Who's Says you Can't Have fun when your Sick!?

I've been having a horrible time being sick over the past few days. I have a heavy head cold and praying it doesn't turn into a sinus infection. Well, my mom told me about this thing called a Neti Pot... I had seen my aunt do it and it kinda creeped me out. I don't really like the feeling of water in my nose. Well, after my Mom assured me that it doesn't hurt I decided to get it.

I never knew I could have so much fun being sick! hahahaha! Check out a picture of me and my new best friend, the Neti Pot. By the way, in the picture i'm not really doing it right, just wanted to show you how well we get along! Also check out the video below. This guy is hilarious and gives you a good idea of how to use it.

I totally recommend the Neti Pot to all you readers out there who are struggling with the "late winter sniffles". Get rid of the cold before it turns for the worst! 

 

Putting on the Clothing of God

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still a part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more out Christ, who created this new nature within you. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for watch other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you say or do, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father" -Colossians 3:1-17(NLT)

The Challenge: 3 easy steps:
1) Get out a pen and a piece of paper.

2) Read this scripture over one more time and write down just one thing that caught your attention; made you think for a second.

3) I challenge you to have a conversation with someone about what you wrote down and what it means to you. (Remember - this is the hardest step, but it is the most rewarding).

A Vision of Sin

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart." -Matthew 5:27, 28(NLT)

The Challenge:If sin is planted in your heart, get rid of it as soon as possible - or else it will take root and be very difficult to deal with later.

The Vision: I first saw us as the purest soil; dark, moist, and perfect. Then I saw lust, representing any sin: a tiny, tiny seed that I had planted below the surface; barely noticeable. I quickly realized that if I were to dig the seed of lust out from the soil as soon as I saw it, it would do little damage to the soil (my life). Sure, the surface was broken a little but you can't get rid of sin without some brokenness.

Then I saw what would happen if I decided not to deal with the sin immediately - just ignore it, or worse, feel okay about it staying in my life. The seed slowly began to grow below the surface, rooting itself before it was to breach into the sunlight. After it developed a complex root system, it broke into the open air, where everyone could see it, and sprout into a large tree. The roots of this now massive tree infiltrated every part of the soil. You could no longer dig it up without serious damage to the soil. It sucked the nutrients from the soil and disrupted it's balanced state.

Sin is sin - whether we just plant the seed or let it grow, it will affect our lives. It is better to get rid of sin sooner than later. Jesus went even so far to say afterwards, "So if your eye causes you to sin - even if it is your good eye - gouge it out and throw it away… It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." He's not wanting us to go get a stick and thrust it into our anterior cavity (or your eye) - but, He is very serious about staying away from sin.

Christian men especially, need to hear and take heed of the warnings a father gives his son in Proverbs, chapter 5.

Proverbs 5:8, 9 - "Run from her [the immoral woman]! Don't go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and hand over to merciless people everything you have achieved in life."

Proverbs 5:21 - "For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly."

I'll end with this - Jesus' words to the adulteress (ironic, or is it?) pictured above from John 8: "Go and sin no more."

Presenting Mature Disciples Before God

"So everywhere you go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I [Paul] work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me." -Colossians 1:28,29 (NLT)

The Challenge: In response to the first part of this verse - "…everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ." - try to mention Christ or your relationship with Christ somewhere outside church. Part two of this challenge (if you're already doing part one), is to double check your relationship with those with which you've shared the Gospel. Will you be presenting them to God as perfect (mature) Christians come judgement day?

I think Paul's attitude here can reflect our own sometimes - "I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power…". Tell others about Christ 24/7 is not an easy task - especially if you are like me (more of an internal processor). We get scared at the word, "evangelism". In New Testament times no one feared an evangelist. They were people who always brought news which was always good - a victory in battle, for example. Really, we are just letting others in on the good news that God blesses His children.

"Discipleship" is another scary word. It means commitment, responsibility, building relationships. Now add what you read above - "We warn them and teach them… for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ." I know I'm not perfect in my relationship to Christ much less warning and teaching others in order to present them perfect and mature to God!

But before you get too hopeless in the work we are called to, read Paul's words again.

"I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me."

Video of our New Apartment!

I decided to do a video instead of pictures. I think it gives you a much better idea about the apartment. Sorry if it makes you dizzy though. haha. Enjoy!