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Challenge of the Month XXXV
R.I.P Challenge: This one is from our social media director, and it's a staff favorite. In our fashion, the winner takes the $100, and this one is judged solely by the social media department. 500 word minimum. We can't wait to read these! In this writing challenge, you will be tasked with creating a story in which the old version of yourself is killed off and a new character is introduced. This new character should be a transformation of the old you, representing the growth and change that you have undergone. To begin, you will need to think about what aspects of your old self you would like to leave behind, and what qualities you would like to cultivate in the new version of yourself. Consider what events or experiences led to your transformation, and how you have grown as a result. Next, you will need to develop your new character, giving them a unique appearance, personality, and backstory. As you write, be sure to incorporate elements of your own life and experiences, as well as any symbolism or themes that are important to you. Finally, you will need to craft a story that brings your old self to an end and introduces your new character. This could be a tale of redemption, self-discovery, or personal growth. Whatever direction you choose to take, be sure to make it a compelling and meaningful journey for your readers.

The Heart of the Christian

The mild oplalescent light shone through the flat, multi-colored dell computer screen throughout the pitch-black, opaque room. Secluded, isolated, lonely, hungry, and tired defined me. Time passed seamlessly from one moment to the next. Dopamine rushed to my prefrontal cortex as I anticipated and saw multiple 25 year old women ambling across the screen. Wide eyes, full cheeks, and a refined nose encapsulated their faces. Their luxiarant long blonde hair set sail as they strolled with their long, limber legs. The outline of their voluptuous breasts were visible and framed amidst the blue-satin dresses they had on. Expectantly, each woman started taking off her clothes for my viewing pleasure. Any model, any woman, any time, for as long as I wanted with no pushback. I lived for the dopamine rush-my God. And I was going to hell. God’s wrath was upon me and the time to repent was closing. Why repent if hell is one big party where I can experience sin and live in pleasure? The life I always wanted and dreamed about included beautiful women, luxurious cars, traveling, and a comfortable life. What more could someone want? That life sounds pretty good. Pretty good to me.

$200 buy-in! Take your seat said the poker floorman wearing a sharp-looking black suit. More dopamine. One more all-in. Cold hard cash. The dealer dealt me pocket aces. Unbeatable, right? Aren’t these the best cards in the game? I’m ALL-IN. Intuitively, I knew I could lose. Forty yellow $5.00 chips backed my decision to shove all the cash in the middle. Now I just wait. Sweat slowly dripped through my body as my heart started pounding faster. And faster. I felt like a racecar driver on a nascar track ready to crash at any second. Like Dale Earnhardt. Here goes nothing. My opponent flips over pocket Kings. The flop comes Ace, 2, 7 with two spades. Seems like I have this hand just as locked up as a maximum security prisoner. Turn comes 9 of spades. River comes 10 of spades. Uh oh. I don’t have a spade. How could I lose this hand flopping the nuts? My opponent doesn’t even remember if he has a spade. He comments “I remember seeing a black card, hold on.” He turns over the king of clubs and my set beats his pair. I took the chips and ran out of there. It was as if I was running away from something else. Running away from something and toward another. But I couldn’t figure out what it was. Not yet.

Riing! My smartphone lit up. It was Dave, the guy I met at church. He asked if I wanted to go to church. Begrudgingly, I consented. The pastor talked about believing in the Gospel. He said that God chooses who goes to heaven. God is Holy and judges sin. And if we repent and believe in Jesus Christ as the God-man who died for our sins and was raised, we would have eternal life. He is Lord over our life. At first, I was angry. I don’t need church or Jesus. We just live, die, and live our happiest life now. I knew my life wasn’t perfect but I wasn’t a monster was I? But I listened. There is an eternal life after this life he said. We are either going to eternal heaven or eternal fire in Hell. Hell isn’t one big party but eternal punishment for those who don’t repent and believe in Jesus Christ. The conduct of our life will demonstrate if we are really saved- saved from God’s wrath. Whatever. I said. I want to live my life the way I want to live it. I don’t need Him.

Today, I’m a new man. Becoming a Christian is the greatest transformation anyone can ever undergo because it’s not about external actions.I used to think life was about living for the Dopamine rush and selfish pursuits. But I’ve come a long way and now live for Him and His Glory as a result of a transformed spiritual heart. I live for God and that’s all I need in light of eternity. Being a Christian isn’t about doing a bunch of moral things. Morality is a result of having a new heart comprised of new affections, desires, and longings. I live in light of eternity because I believe in the Gospel. This is the new nature I have- I’m an adopted son of God as the Bible says. I understand the God who judges. We were headed to hell but he provided a way out- through his Son Jesus Christ. The old self, the old heart is completely gone. The new self with the new heart lives on. 2 Corinthians 5:15- “and he

died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” As a Christian, I don’t live for myself but for Christ who died for my sins. Going on, Titus 2:11-13 sums up the new life of the Christian- “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is the hope of the Christain and the reason for Godly living. This life sounds pretty good. Pretty good to me.

Today, I’m a new man. Becoming a Christian is the greatest transformation anyone can ever undergo because it’s not about external actions. I used to think life was about living for the Dopamine rush and selfish pursuits. But I’ve come a long way and now live for Him and His Glory as a result of a transformed spiritual heart. I live for God and that’s all I need in light of eternity. Being a Christian isn’t about doing a bunch of moral things. Morality is a result of having a new heart comprised of new affections, desires, and longings. I live in light of eternity because I believe in the Gospel. This is the new nature I have- I’m an adopted son of God as the Bible says. I understand the God who judges. We were headed to hell but he provided a way out- through his Son Jesus Christ. The old self, the old heart is completely gone. The new self with the new heart lives on. 2 Corinthians 5:15- “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” As a Christian, I don’t live for myself but for Christ who died for my sins. Going on, Titus 2:11-13 sums up the new life of the Christian- “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is the hope of the Christain and the reason for Godly living. This life sounds pretty good. Pretty good to me.

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