Scenario:
Everything is going super well. Then, all the sudden it's terrible.
You've just witnessed a type of spiritual attack.
Scenario 2:
You make headway in your heavenly relationships; in turn your earthly ones. Then, all the sudden it's terrible.
You've just been witness of a spiritual attack.
Stay tuned for more.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
No Need for Fixing
I, many times, get excited and glad when i turn the mirror on myself. One thing that I know is unique about me is that I actually like being corrected (in the right way = out of love) and take it as a positive opportunity to change some of the nasty crap about me.
So, by nature, as a guy, I am prone to want to fix things. Which is okay. And pardon my getting to the point, I don't want to lose my train of thought (great album....oops there it goes!). I have always seen myself (erroneously and selfishly) as someone who can so plainly see the answer for most problems in people's lives. Gentlemen, let me be the first to tell you that your wife does not see eye to eye with you on this! Regardless if right or wrong, I've learned a principle today that I hope I can constantly remember and integrate into my character traits.
Funny that I should be hypocritical when I always say: "Our job is to plant the seeds and water the seeds; God grow the plants and brings the harvest." I always say that! Basically, do your part and God will do His. Focus on your small area of influence and God will get crazy!
How did I not realize to apply this principle I've so often stood by in my own home? Woah. I always try and nudge Liz along (what I would consider in the right direction) into not being ________ or changing the way she thinks about _______________. But why?
I just need to focus on my little area of influence and let God do the rest! I'm not her dad, so I'm not going to treat her like a child. Revolution! This is easier said than done. But, (honey) I am going to try.
Reminder: apply our knowledge and truth at home first.
So, by nature, as a guy, I am prone to want to fix things. Which is okay. And pardon my getting to the point, I don't want to lose my train of thought (great album....oops there it goes!). I have always seen myself (erroneously and selfishly) as someone who can so plainly see the answer for most problems in people's lives. Gentlemen, let me be the first to tell you that your wife does not see eye to eye with you on this! Regardless if right or wrong, I've learned a principle today that I hope I can constantly remember and integrate into my character traits.
Funny that I should be hypocritical when I always say: "Our job is to plant the seeds and water the seeds; God grow the plants and brings the harvest." I always say that! Basically, do your part and God will do His. Focus on your small area of influence and God will get crazy!
How did I not realize to apply this principle I've so often stood by in my own home? Woah. I always try and nudge Liz along (what I would consider in the right direction) into not being ________ or changing the way she thinks about _______________. But why?
I just need to focus on my little area of influence and let God do the rest! I'm not her dad, so I'm not going to treat her like a child. Revolution! This is easier said than done. But, (honey) I am going to try.
Reminder: apply our knowledge and truth at home first.
Friday, June 17, 2011
My Head is a Landing Zone for Your Iron Rod of Discipline
The other day, a Sunday Morning in this case, our pastor asked the congregation to "raise your hands if you like being disciplined". I immediately raised my hand. But as I looked around, I saw that I was the only one. In fact, one of the ladies behind me said "I don't think you heard the question right. He said 'do you like discipline'." I was overcome with anger. But not self-righteous anger that could have come from being called out. Rather, it was an anger that I esteem comes from my zeal for Christ.
I responded to her sharply, but not harshly "If we never receive any correction, we will never grow." The answer seemed so obvious to me! I know both of those ladies read the Bible and I'm sure have read the Proverbs.
Proverbs 12:1: Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge. But He who hates correction is stupid. (NIV)
Proverbs 15:32: He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (NIV)
Proverbs 29:15: The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. (NIV)
Proverbs 15:10: Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. (NIV)
Finally, from Peter and Paul in Phil. 1:12-30 and 1 Peter 4:12-16. = paraphrased Rejoice in your suffering or consider it a joy when you suffer, for you share the cup of Christ.
This thought has been in my mind for a few weeks now. And it is just bothering the Sheol out of me. (I could ask this question of myself and about many other things) When did the church become a bunch of weenies - tip-toeing around issues and not wanting to grow in wisdom, understanding and in Christ? When did we get so prideful and selfish that it is better for us to build lies about reality, ignore the reality or altogether give up on even caring about it? Shoot.
Friends and family, I telly you this: A) Grow up. B) Get over yourselves (me too!). C) What the heck? and D) Do the body of Christ and yourself a favor and get on board!
As far as a critique on American Christianity, I'd say this heresy has come to us through political correctness. How many of you have heard it said that "the truth hurts"? But, it has become such that us, not wanting to offend anyone have in fact done to each other a worse thing - we've allowed each other to go on in sin.
Be respectful of people and feelings. Know that God provides timing for things to be said. Prayerfully consider approaching someone about an issue first. Speak in truth in love. And if that person gets offended, take an example from Jesus the Christ, Paul the Apostle, Luke the Physician and Barnabas "the Great Encourager" and shake the dust from your feet. Be bold, Christian!
