Isaiah 58:6 "“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? "
Showing posts with label Bible Verse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Verse. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Fun Run
In a few weeks Deb and I will be participating in World Concern's Free them 5k run to raise money to help fight Human Trafficking. If you want to join us or donate to our cause you can do that here. My goal is to come within 5 minutes of Deb at the finish line. Hopefully she can't run it twice by the time I finish.
Isaiah 58:6 "“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? "
Isaiah 58:6 "“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? "
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Love over Knowledge
1st Corinthians 8:1b says "knowledge puffs up while love builds up"
I read this this morning and have been thinking about it a lot. We live in the information age and have immeasurable amounts of information at our figure tips, but have we spent all this time trying to gain knowledge that we have forgotten what it means to love. I love to be built up, but I have traded that for a lie. I have instead puffed myself up like a balloon. If I am not loving others and they are not loving me than it is all just fake. Real love builds up. And I feel like as a society we have forgotten what love is all about. We have become a people that seek love. That isn't what this verse says. Love can't be found. It is something we must practice. It says love builds up (others). To love someone means to build them up. Is that how I treat my wife, my friends and those around me? Do I try to build them up? Or am I so concerned with myself that I puffed myself up and failed to build them up? What does it look like to build my neighbor up, my friend up or my wife? It means putting their desires above mine. It means giving them my time, my energy, my money and using my skills to sharpen them and make them better (but not impose on them my definition of better). How often have we seen or heard about people trying to make others better, and it just leads to failure and frustration. Is it because we want to see them be built up? Or do we want to see the fruit of our labors? Do we get mad at the apple tree in spring for not having apples on it? Building something well and correctly takes time, just as it takes time for the apple tree to produce a full healthy apple. Before we can build someone up we must first take the time to get to know them and see what we can offer them (not impose on them). To build someone up means to make them better than they were before. Are people better off because they are in relationship with me? Or am I too busy tearing them down to build them up? Or am I too busy trying to fix their 'problems' that I forget to build them up?
My challenge as Lent begins is to find ways that I can build others up around me. May you build others up around you.
I read this this morning and have been thinking about it a lot. We live in the information age and have immeasurable amounts of information at our figure tips, but have we spent all this time trying to gain knowledge that we have forgotten what it means to love. I love to be built up, but I have traded that for a lie. I have instead puffed myself up like a balloon. If I am not loving others and they are not loving me than it is all just fake. Real love builds up. And I feel like as a society we have forgotten what love is all about. We have become a people that seek love. That isn't what this verse says. Love can't be found. It is something we must practice. It says love builds up (others). To love someone means to build them up. Is that how I treat my wife, my friends and those around me? Do I try to build them up? Or am I so concerned with myself that I puffed myself up and failed to build them up? What does it look like to build my neighbor up, my friend up or my wife? It means putting their desires above mine. It means giving them my time, my energy, my money and using my skills to sharpen them and make them better (but not impose on them my definition of better). How often have we seen or heard about people trying to make others better, and it just leads to failure and frustration. Is it because we want to see them be built up? Or do we want to see the fruit of our labors? Do we get mad at the apple tree in spring for not having apples on it? Building something well and correctly takes time, just as it takes time for the apple tree to produce a full healthy apple. Before we can build someone up we must first take the time to get to know them and see what we can offer them (not impose on them). To build someone up means to make them better than they were before. Are people better off because they are in relationship with me? Or am I too busy tearing them down to build them up? Or am I too busy trying to fix their 'problems' that I forget to build them up?
My challenge as Lent begins is to find ways that I can build others up around me. May you build others up around you.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Is Christianity a crutch?
It seems like every time there is news about religion someone in the comments section talks about how religion is a crutch for people that don't know better. However, having been on crutches for a while (when I broke my leg) I can tell you that they are useful in healing my leg. It would not have gotten better if I kept trying to walk on it with out crutches. However, like anything they can be abused and if I stay on them too long my leg will get weak again. And no doubt has religion (Christianity included) been used as a crutch, just like anything it can be exploited. But at its core, I don't think it can be a crutch.
