You know something's gone bad when the only reason you blog anymore is because you can't sleep and the King of the universe is actually commanding you to write. But nevertheless, here I am. I've had a slough of ideas over the past month, yet none of them are coming to me at present.
Why am I trying to go to sleep at 10pm rather than several hours later, as is my usual habit? Well I happen to be sick with a cold (again) and I figured some extra rest would do me good. Now just look where that got me. But since I feel the Lord calling me to write tonight, I figure there must be some purpose behind it.
I want to say at least two things about being sick.
Number one, it really stinks to be sick and to be a vocal major. And it's happening so often it feels like a routine now rather than a rarity. I've learned pretty well how to sing decently whilst being congested and coughing. The funny thing is though that this year I was determined not to get sick, and yet look what happened. But, I have a certain peace about it. Yeah, I hear Satan's lies about how in the world could I ever have a career in voice if I get sick every 2-3 months...but God's plan for me is bigger than Satan's trickery and my unbelief. God knows what He's doing, even if I don't. Getting sick gives me perspective. I fall in love with singing so much more because I don't get to do it. And I realize that my life is not my own, and my plans are not my own. Being sick is a blessing in disguise.
I want to touch on the passage in Matthew 9:12-13 that says, "But when He (Jesus) heard it, He said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Christ's mission was to save the flaw-filled, ugly, infected, diseased, evil, destitute, broken, and unholy souls. Praise God that He did!
After being sick so many times, I am beginning to recognize the symptoms and the causes. Do you recognize the symptoms of your soul sickness in your own life? If you are angry, unhappy, or bitter - do you realize the cause behind it? Only those who know they are sick will go see the Healer. Come to Him, and let Him heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds, and save your sin-stricken soul.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Mortality
Pastor and gospel enthusiast Tullian Tchividjian says that "daily Christian living is daily Christian dying". He means this in that we should daily be dying to ourself and our sin, and living more and more for Christ and His kingdom. I have decided to take a slightly different turn with this idea. I think that Christians should not only die daily, but they should also think about dying daily. Hear me out.
A message given at a women's retreat that I listened to at the beginning of the summer was about thinking of death often. Not in a depressing way, but rather thinking of death in terms of what comes afterward: heaven. To live in light of eternity is to think about death, in a way. At any stage of life we should think about death, for it is what defines us. We are mortals. We are finite. We are not in control.
This evening I went somewhere I have been wanting to go for some time: a cemetery. I had absolutely no ties to anyone or anything there, but it was definitely an experience to remember. There were old and new gravestones, with names and dates and sayings inscribed upon them. Many were for those who had most likely died in old age, but a few were for unborn or stillborn babies. There was a bench made in honor of two kids whose mother had died at the age of 25. One I saw last that made my eyes sting was for a four year old little boy whose gravestone had a picture of his name in his own scribbly andwriting.
Why am I writing about all these morbid things? Death is a topic many people do not wish to discuss. Am I bringing it up in order to ask the question asked by motivational speakers, "What would you want your gravestone to say about you?" I think the better question is, "What are you going to do with your life before you are in need of a gravestone?" or, "What happens after the inscription?" Death comes to all, and we do not the day nor the hour. What are you doing today that matters in eternity? Do you think about death often enough?
This is not a speech in order to motivate you to "live every day as though it was your last", but rather to see life as a gift that can be taken away without our permission. C. T. Studd has a poem where the repeating line at the end of each stanza is, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last". Are you living with your eyes fixed on eternity? Do you see death as a very present reality?
The time of salvation is now. Not tomorrow, for who knows what that will bring? It is now that you need to come to Christ - believer or unbeliever. We all need Christ and His immeasurable grace! Let Him consume your life so that every day you wake up eager to bring more glory to His name and more saints to His kingdom!
Don't be afraid to look to the end of your life,for that is when your perfect bliss or damnation begins. It is of crucial importance to know to which one you are going. The end of your mortal life is just the beginning of eternity, and that date may not be as far away as you think.
A message given at a women's retreat that I listened to at the beginning of the summer was about thinking of death often. Not in a depressing way, but rather thinking of death in terms of what comes afterward: heaven. To live in light of eternity is to think about death, in a way. At any stage of life we should think about death, for it is what defines us. We are mortals. We are finite. We are not in control.
This evening I went somewhere I have been wanting to go for some time: a cemetery. I had absolutely no ties to anyone or anything there, but it was definitely an experience to remember. There were old and new gravestones, with names and dates and sayings inscribed upon them. Many were for those who had most likely died in old age, but a few were for unborn or stillborn babies. There was a bench made in honor of two kids whose mother had died at the age of 25. One I saw last that made my eyes sting was for a four year old little boy whose gravestone had a picture of his name in his own scribbly andwriting.
Why am I writing about all these morbid things? Death is a topic many people do not wish to discuss. Am I bringing it up in order to ask the question asked by motivational speakers, "What would you want your gravestone to say about you?" I think the better question is, "What are you going to do with your life before you are in need of a gravestone?" or, "What happens after the inscription?" Death comes to all, and we do not the day nor the hour. What are you doing today that matters in eternity? Do you think about death often enough?
This is not a speech in order to motivate you to "live every day as though it was your last", but rather to see life as a gift that can be taken away without our permission. C. T. Studd has a poem where the repeating line at the end of each stanza is, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last". Are you living with your eyes fixed on eternity? Do you see death as a very present reality?
The time of salvation is now. Not tomorrow, for who knows what that will bring? It is now that you need to come to Christ - believer or unbeliever. We all need Christ and His immeasurable grace! Let Him consume your life so that every day you wake up eager to bring more glory to His name and more saints to His kingdom!
Don't be afraid to look to the end of your life,for that is when your perfect bliss or damnation begins. It is of crucial importance to know to which one you are going. The end of your mortal life is just the beginning of eternity, and that date may not be as far away as you think.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Of Trampolines and Turn of Events
As
the kids in our family have gotten older, we have begun getting rid of all of
our childhood toys. Not just the little dinky ones, but the big expensive ones
too. First my dad tore down the tree house that he had built when we were
little, because it was getting old and the wood was rotting. I was sad to see
that go, even though I didn’t really use it that much when I was younger. Funny
how you seem to miss things only once they’re gone, isn’t it?
A few weeks ago my younger brother
took apart our trampoline in the backyard, in order to give it to a family that
would put more use to it than we did now. That trampoline had seen a lot of
memories made in our family – such as broken wrists, birthday parties, and ice
storms. But now it’s gone, and there is only a bare patch of grass that
signifies where it once stood. I have included a picture, wonder of all
wonders.
The significance of this
illustration is that I noticed how the grass did not really grow under the
trampoline because it was not getting enough sunlight. Now that the trampoline
has been removed, we hope that the grass will grow and our backyard will be
more evenly green.
Sometimes God takes something out of
our life and we don’t really know why. Many times it may be something
inherently good, but for the sake of conforming us more to the image of His
Son, the Father has deemed that we have had enough of something. As I said
earlier, we do not usually realize the value of something until we don’t have
it anymore. I probably would not have thought about jumping on the trampoline
at all this summer if I had not known that we were going to be getting rid of
it.
In order that we might grow, God may
take away things in our lives so that we may see how much and why we really
value them. We will be able to see whether or not they have become idols in our
lives – and we will have a check-up as to where our God stands in our hearts.
God wants every part of our heart devoted to Him, and sometimes His removal of
certain things from our lives is simply a reminder of that.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Trees
A few of a tree's most basic needs are sunlight, water, and rich soil. Many hardy trees only need limited amounts of these needs - they can go for weeks without water, and the soil they grow in can be as useless as the Georgia red clay. But the one thing I believe all trees have to have to survive is their roots. These underground limbs are what gathers the nutrients and feeds them to the tree. If a tree is cut down or uprooted, it dies.
As a college student, I have experienced the phenomena of being "uprooted". I now have two homes: the place where I grew up in, and the place where I am going to school for the time being. For the last year I have frequently been going back and forth between these two places. Since I am in one place half the year and another place the other half, I sometimes feel like I can never be grounded or fully engaged in either one. Both have my heart, so I cannot wholly give it away to one or the other.
Not only college students experience this, but also kids that are tossed back and forth between broken homes. Orphans, the homeless, those in military service - they all may not know which place to call "home". To a certain degree we all experience this uprootedness. The ease of transportation has not only created a small world, but it allows us to get away from places we don't like. We can start over, we can be sent away, we can be uprooted.
All Christians will deal with this feeling all of their lives, for "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ". We do not and will not ever truly belong in this world, but rather in the one to come. How then shall we live in a place which is not our home?
If a tree is constantly being uprooted and transplanted, how will it ever grow? How will it ever reach it's full growth and potential?
The answer lies in where we place our roots.
This past year at college, our verse of the year was Isaiah 61:3 - "They will be called great trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord for His glory." I never really thought deeply about this verse until now. The Lord will raise us up from the ashes to be great trees of righteousness, and it will all be for His glory! If He is the one that plants us, then He will place us where He wants us for His glory to be spread!
Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the instruction of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Trees that are planted next to streams of water will doubtless be the most healthy, for when the drought comes they will still have water for renewed strength. If we place our delight and our trust in the Lord, and obey His law, we will find that we can bear fruit anywhere, and we will not wither under the harshest weather!
Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If we abide in His word and who He is, we can find joy in achieving our ultimate fulfillment no matter where we are placed physically.
As a college student, I have experienced the phenomena of being "uprooted". I now have two homes: the place where I grew up in, and the place where I am going to school for the time being. For the last year I have frequently been going back and forth between these two places. Since I am in one place half the year and another place the other half, I sometimes feel like I can never be grounded or fully engaged in either one. Both have my heart, so I cannot wholly give it away to one or the other.
Not only college students experience this, but also kids that are tossed back and forth between broken homes. Orphans, the homeless, those in military service - they all may not know which place to call "home". To a certain degree we all experience this uprootedness. The ease of transportation has not only created a small world, but it allows us to get away from places we don't like. We can start over, we can be sent away, we can be uprooted.
All Christians will deal with this feeling all of their lives, for "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ". We do not and will not ever truly belong in this world, but rather in the one to come. How then shall we live in a place which is not our home?
If a tree is constantly being uprooted and transplanted, how will it ever grow? How will it ever reach it's full growth and potential?
The answer lies in where we place our roots.
This past year at college, our verse of the year was Isaiah 61:3 - "They will be called great trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord for His glory." I never really thought deeply about this verse until now. The Lord will raise us up from the ashes to be great trees of righteousness, and it will all be for His glory! If He is the one that plants us, then He will place us where He wants us for His glory to be spread!
Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the instruction of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Trees that are planted next to streams of water will doubtless be the most healthy, for when the drought comes they will still have water for renewed strength. If we place our delight and our trust in the Lord, and obey His law, we will find that we can bear fruit anywhere, and we will not wither under the harshest weather!
Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If we abide in His word and who He is, we can find joy in achieving our ultimate fulfillment no matter where we are placed physically.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Why yes, I wallow in my own pigsty quite often, thank you
Hello, dear friends.
First of all, my apologies go out to you...for I have been negligent in creating new blog posts for quite some time. It is not because I have had a lack of creativity or inspiration, but merely because I lack the motivation to write them. I also have been working on a book lately and that has eaten up most of the time I would've spent on this blog else wise.
But back to my laziness. It is becoming grossly apparent to me all the day. I do not write posts because I feel as though I would not get anything out of them, and therefore would not be a sufficient use of my time. (this all goes along with the fantastical belief that I spend my time usefully otherwise). I am quite content to lay in my own pigsty - my own little world of selfish aspirations and dreams which are really only the leftovers of reality.
