Jean-Paul Sartre was among leading existentialists in the 1900’s. He, among others, provided the mantra, "Essence precedes essence" which was highly controversial during this time. However, Sartre explained, in an inanimate object, such as a chair, existence precedes essence. The essence of the chair, the idea or the concept behind the chair, exists before a chair is actually made. After a chair is physically present, then it exists. However, before that, only it’s essence is truly present, it does not really exist yet. Thus, existence precedes essence for a chair, a table, or even a piano.

If that is indeed true, what do Christians mean when they say that humans are made in God’s image? (Genesis 1:27) Do they mean that humans are made in His existence, or His essence? I believe that to be made in God’s image is to be made like Him. But, is God an existence or an essence? I believe that God is both. God exists in that He is as real (or, even more real) than you or I. God is also an essence in that He is an idea, and a concept, simply one that is real, and larger than anything we can dream. So, are we, as humans, made in God’s existence or His essence? I believe we are made in both. We are made in God’s existence in that we only exist because God does, and we cannot exist without God existing also. We are made in God’s essence, because we are made of a variety of concepts that reflect and glorify God.

Sartre believes that human existence precedes human essence. "Man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself." Sartre was also a self-proclaimed atheist, truly believing that there really was not a "God" anywhere in the universe. Because Sartre was an atheist, he could not have believed that God had a plan for his life. (Jeremiah 29:11) If a man truly lives, then dies, with nothing before or after, how can his essence precede his existence? To him, it was a simple matter of logic. To Christians, it’s a simple matter of faith.

As a Christian, I cannot agree with Sartre that my existence precedes my essence. To the world it may appear to be that way, but I know that God knew my essence before I was born. From the world’s perspective, my existence may precede my essence. However, from God’s perspective, and a Christian’s perspective, I firmly believe that my essence was known before my conception on Earth. God does not need us, as humans, to "choose our essence" while we "exist," but, rather plans our essence for us in His plan, because He is all-knowing. Therefore, my essence precedes my existence.

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

If I had three wishes,

I'd end world hunger,

If I had three wishes,

I'd adopt all the children,

If I had three wishes,

I'd end every war.

If I had three wishes?

But why wait,

When three wishes may never come,

But I have choices every day.

If I had three wishes,

I'd wipe every tear from their cheeks,

If I had three wishes,

I'd teach them all music,

If I had three wishes,

I'd give them all that I had.

If I had three wishes?

I may not have three wishes,

But I have three minutes,

I might even have three hours.

If I had three wishes,

I'd love them,

If I had three wishes,

I'd cry with them,

If I had three wishes,

I'd give them Jesus.

What if I had three wishes?

The world would be better,

And the children wouldn't cry,

But, if you had three wishes,

Would you sit idly by?

Hallelujah! He is Risen!

 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures...." ~I Corinthians 15:1-4

On this day I choose to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. I don't choose this day to celebrate bunnies or chocolate, or even beautiful flowers, or spring. Easter is about Jesus. And, if we were to consider it, we would realize, Easter is all about Jesus, yes, but so are our lives. Today, I choose to celebrate new life in Christ. And tomorrow, I choose to focus on Jesus, His death, and His resurrection, even though it's not Easter technically.

He is Risen! Praise His Name!

"Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. Listen! I am telling you a mystery:

We will not all fall asleep,

but we will all be changed,

in a moment, in the twinkling,

of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound,

and the dead will be raised,

incorruptible,

and we will be changed.

Because this corruptible

must be clothed

with incorruptibility,

and this mortal must be clothed,

with immortality.

Now when this corruptible is clothed

with incorruptibility,

and this mortal is clothed,

with immortality,

then the saying that is written

will take place:

Death has been swallowed up in victory.

O Death, where is your victory?

O Death, where is your sting?...

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory,

through our Lord Jesus Christ!

~I Corinthians 15:50-57

Also, "...Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body." - I Corinthians 15:42-44

We are not to be here forever. When we are saved, the "old man" dies, and the "new man" lives. Eventually, I am going home. This world is not my home. I've never seen my home, but I know without a doubt I'm going there someday.

And, so, this Easter Sunday, I can say, wholeheartedly, with John,

 "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

~ Revelation 22:20b

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

I'm standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down. A long way down. I shuffle backwards, gulping. There's no way I'm ever going to get near the edge of that cliff ever again. Sorry, not gonna happen.

Yet something keeps driving me to the cliff. Maybe it's the tears running down my face. Maybe it's the look in my eyes of sheer terror. Or, maybe it's because my friends...wait...what friends?

But, again and again, I go to the cliff and peer over. I can't even see to the bottom! Fog obscures my view after a few feet...but I know it's a long way down. I retreat a couple of steps, only to come right back to the edge, closer than before.

