I think in our American selfishness we tend to focus on Romans 8:28, which tell us that God works all things together for our good. So when things don't seem to be working for our good, we get mad. But what does it mean for all things to work together for our good?
John Piper might shed a little light on the subject. He talks about how God is actually for Himself .. for us. He knows He is best for us, that His glory is the ultimate, and that He is completely love. Therefore, He is for Himself, but that is really what's best for us. Here's the link to the transcript of his sermon: Is God For Us or For Himself?
I think when we decide to follow Christ we should consider more Matthew 16:24-25, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Deny myself. Ouch. Give up my plans for my life in trust that He will do me one better. Stop thinking about my needs and trusting Him to meet them. Not thinking of my time as my own, ever. I trust His character more than I trust mine, but that doesn't make it much less painful.
This life is not about me. Period. It's about Him. How do I fit into the story?
What do you think? I'm curious.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
For the Least of These
There's a Christian bookstore in Athens. After 3 years of wondering why there wasn't one, I found it yesterday. It's on Chase Street of Prince Ave and it's called the Carpenter's Shop. You should go. It has everything you could ever want.
I found a book there about world hunger. Semi-scoffing at the idea the author has of solving world hunger, I opened to the middle and began reading on the page that just so happened to be about this man's encounter with Mother Teresa. He went to visit her, and the very first thing she did was take his hand. She grabbed his fingers and as she pushed them down one by one, she said, "Remember this - 'for...the...least...of...these.'" One word for each finger. I don't think I'll ever forget it. And her words are backed up by the testimony of her life. The author commented that more than anything, Mother Teresa showed her love by touching the 'untouchable' and unwanted people. He said their faces lit up when she entered the room. I want to be that. Mother Teresa was poor. Ordinary. Yet her love for people through Jesus drove her to do what she did. There are most likely others who are doing the same thing but don't get the recognition from this world, but Jesus sees it. I want that.
Her advice to him: "Go out and love the people who are near you." That's all she was doing. That's what this world needs. There are people in every neighborhood, in every city, around every corner who need love. It's ordinary, and yet, it makes all the difference in the world.
I remembered another Mother Teresa quote I read last summer that shapes the way I act and think: 'We claim a loving, forgiving, humble God, but are we the living proof?' To be that for even 5 people in this world, that is enough. To be that for even 1 person maybe. For the least of these. In a way, we're all a least of these.
I found a book there about world hunger. Semi-scoffing at the idea the author has of solving world hunger, I opened to the middle and began reading on the page that just so happened to be about this man's encounter with Mother Teresa. He went to visit her, and the very first thing she did was take his hand. She grabbed his fingers and as she pushed them down one by one, she said, "Remember this - 'for...the...least...of...these.'" One word for each finger. I don't think I'll ever forget it. And her words are backed up by the testimony of her life. The author commented that more than anything, Mother Teresa showed her love by touching the 'untouchable' and unwanted people. He said their faces lit up when she entered the room. I want to be that. Mother Teresa was poor. Ordinary. Yet her love for people through Jesus drove her to do what she did. There are most likely others who are doing the same thing but don't get the recognition from this world, but Jesus sees it. I want that.
Her advice to him: "Go out and love the people who are near you." That's all she was doing. That's what this world needs. There are people in every neighborhood, in every city, around every corner who need love. It's ordinary, and yet, it makes all the difference in the world.
I remembered another Mother Teresa quote I read last summer that shapes the way I act and think: 'We claim a loving, forgiving, humble God, but are we the living proof?' To be that for even 5 people in this world, that is enough. To be that for even 1 person maybe. For the least of these. In a way, we're all a least of these.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fruit Loops
Wesley rocked house tonight.
The speaker guy man talked about a lot of great things that I needed to hear. What I want to write about and expand my thoughts on is the subject of a tree bearing fruit.
Jesus says as a tree bears fruit, so we will bear fruit when we become His children. John 15:1-5, He is the vine and we are the branches. No one can bear fruit apart from Him.
