Howdy [what is better]

Howdy!

Are you'ns having a good day? I hope so. Well, the Thursdays are quickly dwindling away. After today, there is only one or two left depending on your finals schedule. One for me! Ha! Anywho, remember that tonight we'll be eating dinner in the Union at 5:45ish. My flex dollars are long gone so I guess I'll have to fork out some cash or grab a quick bite at Brough before heading to the Union. Hope you can come.

This weekend there are two big things happening: There's a trip to Cotter for Staci's b-day/canoeing and there's also hoop-o-rama on Saturday morning. I think hoop-o-rama starts at 9am.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

So many times, this time of year especially, we get distracted by all the things we feel we need to get done. We get distracted by tests, projects, and end of the year activities and fail to choose "what is better." We decide that we have too much studying to do to go to church/devo/Bible study/prayer group, read the Word, talk to God, or give our time to that person who needs an ear. We focus on what is seen rather than what is unseen. We forget that if we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to us as well. (Matt 6:33)

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phil 4:12,13

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John:15-17

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" Psalm 56:3,4

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make you righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:3-6

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around you neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:1-8

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13


In Christ,
Mitch

Thinkin'

Buon Giorno,

I know I said I'd probably start using the new email list this week, but I'm afraid that not everybody has replied to the message they should have gotten from Yahoo. So, this is your last chance (probably) to get a Thursday email or any email without joining the new more user friendly list. :)

Well, there are only a few more Thursdays left. Hasn't this semester flown by?! I hope that you can join us at the Union at 5:45 as we celebrate the 4th to the last Thursday of the Spring semester of 2001. I'm sure that good times and mediocre food will be had by all. I've got a pretty busy day tomorrow, but I'm hoping to get some "4th Thursday to the
Last" t-shirts printed up. If you want one please bring $40 with you when you come to the Union. Naw! I's jes kiddin'! It's just a regular Thursday like all the rest, but I hope you can come.

Additional reminders:
The softball team will be playing their first playoff game on Monday at 9:30. If you want to come to the golf scramble this Saturday, be at the student center at 7:30 in the morning, that's right, 7:30.

Alllll righty then. Tonight in class, a verse that stuck out to me was 2 Cor 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

This, I think, is a verse that when applied to our lives stresses the importance of knowing God's Word so that we will always be able to explain why we believe what we believe, why we do what we do, and so that we will have scripture to back us up when we point out something that someone is doing wrong. When Paul speaks of taking captive every 'thought', I think he means every wrong idea that other people have about God's Word.

(Disclaimer: Just b/c I think something, that doesn't mean it's true. It's up to you to study and decide for yourself.)

While he may be speaking of ideas rather than inner thoughts, whenever I read "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," I can't help but wonder if my thoughts are obedient to Christ. Over and over the Old Testament says that God is a jealous God. There are many pure and wonderful things that God has put on this earth that are perfectly fine to think about. Perhaps, however, it’s possible to think of good things too much. Perhaps even thinking about good things can distract us from thinking about God and thus make him jealous. I dunno. It's something to think about, but not too much. ;)

A challenge and prayer for myself and you is that all of my and your thoughts and ideas will be from God and have to do with glorifying Him.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23,24

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night." Psalm 63:6

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make know among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:1-4

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"I will not enter my house or go to my bed—I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob." Psalm 132:4,5

"Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Phil 3:19-21

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:4-8

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." Hebrews 3:1-6

Question(s): How do you go about making your thoughts obedient to Christ? What helps you to focus on God rather than the things of this earth? When thinking about good and pure things, how much is too much? What do you do to balance all the earthly and eternal duties you have on your plate? Can they be meshed together? How can one use the duties of this life for God's glory?

Maybe you've got some answers that could help me and others on the list out. I look forward to some good discussion both over email and around the table at lunch and dinner tomorrow.


Have a great day!
In Christ,
Mitch

Back in the Day

As I sit here in my shorts in this stuffy dorm, I'm reminded of the hot summer days of my childhood. I'm reminded of my little, round, blue plastic swimming pool from Wal-Mart (or maybe Target or K-Mart). You know, the one with the dinky little slide that curves around one side and colorful fish printed on the bottom. Those were the bomb til they warped or til it rained and a bunch of pine needles and gross stuff somehow got in them. I'm reminded of one particular hot summer afternoon, standing in the middle of my little pool in the middle of my driveway in nothing but my scooby underoos with my little boy pot belly sticking out, the best tan of my life, and buzzed sandy blond hair. Ahh, those were the days. No grooming required and very few articles of clothing required as well. My summer days consisted of annoying my big brother, playing outside, going to the neighborhood pool, and going to the grocery store with my mom. Homework on school nights might be an addition worksheet, a spelling assignment, and reading a story with one of my parents. Those days were definitely WORRY-FREE days of DEPENDENCE on my parents, TRUSTING what they and just about anyone had to say. Like Mark talked about tonight, let's try to be more like the little child that Jesus called to him.

Another attribute, Mark, that I just thought of is that kids are NOT JUDGEMENTAL. A kid will say ‘hi’ to an ugly or smelly or old person just as quickly as they'll say ‘hi’ to a nice looking, clean person. Color of skin, hair style, fashion, financial status, and popularity matter not to a child.

Ooh, I just thought of another: EASILY SATISFIED. The kids that I got to spend so much time with in Romania are playing in my mind right now. All they needed for lunch was a couple of slices of bread and all they needed for a day of fun was a little attention and a hug, a menga (ball), and a dirt field for soccer. They didn't even need that much! They just needed a tiny carport and some rusty bars in the shape of a soccer goal! Having fun with me didn't ever require that we understand a word we said to each other. God bless those kids.

Praise be to God for the example that the Karnes family is! ...the Christian leader, husband, and father that Scott is; the Christian leader, wife, and mother that Denise is; the dependent, trusting, and worry-free lives that Davis and now Bailey live! I pray that God blesses them and that someday he blesses me and you with families that are as blessed. I pray that I and my wife and children can glorify God by being the example of a true Christian family that this world desperately needs more of.

Well, before I leave you with some verses, let me remind you about supper in the Union at 5:45ish.

Hope you can come to spring retreat this weekend. It's always awesome. Remember to carpool so we don't have too many cars. Apparently we have shifts leaving on Friday afternoon at about 3 and about 6. Also remember to eat before you come Friday and to brings snacks if you think you'll need a midnight snack. Please be praying about this weekend...for Wilson's devo, for all of our speaker's speeches, and all of our activities.

Ok, time for some verses and I'll let ya go:

"And he said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:3,4

"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." Psalm 131

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." Isaiah 66:13

Check out Matthew 21:12-16, then Psalm 8, then Matthew 11:20-30.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him." Matthew 7:11

"And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:7,8

Have a great day!
In Him,
Mitch