Do you know that feeling, when someone near you is puffing on the nicotine-charged butt of a cigarette, and one feels like suffocating is unavoidable? When that stifling, putrid smell of the smoke is making you cough and fumes given off by the burnt end of the cigarette is causing your eyes to smart? I think it’s especially frustrating when the wind just happens to blow the wrong way, and I get the full inhalation of it pushed up my nose and throat. I’ve also heard, that second-hand smoking is supposed to be even worse for someone, than smoking themselves.
However, if one is exposed to a smoker’s environment for long enough, the smell is not as noticeable, and one doesn’t even cringe when the he lights one up. If I spend much time with the smoker, (thus placing myself once again in a cigarette-infested atmosphere) develop a strong bond or friendship with the person smoking, I am bound, out of the comfort of familiarity with the “smoker’s environment” if nothing else, to begin at length to start myself. Even if that doesn’t exactly happen, if I smell of smoke, am comfortable with smoke, and can be found in the setting of other smokers, I most likely will be considered, or taken for someone who smokes.
Isn’t it the same way with sin? If we are in the surroundings of those who are swearing, sinning extensively in major and unbridled ways; if we are found in these places, being a “second-hand smoker” we are even more endangering ourselves, than those already deep in wickedness. Our spiritual senses, such as the Holy Spirit, and our conscience grow calloused and slowly are silenced as we involve ourselves and grow friendly with the world.
(Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”)
We even look like unbelievers because there is not really a difference between us and them. Even the others “smokers” can’t tell us from one of them.
(James 4:4b “Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”)
God’s “senses” are much more sensitive, because He will not tolerate any sign of sin, and any of the stench. He is already sitting in the non-smoking section, and will not ever be enticed into stepping out into the place He is in. Here we see how we cannot have any sort of communication with Him, when He is perfect and clean and spotless, and we are just the opposite.
However, truth is---we can. If we keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” by keeping our senses sharp, and eyes open, our ears pricked, we can stay away from sin, and be able to have a relationship with Him. Not by our own works, but through Christ’s sacrifice, we can stand in the other room----the non-smoking room. Clothed in His white, sinless garments. :)
This week, I encourage you, to walk worthy of His calling, by keeping your senses sharp, and by distaining sin, as He distains it.
"Lord, help us to hate sin, and love you more. . ."
~Rand Hummel
Dec 28, 2010
Dec 23, 2010
Human Havoc and the Perfect Plan
We often, very often, question our loving God and His sovereign plan when we see suffering and catastrophes happen without interference. If He is all-powerful, and the Creator of all things, how can it still be possible that He is loving when He allows small children to be starving in third-world countries, and death to be rampant? Something about this picture of God seems wrong to our eyes, this much must be admitted.
And the question soon surfaces: Why doesn’t He stop the suffering? Why does He allow death and wickedness? Why, God, WHY?!
This question is very common, especially among unbelievers. This is the reason they take as the basis for their atheism.
And the real answer to this question is as blunt and respectless to man, as this question is to God: Why should God care about us in the first place? What right do we have to be so important, and a priority on God’s schedule? We, as a tiny, insignificant race of sinners, do not deserve anything. Nothing at all. Evil and sin entered into the new universe God created for us, when the first man and woman chose to disobey the rules God set down to protect us. God is definitely not responsible for the wrong choices of man, and to expect Him to repair them, and stop the man-made catastrophes is absurd.
Secondly, since when are we humans allowed to judge God? He has already told us that His ways aren’t our ways. And that His thoughts are not our thoughts! What looks wrong to us is just the wrong side of the picture. We are looking up at God’s plan, His intricate tapestry from the underside, wondering what God uses the dark threads of pain and death. They are for a purpose; they make the whole masterpiece more beautiful in the end, so when others look at it from the real side, they see the amazing work of your life, and glorify Him.
Lastly, God sends His precious only Son, to die for us. For the humans who destroyed his perfect earth that He made just for our existence and enjoyment so long ago. He loves us so much; so much. The only, the best way He could show His love for us was to sacrifice His most precious possession: the holy, perfect Son, to save us from the sin that was creating the havoc in our lives. Can you imagine a more difficult gift to present to us?
