video games-a wise use of time?

I love video games, They are the way in which i keep myself entertained when i would otherwise be bored out of my mind. But I think that is just the problem, we try to keep from being bored out of our minds by doing something that leaves our minds behind. Most video games are in no way stimulating to the mind. Movies can make me think about deep issues, playing sports or hanging out with friends cultivates amazing relationships, and reading forces you to use your brain.

This is just what i have noticed. Maybe my generation's downfall is going to be all the wasted time playing games. Now I believe that someone could play some games and have their brains challenged, not all video game playing is a waste of time, and with the whole "online revolution" in gaming could somehow lead to some deep relationships between people. But I know from experience how empty I feel when I look back on my day and realize I have wasted hours of my day sitting clicking buttons on a screen or pushing buttons on a controller. And what do Christians have to throw into this equation when considering the glory of God and the unwasted life he calls us to? Scripture does us to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV). So the question is: is constant video gaming wise? is it part of the Lord's will for believers?

Something to think about
Pray about

a beautiful truth

"There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us."

- Richard Sibbes

i am excited

Donald Miller has a new book coming out!!

What if...

I had a conversation with a friend last night that got me thinking. In my "quest" to try to define the beauty of Christ I have begun to think more and more that Christ's beauty is first and foremost shown through God's creation and specifically through who we are as human beings, the image-bearers of God. Last week I was at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. While I was standing in line, I kept looking at all the different people around me, I was pretty much staring so I probably freaked some people out. But I was just looking at them through new eyes, I was just amazed to see how everyone looked different yet everyone looked beautiful suddenly to my eyes. Even the people I would normal look at and consider them ugly were suddenly the most beautiful people I had ever seen! What if God's beauty is displayed in a greater way through us as image-bearers than we realize? Granted that we are no longer the "good" human beings of Genesis 1, but we still are amazing works of art. Not only are we a beautiful creation in our complexity, our emotions, our diversity but we are also the only living creation with creativity in which to make our own works of art. We are God's Work of Art that has the ablitly to use our inherient creativity to make our own art. What if art is meant to be a way in which we as human beings display God's beauty? My friend made this statement "art speaks to people." What if art is a way in which we can "speak" God's beauty and glory to those around us?

skit we did at my church

The dawning of heaven

"Make up your mind that to behold the glory of God by beholding the glory of Christ is the greatest privilege which is given to believers in this life. This is the dawning of heaven." -John Owen

Word vs. Deed

What is the mission of the church? Are God’s people called to evangelize the lost by preaching the gospel and calling people to repentance? Or are we to spend our time and resources ministering to the needs of the poor? Are these two activities even meant to be distinguished from one another? Is the gospel preached when we act in harmony with the mercy and justice of God? Are the needs of the poor best met when we address spiritual need, rather than putting food in the bellies of lost souls?

Read the whole thing

Can't sleep

I have 2 mid-term exams tomorrow but I can't sleep. I feel overwhelmed. Tonight started out with theological frustration again as I spent some time in prayer. But I came to realize the one simple thing that I had forgotten about-The beauty of Christ. I think it is so easy to forget as I "study" about God that I am seeing God from a human point of view and from that point of view it is easy to get frustrated because he doesn't really fit into any box we put him in. The truth is that God's beauty is in his mystery. The journey of faith is all about following this mysterious God who has an attractive nature to him that loses its attractiveness if we do something other than just stand in awe of God. I want to learn more and more how to simply stand in awe of God because that is where we find our reason to obey, our reason to trust. I want to meditate more and more on the beauty found is God's unfathomablity(is that a word?). To be honest, I think I need to slow down on studying and pondering of big theological issues and just learn to be still and know that HE is GOD!(Psalm 46:10)

here is the essay I wrote a few months back on the beauty of Christ that kinda shows this passion of mine for Christ's beauty
Part 1
Part 2

Unplugging

This is a really cool blog post that I can relate to