This morning I met with the senior guys as usual. We read through Isaiah 58. This scripture takes us through the routine of ritual. The people say that they were honoring God with their fasting and other ritualistic behaviors but they never had a change of heart. Rituals are nothing but pomp and circumstances if it isn't intimately connected to a changed mind, pure heart and faithful actions. The scripture goes on to encourage those people to begin to change their attitude and not just blindly walk through the steps of repentance. How can steps of repentance honor God without a heart of repentance as well? It can't both must be present followed by change. I love how the scripture ends: "Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes." I can't read "restorer" without thinking about the "next Christians" book that calls us to be restorers of God's creation. To bring things back to the way they were created to be "good".
So today as I think about the journey that we are beginning I connect this scripture to the fact that God sent us Christ to be the restorer of all things. His design was to begin to set things back the way that He had created them to be. Christ the ultimate restorer of our lives, relationships, hope and all of creation. Honoring him by having the imposition of ashes on our heads but imprinted on our hearts. These 40 days are about more than ashes. They are about the light from which the ashes come, of which we are all children. We have an opportunity to honor God by fanning that light into a glorious flame.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,...take not your holy Spirit from me. - Psalm 51:10
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It started with words...
As I am thinking on tomorrow being Ash Wednesday and everything that it encompasses I begin to read through the gospels. Today looking at Matthew 1, Luke 1, and John 1. Where everything began. From the very tree which Jesus was rooted, as I read his family lineage. To the story of John being brought into the world to prepare the way. Seeing a skeptical priest and a faithful teenage girl. These stories are powerful.
Now to John, seeing the parallels between this passage and beginning of the story found in Genesis. God spoke everything into existence and this time his very word takes on human form in the Godman Jesus. Things had gone terribly wrong and were in desperate need of fixing. God shows how he fixes things with his words, this time the fix is Jesus, who not only speaks the words of God He is the Word of God.
Eugene Peterson writes it beautifully when he shares the importance of words:
"Saying "I believe" for instance makes the difference between life and death. Our words accrue dignity and gravity in conversations with Jesus. For Jesus doesn't impose salvation as a solution; he narrates salvation into being through leisurely conversation, intimate personal relationships, compassionate responses, passionate prayer, and putting it all together - a sacrificial death. We don't casually walk away from words like that."
So this Fat Tuesday has not been filled with punchki like I hoped but rather I have been preparing my heart and thoughts on tomorrow. Thinking through what it means for me to take on the ash mark of the cross. Why do we do this "ritual"? Why do we continue it? It must become more than a smudge marking the beginning of giving up chocolate, pop, or meat. It must be more than that, much like the "advent" season we are waiting for what is coming next. The next piece of the puzzle that intimately connects us to our Creator.
My hope is found in the complete life of Christ, who guided us on how to be human. The type of humanity God first created when He said it was very good. Now bring on the reflections of Lent sprinkled with the celebration Sundays. It will be an amazing season as God is awakening us in new ways calling us to "prepare the way" as he restores His Kingdom through our lives.
Now to John, seeing the parallels between this passage and beginning of the story found in Genesis. God spoke everything into existence and this time his very word takes on human form in the Godman Jesus. Things had gone terribly wrong and were in desperate need of fixing. God shows how he fixes things with his words, this time the fix is Jesus, who not only speaks the words of God He is the Word of God.
Eugene Peterson writes it beautifully when he shares the importance of words:
"Saying "I believe" for instance makes the difference between life and death. Our words accrue dignity and gravity in conversations with Jesus. For Jesus doesn't impose salvation as a solution; he narrates salvation into being through leisurely conversation, intimate personal relationships, compassionate responses, passionate prayer, and putting it all together - a sacrificial death. We don't casually walk away from words like that."
So this Fat Tuesday has not been filled with punchki like I hoped but rather I have been preparing my heart and thoughts on tomorrow. Thinking through what it means for me to take on the ash mark of the cross. Why do we do this "ritual"? Why do we continue it? It must become more than a smudge marking the beginning of giving up chocolate, pop, or meat. It must be more than that, much like the "advent" season we are waiting for what is coming next. The next piece of the puzzle that intimately connects us to our Creator.
