Good challenge. I really think there's nothing MORE important to read, and yet... I often find myself reading everything EXCEPT God's Word. I have read the entire Word. I'm embarrassed to say it took me several years, but I just kept working my way through a One Year Bible and finally made it to the end. I was back up through May last year when our small group decided to read it together. Fortunately it was right about May, so I picked up with them and read fairly consistently, though I know I skipped through a few sections to stay up with them. Regardless. I may pick up in May again and read through the end. No specific plan yet, though, which usually means trouble. Here are some ideas...
MORNING - I could get up early to read, though I have conflicts several mornings a week (unless I get up even earlier than early).
EVENINGS - Might be okay, but they can be sporadically busy. I do often watch TV before going to bed. I enjoy that routine, but that definitely isn't as important as being in God's Word. Reminds me that in high school that's when I did my most consistent Bible reading. Any better options?
LUNCH - I think that would be difficult and inconsistent... though I might be able to pull others in with me.
SPORADIC/WEEKENDS - Last year with our small group, I would find two or three times a week to hunker down and read several days worth in one sitting. That might be a possibility, but it tends to be inconsistent and easy to fall behind.
DAILY - Seems like a daily routine is more sustaining. I eat of food regularly... might as well do the same with my "daily bread."
Evenings sound like the best bet. If you're reading this now... be sure and ask me how I'm doing.
Reading tonight: in Deuteronomy & Luke (might as well pick up on April 4th)
Praying for: the country of Chile
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Monday, April 04, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
David Platt, "Radical"
"We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with.
A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter, wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream.
But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church buildings to sing and lift up our hands in worship, we may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves."
A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter, wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream.
But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church buildings to sing and lift up our hands in worship, we may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves."
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Psalm 116:8-9
"For you, O LORD, have delivered
my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living."
Sometimes we understand the benefits of salvation only in an eternal (after-death) sense, but I like that these verses go beyond that... to indicate the benefits of knowing and relying on God in THIS life. He delivers my eyes from tears. I no longer have to stumble through life. I can now be in the presence of God Almighty here on Earth - today, right now, forever... because I walk in righteousness as a result of God's mercy and Christ's sacrifice! How d'ya like THEM apples?!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Job
I was reading in Psalms yesterday and ran across this verse (33:7): "He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses." That reminded me of some of the imagery in the book of Job: (38:37) "Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens?"
So, I've been reading some of the later chapters of Job (32-42) and am amazed at some of the truths there.
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING COME FROM GOD'S SPIRIT
Elihu (son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram) rebukes Job and his friends. Since he was the youngest person there, he sat and waited until everyone else was done speaking. Finally, he spoke up...
"I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." (32:7-9)
"For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good." (34:3-4)
NO ONE (EXCEPT GOD) IS PERFECT
Job claims over and over to be righteous. And, to be fair, God even refers to him as "blameless and upright" in chapter 1. But, Elihu points out that God is over all and above all... "It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." (34:12-15)
i.e. - Man is still man... fallible and imperfect... subject to God and dependent on His mercy.
GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR OUR SUFFERING
Elihu explains that often it's our suffering that causes us to turn (or turn more fully) to God: "God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him." (33:29-30) "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." (36:15-16)
WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN QUESTIONING GOD
Job indicts God on several counts, which include...
1) God has left him/ignored him (29:1-6, 30: 20)
2) God has attacked him/has bad intentions toward him (30:19, 21-23, 26)
3) God is unjust (27:1-6)
Check this out, though... in Job 40:8, God asks of Job, "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"
Ouch! How many times do we want to blame God, in an attempt to maintain our own righteousness? It's easy to want to point a finger at God when we're suffering. (I know I've charged God with many of the same things as Job!) BUT... God will not be mocked. If you catch yourself questioning God, I'd encourage you to take a look at Job... especially the last few chapters where God responds to Job.
What great reminders! I know I sometimes (often) I need to be put back in my place. The book of Job helps me find my way back there. :)
So, I've been reading some of the later chapters of Job (32-42) and am amazed at some of the truths there.
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING COME FROM GOD'S SPIRIT
Elihu (son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram) rebukes Job and his friends. Since he was the youngest person there, he sat and waited until everyone else was done speaking. Finally, he spoke up...
