Being Utterly Simple

"I know you might think that's boring, but I think it's the boring stuff that I
remember the most." - Russel, the kid from Pixar's movie UP

I hate being bored. Doesn't everybody? I mean, there are a million productive things we could do, and yet none of them seem worth any effort. We'd rather mope around all day.

But the truth is: everything we experience becomes part of our life. Imagine your experiences as the fabric of your life. All the threads are different colors, and alone they would be drab, but together they weave everything we've learned, and that's beautiful.

"The real test of friendship is: Can you literally do nothing with the other
person? Can you enjoy together those moments of life that are utterly simple?
They are the moments people look back on at the end of life and number as their
most sacred experiences." - Eugene Kennedy

Do you have a friendship (or relationship with boyfriend/girlfriend/parent) like that? Do you consider that relationship special? Honestly, I don't see why my friends adore me like they do. ;) I mean, we do some pretty cool stuff, but often we just sit around doing nothing. And yet, it doesn't make me value our friendship any less. In fact, I find that just being in the prescence of someone I love is special, no matter what we're doing.

The big question...

Is our relationship with God like that? Are there moments in my relationship with God where I can just "chill" or "hang" with Him? Imagine you and your best friend sitting on my bed just enjoying being with each other -- now imagine that best friend as Jesus!

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything. So we know there's a time to pray and read our Bible and tell our friends about Jesus and go on mission trips -- because all those things are great. But there's also a time for just relaxing, resting, and enjoying simply being in God's presence. Sometimes I get frustrated in the silence. But ya know what? The silence is special. It's special because it's me and God just chilling with each other. We don't have to do anything. You could enjoy the silence as God's way of clearing your mind; or you could listen to His voice. Just be still, be patient, be quiet. God does speak to people and He will speak to YOU!

God's Love Really DOES Change People

I’m sitting here while my friend is drying off from a shower. We’ve raced on horseback, we’ve been swimming, and we’ve done dramatic interpretations of history books. It’s funny now, looking back, to see how far we’ve come.
Last year, this girl spent the week at my house. The first night she was here, I cried. I didn’t know how someone could be so – well, mean. My parents told me it was our job to show her God’s love and to be her friend. It was hard, because she was so critical of everyone, but towards the end of the week she had become more comfortable around us. She quietly had told me that she was sick of people criticizing her – but she had become what she hated most.
This year, we all were shocked. Is this the same girl? Not once has she made fun of me, not once as she played the part of a bully. She is encouraging, sweet, thankful, and fun-loving. We’ve talked a bit about church, and I’m confident that she is a Christian. I want to spur her on to a deeper relationship with Christ this week.
I realize how much that unhappy week last year changed her life. I showed her what it’s like to have a friend – and to be one. Most of all, I realized that God’s love really does change people, that patience is a virtue, that revenge isn’t sweet, and that bitter people are the way they are because some hurt them.
Just something I thought I’d share.

Your Sister in Christ,
Melissa

All or Nothing

Anyone who’s ever met me knows that my dream job is to work at Sea World, San Antonio, as the head marine mammal trainer. Maybe you have a dream job, too. Or maybe you haven’t figured it out yet.
Imagine I just get out of college with my Master’s degree, all excited and jittery about my first job interview. I spot one of Shamu’s impersonators in a tank nearby. I hurry to the office, smooth my pencil-skirt and check my lipstick. Good. I am called in to the office and I am directed to sit in a black leather swivel chair.
My future boss folds his hands and looks at me for a long while. “Mrs. Jonas,” he says, “I have been looking forward to this interview.”
I nod, taking in each word, turning them around in my mind. Does that mean I’m hired? He smells weird. Hey, maybe I’ll be a famous fashion designer for trainers!
“Here’s the thing,” the man says.
My stomach churns.
“You are only kind of hired,” he explains. “Money’s been tight, so that’s the way it’s going to be. Come in tomorrow to work…or not. Money may or may not be involved. We’ll see how things play out.”
My hair sticks out on all ends. “Wait, but—”
He ushers me to the door. “See you tomorrow—or not.”
Uh, HELLO! Not a chance! I refuse to be simply “kind of” hired. I’m either hired or I’m not. There’s no in-between stage.

Your relationship with Jesus works the exact same way. Jesus describes himself clearly to us, showing us that he is the divider between death and life. There is no “in between”. Jesus requires it of you! Are you going to give him your all or nothing? Are you going to live or die? I’m going to be totally honest with you: this is a matter of life or death.

It’s your choice.