I am on my soapbox about this as I write and many of you who read this will just roll your eyes: I have no idea what is going to happen to me in regards to college. I really don't. I pray and pray that God will give me guidance and patience and wisdom as to my situation. I feel that all I can do is sit back and let God show me what he wants me to do. I really see that a lot, not only in other people but I find myself doing a lot of waiting on God. I have come to see that this is a selfish plan and it needs to change in my life. I sit around, praying, which is good, but there is so much more to making things happen in life.
In the book I am reading, the author focuses on Jonathan, Saul's son, throughout the book. He talks at one point of a story from 1 Samuel, in verse 6: "Let's go across to see those pagans," Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" Perhaps? Perhaps the Lord will help us? If I were his armor bearer, I am pretty sure I would tell him to go back to sleep and wait for the army tomorrow. I don't really see the good in two men taking on an army of six hundred, especially when your friend merely hopes the Lord will act. A leap of faith, to say the least. I find myself waiting for God, whereas Jonathan shows us that we need to act. Perhaps the Lord will show us what is right, but we must be willing to go.
Benjamin Franklin once said that "well done is better than well said." From this quote, we can take that actions speak louder than words. We can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk. So many ideas and thoughts that address this. Jesus shows us this when he washes his disciples feet. He has been teaching his followers all this time, yet he does this act of service that was considered the lowliest of acts. The Son of God washed a bunch of nobodys' feet? Jesus died on the cross for a bunch of sinners? These acts of service and sacrifice show us what it truly means to walk the walk. Jesus was as do-er. Jesus was, of course, in-tune with the Father and he knew what life meant, he knew how he was to live in accordance with God.
As I sit here right now, I pray that I can become a do-er, to see the chances God puts in front of me and to not let them pass by. Maybe God has given us many chances, yet we aren't looking for them. We are just waiting for them to fall in our laps. Maybe God wants us to seek them. "..Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.." This verse tells us that we have to take initiative and go, we must knock not wait. I have never thought of this verse that way, but it just came to me after I started writing this paragraph. There is so much depth to it that we miss while singing it in church over and over. God is calling us to rise up and do. God is calling us to take hold of the moments that he puts in front of us. Maybe God simply wants us to go and then, like with Jonathan, he will intervene on behalf of our faith that he truly will...
"Go! Walk where no man has walked, yet you find footprints."
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
The Epicenter
Epicenter
Do not stand in the center if you do not wish to be shaken.
There is always danger when the movement comes.
Its force is most powerful underneath the surface, then breaks through the hardest of ground.
Epic change moves from the inside out.
_Ayden, Perils of Ayden
Those few lines are quite amazing. To relate this passage to Christ Jesus and a faith in him is astounding. To be in the middle of Christ is definitely to be shaken. There is no way you can stand before the Lord, yet only bow down.
In the bubble that I call school, God is stirring hearts. His will is finding its way into the lives of people around me. I came back to school anew, ready to live for Him and I feared what would happen. I feared ridicule and prayed that God would strengthen me in the halls. God is amazing. I have come to find that so many people have a fire for God that is waiting to be released. It is if they have been 'hiding it under a bushel' yet are coming together to stand for Him. Hillsong United sings a song that has these words in them: "The time has come to stand for all we believe in and I for one am gonna give my praise to you, Jesus". This line is so awesome to me, the way it poses that the time is now. Not when you go to a retreat, not when you are in church. It is now.
There is always danger when the movement comes. A ha! A catch.. Such a glorious movement, yet never a safe one. The rewards are amazing and the struggle is to be honored, but what about the pain? What is to be said of the rejection and ridicule and persecution? What about being labeled as weak because you know how to love? Human nature tells me to quit, give in. They are right anyway, why am I doing this? James tells gives us a different view on this topic, in James 1:2-3: "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance." and later in Chapter 1, verse 12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." This challenges human nature, which in turn challenges us, the humans. It is not in our blood to love and cherish ridicule. Not something I wake up excited about. But James calls us to look past the human aspect and calls us to a greater meaning. He says that this persecution is only to the betterment of our faith, then goes on to tell us of what awaits those who stay strong in their faith. God call us to a mighty movement, yet puts is right in the middle of it.