But the guy man brought up a really good point - trees don't struggle to bear fruit. They just ... do it. It's what trees do. Trees bear fruit, no questions asked. So why shouldn't it be the same with us, those of us who are God's children?
I feel like I struggle with this daily. I constantly second guess myself on whether or not I'm doing the right thing or if I should've hung out with that other person or gone to that other thing. I always wonder if I'm making a difference and feel as though I am not. I don't talk about Jesus to people as much as I wish I did.
But it shouldn't be a struggle. A relationship with Jesus is somewhat a struggle, because it's a relationship with an unseen God, and every relationship takes work no matter what. But bearing fruit should not be a struggle. It should be a natural part of who I am as redeemed.
So taking a look at my daily life, I am most certainly trying to live for Jesus. I try to make decisions based on what will bring Him the most glory. Am I achieving those things? Am I bearing fruit? I think it's a good question for anyone to ask. And if the answer is no, then why not? Is it because we're trying to bear fruit on our own when really the only way is when we're intimately connected with the vine?
And then I hear the words of guy man one more time. Jesus really likes you. He loves you. If I'm going to say it to other people, I must believe it for myself. He likes me. Does He like what I'm doing? I sure hope so. I continue to ask for leading, although many times it seems silent. We can never go wrong when we give our lives for others, since according to 1 John 2 we ought to walk in the way Jesus did.
But now I'm just rambling. Oh, to walk in the way Jesus did. Bearing fruit. Giving our lives unto death. Ouch.
The speaker guy man talked about a lot of great things that I needed to hear. What I want to write about and expand my thoughts on is the subject of a tree bearing fruit.
Jesus says as a tree bears fruit, so we will bear fruit when we become His children. John 15:1-5, He is the vine and we are the branches. No one can bear fruit apart from Him.
But the guy man brought up a really good point - trees don't struggle to bear fruit. They just ... do it. It's what trees do. Trees bear fruit, no questions asked. So why shouldn't it be the same with us, those of us who are God's children?
I feel like I struggle with this daily. I constantly second guess myself on whether or not I'm doing the right thing or if I should've hung out with that other person or gone to that other thing. I always wonder if I'm making a difference and feel as though I am not. I don't talk about Jesus to people as much as I wish I did.
But it shouldn't be a struggle. A relationship with Jesus is somewhat a struggle, because it's a relationship with an unseen God, and every relationship takes work no matter what. But bearing fruit should not be a struggle. It should be a natural part of who I am as redeemed.
So taking a look at my daily life, I am most certainly trying to live for Jesus. I try to make decisions based on what will bring Him the most glory. Am I achieving those things? Am I bearing fruit? I think it's a good question for anyone to ask. And if the answer is no, then why not? Is it because we're trying to bear fruit on our own when really the only way is when we're intimately connected with the vine?
And then I hear the words of guy man one more time. Jesus really likes you. He loves you. If I'm going to say it to other people, I must believe it for myself. He likes me. Does He like what I'm doing? I sure hope so. I continue to ask for leading, although many times it seems silent. We can never go wrong when we give our lives for others, since according to 1 John 2 we ought to walk in the way Jesus did.
But now I'm just rambling. Oh, to walk in the way Jesus did. Bearing fruit. Giving our lives unto death. Ouch.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
It's an Honor
So I watched a video of a woman speaking of the Gospel as she was dying of terminal cancer. She said plenty of people have asked her, "Why is God allowing this happen to you?" She tells people that's the wrong question. And then she said, "If one person meets Jesus because of my disease and my testimony, then I am honored to suffer in this way for His glory." I mean ........ come on. She's receiving a Kingdom unshakable.
During her talk, she also said she doesn't worry about what people think of her, because, "No matter how poorly you think of me, I know that I am worse." That's not a put-down of herself or calling herself worthless, that's an acknowledgment in humility that she is nothing without her Savior. So good.
She also made a striking quote about her sickness, that "God withholds in His wisdom what He could do in His power."
Read that again. Does she trust Jesus or what. But every time she spoke of her disease, she constantly said, "Bar a miracle, I will die in 6-8 weeks." I wonder if she's praying for one. I hope she is, because He can most definitely heal her. But her above quote, about wisdom in power, speaks to me.
