Notes n' Such

Please don’t discredit my music tastes completely just because I enjoy the talents of Rascal Flatts. They’re not that bad, and they’re not that great.

But.

Their songs are just those one that sometimes just relate so well you gotta love ‘em.

So sue me. I like Rascal Flatts.

Well, yeah. This song.

(Source: Spotify)

WHOA - Semester One at Baylor, FINISHED!

4 finals

244 hours of classes

150 hours of work at Macy’s

and $20,000 later…

…my first semester at Baylor is over. What and incredible journey is has been to get here. Exactly one year from today I was just about to finish my final weeks at Belton High School—a place I really grew to love. I graduated BHS no knowing what was next, after a quick celebration of my acceptance was overcast by their hefty tuition we were unsure of what to do. Eventually after many long and heated discussions, community college for a year was decided.

Well,

let

me

tell

you.

After my first day at Temple College, believe I made a quick phone call to Joey, my transfer advisor from Baylor, as soon as I got in the car.

Listen, Joey. I need to know what I have to do to make Baylor happen next semester. Give me names and numbers.

The very next day I was in my car with the oh-so-helpful Kim Ransleben (a pro in at Baylor’s Clifton-Robinson Tower I might add) on our way to Waco to meet with Baylor financial aid advisors. We left there with a great deal of information. After a ~~few~~ many ~~short~~ long discussion with my parental, they agreed to let me go the spring semester with faith God with provide…and that I would provide I all good as well.

BUT

Let me stop for a second. Let me clarify-in my four years of high school, I had never considered going to Baylor. THEY KEPT SENDING MY STUFF. But more so, after many long times of prayer and reflection, I felt that God was calling me to Waco and to Baylor…I mean really, why would I just want to go to Waco? There had to be a great force behind that. I was amazed at how things just fell together, it was not fate. It was God. A God who loves us and wants good for us, even though we may not always see it, He does.

My point is, Baylor has been great, and so has God.

Yes, I went to Chick-fil-A yesterday. No, it wasn’t the body of Christ at its best.

This time yesterday morning I worte an indepth post on why I was going to Chick-fil-A. Today, my heart hurts. While I was so imeresed in the poltics of the issue and supporting free speech, it didn’t truly dawn on me what the of body of Christ looked liked to America until I pulled up to that 23 car line last night, as well as when I woke up the the Holy Spirt pulling at me.

In this “Christian nation” we hear very little about the body of Christ uniting, then when the country (and it’s many nonbeleivers) do see us publicly unite, it’s for chicken. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand why many of us went yesterday. We saw it as supporting a fellow Christain and a Christain company.

But.

What did it look like to those nonbeleivers we should be outreaching to?

What do you think that once Christain lesbian thought as she drove by her local Chick-fil-A?

What do you think the parents of a son who just commited suicide for being bullied thought?

Christians don’t have the best repuation right now, especially with the LGBT community. What we did yesterday made those drawn lines even bolder rather then attempting erasing them.

We did not refelct Christ well yesterday. At all. And as Dan Cathy would say, I was “guilty as chareged” in doing the same. We are called to unite, but not for that, not like that. I don’t think we were bigots, or hateful, or homophobic…I just think as a body we were misprioratized on what we united for. I’m not trying to sound like one of those mushy “let’s just love everyone” people, but honestly, it would be helpful to do that first then go from there.

Let’s do what we’re called to do in Ephesiasns 4:29-32:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Yesterday, I was selfish. I was not in the spirt. I did not benfit anyone. I was not kind. I was not compasionate. I was concerned with simply being opinated. I apologize for that. Now, I do not have anything against anyone who went to Chick-fil-A yesterday, nor people who spoke out in their support. I feel that we should just be a little reflective on we looked yesterday; my prayer is that we get our priotize straight as a body.

I’m an evil sinner.

You’re an evil sinner.

Let’s not pretend we’re not.

We know what is sin, but let’s not forget that there are many more than the ones we focused on yesterday that we do daily. Nonbeleivers, are exactly that. They don’t beleive. They don’t know God. They don’t understand, His love, grace, and mercy. We don’t show that well with days like yesterday. Before we talk about the wrath of God, we need to talk about the grace and mercy of God.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

-Ephesians 4:2-6

Yes, I’m going to Chick-fil-A today. No, I don’t hate you if you’re gay.

