Hope

My friend got me thinking when he told a story of his 3 and a half year old son. He told about how his son made a decision to follow Christ at the age of three and a half. Then he asked the question is that even possible (you can read about it and my answer @ http://amsterdamasp.blogspot.com/2005/11/what-do-you-think.html)? So I started thinking and I was reminded of how simple and yet how entirely deep and complex the gospel really is. If a 3 and a half year old can accept the gospel it must be pretty simple. A relationship with Christ simply put means we must acknowledge our shortcomings and failures; recognize Jesus' role in allowing us to be clean and pure in front of God; and then make a decision to follow Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

In some ways that is so simple, but it is also so complex. I have to believe the last part is the hardest for most of us, to recognize Christ is one thing, but to follow Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That is not so easy, it means sacrifice, it means making tough decisions, it means dying to our own desires and living for His, it even means being uncomfortable at times.

But, when you make that decision there is not greater joy then knowing that you are child of the God of the universe. That all of your sins have been washed away and you stand pure before Him. That no matter what you do God is for you. That is the gospel and that is something worth living for.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 8:38-39

Respect

What do I have in common with a 92 year old black woman? Not much, other than the desire for all of us to be united. I have been inspired over the past few days of listening to the stories of Ms. Rosa Parks. She was truly a woman who personified dignity and she is a hero in my book.

Race issues are so touchy; no one wants use the wrong terms of course we have to be politically correct. All I know is I'm tired of segregation. On our campus even in 2005 there is still separation based on race. It is not forced, but chosen and both black and white are equally guilty.

At our church we are hoping to be an exception to the segregation that takes place at BGSU. Sure the people that come to h2o are mostly white, but so is most of the campus. This fall for the first time in a long time when I show up on Sundays I see a diverse group of people; Black, White, Asian, and Latino, and that makes me happy---it also makes God happy.

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." ~Galatians 3:26-29