Transfusion or Transplant?

I had an interesting revelation during worship at church tonight.  There's a lot of songs that talk about the blood of Jesus, His redeeming blood, the blood of the lamb, etc.  These references don't make a lot of sense if you're new or unfamiliar with Jesus.  When a baby was "dedicated" back in the day... it was basically given to God.  A sacrifice, like a lamb, was required when the baby was presented.  We'll WE are the baby.... Jesus was that lamb that was sacrificed so we could have a relationship with God.  Crazy, right?! It was Jesus blood that allows us freedom, salvation, forgiveness. 

Sometimes I've heard preachers/speakers/songs that talk about when you accept Jesus, you're getting a blood transfusion.  It's His blood that allows us to become new creatures, walkin freedom, etc.  Well, I was thinking about a transfusion... and yeah, they're good for a minute, but ultimately, even after a transfusion, your bone marrow will begin to produce new blood cells.  Those are YOUR blood cells, not magically transferred from whoever gave you the blood for the transfusion.  I'm kind of an expert in the area, otherwise I wouldn't have noticed.

You see, our blood is produced IN our bone marrow, the tissue inside of our bone.  If there's something jacked up in your bone marrow, if your cells are abnormal, you could have 85 transfusions... not a thing will change... time will catch up with you.  Something has to change IN us.  We need a bone marrow transplant!  That's what Jesus needs to give us :)  In order for us to change, we have to adopt His character.  Study Him.  Focus on Him.  We can't rely on a transfuion, or one experience and think we're fine.  What does our LIFE say about it?  is it permanent?  Is it in your marrow? 

Oh snap.  Do I need another transplant?!  Do it Jesus!

Blame, Belief

I've recently uncovered something about myself I'm not too happy about.  We all perceive ourselves a certain way.  Sometimes (at least with me) we're too gracious.  I have an interest in psychology and why people do what they do and how life experiences impact who they become.  A lot of times I include my family when analyzing my own life and trying to figure out why I do certain things that I do.  I discovered recently, when trying to change my eating habits, how undisciplined I feel.  Immediately I turn to things like the way I was raised or my schooling or whatever may have contributed.  Now, perhaps I wasn't going to blame ALL of it on these outside factors, but I certainly looked to the outsiders before considering myself.  Not cool.  Maybe I'm just neglecting the importance, and wasting energy finding someone else to BLAME, when I'm the only one responsible.  Really?!  Am I THAT person?  Thank God for revelation.  I mean, he'll show us if we ask him.

On a side note...Santa Claus.  Ha!  I overheard a co-worker talking to a kid at work about Santa.  What was this boy asking him for, had he been a good boy this year, etc.  I remembered  how my sister will tell my niece sometimes that Santa's watching and she has to be good or she might not get any gifts this year.  It's intense, how important Santa is to kids.  They spend their entire childhood looking forward to Christmas more than anything!  Until eventually... they'll notice that Santa's handwriting is the same as their parents... or Santa's favorite cookie happens to be their Dad's favorite cookie... or they don't HAVE a chimney... How did he get in?!  And then BAM!  Like a ton of bricks... in one moment, hope leaves.  I mean, by now (hopefully) they're old enough to realize life's not all about Santa and gifts.  However, I had a slight epiphany when I overheard this conversation.  What if the time we invest in making children believe (Disclaimer: not for or against teaching your kids about Santa.. just an analogy folks) in something FAKE, we invested them in showing Jesus' character.  Jesus is a bajillion times better and more awesome than Santa, but what do kids know about Him?  What do our friends and coworkers know?  Maybe just what they heard in Sunday school, maybe what Uncle Joey said?  We point to Jesus and point to Jesus... but what people perceive of Him will only be based on what they've experienced so far.  So instead of droppin' the name and being like God is good, thank you Jesus...  Show them his character.  Be specific.  What has he done in your life?  How has he made a difference?  Why is your life better because of Him?

Uhhh... He healed me of a disease.  He restored my security.  I am free and feel free because He's in my life.  When something insane happens in my life, I still feel anchored down because of His love for me.  I mean, just a few examples that don't touch the iceburg of His awesomeness.  So not sure exactly how I got that out of Santa.  But, Merry Christmas! :)

The First

So I was on Facebook recently and I began posting a status update.  Halfway through, I realized this post was waaaaay too long for a status update and I needed to start blogging again.  So, here I am!  Ironically, I don't remember specifically what it was about, so I'll have to come up with some new material.

I may be a little more raw on here, because blogging to me is like journaling in a way.  Not sure if that's a good thing, but here I go putting my business all up for the world to see.

Lately I've been really kind of caught up on this age thing.  25.  Man!  I remember ever since I was a teenager people would always say, "You're so mature for your age!" Now at 25 I feel like I'm behind sometimes.  All around me there are Mommies younger than me, and people my age with 3 or 4 kids!  I don't have a "career" that I absolutely want to be in the rest of my life.  I don't have a college degree under my belt.  If I start dwelling on these things and compare it to the standards of success that our world places in front of us, I might get discouraged.  That's when I decide to turn my eyes on God, and ask Him to do the measuring.  Now, I've got lots to do.  Lots of ground to make up for areas I may have fallen behind in.  I need to be more proactive when it comes to creative ideas of serving God, and others.  BUT... I can also use Gods measuring stick for success.  And that's that I'm 1. Alive because of his mercy 2. Choosing to serve Him with my life... that alone is start enough of success for me to give me the hope I need to keep chugging forward.  And hope is the most important ingredient, I think, to moving forward.  Without it, we lack any motivation to move forward.  And if we're not moving forward, we're not growing.  If we're not moving froward we're either stuck in one spot, or looking behind us.  I don't want to be in either of those places.

So to sum it all up.  I'm 25.  Maybe I have some catching up to do in the worlds standards to be considered successful, but I'll agree with God in that I've got a good start and I'm successful in His sight.  And moving forward is key to growth.  If I'm complacent in life then I won't have any forward motion.  So blogging, hopefully, will keep me accountable to this goal.  Moving forward.