Do I really need this?

I really want a magic mouse. I played with one recently at Best Buy. That thing is just plain awesome. It doesn't have any buttons. You can swipe with two fingers and you can go back and forth between web pages. It really is magic.

I read this from C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity recently --

"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give [Regarding how much money a Christian should give away]. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small."

The other day, one of my classmates asked this question -- "Do people in the church really live any differently, spend their money any differently, than people outside of the church?" Honestly, I think the answer is no. We have all the same stuff, phones, cars, houses. We justify it by saying we aren't extravagant, we're just average. Just like everyone else.

The real question is why? Why do I want that mouse so badly? Why do I keep looking at the Apple website? Do I seriously really need that mouse, when I have a perfectly fine mouse right now? Maybe one day I will buy that mouse. I even asked for it for Christmas. Notice Lewis doesn't say that we should all move the desert and live off of bugs. But the point is, what is my heart captured by? Where do my thoughts drift when I'm not thinking about anything in particular? Are they captured by the cool stuff that I can buy? Or are they captured by something so much greater? If our hearts have been captured by something greater, shouldn't we be living differently? God, wean my heart off of these fallen things that will never satisfy...

The Gospel in 68 words

68 words sounds like a lot, but it's actually pretty difficult. Here's a good one --

"The 'gospel' is the good news that through Jesus, the Messiah, the power of God's kingdom has entered history to renew the whole world. ... When we believe and rely on Jesus' work and record (rather than ours) for our relationship to God, that kingdom power comes upon us and begins to work through us.... The gospel motivates, guides, and empowers every aspect of our living and worship."

-- Jim Belcher, Deep Church, p. 120-121

Seminary Jokes

One of my professors has to quoted --

"You all are no longer exegetical virgins. You've been deflowered by Greek and Interp [Intro to Exegesis class]."

"Episcopalianism is the Junior Varsity of Catholicism."

Friday Night at the Mall

by Rachel

We typically go out to dinner on Friday nights as a date night. Tonight we had something to get at the mall, so we decided to eat at Chipotle nearby. As we approached Chipotle, we noticed that the fire alarm was going off and wondered if we'd be able to go inside. A Chipotle worker (possibly the manager) was standing outside and said, "You guys coming to get burritos?" We said yes and he told us to come on in despite the fire alarm - something small had set it off and now they were just waiting for it to be turned off. Because the alarm was so ear-piercing and thus a hindrance to a pleasant dining experience, the guy said the food would be on the house. We walked in and then debated for a moment - free food at the cost of our ears getting blasted? Thankfully the alarm turned off after we'd been in there barely a minute, and the guy came in and said we could still have our food free. Yes! Praise God for these small unexpected gifts.

After we ate, we shopped for a while. I have been shopping around for dresses for upcoming occasions, and have not been successful in finding something I like within my budget. I noticed that with current female fashion trends, I often cannot tell right off whether a certain article of clothing is a blouse, a skirt, or a dress. Items are strapless, or really short, or too long to look like a shirt but too short to look like a dress (at least in my opinion!)...I don't get it. This is ridiculous, ladies. More modesty, please!

a big fat juicy steak

I read this today:
"Your steadfast love is better than life...my soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food..." -- Ps. 63:3,5

Make your own memory verse cards

check this out: pretty cool.

http://www.mcscott.org/

Nothing You Can Do Can Harm Me

I found this snippet today. Make this your prayer as you face fear, anxiety and worry:

When John Chrysostom (ca. 347-407) was brought before the empress Eudoxia, she threatened him with banishment if he insisted on his Christian independence as a preacher.

"You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father's house."

"But I will kill you," said the empress.

"No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God," said John.

"I will take away your treasures."

"No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there."

"But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left."

"No, you cannot, for I have a Friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me.
I defy you, for there is nothing you can do to harm me."