Faith. Life. Gaming.
This morning I read in Matthew 7. Something that really stuck out to me was in verses 7-8:
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
Ask = Prayer
Seek = Actually Look/ Gather Information
Knock = Test/ Forward Motion
Sat down last night and watched a bit of Pixar’s UP with my son. Ever since I first saw the movie, I have been wary of watching it again due to its emotional impact–yeah, UP makes me cry, I admit it–. Watching UP with my son, I cried so hard when the couple found out that they couldn’t have children. However, I was reminded that my wife and I have been blessed with a little boy. In that moment, I hugged him tight and told him that I loved him. Thank you Pixar for reminding me of what I have and to treasure the boring moments in life.
SPOILER ALERT!
Thought I’d give everyone a visual on what I played through yesterday*. I don’t think I’ve ever played a game where I’ve had to fight while the building I am in is toppling over. Pretty cool.
*Please note that this is not me playing.
How does a $25 discount on a Wi-Fi enabled Kindle sound? Not bad, huh. What if I told you that the $25 discount would lead to a lifetime of having to view “special offers and sponsored screensavers”? Doesn’t sound so generous of Amazon now does it.
Advertisements are everywhere, even in some video games. Books represent one of the last frontiers advertisers have yet to crack, until now. Dropping the base priced Kindle by $25, to $114 exactly, Amazon is hoping to entice readers who have held back from the e-book market. But is it enough?
Personally, I ‘d rather pay the $25 extra dollars to enjoy a product free of ads. If this move by Amazon is any indication of where the e-book market is heading, count me out. Physical paper books have never asked me to buy something that I don’t want or need. In an age saturated with advertising, enough is enough.
Once a month, I meet with a group of guys from my church to study the Bible. Our epic 3 hour meetings include time to eat, discuss everyday life, and dive into God’s word. This past week we met and dissected Matthew 5 & 6. What really stuck out to me was in verses 25-34:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
With the world seemingly spinning out of control due to natural disasters and financial meltdowns, I find it hard not to worry. And yet in Matthew, Jesus tells us to focus on him, chill out, and have faith. These are words that are really hard to actually put into practice and yet, as a Christian, I am called to live them out. So how do I do this? 1 Peter 5:7 says:
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Taking all of my worries and fears to God, on a daily basis, through prayer is a great place to start. Also, by reading His word daily, I am able to remind myself of His promises.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
As I immerse myself in God’s promises, I encourage you to do the same. There really is no reason to worry.
JohnnyBGamer