Hello! My name is Ben, and I have a lot of thoughts on many different topics. I’m passionate about Jesus, video games, technology, and music.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 (ESV)
This is the most popular verse in the Bible. It is the gospel in one sentence. This was the first verse that I knew by heart when I was a kid. I could speak it out loud, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized everything this verse tells us. This verse doesn’t just give us hope, it tells us a lot about how God views us.
I have always struggled with having a healthy view of myself. I tend to look at myself through the lens of my mistakes, but God sees His creation. He loves who we are, quirks and all. He created each of us uniquely and beautifully lovable. Even when we don’t love ourselves, He loves us.
I will never understand how God can love me so much that he would give His only Son for me. This concept is illogical. I tell myself, “I’m not worthy of this kind of love. I deserve the pain that Jesus went through.” The beauty of God’s love is that it is illogical and unfair. When I say, “I’m not worth that kind of sacrifice”, God picks up my chin, looks at me and declares in love, “You were worth it all, son.”
He loves when His children spend time with Him. He wants to be involved in our everyday. He wants to be in the midst when we hang out with friends. He wants to ride in the car with us while we blast our favorite songs with the windows down. More than this, He want us to be a part of His plans. Not just for a little bit, but for eternity.
We were once dead, but the breath we breathe today is the final and victorious breath that Jesus breathed on the Cross. The breath that proceeded resurrection and shook the foundations of the earth. That redemptive and triumphant breath is alive in us today, and we are alive because of Him. Death is defeated; it is finished.
“…For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
The most important one. The reason God is able see us in such a beautiful way. Where we see ourselves through our mistakes, God sees us through Jesus. His love for us transcends our condition and heals our broken heart. Because of Jesus, we are seen as sons and daughters. He has given us a new and beautiful heart.
As we go through our day, let’s remember to view ourselves through Jesus. I want us to see who God sees when we look in the mirror. When we look in the mirror today, let’s say, “I am lovable. God thinks I was worth it all. He wants to spend eternity with me! I am no longer dead to sin, but alive in Christ! Thank you, Jesus. Today, I see the world through You.”
I’ve been wanting to learn what I will call being a guitar technician (skilled and experienced at complete guitar “set up” and other general working on guitars -simple electrics, simple body, ect work). I’ve begun doing set ups and other simpler skill level work on my own guitars for about 6 months now. I’ve learned though internet, books and as mentioned, by doing it. I make mistakes and takes me longer to do things because I need double check/research steps to particular tasks. Also takes me longer due to lack of confidence.
I wish there was a local teacher who held classes/workshops. I have found a place, but its three hours away (I may still go there though). At local ‘tech told me there are only ‘so many of them techs (like “3–4” total) in our area and so they wouldn’t want teach their own trade for loss of business (in other words they’d think another competitor if I learned). M
My main short term goal (5 year plan) is to be able service my own (so far…) 10 guitars. My long term goal (5 years plus…) is a small business based on guitar and other ‘niche retail, servicing guitars, instruction (in guitar servicing) and hosting (for free) a music ‘club (a place to exchange in discussion, ect and playing, ect).
As the local tech who I spoke w/ mentioned none of the locals would want teach their trade ‘secrets due to would mean more competition and that could mean less profit. I don’t think that way at all so that kind of talk makes no impact on my passions and goals. I need make honest money, but I don’t care about money except having feasibly enough $ to live an honest simple life (“need”, but “don’t care” …if that makes sense…).
When I set my mind to something I ‘wanna do I just do it. I also don’t stop learning and continue as a student no matter what I may achieve or re-achieve at any point. My short and long term goals above are my passion (‘period).
As always, endlessly fascinating. It’s interesting to me that you bought two loaves of bread and two packs of ham (the second of each will be about a week old by the time you start them), but that’s because I live really close to a grocery store and would rather make two trips for the treat of fresher food. Do you have quite a journey to get to the store?
Also, a new idea! HAUL PHOTOS! Like when you get home you arrange it all on our counter, and send that in with your receipt. I’m curious to see sheer quantity in addition to the itemized receipts which are sometimes difficult to parse.
Not to mention that the core premise of the call-out is false — the use of the museum’s photo did indeed fall under Fair Use, while the appropriation of personal photos from social media for the purpose of stalking clearly violates copyright laws.