The single things He asks of us, is to trust Him. To love Him in return, by giving Him our own lives back to Him in service. He has no use of us, we are so small and ineffective, and yet He still does want to use us in His special plan. He even wants us to come to live in the perfect universe eventually, where He has freed all inhabitants of suffering and pain--- even death, if we can let ourselves be his instruments in this life. This short vapor of time. The rules He sets are not unfair, and not difficult to understand. Man wants more proof of God’s love, more interference with that sin-induced trouble, yet they aren’t willing to take that short step of blind faith to follow Him. Even though He has promised that freedom they desire, and even perfect happiness here on earth to those who are entirely in love with Him.
Humans are so sightless, thinking that they know everything, and already holding the key to life. Take a step back from yourself, view God for who He is---- enormous, unfathomable, and greatly to be praised---- and then decide if His plan is unplanned, or perfectly orchestrated by that loving God who wants to know you personally.
You decide.
And the question soon surfaces: Why doesn’t He stop the suffering? Why does He allow death and wickedness? Why, God, WHY?!
This question is very common, especially among unbelievers. This is the reason they take as the basis for their atheism.
And the real answer to this question is as blunt and respectless to man, as this question is to God: Why should God care about us in the first place? What right do we have to be so important, and a priority on God’s schedule? We, as a tiny, insignificant race of sinners, do not deserve anything. Nothing at all. Evil and sin entered into the new universe God created for us, when the first man and woman chose to disobey the rules God set down to protect us. God is definitely not responsible for the wrong choices of man, and to expect Him to repair them, and stop the man-made catastrophes is absurd.
Secondly, since when are we humans allowed to judge God? He has already told us that His ways aren’t our ways. And that His thoughts are not our thoughts! What looks wrong to us is just the wrong side of the picture. We are looking up at God’s plan, His intricate tapestry from the underside, wondering what God uses the dark threads of pain and death. They are for a purpose; they make the whole masterpiece more beautiful in the end, so when others look at it from the real side, they see the amazing work of your life, and glorify Him.
Lastly, God sends His precious only Son, to die for us. For the humans who destroyed his perfect earth that He made just for our existence and enjoyment so long ago. He loves us so much; so much. The only, the best way He could show His love for us was to sacrifice His most precious possession: the holy, perfect Son, to save us from the sin that was creating the havoc in our lives. Can you imagine a more difficult gift to present to us?
The single things He asks of us, is to trust Him. To love Him in return, by giving Him our own lives back to Him in service. He has no use of us, we are so small and ineffective, and yet He still does want to use us in His special plan. He even wants us to come to live in the perfect universe eventually, where He has freed all inhabitants of suffering and pain--- even death, if we can let ourselves be his instruments in this life. This short vapor of time. The rules He sets are not unfair, and not difficult to understand. Man wants more proof of God’s love, more interference with that sin-induced trouble, yet they aren’t willing to take that short step of blind faith to follow Him. Even though He has promised that freedom they desire, and even perfect happiness here on earth to those who are entirely in love with Him.
Humans are so sightless, thinking that they know everything, and already holding the key to life. Take a step back from yourself, view God for who He is---- enormous, unfathomable, and greatly to be praised---- and then decide if His plan is unplanned, or perfectly orchestrated by that loving God who wants to know you personally.
You decide.
Dec 21, 2010
The Room
This is an essay, written by a 17-year-old guy, Brian Moore, who died shortly thereafter. This a one teenager's view of heaven; very vividly depicted. And to think this was one of the last things he wrote. . .
"In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.
Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I Have Watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room.. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.
The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Though the sins we commit daily, seem so trivial and secretive, who knows how that opinion will change when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, holy, and blameless. It will all be revealed that day, and there will be no return, no reliving of that life. It's not about what we don't do---- it's all about what we do to walk worthy of His calling. May our thoughts and deeds of today bring a smile to His face.
"In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.
Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I Have Watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room.. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.
The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Though the sins we commit daily, seem so trivial and secretive, who knows how that opinion will change when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, holy, and blameless. It will all be revealed that day, and there will be no return, no reliving of that life. It's not about what we don't do---- it's all about what we do to walk worthy of His calling. May our thoughts and deeds of today bring a smile to His face.
Dec 20, 2010
Peacemaker: Mission Impossible?
