When you understand that the Gospel demands radical compassion, what does radical compassion mean to you and for your life?
When I think of radical compassion I think of giving your life as a servant to God and a servant to other people. This is not just helping every now and then, this is your life practically speaking. We are all called to be compassionate people and show compassion to others because of our faith, but this is radical compassion. When I think of radical I think of crazy. So, this is crazy compassion (: These are the people who love, support, listen, care, and help those who are neglected, ignored, bullied, and lost. To me, this is the person that I want to be. I do feel that I am a compassionate person, but I am also still living in this sinful world where sometimes satan plays tricks with you and tries to deceive you and sometimes he succeeds. This is definetely something I am working on. I am working on be more compassionate to people that I know of, but I do not personally know. When I leave houston christian, I dont want to be dubbed one of those people who stays within their group of friends. It is SO much easier for me to love and listen and help people that I do not know. I just love it. It is so hard to do the same to people that I barely know. We were actually talking about this in chapel one day a few weeks ago about which one is harder. For me it is definitely people I know. I kind of went off topic, but, for me, radical compassion means to love, care, and do all those things to anyone and everyone with a heart for the Lord and open arms and a willing spirit.
Until next time...
Alexa(:
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Kyle Lake Sermon
"Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift."
I really liked this poem-essay-paper- thing that he read to us. I didn't understand is completely when he read it aloud because I just dont process like that, but reading it now, I really get the meaning. I think he is telling us to live our lives positively and take the most out of every situation. It's kind of like if you're going to mexico, you have to para sail or swim with dolphins or something like that because you want to make the best out of it. So if you live life, why not live well? If you crash, crash well. It also reminds me of what my coaches tell me which is if you are going to mess up, mess up going full speed and 100% because then it wont be as noticeable and you would have tried your hardest. We are meant to try our hardest and enjoy everything about life. So its simple, yet empowering, love life, live life, and live it well.
I really liked this poem-essay-paper- thing that he read to us. I didn't understand is completely when he read it aloud because I just dont process like that, but reading it now, I really get the meaning. I think he is telling us to live our lives positively and take the most out of every situation. It's kind of like if you're going to mexico, you have to para sail or swim with dolphins or something like that because you want to make the best out of it. So if you live life, why not live well? If you crash, crash well. It also reminds me of what my coaches tell me which is if you are going to mess up, mess up going full speed and 100% because then it wont be as noticeable and you would have tried your hardest. We are meant to try our hardest and enjoy everything about life. So its simple, yet empowering, love life, live life, and live it well.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Radical Sacarifice
1. Do I want satisfaction without sacrifice?
Yes to be honest. It is always in the back of my mind and I have to correct myself because that is what I want, but not what I need and I only want to fill my life with things I need and I need sacrifice because I need him.
2. What are we willing to give up to have true abundant satisfaction?
I am completely willing to give up everything. But, easier said then done. It is so hard to give up everything when the world it telling you that you need more and you need this to become this and you have to do this to be this. I dont want those things but temptation is there and although I might have a slip up, I catch myself and something just comes over me.
3. If Jesus instructs His followers to relinquish all of their lives in pursuit of His glory and desires, how do their lives change in terms of priorities? What should be the center of out lives?
Their lives change completely. Like ALL the way. The center of their lives is God and we should do the same. If that is how it was back then and that is how his followers acted, then his followers now she do the exact same.
4. If we are dead to ourselves, who makes the decisions in our lives? What decisions do we not like to surrender to Him?
If we are dead, then Christ has to make our decisions. Even if we are alive he has already made them for us because he knows already. We don't like to surrender family, items acting as idols, friends, and other things.
5. Should we truly seek Christ in decisions such as where we go to college, what clothes we wear, what we eat, etc? Why does it matter? What would our lives look like if we did?
Yes, completely. All my decisions need to be based on Christ. My life would look like this, but better. I say that because I know that some of my decisions are based on my pleasure, but I do make my decisions based on Christ too.
6. How do our attitudes toward our possessions reflect our relationship with Christ and our desire for His mission? How would our lives look if we sought to glorify Christ in the way we purchase and obtain possessions?