"I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." (32:7-9)
"For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good." (34:3-4)
NO ONE (EXCEPT GOD) IS PERFECT
Job claims over and over to be righteous. And, to be fair, God even refers to him as "blameless and upright" in chapter 1. But, Elihu points out that God is over all and above all... "It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." (34:12-15)
i.e. - Man is still man... fallible and imperfect... subject to God and dependent on His mercy.
GOD HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR OUR SUFFERING
Elihu explains that often it's our suffering that causes us to turn (or turn more fully) to God: "God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him." (33:29-30) "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." (36:15-16)
WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN QUESTIONING GOD
Job indicts God on several counts, which include...
1) God has left him/ignored him (29:1-6, 30: 20)
2) God has attacked him/has bad intentions toward him (30:19, 21-23, 26)
3) God is unjust (27:1-6)
Check this out, though... in Job 40:8, God asks of Job, "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"
Ouch! How many times do we want to blame God, in an attempt to maintain our own righteousness? It's easy to want to point a finger at God when we're suffering. (I know I've charged God with many of the same things as Job!) BUT... God will not be mocked. If you catch yourself questioning God, I'd encourage you to take a look at Job... especially the last few chapters where God responds to Job.
What great reminders! I know I sometimes (often) I need to be put back in my place. The book of Job helps me find my way back there. :)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Paul & Barnabas
Acts 15:36-41 (NIV)
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
"Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."
I heard a sermon on this passage yesterday. And though I'm familiar with the passage, I thought the pastor added some great insights...
Paul and Barnabas were good friends. Acts 9: 26-27 explains that Paul was shunned by Jesus' disciples until Barnabas welcomed him into the circle and explained that his conversion was legitimate. It was this friendship that was brought into conflict when Paul and Barnabas were picking a team for an upcoming mission. Barnabas wanted to include his cousin, John Mark, but Paul had been burned by John Mark when he deserted a team on a previous mission. He showed either some spiritual immaturity or possibly a lack of ability to handle the pressures of this kind of mission work. The division was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree and built two separate teams.
PRINCIPLE #1: The MISSION is greater than the CONFLICT.
There may be a time to break relationship over principles and truth. BUT... you should make absolutely sure that they are BIBLICAL principles and truth. Too many times we let other things cloud our decision to break relationship - pride, for example. But, we need to also recognize that people can change. You may need them in the future and/or they may need you. We should make every attempt not to burn bridges.
PRINCIPLE #2: Even if you have to change a relationship, don't write people off.
I hadn't really considered it before, but reading Paul's words in II Timothy 4:11, "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." I appears that John Mark matured in his faith and became an asset to Paul in his ministry.
PRINCIPLE #3: What action will bring God the most glory?
Shouldn't this ALWAYS be the question in the forefront of our minds?!
Finally, whatever the conflict, choose...
Principle... Not Pride
Humility... Not Power
Unity... Not Independence
Peace... Not Turmoil (Rom 12:18)
Love... Not Accommodation
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
"Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."
I heard a sermon on this passage yesterday. And though I'm familiar with the passage, I thought the pastor added some great insights...
Paul and Barnabas were good friends. Acts 9: 26-27 explains that Paul was shunned by Jesus' disciples until Barnabas welcomed him into the circle and explained that his conversion was legitimate. It was this friendship that was brought into conflict when Paul and Barnabas were picking a team for an upcoming mission. Barnabas wanted to include his cousin, John Mark, but Paul had been burned by John Mark when he deserted a team on a previous mission. He showed either some spiritual immaturity or possibly a lack of ability to handle the pressures of this kind of mission work. The division was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree and built two separate teams.
PRINCIPLE #1: The MISSION is greater than the CONFLICT.
There may be a time to break relationship over principles and truth. BUT... you should make absolutely sure that they are BIBLICAL principles and truth. Too many times we let other things cloud our decision to break relationship - pride, for example. But, we need to also recognize that people can change. You may need them in the future and/or they may need you. We should make every attempt not to burn bridges.
PRINCIPLE #2: Even if you have to change a relationship, don't write people off.
I hadn't really considered it before, but reading Paul's words in II Timothy 4:11, "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." I appears that John Mark matured in his faith and became an asset to Paul in his ministry.
PRINCIPLE #3: What action will bring God the most glory?
Shouldn't this ALWAYS be the question in the forefront of our minds?!
Finally, whatever the conflict, choose...
Principle... Not Pride
Humility... Not Power
Unity... Not Independence
Peace... Not Turmoil (Rom 12:18)
Love... Not Accommodation
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Desert
Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Romans 8:18-25
I thought the Jeremy Camp video relates so perfectly to the 4/18 post. It also reminded me of this scripture...
