6/30 Thursday Thoughts

According to the Westminster Catechism, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever...

Well, let's just focus on the "enjoy Him forever" part and ask...do you enjoy God now?

The reflex is to say "yes, of course, I do," but are you just thinking about those rare occasions when you really feel a palpable connection with God or when You've just witnessed an answer to your prayers?

I don't know about you...but if you asked my what I enjoy...I'd probably list things like: hanging out with friends, talking to people (especially about relationships), following sports and wrestling, playing video games, etc etc etc.  Essentially, it would be a long list of stuff that may or may not include something directly relating to God...possibly depending on my current life circumstances...

When I'm having a really crappy day...or even if I've had a pretty good day and just want to relax...it is not in my nature to run to God.  To meditate, to pray, to study the Bible.

What's sadder...is that if Jesus himself were waiting for me when I got home...and I had the option of chilling with him or doing one of the other things I enjoy....I might not pick Jesus and just try to have fun doing something else...(Disclaimer: I haven't actually been in this situation, so I'm not sure what I'd do)..

I realize that this is messed up.  But I don't think I'm the only person who would make that choice.

If you could have everything you ever wanted but couldn't have a relationship with God...would you take that deal?  Would you take a relationship with God even if it meant having nothing in life go your way (ie. Job)?

I know which answer to choose...but how come I don't live my life that way?

6/29 Wednesday Weekly

MillStar of the Week: This week's MillCredit goes to the newest member of the Washington Wizards Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic.  Even though Jan was only picked #6 overall, he stole the show at the NBA Draft when he kissed his girlfriend much to the delight of the live audience in New Jersey.  THEN, he wow'd me with his swagger in his post-draft interview by denying he is the "European Blake Griffin" and instead saying that Blake Griffin is just the "American Jan Vesely."  Usually, international players totally embarrass themselves in their first ever televised interview in English (For example, see how #5 pick Jonas Valanciunas talks about his "not so strong body").  If I'm ever going to be a fan of DC sports, I'm going to need someone like Jan Vesely to get me through.  Thanks Jan.

Runner-Up: CM Punk for delivering the best wrestling promo since the late 90s.

MillDud of the Week: Yesterday, a press release went out stating that the Southern Baptists had changed their stance on homosexuality and were ready to allow same-sex marriage because "even our most sacred texts must be read in context."  This made me incredibly sad...BUT then the Southern Baptists later denied they put out this press release and claimed it was a hoax performed by a so-called Christian think tank named the Center for Responsible Christian Living (is it funny that the only major news outlet to cover this story was Fox News?).  This probably has to be one of the dumbest hoaxes of all-time.  Why would a pro-gay organization think impersonating a Christian denomination would help their cause?

But in the spirit of fairness...why would they target Southern Baptists?  I have to assume that Southern Baptists are not totally in the right and must have ticked off some people in this think tank either directly or indirectly.  Then, I gotta just re-affirm that I don't think "our sacred texts" would approve of homosexuality in ANY context.  I believe that being actively homosexual is sinful.  Finally, just like how Christians shouldn't convey their thoughts on homosexuality in hateful ways...but instead disagree in loving ways....Gays and pro-gays should not be playing tricks on Christians even if some might deserve it.  So this week's MillDud goes to Southern Baptists, Gays, and Gays who play tricks on Southern Baptists aka the Gay Southern Baptist Hoax.

MillBoard Charts Song of the Week: In continuing with the theme of summer songs of the 90's, this week's song of the week goes to "Sometimes" by Britney Spears.  I remember a couple of things about this song....

1) I was learning Spanish in school...and I tried really hard to translate the lyrics of this song to "A Veces Corro" but had no idea how to say "I'm scared of you" so that endeavor ended really quickly.

2) I remember watching MTV's Total Request Live when this song first came out.  I remember Carson Daly was fixated on how one of the girls in the video was itching her crotch.  For your sake, I've pinpointed the crotch-itch at the 1:16 mark in the YouTube Link given above!

3) Britney was so awesome at this point in her career.  What happened???  When did Britney's career veer off track?  I'm gonna say "Slave 4 U" was the point of no return...her wholesome image was definitely gone by then.  Unlike many, I choose to believe that Britney was genuinely wholesome early on in her career...and was not simply the product of clever marketing to teenagers.

6/23 Thursday Thoughts

Is it just me...or does your day totally crumble when you don't start it out with a really quality quiet time with God?

For me, this has been excruciatingly evident for the last two years...not because this has been a new problem....but because having my girlfriend observe my life closely...really made my flaws more self-evident.

Usually, we'll talk about our days...and if it was a crappy day, she'll invariably ask "How was your QT?" and I might respond by saying I didn't do it...or I slept through it...or I was just going through the motions...

And it's amazing to me...how the first 30 minutes of my day...really makes or breaks the next 15 hours...

When my time with God is inadequate...I feel unbalanced...I feel ordinary...I feel like I'm getting by on my own strength and ability...which is simply just not enough....

If what I read on Scott's latest blog entry is true, only 16% of Americans read their Bible everyday...which I'm guessing probably isn't much different than the percentage that prays everyday...or the percentage that depends on God daily... (this assumption could be wrong...but whatever!)...that's crazy.  If I'm not the only person who feels totally unfocused when I skip out on genuine fellowship with God...this is an awful statistic.

I'm fearful of what this means for us.  I think about the verse in James Chapter 1 that talks about being like a man who forgets what he looks like as soon as he steps away from the mirror...

Haunting comparison, by the way.  But, I feel like this accurately captures what it's like for us to forego quality time with God...

Without being plugged in to God through prayer and meditation on his Word, I forget who I am.  I forget that I'm his child.  I forget that I'm supposed to be set apart from this world.  I forget that even though I'm weak, He is strong.  I forget that He's never let me down.  I forget that I am His.