An Explanation

Hello, it's Brina. Most of you know by now that I have recently began to quit sarcasm. (Or at least try). I've been asked a few times now why I wish to quit and, though its a delayed response, I thought I should give a complete and somewhat articulate answer. For one, the conviction to watch my tongue was strong enough for me to reason, why not give up sarcasm? The convictions concerning sarcasm were so frequent I decided I didn't want to chance grieving the Holy Spirit--I might as well drop it. But here are some more explanatory answers:

1) You never know. Maybe that sarcasm could be misunderstood, offensive, annoying. Or, more importantly, the absence of sarcasm in my speech could lead to evangelism. If it ever gets noticed that I'm not sarcastic, that could lead to some pretty cool discussions about Christ, conviction, and the Holy Spirit. And, as I told Lily, if even one person notices it, I would consider this whole en-devour worthy.

2) Self control. Sarcasm makes some pretty good jokes and is a great way to point out theological flaws. But when I personally get angry, I use it as a weapon to damage others. While I understand the comedy in sarcasm, I've realized that if I want to cut out offensive sarcasm that slips out as an insult, I need to stomp it out altogether. I cannot be in the habit of blurting things out. This leads to Reason # 3: I honestly just need more patience. I've realized this especially in the last week, when my temper was severely challenged. To me, quitting sarcasm is only part of the larger issue. I'm teaching my slippery tongue self-control--and trust me, its hard. Anger has a way of inflaming your mind and badgering reason; pride puffs up the image and justifies cruel words. But I don't want to be ordered by that anger anymore. Today its sarcasm; today I will try to ditch it.

Another point should be made here. At Church, while conversing, I made a flippant sarcastic remark and immediately apologized. Avery then said, "You don't have to apologize." (Thank you, Avery :). Well, understand that when I apologize, I'm really calling myself out, catching the sarcasm in order to refrain the next time. Sorry if it annoys you.

So here are my reasons. I don't want to say that sarcasm is evil or wrong, because it isn't (though it is easily abused.) I'm not judging the sarcastic; I actually love and am amused by sarcasm. If you feel convicted by these thoughts, pray over it with God and ask Him about it, since ultimately, all lasting change comes from Him alone. Also, I wouldn't mind some prayer on this matter; its quite a struggle to remember and act upon all I've said. In the end, our goal as Christians is to glorify God; and I feel this might please Him.
(By the way, Anna also had the same conviction about sarcasm, before me I believe. She spurred me on into action; but I'm not speaking for her in my description of my motivation. Ask her yourself why she's quitting, and pray for her also.) Comment your thoughts in the description.

I love you guys!
-Brina
It is my God who arms me with strength and makes me ways perfect. - 2nd Samuel 22:33

Doing Good

Galatians 6:9-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

During the mediocre...

Life can be hard. Life can be blessed. And life can be normal. I've heard it said that its easy to trust God during "good times", as well as through the trials, when God calls you closer to Him. But it is so hard to rely on God and follow the Holy Spirit when life is mediocre, or going reasonably okay. We begin to think we don't need God, or He isn't there--we just kind of forget Him, or box Him into our "devotional time". I was talking with a friend about Christianity. She was explaining how we often live day by day, or month by month, always onto the next goal--but as Christians we should instead live moment by moment, guided by the Spirit. And its true! Only the Spirit can keep us from wandering off the narrow path! But when life gets busy with other stuff and the spiritual and emotional parts slow down, we lose sight of the Spirit. And we lose sight of God. Maybe we catch a glimpse of Him--but so often He seems to vanish. Once our spiritual high fades... life just returns to normal. It's boring. We sin, and its hard to see. But like we learned in history class, sometimes our "walk with God" is like a labyrinth... There is one path to the center, and at times we feel close. Then, just a moment later, we are far from the center. Yet we have to keep walking to reach our goal, trusting that the path will lead us there. That might just sound like mumbo-jumbo to you, but its true, sometimes we just need to trust that God is still there. Not blindly, but through a continued persistence and an active search for Him. (Meaning, go read your Bible and study it in prayer.) This is a huge reminder to myself, but I know it applies not only to my life, but to others as well. Continue onwards! Strive for perfection! Pick yourself up and rise again, as Tyrone would say. Don't lose faith in God's presence, and don't quench the Holy Fire! Hold onto good and reject evil! (Since you become what you behold... ;) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 And: Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

God's New Jerusalem

Revelation 21 15-27 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.