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
Romans 8:18-25
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
Romans 8:18-25
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Pain that Gives Way to Joy
Excerpts from "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis, from his chapter on "Heaven":
"There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else. You may have noticed that the books you really love are bound together by a secret thread. You know very well what is the common quality that makes you love them, though you cannot put it into words; but most of your friends do not see it at all, and often wonder why, liking this, you should also like that. Again, you have stood before some landscape, which seems to embody what you have been looking for all your life, and then turned to the friend at your side who appears to be seeing what you saw - but at the first words a gulf yawns between you, and you realise that this landscape means something totally different to him, that he is pursuing an alien vision and cares nothing for the ineffable suggestion by which you are transported. Even in your hobbies, has there not always been some secret attraction which the others are curiously ignorant of - something, not to be identified with, but always on the verge of breaking through, the smell of cut woood in the workshop or the clap-clap of water against the boat's side? Are not all lifelong friendships born at the moment when at last you meet another human being who has some inkling (but faint and uncertain even in the best) of that something which you were born desiring, and which, beneath the flux of other desires and in all the momentary silences between the louder passions, night and day, year by year, from childhood to old age, you are looking for, watching for, listening for? You have never had it. All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it - tantalising glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear. But if it should really become manifest - if there ever came an echo that did not die away but swelled into the sound itself - you would know it. Beyond all possibility of doubt you would say 'Here at last is the thing I was made for.' We cannot tell each other about it. It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds, when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work. While we are, this is. If we lose this, we lose all."
I wonder sometimes if the hurts and disappointments in life serve only (or at least partially) to remind us that we were not created for this life. We're always left with a deep-seated longing in our soul, because this is not what we were ultimately created for. In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his coming death...
"Truly, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again. It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy... You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." (John 16:20-22)
He seemed to say, "I know it will be difficult, but hang on... my death is not the end of the story. When you know the full story, you will have cause to rejoice."
"Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarify. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now." (I Corinthians 13:12)
So, I guess the lesson is... I don't know the full story. The unfulfilled desires of my heart serve to point me to Christ and the day I will be with Him. LORD, haste that day! In the meantime, help me keep my eyes focused securely on You.
"There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else. You may have noticed that the books you really love are bound together by a secret thread. You know very well what is the common quality that makes you love them, though you cannot put it into words; but most of your friends do not see it at all, and often wonder why, liking this, you should also like that. Again, you have stood before some landscape, which seems to embody what you have been looking for all your life, and then turned to the friend at your side who appears to be seeing what you saw - but at the first words a gulf yawns between you, and you realise that this landscape means something totally different to him, that he is pursuing an alien vision and cares nothing for the ineffable suggestion by which you are transported. Even in your hobbies, has there not always been some secret attraction which the others are curiously ignorant of - something, not to be identified with, but always on the verge of breaking through, the smell of cut woood in the workshop or the clap-clap of water against the boat's side? Are not all lifelong friendships born at the moment when at last you meet another human being who has some inkling (but faint and uncertain even in the best) of that something which you were born desiring, and which, beneath the flux of other desires and in all the momentary silences between the louder passions, night and day, year by year, from childhood to old age, you are looking for, watching for, listening for? You have never had it. All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it - tantalising glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear. But if it should really become manifest - if there ever came an echo that did not die away but swelled into the sound itself - you would know it. Beyond all possibility of doubt you would say 'Here at last is the thing I was made for.' We cannot tell each other about it. It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds, when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work. While we are, this is. If we lose this, we lose all."
I wonder sometimes if the hurts and disappointments in life serve only (or at least partially) to remind us that we were not created for this life. We're always left with a deep-seated longing in our soul, because this is not what we were ultimately created for. In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his coming death...
"Truly, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again. It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy... You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." (John 16:20-22)
He seemed to say, "I know it will be difficult, but hang on... my death is not the end of the story. When you know the full story, you will have cause to rejoice."
"Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarify. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now." (I Corinthians 13:12)
So, I guess the lesson is... I don't know the full story. The unfulfilled desires of my heart serve to point me to Christ and the day I will be with Him. LORD, haste that day! In the meantime, help me keep my eyes focused securely on You.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fortune Cookies & the Promises of God
Psalm 37:4 - "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
My fortune cookie from lunch today - "You will get what your heart desires."