Our attitudes toward possessions reflect negatively on Christ if we are caught up in the possessions. If we bought our possessions with the glory of Christ in mind, we would have given it all except what is actually needed, which is little.
7. What does it mean to carry your cross as a disciple of Christ? Are you living your life this way?
To carry your cross means that you have dedicated your life completely to Christ and he is number 1. Yes I do carry my cross but I certainly lack in some areas.
8. Will Jesus Christ be your supreme joy, or will you forsake Him for the fleeting pleasures of this world?
Jesus is my joy, all my joy. I do try and find happiness in other things but I know that the only time it is true is whenever I am glorify his name.
Yes to be honest. It is always in the back of my mind and I have to correct myself because that is what I want, but not what I need and I only want to fill my life with things I need and I need sacrifice because I need him.
2. What are we willing to give up to have true abundant satisfaction?
I am completely willing to give up everything. But, easier said then done. It is so hard to give up everything when the world it telling you that you need more and you need this to become this and you have to do this to be this. I dont want those things but temptation is there and although I might have a slip up, I catch myself and something just comes over me.
3. If Jesus instructs His followers to relinquish all of their lives in pursuit of His glory and desires, how do their lives change in terms of priorities? What should be the center of out lives?
Their lives change completely. Like ALL the way. The center of their lives is God and we should do the same. If that is how it was back then and that is how his followers acted, then his followers now she do the exact same.
4. If we are dead to ourselves, who makes the decisions in our lives? What decisions do we not like to surrender to Him?
If we are dead, then Christ has to make our decisions. Even if we are alive he has already made them for us because he knows already. We don't like to surrender family, items acting as idols, friends, and other things.
5. Should we truly seek Christ in decisions such as where we go to college, what clothes we wear, what we eat, etc? Why does it matter? What would our lives look like if we did?
Yes, completely. All my decisions need to be based on Christ. My life would look like this, but better. I say that because I know that some of my decisions are based on my pleasure, but I do make my decisions based on Christ too.
6. How do our attitudes toward our possessions reflect our relationship with Christ and our desire for His mission? How would our lives look if we sought to glorify Christ in the way we purchase and obtain possessions?
Our attitudes toward possessions reflect negatively on Christ if we are caught up in the possessions. If we bought our possessions with the glory of Christ in mind, we would have given it all except what is actually needed, which is little.
7. What does it mean to carry your cross as a disciple of Christ? Are you living your life this way?
To carry your cross means that you have dedicated your life completely to Christ and he is number 1. Yes I do carry my cross but I certainly lack in some areas.
8. Will Jesus Christ be your supreme joy, or will you forsake Him for the fleeting pleasures of this world?
Jesus is my joy, all my joy. I do try and find happiness in other things but I know that the only time it is true is whenever I am glorify his name.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
American Dream.
How is your personal dream for the rest of your life similar to and different than the American dream?
Honestly, I think so many people want the American dream. I don't want the American dream as in a picture perfect life. I definitely do not want anything to do with perfect. The only thing that is relatable to the American dream is that I strive to do the best and I work really hard for my goals. But, that I think is not necessarily bad. If my goals are going to profit me, then yes that is wrong. My goals need to glorify god and strengthen my relationship with him. Right now, I am working on 2 goals. My first dream or goal is to learn how to sew. My dream has always been to be a fashion designer and what not. Well, my dream has been altered and now I want to sew to make my own clothes. I want to make some of my own clothes or accessories because I hate how much money I spend on clothes and what not and then I can't stop and buy a hamburger for a homeless man or go to Wallmart and get a clean shirt for them. So that goal I think is not bad because I am not being so obsessed with the material type of dream that a lot of people have. I mean yeah I have always wanted a house with a family and perfect blah blah blah. but that's not my dream anymore. I know that as long as I live out my other dream like I said above and I keep my faith, I will be taken care of even if that doesn't mean a picture perfect life. My next dream right now is to go on one of the mission trips for school (Africa, 2020 etc). I have never wanted something so bad in my life. I just have a love for people and caring for them and helping them and I want to go so bad. Even if its not going on a school mission trip, I want so bad to go on a mission trip somewhere different. I have gone on multiple ones in texas, but I want the opportunity to expand. I feel like this dream will change my life forever and I am completely ready for that change 100 million percent. I just pray everyday that I get the opportunity to wherever it may be. So right now those are my dreams. I really think that those 2 dreams are how I look at the rest of my life too and how I will live it out. Of course I want to get married and have children and have a nice big backyard for my kids to play in and I want to be a part of a local mission organization. I guess those are my main dreams. It may sound like too perfect, maybe, but its just the dream that I have and I call it a dream because dreams don't always come true and if it doesnt, I know that something even better is coming my way because God has control over my life.
