My Service Adventure

2 Nephi 22:2

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation."

Well, today I took my own challenge that I discussed last night.  As I was praying last night, an impression came over me to go out among my community and offer my service as an able bodies young man to help out where I could.  So I took to the streets and went door knocking.  It was hard to get myself out the door intially, but then I rememberd the words "I will trust, and not be afraid" followed by "Doubt not, fear not."  

So I went to my neighbor's house first.  I knocked once, twice, and then I saw her come to the window.  However, all she did was peel back the curtains, look at me.. and then she walked away without so much as answering the door.  (I thought to myself: I was wearing a hoodie! I didn't look like a missionary! haha.)  Anyways, that discouraged me a little bit since my immediate neighbors were those who I want to extend my arm to the most.  However, I took it as the source of a test and dedication, so to the next door I went.  Doing this at 11am or so, I wasnt expecting too many people to be home, but since I work nights and due to the fact that I didn't want to go too early and catch people not awake, that's the time I chose.  No one was home at the next few doors, but I arrived at a house that had people in it!  A man answered the door, he seemed of Middle Eastern dissent..possibly Indian.. I'm bad with ethnicities haha, and his house smelled of curry.. it was wonderful!  Anyways, I introduced myself and asked for his name.  He replied that his name was Debaus (or however you spell it.. sounds like DeBoss haha).  I told him why I had knocked on his door, that I was simply out and about meeting my neighbors and was wondering if there was any help around his house or whatever that I could help him out with.  He couldn't think of anything at that very moment, but he did take my name and number in case anything came up.  I thanked him for his time and went about my way.

Success!! Someone answered the door and was cordial!  That gave me a little burst of energy and a bounce to my step.

So onward I went.  The next person that answered the door was a lady named Sharon.  (Apparently her last name is stamps as I saw a box addressed to "Dr Stamps" whom I can only assume to be her husband that she spoke of.)  Anyways, she answered the door and I introduced myself to her.  She said something along the lines of "oh wonderful! yes, I imagine that I would be able to use your help here and there, my husband is often at work when I need heavy things around the house lifted and such, however there is nothing right now I could use your help with."  I was elated.  We briefly got to know eachother.  I learned that she has a daughter that is at LSU and is a junior.  She seemed very eager to add in the comment that her daughter was there when LSU won the football championship.  :)  I left after a few minutes of chit chat and also left her with my name and number.

I couldn't believe people were receiving me so openly (when they actually answered the door! haha).  It was a wonderful wonderful feeling!

The very next door was answered as well!  It was a man named Mitch who seemed pleased to meet me.  He also seemed eager to take down my information and mentioned needing help with "painting the entire exterior of the house, which needs to be done soon."  I informed him that I would happily help him out with that, and added that I work nights, so any help would need to be in the morning.  He seemed very happy to hear my response.  Then he asked me something interesting.  "So, you're looking for work?  How much would you be looking for?"  I quickly put 2 and 2 together and realized that people aren't used to service, and that most people have their own financial or personal benefit in mind when offering a helping hand.  That saddened me briefly and I quickly corrected his thoughts by saying "oh I'm not looking for money out of this, I'm just out to help my neighbors and my community.  I actually work full time at Chickfil-A, I simply don't have much to do in the morning and would love to help you out with anything I can during the day."  (or something along those lines.)  He seemed astounded at that prospect and eargerly wrote down my information.  

That got me even more excited to meet more people!

Around the corner I went to meet some more neighbors.  I met a man named Eric who works from home.  He has a speech impediment which made conversation interesting, but he seemed to be a really nice guy, insisting that I not call him sir and use his name instead.  

Further down the street I ran into a guy named Don.  He seemed very capable of handling any "house work" that I may be offering to help with, but I asked nonetheless.  He also was eager to write down my information and then offered a bit of advice to me.  He mentioned that our neighborhood has a website that I could go onto and post information about what I was up to and that I might get more visibility that way.  Though he added that he thought me going door to door was a wonderful way to go about my goals as well.  I thanked him for the advice and told him I'd look into it.  (I later pulled up the website and it turns out he's one of the officers on the neighborhood committee, interesting.)