Common theme? Yes! Which caused my heart to jump more? Unfortunately the one baked and assembled in Taiwan (or wherever fortune cookies are made). Wouldn't it be nice if our hearts were stirred when we read the very promises of God? Isn't that what would happen if we really believed them to be true?!
Think on that!
My fortune cookie from lunch today - "You will get what your heart desires."
Common theme? Yes! Which caused my heart to jump more? Unfortunately the one baked and assembled in Taiwan (or wherever fortune cookies are made). Wouldn't it be nice if our hearts were stirred when we read the very promises of God? Isn't that what would happen if we really believed them to be true?!
Think on that!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Risk Assessment
So I caught insurance commercial the other day. Most of the time I don't pay much attention to them, but for some reason I stopped and thought about this one. I don't recall which insurance company is was, but several times during the commercial, they said something to the effect of "there's nothing more important that your family's safety." At first that sounds very true. I mean, who would challenge the validity of that statment? Of course someone should be concerned with the safety and protection of his/her family.
BUT, in the depths of my heart I knew it was wrong. Safety sounds nice, but Jesus didn't call his followers to safety. In fact, he almost promised the opposite...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
"Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:60-62
God makes it pretty clear that protection of ourselves and our families is NOT to be our top priority. Our top priority should ALWAYS be to follow Him however He leads. I think of how many times I don't reach out a helping hand to someone in need because "it's just not safe." Unfortunately, I think we women are even more at fault for using that excuse. At what point are we supposed to stop trusting God for our protection and safety? And, if He chooses not to protect us in any given situation, who's to say there's not a greater purpose in that?
God, help me be a woman who follows your leading WHEREVER that takes me. I choose to trust You for my safety and protection... not myself.
BUT, in the depths of my heart I knew it was wrong. Safety sounds nice, but Jesus didn't call his followers to safety. In fact, he almost promised the opposite...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
"Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:60-62
God makes it pretty clear that protection of ourselves and our families is NOT to be our top priority. Our top priority should ALWAYS be to follow Him however He leads. I think of how many times I don't reach out a helping hand to someone in need because "it's just not safe." Unfortunately, I think we women are even more at fault for using that excuse. At what point are we supposed to stop trusting God for our protection and safety? And, if He chooses not to protect us in any given situation, who's to say there's not a greater purpose in that?
God, help me be a woman who follows your leading WHEREVER that takes me. I choose to trust You for my safety and protection... not myself.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Joy
"But Lord, keep me far from one error. May it be far from the heart of Your servant who here confesses unto You, that I should feel momentary earthly joy and suppose that I had reached true happiness. There is a joy that brings true happiness, but it is not given to the ungodly. It is only for those who love You for Your own sake.
That joy is to know You as You are. This is the happy life, to rejoice in You, of You, and for You. This is the happy life, and there is no other. They who think there is another, pursue some other. They are not on the track of true joy. Yet they still have that image of it inside that makes them run after what looks like some semblance of the real joy."
from The Confessions of St. Augustine
That joy is to know You as You are. This is the happy life, to rejoice in You, of You, and for You. This is the happy life, and there is no other. They who think there is another, pursue some other. They are not on the track of true joy. Yet they still have that image of it inside that makes them run after what looks like some semblance of the real joy."
from The Confessions of St. Augustine
Monday, June 16, 2008
Confessions
I'm reading a bit of St. Augustine. I've wanted to read some of his writing for a long time, but I'm just now getting around to it. Here are some ideas that I'd like to explore further:
SECOND COMING: "When He [Christ] did leave the world where our eyes could see Him, it was so that He might return to us in our heart. He left that we might find Him. He departed, and - surprise! - the heart is where He reappeared." --> I don't think he's suggesting this is Christ's second coming, but it made me rethink the coming of the Holy Spirit a bit, and it makes me curious to look at some of Christ's other comments about his own return. I wonder how many of those relate to his coming in our hearts as opposed to his return to earth (i.e. - in the flesh). It's something I haven't thought too much about.
EVANGELISM: "Admiration becomes infectious when the praise is genuine." Augustine was talking of his admiration of a certain orator. His point is that he had an admiration for him not so much because of him or his speaking - but because other friends of his admired him so much. I think he point he was making was that others should notice Christ as a result of our love and admiration of Him. I wonder if people are moved to check out Christ simply because of MY devotion to Him?
LEARNING/KNOWLEDGE: "I delighted in learning, but I had no divine context for what my mind picked up. I had no foundation to discern what is true or certain. I was standing with my back to the light, so that the things that should be illuminated were in shadow, even though they were in front of my face." Wow! Sometimes God is so obvious that we miss Him, because we're trying to understand the things around us outside of the context of Him.