When I get on social websites such as Facebook, Google+, etc. I am only looking, waiting, for someone to interact with me. Waiting for someone to inquire about my life. Waiting for someone to be interested in me, to take time out of their day to converse with me. Me, me, me.
Although I hate to bring it up, Brian Regan's "me monster" is so true of me. It is a hungry monster, eating up any and all love I once had or intended to have towards other people. I am a pig, it's true. As far as I know, pigs are only interested in themselves. What they want (which is really not much to be said for), is the only thing that matters to them.
I am determined to not let my selfishness rule me, by the grace of God. His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. My prayer is that by looking into the face of my Savior, all else would fall away, including my selfish pride which I so desperately cling. By looking upward may I forget to look inward.
And may I write a few more posts for the sake of others' benefit while I'm at it.
First of all, my apologies go out to you...for I have been negligent in creating new blog posts for quite some time. It is not because I have had a lack of creativity or inspiration, but merely because I lack the motivation to write them. I also have been working on a book lately and that has eaten up most of the time I would've spent on this blog else wise.
But back to my laziness. It is becoming grossly apparent to me all the day. I do not write posts because I feel as though I would not get anything out of them, and therefore would not be a sufficient use of my time. (this all goes along with the fantastical belief that I spend my time usefully otherwise). I am quite content to lay in my own pigsty - my own little world of selfish aspirations and dreams which are really only the leftovers of reality.
When I get on social websites such as Facebook, Google+, etc. I am only looking, waiting, for someone to interact with me. Waiting for someone to inquire about my life. Waiting for someone to be interested in me, to take time out of their day to converse with me. Me, me, me.
Although I hate to bring it up, Brian Regan's "me monster" is so true of me. It is a hungry monster, eating up any and all love I once had or intended to have towards other people. I am a pig, it's true. As far as I know, pigs are only interested in themselves. What they want (which is really not much to be said for), is the only thing that matters to them.
I am determined to not let my selfishness rule me, by the grace of God. His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. My prayer is that by looking into the face of my Savior, all else would fall away, including my selfish pride which I so desperately cling. By looking upward may I forget to look inward.
And may I write a few more posts for the sake of others' benefit while I'm at it.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Don't Get Mad, Get GLAD
Does anyone ever remember those annoying trash bag commercials? Where the family would all of a sudden try and stuff 700 styrofoam plates into their trash bag, and the trash bag would rip because there was nothing else it could do? And the family would get frustrated and angry at the trash bag, like it was his fault?
I do. What happens next is a monotone voice chimes in, "Don't get mad, get GLAD." 'Glad' was of course a specific brand of trash bags guranteed to not rip, no matter what or how much you put in it.
I remember chirping that phrase to my family members when I was younger and they were angry about something. But I never understood the simplistic truth behind it.
The way I see it now is that when circumstances arise, we can either get mad about it or we can get glad about it. Or better yet, we can laugh about it. It really is that simple. When we mess up in our favorite sport, we can either become angry and frustrated at our abilities, or we can laugh at our mistakes. When someone fails to give us the right directions somewhere and we get lost, we can either become furious at the person, or we can laugh at the fact that the directions led us straight to a cow pasture.
This phenomenon reminds me of a verse from Proverbs about the Woman who fears the Lord: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." (Proverbs 31:25). Because her hope is in the Lord, she can laugh at the future providences that come her way.
I want to be a woman who can laugh always, about anything. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that there is a time to laugh - so let us laugh when there truly is nothing to be angry or worried about because we are in Christ!!
I do. What happens next is a monotone voice chimes in, "Don't get mad, get GLAD." 'Glad' was of course a specific brand of trash bags guranteed to not rip, no matter what or how much you put in it.
I remember chirping that phrase to my family members when I was younger and they were angry about something. But I never understood the simplistic truth behind it.
The way I see it now is that when circumstances arise, we can either get mad about it or we can get glad about it. Or better yet, we can laugh about it. It really is that simple. When we mess up in our favorite sport, we can either become angry and frustrated at our abilities, or we can laugh at our mistakes. When someone fails to give us the right directions somewhere and we get lost, we can either become furious at the person, or we can laugh at the fact that the directions led us straight to a cow pasture.
This phenomenon reminds me of a verse from Proverbs about the Woman who fears the Lord: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." (Proverbs 31:25). Because her hope is in the Lord, she can laugh at the future providences that come her way.
I want to be a woman who can laugh always, about anything. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that there is a time to laugh - so let us laugh when there truly is nothing to be angry or worried about because we are in Christ!!
Monday, June 11, 2012
You Have Me
So first of all I want to say sorry for not posting up anything in the last few weeks or so, even though only those few but faithful avid readers of mine would have even noticed. I have been going through some pretty thick stuff lately that it's been rather hard to come out of the thick stuff (let's call it Jell-O, cause it's been sweet overall but rather annoying at times). The Jell-O has kept me bogged down so that I haven't been able to obtain a 3rd person perspective on life.
But anyways, today I did have quite a nice little rainbow amidst the storms, and I vowed that I would not let it go unposted! So here it is, all nicely jumbled as usual. ;)
There is a song. A beautiful song. It's called, "You Have Me". It's by the band called Gungor. If any of you readers know anything about me you know that I love Gungor, and you're probably sick of it right now (like Jell-O). But I absolutely do not care because they are a wonderful group of musicians that write songs from the Bible and that providentially are very applicable to my life. So, if you have not heard the song before, go look it up.
My thoughts on the song are this: Whether we fall and fail, rise and shine, rebel and fight, or love and rest, God our Father has us. He has all of us completely and forever. What a beautiful truth to know.
Let me back up now. Thinking about the song happened only after I had a revelation from God while walking today.
I have been sick (physically, emotionally, you name it, etc.) for some time now, and under intense spiritual attack as well. Yes, I know, it's terrible, whatever. Don't you dare feel sorry for me. I have enough pity for myself as it is, even though it's all completely unnecessary to begin with.
So I was wallowing in my own self-pity, as I do most often nowadays, and thinking how in the wooorllld could this be God's plan for me because I am not doing anything. Seriously, I'm not even spending quality time with my Father anymore (like I was back in May when I had nothing to do) - because I just don't feel good at all. I sleep like 12 hours a day, and when I'm awake I don't have energy enough to be a light or anything to those around me. Again, don't you dare feel sorry for me though.
So my question is, What is God's purpose behind sickness, if not to sanctify us? I really don't believe that there's some life lesson out of this particular trial I'm facing. And to tell you the truth, I don't have the answer to that question. That's not what I learned today.
What I learned today is that God always always always has us right where He wants us. We're not little children that can run away in our rebellion, and we're not sheep that can be stolen by the devil. God's never trying to get us into the right position - because we always ARE in the right position. Even though we do not understand it sometimes, God always has a plan for us even though we may be down spiritually, physically, emotionally - and we can't even get out of our own little bubble to see the light of Jesus. He is with us even when we do not feel Him.
So I have nothing to be downhearted about - and neither does anyone who is in Christ!! Our greatest need (salvation from the wrath to come) has already been taken care of, so will not the One who took care of that need also take care of every other need?
This brings us back to the song - "You Have Me". In every situation, every trial, every confusing circumstance...we are held by the LORD of the universe, if we are His children!!
When pondering more about this phenomenon, I discovered that at the root of this was a distrust in God. I did not believe that God was ultimately sovereign, over every part of my life. I do not know which trials I am going through are the of the Lord's direct hand, satan's attack, or my own sin and imperfection - but I know that the Lord is watching it all, directing it all, and has planned it all long before my time.
That gives me encouragement to keep fighting the good fight, and to keep running the race.
But anyways, today I did have quite a nice little rainbow amidst the storms, and I vowed that I would not let it go unposted! So here it is, all nicely jumbled as usual. ;)
There is a song. A beautiful song. It's called, "You Have Me". It's by the band called Gungor. If any of you readers know anything about me you know that I love Gungor, and you're probably sick of it right now (like Jell-O). But I absolutely do not care because they are a wonderful group of musicians that write songs from the Bible and that providentially are very applicable to my life. So, if you have not heard the song before, go look it up.
My thoughts on the song are this: Whether we fall and fail, rise and shine, rebel and fight, or love and rest, God our Father has us. He has all of us completely and forever. What a beautiful truth to know.
Let me back up now. Thinking about the song happened only after I had a revelation from God while walking today.
I have been sick (physically, emotionally, you name it, etc.) for some time now, and under intense spiritual attack as well. Yes, I know, it's terrible, whatever. Don't you dare feel sorry for me. I have enough pity for myself as it is, even though it's all completely unnecessary to begin with.
So I was wallowing in my own self-pity, as I do most often nowadays, and thinking how in the wooorllld could this be God's plan for me because I am not doing anything. Seriously, I'm not even spending quality time with my Father anymore (like I was back in May when I had nothing to do) - because I just don't feel good at all. I sleep like 12 hours a day, and when I'm awake I don't have energy enough to be a light or anything to those around me. Again, don't you dare feel sorry for me though.
So my question is, What is God's purpose behind sickness, if not to sanctify us? I really don't believe that there's some life lesson out of this particular trial I'm facing. And to tell you the truth, I don't have the answer to that question. That's not what I learned today.
What I learned today is that God always always always has us right where He wants us. We're not little children that can run away in our rebellion, and we're not sheep that can be stolen by the devil. God's never trying to get us into the right position - because we always ARE in the right position. Even though we do not understand it sometimes, God always has a plan for us even though we may be down spiritually, physically, emotionally - and we can't even get out of our own little bubble to see the light of Jesus. He is with us even when we do not feel Him.
So I have nothing to be downhearted about - and neither does anyone who is in Christ!! Our greatest need (salvation from the wrath to come) has already been taken care of, so will not the One who took care of that need also take care of every other need?
This brings us back to the song - "You Have Me". In every situation, every trial, every confusing circumstance...we are held by the LORD of the universe, if we are His children!!
When pondering more about this phenomenon, I discovered that at the root of this was a distrust in God. I did not believe that God was ultimately sovereign, over every part of my life. I do not know which trials I am going through are the of the Lord's direct hand, satan's attack, or my own sin and imperfection - but I know that the Lord is watching it all, directing it all, and has planned it all long before my time.
That gives me encouragement to keep fighting the good fight, and to keep running the race.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Emancipation Song
So about a week ago I wrote a song - and I forgot to put it on here. I wrote a WHOLE SONG in ONE DAY and I forgot to put it on here! These things only happen like once a millenium!! Ha ha but really it was all God's goodness to me that I had time to really sit down and write it all in about two hours. And things just kept coming to me, whereas typically my creativity only comes in spurts. This song describes something I am very passionate about - our complete and utter freedom that comes from being in Christ and receiving the precious gift of salvation. If I had to contribute a particular verse to this song, it would be Galatians 5:1; "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Christ set us free just to be free - not to go back to our old ways and habits!! So I guess this is what this song is about. Oh and be grateful - I don't usually share my songs with anyone - but I guess I really like this and I am confident in it. I am even starting to write a piano accompianment to it, wonder of all wonders. ;) Hope you enjoy.
Emancipation Song
The cell door has been broken
Yet we cling to the walls of our prisons
The greatest prize is standing before our eyes
Yet we push it aside
And try to find other things to fill our lives
Reality has become an impossibility
We refuse to believe your sufficiency
We strap our chains back on ourselves
We take Your grace and throw it on the shelf
We make up rules so we'll be right
We think we're strong so we go fight
And then we fail
We are so frail
And every time we fail
We believe the lies
That tell us we must fix up our lives
But we are so blind to see
That victory has been won
Victory has been won already
Oh Father, give us eyes to see
That in Christ we already have everything we need
We are no longer slaves - we are free!