As I left his house I noticed someone across the street working on a project involving saws and wood.  So I ventured over to introduce myself and to see if I could help.  His name is Roland, and he thanked me for my offer but informed me that what he was working on was pretty much a one-man job.  I didnt pry but instead offered to leave him my information incase he wants my help with any future projects.  He was more than willing to take down my information, but then he asked me that same question.  "What kind of money are you looking for?"  I chuckled and told him that all I was looking for was the chance to help out and be of service.  He also seemed taken aback by my response, but didn't press the issue.  Again, I felt elated.

I ventured back to Arbor Oak and decided to hit the other side.  It was about noon at this point and I needed to get back home to get ready for work.  There was a grandma that was home that answered the door.  She didn't seem too interested in my service, however she mentioned that she knew my parents, but wasn't aware they had a boy my age.  I told her that if she ever sees my car parked by our house (her house has a wonderful view of our house haha) that I am most likely home and that she is welcome to ask me for anything she may need help with.  That seemed to satisfy her apparent desire for me to leave for whatever reason.  And so I went about my way.

The final house that I went to was our across the street neighbors the Davenports.  As I walked up their walkway they were apparently on their way out.  "Hey there, how's it going?"  They greeted me warmly and asked what I was up to.  I told them that I was out and about, and since their children were grown (my age and older) and no longer around as often if at all, that I'd be willing to help them with anything they might need help with.  They were completely shocked.  And after I pre-empted their almost certain question about compensation, Bill's heart seemed to swell and he gave me a wonderful wonderful compliment.  His reaction completely filled my heart as well.  I really hope they take me up on my offer of service because they are such wonderful people.  There is almost nothing they could ask me to do that I wouldn't be overjoyed to help them out with.  

I then returned home to get ready for work and play the piano a little bit before I left.  A day well spent!  And it all took barely more than an hour!  An hour!  Really?  That has to be one of my most fulfilling days in a long long time, and it took barely more than an hour!  

I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow and meet more of my neighbors and extend a helping hand in my quest to become Christ-like.  

2 Nephi 25:26

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Pure Love and Service

2 Nephi 21:4

"But with righteousness shall be judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meed of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."

So, I got thinking the other day about something that seems to be a recurring theme amongst those in my church who have served full-time missions: unparalleled love for the people in the area in which they served.  They spend 2 years of their lives doing nothing but serving and preaching the gospel to the people in the area in which they are called to go.  In doing so, they come to love them so greatly that often times, they don't want to leave, wishing they could just stay there and continue serving and teaching.  

You could say that would mirror Christ's ministry on the earth.  Numerous times he testifies of his love for the people of Jerusalem.  I can imagine witnessing the influence you have on others being a direct reason for people to grow and change their lives for the better can create an attachment and a certain type of love for them.  I can't think of anyone who had more influence on others' lives than Christ.  Which can kind of give me an appreciation for the love these "return missionaries" have for the people they served for so long.

But as I was pondering on that phenomenon, a thought came to my mind, and I wrote it down.  "If people develop an extreme love for those in the area they are called to serve a mission, why can't we love people from our home town just as much?"

Really, why can't we?  What is stopping us from doing as much good on our own as we can for those in our immediate neighborhoods and communities?  We don't have to be called by a prophet of God in order to serve our fellow man.  All it takes is simple charity and pure love.  If a missionary can do so much good and develop such an accute love for people within a 2 year period.. think how much good we could do and how much love we could ascertain given the chance to live within the same community for 5, 10, 15 years?  

Why do we need a suit (or dress) and a name tag to be able to muster up the courage to share our beliefs with those we surround ourselves with daily?  Do we fear rejection?  Are we ashamed for what we believe in?  Are we afraid that, if questioned, we won't know the answer?  Are we unsure of our own testimony and our own ability to testify of the truth to those who we might actually care about?  If so, we have some work to do on our own ability to overcome fear [interesting.. see last night's blog..].

Doubt not, fear not.