As I was saying earlier, my school is laying low and just waiting for the group of radicals to stand for all they believe in. I honestly feel that an uprising is brewing, it is waiting to erupt. People who need that catalyst and simply biding time for a person to stand and boldly say what they want to hear. Look at Peter and how his life unfolded. He wasn't good enough to be a rabbi, so he resorted back to the family business of fishing. Yet, this rabbi comes along and calls him to be a disciple. Throughout the gospel, we see Peter repeatedly mess up, even once being referred to as Satan himself by his rabbi. Then we skip over to Acts where we see Peter at Pentecost. THE leader of the first church. His passion was there, yet the human body held it back. His flesh served as the rock solid ground. Interesting to see how Cephas ("rock") evolves in the form of his name. He at first is hard in a human since but as time unfolds and he spends his years with the rabbi Jesus, we see Peter turn to a spiritual rock, a bedrock foundation for the First Century church. His passion, his zeal that has always been there finally breaks through the rocky surface that is his human nature. Jesus was his catalyst. Jesus is our catalyst, yet sometimes we need help.
We need some human example to really see what a solid faith is. I have seen many figures over the last month that pretty much blast me with a reality check, it spurs me on to explore my faith and the depth of it. It challenges me to work towards the goal that is a fearless faith.
Ah...the greatest line of the passage: Epic change happens from the inside out. Just as it was with Peter, it begins at the heart and it is a matter of overcoming the physical, the human that restrains the wildfire of a passionate faith in Christ. God shows us that the matters of the heart are far greater than anything in the physical. He shows us that the heart must be searched for that is where you find the power to change. In 1 Samuel 16 when God sends Samuel to the house of Jesse, Samuel is shown this by God. God sends him out to find the new King of Israel, to anoint the one who will replace Saul. He comes to Jesse's house and sees seven of his sons and they all have certain qualities that Samuel believes to be that of a King for Israel. God tells him in verse seven that "...the Lord looks at the heart." For God to then have Samuel pick David, the youngest and smallest of the family and only a shepherd boy, it must have been baffling. God sees the heart and knows what can happen. So many instances in the Bible when God uses the unlikely character to do his good deeds, he sees the heart. Abraham, Noah, Rahab, David, Peter, Paul and Jesus himself was not even a prominent physical figure. God shows us many times that it begins with the heart. Epic change moves from the inside out.
Do not stand in the center if you do not wish to be shaken.
There is always danger when the movement comes.
Its force is most powerful underneath the surface, then breaks through the hardest of ground.
Epic change moves from the inside out.
_Ayden, Perils of Ayden
Those few lines are quite amazing. To relate this passage to Christ Jesus and a faith in him is astounding. To be in the middle of Christ is definitely to be shaken. There is no way you can stand before the Lord, yet only bow down.
In the bubble that I call school, God is stirring hearts. His will is finding its way into the lives of people around me. I came back to school anew, ready to live for Him and I feared what would happen. I feared ridicule and prayed that God would strengthen me in the halls. God is amazing. I have come to find that so many people have a fire for God that is waiting to be released. It is if they have been 'hiding it under a bushel' yet are coming together to stand for Him. Hillsong United sings a song that has these words in them: "The time has come to stand for all we believe in and I for one am gonna give my praise to you, Jesus". This line is so awesome to me, the way it poses that the time is now. Not when you go to a retreat, not when you are in church. It is now.
There is always danger when the movement comes. A ha! A catch.. Such a glorious movement, yet never a safe one. The rewards are amazing and the struggle is to be honored, but what about the pain? What is to be said of the rejection and ridicule and persecution? What about being labeled as weak because you know how to love? Human nature tells me to quit, give in. They are right anyway, why am I doing this? James tells gives us a different view on this topic, in James 1:2-3: "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance." and later in Chapter 1, verse 12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." This challenges human nature, which in turn challenges us, the humans. It is not in our blood to love and cherish ridicule. Not something I wake up excited about. But James calls us to look past the human aspect and calls us to a greater meaning. He says that this persecution is only to the betterment of our faith, then goes on to tell us of what awaits those who stay strong in their faith. God call us to a mighty movement, yet puts is right in the middle of it.
As I was saying earlier, my school is laying low and just waiting for the group of radicals to stand for all they believe in. I honestly feel that an uprising is brewing, it is waiting to erupt. People who need that catalyst and simply biding time for a person to stand and boldly say what they want to hear. Look at Peter and how his life unfolded. He wasn't good enough to be a rabbi, so he resorted back to the family business of fishing. Yet, this rabbi comes along and calls him to be a disciple. Throughout the gospel, we see Peter repeatedly mess up, even once being referred to as Satan himself by his rabbi. Then we skip over to Acts where we see Peter at Pentecost. THE leader of the first church. His passion was there, yet the human body held it back. His flesh served as the rock solid ground. Interesting to see how Cephas ("rock") evolves in the form of his name. He at first is hard in a human since but as time unfolds and he spends his years with the rabbi Jesus, we see Peter turn to a spiritual rock, a bedrock foundation for the First Century church. His passion, his zeal that has always been there finally breaks through the rocky surface that is his human nature. Jesus was his catalyst. Jesus is our catalyst, yet sometimes we need help.
