Marathon

I've decided to do this out of Hebrews Chapter 12, for no real reason honestly.

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Paul is explaining to the new Jewish Christians (Jews who converted to Christianity) that the Old Testament is done. All the jewish beliefs are past-tense and that Jesus has given them newer, updated guidelines to follow. In this particular verse Paul tells us to lay aside our problems and witness to the multitude of people around us who don't know Christ. The new Christians probably still had several Jewish friends and Paul was commanding them to spread the truth of the gospel. He also tells us to shed the sin in our lives and start our race for Christ. He tells us to "run with endurance" that doesn't mean go as fast as you can for as long as you can, then catch your breath (and anyone who runs knows that can take twice as long); it means keeping a steady pace when working for the Lord. Our steady pace will take us to the finish line successfully (very much a tortise and the hare story). 

So in the nest day or so, let's start a maintain a steady pace while living for Christ.

Take Two

Well everyone (no one?) it's been quite awhile since my last post. I haven't done too good of a job staying active on this thing. Hopefully that should change.

I've been reading the blog StuffChristianPeopleLike.com and because of it I also read Jon Acuff's other blog 97secondswithGod.com and on it he has been spending the entire month discussing different verses in a particular psalm. I really liked this idea, so in the ultimate sign of flattery I'm going to start something similar on here. Look for a post here soon (probably tomorrow) telling you which book and chapter we'll be using to continue (be honest Ben, this is more like a start) to "lean upon Christ" (corny, I know).

Thoughts on Jonah

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I could probably make excuses but I'll spare you them.

I was looking at Francis Chan's blog (check my links) and really enjoyed what he had to say about Jonah. It would probably be a good idea to watch it before reading on:




Doesn't that make you think?

As Francis said the repentance was immediate. We have never seen anything like that before. It's funny because we have all heard the story of Jonah getting swallowed by the large fish (whale) and that he later goes on to do what God had originally asked him to do. But I never really let the rest of the story sink in. I'm not sure if that is because it was never told to me, or if I just didn't listen any longer. But really sitting down and reading it, after Francis opening my eyes to the rest of the story, it's quite remarkable that he would turn an entire 120,000 person wicked, wicked city in one day.

As Francis said, it is hard to believe because it doesn't happen (at all) anymore. I'm not sure if that is due to no one listening to God, as well as Jonah eventually did, or what. Irregardless that is still powerful and amazing that God would instantly have everyone repent from the sermon of one man. It makes me think of the rapture really. That must have been a sight for Jonah to witness. Everyone covered even their animals in ashes and rags. They were so sorry for what they had been doing and in awe of God's power that they were not taking any chances on upsetting the Lord. That's powerful. I only wish I would become as open to doing God's will as Jonah was. It's unimaginable what the Lord could do if me, or any one of you reading this, allowed God to use us entirely and without hesitation.

God Bless you,

Ben Estes

Don't leave it on the Desk

I've read something like this before but thought I'd post it for those that haven't.

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christensen, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christensen taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular Institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christensen tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christensen had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christensen asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. 'How many push-ups can you do?' Steve said, 'I do about 200 every night.'

'200? That's pretty good, Steve,' Dr. Christensen said. 'Do you think you could do 300?'

Steve replied, 'I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.'

'Do you think you could?' again asked Dr. Christensen.

'Well, I can try,' said Steve.

'I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work.
I need you to tell me if you can do it,' said the professor.

Steve said, 'Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it.'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.'

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.

When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the BIG, extra fancy kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.

Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the year, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christensen's class. Dr. Christensen went to the first girl in the first row and asked, 'Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?' Cynthia said, 'Yes.'

Dr. Christensen then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?

'Sure.' Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christensen put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Dr. Christensen then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, 'Joe, do you want a donut?'

Joe said, 'Yes.' Dr. Christensen asked, 'Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?'

Steve did ten push-ups! , Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christensen came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, 'Scott do you want a donut?' Scott's reply was, 'Well, can I do my own push-ups?' Dr. Christensen said, 'No, Steve has to do them.' Then Scott said, 'Well, I don't want one then.'

Dr. Christensen shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?' With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, 'HEY! I said I didn't want one!'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.' And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christensen started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christensen asked Jenny, 'Jenny, do you want a donut?' Sternly, Jenny said, 'No.' Then Dr. Christensen asked Steve, 'Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?'

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say 'No' and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christensen asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christensen started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christensen went on to the next person and the next and t he next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr Christensen, 'Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?'

Dr. Christensen thought for a moment, 'Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.' And Dr. Christensen went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, 'NO! Don't come in! Stay out!'

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, 'No, let him come.'

Professor Christensen said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?' Steve said, 'Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut.'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?' Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. 'Yes,' he said, 'give me a donut.' 'Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?' Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christensen finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christensen went t o Linda, the second to last, and asked, 'Linda, do you want a donut?' Linda said, very sadly, 'No, thank you.' Professor Christensen quietly asked, 'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?' Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christensen turned to the last girl, Susan. 'Susan, do you want a donut?' Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. 'Dr. Christensen, why can't I help him?'

Dr. Christensen, with tears of his own, said, 'No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task, and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.

Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.'

'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?' As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christensen turned to the room and said. 'And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, pled to the Father, 'Into Thy hands I commend My spirit.' With the understanding that He had don e everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.'

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the professor, adding 'Not all sermons are preached in words.'

Turning to his class, the professor said, 'My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid.' 'Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?'

