in one week...
you retreat to the desert - if you are found - you will be arrested.
you share in a meal prepared in your honor... teaching others a lesson in what it truly means to honor.
you are celebrated by the masses with cheers of gladness and hope. and yet you remain humble.
the turmoil and stress of knowing what is about to happen begins to creep into your mind.
you foreshadow the inevitable. but they don't understand.
you show your deep love and appreciation to your closest friends. you serve them in the most humble of ways by washing their feet.
you answer questions and offer comfort. "I am the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." you remind them that the Counselor will be coming and that they will all be equipped to do great and mighty thing. You empower them.
always teaching... always looking for a chance to share Gospel truth... you use everyday things... a vine...a branch... remain in me... stay connected with me - like a branch to the vine... and bear much fruit.
you have chosen those that will carry Your message the masses in the weeks, months + years to come.
you share in a final meal. a meal of remembrance. a meal shared with friends... a connection... a communion takes place.
you prepare your disciples for what is about to come. they don't get it. but you give the words that they need to hear.
in the dark moments on a dark evening before the darkest of days you retreat. you pray for yourself, for your disciples and for all believers.
and then the betrayal comes. one who walked beside for years... one who ate next to you the evening before... betrays you. stabbed in the back, you tell him 'do what you came here for.'
you are turned over to the authorities and arrested.
your most loyal follower denies knowing you... all the while you are being questioned. you remain humble... all while being humiliated.
they take you to the Governor. he tries to sort of free you, but his pride gets in the way. deep down he is afraid of you. you say little as he gives the option of your freedom to the people. the people, many whom were the same ones cheering your entry into Jerusalem a few days before are now asking that another criminal be freed.
you are given a sentence.
death.
agonizing pain. difficult to breathe. flesh and bone stripped away. words can not express...
'it is finished' you say as you willingly gave up your Spirit...
you GAVE up your Spirit.
what a gift...
in one week...
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Embracing Grace
embrace.grace.
what does it look like?
grab hold of the morning.
seek the warmth of the sun.
close your eyes.
listen.
can you hear it?
behind the distraction of automobiles and exhaust
just past the dull roar of morning hustle
and beyond man-made disorder.
grace is speaking.
we often don't listen or hear it.
we reject it - thinking that its message can not possibly be for us.
it's chaos over clarity.
'i am not worthy.'
worry + fear + regret + poor self-image
trump grace.
and so i wallow.
"do not worry about tomorrow."
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
So if He feeds them so,
Why is my faith so low?
He speaks. Grace flows down.
it covers me.
like a warm blanket.
and I'm dripping wet no more.
grab hold of the morning.
seek the warmth of the son.
close your eyes.
listen.
can you hear it?
grace.
what does it look like?
grab hold of the morning.
seek the warmth of the sun.
close your eyes.
listen.
can you hear it?
behind the distraction of automobiles and exhaust
just past the dull roar of morning hustle
and beyond man-made disorder.
grace is speaking.
we often don't listen or hear it.
we reject it - thinking that its message can not possibly be for us.
it's chaos over clarity.
'i am not worthy.'
worry + fear + regret + poor self-image
trump grace.
and so i wallow.
"do not worry about tomorrow."
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
So if He feeds them so,
Why is my faith so low?
He speaks. Grace flows down.
it covers me.
like a warm blanket.
and I'm dripping wet no more.
grab hold of the morning.
seek the warmth of the son.
close your eyes.
listen.
can you hear it?
grace.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
John 8:11
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Where are you dirty? Where in your life are you committing "Adultery of the Spirit" What other God's are you serving? Lent is about conversion and the one of the meanings of conversion is "the act of change" and so this day is symblized by a "U-turn" symbol.
Where are you dirty? Where in your life are you committing "Adultery of the Spirit" What other God's are you serving? Lent is about conversion and the one of the meanings of conversion is "the act of change" and so this day is symblized by a "U-turn" symbol.
