Killing Formulaic Views

Prayer

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that this desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. 

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, i will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton’s Prayer.

And mine. 

And ours.

Empathy

Fun art!

http://paperbeatsscissors.deviantart.com/

Here’s some from the ‘I feel that feel, bro’ series. Love it. Check them out here: 

http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2012/02/22/i-know-that-feel-bro/

Some of my favorite ones:

Just a parasite? I know that feel, bro.

Unintelligible speech? I know that feel, bro [hahahaha]

Orphan hero? I know that feel, bro.

Expendable minion? I know that feel, bro

Empathy. It’d make the world a much nicer place to live. Dang, I wish I could say I empathize with people, but I know my own selfishness and pride always keeps me from doing so. I’m so inclined to cynicism and judgement without even trying to understand people. I probably would have made the same decision if I were in their shoes. I am the same sinner. Experience and a few years of wisdom automatically put me on a pedestal above others? No…

But thank God it doesn’t end there. We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, to whom we hold firmly to the faith we profess. He is the high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who as been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [Heb 4:14-16]

There is no good in me outside of Christ. There is no love in me outside of Christ. I have nothing to give, but Christ. So may I only see the Christ in the hearts of His people, and the Christ that longs to well in the hearts of all men.

Veinte y Tres

23 years…is a long time.

On days especially like these, I reflect on my life…and can’t help but feel kind of sad…this sense of disappointment of the past and dread of the future. 

I think of the past 23 years and of all the blessings in my life: a god-fearing and god-loving family, amazing friends, 4Christ, CFC, security and comfort, and most of all meeting God at a young age and learning to love and worship Him. I don’t mean to boast, but man…I feel like I had the perfect upbringing. I really cannot ask for more. 

And yet at the end of the day, despite everything that has been invested into my life, I still turn out as a defective product. I’ve sinned greatly against God and have hurt many people. And for that, I am truly, truly sorry. 

Its frustrating. 

But then I cling on to God’s promise. The promise that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day Christ returns. So forget this crap. Screw all these expectations. I AM a nobody. But who cares? I will do my best because its still so worth it.

And now…especially days like these, I remember to glance at myself and to gaze and Jesus…and can’t help but feel joy…and a sense of gratitude of the past and hope for the future. 

Thank you Lord, you have been too kind, too merciful, too good to me. It’s not my life, my plans, my hopes, my dreams, but yours. I live to give you glory and to help all mankind give you glory. So my only wish today, and for the rest of my life is that you give me faith to always remember this and that you continue to reveal Yourself to me. May I only respond with love and praise. Amen, Amen.

[dang it, I wanted to post this on the 16th but I guess I was late haha]