I am a really good person. If being a good person was enough, I wouldn't need Christ. However, I find that frequently being good, isn't enough. I know that I am not perfect, I get reminded of that every time I drive my car and get cut off, that I am not 'good enough' to not get mad at this person that I don't even know. I am reminded of that when I get frustrated with my wife for something little and I don't have enough grace to forgive her. It is by God's grace and Love that I am able to love and forgive her. If Christ hadn't loved me, I don't think I would have the quality of relationships I have now. I am not capable of loving perfectly. It is by God's love that I am able to love, for with out it, we wouldn't know what love is. It is like C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Not only that, but I let my friends down, my wife down, and I need them to be able to forgive me, to love me, if someone quit on me every time I let them down, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. It is by grace that they still talk to me, still care for me in ways I don't deserve. I need them to support me often (being relational creatures and all), and if there wasn't grace or forgiveness, being a relational creature in this world would suck.
If I live in darkness, I can't not see anything. No amount of opening my eyes will be able to make me see. But when there is light, suddenly I can see. Is light a crutch for the eye? No, its how it was designed to work. Is gas a crutch for the car? No, it was designed to run on Gas. Is Christ a crutch for those who follow him? No He is what we were designed to run on.
Mother Teresa didn't need Christ to be her crutch. Many people can give to the poor, can help the poor out, but she was able to do it on a completely different level. She didn't just serve the poor because it was her job, she served to the fullest of her capacity because she was in love with Christ. "There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. " Mother Teresa. She didn't just limp along on crutches she was able to fly.
Isaiah 40:29-31:
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Here we see that Christ is not a crutch, that God promised not only to get us back to a good condition, but he promises to take us further, he promises to give us wings to fly like an Eagle. That is something I want. Maybe the problem people have is that they want people to only use religion as a crutch, and not to go soaring. After all, it gets kind of dangerous when one starts living a life like Christ (they killed Him). But even death could not keep him down, he was raised up. That is the hope we have. And the hope that we want everyone to have. That Death is not the end. Suffering is not the end. We want to live life to the fullest and that is only possible with Christ's help. I can't fly on my own and crutches aren't going to help me fly either.
I am a really good person. If being a good person was enough, I wouldn't need Christ. However, I find that frequently being good, isn't enough. I know that I am not perfect, I get reminded of that every time I drive my car and get cut off, that I am not 'good enough' to not get mad at this person that I don't even know. I am reminded of that when I get frustrated with my wife for something little and I don't have enough grace to forgive her. It is by God's grace and Love that I am able to love and forgive her. If Christ hadn't loved me, I don't think I would have the quality of relationships I have now. I am not capable of loving perfectly. It is by God's love that I am able to love, for with out it, we wouldn't know what love is. It is like C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Not only that, but I let my friends down, my wife down, and I need them to be able to forgive me, to love me, if someone quit on me every time I let them down, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. It is by grace that they still talk to me, still care for me in ways I don't deserve. I need them to support me often (being relational creatures and all), and if there wasn't grace or forgiveness, being a relational creature in this world would suck.
If I live in darkness, I can't not see anything. No amount of opening my eyes will be able to make me see. But when there is light, suddenly I can see. Is light a crutch for the eye? No, its how it was designed to work. Is gas a crutch for the car? No, it was designed to run on Gas. Is Christ a crutch for those who follow him? No He is what we were designed to run on.
Mother Teresa didn't need Christ to be her crutch. Many people can give to the poor, can help the poor out, but she was able to do it on a completely different level. She didn't just serve the poor because it was her job, she served to the fullest of her capacity because she was in love with Christ. "There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. " Mother Teresa. She didn't just limp along on crutches she was able to fly.
Isaiah 40:29-31:
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Here we see that Christ is not a crutch, that God promised not only to get us back to a good condition, but he promises to take us further, he promises to give us wings to fly like an Eagle. That is something I want. Maybe the problem people have is that they want people to only use religion as a crutch, and not to go soaring. After all, it gets kind of dangerous when one starts living a life like Christ (they killed Him). But even death could not keep him down, he was raised up. That is the hope we have. And the hope that we want everyone to have. That Death is not the end. Suffering is not the end. We want to live life to the fullest and that is only possible with Christ's help. I can't fly on my own and crutches aren't going to help me fly either.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
G.K. Chesterton
I bought G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy after last weekending listening to a lecture on it. I don't really know what I expected starting to read this book. The lecture was quite good, but having picked up this book and read the opening couple of chapters, I am quickly becoming a fan of Chesterton. Who would have guessed that he wrote this over 100 years ago, it is just as practical and applicable to today's society. Let us dig into some quotes.
