mentioned will be helpful.

            Say something enough times, and people will start to believe it. While this line is often thrown around relating to communism, politics, and marketing, it can be just as easily applied to the way people fall into sin. Of course, all human beings are born with sin, but becoming a VIP in the city of man is taking it to a new level.  It is a process of believing lies, and forsaking righteousness. Romans 1:21 explains what happens when a person reaches this standard of ungodliness. “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”^[2] This is the city of man. As Augustine said, the earthly city loves itself, to the point where it is comfortable holding God in contempt -- disobeying his mandates. (477, Book XIV.28) Romans 1 is very clear in pointing this out. The passage goes on to explain what kinds of actions are a result of a person’s heart falling away from God. Important to Romans 1 is the word darkened, and the many synonyms for it that appear throughout the chapter. The city of man, in all its pomp and circumstance, is by nature a waning candle. Darkness cannot last forever.

            Reality cries out that darkness still exists, though. Many of these various evils are listed -- not exhaustively -- in Romans 1. The passage often speaks of those living in darkness as exchanging one thing for another, or God giving them up to ungodly things. While it would be unreasonable to list all of these wrongdoings in this condensed work, it is enough to say that at least twenty-six individual sins are listed, not counting various synonyms and restatements. Interestingly, a large number of them are sins committed in the heart. Why would this be, except that some kind of love is motivating all these sins? The heart is the center of love and hatred: a sin of the heart must, by inference, be driven by love or hatred. It is in this that Augustine begins to be proven correct, because as he said that the city of man is the worship of self, so it says in Romans 1:25, “...they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator...”  Worship, as it is used in theology, is bringing glory to a thing or being. The city of man brings glory only to itself, exchanging God’s eternal glory for something temporal. This, however, leaves the reader hanging. If the citizens of the city of man sin extensively just because of their loyalty to themselves, what happens to the citizens of the city of God? What do they get?

            If Romans 1 was about the fall of ungodly people, then 1 Corinthians 15 is about the restoration of godly people. Romans 1 talked about the subjection of the ungodly to sin; 1 Corinthians 15 talks about the raising up of the godly from sin. In this glorious passage is the description of Christ’s coming and reign. All shall be in subjection to him, and none shall be exempt from his rule. The city of God is God’s kingdom, his people, and his royal priesthood. As it says in Philippians 2:10-11, “...every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 1 Corinthians 15 affirms this by saying that God will put all things under his authority. The defining factor of the city of God, as in the city of man, is its worship: its deepest love. St. Augustine describes it by saying, “[in the city of God] there is no human wisdom, but only godliness, which offers due worship to the true God...” (477, Book XIV.28) Human wisdom, in all its grandeur, is but a speck in the eyes of the citizens of the city of God; thus, the true citizen will worship the one whose glory is significant.

            What, then are the marks of this true and holy worship? 1 Corinthians 15 is a telescope, revealing the vast expanse of the glory of God.  As defined in this passage, true worship in the city of God is marked by hope and faith. After an explanation of why Christ must be raised, and the hopelessness that would ensue if he did not, Paul comes to this joyous conclusion: “But in fact Christ has been raised...” In just a few sweet words, the tone is overflowing with joy, driven by faith in the hope of Christ. His rule, authority, and glory are of the highest value to the true citizen. This is the city of God.

            The city of man loves itself; it rules itself; it glories in itself. The city of God loves God; it is ruled by God; it gives glory to God. As Augustine put it, “...the one seeks glory from men; but the greatest glory of the other is God, the witness of conscience. The one lifts up its head in its own glory; the other says to its God, ‘Thou art my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.’” (477, Book XIV.28) The city of man loves ruling, and the city of God loves serving. Truly, the difference is in loves. In Luke 12:34 Jesus affirms this, saying, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The question may still be raised, however, of why Augustine chose these particular passages over all others. Answering this query is taking a walk in the art gallery of Scripture. Throughout the Bible, many glorious pictures are painted of the city of God; many horrendous ones, too, of the city of man. Each is formed by the dipping of a pen into a pigment determined by love. One is a deep black, stained with the sins of the world. Many passages describe individual scenes worked by the city of man, but none so clearly and vividly realize as Romans 1 that what drives these evil lusts is not human glory itself, but the love of self. Likewise, there is a hue of stain that covers the citizens in the city of God: and this stain is crimson. Even more passages throughout the Holy Word of God create a mural of the grace of God, yet none is so distinctly and beautifully opposite Romans 1 as 1 Corinthians 15. These murals throughout Scripture, and their transparency, are the clear reason for Augustine’s choosing them to represent the city of man and the city of God.