Why do missionaries develop such a love?  Because they go through a process.  First they come to an understanding of what it is exactly they believe, they gain an unshakable testimony.  Second, they overcome their fear of men and go out and teach and testify.  Because that's really what it is.  We have ALL been commanded to spread the gospel, not just missionaries.  So if we don't do so who do we fear more, men or God?  Third, they gain strength from their testimonies.  The more you share your testimony, the stronger it becomes.  Through that strength they are able to testify with more clarity and confidence.  By doing so they become closer to their Heavenly Father which brings them happiness.  By making them happier and full of joy they come to more closely resemble their Heavenly Father.  Being more resembling of our Heavenly Father fills us with love and charity, the pure love of Christ.  Once we have that pure love, we can't help but love those around us.  

So, maybe that's the key to truly loving everyone around us.  By being charitable.  By doing His will (sharing the gospel).  By "being in the service of our fellow man."  Because if we refuse to serve our fellow man, what are we really saying?  We're saying that we see no need to serve them or that we have no desire to serve them.  That's basically saying that we don't love them, that we don't see them as our brothers and sisters which we know them to be.  If my sister lived next door, I hope I would love her enough to help her with anything she needed my aid for, and hopefully I'd offer to do even more than she'd ask me to do.  She's my sister, I love her.  

I'll end my thoughts tonight with a scripture comparison.

You can easily come to the conclusion that verses 35 and 36 are acts of service, and verses 37-40 are self explanatory.

Matthew 25:34-40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundaiton of the world:

35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and cloted thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

That scripture is further explained by a passage from the Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 2:16-17

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

So we can come to the assumption from these 2 passages of scripture that by serving those around us, we are serving God.  So why the hesitation to do so?  We can also extend that assumption to the inverse.  If we are NOT serving our fellow beings, we are NOT serving God, despite God's own admonition, even His command, that we do so.

I present the following scripture to bring the point home.

Matthew 6:24

"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Fear

2 Nephi 20:33

"Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled."

What is fear?  The best definition I have for fear (better than Webster's in my opinion) is not a definition that I received on my own accord.  But it is a definition that I have yet to disprove.  Fear is, simply put, the absense of faith.  Though, to understand that definition, you need to understand what faith is.  Faith is belief in something that is not seen, but is true.  

You might say that faith is hope that is acted upon.  Hope on its own accord is worth nothing, but if you have faith, you have no reason not to strive for something, because once your hope has turned into faith, you perceive it as truth.  And if something is true, what is the point of not seeking after it?  But what are the operative words that have been used to describe faith?  Truth, striving, seeking, action.  So, without those operative words, faith means nothing.  Faith on its own accord benefits you nothing if you do not act upon it.

I'm reminded of a lesson that a good man named Eric Anderson taught for Sunday School a few weeks ago.  He had me come up to the front of the class, and he put a marker on the desk.  Then he told me to use my faith to get that marker into my hand.  Knowing what he was after in the lesson, I reached out and grabbed the marker without hesitation.  He then asked me (something along these lines) "How did you get that marker into your hands?"  To which I replied "By acting on my faith."  After I sat down, he kept going with the object lesson.  He put the marker back on the table and said "I am now going to try to get that marker into my hand using nothing but my faith" in which he proceeded to start intently at the marker for about 30 seconds... to no avail.

So, if the marker represents our eternal goals, what good does it do to simply have faith that we will eventually achieve them through no effort of our own?  Our goals are right there infront of our faces, all we have to do is reach out there and grab them.  Now, it may not be as easy as picking up a marker off of a table... but if we truly desire the Celestial Kingdom, and we know the path (thanks to the scriptures, Christ, and prophets), then if we truly accept the life-principles that get us there and truly become what He wants us to be, is it really so much harder than reaching out and taking it?

So that's faith in a nutshell, and if fear is the absense of faith, what then is fear?

Faith implies action and motion, therefore fear must imply non-action and freezing.  Fear is hesitation, fear is not trusting in the truth, fear is doubt.  Why would a child be afraid of the dark?  Because he doesn't trust in the truth his parents tell him, that there is nothing bad going to happen.  And what does the child do while he's afraid?  He tightens up, he freezes, he clutches his blanket.  He takes no action.  When a deer is "caught in the headlights," it freezes, it doubts its ability to get away from the oncoming car, it hesitates.  None of those emotions or reactions are present when one has faith.

