Either Way, I Win
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – James 4:14b
Our lives are short. The Bible only promises 70 years; anything beyond that is a bonus. But what happens when someone’s life is cut dramatically short? Maybe 70 years isn’t a promise…maybe 70 years *is* the bonus. There is only one promise found in Scripture regarding length of life, and it’s found in several places. The most well known is this:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
There really is no promise for a long life on earth. The promises we find refer to a quality of life on earth. This quality does not come by obtaining things, amassing wealth, becoming famous, or making a name for yourself. The quality comes from a life lived through Jesus Christ.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2
“…whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28
Get the idea? Our lives become fulfilled – truly meaningful – when we can use them to serve others. If we spend our lives getting *things*, what will we have to show for it when we die? No one knows when that will be. It could be tomorrow, or even on the way home from work. So how can I say that the higher my status is, the better my life will be? Status is all about making a name for myself. But even if I have all the money in the world, without using my status to help others, who will remember who I am?
The truly amazing people are the ones who can live their lives for everyone else in the midst of trials. They can stare Death squarely in the eye and say, “You may take me, but you’ll never conquer me.” Those that die knowing Christ as Savior can even say to Death, “You think you have me, but I am above you.” They know the purpose for suffering in the life of a Believer.
“He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13
They realize that in the midst of the trials, even unto the brink of death, that not only is Christ in control of the whole situation, but through their lives God may be glorified, and it gives an unspeakable joy, an overwhelming calm that soothes the pain.
Nicole Bodjanac was just such a person. When she realized she was fighting a pretty rare form of cancer, she decided that regardless of the outcome, she would be a winner. She had already established a relationship with Jesus Christ, and through that was able to take her pain and suffering and turn it into a glowing example of the joy found through a life lived in Faith in Jesus. Either she would beat cancer, or she would finally see Jesus face to face. Regardless of what happened, she would continue living her life for others and doing it with joy.
“After a 16 month battle, Nicole is finally cancer free. Nicole went home to be with the Lord this afternoon. May she rest safely in the arms of Jesus.” (taken from Nicole’s blog)
She would have turned 23 on March 11.
-j
Typing Skillz
My skills have been suffering today. Check out this string of messages I had when I was IMing someone…
[17:03] hisc1ay: well, hopefully by then I’d have the bulk of my loans payed off
[17:03] hisc1ay: wow
[17:03] hisc1ay: I mean paied
[17:03] hisc1ay: dang
[17:03] hisc1ay: paid
[17:03] hisc1ay: there who go
[17:03] hisc1ay: WOW
[17:03] hisc1ay: *we
[17:03] hisc1ay: I’m horrible today
Not even exaggerating. And it took me a few tries to spell exaggerating. That one too.
-j
My American Idol Picks
I am going to attempt to make my top three picks for this season’s AI after this first episode. I don’t really know what I’m talking about, but it will be fun to see if I was right. 
Brandon Rogers – He has a pretty unique tone, and a ridiculous set of pipes. He will be able to sing soul, jazz, and pop. It’s early, but he’ll break out of the background singer mode within a few weeks. He’ll go pretty far, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in the top 3.
Melinda Doolittle – She is the highlight of American Idol this year. Came in with absolutely no confidence, and she is clearly the best performer on the entire show. If she doesn’t make it to at LEAST the top two, I will be angry. She could be a diva on the order of Aretha Franklin.
LaKisha Jones – Giving Melinda a run for her money is LaKisha. She got a big ol’ voice, and she knows how to use it!
I predict Melinda to take it all.
Honorable Mention:
There were two guys that I really had a hard time taking out, so I decided to list them here. They’re my swing singers. They could go either way.
Blake Lewis – This dude has a really smooth voice. I am jealous of his highness, but he can be a little pitchy in his falsetto. Plus he’s just smooth. Bring more beatbox!
AJ Tablado – He came out having so much fun! I’m really impressed with the way he carried All My Love. He’s kinda charming, so I think he’ll win hearts and votes.
Best Worst Editing In A Commercial
I’m inventing a new category at the Academy Awards. And here is my candidate:
Maxwell House coffee has a commercial where several of their “employees” are singing “Our House” (you know…our house in the middle of the street…). They sing the song ridiculously off pitch, but it’s cute and homey and aww, let’s go by Maxwell House coffee because it’s cozy. They give these horrible singers a whole line or two! Then right in the middle, there’s a woman who just sings like daggone Aretha Franklin! You’d think she gets several lines, but no. She gets TWO WORDS! They should kick everyone else out and give her the whole thing. To me, that’s the worst editing ever. She’s got talent, so use it! I’d like to have been in that marketing meeting to find out why on earth they gave the crappy singers more face time. And to add to that, is this woman the only one in the whole company that can sing? There has to be more that just her…
Here’s a shorter version I found on YouTube. She’s in this one, see if you can spot her. Seems like they condensed it to the better singers from the full length commercial.
-j
Throw Off The Sin
…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12: 1b-3
I read this today in preparation for a Bible study at church and something stuck out to me in a way it never has before. Many Christians can rattle off at least most of these verses, and most of them know what is talked about previously. Tonight I’ve been hit by a brick.
I struggle with sin. Who doesn’t? That verse says it all – “sin that so easily entangles”. Have you ever let sin take a hold of you to the point that you don’t feel like you can adequately serve God? Maybe you don’t even sin like that anymore, but your guilt from past sins haunts you to the point where you’re nearly ineffective as a messenger of the Gospel. I’ve had moments where I felt like I had allowed sin to creep too far and that God shouldn’t even forgive me, though I know He does. I know at least one person who could probably be much more dynamic as a Christian if not for the grip of past sin.
May I use an ellipsis to make my point? “Throw Off…The Sin!” Throw it off! Get rid of it! The words may be out of context, but that’s exactly the point that God impressed on my heart tonight. I envisioned a guy about to run a race in layers of dark clothing, a backpack, ankle weights, a hat, just tons of stuff. One by one, he took each thing off. Threw off the backpack. Unstrapped the ankle weights. Let his coat fall to the ground. Removed the sweatpants and sweatshirt. Emptied his pockets of his wallet and loose change. Took his watch off. Took off the hat. Until there was nothing left but bright red shorts, a white tank top, and a race number.
I am currently training for a foot race at the end of March, so I paid a little more attention to these verses than before. My bi-daily runs last for about 40 minutes each, and I’m telling you by minute 30 I’m ready to be done. Running a race takes patience, endurance, and perseverance. Sometimes I tell myself “just put one foot in front of the other.” As long as I put one foot in front of the other, I’m making progress. Sometimes the putting is fast, and sometimes it’s slow. The slow times I use to rest so I can get ready to run fast again. At the end of my 40 minutes I’m fatigued and my legs are shaky, but I’m done. The run does have an end. Our Race has an end. Look at verse two again. It tells us to look “to Jesus…(who has already run and is sitting) at the right hand of the throne of God.” There is an end, and Jesus is there.
My charge is simple. Forget sins that have been forgiven, and get forgiveness for those that haven’t, and then forget them too. Toss your sins away (after all, God has), and don’t even look at them again. Just start running. And if you start to get tired, think about Jesus, who has already paved a trail for you.
-j