My hope is found in the complete life of Christ, who guided us on how to be human. The type of humanity God first created when He said it was very good. Now bring on the reflections of Lent sprinkled with the celebration Sundays. It will be an amazing season as God is awakening us in new ways calling us to "prepare the way" as he restores His Kingdom through our lives.
Friday, March 4, 2011
well 3 out of 4 ain't bad!
Alright we yesterday I'm not sure what happened. I had anticipated on writing in the afternoon but it got away from me. So I thought I will just write after some friends that we were having over for dinner left. SO I sat down to write last night, looked at the clock in the corner on my laptop and it read 12:02. I missed Thursday, I let the day lead me rather than me making my priorities priority. When I saw the time I threw in the towel and went to bed. Today was looking very similar as I plan for a district event taking place tomorrow. This wouldn't be healthy, I need this time to pull myself away from the "work" and sit in silence while reading scripture so here I go....I'll be back.
As I sit here in blackdog, the hustle and bustle of the day beginning a long time ago continues as people come in and out. I have taken the time in the midst of all of this to finish 1 Samuel and read my Psalm for the day. In 1 Samuel I read how David went from 600 men to 200 men but because of his faith God gave him a victory. It was a big victory that day as he recovered the every last woman and child from his village that had been taken. Along with everything that was plundered.
I naturally look at the Sidedoor sunday nights. I think about how our group of people that come for prayer has been 12 at the most. I have not been discouraged, God doesn't need numbers he just need the faithful. I know what God can do and He continues to confirm that in my heart. If all of us in leadership of this service continue to faithfully trust God He will move in people's lives in the same fashion that he has moved in our hearts. It is only a few more weeks now.
As I prepare to go back to working on the district event the words from David continue to ring in my head...For you, God, have put my life back together - Psalm 4:8
As I sit here in blackdog, the hustle and bustle of the day beginning a long time ago continues as people come in and out. I have taken the time in the midst of all of this to finish 1 Samuel and read my Psalm for the day. In 1 Samuel I read how David went from 600 men to 200 men but because of his faith God gave him a victory. It was a big victory that day as he recovered the every last woman and child from his village that had been taken. Along with everything that was plundered.
I naturally look at the Sidedoor sunday nights. I think about how our group of people that come for prayer has been 12 at the most. I have not been discouraged, God doesn't need numbers he just need the faithful. I know what God can do and He continues to confirm that in my heart. If all of us in leadership of this service continue to faithfully trust God He will move in people's lives in the same fashion that he has moved in our hearts. It is only a few more weeks now.
As I prepare to go back to working on the district event the words from David continue to ring in my head...For you, God, have put my life back together - Psalm 4:8
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
it's a good start - 2 days in a row
This morning as I look at Psalm 2 from the Message I read - "But if you make a run for God - you won't regret it." Over the last few weeks God has refreshed my spirit. Diving into His word and walking this journey is exciting. I have been encouraged as I have my thoughts set on this new service that we are looking at doing. Too often I let myself get in the way but we have been covering this service in prayer. God's got some big plans for this service and for those who are a part of it. I think of how God placed this on Tanner's heart to stay and dig into leading this service with me. I needed the encouragement I received from him. It was in my immaturity that I was trying to carry the burden of this service by myself. It is not my service in the first place but God's, it is God's passion that is within me for this service. Help me to not lose sight of this.
1 Samuel - the journey continues as David is still being pursued by Saul. Until Saul ends up in the same cave of David and his men. David cuts a piece of Saul's robe to show him how he could have taken things into his hands but chose not to. This story is sprinkled with a beautiful connection between David and God. He calls out to God for answers and that is exactly what he receives. This makes me think of how my close my connection is. I too often pray for answers but then I haven't waited to hear them. The faithfulness of David is refreshing, knowing God has the best planned for us and we need only to be patient.
As the journey continues I am striving for a stronger faith and connection with God. Faith so that I will not quickly become entangled by the temptations that are all around us. Connection so that I will always realize that I am not strong enough to handle the temptations but must constantly surrender myself into the hands of a loving heavenly Father. Faith and connection together so I may know the Creator of all things more intimately than I currently do.
