All I Have is Christ

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Summer 2011

So.. It has been a while since I've been on here.

This has been the best summer of my life! I have to say that being a Summer Event Servicing Engineer was an interesting experience... Although I find it quite ironic that I only went to church 3 times this summer despite the fact that I was working at a Christian Conference Center! Bummer, I wished I could have been more involved in church! Nevertheless, I had a great summer. I have made many great friends and build some lasting and meaningful relationship.

Here are some shout outs:

1)Scotty "Shelly" Smith and Mere Lamb, for being the best co-summer employee I can ask for. I must confess that I thought you (Scotty) were kinda weird when I first met you but you know what, you are not too bad!

2)Eli, for giving me the privilege to worship with you even though I wasn’t very good! It has been a tremendous blessing.

3)Ian, for being the hairiest guy I have ever seen in my life and also the best group leader I have ever had! Also Daniel and Albert for being the best core group members ever!

4)Heath, for being a ninja turtle. I love turtles..

5)Alan, for dominating event services that week you worked with us!

6)Wilbert, for amazing food, sweet tea, and 134mph tennis serves!

7)Clay, for being the best coordinator ever! Also for accompanying Jeff and I up rattlesnake, driving us places, dominating in Ultimate, Lucky Bamboo, aluminum foils, etc… Most importantly, thank you for taking time to talk and pray with me!

8)Jeff, for being so very passionate about everything! It was quite amusing at times… hahaha, don’t ever lose that!

9)Neber, for doing it.

10)Brandon, for being the loudest singing I have ever heard in my life! Rock on bro.

11)Andrew, for leave I behind while we run the stupid 5K and therefore reveals to I just how out of shape I was. It is ok though, your locks you key in your trucks and it makes me laughed. Take that English major.

12)Ethan, for being the quietest roommate ever! Good talk.

13)Ben, for being the ditziest guy I know! Not to mention talks about relationships and stuff! If you ever get married, I better be invited!

14)Zachary, for being a hardcore parkour champion.

15)Caleb, for sweet hair and awesome music!

16)Michael, for refusing to sing while we jam out to Katy Perry’s Firework!

17)Andrew, Ben, Kim, and Eli, for making me hike up a mountain…at night! I have done my fair share of stupidity alongside some of the greatest people this summer! 4 miles up, 4 miles down, Blackrock!!

18)Stephanie Beard, for telling me about Ridgecrest! Sweet providence. Behold, you rocketh!

I know there are more people, but it is well past my bedtime so I pretty much tried to cover all the guys and a few ladies. Sorry if I didn’t mention you!

T’was a great summer and bittersweet is its end.

Thoughts on Sin, Death, and Grace

On Friday, March 11, 2011, a 9.0M earthquake struck Tohoku, Japan followed by over 900 aftershocks, 60 of which were at least a 6.0M and 3 of which were at least a 7.0M. The Japanese National Police Agency has confirmed 15,188 deaths, 5,337 injured, 8,742 people missing, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.

A few weeks ago, an extremely large and violent tornado outbreak affected the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern U.S. leaving catastrophic destruction throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. There were at total of 327 tornadoes confirmed in 21 states from Texas to New York. At least 344 people were killed as a result of the outbreak, 238 deaths in Alabama alone, and at least 325 of those deaths have been confirmed to be as a result of tornadoes.

Last Sunday, a massive tornado struck Joplin, Missouri. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that at least 125 people were killed, more than 1,150 were injured, and about 1,500 people listed as missing.

These are only a few disasters that happened this year. There were far more devastating disasters that have happened in the past with much more casualties.

So why would God allow this to happen?

First of all, we know that not every tragedy is a result of a particular sin. For example, Job 1: 1-2 says, “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Even after his wealth and children were taken from him, Job 1: 22 says that “in all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Another example can be found in John 9 when Jesus heals the blind man who was born blind not because of particular sins but for the glory of God.

