tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88437400357525937712024-02-20T10:11:23.142-08:00BreaktheChainsBreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-81234034293400748762010-02-13T11:48:00.000-08:002010-02-13T12:36:16.008-08:00Inspiration...<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Recently I have been reading John Piper's </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >the Roots of Endurance</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">, and it entails the amazing stories of the perseverant lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce. John Newton is most notably known for writing the popular church hymn, "Amazing Grace." Charles Simeon was the pastor at Trinity Church in Cambridge, and he relentlessly preached there for fifty-four years. William Wilberforce was the evangelical member of Parliament in the British empire who fought a good part of his life to put an end to the African slave trade, in addition to slavery on a much broader scale. All of these men faced extreme oppression and difficult obstacles to overcome, but they all had something in common: "roots of endurance," roots sunken deep into the ground and connected to their Savior, Jesus Christ.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you are interested in the "art" of perseverance, or simply would like a good biography of three very effective and godly men, I definitely recommend this book. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:verdana;" >Here are some of the inspirational quotes I came across as I've gradually continued to read this book:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:verdana;" >"He believes and feels his own weakness and unworthiness, and lives upon the grace and pardoning love of his Lord. This gives him an habitual tenderness and gentleness of spirit. Humble under a sense of much forgiveness to himself, he finds it easy to forgive others." </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:verdana;" >- John Newton</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:verdana;" >"By faith he triumphs over...smiles and enticements: he sees that all that is in the world, suited to gratify the desires of the flesh or the eye, is not only to be avoided as sinful, but as incompatible with his best pleasures." - John Newton</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"There are but two lessons for Christians to learn: the one is, to enjoy God in everything; the other is, to enjoy everything in God."- Charles Simeon</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"For a nominal Christian is content with </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >proving</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" > the way of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. But the true Christian </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >loves </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >it, </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >delights </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >in it, </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >glories </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >in it, and </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >shudders</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" > at the very thought of glorifying in anything else. - Charles Simeon</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"My rule is-never to hear, or see, or know, what if heard, or seen, or known, would call for animadversion from me." - Charles Simeon</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"These were the things that humbled him [Simeon]-not so much his own sinfulness but God's incredible love." - Hugh Evan Hopkins (a biographer of Simeon)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"By this I seek to be, not only humble and thankful but humbled in thankfulness, before my God and Savior continually." - Charles Simeon</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"If we would...rejoice in [Christ] as triumphantly as the first Christians did; we must learn, like them to repose our entire trust in him and to adopt the language of the apostle, 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Jesus Christ.' 'Who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.' "-William Wilberforce</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">*All quotes have been taken from </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The Roots of Endurance</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> by John Piper.</span><br /><br /></span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-63470794744615424652010-01-18T11:35:00.000-08:002010-01-18T11:52:35.361-08:00"Everything is Meaningless"-part I<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello everyone!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you a happy New Year full of new memories and successful resolutions...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As I sat on my bed trying to study for a an upcoming test, I felt as if I had never moved, like my life had become stagnant and become complacent with the same everyday-stresses of life. I remembered that fiery feeling after walking out of my first Rebelution Conference, the feeling that I believed would last a lifetime and carry me through these teenage years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But this is not how I currently perceive myself to be living. It seems life has become more of a chore rather than a massive opportunity to impact others for Jesus' name. School is stressful and I find myself doing the minimum requirement so that I can finish all my other work and still get to bed at a decent time. I see a lonely student sitting at a table by himself at lunch, but make lame excuses not to be a witness. "I'm tired. I'm hungry. Can you please stop bothering me"...Life has become a plain of opportunities to satisfy my every want.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Very recently I have been reading through Ecclesiastes. In it, Solomon states that "everything is meaningless." He continues to say "</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">."</span> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">[Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, NIV]. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">THIS</span> is the truth of life. Nothing else in this world matters besides Him. All of our riches, all of our wealth, and all of our schooling degrees mean nothing in the long run. Only Christ and the souls of those around us matter in light of eternity.</span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-56902626456723087422009-12-17T17:31:00.000-08:002009-12-17T18:12:15.314-08:00Dollar For a Drink<span style="font-family:verdana;">As some of you may already be aware, Josh Guthrie of Dollar For A Drink is attempting to raise enough money to build three fresh-water wells in Sudan, Africa. He has currently raised </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >$16,785</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >, </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">$16,785 that will build two wells for needy people. Seventy percent of <a href="http://www.dollarforadrink.org"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">DfaD's</span></a> goal for this year (specifically by Christmas 2009) has been collected, and only $7,215 remains. If you would like to be a part of this awesome non-profit ministry, please consider praying about donating to this special cause.