Hear the shackles hit the ground
We will not be found in any other place
Than our Father's arms
Hear us make a joyful sound
Hear us sing outloud
Praises to our King
We will not be owned by any other
Than our Friend who loves us closer than our brothers
The lion has no hold on me
The Lamb is all that I shall need
Forever and ever!
I am free!
Jesus, by Your blood and Your mercy
I am free!
I am free.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Whispers
I listen to music. A lot. I hear a lot of lyrics, and something that stood out to me the other day when I was listening to some sort of praise Pandora station was the phrase, "you whisper your promises to me" or something like that - it was talking about God. I realized that so many Christian tunes have that idea planted in them - that God whispers His affections to us. This is probably more prominent in female songs, because the idea of whispering sounds intimate and familial.
But is this really who our God is? Does He just secretly tell us of His our love for us?
Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." Loud singing doesn't exactly imply quietness. The Lord takes delight in us as His children. The whole reason for salvation was for God's glory - so why would He not take joy when another child receives adoption into His family? Luke 15:10 says, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
We, as God's people, are His portion: "But the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage." He is our portion, and we are His. We both take delight in the other!
God's plan of salvation is flagrant and His love for us is so vast and deep that how can it not take up our universe!?!
If you wanted someone to prove their love for you, would you rather them whisper it to you occasionally, or rather stand up in a public place and shout a proclamation? Most people would pick the second option. It makes you feel out-of-this-world special. That what Christ does with us. How could we ever doubt His love for us when He humbled himself and died for us?! That in and of itself is a public display of His great love and mercy!
I heard a quote from someone I know that goes, "Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, continually interceding for us and proclaiming us as 'not guilty'". And He loves to do it!
Our Father is not shy about His love. Yes, He is intimate....but He's not going to let a day go by without loudly proclaiming His love for us. What marvellous and matchless love we receive as His children!! This only serves as reason to praise Him more and more.
But is this really who our God is? Does He just secretly tell us of His our love for us?
Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." Loud singing doesn't exactly imply quietness. The Lord takes delight in us as His children. The whole reason for salvation was for God's glory - so why would He not take joy when another child receives adoption into His family? Luke 15:10 says, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
We, as God's people, are His portion: "But the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage." He is our portion, and we are His. We both take delight in the other!
God's plan of salvation is flagrant and His love for us is so vast and deep that how can it not take up our universe!?!
If you wanted someone to prove their love for you, would you rather them whisper it to you occasionally, or rather stand up in a public place and shout a proclamation? Most people would pick the second option. It makes you feel out-of-this-world special. That what Christ does with us. How could we ever doubt His love for us when He humbled himself and died for us?! That in and of itself is a public display of His great love and mercy!
I heard a quote from someone I know that goes, "Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, continually interceding for us and proclaiming us as 'not guilty'". And He loves to do it!
Our Father is not shy about His love. Yes, He is intimate....but He's not going to let a day go by without loudly proclaiming His love for us. What marvellous and matchless love we receive as His children!! This only serves as reason to praise Him more and more.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Analytical Ignoramus
If you know the definitions of these two words, you'll realize that they contradict one another. Analytical usually refers to dissecting information in order to understand it more accurately and fully, while an ignoramus is someone who is extrememly ignorant. So how can someone who gets into the nitty-gritty of information also be ignorant at the same time? I am living proof of this description. I am also living proof of other derogatory terms such as nincompoop, blind bat, and blockhead, to name just a few.
Alright, let's pretend you have a significant other. And for good measure let's just say that you were married to this significant other, so you were expected to have a tight relationship - and to be honest, you believe that you do. Now, your significant other (let's just call them 'SO') decides that they want to take a vacation with you. Just you, and no one else. What's your first reaction? Here's some options:
1. Whine and complain about getting a break from your hectic life.
2. Whine and complain that you have to go somewhere with only your favorite person in the world.
3. Whine and complain that vacation is not the right choice of what to do right now.
4. Whine and complain and tell SO to stop playing tricks on you.
5. Whine and complain that SO is being selfish.
6. Whine and complain that you shouldn't be punished for anything.
Ok, if you picked any of these options, chances are that SO will be led to believe that you don't love them as much as you say you do. You either have things or people that are more important to you than them, and you don't trust their judgement. Or you don't believe their motives for planning the vacation.
Now you're starting to think, "Duh! Why don't you just get the point! Those are all stupid reactions to SO's behavior towards you - unless you had reason to doubt them!" Let's pretend you have absolutely no reason to doubt their motives whatsoever. The reactions sound even more preposterous now. Why would you try to read into someone's motives if you trusted them?
Most people's reaction would be of happiness and thankfulness - and they would go on the vacation and have a wonderful time getting away from the world and spending time with SO. Am I right? Yes.
Now, back to Analytical Nincompoop Blockhead Blind Bat Ignoramus. Yep, that's me. I have been going through this same story with a very very big SO and yet I have chosen all the wrong reactions. I have tried to figure out why my Heavenly Father would place me in a position in life that does not allow for much interaction with people, or with things, or events, or really much of anything. Am I in trouble - am I getting punished for some sin? Does God not love me? Did He just forget about me, or put me on hold? I have been frantically worrying over my situation, and praying God for a way out of it, and analyzing what I did wrong to get me into it. But over the last few days, God has simply told me that He just wanted to spend time with me, and to allow me to spend more time with Him. When I've griped to Him about not getting enough interaction with other people (because I'm a "people person"), He has quietly asked me, "Am I not relationship enough?" He's not punishing me, He's not forcing me into some trial - He just wants to give me a vacation with Him. What more could I ask for?! Loads of free time to be with my Father, to learn more about Him and in turn learn more about myself! And now that I see the answer to why I'm in this place, I feel so stupid and ignorant - because it's so easy. And I screwed it up for a good while by hyperventilating and worrying.
Since I've come to this realization, I don't want to be out of God's presence. I actually had to force myself to go somewhere tonight and to be with people. I just wanted to stay home and dwell on the character and awesomeness of my Father, and abide in His creation.
I heard a new song tonight that describes my relationship with my Father. It's called "Without You" by Shane and Shane. Here's an excerpt from one of the verses: "Even though I believe / You've taken up a home inside of me / And you'll never leave / I still need to know you're here with me".
Father, don't ever let me whine about spending time with You. On the contrary, keep me yearning for it.
Alright, let's pretend you have a significant other. And for good measure let's just say that you were married to this significant other, so you were expected to have a tight relationship - and to be honest, you believe that you do. Now, your significant other (let's just call them 'SO') decides that they want to take a vacation with you. Just you, and no one else. What's your first reaction? Here's some options:
1. Whine and complain about getting a break from your hectic life.
2. Whine and complain that you have to go somewhere with only your favorite person in the world.
3. Whine and complain that vacation is not the right choice of what to do right now.
4. Whine and complain and tell SO to stop playing tricks on you.
5. Whine and complain that SO is being selfish.
6. Whine and complain that you shouldn't be punished for anything.
Ok, if you picked any of these options, chances are that SO will be led to believe that you don't love them as much as you say you do. You either have things or people that are more important to you than them, and you don't trust their judgement. Or you don't believe their motives for planning the vacation.
Now you're starting to think, "Duh! Why don't you just get the point! Those are all stupid reactions to SO's behavior towards you - unless you had reason to doubt them!" Let's pretend you have absolutely no reason to doubt their motives whatsoever. The reactions sound even more preposterous now. Why would you try to read into someone's motives if you trusted them?
Most people's reaction would be of happiness and thankfulness - and they would go on the vacation and have a wonderful time getting away from the world and spending time with SO. Am I right? Yes.
Now, back to Analytical Nincompoop Blockhead Blind Bat Ignoramus. Yep, that's me. I have been going through this same story with a very very big SO and yet I have chosen all the wrong reactions. I have tried to figure out why my Heavenly Father would place me in a position in life that does not allow for much interaction with people, or with things, or events, or really much of anything. Am I in trouble - am I getting punished for some sin? Does God not love me? Did He just forget about me, or put me on hold? I have been frantically worrying over my situation, and praying God for a way out of it, and analyzing what I did wrong to get me into it. But over the last few days, God has simply told me that He just wanted to spend time with me, and to allow me to spend more time with Him. When I've griped to Him about not getting enough interaction with other people (because I'm a "people person"), He has quietly asked me, "Am I not relationship enough?" He's not punishing me, He's not forcing me into some trial - He just wants to give me a vacation with Him. What more could I ask for?! Loads of free time to be with my Father, to learn more about Him and in turn learn more about myself! And now that I see the answer to why I'm in this place, I feel so stupid and ignorant - because it's so easy. And I screwed it up for a good while by hyperventilating and worrying.
Since I've come to this realization, I don't want to be out of God's presence. I actually had to force myself to go somewhere tonight and to be with people. I just wanted to stay home and dwell on the character and awesomeness of my Father, and abide in His creation.
I heard a new song tonight that describes my relationship with my Father. It's called "Without You" by Shane and Shane. Here's an excerpt from one of the verses: "Even though I believe / You've taken up a home inside of me / And you'll never leave / I still need to know you're here with me".
Father, don't ever let me whine about spending time with You. On the contrary, keep me yearning for it.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Enraptured
Dear Savior and Redeemer,
Please don't let me forget that I am involved in the greatest Story ever told, and that there was nothing I did to be a part of it.
Don't let me brush over the gospel, over your death, over your resurrection - as though they are mere facts that simply define who I am today. Let them be all that I am not - which is everything.
I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian - or even a 212 degree Christian. Make me a flame that constantly is growing and burning brighter. Make my passion for You consume me, and let the gospel be the oxygen for my fire.
I want to sing your praises when I get up in the morning, when I work, when I play, when I cry, when I smile, when I sleep.
Don't ever let me belittle Your love for me, for there is no greater love than someone who lays down his life for his friends. That is what you did, Jesus! Was there no life more valuable than Yours? And yet You freely gave of it to redeem my poor and wretched soul. For you know that is what I am, Father, and yet You still love me more than I can imagine.
Don't let Your Word go through one ear and out the other. Let me hold onto it, cherish it, nuture it. It is the Word of my Father, my God, and my King.
Fill me with such awe and amazement for Your love for me that I have no other thoughts but for You. Keep me in raptures, Lord, and keep me ever full of joy because of the wondrous cross You endured for me.
Lord, there is no greater love but Yours. There is no greater Word but Yours. There is no greater abundance of mercy and grace but Yours towards Your people. There is no greater relationship but the one I get to have with You.
Never cease to fill me with Your Spirit, and never let me dim the bright and beautiful glory of the gospel.
Please don't let me forget that I am involved in the greatest Story ever told, and that there was nothing I did to be a part of it.
Don't let me brush over the gospel, over your death, over your resurrection - as though they are mere facts that simply define who I am today. Let them be all that I am not - which is everything.
I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian - or even a 212 degree Christian. Make me a flame that constantly is growing and burning brighter. Make my passion for You consume me, and let the gospel be the oxygen for my fire.
I want to sing your praises when I get up in the morning, when I work, when I play, when I cry, when I smile, when I sleep.
Don't ever let me belittle Your love for me, for there is no greater love than someone who lays down his life for his friends. That is what you did, Jesus! Was there no life more valuable than Yours? And yet You freely gave of it to redeem my poor and wretched soul. For you know that is what I am, Father, and yet You still love me more than I can imagine.
Don't let Your Word go through one ear and out the other. Let me hold onto it, cherish it, nuture it. It is the Word of my Father, my God, and my King.
Fill me with such awe and amazement for Your love for me that I have no other thoughts but for You. Keep me in raptures, Lord, and keep me ever full of joy because of the wondrous cross You endured for me.
