So it's been a while...

I know....one month and four days. With school starting and the hurricane it has made for a very interesting month. The simple fact that I'm a senior in high school and this time next year I'll be in college somewhat scares the mess out of me! I feel too little to go to college :) But I'm excited. School so far hasn't been to difficult yet. For those of you who don't know I'm taking six classes this year due to the dumb rule set up by the school but I won't complain too much. Hopefully it will help me. I get out at 1:48 now- that's nice. I'm taking Physics with BJ's old Physics teacher...it's okay. Most of my friends are already in a bind with that class but I'm sure it'll get better. Advanced Math honors isn't so bad thanks to my Algebra II teacher last year- he did a very good job. Art IV is just okay right now. We are drawing instruments- and most of you know how much I just adore still-lifes! English IV AP is rather irksome, The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad I believe will be the death of me. I (for lack of a better word) hate it. Psychology is the most boring class I've ever taken in my entire life (minus economics- at least Mr. O'Brien is interesting as a person). My favorite class believe it or not is my Bible (as history/lit.) class. I love it. Mr. Mitchell is an amazing teacher and the discussions that we have...lets just say I'm havin' me some fun! :D.


About my Bible class: We have been studying Creation/The Fall of Man. Which has been neat. There has been some things that I've never seen before. As we were talking the other day I was thinking about some things...



Philo's commentary (a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher born in Alexandria, Egypt) suggested that in the Garden Adam and Eve were covered/surrounded in light and that's why they didn't know of their nakedness until their eyes were opened. I like that thought and saw some interesting things that I have seen before, I just saw more of it :).


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-4


The Word says that God is light and in Him their is no darkness. If Man was surrounded by light and God is light then they were in God. Genesis also says that God breathed into Man the breath of life and Man became a living soul. This wasn't just talking about physical life but spiritual- so not only were they in God but God was in them. When they rebelled against Him by the whole eating the fruit thing they sinned and darkness came into the picture therefore God had to leave them. Light and darkness couldn't mix and Man tried to hide from their Creator. After this God doesn't have this same kind of close relationship with Man. (Man in Him and Him in Man). But then Christ comes, to walk among the people as the Son of Man. I then thought about the Scripture everyone knows, John 3:16.


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


That's nice but when you read on into verse 19 this struck me:

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21


We know that the light that came into the world was Christ but men loved the darkness instead. They don't come to the light lest what they have done be exposed. But those who do the truth come to the light and their deeds are done in Him. God's heart is relationship with Man. Jesus prayed in the garden...


"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."John 17:21-26


All these things tie together and may seem so very simple but in my eyes this week I got a greater revelation of His will, His purpose. It's easy for people of the world to ask why, to challenge God's reasoning for doing the things that He has done but, God just confirmed in me this past week that it's all about relationship with Christ and Man...for His ultimate glory!


For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19


When Christ died the veil was ripped from top to bottom. A symbol showing that God left to never again dwell in temples made with hands(Acts 17:24) but in us who are called to be a holy habitation for Him, the author and the finisher of our faith. To live and move and have our being, our very essence in Christ. For that is the mystery of the gospel- Christ in you the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27)


So this past week God has just reconfirmed and encouraged me in some things. Refocused may be a better word. Reminded me of the importance of walking out this life in total obedience to Christ and His will. The importance of digging my own well, a deep well, and drinking from it. Drinking from the waters of life. We are filled with God's life, light, and love and by these things in us all men will know Him!


"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16