We need some human example to really see what a solid faith is. I have seen many figures over the last month that pretty much blast me with a reality check, it spurs me on to explore my faith and the depth of it. It challenges me to work towards the goal that is a fearless faith.
Ah...the greatest line of the passage: Epic change happens from the inside out. Just as it was with Peter, it begins at the heart and it is a matter of overcoming the physical, the human that restrains the wildfire of a passionate faith in Christ. God shows us that the matters of the heart are far greater than anything in the physical. He shows us that the heart must be searched for that is where you find the power to change. In 1 Samuel 16 when God sends Samuel to the house of Jesse, Samuel is shown this by God. God sends him out to find the new King of Israel, to anoint the one who will replace Saul. He comes to Jesse's house and sees seven of his sons and they all have certain qualities that Samuel believes to be that of a King for Israel. God tells him in verse seven that "...the Lord looks at the heart." For God to then have Samuel pick David, the youngest and smallest of the family and only a shepherd boy, it must have been baffling. God sees the heart and knows what can happen. So many instances in the Bible when God uses the unlikely character to do his good deeds, he sees the heart. Abraham, Noah, Rahab, David, Peter, Paul and Jesus himself was not even a prominent physical figure. God shows us many times that it begins with the heart. Epic change moves from the inside out.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Taking a Look Back
I was standing there, looking out over the mountains and simply relishing at this amazing scenery. The view from the top was incredible, to be honest my words will never do it justice. I reflect back on my trip on Trek, it helps that it is glued in my mind and heart. I remember thinking the view was so cool, but then our focus shifted the where our high camp was. We were all looking far down through the valley to where we had hiked from that day. It was a very long way. I just think on how the reward is so amazing, yet what a battle to earn it. Loose rocks, steep grades, winding switchbacks, and plenty of tired people made for a struggle to the top of this skyscraping mountain. Yet I think of it and I smile, I smile at the wonderful adventure and how the entire time I knew what I was hiking for.
Our reward is great, but what about the journey? God calls us to live a life for him. Yes, the reward is great but I love to live my life. What a chance we have to do so many things, to suffer, to teach, to love, to learn, to simply live. All to the glory of Jesus Christ. I am convicted that Jesus should be a part of my every moment, every thing that happens. More radical maybe, but I feel so strongly about being able to discuss God and His Son in my everyday life. Unfortunately, that is uncomfortable to others and I may endure ridicule. Ridicule is merely loose rock, to which I prevail on my journey. He calls us to come follow him and the life of a disciple is a demanding one, we must lose our life so that we may save it. What an amazing paradox, by losing my life...I have found it. It's so true, this statement.
I sit here tonight, fully wrapped up in what God is all about. I want to learn more and more about who He is and what He has in store for me. I think he has amazing plans for everyone, it is just a matter of surrendering to his will and letting him fully consume you. I never will be able to explain to you the joy I feel in Christ Jesus. I simply cannot express to you in words the love that He has shown me. I pray that God will use me to share this, to go out into the world and preaching the good news. It is my prayer that people begin to relish in the journey, for the time is now. The adventure is ready and waiting for a passionate person to fully engulf themselves in it and start the life that they have been called to this very day. The journey is where the glory of the goal is found. To truly understand this glory, you must first experience the adventure.
Our reward is great, but what about the journey? God calls us to live a life for him. Yes, the reward is great but I love to live my life. What a chance we have to do so many things, to suffer, to teach, to love, to learn, to simply live. All to the glory of Jesus Christ. I am convicted that Jesus should be a part of my every moment, every thing that happens. More radical maybe, but I feel so strongly about being able to discuss God and His Son in my everyday life. Unfortunately, that is uncomfortable to others and I may endure ridicule. Ridicule is merely loose rock, to which I prevail on my journey. He calls us to come follow him and the life of a disciple is a demanding one, we must lose our life so that we may save it. What an amazing paradox, by losing my life...I have found it. It's so true, this statement.
