I didn't go to any classes today, but instead spent mostly the whole day in the library writing my 5 page 1.5 spacing economics essay on real estate information asymmetry based on the book Freakonomics. On the way to campus I tried to secretly take pictures of random people, but it didn't work...

I guess some of them are more interesting this way. In the first picture, the person was resting on the sidewalk, but their head isn't shown. I think it makes it a little more interesting.

I can't believe we had to write a huge essay for an economics class.

Devotion time questions:

Zechariah 14

Reflect on the fact that Christ came as a servant to die for us, and that He will return as the victorious king to usher peace throughout the world. What worldview and approach to life is appropriate for those who have this overarching view of history?

By knowing that we were created by God and redeemed by Christ, we are to live meaningful lives for him rather than for the temporarily world. We must take our behavior and purpose very seriously.

In our behavior, we must strive to be holy in our lives and actions, since it was sin that caused us to need a redeemer in the first place. Now that we've been redeemed, we need to strive to live a life that reflects that.

Our purpose in this world should also be reflective of the fact that we were redeemed by Christ, who will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. With this view, we need to be obedient to his lordship even now, and not live lives obedient only to our own wills.

How can I prepare myself for the day when Christ comes again?

I can strive to know him better and better and grow in my relationship with him. I should also make my calling and election sure, to make sure I'm truly aligned with him and his purposes.

In the new world, God designed much of human life to be centered on worship of God. How am I in terms of the quality and frequency of my personal worship of God?

I should worship God more in private, apart from the worship we do as a fellowship or church. Recently our apartment sat down and had an impromptu time of worship with the $4 guitar I brought up a few days ago. Maybe we can somehow do this on a regular basis in the future...

I also need to work on improving my prayer life, another integral part of worship.

Reflect on the final vision of Zechariah--that all things, down to mundane, common items, will be set apart and made “holy to the Lord Almighty.” Why is this a fundamentally right and beautiful picture?

This is the way things were meant to be. It's a vision that mirrors what creation was like before the fall and before sin entered the world.

To what extent does this describe the life of a true disciple of Christ?

As Christians, we need to live lives that are completely set apart for God. Every aspect of our lives should be in God's hands, and therefore we need to actively and purposefully set apart everything for God. This also means we need to live consistently in every aspect of our lives, and not compartmentalize our Christianity into just a single part of our lives while other parts remain secular or sinful.

To what extent have I declared everything I own, and every aspect of my personal life as “holy to the Lord Almighty?” Do I have a deep sense of conviction that this is the only right and proper place for my life?

Thoughts omitted here.

What is the evidence that my time, possessions, talents and body are indeed set apart for the Lord?

Thoughts omitted here.