America Day

America. This is July 4th, the day we celebrate our independence: our nation’s birthday. What does that mean? Who cares.

Really, does it matter why you celebrate or what you celebrate about this country? I would say no. As much as I’m all for celebrating our independence, celebrating the men and women who came before us: our founding fathers, as much as I am a patriotic person and proud to be an American, I would still say that it doesn’t really matter why you celebrate the Fourth of July. Why is that? Primarily, because of this one thing: to celebrate July 4th is to be an American citizen who recognizes that on this day we became free. Today is a memorial day. You can’t celebrate the Fourth of July in any other country for the same reason.

One of my favorite trick questions to ask people is “do they have a Fourth of July in England?”. 90% of the time everyone says “no”. The trick part of the question is that they have a 4th of July in every country, they just don’t celebrate it; so yes, England does have a 4th of July. The difference between July 4th in any other country and July 4th in America is that it doesn’t mean anything to anyone anywhere else. That makes this day special regardless of what you think of when you celebrate the Fourth of July, regardless of if you even know what men and women had to go through to establish freedom in this country.

More than anything, the Fourth of July stands for liberty from tyrants, and America has always been about that. The separatists, the pilgrims that first founded this great nation did so because they had fled tyrannical rule in England that infringed upon their religious liberty. The colonials, the first Americans who sought to separate themselves from England did so to escape tyrannical rule that oppressed their moral liberty; in the English hierarchy all men were not created equal.

This country stands for liberty, but will this be the last Fourth of July that we can truly celebrate independence and freedom. Not independence or freedom; not independence as well as freedom, but independence along with freedom. There’s a narrow line in which few have ever been that presents the correct relationship between independence and freedom.

Independence is a separated state of being that allows one to be totally dependent upon themselves.
Freedom is the ability to live however you want to live, without a government, without a religion, without anyone or anything telling you different.

When the nation is independent, the nation is free; but often when the people are independent the people are not free. If everyone is left to live their own life and do their own thing, without fail they will attempt to infringe upon, and destroy the freedoms of others: it’s human nature. Celebrate this day while you can. Celebrate America just because it is America, never mind your reason, celebrate America however you want for whatever reason you wish on this day, and do so in freedom.

Now for the kicker: if you are living in America or perhaps are even an American citizen, and I won’t discriminate, even up to the president himself, if you live under our sky, and our laws, and on our land, you will respect our flag, and our independence. If you can’t respect our country and our flag, then you can go live somewhere else.

Happy 4th everyone. God bless America!

As always, thanks for reading.

–the anonymous novelist

Mother’s Day

I don’t know what it’s like to be a mother; I never will. I do know that I wouldn’t want to raise me, let alone my seven other siblings. Being a mother is hard, that much I do know. Mostly because as long as your children live, you never stop being a mother. You never stop being the protector, worrying about the future, and yes, being disappointed. 

Not everything we do will be everything you dreamed we would. Not every standard you hold will be a standard we think is necessary. But, you can teach us well. Instruct to do what is right in the sight of God. If you train us up in that way, when we are old, we will be alright.
We know we can always count on you to be there when we have problems. You are so dependable that we take you for granted. Thanks for being there when we don’t need you, for its in those time that we overlook your importance as an instructor and guide.

Today is a day to honor mothers, and I know many of you have various ways you do that. I want to encourage you to just spend some time with your mom’s today. Let them know you love them. If you’re like me, and all of that stuff just makes you feel awkward: just being there and having a good attitude will help your mom enjoy the day. I want you to spend this day with your families and specifically your mothers, so I won’t drag this post out.

As always, thanks for reading and Happy Mother’s Day.

–the anonymous novelist 

The Response to the Savior

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 

–John 1:40-46

Observe how these disciples react to the funding of Christ. Andrew heard of Him by the testimony of John the Baptist and followed Jesus, because John shared the truth of Christ with him. When Andrew, a follower of John the Baptist heard and followed the Master, he immediately goes to share the truth of Christ with his brother Simon. The next day Jesus seeks out Phillip and calls him to follow Him. Phillip does, and after discovering the Master, he immediately seeks out his brother, Nathaniel.

