Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
And Jesus answered them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:31-32
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us
all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
-Romans 8:32
HE...CREATEDHE...DIEDHE...LIVESHE...SAVESHE...IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
"There is one free thing in the world, and that is the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ."
"Capitalism is the only market system that recognizes our sinful nature"
"All of us are born sinful, greedy, and want to do whatever it is to please ourselves, that is what sinful nature is"
"The Bible is TRUE; for the love of money is the root of all evil."
-- Economics Professor Stephen Happel
Fellow Partaker in the Gospel and Grace of Jesus Christ
Let me give you some quick background information to lead into the poem and why I wrote it. As many of you know I am a talker, not a writer. So when the assignment came up to write a poem about a certain event or time in my life that has significant meaning to me, I wrote about God giving me the beautiful gift of salvation. What's even better then getting to write about this topic just to turn it in, was to share it with the entire class. I am not into writing poetry, but this is my attempt to capture the greatest event in my life. Here goes...
The back pew
So comfortable and safe.
I hear of a savior
Who came to take my place.
I’ve heard of him throughout my life,
Yet my selfishness continues to be my vice.
Thirsty for acceptance,
Alcohol satisfied.
With beer in hand
Relating became a breeze.
Sunday came, Sunday went.
Sunday came again and
Brought meaning to this life.
Hung over and tired
I go to check a box.
Head splitting the car comes to a peaceful stop.
There’s always another Sunday, I thought.
The Bible in the passengers’ seat sits idle
Piercing directly into my heart the word became alive.
Being exposed, these words came to my lips,
“I’ve lost control!!”
I scream “give it back to me!”
Oh what a hypocrite I had become
Looking just like the world,
Although I had heard of the ONE.
I recant my previous words, saying
“I had control and look at where it got me,
Right here in this mess.”
Now I plead, take control
And deliver me!
REDEMPTION
In a couple of days over 52,000 students will converge on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University. There will people of every race, creed, and religion. There is going to be a great diversity at the University. Why a beautiful collision one might ask as the title states. 
I have been thinking about the converging among all people groups, classes, races, religions on campus that will happen on Monday. I thought about my brothers and sisters in Christ and the temptation, ridcule, and total opposition we may face. I began to pray that God would band us together and ASU students would see true unity between Christians. The unity spoken of in Acts 2:44-46, Acts 2:32-35, and Philippians 2:1-8 (all of which are written out at the end of this blog).
Then a scripture came to mind...the Christian man or woman is to be a light to an utterly dark campus. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Then the thought of "how can one person's light be seen in such a dark place. It is like glow stick when a maglite is needed." God has us Christians at ASU for a reason. We have been placed at ASU for a definite cause and if you are thinking it is to get the degree and get out, you're severely wrong. Our light comes from the fact that we have a Savior whose love transforms sinners into saints who love God and other people.
A Beautiful Collision - God placing Christians at ASU to be lights to a dark campus colliding with unbelievers and pointing them towards Christ.
Acts 2:44-46 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-35 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Philippians 2:1-8 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
"For everyone whose [school] mascot is the devil, you need Christ!"
Today in my Equipped to Serve class at East Valley we learned about and discussed gray areas when it comes to Christian freedoms. I could write a 10 page blog explaining the scripture that was discussed and freedoms such as movies, music, dancing, alcohol, etc. Rather than explain what I learned, I would like to give your mind something to wrestle with. The instructor made this very true and convicting statement: Christians are too focused on putting out the campfires, while behind them the forest is ablaze!
