Aggie Methodist Blog

Student Blog - Introduction and a sucker punch

Howdy and salutations Aggies and like hearted people!

Sorry if that was awkward - I say howdy all the time in person but it just seems so cliche when it is typed.  Regardless, welcome to the brand new Aggie Methodist Blog!  A quick synopsis of the blog:

I had the idea for the blog after snooping around on the Catholic's website - sometimes I enjoy reading them to give me a different taste of our shared faith.  It occurred to me then that we here at the +Wesley Foundation at Texas A&M (hopefully that links, if not go look it up!) do not have such an outlet of creativity and expression. So I wanted to make the blog for a couple reasons

1. Give people a reliable source of God's message through students on a weekly (or more) basis
2. Give students the chance to express their thoughts without the pressure or structure of giving a message at The Forge
3. To be cool (because let's be honest, it is just totes rad to blog)

I figure that a lot of people don't desire to speak on a Wednesday night for various reasons, so I wanted to give people the opportunity to share with this faith community their stories, insights, and feelings.  In general it is easier to share deeper thoughts and feelings in written form than out loud.  I also find that my thoughts are more coherent when put into text form - so I am excited about blogging myself. If you're interested in being a guest writer for this blog, there will be a sign up sheet at Wesley or you can contact me and we'll get you signed up.  Our current plan is to have one guest student blogger a week, and then the interns will blog regularly and Max will throw one in every now and then as well.  I'm looking forward to seeing exactly how God moves through this seemingly simple and lowly form of communication.

Now, that was just an introduction to the blog, so without further ado - I begin my first blog!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last night I had the great privilege of presenting the message at The Forge. (For those of you unaware, that is our Wednesday night contemporary service that meets at 7pm weekly)!  If you remember, I spoke about intentional Christianity.  We discussed what it meant to attain "complete" faith (James 2:22).  Complete, true, and living faith is supplemented by deeds and actions - therefore we must be diligent in how we conduct our lives, especially outside of Wesley.  I think that intention is a bigger word than a lot of us give credit.  Intention implies that there is a desire, a yearning to do something.  We can no longer sit around and be lackluster sluggard Christians - in fact James says that that sort of lifestyle and faith that accompanies it is dead.  Intention implies that we have a purpose as well.  To be an intentional Christian means that we are being purpose driven, and in my experience I have felt my purpose is always outwardly driven.  I am here on this planet to serve God, and you can never tell me differently.  Last night I mentioned that Wesley was not the destination but merely the vehicle - Well I tell you, we are not the passengers, we are the mechanics, pilots, flight attendants, and chauffeurs.  

As I prepared for my message last night, I was looking for an example in the Bible of God's people being intentional believers.  In the main passage (James 2:14-26) there were already two examples.  The first was Abraham and his faith in God that led him to his action to sacrifice his son Isaac.  The complete story can be found in Genesis 22.  The other example, probably lesser known, was Rahab, who in the time that Joshua sent spies to Jericho, aided and embedded them, and sent their enemies packing in the wrong direction (you can find this story in Joshua).  However, I loved the one I found on  my own, and you might have to dust off your index of where to find which books in the bible for this one.  I want to encourage you to read the book of Nehemiah, or at least chapters 1-7.  An ongoing theme throughout that part of the book is the Jews intentions to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  It amazes me, in fact, that they could be so diligent!  They were forced to have people stand guard for them at risk of being attacked, both emotionally and physically.  Insults were thrown at Nehemiah's Jews and yet the persisted.  And what do you think got them through all this?  Prayer and petition.  Purpose filled hearts and intentional living faith!  Does this story resonate with you?  I read it and I instantly think of Wesley.  How often are we ridiculed by others for our beliefs and how often do we ridicule each other?  We sometimes need to take a step back, and not let such hurt and pain phase us.  Show God's grace and love through living and complete faith, by your intentional actions, and be diligent in your purpose on this earth to do God's work.  The Jews rebuilt a whole stinking wall in 52 days, and that was thousands of years ago!!  What have we done in the last 52 days?

One final thought...

"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do" James 2:18 (NIV)

Can I get an "amen" of the boo-ya variety?  James sums it up before he even gets started here, and every time I read this verse I feel like I'm sucker punched.  He makes it clear. It's what you do, not faith alone (alone is an important word, because I don't want anyone to forget that deeds without faith is alright). Don't let the things of this world distract or consume you - but instead be persistent, be diligent, be purpose filled, and be intentional in your Christian walk.  Take action and do good deeds - a hug or handshake - a prayer or a listening ear - helping old ladies across the street or with their groceries - whatever it is, do it.

~Mark

IXOYE