The tips of my toes hang off the ledge. Dare I jump? Would it fix it, this mess of a life I live? Can I jump?

I back up again, this time breathing hard. The questions come thick and fast. Why can't I jump? Will I ever be able to jump? Why should I jump? I don't understand! Will someone explain it to me?

"Trust me?"

The voice in my head was real. I'd swear it on a stack of Bibles. So real that I looked around for the speaker.

"Trust me?"

It wasn't taunting me. It was just a question. Could I answer?

"Sure." I gulped, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

"Then jump."

I leaned over the edge a bit, just to see what was below. Visibility was zero. I wiped the tears from my face, mingled with the sweat and damp of the morning.

Could I jump? Could I really really jump? Did I trust Him?

I jumped. Just barely, but enough. I didn't know what was ahead. I just jumped.

~

I'm not sure why trust is an issue for me. But, all the same, it's hard for me to trust people. Even God. But, today, He called me to jump off the cliff. Not to ask why, but to jump.

Can I trust God enough to jump off a cliff, if He asks me to? Can I trust Him with my life, in all aspects? Not only can I trust Him...but, will I trust Him? Do I trust Him?

"...I will put my trust in Him..." - Hebrews 2:13

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

I walk into the room, slowly. I glance around, and see mirrors. Walls, ceiling, floor. I sit at the table in the middle of the room, and put my head down on it....only to realize that it, too, is a mirror. I stand up, dizzied by all the bright lights on the glass. I look at myself, full in the mirror.

I screamed. That can't be me. This monster? I touch my face. The monster touches it's face too. I scream again. And again. I hit the mirror, again and again. It shatters. But, yet another appears in it's place. My hands bleed when I finally stop shattering mirrors.

Now there are more mirrors...coming closer to me, and closer. I'm trapped here. I can't close my eyes. I see myself...reflected in all the mirrors. I scream again, and again. I scream until I can't breathe anymore. I fall, breathless, to the floor.

I'm hideous. I hate the way I look. The mirrors constantly hold me before me. I can't stand to look at myself...but I can't help it either. I have to look. I have to.

My hands still bleed, and my throat is raw from screaming. A ragged whisper is all I can squeeze out.

"Someone? Please?"

The door opens. I cower in shame...who wants to see me like this? I peek through slitted eyes at who would come to see me. I see a beautiful man and lady.

"It's a shame. She was such a nice little girl. I can't believe what she's grown up to be."

I scream again, clawing at my face, my arms. Blood runs down my face. Someone else enters. A pair of girls come in, talking.

"She's such a jerk! I mean, come on. I saw her yesterday, and she didn't even look at me. Oh, yeah, best friends, whatever!"

"I'm sorry!" I scream. Hot tears roll down my face. The door opens. I cringe again.

"Do you know that's the Smith's daughter? I wish she'd be more like her parents. Such good people."

This time I can't help myself. I scream again and again, blood and tears rolling down my face, my arms, dripping onto the floor.

"Child."

I stop screaming. This man...he touched me. Lifted my face from the floor.

"Child, you don't belong here."

I don't? I think I deserve it.

"I love you, daughter. Let me love you. Belong to me."

Belong to HIM? He looks clean, angelic almost. I look down at myself, my claws, my hideousness.

"I don't deserve you."

"But I want you anyways."

I couldn't help myself. I took another look at him, wiped the blood from my face, and fell at His feet.

He picked me up and hugged me. Tight, not afraid of my monster body. I only got a glimpse of myself in the mirrors before they all shattered.

White.

Clean.

He saved me. From the mirrors. From myself. From the people who couldn't love me like Him.

"but God shows His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Consume me, Lord. Make Yourself my One Passion.

Britney, I'm sorry for the lies we told
We took you into our arms, then left you cold
Britney, I'm sorry for this cruel, cruel world
We sell the beauty but destroy the girl

Britney, I'm sorry for your broken heart
We stood aside and watched you fall apart
I'm sorry we told you fame would fill you up
And money moves the man, so drink the cup

(chorus)
I know loves goes around the world, we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back for you
It's coming back for you

Britney, I'm sorry for the stones we throw
We tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney, I'm sorry for the words we say
We point the finger as you fall from grace

(chorus)

Britney, I do believe that love has come
Here for the broken, here for the ones like us

I saw an article in the paper about Britney Spear's return to touring, I think it was. I didn't read it, but, all the same it makes me sad. Sad that even though she seems to have gotten her life back together, she's going back to what tore it apart before. Sad that she wants to do that with her life.

But, I can't condemn her. I can say that what she is doing with her life is wrong, and I wish it would turn around. But, I can't condemn her. Why? See, I'm the same way.