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">For more information on <a href="http://www.dollarforadrink.org"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Dollar For A Drink</span></a>, or to donate, please visit their website at <a href="http://www.dollarforadrink.org">www.dollarforadrink.org</a>. Josh Guthrie is 17 years old, 17 years old and fighting bravely for Jesus Christ. He is taking a stand and showing this world that teens can do amazing things, one hard thing at a time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thanks for reading!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >-Jimmy</span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-60680801444368514042009-12-12T20:12:00.000-08:002009-12-12T20:16:08.784-08:00Follow-up: "Merry Christmas"<span style="font-family: verdana;">As I thought a bit more concerning the recent post, I wanted to add a few personal side notes:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even though Christmas is most often linked to Christian beliefs, Christmas has always been "Christmas"-regardless of any religious connotations. In fact, I don't think most people would even consider Christmas strictly a religious holiday. True, many more people do attend church on December the 25th, but the overall spirit of Christmas, to a much broader society, seems to be generosity, giving, and cheer. We have always went "Christmas shopping" and many look forward to singing "Christmas carols."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether religion plays a role in our Christmas celebrations (however) is, quite frankly, not the issue. The thing that upsets me the most (and maybe it's just one of my own pet-peeves) is the fact that everything </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">has </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to be politically correct. Every little thing is now required to apply to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">EVERYONE</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, in order to appeal to a larger audience. However, no matter what we try to do, there will always be discrepancies; there will always be those people whom will not agree with the rest of the culture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">-Jimmy</span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-40560201179893350392009-12-10T18:37:00.000-08:002009-12-11T13:50:56.974-08:00"Merry Christmas!"<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over the past few years, our local school systems and favorite fast food restaurants have decided for the rest of society that "Christmas" is a dirty word. They have deemed it appropriate, however, to impose a much more <span style="font-style: italic;">generic </span>term to label one of the most-celebrated holidays in America. Those in authority claim that "Christmas" is too specific, that its name directs more focus on the Christian celebration which takes place on December 25th. Apparently, we as a country need to do away with "Christmas" and welcome "the holidays."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">There are many, however, that still strive to keep the joys of Christmas alive. The festivities of Christmas day have been long-since celebrated including the following celebrations to bring in the new year, and it is insulting that our culture is trying to change the way many view Christmas. In fact, many workplaces do not even allow their employees to wish their customers "MERRY CHRISTMAS," but rather encourage them to shower customers with "Happy Holiday's."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The problem is obvious, and the solution is simple. Join with us as we hope to remind this world of the true meaning of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christ</span>mas: the day Jesus Christ was born as a baby, lying in a manger. He was born to die and born to save us so that, one day, we could live with Him is His heavenly realm for all of eternity. Let us be like the shepherds whom, after being told by the angels, "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child" [Luke 2:17]. And let us be like Mary whom "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" [Luke 2:19].<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">MERRY </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">CHRISTMAS</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ACTION STEP:</span> Wish your friends, teachers, co-workers, and family members a very "Merry Christmas!" While "Christmas" is simply a name, it represents something very special to us as Christians. As a result it is very frustrating when others try to change it. Take a stand...:)<br /></span></span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-36517658916291511832009-12-04T19:08:00.000-08:002009-12-11T13:50:56.975-08:00"No God? No Problem!:" The Controversial Advertising Campaign<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The American Humanist Association is back again with an even more offensive line of advertisements.<br /><br />Last year, their banners read: "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Why Believe in a God?</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Just Be Good for Goodness' Sake," and according to their website [www.americanhumanist.org] this year's ads "will be blazoned across transit systems in five cities-including Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, & San Francisco." However, this year's ads will read: "</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >No God? No Problem!</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Be Good for Goodness' Sake. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God." The exectuive director of the American Humanist Association, Roy Speckhardt, states that they are "hoping this campaign will build awarenss about the humanist movement and our [their] ethical life philosophy." The Association also "want nontheists to know there is a community of like-minded invividuals out there they can connect with." Another reason these ads are being published is to prove "millions of people are good without believing in God."<br /><br />But what really is the issue? Why are they spending $40,000 to post these advertisments on over 250 Metro buses and rail cars? Speckhardt makes the argument that this "First-Ever National Godless Holiday Campaign" was not meant "to offend anyone." If this is true, why did they change last year's ad from "</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >a</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > God" to this year's "God?" What would be the purpose in singling out </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >the </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >God if their only aim is to help spread awareness of their beliefs? In addition, the American Humanist Association makes the case that many people are good, even those whom do not worship God. However, this point seems rather irrelevant...there is no question of different peoples' overall level of goodness. In fact, it is widely accepted that one does </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >not </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >have to be religious to do good deeds; but the difference is that religion gives those deeds meaning. Living life serving others is a beautiful thing, but what overall purpose does it serve in the end? The awesome thing about the fruit we bear as Christians, as bondservants to Christ, is that we add daily to our reward in Heaven. Even more valuable, though, is that it brings glory and honor to Him...and at the same time sows seeds in other peoples' lives.<br /><br />NOW, it is time to take a stand. We should not remain subject to the insults of the ignorant--those whose eyese have yet to be opened. We must show the world that good things for Christ gives meaning and purpose and satisfaction. Ultimately, our end destination is not to prove a point or to fight back in an unChrist-like manner. Instead, we should strive to impact others for Him and fight for what is true.