So we see that not every tragedy is always a result of a specific sin. But at the same time, the Bible is filled with instances where tragedies can be traced back to one specific sin. For example, an entire generation of people did not see the promise land because 10 men did not trust God, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their wickedness, etc…

So how do we answer the question?

Jesus answers a similar question in Luke 13.

“There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (v1-3).”

The closet thing that I could think of that would illustrate what happened to the Galileans would be if a terrorist comes into our church while we are having communion, slaughtering everybody, and sprinkling our blood on our Bibles. There are many examples for what happened to the second group of people. The people who woke up that morning probably did not think that the tower in Siloam is going to fall and kill them. Much like the people who woke up the morning of these disasters probably did not know that an earthquake or a tornado was going to kill them. Death snuck up on them, most people don’t wake up in the morning prepared to die. In a culture where morality was measure in terms of prosperity or the lack of it, look at how Jesus answered their questions.

First he rejected the notion that the Galileans who suffered were worse than all the other Galileans and likewise for the eighteen who died in Siloam. Jesus completely destroys the people’s mentality that circumstances are a measurement of an individual’s righteousness. We do this all the time! We judge other people based on the events that happened in their lives (much more so in prosperity than in tragedy). For example, if we see a person being immensely blessed, we immediately equate that with righteousness and faithfulness. Or maybe this is why we have such a difficult time understanding why when godly parents lose their kids in an accident because the tragedy doesn’t seem to fit their righteousness or faithfulness. Jesus said no; nobody is worse and nobody is better, nobody deserves more and nobody deserves less.

Next we see Jesus redirecting the focus of the question to the people. He issues a command to repent or perish. Not only did Jesus not explain his answer, he addresses a problem that the people seem to ignore; their sin.

Listen to this quote:

“Sin is the ruin and misery of the soul; it is destructive in its nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, there would need nothing else to make the soul perfectly miserable. The corruption of the heart of man is immoderate and boundless in its fury; and while wicked men live here, it is like fire pent up by God’s restraints, whereas if it were let loose, it would set on fire the course of nature; and as the heart is now a sink of sin, so if sin was not restrained, it would immediately turn the soul into a fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone.” – Jonathans Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an angry God

You see, death is the result of sin (Romans 6: 23, James 1: 14-15, Romans 5: 12-14). We see this is Genesis. The law wasn’t given to the people until Moses, so the people who lived before that weren’t obligated to obey the law because there was none. There was no transgression because there was no law, yet people were still dying. Nobody broke the law because there wasn’t any, but death was still a reality. Why? Because death came into the world through one man, Adam. Even though there wasn’t a law, there was still sin because there was death. Were it not for the hand of God holding back his wrath, we would all have died by now. Does this mean that every time something terrible happens, it is because God is angry? Absolutely not, but it does mean that we are sinful. Death cannot exist where there is no sin.

Listen to this quote:

“Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you for one moment; for you are a burden to it: the creation groans with you; the animal is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her fruits to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies. God's animals are good, and were made for men to serve God with and do not willingly serve any other purpose, and groan when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. And the world would spit you out, were it not for the sovereign hand of Him who has subjected it in hope. There are the black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, halts His destroying wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff of the summer.” - Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an angry God.

We don’t always know why God would allow terrible things to happen and when we ask questions like that, we must to careful because there tends to be an implication that we did not deserve it when in reality we all deserve to spend an eternity in hell.

We are wicked creatures and “The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when it is once let loose. It is true, that judgment against your evil works has not been executed before; the floods of God's vengeance have been withheld; but your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing, and you are every day storing up more wrath; the waters are constantly rising, and growing more and more mighty; and there is nothing but the mere pleasure of God that holds the waters back, that are unwilling to be stopped, and press hard to go forward. If God should only withdraw His hand from the floodgate, it would immediately fly open, and the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God would rush forth with inconceivable fury, and would come upon you with omnipotent power; and if your strength were ten thousand times greater than it is, yes, ten thousand times greater than the strength of the stoutest, sturdiest devil in hell, it would never be able to withstand or endure it (Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an angry God).” This is what we deserve. There may be “good” people in this world, but there is “none righteous, not even one (Romans 3: 10-12, Psalm 14: 1-3, Psalm 53: 1-3).”

