A Fresh Page

5 hours and I'm 17.
                                              5 hours until 2015.
                                                                                       5 hours until fireworks fly.
                                                                                                                                               5 hours to say good-bye.

At a glance, this year has looked Frozen, with a few Hobbits and Mockingjays here and there. It looks like fun and games and ALS Ice Bucket Challenges. Looking back, we remember the triumph of the Sochi Winter Games (Well, other than that one darn snowflake refusing to open). Who will forget the intense battles for the gold medal in both men's and women's hockey? My heart is still pounding.

2014 also looks a lot like hijacked planes that went missing. It looks like tragedy. It looks like ISIS, but also a time of triumph for the Christian martyrs in the Middle East. But it also looks like fear- the uncertainty and dread of the uncontrollable that gripped us with the outbreak and the rapid spread of Ebola .

It looks like a year of political mayhem. It looks like unrest in Ukraine and controversy over the morals of the Russian government. It looks like the return of the age-old issue of racism and justice in the Ferguson shooting. It looks like delicately balanced governments that can be overturned with the production of a single, crude comedy such as The Interview. It looks like threats that may mean nothing but may mean everything- it looks like nationalistic feuds. But that's nothing new.

2014 looks like chaos. It looks like tragedy. It looks memorable. It looks unbelievably exciting.

2015 looks like nothing, right now.

To the Christian, it is no secret that the world will be spiraling downhill evermore until Jesus returns. So to be honest, I am not overly optimistic about the year that begins in just 5 hours. I'm not overly convinced that 2015 will be any more peaceful or safe than 2014 was. And to be honest, I'm not worried, either.

This year that is about to come to a close was full of lessons for all of us, I'm sure. Valuable lessons. And the thing about valuable lessons- they lose their value if they are not remembered nor put into practice.

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" --Anne Shirley

I find it interesting how so many people consider the new year 'a clean slate,' while being fully aware of the people they hate, the people they want to get back at, and the people they refuse to forgive. The start of a new year means zilch unless you make it mean something. And the only One who can make it mean something is the One who made you mean something.

So here's to the start of a fresh year with a fresh slate. A year that is going to be crazy and hectic no matter what, but a year that can either bring out the best, or the worst in each of us. We can decide. So skip the pointless resolutions, and simply take a look back and what you learned. The hard way, the easy way, the "God sure has a sense of humour" way. And get ready to apply it in the tests that God pulls you through next.

Learn from the past, don't dwell on it. Forgive and forget. Be the one that makes this year the best one ever for everyone you come in contact with. May the joy that is set before you get you through the day, and NEVER give up. Carpe diem!

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something. -- Neil Gaiman

Psalm 90:12~

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Philippians 3:14~

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which 

God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Starting at 12:00 tonight, you will have 8,766 hours to do whatever you please with. I pray that what you please is what God pleases, as well. Take a deep breath, we're diving in! Happy New Year!

Up and At 'Em

There is one thing about this generation that scares me almost more than anything. It was always there, but I never completely realized specifically what was wrong. All I knew was that something was off. It is something that is plastered everywhere and shown in everything. It's in the songs kids listen to, the clothes teenagers wear, and the mindsets of so many young people. Scroll through the most popular memes, the most pinned quotes, and the statuses that are so similar for so many people. It's a never ending list of the same sin that is engulfing this generation, and it is hardly noticed.

Laziness.

"I'm a proud supporter of messy hair and sweatpants." "Tonight I'm meeting Netflix and playing hard to get off the couch." "A good neighbor is one that does not put a password on their wifi." "Not to be rude but I don't really care.... like, at all...." "I'm training for a marathon! [On Netflix]" "You and me, pizza, movies, popcorn. Think about it." "Can't get out of bed. Send help. Or waffles. Maybe just waffles."

Those are just a couple examples of some t-shirts/bags/pictures/statuses that I have seen over and over again. Some just randomly scattered throughout the internet or on strangers or at stores, but quite often coming from people that I know well. Once in a while, the jokes are sort of funny. And once in a while, we all need a holiday, a time to rest and recuperate and recharge for the next spurt of business and hard work. But this generation is getting it all wrong.

We are telling ourselves that laziness is cool. Lethargy is awesome. Drowsiness and leisure is the best way to spend our time. Doing nothing is how to be content. It's okay to live life on the computer or at the TV. There's no need for effort- nobody minds! Just be chill.

These are the messages that are being sent to kids and teenagers everywhere. And it's actually terrifying, because this is the generation that will be the leaders of the world in a few years. And what did we learn during our teen years, arguably the most significant years of our lives? That a life of doing nothing is desirable, and that settling for 'okay' is the new standard.

