no standard other than His standard.
a phrase as simple sounding as "I gave my life to Jesus." Sometimes I forget that's what it meant when I said I believed.

I read the Scriptures and once again think upon what it means to believe in Jesus.

had a thought today about if we would just all follow what the Bible says, if the way we're to love one another is the way God says, there would be no struggling of what to do and what we ought not to do.  But indeed there is this tug-o-war of my flesh and spirit every single time. but we're about to rise up and out of it every time when we abide. by abide, I mean we listen then do.

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crazy year it has been.  the toughest ones are the good ones, because He is still good in the end.  this year in the times of abundance or lack of family and community, as I look back, I realize my gifts I have come to treasure and also sins that I despised.  I am thankful that God had not left my prayers unanswered when I asked him to deal with my selfishness, pride, and other things that would hinder me to love fully before this semester ended.  He has and still is.  The more I realize this is what's been happening, I realize how this prayer was actually for the rest of my life.  Not just for a season but pure gold must be refined.  And we won't be perfect until He returns.  Just like that song by Jon Thurlow says,  "Things Are Not Okay" until the King returns.  I have seen and been what I have come to despise, even after my heart was transformed by Jesus, who is full of love, so full that His name is Love.  But now, I've tasted the goodness and freedom to completely turning my back on those things (His strength carries me through!) and moving on forward towards what is good, pure, noble, right, lovely, praiseworthy, trustworthy.  Praise be to God!