So Maymester has been different so far. So many less people in Athens. I miss everyone who's gone. But I know this is where Jesus wants me, and better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere. So here I sit alone in Club Fitty ... content. Trying to trust as Rachel Barkley, the woman I mentioned above, does. Pray for me if you think of it, for whatever comes to mind. I'm pumped to see what adventures come in His name.
If one person meets Jesus because I stayed in Athens this summer, then I am honored to stay.
During her talk, she also said she doesn't worry about what people think of her, because, "No matter how poorly you think of me, I know that I am worse." That's not a put-down of herself or calling herself worthless, that's an acknowledgment in humility that she is nothing without her Savior. So good.
She also made a striking quote about her sickness, that "God withholds in His wisdom what He could do in His power."
Read that again. Does she trust Jesus or what. But every time she spoke of her disease, she constantly said, "Bar a miracle, I will die in 6-8 weeks." I wonder if she's praying for one. I hope she is, because He can most definitely heal her. But her above quote, about wisdom in power, speaks to me.
So Maymester has been different so far. So many less people in Athens. I miss everyone who's gone. But I know this is where Jesus wants me, and better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere. So here I sit alone in Club Fitty ... content. Trying to trust as Rachel Barkley, the woman I mentioned above, does. Pray for me if you think of it, for whatever comes to mind. I'm pumped to see what adventures come in His name.
If one person meets Jesus because I stayed in Athens this summer, then I am honored to stay.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Religious Rhetoric
This was a reaction to an article I wrote for class! Just thought it was interesting ...
Christianity claims absolute truth. This is offensive to people, but
this is how I look at it: If there really is absolute truth (aka Jesus
really is God and He really is the only way to Heaven) then it doesn’t
matter if it’s offensive, it’s true, and the people who have found it
should proclaim it.
Lessl does seem to have a problem with the “politics” surrounding
Christianity. So do I. What he maybe needs to see is the reasoning
behind it. The story of Christianity is that there is a perfect, loving
God who came to save his sinful creation that was deceived by Satan and
their own pride. There are probably a thousand questions that come to
everyone’s mind as you read that sentence; I’ve asked them all before.
So now it’s God’s sinful creation (although redeemed and forgiven) that
has become the church. Sinful is the key word. Messed up. Imperfect.
Therefore, the church reflects that. That doesn’t make OK when the
church does wrong, but that is why it is happening. People should look
at Jesus more and the church less, because we (the church) unfortunately do not
always reflect who He is and what He stands for.
I, like Philip, am upset at the fact people separate Christianity and
science. If Christians are right (or anyone who believes in a God), and
God created the universe, it should not contradict science. It would
not. It cannot..... I understand the Big Bang Theory and reject it. To
me, it’s just as crazy that “something came from nothing” as it is that
a supreme being God created the universe. There are a lot of scientists
who believe in intelligent design (note the Ben Stein documentary:
http://www.expelledthemovie.com). There are brilliant men and women who
believe in creation AND evolution, so now we must decide which we
believe. We should test both. They cannot both be right.
Again I want to point out something that Philip said - Republican does
not equal Christian. Jesus was not a Republican. Jesus was certainly
conservative in his teaching, but really for Him it was a heart issue. I
know just as many awful Republicans as I do Democrats. Jesus was not for
a political party; He made that pretty clear when he came to earth and
didn’t overthrow the Romans like everyone expected. In my opinion,
according to our Constitution, gay marriage should be allowed and the
Ten Commandments hold no more bearing than any other religion’s
commandments. I have my own thoughts on those two issues, but according
to the Constitution, that’s the way it is. The fact is Jesus doesn’t
care about us following the rules – He wants us to follow Him;
everything else falls into place after that.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Melt My Heart of Stone
This is long .... just read it .... :)
So, I was sitting in a SPCM rhetoric class of mine on Monday, and we were discussing the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. A boy made a comment about the Civil Rights Bills that were passed around that time and said, "Here's the thing: you can make the laws, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still racist."
Thinking this was an interesting point, I wrote down in my notes - "Laws can't change people's hearts."
I looked at my paper and thought, Woah. Talk about Biblical implications.
So let's talk about the Old Testament laws. They were set in place by a perfect God. The laws He set up, if followed exactly, would make one perfect. He follows these rules, so to follow them would make us just like Him - perfect.
Well, there are two problems. First of all, none of us follow the law perfectly. Secondly, even if we did, just because we follow the rules doesn't mean we want to follow the rules. Follow me? :) It's just like the Civil Rights Laws - a racist white man may follow them so as not to get in trouble, but he doesn't want to. So then is he blameless?
I think we would all answer no, that at least in his heart he is not blameless, and this is what God says for us. He says even in the Old Testament while God's people were under the law that he desired love and mercy more than sacrifices (one of the laws - Hosea 6:6). It's a heart issue.
That's why in Luke 18:22-29, when a rich ruler came and told Jesus he had followed all the laws, Jesus said he was lacking only one thing. "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." I think more than focusing on what Jesus asked him to literally do (sell everything and give to the poor .. although that is good!), Jesus was showing that this rich ruler didn't really want to follow God, he was just doing the right thing out of obligation. And let's be real, that guy had sinned in his life. So he needed salvation anyway.
So what we need is a change from the inside out! What those racist white men (or women) need more than the laws is a heart change. Am I right? If their hearts were pure and faultless, there would be no need for the law, because they would already be doing the right thing for the right reason (heart issue!). In a very practical sense, that's why older kids have less rules than younger ones, because they already know to do some things right. You don't have to tell them to "eat your vegetables" or "don't slap Susie" because they already know what to do. They don't need those rules.
There are so many implications I can't write them all. This is why we need Jesus, for we cannot save ourselves. Going back to that parable, after Jesus tells the rich ruler what he needs to do be saved (sell everything .. follow me), the disciples are overwhelmed and say,
"Who, then can be saved?"
Jesus replies, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
God Himself has made it possible for us to be saved, otherwise it would be impossible - we couldn't even if we tried. Hallelujah, praise the Lord! Thank you, Jesus, for doing what we could not do. He died on the cross for our sins because we cannot be perfect. Talk about amazing grace.
This is also why need the Holy Spirit living inside of us when we are saved ... our natural hearts will always be sinful and never want to follow God! We may "follow the rules" and "be a good person", but deep down we will want to break them.
Read Romans 7. It tells us about how the law was put in place to show us our sin. If the law wasn't there, we wouldn't know it was wrong. But the purpose of the law was never to save us. It was to show us we needed saving.
Mmm, so good. If this makes you wonder about the Old Testament and how people were saved before Jesus, it's a question I've wrestled with, too. This website sheds some light, it's strongly based on Scripture: Old Testament Salvation. Search other commentaries also; this is just some guy's informal interpretation. But if the Bible is true, there is an answer to this question. So go find it! Find all your answers! They're out there.
So, I was sitting in a SPCM rhetoric class of mine on Monday, and we were discussing the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. A boy made a comment about the Civil Rights Bills that were passed around that time and said, "Here's the thing: you can make the laws, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still racist."
Thinking this was an interesting point, I wrote down in my notes - "Laws can't change people's hearts."
I looked at my paper and thought, Woah. Talk about Biblical implications.
So let's talk about the Old Testament laws. They were set in place by a perfect God. The laws He set up, if followed exactly, would make one perfect. He follows these rules, so to follow them would make us just like Him - perfect.
Well, there are two problems. First of all, none of us follow the law perfectly. Secondly, even if we did, just because we follow the rules doesn't mean we want to follow the rules. Follow me? :) It's just like the Civil Rights Laws - a racist white man may follow them so as not to get in trouble, but he doesn't want to. So then is he blameless?
I think we would all answer no, that at least in his heart he is not blameless, and this is what God says for us. He says even in the Old Testament while God's people were under the law that he desired love and mercy more than sacrifices (one of the laws - Hosea 6:6). It's a heart issue.