I responded to her sharply, but not harshly "If we never receive any correction, we will never grow." The answer seemed so obvious to me! I know both of those ladies read the Bible and I'm sure have read the Proverbs.
Proverbs 12:1: Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge. But He who hates correction is stupid. (NIV)
Proverbs 15:32: He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (NIV)
Proverbs 29:15: The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. (NIV)
Proverbs 15:10: Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. (NIV)
Finally, from Peter and Paul in Phil. 1:12-30 and 1 Peter 4:12-16. = paraphrased Rejoice in your suffering or consider it a joy when you suffer, for you share the cup of Christ.
This thought has been in my mind for a few weeks now. And it is just bothering the Sheol out of me. (I could ask this question of myself and about many other things) When did the church become a bunch of weenies - tip-toeing around issues and not wanting to grow in wisdom, understanding and in Christ? When did we get so prideful and selfish that it is better for us to build lies about reality, ignore the reality or altogether give up on even caring about it? Shoot.
Friends and family, I telly you this: A) Grow up. B) Get over yourselves (me too!). C) What the heck? and D) Do the body of Christ and yourself a favor and get on board!
As far as a critique on American Christianity, I'd say this heresy has come to us through political correctness. How many of you have heard it said that "the truth hurts"? But, it has become such that us, not wanting to offend anyone have in fact done to each other a worse thing - we've allowed each other to go on in sin.
Be respectful of people and feelings. Know that God provides timing for things to be said. Prayerfully consider approaching someone about an issue first. Speak in truth in love. And if that person gets offended, take an example from Jesus the Christ, Paul the Apostle, Luke the Physician and Barnabas "the Great Encourager" and shake the dust from your feet. Be bold, Christian!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wow.
Wow about sums it up. I am broken and at a complete loss for understanding right now...in a good great way. I was just given the most amazing and applicable parable of God's love for my sin-ridden self that I have ever heard...and God is the one who gave it to me :)
So, we recently bought these two chug (chihuahua + pug) puppies, Aza and Muna. They are pretty much white as can be too (just like their dear ol' dad). Anyway, today was a good day. Worship practice (I felt) went well, I read some great things in the Bible today, I killed myself in the gym (I'm on a forced fast from scratching anything above shoulder height), helped my friend Mayra out with her sore stomach (ginger root tea) and I took all my vitamins today!
However, later on this evening (a few moments ago), I just was reminded of my sin. I felt terrible. I can't explain the amount of shame I felt, knowing that I am black and oily from sin and yet God still loves me. I felt dumbfounded as I contemplated God's love. I knew in my head that I was forgiven of sin upon asking. I have read this in the word (logos) many times. I have faith too that it is so. However, the quickening of those scripture to my heart (rhea) would provide me with one of the closest analogies I have ever had about God's love.
So, my puppy, Aza, poked her head up over the couch as I was sitting at my dining room table. She whined a little bit. I looked at her and said "I'm just going to be right here". She looked at me with those big (they're actually quite small), brown eyes (nearly black actually) and whined again...and it almost looked like she sighed. I gave in. I went over and picked her up. What a surprise I had when I realized that she just wanted to be held. just wanted some affection. She was saying "hey, dad - I'm over here all by myself. You are right there and I can't get to you." Which is funny - because I literally told her before I went and got her "Don't you know that you can go jump off the couch and come around to me?" She didn't move.
I brought her over to where I was sitting, at the dinner table and held her. As I was holding her, I thought about her as a little lamb. The way she was just lying there, content and quiet now that she was in my arms.
You know, she's was privileged today. Usually, I keep them in kitchen. They're still not house-trained fully and I find that it is easier to clean up on linoleum vs. on carpet. So, I put up barriers between the linoleum area and the carpet area. Back to the story:
As I am holding her, a familiar voice whispers to me. "This is how I love you." I became aware of the way I was lovingly and comfortingly holding her. I hugged her tighter. I said "I know, but I don't deserve this." I was met quickly with the response "Neither does she. She poops and pees on the carpet and yet you still allow her in here and love her like this." Immediately a few thoughts raced into my head as I began to cry:
The kitchen was like the Outer Room in the Tent of Meeting, where the Israelites to go to meet God. The carpeted areas was like the Holy of Holies; where God resided. This dog, who has a great lack of bowel and bladder control and a propensity to nibble on fabric was allowed into the area she wanted to be, where I was. And even further than that, she was now being loved in my arms; despite the fact that she has these lacks of control.
It was like this for me then too. Despite my sins, I asked for forgiveness (thinking in my head how I didn't deserve it). But my sins were overlooked and I was allowed entrance into the Holy of Holies and even more so, I am cradled in the arms of grace and mercy and reconciliation of Jesus Christ. I cried for only about a minute (it felt good); but I want that this understanding stay with me for a lifetime.