It surprises me more and more each day how polarizing our country is becoming. From the tea party to Nancy Pelosi. No one thinks they’re wrong. Then there’s Chick-fil-A.

First of all, I think that there are such bold lines dividing the Christian community and the LGBT community that is makes it difficult to cross them. These lines have been drawn by both sides, neither is innocent. Second of all, I believe that privately held companies can have whatever values they choose so long as they do not discriminate on whom they serve or hire. BUT, it makes little sense to me why my cereal company, where I get my hair cut at, and the place I get the best sweet ever need to take a stand on political issues. It seems that the LGBT side of the issue essentially pressured companies like JCPenney’s, Target, Kraft Foods, and others to either come out in support or be assumed to be against. Which just isn’t true, they don’t have to take ANY side.

We’ve reached a point where one side of this issue is being expressed immensely—from television shows, to music, to companies like the ones I listed above. It’s silly for them to expect the other side to remain silent. So, while I don’t think companies need to express their political opinions, I do understand why Dan Cathy expressed his.

Many have criticized Christians’ support for the company, especially the enthusiastic support that has outpoured recently. Saying such things as “think twice before you post that picture of a chicken sandwich on your Facebook”. I completely understand how a person’s support for “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” can come across as negative or polarizing in they eyes of the LGBT community, however, I believe it is very important to support Chick-fil-A today. This went from a company’s COO affirming his Christian values to public officials declaring a ban for the restaurant in their city. That. Is. Ridiculous.

My stand on same-sex marriage is irrelevant with this post. Regardless of what it is, I would still support this company. I still support General Mills, Kraft Foods, JCPenney’s, Target, and other companies may Christians called to boycott. I mean really? What sort of message does it send out that Christians are boycotting Fruit by the Foot (FRUIT BY THE FOOT, PEOPLE. How can you not love that?! and Coco Puffs in the name of their faith?

John 13:34-35 states it boldly,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

If you don’t agree with the company, don’t be a costumer, no need to join “One Million Moms” in their hostile boycotts.

So while I do not believe that it glorifies His kingdom to boycott companies and such things similar because we have an opposing view, I do not think it’s hate for a Christian to go and support Chick-fil-A today. To me, we are supporting free speech as well as assuring that we, as a body, will stand behind a fellow Christian at a time many are attacking them for taking a stand on a Biblical value.

I’m going to Chick-fil-A to show love to another Christian and a great company who is an excellent employer and provider of delicious poultry, not to hate anyone. But please, when you speak about the “Chick-fil-A issue” or post your picture online, do it cautiously, lovingly, and thoughtfully. Not in spite, hate, or hostility.

The favorite thing I’ve read about this issue was from Perry Noble’s blog that Tim Cartwright shared:

People have taken me to I Corinthians 6:9-11 before and said, “look, the Bible says that homosexuals will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” I always try my best to point out that also included in that list are…

The sexually immoral (anyone been watching porn?)

Idolaters (anyone love anyone or anything more than Jesus?)

Adulterers (see Matthew 5:27-28)

Thieves

The greedy (uh oh!)

Drunkards (tailgating season is quickly approaching)

Slanderers (uh oh, a lot of bloggers and women’s Bible studies are in trouble!)

After looking at this list I would say we are all pretty much screwed unless Jesus intervenes.”

After today is over with and we finish off our waffle fries, let’s take the unity we have had supporting Chick-fil-A and use it to reach out to, be compassionate towards, and show love to the LGBT community, the greedy, the drunks, the slanderers, the idolaters, the thieves, the sexually immoral, the liar. The list goes on, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The important thing is that we know there’s a hope, now let’s love and share that hope. Let’s get started.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

-Psalm 34:3

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’

-Ephesians 4:31-32

The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and e-minor, loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing, love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Francis Chan

Live Life Live?

It’s Monday, April 9, 2012.

Will you do something today that is worth remembering? I woke up this morning with that exact question in my mind. Is today going to be an important day in my life.

If you think about it, most of the important days of our lives happen unpredictably. Like the day we were born (although, that could have arguably been seen somewhat coming), or the day you lost a family member, the day you met a great friend, or any “firsts”

Anything could happen this week that’s out of your control, but lots of things can happen this week that are in your control, what could they be? That’s for you to decide. Make a difference.

Live life live.