I realize in my life there are many other Gods... as evident by my lack of posting on this blog. I allow life to get ahold of me and take me away from Him. I know I need to make more time for Him and spend more time on other things and I am really working at it. Some days it goes well and others... well... not so well. I will continue this process and keep pushing forward as we march closer and closer to Easter day.
Monday, March 26, 2007
John 8:7
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
As many of you know, slowly but surely, everyone stepped away... b/c NO one, other than Jesus himself, is sinless. How do you treat people? Are you quick to point out other's faults while you yourself are wallowing in filth? "Good Christians are expected to point out and condemn the sin, to judge the sin and love the sinner." The question is... can this really be done? I pray we all instead are able to follow in Jesus' manner as recorded in John 8:10, 11 where he says,
"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?
May we also be able to follow his example in our daily encounters with others.
As many of you know, slowly but surely, everyone stepped away... b/c NO one, other than Jesus himself, is sinless. How do you treat people? Are you quick to point out other's faults while you yourself are wallowing in filth? "Good Christians are expected to point out and condemn the sin, to judge the sin and love the sinner." The question is... can this really be done? I pray we all instead are able to follow in Jesus' manner as recorded in John 8:10, 11 where he says,
"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?
"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
May we also be able to follow his example in our daily encounters with others.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
the choice is yours
You can get with this, or you can get with that.
I think I'll get with this, for this is where it's at.
your either a disciple of Christ or your not.
you can't 'sort of' follow Him. the light doesn't follow us around it follows Him.
in order to remain in light we must follow.
the lenten season is a few weeks from completion. the next few are pivital. now is the time for truth. seek truth eith your whole heart. seek Christ with everything inside of you.
no room for lazy* Christians here.
the choice is yours.
I think I'll get with this, for this is where it's at.
your either a disciple of Christ or your not.
you can't 'sort of' follow Him. the light doesn't follow us around it follows Him.
in order to remain in light we must follow.
the lenten season is a few weeks from completion. the next few are pivital. now is the time for truth. seek truth eith your whole heart. seek Christ with everything inside of you.
no room for lazy* Christians here.
the choice is yours.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Light.
John the disciple... the apostle... the revelator... he gave us so many rich images of Jesus... the greatest (and most used) was the image of Jesus as Light. (23 or so times...)
may these scriptures inspire you today... as you walk along your lenten journey, may you remain in light.
- John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
- John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
- John 1:8
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
- John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
- John 3:19
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
- John 3:20
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
- John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
- John 5:35
John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
- John 8:12
[ The Validity of Jesus' Testimony ] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
- John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
- John 11:9
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light.
- John 11:10
It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
- John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
- John 12:36
Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
- John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
- 1 John 1:5
[ Walking in the light ] This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
- 1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
- 1 John 2:8
Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. - 1 John 2:9
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
- 1 John 2:10
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. - Revelation 21:23
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
- Revelation 21:24
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
- Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
What Keeps you from growing
Now that we have looked at the need to prepare our soil for growth, we must look to see what else could be holding us back. In a garden, it is soo easy to quickly get over-run with weeds- no matter how diligent you try to be. It sometimes seems as though they appear overnight (in fact- this is the reason we don't even attempt a garden here at our house ;) )
In the soil of your life, are there weeds over-running your growth? Are the weeds reaching higher and choking out the sunlight and nourishment from reaching deeper?
Take a look at your life this week and see what needs weeded out. Are you on the computer too much? Are you a gossip? How about the tv; does it take time away that could be spent deepening your faith?
We all have our weeds, but it is up to us to recognize them and then clear them out. Take the time to get some roundup and clear some new areas for growth.
In the soil of your life, are there weeds over-running your growth? Are the weeds reaching higher and choking out the sunlight and nourishment from reaching deeper?
Take a look at your life this week and see what needs weeded out. Are you on the computer too much? Are you a gossip? How about the tv; does it take time away that could be spent deepening your faith?