In conclusion, here is the application. When we run to our sins, whether is it gossip, lust, pride, envy, or hate, when you scream at your kids because you had a bad day, when you disobey your parents, when you cheat on your tests, when you use other people for your own benefit, when you are irresponsible with the resources that God gave you, every discouraging word, every evil deed, every time you just stand there and not do anything when you know you sure do something, every lie, or any other petty sins that you commit, you are just diving head first into the very thing that ruins all of us.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1: 14-15

So let’s stop running towards sin, turn and run to the One who will make all things right. Run to the one who came to “destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3: 8).” Join the God-man, Jesus Christ, “the rightful King who has landed into enemy territory and who is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”

The better question is not “why would God allow this to happen?” but rather, “Why did God not kill me in my sleep last night? Why did God not destroy me on my way here today? Why am I still alive today?”

The answer is grace. To remove death is to remove sin; to remove sin is to remove the sinner. The reason why death is still a reality is because of God’s mercy and patience towards unrepentant sinners. That is the good news to wicked sinners like us, it is the gospel. It is a free gift and the invitation is open. Believe in Christ, look to him, and be saved.

#LoveWins

It is the not content of the book that I am frustrated about (I haven't read it).

I have a problem with all these thousands of individuals who claim to be CHRISTIANS but yet there is NO evidence of love in their comments against a person who wrote a book that is not even out yet! Incidentally, the book came out today but I am referring to those who commented before it came out.

Whatever happened to PRIVATELY confronting a person (Matthew 18: 15)?

To love somebody is not to condemn them on twitter.

The western church has become one of the most hostile environment for people who may have found new perspectives on scripture. Instead of listening and comparing it with the Bible before we make judgment, we bash new ideas and cast them off as heresy because we think we have all the answers while conveniently dismissing the fact that many of our doctrines today were once new ideas. If it is wrong, take the appropriate disciplinary actions and then HELP, not condemn. If he resist, then we keep contending for our faith. But let's be careful not to skip important steps before we pass judgment!

"This is why people hate us. There is no meaner, more hateful person on Earth than a Christian who suspects you have gotten your theology wrong. Labeling that mean-ness as "being faithful" to the Gospel doesn't make it less hateful. Rob Bell got skewered in the comments, on twitter, and in other blog posts." - Jason Boyett

Is this how Christians treat one another? We are such sorry examples for non-believers... We can do much better.

PRAY

If you were condemning Rob Bell before his book came out and it turns out that it IS theologically unsound, you may be right now, BUT you were not right all along. In fact, I believe that you were wrong to condemn because there was no legitimate grounds for such action.

So... yeah, that's all. I was quite annoyed by GENERAL remarks concerning Rob Bell and his new book. No one in particular, just remarks as a whole.

I am hungry... Must go eat. Until next time.

I should be studying...

But instead, I shall blog for there are thoughts in my head that I need to get out. Here goes:

1) Bible reading plan is going very well! I feel like I am now more in love with God's word than I was a few months ago. That makes me quite excited! I was speaking to at a youth rally in Hope this past Saturday and I realized that I accidentally left my Bible at the church before heading back to Conway. I was pretty frustrated about it and when I did find my Bible, I almost cried. Now this is a huge step for me because I used to not bother me when I leave my Bible somewhere. I used to not turn around and drive back home to get my Bible if I forgot to bring it. I sense progress! We will be done with the book of Numbers this Thursday! #IlovethewordofGod

2) There are some things in the Bible that doesn't make sense to me. God seems like a jerk sometimes and I think some of the punishments that he gives are way too harsh. I know that God is holy and just and I admit that I do not factor in my thoughts how serious the magnitude of sin is but nonetheless, those are my honest thoughts and I hope that God will help me understand why he was like that in the Old Testament. It seems to me that God is so much more patient now than he was back then... #Notaheretic #justbeinghonest.

