spiritual lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum is

"placeholder text (filler text) commonly used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation, such as font, typography, and layout." (Wikipedia)

In other words, lorem ipsum is filler used in place of real content for the sake of appearance. The actual text is a section of a Latin text written by Cicero, with the words out of order, so the text (even in Latin) makes absolutely no sense. 

I wonder. As belivers, are we often guilty of using spiritual "lorem ipsum?" If when we worship in church (or anywhere else), we aren't sincere, isn't that just singing for appearance's sake? If we merely pray the same empty words at each meal without truly giving thanks, isn't that just filler? If we read our Bibles just so we can check it off our to-do list, isn't that doing it just for the appearance of godliness? If our prayers are empty, our worship heartless, our relationship with our King grown cold, might we not be guilty of using spiritual lorem ipsum?

The Christian life should be more than filler, more than just meaningless activity for the sake of appearance (that's actually a good glimpse of what religion is all about). If all our "Christian practices" become empty, with no real content, then truly, our lives are in vain, and our testimony is worthless.

I pray your spiritual life would consist of more than lorem ipsum. For our walk with Christ is most certainly more than meaningless mumbo-jumbo from the pages of history.

Music

Hey,

I've added a "Music" page to my blog. Check it out!

Not much there yet, but that will change.

-Rohn

Give thanks

Lord, for your continued provision in my life, I say thank you.

Thank you for the reminder you'll always provide.

-Rohn

Thankful heart

It's thanksgiving, and I was just thinking of all the things I'm thankful for. Too many to count, but here goes anyways:

My Savior, Jesus Christ
My best friend
My family

Music! Food! Computers! Technology-in-general!

But, since this life is so short, I guess I'm also thankful that I have more than this life to look forward to. Anyway, oh poor neglected blog of mine, now you know what I am thankful for.

-Rohn

Songs that mean something

Lately I'm seeing that much of Christian music seems to be self-focused, but there are a few refreshing examples of songs that point to the Savior and the importance of reaching out to the lost. Here are a few of my favorites:

All Because of Jesus by Steve Fee
Grace by Which I Stand by Keith Green
Keep Changing the World by Mikeschair
Going Through the Motions by Matthew West
Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath
Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns
To Know You by Casting Crowns

Anyway, those are some songs that have impacted my life, and I thought I'd share them with you all.

-Rohn

What's going on?

Well, what is going on in my life?

I am enrolled at Calvary Bible College and I am also working with Child Evangelism Fellowship this fall.

God is so good to me, and He's working in my life. I'm so blessed.

-Rohn

Patience, Joseph, patience

So my pastor preached on Joseph and how he had to be patient this morning. Boy, did he ever hit the nail on the head. It was a great reminder from God about the importance of waiting on God, and how God has things for us to learn where we are right now. I was reminded of my need to be patient, instead of wanting to rush through life.

-Rohn

Prov. 16:9

"The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Prov. 16:9

God has really used this verse to challenge me to remember that no matter what, He is the one who guides me, no matter what plans I have, He establishes the steps that I take.

Just something I thought I'd share. We have our plans, but God knows it all, and He directs our paths.


-Rohn

Way too much fun in Boston!

Hey I'm having way too much fun here in Boston!

So much to do and see and so much ministry we're doing! God is working, and I'm really encouraged!

Thanks for praying!

-Rohn

where's Rohn?

Hey,

I have not abandoned this blog, but I've also started a new blog specifically about my ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship. You can find me at the Chrohnicle online. I'm working hard, doing lots of ministry, and keeping VERY busy!

For current updates, you can always check me out on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter!

Thanks for praying, and I'll try to keep this blog updated. (In all of my random spare time).

-Rohn

the latest from Rohn

Praise God, I have been accepted to CMI, and classes start a week from today. I am so looking forward to this training.

-Rohn

What's going on

Hey,

It's been a while since I've updated my blog, so I thought I'd remedy that by posting this short interview with myself.

Q. So what's going on, Rohn?

A. Well, I'm working for CEF Missouri, which is a blast. I am teaching two Good News Clubs every week, and helping with children's ministry in my church.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

A. I've just applied to Children's Ministries Institute. I plan to take their complete course, which lasts from January - April 2010.

Q. What's one specific prayer request right now?

A. You can pray that I'd have strength and wisdom as I coordinate Birthday Party for Jesus clubs taking place in KC this December.

There! That's what's going on! Now you're up to speed on my life!

-Rohn

Lessons from a walk

Did you ever realize how non-pedestrian friendly our cities have become?
I took a walk today and I spent most of my time trying to find a place where I could cross the street without being run over by some driver who was busy texting.

I also saw how rude America has become. People honk and shout at each other for waiting too long at a stop sign. They litter the streets and sidewalks. They show no respect for others. For pedestrians. For public property. And ultimately, they get no respect in return.

I was a bit upset at all the rudeness and lack of respect I saw. But then, God put it into perspective.
I walked across an overpass with vehicles rushing underneath me at 65 miles per hour.
I felt so small, so insignificant. The noise, the confusion of it all!
But God sees it all, and holds all accountable for their actions. Good or bad.

Yes, I got a lesson in perspective today. God's perspective.

-Rohn

 

Jason...(part two)

Let's see now, where did I leave off?
Oh, yes, that's right!
I had asked Jason if He would like to become a child of God.
He said...yes.
I led him in prayer, explaining how it wasn't the words he said that saves him, it is the belief in his heart.
He prayed, and after we had finished, I asked him, whose child was he now?
He said he was God's child. Hallelujah!
I went through Hebrews 13:5b & 6a and shared some of the promises God has for him, I talked about Good News Club, and through it all he was excited.
Jason realized the importance of the decision he had made, and he was excited about his new faith in Christ!

Praise God!
(And this is just one story from one summer!)

-Rohn

A kid named Jason

I just thought I'd share a story of something that happened at a 5-Day Club. I was teaching the Bible lesson on a typical Thursday morning in late July—typical in that it was hot, but not unbearably so.

It was the end of the Bible Lesson. I had given the invitation and said, "If you would like to talk to me about how you can become a child of God, then I will be back there by that tree, and you can come and talk to me and I can show you from God's Word, the Bible, how you can become a child of God today." I walked over to the tree I had indicated, sat down and waited. During the song that followed the Bible lesson, a boy came over and sat down next to me by the tree.

"Hi Jason," I said. "Why did you come to talk to me today?" He responded, "Because I'd like to know how I could become God's child." Inwardly I rejoiced! But outwardly, I kept calm, smiled back at Jason and asked him, "Well, why do you need to become God's child?" He responded, "Because I've done my way instead of God's way." "That's right," I said. "We all have wanted our own way, which the Bible calls sin."

I continued asking Jason questions about the punishment for sin, the way to be saved, making sure he had a clear understanding of the Gospel. Then, I asked the key question. "Jason, would you like to become God's child today?"

(to be continued...)

it's official!

It's now official!
I am a member of Child Evangelism Fellowship's Missoinary Staffing Program!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

--Rohn

trusting

Hey,
Have you ever wondered if trusting God is hard?
I have, but now I don't have to wonder... I know!!
I'm trusting Him with my plans for this fall.
And it is hard.

--Rohn

Just a thought-
If every generation of Christians has done their job of reaching the lost,
then why are we in the 21st Century and there are still people who have never heard the name of Jesus?
--Rohn

This is the beginning!

Hi everyone,
Thanks for coming and checking out my blog.
I'll be using this blog to keep you updated as to how my life is going!
(And more importantly, to keep you updated about what God is doing!)
--Rohn