Safety

Psalms 2:12b

"Blessed are all those that go to Him for safety." 

I've never thought about going to God for safety. I know I'm supposed to trust Him to keep me safe, but I never pictured it quite like this. I'm picturing a little kid, running to God, and God bent down with His arms open wide, just waiting to wrap the kid in a hug, pick her up, and protect her from everything that could hurt her. I know that's not actually accurate, God will allow things that will hurt us to help us grow, but He never allows more than we can handle. I've read this before, but it just hit me in a different way the other day.

What If We Prayed?

What if His people prayed? i know what happens, I've seen it. I've been a part of it. Those nights i met with my friends and we prayed for our lost friends.... Those were incredible, amazing times. It created a bond between us, and between us and God. i have a connection to those people that is different from anything i have with anyone else. We are connected by the power of prayer, by lifting up our friends we've sealed a bond between us that will last forever. i was thinking of those times tonight... Missing them. It was like nothing I've ever experienced. i want it back... i don't want it to be just a camp thing, something we do once a year. It should be something we do all year. It's important enough. God used us those nights, He worked through us in a magical way. We got to be a part of God changing someones life, that's something that should happen all the time. Between the five of us we know so many people that need Christ, and yet we don't take the time to pray together.... We're told that to pray together for someones soul is more powerful than praying by ourselves... And yet we're so busy we don't take the time...


This is a call to action. This situation won't change unless we change it. Meet with me, pray with me. Make this a priority. I'm calling you to action.

Lost Hope

Last summer at camp i was challenge to really see, and care more about people. To care enough to show them God. Since then God has given me three people to care about, to pray for, and to show His love to. i met the first one at camp, the second a few months later, and the third person in my more recent history. Most of the time, i pray for them, i talk to them, i do my best and hope it's enough.
But today... i lost hope i guess. i know, i believe that God can do anything, He and only He can save them. But I'm so scared he won't. So many people die, so many people will never see God. i love each of these people in a different way, and i can't even begin to imagine what eternity without them will be like.
i cried today. For these three people, i cried like i haven't in a very long time. i want so desperately to show them God's love, but they don't want it. I've never wanted anything more than i want their salvation. i plead with God to work in their lives, but i don't see anything changing...
I'm so scared. i don't want to go another day not knowing what will happen. I'm so scared.


Lord I lift my friends to You,
I've done all that i know to do
I lift my friends up to You

Dying World

There are facts in this world that still remain true

We're born, we live, we die, we are through

From the dust we were made to have a free will

To the dust we return when buried on a hill

All funerals are sad, there is no doubt

The body in wait and death does tout

Ministers speaks with means to console

The one who died, the heavenly soul?

The rally to God they all proclaim

Mistake and misleading it's the same

The one who lived "lived a good life"

To be with God with out the strife

No accountability and no remorse

For the life they led, death on course

Satan is there in death as in hell

Consoling the lost all is well

Just live a good life and be with God

The ultimate lie, with deceit and fraud

Many mislead by Satan's lie

Be with God by getting by

Free will was mentioned, don't you see

We all make choices on being free

Freedom in death comes from God

Not the lie of the deceiving fraud

The path is clear, not many will find

The way to heaven, God defined

The path is straight only through Him

The One who died took our sin

We all have a choice, free to accept

The One who died and took our steps

Atoning blood was shed for all

Freedom of choice, upon whom do you call

Death will continue the fact is true

Where will you go when life is through?

Organized Religion

This is my view of organized religion. These don’t reflect my church’s views, my employer's view, my family, my friends, or even how I will view this subject in a few days, weeks or months. This is simply what I think or what I am learning right now.
i’ve had vague ideas that organized religion really isn't as great as people say, but i didn't ever do the research to find what i actually agree/disagree with. i want to have a balanced view, one that shows what is both good and bad, without attacking religion, or all people who are a part of "organized religion". So here it goes:
i once heard my pastor say that he hates coming to church on Sunday, because he's supporting a multi-billion dollar industry. That's what religion has become, an industry. i don’t think something that is presented as being as important as God and your relationship with him should ever be mistaken for an industry.
From what i’ve seen organized religion gives people more of an opportunity to teach/push their beliefs on other people. Having an opinion is good, teaching your opinion, as fact isn't. i've heard a lot of people teach their personal ideas as truth, that’s manipulating people, arguably a morally wrong behavior.
Another aspect of organized religion that i don’t agree with is all of the crazy, stupid things people do in the name of their God. Suicide bombers are just one example, but i think they’re a pretty good one. These people truly believe they are doing what their God has told them to do. Another dangerous part of religion is hate crimes. The KKK is an excellent example of this, these are people claiming to be Christians that believe that their God hates certain races of humans. How does that fit into “God so loved the world”?
What about the people that crucify themselves (not to death) to earn salvation? How about the physically dangerous pilgrimages people go on? They are intentionally setting themselves up to be hurt, in the name of their god.
People will gladly do stupid or dangerous things simply because they believe that it can somehow help them get closer to their god, or because it’s what their god tells them to do.
i do have to say tho, there are 3 things i like about organized religion: (1) it brings together like-minded people. i wouldn't have meet some of the people i admire, or consider my best friends if it weren't for my church. Our paths would have never crossed. (B) It has a consistent time. The meetings are always the same day of the week, at the same time. That's good for people like me, who have such a crazy schedule that trying to fit something in at different times each week would be next to impossible. and (Choo-choo train)* Almost all of the really compassionate, caring people i've met are a part of some kind of organized religion.
That's my opinion on organized religion. What's yours?


*It'll catch on, trust me (Skit Guys: Adam & Eve skit at Sent/Falls Creek Camp reference)

This is a really funny article i found, and i have to say it sounds like a pretty great idea to me http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/154203/the_religion_i_created_over_the_weekend.html?cat=34

What This World Needs...

It's not world peace, better gun laws, or no terrorism. All good things, but what this world needs is Savior who will rescue, a Spirit who will lead, and a Father who will love them. That's what this world needs. Not your interpretation of the Bible, your opinions, or your voice. We need to care about the inside first, don't worry about what someone looks like, or they're mannerisms, or what kind of job they have or where they live. It's not important!

People aren't confused by the gospel, they're confused by us! Christianity has so many 'versions', all claiming to be the one true way to Christ. We spend so much time fighting among ourselves that we hinder the work that God could be doing through us, if we all would just unite and work for Him. Put aside your differences, your translations, your denominations, and your opinions. Focus on God! He's got a plan, and it's one that works!

We fight among ourselves, all claiming to be the best. What did Christ say? The last shall be first? We should be working together to be the 'last', the servant working the hardest to further the master's cause. That's what we should be worrying about, not the music, dress code, number of church members or visitors, or how nice a building we have. We're fighting about the wrong things! America wake up! You're wasting time, and there's so little time left...

Worship

i went to a concert Sunday nite, and on the way home i was thinking about worship. There are all kinds of debates about this, this is just my opinion based on my experiences. i've had some pretty interesting worship experiences, everything from the reverent, solemn hymns to the all-out crazy jumping up and down at a concert. i think both are true worship, but appropriate at different times. i was at a worship service at camp, and it was so powerful, i had my hands in the air, and tears pouring down my face. That was one of the best nights of my Christan walk, i felt God move in my life, and the lives of others around me. It was powerful, but no less powerful than singing "Amazing Grace" at my church. i think worship is in the heart, no matter what you're doing physically. Didn't David dance to praise the Lord? i think it's perfectly acceptable to be physical in your praise, as long as its the appropriate setting. Just my opinion.

Scared

i cried on the way home today. i haven't done that in a long time. It's really kinda dumb, but i have to talk about it, and there's no one around to tell...

i don't want to have any children. i don't like being around kids, i don't like taking care of them, i don't want any of my own. i've been this way for a long time, i wrote a whoelother post detailing my reasons, so i won't go into them now, but some stuff happend this weekend that just really hit me hard. Friday i was talking to someone, and i was telling them a little more about why i don't want kids. They said they thought it would be sad if i didn't ever have kids. i've been told everything from "you'll change your mind" "its different when it s your own" to "thats weird" and "you shouldn't be allowed around kids, you're terrible". But that was the first time anyone has said it would be sad. They said it like they really meant it, like they felt sorry for me. It made me stop, i guess i hadn't ever really thought about it from that angle. Then this morning in the service the pastor said something that really scared me. He was teaching on parenting and he talked about a verse that says someday people will not have "natural affection", he said he thinks that means they won't love thier kids. He said he thinks people are already becoming like that causeof all the people that are willing to walk away from their kids, or hurt them, or just not care.  That scared me so bad. i don't want to be like that, but i already am. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am i like this? i don't know of even one other person like me... What is wrong with me?

i have to talk about it, and there's no one around to tell... there is no one that understands... i'm surrounded by people that love me.... but i'm so alone...

i'm leaving for a concert in a little while, i'll pretend to be happy and act normal, and no one will be able to tell....

A Stone, A Cross, A Veil

The stone table. The cross. The temple veil.

The Stone Table was a great slab of rock supported on four smaller rocks, located in central Narnia. It had symbols and characters carved into it, the White Witch claimed they described the rules of the Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time. During the White Witch's winter revolution, she bound Aslan to the stone table and executed him using her stone knife. Susan and Lucy spent that night keeping a vigil at the Table over Aslan's body. At dawn when they witnessed Aslan's resurrection, the Table split in two right down the middle. This may have been because the Deep Magic, inscribed in the Stone Table, was reversed by Aslan's sacrifice, according to the rules of the Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time.

The cross was 2 beams of wood crossed at the middle, towards the top. It stood on a hill outside the city. Christ was killed by being nailed to the cross and left to die. When Christ died it atoned for all the sins of all the nations, from the dawn of time to the end of the earth. Only thru the blood payment of Christ can we ever hope to be welcomed into the kingdom of God. 

The veil was what separated the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle from the priest and people that worshiped there. Only once a year, one man, the High Priest, could enter the Holy of Holies and make a sacrifice for all the sins of the nation. The Holy of Holies was where God dwelt. Of course, God is everywhere, and he can't be confined to a certian room, it was just a way for God to be nearer to us. The veil separaed God in all his glory and power from people. It was symbolic of the separation between man and God caused by sin. No one but the High Preist could enter.



Stone Table can be regarded as symbolizing the Mosaic law of the Old Testament. Just as Mosaic law, written on stone tablets, promised inflexible punishment for sin; so the Deep Magic written on the Stone Table said that for every treachery the Witch had the right to a kill. Just as Jesus transcended the rule of Mosaic law by dying on the Cross, allowing forgiveness of sins; so Aslan transcended the rule of the Deep Magic by dying on the Stone Table, allowing the forgiveness of Edmund's treachery. This is symbolized by the stone table cracking.

The cracking of the Stone Table into two pieces also is symbolic of tearing of the Veil of the Temple of Jerusalem. According to the Bible, the instant Jesus died, an earthquake occurred. Matthew 27:50-51 "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split."

The Temple's Veil, which itself symbolized the separation of God and humans, was torn in two. The Veil would have been around 60 feet tall and 4 inches thick. This symbolized that Jesus successfully atoned for the sins of Mankind and that God and Man would no longer be separate, in the same way that Edmund no longer was separated from Aslan, His friendship, and those in communion with Aslan.

Here I Go Moment

A "here i go moment" is defined as that moment when you give it all to God, and say "ok, God. i don't know whats ahead, i dont' understand, but i'm gonna trust you and follow even tho i dont' know what the future holds. It's in Your hands, i'm letting go."

i had a "Here i go moment" this summer. It was actually more than one moment, it was more like a month of struggling over a decision: To leave everything i know for the possibility of something better, or to stay where its familiar even if its not what i want. It was actually a lot harder than it sounds. i could stay in the church my dad attends, where i've gone for years, or i could trust God and follow Him into a whole new, different, unfamiliar place.

i have a hard time trusting God, and this was prolly the hardest thing i've ever done. i don't like trying new things alone, or getting out of my comfort zone. And this was definitely out of my comfort zone! i was supposed to leave everything i knew, and go someplace new where i didn't really know anyone, and i was supposed to do it by myself (w/o another person).

Someone told me that if it was of God and i followed Him, even if i didn't understand, he would bless me more than i could imagine.

