Let it flow

In my English Composition class, we're learning about "free-writing." It is this process that attempts to extract your best ideas through constant uninterrupted writing. The implication is that your best ideas are your first ideas, and that is what needs to be unleashed. There is no need to worry about grammar and punctuation because you just want to find some content that may spark any other ideas for the future. Apparently, this is one of the best ways to get rid of writer's block, and I think it's fun.

I typically have some sort of theme whenever I blog, but I think I'll just free write this one. No theme. No logical flow. Just thoughts. (I will have punctuation though).

I'm in the middle of my study in Matthew 6, and I've been cut to the quick by the holy Word again. Who knew that brushing up on the Disciple's Prayer would be as convicting as the first day you learned about it. Thanks to this study, I've been in deep sorrow over the faults and wrong motives for my prayer life, and I can only thank the Lord for His constant mercy.

School has finally turned up the heat. Papers upon papers are starting to pile up on me (no pun intended--well, maybe a little). The 18 units is starting to hit home. On top of that, ministry is finally on its way for me. After being on a hiatus since the transition, I have finally got back into a consistent load of different ministries. However busy I may be, I would not have it any other way. The Lord has humbled me in so many ways (with instances leading to tears). And I don't dread it; I'm happy about it. The humbling just reaffirms His love for me and my holiness. I'd rather be kept meekly low than arrogantly up high in ignorant bliss.

Let me make a drastic change in topic. All this recent talk about relationships has been getting me all riled up. And this subject has always been a hobby horse of mine, so here it is... just for kicks. Teenagers and young adults, I hope I'm stepping on many of your toes. :D

Relationships...

Who am I NOT looking for?

1) Someone who will accept me for who I am

• No, I'm looking for someone who will help me be more like Christ.
  

2) Someone who I can mess around and flirt with

• No, I'm looking for a companion--someone to keep me pure. Someone who will be a potential wife (and a mother)

3) Someone who knows it all

• No, I'm looking for someone who will be teachable, and will be willing to learn alongside me through experience and discipleship.

4) Someone who I can go to the movies with

• No, someone who will co-labor in ministry with me. We'll go to Disneyland, and we'll go to the movies, but I want someone who will help me love God's people the way I should be loving His people.
  

5) Someone who's smokin' hot

• No, not by the world's standards. I'm looking for someone who's beauty reflects the marvelous nature of our glorious God in her entire character. Beauty that transcends physicality and one that emulates the Holy.

6) Someone who cannot live without me

• No, I'm looking for someone who will treasure Christ above it all (even me). Her love for Christ will trickle down to our relationship, just like my love for Christ will drive me to love her.
  

7) Someone I can use to make others jealous

• No, I want the world to see our relationship and see how we are modeling Christ and His bride--the church. I want them to be encouraged to follow after us, not because we are the standard, but because we are following after Christ. I want her and I to set the example for our disciples and our children, and to be triumphant where so many others have failed.
  

Yes, I know some of you are probably saying, "Micah, where are the verses?" I'm willing to bet you can pull these application points from Prov. 31, Gal. 5, Titus 2, 1 Peter 3, 1 Cor. 7, or Ephesians 5 (And I don't think I'd be proof-texting either). I think that her love for the Lord would automatically drive her to want to know more and more of Him (I wouldn't have to force her or drag her to do that). My prayer for my future wife is that she would already find full satisfaction in Christ regardless of her marital status. My fellow brothers, I hope you're praying and seeking one that is already like Christ.

Our Christian circles have idolized relationships so much that we have tip-toed worldly standards. It's time for us to reclaim the "right view of relationships" that God desires for all of us who are seeking to be married. Impossible standard? Not with God. I've seen these qualities in my mother, my sister, and my sister's in Christ. It's doable. The standard I give is not mine, it's Christ's. What we cannot do on our own, He will help us with.

I just pray that she be patient and gracious with me because I know that I ain't no catch. I apologize now because in the future, I know that I will mess up and fail. Yes, I'm not perfect, but I do think that the Lord has given me a desire to pursue perfection for His sake. Though I be faulty, I do promise her that I will try my best to work at holiness; and if we both are working at it, by God's grace, maybe He'll see us through to the end (I am pray fervently that He will see us through to the end). My hope will rest on the rock of Christ, and that is where I will lay our foundation.

