Have you ever thought about what tree you would want to be?
The bible uses many allusions to trees and being a tree in your faith and following of the Lord.
That being said i think it is a valid question to ask what tree do you see yourself relating to and why? I guess it is kinda silly but thinking about it made wonder just how much do i know about "trees" which i am supposedly representing.
so basically what tree are you?
All in all i think i represent best a yew tree because its wood although very rough and practically unwork able can be made into a very amazing tool. The Yew was the wood made to make the famous long bow of Great Britain in the 1300's. I find this signifigant to my life because i am much like the tree, i am a course and odd person and i am of a rare breed( not necessarily prideful but meaning more that i am just weird) but the funny thing is that even though i seem like a wood that is from a tree of death and unusefulness that really i am very useful in the right persons hands. So useful i can change a nationa and that rarity can make worth especially when someone highly desires you.
This is really cool to me because it embodies my faith so much. Aren't we all just peieces of rough useless wood from a tree of death? But then some great Craftsman gets ahold of us(God) and can make us a beautiful tool for his use. and that Craftsman pays such a high price just for that rare and seemingly bad wood and yet produces such a more prized and rare product.
How wonderful an illustration does the Lord give us in nature
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Choose Life
Have you ever found yourself in one of those slumps of life? just bogged down with everything or totally not apathetic with your faith?
The other day i sat down with a friend and had a really good honest conversation about this very topic. We dived right in to the feelings of "spiritual apatheticism" that we knew we frequently had and it seems to me that we aren't the only ones experiencing this. And even more today we aren't the only ones experiencing this.
the hardest thing, though, about our whole conversation is the solution. How do you make someone joyful who isn't, how do you make some one care who doean't, who do you make someone love who doesn't? Its so much easier to not care than to care, because it is so much easier to not do something than to do it.
But isn't that just our problem? we don't do something and thus we eventually just don't care anymore. Its true of alot of things examples are all around, in school why do more when you only will be rewarded the same and why work through a problem when putting it on someone else makes an easier solution.
In the end though this solution eludes me until i finally think on scripture- How does Jesus solve this, what is His solution because it obviously has to be better than what i have tried so far.
What i find when i look for this is that Jesus says to take the narrow road, the one less traveled and to go against your prenotions and dispostions of what feels good.
Thats interesting to me because it seems like the answer isn't some easy fix like pray and be healed or just say the magic words and you will care again. Infact it is quite the opposite, Jesus doesn't ask you to do anything different, do what you were but choose to go a different route.
Basically Jesus says to choose the short straw, to take the hard way out, to do what you normally wouldn't want to do. Thats an odd cure but thats not the oddest part because never does he say there is a way to fix that.
The best example i think of when i say that is in the garden right before Jesus is taken. HOw much more apathetic can one be to go to a garden with JESUS and be asked by JESUS to pray for him. That to me is powerful because this guy JESUS had some serious power and a definately serious message-one worth listening to. You would think that might have been the stance the disciples would take: "What JESUS says you do". And yet they still fall asleep.
funny how that works out too because they say the same defensive things we say when we are apathetic- "i was tired i couldn't help it" or my personal favorite "I am getting nothing out of this, it was hard to listen to"- Now that is apathy but did you notice what Jesus does? he just wakes them up and a little rebuke, He knows they are apathetic and all he does is continually and painfully encourages them to "stay awake" time after time.
So whats that mean to me?
thats your first problem "me".
You see we say it alot but truly Christianity has nothing to do with you and never will. You comming to the Lord didn't change God's view of it.
I think what is crucial to see is that Spiritual apathy is a huge problem and we can't use some small fix to solve it. The only way to deal with it is at the root. If we can truly start looking at Christianity and "our faith" as "His truth" then i think we might start renewing our hearts. Sometimes we have to get out of the way, choose the hard path that you know is right even though you don't want to. But don't do it for you remember who it is for and that you truly have no time to waste on yourself even with this. Choose to "wake up" its simple, nobody wants to but thats what you have been called to do. "wake up"
And as for those around us in Spiritual apathy, be Jesus to us. Encourage us to continually "get up". Keep being that thorn in our side to "wake up" or take the way we won't choose.
