Learning from Jesus

Hey guys, sorry to take so long to get on top of this. I feel like the summer is flying by already and it has been really encouraging to read about how God has been teaching and growing you.

Jesus has been hitting me hard with the words he spoke during the Sermon on the Mount, which I have been trying to memorize for what, the last 2 years? I am almost there now, and despite my lack of discipline and faithfulness, God has proved himself to be more than willing to instruct me as his son. I stand in awe of Jesus' wisdom, his revolutionary thinking, his ability to concisely deliver such a life changing message to such needy people as were found in his day as well as ours. His words are both simple and profound. He plainly explains how God values our hearts and minds just as much as our outward actions. He redefines the law, extending it to our hearts and minds, and urges us to go against the grain of our own nature and our society's culture by restraining our sinful desires and thoughts, loving our enemies, and praying for those who persecute us (or perhaps more applicably, just rub us the wrong way). He warns us not to take actions and make decisions with the intent of impressing or pleasing other people, but rather stresses the importance of honoring God in secret ways and seeking his reward alone. He tells us not to worry and draws a distinction between us and the world. He says that we are to be salt and light, given to preserving, improving, and illuminating the world around us with our good works and his message of purpose and salvation. He warns us to avoid being like the pagans, who run after base urges such as food, clothes, and the approval of others. He tells us not to be like them, because our Father know what we need before we even ask him. I deeply desire to grow in trusting God for all facets of my life and surrender to him all the worry and uncertainty that clouds my ability to understand what God wants me to do with my life and to humbly walk in his plan for me.

There are also a ton of practical applications to be drawn from Jesus' words, but I think I'll have to save those for another time - I feel like I could keep going on and on about how valuable Jesus' teachings here are and how much potential they have to affect my life, as well as all of yours. God bless you guys out in Provo, reading all your posts has reminded me to be in prayer for you. Jeff, if your reading this, don't get too cocky about the Lakers - I'm sure Kobe will put up less than 40 points some day...