Save me

Everyone’s longing for something that only the Gospel can fill and everyone’s longing for a Savior, but they’re looking in all the wrong places.

Gospel-esque is just a cheap, powerless substitute for the real deal.

Romans 1:16 | John 3:16

What a week!

Some of the happenings of the last week:

• The Gospel Coalition was quite awesome. Go here to listen to everything. If you don’t wanna go through it all, I just want to highlight two things: the opening message by Tim Keller (Tuesday) and the panel discussion (Wednesday night).
• If you crave more, you should check out John Piper’s testimony from the “Pastor as Scholar, Scholar as Pastor” event this past Thursday. I had an opportunity to hear it live, but I passed on it because of a crappy Bulls game.
• But I got to witness the Bulls redeem themselves this Sunday! Go Bulls!!!! I actually hurt my thumb from twirling that little red towel so much (Yes, I have a towel related injury…I am incredibly weaksauce)
• Tomorrow I’m going to buy my roommate a Big Mac.

Oh yea. One last thing before I forget.

So during the Gospel Coalition, a buddy and I went to the Zondervan stand and talked to this lady who said this:

…It’s kind of like ‘Law & Order’, not that I watch ‘Law & Order’ or anything. I’m a reformed-calvinist.

My friend and I just looked at each other awkwardly because we didn’t know how to respond. Does ANYBODY know what she meant? Can she watch ‘Law & Order: SVU’?

For the next three

I’ve got a playlist on my heart

This past week I was really blessed by the reminder that Christians have something to sing about. While people may sing a catchy tune (e.g. “We Are The Champions” by Queen) or something stuck in their heads (e.g. “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé), it isn’t really overflowing from their hearts. On occasion, people may sing about their country or their freedom, but national anthems are more of a tradition than a celebration these days aren’t they?

The Gospel message says that we were rescued from sin and judgment through a savior, Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. He bore our sins upon the cross, rose from the dead, triumphed over sin, and by His merit alone we gain a chance to live! Out of love and for His namesake, God wanted to restore us and His relationship with us. We are no longer condemned or bound with guilt/shame, but are welcomed into His heavenly family as adopted sons and daughters! And through this redemption, God reveals His beauty, glory, and infinite worth to us.

Hallelujah! Isn’t that worth singing about?

“Before the Throne of God Above”

Distractions

It’s so sad how little things distract me from doing what I’m supposed to do. If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted  (or haven’t been reasonably responsible at all) for a while, here’s why:

• Fantasy Basketball (just finished ) & Baseball (just started )
• Chicago Bulls & the NBA Playoffs
• Chicago Cubs/Boston Red Sox/Tampa Bay Rays/LA Dodgers games
• http://jkuo.mybrute.com
• How I Met Your Mother
• House M.D.
• The Office
• Heroes
• ESPN Streak For Cash
• “Jars of Clay” by Jars of Clay (The original is classic)
• “In The Company of Angels” by Caedmon’s Call
• gchat
• Wasabi clump for $5 + pain + nausea
• Accenture aka The Evil Empire aka Big Red
• Wondering when baby Laguna was coming (btw Congrats Aurum and Sarah!)
• One Piece
• Failing to sell a Lenovo Ideapad S10
• facebook
• “Reservoir Dogs” + “Seven Pounds”
• Tetris online

Well, I think I got it all out of my system for now. Whew. And yes, the little brown thing from the last post is a clump of earwax that fell out while I was working at home.