So, there was a shooting yesterday at a community college in Oregon. This comes right on the heels of my own college campus being evacuated twice in one week. Once because of a shooting threat, and once because of a bomb threat.
It appears that our world is not a safe place to be. So what do we do? How do we respond?
Here's what I think:
Matthew 10:28a "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."
We as Christians have nothing to worry about. God said that we can walk through fire and not be burned, because he is with us (Isaiah 43:1-4).
We can take comfort in the fact that we were bought at a price, and God does not take that investment lightly. He is able to protect us.
But what if it is his plan for us to be injured or killed? I say this: if it is his plan, there is no better thing that could happen. To live is Christ, to die is gain. So again, we have no reason to be afraid.
My heart and prayers go out to those who lost friends, teachers, and loved ones at the shooting yesterday, as well as to those who knew and loved the shooter. Every life is precious and worth mourning, and I pray that the God of all comfort and healing would be with those who mourn today.
Let us go out with courage, not shrinking back from the growing darkness. As the world grows darker, the light we carry will become brighter. Grace and peace be with you.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015
...Finding Peace
So there I was, the night before school started. I was thinking over what the next day might bring, trying to steel myself against the darkness I would be walking into. I was also thinking over the plot of The Lord of the Rings (which I had seen for the first time the day before), and how it illustrates so beautifully the fact that light always conquers darkness, no matter how powerful the darkness might seem.
I was in bed. Usually, at night, I tell myself a story to help me get to sleep. That night, however, God spoke to me. He said, "No, no, no. Tonight I'm telling you a story."
I was like, "Okay, that's pretty cool. What's it about?"
This is the story he told:
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a field of flowers (He was talking about me). At a very young age, she decided who it was she would follow. She followed Him on a path through the field for a while. She mostly watched the path, but sometimes she would look up to the One she was following. Every time she did, she came a little closer to Him. Lately, however, she's been focusing too much on where she places her feet. She wants each footstep fits perfectly into each of His (me and my perfectionism. I'd never thought of it that way before). Instead, she needs to look up and focus on the One who is creating those footsteps which she is following."
He wasn't exactly saying everything. It was mostly communicated with pictures, with Him narrating every so often. Like the gentle rebuke of how the little girl needs to focus more on the One she is following.
So the story continued, with the two of us leaving the field of flowers behind. The landscape changed to something more hard and rocky.
Eventually, we came to the top of a ridge, overlooking a dark valley. Here we stopped, I came alongside Him, and He took my hand. We looked down into the valley, where our path was heading next.
The path led down a steep slope, twisting and winding its way to the valley floor. On the other side stood a tall mountain that was soaking in sunshine. The valley itself was full of darkness. There was no light. There was, however, a village. And it was the village that held Jesus' gaze. As we looked down on this dark place, He spoke once more, this time about the path that lay ahead.
"It will not be pleasant, but the people down there are worth meeting."
I felt good, then. Calm. Resolved. I knew Jesus would be with me every step of the way, and that the darkness down there would not consume me. I would reach the mountain that lay on the other side, and climb back up to the light. But I would not regret taking the hard path along the way. God would use me as a light down there where there was none. He would be working in me, ministering to people who needed to see that light.
I realize now that it doesn't matter what happens after that. My job is to be a light. If they join me on the path, so be it. If not, then I will still have accomplished what needed to be done.
Anyway, that was where the story ended that night. This week, however, God added a couple more details:
It was bedtime on Labor Day. School for the week was starting the next day, Tuesday. I would only be in school for three days, because I don't have any classes on Fridays. However, despite that fact, I was discouraged. I didn't want to get up to an alarm again, didn't want to go to school. I didn't want to spend the energy interacting with my classmates.
This was partially because I had just finished my last break from school until Thanksgiving. Something about the fact that there's no break mid-semester made me feel trapped. So, I didn't want to school.
God reminded me of the story of the journey. He brought me back to the place where we had left off: the top of the hill. He then skipped ahead a little.