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >It is time to take a stand.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">PS. Comments welcome! Please feel free to </span>suggest <span style="font-style: italic;">ways to lovingly combat this issue...<br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Sources: </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1. http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/no-god-no-problem-ads-to-appear-on-metro-112309<br />2. http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2009-11-humanists-launch-first-ever-national-godless-holiday-</span><br /></span></span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-61165023491587678542009-11-16T09:43:00.000-08:002009-12-12T14:46:17.835-08:00Who Are Your Friends?<span style="font-size:130%;">The <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Harris brothers</span> [therebelution.com] correctly stated that "you are who your friends are." While this simply displays the <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">importance</span> of choosing friends who will support you in doing the right thing, it can be easy to stop it there and just choose good friends.<br /><br />However, it is also important to realize that entertainment such as movies, music, time spent on <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Facebook</span>, or even reading a book can influence how we live our lives. Just like you would spend time with a friend, we often spend similar time with our own forms of <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">relaxation</span> and <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">entertainment</span>. Consequently, it is vital to take the time to read the lyrics of that song you want to buy on iTunes, research the rating of the newest movie that "everyeone's watching," and try to limit time spent on the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook or Myspace. While certain movies, songs, and chatting on Facebook are good things in and of themselves, we as teenagers need to begin doing the hard thing and <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">re-evaluate</span> what it is that we are feeding ourselves.<br /><br />For example, when I personally want to buy a new song from an artist I am not generally familiar with, I tend to look up the lyrics and think about how those lyrics may influence my life. For instance, I have made the <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">decision</span> to not date until I am ready for a long-term commitment. If a song has frequent references to a certain theme [like dating] that makes me question my convictions, I know that song is not for me.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, doing these things can be very <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">hard</span>. At first glance, it may seem exciting and a great way to practice doing hard things. However, it gets more difficult as new songs come out with even more catchier tunes!<br /><br />Please join me in taking the time to consider who exactly it is that we spend our time with. <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Who are your friends?</span><br /><br />Thanks for reading!<br /><br />-Jimmy</span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-29326656510744621852009-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:002009-12-12T14:46:17.836-08:00This is the Future<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Owl City</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, a new band created by Adam Young and recently growing in popularity, has put out some amazing tunes. One of my favorites is "</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">This Is the Future</span><span style="font-size:130%;">." Though simple as they may be, the lyrics to this song are very </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">profound</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> and </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">inspiring</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:<br /><br />Wake up on your own<br />And look around you cuz you’re not alone<br />Release your high hopes and they’ll survive<br />Cuz this is the future and you are alive<br /><br />Dive in and swim away<br />From your loneliness and miserable days<br /><br />And when you wake up on your own<br />Look around you cuz you’re not alone<br />Let your hopes go and they’ll survive<br />Cuz this is the future and you are alive<br />…You’re headed home<br /><br />The lyrics seem to portray the importance of making a </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">difference</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in life...and making that difference through the use of </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">collaboration</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. "When you wake up on your own" hints a recognition for </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">change</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, a waking up to the reality of life and the reality of </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">eternity</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. He tells us to "look around you cuz you're not alone"...once we realize what we're living for, we need to step out and act accordingly with others who share our convictions. Though hard as it is sometimes, we need to start living with all that we have, all we will ever be. We need to "let [our] hopes go" and give them to the One who cares, the One who will help us accomplish those dreams.<br /><br />But what if we've missed it...we're "</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">headed home</span><span style="font-size:130%;">" with our past behind us. How will you choose to live, if "this is the </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">future</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> and you are </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">alive</span><span style="font-size:130%;">?"</span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-64641095801648276432009-09-15T12:44:00.000-07:002009-09-15T13:16:27.676-07:00November 13-14The Fall Conference is quickly approaching...<br /><br /><br />If you are interested in...<br /><br /><ol><li>wrapping paper</li><li>fir trees</li><li>thanking your great-aunt for yet another pair of boxers adorned with images of martial-arts trained terrapins</li><li>stockings over the fireplace</li><li>a sweetened <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dairy" title="Dairy">dairy</a>-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage" title="Beverage" class="mw-redirect">beverage</a> made with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk" title="Milk">milk</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream" title="Cream">cream</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar" title="Sugar">sugar</a>, beaten <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_%28food%29" title="Egg (food)">eggs</a> (which gives it a frothy texture), and flavoured with ground <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon" title="Cinnamon">cinnamon</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg" title="Nutmeg">nutmeg</a></li></ol><br /><br />...You don't need to come to our Fall Conference. You need tomorrow to be December 25th.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you are interested in:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>What you can do for God</li><li>The differences between teens and adults<br /></li><li>The purpose of your existence</li><li>The lies of the teen culture</li><li>How to overcome your spiritual drought</li><li>Ways you can stand for your faith<br /></li><li>What it means to follow Christ</li><li>The plans God has for you</li></ul><br />...Christmas can wait.