If Today Was Your Last Day

Greetings World.

So, straight to it. Question of the ages. What would you do if today was your last day? I suppose you could be realistic and say "well we will never know, will we?" But who cares about realists anyway? So what would it be? Say your apologies to everyone you've wronged? Tell that guy or girl next door you are crazy for him or her? Go witness to the world? Jump out of an airplane? Get married? What? If this was your last 24 hours. 1440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. That's it. That's all you have left. What are you going to do? 

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I think about death every once in a while. No. Not because I'm suicidal. Just because it's gonna happen and i might as well get used to that. And I got to thinking. Okay James. There is no tomorrow. You just woke up. You got today left. That's it. What are you gonna do? My first thoughts were probably typical of most people. 

Do something crazy! Something I would never be brave enough to otherwise. Jump off Niagara, try to run into the White House...something like that. :) Or, I could get spiritual and say I would witness to everyone I saw. After all, that's not a bad idea. But then I thought this. What do I enjoy most about life right now? 

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Answer? The little things. Sitting down talking to my sister Rachel about the girl I like. Playing tennis in the pouring rain with my best friend Sam. Playing catch with my brother Jonathan. Talking to my dad about the Bible. Road-tripping with my sister (in-law's sister) Tara to Nebraska to visit my brother Jeremiah and his wife Liz. Planning out my future with my mom. Sleeping in. Going for a walk. Having my devotions. Playing fetch with my mentally handicapped dog. Writing a story. Listening to music. 

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So thought. Why would I have my last day be any different? No. I wouldn't call up friends from the past asking forgiveness for things of the past. I wouldn't go on a witnessing spree. I wouldn't really do anything out of the ordinary. I'd do those little things that so often go unnoticed, over-looked and under-rated. I'd sleep in, go play catch, talk about girls, play fetch, have deep conversations, go for a walk, and plan my future that wasn't going to happen. 

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So what would I do if today was my last day? I would simply pretend I had 1 billion days left. What would you do?

Who Do You Imitate?

Hey everyone,
so it's 12:21 AM and i have church in a couple of hours, so i'm gonna keep this short. But i was just reading my devotions and i found something interesting i thought i'd like to share.
Okay, so you know all those books about like "100 keys to success" and "how to spend your money" and just blah blah blah about handling your money, and how to become successful and what not? Well, that makes sense right? Nobody wants to be in debt. Everyone wants to be rich, or at least in good standing or what not. And at bare minimum you want to be respected...even if you are poor. I mean...as a Christian we need to be respected by the world, right? Otherwise they won't wanna be Christians?
Well, please turn your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 4:8-16. But just in case you don't have a Bible nearby here's what it says....

^"8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! ⁹ For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! Weare weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. ¹² And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, imitate me."


 Wait a second!!! Paul has just gone on rambling about how the people of Corinth are rich (like kings), strong, and distinguished, and how he himself is dishonored, weak, poor, persecuted, defamed, and FILTHY! And Paul has the nerve to tell the people of Corinth to follow HIM?
Let me ask you a question? If you are witnessing to someone? Do you usually begin like this...?
"Hey, can I tell you about being a Christian? You will be poor, defamed, weak, and persecuted! So what do you say? Wanna pray and get started?"


I laugh when I think about the people who say Christianity is a crutch. If Christianity is a crutch, it's a crutch that keeps hitting you in the head until you are bleeding to death. No friends. Christianity was not meant to "help you" in this world. It's gonna hurt. You are going to lose friends. You are going to cry. You are going to hurt. Feel weak. Become disowned. Defamed. Is this for everyone? I used to think no, but I'm not so sure anymore. In the last verse Paul "urges" the people of Corinth to "imitate" him. 


I'm not really saying anything here. Not saying being rich, popular, or powerful is wrong. Pretty much just thinking out loud here. But who are you imitating?