We all have our weeds, but it is up to us to recognize them and then clear them out. Take the time to get some roundup and clear some new areas for growth.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
How fertile is your soil?
"As any gardener will tell you, good soil is essential to a good garden. Good soil, not too wet or too dry, is also critical to the flowering of a good marriage and a good spiritual life."
How is the soil in your life? Is it being watered, fertilized, hoed and weeded? Or... is it sitting out drying and cracking in the sun? We must prepare ourselves to allow growth to occur. So, how are you prepping your life for growth? Are you taking the necessary steps or just hoping that with a little luck, seeds will begin to sprout? Take time to prep your soil today and be prepared for a bountiful harvest.
How is the soil in your life? Is it being watered, fertilized, hoed and weeded? Or... is it sitting out drying and cracking in the sun? We must prepare ourselves to allow growth to occur. So, how are you prepping your life for growth? Are you taking the necessary steps or just hoping that with a little luck, seeds will begin to sprout? Take time to prep your soil today and be prepared for a bountiful harvest.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
3 John: Make the Faith Visible
vs. 5: Make the faith visible.
i hear this verse in the voice of Morgan Freeman. kind of like at the end of The Shawshank Redemption when he says 'Get busy livin' or get busy dyin.'" if he were preaching, he might follow that statement by saying 'Make the faith visible.'
faith should be visible not invisible (which is strangely ironic because faith is belief in things unseen or... invisible).
James 2:26 reads 'faith without works is dead.' in 3rd John - John is commending those who have outwardly made their faith known to others - who have gone the extra mile - extending the hand of fellowship and offering hospitality to those in need.
make your faith visible. not to receive accolades. not for glory sake. it's an outward expression of an inner beauty. this beauty comes from God. this beauty is instilled within us all... this beauty is magnified when we follow Christ - when we believe in the unseen. when we allow the Spirit to guide us... when we are obedient to God... when we love Him and love people.
St. Francis of Assisi knew a lot about what it meant to make the faith visible. read his quotes and be inspired.
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
i am challenged today to make my faith visible.
i hear this verse in the voice of Morgan Freeman. kind of like at the end of The Shawshank Redemption when he says 'Get busy livin' or get busy dyin.'" if he were preaching, he might follow that statement by saying 'Make the faith visible.'
faith should be visible not invisible (which is strangely ironic because faith is belief in things unseen or... invisible).
James 2:26 reads 'faith without works is dead.' in 3rd John - John is commending those who have outwardly made their faith known to others - who have gone the extra mile - extending the hand of fellowship and offering hospitality to those in need.
make your faith visible. not to receive accolades. not for glory sake. it's an outward expression of an inner beauty. this beauty comes from God. this beauty is instilled within us all... this beauty is magnified when we follow Christ - when we believe in the unseen. when we allow the Spirit to guide us... when we are obedient to God... when we love Him and love people.
St. Francis of Assisi knew a lot about what it meant to make the faith visible. read his quotes and be inspired.
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
i am challenged today to make my faith visible.
Monday, March 12, 2007
2 John: Love
Robert Indiana created the 'Love' logo - originally for a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1964. The logo was later used on a stamp and then created into a statue (now featured in many major cities around the world).
Mr. Indiana received only $1,000 for the design. He had failed to copyright the logo, and as a result did not profit as it appeared on countless coffee cups, T-Shirts and other paraphernalia.
"The logo did not endear Mr. Indiana to the art establishment, and his star faded in inverse proportion to the success of 'Love'" [NY Times]
---
The book of 2nd John serves as yet another gentle reminder from John that Love is the most important thing in this world. The word 'LOVE' appears in the NIV text 697 times (32 times in 1,2 & 3 John). Examining the text alone suggests that it is important - but honestly, who needs that to know that 'love' is important? Love is instilled within us. We know that - we just don't always show that. So John reminds us in very gentle ways. I suppose a non-gentle way of reminding us that LOVE is important would defeat the purpose.