"Now the girl is on the decent, climbing down boulders, still holding the hand of the One she is following. She's letting Him guide and help her down each and every boulder (each boulder represented one week at school). Sometimes she balks at the steep drop to the next one, but she just needs to keep her eyes focused on her companion, who promises to lead her safely through and never leave her side in the process."
It happened again a few days later, adding another detail for the part of the journey I was on at that time. The rock I was on was a particularly hard one to navigate. So he showed me a picture of him carrying me through while I hid my face in his shoulder.
So that is the story of the journey. These other details, as I've already described, weren't revealed until I needed them days later. However, the story of the journey was not the only one God told me that night before school started.
The next picture I saw was a single stone, a building block, sitting on the ground. It was at eye level, because I was standing in a big hole that was cut into a rock. The stone was on the edge of the hole. It was wet with rain, and the wind was blowing against it. This was the beginning of a building, a house. It was being built on the rock with the hole. The hole itself was the foundation for the house. It was deep and well made. It would well support the structure above it.
God told me that I had been digging this deep foundation during my childhood and teen years. While I was working, deep in the hole, I had been sheltered from the storm that was raging outside. Now, however, was the time to be exposed to it. The foundation was laid, and it was time to start building the house. That first stone was the time I had already spent in college. I was about to lay another. And even though the wind was growing stronger and the rain was falling hard, my house would not fail because of the good foundation it had.
It is probably easy to understand that I felt very confident after all that. First, the story of the journey, where Jesus never leaves my side. Then, the story of the house, where the work I have put into establishing my faith will help me build through the storm. This confidence I felt was not self-confidence. It was confidence that God would lead me safely through, keep all his promises, and take good care of me.
And he has. I saw evidence of that the very next day, and the day after that, and every day since. All my school work has been getting done in time, as if by magic. I often feel as if I'm not doing anything. I just listen for his voice telling me my next step.
When I surrender now, it is no longer a scary prospect. It is a joy, because I know what awaits me on the other side. I am no longer perfect, and no longer am I trying to be. The best part is, I no longer have any reason to worry or fret, because God is in control. The wind and waves still know his name. This faith that I have in his ability, and in his love for me, give me the peace for which I have been searching for so long. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
I have lost my perfection. I have found His peace.
I was in bed. Usually, at night, I tell myself a story to help me get to sleep. That night, however, God spoke to me. He said, "No, no, no. Tonight I'm telling you a story."
I was like, "Okay, that's pretty cool. What's it about?"
This is the story he told:
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a field of flowers (He was talking about me). At a very young age, she decided who it was she would follow. She followed Him on a path through the field for a while. She mostly watched the path, but sometimes she would look up to the One she was following. Every time she did, she came a little closer to Him. Lately, however, she's been focusing too much on where she places her feet. She wants each footstep fits perfectly into each of His (me and my perfectionism. I'd never thought of it that way before). Instead, she needs to look up and focus on the One who is creating those footsteps which she is following."
He wasn't exactly saying everything. It was mostly communicated with pictures, with Him narrating every so often. Like the gentle rebuke of how the little girl needs to focus more on the One she is following.
So the story continued, with the two of us leaving the field of flowers behind. The landscape changed to something more hard and rocky.
Eventually, we came to the top of a ridge, overlooking a dark valley. Here we stopped, I came alongside Him, and He took my hand. We looked down into the valley, where our path was heading next.
The path led down a steep slope, twisting and winding its way to the valley floor. On the other side stood a tall mountain that was soaking in sunshine. The valley itself was full of darkness. There was no light. There was, however, a village. And it was the village that held Jesus' gaze. As we looked down on this dark place, He spoke once more, this time about the path that lay ahead.
"It will not be pleasant, but the people down there are worth meeting."
