Monday, September 29, 2008
Eeking for more room
I'm completely constrained by the amount of space I can use to put my feelings out there in the confines of FaceBook. So, I'm back to my blog.
I just read something that's going to give me thought for the rest of the day. "If nothing changes, nothing changes." Perhaps it's my mood or my mindset right now, but it's sooo true. But there's a higher truth. That is, the last thing I really heard from God about His will for my life; "Be still, and know that I am God."
It's a restless feeling. One of testing patience and eager awaiting. The two feelings of needing to move and being asked to stand still creates a friction in my heart. As the song says though, "If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it. Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?"
In the meanwhile, I'm discovering layers within myself. But more complex than just layers of an onion - they're more like notches in the mechanism of a safe. Each disk has a single notch - the "God notch" if you will, and each notch needs to be aligned perfectly toward God to be opened. I can resist the turning of my dial as much as I please. I can use my own strength to align my notches perfectly against the wrong zero. I can let dials drift over time, and I can miss His alignment altogether under my own strength. And even the slightest wrong number is enough to keep any safe locked tightly. This sort of perfection requires one thing and one thing only; the willingness to let the dial be spun by Him who knows the combination. It's really the only way. It's this submission that I have problems with though. It's the attitude that I know more about the plan for my life than God does!
Oh, I don't express that outwardly or even think that's what I'm doing, but when we resist the Word, we resist God's general will for our lives. That's somewhere I'm not content being. When we resist God's specific will for our lives, we're turning our own dial - and we have no idea what the combination is.
Just writing that made me feel better. I've been worrying that God has been wanting me to do something, but I've been resisting (or I haven't been listening). I've been trying under my own strength. Christianity encompasses many facets that seem contradictory. To be a leader, you need to follow. To gain everything, you have to give everything away. To win, you have to give up.
I haven't been willfully keeping anything from God. I haven't been saying, "God, you can have everything except this part of my life." I put all that on the alter a long time ago. But it's good for me to remind myself that I can't be in the driver's seat. If I don't like where I think I'm going, I just need to know that He knows the way. Someone told me once, "When you can't trace His hand, you can trust His heart." I know that God has something for me. I know that He knows what He wants me to do, and when He's ready, He'll let me know (audibly, I hope).
I don't know where that path leads; either in missions, or ministry (within the limits of His law obviously), or in marriage. I know what *I* want, and I don't find any prohibition against what I want in His Word, but I don't want anything that's merely permissible or allowed by God. I want His will.
I surrender.
I just read something that's going to give me thought for the rest of the day. "If nothing changes, nothing changes." Perhaps it's my mood or my mindset right now, but it's sooo true. But there's a higher truth. That is, the last thing I really heard from God about His will for my life; "Be still, and know that I am God."
It's a restless feeling. One of testing patience and eager awaiting. The two feelings of needing to move and being asked to stand still creates a friction in my heart. As the song says though, "If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it. Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?"
In the meanwhile, I'm discovering layers within myself. But more complex than just layers of an onion - they're more like notches in the mechanism of a safe. Each disk has a single notch - the "God notch" if you will, and each notch needs to be aligned perfectly toward God to be opened. I can resist the turning of my dial as much as I please. I can use my own strength to align my notches perfectly against the wrong zero. I can let dials drift over time, and I can miss His alignment altogether under my own strength. And even the slightest wrong number is enough to keep any safe locked tightly. This sort of perfection requires one thing and one thing only; the willingness to let the dial be spun by Him who knows the combination. It's really the only way. It's this submission that I have problems with though. It's the attitude that I know more about the plan for my life than God does!
Oh, I don't express that outwardly or even think that's what I'm doing, but when we resist the Word, we resist God's general will for our lives. That's somewhere I'm not content being. When we resist God's specific will for our lives, we're turning our own dial - and we have no idea what the combination is.
Just writing that made me feel better. I've been worrying that God has been wanting me to do something, but I've been resisting (or I haven't been listening). I've been trying under my own strength. Christianity encompasses many facets that seem contradictory. To be a leader, you need to follow. To gain everything, you have to give everything away. To win, you have to give up.
I haven't been willfully keeping anything from God. I haven't been saying, "God, you can have everything except this part of my life." I put all that on the alter a long time ago. But it's good for me to remind myself that I can't be in the driver's seat. If I don't like where I think I'm going, I just need to know that He knows the way. Someone told me once, "When you can't trace His hand, you can trust His heart." I know that God has something for me. I know that He knows what He wants me to do, and when He's ready, He'll let me know (audibly, I hope).