The Consequences of Freedom

Hey everyone,
First of all I just want to apologize for how long it's been since I was on here.
Well now that we got that out of the way...:)
Well, as you may have noticed, yesterday was the 4th of July. So theoretically, since today is the 5th this post is kind of late. But that's just the story of my life so i guess we will all just have to deal with it. I'm sincerely hoping today is the start of blogging regularly again (but now i'm getting off track).
The Fourth of July is probably one of the most over-looked holidays there are. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter pretty much all take precedence over this holiday. After all, besides a couple of fireworks there is nothing much to it. However, the 4th is one of my favorites. And no...not only because i happen to love fireworks more than oxygen, chocolate, and mac'n'cheese combined. But because my dad raised me a patriot. I love this country very much, and singing patriotic songs, watching fireworks (remembering the bombs bursting in air), and hearing that star spangled banner sung is just amazing. But people don't get as excited about this anymore. Why is the celebration of the greatest country on earth the least celebrated?
I'll tell you why...
People no longer love America like they used to. Sure they talk about it a lot. All the time in fact. But mostly they are complaining. Complaining about the economy, about the leadership, about politics, about the war, about the border, about taxes, about pretty much everything there is to complain about. You know what I hear very little of? I rarely hear people just sigh and say, "Boy I love the United States of America!" Sure, people thank God for freedom. But you don't hear people thanking God for the current economy, taxes, leadership, etc.
The problem...?
You see, freedom is important. It's amazing. I love it. I praise God for it. But freedom also makes us forget. It makes us forget that sometimes you have to fight. It makes us forget that God is the one who gave it to us. It makes us forget to be grateful. It makes us forget to thank God for people who give their lives for it. It makes us forget to be grateful for those who sacrifice to lead our country. It makes us complain...complain...complain. One could say that I am now the one complaining. Yes. I am. But I'm NOT complaining about my country. Because I love it. I praise God for it. I am only complaining that the people God has BLESSED to live in this great country are not grateful enough to say thank you.
~
It's a lot like our faith. We live in a free country where we are free to worship. Am I thankful for this? Yes. But it's just the same. Christians just complain about others Christians! They complain that they are too liberal, too strict, they dance, they don't dance, their hair is too long, they are republicans, they are democrats, and on the list goes. It's like the 50 states all hating each other when they are all living under the same flag. You see...Patriotism and Christianity have a lot in common. We are misusing our freedoms. One of two things must happen.
1. We must suffer persecution. When in U.S history have we come the most together? Trade tours falling, World Wars, fighting the depression, The War for Independence. And where are Christians not only standing firm but growing in numbers uncontrollably? Christianity spreads the most where it is persecuted. Now...I do not desire war for my country or my faith. But it seems sometimes like it is necessary to pull us back together. Hopefully their is an option #2.

2. Realize the place we are in. Realize that we must unite before persecution forces us to. Before you focus on loving your unbelieving "neighbors", make sure you are loving your brothers and sisters in Christ. LOVE them. Don't talk behind their backs, persecute them with your judgments, and ridicule them. DO things for them without expecting anything in return...especially for those other Christians who you can't seem to get along with. Pray for them. Praise them when they do right. And the same goes for our nation. Love your nation. Praise God for it. Pray for it. Pray for your leaders. Write them and tell them you appreciate their sacrifice. Write to a soldier. Hang a flag outside your house. God put you here, and don't forget how blessed you are!

This doesn't mean you can't stand up against things you don't believe in. I realize things are happening in this country that are NOT Godly. But this nation was founded on God, and it will only stay that way if we keep living Godly lives, and showing this nation the love of God THROUGH our love for the United States of America.

God Bless

Questions

Questions
Questions that need answering.
Things we need to know.
Things that cannot wait.
Time is of essence.

Questions
Questions that need answering.
Or do they?
Perhaps there is no answer.
At least no right answer.

Questions
Life is full of so many of them
Easy ones. Hard ones.
Mostly hard ones I think.
I'm starting not to care if I make the right choice.

Questions
Perhaps they are pointless.
Perhaps I should just answer them however I wish.
Who cares about the consequences.
No consequence could outweigh this weight on my shoulders.

Questions
Dear God answer them now.
If not now then in my dreams.
If not in my dreams then tomorrow at latest.
For if not tomorrow then I shall be undone.

Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions

Questions
Psalm forty-six ten.
Oh! Now I see.
Now I understand.
The answer is found.

God's Ways are Perfect

So I'm gonna make this short and sweet because the time is 2:30 AM and I have class in the morning. But i did want to write this while it was deep on my mind. To make a really long, complicated story short and simple I am in a real pickle. I'm debating heavily between two colleges. I want to stay here in Cali but a school back home has a way better program. There's also other complicating things like my job, housing, and stuff like that. Anyhow, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do for months, and I HAVE to know by 2 PM today (cuz its my interview for work). Now, in case you didn't think it through....this is a really big decision as it could effect my future job, wife, family, people i meet, EVERYTHING. So...pretty much I've been freaking out (which is rare for me...i'm usually a no worry guy).