In closing: If we are supposed to make our body our slaves we can't do that unless we choose contrary to the body. Why would you want to be with the old self if you have become the new. Choose to wake up, Choose to be a thorn, Choose to know your faith is not your own but a manifestation of the new life you have. Choose life.
The other day i sat down with a friend and had a really good honest conversation about this very topic. We dived right in to the feelings of "spiritual apatheticism" that we knew we frequently had and it seems to me that we aren't the only ones experiencing this. And even more today we aren't the only ones experiencing this.
the hardest thing, though, about our whole conversation is the solution. How do you make someone joyful who isn't, how do you make some one care who doean't, who do you make someone love who doesn't? Its so much easier to not care than to care, because it is so much easier to not do something than to do it.
But isn't that just our problem? we don't do something and thus we eventually just don't care anymore. Its true of alot of things examples are all around, in school why do more when you only will be rewarded the same and why work through a problem when putting it on someone else makes an easier solution.
In the end though this solution eludes me until i finally think on scripture- How does Jesus solve this, what is His solution because it obviously has to be better than what i have tried so far.
What i find when i look for this is that Jesus says to take the narrow road, the one less traveled and to go against your prenotions and dispostions of what feels good.
Thats interesting to me because it seems like the answer isn't some easy fix like pray and be healed or just say the magic words and you will care again. Infact it is quite the opposite, Jesus doesn't ask you to do anything different, do what you were but choose to go a different route.
Basically Jesus says to choose the short straw, to take the hard way out, to do what you normally wouldn't want to do. Thats an odd cure but thats not the oddest part because never does he say there is a way to fix that.
The best example i think of when i say that is in the garden right before Jesus is taken. HOw much more apathetic can one be to go to a garden with JESUS and be asked by JESUS to pray for him. That to me is powerful because this guy JESUS had some serious power and a definately serious message-one worth listening to. You would think that might have been the stance the disciples would take: "What JESUS says you do". And yet they still fall asleep.
funny how that works out too because they say the same defensive things we say when we are apathetic- "i was tired i couldn't help it" or my personal favorite "I am getting nothing out of this, it was hard to listen to"- Now that is apathy but did you notice what Jesus does? he just wakes them up and a little rebuke, He knows they are apathetic and all he does is continually and painfully encourages them to "stay awake" time after time.
So whats that mean to me?
thats your first problem "me".
You see we say it alot but truly Christianity has nothing to do with you and never will. You comming to the Lord didn't change God's view of it.
I think what is crucial to see is that Spiritual apathy is a huge problem and we can't use some small fix to solve it. The only way to deal with it is at the root. If we can truly start looking at Christianity and "our faith" as "His truth" then i think we might start renewing our hearts. Sometimes we have to get out of the way, choose the hard path that you know is right even though you don't want to. But don't do it for you remember who it is for and that you truly have no time to waste on yourself even with this. Choose to "wake up" its simple, nobody wants to but thats what you have been called to do. "wake up"
And as for those around us in Spiritual apathy, be Jesus to us. Encourage us to continually "get up". Keep being that thorn in our side to "wake up" or take the way we won't choose.
In closing: If we are supposed to make our body our slaves we can't do that unless we choose contrary to the body. Why would you want to be with the old self if you have become the new. Choose to wake up, Choose to be a thorn, Choose to know your faith is not your own but a manifestation of the new life you have. Choose life.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Real discipline
Hebrews 5:11-14 and then 6
5:11 On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 5:12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
6:1 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 6:2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 6:3 And this is what we intend to do, if God permits. 6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 6:7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 6:8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. 6:9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 6:11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
Shouldn't this be what we are all about?
Lately i have been thinking how much we tend to back slide and put on ignorance when we just don't want to change. The interesting thing about that is how unbiblical that is.
But even worst how unreal that is. To me its sick that i just act dumb even ignorant to God's will or to me duty and life.
Have you ever felt like you just don't want to do something? Like i don't want to go to church this morning? I know i have found myself there many times but the interesting thing is how unreal that is.-If i am a Christian shouldn't i want to be in fellowship all that i can be? Why do i allow my flesh to stop me?
