Friday, March 26, 2010

Adulthood: Decisions and Onset

An interesting and thought provoking quote. In a student conference the professor gives this advice for the student to consider.

"Professor Stephen Malley: The decisions you make now, bud, can't be changed but with years and years of hard work to redo it... And in those years you become something different. Everybody does as the time passes. You get married, you get into debt... But you're never gonna be the same person you are right now. And promise and potential... It's very fickle, and it just might not be there anymore.

Student Todd Hayes: Are you assuming I already made a decision? And also that I'll live to regret it?

Professor Stephen Malley: All I'm saying is that you're an adult now... And the tough thing about adulthood is that it starts before you even know it starts, when you're already a dozen decisions into it. But what you need to know, Todd, no Lifeguard is watching anymore. You're on your own. You're your own man, and the decisions you make now are yours and yours alone from here until the end. "
From the movie "Lions for Lambs" (2007).

Think about it and post your comments.

Blessings....

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A License to Live

While attending Bible class last Sunday in Fairfax, VA, the teacher's lesson had a point concerning the relationship of the Old Testament and how does legalism and faith apply to today's Christian. This got me to thinking.

When I had been flying for a few years, I needed to add another qualification to my license. To add this qualification I had to do some specified practice and then take a test to get my new license. The examiner who gave me the test made an interesting statement. He said, "A license just gives you permission to go learn more, legally."

This is true in so many areas. Take a driver's license for example. You take driver's ed or something equivalent. You are trained to some modicom of proficiency to drive a car. You may have had to even pass a driving test. Now you automatically have the ability to drive like Mario Andretti. NO. Now you can go learn as you drive. You learn cars really do hydroplane, not all yellow lights are created equal. As you learn you become more capable of controlling the car in difficult circumstances as your experience increases.

A Christian is a lot like this. We learn the basic rules. We find faith. We chose to change our ways and be baptized. We are like the driver with a new license, out learning how to live this new life. We make mistakes, but usually our mistakes are more about knowledge and ability in the beginning. As our experience and knowledge grows we find ourselves able to get further down the road and help others to see the advantages in getting their 'license' to live this new life.

On a side note. Some drivers learn how to drive without ever getting a license. They become fantastic drivers. They follow all the laws except one. When do they become legal to drive?

Blessings....