Lord, there is no greater love but Yours. There is no greater Word but Yours. There is no greater abundance of mercy and grace but Yours towards Your people. There is no greater relationship but the one I get to have with You.
Never cease to fill me with Your Spirit, and never let me dim the bright and beautiful glory of the gospel.
Monday, May 7, 2012
A Cry of Relinquishment
Precious Father,
I am not my own. Take me as you will. Use me as you will. Use all of me, to my very last breath.
I don't want to be the item used only once a month and put on the shelf at all other times. Use me every day, hour, and minute.
It's been said that Christians are broken pots that shine your light through the cracks. Father, I don't care how cracked and broken I am as long as more of Your light shines through!! Break me more, Crack me more, in order to display Your glory!!
I don't want part of my life to be devoted to You. I want it all!! I surrender that which is not even mine to give.
Exhaust me with opportunities to proclaim Your wondrous name. I want to be weary with the gospel, if that possibility even exists.
Transform me, create me, and change me into someone I am not. Let others see You, and not me.
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, LORD, to Thee!! Take it all, Jesus!!! Don't let any part of my life be for my personal use.
Give me trials, give me suffering, for then I will become more like Christ - the greatest privelege ever given to mankind!!
Take my voice, my dreams, my ambition - and use them as Thou shalt choose!! Let me sing always and only for my King!!
Let me love others with the greatest love that only comes from You. Let me give everything I possess for the sake of Your name because I already have all I need in You!! Become my all in all, Lord Jesus!!
Take my will, and make it Thine!! May I only strive to do what You deem fit!!
May I never retire from Your work, but rather press on for the sake of Your glory!!
When I reach the glorious gates, may I hear You say, "Well done, my good and faithful daughter!" And I will reply: "It was all for Your sake and by Your grace, my Father!!"
Take it all, Lord. Take it all. It is already Yours.
I am not my own. Take me as you will. Use me as you will. Use all of me, to my very last breath.
I don't want to be the item used only once a month and put on the shelf at all other times. Use me every day, hour, and minute.
It's been said that Christians are broken pots that shine your light through the cracks. Father, I don't care how cracked and broken I am as long as more of Your light shines through!! Break me more, Crack me more, in order to display Your glory!!
I don't want part of my life to be devoted to You. I want it all!! I surrender that which is not even mine to give.
Exhaust me with opportunities to proclaim Your wondrous name. I want to be weary with the gospel, if that possibility even exists.
Transform me, create me, and change me into someone I am not. Let others see You, and not me.
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, LORD, to Thee!! Take it all, Jesus!!! Don't let any part of my life be for my personal use.
Give me trials, give me suffering, for then I will become more like Christ - the greatest privelege ever given to mankind!!
Take my voice, my dreams, my ambition - and use them as Thou shalt choose!! Let me sing always and only for my King!!
Let me love others with the greatest love that only comes from You. Let me give everything I possess for the sake of Your name because I already have all I need in You!! Become my all in all, Lord Jesus!!
Take my will, and make it Thine!! May I only strive to do what You deem fit!!
May I never retire from Your work, but rather press on for the sake of Your glory!!
When I reach the glorious gates, may I hear You say, "Well done, my good and faithful daughter!" And I will reply: "It was all for Your sake and by Your grace, my Father!!"
Take it all, Lord. Take it all. It is already Yours.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Habits
Habits are a funny thing. Dictionary.com defines them as, "an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary". So you do something so many times that you don't even realize that you do it anymore. Cool. That's all fine and dandy - until sin comes along.
Sin, with its pull on you like gravity can break any habit at any time...especially if it is spiritually-related, such as reading your Bible or praying. And once a habit is broken it can become extremely hard to put back in its "involuntary" place. I used to describe my Christian walk as always taking two steps forward and one step back. Now I believe it can be more accurately depicted as taking two steps forward, completely forgetting how to walk, learning how to walk again, taking two baby steps forward - and then repeating this cycle over and over again. When you are in the grip hold of sin and the devil sometimes you forget who you even are, or who God created you to be.
When we are in the throws of sin, it can be a nasty place - and we can become nasty people because of it. I have my good days and I have my bad days. The bad days reveal that I am still a sinner and have not reached heaven yet, and the good days reveal that I have a Savior whose grace is more than enough to keep me from falling. I completely agree with Paul when he says, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15). As Christians we want to serve and obey God but because of our sin we do not always (or usually ever) complete that desire.
This is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday, and if you're like me you'll probably have to punch yourself with the gospel everyday. This is why we must have a fierce determination to actively oppose Satan and his lies and to live for Christ as soon as we get up in the morning. This is why the Christian life is called a battle and a race because it calls for strength, stamina, courage, determination, endurance, grit, and hope.
My parents have this contraption - don't ask me what it's called - where you hang upside down. Weird, right? Well I didn't think it was that cool until I realized the purpose behind it. And that was to be Batman. Just kidding. The reason for this thing is to benefit your spine. Apparently, throughout the day, gravity pulls down on your spine so that all your discs become crunched together - probably causing pain and tightness on the nerves. Terrible, I know. But by hanging upside down at the end of the day for 5-10 minutes, it elongates your spine and (supposedly) puts it back in the correct position. I don't really know how well this thing works - all I get is a headache whenever I use it so I wouldn't advise purchasing it.
Anyway, what that contraption thing supposedly does for your spine is what the Word of God really does for us. Earlier I said that sin pulls on you like gravity, and it's true. It's always with you everywhere you go, and it affects every human being. It causes pain and disorder among your soul, whereas gravity does it to your body. Being in God's Word daily, hourly, minutely - that is what is going to bring relief.
Paul also says in Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind". As Christians we have already been transformed tremendously through the miracle of salvation, but we are to be continually transformed and renewed daily. One of the definitions for renew is, "to make effective for an additional period." That means that we have to keep on renewing ourselves, implying repeated renewing, and we can become even more new through excessive renewing!!
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to "Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Sometimes we will have to press on, and sometimes we will have to body slam our way through the race - either way Christ is indeed Immanuel - God with us. And when we fall or when we forget, He never fails to pick us up and remind us of His promises. When we have no strength, "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29).
"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father! Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth! Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow! Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!" Even though I constantly fail to be faithful, YOU never are!!! Thank you, Blessed Savior!!
Sin, with its pull on you like gravity can break any habit at any time...especially if it is spiritually-related, such as reading your Bible or praying. And once a habit is broken it can become extremely hard to put back in its "involuntary" place. I used to describe my Christian walk as always taking two steps forward and one step back. Now I believe it can be more accurately depicted as taking two steps forward, completely forgetting how to walk, learning how to walk again, taking two baby steps forward - and then repeating this cycle over and over again. When you are in the grip hold of sin and the devil sometimes you forget who you even are, or who God created you to be.
When we are in the throws of sin, it can be a nasty place - and we can become nasty people because of it. I have my good days and I have my bad days. The bad days reveal that I am still a sinner and have not reached heaven yet, and the good days reveal that I have a Savior whose grace is more than enough to keep me from falling. I completely agree with Paul when he says, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15). As Christians we want to serve and obey God but because of our sin we do not always (or usually ever) complete that desire.
This is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday, and if you're like me you'll probably have to punch yourself with the gospel everyday. This is why we must have a fierce determination to actively oppose Satan and his lies and to live for Christ as soon as we get up in the morning. This is why the Christian life is called a battle and a race because it calls for strength, stamina, courage, determination, endurance, grit, and hope.
My parents have this contraption - don't ask me what it's called - where you hang upside down. Weird, right? Well I didn't think it was that cool until I realized the purpose behind it. And that was to be Batman. Just kidding. The reason for this thing is to benefit your spine. Apparently, throughout the day, gravity pulls down on your spine so that all your discs become crunched together - probably causing pain and tightness on the nerves. Terrible, I know. But by hanging upside down at the end of the day for 5-10 minutes, it elongates your spine and (supposedly) puts it back in the correct position. I don't really know how well this thing works - all I get is a headache whenever I use it so I wouldn't advise purchasing it.
Anyway, what that contraption thing supposedly does for your spine is what the Word of God really does for us. Earlier I said that sin pulls on you like gravity, and it's true. It's always with you everywhere you go, and it affects every human being. It causes pain and disorder among your soul, whereas gravity does it to your body. Being in God's Word daily, hourly, minutely - that is what is going to bring relief.
Paul also says in Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind". As Christians we have already been transformed tremendously through the miracle of salvation, but we are to be continually transformed and renewed daily. One of the definitions for renew is, "to make effective for an additional period." That means that we have to keep on renewing ourselves, implying repeated renewing, and we can become even more new through excessive renewing!!
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to "Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Sometimes we will have to press on, and sometimes we will have to body slam our way through the race - either way Christ is indeed Immanuel - God with us. And when we fall or when we forget, He never fails to pick us up and remind us of His promises. When we have no strength, "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29).
"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father! Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth! Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow! Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!" Even though I constantly fail to be faithful, YOU never are!!! Thank you, Blessed Savior!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Running...to nowhere
The semester is over. Summer is here. For me, at least. For everyone else on the planet...well, probably not. I have spent the last few days just chilling and enjoying doing things that I didn't get to do whilst in college - reading, writing, exercising, sunbathing...etc. etc. But now I feel like I'm at a standstill.
I'm at a standstill in so many ways - with relationships, with work, with writing (it's taking all my effort just to type this up), with my ambition, and the list goes on. It's not that I don't want to do those things - it's not that I'm apathetic - but I just can't. God has put them all on hold it seems. I want to be running, but I feel like I'm being kept under lock and key. I want my relationships to progress, I want to already be a concert performer, I want to be working. I want to be doing.
I tell myself it's probably just because college life moves so fast and now home life feels so slow in comparison. But I don't think that's the real reason. God has stopped (or not even started to begin with) a lot of things in my life. And I don't know why. All I can do is just wait.
I want to tell God, "Hey, are we on the same time zone? Cause um, I don't have a lot of time. Do you need a new watch?" Now I sound like the impatient whiner...which is what I am most of the time. Those questions are just foolish because God knows what He's doing; He's the author of time.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Right now I feel like I could sprint a marathon faster than ever, but yet the ground has been taken out from under me so in reality I'm not getting anywhere. I always hated running on treadmills because I never felt like I made any progress...and that's what I feel like right now. I'm like a runner all prepped up to go, muscles tensed, heart pounding, ready for the race - but there's no whistle. And I keep waiting for it, but it never blows. Eventually I tire of being in the ready stance and I become lazy.
But the Bible does not allow for us to become lazy. Mark 13:32-33 says, "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come." We must be vigilant to always be on the watch for Christ and his return.
The Bible also commands us to wait upon the Lord - implying that there will be times when we will have to wait for Him. When His timing will not coincide with our timing.
Psalm 37:7 says, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him". Be still. What a hard thing to do when it seems as though the rest of the world is moving fast and you aren't moving at all.
In Hebrews it tells us of our reward if we are patient: "And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through and patience inherit the promises." We will inherit God's promises if we have faith and are patient!! That is something that I can settle for. :)
I'm at a standstill in so many ways - with relationships, with work, with writing (it's taking all my effort just to type this up), with my ambition, and the list goes on. It's not that I don't want to do those things - it's not that I'm apathetic - but I just can't. God has put them all on hold it seems. I want to be running, but I feel like I'm being kept under lock and key. I want my relationships to progress, I want to already be a concert performer, I want to be working. I want to be doing.
I tell myself it's probably just because college life moves so fast and now home life feels so slow in comparison. But I don't think that's the real reason. God has stopped (or not even started to begin with) a lot of things in my life. And I don't know why. All I can do is just wait.