No, I don't do all the things she does. I don't party the night out, sing songs for huge crowds that glorify sin and immorality, I don't have legal battles with my ex. But, you know what? I'm a sinner too. My sin is just as bad in God's eyes as her's. When I lie, cheat, talk back, disrespect people, or am unkind, I sin. Everybody sins. Why are my "little" sins any better than any other sin? It's sin. Period.

The only difference between me, the pastor's daughter, and Britney, is that I am saved. Without Jesus, I have the potential to be just like her, or worse. No, I can't condemn her.

All I can do is love her. All I can do is thank God that He saved me when He did. All I can do is pray that someday she'll realize His love is her's...and it will never leave. Ever.

So, Britney, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the Christians that condemn you. I'm sorry for all the people who wouldn't be seen with you, dead or alive. I'm sorry. All I can say is that God's love is all the love you'll ever need. Not the roar of the crowds, the boys, any of it. You're a person too. I'm praying for you. Maybe someday I'll get to share God's love with you. Until then, I'll be praying that someone does...and that you'll accept Him.

Soli Deo Gloria-It's all for HIS glory.

Mr. President Obama,

As of today, March 9, you overturned a ban on Federal funding for Stem Cell Research. You were quoted as saying that government must be "based on facts, not ideology." Since you wish to base your government on facts, let me inform you of a few.

First, you say you want to "restore scientific integrity to politics." Science is not fact, Mr. Obama. Every scientist will tell you that all science cannot be proven. Science is simply a theory, not a fact. Second, if you disregard the first fact, an embreyo is not just a cluster of cells. An embreyo is the beginning of life. You have said that you do not know when life begins. Life has to begin at some point, or it does not exist, Mr. President. Does life begin at conception? At birth? Or, perhaps, at death?

Keeping these two simple facts in mind, let us review your decision from this morning. You claim your decision was a move to separate science and politics. To separate science and politics is, perhaps in you and your advisor's eyes, a wise move. But, if they are separate, which is to rule our government? Politics, or science? You wish to separate politics from science, and yet, ideology is supposedly not supposed to be found.

But, putting all that aside, you decided this morning to allow "researchers" to destroy human embreyos, in order for greater medical advances. Medical advances are great things, and they are appreciated everywhere. However, if medicine advances only at the cost of human lives, is it truly worth it? Because, yes, human lives are at stake.

You may not believe life begins at conception, but I do. Allowing the government to fund widespread murder is not an ethical decision. The holocaust of World War II by Hitler is widely condemned to this day. And yet, you signed your name to a paper that allows for another holocaust. Except, in this case, the persecuted cannot speak for themselves.

As of today, no new medical advances have been made using Stem Cell Research. Great advances are claimed, and future discoveries broadcasted daily. But, where are their advances? Show me their discoveries.

I want you to succeed, Mr. President. I pray for you, your family, and your government daily. And, yet, morally, ethically, scientifically, I cannot approve of the decision you made this rnorning.

Sincerely,

Hannah Hobbs

For further research check out these articles:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/obama.science/index.html

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30031

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/09/obama-says-government-open-door-human-cloning/

Thank you for reading this letter to President Obama.

Soli Deo Gloria-It's all for HIS glory.

Last night our church had a Valentine's banquet (which I was priveleged to help out with) and afterwards, we showed Fireproof. My brother Daniel sang this song with Caleb M. It was really neat, following the movie.

Love Is Not a Fight

by Warren Barfield (from Worth Fighting For)

Love is not a place
To come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
Then commit, to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
Work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Love is a shelter
In a raging storm
Love is peace
In the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight
But its something worth fighting for

To some love is a word
That they can fall into.
But when they're falling out
Keeping that word is hard to do

Love is a shelter
In a raging storm
Love is peace
In the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight
But its something worth fighting for

Love will come to save us
If we'll only call
He will ask nothing from us
But demand we give our all

Love is a shelter
In a raging storm
Love is peace
In the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight
But its something worth fighting for.

Cause I will fight for you
Would you fight for me
It's Worth Fighting For.

Check out this link for the story behind the song;

http://www.cmcentral.com/special/7847.html

Soli Deo Gloria-It's all for HIS glory.

Well, unlike the depressing news communicated to you in the title... (if you just went back and read it, you may laugh now).

I'm going to be an aunt!

I don't think you undestood what I just said...MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!! I'M GONNA HAVE A NIECE OR NEPHEW!!!!!! YAY!!!

I'm kinda excited, if you can tell. :)

Well, let's see. We're expecting this new little baby sometime in early October, so, really, our birthdays won't be that far apart! Anyways, it's cool...I've always looked forward to being "Aunt Hannah"...even though I'm only 15! Wow.

Anyways, thought I'd let you all in on the latest news in our family (well, I say latest, it's almost a week old. :P)

Love you guys!