Satan, the master of fear, traps us in the headlights, immobilizes our thoughts and morals, and then ensnares us.  That's what we should be fearful of.  If there is anything to fear, it really is fear itself.  (I really did not mean to quote that just now.. it actually kind of just came out haha)  Should we ever find ourself doubting the teachings of the gospel, or our own ability to perform righteous acts, we must recognize that for fear and then realize that Christ does not operate out of fear, but out of faith.

There is a scripture that struck me when I read it today, it sums up many of my thoughts on this topic (thank you jimmy for reminding me about it today).

"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for it ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

The Intricacies of Joy

2 Nephi 19:10

"The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars."

So, since Beethoven's 9th was on my mind all day.. and I took the time to type out that entire poem last night.. Joy has been somewhat on my mind as of late (specifically today). So I got thinking, what really is the difference between happiness and joy?  Or are there more degrees to the feeling of "happiness" than those 2?

A few [literal] definitions:

Happy - delighted; pleased; glad

Happiness - good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy

Joy - the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation

Eternal - without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing

Temporal - enduring for a time only; temporary; transitory

You can probably alread see what I'm getting at by the words I chose to define just now.  But for the sake of what has been on my mind, I'm going to delv a little bit further.  

There are many things in life that bring us happiness and joy.  Things such as doing well on a test, making someone smile, being complimented, going on a date (well, a good one anyways haha), spending time with family and/or friends, and so on.  But as common as it is for those specific things to bring people joy, do they bring everyone joy?  Unfortunately the answer is no.  There are some people out there that really don't care about test scores, they'd rather see people in bad moods for whatever reason (usually because it makes them feel better about their own terrible state of mind?), people that can't accept or believe in compliments, and so on. 

What an atrocity!  Are there really people out there that can't find joy in those few things I listed!?  Unfortunately the answer is (in my opinion) yes.  Which stands for reason that there are people (probably those same people) that find joy in things that would bring others down.  Things like violence, rudeness, coarseness, being alone, pre-marital sex, drugs, pornography, and so on.  The common thing that comes to my mind in relation to those few things I just mentioned is that of respect.  Violence disrespects others' lives.  Rudeness disrespects others' kindness.  Coarseness disrespects others' importance.  Being alone disrespects others' ability to care about you and share in your life.  Pre-marital sex disrespects' others holy virginity.  Drugs disrespect others' and your own free will.  Pornography disrespects' the sanctity of the body, I could go on...

So what really is the difference between the first list I mentioned and the second?  Obviously there is the respect factor that I mentioned, but also underneath that layer is that of the eternities.  Anyone can seek after temporal joy and happiness: wealth, vacations, possessions, solitude, carnal passions.  But do those things bring you joy in the world to come?  Do they make other people around you happy, or just yourself?  

When we leave this world, what do we take with us and what do we leave behind?

Things we take with us:

 - Our habits

 - Our beliefs

 - Our thoughts

 - Our emotion

 - Our righteousness

 - Our knowledge

 - Our demeanor towards others

 - Our desires (things that bring us joy)

Things we leave behind:

 - Others' memories of us

 - The impact we had on others' lives (the joy we brought to others)

So, in the end (mortally) what type of joy really matters?  The type of joy that effects our actual person and the persons around us.  If I keep my talents to myself and bring myself as much inward happiness as possible, will that do as much good eternally as if I were to share my talents with others and bless their lives as well?  No.  And really, shouldn't we gain the most amount of joy by bringing joy to other people anyways?  Isn't that a higher law than the temporal law?  

I am going to make a concerted effort to change the way I think about my daily routine.  When I wake up in the morning, I am going to try to have my first thought be: "What can I do today to bring as much joy to those I come in contact with as possible?"  Or maybe I can start simple: "What can I do today to bring my mother and father (the people I live with and see every day) as much joy as possible?"  Or later that day "How can I bring as much joy as possible to my co-workers?"  

Because really, isn't that what it's all about?

An die Freude

2 Nephi 18:20

"To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

I was listening to Beethoven's 9th Symphony, specifically the 5th movement where the poem "Ode to Joy" was immortalized.  So I thought to myself "you know, I have no idea what that poem says or what it's about (other than joy)," so I decided to look it up.  It really is an amazing poem!