            Since the beginning of time, the human race has seemingly been on an epic quest for glory. Yet, as St. Augustine so sagely uncovers, the quest has never been for this. Glory is merely the overflow of the heart’s deepest love. Two cities exist among humanity: one, its own; the other, the Lord’s. The city of man, represented in Romans 1, is driven by a love of itself -- a love that every moment hurls it further from the truth. The city of God, portrayed in 1 Corinthians 15, is invigorated by a love of its Creator -- a Creator who every moment draws his city closer to its eternal glory. Each city is a painting of love in the Bible; the actions pursuant of glory are only a result of these loves. Indeed, love defines each city, and every occupant in it. Each will receive its reward, but in the end, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is truly Lord.

Works Cited

¹ All City of God references and quotations taken from:

Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo. The City of God. Book XIV.28. (New York: Random House, 1950-1993), 477. Merton, Thomas (editor)

² Contempt. (2012) Merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Retrieved September 26, 2012, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contempt

³ Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good New Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

---

^[1] All Augustine references taken from The City of God. See Works Cited page.

^[2] All Scripture references ESV. See Works Cited page.

30 Crucial Days

Yes, folks, in case you missed it...we now have thirty days until the November elections! (And yes, I am counting today and election day). So, since I'm a political nerd at times, I'm going to do my best to get something posted every day that's election-related. Today, it's a mandate (debater in me coming out, I know).

Mandate #1: Register to vote.

I'm assuming all my readers 18 and over are registered voters. But if you aren't, today is the last day (generally). Do it! And if you are registered, make sure all your evangelical, conservative friends are also registered. Some elections literally come down to a few votes...we don't want to lose on account of a few friends forgetting to register!

So...register to vote.

Meridian

When God stops being God

Have you ever stopped just long enough to think about what would happen if God stopped being God?  What it would mean for mankind, the earth, the sun...the universe? It's actually a pretty scary thought, and if you have taken the time to reflect on it, you'll know that it's not an easy question to consider. There are so many facets, so many problems that could arise...but don't worry. You don't have to think through all that right now, because Augustine already did it for you. 

In his City of God, the well-known saint refers to Cicero's argument that men have free will, and God, as a result, cannot have foreknowledge. This seems like a logical argument enough, from the perspective of every day human reasoning.  After all, if we have free will, or power over our "domains" (and it is apparent that we do), then God cannot at the same time have foreknowledge, or an eternal understanding of what each person will do in every situation. For him to do that would mean that we would be robots. So, Cicero's right, end of story.

Thankfully, though, Augustine puts his foot down right where Cicero leaves off. See, he says, "...he both denies the the foreknowledge of God, and attempts by vain arguments...to overthrow all prophecy, even such as is clearer than the light..." And right here we, as Christians, have an interesting dilemma. If we believe Cicero's seemingly logical claim, then we must deny the lordship of Jesus Christ. We know him to be the Messiah because it has been prophesied. Augustine points out that prophecy is...foreknowledge. So, Cicero, at the very least, must make an exception for prophecy. 

I'm not sure if Augustine was chuckling or snarling as he wrote his next paragraph, but at any rate he showed what is unquestionably the most serious flaw in Cicero's thinking: If he's right, the Bible's wrong. And if the Bible's wrong...God. Isn't. God.

See, the Scriptures tell us outright that God is omniscient. This is Latin for all-knowing (for an explanation, see my series on the beauty of English). We hold the Bible to be inerrant, so this means that if what we believe is true...God must, by necessity, have foreknowledge.

This takes us to something Cicero says before reaching his conclusion. The problem, he points out, is that if God knows everything beforehand, we cannot possibly have free will. We've already taken out his other point, so let's examine this. What is free will? Basically, it is the idea that we have some kind of power and freedom over our lives and choices. As interesting as it would be to try to imagine a world where God planned every decision we'd make, it just doesn't work that way. That would be saying that we are robots, and that God plans sin, because we all sin by nature. God, being a perfectly righteous being, cannot make us sin.