I don't know where that path leads; either in missions, or ministry (within the limits of His law obviously), or in marriage. I know what *I* want, and I don't find any prohibition against what I want in His Word, but I don't want anything that's merely permissible or allowed by God. I want His will.
I surrender.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
What type are you?
In a recent study of my personality type, I discovered this:
Sanguines are either socially aware or become superficial.
Strengths: friendship is their forte, they bring sunshine to any room with their eagerness and smiles, their motto seems to be "let's have fun and be happy."
Weaknesses: They can be fickle, they can be nervous or less than serious. They can tend to jump from one thing to another without finishing...
There was more, but I didn't read it all.
Sanguines are either socially aware or become superficial.
Strengths: friendship is their forte, they bring sunshine to any room with their eagerness and smiles, their motto seems to be "let's have fun and be happy."
Weaknesses: They can be fickle, they can be nervous or less than serious. They can tend to jump from one thing to another without finishing...
There was more, but I didn't read it all.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Jesu, joy of man's desirings
What some men seek to master their whole lives and are awarded with by the applause of other men...
... some whip out on a lazy morning in their bathrobes.
... some whip out on a lazy morning in their bathrobes.
Monday, September 15, 2008
And then it hit me...
... I've been thinking this weekend of when I *would* have time to watch t.v. or otherwise do "nothing", when it hit me. When *do* I currently have time to do all the other things I've been wanting to do? Between midnight and 2am seem to be free.
There are a lot of tasks (if you will) that I really think I need to concentrate on to a greater or lesser degree, but time hinders me. It's because I'm extended in things that I really care about and feel a strong desire to do them, but I have a growing list of "things" that I need to pay attention to.
From my secular list:
From my Christian list:
Friday, September 12, 2008
What I Believe - Part N
When I decided that TV was rotting my brain, and I didn't need to be spending almost $20 a month on something that rots my brain, something happened. Now, a lot of people reading this are thinking, "twenty bucks a month for tv? what's he complaining about?" Well, I had the bare minimum cable service and just watched a few shows, but - for what it's worth - I really liked them. I was brainwashed.
Since then, I've come to realize a few things. One, I don't need t.v., and now I wouldn't have time to watch it if I wanted to. Two, I realized that I'm a spoiled rotten American who takes everything for granted. This morning, I had a nutritious donut and a cup of coffee for breakfast (although I could have had anything of my choosing) and 30,000 children died of malnutrition.
I sit in Starbucks and watch kids who hate their parents who have every modern comfort, while on the other side of the world, another mom is raising her kids without electricity, or clean water, on two dollars a day (or less). That's not an original thought, but it's true and bares repeating here.
For what it's worth, I hate poverty! although exclamation marks don't do it justice here. I hate homelessness! I hate drug addiction! I hate alcoholism! I hate abuse! I hate that people are going to Hell who have never heard a clear Gospel message. AND I'M DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT! What about you? How does that cozy couch and t.v. feel now? Pass the chips? How about another beer?
O.K. I'm off my high horse now. I just had to vent that. Tomorrow's Saturday after all.
Since then, I've come to realize a few things. One, I don't need t.v., and now I wouldn't have time to watch it if I wanted to. Two, I realized that I'm a spoiled rotten American who takes everything for granted. This morning, I had a nutritious donut and a cup of coffee for breakfast (although I could have had anything of my choosing) and 30,000 children died of malnutrition.
I sit in Starbucks and watch kids who hate their parents who have every modern comfort, while on the other side of the world, another mom is raising her kids without electricity, or clean water, on two dollars a day (or less). That's not an original thought, but it's true and bares repeating here.
For what it's worth, I hate poverty! although exclamation marks don't do it justice here. I hate homelessness! I hate drug addiction! I hate alcoholism! I hate abuse! I hate that people are going to Hell who have never heard a clear Gospel message. AND I'M DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT! What about you? How does that cozy couch and t.v. feel now? Pass the chips? How about another beer?
O.K. I'm off my high horse now. I just had to vent that. Tomorrow's Saturday after all.
Labels: cityteam, faith, what i believe
Where in the world is Johnny!?