I want to tell God, "Hey, are we on the same time zone? Cause um, I don't have a lot of time. Do you need a new watch?" Now I sound like the impatient whiner...which is what I am most of the time. Those questions are just foolish because God knows what He's doing; He's the author of time.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Right now I feel like I could sprint a marathon faster than ever, but yet the ground has been taken out from under me so in reality I'm not getting anywhere. I always hated running on treadmills because I never felt like I made any progress...and that's what I feel like right now. I'm like a runner all prepped up to go, muscles tensed, heart pounding, ready for the race - but there's no whistle. And I keep waiting for it, but it never blows. Eventually I tire of being in the ready stance and I become lazy.
But the Bible does not allow for us to become lazy. Mark 13:32-33 says, "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come." We must be vigilant to always be on the watch for Christ and his return.
The Bible also commands us to wait upon the Lord - implying that there will be times when we will have to wait for Him. When His timing will not coincide with our timing.
Psalm 37:7 says, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him". Be still. What a hard thing to do when it seems as though the rest of the world is moving fast and you aren't moving at all.
In Hebrews it tells us of our reward if we are patient: "And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through and patience inherit the promises." We will inherit God's promises if we have faith and are patient!! That is something that I can settle for. :)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Blinders
I always thought that blinders were one of the meanest things you could do to a horse. I mean, you just make them run without letting them see anything except for what's right in front of them? That's no way to go through life - they are trapped in their own little world.
But yet, don't we have blinders of our own - blinders that we willingly strap onto ourselves? Think about it. Why don't we get involved in other people's problems, or why don't we see the beauty of Creation? Lately I have been studying the idea of Individualism, and how it has become something so promoted by the world. "Just be yourself, and don't let anyone or anything define you."
WHAT? Ok, really - does that mean I just don't let anything influence me? I don't build deep enough relationships so that people won't make an impact, because I want to be my own person?!?
Anyways, someone brought up the piercing fact that we don't even notice people in public places, such as grocery stores. That cut me to the heart because I know it's true in my life. We're just blazing through our little mission list, charging with our heads down and cart wheels screeching as we try to get the chore done as fast as possible. It seems almost comical if you can picture it. Why do we do that? Why do we not even look at the people that we pass in the aisle, and only mumble an acknowledgement to the cashier?
The pride and selfishness that is so deeply sewn into our hearts has no problem with whipping up a few blinders to keep us in our own little kingdom. And to be honest, it's really easier to just keep to yourself. Engaging others requires effort. But is it really the better thing to do in the end? Nope. Let me tell you a story.
So the following night after that person made that piercing comment I went - go figure - to Kroger. It probably would have turned out just like any other grocery store dash had I not had that comment stuck in my brain, so I was determined to make it different. I did not come outright and say hello to everyone I saw, but I did smile and acknowledged everyone. My countenance was different than usual when searching for a certain type of cheese. Because of this a man made a comment to me about orange juice. The cashier thought he knew me from somewhere (which was unfortunately not true). And because I noticed everyone in the store, I recognized an old friend from high school, and we were able to talk for a bit. In the end I left Kroger even more happy than I was upon entering it, if that could be possible.
Moral of the story: don't let the blinders ever be strapped to you. Everywhere there are people begging to be noticed, appreciated, acknowledged, etc. If you put effort into people, you'll be the better off for it. And Kroger's not such a bad place after all. :)
But yet, don't we have blinders of our own - blinders that we willingly strap onto ourselves? Think about it. Why don't we get involved in other people's problems, or why don't we see the beauty of Creation? Lately I have been studying the idea of Individualism, and how it has become something so promoted by the world. "Just be yourself, and don't let anyone or anything define you."
WHAT? Ok, really - does that mean I just don't let anything influence me? I don't build deep enough relationships so that people won't make an impact, because I want to be my own person?!?
Anyways, someone brought up the piercing fact that we don't even notice people in public places, such as grocery stores. That cut me to the heart because I know it's true in my life. We're just blazing through our little mission list, charging with our heads down and cart wheels screeching as we try to get the chore done as fast as possible. It seems almost comical if you can picture it. Why do we do that? Why do we not even look at the people that we pass in the aisle, and only mumble an acknowledgement to the cashier?
The pride and selfishness that is so deeply sewn into our hearts has no problem with whipping up a few blinders to keep us in our own little kingdom. And to be honest, it's really easier to just keep to yourself. Engaging others requires effort. But is it really the better thing to do in the end? Nope. Let me tell you a story.
So the following night after that person made that piercing comment I went - go figure - to Kroger. It probably would have turned out just like any other grocery store dash had I not had that comment stuck in my brain, so I was determined to make it different. I did not come outright and say hello to everyone I saw, but I did smile and acknowledged everyone. My countenance was different than usual when searching for a certain type of cheese. Because of this a man made a comment to me about orange juice. The cashier thought he knew me from somewhere (which was unfortunately not true). And because I noticed everyone in the store, I recognized an old friend from high school, and we were able to talk for a bit. In the end I left Kroger even more happy than I was upon entering it, if that could be possible.
Moral of the story: don't let the blinders ever be strapped to you. Everywhere there are people begging to be noticed, appreciated, acknowledged, etc. If you put effort into people, you'll be the better off for it. And Kroger's not such a bad place after all. :)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Playing it Safe
As I have gotten older, everyone asks me - "So what's your game plan? What do you intend to do with your life?" A year ago, when I told them that I was going to major in Vocal Performance, they replied (after first having a suppressed look of shock and disdain): "Well what do you want to do with that after college??" I always answered back with some form of teaching, or grad school...you know, the usual answers. I knew I had already lost them by my major choice. (And by "them", I don't mean any specific group of people; it's pretty much everyone I come into contact with). I didn't dare tell them what I really wanted to do: Perform. In any way possible in order that Christ was given glory, and to proclaim his name through music throughout all the earth. I knew I would've gotten an interrogation as to how I was going to go about doing that.
Now that I've finished my first year of college (and my Vocal Performance major still intact), I have many more "outlandish" goals of what I want to do with my life. I believe I shall never tell anyone of many of them, because I would only be brought down by the "money talk" or the "God's will talk". I have no want of money, except to complete my ambitions and to stay alive, and since all of my goals are ministry-oriented, I believe that they all are from God.
But why am I interrogated so on my future? Those who major in Business, or Education, or something otherwise respectable, do not receive such talks (or at least not at this intensity).
This is a result of what I call the "playing it safe" life plan. Since I do not possess this plan, I freak out others who cling to it tightly. They fear for me even though I do not fear for myself.
So what does this plan entail? Let me list of some characteristics: lack of faith and trust in God, fear, worry, lack of perspective, love of worldly things, apathy, and probably many others, but these are just a few. Not all of these characteristics are present in everyone's "playing it safe" plan, but many of them are.
I believe that many people have worried about my life a great deal more than I have. And I do not believe that is because I am naive to the world, but rather that I know that God will bring me in, through, and out of any circumstance. I know full well that I may not get a job after college, and I could literally become someone who lives on the streets someday. But so could someone who is obtaining a mechanical engineering degree. Someone told me once that "safety is an illusion" - which is so true. Luke 12:22-40 says:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Now that I've finished my first year of college (and my Vocal Performance major still intact), I have many more "outlandish" goals of what I want to do with my life. I believe I shall never tell anyone of many of them, because I would only be brought down by the "money talk" or the "God's will talk". I have no want of money, except to complete my ambitions and to stay alive, and since all of my goals are ministry-oriented, I believe that they all are from God.
But why am I interrogated so on my future? Those who major in Business, or Education, or something otherwise respectable, do not receive such talks (or at least not at this intensity).
This is a result of what I call the "playing it safe" life plan. Since I do not possess this plan, I freak out others who cling to it tightly. They fear for me even though I do not fear for myself.
So what does this plan entail? Let me list of some characteristics: lack of faith and trust in God, fear, worry, lack of perspective, love of worldly things, apathy, and probably many others, but these are just a few. Not all of these characteristics are present in everyone's "playing it safe" plan, but many of them are.
I believe that many people have worried about my life a great deal more than I have. And I do not believe that is because I am naive to the world, but rather that I know that God will bring me in, through, and out of any circumstance. I know full well that I may not get a job after college, and I could literally become someone who lives on the streets someday. But so could someone who is obtaining a mechanical engineering degree. Someone told me once that "safety is an illusion" - which is so true. Luke 12:22-40 says:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
We do not know when we will die - so why not live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord? No matter how much we worry over our lives, we will not add a single hour to them. Verse 31 says to seek God's kingdom first, and everything will be given to you. Our perspective must always be for Christ and His Kingdom, and for His final return.
I am not meaning to bash those who "play it safe" - but rather open their eyes to a new freedom that comes from being a Christian! Those who are in Christ should be the most free with their time, money, health, relationships - because they understand that none of it was theirs to begin with!!
In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis writes about Aslan, "He's not safe, but He's good." That is what a life with Christ is like!!! We will not always feel safe and secure, but if we hand our lives over to Him He will take us places that we never dreamed of going to! We don't have to make sure that everything is in place; that we're choosing the right career, making enough money, marrying the right person - because He will allow everything to fall in place in His correct timing!! It's like choosing between having to drive a dingy little car the same small route everyday, or hopping into the back seat of a limousine with the most accredited chauffeur in the driver's seat. Do you want to be the one constantly stressing that your car won't make it each day through your boring route? Or do you want to trust the limo driver even though you can't always see where He's going? Trust me, the limo driver will take you down roads you didn't know existed and show you things you never could have even imagined.
At nine years old, I never thought I'd be going to an amazing private Christian college for Vocal Performance (and actually be able to afford it). But that was when the Lord gave me the ambition to sing and perform for Him, and since then He's opened all the doors for me. I trust Him that He will continue to do that. Now I'm just someone who wants to give something of the gifts that I've been given back to the Giver; not because I feel like I ought to, but because I want to. And it sure hasn't felt comfortable and easygoing the whole time, but it has been excellent and good and glorious - because I'm fulfilling who God has called me to be.
The Christian walk isn't about making sure that we've taken each step properly according to somebody's definition; it's about giving God the reins and just hopping along for the ride, however crazy it might get - because He's not a tame Lion.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Actively Passive
I love paradoxes. They are the story of salvation.
Tonight I heard the statement, "Jesus fixes all our problems when we trust Him, and then we can just enjoy life." We don't have to try to enjoy life - we just do when we focus on trusting Him with everything.
I love analogies as well. I'm going to use one right now.
As a vocalist, we have to be actively passive. In other words, we have to choose to be passive.
Our diaphragm is one of the main muscles that allows for breath flow within a phrase. It is attached to the bottom of the lungs and regulates how much air is being let out. The funny thing about the diaphragm though is that in order for it to work properly, it must relax. When you sing, you are not working that muscle, but rather letting it go free.
The problem is that when we sing we don't trust our diaphragm to regulate us throughout a phrase, and so we tense up and hold on to our breath - which only makes us lose it. But when we focus on letting the diaphragm do its job, then everything falls into place. Even though it feels like we're not in control anymore, we feel such a sense of freedom because something else is in control and all we have to do is trust it and come along for the ride.
Now you can see where this is going.
Jesus Christ is our diaphragm. He is our anchor that guides us through life, if we would only trust him. When we take our eyes off of Him like Peter did, and see the winds and waves of this world, we become fearful and we try to find refuge in our own strength - only to fail again. Matthew 10:39 says, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Our life is not our own, and freedom will only come through conscious surrender.