I thought i would just pose this quick question as i go through finals week here at school: How real is your walk, because if its real what kind of teachings are you taking in, what kind of fruit are you producing, what kind of progression have you made?
5:11 On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 5:12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
6:1 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 6:2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 6:3 And this is what we intend to do, if God permits. 6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 6:7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 6:8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. 6:9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 6:11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
Shouldn't this be what we are all about?
Lately i have been thinking how much we tend to back slide and put on ignorance when we just don't want to change. The interesting thing about that is how unbiblical that is.
But even worst how unreal that is. To me its sick that i just act dumb even ignorant to God's will or to me duty and life.
Have you ever felt like you just don't want to do something? Like i don't want to go to church this morning? I know i have found myself there many times but the interesting thing is how unreal that is.-If i am a Christian shouldn't i want to be in fellowship all that i can be? Why do i allow my flesh to stop me?
I thought i would just pose this quick question as i go through finals week here at school: How real is your walk, because if its real what kind of teachings are you taking in, what kind of fruit are you producing, what kind of progression have you made?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
20 questions....
Ok, first i just want to say, If any of you have comments i would totally love to here them and the best part is that you don't have to be a member to leave one- Anyone can so that being said I would love to see them! thanks!
So todays post is part one of 2, Normally i like to answer a question that i have been pondering lately but it seems like i just got a whole bunch yesterday and so i encourage you to comment back with some answers and then tomorrow i will answer the list myself.
Cool?
Cool.
1. Do we as Christians have to be distinct about our faith? If so how much would you say that is?
2. Would you rather be challenged in your walk in life or be a challenger?
3. If someone had a legit need to be fulfilled( say they needed something like a refrigerator), how would you go about getting that provided for someone.
4. Is your home church relevant enough to the community that the community would miss it if it was ever shut down or gone.
5. If you ever had a friend that was a non-believer and into partying and drinking and they woke up one morning with a hangover and decided to quit drinking and that they wanted to change their life where would they go?
6. What arena of life would you think that Christianity dominates in? (nowhere is an answer too)
7. What do you think of when you hear the word preach? What do you think it really means?
8.How many non-believers/or professing lost people do you know and converse with regularly?
9. What do you think is the problem the world has with Jesus?
10. What is the more biblical service? 10:30 or 8am?
So todays post is part one of 2, Normally i like to answer a question that i have been pondering lately but it seems like i just got a whole bunch yesterday and so i encourage you to comment back with some answers and then tomorrow i will answer the list myself.
Cool?
Cool.
1. Do we as Christians have to be distinct about our faith? If so how much would you say that is?
2. Would you rather be challenged in your walk in life or be a challenger?
3. If someone had a legit need to be fulfilled( say they needed something like a refrigerator), how would you go about getting that provided for someone.
4. Is your home church relevant enough to the community that the community would miss it if it was ever shut down or gone.
5. If you ever had a friend that was a non-believer and into partying and drinking and they woke up one morning with a hangover and decided to quit drinking and that they wanted to change their life where would they go?
6. What arena of life would you think that Christianity dominates in? (nowhere is an answer too)
7. What do you think of when you hear the word preach? What do you think it really means?
8.How many non-believers/or professing lost people do you know and converse with regularly?
9. What do you think is the problem the world has with Jesus?
10. What is the more biblical service? 10:30 or 8am?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Miraculous God
Today in sunday school we talked about 2 samuel 22
I think what stuck out to me in this verse is the wording David uses to describe God.
Its interesting because we in the USA don't really think about God that way. We don't think about His voice like an earthquake or we never picture him with smoke coming out of his nostrils or throwing lightning like an arrow.
I think we don't see this because we try to intellectualize everything and over think things so that they make sense or are safe.
That is weird to me though because no where does it state that God is safe or that everything will make sense.- Remember we do look through blurry sinful lenses at God's world
In the end I think something we might want to start realizing is that God is definately not so easily viewed with worldly eyes and that He works in the miraculous business.( and yes i did mean miraclous business not miracle business because although he does miracles He does miraculous things and is miraculous).