Joy, beautiful spark of Gods,

Daughter of Elysium,

We enter, fire-imbibed,

Heavenly, thy sanctuary.

Thy magic powers re-unite

What custom's sword has divided

Beggars become Princes' brothers

Where thy gentle wing abides.

Be embraced, millions!

This kiss to the entier world!

Brothers - above the starry canopy

A loving father must dwell.

Whoever has had the great fortune,

To be a friend's friend,

Whoever has won the love of a devoted wife,

Add his to our jubilation!

Indeed, whoever can call even one sould

His own on this earth!

And whoever was never able to must creep 

Tearfully away from this circle.

Those who dwell in the great circle,

Pay homage to  sympathy!

It leads to the stars,

Where the Unkown reigns.

Joy all creatures drink

At nature's bosoms;

All, Just and Unjust,

Follow her rose-petalled path.

Kisses she gave us, and Wine,

A friend, proven in death,

Pleasure was given (even) to the worm,

And the Cherub stands before God.

You bow down, millions?

Can you sense the Creator, world?

Seek him above the starry canopy.

Above the stars He must dwell.

Joy is called the strong motivation

In eternal nature.

Joy, joy moves the wheels

In the universal time machine.

Flowers it calls forth from their buds,

Suns from the Firmament,

Spheres it moves far out in Space,

Where our telescopes cannot reach.

Joyful, as His suns are flying.

Across the Firmament's splendid design,

Run, brothers, run your race,

Joyful, as a hero going to conquest.

As truth's fiery reflection

It smiles at the scientist.

To virtue's steep hill

It leads the sufferer on.

Atop faith's lofty summit

One sees its flags in the wind,

Through the cracks of burst-open coffins,

One sees it stand in the angels' chorus.

Endure courageously, millions!

Endure for the better world!

Above the starry canopy

A great God will reward you

Gods one cannot ever repay,

It is beautiful, thought, to be like them.

Sorrow and Poverty, come forth

And rejoice with the Joyful ones.

Anger and revenge be forgotten,

Our deadly enemy be forgiven,

Not one tear shall he shed anymore,

No feeling of remorse shall pain him.

The account of our misdeeds to be destroyed!

Reconciled the entire world!

Brothers, above the starry canopy

God judges as we judged.

Joy is bubbling in the glasses,

Through the grapes' golden blood

Cannibals drink gentleness,

And despair drinks courage--

Brothers, fly from your seats,

When the full rummer is going around,

Let the foam gush up to heaven.

This glass to the good spirit.

He whom star clusters adore,

The whom the Seraphs' hymn praises,

This glass to him, the good spirit,

Above the starry canopy!

Resolve and courage for great suffering,

Help there, where innocence weeps,

Eternally may last all sworn Oaths,

Truth towards friend and enemy,

Men's pride before Kings' thrones--

Brothers, even if it meant our Life and blood,

Give the crowns to those who earn them, 

Defeat the pack of liars!

Close the holy circle tighter,

Swear by this golden wine:

To remain true to the Oath,

Swear it by the Judge above the stars!

Delivery from tyrants' chains,

Generosity also towards the villain,

Hope on the deathbeds,

Mercy from the final judge!

Also the dead shall live!

Brothers, drink and chime in,

All sinners shall be forgiven,

And hell shall be no more.

A serene hour of farewell!

Sweet rest in the shroud!

Brothers -- a mild sentence

From the mouth of the final judge!

Why Procrastinate?

2 Nephi 17:12

"But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord."

Something that just came to my mind is the pernicious, yet stealthy, vice called procrastination.  What really is the point?  If you plan to do something eventually, and you have time to do it now, and it really doesn't make things any better (honestly) if you do it later, then why put it off until later?  Infact, in most cases if you do things that need to be done first, you will have time to do those things you "really" want to do after the fact.  The other upside to getting things done early is that it also opens up your time and your life to be filled by the things the Lord wants to fill them with.  

Take for example, doing your taxes.  If you see that you have time on a given day to do your taxes, but instead you blow it off for something like.. going to a baseball game.  And then the next day something tragic happens that literally gives you zero time to file your taxes before they are due, then you'd feel pretty silly about not doing them when the opportunity arised eh?  That example seems a bit over the top, but it works in all cases I think.

