New blog

Hey guys, I have switched blogs. I am going to try and keep a online journal for school and you can find that here: www.commutersviewmc2016.blogspot.com

You can still read this blog, but, I won't be updating it often. Which, then again, I don't anyways so...=) 

Northern, or Southern?

Hm. I read this today,

"What in the world, what 'america' ( yes I hate that word as much as you )"

To that I say, WHAT IN THE WORLD? These people are apparently "southerner's" and they could care less whether America stands. A couple objections:

First off, I am half southern and I am an American. I am not northern, or southern. The Civil War ended 150 or so years ago. It's time to move on.

Second, I am a Christian. I believe Christ said that He is no respecter of persons. Also, He said that "...in Christ there is no Jew, Greek, Circumcised, or Un-cirmcumcised.. [ect...]" New Testament Christianity destroys barriers, any barriers.

Thirdly. God tells us to obey our governments and to pray for them. Not go around talking about blowing them up.

Fourthly. While I am not exactly pleased to death with the condition of our country, I am so thankful to live in America. Our country needs prayer, and our people to stand up for what is right. Our country does not need people to go around bashing it, talking about destroying the "yankees and the big government in DC," and talk about splitting the country. The last time we split, too many lives were lost pointlessly.

To sum, support America. Stand by Her. She is going through a rough time and, if I may be as honest as possible, the only reason we are going through these hard times is because of us. Yes, us. If we actually stood for what we believed, instead of just talking, and went out into the world where God calls us, I know our country would be in a significantly different place. Digression only happens because we have given over to it. Inch by inch. Letting our guard down.


Whew... now I feel like going and getting off my rear and finding out how I can help with the up coming elections. =) But, that is a topic, for another day. =)

Random comment, I found this song interesting:

Well somethings lost and somethings gained in living every day

I’ve looked at life from both sides now

I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s lifes illusions I recall
I really don’t know life.


What do I think I know, that is really an illusion? I'm finding the only thing we can know for sure, and build our lives off of, is God's Word. So my challenge is, go dig into His Word tonight. Tear down the illusions you are holding, and build up the realities of God's Word. Hm... I should do a whole post on that sometime. But for now,

Audios!

~Jacob

C. S. Lewis.. skeptical?

I have always been very skeptical of C. S. Lewis. I do not know why as my skepticism is really quite unfounded but, alas, so is my state. Needless to say when I received a book titled, "The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics" from a dear friend, I was little leery to say the least. But the book came with a great recommendation so, I started reading. The first book in the collection is, "Mere Christianity". After the first chapter, I was hooked! I really enjoy Lewis's writing style and the way he presents his ideas. Here is a little excerpt from Chapter 4 that really stood out to me. He is discussing the universe, and how it came to be, ect: ( It's a little lengthy but stick with it, he resolves it very well.. )

"Note: In order to keep this section short enough when it was given on the air, I mentioned only the Materialist view and the Religious view. But to be complete I ought to mention the In-between view called Life-force philosophy, or Creative Evolution, or Emergent Evolution. The wittiest expositions of it come in the works of Bernard Shaw, but the most profound ones in those of Bergson. People who hold this view say that the small variations by which life on this planet 'evolved' from the lowest forms to man were not due to chance but to the 'striving' or 'purposiveness' of a Life-force. When people say this we must as them wether by Life-force they mean something with a mind or not. If they do, then 'a mind bringing life into existence and leading it to perfection' is really a God, and their view is identical with the Religious." (blogger note: He is not referencing Christianity at this point, just "religious views" in general. :) "If they do not, then what is the sense in saying that something without a mind 'strives' or has 'purposes'? This seems to me fatal to their view.


One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives one much emotional comfort of believing in God and none of the consequences. When you are feeling fit and the sun is shining and you do not want to believe that the whole universe is a mere mechanical dance of atoms, it is nice to think of this great mysterious force rolling on through the centuries and carrying you on its crest. If on the other hand, you want to do something rather shabby, the Life-Force, being only a blind force, with no morals and no mind, will never interfere with you like that troublesome God we learned about when we were children.


The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?"

As I am going to a school that teaches "Theistic Evolution", ( a sibling to this Theory, if not the same. ) This paragraph really stood out to me. Another side note, As a Christian, have I been making God into a box? One that I can conveniently "turn on or off"?

Hm...

Ps. This is my 100th post! YEAH!

Happy Birthday to the best mom ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST MOM EVER! We love you!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."" Proverbs 31:28-29

The right stuff?

James 4:17 "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

This verse comes as a check up for me. While I might not do the bad stuff, and I might even do the "good stuff" in life, am I doing the *right* stuff?

Hm.... I am going to study this verse out some more... I'll let you all know what I find.

Hm......

Camp counseling, and randomness... =)

So, I am going to try and post more over the summer...

My present state is: relaxed. =)

So, how have all my blog friends been? I must apologize for being so out of touch..

Last week I had the opportunity to counsel at camp. Being responsible for 9 boys from the ages of 8-12 for a week is a very exciting, and nerve wracking experience! Nerve racking because you begin to have that parent instinct come out:

"Now don't do that! You might hurt yourself!"

or

"Hey... where is Micah... guys... where is Micah?
*higher, slightly frighten voice*
"GUYS? WHERE IS MICAH!"
*a small tug at your leg*
"oh... hehe... uhm.. there you are! I wasn't *really* worried about where you ran off to... let's go though!"

All joking aside, you really grow close to these young guys but most importantly, to Christ. Friday is always a sad day when you have to say goodbye. The purpose of going to camp as a counselor is to point these young people towards Christ, but very often, they point you to Him. Relying on His strength when you have run out, and feel you just can't run one more time up the *big* hill, or answer one more difficult question, and then feeling His strength come to the rescue and keep you going, even though humanly you can't, is a wonderful thing. Or as they say at camp, "a God-thing". Building patience, trust, and Christ-like love for these young people is what God showed me. I wouldn't trade the very tiring, ( yes.. it was tiring ) but incredible chance to be an influence for these guys, who for some of them, don't have any Light of the truth being shown at home. I did have a sad encounter with one young man who understood the Gospel, but refused to accept it for himself. I can't, and would not force anyone to believe the Gospel but to see someone completely understand, and then directly refuse God's gift was tough.. I think that night, after our talk, was the first night I have ever felt such "anguish" inside... Please pray for him, I am going to leave him unnamed for now. Thanks!


Well, tis time for bed. =)
Cheerio!

Family Pics

While getting senior pics done we also had a family shoot! I think I almost like them better than my senior pics.. : )