This is a picure of me with two very wonderful people- Judy and Joanna. Since Joanna and I (and Judy too, now that I think about it) first started talking through this blog (and Joanna's blog), I thought a post about them was appropriate. These girls are my second cousins, and I had the chance to spend some time with them while I was in IN. Joanna came and stayed with me for a few days...which was SOOOO fun!!! I love you, girls!!Saturday, October 4, 2008
This is a picure of me with two very wonderful people- Judy and Joanna. Since Joanna and I (and Judy too, now that I think about it) first started talking through this blog (and Joanna's blog), I thought a post about them was appropriate. These girls are my second cousins, and I had the chance to spend some time with them while I was in IN. Joanna came and stayed with me for a few days...which was SOOOO fun!!! I love you, girls!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Education Idol
I was thinking about modern day idols, and the one that keeps popping into my head is Education. Yes, I believe that we tend to worship education. There are a few main categories that I would like to mention:
1. We offer our children up on the Alter of Education. We, as Christians, are willing to hand our children over to the state for schooling. It is clear in Scripture that we are meant to raise our own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord- not let the world raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the state. Why are we willing to do this when the Bible tells us that we are to teach our children the laws of God at all times? Because Education has become our god. This society, and many Christians in it, believe whole-heartedly that schooling is the most important thing in life.
If a child misses worship for a game, recreation, etc., we are irritated. Yet, if the parent says that little Johnny has "so much homework to do" we turn a blind eye. After all, his homework is far more important than obeying God's command to worship. If a family misses Bible class for any other reason than sickness or school, they're considered wrong. When did homework become more important than Bible study and worship? If you place schooling above fellowshipping with brethren, worshipping God, and studying His Word, Education is your god!
2. We allow ourselves to be defined by our schooling. This covers so many areas. One of the first things someone will ask a child is "what grade are you in?" And a person's worth is dependent on how well they're doing in school. Do you get A's, B's....or F's???!! Are you "Special Ed." or "AP"? And then once someone is out of highschool he is defined by what school he's going to (or not) and what his major might be. When he's through with college, he is defined by his degree and what school he graduated from. But I believe that we are only to boast in Jesus Christ, and in no other thing. We are Christians first. Not Kindergarteners, or Seniors, or Phds, or Graduates of such and such. I'm Miranda Trujillo, and I belong to Christ.
Gal 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
3. We live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word in order to have a worldly Education. The Bible tells us how to live, but because of Education we are willing to throw God's way aside. He tells us it is not wise to be in debt (Prov. 22:7), but in the name of Education it's somehow OK and admirable to be in debt. He tells us that women are preserved through the bearing of children (1 Tim. 2:15), yet, because of Education, women put off bearing children until it's convenient for them. We are told to worship together on the first day of the week, and we are given an example of dedicating ourselves to the study of the Word. But, in order to do well in our schooling, we are willing to disobey. We are supposed to teach our children at all times about God's laws (Deut. 11:19), but we wait and try to shove it all in after school, or maybe just in Bible class (if little Johnny doesn't have homework, that is).
I am not down playing Godly education. But I don't believe that word ("education") is actually used in the Bible in the context of something we are to seek. The words that are used are "knowledge" and "wisdom".
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
So we are not wise if we don't fear the Lord enough to put Him first. We have a good understanding if we obey His commandments, not when we save them for later so that we can pay off our college debt.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So, if we put off the study of God's Word in the name of homework, do we really have understanding at all?
2 Pet 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
God is the one who has granted us all we need to know pertaining to life. When we stop putting Education before Him, we'll be truly successful. When we stop labeling ourselves as something other than Christians (as if anything could be better or more amazing than being washed clean with Christ's blood), we'll have a real identity. When we stop disobeying His commands because we would rather serve the god of Education, we will be blessed.
Please, define yourself as a Christian. Put God's will first, not the will of the "educated" people around you. Seek education- yes- but make sure it is based on a knowledge of God and a desire for wisdom.
1. We offer our children up on the Alter of Education. We, as Christians, are willing to hand our children over to the state for schooling. It is clear in Scripture that we are meant to raise our own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord- not let the world raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the state. Why are we willing to do this when the Bible tells us that we are to teach our children the laws of God at all times? Because Education has become our god. This society, and many Christians in it, believe whole-heartedly that schooling is the most important thing in life.
If a child misses worship for a game, recreation, etc., we are irritated. Yet, if the parent says that little Johnny has "so much homework to do" we turn a blind eye. After all, his homework is far more important than obeying God's command to worship. If a family misses Bible class for any other reason than sickness or school, they're considered wrong. When did homework become more important than Bible study and worship? If you place schooling above fellowshipping with brethren, worshipping God, and studying His Word, Education is your god!
2. We allow ourselves to be defined by our schooling. This covers so many areas. One of the first things someone will ask a child is "what grade are you in?" And a person's worth is dependent on how well they're doing in school. Do you get A's, B's....or F's???!! Are you "Special Ed." or "AP"? And then once someone is out of highschool he is defined by what school he's going to (or not) and what his major might be. When he's through with college, he is defined by his degree and what school he graduated from. But I believe that we are only to boast in Jesus Christ, and in no other thing. We are Christians first. Not Kindergarteners, or Seniors, or Phds, or Graduates of such and such. I'm Miranda Trujillo, and I belong to Christ.