The second chapter starts out with a conversation he had with his publisher. The publisher believes that if a man believes in himself he will do just fine. And I love the response. He basically tells the publisher that he knows where he can find people that believe in themselves, they are in the insane asylum. They truly believe they are a cup or king, and no amount of arguing with them will convince them otherwise. We have made a world where most of us are taught to believe in our selves, we have exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. (Roman's 1:25). We have been taught to worship the parts as if they were the whole. That's not to say that we should never believe in ourselves, I don't think, I think it is to remember the Truth, and our place in it. For the Truth shall set us free, the lies, shall bind us up.
When Christendom has been shattered (which he would say it has been), all the sins and "vices" are let loose to do evil, but worse he says.
"A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed." He then goes on to mention that we are "on the road to producing a race of men too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table." Has he been sitting in classrooms around the country? Where some kids are taught that it doesn't matter what your answer is to the multiplication problem, it just matters that you all agree (not every school, but some schools). Has relativism been so prevalent for so long? If it feels good do it (doesn't matter what the truth says). There are absolutely no absolute truths, what is true for me may not be true for someone else. These are things people say, today, and this is the very thing Chesterton is trying to combat here in Orthodoxy. We are supposed to keep truth in its place, truth by definition has to be true always, otherwise it was never true. If we won the game, that is the truth and it cannot be taken from us. Ever. It doesn't change the next day when the loosing team decides to say that they won. Can you imagine a group building a boat and they all come to a consensus that it will float, even though it has more holes than Swiss cheese? That is crazy, but we wouldn't want to hurt their feelings with the truth.
(In defense of organized religion) "Man, by a blind instinct, knew that if once things were wildly questioned, reason could be questioned first...In so far as religion is gone, reason is going." This may be the weakest quote I have chosen, however, I think that it is true. We live in the information age, but not the reasonable age. We do things that are politically correct, not because they are the right thing, but because no one should get offended. Reason has been thrown out along with religion in the marketplace of ideas. We do things that aren't going to hurt someone in the short term, even though they may be deadly (at least really damaging) in the long term.
"Akin to these, is the false theory of progress, which maintains that we alter the test instead of trying to pass the test." I love this quote so much. How often do we see this in our society. Kids pushed to the next grade, even though they have no mastery of the last grade. Kids are failing to graduate, so let us lessen the standard, and not worry about teaching them better. After all, taxpayers want to see high graduation rates, it doesn't matter that those that graduate can't balance a checkbook or do anything.
These great quotes are just in the first three chapters, which is all the further I am at this point.
The second chapter starts out with a conversation he had with his publisher. The publisher believes that if a man believes in himself he will do just fine. And I love the response. He basically tells the publisher that he knows where he can find people that believe in themselves, they are in the insane asylum. They truly believe they are a cup or king, and no amount of arguing with them will convince them otherwise. We have made a world where most of us are taught to believe in our selves, we have exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. (Roman's 1:25). We have been taught to worship the parts as if they were the whole. That's not to say that we should never believe in ourselves, I don't think, I think it is to remember the Truth, and our place in it. For the Truth shall set us free, the lies, shall bind us up.
When Christendom has been shattered (which he would say it has been), all the sins and "vices" are let loose to do evil, but worse he says.
"A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed." He then goes on to mention that we are "on the road to producing a race of men too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table." Has he been sitting in classrooms around the country? Where some kids are taught that it doesn't matter what your answer is to the multiplication problem, it just matters that you all agree (not every school, but some schools). Has relativism been so prevalent for so long? If it feels good do it (doesn't matter what the truth says). There are absolutely no absolute truths, what is true for me may not be true for someone else. These are things people say, today, and this is the very thing Chesterton is trying to combat here in Orthodoxy. We are supposed to keep truth in its place, truth by definition has to be true always, otherwise it was never true. If we won the game, that is the truth and it cannot be taken from us. Ever. It doesn't change the next day when the loosing team decides to say that they won. Can you imagine a group building a boat and they all come to a consensus that it will float, even though it has more holes than Swiss cheese? That is crazy, but we wouldn't want to hurt their feelings with the truth.
(In defense of organized religion) "Man, by a blind instinct, knew that if once things were wildly questioned, reason could be questioned first...In so far as religion is gone, reason is going." This may be the weakest quote I have chosen, however, I think that it is true. We live in the information age, but not the reasonable age. We do things that are politically correct, not because they are the right thing, but because no one should get offended. Reason has been thrown out along with religion in the marketplace of ideas. We do things that aren't going to hurt someone in the short term, even though they may be deadly (at least really damaging) in the long term.