And even though giving our life over to Christ may seem like a rollercoaster, if we trust Him it'll turn out to be the best ride we've ever ridden. He may not "fix our problems" like how we expect - but that's the fun of it. Just like the diaphragm, we must dive off into the abyss and trust Him to carry us through. Just don't be surprised when He takes you someplace you could've never even imagined. :)
Tonight I heard the statement, "Jesus fixes all our problems when we trust Him, and then we can just enjoy life." We don't have to try to enjoy life - we just do when we focus on trusting Him with everything.
I love analogies as well. I'm going to use one right now.
As a vocalist, we have to be actively passive. In other words, we have to choose to be passive.
Our diaphragm is one of the main muscles that allows for breath flow within a phrase. It is attached to the bottom of the lungs and regulates how much air is being let out. The funny thing about the diaphragm though is that in order for it to work properly, it must relax. When you sing, you are not working that muscle, but rather letting it go free.
The problem is that when we sing we don't trust our diaphragm to regulate us throughout a phrase, and so we tense up and hold on to our breath - which only makes us lose it. But when we focus on letting the diaphragm do its job, then everything falls into place. Even though it feels like we're not in control anymore, we feel such a sense of freedom because something else is in control and all we have to do is trust it and come along for the ride.
Now you can see where this is going.
Jesus Christ is our diaphragm. He is our anchor that guides us through life, if we would only trust him. When we take our eyes off of Him like Peter did, and see the winds and waves of this world, we become fearful and we try to find refuge in our own strength - only to fail again. Matthew 10:39 says, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Our life is not our own, and freedom will only come through conscious surrender.
And even though giving our life over to Christ may seem like a rollercoaster, if we trust Him it'll turn out to be the best ride we've ever ridden. He may not "fix our problems" like how we expect - but that's the fun of it. Just like the diaphragm, we must dive off into the abyss and trust Him to carry us through. Just don't be surprised when He takes you someplace you could've never even imagined. :)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Poetic interpretations of my paradoxical ironic life
Since I also have been writing songs for the past half of my life, I thought I would post some up here. Only when it is the appropriate occassion of course.
This song is called "Pity Party Kick-off" - and yes, it is supposed to be satirical. It makes me laugh at myself when I like to grumble in my little closet of doom and gloom. If performed, it would be accompanied by a 300 year-old violin that is out of tune with itself, and the occasional scrape of nails on a blackboard choked with chalk. Enjoy.
It's like lemonade that's only sour
Being sweaty and nasty without a shower
It's like being stuck in traffic during rush hour
And being in a house without power
Turn the lights off
Bring the thunderclouds on
It's my pity-party kick-off
Anybody wanna come?
We'll drink from our tears
Hey maybe this one will last for years
But let's not be optimistic
Cause it's the law of physics
That what goes up must come down
It's the story of my life I've found
This song is called "Pity Party Kick-off" - and yes, it is supposed to be satirical. It makes me laugh at myself when I like to grumble in my little closet of doom and gloom. If performed, it would be accompanied by a 300 year-old violin that is out of tune with itself, and the occasional scrape of nails on a blackboard choked with chalk. Enjoy.
It's like lemonade that's only sour
Being sweaty and nasty without a shower
It's like being stuck in traffic during rush hour
And being in a house without power
Turn the lights off
Bring the thunderclouds on
It's my pity-party kick-off
Anybody wanna come?
We'll drink from our tears
Hey maybe this one will last for years
But let's not be optimistic
Cause it's the law of physics
That what goes up must come down
It's the story of my life I've found
Friday, March 16, 2012
NOTHING/EVERYTHING
I am Nothing.
Easy to say, hard to believe.
I have no part or share in my salvation.
I cannot fulfill anything on my own.
I am of no matter or significance.
I have no value, worth, or meaning.
God is Everything.
Easy to say, hard to believe.
He contains the entirety of the universe.
He is a great deal, something extremely important.
Nothing finds its ultimate fulfillment in Everything.
Eternity will never outlive Everything and everything that Everything lives and stands for.
Everything cannot help but encompass and surround Nothing.
Therefore, Nothing now becomes Something through the grace of having Everything present in its life.
Easy to say, hard to believe.
I have no part or share in my salvation.
I cannot fulfill anything on my own.
I am of no matter or significance.
I have no value, worth, or meaning.
God is Everything.
Easy to say, hard to believe.
He contains the entirety of the universe.
He is a great deal, something extremely important.
Nothing finds its ultimate fulfillment in Everything.
Eternity will never outlive Everything and everything that Everything lives and stands for.
Everything cannot help but encompass and surround Nothing.
Therefore, Nothing now becomes Something through the grace of having Everything present in its life.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Stagnation = Gross; Separation; Illusion
According to dictionary.com, the word "stagnation" has several meanings. The first is, "having stopped, as by ceasing to run or flow"; another is, "a foulness or staleness, as one emanating from a standing pool of water". Another appropriate definition is: "a failure to develop, progress, or advance."
When I think of the word, "stagnation", I typically think of stagnant water - and how gross that is so I usually quit thinking about it after a few seconds. But today I have forced myself to maintain my thoughts on that unpleasant subject. What causes the stagnation? If it is a ceasing to flow, then what causes that cease?
The most common way for water to stop flowing is for something to be blocking its passage. Because of the blockage, the water loses its movement and energy and therefore starts building up bacteria that creates that nasty odor. Yay, Biology.
So how does this apply to life, you say? I have been experiencing what I believe to be stagnation in my life for some time now. I haven't had anything new and exciting pop up, or experienced some recent trauma, so what is the Lord doing with my life? I know that I'm a Christian, but I don't necessarily have a burning fire about to explode inside me 24/7. I'm in a second-semester slump where I don't really want to keep doing school, but I don't really want to go back home either because I will miss all the people from college. I go to church and listen to the messages, but none of them really move and change me. I want to be revitalized in my calling but I don't know how.
When you feel such a sort of separation from God, your first instinct should be to ask the question, "What is causing this stagnation?" Is there some build-up in my life (SIN) that is keeping me at a distance from my Lord? For sin is what caused the gap in the first place.
In my case, I do not believe there is one (or many) overarching sins that are bringing down my relationship with my Father. So why do I still feel like the Lord's not actively involved in my life everyday? Why do I feel as though I'm getting older but not growing?
I believe that every child of God goes through times like these. The thought to maintain during these times is that stagnation is an illusion. The Lord has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
One of my favorite passages from any of the Chronicles of Narnia books is from The Horse and His Boy. Aslan is conversing with Shasta for the first time, and the boy is telling Aslan how it was so terrible to meet so many lions along his journey - and Aslan tells Shasta that there was only one lion. Shasta asks, "How do you know?". Aslan replies, "I was the lion. I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the horses new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you."
Even though it seems like God is not involved or at work in our lives at times, He always is there, even if it is in the sneakiest of ways - or we are just blind to it all. :)
Yesterday I was taking a nap outside and I happened to get a slight sunburn on the caput longum and caput laterae in the tricipitus brachii area of my left arm. Yes, specifics are important (and apparently so is Biology today). Someone asked me if I had put on sunscreen before, and I said no. The sun wasn't too hot, and I rarely ever burn, and I'm pretty sure I've never actually owned sunscreen in my life before. Anyways, (this is going somewhere, trust me), what was interesting was that I never really felt the sun on that certain area of my arm, or anywhere on my body really. It wasn't like I was constantly feeling the sun schorching and searing my skin over a 40-minute time period.
But nevertheless, it was there wasn't it? The sun didn't just come out one second, zap my tricep, and then disappear again, did it? No, of course not. The sun was there the whole time, shining brightly and doing its thing, and I was well unaware of the affect it was having on my arm. I actually didn't even realize that I had the burn until a friend pointed it out to me. And sure enough, it was significantly hotter and pinker than the rest of my skin. I would've taken a picture of it, but it's kinda hard to angle a camera at that part of your arm, you know? Oh the troubles I go through.
Anyways, the point of this analogy is to show that even though we may not feel it, God is constantly working in us, to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). He may be starting a fire in a way such that we won't begin to feel the heat until it has already ignited and takes hold of our very being.
Sanctus Real has a song called, "Whatever You're Doing", and the title implies that the author doesn't really know what God is doing in his life, but as the chorus says: "It's hard to surrender to what I can't see / But I'm giving into something Heavenly." Most of the time we cannot understand what God has in store for us, and we never fully will until we reach paradise.
Stagnation occuring in water is simply gross. Stagnation can also be misread as a separation from God which is caused by our sin. If it is neither of these two areas, stagnation is an illusion. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you, and the Holy Spirit is and will always be at work within you. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
And with that, I'll leave you to your work, Lord Jesus!
When I think of the word, "stagnation", I typically think of stagnant water - and how gross that is so I usually quit thinking about it after a few seconds. But today I have forced myself to maintain my thoughts on that unpleasant subject. What causes the stagnation? If it is a ceasing to flow, then what causes that cease?
The most common way for water to stop flowing is for something to be blocking its passage. Because of the blockage, the water loses its movement and energy and therefore starts building up bacteria that creates that nasty odor. Yay, Biology.
So how does this apply to life, you say? I have been experiencing what I believe to be stagnation in my life for some time now. I haven't had anything new and exciting pop up, or experienced some recent trauma, so what is the Lord doing with my life? I know that I'm a Christian, but I don't necessarily have a burning fire about to explode inside me 24/7. I'm in a second-semester slump where I don't really want to keep doing school, but I don't really want to go back home either because I will miss all the people from college. I go to church and listen to the messages, but none of them really move and change me. I want to be revitalized in my calling but I don't know how.
When you feel such a sort of separation from God, your first instinct should be to ask the question, "What is causing this stagnation?" Is there some build-up in my life (SIN) that is keeping me at a distance from my Lord? For sin is what caused the gap in the first place.
In my case, I do not believe there is one (or many) overarching sins that are bringing down my relationship with my Father. So why do I still feel like the Lord's not actively involved in my life everyday? Why do I feel as though I'm getting older but not growing?
I believe that every child of God goes through times like these. The thought to maintain during these times is that stagnation is an illusion. The Lord has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
One of my favorite passages from any of the Chronicles of Narnia books is from The Horse and His Boy. Aslan is conversing with Shasta for the first time, and the boy is telling Aslan how it was so terrible to meet so many lions along his journey - and Aslan tells Shasta that there was only one lion. Shasta asks, "How do you know?". Aslan replies, "I was the lion. I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the horses new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you."
Even though it seems like God is not involved or at work in our lives at times, He always is there, even if it is in the sneakiest of ways - or we are just blind to it all. :)
Yesterday I was taking a nap outside and I happened to get a slight sunburn on the caput longum and caput laterae in the tricipitus brachii area of my left arm. Yes, specifics are important (and apparently so is Biology today). Someone asked me if I had put on sunscreen before, and I said no. The sun wasn't too hot, and I rarely ever burn, and I'm pretty sure I've never actually owned sunscreen in my life before. Anyways, (this is going somewhere, trust me), what was interesting was that I never really felt the sun on that certain area of my arm, or anywhere on my body really. It wasn't like I was constantly feeling the sun schorching and searing my skin over a 40-minute time period.
But nevertheless, it was there wasn't it? The sun didn't just come out one second, zap my tricep, and then disappear again, did it? No, of course not. The sun was there the whole time, shining brightly and doing its thing, and I was well unaware of the affect it was having on my arm. I actually didn't even realize that I had the burn until a friend pointed it out to me. And sure enough, it was significantly hotter and pinker than the rest of my skin. I would've taken a picture of it, but it's kinda hard to angle a camera at that part of your arm, you know? Oh the troubles I go through.
Anyways, the point of this analogy is to show that even though we may not feel it, God is constantly working in us, to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). He may be starting a fire in a way such that we won't begin to feel the heat until it has already ignited and takes hold of our very being.