It's rare for someone to put extra effort into a date with their significant other. Everybody is settling for the norm. Surprises or special outings are becoming notable events, because they hardly happen anymore. People don't bother to dress nicely for school, for events, for get-together's, for anything. Why? Because comfy is the new stylish. It's the attitude of 'Just Deal With It' that so many people have adopted. Haters gonna hate. There is no more attempt at formality- everyplace should be comfy, cozy, and laid back. That's the atmosphere that everyone wants. If it's too loud, we retreat to our headphones and devices. We lounge wherever we want- forget decency. It's a thing of the past. Courtesy and decorum are so old-fashioned.

It's scary in the sense that the habits of laziness that are being formed in millions of kids now are going to be put to the test in no time, but it is scary for another reason. Just as we are becoming lazy in the physical sense, those attitudes are overflowing into our spiritual lives. I know that without a doubt. Why? Because I can be the laziest person ever on weekends or holidays. I treasure the days where I can nap off and on, drink tea, watch my favourite show, eat chocolate, and read books. I love being able to relax and forget about schedules and homework. I love sleeping in til noon, and wearing my pajamas all day long.

And the happiness I feel from a day of doing absolutely nothing puts my mind in such a state of idleness, that it can hardly speed up enough to really focus on anything of importance, like maybe devotions. There are always opportunities to bless my parents and siblings by doing extra chores... but really weekends should be me-time, right?

The comfy/slouchy styles are cute, the quotes are funny and #relatable, but there is someone I know would disagree with all of them. Why? Because his life was lived with the exact opposite mindset. Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with resting- in fact resting on the Sabbath is a command. But rest is not the same as laziness. Those who are apathetic in their spiritual walk will be satisfied with where they are. They won't make goals, they'll read their Bible recreationally. Maybe a Psalm when they're feeling happy, maybe a few Proverbs for a dose of wisdom, but there is no drive. There is no discipline. They are not passionately seeking to grow and mature. No, to the lazy one, Christianity is a hobby. A cute side-job that provides necklaces, good music, and fun times at youth group.

Laziness in a relationship with Christ is why there is so little supernatural activity in North America! Too lazy to give, too lazy to work, too lazy to help. When God calls, when he nudges someone to step out of their comfort zone, they won't because it's too far. It's too scary. It's too hard. They literally can't even.

2 Peter 1:8,9~

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are short-sighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

2 Peter 3:18a~

You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There cannot be growth without effort. There cannot be knowledge without seeking. When we first responded to Jesus' call to servanthood, we did not apply for ease. We applied for daily carrying our crosses. And from what I've learned from the Gospels, carrying the cross was not very comfy.

Living a life of ease is to live a life like everybody else in this world. But to live a life in Christ is to life like Jesus did. In other words, to live life big! Passionately! Exuberantly! It's to live life outside of the comfort zone. Not just stepping out once and a while, but live outside of it so long that there is no such thing as your comfort zone. It's so hard to see Christ working when you stay where you're working on your own ambitions and pleasures and desires. It's outside of all that; outside of your bed and couch, and in the world that God called you to save, that you'll see how he's working.

1 John 2:5-6~

But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

What has God commanded that we must obey? Love Him more than anything. Love others more than ourselves. Give all we own to the poor. Be a witness. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Not our own interests). Judge not.

Or what about "Follow me"? If that doesn't scream 'action,' I don't know what does! And when we follow Jesus, I can promise he won't lead you to your bed, except to kneel in prayer. I know he won't lead you over and over again to the fridge. He won't compel you to pick up the remote to watch 4 seasons of your favourite show in one day. Naw, chances are that following Him will actually help you grow. In grace, in knowledge, in wisdom, in love, and in your relationship with Him and with others. He'll pull you through the hard times, and dance with you through the good. Life could be an adventure! Purpose and joy could be yours! What more could you want? Pizza and netflix? Thought so.

James 1:22~

But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

So the thing about a comfort zone- it encompasses everything that is tragically demeaning the lives of this generation. Leisure, bliss, pleasure, and laziness. The thing about outside of it, that's where everything that Jesus is can be found: peace, joy, and love. 

So as it is technically 7 minutes into the morning, I will say this: Good morning, sunshine! Rise and shine! Out of bed, out of the sweats, and forward to the adventure of a lifetime!

Visiting for the Holidays

Christmas is four days away. Maybe you forgot. Maybe you're too exhausted to think about it. Maybe you don't care. Maybe you are in a tizzy trying to buy and wrap gifts. Maybe you are counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds in eager anticipation. However you are regarding the quickly approaching holiday, there is no doubt that you will be obliged to buy/make gifts for friends and family, cheerfully celebrate Christmas dinner, and look as grateful as possible as you unwrap every present of yours. It's what's expected. It's the supposed "Christmas Spirit."