That's why in Luke 18:22-29, when a rich ruler came and told Jesus he had followed all the laws, Jesus said he was lacking only one thing. "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." I think more than focusing on what Jesus asked him to literally do (sell everything and give to the poor .. although that is good!), Jesus was showing that this rich ruler didn't really want to follow God, he was just doing the right thing out of obligation. And let's be real, that guy had sinned in his life. So he needed salvation anyway.
So what we need is a change from the inside out! What those racist white men (or women) need more than the laws is a heart change. Am I right? If their hearts were pure and faultless, there would be no need for the law, because they would already be doing the right thing for the right reason (heart issue!). In a very practical sense, that's why older kids have less rules than younger ones, because they already know to do some things right. You don't have to tell them to "eat your vegetables" or "don't slap Susie" because they already know what to do. They don't need those rules.
There are so many implications I can't write them all. This is why we need Jesus, for we cannot save ourselves. Going back to that parable, after Jesus tells the rich ruler what he needs to do be saved (sell everything .. follow me), the disciples are overwhelmed and say,
"Who, then can be saved?"
Jesus replies, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
God Himself has made it possible for us to be saved, otherwise it would be impossible - we couldn't even if we tried. Hallelujah, praise the Lord! Thank you, Jesus, for doing what we could not do. He died on the cross for our sins because we cannot be perfect. Talk about amazing grace.
This is also why need the Holy Spirit living inside of us when we are saved ... our natural hearts will always be sinful and never want to follow God! We may "follow the rules" and "be a good person", but deep down we will want to break them.
Read Romans 7. It tells us about how the law was put in place to show us our sin. If the law wasn't there, we wouldn't know it was wrong. But the purpose of the law was never to save us. It was to show us we needed saving.
Mmm, so good. If this makes you wonder about the Old Testament and how people were saved before Jesus, it's a question I've wrestled with, too. This website sheds some light, it's strongly based on Scripture: Old Testament Salvation. Search other commentaries also; this is just some guy's informal interpretation. But if the Bible is true, there is an answer to this question. So go find it! Find all your answers! They're out there.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Unseen, but not Unfelt
If I couldn't see God, nor could I feel Him, wouldn't it make me crazy to believe God existed?
If you want to get technical, I can see the evidence of God everyday. Love. Wisdom. Mercy. Forgiveness. Joy. I can also see the evidence of evil. Hatred. Injustice. Racism. Pride. The existence of an evil enemy begs the existence of a good God. Creation and all its wonder incites a Creator.
But I have never laid my eyes on God.
There's also the fact that Jesus came to this earth claiming to be God's Son. He performed many miracles during his life. Some people say He rose from the dead. Those people continued to say it, performed many miracles in Jesus' name, and were faithful in saying it even unto death.
I never met him, though.
But I have felt Him. I feel His love. No one can deny me that. You can choose not believe what the Bible says about God and Jesus, but I have felt it. I feel His presence, His love, His truth, His pursuit of me.
1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and though you do not see him now, you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul."
PS. Since it's Easter week, check out the people's lives who were radically changed after they claimed to see Jesus raise from the dead. It's in Acts, among other writings not in the Bible.
If you want to get technical, I can see the evidence of God everyday. Love. Wisdom. Mercy. Forgiveness. Joy. I can also see the evidence of evil. Hatred. Injustice. Racism. Pride. The existence of an evil enemy begs the existence of a good God. Creation and all its wonder incites a Creator.
But I have never laid my eyes on God.
There's also the fact that Jesus came to this earth claiming to be God's Son. He performed many miracles during his life. Some people say He rose from the dead. Those people continued to say it, performed many miracles in Jesus' name, and were faithful in saying it even unto death.
I never met him, though.
But I have felt Him. I feel His love. No one can deny me that. You can choose not believe what the Bible says about God and Jesus, but I have felt it. I feel His presence, His love, His truth, His pursuit of me.
1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and though you do not see him now, you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul."
PS. Since it's Easter week, check out the people's lives who were radically changed after they claimed to see Jesus raise from the dead. It's in Acts, among other writings not in the Bible.
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