Oh To Be A Hippy

Lately I've been participating in a discussion over certain issues we hold dear to our hearts. Most of the issues boil down to the legitimacy of the Bible. Some of the discussions have been:
Person A: "2 Timothy 3:16-17"
Person B: Paul wrote that before the New Testament was compiled, so how can we include in it the New Testament?

All I can think of right now is how it would feel to be a hippy. "Peace and love man, yeahhhhh. *exhale"

Last night I was in this discussion to the point that I got a headache. This morning I was irritated by the responses over night. Now I'm just confused by the desire of some to dismantle the idea that the Bible is the Word of God.

A Lesson From The Democratic Campaigns?

As many of you know, and for those of you that don't, an 11 year old boy from McAndrews, Kentucky recently sold all of his video games, his bike, and other random things from his closet in order to donate the money to Hillary's campaign at a rally held by Bill. He was able to amass a sum over 400 bucks! Not bad for an 11 year old. Apparently his mother thought the money was being raised for their family vacation. Needless to say, the parents gladly let the child go through with this and accompanied him to the rally on Friday in order to present his money to Bill in person; even receiving an autographed picture of Bill and Hillary for it!
(here is the story http://http://dailymail.com/News/election08/200805120073?page=1&build=cache)
So some of you might be thinking, Eric, this is sad. Or perhaps you are thinking, Eric, you're a nerd and a doofus. Well, here's what I am thinking...
Here is a kid who is a perfect example for us.
He has become so entrenched in politics and his opinion of right and wrong he is willing to sell all of his "toys" and sell anything else he can find that he doesn't need in order to help the cause he is in love with. Are we that way with our love for Jesus? Are we so trusting in Christ that we are willing to rid ourselves of the "toys" we hold dear as security blankets, you know, for the "just in case"? Do we have things in our lives we hold onto that we don't really use, don't really like, or are otherwise holding onto for no apparent reason; knowing that we could give them to Goodwill or sell them and use the money to glorify God? Or maybe we spend lavishly on things that are not that important Monday through Saturday, but come Sunday we are saying, "Well, 10% is biblical, so $300 (or $15000 depending on your income) is good enough". Are we just crossing checklists when it comes to our relationships and responsibilities to the church and God or are we so looking forward to giving of ourselves that we are like this young boy, searching through his closet for more ways to give?
This is SUCH A HUGE issue for me. You have no idea the ways of my heart. Sin twists me up so bad when I start lusting for new things or when I can't part ways with old ones. Instead of trips to McDonald's for $1 large Dr. Peppers 3-4 times a week I should be saving this money or giving it to a worthy cause.
To think this issue is only about money would be wrong. In our fallen world we are taught to be selfish with our time, thoughts, and...well everything! We must be weary, friends, of the sin associated with idle minds, bodies, and resources. Everything we have is a gift from God. Please remember that.

P.S. if this doesn't make sense don't worry...these are just a little scope into my brain and what I'm struggling with right now so if nothing else is clear in this post, please pray for me to be less selfish!
P.P.S. don't expect an autographed picture of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit like the kid got of his heros...be happy with an undeserved salvation and that knowing the act of righteous giving of yourself makes you like a picture of Jesus to those to whom you give...

Theresa

Over the last 24 hours Theresa has lost around 5lbs; which to put into perspective for the rest of us is around 4-5% of her total body weight. She has some kind of stomach issue where she can't keep fluids or solids down. She is seemingly getting a little better, so we are hopeful. Apparently a couple of people at work last week had similar problems. According to them it only lasted around a day so she should be better tomorrow. Anyhow, if you are reading this blog then you obviously have enough time to pray for her to get well and me to care for her properly, so please do so!
Eric

Petless

Well, we have lost both of our pets in two days. Gordy, the hamster, died last night. He was old. Flash, the fish, died this evening. He was old, too. Here is a picture of Gordy. He is actually hanging out with Eric's cousin Becca in this picture. He was a cutie!

New Job

Now that my finals are OVER, I can actually post about my new job. I went to Fort Worth in April for the American Alliance for Physical Education, Health, Recreation, and Dance national convention. While I was there, my internship supervisor emailed me because there was a job posting at the Brazos County Health Department for a health educator. I screamed and danced and then downloaded the application and filled it out. My wonderful sister-in-law, Kristina, faxed the application for me since I was still in Fort Worth on a Thursday night. Well, I got a call the next Friday to schedule an interview for Monday. I was a basketcase that whole weekend (and the next week after the interview). I went to the interview on Monday and was offered the job the next Friday. Now, I have never quit a job before, so I was feeling really bad about leaving Scott & White. I learned a lot at Scott & White (good and bad), but it is time for me to move on. I don't want to stay there forever, and this new job is exactly what I want. I have always wanted to do health education in a community setting. There is nothing that say "community" more that county health department.

Being in the world not of the world according to Sinclair Ferguson

"We are often told not to be negative (notice the negative!). But this is bad counsel for those who would follow Christ. In his kingdom, being positive implies also being negative. Belonging to his kingdom means rejecting all the claims and the characteristics of this world's kingdoms. It means having a feeling of not belonging because you are 'strangers [aliens] in the world' (1 Peter 1:1)." (From The Sermon on the Mount, Kingdom Life in a Fallen World.)

When I was reading a week or so ago I stopped on this page because I felt he had just said something so profound that I had to mull it over for a while. Maybe this quote won't strike you how it did me, but it is certainly a good point either way.

Eric

Funny Music

Ok. Last November Theresa sent me an email containing a link to youtube. If it had not been from her, I probably would not have clicked it because some of my friends are a bit sketchy. Anyhow, after cleaning out my inbox today and finally stumbling on it again, I decided to post it here. I know many of you are former band nerds, choir geeks or orchestra snobs, so here you go. I also seem to remember a particular brew-known talking about it a while back at the retreat. For the mothers, he says damn and ass each once and tells someone he will see them in hell. Anyhow, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM