For those of you who have been Christians for a while, isn't it interesting when you look back on those times in your life - times when you felt like God had maybe abandoned or forgotten all about you, times when you really struggled, or were in pain, or crying out of desperation - that you realize were the most profound seasons of change and growth?
I know it's been a crazy road for me. But I'm getting to this place where I'm good again, happy again, "whole" in many senses of the word. I have a really solid, wonderful set of friends (both new and old), wise counselors that I've chosen to surround myself with, and I wouldn't trade it, to go back.
And I'm tasting just how wonderful and great our Lord is, how good He is TO ME. And it is sweet, my dear brothers and sisters, to be near to my comforter, healer, and most loyal friend.
So the thing I thought about today was how David, a man after God's own heart, took a mighty fall, when he committed adultery, and then added murder to that mix, and it took about ONE FULL YEAR for him to come around (please note how sin leads to more sin and brokenness)
...until he finally confesses and repents after Nathan's rebuke...and yet, that's how God sometimes must deal with us, putting us in times of crisis or breaking us hard, to get our attention back on Him, in full reliance in Him, to bend us back after a horrible straying into idolatry (of something, someone, or self) after a season of disobedience, or rebellion, or fear.
I believe that God also brings us down before He lifts us up...all for His glory. And with as much studying and analyzing, I still don't and won't fully understand.
Of course, I realize that I am not the boss, God is, and He's the only one that knows and directs what happens, how it happens, and when it happens. And I find rest and peace in trusting that it's all for my ultimate good (Rom. 8:28, Jer. 29:11).
Just fyi, the job search is on-going...but God provides, as the student becomes the teacher. If you're interested in finding out more, please just feel free to email me. :)
I am anxiously waiting for the next chapter to unfold in my life, just taking things little by little, surrendering to God's leading, making the most of every opportunity, and sharing this with whoever will be gracious enough to listen.
In the meantime, I'm just soaking in everything, savoring this time to learn more, grow more, and love more, so that I can be more like Christ in all that I do, think, say, and how I behave.
May you be filled to overflowing with joy in your heart and found content with the blessings God has given, even when you feel uncertain or face difficult circumstances!
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Church family
Quick post today - what I'm learning - spiritual growth and what church "family" is all about...enjoy!
The following is a brief selection of excerpts from “9 Marks of a
A church full of growing Christians is the kind of church growth I want as a pastor. Some today seem to think that one can be a “baby Christian” for a whole lifetime. Growth is seen to be an optional extra for particularly zealous disciples. But be very careful about taking that line of thought. Growth is a sign of life. Growing trees are living trees, and growing animals are living animals. When something stops growing, it dies.
Growth may not mean that you negotiate this rapid in half the time you negotiated the last; it may simply mean that you are able to continue in the right direction as a Christian, regardless of the adverse circumstances. Remember, it is only things that are alive that swim upstream; the dead things all float along with the current.
Good influences in a covenanted community of believers can be tools in God’s hand for growing His people. As God’s people are built up and grow together in holiness and self-giving love, they should improve their ability to administer discipline and to encourage discipleship.
If we are to grow as individual believers and as churches, we must sit under the Word. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to plant and to weed the gardens of our hearts. This spiritual growth is not optional; it is vital, because spiritual growth indicates life. Things that are truly alive, grow.
There are only two types of people – those who serve Christ as LORD in their life, with Him on the throne, and then non-Christians. There are no “middle-category” carnal Christians – that would be an oxymoron like hot ice. It just doesn’t make sense. You can’t live your life in a manner that is different from what you profess.
Consider what it means to be a Christian. It’s not that you’re perfect, but that your heart does intend to seek the Lord. If you are a Christian, it is because GOD, by His own gracious actions in your life, has grown a desire in you to live a life that pleases Him more and more. Such growth is a sign of true spiritual life.
For an individual, this means that you are to take an ACTIVE part in your church, not simply by attending, by praying, and by giving (though you SHOULD do all those things); more than such things…
you should be ACTIVELY getting to know your church family, you should be praying through the list of those other people with whom you have covenanted to serve God.
You should listen as other members of the body tell about what God is doing in their lives or about their concerns – and then PRAY WITH THEM.
You must realize that part of your obligation and privilege as a member of the church is to get to know other believers and to make yourself known to them. Study God’s word together! Learn to think as a church about God’s Word! You should be growing in grace yourself, and in the knowledge of God’s Word, in the knowledge of your own heart and of the hearts of your brothers and sisters, and in awareness of the opportunities God is putting in front of your church!
I do pray that you're all finding yourselves immersed within a healthy, vibrant, loving church community. It's so sweet! Praise the Lord that we don't have to, can't go at it alone!Grace and peace to you.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Now He who is able
I read this this morning and thought to myself how awesome our God is so I'd like to post and share it with you all. It's taken from "More Precious Than Gold" by Sam Storms:
We celebrate a God who is able, who works tirelessly and relentlessly on behalf of those who trust in Him.
This is important because:
1) Your spiritual growth is governed by the greatness of your God.
If your God is small, you will be too. If his power is limited, so is yours. It's important that we know and celebrate the God who is able, because your spiritual maturity and conformity to the likeness of Jesus himself will always be in proportion to the greatness of the God you know. Those who worship a diminutive deity will forever remain spiritual pygmies.
Henry Scougal once said, "The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." If you want to learn what's most important about a person, take note of what's most important to that person.
What does he most admire? Whom does she most cherish? What monopolizes his time and energy?
If our God, the only God, the God who is able, is the one for whom we seek, to whom we are passionately devoted, in whom we have invested our lives, the "excellency" of our souls will be known by all.
2) According to Daniel 11:32, "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."
The knowledge of this God who is able empowers the soul, energizes the heart, strengthens the will, exalts the mind, inflames the spirit, and moves our hands in ministry and mercy to others. Ignorance, on the other hand, immobilizes.
3) Finally, and most important of all, this is what you were created for.
We exist not simply to think about God or to sing about God or to obey or to fear God but to glorify Him by enjoying Him and rejoicing in Him forever. But your delight in God will be only as deep and intense as your knowledge is accurate. You cannot enjoy someone you don't know.
I pray that you will come to know and love this wonderful God more and more each day!
Grace and peace to you.
We celebrate a God who is able, who works tirelessly and relentlessly on behalf of those who trust in Him.
This is important because:
1) Your spiritual growth is governed by the greatness of your God.
If your God is small, you will be too. If his power is limited, so is yours. It's important that we know and celebrate the God who is able, because your spiritual maturity and conformity to the likeness of Jesus himself will always be in proportion to the greatness of the God you know. Those who worship a diminutive deity will forever remain spiritual pygmies.
Henry Scougal once said, "The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." If you want to learn what's most important about a person, take note of what's most important to that person.
What does he most admire? Whom does she most cherish? What monopolizes his time and energy?
If our God, the only God, the God who is able, is the one for whom we seek, to whom we are passionately devoted, in whom we have invested our lives, the "excellency" of our souls will be known by all.
2) According to Daniel 11:32, "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."
The knowledge of this God who is able empowers the soul, energizes the heart, strengthens the will, exalts the mind, inflames the spirit, and moves our hands in ministry and mercy to others. Ignorance, on the other hand, immobilizes.
3) Finally, and most important of all, this is what you were created for.
We exist not simply to think about God or to sing about God or to obey or to fear God but to glorify Him by enjoying Him and rejoicing in Him forever. But your delight in God will be only as deep and intense as your knowledge is accurate. You cannot enjoy someone you don't know.
I pray that you will come to know and love this wonderful God more and more each day!
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sacrifice and surrender
Coming back from a retreat weekend can be an adjustment, as you ease (well, maybe not exactly the right word for some of you) back into work/school life and succumb to the grind and daily pressures/distractions/temptations of the "world".
But I'm very thankful for this brief time away for "meaty" spiritual growth and wonderful fellowship, as I'm reminded of some important life lessons:
1) That Jesus' suffering on the cross was BY CHOICE, an awesome outpouring of love and amazing grace for me:
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I received from my Father." - John 10:17-18
And I don't know about you, but that makes me love Him so much more, that He could have said "I quit, you're not worth it" but He DIDN'T.
2) That we are commanded to love each other as He loved us:
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." - John 15:16-17
And this love isn't natural and doesn't come easy; this love includes loving those who have hurt you, let you down, who have betrayed you, who are your enemies.
3) That our lives ought to be characterized and defined by surrender...DAILY:
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Rom. 12:1-2
Jesus paid the price, took on God's wrath for my sins, for which I could not do myself, and my reasonable service is to live my life for God's glory.
Let's work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), for the God we serve deserves our praise, honor, and obedience.
Grace and peace to you.
But I'm very thankful for this brief time away for "meaty" spiritual growth and wonderful fellowship, as I'm reminded of some important life lessons:
1) That Jesus' suffering on the cross was BY CHOICE, an awesome outpouring of love and amazing grace for me:
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I received from my Father." - John 10:17-18
And I don't know about you, but that makes me love Him so much more, that He could have said "I quit, you're not worth it" but He DIDN'T.
2) That we are commanded to love each other as He loved us:
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." - John 15:16-17
And this love isn't natural and doesn't come easy; this love includes loving those who have hurt you, let you down, who have betrayed you, who are your enemies.
3) That our lives ought to be characterized and defined by surrender...DAILY:
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Rom. 12:1-2
Jesus paid the price, took on God's wrath for my sins, for which I could not do myself, and my reasonable service is to live my life for God's glory.
Let's work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), for the God we serve deserves our praise, honor, and obedience.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Distance and space
So it's been a while since I've posted...and I've been pondering a few random but connected thoughts...mainly from a couple Sci-Fi movies I've been watching.
It's interesting how art imitates life...and how we can sometimes gain some pretty good insight from movies. These writers are well-versed in understanding human character and human relationships.
First, there's Yoda where he's talking to Anakin, saying "Attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed, that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."
If I understand correctly, Jedi are forbidden to have attachments.
Second, the new Star Trek highlights Spock's Vulcan attributes (something new to me) where they train to use logic to suppress emotion.
As a good friend so curiously noted, while it's unhealthy to allow feelings and emotions to control you, suppression is not good either.
So where do we find this balance? I think the key is acknowledging the pain, giving yourself enough time to grieve and then moving past it.
I also think part of why the world can feel like such a challenging journey for us is our struggle to accept that life doesn't always operate neatly, in absolutes, under rules of proper conduct...which is the world I'm better suited for...that things ARE actually very unclear, often unfair, and the immediate future is uncertain.
There are many unknowns...but I trust God wholeheartedly. Jobs and people come and go, will bring you joy and also let you down; "life" may not end up like we planned or expected.
But "mind-meld" this: the overarching truth we must cling to is that our God is constant, unwavering, and in control.
No matter how distant we feel, He is near. Praise God for his faithfulness and steadfast love!
Grace and peace to you.
It's interesting how art imitates life...and how we can sometimes gain some pretty good insight from movies. These writers are well-versed in understanding human character and human relationships.
First, there's Yoda where he's talking to Anakin, saying "Attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed, that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."
If I understand correctly, Jedi are forbidden to have attachments.
Second, the new Star Trek highlights Spock's Vulcan attributes (something new to me) where they train to use logic to suppress emotion.
As a good friend so curiously noted, while it's unhealthy to allow feelings and emotions to control you, suppression is not good either.
So where do we find this balance? I think the key is acknowledging the pain, giving yourself enough time to grieve and then moving past it.
I also think part of why the world can feel like such a challenging journey for us is our struggle to accept that life doesn't always operate neatly, in absolutes, under rules of proper conduct...which is the world I'm better suited for...that things ARE actually very unclear, often unfair, and the immediate future is uncertain.
There are many unknowns...but I trust God wholeheartedly. Jobs and people come and go, will bring you joy and also let you down; "life" may not end up like we planned or expected.
But "mind-meld" this: the overarching truth we must cling to is that our God is constant, unwavering, and in control.
No matter how distant we feel, He is near. Praise God for his faithfulness and steadfast love!
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Start off small
You know, it's funny how unpredictable life can be. I've lived through the hardest few months of my life, and still have many unanswered questions...and yet, it's when we're most "unstable" that we can run to God, fully rely on Him for strength and refuge. Amen? :)
And I'm learning new lessons daily. This one comes from my observations of and interactions with my grandma. She's in a wheelchair and in diapers...actually, in the hospital today, to have surgery for a hip fracture. Please pray for healing and comfort for her and wisdom as our family will have to make some big decisions in the near future.
We've wondered why she has been too weak to walk and stand (which led to the fall), concerned that not everything is always what it seems.
And in caring for her, carrying her out of bed, helping her to change, to use the restroom, there's an interesting dynamic that has surfaced...that of her personal responsibility, and then the help we're to give.
How much strength/exertion can she, should she put out vs. how much aid we should and can give?
And as I face my own issues, how much should I personally shoulder, and when is it appropriate to call out for help, to ask for support and "burden" those around me?
That's almost an impossible question to answer:
Sometimes the need is so great, that it's better to err on the safe side...sometimes it's best to leave them alone so they'll stop being "spoiled" and learn to rely on some of their own strength, to get themselves out of that self-pity. Make sense?
In many ways, I understand this state of being - my grandma's desire not to unnecessarily burden her loved ones, but also a sense of entitlement out of selfish motives to be paid attention to.
Yes, I'll admit that I'm the type of person that wants to be reached out to, that people persist in their attempts to help...but at the same time, I feel guilty, that this is my personal cross to bear. Isn't that human nature?
God has been so good to me, showing me his faithfulness day after day. There is injustice and grief...there will be more trials and pain...but God is my mighty fortress when the storm rages, when my heart and flesh fail, when I cannot stand on my own.
Praise God that I am relatively healthy, that I have time to take it slowly...building my life from scratch again with a new body, new friends, and a promising? career ahead of me...that I'm going to be more than ok.
"but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
Right now, I only have strength to walk, but I'm going to start off small...
Grace and peace to you.
And I'm learning new lessons daily. This one comes from my observations of and interactions with my grandma. She's in a wheelchair and in diapers...actually, in the hospital today, to have surgery for a hip fracture. Please pray for healing and comfort for her and wisdom as our family will have to make some big decisions in the near future.
We've wondered why she has been too weak to walk and stand (which led to the fall), concerned that not everything is always what it seems.
And in caring for her, carrying her out of bed, helping her to change, to use the restroom, there's an interesting dynamic that has surfaced...that of her personal responsibility, and then the help we're to give.
How much strength/exertion can she, should she put out vs. how much aid we should and can give?
And as I face my own issues, how much should I personally shoulder, and when is it appropriate to call out for help, to ask for support and "burden" those around me?
That's almost an impossible question to answer:
Sometimes the need is so great, that it's better to err on the safe side...sometimes it's best to leave them alone so they'll stop being "spoiled" and learn to rely on some of their own strength, to get themselves out of that self-pity. Make sense?
In many ways, I understand this state of being - my grandma's desire not to unnecessarily burden her loved ones, but also a sense of entitlement out of selfish motives to be paid attention to.
Yes, I'll admit that I'm the type of person that wants to be reached out to, that people persist in their attempts to help...but at the same time, I feel guilty, that this is my personal cross to bear. Isn't that human nature?
God has been so good to me, showing me his faithfulness day after day. There is injustice and grief...there will be more trials and pain...but God is my mighty fortress when the storm rages, when my heart and flesh fail, when I cannot stand on my own.
Praise God that I am relatively healthy, that I have time to take it slowly...building my life from scratch again with a new body, new friends, and a promising? career ahead of me...that I'm going to be more than ok.
"but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
Right now, I only have strength to walk, but I'm going to start off small...
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
May opening statements
It's been a while since I've posted here...have a few different thoughts to share but I'll keep them relatively brief.
First, I've been pondering a statement made by a new friend of mine. She said:
"Technology is supposed to bring people closer together, and yet, somehow it feels like we're all more distant."
I think that's both true and profound in a way. With email, instant messaging, texting, and all these things that "connect" people, we've stopped sending cards, contacting/relating with old friends, meeting face-to-face, making actual eye contact and engaging in deep and meaningful conversations. I miss that...call me old school...I don't like Facebook much for that reason now.
And when we apply this similar principle to the idea of "independence" and dealing with people at "arm's length", sometimes people don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be a member in community...that church is a place where we grasp hands with each other to know and be known by each other. We are agreeing to help and encourage each other when we need to be reminded of God's work in our lives or when we need to be challenged about major discrepancies between our talk and our walk." -Mark Dever in Ch. 6 of 9 Marks of a Healthy Church
Second, our lives are journeys, that we are to constantly continue to learn and grow in the right direction...
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." - 2 Tim. 2:15 - We are to be diligent and eager to master God's Word.
"Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Tim. 4:7-8 - Godliness includes learning to love as God loves, what He loves, and hating what God hates.
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." - 1 Pet. 3: 15-16 - I like this, because you have to study, understand, prepare, and PRACTICE so that you can succeed, whether in evangelism, or just in response to persecution.
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do no know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." - 1 Thes. 4:3-8 - God's will for us is to SANCTIFY us (Rom. 8:29), that we are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:14). We should ask ourselves daily - God, search our heart, thoughts, choices, ask ourselves how we're seeking to avoid impurity, and pursuing holiness!
Last, I've been reflecting a lot about pride. We easily forget and take for granted all the things that God has graciously given...that if I would simply practice more thankfulness, see trials as great opportunities, that patience is a virtue, and God resists the proud but lifts up the humble.
I am working on cultivating the right spirit, learning what it means to be a true servant, as Jesus was, to love my enemies, to do good and pray for them. It can be really hard, but that's what we're commanded to do...and I delight myself in God's commandments because they are His prescriptions for happiness and spiritual health.
I've also learned how disobedience dulls our spirits to God's presence and activity. Disobedience causes our spiritual eyes to go blind and our spiritual ears to go deaf. To the extent we insist, this toxin (sin) will cause us to lose sensitivity to enjoy the sweet savor of Jesus, to delight in God. -Sam Storms
Wherever you are, don't let pride get the best of you...let's surrender everything to God's way, His Word, and resolve to fall in love with your Lord over and over again.
Grace and peace to you.
First, I've been pondering a statement made by a new friend of mine. She said:
"Technology is supposed to bring people closer together, and yet, somehow it feels like we're all more distant."
I think that's both true and profound in a way. With email, instant messaging, texting, and all these things that "connect" people, we've stopped sending cards, contacting/relating with old friends, meeting face-to-face, making actual eye contact and engaging in deep and meaningful conversations. I miss that...call me old school...I don't like Facebook much for that reason now.
And when we apply this similar principle to the idea of "independence" and dealing with people at "arm's length", sometimes people don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be a member in community...that church is a place where we grasp hands with each other to know and be known by each other. We are agreeing to help and encourage each other when we need to be reminded of God's work in our lives or when we need to be challenged about major discrepancies between our talk and our walk." -Mark Dever in Ch. 6 of 9 Marks of a Healthy Church
Second, our lives are journeys, that we are to constantly continue to learn and grow in the right direction...
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." - 2 Tim. 2:15 - We are to be diligent and eager to master God's Word.
"Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Tim. 4:7-8 - Godliness includes learning to love as God loves, what He loves, and hating what God hates.
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." - 1 Pet. 3: 15-16 - I like this, because you have to study, understand, prepare, and PRACTICE so that you can succeed, whether in evangelism, or just in response to persecution.
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do no know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." - 1 Thes. 4:3-8 - God's will for us is to SANCTIFY us (Rom. 8:29), that we are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:14). We should ask ourselves daily - God, search our heart, thoughts, choices, ask ourselves how we're seeking to avoid impurity, and pursuing holiness!
Last, I've been reflecting a lot about pride. We easily forget and take for granted all the things that God has graciously given...that if I would simply practice more thankfulness, see trials as great opportunities, that patience is a virtue, and God resists the proud but lifts up the humble.
I am working on cultivating the right spirit, learning what it means to be a true servant, as Jesus was, to love my enemies, to do good and pray for them. It can be really hard, but that's what we're commanded to do...and I delight myself in God's commandments because they are His prescriptions for happiness and spiritual health.
I've also learned how disobedience dulls our spirits to God's presence and activity. Disobedience causes our spiritual eyes to go blind and our spiritual ears to go deaf. To the extent we insist, this toxin (sin) will cause us to lose sensitivity to enjoy the sweet savor of Jesus, to delight in God. -Sam Storms
Wherever you are, don't let pride get the best of you...let's surrender everything to God's way, His Word, and resolve to fall in love with your Lord over and over again.
Grace and peace to you.
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