I felt good, then. Calm. Resolved. I knew Jesus would be with me every step of the way, and that the darkness down there would not consume me. I would reach the mountain that lay on the other side, and climb back up to the light. But I would not regret taking the hard path along the way. God would use me as a light down there where there was none. He would be working in me, ministering to people who needed to see that light.
I realize now that it doesn't matter what happens after that. My job is to be a light. If they join me on the path, so be it. If not, then I will still have accomplished what needed to be done.
Anyway, that was where the story ended that night. This week, however, God added a couple more details:
It was bedtime on Labor Day. School for the week was starting the next day, Tuesday. I would only be in school for three days, because I don't have any classes on Fridays. However, despite that fact, I was discouraged. I didn't want to get up to an alarm again, didn't want to go to school. I didn't want to spend the energy interacting with my classmates.
This was partially because I had just finished my last break from school until Thanksgiving. Something about the fact that there's no break mid-semester made me feel trapped. So, I didn't want to school.
God reminded me of the story of the journey. He brought me back to the place where we had left off: the top of the hill. He then skipped ahead a little.
"Now the girl is on the decent, climbing down boulders, still holding the hand of the One she is following. She's letting Him guide and help her down each and every boulder (each boulder represented one week at school). Sometimes she balks at the steep drop to the next one, but she just needs to keep her eyes focused on her companion, who promises to lead her safely through and never leave her side in the process."
It happened again a few days later, adding another detail for the part of the journey I was on at that time. The rock I was on was a particularly hard one to navigate. So he showed me a picture of him carrying me through while I hid my face in his shoulder.
So that is the story of the journey. These other details, as I've already described, weren't revealed until I needed them days later. However, the story of the journey was not the only one God told me that night before school started.
The next picture I saw was a single stone, a building block, sitting on the ground. It was at eye level, because I was standing in a big hole that was cut into a rock. The stone was on the edge of the hole. It was wet with rain, and the wind was blowing against it. This was the beginning of a building, a house. It was being built on the rock with the hole. The hole itself was the foundation for the house. It was deep and well made. It would well support the structure above it.
God told me that I had been digging this deep foundation during my childhood and teen years. While I was working, deep in the hole, I had been sheltered from the storm that was raging outside. Now, however, was the time to be exposed to it. The foundation was laid, and it was time to start building the house. That first stone was the time I had already spent in college. I was about to lay another. And even though the wind was growing stronger and the rain was falling hard, my house would not fail because of the good foundation it had.
It is probably easy to understand that I felt very confident after all that. First, the story of the journey, where Jesus never leaves my side. Then, the story of the house, where the work I have put into establishing my faith will help me build through the storm. This confidence I felt was not self-confidence. It was confidence that God would lead me safely through, keep all his promises, and take good care of me.
And he has. I saw evidence of that the very next day, and the day after that, and every day since. All my school work has been getting done in time, as if by magic. I often feel as if I'm not doing anything. I just listen for his voice telling me my next step.
When I surrender now, it is no longer a scary prospect. It is a joy, because I know what awaits me on the other side. I am no longer perfect, and no longer am I trying to be. The best part is, I no longer have any reason to worry or fret, because God is in control. The wind and waves still know his name. This faith that I have in his ability, and in his love for me, give me the peace for which I have been searching for so long. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
I have lost my perfection. I have found His peace.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Losing Perfection...
Warning: this post is a long one :)
This past spring semester in college, I was going through school by myself, for myself. I've since discovered that not asking God for directions is the same as ignoring his directions. I also discovered that that system does not work. Sure, I was "successful" in the sense that I got A's in all my 5 classes, and I currently hold a 4.0 GPA. But who cares, really? In the process, I was the most stressed out that I've ever been in my life. I was so worried about a perfect performance in school, I couldn't see how stressed I really was.
I couldn't bring myself to let go of control. I had found a system that worked. I was getting good grades. I was prepared for virtually every class. I was always on time, and so were all of my assignments. All my homework was as complete and impressive as I could make it. All in all, I was the perfect student.
But...
