Basics of Life

I love creative people!  People like Ian.  He is a student that I met in Canada a few years ago.  He has been radically changed by the love of Jesus.  It is so fun to hear of how he is presently serving God and how he plans to continue to do that in the future.

Ian recently sent me a list of different ways to state the basics of life.  Do not confuse these with the facts of life.  That was an awkward conversation with my mom when I was younger.  I'm glad that is over.  These were the basics of life, an important framework through which life makes sense and has meaning.  Without the basics of life, everything starts revolving around us and will ultimately fail horribly.  The best part of it all is that it is simple, easy to understand, and memorable.

The first way I learned the basics of life was as Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude from catechism class.  The basics stated that it is undeniable that we are full of Guilt because of our sin.  This Guilt offends our holy and perfect God.  Thank God for Jesus through which we may receive Grace, total forgiveness of all of our sins.  Because of this grace that is freely given and undeserved, we live with Gratitude to God for what Jesus has done for us.  That is a framework makes sense and gives meaning to life.

Until now, I did not know any better words to portray the basics of life to a growing post-Christian culture that we now live in.  My hope is that the following list may communicate the basics more effectively and will help open the door of a person's heart for Jesus to work.  

So, thank you Ian for this list.  I will see if I can use it in the future.

awful - abolition - adoration 

bad - born again - benevolence
corruption - correction - calling

death, deliverance, Discipleship
evil - eternal life - exertion
failure - freedom - fruitful
hindrance - heaven - help
lie - liberation - love
reprobate - redemption - righteousness
Sin, Salvation, Service 

ugly - upkeep - utility
wreck - wash - worship

Kick a Puppy!

We used to have a question book at church with the question: would you rather make a child cry or kick a puppy?  Never a good answer to that one.  Well today I kicked a puppy!

To tell the full story, I went running with Carla today.  Again, this doesn't sound like me but yes, I did run without a soccer ball but it was by the beach which was cool!  We were running down the street and out comes this little Pomeranian.  While technically I consider these animals as part of the rat species, I did get spooked when this ferocious sounding furry creature suddenly comes directly at my ankles.

I tried to ignore my feelings but this beast kept charging.  When the dog got close enough to lunge at my ankle I just reacted.  I swung my foot out to move the dog away and ended up kicking it in the snout.  It wasn't a driving soccer blast but enough to get a yipe and dissuade a dog from further intimidation.

What if sin and temptation was a fierce Pomeranian puppy?  One day my first reaction to temptation and sin in my life will NOT be to ignore it or to be afraid.  Rather, I hope that it will be a swift kick to the snout as I continue running on my journey of life.  Too many times I just don't have the correct attitude toward.  If temptation and sin was a dog would you not kick it as hard as you could and continue running the race?

My advice to everyone this year: kick a puppy!