I think what stuck out to me in this verse is the wording David uses to describe God.
Its interesting because we in the USA don't really think about God that way. We don't think about His voice like an earthquake or we never picture him with smoke coming out of his nostrils or throwing lightning like an arrow.
I think we don't see this because we try to intellectualize everything and over think things so that they make sense or are safe.
That is weird to me though because no where does it state that God is safe or that everything will make sense.- Remember we do look through blurry sinful lenses at God's world
In the end I think something we might want to start realizing is that God is definately not so easily viewed with worldly eyes and that He works in the miraculous business.( and yes i did mean miraclous business not miracle business because although he does miracles He does miraculous things and is miraculous).
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Songs
So it has been a while since i updated.....
I think i want to make this a little more upbeat so here is a song I wrote about a year ago or so.
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
Send me out
in Your name
for Your gain
make me fruitful Lord
Let me walk
with the wise
let me med-
itate day and night
let me be
a tree, firm-
ly planted in the ground
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
Don't let me stand
too long
in one place, stagnant, Lord
Don't let me sit
in a seat
far from You, those forlorn
Don't let me be
the chaff
blown to far
blown away from You God
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
(Repeat x 2)
well thats all i have for today, God bless you all for real
I think i want to make this a little more upbeat so here is a song I wrote about a year ago or so.
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
Send me out
in Your name
for Your gain
make me fruitful Lord
Let me walk
with the wise
let me med-
itate day and night
let me be
a tree, firm-
ly planted in the ground
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
Don't let me stand
too long
in one place, stagnant, Lord
Don't let me sit
in a seat
far from You, those forlorn
Don't let me be
the chaff
blown to far
blown away from You God
Make me steady
Make me strong
Make me wise
cuz I'm ready
Am I steady
Am I strong
Am I wise
cuz I'm ready
(Repeat x 2)
well thats all i have for today, God bless you all for real
Monday, November 24, 2008
Addicted to life
So I have been away for a day, sorry for not updating yestersday i told you it probably wouldn't be an everyday thing.
Recently i have been thinking about addictions, this is the definition: –noun- the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Here is the question that has been on my mind: Can you honestly say that if God called you now to do something could you do it without any hinderances?
READ that again before you go on
Can you honestly say that if God called you now to do something could you do it without any implications. That means that if God asked you to go to Africa could you do it?
now that seems easy or at least to those whom have missionary hearts. They very well would answer the call to sell their stuff and move to Africa. But what would you do if God told you not to go even though you had the heart for it? Or what if God asked you to just quit playing video games, no reason just quit. Would you?
This is really interesting to me because the disciples in the bible do exactly the opposite. The only thing they could know they were getting out of going with Jesus is His approval. They had no idea what was Jesus's plan and yet they followed without hesitation.
I think if i was a disciple and Jesus called me i could probably get past the no questions- just follow beginning but right around dinner i might start wondering about the details like how long will this thing go and where will we stay and eat tonight.
That strikes me odd because today we so easily come to God and we could make those huge decisions like give up all your belongings or move to Africa but what about the small details?
You see, I think what i am getting at is that none of us is totally unbonded to follow our calls and the main reason is because we don't look at the little things.
One thing we talked about at camp is that most of the time the big failures to sin in our lives isn't because it over took us but because we built up alot of little things that grew into a big thing. Basically that act of lying to your parents about being fired for stealing could be because you let small lies and stealing small things go since they were "no big deal".
So whats the fix?
First i don't think there ever is a full and easy fix to any problem but i think the answer lies somewhere in the statement by mother theresa made when she said" we do no big things just many small things in the eyes of the Lord"
After we have Christ all of our battles are potentially won and we are free- that means no longer enslaved. NOT even to addictions. That means you can't be held so why do you keep going back to that addiction.
But what does that mean?
I think in the end what we have to realize is that we are addicted- addicted to video games, to food, to sleep, to entertainment, to feeling good, to sin, to life.
But we don't have to be addicted. Infact if we let God take it we won't have anything in between us.
Don't get me wrong we will never be right "there" with God till we die and none of this is overnight but we should strive for being as near as we can.