"Akin to these, is the false theory of progress, which maintains that we alter the test instead of trying to pass the test." I love this quote so much. How often do we see this in our society. Kids pushed to the next grade, even though they have no mastery of the last grade. Kids are failing to graduate, so let us lessen the standard, and not worry about teaching them better. After all, taxpayers want to see high graduation rates, it doesn't matter that those that graduate can't balance a checkbook or do anything.
These great quotes are just in the first three chapters, which is all the further I am at this point.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Time to reverse the Great Reversal
The great reversal is a term coined by Timothy L. Smith. In early American history the church was very active in setting up hospitals, ministries and organizations to help those in need. However, around the turn of the (1900) century the church withdrew from these organizations (there were multiple reasons, I've heard, and not one specific instance). This left a hole in our society that the government has been trying to fill for the better part of the century, with social security, medicare, food stamps, etc. While it has been a valiant attempt, I think, it is time for the Church to stand up and do something (after all, Jesus told the rich man to go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor, not to Caesar). As governments (both state and federal) are forced to cut back on services, we the Church, have an opportunity to reverse the great reversal. This is a opportunity that we can't let pass. The needs are great, the workers are few, but if we are to show the world the light has come (Jesus at Christmas), we must get to work. The door is open (governments are cutting back on social services), we just need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Over the next few weeks I will be working on a tab for the blog that has ways of getting involved, different ideas, different organizations. It won't be complete, but hopefully it will spur people on to make a difference in their community, a difference that will change lives.
Let us reverse the great reversal.
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah 58:6-7
Sources:
http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?114
Let us reverse the great reversal.
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah 58:6-7
Sources:
http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?114
Monday, December 27, 2010
Testimony
Today at our church we had four different people share their testimony's and it was a great time of sharing and listening to a glimpse of what other people are going through.
The thing that really stuck with me though was how life is about the journey and not about the destination. I don't think I will ever look back and say to myself, "boy, Nathan, you really should have spent more time at work, or on yourself." Hopefully I won't have to say to my self, "I wish I would've spent more time with my family, friends, on things that matter." Hopefully, I will be able to stay focused on living my life in a way that pleases God. I often get caught up in doing 'things', working, going from one thing to another that I forget to just enjoy the life that is going on around me. As a new year gets ready to begin, I think its a good time to evaluate my priorities, and make sure that they line up with what God wants from me. Help me to remember to enjoy every day. That I may be a joyful person that spreads the Good news wherever I go.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are reminded this Christmas that we still hope on a star, on a baby born in Bethlehem. And that hope should change the way we live.
The thing that really stuck with me though was how life is about the journey and not about the destination. I don't think I will ever look back and say to myself, "boy, Nathan, you really should have spent more time at work, or on yourself." Hopefully I won't have to say to my self, "I wish I would've spent more time with my family, friends, on things that matter." Hopefully, I will be able to stay focused on living my life in a way that pleases God. I often get caught up in doing 'things', working, going from one thing to another that I forget to just enjoy the life that is going on around me. As a new year gets ready to begin, I think its a good time to evaluate my priorities, and make sure that they line up with what God wants from me. Help me to remember to enjoy every day. That I may be a joyful person that spreads the Good news wherever I go.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are reminded this Christmas that we still hope on a star, on a baby born in Bethlehem. And that hope should change the way we live.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thankful
This year has been so great and I have been blessed in so many ways. As Christmas and new years draws closer, I feel it is good to reflect on what a great year it has been.
Today I am thankful for a great job, with an awesome class of kids. They have been great to work with and so many days have made work less like work and more like fun.
I'm thankful for my great wife, who gives me so much love and support, especially during this tough quarter where we didn't get to spend as much time together as we would have liked. I am thankful for our larger family, their love and support as well, so awesome to have around. I'm thankful they are close and we get to spend Christmas with them.
I am thankful for living in such a beautiful neighborhood, with the beach so close and the warm shelter of my house.
I'm thankful for our small group that read C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity this fall. Looking forward to world religions in the coming months.
Thankful for great friends and time spent with them. I wish there was more time.
May God Bless you this Christmas.
Today I am thankful for a great job, with an awesome class of kids. They have been great to work with and so many days have made work less like work and more like fun.