So, this is the way that God used one of my puppies to demonstrate His awesome, unconditional and everlasting love for me.
So, we recently bought these two chug (chihuahua + pug) puppies, Aza and Muna. They are pretty much white as can be too (just like their dear ol' dad). Anyway, today was a good day. Worship practice (I felt) went well, I read some great things in the Bible today, I killed myself in the gym (I'm on a forced fast from scratching anything above shoulder height), helped my friend Mayra out with her sore stomach (ginger root tea) and I took all my vitamins today!
However, later on this evening (a few moments ago), I just was reminded of my sin. I felt terrible. I can't explain the amount of shame I felt, knowing that I am black and oily from sin and yet God still loves me. I felt dumbfounded as I contemplated God's love. I knew in my head that I was forgiven of sin upon asking. I have read this in the word (logos) many times. I have faith too that it is so. However, the quickening of those scripture to my heart (rhea) would provide me with one of the closest analogies I have ever had about God's love.
So, my puppy, Aza, poked her head up over the couch as I was sitting at my dining room table. She whined a little bit. I looked at her and said "I'm just going to be right here". She looked at me with those big (they're actually quite small), brown eyes (nearly black actually) and whined again...and it almost looked like she sighed. I gave in. I went over and picked her up. What a surprise I had when I realized that she just wanted to be held. just wanted some affection. She was saying "hey, dad - I'm over here all by myself. You are right there and I can't get to you." Which is funny - because I literally told her before I went and got her "Don't you know that you can go jump off the couch and come around to me?" She didn't move.
I brought her over to where I was sitting, at the dinner table and held her. As I was holding her, I thought about her as a little lamb. The way she was just lying there, content and quiet now that she was in my arms.
You know, she's was privileged today. Usually, I keep them in kitchen. They're still not house-trained fully and I find that it is easier to clean up on linoleum vs. on carpet. So, I put up barriers between the linoleum area and the carpet area. Back to the story:
As I am holding her, a familiar voice whispers to me. "This is how I love you." I became aware of the way I was lovingly and comfortingly holding her. I hugged her tighter. I said "I know, but I don't deserve this." I was met quickly with the response "Neither does she. She poops and pees on the carpet and yet you still allow her in here and love her like this." Immediately a few thoughts raced into my head as I began to cry:
The kitchen was like the Outer Room in the Tent of Meeting, where the Israelites to go to meet God. The carpeted areas was like the Holy of Holies; where God resided. This dog, who has a great lack of bowel and bladder control and a propensity to nibble on fabric was allowed into the area she wanted to be, where I was. And even further than that, she was now being loved in my arms; despite the fact that she has these lacks of control.
It was like this for me then too. Despite my sins, I asked for forgiveness (thinking in my head how I didn't deserve it). But my sins were overlooked and I was allowed entrance into the Holy of Holies and even more so, I am cradled in the arms of grace and mercy and reconciliation of Jesus Christ. I cried for only about a minute (it felt good); but I want that this understanding stay with me for a lifetime.
So, this is the way that God used one of my puppies to demonstrate His awesome, unconditional and everlasting love for me.
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Onesimus Rest
You know, it's quite (by the way, this is going to be a huge understatement) a big change when you get married (I'll bet you did not know that). It's even weirder when you recently moved somewhere, and you are at level ground in everything. For me, I seemed to have lost parts of who I was; things that made me...well, me. The person I was in Virginia is nothing like the person that I was in California, and the person that I am in Washington is starting to show symptoms of both area's influence. That, my friend is a relief and nice.
I talk to the youth a lot about keeping their identities in Christ. I reason that (and the Bible backs this up) someone who has their identity in Christ stands firm on truth. That means that, when someone tries to tell them they are ugly, they know the opposite to be true ("don't you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made?" Psalm 139:14). When someone tells us that we aren't good enough or can't do something, we know the opposite to be true ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13). When someone tries to do us unjustly, we can have strength (paraphrased: blessed is the one who has joy in the trials, for to him will come wisdom from God and receive the crown of life [James 1:12], God is our justice and He will take care of us and be our justice [Matt. 6:26].)
But also, circumstance and new things can rob us of our identity. As my wife prepares to go visit her mother and father, I am forced to face the truth that I will be on my own for about 2 weeks I think. Then, it dawned on me a little bit ago. I have become quite co-dependent. Which is okay, however, I think I've taken it too far.
Yesterday, (not to toot my own horn) Liz compared me to Thomas Jefferson (a man I admire a lot!). A brilliant man, he was an architect, mathematician, artist, painter, hunter, gardener, philosopher, intellectual, lawmaker, rebel, revolutionist, poet, writer, lawyer and more. Liz asserted yesterday that, the thing that separates he and I is that he knew how to manage his time very well (I think there are a few more things though). He had all these talents and had the time to develop them quite well. It got me thinking...