Sanctus Real has a song called, "Whatever You're Doing", and the title implies that the author doesn't really know what God is doing in his life, but as the chorus says: "It's hard to surrender to what I can't see / But I'm giving into something Heavenly." Most of the time we cannot understand what God has in store for us, and we never fully will until we reach paradise.
Stagnation occuring in water is simply gross. Stagnation can also be misread as a separation from God which is caused by our sin. If it is neither of these two areas, stagnation is an illusion. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you, and the Holy Spirit is and will always be at work within you. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
And with that, I'll leave you to your work, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saint's Crossing
These last two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. Whew. God has revealed just a few tiny specks of His glorious plan to me, and I have been completely blown away. You know it's intense when I've actually prayed for the Lord to let up on me. Now that things have cooled down a bit I can actually get some of my racing thoughts in order. ;)
I've seen sorrows and griefs recently that I didn't expect I was going to experience until I was much older - and much more mature in my Christian walk. But a test is not a test unless it requires some difficulty, and God was surely testing my faith and the faith of those around me.
There was a point where I just wanted to pretend that it was all a dream. Some people told me that they just wanted to go home - but I didn't. I wanted to take my family and friends from around the world to a place where we could all just live together - separated from the evil and hurt of the world. Then I realized that this place that I was dreaming about was something that actually existed - Heaven. I wanted to go to my true home, with my true family.
The sorrows of this world should bring about the realization that this is not our home, and that as Christians we must continually be longing for the place where we will be with Christ forever.
On the way to church this morning, I noticed that one of the streets that we passed was called, "Saint's Crossing". I thought that was an interesting name for a road, and that maybe a road in Heaven should be called that. Then I realized that Every road would be "Saint's Crossing" in Heaven! The saints from the past, present, and future will be everywhere! What a glorious sight that will be! And all we will want or need or have to do is worship our Savior together! Imagine every Christian you ever met coming into one place and singing "Amazing Grace" a capella! I know that if that happened now, I would be on my knees, chocking back sobs for my Savior's love. But He will "wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4)!!! It is hard to even fathom what Heaven will be like. All I know is that I want to be there. I want God to just take me away to be with Him like Elijah - in a chariot of fire or whatever other means He wants to use.
Sigh. But for right now my Father wants me here, to do His good work and bring glory to His name. Which is perfectly fine with me. :)
I just want to close with two quotes from some praise songs:
"One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glories will shine! Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing - my Savior Jesus is mine! One day He's coming! Oh glorious day! Oh glorious day!" [Glorious Day - Casting Crowns]
"There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more - We'll see Jesus face to face! But until that day, we'll hold on to You always." [There Will Be a Day - Jeremy Camp]
I've seen sorrows and griefs recently that I didn't expect I was going to experience until I was much older - and much more mature in my Christian walk. But a test is not a test unless it requires some difficulty, and God was surely testing my faith and the faith of those around me.
There was a point where I just wanted to pretend that it was all a dream. Some people told me that they just wanted to go home - but I didn't. I wanted to take my family and friends from around the world to a place where we could all just live together - separated from the evil and hurt of the world. Then I realized that this place that I was dreaming about was something that actually existed - Heaven. I wanted to go to my true home, with my true family.
The sorrows of this world should bring about the realization that this is not our home, and that as Christians we must continually be longing for the place where we will be with Christ forever.
On the way to church this morning, I noticed that one of the streets that we passed was called, "Saint's Crossing". I thought that was an interesting name for a road, and that maybe a road in Heaven should be called that. Then I realized that Every road would be "Saint's Crossing" in Heaven! The saints from the past, present, and future will be everywhere! What a glorious sight that will be! And all we will want or need or have to do is worship our Savior together! Imagine every Christian you ever met coming into one place and singing "Amazing Grace" a capella! I know that if that happened now, I would be on my knees, chocking back sobs for my Savior's love. But He will "wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4)!!! It is hard to even fathom what Heaven will be like. All I know is that I want to be there. I want God to just take me away to be with Him like Elijah - in a chariot of fire or whatever other means He wants to use.
Sigh. But for right now my Father wants me here, to do His good work and bring glory to His name. Which is perfectly fine with me. :)
I just want to close with two quotes from some praise songs:
"One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glories will shine! Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing - my Savior Jesus is mine! One day He's coming! Oh glorious day! Oh glorious day!" [Glorious Day - Casting Crowns]
"There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more - We'll see Jesus face to face! But until that day, we'll hold on to You always." [There Will Be a Day - Jeremy Camp]
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Oh yeah! Thankfulness....
So I know that it's been a while since I've worked on my thankful alphabet. But it's probably time to start getting back into it. :) I've been thinking about the "H" one a lot recently, and my word for that is HOPE.
By this I mean the "hope of eternal life" described in Titus 3:7.
In Literature we have been recently studying Dante's Inferno, which basically describes Hell as a place without hope. Also known as the worst place you could possibly be. If you did not have hope, what is the point of living?
Hope is something that God gives to the Christian to keep them plodding along in their everyday lives. The promise of spending eternity with Jesus is usually well enough to get me motivated. Eternal life is the greatest gift we have received from our Heavenly Father, and the expectation of it makes life on earth worth living.
By this I mean the "hope of eternal life" described in Titus 3:7.
In Literature we have been recently studying Dante's Inferno, which basically describes Hell as a place without hope. Also known as the worst place you could possibly be. If you did not have hope, what is the point of living?
Hope is something that God gives to the Christian to keep them plodding along in their everyday lives. The promise of spending eternity with Jesus is usually well enough to get me motivated. Eternal life is the greatest gift we have received from our Heavenly Father, and the expectation of it makes life on earth worth living.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Pleroma
This culture is becoming more and more concerned with the phrase, "self-esteem". What does that even mean? According to dictionary.com (my favorite website ever), the word "esteem" means to "regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration". Therefore, if we have a proper level of self-esteem, that means that we put ourselves in high regard with much admiration. Sounds a bit fishy, doesn't it?
The phrase "self-esteem" actually originated with Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Self-esteem" does not come from the Bible. The Bible does not tell us to hold ourselves in high regard in order to find fulfillment. Quite the contrary, actually. In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
Living for Christ and keeping our eyes on the cross is the only way we will ever find fulfillment. We must be "cross-eyed", as my Sunday School teacher puts it. :) Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering he [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Not only do Christians find fulfillment in Christ when they are saved, but they are continually, eternally, and completely reconciled and fulfilled in Christ and His saving work!! Praise the Lord for the plan of the cross!!!
The Greek word "Pleroma" means to be completely and utterly fulfilled. In fact, it means to be even beyond fulfillment. Over-fulfillment. This is the word that is used in the Bible to describe what God does to the life of the Christian when He saved them by dying on the cross. Never can you find more abounding fullness than when you are engrossed in a relationship with someone who died for you.
These past few weeks my Father has been teaching me to lean upon Him in every circumstance, trial, emotion, etc. etc. etc. EVERYTHING! He wants to know about EVERYTHING in my life! Isn't that amazing?!??! I don't need to try and find fulfillment in my friends, boys, school, music, family, even my "faith" -- because my identity is with Christ! If I'm living and breathing with the Holy Spirit present in me 24/7....I won't need to turn to anything else for satisfaction, fulfillment, self-esteem, etc. etc. etc. :)
Now I want to go into all of the marvelous ways that God has orchestrated things in my life to continuously point me to finding my identity in Him. He does it with such detail, care and lovingkindness that I can't help but praise Him and smile with tears of utter joy.
Recently I have been reading an excellent book called, "Lady in Waiting" - it's about the awesomeness of being single woman the way that God intends for you to be. I just read the chapter about diligence, and the author says, "Do you believe that the abundant life is only for the married woman? Do you think that a woman with a husband, two children, a nice home, and two insurance policies is more satisfied with life than you are? Life is satisfying only when you diligently serve the Lord, whatever your circumstances." Wow. Well, that expels the thought of trying to find fulfillment in relationships/marriage.
Through God's providence I have also happened to be on the Chapel Worship Team this semester. I actually hadn't really thought about joining it until there was a need for another singer, and I was asked. I thought it would be an interesting experience since I've never sung with a praise band before, and so I said yes. Turns out that being a part of that group and singing on stage in Chapel every week has been one of the best things that has happened to me this semester so far. ("God moves in a mysterious way....") It has re-focused me on why I am doing what I am doing. My music at college has not necessarily always been self-centered, but neither has it been Christ-centered. I now am reminded every Tuesday morning that God is the one who has bestowed upon me my gift of singing, and that I should praise Him for it and consciously make every performance for His glory. Wow.
Those are just a few things the Lord's been showing me. I'll probably get some new glasses in a few days. :) He is so patient with me. I want to close with quotes from two songs:
The phrase "self-esteem" actually originated with Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Self-esteem" does not come from the Bible. The Bible does not tell us to hold ourselves in high regard in order to find fulfillment. Quite the contrary, actually. In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
Living for Christ and keeping our eyes on the cross is the only way we will ever find fulfillment. We must be "cross-eyed", as my Sunday School teacher puts it. :) Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering he [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Not only do Christians find fulfillment in Christ when they are saved, but they are continually, eternally, and completely reconciled and fulfilled in Christ and His saving work!! Praise the Lord for the plan of the cross!!!
The Greek word "Pleroma" means to be completely and utterly fulfilled. In fact, it means to be even beyond fulfillment. Over-fulfillment. This is the word that is used in the Bible to describe what God does to the life of the Christian when He saved them by dying on the cross. Never can you find more abounding fullness than when you are engrossed in a relationship with someone who died for you.
These past few weeks my Father has been teaching me to lean upon Him in every circumstance, trial, emotion, etc. etc. etc. EVERYTHING! He wants to know about EVERYTHING in my life! Isn't that amazing?!??! I don't need to try and find fulfillment in my friends, boys, school, music, family, even my "faith" -- because my identity is with Christ! If I'm living and breathing with the Holy Spirit present in me 24/7....I won't need to turn to anything else for satisfaction, fulfillment, self-esteem, etc. etc. etc. :)
Now I want to go into all of the marvelous ways that God has orchestrated things in my life to continuously point me to finding my identity in Him. He does it with such detail, care and lovingkindness that I can't help but praise Him and smile with tears of utter joy.
Recently I have been reading an excellent book called, "Lady in Waiting" - it's about the awesomeness of being single woman the way that God intends for you to be. I just read the chapter about diligence, and the author says, "Do you believe that the abundant life is only for the married woman? Do you think that a woman with a husband, two children, a nice home, and two insurance policies is more satisfied with life than you are? Life is satisfying only when you diligently serve the Lord, whatever your circumstances." Wow. Well, that expels the thought of trying to find fulfillment in relationships/marriage.
Through God's providence I have also happened to be on the Chapel Worship Team this semester. I actually hadn't really thought about joining it until there was a need for another singer, and I was asked. I thought it would be an interesting experience since I've never sung with a praise band before, and so I said yes. Turns out that being a part of that group and singing on stage in Chapel every week has been one of the best things that has happened to me this semester so far. ("God moves in a mysterious way....") It has re-focused me on why I am doing what I am doing. My music at college has not necessarily always been self-centered, but neither has it been Christ-centered. I now am reminded every Tuesday morning that God is the one who has bestowed upon me my gift of singing, and that I should praise Him for it and consciously make every performance for His glory. Wow.
Those are just a few things the Lord's been showing me. I'll probably get some new glasses in a few days. :) He is so patient with me. I want to close with quotes from two songs:
"All of my ambitions, hopes and plans, I surrender these into Your hands. For it's only in Your
will that I am free; Jesus, all I am and have an ever hope to be."
Also:
"You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore; You give the healing and
grace our hearts always hunger for. O, our hearts always hunger for."