I'm thankful for my great wife, who gives me so much love and support, especially during this tough quarter where we didn't get to spend as much time together as we would have liked. I am thankful for our larger family, their love and support as well, so awesome to have around. I'm thankful they are close and we get to spend Christmas with them.
I am thankful for living in such a beautiful neighborhood, with the beach so close and the warm shelter of my house.
I'm thankful for our small group that read C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity this fall. Looking forward to world religions in the coming months.
Thankful for great friends and time spent with them. I wish there was more time.
May God Bless you this Christmas.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Luke 10
Luke 10: 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Read this on the way to school. Kinda what I needed right before finals week. Make sure I focus on the things that really matter in life. I am far to often likely to be Martha, and do things. Sometimes I just need to sit back and take things in.
Read this on the way to school. Kinda what I needed right before finals week. Make sure I focus on the things that really matter in life. I am far to often likely to be Martha, and do things. Sometimes I just need to sit back and take things in.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Injustice
Guinea ethnic conflict
Came across the above link yesterday while avoiding homework. Now it seems to me from reading that the one group was mad about the election results and did a little bit of damage to the other group, who retaliated by murdering some of the first group. I have a hard time understanding what I can do to stop this kind of injustice in the world. Giving to http://www.ijm.org/ is a start, but that doesn't feel to personal, and I don't know if it needs to be personal, and I don't fully comprehend the situation, and probably can't. Sometimes I feel so helpless in this world to make real change.
Isaiah 58: (NIV from Biblegateway.com)
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Contentment and Joy
The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. -Gal 5:22
So I have been spending some time thinking about being content, and the whole happiness thing.
I am going to define that happiness is temporary, it is a feeling that comes and goes like any others (just like sad, and angry). Joy is something altogether different, it is something that is a way of living. I haven't quite figured out how to define it exactly yet. Joy is more than happiness, one can be a joyful person, but feel sad (kind of an odd concept huh?). Paul even goes as far to say that Joy is a fruit of the spirit, it is something that we should all (as Christians should produce). To produce fruit it has to come from within. Nothing from the outside can make us a joyful person. Just like something outside the apple tree can not make an apple, it must come from the tree.
I do know however, that it is almost impossible to be a joyful person without being content (I'd say that it is a requirement of being joyful). Talking with my wife about it, she was curious if that meant not wanting anything else. And I don't think that is the case, I can be content and still have goals in my life. I want to be a joyful person, but I feel like joyful people are so hard to find. I'm kind of curious, but how many people do you know that you would qualify as a truly joyful person, a contagiously joyful person. I'm not talking about a fake happy person, its easy to see through those people. There are a lot of people that I can see joy in, but not to the extent that I feel like I should. I feel like so often people are trying to get joy by things. When you notice that it is easy to see why no one is happy, let alone joyful.
Joy also needs love through relationships. Love is such a funny word I think, I mean, who decided to use the same word for my feelings of ice cream as for my wife? I think that love is a so many things that it is almost necessary to qualify what you mean each time you say it. I love (like to eat) Ice cream. I love (feeling and/or a way of life) my wife. Anyway, I think you get it. I recently read that people view of marriage is becoming obsolete. However, I think it is more because people don't understand the fullness of love. Love has come to mean a feeling. It is about how I feel. I am 'in love' (in the post modern sense) And as soon as I don't get what I want or I don't feel like it anymore I can move on. If that is being in love, of course that is going to go out. It is only in building a long term lasting relationship that one can experience the fullness of love. Love (in out post modern world) has become about me, love was never meant to be about me, it was and is supposed to make me think outside of me. Love is an action, a lifestyle, a fruit that I produce (thus it has to come from with in me and can't be something I look for and find). It is supposed to push me to think more of others. If one is going to look for 'love' (Post modern love) everyone is going to be disappointed (the other person is human and will let you down) and of course marriage will become obsolete. That isn't what marriage should be based on or about. It's hard to be joyful if you are looking for love (and not producing love).
Anyway, I think that is enough rambling for now. Today I am thankful for the promise of life everlasting. That can and should change the way that I live my life. I am no longer bound by the rules of this world, Christ has redeemed me. Now its my turn to go and produce fruit.
(btw - I turned on Anonymous comments, so anyone can add comments to the blog)
So I have been spending some time thinking about being content, and the whole happiness thing.