As the days have been edging closer, I have found myself feeling very nonchalant about it all. I'm exhausted from the school year thus far, and just too tired to worry about all the excitement that will transpire in just four days. I am too weary to think about gift-giving or gift-receiving. In fact, the more I think about getting gifts, the more weary I feel. The more I think about spending money on worthless toys and products that will add to my huge collection of material possessions, the more I just want to pack up and leave this place of consumerism and greed.

I'm tired of giving gifts only to make the person love us more. I'm tired of wanting things. I'm tired of giving things. I'm tired of seeing our wealth in possessions grow and our savings decrease. I'm tired of thinking about the single pair of shoes my sponsor child will receive, and the dozens of gifts that I will. I am tired of it all. I'm tired of what Christmas has turned into. I thought it wasn't supposed to be about the gifts. I thought it wasn't supposed to be about the food. But no matter how many times that message is told and preached, Christmas continues to revolve around the premise of money, gifts, and feasting.

Hebrews 12:26b-27~

"Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." 

This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that 

only unshakable things will remain.

I feel like the westernized version of Christmas has turned into a holiday filled with the obsession over... 'shakable' things. Things that will be removed and destroyed one day. Things that will not even bring happiness in this present life, but things that are fought over, nonetheless. On the other hand, even though the spirit of generosity is in the air, most will find the cheapest possible gifts for some, but go overboard and spoil others. It becomes about the money- which people are worth more in one's life.

The sad thing is, even though generosity at Christmastime is generally encouraged and has positive connotations, and even though a lot of it is true and genuine generosity from a giving heart, a lot of it is still purely focused on the gift. It's so much about the gifts. The most common lines of the season that we hear everywhere: "I don't know what to get __________ for Christmas," or "I don't know what I want for Christmas." I've said both numerous times already, and it's embarrassing now that I realize that the focus in both those statements is on presents, and nothing more. They both contain Christ's name in them, but it is absolutely ignored in light of the gifts. 

Would you care to see how one verse will change your perspective on money and gifts? James 5:3, 5~

Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence AGAINST you on the day of judgment. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

Did you catch that? The treasure we have collected and prized will stand as evidence AGAINST us on the day of judgment! Now, as believers, we don't have to be scared of losing our salvation or being sent to Hell because of our possessions... but that verse does give us a very clear picture of God's view on wealth. It shows us how God sees our earthly treasures that are used for pleasure and nothing worthwhile.

Just as Jesus was from heaven, and living on earth as a passing Ambassador, we should be living as foreigners on a mission in this land. 1 Peter 2:10-12~

Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

I wonder, if Christmas was celebrated back in the time of Jesus, or if He lived today, how would he participate? I have a feeling He would not have stressed Himself out over buying certain gifts for his disciples and family members. I don't think He would have worked to impress the others at any Christmas parties or get-together's. He certainly wouldn't have made a wish-list. So why do we?

1 John 2:15-17~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

At first, I was feeling completely opposed to gift-giving and gift-receiving, and I don't think it was the right attitude. For just as an obsession with presents is wrong, so is the condemning of that tradition. Why? Because whether for or against, the focus is still on the material items. If we are to be people who truly believe in a temporary life on a temporary earth, then the focus should never be on anything temporary! The focus should be on Christ. ALWAYS. And Christ endorses a  spirit of giving, and of generosity. He commands us to love. 

Proverbs 11:24-25

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Acts 20:35~

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

To sum things up, do not withhold generosity, but do not give your your own namesake. When you give, give it in the name of the Lord Jesus. For the gifts that you give in God's name are gifts that you give to God. And any gift that is given truly with God in mind and with the love of Jesus in one's heart will be taken and multiplied. These futile gifts we send to each other and put under our trees are really just a shadow of the gift that started them all. The Messiah. And with the giving of that first gift, the world finally experienced amazing joy. So now, when giving, give with a joyful heart, and give to share the love of Christ. That is the Spirit of Christmas.

This year, let the focus in our wrapping paper and stockings be on the original Giver, and may our attitudes reflect the sacrifice and love that was initiated 2000 years ago. Merry Christmas!

Just Do It.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this post is going to be one of those posts that people start reading, realize they're not interested, and so they skim through and ignore it. It will annoy some people, bore others, and turn off some, completely. It's also one of the posts that I've needed to write for a long time, but have procrastinated- because I know that when I write these things, I am doubly accountable for practicing it.  I'm not too worried about it, though- because it is something that needs to be said and needs to be read. So I will write it, regardless.