The reaction to Christ in the first disciples, is a direct and impossible urge to share Christ with others. When Christ comes in contact with your life, it affects everything and must be shared with others. One of the evidences of being a true disciple of Christ is an irrepressible urge to share the truth of Christ with everyone. It’s a simple invitation that Phillip gives. It’s not the invitation to go to church, to become a Christian, or to join a Bible study: the invitation is to come and see. That’s it, just come and see that it is true. 

Share the truth of Christ with others today.

As always, thanks for reading.

–the anonymous novelist 

Valentine’s Hangover…

Being single on Valentine’s Day is the worst, (intentional exageration for emphasis); it’s never easy, and it’s almost always an awkward experience. For many, it’s awkward because they have no one to go out with: this has never been a problem for me. I’m not a fan of the dating lifestyle, so not having a date for Valentine’s Day isn’t an area of awkwardness for me. 

Valentine’s Day is awkward for me because we live in a society that expects and encourages young people to show affection for one another on this day. Our culture says “show love to each other” and “reveal your heart to those you have feelings for”. It’s pressure, and it’s become a mandate for teens and young adults especially. It’s frightening to me, primarily because I don’t want to live in a world where young people are being pushed by social expectation to show love to each other.

A more personal reason for disliking what this holiday has become, is that its setting and everything that occurs on that day makes me uncomfortable. This holiday instigates emotions, negatively in my case, but in all young people; emotions of love and affection, even things as small as admiration. I don’t like these feelings. I don’t know what to do with them. I don’t like the temptation to overstep my bounds, to make an inappropriate comment or aproach; and as a young man, –more importantly, as a weak, fallible human– it’s a real struggle to protect myself from doing something stupid because of the pressure of society. 

Valentine’s Day forces me to raise my guard so that I don’t crumble under peer pressure and an atmosphere of openness that compels people to share their feelings. It’s okay to tell someone you love them. Your family members and close friends especially, even your pastor and church staff, or the people at work. But, when to tell “The One”, or someone you think might be “The One”, should be your choice alone. No pressure from society or cultural obligation should cause you to do something out of turn that you may regret later. 

God knows when the right time is better than our culture or even ourselves. He will show you when and how to say “I love you”.

Really, why are we being pressed into society’s mold, adhering to its rules set for love, and allowing it to dictate when and how we love? How can we not be swarmed with feelings and emotions on Valentine’s Day when we’re around so many who post and talk about it?

I apologize, but I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day, as a young adult. But, as a child under my parent’s roof, I respect and adhere to their opinions and traditions. No matter how awkward it is for me to face Valentine’s Day, I still go out with my sister. I still give her gifts and attempt to act more gentlemanly than I normally do to treat her like a lady. And, by these examples, hopefully show my younger siblings how to treat a young lady and how to become a gentleman of honor and virtue. 

As always, thanks for reading.

—the anonymous novelist

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, what can we say…? Valentine’s Day was named after a priest who performed weddings, even when the state outlawed them. He believed so strongly in marriage and family that he risked his own life for the future and happiness of others. Valentine was a young man who opposed the government because its laws were contrary to his beliefs. He stood up for what he believed, in spite of the odds against him.

Was he right to stand against the government? Is it right to stand against those that have been placed in authority over us? Aren’t we told to respect authority, and obey those over us? How then can we justify Valentine’s lawlessness? Not with love; love is not a motive worth sinning for. Love isn’t a reason to disobey both God and Man. So, why did Valentine do what he did? Not for love, but because he felt called of God to do the things he did.

What was Valentine fighting for? In a sense, it was for Christ’s sake. The family is a picture of the Trinity and exemplifies the God-head in its functionality, (in a perfect world). But mostly, Valentine was fighting for the freedom to act upon conviction. Valentine wasn’t opposing just a government or law, he stood up against the idea that soldiers fight better if they are not preoccupied with their families. Valentine argued that their families were the reason the soldiers fought: to protect them, and to be able to come back to them and find them safe.

