Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
--C.S. Lewis
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Odor of Judgment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8&ob=av2n
Judgment is an ugly thing. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters." --Romans 14:1
So many times I've seen this happen: A new girl walks into youth group on a Friday night, most probably her first encounter with Christians in church. Instead of seizing this opportunity to meet a potential sister in Christ, we see girls whispering in the corners, "Do you see what she's wearing?" "Look at her hair" etc...
We must realize that people aren't born with spiritual maturity. When you're a baby, it would be absurd for an adult to whisper to those around him saying, "Wow, look how lazy that baby is! She can't even prepare her own bottle." It's just as absurd when a new girl walks into church for the first time and believers are standing around talking about how short her skirt is.
"...if judgment looms under every steeple with lofty glances from lofty people..." My Brothers and sisters, this should not be. "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." --Romans 12:10
Showing love to others should not be a chore for us as believers. We shouldn't have to remind ourselves to love eachother with brotherly affection or to outdo one another in showing honor. It should be of our second nature; the obvious and more natural thing to do.
My challenge for all of us, beginning with myself, is this: next time a new person walks into church or youth group, let us push back the urge of judging them by their diction or fashion sense, but let us look past the exterior and see their souls.
You could be the very fragrance of Jesus Christ: drawing them in to experience this crazy love of God...Or, you could be the odor of self-righteousness and judgment.
It's your choice.
--Taleen Afsharian
Judgment is an ugly thing. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters." --Romans 14:1
So many times I've seen this happen: A new girl walks into youth group on a Friday night, most probably her first encounter with Christians in church. Instead of seizing this opportunity to meet a potential sister in Christ, we see girls whispering in the corners, "Do you see what she's wearing?" "Look at her hair" etc...
We must realize that people aren't born with spiritual maturity. When you're a baby, it would be absurd for an adult to whisper to those around him saying, "Wow, look how lazy that baby is! She can't even prepare her own bottle." It's just as absurd when a new girl walks into church for the first time and believers are standing around talking about how short her skirt is.
"...if judgment looms under every steeple with lofty glances from lofty people..." My Brothers and sisters, this should not be. "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." --Romans 12:10
Showing love to others should not be a chore for us as believers. We shouldn't have to remind ourselves to love eachother with brotherly affection or to outdo one another in showing honor. It should be of our second nature; the obvious and more natural thing to do.
My challenge for all of us, beginning with myself, is this: next time a new person walks into church or youth group, let us push back the urge of judging them by their diction or fashion sense, but let us look past the exterior and see their souls.
You could be the very fragrance of Jesus Christ: drawing them in to experience this crazy love of God...Or, you could be the odor of self-righteousness and judgment.
It's your choice.
--Taleen Afsharian
"Courageous" - My Thoughts On the Movie
Today, I saw Courageous with my family and my youth group. I was so pleasantly surprised. Normally, Christian movies all have the same plot line: individual struggling with career/marriage, then they accept Christ, then the individual gets the perfect life in the end. This plot structure doesn't sit well with me at all. Living a Christian life doesn't mean that good things are always going to happen, it just means the you will still have joy. Courageous, however, was the most realistic Christian movie I've seen so far.
This movie is great not only for married men with children, but also for young men and young women. For young men, it gives sets the example of godly fathers and husbands. Sure, we all have our weaknesses and obstacles, but with God's help, there's always a way out. (And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. -1Corinthians 10:13).
God has given men a huge responsibility. Not only are you to conduct yourself in a godly and righteous manner, but it is your task to make certain that your household is doing the same. Men are designed to be the protectors and the leaders. This movie did a fantastic job of showing the standard that God has placed on men and the types of fathers and husbands they are commanded to be.
This movie is also great for women because it sets the example of what type of man you should seek. Women: when you are dating a guy, it's important to understand that that guy could be your potential husband: the potential father of your children. Colssians 3:18 says that wives who belong to the Lord must submit themselves to their husbands. The verse does not have any if's, and's, or but's. This is why you have to be careful with who you put as your head. You MUST submit...so choose carefully on who you will submit to. Remember that a man cannot show you or your children Christ-like love if he hasn't experienced God's love. (Same concept goes for you too, ladies!)
Overall, this movie was fantastic. It was funny, tragic, and realistic. I'm sure there is atleast one character you will be able to relate to. I encourage everyone to go see this film and take something away with it.
-Taleen Afsharian
Friday, September 30, 2011
Know Your Worth
Females are completely emotional. There's nothing wrong with that, it's the way God has programmed us! However, it's not easy AT ALL. Especially when you're going through that transition from childhood to adulthood. Our hormones are bouncing off the walls and we're not quite sure what's "normal." My biggest challenge during this awkward transition is finding who I am. What kind of person do I want to be?