I was by myself all the time. I couldn't hear God's voice when I wanted to, because I was ignoring it when I didn't. The people around me got so used to not having me around, it got to the point where I felt I was ignored by everybody once I was with them. I could see I was changing, and I didn't like who it was who was coming out. I wasn't helpful, I was tired. I wasn't compassionate, I was distracted. I wanted to have fun, but there wasn't time. When there was time, it wasn't fun. I never got a break.
So I retreated. I sunk down into myself, put up a brave front, and soldiered on.
And dreaded fall semester.
That dread went up and down during summer break. Dance camp reminded me that I was seen and irreplaceable both to God and to those around me. A visit from a childhood friend reminded me that I do have friends who understand me, and who I can be myself around. My brother came back from a 5-month YWAM DTS, so my family was once again complete. God put different systems in my life to help me let go of the perfection that drove every aspect in my life. They were simple things, like not making myself brush my teeth for exactly 2 minutes every night.
Through many different circumstances, and through many morning quiet times, God reminded me of who I am; who I really am. While he did that, he also showed me anew who he is. My grip on dread loosened as I realized that he would take care of me.
One specific example of this happened in July. We were scheduled to go on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. The night before we left, I fell ill. I got a 102°F fever, and I was really dizzy whenever I stood up. The next morning, while I was waiting to go to urgent care and get meds, the hymn It is Well popped into my head. I realized then that whatever happened to me, it was all going to be okay. God was in control, he would take care of me, and he would never leave me.
I ended up missing the first three days of the trip while I recovered. I didn't mind, though.
One more thing that was awful about spring semester: I couldn't find peace. That was implied, I suppose, but it was a big deal to me. The specific fact that I could not enter God's rest was devastating. I was kept away from something that is the right of all of God's children. But it was me keeping myself away from it. I could feel the truth of that. In the back of my mind, God was asking me to surrender control to him. But in the front of my mind, I could see that I was getting the results that I desired.
Whenever I considered completely surrendering control, I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff about to jump off. So I didn't.
Anyway, having the summer off really helped. I wasn't so stressed out, but that wasn't the same as having God's peace. I still had moments where I dreaded going back to school. The stress of spring semester was like a deep, black, swirling pit that waited to swallow me whole as soon as I let it.
But something God told me during Dance camp stuck with me all summer. Every time I faced that dread, he would tell it to me again. "What is in your past is not what I have planned for your future."
I also got a sense that I was supposed to wait. When the time came, he would present his solution.
That solution ended up being the same one that had been in the back of my head all of spring semester: surrender. Well, I did. I have. I am, and I will.
I surrendered during another camping trip, this one near Mt. Evans. It wasn't easy. It still felt like jumping off a cliff, at least until God intervened. He told me to read my poem Scales of Surrender, which you can find elsewhere in the Sunset Room.
When I read it, I felt free to let go of my offering, and take up the life of freedom. That way, it didn't feel like a freefall, it felt like an exchange. God told me to focus on what I was receiving, and let myself lose sight of what I was giving up.
That was about a week before school started back up again. Now, whenever I was worried about it (because I still was), I would surrender again. God would remind me that keeping up with school is not my responsibility anymore.
The story doesn't end there, because he did some really cool things the night before fall semester started. However, that post may well end up being almost as long as this one, so I'll put it to rest for now. Be watching for it.
I was going to name this post "Losing Perfection, Finding Peace." However, since the story is not quite finished yet, I'll leave off the other half until it is.
This past spring semester in college, I was going through school by myself, for myself. I've since discovered that not asking God for directions is the same as ignoring his directions. I also discovered that that system does not work. Sure, I was "successful" in the sense that I got A's in all my 5 classes, and I currently hold a 4.0 GPA. But who cares, really? In the process, I was the most stressed out that I've ever been in my life. I was so worried about a perfect performance in school, I couldn't see how stressed I really was.
