“Oh be careful little mouth….”

“I’m just kidding.”

“Don’t take everything so literally—I’m joking.”

“We all know that it is just a joke.”

Such sayings are commonly heard throughout one’s day. It seems like the prevalent mentality is that if we tag those words onto whatever preceded them, then that which we are joking about is then not only ok, but accepted and even sometimes encouraged. Sure, there is a time and place for simply being silly and having fun with friends. That is not what I’m talking about here. The issue that I’ve been thinking about some lately is that of joking about things which, if said with seriousness or actually carried out in real life, they would be wrong: joking about and taking lightly that which God views as wrong. However, under the classification of “joking,” we think nothing of it.

Somehow, such reasoning just does not sit right with me. As believers, our lives should reflect Christ in every area. Colossians 3:17 says that “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Not only that, but are we not called to a life of holiness? First Peter 1:15-16 makes a strong statement regarding our speech in connection with the believer’s holiness when it says that “…as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’” Or how about 1 Thessalonians 5:22, where we are commanded to “[a]bstain from all appearance of evil”? Even in just having fun with friends, I know I am guilty of partaking in joking that I know was not an avoidance of even the appearance of evil.

I once heard someone say that every single word that is said goes on forever in space, never totally disappearing. While I do not know if that is really true or not, it does cause me to take a step back and consider things that I have said. No matter how much I would like to avoid the fact, one day “…every idle word that [I] shall speak, [I] shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Ouch.

Considering joking in light of these few verses makes it seem oh-so-out-of-place in the believer’s life…in my life. What are your thoughts about this?

It is amazing to think of what happens at the moment of salvation:

The instant I believed on the work of Christ on the cross, I had the righteousness of Christ imputed to me! I was redeemed. I am no longer condemned, for Christ took my place.

Christ finished the work on Calvary. It is complete. Nothing more needs to be done: all man has to do is believe.

Wow.

It is humbling to not only recognize that the great Gift of redemption and eternal life is offered to mankind, but also to attempt to grasp and comprehend the value of the payment that Christ made on the cross...

all because of God's great love for mankind--for me.

More precious than gold, sweeter than honey...

In one of my posts a while back, I mentioned how each semester seems to have a specific theme. Already this semester--even though we’re only a few weeks into it--one specific subject seems to be coming up over and over again: be it in class, in various conversations throughout the day, in personal devotions, or in church, the subject of the importance of God’s Word in one’s life seems to come up every time I turn around. I've been doing a lot of thinking about it.

Having been raised in a Christian home, I’ve been aware of the significance of the Bible and the fact that it is God’s Message to man since a very young age. Only recently, however, has it really begun to sink in how truly important God’s Word is! I mean, when I think about what God’s Word actually is--the inspired Word of God--and the fact that written in it is everything that man needs to know God and live a godly life, is absolutely amazing. There are no "supplemental reading" lists at the back of the Bible. God's Word is complete and all-inclusive--it is all there. To think that I have in my possession everything that I need to know JEHOVAH, the One who is the Self-Existent One, the All-powerful Ruler, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, is an incredible thing indeed.

Today I read the familiar verses in Psalm 19 that talk about God’s Word and was amazed at the description of God's Word and the results that it has on those who read and apply it:

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:

the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:

sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:

and in keeping of them there is great reward.

It is convicting to honestly consider the amount time I actually devote to carefully examining this Book that is far superior, in every way, to any other book that I could ever own throughout my lifetime. I say that I want to get to know God and grow closer to Him. However, I cannot help asking myself “How much has that desire really affected the time that I spend studying His Word?” The desires of the heart are ultimately reflected in one's actions.

Something I read recently:

"God only creates out of nothing.

Therefore until a man is nothing,

God can make nothing out of him."

~Martin Luther

And I couldn't resist adding a picture of Christiana and me from when we went to Burney Falls.

(Even though you can't tell it from this picture, we were trying to keep a straight face.)

to let the cat out of the bag...

I really wanted to wait to let people know, but I don't think I can keep it a secret for much longer... (Yes, I'm extremely excited!!!)

Everyone at school keeps asking me why I'm so excited, giddy, glowing, and so on whenever I think about this coming summer... (Some are convinced that it has something to do with a guy, but of course it has absolutely nothing to do with a guy--unless my dad and my brother count.)

In case you haven't already guessed it:

I. a.m. g.o.i.n.g. t.o. B.r.a.z.i.l. f.o.r. t.h.e. s.u.m.m.e.r!!

That means I will be with my family for around 2 1/2 months!!

By the time this summer rolls around, it will have been three years since I left Brazil and two years since I last saw my family...

YES, I'M EXCITED!!!! SUMMER, I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!

"Ready or not, here I come!"

That is about how I feel right now about this coming semester--whether I'm ready for it or not, it is here and I must face it; I don't have the option of saying "wait! I'm not ready!"

Sometime,(preferably within the next few days or weeks), I hope to get some pictures up from my time in Burney, California with Christiana's family...

(and also possibly write something a little deeper than my last post. =] )

Until then...

Just thought I would let you know...

The proficiency of my brainpower during this epoch of my lifetime has been incompetent in performing the undertaking of devising an innovative commentary or account of anything that is even sensible, much less worthy of the time of the viewers of this blog.

There is, however, the possibility that this state of mind is merely temporary...

(That is my justification for the absence of posts over the last few days)