Once again, Cicero's wrong...and Augustine's right. Before we examine the implications of this, though, let's take a quick rabbit-trail and put forward some clarifying definitions. A lot of people easily get the concepts of predestination and foreknowledge mixed up. By definition, foreknowledge is the idea that God knows everything we will do in advance. Predestination is an relative of foreknowledge (the common ancestor being the future), wherein God mysteriously chooses those who are his elect, regardless of actions or opinions on earth, only dependent on his grace to save.

With that cleared up, let's look briefly at the implications of this dual-theology. How does it work that God knows everything, but allows us freedom? The answer is that we can't quite know. What I'll do to try to help you understand this, though, is to give you two of everything: two analogies, two do-not's, and two to-do's.

First, our analogies. My favorite one that I've heard from a variety of people is this: God is the author, we are his characters. He's writing a book, and he knows exactly what his will is, and where his story is going to end up. But, as a good author, he lets us put in our own dialogue, choices, preferences, rabbit-trails on his story, even. Everything is accomplished for his purposes in the end, but we are free-roaming characters all the same. The exception to this rule, of course, is for those who have not seen the light. As Martin Luther put it, their wills are in bondage to sin. The other analogy I like, though it may be a little more philosophical, is the analogy that we are given "domains" to rule in and subdue (Genesis) because we are made in God's image. God is all-knowing and all-powerful. If we are made in God's image, and he is all-knowing and all-powerful, then we must have some kind of knowledge and power. It's part of his design.

Okay, analogies: check! Now to look at what we should not do with this theology. First, don't take the analogy of the clockmaker, or with this exact theology, a variant of it. What this variant does is it says that since God knows everything, he winds up the clock of the world and lets it go, knowing what'll happen anyway. (The traditional version is that he sits back and watches to see what will happen). Now, this clockmaker mentality, while supporting our theology on the surface, doesn't match up underneath. The theology Augustine suggests is rooted in God's character. The clockmaker approach is rooted in our theology. God's character is loving and involved, because he is love. Viewing God as a clockmaker is deistic. 

Another mistake not to make is that of over-emphasizing either foreknowledge or free will, while forgetting the other one entirely. The problem with this is that it is not balanced, and against God's nature because God is a God of order, of which balance is a part. Practically speaking, this doesn't work, because either the person doing this will end up abusing free will and falling into deeper and deeper sin, while forgetting the grace of God; or he will end up abusing God's foreknowledge and doing nothing to advance the Gospel of grace.

So we know what Cicero said, how Augustine replied, who was right and why, what it looks like, and what we should not do with it. That leaves one more question: what should we do? My first piece of advice is look at this as both an opportunity to get to know God and yourself better, understanding the nature of each in its proper place. Because, as Augustine points out, without foreknowledge a god cannot be God, and and without free will humans cannot be human. (For more on what this means, see my post "Conquistadors"). So rejoice and get to know yourself, and the God who created you, at a whole new level! 

Finally, take Augustine seriously when he says, "Love God, do as you please." In other words, if you love God, you will seek, in your realization of his foreknowledge and out of your free will, to do his will.

Grace and Peace.

Meridian

Ramblings

When a baby is born, a gift is given to the world in the strange form of an angelic sinner, if ever there was such a thing. The tiny being which the mother tenderly caresses has the power to change the world for better or for worse, and to leave the world as it is for better or for worse. I was once a baby, I was born the world-changing sort, and I fancy it for the better. My allotted task, for truly every man has an assignment, is to see to it that more little world-changers are born by ending their intended fatalities; then I must pray that they change the world for God's glory. But whether I win this battle, or set up the chessmen for someone else to win in my stead, I must remember the faithful words of Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up."

Colorado Summer

School's starting on Tuesday, and I'm quite excited! It's been a good summer around here, and I'm eagerly looking forward to some meaty posts I've been working on for y'all. In the meantime, though, I thought I'd give you a taste of what summer looks like here in CO. You've seen winter and spring...now, with summer coming to a close, enjoy these happy reminisces, some with hints of fall in the air. ;)

Meridian

P.S. If it is simply taking too long to look through all these, be at peace: I'm going to add a photo section soon! :)

This flower looked almost fake, it was so beautiful.

Oddly, though, it was not with the rest of the zinnias...

It was just there, plop in front of the raspberries.

No, really...we don't live on a farm...

It's just our garden. :)

I love the soft lavender color.

These cover our fields.

This flower popped up in the middle of the aspens.

My grandparents gave us this tree when it was just a little shoot.

I love having fresh peaches!

The lighting was just so amazing...

