The Gospel of Love

At A&M, every year, this one guy and his wife come and stand in the central area of campus and carry on about how everyone is going to hell.  They particularly like to focus on sex, but any sort of sin will do for them to rant and rave about. And every year, a crowd of people forms around them and watches all day to hear what this guy--Brother Jed--is talking about (the wrath of God, the condemnation of our souls, etc).

Frankly, it's pretty frustrating.

Here's the deal, y'all. Brother Jed and I both believe in an all-powerful God who will be the one to pass the ultimate judgment. But I'm pretty sure that's where the similarities stop. Where he uses the fear of hell to scare people to run to a God who just sits up on his throne and condemns people (according to Jed), I try (operating word) to show people the God who, yes, passes judgment, but he also loves. Call me crazy, but I kind of don't think that anyone who gets yelled at for being a sinner by some dude who doesn't know he/she isn't going to be real receptive to whatever the angry man is saying about them. I know I wouldn't be.

Brother Jed is showing only a small part of God's judgment--and not even well. But Jed is far from perfect and the only person who can judge anyone else is God because he IS perfect. Jed is doing an excellent job, however, of making Christianity a mockery. He's embodying everything that non-Christians don't like about Christians: judgmental, rude, loud, opinionated, self-righteous. And we only encourage his behavior by circling around him and listening to what he's saying. 

This afternoon, there was a guy standing about 100 yards from Jed. This guy was speaking truth. Granted, he was going about it the same way Jed was--yelling. But I walked by him slowly and listened. This dude knew the Bible and everything that he was talking about was good stuff. I don't necessarily agree with the tactic, but I agree with his intentions. Jed is, from my observations, a modern day false prophet. Or like the pharises from the New Testament who just blurt things out and try to make their own rules. But why weren't people listening to this other guy instead of Jed? Because there were more theatrics in the latter? Because what this other guy was saying was actually truth?

I'm not bashing preaching. I take the Great Commission seriously when Christians are told to go out and make disciples and I think those spiritual leaders who devote their lives to the holy word of God are necessary. But is all this fire-and-brimstone fanfare the right way to go about it? I'm not inclined to think so. If anything, it's turning people away from God.

Our God is wrathful, yeah, because the world is messed up. But he solved the problem by sending his flawless son Jesus Christ to come die on the cross. Jesus lived in an imperfect world but was totally perfect. And he died to take the blame for every single sin that would ever be committed ever. God's wrath against humanity was unleashed on Jesus Christ so that we wouldn't have to take the hit for our own failures. As one of my favorite songs puts it "the wrath of God was satisfied/for every sin on Him was laid/here in the death of Christ, I live". Why did he do this? Because we are so desperately loved that God couldn't bear the thought of being separated from humanity. He was willing to sacrifice someone who had never screwed up in order that the rest of humanity may have hope of life after earth in a Heaven, together with God forever.

That's what Jed should be preaching. Not about hell and death and torture and why we're going to experience that if we don't "turn or burn".

My God is just, but Jesus already took the heat. Now, he's about forgiveness, grace, and unconditional love.

So this year already...

We're 23 days into 2013--the year that wasn't supposed to exist. And it's already promising to be quite an adventure. Here's why.

1. It's house hunting season in College Station y'all. That means people are going crazy and our nice college town is well on it's way to becoming a shark tank. So far, I've looked at a few houses that I like, each with their ups and downs. The current focus is sort of a fixer-upper, but nothing a power sprayer, an extra layer of paint on the front door, and some shrubbery can't fix. I'll keep you posted on that one though.

2. I'm going to London this spring break. So that will be pretty neat. But also requires me to get all my ducks in a row and keep them there. My ducks are typically all over the place. I guess I'll keep you posted on that too.

3. Impact counselor applications, interviews, and rev nights are coming up in the next 2 weeks. I feel like Impact is where I'm supposed to be and I have such a heart for it, but the Lord works in mysterious ways, so we'll see! One more thing I'll keep you posted on.

4. Oh hey. So A&M is ranked #2 in the preseason college football standings. That is something we'll all get to wait and see on. Gig 'em.

5. Speaking of A&M's football team, we have a pretty awesome quarterback. Won the Heisman as a freshman. It's fine. And this little English nerd/sports fanatic happened to run into him in an elevator and took a picture with him. So that's something that my great-grandchildren will know about and have the picture of. Yes world, I have a picture with Johnny Manziel. Bask in my excellent timing and knowledge of football and rare moment of boldness.