3)I hate it when I see a friend (who I genuinely care about) living in sin and realize that there is nothing that I can do to change that. I guess it is my tendency to try to fix things and I really do need to trust that God love them and desires for them to come to him infinitely more than I do. But I am having a difficult time wondering why hasn't God done it yet? I want more than anything for my friends to fall in love with my God but they don't want to listen to me. Isn't there something more I can do besides pray about it? #Ifeelhelpless

4) I have always heard that relationships are hard work but I really didn't believe it till now. I hope Whitney doesn't mind me talking about this but we have had many conversions about what our boundaries should be, whether or not we have crossed any lines, how we are feeling about this relationship, what we need to stop doing, what we need to get better at, etc... We have to constantly remind each other to follow and trust God wherever he leads us. I never had a friend who is an introvert like Whitney before and sometimes I have a difficult time trying to understand her. There are some things that I always do that she doesn't like and I want to find out what they are so I can be more careful around her. Sometimes when I think I am being helpful, I am being a jerk… I speak my mind (which is mostly not a good thing) and Whitney is quieter than I am. Awkward conversations abound. #Butitisworthit

5) I must confess that I have trouble submitting to authority. It is even more frustrating when I feel like the reasons behind these restrictions are not good enough. I was convicted about this area in my life when Shawn talked to the guys about it a few weeks ago. I am trying to be really vague about this because I am not complaining about a specific thing; I am just expressing my flaws and will hopefully be able to encourage somebody indirectly. I guess it is part of my depravity to hate being treated like a child especially when I know that I can take care of myself and not do anything stupid. My frustration increased when I was reading the book of Leviticus because page after page, God tells the people to follow these extremely inconvenient rules with no real reason other than to remind these people that he was “the LORD their God who delivered them out of Israel.” I guess the “reasonable” thing to do is to obey God even if his laws seem unreasonable. But a Christian life is so much more than just obeying God; it is to fall in love with him and glorifying him with our lives. What about the authorities in our lives? There is no question that I will do my best to abide in these rules, but do I have to like these rules and restrictions that make no sense to me? If so, #Ineedhelp

6) I digress. Thunderstorms make me smile and sleep well. I haven’t had much sleep lately and perhaps this is precisely the reason why I am so grumpy… So Dad, I pray: bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings you glory. I know there’ll be days when this life brings me pain but if that’s what it takes to praise you, Jesus bring the rain!! Metaphorically and literally please… #SoIcansleep

7) I am a hypocrite. I tell people to do things that I myself don’t do. In theory, my ideas are great and my intentions are good, but in practicality, I am not walking the talk. I must confess that being judgmental is one of my biggest struggles. Though I don’t usually vocalize it, I think about it all the time. I have a bad habit to gauge other people spiritual maturity on what I think they should be doing and I am so often quick to label somebody as an infant all the while oblivious to the fact that I have never in my life practice the things I am telling people to do. Sadly I find this playing out within my closest relationships. By God’s grace, he has revealed this flaw in me and with his help I will overcome it. #Pressingon

8) Last thing before I quit procrastinating… God loves me. I don’t think I have actually just been quiet and meditate on the fact that God, the creator of the universe, loves me. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you care for him (Psalm 8: 3,4)” I don’t think we can ever fully understand the weight of this truth. My God invaded my life to pull me out of death and put me where his love is most potent; in Jesus Christ. The everything became nothing so that nothing can become everything. You have made a way, the great divide you heal. For when our hearts were far away, your love went further still! #Nogreaterlovethanthis

Now back to accounting…

Idk

So this has been a long week! I am quite ready for spring break... I am currently watching a documentary on who Jesus really is and they are asking some really interesting questions:

Where was Jesus really born? A manger? A house? Are they the same thing? Did Jesus have older siblings? Was Jesus rich?