Love one another.
---
There are a few interesting things about Robert Indiana's 'Love' design/sculpture.
- The first is that Indiana did not profit from his love logo. In relation to our relationships, 'loving' someone in order to profit something isn't truly love. That kind of love would have selfish ambition or motive behind it. Selfishness + love can not coexist. Selfishness is not a by product of love or vice-versa.
Surely we do profit from loving and from being loved - but not if our motives are anything less than genuine. You can't fake love.
- The second is that Indiana's 'star' or popularity faded quicker than his 'Love' icon.
Isn't that the way it should be? Shouldn't our love outshine us? Shouldn't our love outlast us? The best thing about our love is that it can be contagious. Our actions can + will last longer than our words. Our love of God and our love of others can have far reaching effects on the world around us.
---
Robert Indiana gave us an icon. God gave us a lifestyle.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
White Space
Instead of having my thoughts thrust upon you today, it is your chance to just soak up what He might be speaking to you. Take time to make some white space in your life... to go alone and just sit with Him. Allow Jesus to speak to you and fill up that white space instead of filling with with normal daily routine. Rejoice in the emptiness and await His fullfilling presence in your life.
1 John 5: bold and free
vs. 13-17
we become BOLD and FREE in His presence,
freely asking according to His will...
John says that we can ask God for anything and know that he is listening.
We can have confidence that what we ask for is ours.
as GOOD as OURS? really?
Do I really believe that? I mean, I do, but then why don't I ask? Why do I sometimes resist to turn to God when I need help?
I like, though, the example of what to ask for in vs. 16-17.
"For instance, if we see a Christian believer sinning, we ask for God's help and he gladly gives it, gives life to the sinner whose sin is not fatal."
i love it. John's example: a Christ-follower is caught up in sin (not 'fatal' sin)... we can ask God for help and it will be given.
His example is not prosperity based. it is a request that will improve the well being of a fellow believer. The request example has no selfish motive.
--> a BOLD and FREE selfless request to God.
Often my selfishness gets me into trouble - and I petition God for help. I wonder what I could accomplish for the name + sake of Christ if my selfishness would subside.
this Lenten season is about repentance. through that - may we understand what we can accomplish as Bold and Free followers of Jesus.
we become BOLD and FREE in His presence,
freely asking according to His will...
John says that we can ask God for anything and know that he is listening.
We can have confidence that what we ask for is ours.
as GOOD as OURS? really?
Do I really believe that? I mean, I do, but then why don't I ask? Why do I sometimes resist to turn to God when I need help?
I like, though, the example of what to ask for in vs. 16-17.
"For instance, if we see a Christian believer sinning, we ask for God's help and he gladly gives it, gives life to the sinner whose sin is not fatal."
i love it. John's example: a Christ-follower is caught up in sin (not 'fatal' sin)... we can ask God for help and it will be given.
His example is not prosperity based. it is a request that will improve the well being of a fellow believer. The request example has no selfish motive.
--> a BOLD and FREE selfless request to God.
Often my selfishness gets me into trouble - and I petition God for help. I wonder what I could accomplish for the name + sake of Christ if my selfishness would subside.
this Lenten season is about repentance. through that - may we understand what we can accomplish as Bold and Free followers of Jesus.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The World is Your Temple
Do any of you just get a feeling of wonder and awe when you enter a church building? Somehow, many churches seem to give us this feeling- that in that very spot, we are closer with Him than in our normal daily lives. While the Spirit of God does indeed dwell in many of these places of worship, He also dwells among us each and every day.
For me, I feel closest to God when I am out in nature. How can one not just see and feel the presence of God when sitting and watching a sunrise or sunset? To me, that is the ultimate masterpiece... the still quiet hours of morning when it just seems as though it is I and the Lord sitting and He is putting on an exhibit just for me. I can not help but just be filled with His love and just praise Him for all He has done in my life, when surrounded by His creation.