And when that stuff starts clearing in your life you can really answer those calls- the ones most important to plant the real roots of the Christian life.
The cost of being a disciple sometimes is small but in the end adds up signifigantly
Recently i have been thinking about addictions, this is the definition: –noun- the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Here is the question that has been on my mind: Can you honestly say that if God called you now to do something could you do it without any hinderances?
READ that again before you go on
Can you honestly say that if God called you now to do something could you do it without any implications. That means that if God asked you to go to Africa could you do it?
now that seems easy or at least to those whom have missionary hearts. They very well would answer the call to sell their stuff and move to Africa. But what would you do if God told you not to go even though you had the heart for it? Or what if God asked you to just quit playing video games, no reason just quit. Would you?
This is really interesting to me because the disciples in the bible do exactly the opposite. The only thing they could know they were getting out of going with Jesus is His approval. They had no idea what was Jesus's plan and yet they followed without hesitation.
I think if i was a disciple and Jesus called me i could probably get past the no questions- just follow beginning but right around dinner i might start wondering about the details like how long will this thing go and where will we stay and eat tonight.
That strikes me odd because today we so easily come to God and we could make those huge decisions like give up all your belongings or move to Africa but what about the small details?
You see, I think what i am getting at is that none of us is totally unbonded to follow our calls and the main reason is because we don't look at the little things.
One thing we talked about at camp is that most of the time the big failures to sin in our lives isn't because it over took us but because we built up alot of little things that grew into a big thing. Basically that act of lying to your parents about being fired for stealing could be because you let small lies and stealing small things go since they were "no big deal".
So whats the fix?
First i don't think there ever is a full and easy fix to any problem but i think the answer lies somewhere in the statement by mother theresa made when she said" we do no big things just many small things in the eyes of the Lord"
After we have Christ all of our battles are potentially won and we are free- that means no longer enslaved. NOT even to addictions. That means you can't be held so why do you keep going back to that addiction.
But what does that mean?
I think in the end what we have to realize is that we are addicted- addicted to video games, to food, to sleep, to entertainment, to feeling good, to sin, to life.
But we don't have to be addicted. Infact if we let God take it we won't have anything in between us.
Don't get me wrong we will never be right "there" with God till we die and none of this is overnight but we should strive for being as near as we can.
And when that stuff starts clearing in your life you can really answer those calls- the ones most important to plant the real roots of the Christian life.
The cost of being a disciple sometimes is small but in the end adds up signifigantly
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Teaching the Teacher
So here is something that made me think about today, it's not really deep but I was listening to the radio today as i was traveling home from college for the thanksgiving break this week and i stumbled onto the christian station with James Dobson the bible answer man.
While talking on the air he made the ad for his new book of Bible answers(Ironic huh?). But this really intrigued me. The reason was because I really wonder if we need such a book.
I mean, i don't think that it is a bad book to have but if you use James Dobson's bible answer book to answer all your questions about the bible it seems like a cop-out. I believe God gave us the bible to answer questions about the bible you just have to learn to read it right.
---However maybe that is a bit overly critical of his book. Personally I have never read the book, it could be a great tool for the Lord.
But I guess in the end all i want to say in this update is that its a really humbling experience to realize that not everyone gets the chance to go to a christian college, or grow up in a christian church, or even get the chance to read the bible. Sometimes I get so involved in my bubble that I don't realize the fact that others don't get the doctrine and biblical thoughts drilled into them day and night that i do attending the university.
That being said it really motivates me to want to help the saints to pursue the ability to really interpet the Scriptures so they can have those answers.
I really want to end this post just with some encouragement: Go and serve the Lord tomorrow even in the smallest way. Buthere is the challenge, make whatever you do based on your knowledge of the bible. That means instead of doing the main Chrisitan things like pray for someone or give money away or tell someone the gospel, try to speak the wisdom to others or teach someone how to do something. And although it seems small and abstract just remember this quote "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time"
While talking on the air he made the ad for his new book of Bible answers(Ironic huh?). But this really intrigued me. The reason was because I really wonder if we need such a book.