Valentine was a driven man, he passed through many dangers simply to perform marriages. He viewed the institution of marriage as something sacred and holy, so much so that he was willing to die for it. Valentine believed in God, in marriage, and in family. He set the example for us today, and yet we treat his day like a joke. This day, named after Saint Valentine has become one of obligation and carnal love.

For some, it is a day that we have to buy candy for spouses, friends, or, (if you’re a homeschooler), siblings. For others, Valentines Day is an excuse to go on a date, to celebrate love and relationships. Really though, that’s not what it’s all about. Valentines Day is about marriage, family, and God’s love, not Man’s love. We’re celebrating the wrong thing in the wrong way with the wrong mindset(attitude).

There are many traditions of Valentine’s Day that can benefit young adults, teens, and even younger children by teaching them the values of chivalry, etiquette, and just overall how to be a gentleman or a lady. Those are all good principals, but that’s not the heart of this holiday. So, if you’re single like me, remember that Valentine’s Day is primarily about family, not Cupid, not boy/girl, not even love: it’s about family. So, enjoy it for what it is to you now, until you can enjoy it with a family of your own someday.

As always, thanks for reading.

—the anonymous novelist

The Day After

The fun has died down, the family has gone home, and Christmas is coming to a close. Let’s take a look at what just happened:

• You were subconsciously nice to people yesterday.
• You spent time with those you love and had a good meal.
• You gave something, even as insignificant as time itself, to someone else.
• You had a good time and shared peace and joy with family and friends. 

Christmas was a success… Or was it?
Why do you celebrate Christmas? Not, why do your parents celebrate Christmas, or why does your culture celebrate Christmas. Why do you celebrate Christmas?

WHY?

We know that Jesus probably wasn’t born on December 25, and that celebrations of birthdays in general are traditionally pagan. So, why do you celebrate Christmas?

Biblically, every blessing from God recieved thanks, and every recurring blessing recieved a festival, or holiday. These festivals, most of them belonging to the Jews, (who are the opposite of pagans), included the festival of the harvest, the festival of the Passover, and many others. These were festivals of blessing, celebrating the gift of harvest and the gift of the passing over of the Spirit of Death. Blessings of God ought to be celebrated. We celebrate Christmas because Christ is the ultimate blessing.

WHEN?

Why do we celebrate this holiday when we do? Christmas is celebrated in December for many reasons, one is that, according to astronomy, the Star of Bethlehem, (which appeared at Christ’s conception), appeared on December 25. Life begins at conception, thus Christ was alive and in the world on December 25, but was born roughly 9 months later.

 Another reason we celebrate in December is for remberance. Christ emphasized remberance in the blessing of His death. He told His disciples to partake of the “Lord’s Supper”, in remberance of Him.

The reason we celebrate in the dark of winter, the middle of the coldest part of our year, is because it was into a bleak and cold world that He came into. The dark and chill of winter is our hearts. When we needed Him most, in the bleak of winter, He came to us.

WHAT?

What is Christmas to you? That’s what makes it worth celebrating in the first place. Christmas isn’t for Christ. It is not for His pleasure, joy, and happiness that we celebrate. Every day should be devoted to Christ, but there shouldn’t be anything extra done on Christmas anymore than any other day. Christmas is for us, that we partake of the joy, peace, and love, and remember why, how, when, and who it’s all about.

Think about what just happened. Think about Christmas, and believe.

As always, thanks for reading.

—the anonymous novelist

Christmas Cop-Out

Merry Christmas everyone!

As always, thanks for reading.

—the anonymous novelist

The Eve Of Christmas

You’re probably expecting a post that has something to do with Christmas, given the title and timing of this post. But, I’m not going to focus on Christmas today. It isn’t Christmas, it is the day before; the day we go to a candlelight church service and reflect on what God did for us.

Today is all about precursor. In this case, the precursor is more important than the actual day. Christmas is all about us. We are so wrapt in ourselves and giving to others that we may see the joy on their faces and recieve the satisfaction from that. It’s about us having fun with family and showing others that we care. But, Christmas Eve is not about Christ, it’s about reflecting upon His birth, life, and death.