When I think of peacemakers in Bible context, the first passage that comes to my mind is Matthew 5:9 where it says: „Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God“. In other words, this verse means that those who do take upon themselves the difficult task of “peacemaker” are showing themselves worthy of the title of `God’s children´. (Don’t forget, this means we are brothers and sisters to the Prince of Peace, Jesus!) Only in this one short statement, we already see the importance of this issue to God.
Being a peacemaker IS hard----(are you kidding?? Who ever said it was easy!?) at times it really does seem like “mission impossible.” Way too overwhelming. Way too much to be asked of someone.
And when I think of a peacemaker, someone comes to mind who separates the arguments manually, thus dissolving the tension. However, the truth is, the peacemaker isn’t only the one who pulls the brawlers apart, in fact, that isn’t truly a part of being one. What God is talking about in His Word, is choosing peace by refusing to argue back, or even just not verbalizing that one comment you know will cause a stir among your siblings or friends. Or for that matter, your enemies.
The real peacemaking is starting at the root---not waiting until the argument is in full swing. It lies in the first thoughts, words, and actions that trigger or intensify the situation.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1.
I know, I know. . .you think you know this already. :P But if you still think that “peacemaker” is too hard, you really don’t. I do get that it is a ton easier, and at the moment a lot more gratifying to lash out and give that person a taste of their own medicine. But that short-lived joy will turn to frustration and maybe even a maze of shattered relationships if it is take too far without restitution.
So the main thought here is: Sons and daughters of God ARE peacemakers. Take the challenge, and drive it to the extreme.
Extreme peacemaking. :)
James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Being a peacemaker IS hard----(are you kidding?? Who ever said it was easy!?) at times it really does seem like “mission impossible.” Way too overwhelming. Way too much to be asked of someone.
And when I think of a peacemaker, someone comes to mind who separates the arguments manually, thus dissolving the tension. However, the truth is, the peacemaker isn’t only the one who pulls the brawlers apart, in fact, that isn’t truly a part of being one. What God is talking about in His Word, is choosing peace by refusing to argue back, or even just not verbalizing that one comment you know will cause a stir among your siblings or friends. Or for that matter, your enemies.
The real peacemaking is starting at the root---not waiting until the argument is in full swing. It lies in the first thoughts, words, and actions that trigger or intensify the situation.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1.
I know, I know. . .you think you know this already. :P But if you still think that “peacemaker” is too hard, you really don’t. I do get that it is a ton easier, and at the moment a lot more gratifying to lash out and give that person a taste of their own medicine. But that short-lived joy will turn to frustration and maybe even a maze of shattered relationships if it is take too far without restitution.
So the main thought here is: Sons and daughters of God ARE peacemakers. Take the challenge, and drive it to the extreme.
Extreme peacemaking. :)
James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Dec 15, 2010
Preparing the Soil
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
-Matthew 13:3-8
We all should be familiar with this common parable. When I see it, I think of it as perfectly understandable that there are many different kinds of people worldwide accepting or denying salvation every day, and there are many ways they view the God’s message. My take on things, is that, it is an understandable part of life, and Christianity, to deny His gospel, but it doesn’t apply to me.
But the thing is-- it does.
This parable isn’t only talking about the salvation message that God wants to present to us, and already has given many. This section of God’s word is talking about preparing the “ground” of our hearts to receive His word every day. When we refuse or neglect to prepare the “soil”, God cannot use that message, that story, that person, to convict us of sin in our lives.
So, for starters: Don’t assume you are the good soil. It is a fault that many of us make; believing that only others will be the ones to reject or ignore the pricking conscience or the message. We have to take the opportunity to prepare out hearts and make the effort to put out the soil for the seed to take root.
Our friends’ or relatives’ opinions snatch away the seed like the birds did in the parable, when we decide that being popular is more important than sharing our faith. When we aren’t regularly going to church, and keeping our hearts tender toward His Word, there isn’t much soil in our heart to start with, like on the rocky ground. And when we aren’t cultivating those thoughts and decisions that we momentarily made, they can’t take root or grow into habits before our old worldly ways scare them off. If we are involved in secret sin, it will also drown out our decisions the same way as the thorns choked out the seed.
However, when we determine in our hearts to grow spiritually, and to take the steps toward growth when we know we will be in an environment to learn, He will plant the seed. And that seed, those small plants, will flourish with time, and the Sun, into a crop, that will produce many, many more.
So what are you waiting for!? Prepare your soil.