I mean, i don't think that it is a bad book to have but if you use James Dobson's bible answer book to answer all your questions about the bible it seems like a cop-out. I believe God gave us the bible to answer questions about the bible you just have to learn to read it right.
---However maybe that is a bit overly critical of his book. Personally I have never read the book, it could be a great tool for the Lord.
But I guess in the end all i want to say in this update is that its a really humbling experience to realize that not everyone gets the chance to go to a christian college, or grow up in a christian church, or even get the chance to read the bible. Sometimes I get so involved in my bubble that I don't realize the fact that others don't get the doctrine and biblical thoughts drilled into them day and night that i do attending the university.
That being said it really motivates me to want to help the saints to pursue the ability to really interpet the Scriptures so they can have those answers.
I really want to end this post just with some encouragement: Go and serve the Lord tomorrow even in the smallest way. Buthere is the challenge, make whatever you do based on your knowledge of the bible. That means instead of doing the main Chrisitan things like pray for someone or give money away or tell someone the gospel, try to speak the wisdom to others or teach someone how to do something. And although it seems small and abstract just remember this quote "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time"
Friday, November 21, 2008
Influential Diety
So i don't know how much i intend on writing in this daily but i really do think it might be beneficial.
SO today in Cultural and Global awareness class a very interesting question was discussed in class and i think it has alot to do with this cost of being a follower of Christ
Here it is, but be careful it just may offend you:
What is the difference between the use of magic to get things to happen and praying as a Christian to get things to happen?
To define this question better let me put it into a scenario. Lets say that there is a man that from his culture he believes that magic(as in supernatural powers that can be controlled). So when a drought accures in the land that he lives in he automatically turns to a witch doctor and asks for in to rain finally and help his dieing crops. The witch doctor then agrees and casts a spell that is to make the clouds release their water unto his crops. Then suddenly a few days later it rains and feeds the crops. Then soon after that the man comes to meet some missionaries who prayed regularly. In fact they are so fervent in prayer he learned they had been praying for rain all during the drought. This confused the man because he had seen his magic work the same way they claimed their God worked.
Who is right though?
And what is the answer? How do you prove that prayer is real and God does really work through it. Magic is used enough in other cultures that it looks like a legitmate power source just as prayer here works enough times to look legit.
I think it would be helpful to define both terms to answer this problem. Dictionary.com defines magic as the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature. Prayer on the same site is defined as a fervent request or petition. So basically magic is human control over the supernatural while prayer is a request.
So Here is what i see: magic can look legit but it is completely human instigated while prayer on the other hand leaves no power in the user but to whom the prayer is too.
The answer I think that is vital to see is, although alot of the time we think that asking God means he will listen and do as we say because we really need whatever it is we are asking for. But clearly that can't be true, where in the bible does Christ say the more fervent you pray to God the more likely God is to hear and answer.
So in the end the answer is that the difference in a Christians prayer and using magic is that prayer doesn't accomplish things Our God does. You can't control God like you can magic, you can't influence God.
But i guess if you think i am wrong you can chew on this question for a while: If you could influence God who would hold the real power?
peace out ya'll
What is the difference between the use of magic to get things to happen and praying as a Christian to get things to happen?
To define this question better let me put it into a scenario. Lets say that there is a man that from his culture he believes that magic(as in supernatural powers that can be controlled). So when a drought accures in the land that he lives in he automatically turns to a witch doctor and asks for in to rain finally and help his dieing crops. The witch doctor then agrees and casts a spell that is to make the clouds release their water unto his crops. Then suddenly a few days later it rains and feeds the crops. Then soon after that the man comes to meet some missionaries who prayed regularly. In fact they are so fervent in prayer he learned they had been praying for rain all during the drought. This confused the man because he had seen his magic work the same way they claimed their God worked.
Who is right though?
And what is the answer? How do you prove that prayer is real and God does really work through it. Magic is used enough in other cultures that it looks like a legitmate power source just as prayer here works enough times to look legit.
I think it would be helpful to define both terms to answer this problem. Dictionary.com defines magic as the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature. Prayer on the same site is defined as a fervent request or petition. So basically magic is human control over the supernatural while prayer is a request.
