I'm I Being Heard?

Just some thoughts:

"The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.

-Karl Rahner

As I was making breakfast this morning, this quote popped in my head. Not really sure what triggered it, but it's led me on a thought train which I wanted to share with you.

I was thinking about how we as Christians acknowledge God with our mouths, but deny him with our lives. What if it was the other way around? At first it seemed a little crazy, and perhaps "unchristian", but the more I thought about it I don't know that it's such a terrible idea. What if we did follow God is our actions, in our lives, but denyed him with our tounge. Not meaning we swore and took his name in vain, cut others down, or just did/said terrible things, but rather that we didn't claim to be followers of Christ. What if our lives spoke it so strongly that even our words couldn't convince others we weren't Christians.

This led to the old addage "actions speak louder than words". It's truth. I think God could have sent a prophet in the Old Testament to said those very words. It might have sounded something like:

"O listen people of Israel, live your life as a testimony to God, for actions speak louder than words, thus sayith the Lord."

Anyway about it I think we need to reflect on that idea. If actions speak the loudest, then are we whispering for the kingdom? Seriously, think about it. If we are called to declare the Glory of the Lord, are we nothing more than a whisper in the world of sinful actions by ourselves and non-believers. Even the heavens cry out, rocks and stones, the world he created, and it's not using words. Is is possible that inanimate objects could have a louder voice than we do? I guess it is? If each action were audible, perhaps a musical note or phrase, would the melody of Christ be heard in the symphony of our lifes, or would it be overpowered by a clanging gong and a crashing symbol. Is that all people can hear? I think of the Casting Crowns lyrics.

Empty hands held high...If not joined with my life, I sing in vain tonight.

May the words I say, And the things I do...Let my lifesong sing to You.

-Lifesong by Casting Crowns

Now what? I don't know. That's for you to figure out. I guess we might need to examine our lifes, and our hearts. From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

King Charles Cavalier

Today somebody brought some puppies to the chemistry department here at Bethel. They were absolutely adorable, and one of my favorite breeds. I've wanted one for many years, and playing with the puppies was a great stress reliever.

The Irony

When I created this blog several months ago I was very intentional about it's name. "Sweet Simplicity: celebrating the simple joys in faith, life, and love" How far from the truth that currently is. I wanted to cut back, life simply, love wholy, and NOT get stressed out. I tried to make that a pattern. Whoops what happened. My life is anything but. I've decided not to withdraw from Bethel, but I am going to drop a class. Maybe that will simplify things. I re-read my post "When Life Kicks You in the Face" and it could have been written just two short days ago. Man it stinks to be in that place. However, today I am optimistic, and once again determined to stick it out and persevere. The weather is beautiful, and spring is here. I can't say that I've been able to enjoy it. It's too hard to try to be happy and enjoy something when the world is crashing, but today in a small way I was. On my way back from church three deer were walking on the road between Lissner and Arden Village East as I arrived on campus. I was able to enjoy them, and have the windows down pumping a few tunes on my way. I'm also getting excited about being an RA next year. I can't wait to find out who the rest of my team is, and what room I'm living in. Well, I really need to get back to the books.

Solo (So Low)

Solo by Iyaz

And I don't wanna go, go
I don't wanna go, go
I don't wanna it no, no
I don't wanna it no, no
I don't want to walk this earthIf I gotta do it solo

Cuz I was so high
And now im so low
And I don't wanna walk around alone, solo
Said I don't want to walk this earth
If I gotta do it solo

This is just the chorus, and of coures he's talking about a girl here, but I'm talking about God and a life that isn't worth walking solo. I'm at the low, etc, etc, and it's not worth walking so low either.

Blind Date

Yesterday around noon I walked through the revolving door of the California Pizza Kitchen. I was supposed to meet my mentor who had just texted to inform me she'd be about 10 minutes late.
The hostest asked me "how many?"
I responded with "two".
"A gentelman?" the hostest questioned with a slight intrique in her voice.
I kindly told her no, and she proceeded to make a comment about a gentleman who was waiting for someone. Jokingly she said she'd "hook us up" if I was up for a blind date.
"You know that's not such a bad idea" I thought to myself half heartedly. We then chatted about speed dating and blind dates as she led me to my table. When Maybe arrived I told her the story and directed her attention to the man in a white and red stripped dress shirt on the opposite side of the restaurant. He was now sitting with an older man (probably his father).
"You should have gone for it" she joked.
It could have been fun, maybe next time I will. I'm up for a random blind date. :)

Old Spice

Hello Ladies!
Look at your man
Now back at me
Now back at your man
Now back at me
Sadly…he isn’t me
But if he stopped using lady scented body wash and switched to Old Spice he could smell like me
Look down
Back up
Where are you?
You’re on a boat
With a man your man could smell like
What’s in your hand?
Back at me
It’s an oyster with two tickets to that thing you love
Look again
The tickets are now diamonds
Anything is possible when your man smells like old spice and not a lady
I’m on a horse

Smell Like a man, man!
Old Spice

Check out the link http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=327874950766&ref=mf

Looking Back

I just looked at my post from Feb 5th and it's interesting to me how life has changed since then. One thing I know is that God is still with me, and all I want is to be close to him. I just want to read my Bible, I guess it's because He has to get me through. I read Psalm 17 this morning and it was really relavant. I went to chapel today, with the intent not to "go to chapel" but just to "be at chapel" to be in God's presence and rest and abide. Today is the first day of Lent and the chapel message was deeply rooted in what I've needed to hear. Everything has been. Church on Sunday was about how we spend God's time and also how Jesus is the perfect Valentine. Monday my professor's opening prayer for our class was 100% about my life. He's here. He's faithful. I know most of what I"m experiencing is strong spiritual attack and I pray everyday for Satan not to have a foothold in my life. After chapel today, God sent this girl name Lauren who has been such a secret encouragement to me. She's such a good and true friend and when I saw her walk by I knew it was because God had directed her directly to me at that exact momment.

PS in the last few hours (since my last post) I quit my TA job...one less thing. Ahhhhh....