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Grow up...Face your Rubicon. Registration ends soon.BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-69950495179023506412009-08-27T17:42:00.000-07:002009-11-16T09:40:01.635-08:00What's the Purpose?<span style="font-size:130%;">Ahhh...<br /><br />The <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">teen years</span></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ></span><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br />From the harsh displeasure of a middle-aged mom "forced" to listen to the "junk" we teens know as </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >music</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, to the nursing home resident thinking wistfully of "Better Times", the time an individual spends within the age range of approximately 13-19 (Hence the title: </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >"Teenager"...</span><span style="font-size:130%;">) holds a special meaning for each of us.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >But what IS the purpose of these years?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Each second we have lasts just that long: for a second. Then it disappears, never to be regained. We use our time in many different ways. But how do we use the teen years? Why do we use them that way?<br /><br />It seems many young </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >people</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> have their hearts set on partying away this time of their life. </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >They gather in cliques, concern themselves with pleasure and amusements, and worship the so-called "Teen Image".</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >This leads me to believe that those individuals do not consider these years as a time to prepare for adulthood.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Rather, they hold this time as a "holiday", a short vacation, a time to enjoy being young. And that's good. We should take joy in our youth.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >But, is that the PURPOSE of these years?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I've seen others, those who treat each minute as though it will never come again (which it won't). </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >They study hard, work hard, live hard, and love hard.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Yes, they make hard sacrifices. Yeah, it's probably so much easier to forget about your future, about the value of time.<br /><br />...And yet, though these young adults give more of themselves than what seems possible, they seem to enjoy life MORE than the others!<br /><br />You give time to what matters most to you. And in return, you receive the rewards of what you've given. Put time into something, you get something in return. </span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >So...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >...What IS the purpose of the teen years?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> I believe you need to decide for yourself.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> <br /> However, heed the Bible's instructions for young adults:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth..."</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."</span></li></ul>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-54476807928347207472009-08-04T13:18:00.000-07:002009-08-28T08:29:01.263-07:00Lima<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >Kiersten</span> and <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">I</span> just returned from our trip to <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" >Lima</span>, <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" >Peru</span>.<br /><br /><br />In it's entirety, the Mission Trip was very tiring.<br /><br />Our team held up pretty well under the pressure of:<br /><br />5 hours of </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >sleep</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> per night, living and working in a </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >dangerous</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> city (Let's just say our first taxi ride involved <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">stalling</span> next to a dozen men who were deeply bent on </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >killing</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> one another with strips of rubber, metal chains, and short clubs.), eating food that can be deeply </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >poisonous</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to our largely unexposed American bodies, working with </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >noisy</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> children, and, </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >hardest</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> of all, putting up with </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >each</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >other</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br />One thing I learned, <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">was that </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" >Brothers</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" > and </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" >Sisters</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" > in </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >Christ</span> exist around the world.<br />It seems so, so simple, but when you're working together with men and women who have given their lives to Christ, <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:lucida grande;" >you begin to realize how much you have in common</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">.</span><br /></span>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-76352796884901521272009-07-17T21:37:00.000-07:002009-12-12T14:46:17.836-08:00"Here I Go"<span style="font-family:verdana;">Relient K has always been one of my favorite bands, combining catchy tunes with clean, fun, and inspirational lyrical devices. On one of their</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > more recent albums, the song "Here I Go (Demo)" makes its appearance and I believe Rebelutionaries and th</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">ose excited about "Doing Hard Things" for the glory of God can learn from the corresponding lyrics:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Oh<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Believe me I have tried<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > To work this out from the inside<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Then I finally realized<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > I just need to move on with my life<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Gotta make something happen<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Not just sit around and wait for it<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > This place is like a prison<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > I think I'm going to make a break for it<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Whoa<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Here I go<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > It's like we're living for