IMPERFECTION: "The promise of satisfaction in worldly loves is an enduring lie that moves the soul to unfaithfulness from it proper lover." The things we chase after in this life leave us wanting, because they're only a slight glimmer of the fullness we find in Christ. We should be thankful for every good gift we have... "If you find physical pleasure in earthly experiences, use the occasion to praise God for these gifts. Turn your love not on the pleasures but toward their Maker. Otherwise, the things that please you will cause you to displease. Love those souls that please you, but love them in God."
SECOND COMING: "When He [Christ] did leave the world where our eyes could see Him, it was so that He might return to us in our heart. He left that we might find Him. He departed, and - surprise! - the heart is where He reappeared." --> I don't think he's suggesting this is Christ's second coming, but it made me rethink the coming of the Holy Spirit a bit, and it makes me curious to look at some of Christ's other comments about his own return. I wonder how many of those relate to his coming in our hearts as opposed to his return to earth (i.e. - in the flesh). It's something I haven't thought too much about.
EVANGELISM: "Admiration becomes infectious when the praise is genuine." Augustine was talking of his admiration of a certain orator. His point is that he had an admiration for him not so much because of him or his speaking - but because other friends of his admired him so much. I think he point he was making was that others should notice Christ as a result of our love and admiration of Him. I wonder if people are moved to check out Christ simply because of MY devotion to Him?
LEARNING/KNOWLEDGE: "I delighted in learning, but I had no divine context for what my mind picked up. I had no foundation to discern what is true or certain. I was standing with my back to the light, so that the things that should be illuminated were in shadow, even though they were in front of my face." Wow! Sometimes God is so obvious that we miss Him, because we're trying to understand the things around us outside of the context of Him.
IMPERFECTION: "The promise of satisfaction in worldly loves is an enduring lie that moves the soul to unfaithfulness from it proper lover." The things we chase after in this life leave us wanting, because they're only a slight glimmer of the fullness we find in Christ. We should be thankful for every good gift we have... "If you find physical pleasure in earthly experiences, use the occasion to praise God for these gifts. Turn your love not on the pleasures but toward their Maker. Otherwise, the things that please you will cause you to displease. Love those souls that please you, but love them in God."
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
430 Days of Laziness
I haven't felt well today, and yes... I know it's late, but I can't seem to sleep. Plus, I had something I wanted to blog about.
I was laying on my side in bed the other morning (maybe Saturday) thinking about how nice it was to lay there... just thinking, praying, enjoying the morning. As I thought I could lay there forever, a story came to mind. I was reminded of Ezekiel. I read the story recently about God calling Ezekial to prophesy to the Israelites. Among other things, God tells Ezekiel to lay on his left side for 390 days... one day for every year of Israel's rebellion. When he's done with that... he got to switch to his right side... another 40 days for Judah's rebellion.
Wow! Who can empathize with his initial response to God's call?...
"The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat down among them for seven days - overwhelmed." (Ezekiel 3:14-15)
I think he may have sat there longer, only the LORD snapped him out of it by giving him the 430-day instructions.
So... why is it such a popular notion that God's plan for each of us is to make us happy? The Bible is chock full of stories of God calling men and women to do things that seemed contrary to their logic and unlikely to make them happy...
Abraham - God asked him to move from his home (um... out of his comfort zone) and later to sacrifice his son
Moses - God asked him to lead the Israelites out of slavery (do you remember how many times Moses argued with God over that one?)
Mary - have God's son (how would you like to face the questions/ridicule about that one?)
There's a quote I love... maybe by A.W. Tozer, though I'm not positive... "God's will isn't always easy, but it's always right."
May you and I answer God's call no matter the consequence.
I was laying on my side in bed the other morning (maybe Saturday) thinking about how nice it was to lay there... just thinking, praying, enjoying the morning. As I thought I could lay there forever, a story came to mind. I was reminded of Ezekiel. I read the story recently about God calling Ezekial to prophesy to the Israelites. Among other things, God tells Ezekiel to lay on his left side for 390 days... one day for every year of Israel's rebellion. When he's done with that... he got to switch to his right side... another 40 days for Judah's rebellion.
Wow! Who can empathize with his initial response to God's call?...
"The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat down among them for seven days - overwhelmed." (Ezekiel 3:14-15)
I think he may have sat there longer, only the LORD snapped him out of it by giving him the 430-day instructions.