Throughout the Bible we can see where we are called to praise Him... not just in a church, but in all aspects of our lives. Psalm 113:3 states that from "the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.". Psalm 34:1 says "His praise will always be on my lips". Even the earth will praise Him. (Isaiah 55:12)
When living in a cold and grey place such as I do, sometimes it is hard to be inspired by nature, but I challenge you, and myself, to look outside of our traditional places of worship for areas where you can see and feel His presence. He is here with us, surrounding us in all of our daily activities, He is just waiting for us to take notice. "When you see the world as God's temple, you do more than visit God, you are constantly rubbing shoulders with Him."
Take time today to rub shoulders with Him.
For me, I feel closest to God when I am out in nature. How can one not just see and feel the presence of God when sitting and watching a sunrise or sunset? To me, that is the ultimate masterpiece... the still quiet hours of morning when it just seems as though it is I and the Lord sitting and He is putting on an exhibit just for me. I can not help but just be filled with His love and just praise Him for all He has done in my life, when surrounded by His creation.
Throughout the Bible we can see where we are called to praise Him... not just in a church, but in all aspects of our lives. Psalm 113:3 states that from "the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.". Psalm 34:1 says "His praise will always be on my lips". Even the earth will praise Him. (Isaiah 55:12)
When living in a cold and grey place such as I do, sometimes it is hard to be inspired by nature, but I challenge you, and myself, to look outside of our traditional places of worship for areas where you can see and feel His presence. He is here with us, surrounding us in all of our daily activities, He is just waiting for us to take notice. "When you see the world as God's temple, you do more than visit God, you are constantly rubbing shoulders with Him."
Take time today to rub shoulders with Him.
1 John 4: Live through Him
[verse 9]
LIVE THROUGH HIM
------------------------------------------------
be alive ..........................didn't stay dead
active .............................embodies action
always ............................growing always watering
being nurtured .............nurturer
walking ..........................dirty sandals
talking ............................story telling
opposite of death .........giver of life
digest the Word ...........is the Word
dirty hands ....................ultimate servant
following our Rabbi......kicking up dust
a disciple ........................teacher of disciples
moving ...........................never complacent
interacting .....................among people
shedding old self ..........provides new self
walking in light ............is the light
LIVE THROUGH HIM
------------------------------------------------
be alive ..........................didn't stay dead
active .............................embodies action
always ............................growing always watering
being nurtured .............nurturer
walking ..........................dirty sandals
talking ............................story telling
opposite of death .........giver of life
digest the Word ...........is the Word
dirty hands ....................ultimate servant
following our Rabbi......kicking up dust
a disciple ........................teacher of disciples
moving ...........................never complacent
interacting .....................among people
shedding old self ..........provides new self
walking in light ............is the light
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Prayer
Prayer, talking with God, Communion with Him...what is it all about?
We are called to be in ceaseless prayer, though how many of us can actually say that happens in their lives? I know I can't... and I know that I should pray more than I do. For me, prayer seems so awkward sometimes... I know- I should pray as if I am talking to a friend... but heck- last I checked- I can readily hear most of my friends- where with Jesus, either a) He doesn't speak audibly or b) I have turned off my listening ears. Now I know that He can speak through other people and such... but for me, not hearing that immediate response can sometimes be disheartening.
While my spiritual gift may not be in prayer... I have been trying to add it to my everyday life... and that of my two kids as well. We make sure to pray before meals and before each of them go to sleep at nite. I must say, one of my favorite parts of the day is praying with my 20 month old before bed... hearing her say, "Dear Jesus"... and "I love you Jesus, Amen" just melts my heart. I pray that she and my son will both have this prayer life ingrained in their lives early so that it is easier for them to connect with Him as they grow.