Anyhow...tonight i left for a walk at 1 AM. Around 1:30 AM i wound up at the prayer chapel here on campus where i stayed until 2:10. I spent a few minutes praying...begging God for a sign, an angel, a bright light...anything supernatural to tell me what to do. And you will not believe what happened....
absolutely nothing.
Figures.
Same as usual.

I got off my knees and just sat in the pew (pretty much just moping). Suddenly, I got an idea. I sang a hymn. I can't remember what it's called, but the lyrics are
"I love you Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you. Oh, my soul rejoice. Take joy my King in what you hear. May it be a sweet sweet sound in Your ear." I sang it again. Then I sang "When we all get to Heaven." And then "Amazing Grace." Then "The Doxology." One of the best worship sessions I've every had. Add in some background angel's voices from Heaven and it sounded amazing. :)

It was a very peaceful time...singing those songs....short as it was. But I had gotten off track of worrying, so I went back to my begging. "God! Speak to me!" Psh...as if I can tell God what to do.
Well, He did tell me what to do. No...not audibly. But I just figured the thoughts that came to mind were from Him. But they were also confusing. My first thought was...

"Are you loving people, James?"

Am I what!? What does that have to do with anything? But I really didn't have to ask. That's all that matters in life. That's what Jesus came for. That's what the New Testament is all about. Shoot...that's what the entire Bible is about. Love.
Love.
Love.
Love.
Love.
"Yes God. I believe I am loving people. At least I am trying."

"Do you love Me, James?"

"Uh...can you just tell me if I am supposed to stay or not?"

"James...do you love Me?"

"Yes."

"Then read My Word."

That was the last thing I "heard" from God tonight.
Love and read. Hmmmm...that has nothing to do with my problem. And everything.
You see....I have a hunch about life, and the hunch is this:
Maybe God doesn't need to start "lighting my path." Maybe he lit it before the foundations of the world. Maybe what i choose to do doesn't really matter. Maybe I'm just supposed to focus of loving and getting closer to Him. After all...what could be more important than that? Maybe I don't need to keep asking if I'm "supposed to be here." I KNOW I'm supposed to love. So I'm just gonna focus on that.
As for my future. I'm just gonna stay the course and let God shut and open doors as He wills.
I guess I don't really care what He does.
God brought something to my mind as I walked back to my dorm tonight...and it wasn't even Scripture. It was from a very unlikely place.

Veggie Tales.

"God made you special, and He loves you very much."

For some reason that brought me so much peace. :)

Anyway...maybe this will speak to one of you in your current situation. :)
God bless you and make His face shine upon you, and give you peace.

James Knoop
Psalm 18:30 (This was a verse I read in the prayer chapel. The Bible in the chapel was opened to this page).

Live Like Your Dying

The End of the Story

Hey everyone...
First...let me please please please apologize for the great amount of time that has passed since my last post. I've been decently busy, though that probably isn't the best excuse. But alas here I am. I keep wanting you write you guys but I keep learning new things in my faith and i want to share all of them and then because I have so many ideas none of them ever come. However, today was easy because it's Easter! :) What else is there to write about? :) 
Well, because we all know that it is impossible for me to write something positive, I will do my best not to break my streak. ;) However, I will do my best to put a twist to it to change it from negative to a POTENTIAL positive. Let us begin...


Do we belittle Easter? Hmmm...good question. Terribly easy answer. Yes. Guaranteed. We may go to church today, read the chapter about Jesus raising from the dead, change our status on facebook to something emotional about the significance of the day...but in our hearts...there is little joy. We put on our Easter smiles, but deep down there  we’re still upset about the way the world is. We still grumble and complain. And we still aren’t really excited for Heaven at all. 


Well to give it away...they entire point of this post is recapturing the mystery of Easter. What exactly it means. And just a clue...it’s not about marshmallow bunnies and fake grass inside of plastic eggs. You see...Easter is not an isolated event. So many times we don't prepare for this monumental day at all, and if we do, we don't prepare right. 