Fall is coming!!

I can just smell the cinnamon

These grow on the vine heading into our garden.

I just pointed my camera randomly that way in the garden...and here was this heavenly beauty!

When you don't pluck off the old flower...a new one grows right on top!

One of our zinnias.

More signs of autumn.

The Millions and the Message

There are two things which the Lord has been putting increasingly on my heart for quite some time: light and 1.1M. Before you close out this window and see this as another one of my overly-inspired posts, keep reading. What I'm about to tell you is a story.

Once upon a time, in the land of Self-Absorption, there lived a princess named Meridian. When she was just a little girl, Meridian found out that her heavenly father was the king of everything, and that he took great delight in her, so much that he sent his son to die for her sins! She was so happy to discover this that she made him her king. But soon she grew up, and learned the ways of the people of Self-Absorption. She cared for nothing but her own glory, and to build her own wealth of knowledge. From time to time she would remember the king, and praise him for a season, but she never understood what it meant to truly serve him as a citizen of his kingdom. 

After a while, Meridian met a wonderful friend who each time they met asked her not what her life was filled up with, nor what she succeeded in next, but rather where her heart was, if it was fully for the king. Some days it was, but most she'd avoid the question, talking about his love for the king, and not her own. But since the king was in charge of everything, he saw that his daughter didn't love him with her whole heart, and so he put friends into her life who did not love the king at all. Then Meridian began to try to make them love him, but most of them refused, and so she made new friends, who like her were half-heart citizens. Now more than ever, her life was about her, and nothing mattered except what concerned her. But soon she grew weary of this, and so began to look for approval from everyone she met. Teachers, friends, parents, strangers, whomever she might please. And still it wasn't enough. Tired of life as she had known it, seeking a greater purpose, Meridian talked to the king, and told him she needed something new. 

So, her father in heaven and her earthly parents told her she might go to a gathering she thought would calm her storm within. Thousands of boys and girls flooded through the doors like a hurricane, and Meridian was one of them. There she found that she needed no approval from anyone but the king, and even so, all the people she wanted approval from already loved her in earnest. At that place, in that moment, the girl began to weep.  Her approval came from the king, God, and he had loved her all along. Wanting with everything in her to please this king, and to give everything she had for his sake, she knelt and prayed, "Oh, God, how can you use me?" One of her close friends prayed with her, pleading the king to show his will.

And the very next day, a man spoke, and told how the king's great heart was full of love and passion for those who had no voice. And though the man spoke of widows and orphans and the poor, Meridian knew that there was another people who had no voice at all. The one thing Meridian always had a passion for, the single thing in which she perhaps did not think of herself, was in politics. In this realm she had always wished to hold a job, to have influence. And in this arena she knew that laws had been made which allowed millions of children to die every year, before they ever got to see the light. They had no voice. God had a heart for them. As the man was speaking, he asked for those who wished to help those without a voice, to come with him and pray. Out of the thousands who were there, only a few stepped forward. At first, Meridian stayed back. But then a voice cried out within her, "GO! This is where you must be. There is a need, it has not been met. There is darkness all around. There may be many voices calling out to save these lives, but they must be united through me. You must help unite them." Then, almost as though a wind picked her up from her seat, Meridian ran to the man, and there she prayed, and found that if she did not do what she had heard, her life would not meet its purpose. 

Until that day, Meridian had always yearned in her heart for something to be so impressed upon her, that she could use her politics for. Ending death before life had always been a whisper in her ear,but one she did not believe she could truly follow. She thought she was too young, too powerless, and without any new ideas to bring to the table. Now, God gave her a vision of thousands of people coming to know him through something she could do, and as they saw him, the reality of the beauty of life being realized. And through this  she came to see that God would be her strength and would give her whatever influence she needed; Lord willing, she knew that defeating abortion in her generation was a real possibility, with God on her side.

Yes, friends, that's my life in a nutshell. So, why are those two terms -- light and 1.1M -- important to me? 

Light is referenced 277 times in the Bible. Most often it is used in contrast to darkness. My personal favorite verse about light is 1 Peter 2:9, "...but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may declare the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Isn't that beautiful? If you are in Christ, you are chosen. (Thus my last post). As a chosen one, you get to spread light wherever there is darkness. For me, the arena in which I want to focus my beacon, if you will, is ending abortion. 1.1 million is the number of babies aborted every year in the United States. 42 million is the number worldwide. Life is precious. It is a gift of God that no one can create, and as such, no one has a right to destroy (outside of the contexts of war/defense, and capital punishment). Abortion is ending lives in the name of women, yet in the process it is destroying little future women, and hurting the lives of those women who experience the "procedure." 