6. This semester will probably be crazy. But I have a few things keeping me going. London. My picture with Johnny Football. And, above all, the knowledge that God is good.

So reader, I'll keep you posted.

2012 in review

Sorry I've been so bad at blogging y'all. I blame finals, work, and Netflix.

Anyways. Here's my recap of 2012 in a nutshell.

It started rough. Rejections from 4 camps was not the most prime way to start a year, but the Lord was quick to show me his faithfulness in giving me Impact. Spring semester was defined by resting in how I was being so cared for by my friends, family, and God. Namely God. Impact was a huge blessing to me because it renewed a hope that I'd lost and pulled me off the wandering road I was on.

Spring ended and summer began. New lessons came in the form of patience, tolerance, and confidence. When you work somewhere that doesn't have a strong Christian basis, it's going to make you adapt and make a choice: follow Christ or slip into the world. And after having a semester where I was totally surrounded by people who were sold out for Christ, it was a bit of a culture shock. I was asked to go party several Saturday nights and had to explain why I didn't drink. I had to make sure that I wasn't being rude to people I didn't like and not complaining about things I disagreed with. As for confidence...let's just say that I was reaffirmed of my socially acceptable personality and started seeing myself through the Lord's eyes and not my own.

Impact began on August. FINALLY. After preparing all spring semester and all summer, I met the freshman I'd been praying for over the past 8 months. And they were worth the wait. My fellow counselors and I were blown away by how open they were to listening to us and wanted to hang out with us. The Lord has been so good in helping me to keep relationships with the freshman who I can now call my friends. They're awesome and I've seen God do some awesome things in their lives.

Fall semester was another semester of figuring out college. I rested in Christ more than ever and was peaceful, joyful, and hopeful. I also learned that dropping a class was okay. Who knew? The Lord also was constant in reminding me how I was lovable--he wouldn't die for someone who wasn't. Am I right? And my living situation took a turn from "good" to "excellent" as I moved into an apartment with 3 of my closest friends, where not wearing pants is acceptable and you must have all the songs of "Pitch Perfect" memorized. Obviously, I befriended the right group of girls. Beyond them, my friend group continued to grow and our activities became more hilarious (see "the great apartment rearrangement" story for example). I would say "blessed" is an understatement.

So now we're at 2013 and it's promising to look like an excellent year. I'm pumped to see where the Lord will take me (He's shown me a few snippets already) and how I'm going to grow this year.

There's my sappy wrap-up post. I'll keep ya posted.

The Legend of Johnny Football

Or maybe it should be of Johnny Heisman. Either way, never have I been more proud and overwhelmed by football. Yes, this tops the Aggie vs. Bama game. Barely. But it does. Maybe because that was the major catalyst for him to become the front runner for the Heisman. But both feats--the Heisman and Bama victories--were team efforts. The 12th man stands strong and proud as ever, but maybe that 3rd quarter slump that everyone feels is a little less potent. Maybe our knees and backs are just a little bit strengthened to stand for just a little while longer.

Johnny said that this [the Heisman Trophy] was for the 12th man. I genuinely believe that the 12th Man Spirit was part of his success. But I think we were so pumped because he was always so pumped and we knew how capable his hands were. His victories were our victories. Our campus is always bustling and alive, but Johnny and the fightin' Texas Aggie football team gave us a little extra fire. We anxiously waited to see how he would stun us every weekend, what amazing play he would pull, how he could find Swope or McNeal or Nwachukwu or Evans while he was on the move. How he could turn 3rd-and-23 into a touchdown by some quick moves and his sheer speed. I'm thrilled to be part of his 12th Man. I wouldn't have this season go any other way.

You have to give props to his offensive line. Luke Joekel said it well in his Outlander Defensive Player speech when he said "It's hard to protect someone when you don't know where he is." Johnny's O-Line protected him when he would refuse to stay in the pocket. They blocked. They defended. They stopped. They are a huge reason why the Aggies had such a successful season and why Johnny stayed off of his back and on his feet (most of the time).

I also have to give a thank you shout out to our Brazos River neighbor up in Wacky Waco for taking down Collin Klein. Baylor's defense showed up at the most opportune moment this season and I will always be grateful for that unlikely game where they were able to stop the ball. So, sic 'em?

Manti Te'o and Collin Klein are unbelievable football players and both of whom should have long, successful pro careers. I can't (and won't) take away how incredible they both are at what they do and both of them were well deserving of their nomination. I'm excited to watch both of them perform in their bowl games.