"Nu uh! I prepare right!" you say. I read the part about Jesus dying, even his ministry, shoot...I read the whole New Testament. Well...you may have. So, I don't wanna rule you out if you have. Let me put you to the test. I will list a series of tasks which you must have done in order to have satisfactorily prepared for Easter. Don't worry...there are only two steps. I hope you pass!!! Here goes...
1. You must have read the entire Bible this week.
2. You must have read every books about every event in history since the beginning of Earth.
Yeah...I didn't pass either. "Well, that's a stupid test!" "It's impossible to fully prepare!" Aha! You are correct. How could we ever prepare for such a day? But there is something you must realize. While this test is impossible, it is also true. Why? I love when you ask that question. Here is a small statement which HUGE implications. Ready?...me neither.


-Since the fall of man, every single event in history led to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ-


Did you get that? Read it again. EVERYTHING led to the Easter story. And I'm NOT just talking about the Bible. Everything. Gen. 3:15 (pretty much the beginning of your Bible) is the first prophecy of Jesus. God already had it planned. His story was already written. He knew that the Romans would be the rulers of the world at the time of Jesus. They had to be. If they hadn't of been, Jesus wouldn't have died on a cross (which was also prophesied). Just think of all the event leading up to the Romans gaining control. I could go on and on, but the point of this blog isn't to inform you but to open your eyes. The Easter story didn't begin the day Jesus raised. It didn't begin the day He was born. The Easter story begins in Genesis. Man sinned and someone had to pay the price. So often we break the Bible into a bunch of stories about different things. Not so. You can't even dare break it into two stories (New Testament and Old Testament). Don't you dare let anyone tell you the OT isn't VITAL to Christians today. Amid all the boring genealogies and weird commandments is a beautiful story playing out, the ending of which just maybe saved your life, and did save mine. 


I'm sorry for the density of this is such short writing. There is enough topic here to write a collection of books on, and I will be having a Bible study this summer wholly devoted to this topic, but maybe this will at least be enough to get you thinking. Genesis 1-2 is our prologue. We learn all the background info we need to understand what's going on. The fall is our major conflict. Man has sinned and needs a savior or they will be forever separated from God (anyone else got goosebumps at this amazing conflict). Plot...a man must come to save the day. But this didn't happen in a week, a month, a year, or a hundred years. Rather, for thousands of years the people of earth waited and waited and waited for the One who would defeat the antagonist (Satan and Sin) and save the maiden in distress (us). 


At last the prince rides to the towering castle to save the beautiful maiden. The reader is shaking with anticipation. But we freeze when we find out that the princess doesn't believe that he is the one who will save her. In fact, she tells the dragon guarding her to kill the prince. The reader is shocked, screaming at the idiot the princess is being. Is she blind? This is exactly the man she's always read about. But the dragon comes and fights a mighty duel with the prince, and eventually the prince drags the dragon over the edge of a cliff, and they both fall to their death. The reader is weeping. Yes, the dragon has been defeated, but so has the prince. 


But then...just when all hope was lost, we see the prince's right hand come over the edge of the cliff; then the other hand; at last the whole body. He has risen from the depths to save his princess. 


You see? The story didn't begin when the prince rode in. It began when the princess was enticed by the dragon, and captured (when Adam ate of the fruit). And we today are not waiting for the end of the story. Easter was the end. Today we are celebrating a happy ending to a horrible story. I hope this encourages you. So many people tell us that we are living in the "end times." In some senses sure...we are. But Jesus...He was really the one living in the end times. The end of the story. He defeated sin and death. There's nothing left to defeat. You and I are just in one great big epilogue. You know like a romance story when the guy and the girl go through lots of dramatic stuff...but on the last page of the last chapter, they kiss romantically under the moon? That's the part where you sigh, and grab a kleenex. The epilogue tells you that they got married, but you could really have closed the book without knowing that. You knew it was gonna happen anyway. 


That should be our attitude today. Our lover...Jesus...went off to war. But He won. He's back. The end. Prologue (James is sitting in Arizona on Easter break writing a bunch of people about how cool the end of the story is). :)
Given...it's a VERY long epilogue. But I think anything is worth the wait for my wedding ceremony with Jesus. 


Well...these were a bunch of jumbled thoughts and I hope some of them made sense. I really hope amid all today's activities you just remember the love of Jesus. Cliche as it is love is so amazing. Love. Love. Love. Wow. There's no way I'm falling asleep tonight. 


Happy Easter everyone!!!