Yet, God gives grace, and that's what I want to show. That's where my beacon of light must shine strong. At that conference ("gathering") I attended, one of the speakers gave us a challenge. It was the very last message, and I was *amazed* at how much it impacted me. What he told us may very likely change my life forever. His message was this: God doesn't want lukewarm people, but he does want to use each of his children. If he doesn't want us lukewarm, but he wants to use us, what does that mean? It can mean only one thing. In the words of the apostle Paul: So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. He doesn't say do some to the glory of God. He doesn't say do most to the glory of God. He says do ALL to the glory of God. Everything. The theme of the conference was, "All to Him." And indeed, that's what I want to give. 

For this cause, and more ultimately for the sake of the Gospel, as far as I am able I am willing to give all my money, all my time, all my talents, all my energy, all my intellect, and all my passion for this cause. 

A thought that struck me the other day, when I was sick, was the reality of how many children won't be able to get sick on account of abortion. On the surface a comforting thought, until you consider that those same children won't be able to make new inventions, write new songs, paint beautiful portraits, build businesses...they won't be able to bring glory to God. The Westminister Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" And, as any student of theology knows, the answer is very clear: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." By ripping away lives, we are preventing new people from glorifying God. We ourselves are not glorifying him simply in this act. What if one of those children was the next Hudson Taylor? We'd never know, because they didn't have a chance to try.

Men really are endowed with rights. They are inalienable. And, as the framers of the Declaration so poignantly showed, the first among these is life. Only in life, earthly and spiritual, will anyone experience liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Praising God for his amazing grace,

Meridian.

What do California, Massachusetts, and New York have in common?

A lot of things. For instance, they are all in the USA. They all are home to lots of people. But, more important to my post today...they're all liberal.

Several weeks ago I struck up a conversation with a lady from California, and it came about that I told her how I feel called to politics/law. I also told her how I really want to live on one of the coasts. She smiled and said, meaning well, "Oh, honey, if you're gonna move anywhere to do politics, make sure it's conservative, because a kid like you just couldn't make it in a place as liberal as the coasts are." I explained to her how I felt like that was an unChristian response, because we are called to make right what is messed up, not avoid it. She said that these places were hopelessly impossible. I told her how Washington wasn't supposed to cross the Delaware, Wilberforce wasn't supposed to end slavery, and Alfred the Great wasn't supposed to save England. Finally she admitted I might have a small chance, and dared me to go someplace liberal. So, my post's question is answered. I've got to go. But I'm not going just to prove I can do the impossible, I'm going because I am called. When I recently realized I had a calling to go to one of these tricky places, I stopped dead in my tracks. ME!?! WHAT? Why me? And, through some good sermons, wonderful encouragement of friends, and especially an amazing conference that got me to do some Scriptural searching...I ended up with this "letter from God." It's just basically a collage of Scripture passages, with explanations and bridges in between. If you feel called to anything, whether that's seeing a national revival and a conservative swing, or going to the middle of South America to preach the Gospel, this letter is for you, too. I hope it will bless you deeply!

To My Child, Whom I Love Beyond Words.
From Your Father in Heaven.

I want to speak with you. Don't worry! You haven't done anything wrong -- in fact, you are my chosen one! You are part of a royal priesthood, and you are holy in my sight. But that's just why we need to talk. You see, I've got some great news. First, though, let's clarify our roles in this conversation, okay?

My son and I agreed it'd would be good to remind you that he is my image, and he is the firstborn over all Creation. I, by the way, created everything -- including you. I created everything that is visible and invisible, even kings and those in power! I have absolute control over everything, and the only reason your life, or anything that ever was, exists...is because of me. As for my son, whom you call Jesus, he is not only the firstborn of creation, but also the firstborn among the dead. That means he died and rose for you! But hold that thought for a minute. He is the ultimate head of the church, and he is preeminent over everything. I was pleased to give him every ounce of myself, so that I could use him to save you, and to fix our broken relationship. That's where you come in.

