I hate to be vague, but for the sake of those reading (if anyone) I feel the need to be.
We need something new. We need to do something different. Things here are getting a little stressful and overwhelming.
Lord, You know what we need and You alone hold the plans to our lives. I pray that you would give us guidance and understanding and peace about the plan that you have set before us. Thank You for Your continual guidance and hand in our lives.
Okay...enough of my whining. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Clarity?
It's been a little strange here lately. Our church had to make a major decision and was completely divided on an issue. It was hard to deal with because, in my mind, the decision tested our faith in God, and our willingness to trust that He is truly in control, no matter what the world says. Not only is my church family split on this issue, a member of my own family feels differently than I do.
All this leaves me wondering how big my faith is. How big is my God? Am I willing to truly trust Him with EVERYTHING? Do I truly believe that EVERYTHING in the Bible is 100% true, and valid, even for application in my life today?
I know that faith is one of my spiritual gifts. So maybe it's a little easier for me to trust that God is going to be true to His word. I truly TRULY believe that God's Word is valid. Without exception. No exception for the murderer. No exception for the rapist. No exception for the child abuser. No exception for the liar. No exception for the gossiper. No exception for me. Every bit of it that was true for them then, is true for us now. It concerns me that there are others who may feel differently.
I believe that we are called to be a "different sort" of people. We are called to do what the world says not to. To forgive when it seems completely unforgivable. To trust God when it seems logical to trust/rely on ourselves. To do what no one else would.
In "How Now Shall We Live", Dr. Charles Colson reminds us we are to fulfill the great commission and the "common commission-the call to create a culture under the lordship of Christ. God cares not only about redeeming souls but also about restoring His creation. He calls us to be agents not only of his saving grace but also of his common grace. Our job is not only to build up the church but also to build a society to the glory of God."
How is the world supposed to learn anything from Christians, "the light of the world, and salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13-14), when we cannot even live as people of the light within our own churches?
Isaiah 55 reminds us to 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I believe this with my whole heart. I will continue to believe this, and live my life this way. I will not always do it perfectly. I will screw up. But I will hold to the saving knowledge of Christ, and know that He will correct my stupidity, and forgive my human nature, leading me forward towards righteousness. Right now, I'm praying for clarity and peace. Not only for myself, but for some of the people that I love dearly. There is much to learn, and much room for growth in my heart and in my life.
And I know my God is faithful to get me where He wants me. Amen.
All this leaves me wondering how big my faith is. How big is my God? Am I willing to truly trust Him with EVERYTHING? Do I truly believe that EVERYTHING in the Bible is 100% true, and valid, even for application in my life today?
I know that faith is one of my spiritual gifts. So maybe it's a little easier for me to trust that God is going to be true to His word. I truly TRULY believe that God's Word is valid. Without exception. No exception for the murderer. No exception for the rapist. No exception for the child abuser. No exception for the liar. No exception for the gossiper. No exception for me. Every bit of it that was true for them then, is true for us now. It concerns me that there are others who may feel differently.
I believe that we are called to be a "different sort" of people. We are called to do what the world says not to. To forgive when it seems completely unforgivable. To trust God when it seems logical to trust/rely on ourselves. To do what no one else would.
In "How Now Shall We Live", Dr. Charles Colson reminds us we are to fulfill the great commission and the "common commission-the call to create a culture under the lordship of Christ. God cares not only about redeeming souls but also about restoring His creation. He calls us to be agents not only of his saving grace but also of his common grace. Our job is not only to build up the church but also to build a society to the glory of God."
How is the world supposed to learn anything from Christians, "the light of the world, and salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13-14), when we cannot even live as people of the light within our own churches?
Isaiah 55 reminds us to 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I believe this with my whole heart. I will continue to believe this, and live my life this way. I will not always do it perfectly. I will screw up. But I will hold to the saving knowledge of Christ, and know that He will correct my stupidity, and forgive my human nature, leading me forward towards righteousness. Right now, I'm praying for clarity and peace. Not only for myself, but for some of the people that I love dearly. There is much to learn, and much room for growth in my heart and in my life.
And I know my God is faithful to get me where He wants me. Amen.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You
Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You
Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Armor-Bearers
Armor-Bearers
Duties of Armor-Bearers
In ancient times, an armor-bearer was a soldier's right hand man. In a time when soldiering meant hand-to-hand combat and heavy equipment, skilled armor-bearers were in high demand.
