Darragh's Blog

Ok, when you hear the name “Linus” you probably think of the peanut character that sucks his thumb and blanket. That’s cool and all, I love Charlie Brown, but the name means a great deal more to me now.

It all happened during class 2 weeks ago. I felt like God was putting it on my heart that I needed to really invest more in some of the girls here. There were a few wonderful ladies I had in mind. I talked to them about it and now we have a group called “Linus.” (I’m not sure how we got the name, but I like it.) It’s not a “bible study” or anything organized; it’s simply a set time to talk about what’s going on in our lives.

The reason why I’m sharing this is because it’s been such an amazing encouragement. I always have Thursdays to fellowship with godly girls, and the bible makes it so clear that we need this as believers. “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 3: 12

I’d like to recommend, particularly all you college kids, to do this. Find a few girls (or guys, if you are one) to meet with every week. Get to know them; show them love. You can have a truck load of christians around you, especially in a Christian College, and not feel encouraged or be an encouragement.

“I’m sorta a built-in friend.”- Linus.

Well, I’ve been here for three weeks now and I’m learning new things every second. Throughout my days I’ve studied how incredible God is, our job as believers with knowing such, and how to guard yourself against the devil’s evil endeavors. However, I’d like to share a different type of lesson I’m continually being taught…legalism is a sneaky snake in the grass.

If you were to go to handy-dandy google and search the term “legalism” you’d probably get this definition, “strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious moral code.” What I’m beginning to understand is that legalism shows up in places that you’d least expect. It can be the root for weeds you didn’t even think it could grow.

The Christian College I’m attending is extremely solid in it’s biblical doctrine, and being such a small school, everyone is pretty serious about God and doing His work, but even in such an amazing environment  the legalistic yuckiness can creep in.

Firstly, I noticed it in myself. Since I’ve been here I’ve been so focused on “doing well.” I’ve loved reading different books that expose God’s character and learning the history of the churches in the bible, etc, but my personal relationship with God was…bleh. None of what I was learning was relating to my best friend, Jesus, it was all just becoming head knowledge. I really struggled with it. Then on Sunday I asked God for help. He took me to Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Then it hit me! The devil was getting to me by distracting me with logistics of God. He’s so sneaky.  Remember how Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness by quoting scripture? That’s what I felt he was doing to me.

Secondly, I’ve noticed it in others. It’s tragic to me how people can truly believe God is real and worth going to school to study, but don’t find Him worth having  an intimate relationship with. In my opinion, anytime you take out the relationship and make it about works you’re missing out.  Legalism can not bring joy, only having a personal relationship with God can. “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” -C.S. Lewis

In conclusion, as Christians we need to pull the weeds of legalism out, so that we can have a healthy, growing relationship with Christ.

“Are you sure God is here?” That was the question I kept asking myself as soon as I entered Wyoming. In case you’ve never been to this state, it’s…simple. (I’m extremely in love with my Colorado mountains, so this was definitely a change.) We pulled up to this little school which I had set my heart on and I stared at my fate.  I began to investigate the place I had left my “comfortable” life for. It was a small town, lots and lots of flat and oh yeah, dirt. I will admit, I had my doubts, but I focused on getting my things into my dorm room.  After getting everything all situated, I said goodbye to my parents, cried and then prayed.

Comforted by the reminder that God was there, (because He’s everywhere.) I started talking to people. Oh my goodness! Everyone was so amazing to me. Previously, I had gone to a secular college and no one really cared who you were or why you were there. I think that’s been the most encouraging part about going to a Christian College so far, everyone seems to already love you. Immediately, I was accepted into this God-honoring family.  So what was the difference?

I have no idea how much the bible tells us to love and be in fellowship with one another, but it’s a lot. “…for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9 “…that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:11 I believe that is the difference. Christians are called to seek people out and show them the love of Christ, especially those who are believers, because we share the same goal. Normally, secular colleges aren’t pushing for that goal.

I have full confidence  that God is going to do incredible works through this school and incredible works in me, Oooooooooh yeah!