I couldn't bring myself to let go of control. I had found a system that worked. I was getting good grades. I was prepared for virtually every class. I was always on time, and so were all of my assignments. All my homework was as complete and impressive as I could make it. All in all, I was the perfect student.
But...
I was by myself all the time. I couldn't hear God's voice when I wanted to, because I was ignoring it when I didn't. The people around me got so used to not having me around, it got to the point where I felt I was ignored by everybody once I was with them. I could see I was changing, and I didn't like who it was who was coming out. I wasn't helpful, I was tired. I wasn't compassionate, I was distracted. I wanted to have fun, but there wasn't time. When there was time, it wasn't fun. I never got a break.
So I retreated. I sunk down into myself, put up a brave front, and soldiered on.
And dreaded fall semester.
That dread went up and down during summer break. Dance camp reminded me that I was seen and irreplaceable both to God and to those around me. A visit from a childhood friend reminded me that I do have friends who understand me, and who I can be myself around. My brother came back from a 5-month YWAM DTS, so my family was once again complete. God put different systems in my life to help me let go of the perfection that drove every aspect in my life. They were simple things, like not making myself brush my teeth for exactly 2 minutes every night.
Through many different circumstances, and through many morning quiet times, God reminded me of who I am; who I really am. While he did that, he also showed me anew who he is. My grip on dread loosened as I realized that he would take care of me.
One specific example of this happened in July. We were scheduled to go on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. The night before we left, I fell ill. I got a 102°F fever, and I was really dizzy whenever I stood up. The next morning, while I was waiting to go to urgent care and get meds, the hymn It is Well popped into my head. I realized then that whatever happened to me, it was all going to be okay. God was in control, he would take care of me, and he would never leave me.
I ended up missing the first three days of the trip while I recovered. I didn't mind, though.
One more thing that was awful about spring semester: I couldn't find peace. That was implied, I suppose, but it was a big deal to me. The specific fact that I could not enter God's rest was devastating. I was kept away from something that is the right of all of God's children. But it was me keeping myself away from it. I could feel the truth of that. In the back of my mind, God was asking me to surrender control to him. But in the front of my mind, I could see that I was getting the results that I desired.
Whenever I considered completely surrendering control, I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff about to jump off. So I didn't.
Anyway, having the summer off really helped. I wasn't so stressed out, but that wasn't the same as having God's peace. I still had moments where I dreaded going back to school. The stress of spring semester was like a deep, black, swirling pit that waited to swallow me whole as soon as I let it.
But something God told me during Dance camp stuck with me all summer. Every time I faced that dread, he would tell it to me again. "What is in your past is not what I have planned for your future."
I also got a sense that I was supposed to wait. When the time came, he would present his solution.
That solution ended up being the same one that had been in the back of my head all of spring semester: surrender. Well, I did. I have. I am, and I will.
I surrendered during another camping trip, this one near Mt. Evans. It wasn't easy. It still felt like jumping off a cliff, at least until God intervened. He told me to read my poem Scales of Surrender, which you can find elsewhere in the Sunset Room.
When I read it, I felt free to let go of my offering, and take up the life of freedom. That way, it didn't feel like a freefall, it felt like an exchange. God told me to focus on what I was receiving, and let myself lose sight of what I was giving up.
That was about a week before school started back up again. Now, whenever I was worried about it (because I still was), I would surrender again. God would remind me that keeping up with school is not my responsibility anymore.
The story doesn't end there, because he did some really cool things the night before fall semester started. However, that post may well end up being almost as long as this one, so I'll put it to rest for now. Be watching for it.
I was going to name this post "Losing Perfection, Finding Peace." However, since the story is not quite finished yet, I'll leave off the other half until it is.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Precious Treasure, Beautiful Pearl
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-46
In Sunday school class growing up, I learned about this parable. I was taught that it meant that the kingdom of heaven is so valuable, that it is worth giving up everything I have and am in order to find it and obtain it.