Shields
Armor-bearers carried massively heavy wooden and metal shields into battle for the warrior. He stood by the warrior as he fought, offering his shield when he needed it.
Weapons
Duties of the armor-bearer included keeping the warriors sword and weapons blades sharp. Besides the warrior, only armor-bearers handled the warrior's weapons. (taken from www.ehow.com)
1 Samuel 16:21-23
21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
1 Samuel 14:6-14
6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
Armor-bearers were incredibly important to the soldier they represented. Not only in the protection of their lives, but, as we see in Saul's case, in the protection of their spiritual health. They essentially did anything their leader told them with complete faith and trust. Similarly, the soldier entrusted their lives to the armor bearer, counting on him to protect him from behind during fighting, hold his shield when he could no longer stand to fight, and to be his constant friend and trusted companion.
How many of us are armor-bearers for others? We stand strong for them, watch their backs, sometimes carrying them through the rough patches. This seems to come as the more natural role for us. It's easy to push someone else through.
The hard part comes when we play the role of the soldier. Often times we are the ones "hard pressed on every side" with the enemy closing in around us. Or we find ourselves like Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings", at the top of Mount Doom. Unable to complete his mission, he falls on the ground in certain defeat. It is here that he is at his most vulnerable, and it is HERE where Sam Gamgee, his trusted travel partner and armor-bearer, tells him "Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you!".
Just like Frodo needed Sam, we need each other. We need to accept each other's strong arm from time to time, allowing ourselves to rest. It is in moments like this that, I believe, God is stretching us most. We want to do it ourselves. But we can't. God gives us each other with our various strengths and weaknesses in order to function as a team; as the body of Christ.
Who can you run to and trust to hold your armor for you when you are weakened and left vulnerable by the enemy? Do you have someone? If not, it would be wise, in my humble opinion, to pray about someone you trust enough to take on that role. I am reminded of the words of the wise Solomon;
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Paul, likewise issued this exhortation to the church at Ephesus, in Ephesians 4;
"2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."
We need each other. Simple as that.
Duties of Armor-Bearers
In ancient times, an armor-bearer was a soldier's right hand man. In a time when soldiering meant hand-to-hand combat and heavy equipment, skilled armor-bearers were in high demand.
Shields
Armor-bearers carried massively heavy wooden and metal shields into battle for the warrior. He stood by the warrior as he fought, offering his shield when he needed it.
Weapons
Duties of the armor-bearer included keeping the warriors sword and weapons blades sharp. Besides the warrior, only armor-bearers handled the warrior's weapons. (taken from www.ehow.com)
1 Samuel 16:21-23
21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”
23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
1 Samuel 14:6-14
6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the Lord’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
Armor-bearers were incredibly important to the soldier they represented. Not only in the protection of their lives, but, as we see in Saul's case, in the protection of their spiritual health. They essentially did anything their leader told them with complete faith and trust. Similarly, the soldier entrusted their lives to the armor bearer, counting on him to protect him from behind during fighting, hold his shield when he could no longer stand to fight, and to be his constant friend and trusted companion.
How many of us are armor-bearers for others? We stand strong for them, watch their backs, sometimes carrying them through the rough patches. This seems to come as the more natural role for us. It's easy to push someone else through.
The hard part comes when we play the role of the soldier. Often times we are the ones "hard pressed on every side" with the enemy closing in around us. Or we find ourselves like Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings", at the top of Mount Doom. Unable to complete his mission, he falls on the ground in certain defeat. It is here that he is at his most vulnerable, and it is HERE where Sam Gamgee, his trusted travel partner and armor-bearer, tells him "Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you!".
Just like Frodo needed Sam, we need each other. We need to accept each other's strong arm from time to time, allowing ourselves to rest. It is in moments like this that, I believe, God is stretching us most. We want to do it ourselves. But we can't. God gives us each other with our various strengths and weaknesses in order to function as a team; as the body of Christ.
Who can you run to and trust to hold your armor for you when you are weakened and left vulnerable by the enemy? Do you have someone? If not, it would be wise, in my humble opinion, to pray about someone you trust enough to take on that role. I am reminded of the words of the wise Solomon;
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Paul, likewise issued this exhortation to the church at Ephesus, in Ephesians 4;
"2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."
We need each other. Simple as that.
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