I can't say that I know the answers for these questions and I am quite ashamed of it because I realized that I know pretty much nothing about my Savior... I also realized that I don't really know anything about who God is. So many questions that I don't have an answer to and to simply say that God cannot be comprehend is too easy of a way out. I know that there are going to be mysteries, but I want to know as much of God as he has reveal to us. So, here's to finding out more and more about my God! At least now I am excited about learning more!

What questions about God or Jesus do you have?

An Atheist Creed

CREED by Steve Turner

We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin.

We believe everything is OK

as long as you don't hurt anyone,

to the best definition of hurt,

and to the best of your knowledge.

We believe in sex before, during and after marriage.

We believe in the therapy of sin.

We believe that adultery is fun.

We believe that sodomy's OK.

We believe that taboos are taboo.

We believe that everything's getting better,

despite evidence to the contrary.

The evidence must be investigated

And you can prove anything with evidence.

We believe that there's something in horoscopes,

UFO's and bent spoons;

Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,

Mohammed and ourselves.

He was a good moral teacher although we think

His good morals were bad.

We believe that all religions are basically the same --

at least the one that we read was.

They all believe in love and goodness.

They only differ on matters of creation,

sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.

We believe that after death comes the Nothing

Because when you ask the dead what happens they say nothing.

If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then it's compulsory heaven for all

excepting perhaps Hitler, Stalin and Genghis Khan.

We belive in Masters and Johnson.

What's selected is average.

What's average is normal.

What's normal is good.

We believe in total disarmament.

We believe there are direct links between warfare and bloodshed.

Americans should beat their guns into tractors

and the Russians would be sure to follow.

We believe that man is essentially good.

It's only his behavior that lets him down.

This is the fault of society.

Society is the fault of conditions.

Conditions are the fault of society.

We believe that each man must find the truth that is right for him.

Reality will adapt accordingly.

The universe will readjust.

History will alter.

We believe that there is no absolute truth

excepting the truth

that there is no absolute truth.

We believe in the rejection of creeds,

and the flowering of individual thought

If chance be

the Father of all flesh,

disaster is his rainbow in the sky,

and when you hear

State of Emergency!

Sniper Kills Ten!

Troops on Rampage!

Whites go Looting!

Bomb Blasts School!

It is but the sound of man worshiping his maker.

Thoughts

Well, it has been a long week and even longer it has been since my last blog. Not sure what prompt me to write something, I guess it's just because I am bored and really not in the mood to excel academically at the moment.. Any who,

**I currently have 394397490027479737 bownie points for being nice to the girlfriend :)

**Although snow-days are fun, I feel like my professors are now trying to catch up with their lectures and is now kicking my butt.. :/

**Valentine's Day was much more enjoyable this year.

**I just dominated my Global test.

**There is enough Chicken Spaghetti for the entire week! :]

**Just finished reading this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41618492/ns/us_news-life/, I think kids these days are GENERALLY spoiled and need to get over themselves.

**I love college.

**I am ready for Passion 2011!!!!!!

**I want a new computer..

**Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina this summer!?!? Oh yes.

**I wish Whitney was here :/

**I am hungry.. Chicken Spaghetti!!

**Girls are weird..

**The TV is really loud..

**Bieber Fever??

**Scavenger hunt at the mall this weekend!! Total domination.

**No non-carbonated beverages anywhere... :(

**Water fountain taste like cooper...

**Should be working on Accounting right now..

**Katy Perry's Fireworks is stuck in my head.. Well technically, a cover of Katy Perry's Fireworks is stuck in my head. So, it's actually not too bad!

**I wish I can sing.

**I wish I can play the guitar.

**I wish I can play the piano.

**I love music

**I would rather be blind than deaf

**Leviticus is hard to read...

**Whitney Rae Whillock is pretty awesome.

**Jesus loves me :)

**Church tonight!!

**11:11, make a wish!

I shall start working on Accounting now...