So... why is it such a popular notion that God's plan for each of us is to make us happy? The Bible is chock full of stories of God calling men and women to do things that seemed contrary to their logic and unlikely to make them happy...
Abraham - God asked him to move from his home (um... out of his comfort zone) and later to sacrifice his son
Moses - God asked him to lead the Israelites out of slavery (do you remember how many times Moses argued with God over that one?)
Mary - have God's son (how would you like to face the questions/ridicule about that one?)
There's a quote I love... maybe by A.W. Tozer, though I'm not positive... "God's will isn't always easy, but it's always right."
May you and I answer God's call no matter the consequence.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Fantasy World
I know it's late (or rather... "early"), but I had some thoughts rolling around and wanted to commit them to writing.
First of all, I've been dwelling on a statement this week... "We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners." It seems somewhat harsh, and yet I believe it's probably a true statement. "To sin" is an action, but "being a sinner" describes one's character. So, tonight, I was thinking of the story in Luke 7, where a woman pours perfume on Jesus' feet. Jesus concludes by saying that those who have been forgiven much love much and that "he who has been forgiven little loves little." I always felt kind of like that person who had been forgiven little. I mean, my sins are "little sins"... not thinking of others first, not fully trusting God, watching too much TV, etc. I know Jesus died for my sins, but I'm not doing too bad on my own.
(I'm feeling fairly heretical writing this, but please hang with me...)
I was thinking tonight of a paper I wrote in high school. I'm not sure what the assignment was, but I titled my paper, "Fluctuations in a World of Placidity." (Gotta love a thesaurus in the hands of nerdy high school student!) The point I made in the paper was how I've had it pretty easy in life... no major trauma or road blocks to work through. And, it's not that life has been all rosy since then, but I still don't have much to complain about. This past month or two, I've had my eyes opened to some of the frightening realities that others have had to deal with and live through. What must it be like to be abused (in any number of ways), to not have parents to love and nurture, to walk through life completely alone, to worry all the time about surviving from day to day? I can't begin to imagine what that must be like. But, again, so many of those things are results of there being sin in this world. I've been very protected.
It's been fairly easy in life for me to ignore my sinful nature and the effects of sin in our world. It's much more comfortable for me to wear blinders and pretend that things are pretty much okay in the world. But then again... if that's true, why did Christ have to die? Here's another quote about sin and grace that shakes me up a bit...
"It is impossible for us to know how profound God's grace is until we grasp the pervasiveness of sin."
So, in terms of sin in the world... it's becoming more and more painfully obvious that sin is running rampant and that we ourselves are helpless to change it. And as for MY sin... maybe I'm still working on that. But this past year, I've faced up to the gravity of sins of omission. We tend to talk more about the sins we commit, but I've come to think that the things we DON'T do are even more of a problem. For example, my selfishness may result in a sin of commission, but it also keeps me from sharing God's love and forgiveness with others. Or, if I mistreat my body (God's temple), I may not remain healthy enough to spread God's Word as he desires. So, I have a LONG, LONG way to go... and I can't get there on my own. So....
God, slap me with the reality of my own sin, and then let me love you all the more for your redeeming grace.
First of all, I've been dwelling on a statement this week... "We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners." It seems somewhat harsh, and yet I believe it's probably a true statement. "To sin" is an action, but "being a sinner" describes one's character. So, tonight, I was thinking of the story in Luke 7, where a woman pours perfume on Jesus' feet. Jesus concludes by saying that those who have been forgiven much love much and that "he who has been forgiven little loves little." I always felt kind of like that person who had been forgiven little. I mean, my sins are "little sins"... not thinking of others first, not fully trusting God, watching too much TV, etc. I know Jesus died for my sins, but I'm not doing too bad on my own.
(I'm feeling fairly heretical writing this, but please hang with me...)
I was thinking tonight of a paper I wrote in high school. I'm not sure what the assignment was, but I titled my paper, "Fluctuations in a World of Placidity." (Gotta love a thesaurus in the hands of nerdy high school student!) The point I made in the paper was how I've had it pretty easy in life... no major trauma or road blocks to work through. And, it's not that life has been all rosy since then, but I still don't have much to complain about. This past month or two, I've had my eyes opened to some of the frightening realities that others have had to deal with and live through. What must it be like to be abused (in any number of ways), to not have parents to love and nurture, to walk through life completely alone, to worry all the time about surviving from day to day? I can't begin to imagine what that must be like. But, again, so many of those things are results of there being sin in this world. I've been very protected.