Gal 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
3. We live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word in order to have a worldly Education. The Bible tells us how to live, but because of Education we are willing to throw God's way aside. He tells us it is not wise to be in debt (Prov. 22:7), but in the name of Education it's somehow OK and admirable to be in debt. He tells us that women are preserved through the bearing of children (1 Tim. 2:15), yet, because of Education, women put off bearing children until it's convenient for them. We are told to worship together on the first day of the week, and we are given an example of dedicating ourselves to the study of the Word. But, in order to do well in our schooling, we are willing to disobey. We are supposed to teach our children at all times about God's laws (Deut. 11:19), but we wait and try to shove it all in after school, or maybe just in Bible class (if little Johnny doesn't have homework, that is).
I am not down playing Godly education. But I don't believe that word ("education") is actually used in the Bible in the context of something we are to seek. The words that are used are "knowledge" and "wisdom".
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
So we are not wise if we don't fear the Lord enough to put Him first. We have a good understanding if we obey His commandments, not when we save them for later so that we can pay off our college debt.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So, if we put off the study of God's Word in the name of homework, do we really have understanding at all?
2 Pet 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
God is the one who has granted us all we need to know pertaining to life. When we stop putting Education before Him, we'll be truly successful. When we stop labeling ourselves as something other than Christians (as if anything could be better or more amazing than being washed clean with Christ's blood), we'll have a real identity. When we stop disobeying His commands because we would rather serve the god of Education, we will be blessed.
Please, define yourself as a Christian. Put God's will first, not the will of the "educated" people around you. Seek education- yes- but make sure it is based on a knowledge of God and a desire for wisdom.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Every time I kneel to pray, I open up my heart to the Lord.
Every time I close my eyes, I feel the sweet embrace of my Lord.
Every time I see a child, I see the gentleness of my Lord.
Every time I watch a storm, I know the awesome power of my Lord.
Every time I see a cross...
Amen!
Life is good, God is great. I rejoice in Him every day. He's given me so much- A father who knows and loves the role of leader and protector. A mother who is the role model of Biblical beauty. A sister- my best and closest friend. A brother who is fast becoming a mature man of God. A church family that is just that- a family. And onto the smaller things, like Indiana vacations, flower gardens, a great job, football games, rat kisses, long walks, and Human Bean!! : ) How can anyone actually COUNT their blessings?? They're without number.
I haven't been blogging too much lately. I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts together for long enough to write well about a particular topic. There are too many things to blog about. I'm working on several posts though. Soon to come:
The Education Idol
Monday, September 8, 2008
Innocent
I'm overdressed for success
In a world that has no shame
I've had enough of seeing love
Being played like some game
I know why the good old days are gone
Cause everyone just tolerates whats wrong
I'm not some empty space for rent
I wanna be innocent
Yours wholeheartedly
Innocent
Every part of me
Take me back so I can see
The way that love was meant to be
Boys and girls
The real world
Is one that's filled with consequence
And all the lies that glamorize
It's a life that's broken
I see why the good old days are gone
Every time I turn my tv on
What's wrong with being different
Buried underneath this avalanche
You are my hope and second chance
Don't let my heart get away
-Stellar Kart
I've heard this song a few times now. It's so true and it makes so much sense to me. Why do we often think being sheltered, protected, and innocent is a bad thing? Innocence is beautiful. We are called to be innocent in a world full of shame.
Matt 10:16 ¶ "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."
In a world that has no shame
I've had enough of seeing love
Being played like some game
I know why the good old days are gone
Cause everyone just tolerates whats wrong
I'm not some empty space for rent
I wanna be innocent
Yours wholeheartedly
Innocent
Every part of me
Take me back so I can see
The way that love was meant to be
Boys and girls
The real world
Is one that's filled with consequence
And all the lies that glamorize
It's a life that's broken
I see why the good old days are gone
Every time I turn my tv on
What's wrong with being different
Buried underneath this avalanche
You are my hope and second chance
Don't let my heart get away
-Stellar Kart
I've heard this song a few times now. It's so true and it makes so much sense to me. Why do we often think being sheltered, protected, and innocent is a bad thing? Innocence is beautiful. We are called to be innocent in a world full of shame.
Matt 10:16 ¶ "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A Very Important Time in the Battle For Life
Life is precious. We hear that so often that maybe we have forgotten what those words really mean. Life is a gift from God. Children are beautiful, and they are blessings. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!" These words come from the book of Job as Job proclaims God's sovereignty over life. This servant of God lost his children to death, but he knew that it was God that gave them life, and God who took it. ONLY God has that right. He is the Creator of all that lives, and He is the only One who knows the right time for a person to die.
Yet, in our society, we throw away the message of life being precious. Sure, we preach "human rights" and "self worth". But have we forgotten that from the time a child is being formed in the womb, they are- in fact- a precious life that deserves rights and is worth soooo much?