Being a teenage girl is a pretty tough thing to be. We constantly need people's assurances to find our identities. For some girls, our identity is parallel to our achievments. "Honor Roll, Prom Queen, Head-Cheerleader, etc..." For other girls, our identities may be defined by boys. Just a helpful thought, no boy can ever define your worth, and you shouldn't let him. Our identities are not found within our accomplishments, mistakes, friends, families, or boys. Our identities are manifested through God and His Word. Crazy, isn't it? That through One Word, and One God, we each find our own unique identities. It's amazing!Never let anyone lower your worth or give you an identity. That kind of power only belongs to God. And why would you want it in anyone's hands but His! He knows you best because you are His creation. Sometimes, I feel like my mom knows me better than I know myself. Of course she does! She's the one who gave birth to me! So how much more would the Creator know about me! Psalm 139: 13 says For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
As teenage girls, we often feel like we need the assurance of friends and boys to know that what we're doing is "acceptable" or "normal." However, we must realize that the Almighty thinks we're to die for. He sees our worth even when we don't see it. He loves us so much and regardless of what we do, that's never going to change.
Blessings,
Taleen Afsharian
Being a teenage girl is a pretty tough thing to be. We constantly need people's assurances to find our identities. For some girls, our identity is parallel to our achievments. "Honor Roll, Prom Queen, Head-Cheerleader, etc..." For other girls, our identities may be defined by boys. Just a helpful thought, no boy can ever define your worth, and you shouldn't let him. Our identities are not found within our accomplishments, mistakes, friends, families, or boys. Our identities are manifested through God and His Word. Crazy, isn't it? That through One Word, and One God, we each find our own unique identities. It's amazing!Never let anyone lower your worth or give you an identity. That kind of power only belongs to God. And why would you want it in anyone's hands but His! He knows you best because you are His creation. Sometimes, I feel like my mom knows me better than I know myself. Of course she does! She's the one who gave birth to me! So how much more would the Creator know about me! Psalm 139: 13 says For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
As teenage girls, we often feel like we need the assurance of friends and boys to know that what we're doing is "acceptable" or "normal." However, we must realize that the Almighty thinks we're to die for. He sees our worth even when we don't see it. He loves us so much and regardless of what we do, that's never going to change.
Blessings,
Taleen Afsharian
Life is Good
This week has been so crazy! But it’s been a week of growth. Praise God!
This week God taught me one key thing we need to know about life in Christ: IT IS GOOD. Period.
When I say this, I don’t mean that good things are always going to happen. Rather, I mean that through all the trials and pain, you will have joy. Not happiness, but joy. Happiness is a high that lasts for a temporal time. But joy; that God-given joy lasts through it all. It’s that hope you wake up to every morning knowing that the following day will be a good one because Christ will be involved in it.
A couple reasons I know why life with Christ is good.
1) In sickness, you have hope that if your life ends here, you’re going home. This time on earth is just a sojourn on you trip home. When you’re sick and on the verge of death, you have joy in knowing that your last breath here means your first breath in God’s beautiful Kingdom!
2) When you’re poor, you know that God is going to provide for you. If you are a parent think of it this way… If your child one day goes bankrupt, would you just let them live on the street or starve to death? By no means! You would care for them. How much more would God care for his children! “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11) The One who made you knows how to take care of you. HE will provide.
”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Heb. 4:15
Jesus knows how you feel. He too experienced pain, betrayal, rejection, suffering, stress, frustration, joy, anger…and the list goes on. But altogether, I’d say that Jesus had a pretty good life, don’t you think?
Remember this: Troubles in life are good because it reminds us that this is not our home.
Hang in there, friends! Life is good if you’re living it with Christ!
Blessings,
Taleen Afsharian
This week God taught me one key thing we need to know about life in Christ: IT IS GOOD. Period.
When I say this, I don’t mean that good things are always going to happen. Rather, I mean that through all the trials and pain, you will have joy. Not happiness, but joy. Happiness is a high that lasts for a temporal time. But joy; that God-given joy lasts through it all. It’s that hope you wake up to every morning knowing that the following day will be a good one because Christ will be involved in it.
A couple reasons I know why life with Christ is good.
1) In sickness, you have hope that if your life ends here, you’re going home. This time on earth is just a sojourn on you trip home. When you’re sick and on the verge of death, you have joy in knowing that your last breath here means your first breath in God’s beautiful Kingdom!
2) When you’re poor, you know that God is going to provide for you. If you are a parent think of it this way… If your child one day goes bankrupt, would you just let them live on the street or starve to death? By no means! You would care for them. How much more would God care for his children! “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11) The One who made you knows how to take care of you. HE will provide.
”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Heb. 4:15
Jesus knows how you feel. He too experienced pain, betrayal, rejection, suffering, stress, frustration, joy, anger…and the list goes on. But altogether, I’d say that Jesus had a pretty good life, don’t you think?
Remember this: Troubles in life are good because it reminds us that this is not our home.
Hang in there, friends! Life is good if you’re living it with Christ!
Blessings,
Taleen Afsharian
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