Don't if this will work or not, but...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Baptism questions
So, I'm nearly done with my study on the history of baptism (from 1000 BC to 35 AD). Here's the Reader's Digest version:
1. In John The Baptist's time, baptisms were done according to the Mikveh (or Mikvaot), which not only was performed with complete immersion, it also required complete nudity (in order for the water to fully drench every nook and cranny). All jewelry and bandages were to be removed also. Dreadlocks were a particular problem because some tight dreads could conceivably prevent the water from reaching every hair.
2. John was clear to point out that there would be another who would come who would revamp the whole baptism ritual and give eternal life through belief alone. Later writings by Paul state firmly that acts\deeds\rituals\etc do not save you. Only grace through faith alone [period]. One example of works he gives is the circumcision. Oh, how I wish he had addressed baptism also, but that wasn't the problem at the time. The point is clear though - just as circumcision doesn't make you a Jew, neither does any other outward work make you a Christian. According to the Bible. Disagree if you must, but you're not disagreeing with me. You're disagreeing with the Bible.
3. Just like circumcision was when Paul circumcised Timothy. Paul didn't do it in an attempt at converting Timothy to Judaism. (That would be ridiculous by the way).
4. Baptism is reserved for conscious, willing participants. If we could suppose to have the sins forgiven for someone who was both not conscious of the activity of sprinkling water on them (like an infant) or unwillingly partaking (like a crying infant), then what would prevent the following?
What do you need for baptism according to some faiths? One, you need a participant - any regular person of any age with any degree of desire or lack of desire to be saved. Their involvement is merely consequential. Two, you need water, blessed by a holy person. Three, you need to somehow have this 'holy water' sprinkled over them in an act of 'baptism'.
Now, suppose the following. One, take everyone in a large area - say, the state of New York. Two, you wait for a large storm cloud to come overhead and you have a priest bless all the water in the cloud. Three, it rains, and every unknowing person who happens to get water sprinkled on them is now saved from their sins.
Think about it. The water comes directly from the heavens - you can't get more holy than water from heaven that has been blessed by a pious person. It's water (read Mana) from heaven for Pete's sake! (get it?)
5. Baptized or not baptized, that isn't really the question. In the same way Paul addressed the issue of "circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing", so must we realize the truth of "baptism of the heart". Has your heart truly been given to Christ? Are you saved? Born again according to the words that Jesus spoke? That's the crux of the question. If you think some act or deed is your ticket to heaven, then let the rain fall and splash around all you want. The way of ritual seems right to some men. Unfortunately though, the end thereof are the ways of death.
Having settled this in my heart, I sadly cannot continue onto the other studies I would wish to for reasons I won't go into here. I don't write this information on my blog in order to condemn anyone. I write it in order to help - or try to help - guide people who may have been mislead into various beliefs which are either not in the Bible or specifically against the Bible. Many people may read the above as an attack. It was presented as a teaching point (2 Tim 3:16).
1. In John The Baptist's time, baptisms were done according to the Mikveh (or Mikvaot), which not only was performed with complete immersion, it also required complete nudity (in order for the water to fully drench every nook and cranny). All jewelry and bandages were to be removed also. Dreadlocks were a particular problem because some tight dreads could conceivably prevent the water from reaching every hair.
2. John was clear to point out that there would be another who would come who would revamp the whole baptism ritual and give eternal life through belief alone. Later writings by Paul state firmly that acts\deeds\rituals\etc do not save you. Only grace through faith alone [period]. One example of works he gives is the circumcision. Oh, how I wish he had addressed baptism also, but that wasn't the problem at the time. The point is clear though - just as circumcision doesn't make you a Jew, neither does any other outward work make you a Christian. According to the Bible. Disagree if you must, but you're not disagreeing with me. You're disagreeing with the Bible.
3. Just like circumcision was when Paul circumcised Timothy. Paul didn't do it in an attempt at converting Timothy to Judaism. (That would be ridiculous by the way).
4. Baptism is reserved for conscious, willing participants. If we could suppose to have the sins forgiven for someone who was both not conscious of the activity of sprinkling water on them (like an infant) or unwillingly partaking (like a crying infant), then what would prevent the following?
What do you need for baptism according to some faiths? One, you need a participant - any regular person of any age with any degree of desire or lack of desire to be saved. Their involvement is merely consequential. Two, you need water, blessed by a holy person. Three, you need to somehow have this 'holy water' sprinkled over them in an act of 'baptism'.
Now, suppose the following. One, take everyone in a large area - say, the state of New York. Two, you wait for a large storm cloud to come overhead and you have a priest bless all the water in the cloud. Three, it rains, and every unknowing person who happens to get water sprinkled on them is now saved from their sins.
