Well, today we had another debate in English class, and I found myself adamantly arguing my particular point of view. It wasn't even my debate, and yet my "feathers" were ruffled and I was being defensive. What does this say about me? I am almost ashamed to think of myself such a controversial person. I don't think I was emulating Christ's behavior at all. I should be quiet and gentle in spirit... and yet I let things get to me. Please, if you call yourself a Christian, take care to examine how your behavior reflects on your most holy Savior. I am glad that we are just debating in English to build our own thought skills, but I sure hope I will think things through when people are actually critiquing my behavior.

Enough!

Alright, I'm done blogging about pointless things, like pretty pink jackets I got on sale.

I have been confronted with the harsh reality that many Christians are living very lukewarm, comfortable lives. People show up to church because it's "what we do", not expecting anything other than to chat with their friends before, after, and sometimes during the service. I myself have discovered that I do not go to church seeking to be lovingly kicked in the rear. It feels good to be in an accepting, comfortable place.... but is that what church is supposed to be? Coming under God's conviction is the most uncomfortable place a person could be, and I am convinced that people are not perfect. Whatever happened to people being excited to open up the Word of God? Why don't people jump at the opportunity to talk about our Savior? What can possibly be wrong with hearing where we need to change to glorify God? I don't know if any of this is making sense, but I still feel there is a horrible deadness in church. I feel it in Sunday school, I see it when people criticize the worship team, and I recognize it when everyone plans out their whole entertainment-filled day one minute after the benediction. Where has the joy gone? Lord, please, light the fire again!

Good bye, deep freeze!

Hello, everyone! We are now officially out of the deep freeze! It's a balmy -4 degrees outside, and it's never felt so good.

On a different note, Kristy and I participated in our debate entitled "Canada is the best country in the world". I think our arguments were strong and well put together, but we were weak on the war front. Ironically, we were actually arguing against the German exchange student, which was not planned! It was a landslide, of course, with the entire class siding with the Canadians (who would dare to be so unpatriotic?). I think I'll quite enjoy this whole debating unit. Now that the hard work is done, all I have to do is sit back and observe other debates, such as "Fat people are happier" and "dueling is a sensible way to settle an argument." What fun!

Pursuit

Keep pursuing God's holiness daily. Submit yourself to His will constantly. Don't ever think that one time covers all, for we are only human.

A Verse for Valentines Day

Finally, brethren,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence

and if anything worthy of praise,

think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Valentines and Purity

Ahh, Valentines. The day that smitten lovers choose to lavish myriads of stale chocolates, cheap perfumes, and wilting flowers upon each other. Love is said to be in the air, although I would like to argue that hardly anyone really knows what "love" is anymore. It has been substituted with completely selfish lust, which leads to actions that completely disregard the fact that the other person's body should be respected as a pearl too costly to be bought. This is then justified by each person's "right" to have whatever kind of pleasure they want, whenever they want, no cost whatsoever. Purity's been drowned in a sea of self desire.

Given my blunt opinion on how love has been degraded, you might ask why I chose to belittle the sweet little sentiments that accompany Valentine's day, such as the chocolates, perfumes, and flowers. Well, this is why. Purity is the most beautiful gift you could ever give anyone you love. It comes at a high cost, requires complete sacrifice, ignores all distractions, signifies undying commitment, and demonstrates unconditional love. It is the most expensive gift a person could ever give. How can chocolates, perfume, or flowers even compare?

Isn't it ironic how the entertainment industry, which is built on everything BUT purity, pays so high?

The Blogger Blues

I recently decided that I would try to find some obscure blog to read and engage my thoughts in, only to be completely discouraged about blogging altogether. I tried my best to give an honest, unbiased response to the blog I read, only to be shut down completely. I was so discouraged and so... almost hurt by the response I got that I vowed I would not blog again. Obviously I haven't stuck with that. And now I have come to this conclusion: Blogs are not meant to be unbiased! It's nearly impossible to do. A person can rant and rave all they want because they have their keyboards to hide behind! So, here I am, once again spitting forth my own ideas, in hopes that someone may read them. Maybe my ideas of the harshness of the Blogger world will be proven wrong!