Or for a more every day situation, doing homework.  You honestly never know how long it's going to take, if you're in school it is one of if not the most important things you have to do that day, why not do it as soon as it's possible to be done, and then get on with the rest of the day you might have left to do other things, or possibly find yourself being prompted by the Lord to do things you might not have otherwise been asked to do?

Procrastination is one thing that I have always struggled with in my life, and something I continue to struggle with to this day.  And I really can't make sense of why I continue to do it.  If you simply put the most important things in your life first, or the things that you "have to do," everything else really will fall into place afterwards.  With technology where it is today, you never really have to miss a tv show or a game because of other things that need to be done first, you never really have to forgo fun in order to accomplish that which you need to get done.  And honestly, anyone who asks you to do something that forces you to procrastinate, is doing you a disservice and only asking you to compromise that which is best for you.

But what causes procrastination?  A myriad of things come to mind, namely: laziness, apathy, misunderstanding of priorities, pride, rebellion, immaturity and so on.  But I honestly think the #1 culprit, even above laziness, is apathy.  Not really caring that something may be important to do now, because something else is so much more appealing at the time.  Not caring about possible future consequences because the elation of the "here and now" blinds us to responsibilities we may have to get important things done now, instead of later.  Apathy towards the Lord in regards to filling up our lives and our "schedules" with things that are temporal and worldly and fun, as opposed to accomplishing the things we NEED to accomplish in the time we are first given to accomplish those things.  

I once heard a thought on the subject that is closely along these lines.  "If you need something accomplished, that has to be done, but you have to delegate it to someone to do for you, would you rather give it to someone who runs a busy schedule, but always gets everything done he sets out to do, or to a known procrastinator that has a completely open schedule for the next few days?"  I personally would pick the busy person who knows how to get things done and move on to the next item on his agenda.  So why wouldn't I want to be that person as opposed to the procrastinator?  I can't think of any good reasons.

Worldy Fun

2 Nephi 16:8-10

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me.

And he said: So and tell this people - Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes - lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed."

As much fun as tonight was, for some reason it left me feeling empty.  I admit that the food was amazing, playing pool with my brother and dad is always fun, and the movie was great.  But, it still left me wishing it had been more fulfilling.  And I can't help but wonder why.  Things that come to mind are that it kept me out past when I have been trying to commit to go to bed, I spent way more money than I should have simply to "have a fun evening," and for the first time in a while, I really saw tonight how worldly the world really is.

While we were at Boi Na Braza, obviously alcohol is served, strike one.  

While we were at main event, there were music videos playing of "new hit songs," one of which being Britney Spears' "Womanizer."  I had never previously heard the song (to my recollection), but just seeing snipets of the music video (yay for the tv being right next to the basketball game that was showing...) I unfortunately caught bits and pieces here and there of Britney posing for the camera in convenient ways to hide parts of her body despite her nakedness.  How far the "Disney girl" has fallen.. strike two.  

And the movie "Australia."  Overall it was a really good movie with a great premise.  But do they really have to show "everything but" when it comes to the love-making scenes?  Can they not simply elude to what is obviously about to happen, and then just switch scenes?  While that scene was playing out I really couldn't help but think "if Christ were watching this movie, would He stop watching right now, get up, and walk out?"  My answer was a resounding yes, but I did nothing of the sort unfortunately.  Our generation has become desensitized to a point to things of that nature, strike three.

So really, what did I accomplish other than "quality time with my father and brother, and a wonderful wonderful meal?"  I accomplished putting myself in the path of the temptation of alcohol.  I accomplished surrounding myself with people that were drinking and tv shows that were anything but wholesome to the spirit.  I accomplished subjecting myself to watching play out the great lie of this generation: pre-marital sex.  

I really need to learn to choose my time more wisely and safeguard myself from the wiles of Satan and his ever present angels of darkness.  As I stated (in other words) in previous posts, if we don't willingly subject ourselves to temptation, knowing that it will be present before we even show up, then we'll have less of a chance to succumb to temptation and less of a chance for the images and music we hear to trickle through our minds at unopportune times.

We must stand in holy places, with no exceptions.