Let's Make a Deal

Our faith is challenged by the choices we make every day. Choices that, over time, shape our very being: who we hang out with, how we apply ourselves to our schoolwork, how we interact with our families, who we date, how often we come to church, and what things we put before God.

Looking at it another way, a lot of what this life here on earth has to offer us is just “stuff.” They are just material things that only bring temporary happiness at best. We're one of the richest, most well-off countries in the world and yet we have some of the highest rates of loneliness, depression, and suicide of any country.

But these “things,” all this stuff can easily put up a wall or barrier between us and God. Because it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle?! (Mark 10: 25) Do you believe that? Does that scare you? It scares me because I believe it! Maybe it’s a lot harder to get into heaven than we think. It scares me because I think of all the stuff I have. If given the choice, would I give it all up to follow Jesus?

All this life ever promises is more stuff. That’s the American dream right? One day you can buy a new car, a house, a boat and some jet skis. That new guitar sure sounds great right? But then Jesus goes messing everything up by saying “sell everything you own, give it to the poor and follow me.” (Mark 10: 21-22) These are life's gray areas which warrant some very tough choices. Which would you choose?

Your text responses

While coming up with the name for this blog, Adam and I texted a random assortment of senior high students we know from Real Life. The question was, "What are your thoughts on "hotdish" and specifically "Jesus Hotdish?"

Here are some of your responses. :)

"I love me some hotdish"
Elliot Koch

"Well, I'd say go for it. Are you making it?"
Laurel Striegel

"Umm, hot dish is always good so Jesus hotdish must be even better!"
Adam Wilson

"I like hotdish"
Joe Errett

"I like Jesus"
Natalie Moorhouse

"Who is this?"
Tanner Toussaint

"I would probably eat Jesus hotdish"
Gus Hamilton

"Love it!"
Erica Volk

"As a food, or a band name?"
Stephen Anderson

"Hahaha, depends on what's in it I guess"
Sarah Seibold

"Well i enjoy hotdish but if it had to do with Jesus i would probably like it even more!"
Rachel Jacobson

"Umm...."
Kelsey Schmidt

"what do you mean?"
Tyler Hetland

"Huh?"
Camila Hueck

"...odd...?"
Dane Swecker

"what? I like hotdish my mom makes. haha!"
Haley Koehn

"Jesus hotdish? I like hotdishes. I've never heard of Jesus Hotdishes! Haha!"
Lauryn Wilson

"Delicious!" "Yummy" "Sounds awesome"
Sean Colbert, Alli Ward, Mel Mcdougall, Kiana Majidian, Cam Johnson, Morgan Opp

"tasty?"
Sam Skunberg

"Is this supposed to be a serious question?"
Lindsey Teigen

"What is Jesus Hotdish?"
Lucas Hooey

"Well before I answer this question...is jesus hotdish just like normal hotdish with the word Jesus before it or is there something special about it?
Callie Roth

"Umm...I like hotdish. Not too sure about the jesus part though. Why?"
Emily Erickson

"I don't really know what Jesus hotdish is."
Rhett Carlson

"it's kind of catchy."
Shantel Johnson

"What are you talking about?" "I don't know"
Eric Thomas, Austin Swecker

"wait...do we have to eat jesus?!"
Ally Green (verbal response)

"Very interesting"
Dalton Hanson