Until next time,
Alexa(:
Honestly, I think so many people want the American dream. I don't want the American dream as in a picture perfect life. I definitely do not want anything to do with perfect. The only thing that is relatable to the American dream is that I strive to do the best and I work really hard for my goals. But, that I think is not necessarily bad. If my goals are going to profit me, then yes that is wrong. My goals need to glorify god and strengthen my relationship with him. Right now, I am working on 2 goals. My first dream or goal is to learn how to sew. My dream has always been to be a fashion designer and what not. Well, my dream has been altered and now I want to sew to make my own clothes. I want to make some of my own clothes or accessories because I hate how much money I spend on clothes and what not and then I can't stop and buy a hamburger for a homeless man or go to Wallmart and get a clean shirt for them. So that goal I think is not bad because I am not being so obsessed with the material type of dream that a lot of people have. I mean yeah I have always wanted a house with a family and perfect blah blah blah. but that's not my dream anymore. I know that as long as I live out my other dream like I said above and I keep my faith, I will be taken care of even if that doesn't mean a picture perfect life. My next dream right now is to go on one of the mission trips for school (Africa, 2020 etc). I have never wanted something so bad in my life. I just have a love for people and caring for them and helping them and I want to go so bad. Even if its not going on a school mission trip, I want so bad to go on a mission trip somewhere different. I have gone on multiple ones in texas, but I want the opportunity to expand. I feel like this dream will change my life forever and I am completely ready for that change 100 million percent. I just pray everyday that I get the opportunity to wherever it may be. So right now those are my dreams. I really think that those 2 dreams are how I look at the rest of my life too and how I will live it out. Of course I want to get married and have children and have a nice big backyard for my kids to play in and I want to be a part of a local mission organization. I guess those are my main dreams. It may sound like too perfect, maybe, but its just the dream that I have and I call it a dream because dreams don't always come true and if it doesnt, I know that something even better is coming my way because God has control over my life.
Until next time,
Alexa(:
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Stewardship: God Gives Day 2
Examination:
1. How is the stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure related to the character and glory of God?
We need to be responsible with the way that we use our time, talents, and treasures. If we are careless during these times, then they are pointless. Our time belongs to God, because everything does, therefore we need to use them to glorify him in all that we do.
2. What is the ultimate purpose of the spiritual gifts and treasure that God has given you?
The ultimate purpose of those gifts are to serve him. If he gives us the gift of teaching, then we need to go out and teach. If he gives us the gift of miracles, we need to continue to pray for them to happen for others and not just ourselves. We need to use our gifts for others and not selfish reasons.
3. What is the difference between the Old Testament tithe and stewardship?
In the old testament, tithe was a law that stated that you had to give 10% of your money away and stewardship is asking yourself how much money do I need to give to God?
Application:
1. How does the way you view and use your money reflect the condition of your heart?
If I use my money in a selfish way, than my heart will be selfish and I will only be thinking about myself. But, if I use my money to give to others, I will find true joy in that and my heart will reflect that.
2. How has your view of money been challenged by this chapter?
I am forced to think about the way that I spend my money and actually, in the past few days I have had MULTIPLE opportunities where I could have gotten a 8 dollar burrito but I instead stopped by a homeless man and gave him some of the money and I had a snack at home. Everyone wins that way!
3. What does stewardship reveal about who or what you worship?
It reveals if you worship money or God. If you're worshiping God, you wouldn't want to spend your money so selfishly. Money is an idol and so if you are worshiping money and using money in the wrong way, you are definitely not worshiping God.
4. How are you using your time, talent, and treasure to glorify God?
I would like to say that I use all of those to glorify God, but in reality, I don't. Its not that I never do it, I think I do, just not as often as I need to. I know for sure I use my money not glorifying God. I do give, but I also selfishly keep. I do the same with my talents and my treasures.