Gummi Bears

Among God's greatest creation, there exist one creature that have melted the hearts of individuals young and old alike. Despite being miniature in appearance, this little fella' is capable of bringing immeasurable joy and satisfying one of the deepest need in life. At roughly 2 centimeters (0.79 in) long, this fascinating creature resembles a bear. It varies in color and each color is unique to the substance and integrity found within. Man has tried,to no avail, to recreate this phenomena in other animals and objects such as rings, worms, frogs, snakes, hamburgers, cherries, sharks, penguins, hippos, lobsters, octopuses, apples, peaches, oranges, and even ampelmannchen, smurfs, and spiders. The gummi bear (also known as gummy bear) is a truly remarkable and delicious creature.

It takes an equally remarkable human being to fully comprehend the heavenly attributes of the gummi bear. Such is that of my wonderful girlfriend; Whitney Rae Whillock.

Thoughtfully, she decided to express her affection by buying (and surprising) me (her boyfriend) with a bag of this magnificent creatures:

Unfortunately, nothing less forever. It was all gone in a matter of seconds after the bag was opened. Granted it was with the help of some friends but nevertheless, the bears were no more.

Yes, she went to Natalies.

"Natalie’s Candy Bar appeals equally to young and old. Of course, kids beam with anticipation and excitement as they step into a brightly lit, colorful environment bursting with every kind of candy imaginable. However, it’s the looks on the adults’ faces that leaves a lasting impression – a kind of nostalgic, warm wondrous smile as they remember being a kid and munching on their favorite candy."

So very true.

But until next time, when your tummy growls for yummy gummi bears, awaken your tastebuds from hibernation, and indulge.

Snow Day 2011

2 new blogs in one day? Why not!

I would like to express how disappointed I was about the first snow days of the year. My intention was to build a mega snowman that would dwarf every other snowmen in town. However, the snow was too dry and my ambition fell short...

I miss Roger... RIP

Genesis 15

So I was reminded today how much I love Genesis 15! We are 16 days into the chronological bible reading plan. So far, we have finished Job and the first 15 chapters of Genesis! It is going great and I am loving it! Here's some thoughts on last night's reading:

Genesis 15 is probably my favorite chapter in the bible! It starts out with Abram being honest with God because he didn't know how God was going to fulfill his promise to Abram. It is ok to be honest with God and to tell him what you really think, he already knows it anyways! Honesty is important in any kind of relationship!

Instead of being mad at Abram, God reminded him that he is God just like he did Job. Abram believed God and it was counted unto him as righteousness! It is an amazing thing when you get honest with God and tell him your doubts and feelings, but don't stop there! Look up and trust that the God who created the stars is able to "do all things and no purpose of his can be thwarted (Job 42:2)" is able to carry out his plan for your life!

What's crazier is that God didn't stop there! Remember reading verses 9-11? It was a little strange wasn't it? Lol Well this is the way people made a contract back then. How it works is when two people come to an agreement (like a marriage for example), they will take some animals, cut them in half and place them apart from each other. Those two people will then "pass between the pieces" as a way of saying, "if I break my end of the contract, may I be like these animals." Intense right? Lol do you know what's even more awesome!? I'm glad you asked :) If you have read all of Genesis 15, you will see that Abram did not "pass between the pieces." The only thing that passed through were smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which basically means God walked through the pieces alone!! Which is to say that if God breaks the contract, he will become like the animals, but not only that, if Abram (or anybody else) breaks the contract, God will become like the animals. So whether or not we keep the contract, God will bear our punishment. Doesn't that sound familiar?

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD ha laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53: 4-6

The sad part is that we did not keep our end of the deal. But God was faithful to his promise even when we are not, even to the point of the cross. He took the punishment that we deserved. Isn't that awesome!?!? I hope you see why this is my favorite chapter in the bible :]