Energy Drinks???

Energy drinks. There are so many to choose from, so many varieties, so many sizes.
If i took a poll of today's teenage population I bet I would find that somewhere between 60-70% of teens and young adults drink the "energy" drink.
Some people can't live without having one first thing in the morning. Kind of like the Coffee of the 2000's the energy drinks have been a craze and become hugely (not sure that is a word) popular in the last couple of years.
I personally have never had one, but those i talk to just rave about how good they are.
For those of you reading this who drink those cans of "energy", how many of you have read the label?
The contents may not be as good for you as you might think. One label reads:"Do not consume if you are pregnant, or a small child." What determines what a small child is (i was never a SMALL child)? Another reads:"Do not consume more than three a day". What if it is a really long day? And what happens if i do?
Problem is that these drinks contain high levels of caffeine. A drug in and of itself, caffeine, is disguised these days in very slick covers. It is in coffee, cola, and now energy drinks. Why do we think we need energy drinks?
Common answers:
"to give me a pick-up in the morning" - get a good nights rest.
"i couldn't make it through the day without one" - How did anyone make it 5 years ago before energy drinks?
"they taste so good" - so does water, try it again for the first time. Plus it is good for you.

There are lots of things we as people think we need, but in reality God has everything prepared for us.
Why do we feel like we always have to be running around? (Hence the reason for a caffeine boost in the first place.
What is wrong with a little rest?
I think we need to evaluate our priorities and try to do things a little differently. Let's get rid of the caffeine and the energy drings and get a hold of something that will have deeper meaning and impact in our lives. Let's get our energy from God's Word and let let that be what gives us our charge and energy on a daily, even moment by moment, basis.

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

LOVE WINS!* part dos

I would like to take this moment to apologize for my last blog. I evidently offended some people. That was not my intent. The body of Christ is meant to build each other up. So if you do read my blog, first thank you for reading and second if my words offended, i am sorry.

The main point: No matter what you do, where you are, or who you are......nothing really matters but love. God showed His love for us and we must as faithful followers....echo His example and Love others. When we do, we are most clearly resembling our Savior.
LOVE WINS!

LOVE WINS!*

LOVE WINS! To borrow that phrase from Rob Bell. Love does actually win. No matter where you are, no matter who you are...LOVE WINS.
Love won for us at the cross. Love kept Christ there. Love keeps us faithful to him.

There is a freedom in Love. If you love in the Biblical context(John 13:34)....LOVE WINS. Love is stronger than any choice of words. Love is action. To quote my favorite band of all time (DC Talk) "Love is a verb" Love in and of itself is action. You can not have love without action. You can say "I love you" but until you actual "do" love, love doesn't happen. Love is not just giving someone a place to be. Love is giving a piece of your life, your time, your energy, your effort.

I know this firsthand. I know LOVE WINS with my wife, with my kids, in fact with my entire family. I know that LOVE WINS with the body of Christ.

People know you genuinely care for and love them. They call, Email and text you to let you know their life decisions...it proves that LOVE WINS!
What a blessing.
What a LOVE.

LOVE WINS!!! all the time.

Peace
B
1 Corinthians 13