Until my son gave his life for you, you were an alien to me. Your mind, your body, everything about you was foreign to me. Even I, who was your creator, for I could not bear to look at you in your sinfulness! But my child, you turned to me! And yet it was not you who did this work, it was I through my son Jesus Christ. For no one can come to me whom I have not called. You, though, who I once had hated with all my heart, I now can love with every drop of blood that was shed on your behalf. I called you out of the pit of darkness, into my marvelous light. You are the apple of my eye and I keep you carefully guarded in the shadow of my wings. That is why you are chosen, royal, and holy; that is why I can call you mine; and that is why we needed to talk.   

My child, stand on your feet and pay attention. If you will allow my Spirit to enter you, fill you, and speak with you, then you will surely hear my voice. I am sending you to America (or perhaps to another nation), for its people are rebellious. For generations they have not known me. They are stubborn, but you must tell them about me. Cry out to them, "Make straight the way of the Lord!" And whether they listen to you or not, they will know that I am with you. Those who do not follow me will be terrified by you, simply because of my presence in you. But as for you, have no fear of them, because they are rebels.

I see you right now, and you are acknowledging that this is a great and lofty calling, but you claim to be too young. You say you cannot represent me as you should. Don't say that! Whoever I want to listen to you will listen, and whatever I tell you to say, you shall say.  I am commanding you right now to be strong and courageous, to meditate upon my word and never veer from it, and to proclaim it. Then you will be successful, because I will be with you wherever you go! When people see how young you are, they will realize that I am with you, because no young person on their own account could accomplish what I am asking you to accomplish. The people will be astonished. My child, the reason you will never fear is because I am with you. I am putting you over nations, over authorities, and you will have the power to build up and tear down whomever I will.


I am making you a witness and leader for the peoples. They will run to you, because I will glorify you. But when you are glorified, do not allow others to think you have done it on your own. Instead, keep running forward for the prize I have reserved for you in heaven, holding true to what you already have in me. By this, you shall be my mouth and my words will be on your lips. I will speak what I wish, and what I speak will not come back empty. It will accomplish whatever I set out for it to accomplish. 


I'm not going to make this all easy for you, though. There is work involved! See to it that your manner of life is worthy of the Gospel, because this is your source of courage and it is the testimony that will astonish the people. But you see, although you may do work for my name's sake, you must also suffer, and indeed you must forsake whatever you had as loss. This is my will, for no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.  An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. So you must work for the prize awaiting you in heaven, and you will awake the dawn!


Devote yourself to prayer and to the ministry of the word, and in this way my words will continue to prevail mightily. By you, many will come to see me for who I am, and they will increase who have faith. Consider the poor, and when you are in trouble I will protect you. And, oh, my child, will you ever see trouble. The enemy will seek to kill and destroy, but you must pray to me and seek my strength in your weakness. Call out your just cause, and I will attend your cry! I will vindicate you, I will defend your cause, I will deliver you from evil. I will fulfill my purpose for you when you cry out to me. What I am doing now you may not understand, but afterward yo will. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. I will strengthen you with all power, endurance, patience and joy. Then you shall do all things through me, for I strengthen you. I equip you with strength for the battle, and those who rise against you will sink under you. I will rescue you from your enemy, for though they are too mighty for you alone, nothing is impossible with God. You see, the world cannot truly hate you. I am the one it hates, for I condemn it. I have taken this burden from you, which is why you can be free. 


Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Behold my face in righteousness; be satisfied with my likeness. Exalt my strength, and sing my power. Let my light and truth lead you, and bring you to my holy  hill, to my dwelling. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. 


And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


Eager to use you,


God.

You Vote!

Inspired by my fantastic friend D.C. Salmon, I decided to give you, my readers, a heads up on the kinds of posts you may have an option to read. I'm not listing all of my drafts, because some of them I either will delete or they'll take too long, or for some other reason they just wouldn't happen any time soon. But, on the left sidebar you'll see a list of the posts that might just interest you. Select the ones that appeal to you most, and I might finish them for you. :) And, if no one responds for some reason, well...I know which one I'll do next. Mwahaha!

Meridian

I'm Back!

Well, in actuality, I haven't gone anywhere, though I've been so busy I may as well have gone somewhere. But I'm "back" for about nine days, before I really go somewhere. And, even during that time, I don't have a whole lot of extra minutes, so just to keep you from thinking I deserted you somewhere out in the middle of the Sahara, I'm putting up a few pictures of the Colorado beauty that I've been surrounded with for the last several weeks. :) And yes, I really took these pictures...CO is gorgeous, amen?