Twenty Seven







That’s a powerful statement.



Criticism and Judgement

The American Heritage Dictionary states that criticism is “a critical comment or judgment” and it is â€œthe act of criticizing, especially adverselyâ€ ( So perhaps Iâ€™m an expert on criticism. Itâ€™s great being able to look at something or someone and point out all of its flaws. How much harder it is to actually point out its unique beauty and character?

Several days ago I was listening to someone speak on fasting, and some of the things you can fast from (because fasting can also mean â€œa period of refrainâ€). While I wasnâ€™t as focused on what exactly was being said, I found something that stuck out to me: you can refrain from criticism for a period of time. Now, I love to point out peopleâ€™s flaws so refraining from criticism canâ€™t be easy. I mean, look at how people park in a parking lot! Just plain bad sometimes. But what if there was a reason for it? Sure, the parking may still be bad, but what if the reason they parked so â€œbadâ€ was because of some external reason, say perhaps there was a buggy in their way?

Iâ€™ve been thinking about it a lot lately and Iâ€™ve started just telling myself â€œdonâ€™t criticizeâ€ when I feel so inclined to do so. Iâ€™m good at judging people before I know them a lot of times. I donâ€™t know exactly why I feel inclined to point out others faults, especially when Iâ€™m no better than they are, sometimes more so than others. I remember a few days ago when I said something about how someone could be put in jail for a specific action they did â€“ all the while not thinking that I could be found guilty of the same thing. When I look at people, I no longer what to think or see the â€œwrongâ€ they may be in. I want to love them. Love never fails.

So this is what Iâ€™ve been learning lately. Iâ€™m not near the end of the tunnel, and I donâ€™t see myself as â€œfastingâ€ criticism, but rather trying to escape it. How can I really judge others, condemning them, while I myself am just as guilty of the same sins they are? Jesus said that if we lust after someone weâ€™ve already committed adultery in our hearts. In the same way, if I judge someone for doing something that I have only acted upon in my mind, how much different is it? I committed the same sin, yet I judge the other person for acting upon it. I donâ€™t ever want to do that, yet I have before and I still do. I think itâ€™s something that we as a body of believers should long to be free of, not just because it may be a â€œnobleâ€ thing to do, but because it’s the Biblical thing to do.

Cry Out to Jesus

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry Out to Jesus, Third Day












Life Lesson in a Sentence

I've been listening to some podcasts (as always) from _tag. I heard a good quote that was post worthy …

If the world is just too big … then our faith is just too small.

Life lesson in a sentence. How about that? Pretty awesome.


I've been tired this week with work and all.  Nothing at all is going on at work.  Nothing important anyway.  Doing much of what I'd do at home, only much (much) less productive.  I can't program or do anything (but answer tech support and read news).  Since money from E-Blah comes from upgrades and and new versions — I won't make much off of it this summer.  Oh well.  What's worse is when I get home I have 4 to 5 hours to do … something.  I can't program because if I start something I like to finish it that night.  I'm too tired to do anything on top of that.  I guess I have weekends.  Weekends are full, though.  I wish I had someone to talk to.  Guess complaining about that won't change anything though.  I see as much drama at work now as I did in high school.  That always makes life happy.  It reminds me of times past … but back again.  Maybe some people just don't grow up.  Maybe.  *sigh*

If weakness is a wound
That no one wants to speak of
Then “cool” is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune
I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall
Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth, I need to confess

I’m not alright
I’m broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through
It leads me to you, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I’m open wide
With nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on
Cause honestly, I’m not that strong

I’m not alright
I’m broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through
It leads me to you, it leads me to you

And I move, and I move, and I move…closer to you
And I move, and I move, and I move…

I’m not alright
I’m broken inside, broken inside
broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through
Leads me to you, leads me to you

I’m not alright, I’m not alright, I’m not alright…that’s why I need you

I'm Not Alright – Sanctus Real