apologize to the sky: derrick mitchell

oh a gem i've found!

at the risk of sounding emo....my story:

Last night as I was driving to biola, I noticed that there were so many bright lights consuming my face.  Each one telling me to spend money, on food, on deserts, on rent, houses, tans, videos, etc…each store wanted me to buy something…there was a cost.  Even as I looked on the road, there was a cost…the cost to fix the lamp post, the cost of maintaining the lamppost, the cost of maintaining the streets, signals, I pay for all this with my taxes, there is nothing that I’m passing by which I am not paying for….

And yet in the midst of all that lies these trees. 

Each and every moment giving off the most important life substance known to man…all for free…well unless you consider giving off CO2, from your body costing something (which is poisonous to us in large portions and which we can’t decide to give or not give anyhow)…so here is this tree…one of God’s greatest and magnificent creations, quietly giving off life-giving oxygen to the world for free.  

When I think about how giving God is, that he would give us this tree, he makes no boast about its work, he doesn’t ask for you to do anything in return, except to live…

I think about God’s grace, who gave his free gift to us, he doesn’t ask you to do anything except to truly live.

early new years resolutions

1) Resolved to think upon such things:

Philippians 4:8   8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.

2) Resolved to be willing to do those things I preach.  To be consistent in my preaching and life.

1 Timothy 4:12-13   12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.  13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Titus 2 young men: in your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned so that those who oppose you may be ashamed b/c they have nothing bad to say about us.

3) Resolved to only do those things that will lead to:

a) God's glory 1 Corinthians 10:31  31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God

b) Godliness. 1 Tim 4:7: discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness

4) Resolved to present the church as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish but holy and blameless: preaching, teaching, shepherding, leading and serving.

Ephesians 5:27   27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

5) Resolved to spend intimate time with the Lord everyday.

James 4:7-8  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Another Ode