-Matthew 13:3-8
We all should be familiar with this common parable. When I see it, I think of it as perfectly understandable that there are many different kinds of people worldwide accepting or denying salvation every day, and there are many ways they view the God’s message. My take on things, is that, it is an understandable part of life, and Christianity, to deny His gospel, but it doesn’t apply to me.
But the thing is-- it does.
This parable isn’t only talking about the salvation message that God wants to present to us, and already has given many. This section of God’s word is talking about preparing the “ground” of our hearts to receive His word every day. When we refuse or neglect to prepare the “soil”, God cannot use that message, that story, that person, to convict us of sin in our lives.
So, for starters: Don’t assume you are the good soil. It is a fault that many of us make; believing that only others will be the ones to reject or ignore the pricking conscience or the message. We have to take the opportunity to prepare out hearts and make the effort to put out the soil for the seed to take root.
Our friends’ or relatives’ opinions snatch away the seed like the birds did in the parable, when we decide that being popular is more important than sharing our faith. When we aren’t regularly going to church, and keeping our hearts tender toward His Word, there isn’t much soil in our heart to start with, like on the rocky ground. And when we aren’t cultivating those thoughts and decisions that we momentarily made, they can’t take root or grow into habits before our old worldly ways scare them off. If we are involved in secret sin, it will also drown out our decisions the same way as the thorns choked out the seed.
However, when we determine in our hearts to grow spiritually, and to take the steps toward growth when we know we will be in an environment to learn, He will plant the seed. And that seed, those small plants, will flourish with time, and the Sun, into a crop, that will produce many, many more.
So what are you waiting for!? Prepare your soil.
Dec 14, 2010
A Split Second for Eternity
When we worry, we convey that our circumstances are more important than God’s command to stay joyful. Worry says that we don’t believe God to be powerful or loving enough to help us in trouble. That we have a certain exception to obey God’s law. Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are? Even though we glimpse God’s holiness, we are stupid enough to forget his power and think that life is about us. It’s not. We only have a split second of life on earth. I don’t know about you, but I want my split second to be about God. So how does this apply? Get over you! This may sound harsh, but often it’s harsh and equal truths that walk hand in hand. We need to be the thing/person that shows the world that even though we might be going through difficult circumstances, God gives us a perfect peace. A joy that none can destroy. The point of our life is to point to Him. God wants you to glorify Him because it IS all about Him. Life is always fragile. It’s never under control. We can’t control whether others love God, or whether we ourselves or others survive, day after a day. We need to acknowledge our lack of control and reach out for God. We should be thankful that we don’t have control, and the those “fearsome” unknowns, because they make us run to God. In about 50 years after you die, give or take a few decades, nobody will remember you here on earth. Are you ready? You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there is nothing you can do about it. We impact so many people in our life. If we only tried to impact others for Christ once a day, we could be making our name imprinted on other’s lives. We can be so used of God if we let ourselves be. Death is the destiny of everyone. It is good for us to take that to heart while we are still alive. Sadly, most waste their lives. This is not a crushing comment to those who have passed, but a warning to the living. When we reach heaven, we won’t care about having the rep of being “nice” before a holy God. If what we earn on earth is “nice” we will receive an equal reward. Are you worried about serving others too much, and giving too much of your life away? Will you still think that after you’re dead? Of course not. God is everything. Often we only learn about God’s love instead of understanding God’s unlimited love for us by experience. We don’t always truly see the way God’s love really is because we have learned about it so much, which makes us believe we know. Sometimes broken emotions from previous memories can affect our relationship with God. Some hurting parts of our hearts can take other relationships and transfer them to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our desire to be with God is what He truly wants from us. If we who are human and sinful can love our children, and family members, how much more can God love us as His own dear children? God doesn’t command us to have our quiet time every single day for an hour; he commands us to love Him with all of our heart and soul and mind. Not by guilt, or plagued by fear of His wrath. He wants us to spend time with Him out of pure love for Him. It seems demeaning to say that God wants more of us, instead of us wanting more of Him, because He is the one who is God. But the truth is, He does want more of us; more time with us, more of our hearts. Like a jealous lover, he wants to be everything to us, with nothing and no one between us. And we cannot even comprehend the greatness of His own love for us.
