Jon Caudill

Recently I have been ridiculed by co-workers for my lack of “pop-culture” knowledge. You might find it odd as well that I do not know much about classic movies or music of past generations. My co-workers made a few references to some movies, like the Godfather series and Full Metal Jacket (not sure if that’s a classic), and they were shocked when they found out that I had not seen these movies. These co-workers then went down an endless list of movies only to discover that I had not yet had the opportunity to view these movies. Being 25 (born in 1985), there was more of an emphasis on video games, sports, and pogs (remember those?) when I was growing up than watching TV shows and movies. If you want to talk about Mario Brothers, the Legend of Zelda, Goldeneye, or the Spurs 1999 championship - then I’m game – but try to talk to me about the Graduate, Gone with the Wind, or a movie called Chinatown (?), and I am completely lost. Have I lost my audience yet? Obviously, pop-culture and m...

I have recently started my Master’s studies through Liberty University. Looking at the clock now after finishing a healthy portion of intense studying, I am wondering what I was thinking trying to get a Master’s in Divinity. I do have aspirations to go into the ministry, but is that enough to put in this much studying and this much effort? It certainly isn’t the money I am after as I know the pay isn’t always the best, and am positive I can obtain a Master’s degree in some form of business or finance and make a nice sized pay check down the road and secure my financial future. So why am I studying Christian Theology in 2010? In a world that is made up of wired electronics that are completely wireless, and economic woes that worry the most established businessman, it almost seems irrelevant to study such ancient things. People might think I am just wasting my life and should invest my time and energy into more fruitful studies and business ventures, and you might be surprised to hea...

On the way to school I noticed a man wearing the same running shoes that I have. I will be honest as I was a bit surprised to see a homeless person wearing something that reminded me of myself. It also got me thinking a bit about how the person ended up in such a lonely and desperate situation. I have a wonderful life with the potential for a great future, but that is it – it is just potential. Looking down at my feet makes me wonder what step I will take next. The step I take could possibly lead me to a similar life. The choices I make will directly impact my family, my friends, and me. If I take a step to the right and it is in the wrong direction then I may not be able to recover and it would be the end of my life as I know it. If I take a step to the left and am successful then I would be able to fulfill my potential on paper, but would I be a true success if I just relied on myself to get my life in order? “Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you ...

The love that Jesus has for each and every one of us is hard to explain. Try to look at all relationships and visualize a pie chart where a whole portion would equal 100%. A husband and a wife share a bond that no one else understands. Sure, people might try to explain how much they are in love with their significant other, but the audience does not have the experience of what makes their love and life together work. My wife and I share a special bond that no one else can understand. You can’t understand it because you are not in my shoes or in my wife’s shoes (unless my wife is reading this). The point I am trying to make is simple, we all share special connections with everyone that we know. In most of these connections, there is a mutual 50/50 given on either end. My friends and I share 50% of the job of making our relationship work. If I am only producing a partial amount of what is needed to successfully have a friendship, then the friendship status will diminish after a prolong...

The magnitude of the crucifixion of Jesus has never hit me quite like it has in the last few days. Don’t get me wrong, I know the magnitude of the gift that we have received, but I just didn’t think about it to the fullest. Jesus was arrested the night prior to his execution and that is when his suffering began. People judged him for doing nothing wrong and our punishment was placed on him because he was and still is the only one who lived completely without sin. This has caused me to try to live my life free of sin and live Christ-like. While I still stumble, I know that I am a completely different man than I was or would have been without Christ in my life. Still, I always thought of Jesus dying for everyone at once, and while I knew he died for my sins I didn’t think of him on the cross thinking of me specifically. All that I have done wrong in the eyes of God were in the mind of Jesus when he was on the cross. Imagine Jesus thinking in his head… “Jonathan, you’ve done wrong and now...