MAY I ETERNALLY FIND FULFILLMENT IN YOU, O SAVIOUR!
Monday, January 23, 2012
April Showers bring May Flowers...
GROWTH
I mean two different forms of this word.
The first is spiritual growth. The fact that we do not have to be stagnant Christians is such a blessing. God reveals things to us everyday, and we are constantly learning.
The second is growth in nature. Even though it's January, it feels like spring right now. This also has to do with my beauty entry. Spring is my favorite season because of all the newness that it brings. It is analogous to the Christian life - we go through times of hardship and barrenness (winter), but eventually the Lord leads us through it and we come out as something beautiful.
The Ship of Friends
FRIENDSHIP
I'm so very thankful for the friends that the Lord has placed in my life. They are all so very different and unique, but for some reason I love them all, and they love me ;)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
"There's no business like show business!"
ENTERTAINMENT
The obvious reason I'm thankful for this is because without it, I would be out of a job. :)
But it also baffles me that Christ not only saved us from the penalty of sin, but He also doesn't make us work like slaves on this earth. We have so many joys and get to play so much and be entertained.
I love entertaining people. Right now I believe it's my calling, and where my talents lie. :)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Body Movement for the Glory of God
DANCE
Yup, I'm thankful for it. Not just because it's incredibly fun to do, but also for the connection it can provide with my Heavenly Father. A few days ago in Chapel the Dance Ministries group performed a piece that lifted my heart towards heaven, and provoked praises to my Lord.
It's mysterious how the arts draw us closer to the One who created us. I guess it has to do somewhat with the Beauty idea, and the fact that when we are creative we are imitating our Creator.
Dancing is one of my new discoveries of worship since I've been at college, and it's a wonderful way to praise His Name.
"Let them praise His name with dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and the harp."
Psalm 149:3
Gotta catch up on my thankfulness...
CONSCIOUSNESS
Yes, I am thankful that I am not in a coma. Ha Ha no I mean something totally different by this word. The past few days I have been wallowing in my own hardships...and the Lord has opened my eyes to the difficulties and trials of others - and they are so much bigger than mine!
My trials seem so puny compared to what I see in my friends' lives. This has caused me to stop grumbling (or at least try to) about my own petty hardships, and work on encouraging others.
Thank you, Lord, for making me conscious and aware of other people's trials in order that I may minister to them and forget myself.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"For the Beauty of the Earth"
BEAUTY
This is what I was thankful for yesterday. (Well I suppose I still am today, but yeah...whatever.)
Life is beautiful. Everywhere around you there is beauty. Not only in nature, but in people, words, actions, and circumstances.
It is said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." In a way this is true. If you look at the world as being created by a powerful and loving God, then you will see His plan for it and see it as beautiful. It is not perfect though; since the Fall it has been scarred and twisted by sin.
This is why we can look forward to heaven! It is the ultimate place of beauty and perfection!
Even though this world's beauty has its flaws, it points us to the day when we will never get tired, our faces will be without blemish, and we will sing perfectly and continuously praising our King!
Some beautiful things that I saw/discovered yesterday: A sunset, a hairstyle, God's infallible plan of salvation, a hug, and music theory. :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Lightbulb in the Gloom
Sometimes I receive little messages from my Heavenly Father (what I like to call 'lightbulbs') - they are not dissimilar to pulling my eyelids back a little farther in order for me to see things more clearly and properly.
I received a message today as I was walking in the gloomy doom (or doomy gloom?) on my way to my first class. It totally brightened my day. God showed me that I have so much to be thankful for.
So I know you're thinking, "WELL DUH!!!!! doesn't EVERYONE know that?!??!"
Well, yes, I see your point - but just because we "know" that we ought to be thankful, doesn't necessarily mean that we consciously are, or that we ever stop to ponder what we are actually thankful for.
I started praising God for all of his marvelous works in my life, and when I got into the Prayer Room later today I didn't know what to pray about. My mind baffles me sometimes.
My dad always told me that if you didn't know what to pray about, you could always go through the alphabet and think of a word for each letter on a topic that you wanted to pray about (i.e. God's attributes, people, etc.) I realized that this is what I should do for my prayer of thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to go through the entire alphabet at that time.
Actually, due to my spastic brain, I only got through the first letter.
But that is OK because now I have resolved to spend the next 36 days or so writing about one thing I am thankful for, corresponding with each letter of the alphabet. I will also finally discover how many letters are actually in the alphabet.
So, my word for today (the first day of this great adventure) is.......
ATONEMENT
Yeah, seriously, that's what popped into my head when I thought of the letter "A". And, like a lot of things that pop into my head, I feel as though I don't thoroughly know the meaning of this word.
So I looked up the definition on dicitonary.com (because that's where all the answers to your heart's desires are located), and the first definition was, "satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends".
I feel like this definition is somewhat satisfactory...except that the atonement that I'm talking about is on a much much much grander and more epic scale. The second definition (which was prefaced by the phrase, "sometimes initial capital letter: Theology") said, "the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ".
So that's pretty good for a website, but there's still so much more.
Romans 5:8-11 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
So in order for us to be saved from the WRATH of GOD, Jesus Christ had to SHED HIS BLOOD and DIE for us. Wow. Atonement is the beginning for all the other "theologically-sound words" such as "Justification", "Redemption", and "Sanctification". It describes the actual act of Christ mending the immense wrong in the world. Beautiful.
Atonement is definitely a word I'm going to use a lot now. It makes me think of a hymn but I can't remember it at present. When I think of it I can't help but be thankful for what Christ went through in order for my wretched person to be saved from wrath! Praise be his glorious and merciful name!
I received a message today as I was walking in the gloomy doom (or doomy gloom?) on my way to my first class. It totally brightened my day. God showed me that I have so much to be thankful for.
So I know you're thinking, "WELL DUH!!!!! doesn't EVERYONE know that?!??!"
Well, yes, I see your point - but just because we "know" that we ought to be thankful, doesn't necessarily mean that we consciously are, or that we ever stop to ponder what we are actually thankful for.
I started praising God for all of his marvelous works in my life, and when I got into the Prayer Room later today I didn't know what to pray about. My mind baffles me sometimes.
My dad always told me that if you didn't know what to pray about, you could always go through the alphabet and think of a word for each letter on a topic that you wanted to pray about (i.e. God's attributes, people, etc.) I realized that this is what I should do for my prayer of thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to go through the entire alphabet at that time.
Actually, due to my spastic brain, I only got through the first letter.
But that is OK because now I have resolved to spend the next 36 days or so writing about one thing I am thankful for, corresponding with each letter of the alphabet. I will also finally discover how many letters are actually in the alphabet.
So, my word for today (the first day of this great adventure) is.......
ATONEMENT
Yeah, seriously, that's what popped into my head when I thought of the letter "A". And, like a lot of things that pop into my head, I feel as though I don't thoroughly know the meaning of this word.
So I looked up the definition on dicitonary.com (because that's where all the answers to your heart's desires are located), and the first definition was, "satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends".
I feel like this definition is somewhat satisfactory...except that the atonement that I'm talking about is on a much much much grander and more epic scale. The second definition (which was prefaced by the phrase, "sometimes initial capital letter: Theology") said, "the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ".
So that's pretty good for a website, but there's still so much more.
Romans 5:8-11 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
So in order for us to be saved from the WRATH of GOD, Jesus Christ had to SHED HIS BLOOD and DIE for us. Wow. Atonement is the beginning for all the other "theologically-sound words" such as "Justification", "Redemption", and "Sanctification". It describes the actual act of Christ mending the immense wrong in the world. Beautiful.
Atonement is definitely a word I'm going to use a lot now. It makes me think of a hymn but I can't remember it at present. When I think of it I can't help but be thankful for what Christ went through in order for my wretched person to be saved from wrath! Praise be his glorious and merciful name!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
But What About the Polar Bears?
So I read somewhere the other day that clothes were invented with a dual purpose: to protect us from the weather and to symbolically cover our sin.
I thought about the Garden of Eden, and I had a question: Did God create winter/cold? Because if the world was perfect when God created it, then it must have been intended to remain perfect as long as an imperfection didn't enter the world. But in order for the world to be perfect, the trees must continually bear fruit so that man would not have to work for his food. So were the trees created impermeable to winter? Or was cold weather a product of sin? Sometimes I feel like it is ;)
Let's assume that God did create winter in a perfect world. Man would have to be resistant to cold (because he wouldn't have had clothes to protect him), or he would have had an impeccable immune system so that he would not get sick. The animals probably would have been created as we know them, because almost all of them were created with some sort of mechanism in order to protect them from the cold or avoid extinction. Like I said before, the trees would have to be impermeable to cold so that man could continually eat the fruit from them for food.
So continuing on our train of thought that God created winter, what would sin cause? Sin caused man to become weak and mortal so that he would need coverings and buildings to be protected from the weather. The trees would also be affected and would become withered and barren during the winter months.
But does the Bible give any evidence of this change occurring? Besides the fact that man became mortal and had to wear clothing after the Fall, there is nothing else that has been revealed to be true. If you know of a verse that may prove these statements, I would be delighted for you to inform me.
Now I know the question you all are wondering about: What about the Polar Bears? Yes, yes, I will answer it presently. I often have the problem of thinking that the perfect world that God created only entailed the Garden of Eden. That is not true because Genesis 1 says that man is to rule over "all the creatures". If the world was created perfect and God created cold, what about the cold weather animals? WHAT ABOUT THE POLAR BEARS??? Did they travel all the way to the Garden of Eden in order to be named by Adam? Wouldn't they have died if they did that?
Or if God did not create winter and it was thus caused by sin, were the polar bears caused by sin? This I know is not true, because evolution is not true and there is no evidence in the Bible that any animals were produced from sin, even spiders.
I thought about the Garden of Eden, and I had a question: Did God create winter/cold? Because if the world was perfect when God created it, then it must have been intended to remain perfect as long as an imperfection didn't enter the world. But in order for the world to be perfect, the trees must continually bear fruit so that man would not have to work for his food. So were the trees created impermeable to winter? Or was cold weather a product of sin? Sometimes I feel like it is ;)
Let's assume that God did create winter in a perfect world. Man would have to be resistant to cold (because he wouldn't have had clothes to protect him), or he would have had an impeccable immune system so that he would not get sick. The animals probably would have been created as we know them, because almost all of them were created with some sort of mechanism in order to protect them from the cold or avoid extinction. Like I said before, the trees would have to be impermeable to cold so that man could continually eat the fruit from them for food.
So continuing on our train of thought that God created winter, what would sin cause? Sin caused man to become weak and mortal so that he would need coverings and buildings to be protected from the weather. The trees would also be affected and would become withered and barren during the winter months.
But does the Bible give any evidence of this change occurring? Besides the fact that man became mortal and had to wear clothing after the Fall, there is nothing else that has been revealed to be true. If you know of a verse that may prove these statements, I would be delighted for you to inform me.
Now I know the question you all are wondering about: What about the Polar Bears? Yes, yes, I will answer it presently. I often have the problem of thinking that the perfect world that God created only entailed the Garden of Eden. That is not true because Genesis 1 says that man is to rule over "all the creatures". If the world was created perfect and God created cold, what about the cold weather animals? WHAT ABOUT THE POLAR BEARS??? Did they travel all the way to the Garden of Eden in order to be named by Adam? Wouldn't they have died if they did that?
Or if God did not create winter and it was thus caused by sin, were the polar bears caused by sin? This I know is not true, because evolution is not true and there is no evidence in the Bible that any animals were produced from sin, even spiders.
I will stop this philosophical argument here, as the only answer I have to my question is, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29). I am perfectly content with the mystery and awesomeness of God's power, plan, and polar bears. :D
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