1 Samuel - the journey continues as David is still being pursued by Saul. Until Saul ends up in the same cave of David and his men. David cuts a piece of Saul's robe to show him how he could have taken things into his hands but chose not to. This story is sprinkled with a beautiful connection between David and God. He calls out to God for answers and that is exactly what he receives. This makes me think of how my close my connection is. I too often pray for answers but then I haven't waited to hear them. The faithfulness of David is refreshing, knowing God has the best planned for us and we need only to be patient.
As the journey continues I am striving for a stronger faith and connection with God. Faith so that I will not quickly become entangled by the temptations that are all around us. Connection so that I will always realize that I am not strong enough to handle the temptations but must constantly surrender myself into the hands of a loving heavenly Father. Faith and connection together so I may know the Creator of all things more intimately than I currently do.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
ok...let's give it another try
Well I have never been very good with blogging. I haven't ever had a set schedule for my life. Which has come in very handy at times and caused difficulties other times. As I continue to journey towards Christ I am attempting to create a regular time and space for connections with Him. I am also walking through the Psalms with a great friend. So I figured this would also be a good time to try to pick up blogging again.
My struggle is that too often I want to impress people with my thoughts and words as oppose to truly being who I am. This has been brought to light to me over the last month as I have looked at the events that I am involved in and why I am involved in them. So this time I will just write what is on my heart. These thoughts may not be deep theological nuggets like my friends Levi, Jake and Jon may have but they will be true to who I am and my journey.
I began the journey of reading through 1 Samuel a couple of weeks ago. As I was reading the preface to it (in the Message) I was challenged to not allow God to be the decoration of my story. Having him here and there to enhance the deeper meaning of my story. Instead be led to see myself in God's story, He is the larger context and plot in which my story finds itself. When I look for people to be impressed with my thoughts and ideas I am only using God as decoration. How awful would it be for people to give credit to God for my deep thoughts? Well as I continue through this book of Samuel I find myself relating to Saul. Everything started out well, embracing and trusting God completely, only later to see self reliance appearing in my story. In the scripture God removes His blessing from Saul and places it upon David. Seeing myself in this story was not pleasant but the fact that I saw myself was encouraging. I did not turn my eyes from it but surrendered it over to God. I began to echo the words that we will say next week as we take on ashes..."create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me."
Maybe this is too much maybe I shouldn't share my thoughts and struggles but how will ever grow if we are not true to who we are and where we are in the journey. Tears well up in my eyes (which is awkward since I am at blackdog!) my desire is to be farther along than I am, my heart aches inside of me as I see this. But none the less it begins today...again. A fresh start, a new heart, eyes trimmed and focused on the direction in which I am set. So here we go, I cry out to God to use me as I am and continue to mold me into who I am to be.
My struggle is that too often I want to impress people with my thoughts and words as oppose to truly being who I am. This has been brought to light to me over the last month as I have looked at the events that I am involved in and why I am involved in them. So this time I will just write what is on my heart. These thoughts may not be deep theological nuggets like my friends Levi, Jake and Jon may have but they will be true to who I am and my journey.
I began the journey of reading through 1 Samuel a couple of weeks ago. As I was reading the preface to it (in the Message) I was challenged to not allow God to be the decoration of my story. Having him here and there to enhance the deeper meaning of my story. Instead be led to see myself in God's story, He is the larger context and plot in which my story finds itself. When I look for people to be impressed with my thoughts and ideas I am only using God as decoration. How awful would it be for people to give credit to God for my deep thoughts? Well as I continue through this book of Samuel I find myself relating to Saul. Everything started out well, embracing and trusting God completely, only later to see self reliance appearing in my story. In the scripture God removes His blessing from Saul and places it upon David. Seeing myself in this story was not pleasant but the fact that I saw myself was encouraging. I did not turn my eyes from it but surrendered it over to God. I began to echo the words that we will say next week as we take on ashes..."create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me."
Maybe this is too much maybe I shouldn't share my thoughts and struggles but how will ever grow if we are not true to who we are and where we are in the journey. Tears well up in my eyes (which is awkward since I am at blackdog!) my desire is to be farther along than I am, my heart aches inside of me as I see this. But none the less it begins today...again. A fresh start, a new heart, eyes trimmed and focused on the direction in which I am set. So here we go, I cry out to God to use me as I am and continue to mold me into who I am to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)