New Years Revolution

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For years and years the common thing to do before the new year has been to "make a new years resolution." Whether it is too get rid of that butt by working out every day, to not date for a year, or even to quit soda, new year resolutions are a common tradition in our society. All in all there is absolutely nothing wrong with making a new years resolution, in fact it can be a fantastic thing. The thing that isn't great is the fact that we believe we can achieve these tasks on our own without help from God himself; oh silly us.

I'm here to break the tradition of attaining a new years resolution, and instead creating a New Years Revolution.

The word revolution means to forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. Lets create a revolution this year, to overthrow the social order of how the "right way" to live is. Let us be the freaks and the ones they call absurd, let us be the light in the darkness, let us shake this nation.

So this year I have decided to not create a new years resolution, but to begin a new years revolution. I am enlisting myself to fight and be a light for the King of Kings. To show hope to the hopeless. To be a burning fire for the unlit. If you feel the urge to revolt against the evil "normal" way of living and start living in a Christ like manner more hardcore than ever, than join me, and let us change this world.

God Bless

Will You Die A Legacy, Or A Lie?

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Something I've noticed throughout my walk with Christ is that He doesn't like to be, well, accomadating with our timeline, or the way we would prefer Him to intervine. He likes to get our attention during the hectic, painful, stressful, and recently, around Christmas (which incorporates all of the above for most.) Today I was reminded of this tendancy of His.

As most of you know I work at the Disney Store inside Concord Mills, fantastic job (minus the lack of hours I have recieved...) however, today I was on the register and the pleasure of ringing up an elderly gentlemen who was purchasing a princess dress up set for her daughter for Christmas. He seemed to be in his late 50's, possibly early 60's, and He was the happiest older man I've seen in a while. We had a lively discussion about the Little Mermaid, and the Marvel universe. As I was handing him his bag He looks at me and asked a question that not only shocked me, it left me lost for words. He asked me non-chalantly "Son, when you pass on from this world, will you leave a legacy? or will you leave a lie?"

I thought I was about to drop the bag when I heard this man ask me this question, in my head I was scrambling to find a theological, profound, and amazing Christian answer, instead the words that left my mouth sounded more like "Uhhh I'm gonna go to heaven." His response was "That wasn't what I was asking son, think about it, have a great one!"

This moment totally shook my day, for the rest of the afternoon my mind was going crazy with thoughts and theorys on what my life would really mean if I were to die. Would I leave a legacy? A man known to share the truth of God, a man that everyone thought "Man, did that Ron love God." Or will I be a man where at the funeral some people will say "Man, did that Ron love God" and than others would say "Man, did that Ron love attention" and than others would say "Man, did that Ron love to party"... Do I want to die a legacy, or a lie?

After my shift I had a good long bike ride back home to contimplate over this divine question that was given to me today. In my head it wasn't just a question where I was to give him the right answer, I believe it was a question intended for me to hear, intended for me to take and change the way I think, and act, a little angel perhaps. After thinking for a while I realized I shouldn't be thinking at all, I should be praying. I started talking out loud to God, and just asking Him questions, and oddly enough, it seemed like I was actually hearing Him respond to me.

I heard Him telling me He was proud of me for how far I've come, and I heard Him telling me that I would be a fool to stop there. I heard Him telling me to press on everyday to be a better Christian, a better follower for Christ, to stop being impressioned by others thoughts of you, to stop being a people pleaser, and being a Jesus pleaser. And the cliche Christian cliche that went through my head was "what if I were to die tomorrow?" and as cliche as that question is, it hit me hard. People come in a blink, and go in a flash, who am I to think I am guranteed a long life?

Anywho, this conversation with God has left me refreshed and motivated to try harder to be a greater worshiping warrior. I would encourage you to encourage me to stay true not to who I am, but to who I am to God. I am no longer going to live a lie, I am choosing to live a legacy, if you're with me, join me.

God Bless