Think about it. The water comes directly from the heavens - you can't get more holy than water from heaven that has been blessed by a pious person. It's water (read Mana) from heaven for Pete's sake! (get it?)
5. Baptized or not baptized, that isn't really the question. In the same way Paul addressed the issue of "circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing", so must we realize the truth of "baptism of the heart". Has your heart truly been given to Christ? Are you saved? Born again according to the words that Jesus spoke? That's the crux of the question. If you think some act or deed is your ticket to heaven, then let the rain fall and splash around all you want. The way of ritual seems right to some men. Unfortunately though, the end thereof are the ways of death.
Having settled this in my heart, I sadly cannot continue onto the other studies I would wish to for reasons I won't go into here. I don't write this information on my blog in order to condemn anyone. I write it in order to help - or try to help - guide people who may have been mislead into various beliefs which are either not in the Bible or specifically against the Bible. Many people may read the above as an attack. It was presented as a teaching point (2 Tim 3:16).
Labels: christianity, faith
Monday, September 08, 2008
Busy w/ Facebook
So, I've been flaky with my blog partially because I've become incredibly busy with the Singles group, but partially also because I've been pouring into FaceBook. I've discovered how to link my iPhone to Facebook and make 'on the spot' updates.
It's neat.
It's neat.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Growth (finally)
The most remarkable thing happened on Saturday. Let me preface a bit, but just slightly. Every Saturday morning, I make breakfast in a homeless shelter along with some men who are in a program for drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation. It's Christian based, and the men get a Biblical, God centered recovery. It's great in principle, but there has always been something missing. I've struggled with something there more and more. There's been a sort of 1/2 conversion and an air of "worldly salvation" in lack of a better term.
It manifested itself in the music that they played on a little CD player in the corner. At first, there was contemporary Christian songs (Christian rock, if you will), which led to Christian rap, which eventually became Christian gangsta rap. Where's the line between good, God honoring Christian music and this gangsta garbage? (sorry if I've offended, but it's garbage before a Holy God).
A few years ago, I started fasting from all secular music and all music that could be suspect as not 100% honoring to my God. I've essentially only listened to hymns and congregational music since then. Don't try to give me the argument that hymns aren't God honoring. :-)
Anyway, while I'm not in charge of every lyric or tune that comes into my ears, it's been an ear opening experience to witness what others cause me to listen to. It's been a struggle to serve Him on Saturdays because of the downward spiral the music has taken, but then, last Saturday I heard a softer soundtrack, a gentler spirit. And suddenly, a hymn came on...
"In The Sweet By And By"
It gave me cause to pause and consider that there was one more person here who "got it". Someone who was willing to be in the world, but not of it. To not partake in the influences of the world. To not cover their Christianity in the flesh, but instead, give honor to whom honor is due in a simple song that didn't have the long guitar riffs or percussion of drums.
It was a nicer day all around. :-)
I can't wait until the house is done. I'm still considering and praying about the possibility of getting a Steinway or Baldwin grand piano for the great room.
It manifested itself in the music that they played on a little CD player in the corner. At first, there was contemporary Christian songs (Christian rock, if you will), which led to Christian rap, which eventually became Christian gangsta rap. Where's the line between good, God honoring Christian music and this gangsta garbage? (sorry if I've offended, but it's garbage before a Holy God).
A few years ago, I started fasting from all secular music and all music that could be suspect as not 100% honoring to my God. I've essentially only listened to hymns and congregational music since then. Don't try to give me the argument that hymns aren't God honoring. :-)
Anyway, while I'm not in charge of every lyric or tune that comes into my ears, it's been an ear opening experience to witness what others cause me to listen to. It's been a struggle to serve Him on Saturdays because of the downward spiral the music has taken, but then, last Saturday I heard a softer soundtrack, a gentler spirit. And suddenly, a hymn came on...
"In The Sweet By And By"
It gave me cause to pause and consider that there was one more person here who "got it". Someone who was willing to be in the world, but not of it. To not partake in the influences of the world. To not cover their Christianity in the flesh, but instead, give honor to whom honor is due in a simple song that didn't have the long guitar riffs or percussion of drums.
It was a nicer day all around. :-)
I can't wait until the house is done. I'm still considering and praying about the possibility of getting a Steinway or Baldwin grand piano for the great room.