This is certainly true. After all, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9); and if we seek first the kingdom of heaven, all things that we may strive to get for ourselves will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33).
However, this morning when I read Matthew 13:44-46, another side to that coin was shown to me. Instead of seeing myself digging in a field or browsing a jewelry shop, I saw Jesus doing those things. This morning, instead of being the merchant, I was the pearl. Jesus gave up everything he owned in order to purchase me. I, along with all the other members of the Church (and therefore, the Kingdom), was a treasure cache of greatest value.
This is one thing that I love about Jesus' parables. There are so many different angles to them, so many new things to see. It's mornings like these when I am glad that I still read that story that I've read and heard a hundred times. Just because I have one picture of it in my head, doesn't mean that picture is complete.
The point of all this is, we are all so precious. Jesus Christ thinks we are the most precious of things. If we are willing to accept it, it can grow to be very personal as well. As in, you personally are the pearl that Jesus saw. You inspired him to go and sell everything he had, to do whatever it took to obtain you.
That is what happened first. Now, he inspires us to give up everything we have and do whatever it takes to obtain him. It is such a beautiful cycle. Only love can see things this way. Love transcends every other desire.
But now I know it goes both ways. Thank you, Jesus.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-46
In Sunday school class growing up, I learned about this parable. I was taught that it meant that the kingdom of heaven is so valuable, that it is worth giving up everything I have and am in order to find it and obtain it.
This is certainly true. After all, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9); and if we seek first the kingdom of heaven, all things that we may strive to get for ourselves will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33).
However, this morning when I read Matthew 13:44-46, another side to that coin was shown to me. Instead of seeing myself digging in a field or browsing a jewelry shop, I saw Jesus doing those things. This morning, instead of being the merchant, I was the pearl. Jesus gave up everything he owned in order to purchase me. I, along with all the other members of the Church (and therefore, the Kingdom), was a treasure cache of greatest value.
This is one thing that I love about Jesus' parables. There are so many different angles to them, so many new things to see. It's mornings like these when I am glad that I still read that story that I've read and heard a hundred times. Just because I have one picture of it in my head, doesn't mean that picture is complete.
The point of all this is, we are all so precious. Jesus Christ thinks we are the most precious of things. If we are willing to accept it, it can grow to be very personal as well. As in, you personally are the pearl that Jesus saw. You inspired him to go and sell everything he had, to do whatever it took to obtain you.
That is what happened first. Now, he inspires us to give up everything we have and do whatever it takes to obtain him. It is such a beautiful cycle. Only love can see things this way. Love transcends every other desire.
But now I know it goes both ways. Thank you, Jesus.
Monday, July 13, 2015
War
I am realizing more and more that there is an all-out war going on. I'm posting this because we can't fight a battle that we don't know exists.
This war is being waged for the next generation--my generation. Our Enemy is doing his very best to make sure that we never see God's light. He's not taking it easy on us, starting before we are even born, before we have a chance to breathe. He succeeds at killing 3,000 unborn children in the US every single day.
If we are lucky enough to be born, he attacks us with poverty, disease, and slavery. If we make it through that, or if we are not exposed to it, he comes at us with depression, abuse, self-entitlement/"rights", the love of money, and complacency.
In short, Satan is doing everything in his power to keep youth from entering, and especially from advancing, God's kingdom. However, I have the feeling that there is a reason for his efforts. That reason is this: we are powerful. After all, who has the most potential? Unborn children. Who are the ones who will rebel and stand against him? Teenagers.
There is just one problem with his little plan: God. What Satan intends for harm, God uses for good. Satan is afraid of us because we are so strong. But when we stand through the trials and temptations that he throws at us in response to his fear, we become stronger. This is because God is not giving up on us. I believe that He is raising up a generation that is able to stand for Him even as the world draws to a close and collapses around us.