But, Te'o, you'll have to excuse me for pulling against you. Nothing personal--just want to keep those SEC National Champions rolling in. Plus, it'll make A&M look even better because we'll have beaten the champions. So, roll tide?

To everyone who scoffed, snickered, or joked before this season began about A&M in the SEC: You may have been validated then, but please don't try and take away our victories now. We've all seen the error of our ways by rolling our eyes at the idea of a competitive A&M in the nation's toughest conference. Yet it's become clear that the Ags are definitely formidable to anyone. By counting us out, you made our wins even sweeter and, every game, we won a little bit more appreciation and recognition. Let's just all make a pact and not make the same mistake for next season, shall we? Sweet.

It's still amazing to me that a freshman pulled out the win for the Heisman. He's a fellow member of the class of 2015. He threw up some unreal numbers--topping Cam Newton's total offensive yards in one fewer game. He's humble. He's classy. He's appreciative. He's Johnny Football.

I've said it once and I'll say it again:

New coach. New HEISMAN WINNING quarterback. New conference. New victories.

Same Old Army.

Gig 'em, Aggies.

Scheduling challenges...and other observations

I really love A&M. I wouldn't want to be at any other school, honestly. But their class registration system is a total nightmare. 

So I had this really nice schedule for next semester planned out like a boss. No late classes, no classes before 10:00am. No big breaks. It was looking really good. That was two days ago. But now, a mere 5 hours before I register, almost every single class that I wanted is full or has about three spots left. It's pretty unfortunate. So I just went through everything and made a mediocre schedule that should get me through next semester. 

But here's the real angst: I'll get done with class on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 11 (not that angsty). The nightmare part? It starts at eight in the morning. With a math class. If you knew me at all, you would know two things. 1. I am a night owl to the extreme and don't get along with my alarm clock when it wakes me up at 9am. 2. I hate, hate, HATE math. I'm an English major. You can't get anymore anti-math than that. So an unbelievably early class that deals with business calculus and stats? Uh, no thank you. But this awful first-come-first-serve pecking order of a registration system has left me with no choice. The joys of being a sophomore. 

Ugh. The thought of it now--almost two months in advance to when I'll actually taking it--is repulsive. I know, I know. I'm incredibly blessed to go to school here and I'm not griping about the school work. That I can handle. But mornings...they just aren't fun. To all you chipper morning people out there, I'm jealous of you. I wish I could pop up at the crack of dawn, fix my coffee, and bounce out the door with a good attitude for my 8 o'clock class. I truly wish that math wasn't such a foreign subject to my English-oriented mind. But I can't and it isn't. I'm not like that. 

In other news...Johnny Football. Breaking Cam Newton's record of total offensive yards in one fewer game? And people are still thinking he won't get the Heisman? From everything I've heard, dude's on top to take it. But anything can happen. We still have a week and a half until it is revealed, but the voting ended last night at 5pm, so there isn't much we can do now except cross our fingers and hope they voted the way the numbers shape up. 

But even if he doesn't win (it'll be a gross injustice and quite a statement to the college football world if he doesn't), Johnny Manziel and the fightin' Texas Aggie football team of the 2012 season have made a huge statement. They provided a hope to this campus and shown long time fans how patience pays off. I've always been proud of my team. Frustrated for sure, but never ashamed. But all the letdowns of seasons past have been building up to an explosion of pure awesome. 

When people this season have said that it's a good time to be an Aggie, they're right certainly. But I don't base my school pride on my football team. I put stock in our traditions, our values, how we can all come together as a student body in crazy ways that not many schools do. We convene once a month to remember Aggie students who have passed away. Aggies from around the country (and world) gather annually to remember every Aggie--current student or former student--who passed away that year. We have our own version of Silver Taps. We have organized yells, a gathering of 30,000 students who come to every football game, and a tree that determines your romantic future. I can't ever get to or from a class without seeing someone I know--which is so awesome. 

But does it help that my football team is in the top 10 in the nation with potentially the first freshman Heisman winner? Yeah, maybe a little. 

To answer the comment though: it's always a good time to be an Aggie. 

Thanks, and gig 'em. 

21 for 21

Hey. I turned 21 yesterday, which is pretty weird. So I decided to list out 21 random things about me, that I have observed, or learned. Or whatever. This is a pretty random post. Bear with me, people.

1. Alcohol is pretty gross, y'all. My first impression: it tastes like how nail polish would taste. I don't think y'all will need to be worried about me going out and getting totally plastered. So there's that.