5. In what areas of time, talent, and treasure do you need to repent and grow?
I think that I need to grow in all three. Honestly, I think that everyone does. We are humans and we live in a world of sin, we are not perfect and we slip off the cliff sometimes but we have Jesus to forgive us of our sins and repent to. But out of all, I think I need to devote WAY more of my time to glorifying God.
1. How is the stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure related to the character and glory of God?
We need to be responsible with the way that we use our time, talents, and treasures. If we are careless during these times, then they are pointless. Our time belongs to God, because everything does, therefore we need to use them to glorify him in all that we do.
2. What is the ultimate purpose of the spiritual gifts and treasure that God has given you?
The ultimate purpose of those gifts are to serve him. If he gives us the gift of teaching, then we need to go out and teach. If he gives us the gift of miracles, we need to continue to pray for them to happen for others and not just ourselves. We need to use our gifts for others and not selfish reasons.
3. What is the difference between the Old Testament tithe and stewardship?
In the old testament, tithe was a law that stated that you had to give 10% of your money away and stewardship is asking yourself how much money do I need to give to God?
Application:
1. How does the way you view and use your money reflect the condition of your heart?
If I use my money in a selfish way, than my heart will be selfish and I will only be thinking about myself. But, if I use my money to give to others, I will find true joy in that and my heart will reflect that.
2. How has your view of money been challenged by this chapter?
I am forced to think about the way that I spend my money and actually, in the past few days I have had MULTIPLE opportunities where I could have gotten a 8 dollar burrito but I instead stopped by a homeless man and gave him some of the money and I had a snack at home. Everyone wins that way!
3. What does stewardship reveal about who or what you worship?
It reveals if you worship money or God. If you're worshiping God, you wouldn't want to spend your money so selfishly. Money is an idol and so if you are worshiping money and using money in the wrong way, you are definitely not worshiping God.
4. How are you using your time, talent, and treasure to glorify God?
I would like to say that I use all of those to glorify God, but in reality, I don't. Its not that I never do it, I think I do, just not as often as I need to. I know for sure I use my money not glorifying God. I do give, but I also selfishly keep. I do the same with my talents and my treasures.
5. In what areas of time, talent, and treasure do you need to repent and grow?
I think that I need to grow in all three. Honestly, I think that everyone does. We are humans and we live in a world of sin, we are not perfect and we slip off the cliff sometimes but we have Jesus to forgive us of our sins and repent to. But out of all, I think I need to devote WAY more of my time to glorifying God.
Class Talk
In class today we read an article about money and stewardship. The way we spend our money is definitely not the way that we should and the way that God wants us to. Its okay to have money, but you have to spend it the right way. You can't love God and love money; it just doesn't work. Loving money is considered an idol and God wants nothing to do with that. We can love God and USE money TO love God, thats the best thing we could do along with being stewards of him. A steward is someone who manages something, like land or a house, but does not own it. Thats how we are. We pretty much don't own anything because God blessed us with the ability to get whatever it is, therefore it ultimately belongs to him, we are just taking care of it. The class discussion was good but I feel like we have already talked about money, but it was from a different perspective so I liked it!
Until next time....
Alexa(:
P.S. this video is just adorable! I love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS93Q4jQAO0&feature=related
Until next time....
Alexa(:
P.S. this video is just adorable! I love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS93Q4jQAO0&feature=related
Thursday, February 24, 2011
FRANCIS-you so big!
How did the sermon make you look internally and does your spirtual life match up in god's eyes like with your friends and family and with your reputation?
Yes, I think that my spiritual life has matched with my reputation. My faith and relationship with God has grown tremendously this year. When I leave Houston Christian, I want people to remember me for who I am, not who I try to be. I want my reputation to be remembered as someone who exemplified and really mirrored Christ. The way I view myself, I think that my reputation has reflected Christ but of course there are a few things I can work on. I sometimes can have a "double life" where I act differently because of the influence of people. That is definitely something I need to work on. I always need to remember that I do not need to please ANYONE but myself, and God. He wont judge me on what I wear or any of the worldly things, he will only judge me on my heart.
Alexa(:
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