I am going to define that happiness is temporary, it is a feeling that comes and goes like any others (just like sad, and angry). Joy is something altogether different, it is something that is a way of living. I haven't quite figured out how to define it exactly yet. Joy is more than happiness, one can be a joyful person, but feel sad (kind of an odd concept huh?). Paul even goes as far to say that Joy is a fruit of the spirit, it is something that we should all (as Christians should produce). To produce fruit it has to come from within. Nothing from the outside can make us a joyful person. Just like something outside the apple tree can not make an apple, it must come from the tree.
I do know however, that it is almost impossible to be a joyful person without being content (I'd say that it is a requirement of being joyful). Talking with my wife about it, she was curious if that meant not wanting anything else. And I don't think that is the case, I can be content and still have goals in my life. I want to be a joyful person, but I feel like joyful people are so hard to find. I'm kind of curious, but how many people do you know that you would qualify as a truly joyful person, a contagiously joyful person. I'm not talking about a fake happy person, its easy to see through those people. There are a lot of people that I can see joy in, but not to the extent that I feel like I should. I feel like so often people are trying to get joy by things. When you notice that it is easy to see why no one is happy, let alone joyful.
Joy also needs love through relationships. Love is such a funny word I think, I mean, who decided to use the same word for my feelings of ice cream as for my wife? I think that love is a so many things that it is almost necessary to qualify what you mean each time you say it. I love (like to eat) Ice cream. I love (feeling and/or a way of life) my wife. Anyway, I think you get it. I recently read that people view of marriage is becoming obsolete. However, I think it is more because people don't understand the fullness of love. Love has come to mean a feeling. It is about how I feel. I am 'in love' (in the post modern sense) And as soon as I don't get what I want or I don't feel like it anymore I can move on. If that is being in love, of course that is going to go out. It is only in building a long term lasting relationship that one can experience the fullness of love. Love (in out post modern world) has become about me, love was never meant to be about me, it was and is supposed to make me think outside of me. Love is an action, a lifestyle, a fruit that I produce (thus it has to come from with in me and can't be something I look for and find). It is supposed to push me to think more of others. If one is going to look for 'love' (Post modern love) everyone is going to be disappointed (the other person is human and will let you down) and of course marriage will become obsolete. That isn't what marriage should be based on or about. It's hard to be joyful if you are looking for love (and not producing love).
Anyway, I think that is enough rambling for now. Today I am thankful for the promise of life everlasting. That can and should change the way that I live my life. I am no longer bound by the rules of this world, Christ has redeemed me. Now its my turn to go and produce fruit.
(btw - I turned on Anonymous comments, so anyone can add comments to the blog)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is only one week away.
Today I am thankful for all the little things that make life so good. Food, cold water, warm water, ice cream, milk, OJ, heaters, blankets.
I have no clue who this guy is but I thought this was a killer quote. I have been trying to talk to one of the older kids at my daycare about this very concept. It's definitely easy to say and harder to practice.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
-Frederick Keonig
Maybe the Grinch said it best, "maybe Christmas, he said, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." - Dr. Seuss.
Life isn't really about the things its about us and whats on the inside. One could be content with very little, and one could be unhappy and have 'everything' imaginable.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
Today I am thankful for all the little things that make life so good. Food, cold water, warm water, ice cream, milk, OJ, heaters, blankets.
I have no clue who this guy is but I thought this was a killer quote. I have been trying to talk to one of the older kids at my daycare about this very concept. It's definitely easy to say and harder to practice.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
-Frederick Keonig
Maybe the Grinch said it best, "maybe Christmas, he said, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." - Dr. Seuss.
Life isn't really about the things its about us and whats on the inside. One could be content with very little, and one could be unhappy and have 'everything' imaginable.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Everything is amazing and Nobodys Happy
We start today off with a hilarious video about how amazing our world is and how people just complain about it. Caution: one swear word and its beeped out, otherwise its a clean video. One of my good friends shared this with me.
It's far too funny, I think, because it's true. When was the last time I got upset on my way home because traffic was bad (lets see, friday). I was still going 30+MPH. A whole lot faster than if I was walking, plus I had a roof over my head and a heater so I wasn't even cold. It's humbling to me to see video of people around the world appear to have a genuine joy for life and contentment, and here I am struggling, ungratefully for every last thing I want. I really do believe that joy (the spiritual fruit) comes from being thankful, being content. It is impossible in my mind to be a truly joyful person without being a thankful person. May I learn to contentment.