2. It is a requirement for southern people to refer to their parents as "Mother and Daddy".

3. A&M football is pretty much the best ever.

4. Life is hard. God is good.

5. You survive off of strange things in college (popcorn, strawberries, and grilled cheese)

6. Sometimes, when you sing and stomp loudly, the cops get called on you. Happy birthday to me. But if it's your birthday, they won't give you a ticket.

7. There's nothing quite like a Pine Cove birthday rap.

8. Every time Taylor Swift releases a new album, I am reminded of how good it feels to roll down the windows and have a jam session to angsty pseudo-country music.

9. Twitter is the new Facebook.

10. It is not abnormal to come home from class and immediately take your pants off.

11. Seeing the same movie 3 times in 10 days is acceptable. Pitch Perfect, you're welcome.

12. The best kind of friend is the one who can read your mind and answer whatever you were thinking about.

13. Sonic happy hour is the antidote to anything. Feel bad about a test? Go to sonic. Stressed? Go to sonic. Hungry? Go to sonic to get a drink to go with your food.

14. It's okay if you have to drop a class. The world won't end. Grades are not eternal.

15. I am loved despite me.

16. The Rangers are currently still one of the best teams in baseball regardless of their unfortunate season ending. And I still love them.

17. Princess Diaries never gets old.

18. 2 Corinthians 12:9. "And He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' So I will boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shine through me."

19. Sometimes I just ponder how much easier life would be if I could teleport. Like when I miss the bus or don't want to hike up 4 flights of stairs. That's weird, right?

20. I still wish I could sing, but I've found that singing loud and proud is more fun than trying to match pitch.

21. After 21 years of running into things, knocking things over, and tripping and falling, I've come to realize that I might have tight Achille's tendons or whatever, but I was made in the image of a perfect God. And if He wants me to be quirky and clumsy, then I'll take it.

Life lessons. They're abundant.

Gig 'em Aggies.

Hello, college football world. I think A&M has sufficiently proved to everyone--announcers, fans, teams, and, if I'm being honest, myself--that they are now a football force to be reckoned with and that their conference move was not a negative decision.

This is not a post about how the SEC is a million times better than A&M's former conference, the Big 12. Why? Because the Big 12 had almost all of it's teams ranked at some point this year. How many other conferences can claim that? No, not even the SEC. My rivalry with those teams hasn't died, but a rivalry is different than, say, a grudge. Rivalries have a level of respect and I immensely respect every team in that conference. Do I like all of them? No, of course not. Will I talk smack about them? Sure. But I will never try to take away the fact that they are good teams and the Big 12 is not, by anyone's standards, a tragedy of a conference. I'd venture to say that it's in the top 5 in the nation.

That being said, I'm thrilled to be in the SEC. I miss the longstanding rivalries that I've grown accustomed to (Texas, Baylor, Tech, etc), but the time for change had come. I was unwilling to accept this at first and was afraid that my team was going to get smashed into Aggie pancakes. But we've held our own against traditionally top 10 powerhouses like LSU, Florida, and Alabama. It's been incredible to watch how one of my favorite teams has flourished and grown and pushed through obstacles. I have the Big 12 to thank for molding us into the team that we are (honest, zero sarcasm in that). And I have the SEC to thank for pushing us so we can prove that we are the Aggies (the Aggies are we!)

But now I'm just going to brag a little bit. I think we've earned it.

Kevin Sumlin is no spring chicken when it comes to A&M and upsets. 10 years ago to the weekend, Sumlin--then the offensive coordinator for the Ags--coached a redshirted freshman into upsetting the No. #1 OU. History has a habit of repeating itself. As the Aggies marched into Tuscaloosa today, the whole world felt like they were marching to a death beat. You don't go into that stadium and win, especially when that thing holds over 100,000 people and they are all supporting the top team in the nation--which isn't you. It just doesn't happen.

But it did.

When it comes to college football, as I have learned, it comes down to who wants it more, not who the better team is. And it was more important for the Aggies to prove who we are and where we belong than for the Crimson Tide to protect their title. I still have so much respect for every team in the Southeastern Conference and think that if A&M and Alabama played 10 times, Bama would probably come out on top more than A&M would. This, however, was the time that counted.

But was it pretty fun to watch all the stunned faces while the War Hymn echoed through Tuscaloosa? Oh yeah. And did I saw varsity's horns off in the street tonight with some of my friends after the clock ran down to zero? You bet.

New coach. New quarterback. New conference. New victories.

Same Old Army.

FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS. FARMERS. FARMERS FARMERS FIGHT A! A-A-A-A-AAAAAAAAAAA.