When I was in VA, I did make a lot of time to do a lot of things. I wrote a book, I designed graphics, I planned events, I played in bands, I gave council, I helped medical students study, I learned foreign languages, I philosophized, I hunted, I learned to live off the land, I taught in college, I traveled the world and much more! I used to "weave" my words in a strategic way in nearly every conversation and some people told me to knock it off because it was like speaking to a book of poetry!
However, here I sit; in Washington; a fraction of that person. I couldn't plan my way out of a paper bag, teach anyone anything, think deeply or recite one incantation from Kant. I've relied on her too too much. However, all is not lost! When we are humble, God grants us discernment into our own lives. It is easy for us to see the faults in others; but how hard for us to see ourselves!
These next few weeks are going to be challenging in an exciting way. I am going to be able to take this time to refocus. Get back to the core of me. Who am I? I know who I am in Christ. But just as every servant of God should fear - I think that I have become more focused on doing the work than the person I am working for! I have been blessed with many talents, few of which I am utilizing.
It is good for us, all of us, to take time to reevaluate ourselves and situations. Jesus the Christ did this frequently. He took many breaks and retreated many times. He worked hard and He rested well. This cannot be lost! I'm sure that in those times, as He would go to pray to His Father, He would be reminded again and again what His purpose was here. He took that time to resharpen His ministry and self; that He would be onesimus, or "useful" to His Father. Let's take a chapter (literally) out of His book and learn to refocus and reevaluate, so that we may never forget our purpose, modus operandi, and to be onesimus. If we become unuseful, what use do we have? (Matt. 5:13, Luke 14:34, Mark 9:50).
I talk to the youth a lot about keeping their identities in Christ. I reason that (and the Bible backs this up) someone who has their identity in Christ stands firm on truth. That means that, when someone tries to tell them they are ugly, they know the opposite to be true ("don't you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made?" Psalm 139:14). When someone tells us that we aren't good enough or can't do something, we know the opposite to be true ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13). When someone tries to do us unjustly, we can have strength (paraphrased: blessed is the one who has joy in the trials, for to him will come wisdom from God and receive the crown of life [James 1:12], God is our justice and He will take care of us and be our justice [Matt. 6:26].)
But also, circumstance and new things can rob us of our identity. As my wife prepares to go visit her mother and father, I am forced to face the truth that I will be on my own for about 2 weeks I think. Then, it dawned on me a little bit ago. I have become quite co-dependent. Which is okay, however, I think I've taken it too far.
Yesterday, (not to toot my own horn) Liz compared me to Thomas Jefferson (a man I admire a lot!). A brilliant man, he was an architect, mathematician, artist, painter, hunter, gardener, philosopher, intellectual, lawmaker, rebel, revolutionist, poet, writer, lawyer and more. Liz asserted yesterday that, the thing that separates he and I is that he knew how to manage his time very well (I think there are a few more things though). He had all these talents and had the time to develop them quite well. It got me thinking...
When I was in VA, I did make a lot of time to do a lot of things. I wrote a book, I designed graphics, I planned events, I played in bands, I gave council, I helped medical students study, I learned foreign languages, I philosophized, I hunted, I learned to live off the land, I taught in college, I traveled the world and much more! I used to "weave" my words in a strategic way in nearly every conversation and some people told me to knock it off because it was like speaking to a book of poetry!
However, here I sit; in Washington; a fraction of that person. I couldn't plan my way out of a paper bag, teach anyone anything, think deeply or recite one incantation from Kant. I've relied on her too too much. However, all is not lost! When we are humble, God grants us discernment into our own lives. It is easy for us to see the faults in others; but how hard for us to see ourselves!
These next few weeks are going to be challenging in an exciting way. I am going to be able to take this time to refocus. Get back to the core of me. Who am I? I know who I am in Christ. But just as every servant of God should fear - I think that I have become more focused on doing the work than the person I am working for! I have been blessed with many talents, few of which I am utilizing.
It is good for us, all of us, to take time to reevaluate ourselves and situations. Jesus the Christ did this frequently. He took many breaks and retreated many times. He worked hard and He rested well. This cannot be lost! I'm sure that in those times, as He would go to pray to His Father, He would be reminded again and again what His purpose was here. He took that time to resharpen His ministry and self; that He would be onesimus, or "useful" to His Father. Let's take a chapter (literally) out of His book and learn to refocus and reevaluate, so that we may never forget our purpose, modus operandi, and to be onesimus. If we become unuseful, what use do we have? (Matt. 5:13, Luke 14:34, Mark 9:50).
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