Future wife, you can bet on that.

It's late. I have to sleep. I have to finish studying. I've ranted, and I've probably made people angry (wounds of a friend yo!). If I've encouraged you, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.

-Micah

Difficult but Fun

Okay, it's the last semester, and there is something strange about it. I'll be completely honest with you--I am really enjoying school. Yes, yes, the classes are a little heavy (due to massive load of 18 units), but I am managing quite well. (Of course, only by the Grace of God). You probably can't tell from this blog, but I feel like I'm becoming a better writer. The spelling is still terrible, but the writing is improving. I'm finding it much easier to place my thoughts on paper and I can actually convey my arguments with clarity. It's not that muddy anymore! (Well, sometimes).

School is fun. Aside from all the liberal plugs and soap box rants, I am enjoying school. I am even enjoying the professors that I have this semester. This is, definitely, not the same attitude from my first semester as an English major. During that first semester, I was surrounded by so much relativism and post-modernism that I felt like shooting myself. I couldn't stand it. Reading between the lines was an understatement. People were pulling meaning and interpretation out of their butts--I just couldn't believe it!

So what's the difference now? Why am I enjoying school NOW? The world sure hasn't changed. If anything, it has only gotten worse. Something must have changed, and I think I'd like to think that something was me.

I believe that the frustration I had in my first semester was due to a lack of maturity. I think my low tolerance for liberalism (and my fiery youthfulness) made me someone who was miserable in every English class I sat in. I couldn't stand the things that they said, and it was frustrating me so much. But looking back, I do believe that my misery was born from an inability to answer the DIFFICULT questions. Isn't that what typically makes us shy away from proclaiming the Gospel? Were afraid that people will ask us questions. It's the questions that we dread; all because we don't want to look like stupid people without the answer. And that was me. I was feeling stupid and unequipped for the battle I was fighting. I was fighting a two-headed evil monster, and I was armed with a spork. (Talk about not being equipped). That's why I wasn't satisfied. My professors and classmates were posing questions that I just could not answer.

The teachers and students have not changed. Everyone is still asking the same questions, even harder ones. But I am so thankful that the Lord has changed me. He didn't have to, but He did. I don't mean to sound arrogant with this, but I'm not afraid of the hard questions anymore. If anything, I welcome them with open arms. I know that being pushed helps me to grow even stronger with respect to salvation. I grow because I know where to find my answers. God has given me everything I need pertaining to life and Godliness in His Word, and it has been sufficient for my every need. (And by the way, I'm not worshiping the bible; I'm worshiping the God of the bible). Obviously, I cannot answer every question that is posed to me, that would be foolish to claim; however, life is so much clearer to me now that i view it through the lens of the Holy Writ. I'm not afraid of the difficult questions anymore because I don't believe out of ignorance anymore. I understand why I believe what I believe. This isn't some random religion that my parents imposed on me, but this is a faith that the God of this universe has so freely given to me, an undeserving wretched soul. It's okay to asks "Why?" That's how you formulate convictions.

You need strong convictions if your in college. If you don't have 'em, you'll get rocked. Now, I enjoy sitting through lectures and discussions. I guess it's because I've learned to test and filter every single piece of information that passes through my brain before accepting it. Because when your in college, it's the subtle things that you have to watch out for. (Those quick jokes and jabs could really do a number you). It feels good to keep up with your prof, understand his argument, and even challenge him when he sounds like he's mistaken.

I think confidence lies in who the Lord and Savior is. If I ever had confidence in myself, then I would fail every single time (because I got nuttin). This excitement I have doesn't come from anything that I have done; it comes from the work that Christ has done. I don't challenge the secular realm just for kicks, but I do it as a bridge to the Gospel. Hopefully you guys will be encouraged to study and understand the faith that yours because that is your witness to this unbelieving world.

Let's show them that Grace has arrived, and His name is Jesus.


-Micah


Matt. 5:13-16

The light isn't us.
The light is Christ.
Were just called to reflect it.

"Wait Wait Gotta Wait Wait"

Your time, not mine.


But I'd like some hints please.