I pray that during this Lenten season, I, as well as you, are able to learn to reconnect with our Father through the discipline of prayer. I need to add in more than just those "breath prayers" and grace before meals and praying before bed... after all, He is the best listener out there : )
We are called to be in ceaseless prayer, though how many of us can actually say that happens in their lives? I know I can't... and I know that I should pray more than I do. For me, prayer seems so awkward sometimes... I know- I should pray as if I am talking to a friend... but heck- last I checked- I can readily hear most of my friends- where with Jesus, either a) He doesn't speak audibly or b) I have turned off my listening ears. Now I know that He can speak through other people and such... but for me, not hearing that immediate response can sometimes be disheartening.
While my spiritual gift may not be in prayer... I have been trying to add it to my everyday life... and that of my two kids as well. We make sure to pray before meals and before each of them go to sleep at nite. I must say, one of my favorite parts of the day is praying with my 20 month old before bed... hearing her say, "Dear Jesus"... and "I love you Jesus, Amen" just melts my heart. I pray that she and my son will both have this prayer life ingrained in their lives early so that it is easier for them to connect with Him as they grow.
I pray that during this Lenten season, I, as well as you, are able to learn to reconnect with our Father through the discipline of prayer. I need to add in more than just those "breath prayers" and grace before meals and praying before bed... after all, He is the best listener out there : )
1 John 3: journey towards greatness
1 John 3
1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! [How deep the fathers love for us.] Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.[they don't understand God therefore they don't understand us.]
2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.
We are all children of God. what does that mean? How does that feel?
As a child of God (a child of the King) we are heirs to the thrown.
This reminds me of Mephibosheth. he was the crippled son of Jonathan... Jonathan + David had made a pact... if Jonathan was killed then David would look after his family.
When David became king he called upon Mephibosheth... as a grandson to Saul - the man who repeatedly tried to kill David, Meph feared for his life. When he entered David's court - he compared himself to a dog... "what do you want with a useless dog like me?" David said - "because of the pact i had with your father Jonathan, you will eat at the kings table for the rest of your life."
Mephibosheth was chosen.
We, also, as children of the King (God) are chosen.
chosen for what?
>to do great things... to do things the world will not understand.
as a child of God - we know that when Christ is revealed to us - we will see him + become like him. [vs. 2-3]
>owning our faith means becoming the embodiment of Christ. the pure life of Christ is a model for our life. this is the essential part of the journey towards greatness. we were chosen for this the moment we chose to follow Him.
Monday, March 5, 2007
1 John 2: the journey is nothing new
The two most diffucult things to get straight in life are love and God. More often than not, the mess people make of their lives can be traced to failure or stupidity or meanness in one or both areas. The basic and biblical Christian conviction is that the two subjects are intricately related. If we want to deal with God the right way, we have to learn to love the right way. If we want to love the right way, we have to deal with God the right way. God and love can't be separated.
FROM THE MESSAGE REMIX INTRODUCTION OF 1, 2 & 3 JOHN
--
the Challenge of this lenten journey (and of the living the 'Christian' life) is found in vs 6 of chapter 2: Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
i have always loved that verse. The NIV translation says it this way:
Live the same life that Jesus lived. That is what it means to be a 'Christian'.... a follower of 'The Way'. [early church leaders were refered to as followers of 'The Way' see: Acts 9:2 , Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22]
verse 7-8 goes on to say: this message is nothing new. What is new is that it is in Christ + it is in you. it is the Message. it is the Word. it is Gospel (good news). it is Truth. it is Light.
almost a year ago i was in a planning meeting for a summer youth camp that i was involved with... a queston was asked: "what concrete examples can we give them (the campers) to help them keep the fire alive?"
i responded: "we teach them to follow Christ." but what does follow Chist mean to a person who has not grown up in church - has not cracked open a Bible - has little or no knowledge of Jesus, God, the Bible or the like? i was challenged. after some time and thought - here was my response - right or wrong...
the 1st step in FOLLOWING CHRIST or MODELLING CHRIST is to study the example in the Word and in return, strive to live it out so that ACTIONS + WORDS are consistent.