But we can't stand alone. We need people who are willing to teach us, trust us, and support us. We need to be taught how to cling to God no matter what; how to find ourselves and our role in Him. We need to be trusted with positions of leadership so that we know that we are capable, functioning members of the church, and that we are able to carry it onward into the next century. We need to be supported in this war we are in; to know that we are not facing it alone.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." ~Ephesians 6:10-13
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." ~Ephesians 6:19-20
"I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one." ~1 John 2:12-14
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Chewing on Ears
I haven't been posting much lately, not because I haven't been learning anything, but because the things I'm learning are the sort of things that take longer to learn. There are some steps that God wants me to take in my life that get rid of some big habits of mine. The biggest one is that together God and I are trying to get rid of my cynical attitude and sense of humor. This includes the snide comments I make and the judgments that I make about people in my head. Unfortunately, I have made a habit of these things. However, to help me get rid of them, I think I'll post something that I wrote a few years ago. But first, I want to add some back story.
For a while, I dreamed about owning and running a dog training school, where we have dog-themed devotionals before each class. So I started stock-piling lessons that I have learned about being a Christian by observing my dogs. This is one of those lessons.
One night, my two dogs, Dixie and Mystery, were going through their regular bedtime routine. They had just been outside and were on the way to their kennels, where they sleep.
Now, when given a command, Dixie is usually the first one of the two to obey it. When I call them in from the yard, Dixie comes running in the back door. But when she reaches it, she turns around and looks to see that Mystery is coming too. Then, as I keep calling Mystery in, Dixie runs back out and, being a shepherd, starts to chew on Mystery's ears and ankles while they run inside together. But she often throws Mystery off course before they reach me.
On this particular night, my dad had told the dogs to go to bed, and Dixie rushed up the stairs, but waited at the top. She then proceeded to follow Mystery into the room, chewing on her ears the whole time. This made it so that Mystery made it into her kennel first. I turned to my mom and remarked that even though Mystery is usually slower at responding to commands, she is usually the first one to actually obey.
Then I had the thought that that remark probably had some spiritual parallel/application. So I thought some more about it, and realized what it was.
As Christians, we are usually fast to grow in one area of the faith or another. But sometimes when we're growing, we hinder our own growth and someone else's by judging them and trying to fix what we think they should improve on. That is kind of like when Dixie obeys me really quickly, but then turns back and starts shoving Mystery off course while trying to shepherd her towards me.
Jesus talked about this problem, too. In Matthew 7:3-5 and in Luke 6:41-42, He rebukes people for trying to get a speck of dust out of their brothers' eyes, while all the time they had planks in their own. His point was, don't try to fix the sins that you perceive in your fellow Christians until you have repented for your own.
Therefore, when we feel like giving advice to our brothers and sisters about how they can get further along the path they're on, especially if that advice wasn't asked for, we need to pray and ask God if that is his plan, or if we would just be hindering our fellow's progress like Dixie does.
One night, my two dogs, Dixie and Mystery, were going through their regular bedtime routine. They had just been outside and were on the way to their kennels, where they sleep.
Now, when given a command, Dixie is usually the first one of the two to obey it. When I call them in from the yard, Dixie comes running in the back door. But when she reaches it, she turns around and looks to see that Mystery is coming too. Then, as I keep calling Mystery in, Dixie runs back out and, being a shepherd, starts to chew on Mystery's ears and ankles while they run inside together. But she often throws Mystery off course before they reach me.
On this particular night, my dad had told the dogs to go to bed, and Dixie rushed up the stairs, but waited at the top. She then proceeded to follow Mystery into the room, chewing on her ears the whole time. This made it so that Mystery made it into her kennel first. I turned to my mom and remarked that even though Mystery is usually slower at responding to commands, she is usually the first one to actually obey.
Then I had the thought that that remark probably had some spiritual parallel/application. So I thought some more about it, and realized what it was.
