Simple Truths-More than just Kid Stuff

I have always loved cartoons,  animation, and stories for children. That is one thing that hasn’t changed about me. More than likely, it never will.  I hear people say all the time, “Oh, that movie was cute, but it is just for kids.”

The truth is, there are things like Disney movies that ring such simple truths. I think as adults, we often want to ignore them. We think there is nothing we can learn from them because we’ve “heard it all before”.

Adults are stubborn. I think we often write off these “cute movies” or books because we often don’t want to face reality. 

We don’t want to hear that “a little kindness goes a long way”. 

We don’t want to hear that “Love is putting others needs before your own.” 

We don’t want to hear that we must persevere and keep trying. We don't want to hear that when it is easier to give up. 

We don’t want to hear that we need to stand up for what we believe in, or what is right.

We often turn a blind eye and stay silent when others are hurting, abused, or in need. We tell ourselves to mind our own business.

We walk away from someone just because they aren’t giving us a thrill anymore. They aren’t making ME happy. (Note: I am not talking about abusive situations. Please, if you can help it, don't stay in an abusive situation.)

We stay silent because it’s easier than dealing with conflict.

We give up because it feels better to be comfortable than to grow.

Each one of the things above are things we tell ourselves every day. We try to do everything we can to avoid these situations.

As Christians, we have to stop avoiding them. Not only are these things “kid-movie worthy”, but they’re also biblical. Pride prevents us from being convicted.

Kindness and agape (self-sacrificial) love are commandments of God. (1st Corinthians 13:4-8, Ephesians 4:32.)

We are to speak up with the truth that will save the world. We are not to be ashamed. (Ephesians 4:15, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 28:19, Romans 1:16.)

We are to grow, examine our hearts, and be open to conviction. (2nd Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 1:9, 1 Tim. 4:15, 2 Peter 3:18.)

I am not saying that everyone should have to watch Disney movies or cartoons. I am saying that sometimes the “simplest truths” are the most important. And, the fact that they are first from God makes them all the more important.

Obessed With Happiness

Our world has an obsession with happiness. A lot of people are constantly pursuing happiness; often in positive ways, and often in negative ways. Happiness is not a bad thing at all-yet, many base that happiness on things that won’t last. People are so obsessed with the idea of happy, that it has led many to distort God’s word in the process.

Does our wish for happiness for ourselves as well as others get in the way of how God would have us to live? If that’s the case, we’re looking for happiness or encouraging others to find it in ways God never intended for us to find it.

Many religious people today have bought into the lie that a person’s happiness should be preserved at all costs. Many believe that it is wrong and unloving to tell someone that they are doing something that displeases God.

As soon as you tell someone that they are wrong, they always say, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

They are throwing this part of scripture horribly out of context. The problem lies in the fact that many do not take the time to read ahead or study the context in which it is being said. (As a matter of fact, when you tell us we're wrong for judging you're also judging us for judging. Interesting paradox, huh?)

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or, how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your own eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7:1-5)

Jesus is not saying here that we shouldn’t judge . He’s saying to make sure to be careful in how you approach the situation. We have to remember that when we are making a judgment we must also remember that we also are not above the law (the religious leaders of Jesus' day often thought this way). We must examine our intentions behind bringing this issue up to the person. We must also consider if we are committing the same sin.  If we were not supposed to judge in any way, Jesus would not have said in John 7:24: “…judge with righteous judgment.”

When we judge, it must be done from a place of wanting to help others and to please God.

The bible says, “to speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We are to tell the truth of the entire Gospel, including what God expects of us as His followers. To speak this truth, we must speak it with patience,  and kindness. We must speak it without jealousy, and without pride or arrogance. We must speak it without rudeness, without selfishness, and without anger (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

 In this passage, in verse 6 it says, “[Love] does not rejoice in sin, but rejoices with the truth.” The bible also says in Ephesians 5:11, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless seeds of darkness, rather, expose them.” (emp. Added)

So we are to judge, but in the way described above-with great care, love, and honesty.

If we as Christians wish someone happiness in something God has deemed wrong, we are being dishonest to our fellow man. In Romans chapter one, it lists things that God has deemed sinful (26-31). In verse 32 it says, “…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.” (emp. Added) Those who applaud and encourage those doing wrong are just as sinful in God’s eyes.

Encouraging others in their sin, even in the name of happiness, would be dishonoring to their God to show support of something He has said is sin. 

That being said, you can live anyway that you want, you have that free will to do so, and we can’t stop you. That is a decision you have to make, but know that God's word says it won't lead anywhere good. (Matthew 7:13)

Happiness in this life is not our main goal. Our goal as Christians should be to live for the next life, so that we can be with our savior in Heaven. That and only that is our ultimate prize (Philippians 3:14, 20-21). We as Christians find happiness in this life knowing that we are doing God's will and that He is going to take care of us (Matthew 6:25-33). We find contentment no matter what situation we find ourselves in because He is with us (Psalm 23, Philippians 4:11)

 But, the true followers of Christ see the physical things of little importance in the long term. We fear God first before man. (Matt. 12:4-5)

Sure, there are a lot of wonderful blessings in this world given to us by God, but there is also pain-and a lot of it. For us, we know that after we leave this life, there will be nothing but pure, awesome joy in the presence of our God (Revelation 21:4). When we tell you of His Word, and tell you something that may not be what you want to hear, we have the best of intentions. We just want the same joy and peace for others that we have for ourselves. 