How do you do that? 2 things come to mind:
that is all that is asked of us. When we can love God/Love People + Be real with ourselves, others + God, the rest falls into place.
this part of the journey is nothing new. but the outward expression of this part of the journey is fresh each day it is lived out.
FROM THE MESSAGE REMIX INTRODUCTION OF 1, 2 & 3 JOHN
--
the Challenge of this lenten journey (and of the living the 'Christian' life) is found in vs 6 of chapter 2: Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
i have always loved that verse. The NIV translation says it this way:
Walk Like Jesus.
Live the same life that Jesus lived. That is what it means to be a 'Christian'.... a follower of 'The Way'. [early church leaders were refered to as followers of 'The Way' see: Acts 9:2 , Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22]
verse 7-8 goes on to say: this message is nothing new. What is new is that it is in Christ + it is in you. it is the Message. it is the Word. it is Gospel (good news). it is Truth. it is Light.
almost a year ago i was in a planning meeting for a summer youth camp that i was involved with... a queston was asked: "what concrete examples can we give them (the campers) to help them keep the fire alive?"
i responded: "we teach them to follow Christ." but what does follow Chist mean to a person who has not grown up in church - has not cracked open a Bible - has little or no knowledge of Jesus, God, the Bible or the like? i was challenged. after some time and thought - here was my response - right or wrong...
the 1st step in FOLLOWING CHRIST or MODELLING CHRIST is to study the example in the Word and in return, strive to live it out so that ACTIONS + WORDS are consistent.
How do you do that? 2 things come to mind:
that is all that is asked of us. When we can love God/Love People + Be real with ourselves, others + God, the rest falls into place.
this part of the journey is nothing new. but the outward expression of this part of the journey is fresh each day it is lived out.
We were absent
due to a youth retreat being held at our church this past weekend. Look for a new post from each of us this evening.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Which Way do I go?
We all have come to crossroads in our life. I am sure you know what I am talking about- those times when we are faced with a choice and we need to make a decision. Sometimes those paths may both lead to the same outcome- but with different twists and turns throughout... and others may take us entirely different ways and our choice will leave an imprint on our lives forever.
We have a decision to make this Lenten season as well...do we continue on with our daily lives as they are and scarcely remember what it is that we are celebrating or do we take on the full challenge of growing closer to Him?
There are so many different crossroads in my life that I look back on and wonder, "what if I had chosen that path". The problem is, I will never know. What if...? I don't want this season of Lent to pass me by and then be left wondering another "what if" I want to use this time to grow, develop, and deepen my relationship with Him. I want to be able to look back and instead say, "wow. what an amazing journey it has been"
Proverbs 3:5-6
We have a decision to make this Lenten season as well...do we continue on with our daily lives as they are and scarcely remember what it is that we are celebrating or do we take on the full challenge of growing closer to Him?
There are so many different crossroads in my life that I look back on and wonder, "what if I had chosen that path". The problem is, I will never know. What if...? I don't want this season of Lent to pass me by and then be left wondering another "what if" I want to use this time to grow, develop, and deepen my relationship with Him. I want to be able to look back and instead say, "wow. what an amazing journey it has been"
Proverbs 3:5-6
1 John 1: telling the story
1-2From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
3-4We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
the first 4 verses of 1 John are beautiful. John is so excited to share with others his experiences and encounters with Christ.
What STORY or STORIES do we have to tell?
may God allow others to come to Him through our stories.
[STORY]
3-4We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
the first 4 verses of 1 John are beautiful. John is so excited to share with others his experiences and encounters with Christ.
What STORY or STORIES do we have to tell?
may God allow others to come to Him through our stories.
[STORY]
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