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| Ever feel like nothing in the whole world really matters? Well, you're sort of right. This world is temporary. The things this world has to offer don't last. Some will make you feel good for a little while, but in the end they still leave you empty.
But there's one thing that's different.
"I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." Ever heard that quote before? How about this one: "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Sounds nice, doesn't it? Well, it just so happens that the guy who said those things can back them up completely. His name is Jesus, and He's the Son of God. Yes, the God who created the entire universe, who knows everything about everything, wants to give YOU rest, and life. He loves you so much that He wants you to live with Him forever in Heaven. But you think there's a catch, right?
There would be, if God hadn't made a loophole for you.
See, people do wrong things. We are imperfect. But God and His home (Heaven) are perfect. How perfect would such a place be if people could get in by the merits of their deeds? Where would the cut-off line of goodness be? Well, the original cut-off line was perfection. Unfortunately, that means that no one would get to live with God after they died, and God just loves you too much to be okay with that.
So he made a loophole. See, those of us who aren't good enough for Heaven (being all of us, including myself) are supposed to go to the only imperfect alternative after death, Hell. Not a place you wanna go. Fortunately, that's not where God wants you to go, either. So how do we get around it if we're not good enough to get to Heaven? God offers a substitute.
See, God devised a plan. He came down to earth in the form of a human (Jesus, His own Son), to live life just like us, except for one difference: He lived without ever doing anything wrong. He came from Heaven, and He alone was worthy to go back to Heaven.
So you're thinking, "Well, that's nice for Him, but how does that help me?" Here's the love of it all. After living such a perfect life, Jesus let Himself be falsely accused of crimes and sentenced to death. Instead of calling angels to rescue Him (which He could have done), He not only was willing to die a horrifying death hanging by nails on a wooden cross, but He did even more. He took the blame for everything that anyone ever did or would do wrong. He lived perfectly, then traded places with us. He took the blame and punishment of separation from God that we all deserve, then put His own spotless record on every one of our names that are willing to let Him.
But it wouldn't even be enough for Him just to die for us, because that would mean that death was more powerful than God. So after three days, Jesus defeated death and Hell, and rose back to life again. So He took our own sins to Hell, and purged them so that we could be perfect and go to Heaven to live with Him, where even now He's preparing mansions for those who will accept His gift.
So are you wondering how you can be a part of this? It's as easy as ABC:
Admit that you are a sinner. Whether we like it or not, we've all done things that make us not deserve to go to a perfect Heaven. Not even Mother Teresa could get there on her own.
Believe that Jesus, the Son of God, God in flesh, came to the earth for the purpose of serving your own death sentence in your place, then rose from the dead in victory, opening the doors of Heaven to you. It's true, so you may as well believe it.
Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If those sound like foreign "church terms" to you, it means to allow Jesus to be your boss and the guy who saves you. He died for you already. The deed's done. The gift's just waiting for you to accept it. Please don't wait.
So you see, all you have to do is pray that Jesus come and take control of your life and put His perfect record under your name, and you'll be adopted into the family of God and given a spot in Heaven. Not sure how? Don't worry, praying is just talking to God. He's more concerned with the true decision of your heart than with whether you stutter or can't find the words, but if you'd like a sort of guideline for your first prayer, try this:
"Jesus, I know that you are the Son of God, and that you love me so much that you died in my place. Please come into my heart now and take control of my life. Make me a part of your family. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Teach me to help others know your gift as well. Thank you again. Amen."
If you just said that prayer, and you meant it, congratulations! You're now a brand-new Christian, and a child of God headed to Heaven. So what now? Well, get yourself a Bible (New King James version is a good place to start) and find a Bible-believing church where other Christians can teach you and help you along as their new brother or sister. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me at the address listed on this page, or find a pastor or other trusted Christian and ask them.
Love in Christ,
JKellogg
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| Hey all. Since the computer at home ties up the only phone line when connected to the internet, and it's really slow anyway, I'm afraid I won't be on here much. I'll still try though, and respond to things needing responses, like if people ask me questions or anything. But general posts will be rare, if not non-existent. Toodles.
Love in Christ,
JKellogg
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| Well, I'll be gone by tomorrow at about 5:00, after having my last final at 3:30. Kinda sad, since I was hoping to stay until Friday or Saturday. Now I not only have less time but will have to spend some of it packing, which I was planning to do later sometime. So yeah, that's sad, but since there's nothing I can do about, there's no use bellyaching. Take care, everyone.
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| I had two of my four finals (not counting the Bio lab final I had last week) today. The first one was at 8:00 am, which was a drag, but I slept well ahead of time and it wasn't too hard (only 60 questions, took me about half an hour), so that was cool. Then at 10:30 was my U.S. History final. I counted up my points ahead of time and I think I only needed an 80 to get an A in the class, and judging from my previous tests, I think I probably made it. Thanks to some previous extra credit, thank you Jesus. :D
Two finals left, one tomorrow (Biology) and one Thursday (Intro to Art). I don't think either one will be especially hard, but I'm still gonna study. Well, maybe not for Biology (the material for this one hasn't seemed too hard, or even very new), but certainly for Art. I think that's all the news that is news at the moment...
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| Saturday night there was this 80s bash in the Union, and there was episode after episode of Saved By The Bell playing, and a bunch of old Nintendos (and one Nintendo 64). On the 64 I played some Mario Tennis. That was fun, and brought back some awesome memories. Then I went to the final BrewHaHa of the semester, and also found out sometime this weekend that Whitney, the girl who sort of unofficially took it over and makes all the drinks and stuff isn't coming back next semester. Very sad. :( But she was happy when people finally started showing up, which she was really hoping for, so that was cool. :)
Today I played Imaginiff for the third time this semester, and with more people than in previous games. Rachel had to leave early, but we added two other people who happened to come in. Good fun. :D Oh, and before that, the pastor at the local church had all the college students over to his new (and very, very nice) house for lunch. It was awesome, except for making me sleepy...
Yeah, I'm still nowhere near caught up on sleep. Well, maybe near, but not there yet. So I'll go to bed early tonight and maybe that'll do it. I hope so, because Tuesday I have an 8:00 final, immediately followed by my U.S. History final, which may well be the hardest one I have. Pray for me!
Love in Christ,
JKellogg
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