Dear Class of 2010,
Congratulations for making it through school. You have made choices effecting your own life, but many others as well. I'm sure its fearful to become a "freshman" of real life, but I encourage to accept this task with a smile on your face. While one chapter in your life is drawing to a close many, many others are about to open. I want to express how proud I am of you for showing to me that people actually survive college, and I'm eager to learn more from you as I join you next year, in the real world.
You have most likely changed a lot during your time in college, and I want to challenge you to continue to do so. Please keep following Jesus, and growing in him always. It's easy to feel the pressures of conforming to standard society, but I want to encourage you to conform only to Jesus, and being more like him. Remember that you are unique and special and that no matter how much the 'world' asks you to change, you were created, with a purpose no less, by the architect of eternity. If your 'degree' doesn't make it easier to find a job, or if your are totally unsure what you will even do, remember that you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven first, and that your life was cleverly orchestrated by the creator of the universe.
Listen carefully to God and follow his will. Embrace whatever commission you are given by him. Live life to the fullest, and embrace God's abundance. As large decisions come your way, like who to marry, when to start a family, where to work etc. Please keep God's purpose for you in your mind and live for Him first.
Go and be a light to the world. Continue on with a missional lifestyle. Never settle for anything less than giving one hundred percent to God. Establish or find good community. Strive for true biblical living, and don't be afraid to improve the existing ways of those that have gone before you. Rise up in the church and help to bring redemption to the brokenness, that the body is facing.
Remember now that even though classes are over, relationships are not. Still be praying for, and investing in the people you were as a student. Even if your life operates comfortably in terms of school semesters, the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't. Be an influence to these people, and don't forget about the relationships that you made during your time as a student.
Wherever you are heading now, whether it be a new city, new state, or even a new country, look back and see the architecture of why you were here. Praise God for the things your learned and taught to others. Remember these years as a student, but don't forget to look forward to where your going. It's been said that college is the best years of your life, and even though I can't speak from first hand experience, even greater things are still to come.
Congratulations, and enjoy your upcoming graduation ceremony. May God bless you and your household.
Your brother in the Lord, Christ Jesus,
Christopher S. Huston
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Share in Death, Share in Life
Paul the apostle, mentioned at one point that if the resurrection didn't happen our faith is basically meaningless. How right he was. Today is Resurrection Sunday. Notice that I didn't say Easter. This might just be me, but when I say Easter, candy, bunnies, chicks, and spring colors come to mind. But when I say Resurrection Sunday, I think Jesus. I think what it must have been like to die and to rise. When Jesus came back to life into his body, I wonder what that experience felt like. One door closed in death, and now one big huge door opened in his resurrection. I wonder if he was thirsty or hungry...
Anyway, the fact is that this "holiday" is one of my least favorite, and yet today is one of my favorite days. Easter is my least favorite "holiday" because of what it involves. Egg hunts, candy (which most people don't eat and then give away to someone else at Halloween), bunnies. It was all just stuff I never really bought into. In fact its a holiday that I forget about. It will be like a week or two before and Ill be like, "wait Easter is on Sunday" and I'm not alone.
Why is today so important then? Because just like Paul said, if we don't believe in this, our faith means nothing. I mean if Jesus never really died, and this all was just a joke. He was just asleep or something, then we are not sharing in his death. And when Jesus bids me to come and die, I say no. Why would I taste this sting of death, even if its not a physical death if Jesus didn't go before me? Or if Jesus did die, but didn't rise, same issue. Then I may accept sharing in death, but with no hope of ever sharing in life. But the fact remains, that Jesus, died. He was dead, he breathed his last breath, and was placed in a above ground tomb. His spirit left his body and it lay limp wrapped in cloths soaked in spices. In literally the greatest miracle in the world, he rose. He proved to all who were watching that he is divine. Fully human, and yet, fully God. Able to rise, still with wounds and blood on his body, air filled his lungs again! Can I get an Amen!?!
Jesus opened his eyes, he had now conquered death. He was so full of love, compassion, and holiness that he finished his work and met with disciples before his ascension. I mean, if I were Jesus, I would want to just start killing or mocking the people who hurt me or those who didn't believe. I would want to laugh at the Pharisees. But Jesus is a good King, and I am not.
Jesus, our King, died and Jesus our King, rose. He did this for you! He did this for his people, he did this to let us settle our debts with a completely righteous God. So today, let us remember this. Let us remember what it took for us to live. Let us remember what power our King truly has the he conquers even death. Let us, instead of having an Easter Holiday, let us celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Let us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, with a very alive and kickin Jesus. Let us thank him for going before us, and leading us on after. Let us ask Jesus, "Jesus, let me share in your death on a cross, that I may share in your life via a resurrection!"
*PS* This is a link to a blog that I subscribe to. Its excellent and I highly recomend reading and subscribing. Please check out this link about her and her friends thoughts on Easter. They hit the nail on the head!
Alidia and Emily Discuss Easter
Anyway, the fact is that this "holiday" is one of my least favorite, and yet today is one of my favorite days. Easter is my least favorite "holiday" because of what it involves. Egg hunts, candy (which most people don't eat and then give away to someone else at Halloween), bunnies. It was all just stuff I never really bought into. In fact its a holiday that I forget about. It will be like a week or two before and Ill be like, "wait Easter is on Sunday" and I'm not alone.
Why is today so important then? Because just like Paul said, if we don't believe in this, our faith means nothing. I mean if Jesus never really died, and this all was just a joke. He was just asleep or something, then we are not sharing in his death. And when Jesus bids me to come and die, I say no. Why would I taste this sting of death, even if its not a physical death if Jesus didn't go before me? Or if Jesus did die, but didn't rise, same issue. Then I may accept sharing in death, but with no hope of ever sharing in life. But the fact remains, that Jesus, died. He was dead, he breathed his last breath, and was placed in a above ground tomb. His spirit left his body and it lay limp wrapped in cloths soaked in spices. In literally the greatest miracle in the world, he rose. He proved to all who were watching that he is divine. Fully human, and yet, fully God. Able to rise, still with wounds and blood on his body, air filled his lungs again! Can I get an Amen!?!
Jesus opened his eyes, he had now conquered death. He was so full of love, compassion, and holiness that he finished his work and met with disciples before his ascension. I mean, if I were Jesus, I would want to just start killing or mocking the people who hurt me or those who didn't believe. I would want to laugh at the Pharisees. But Jesus is a good King, and I am not.
Jesus, our King, died and Jesus our King, rose. He did this for you! He did this for his people, he did this to let us settle our debts with a completely righteous God. So today, let us remember this. Let us remember what it took for us to live. Let us remember what power our King truly has the he conquers even death. Let us, instead of having an Easter Holiday, let us celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Let us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, with a very alive and kickin Jesus. Let us thank him for going before us, and leading us on after. Let us ask Jesus, "Jesus, let me share in your death on a cross, that I may share in your life via a resurrection!"
*PS* This is a link to a blog that I subscribe to. Its excellent and I highly recomend reading and subscribing. Please check out this link about her and her friends thoughts on Easter. They hit the nail on the head!
Alidia and Emily Discuss Easter
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