Let's Kick it Up a Notch

As I wait for the beginning of my challenge tomorrow I got to thinking, I’m really going about this the wrong way. Many who know me also know that I am very knowledgeable and dedicated when it comes to physical fitness. I didn’t just come up with my workout routine on my own, it took years of learning from coaches and online to craft a perfect full body workout regiment. I use these routines to maintain a high level of physical fitness so I can be prepared to play baseball at a competitive level. Instead of jumping just into Bible study, why not kick it up a notch? That’s why I’m compiling a reading list in addition to my Bible study. Just as I seek advice and guidance from coaches I will look to the wisdom of my favorite authors for guidance. A few books I have in mind are… Don’t Waste your Life, Every Young Man’s Battle, The Cost of Discipleship, and Too Busy not to Pray. I will add a few C.S. Lewis books (how could I forget him?) once I get a better idea of what I wish to lead, but these four books are exactly what I need right now.  I’m tired of approaching my spiritual life haphazardly, its time I take care of my eternal body and grow closer to God. It’s a tough decision to make and it will require plenty of effort, but it’s completely worth it. Today God told me it’s as simple as choosing Him and, well, I’m choosing God.

Start the Clock

I begin my challenge this Monday, June 11. It’s going to be tough, I’ve already tried to read my Bible more but the hardest thing will be prayer. I’ve committed myself to praying 30 minutes every day. That’s not going to be easy. I feel funny asking this, but if you read this please pray for me that I can…. Pray. My prayer life has been falling apart a bit, and that’s a shame. Prayer is one of those underrated things that actually is the most important aspect of a Christian life. As I begin this challenge I know full well that it will very difficult, but completely worth the effort. Please pray for me as I take on this endeavor to get in shape physically and spiritually. I will, of course, be posting updates throughout the summer. Thanks again, and I recommend you taking a challenge too, saying you need to read the Bible is nice, but sticking to a daily regiment is not just nice, it’s how you succeed and grow closer to God.

On the Other Side

This isn’t entirely related to my Biblical study at the moment, but its important nonetheless. Currently I’m working very hard in a job that requires me to make cold calls. Essentially I call people during the day with a short (really, it’s only 2 questions) survey. You’d be surprised to hear that very few respond, and the majority of those that do are rude. Wait a minute, that’s not hard to believe because I too am one of those rude people. I used to love the moment a telemarketer would call so I can answer with a loud “click” or if I fashioned myself especially witty that day I’d put up a ruse and pretend to be someone else and get a good laugh. Yeah it was good fun, but I never realized how the other side feels. Any time someone hangs up or even yells at me (it happens) I feel bad. I’m just a kid working and trying to add a bit to a resume that needs, well, a boost; instead of receiving courtesy I get a metaphorical slap in the face. Next time a telemarketer calls I may not buy their product, but I sure as heck will be nice enough to listen to them and politely decline. Yeah getting phone calls is annoying, but it’s not like the guy on the other end is choosing to call us to sell whatever junk he’s supposed to sell. I’m sure he, like me, would choose to play baseball, spend time with family and friends, or whatever if given the opportunity. Instead he’s in a job that requires him to do something we find unpleasant. Taken in that light, let’s make the decision to be courteous. Sure it might take time out of our days or hold back some indignation, but everyone deserves courtesy and love.

Miracles: Old versus New

I’ve been doing some thinking about miracles. I was discussing my surprise in the doubt of many when it comes to the miraculous, especially pertaining to the Old Testament. Many Christians readily claim that the Old Testament is a book of stories and nothing more, but when asked whether or not they believe in Jesus’ divinity the say “Why yes, of course I do.” I have a few friends at college who aim to emulate Jesus in all they do, yet refuse to acknowledge the Bible’s perfection and authority. I ask you this, what is easier to believe, manipulation of a natural phenomenon, or something completely outside of nature? Well, I’d think that the most logical (and sane) answer is the first. Looking through the Old Testament many miracles are nothing more than a manipulation of nature. The plagues of Egypt were very commonplace yet unfortunately timed occurrences, the great flood is a magnification of an everyday tragedy, and the appearance of quail in the desert could easily be verified. In short, God’s miracles of the Old Testament were simply His intervening in the natural world. God made the word and the laws that surround it, shouldn’t he have the right to step in every once and a while to sway the pieces to His desire? Jesus is very different though, His miracle of rising from the dead is unprecedented in nature. Floods and hail storms happen all the time, but no one rises from the dead. I do not mean to discount the miracle of Jesus, of course it happened and He is our true Savior. I just write this to ask those who disbelieve the Old Testament to look at the straight facts. If you are willing to believe in a miracle completely outside of nature why do you discount a natural occurrence as a child’s story?

Disagreements in Boston

Here’s a story for the books. I was waiting for my train at a T stop in Boston earlier today when I was accosted by a young man. H asked me if I had a moment and then pulled out a Bible and began talking with me. Initially I was happy ‘Good for this guy’ I thought, but things quickly went downhill from there. He began talking some new theology about the “mother and father God” how God is not simply a trinity, but there are two gods, the mother and father. I knew I couldn’t let this slide, so I asked for his Bible telling him I too am a “praying man” and quickly pointed out how he was wrong, how there is only ONE true God. He got mad at me, and let’s just say I made a dramatic exit onto my train. I realized, while on the train, that there are many like this man who try to pervert the Gospel to suit their own purposes. Jesus said that many would come in His name yet speak lies and not the truth. Indeed the devil is crafty in his ability to take seemingly godly men and twist the Bible to something else. I told the man that I would not let the devil use people like him to shake my faith and that I believe in the true God that sent His son for us (hey I said it was a dramatic finish). I don’t tell this story to point out how I did a “good thing.” No instead I credit God who gave me the knowledge of His word, and spoke through me to call out evil when I saw it (granted I could have put it a little nicer). Watch out there, on the streets there are many “street preachers,” the majority of which I am not very fond. Many try to come in sheep’s clothing, yet are really trying to pervert God’s word to trick those who listen. That’s why knowing what the Bible says is important. This man tried to show me scripture, but thanks to my knowledge I proved him wrong with not only the same scripture he used, but a few other references as well. Dogmas are well and good if they help us understand God’s word, but they can get in the way too. Over the summer try to dig into God’s word daily, look for His answers to our questions instead of asking around. You’ll be surprised by the clarity, practicality, and truth in the words you read.

Summer Challenge

With the beginning of my summer comes a brand new challenge. I was invited by a former youth pastor to join the G90X challenge. Many have heard of P90X, but this challenge focuses on the body and heart (spiritually speaking). I thought about making easy goals, but how does that improve me? As my old baseball coach said, “if you are not getting stronger, then you are getting weaker!” (imagine hearing that while lifting in the gym at 6:00 am!). Anyway, to keep me honest to my goals and to actually follow through with this, I am posting them here and will be writing any updates/developments/struggles that I have. For the body, I will work out 5 days a week, I will lift 3 days and do cardio 2 days (or switch it up and focus on cardio). For the heart I will read 3 chapters of the Bible a day, memorize 1 verse a week, and spend 30 minutes in prayer a day. These goals will be very hard to follow through on, but as with all things that require work/effort they are well worth it. I will improve my physique (which has gotten gradually worse with stress, bad food, and lack of exercise) for baseball, and grow closer to my Creator. Well, here we go, challenge accepted.