I know what I've said isn't popular, and some may hate me after this article. Yet, I encourage you to go back and read the scriptures in the article. I'm only a messenger trying to spread God's word. I am writing this because I want everyone to know of the joy and peace that comes from God when you fully submit to Him and release the grasp on your life. The truth is, it's hard to keep what you are passionate about to yourself. I care about every soul reading this. You are loved very deeply by God (John 3:16).

Romans 10:17

Mark 16:16

James 2:17-26

Acts 2:38

Romans 10:9

Luke 13:5

Revelation 2:10

Freedom Isn't Free

On Memorial Day, we take the time to pay respects to those who have fought for us and all of our freedoms. Those men and women who have lost their lives for our nation deserve the utmost respect for their sacrifices.

Our Lord said, “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Jesus understood this better than anyone. He did just what He stated in the verse above. He loved everyone in the world so much, that He was willing to die for us.

At the beginning of our nation, our founding fathers fought to be free from a government which sought to control everyone. Jesus fought spiritually for us to be free from Satan’s oppression of sin—if we choose to love and obey him. (Romans 6:7-9)

His sacrifice was so great that He claimed the ultimate victory over sin (Romans 6:8-10). While the victor has been declared, all humanity now has a choice which side they will choose: the winning side, or the losing side. There is no middle ground to stand on, or fence to straddle. These belong to Satan.

For us to be free, we must make a choice. The Christian life requires sacrificing those things that hurt God. Do we want God in our lives to the point that we’re willing to do whatever He asks? Because that is what it takes! (John 14:15, 21-24, Matthew 10:37-40)

The world so often pushes things that we deem important, but in view of eternity, mean very little: love (romantic), money, jobs, social status, and sex. Not to say that any of these things are necessarily bad in and of themselves, but are we using them in the way God intended us to have them?  Also, just because we want these things, doesn’t mean we should have them. That is what gets people in trouble spiritually-people think they are entitled to something and so therefore they do anything they can to get it.

On the warfront physically, and spiritually, you’re not entitled to anything. As a matter of fact, for soldiers to be victorious, they must remove all selfishness and realize that the cause is much bigger than them.

“Finally, my brethren, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against principalities, against powers, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication for all the saints…” –Ephesians 6:10-18

It’s not about us. It’s about God, and sharing His message of salvation to mankind (Mark 16:15). Just as a soldier in a war, we as Christians must learn that God has given us a great task to fight for and to endure, no matter what happens (Revelation 2:10, 1st Timothy 6:12). There may be times when we may be afraid or be uncertain of what to do, but God will always fight with us and give us strength (Exodus 14:14, Philippians 4:13, 2^nd Corinthians 12:9-10).

The truth is, freedom isn’t free. It isn’t free because to gain freedom, we must realize that we need to put away selfishness and pride to obtain it. Whether it is our freedom we have in our nation, or that we have in Christ, we must realize that freedom for both came with a price. We must never forget that.

So, this one time, at Bible Camp....

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love going to bible camp every year. However, I have to say that the week I just completed takes the cake for the most interesting by far that I've ever attended.

Every year I look forward to the singing, the studies, and the fellowship (and the yummy food!). Yet, I wasn't expecting one thing to happen-my clumsiness seemed to increase ten-fold this week.

The first few days were filled with torrential down pours. I normally like rain, but there was so much that I got pretty sick of it. What really made me hate it even more was the dirt road running through camp. That meant mud, and LOTS of it. It was the second day of camp, and, we were getting ready for dinner. Well, as soon as I stepped out of the craft hut and on to that muddy road I remember thinking, "I am going to fall. There's no way around it. I'm going to fall."


I began to walk, and for whatever reason, I turned my head to look at something, and I'm quite sure it was something shiny...I can't remember for certain, though. Then, my sandals decided that they were going to slide out from under me, and BAM-I came tumbling down. I got covered in mud and grass.

Seriously, my clumsiness plus my ADD is going to be the death of me at some point.

Then, I spent the rest of the week bumping my head. Almost every time I sat up on my bed, or moved, I hit it against the top bunk-and it's a wonder how I managed to not annoy the living daylights out of  the new girl, Alyx, in the bunk above me.

 Then, at the awards ceremony last night, I got the award for the "Double Digit Head bumper". Total times I bumped my head was at least 10-12. That's probably a downside of being taller than the average girl-everything is too short and your noggin suffers greatly. Yet somehow my friend Tiki, who's about the same height managed not to bump her head as much.


I think it's safe to say that I probably lost some IQ points this week.


I had become so scatterbrained. Seriously, my book for camp seemed like it kept growing legs and walking away. I would put it somewhere and think I knew where it was, but when I came back it wasn't there. I think I  had a few different people come back and give me my book. My bible even decided to disappear for a short time until lo and behold, my sister somehow had it in her purse.


So, that sort of describes my week at bible camp. And needless to say because of these things and other things that are probably best left unsaid, it will be a week I'll remember for a LONG time. :)