I am going to be blunt, because I am exhausted and have no time to beat around the bush. I believe that overall, most first-world, modern day Christians have generalized God into a concept. I'm not saying that they don't believe in Him, because I know they do, but they have washed over His realness with a fog of theology and philosophy. We've compartmentalized His teachings. We've turned His commands into concepts and ideas. We've turned His statements into theses and suggestions. And the thing is... they all sound correct. 

I see Scripture quoted everywhere, and I am inspired by reading it. I love seeing people pin and post verses everywhere- it's encouraging. But the more I read them, the more I realize that all the verses that are posted are really so similar. And to an unbeliever reading them on Facebook, they would be so confused. They do nothing to promote Christ to unbelievers, they are the verses that the church has publicized and quoted so often that they are now just daily doses of divination. They perk us up. They make us happy. They motivate us... a little.

Now, hear me out, I'm not belittling these verses. ALL Scripture is God-breathed. ALL Scripture is true, and from the Holy Spirit. My point is, that I think we are using it in a twisted sort of way.

How often do you see people post  Matthew 5:20? "But I warn you- unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" 

Or what about Matthew 5:48? "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect."

I don't think I've ever seen Luke 14:12-13 on anyone's cover photo. "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, don't invite your friends, brothers ,relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind."

And CERTAINLY not Matthew 19:21: "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

Why is that? Don't those verses just make you want to shout with joy, and dance a jig? Don't they make you feel accomplished and encouraged? Don't they just make you feel on top of the world? In all honesty, they don't. They worry us. Scare us. Concern us. Which is why we leave them in the Bible, and put the beautiful, more satisfactory verses on our walls and doors.

But is God's Word something that was given to us to make us feel good? That's a definite no. Hebrews 4:12 words it very graphically. It shows us that the Bible, in no way, was written so that we could feel good about ourselves.

"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

God's Word compels us. It convicts us. It shames us to the point of repentance. It hurts us, but it heals us. How can we, in good conscience, be reading a Book that is meant to change our lives, and only pay attention to the ones that we interpret as "feel-good sentiments?"

So many commands of Jesus are ignored. Just go read them for yourself- you'd be shocked! God was specific in His commands. He didn't just give us generalized, vague, obscure "ideas" of what was expected of His followers, He told us! And here we are, uncomfortable with the idea that a King should give orders to His servants. Commandments are constantly ignored. The verses that S-P-E-L-L   O-U-T  our jobs are skimmed over, because we don't want to DO those jobs! 

Read the Bible sometime. Do the Bible in a Year plan or something. But just read it through. Devotionals with quotes and jokes and cute little phrases are not necessary. Just read God's Word. Not people's words. Just read it through, day by day, and I guarantee you will be SHOCKED. Do you realize how many times the Bible talks about giving to the poor? More than 300 times! It is a command that God was NOT vague about. He wants us to give to the poor. He wants us to take care of the widows. He wants us to speak out against injustice. He wants us to help the orphans. He TOLD US SO!

I beg you to stop compartmentalizing God's commands. I am guilty of it, too, I know. But let's try to stop favouritizing the poetic Psalms over the compelling Seven Deadly Sins. Let's stop only reading the miracles and skipping Christ's explanations. READ the parts that make you uncomfortable. MEMORIZE the verses that convict you. Because more likely than not, it's THOSE verses that contain something that God is trying to get your attention for. It may hurt, it may even kill- but it will be so much more worth it than reading a verse a day without a change.

The Bible is to encourage us, but not just encourage. It's not there so we can just make it through the day feeling alright. You need to see the whole picture. The Bible is there to encourage us to fight the good fight. Yes, that means fight. That means follow Christ's orders, even unto death. 

My challenge to you: Take God's commands literally, and take them seriously. No more vague, artsy quotes pinned up on your wall. Try pinning up a new verse today, no matter how weird or personal it may seem. "You shall not covet." "You shall not commit adultery." "Get rid of whatever causes you to sin." (Matt. 5:29-30) "Give more than is demanded." (Matt. 5:40-42) "Give to please God, and not to be seen." (Matt. 6:1) "Do not exalt yourself." (Matt. 23:8-12)

I could go on, but you get the picture. Someday, when we stand before the Throne to be judged once and for all, do you think God is going to remember your verse-a-day calendar that made you smile every morning and reward you for it? I'm thinking that He will remember when you donated all that money you had been saving up for a new computer and gave it to the family down the street struggling financially. Or the time you volunteered at the homeless shelter every week in the freezing cold. Or the time you housed the immigrants in town who could not speak the language and had nowhere to go. Or when you adopted the orphan.

And every other time you simply did what Jesus said to do.