Today I am thankful for my family and friends who have helped shape me into the person God wants me to be. Also I am thankful for technological advances that make my life easier.
Two bible verses to end today with.
It's far too funny, I think, because it's true. When was the last time I got upset on my way home because traffic was bad (lets see, friday). I was still going 30+MPH. A whole lot faster than if I was walking, plus I had a roof over my head and a heater so I wasn't even cold. It's humbling to me to see video of people around the world appear to have a genuine joy for life and contentment, and here I am struggling, ungratefully for every last thing I want. I really do believe that joy (the spiritual fruit) comes from being thankful, being content. It is impossible in my mind to be a truly joyful person without being a thankful person. May I learn to contentment.
Today I am thankful for my family and friends who have helped shape me into the person God wants me to be. Also I am thankful for technological advances that make my life easier.
Two bible verses to end today with.
Philippians 4:12 (New International Version)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.1 Timothy 6:6-9 (New International Version)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sixpence
Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Today I am thankful for my family who has been so important in my life and development. They have blessed me so much and I thank God for the great family I have been given.
On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan
This quote goes along with what we have been reading in my Mere Christianity study, that we need to acknowledge our bankruptcy to God. That anything we give back to God was already his, and that we can't give him anything he hasn't already given us.
Lewis talks about the story of a dad giving his daughter a sixpence, because she wanted to buy him a gift. When he receives the gift he is over joyed, but only a fool would think the dad is sixpence richer. Thus the quote, sixpence none the richer.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thanksgiving
Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Today I am thankful for the love and support of my wife. She is so good to me.
Thanksgiving may be in a couple weeks, but leading up til than I will be posting what I am thankful for, hopefully it will give you a moment to pause and be thankful for something in your life.
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
-- Oprah Winfrey
Not quite sure what I think of the Oprah quote, I've been working with a kid at work who has had a hard time being thankful for what he has been given, he always wants something else and lets it keep him down. If he would just enjoy the things he has he might be happy.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Today I am thankful for the love and support of my wife. She is so good to me.
Thanksgiving may be in a couple weeks, but leading up til than I will be posting what I am thankful for, hopefully it will give you a moment to pause and be thankful for something in your life.
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
-- Oprah Winfrey
Not quite sure what I think of the Oprah quote, I've been working with a kid at work who has had a hard time being thankful for what he has been given, he always wants something else and lets it keep him down. If he would just enjoy the things he has he might be happy.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thorns that Hinder
Was reading the Bible this morning on my way to school and came across this passage...
Mark 4:
1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”
13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” (boldness added)
What hinders me from fully practicing what Christ has taught? What gets in my way from full devotion to God? I find that my worries, my thoughts are what hinder me. It's not that I don't believe, its that I sometimes have a hard time letting go of my desires. I work so hard to get ahead, but am I worried about the things of Christ?
The song here, is about coming back to the Heart of Worship, being focused on all that really matters, when all else fades away.
Mark 4:
1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”
13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” (boldness added)
What hinders me from fully practicing what Christ has taught? What gets in my way from full devotion to God? I find that my worries, my thoughts are what hinder me. It's not that I don't believe, its that I sometimes have a hard time letting go of my desires. I work so hard to get ahead, but am I worried about the things of Christ?
The song here, is about coming back to the Heart of Worship, being focused on all that really matters, when all else fades away.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Starting Now
Song of the day for today is City on Our Knees - Toby Mac. It is a great song about starting to live how God wants us to live.
In my small group we have been reading and discussing C.S. Lewis, and this week we talked about our view of Heaven has been distorted. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around heaven and all the good that will be there. Often I feel like my life is good here, why would I want to give it up. C.S. Lewis mentions that people often think of heaven as some fantasy land, and people that spend time thinking a lot about it get a bad rap, as people that are escaping this world. But when we look back at history he argues, we see that people who are most concerned with Heaven are the very ones making the most impact on Earth. We get this dilemma, "aim for heaven and you get earth thrown in, aim for earth and you get nothing" (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). The song talks about why not now? what excuses am I making that keep me from living life to the fullest?
Luke Chapter 9:
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
It's good to take time and evaluate where my real priorities are. Am I fit for service in God Kingdom?