As Christians, we are usually fast to grow in one area of the faith or another. But sometimes when we're growing, we hinder our own growth and someone else's by judging them and trying to fix what we think they should improve on. That is kind of like when Dixie obeys me really quickly, but then turns back and starts shoving Mystery off course while trying to shepherd her towards me.
Jesus talked about this problem, too. In Matthew 7:3-5 and in Luke 6:41-42, He rebukes people for trying to get a speck of dust out of their brothers' eyes, while all the time they had planks in their own. His point was, don't try to fix the sins that you perceive in your fellow Christians until you have repented for your own.
Therefore, when we feel like giving advice to our brothers and sisters about how they can get further along the path they're on, especially if that advice wasn't asked for, we need to pray and ask God if that is his plan, or if we would just be hindering our fellow's progress like Dixie does.
Journey of Faith- A Word from God
Every couple of weeks, there's a prophet named Howard who visits my church with his wife. I have learned that every time he shows up, it is because God has a message for my church and wants him to give it. He usually gives it during worship, and I have discovered that God tells me it is about to happen a few moments in advance.
All this happened this past Sunday, the 5th. This time, however, God told me that the message was about to be told, and instructed me to get out my phone and record it. So I did.
Yesterday (Monday), I listened to the recording and wrote down what was spoken. It is very encouraging, so I wanted to share it with you all. Here it is:
The very existance, the very DNA of God is love. He has loved you with an everlasting love.
He will never let you go. As long as you trust in him he will surely bring you through this life's journey.
He says to you, "Be joyful as you take the journey through life. In good times; through difficulties and times of great joy and high places. And I am with you always no matter what you face. So take this journey in faith, knowing that the Lord your God is the author and finisher of your faith. And he will bring you through no matter what goes on in this world. You are a free people, you've been set free by the power, and the might, and the glory of God.
You're his children. You are different. The world hates you because it hated me. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. And I have given you faith to be persistent, and to keep your eye upon the destination as you journey through life. Be not discouraged or dismayed with the things, the dark things that will come upon this earth. For have I not said that they would happen, and I told you before they would happen so that you would know and prepare yourself.
So be not dismayed. The things that you see, and the things that will happen. But keep journeying on in faith, and love, and in kindness. And be kind one to another and love one another. And keep pressing toward the mark.
For I have overcome, and I have made you overcomers as you keep your eye on the great city that I have prepared for you. For it will be yours soon. And the worlds of this kingdom will become the Lord's. So rejoice! For the Lord is still in control over all things!" Amen, amen, amen (this is how Howard finishes all is prophecies).
All this happened this past Sunday, the 5th. This time, however, God told me that the message was about to be told, and instructed me to get out my phone and record it. So I did.
Yesterday (Monday), I listened to the recording and wrote down what was spoken. It is very encouraging, so I wanted to share it with you all. Here it is:
The very existance, the very DNA of God is love. He has loved you with an everlasting love.
He will never let you go. As long as you trust in him he will surely bring you through this life's journey.
He says to you, "Be joyful as you take the journey through life. In good times; through difficulties and times of great joy and high places. And I am with you always no matter what you face. So take this journey in faith, knowing that the Lord your God is the author and finisher of your faith. And he will bring you through no matter what goes on in this world. You are a free people, you've been set free by the power, and the might, and the glory of God.
You're his children. You are different. The world hates you because it hated me. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. And I have given you faith to be persistent, and to keep your eye upon the destination as you journey through life. Be not discouraged or dismayed with the things, the dark things that will come upon this earth. For have I not said that they would happen, and I told you before they would happen so that you would know and prepare yourself.
So be not dismayed. The things that you see, and the things that will happen. But keep journeying on in faith, and love, and in kindness. And be kind one to another and love one another. And keep pressing toward the mark.
For I have overcome, and I have made you overcomers as you keep your eye on the great city that I have prepared for you. For it will be yours soon. And the worlds of this kingdom will become the Lord's. So rejoice! For the Lord is still in control over all things!" Amen, amen, amen (this is how Howard finishes all is prophecies).
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