the jesus of suburbia

I just finished up this fabulous book called The Jesus of Suburbia by Mike Erre. It has really called me to question my own faith and how I live that faith out. Have I tamed the SON OF GOD to fit into my lifestyle? Do I REALLY know Jesus, or is what I know only facts about Him? Below are excepts that I thought were amazing:

"What would happen if such giving began to characterize our churches? What would happen if we took the best of our resources and refused to spend them on ourselves but instead invest them in making the world a better reflection of Jesus? What would happen? People need to see what we are for, not just what we are against. So much of our message is tied to what the Christian community opposes: Harry Potter, homosexual marriage, abortion, feminism, stem-cell research, et cetera. But what are we for? The world need to know we stand for faith, hope, love, truth, beauty, grace, compassion, kindness, and courage. The only way they will know is if we show them. Words, these days, are meaningless."

.....

"The purpose of the church isn't just to survive this world but to become dynamic movements who live out the revolution of Jesus. We are called to serve and love the world around us. It is understandable why many do not want to do so. The world is ugly, fallen, and depraved. It is far easier to close ourselves off to the messiness of culture and focus on perserving our traditions and rituals. It is far easier to divide ourselves according to our theological distinctions than to focus on what unites us so we can mobilize together as the greater community of faith."

....

"I have heard it said that nothing is more dangerous to a revolution than winning. When a revolution wins, it faces the prospect of becoming institutionalized and losing its ability to be dangerous and subversive. If there is nothing to revolt against, a revolution loses its power. Revolutions are by nature subversive.
For instance, where in the world is the global church dead? In places where Christianity is the state religion. Where does it flourish? Where it is persecuted and oppressed. It would seem that if the opponents of Christ in the United States really wnated to stop the movement of Jesus, all they would have to do is to make Christianity the national religion. The separation of church and state actually protects us from winning in our desire to turn America into a "Christian nation." God save us from such a fate. In the Scriptures, past success is always the greatest threat to future usefullness in God's kingdom. (2 Chronicales 26) We lose the ability to be useful in God's hands when we become afraid to lose the success we have achieved."

Check out the book on Amazon.com....definetly more good stuff in the book.

you don't care a bit...no you don't care a bit....

I've always had a deep desire to care for the earth. Having a deep passion to take care of animals and giving them good homes and great environments. Through alot of the research that I've done on my own, and also what has been on the television about global warming and the environment, I've have begun to realize that care of the environment is one of my core values. I've been told that the things that matter most to you are the things that infuriate you when it's misused or there is an injustice that is taking place. The issue of our environment and the earth is definetly something that I hold dear to my heart, it's also something that drives me crazy when people purposely don't care about it either. Or they live in denial that these things are really happening....Why has our culture become so apathetic? Why do Christians only live for themselves? I have come in contact with many Christians lately who just don't care. It's become appartent to me as well that I have a very selfish side to myself. We all want nice things, but it's when we try so hard to get them that is the problem. Are we hurting other people to get what we want? Are we hurting God's creation? Are we endagering animals?


I found these pictures on the internet recently. Of course these would never be printed on the front page of a newspaper. It broke my heart to see that the way that I used to live my life has done this to these animals. I also heard watching the {LIVE EARTH} concert over the weekend that in as little as 50 years, the polar bears could be extinct. How sad. I really believe that God never intends for us to live this way. Do we even care what God thinks and how He designed us to be?

recycle

dandelion in a whirlwind

dandelion in a whirlwind

have you ever thought about the transformation of a dandelion? it grows to be a beautiful yellow weed...which others sometimes find bothersome, but i really think they are beautiful. if i had a yard, where dandelions could grow, i would never spray chemicals to kill them. they grow to an array of polka dots in the yard, explaining God's beauty all throughout the little blades of grass.

but how does the transform happen? is a certain day in the year reserved just for dandelion transformation? and how does it even occur? a yellow dandelion is flat on the bottom, but when it transforms it's a perfectly round clump of fuzzies. it really doesn't make much sense to me, but maybe this is some knowledge that i'm not supposed to know.

i've been thinking about dandelions alot lately because they seem to be everywhere along the sidewalks. the fuzzy dandelions that is. i feel in some way like a dandelion. i feel as if at one time, who i was, was very beautiful and bright. sunny. but i also feel as if others found me unenjoyable, just as avid lawn keepers find dandelions. i've always stuggled with this issue, feeling valued in a world that doesn't value too many human beings.

but now, i feel tossed by the wind. i feel as if i can stand tall when the wind isn't blowing, but if challenges are blown my way, i crumble, and fall apart. i feel as if i've tried to be that beautiful glowing dandelion, standing tall in the face of adversity, and i've turned into something tossed by the wind. sometimes i don't know if i can take anymore frustrations or heartaches.

in no way has my life been terribly devastating, but i definetly thought that my life would of ended up different after studying my tooshie off at college for four years. i definetly thought i would of had a more valuable job using my skills and talents. i'm to the point now, where i struggle to even believe that i have talents. i thought i would get along with my husband more than i do. i thought that i would be a stronger believer in Christ, not doubting my faith as much as i do. and lastly i thought i would be to a point in life where i could appreciate who i was created to be. i thought i would value myself more...

i want so much to come to a place where i can stand tall in the face of heartache, dissappointment, and downfalls. face the lawn mowers and weed killers, standing tall, strong and beautiful. hopefully that day will come soon....

I JUST WANNA LIVE