It's been fairly easy in life for me to ignore my sinful nature and the effects of sin in our world. It's much more comfortable for me to wear blinders and pretend that things are pretty much okay in the world. But then again... if that's true, why did Christ have to die? Here's another quote about sin and grace that shakes me up a bit...
"It is impossible for us to know how profound God's grace is until we grasp the pervasiveness of sin."
So, in terms of sin in the world... it's becoming more and more painfully obvious that sin is running rampant and that we ourselves are helpless to change it. And as for MY sin... maybe I'm still working on that. But this past year, I've faced up to the gravity of sins of omission. We tend to talk more about the sins we commit, but I've come to think that the things we DON'T do are even more of a problem. For example, my selfishness may result in a sin of commission, but it also keeps me from sharing God's love and forgiveness with others. Or, if I mistreat my body (God's temple), I may not remain healthy enough to spread God's Word as he desires. So, I have a LONG, LONG way to go... and I can't get there on my own. So....
God, slap me with the reality of my own sin, and then let me love you all the more for your redeeming grace.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Today is my Sabbath
Yesterday was the Grand Opening for The Gathering. I talked to our pastor early in the day and said, "I'm really excited, and at the same time I can't wait for it to be over." It's been really busy lately... leading up to this move and our Grand Opening. We had a great turnout last night... just over 200 people, I think! It was great to have so many friends and family out to support us. Quite a few folks from our parent church showed up, too, so it was good to have them there! We also had a lot of visitors. I'm hoping they didn't feel lost in the shuffle. Hopefully they'll be back again next week so we can really get to know them!
I got home about 11 PM last night and crashed. I felt like I could hardly even walk anymore, as I had been on my feet most of the afternoon and evening. So, with the new full-days on Sundays, I've decided to start taking Mondays off. This one was DEFINITELY needed. I think I slept until 11:30 AM!! I've also been reading and practicing my TOC music. (We have a concert on Saturday.) As I was reading, I happened across this...
"Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't.
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, 'I didn't do anything today,' and I don't add, 'And I feel so guilty.'
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email, and you can't get ahold of me."
(That's from Rob Bell's book, "Velvet Elvis")
So, I'm trying to learn those things... and God helps me some. I was going to mow the lawn today, but it's been raining all day. :) (Thanks, Papa!)
Enjoy your Sabbath!
Krista
I got home about 11 PM last night and crashed. I felt like I could hardly even walk anymore, as I had been on my feet most of the afternoon and evening. So, with the new full-days on Sundays, I've decided to start taking Mondays off. This one was DEFINITELY needed. I think I slept until 11:30 AM!! I've also been reading and practicing my TOC music. (We have a concert on Saturday.) As I was reading, I happened across this...
"Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't.
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, 'I didn't do anything today,' and I don't add, 'And I feel so guilty.'
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email, and you can't get ahold of me."
(That's from Rob Bell's book, "Velvet Elvis")
So, I'm trying to learn those things... and God helps me some. I was going to mow the lawn today, but it's been raining all day. :) (Thanks, Papa!)
Enjoy your Sabbath!
Krista
Thursday, September 28, 2006
The hair on a wart of a frog
Check out this quote...
"I have heard it said, 'God didn't die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans.' This turns grace on its head. We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren't bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay for it."
- John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ
"I have heard it said, 'God didn't die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans.' This turns grace on its head. We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren't bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay for it."
- John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ
Friday, September 08, 2006
Roses are Red...
Yes, they are. There are a dozen sitting on my dining room table. (One of the benefits of having a roommate, I guess.)
So I just finished reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. I'm not sure why I wanted to read it. I haven't really been suffering through grief or anything. But, I enjoy C.S. Lewis and I was curious as to the book. It's a short piece... only four chapters long, not even 80 pages. He had some interesting thoughts. A short excerpt...
"Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable. How many hours are there in a mile? Is yellow square or round? Probably half of the questions we ask - half our great theological and metaphysical problems - are like that."
So I just finished reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. I'm not sure why I wanted to read it. I haven't really been suffering through grief or anything. But, I enjoy C.S. Lewis and I was curious as to the book. It's a short piece... only four chapters long, not even 80 pages. He had some interesting thoughts. A short excerpt...
"Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable. How many hours are there in a mile? Is yellow square or round? Probably half of the questions we ask - half our great theological and metaphysical problems - are like that."