Our society fights endlessly against child abuse. Yet, it seems we've forgotten the ultimate child abuse- abortion. What could be more abusive than brutally murdering a helpless child? And this abuse is excused and encouraged in the name of "choice"?? America, what have we come to?
The feminist agenda is alive and well. We hear that women deserve rights. The right to live and prosper just as much (and more than) men. But we turn a blind eye the the beautiful young women that God is creating within the womb...the young women whose lives are ended before they had a chance to live or prosper.
The suffering of people throughout the world is brought to our attention, as it should be. But our society wants to hide the fact that our very own children are suffering right under our noses.
What happens when a man with a loaded gun heads toward a public elementary school? I think you know what happens. But in American cities everywhere "doctors" murder our babies and no one does anything about it. This brings to mind Abort73's logo "Would it bother us more if they used guns?"
And what exactly CAN I do about it? Well, right now in Colorado we have a chance to do something BIG. This ammendment- http://www.coloradoforequalrights.com/ - NEEDS to pass. If you are a voter in Colorado, please vote "yes". If you aren't, we need your prayers at this crucial time.
Another way to help is to look on http://www.40daysforlife.com/ to see if you are close to one of the campaign spots. If you are, please volunteer for a few prayer shifts. Sadly, Fort Collins doesn't have a spot in this campaign. But I will be fasting and praying with 40 Days for Life. Please consider participating.
Also, consider purchasing one or more shirts/bags/hats from http://www.abort73.com/ . I have 3 shirts (love lets live, and 2 better off alive shirts). They were, imo, very reasonably priced and they're nice shirts. Already they've sparked some interesting conversations. And I pray that at least one person will see the website on my shirt and go to the site to see what abortion really is.
Yet, in our society, we throw away the message of life being precious. Sure, we preach "human rights" and "self worth". But have we forgotten that from the time a child is being formed in the womb, they are- in fact- a precious life that deserves rights and is worth soooo much?
Our society fights endlessly against child abuse. Yet, it seems we've forgotten the ultimate child abuse- abortion. What could be more abusive than brutally murdering a helpless child? And this abuse is excused and encouraged in the name of "choice"?? America, what have we come to?
The feminist agenda is alive and well. We hear that women deserve rights. The right to live and prosper just as much (and more than) men. But we turn a blind eye the the beautiful young women that God is creating within the womb...the young women whose lives are ended before they had a chance to live or prosper.
The suffering of people throughout the world is brought to our attention, as it should be. But our society wants to hide the fact that our very own children are suffering right under our noses.
What happens when a man with a loaded gun heads toward a public elementary school? I think you know what happens. But in American cities everywhere "doctors" murder our babies and no one does anything about it. This brings to mind Abort73's logo "Would it bother us more if they used guns?"
And what exactly CAN I do about it? Well, right now in Colorado we have a chance to do something BIG. This ammendment- http://www.coloradoforequalrights.com/ - NEEDS to pass. If you are a voter in Colorado, please vote "yes". If you aren't, we need your prayers at this crucial time.
Another way to help is to look on http://www.40daysforlife.com/ to see if you are close to one of the campaign spots. If you are, please volunteer for a few prayer shifts. Sadly, Fort Collins doesn't have a spot in this campaign. But I will be fasting and praying with 40 Days for Life. Please consider participating.
Also, consider purchasing one or more shirts/bags/hats from http://www.abort73.com/ . I have 3 shirts (love lets live, and 2 better off alive shirts). They were, imo, very reasonably priced and they're nice shirts. Already they've sparked some interesting conversations. And I pray that at least one person will see the website on my shirt and go to the site to see what abortion really is.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Letter to Diognetus
This was read in a Bible class at camp. It is a portion of a letter written to Diognetus in the second century A.D. It was written by an anonymous writer, and I think it's incredible. This is how the writer describes Christians.
They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country. They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. Their names are blackened and yet they are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
Are we, as Christ's people, living up to this amazing description? I hope so.
They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country. They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. Their names are blackened and yet they are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
Are we, as Christ's people, living up to this amazing description? I hope so.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Kamp Koinonia Week 3
I just got back from another fellowship (koinonia) filled week- this time as a camper. I had a fantastic time, and I'll never forget my last year as a camper.
My awesome date to banquet- Garret
Me and Megan (frizbeez) after the Jewel Hunt. We had TOO much fun!
Karl and his lovely banquet dates. ; )
Me and two of my awesomest guys. I love them! 
The beauty around us was incredible.
All of the Frizbeez!
The cheese chair. We smelled good, let me tell ya.
These are my two best friends in the world.
Me and my wonderful dad!!
Daniel lookin' cool with the girls. ; )
My awesome date to banquet- Garret
Me and Megan (frizbeez) after the Jewel Hunt. We had TOO much fun!
Karl and his lovely banquet dates. ; )
Me and two of my awesomest guys. I love them! 
The beauty around us was incredible.
All of the Frizbeez!
The cheese chair. We smelled good, let me tell ya.
These are my two best friends in the world.
Me and my wonderful dad!!
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