A Leap of Faith
Ok, guys. I just had to write, cause I was reading in this book, which is quickly becoming my favorite book, (Crazy Love), and in the next chapter, this is what the author, Francis Chan, wrote:
Colossians 1:16 tells us that everything was created for God: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?
Psalm 115:3 reveals, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." Yet we keep questioning Him: "Why did You make me with this body, instead of that one?" "Why are so many people dying of starvation?" "Why are there so many planets with nothing living on them?" "Why is my family so messed up?" "Why don't you make yourself more obvious to the people who need You?"
The answer to each of these questions is simply this: because He's God. He has more of a right to ask us why so many people are starving. As much as we want God to explain himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
-Daniel 4:35
Can you worship a God who isn't obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?! Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?
This is almost what I was trying to say to you guys the other day. . . I think. Isn't this amazing? :)
Seriously read the back of the book: "Crazy Love." Or even better read the book. Here I have what's written on the back of the book:
Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?
It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe---the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies, and E-minor---loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not. . . We all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at the list of do's and don'ts--it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
This, right here,---- I want it for myself, I want it for each of you. This is exactly why I have started this blog: an effort to make my beliefs more visible.This book, is impacting my life. Please pray for more-visible spiritual change in me. I don't want a life where I follow a list of "good Christian values" and live everything to lukewarm fulfillment. A lukewarm life is a wasted life. I don't want to get to heaven, stand in line to get my reward, and watch Jesus' face fall as He truthfully reminds me of my constant shame in acknowledging Him here on earth, and the wasted, wasted life I lived only to please myself.
I want to be sold out and deeply passionate for the cause of Him who literally (think about this for a moment) died for me. Come, let's do this together. Either be all for God, and growing and wanting more of Him, or show that you want nothing to do with Him. No more half-half. No more in-between. This is serious stuff, guys. Nothing to play around about.
I'm not promising that change will be painless. Most change is uncomfortable. But this is a journey meant to be taken. This is up to you.
I love you guys, and realize this may seem harsh, way to over-rated, and quite sudden. I have merely really been moved to the conviction, that we won't be sitting here forever to decide what to do with our life! This is but a vapor, but all of eternity will be centered around what we do with THIS time. Don't be deceived, or despairing. Together, we cannot be broken. I challenge each of you to take this step of faith with me.
Colossians 1:16 tells us that everything was created for God: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?
Psalm 115:3 reveals, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." Yet we keep questioning Him: "Why did You make me with this body, instead of that one?" "Why are so many people dying of starvation?" "Why are there so many planets with nothing living on them?" "Why is my family so messed up?" "Why don't you make yourself more obvious to the people who need You?"
The answer to each of these questions is simply this: because He's God. He has more of a right to ask us why so many people are starving. As much as we want God to explain himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
-Daniel 4:35
Can you worship a God who isn't obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?! Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?
This is almost what I was trying to say to you guys the other day. . . I think. Isn't this amazing? :)
Seriously read the back of the book: "Crazy Love." Or even better read the book. Here I have what's written on the back of the book:
Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?
It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe---the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies, and E-minor---loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not. . . We all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at the list of do's and don'ts--it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
This, right here,---- I want it for myself, I want it for each of you. This is exactly why I have started this blog: an effort to make my beliefs more visible.This book, is impacting my life. Please pray for more-visible spiritual change in me. I don't want a life where I follow a list of "good Christian values" and live everything to lukewarm fulfillment. A lukewarm life is a wasted life. I don't want to get to heaven, stand in line to get my reward, and watch Jesus' face fall as He truthfully reminds me of my constant shame in acknowledging Him here on earth, and the wasted, wasted life I lived only to please myself.
I want to be sold out and deeply passionate for the cause of Him who literally (think about this for a moment) died for me. Come, let's do this together. Either be all for God, and growing and wanting more of Him, or show that you want nothing to do with Him. No more half-half. No more in-between. This is serious stuff, guys. Nothing to play around about.
I'm not promising that change will be painless. Most change is uncomfortable. But this is a journey meant to be taken. This is up to you.
I love you guys, and realize this may seem harsh, way to over-rated, and quite sudden. I have merely really been moved to the conviction, that we won't be sitting here forever to decide what to do with our life! This is but a vapor, but all of eternity will be centered around what we do with THIS time. Don't be deceived, or despairing. Together, we cannot be broken. I challenge each of you to take this step of faith with me.
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