I sit here tonight, fully wrapped up in what God is all about. I want to learn more and more about who He is and what He has in store for me. I think he has amazing plans for everyone, it is just a matter of surrendering to his will and letting him fully consume you. I never will be able to explain to you the joy I feel in Christ Jesus. I simply cannot express to you in words the love that He has shown me. I pray that God will use me to share this, to go out into the world and preaching the good news. It is my prayer that people begin to relish in the journey, for the time is now. The adventure is ready and waiting for a passionate person to fully engulf themselves in it and start the life that they have been called to this very day. The journey is where the glory of the goal is found. To truly understand this glory, you must first experience the adventure.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Come to the Table
I was at a retreat in Memphis this weekend and I will say that it was alright. Two things that really made it special though:
First, Mike Lewis (Jesus Painter) was there and the way that he connects with his art is an amazing thing. To just sing and watch a picture be created is so cool. He actually did two paintings, but the second one really hit me. It was so simple and you may not understand it unless you have witnessed him paint before. He started off the latter of his painting by simply writing "all my sins" at the top of the canvas. As he proceeded to paint, he left that there for a while. Near the end, he finally painted over it with the finishing touches to a picture a black-haired man, with a tear coming from his eye and blood splattered on his face. The way he used his art to show that message was so amazingly powerful, I can't really do it justice from writing about it.
Secondly, we took a communion late on Sunday night and to start the night off, a video was shown and it illustrated the sequence of events that happened to this boy when he was young involving the dinner table. I didn't think much of this video until I was sitting up at the table looking down into my little cup of juice. "I am not worthy of this man. How is it that I can be here when in no way do I deserve this love? I am a sinner. I hurt people. I lie. I am a SINNER." I sat there and as I began to cry, I remember that video. The line that lifted my head to look back at my cup was when the boy asked to be excused and he was. He was excused from the....I am excused! This cup that I don't even feel worthy to drink is for exactly that reason. I am not worthy, yet because of the 1 ounce symbol that sat in front of me, I am EXCUSED. I have been set free, God has poured out love and grace all over my body.
As I set there, I thanked God. I thanked Him for who he was, is and will forever be in my life. I pray constantly for God to guide me and that Sunday night in Cordova, God said told me that as always been there for me but I simply must follow. Praise God for the emotional experience, the intimacy that I had with God on that night, for because of that I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ loves me and that he died on the cross for me. He sacrificed his life so that I may have life. This seemingly unthinkable deed has given me hope. Hope that one day, I will be surrounded by His glory.
God broke my heart that night and I will forever remember that table, the spot I sat at, pouring the juice into my cup, crying for no apparent reason yet only to have God show me what life is. I thank God that I have been excused.
First, Mike Lewis (Jesus Painter) was there and the way that he connects with his art is an amazing thing. To just sing and watch a picture be created is so cool. He actually did two paintings, but the second one really hit me. It was so simple and you may not understand it unless you have witnessed him paint before. He started off the latter of his painting by simply writing "all my sins" at the top of the canvas. As he proceeded to paint, he left that there for a while. Near the end, he finally painted over it with the finishing touches to a picture a black-haired man, with a tear coming from his eye and blood splattered on his face. The way he used his art to show that message was so amazingly powerful, I can't really do it justice from writing about it.
Secondly, we took a communion late on Sunday night and to start the night off, a video was shown and it illustrated the sequence of events that happened to this boy when he was young involving the dinner table. I didn't think much of this video until I was sitting up at the table looking down into my little cup of juice. "I am not worthy of this man. How is it that I can be here when in no way do I deserve this love? I am a sinner. I hurt people. I lie. I am a SINNER." I sat there and as I began to cry, I remember that video. The line that lifted my head to look back at my cup was when the boy asked to be excused and he was. He was excused from the....I am excused! This cup that I don't even feel worthy to drink is for exactly that reason. I am not worthy, yet because of the 1 ounce symbol that sat in front of me, I am EXCUSED. I have been set free, God has poured out love and grace all over my body.
As I set there, I thanked God. I thanked Him for who he was, is and will forever be in my life. I pray constantly for God to guide me and that Sunday night in Cordova, God said told me that as always been there for me but I simply must follow. Praise God for the emotional experience, the intimacy that I had with God on that night, for because of that I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ loves me and that he died on the cross for me. He sacrificed his life so that I may have life. This seemingly unthinkable deed has given me hope. Hope that one day, I will be surrounded by His glory.
God broke my heart that night and I will forever remember that table, the spot I sat at, pouring the juice into my cup, crying for no apparent reason yet only to have God show me what life is. I thank God that I have been excused.
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