Possibly no point...

Hey all, sorry it's been so long since I've written. I realize almost nobody is actually reading this so typing an apology might be foolish and is unnecessary. But it's been written and I don't feel like backspacing.

You're probably wondering why exactly I've titled my blog "Possibly no point". Well don't look too deep into it; it means what it says. I feel the need to write, yet I don't have a particular point determined so it's a warning not to expect any cut in stone message.

I've been reading a lot lately (I received 10 books for Christmas and I've bought a few since then). I might be over doing it really. I'm way behind in reading everything, but I continue to pick up a book every time I see an interesting one; which is pretty much every time I walk into Books-a-Million, Barnes and Noble, or The Book Mark (a local mom and pop bookstore). I can't help it really, I just seem to enjoy increasing my knowledge of random stuff.

Anyone who has read my profile already knows my love of books is vast. I literally love reading everything. It's humorous though, I'd never consider myself a book worm or anything. In fact, just look at me. I look like I'm a logger or something. It's humorous to see the looks I get when mentioning my love of books.

Anyway, enough about reading.

I'm enjoying school right now. It isn't too hard and my schedule is naturally pretty easy anyway: English Lit., Biology 104, Survey of the New Testament, and The life and teaching of Jesus. It's a very relaxed schedule. I felt I owed it to myself (even though I haven't actually had too hard of a schedule to relax myself from.

Well that was a short post but I felt I should put something.

God bless you,

Ben Estes

Isn't it Ironic...

I was just think about how Atheists and Christians both have to have a strong belief system to believe what they believe. I doubt Atheists like to think about that fact, but it's true.

I once heard an Atheist say, "There is no reason to think anything happens after you die other than you simply not existing anymore. The belief in an afterlife relies on things at play that we do not and have not observed in the world and therefore requires an added element of faith." My reply to that is, "Of course the after-effect of death from the deceased's point of view is not something we have observed in the world either. It requires just as much faith to believe you simply disappear into the ether as it does to believe you go somewhere else." It's funny thinking about that. At least Agnostics admit to having no idea on whats going to happen. I've had many atheists tell me I'm stupid for believing in the after-life when not believing in it is just as hard to do. Its the Universal Stalemate. Faith in nothing vs Faith in Christ.

I used to think, "Its nice to know who the winner is." But now I just think of how sad that really is. Christians and lost souls argue over different religious principles everyday and we both think we're so correct. I'm glad I won't know who has gone/ will go to hell; I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Lord, help them.

Well I know this is sort of short but I'm pretty tired so...

Happy Belated New Years and God Bless you,

Ben Estes

An Introduction

Hello all. My name is Ben Estes. I figured the first post would be a good time to tell you all about myself. I'm a 19 year old college student, football coach, and Youth Minister of a small Baptist church. I've been a preacher for 1 and a half years. I live in a small town in north Alabama called Somerville. I've lived here my entire life. Pretty nice area in my opinion. It's very tranquil and secluded but close enough to Huntsville (about a 25 minute drive) that I don't feel secluded. Type both into Wikipedia if you've never heard of them.

Anyway, the reason I decided to start this blog is so I could have a good outlet to discuss and offer my opinions on God and his power. I've read several blogs on blogger and thought that now would be a good time to start doing some blogging myself.

- Just to branch off topic for a moment-

I never really wanted to preach. I was saved at the age of 7 in late April. I was baptized on Mother's Day of that year(the 12th); one day before my birthday. I was raised in church and almost never missed a Sunday. All throughout high school I would lay in bed on Sunday nights and get this feeling of dieing on the inside. It didn't matter what I did it would always seem to be there like an internal alarm clock each Sunday night. I knew I was saved and reassured myself of this hundreds of times, yet the feeling never subsided. I began to wonder if maybe the Lord wanted me to preach. I always made sure to throw those thoughts right out, "No way" I thought to myself. I imagined I put those thoughts into my head and it wasn't God hinting at it. Well the spring of my Senior year of high school (very close to graduation) I accepted the call the preach on a Sunday night. It was May 7th. My grandfather, also a preacher, was preaching on when he first accepted the calling and I knew this was God's way of saying, "Now or Never. You decide". Being a "God fearing man" I did what I had to do; went to the altar and dropped to a knee. Our pastor told me he wanted me to preach the next Sunday. It turns out that day was Mother's Day (See the pattern God's laid of making my late spring/early summer a busy part of my life both spiritually and physically?). This Mother's day fell the day after my birthday. So I had to preach on Mother's Day morning for my first sermon in front of close to 50 people (a very good crowd for our church) at the age of 18. Funny how things work out.

- Getting back on track after the quick History (my major, by the way) lesson -

As I stated I started this blog as a place for me to share my thoughts about God; as well as just generally get them written down on paper. I wanted a place I could write what I think down to go back later and read through. I'd love to write a book when I'm older (I certainly love reading them) and think it would be great to have ideas as to my thought process now, opposed to what it might be years later.

Posts I make might be about football, books I've read/will read, possibly just general information I feel like sharing, or just about Christ himself. Regardless of what I write I'll try and have at least some general opinions or statements about God added in.

I look forward to having you, if there will even be anyone reading this, reading. If you ever want to add something or ask a question please be sure to leave a comment or send an e-mail (I don't check it often so don't think I'm ignoring you if it takes awhile for a reply).

God Bless you,

Ben Estes