At least in the way we celebrate these days: Christmas is about fun, and Christmas Eve is about faith. The Christian’s way of keeping Christ in Christmas is to push Him out of it. We gather in His house earlier than usual so that we don’t end up staying too late. We come into His presence in fellowship a day early so the Christmas Day can be filled with “more important things”.

I don’t think this is a bad thing, but be consistent Christians! Without Christ, Christmas is just an average holiday; not all that special. So, if the eve of this average holiday is all about Christ, and the holiday itself is an afterthought to that, why not cry out: “Keep Christ in Christmas Eve!”? Just be consistent. We cannot tell the world to keep Christ in Christmas while pushing Him out of it ourselves.

The day of Christmas ought to be more Christ-centered than its precursor. Do we treat it as a holy day?

What’s more important? What do your actions tell others that Christmas means to you? Just a thought.

As always, thanks for reading.

–the anonymous novelist

Christmas Cultrolls

Trolls are real; they steal your socks.

What is a Cultroll? That is the question of the hour. Well, a good place to start is by figuring out what troll is. According to Frozen, it’s a dumpy, string-haired, gapped-toothed, rock-person. By Tolkien’s representation it is a large, ugly, brutish creature that turns to stone in the sunlight. But what is it by today’s definition?

Most commonly, people who wander around the internet looking for a fight on social media are reffered to as trolls. People who only have negative and contrary things to say regardless of the topic or even if they believe one side or the other of the arguement. So, a troll is a really obnoxious, constantly negative person on the Internet. Then, what is a Cultroll?

Well, it’s a conjunctive word I just made up. A combination of two words “Culture” and “Troll”. Thus, a culture troll, or a Cultroll, is a real life person who goes trolling for cultural fights and disputes. Cultrolls are everywhere; more commonly called liberals in the political society, these fight-seekers are really only intent on making others as miserable as they. 

During the Christmas season, a different breed of Cultroll emerges, one that has been hibernating all year, waiting for their chance to strike. We see these more clearly for what they truly are, miserly, grinch trolls that ride on Christmas culture and seek for every opportunity to take the joy and pleasure out of others at this time of year.

Cultrolls are fixed on tearing people down, it’s how they feed their own wretched kind of happiness. They are negative by nature, but it’s more than just wanting to tear others down. Christmas Cultrolls are after anything Christmas and anything joyful. Why? Well, because they feel that if they are miserable, so ought everyone else. They’re lonely because of how they distance themselves and create rifts between them and others.

Christmas Cultrolls will try to steal your joy this Christmas season. I say give it to them, just hand over your joy to them. Maybe they’ll catch some of this contagious Christmas spirit.

As always, thanks for reading, and watch out for trolls.

–the anonymous novelist

Thoughts after Thanksgiving

  
I know you’ve all been busy these past several weeks with holiday preparation and Black Friday madness. Football, family, fashion, and food have taken up most of your time and you’re only now recovering. I feel your pain. It’s like getting off a roller coaster; a huge rush, then an abrupt halt and it’s back to life as normal again.

We’re still on an emotional high from festivities and adrenaline, so I’ll keep it short. 

We’re nearing the end of the year, it’s still about 4 weeks off but coming on fast and will be here before we know it. It’s closure, but to what is the question? In this next month you have a chance to write the closing chapter of 2015. A good story is defined by what it took to get to the end, but a great story is defined by what is at the end.

Bring closure to your year, everything good that has happened, you have the chance to finish well. For everything bad that has happened, it is a final shot at redemption for a year of mistakes. In these last days, you have a chance to define and redeem how you lived that year.

Sound familiar? It’s an allusion to the final days in which the world is living. These are the final days of our lives, of our history. How will we set closure to them? We don’t have but one life to live, one life to love. So make every moment matter. Let love live your life. Every story is defined by its ending. Even the worst of beginnings can be redeemed by an ending. What will yours be?

As always, thanks for reading.

Facebook: @JaredAllen

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—the anonymous novelist