So Here is what i see: magic can look legit but it is completely human instigated while prayer on the other hand leaves no power in the user but to whom the prayer is too.
The answer I think that is vital to see is, although alot of the time we think that asking God means he will listen and do as we say because we really need whatever it is we are asking for. But clearly that can't be true, where in the bible does Christ say the more fervent you pray to God the more likely God is to hear and answer.
So in the end the answer is that the difference in a Christians prayer and using magic is that prayer doesn't accomplish things Our God does. You can't control God like you can magic, you can't influence God.
But i guess if you think i am wrong you can chew on this question for a while: If you could influence God who would hold the real power?
peace out ya'll
Thursday, November 20, 2008
scattered thoughts on love
Ok so this is my virgin post so wish me well..........
Anyways, I just started this because I wanted to put some of my thoughts onto paper. I had been meaning to do this for a while, so I am glad I did this.
Something i have been noticing lately, is just the fads that people take on. More specifically, I would say Christianity. However, this strikes me as very odd because even though America is the last stand of Chrisendom in the world, it still isn't completely acceptable to be a Christian. I mean its cool if you go to church and believe in morals and maybe even call yourself a christian when you happen to meet a person of another proclaimed religion, but to claim Jesus and look as hypocritical as most "Christians" do you must be crazy.
Why in the world would you still feel comfortable being in the same crazy shoes as your mother and father if you don't believe an ounce of what they say.
I think the reason I bring this up is because I sometimes think we are overly harsh on each other as Christians. Today in my regular bible study on wednesday nights we discussed Ephesians 4 and its all about unity in the believers.
Now don't get me wrong I am definately one at fault with this, but sometimes i think we too easily judge other Christians who are lesser in the faith as lesser or maybe even not really Christians because they have no fruit.
That being brought to my attention makes me think "Are we just trying to make this exclusive to push out the hypocrits?". You know, even Jesus told the disciples that the guy casting out demons in Jesus's name although he wasn't granted that authority was ok. Maybe i misread that and correct me if I am wrong, but I think that although Salvation is very stubborn and one sided(meaning it is only gained through believing Christ died and rose again), serving the Lord may not be so one sided.
Its a hard concept to swallow. Its hard to believe that we should love those who don't know the truth as well as teach them the truth, but it is our duty, both of those are our duties. It's the hardest question to answer now-a-days: "Why love and extend mercy to those who potentially are wrong?" But i guess all in all thats just one of the cost's of following. The cost of discipleship......
Anyways, I just started this because I wanted to put some of my thoughts onto paper. I had been meaning to do this for a while, so I am glad I did this.
Something i have been noticing lately, is just the fads that people take on. More specifically, I would say Christianity. However, this strikes me as very odd because even though America is the last stand of Chrisendom in the world, it still isn't completely acceptable to be a Christian. I mean its cool if you go to church and believe in morals and maybe even call yourself a christian when you happen to meet a person of another proclaimed religion, but to claim Jesus and look as hypocritical as most "Christians" do you must be crazy.
Why in the world would you still feel comfortable being in the same crazy shoes as your mother and father if you don't believe an ounce of what they say.
I think the reason I bring this up is because I sometimes think we are overly harsh on each other as Christians. Today in my regular bible study on wednesday nights we discussed Ephesians 4 and its all about unity in the believers.
Now don't get me wrong I am definately one at fault with this, but sometimes i think we too easily judge other Christians who are lesser in the faith as lesser or maybe even not really Christians because they have no fruit.
That being brought to my attention makes me think "Are we just trying to make this exclusive to push out the hypocrits?". You know, even Jesus told the disciples that the guy casting out demons in Jesus's name although he wasn't granted that authority was ok. Maybe i misread that and correct me if I am wrong, but I think that although Salvation is very stubborn and one sided(meaning it is only gained through believing Christ died and rose again), serving the Lord may not be so one sided.
Its a hard concept to swallow. Its hard to believe that we should love those who don't know the truth as well as teach them the truth, but it is our duty, both of those are our duties. It's the hardest question to answer now-a-days: "Why love and extend mercy to those who potentially are wrong?" But i guess all in all thats just one of the cost's of following. The cost of discipleship......
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