"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
I've spent a lot of time contemplating what on earth we hold sacred in my generation and in my culture. Outside of the Church, it was very difficult for me to think of anything we actually believe is sacred, untouchable, set apart. Upon reading this passage though, it hit me. Freedom. We long for freedom and independence. We value are own autonomy almost above everything else. This is the root of relativism that seems to unify the various cultures and sub-cultures of the US. We all have a choice, the freedom to choose anything we would like to believe or not to believe. Freedom is sacred.
In our quest for freedom we end up enslaving ourselves to pride, arrogance, and whatever evil that lurks within our hearts, that little nagging thing we do wrong that we just can't seem to let go of. We think by holding on to what feels good in the moment and what we think we want now, we are truly free.
Jesus claims the exact opposite. He says that when we exercise our freedom to do wrong or to go against His teaching, we give up our freedom and become a slave to sin. A slave! If you want to make anyone angry, just bring up slavery. We all understand how unjust slavery is, yet we subject ourselves to it again and again. Even as believers, we are truly and completely free, yet the world tempts us to subject ourselves to slavery again.
Remember, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" Don't let the temptations of this world (however tempting and freeing they may seem) ensnare you.
All of that said, here are some pics from my adventures this month! :)
My advanced English class... such a joy to teach!
I've spent a lot of time contemplating what on earth we hold sacred in my generation and in my culture. Outside of the Church, it was very difficult for me to think of anything we actually believe is sacred, untouchable, set apart. Upon reading this passage though, it hit me. Freedom. We long for freedom and independence. We value are own autonomy almost above everything else. This is the root of relativism that seems to unify the various cultures and sub-cultures of the US. We all have a choice, the freedom to choose anything we would like to believe or not to believe. Freedom is sacred.
In our quest for freedom we end up enslaving ourselves to pride, arrogance, and whatever evil that lurks within our hearts, that little nagging thing we do wrong that we just can't seem to let go of. We think by holding on to what feels good in the moment and what we think we want now, we are truly free.
Jesus claims the exact opposite. He says that when we exercise our freedom to do wrong or to go against His teaching, we give up our freedom and become a slave to sin. A slave! If you want to make anyone angry, just bring up slavery. We all understand how unjust slavery is, yet we subject ourselves to it again and again. Even as believers, we are truly and completely free, yet the world tempts us to subject ourselves to slavery again.
Remember, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" Don't let the temptations of this world (however tempting and freeing they may seem) ensnare you.
All of that said, here are some pics from my adventures this month! :)
We had game night in Burbank with the church members and the English students!
Went to my first high school football game in California to see the kids from my church! Great job Anaheim!
My dear friends invited me out to the mountains for their church retreat! It was a beautiful weekend and I had fun playing with the kids by the lake! :)
I got to go to a conference called Exponential for a day to hear some amazing speakers.
We took our Advanced students to see a stage rendition of Anne Frank (because we're reading it together in class!)
Persian food with some of my dear friends! I really can't get enough of this stuff!
I got to go to a celebration of Eid (a Muslim holiday where they celebrate how Abraham didn't have to sacrifice his son, but a ram instead). My friends invited me to their mosque and then to dinner afterward!
A birthday party for my friend's mom! She's such a sweet lady!
My English students practicing an interview!
A night of yummy food and karaoke!
More birthday parties!! :)
Another Eid celebration at a University. They had a small carnival for the children including laser tag!
Instead of celebrating Halloween this year, our church threw its 8th (i think) annual Celebration of Life! We had a blast and I was Minnie Mouse!
