Living Life for Christ Alone

Two kingdoms are at war in this world: the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light.  And every human you or I meet is in one kingdom or the other.  Everyone was born into the kingdom of darkness. But some have been transferred from that kingdom into the Kingdom of Light.  It is interesting to me how we expect so much from those who still live in that kingdom of darkness.  We expect them to love what is right and protect it.  We expect them to treat others with kindness and respect and for that kindness and respect to endure the harshest treatments.  We expect them to not fall for the enemy's lies and believe that God's ways are not really the right way.  But, really, should we expect so much from those who are under the sway of the wicked one?  Should we be surprised when they embrace wickedness wholeheartedly?  "...The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) Do we really think the wicked one would sway the worl...

The thin figure caught my eye as the team and I gathered back together from evangelizing on the pier in El Salvador. I didn't know if it was a he or she, but this person walked in a rather strange way. He wore tights and a green trench coat. His hair went to his shoulders, and he wore a hat that seemed to fit his look. In his hand he held a blonde doll.  The people I was with also noticed him, and we all watched as he walked by. Suddenly, he turned and saw us watching. "Don't make eye contact," someone warned us. He took a few steps toward us. In his eyes, evil danced, a grin spread across his face that seemed to say, "I see you watching..."

It's the new year... It's the time when everyone thinks through what they want to change about their lives, and then set goals for the upcoming year that should spur that change on. It's called a New Years Resolution. It seems many set them, and then forget them. Is that what you do too? Yesterday, which was the very first day of 2014, I sat on the front porch pondering last year, talking with God about what kind of year I wanted this one to be.