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Okay, I know I said I was going to bed, but...
I just read David's blog, and I felt like I should blog a bit about my week. It's been kind of a crazy week. Our pastor at The Gathering lost his 27 year old brother this week. (I don't mean he can't find him, I mean he died tragically.) There are also other random issues facing some of our leaders. So, Wednesday night, I had some bizarre dreams - nightmares actually - that seemed very spiritually charged. I woke up feeling attacked spiritually. I spent a bit of time in prayer - just praying for everyone in my small group and at The Gathering... praying for protection and encouragement... also thanking God for each of them. Another girl in our group told me she had a similar occurrence Wednesday night - woke up, sat straight up in bed and just felt attacked. Most of the time we just float through life, not thinking too much about the situations and circumstances around us, but now that we're really stepping out to follow God in this huge way, we've started to see the opposition work against us. And why wouldn't we? The Bible tells us that when we're following Christ, we're going to face persecution.
So, several verses have come to mind this week... James 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds..." And tonight at small group, we took a look at Ephesians 6, where it talks about wearing the full armor of God for protection.
I met with several friends last night for a time of prayer - just encouraging one another and falling on our faces before God to ask for his strength and support. What an AWESOME God we serve!! "God's will is not always easy, but it's always right." (That's a quote from someone. Maybe Tozer?)
So, several verses have come to mind this week... James 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds..." And tonight at small group, we took a look at Ephesians 6, where it talks about wearing the full armor of God for protection.
I met with several friends last night for a time of prayer - just encouraging one another and falling on our faces before God to ask for his strength and support. What an AWESOME God we serve!! "God's will is not always easy, but it's always right." (That's a quote from someone. Maybe Tozer?)
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
The Plans
You may recognize this verse, and maybe you find some comfort in it like I do...
Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Well, I've been reading through the book of Jeremiah, and I thought the context of the verse above to be particularly interesting. Basically, the Israelites had been taken into exile - into Baylon - by King Nebuchadnezzar. Well, a young punk-prophet speaks up one day (in front of Jeremiah and other priests/people) and says, "the LORD says that within two years, the Israelites will be free and be able to return to Israel." Jeremiah gives him a warning that peace and prosperity sound good and may gain him some momentary popularity, but he won't be believed unless it actually comes true. Long story short, The LORD reveals something different to Jeremiah, and he tells the people that they will spend seventy years in Babylon...
"When seventy years are completed... I (the LORD) will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place (Israel). For I know the plans I have for you..."
Isn't it funny that when we think of that verse or quote that verse, we always imagine that promise in the near term... next week, next month, next year. God was telling the Israelites that he had good things planned for them... but they were going to have to be patient. In effect... "you might as well get comfortable, because you're going to be here awhile." Apparently they had some lessons to learn first.
So, it makes me wonder... how many lessons do I have to learn? I guess I better get comfortable. :)
Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Well, I've been reading through the book of Jeremiah, and I thought the context of the verse above to be particularly interesting. Basically, the Israelites had been taken into exile - into Baylon - by King Nebuchadnezzar. Well, a young punk-prophet speaks up one day (in front of Jeremiah and other priests/people) and says, "the LORD says that within two years, the Israelites will be free and be able to return to Israel." Jeremiah gives him a warning that peace and prosperity sound good and may gain him some momentary popularity, but he won't be believed unless it actually comes true. Long story short, The LORD reveals something different to Jeremiah, and he tells the people that they will spend seventy years in Babylon...
"When seventy years are completed... I (the LORD) will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place (Israel). For I know the plans I have for you..."
Isn't it funny that when we think of that verse or quote that verse, we always imagine that promise in the near term... next week, next month, next year. God was telling the Israelites that he had good things planned for them... but they were going to have to be patient. In effect... "you might as well get comfortable, because you're going to be here awhile." Apparently they had some lessons to learn first.
So, it makes me wonder... how many lessons do I have to learn? I guess I better get comfortable. :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Don't Wait...
I was just reminded of this verse…
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV) - "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."
In other words… "If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything."
It's a nice reminder… we can sit around and wait until conditions are just perfect before we do anything… or we can step out, make plans, take risks and watch God produce the results.
That's pretty cool.
~Krista
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV) - "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."
In other words… "If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything."
It's a nice reminder… we can sit around and wait until conditions are just perfect before we do anything… or we can step out, make plans, take risks and watch God produce the results.
That's pretty cool.
~Krista
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