Ahh.. First Blog!

Hello All!

This is my very first and foremost blog! It's for my ENG class this semester but I'm excited! The assignment is to blog about 2 blogs that I read earlier this week. I read one blog from the head Pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC who is Steven Furtick at stevenfurtick.com The other one I read is by a friend named Tyler Miller at tylerjmiller.wordpress.com Steven Furtick's blog was about keeping your spiritual life and relationship with Christ, fresh. Or as he puts it your bread. He goes on to say that people love fresh bread and are more inclined to eat hot, steamy, fresh bread than old, stale, crusty bread. I found this very true and inspiring. I really like this comparison and I think it can relate to anyone who wants to share their bread with the world. He also notes that some bread can still be really good even if its old. Like an old sermon that everyone has heard and even isn't preached well can still hold amazing power and change lives because it is the Word of God. It was a simple yet finely constructed blog which I enjoyed.

Tyler's blog discusses the differences between the world's definition of religion and what true religion really is. He explains that true religion is God acting in one's life and that person's response to God moving within him. The world's definition of religion is a thing that people rely on to please their needs and wants and to serve themselves. It is something that they turn to when they feel threatened or alone. This is the world's definition of religion. I agree with this but since I believe in the Word of God I also have another definition for religion. James 1:26-27 states, "²⁶ If anyone among you^a]">[a] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." This totally embodies true religion. It evokes self-control which is fruit of the Spirit and creates a life above reproach. Serving widows and orphans is such a great example of sharing the love of Jesus in a very practical way. It truly represents that you care for others and put them before yourself. It shows a lot when you take time to meet peoples needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It shows love! Alas, another point on self-control, keeping oneself unspotted from the world. The world is full of sin and ungodliness. If you are of the world, can you be of God? There is a huge difference between being in the world and being of the world. Think about it. This world just doesn't meet the standards of God. But there's still hope, He has sooooo much grace. He still loves us. He just asks that we strive to live like Him and not willfully follow the ways of the world. It's hard but like I said, He has sooooo much grace!

These are just some responses to these blogs and my thoughts on them. I hope you all enjoy it and I look forward to writing much more!