In my small group we have been reading and discussing C.S. Lewis, and this week we talked about our view of Heaven has been distorted. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around heaven and all the good that will be there. Often I feel like my life is good here, why would I want to give it up. C.S. Lewis mentions that people often think of heaven as some fantasy land, and people that spend time thinking a lot about it get a bad rap, as people that are escaping this world. But when we look back at history he argues, we see that people who are most concerned with Heaven are the very ones making the most impact on Earth. We get this dilemma, "aim for heaven and you get earth thrown in, aim for earth and you get nothing" (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). The song talks about why not now? what excuses am I making that keep me from living life to the fullest?
Luke Chapter 9:
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
It's good to take time and evaluate where my real priorities are. Am I fit for service in God Kingdom?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Rest
My soul finds rest in God alone: My salvation comes from Him.
Pslam 62:1
I find that when I try to live life my own way, and do things my way, things get hard. When I trust in God and give my life over to him, I find real lasting rest. But still, I want to do things my way. Sometimes (or all the time), I just need to let go of control and let God's will be done. Things tend to go better when that happens
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Father's Love
Romans 8: (read with power and conviction)
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I just really like this verse. If God is for me, whom then shall I fear? What can man do to me?
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I just really like this verse. If God is for me, whom then shall I fear? What can man do to me?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Compounding Impact
John 15
16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
I feel like a lot of people in my life have been talking about making an impact in those around you. I heard a sermon (you can watch it at the bottom of this post if you want. The beginning is really good, toward the end he talks about how the congregation can help at their local church, but really I think it could have been how can you let God use you in all the situations you are in) the other week on how what we do compounds over the years. How saving that one life, loving that one person compounds and over time becomes a really big deal. My professor was talking about having an impact in our world. So I mean that I feel like God is pushing this on me, how am I making an impact? What does that look like as I get ready to graduate college in 6 months? What does that look like in my marriage? What does that mean for my career?
I don't know if this story is true or not, but I heard it several years ago from my dad. There was a traveling preacher back a few decades that went from town to town. He stopped in this one town and preached and only one boy came up to be saved. This preacher was disappointed, in this whole town he had only reached one boy (who happened to be named Billy Graham). This young boy that was the only one reached became one of the most widely known and influential Christians of his generation. It's easy for me I think to get caught up in the numbers, but its not really about me. In fact, if I try to do it alone, I am sure to be a failure. It is only if I remain part of the vine will I be able to find success. I may only be called to plant seeds, or water the seeds, or I may be called to do it all in someones life. I am willing to do whatever is asked of me to make "God's Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven" a reality?
I think it is important to us as Christian's to stop and evaluate ourselves. To step back from the routine and see, "am I trying to be fruitful, or am I so caught up in my everyday tasks that I miss opportunities to share of God's great love?" So go and be fruitful this week.
Doing Good For Dummies: Write Your Name In The Book! from Lake Samm on Vimeo.
16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
I feel like a lot of people in my life have been talking about making an impact in those around you. I heard a sermon (you can watch it at the bottom of this post if you want. The beginning is really good, toward the end he talks about how the congregation can help at their local church, but really I think it could have been how can you let God use you in all the situations you are in) the other week on how what we do compounds over the years. How saving that one life, loving that one person compounds and over time becomes a really big deal. My professor was talking about having an impact in our world. So I mean that I feel like God is pushing this on me, how am I making an impact? What does that look like as I get ready to graduate college in 6 months? What does that look like in my marriage? What does that mean for my career?
I don't know if this story is true or not, but I heard it several years ago from my dad. There was a traveling preacher back a few decades that went from town to town. He stopped in this one town and preached and only one boy came up to be saved. This preacher was disappointed, in this whole town he had only reached one boy (who happened to be named Billy Graham). This young boy that was the only one reached became one of the most widely known and influential Christians of his generation. It's easy for me I think to get caught up in the numbers, but its not really about me. In fact, if I try to do it alone, I am sure to be a failure. It is only if I remain part of the vine will I be able to find success. I may only be called to plant seeds, or water the seeds, or I may be called to do it all in someones life. I am willing to do whatever is asked of me to make "God's Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven" a reality?
I think it is important to us as Christian's to stop and evaluate ourselves. To step back from the routine and see, "am I trying to be fruitful, or am I so caught up in my everyday tasks that I miss opportunities to share of God's great love?" So go and be fruitful this week.
Doing Good For Dummies: Write Your Name In The Book! from Lake Samm on Vimeo.
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