the first time<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Whoa<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > Here I go<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" > And I think that it's the first time I felt alive</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the first verse, he begins by telling of his struggles within-the challenges life presents, the feats we sadly try to fix ourselves [</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"believe me </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;" >I</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">have tried</span></span>"</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">]. For me, one thing that I find myself constantly trying to fix is the never-ending thoughts of worry...focusing on the littlest things and allowing consequential thoughts to control how I live. However, I found myself living selfishly, seeking only to make my life as peaceful and worry-free as possible. After much hardship and many failed attempts, though, I realized that the best way to escape my worry was to simply acknowledge its presence and move on with my life [</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;" >"</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Then I finally realized<br /></span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> I just need to move on with my life"</span>].<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-family: verdana;">THIS</span> is where doing hard things comes into play. It's important to <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">"</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">make something happen, not just sit around and wait for it.</span>"</span> By this, it is my belief that lead singer<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Matt Thiessen hopes to convey the importance of making the most of one's life and living in the moment, instead of wasting time waiting for that perfect accomplishment. The </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >"prison"</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> referenced may be comfort zones for some or even the specific areas of struggle such as worry or fear of failure. We're trapped, locked inside with no key, and it can be easy to just give up and hope it goes away by itself...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But I've got news for you...it most likely won't, it won't go away by itself. We need help, we need a Savior-someone who can "save [us] from danger or destruction" [Merriam Webster Online Dictionary]. Jesus is the answer and we need to learn to go </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >to Him</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> with even the smallest troubles life throws our way. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >"It's like we're living for the first time"</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">-before we weren't really living, we were just getting by. But now that God sent His Son to provide a means of escape, we can truly live the life we were meant to live: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >A life full of peace in the midst of strife and confidence in knowing our eternal destiny in Heaven.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> A life for God, however, can sometimes seem in direct contrast to the saving grace we came to know when we first surrendered our lives, but ultimately it's your best life. Your troubles and personal issues may or may not always be there...however, no matter what, </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Jesus</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">will</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">always</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">be</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">there</span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">. For me, I still feel as if I </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >need</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> peace to move on (when in reality, peace often becomes a replacement for God). But with God as my father, I can go to Him and renew my light and shine brighter than ever before!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">-Jimmy</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Feel free to check us out on <a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=50516696124&ref=ts">Facebook</a>!</span><br /></div></div>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843740035752593771.post-14993789362680307282009-06-26T21:34:00.000-07:002009-08-17T10:27:31.530-07:00The Definition of Rubicon<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />This November, BreaktheChains is holding a Fall Conference at the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA.<br /><br />Multiple speakers will be present, including teenage speakers. The purpose of the Conference is to start a Fire in the hearts of those attending. Over the weekend, the speakers will attack apathy and encourage leadership among teens and their generation. Both teens and adults will be challenged to return their life-focus to God, and put their Faith in action.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of the points to be discussed, "Facing Your Rubicon", deals with taking the first step (which is often the hardest) to returning your attention to God. For teens, this action involves choosing to remain immature in your faith or else determining to "Grow up" and face discouraging fears head-on.<br /><br />While the historical and modern uses of "Rubicon" will not be discussed in this post (Google "Rubicon River" or "Rubicon Trail"), </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >our</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > definition of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Rubicon</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > is presented below:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"<i style="font-style: italic;">The Rubicon represents the "point-of-no-return" that we all must face. The place where you must choose whether to conquer your fears or turn back forever. The Rubicon is a time to choose between staying "just a teenager" or developing into a Godly Young Adult. A point to rely on others </i></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >to feed you moral relativism, or choose to </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><i style="font-style: italic;">own</i></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > your Faith, taking action on your decision. Is there such a thing as Absolute Truth? Are there existing standards of Right and Wrong? Is there even a point to living?</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > Why are you alive? What will you do with the time given you?</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Who will you live for?<br />Yourself, or something, Someone else?</b>"<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >As this post serves as just a "teaser" for what's to come, keep in mind that the idea of the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Rubicon</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > will be delivered in much more detail at the Fall Conference. For more information on the Fall Conference, or for answers to questions of any kind, email BreaktheChains at </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >breakthechainsforever@gmail.com</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >In Him,<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">~Andrew Dawes</span></span><br /></div>BreaktheChainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08732811571268517620noreply@blogger.com23