It's been 5 months and i can't believe what God has done for me! Its incredible how much He's blessed me, far beyond what i expected. He has given me a wonderful group of people to rely on at my church, a place to serve there, and He's strengthened my relationships with my friends outside of my church body. He's answered prayer, and shown me more than ever His love.

There was one moment where it all came to a head. This was it. i could choose either one in that moment but it would be a final decision. If i chose to leave there would be no going back. i scared out of my mind! i was so afraid i was just doing what i wanted, cause i liked South Side better than Fair Grove. i almost didn't go thru with it, but i prayed and asked God to give me peace about leaving Fair Grove if it was what He wanted. Instantly i felt more at peace, and calm. i just knew God wanted me to do this.

i officially left Fair Grove on a Sunday afternoon, and i went to South Side that nite. During the service, i felt a complete sense of belonging. i knew right then that this was where God wanted me. No question. It was incredible! i felt like i'd come home. 

Five months later its still that way. i still feel at home when i walk in. This is my church, this is where i belong. And i can't wait to see what God has planned for me next!

Cliques

"Cliques in churches can be a good thing."

This is a whole new concept for me. i've always been taught that cliques are bad, especially in churches. i was taught that a church body should learn together, fellowship together, and serve together. i was taught that things like Sunday school, youth group, or children's time are unnecessary, and sometimes distracting, man-made inventions that don't belong in a healthy church. This is what i was taught, so it was what i believed. It made sense. Until today.

My church doesn't teach that at all, but i still never thought i would hear a pastor say that he thinks cliques are good things. i was completely shocked! But while everyone else went back to the subject we had been discussing, i started thinking about it. And ya know what? He's right. Cliques can be a good thing. What i love most about my church is that there is group of people that are at the same place in life as me, that i can share my relationship with God, with them. i love that we meet every week as a group to share whats going on in our lives, pray for each other, learn about God and what He's teaching each of us. It's an incredible experience, and one thing that makes it so great is that it's a cliques, its a group of people that are going thru some of the things i am, things other people might not understand cause they either haven't gone thru, or have forgotten what it was like.

i like mingling with other people in my church, i like learning whats going on in their lives and what God is doing for them. But my group is my safe place, my comfort zone. It's good to get out and meet new people, but my class is my home.

The last church i was in didn't have those relationships, that i saw. That doesn't mean they aren't there, i just didn't see them. They did everything together, so there wasn't much of an opportunity for those relationships to develop. We were friends, we didn't talk about God, our walk with Him, or church stuff very much. Almost never really. Whats sad is that i knew what i wanted, i wanted a brother/sister in Christ relationship with people my age. At that church there isnt' a defined youth group, or singles group. Everyone just mixes, which can be great cause i've gotten to know people both older and younger than me. But i didn't have those people that i could confide in, and that would help me grow in my relationship with Christ. This is as much my fault as anyone else. Maybe more. i knew what i desperately wanted, and i didnt' try to build it there. i just left. i know my church is where i belong, don't misunderstand me. But i do wish i had at least tried. Instead i just quit. For that i'm sorry.

But im so grateful that God has given me a group like this one! The time i spend with them is like nothing else, its so incredible to support, and encourage each other. Praying together, and for each other is key, i think. It really makes a difference. We're not just friends, we're sharing our walk with God with each other. The only thing missing is my best friend, and then it would be perfect :)

Temptation

C.S. Lewis, a different take on a "sheltered life"

"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. This is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in." -- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

i agree with this. What do you think?

The Real Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cryenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came to pass with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told to them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
Luke 2:1-20

Salt

Mathew 5:13
"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of me."

Mark 9:50
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another."

Colossions 4:6
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

James 3:12
"Can the fig tree, my bretheren, bear olive berries? Either vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

Jesus identifies His followers as salt. "You are the salt of the earth," says Jesus. "Earth" in this statement does not mean our planet. Earth, in this instance, means man or humanity. "You are the salt of humanity," says Jesus.


Salt is a preservative. As salt, Christians must do what they can to preserve life.
Christians not only preserve life – or prevent decay – but they also promote life and growth.

We live as the salt of the earth when we offer prayers of intercession for the world; when we pray to God to work in hearts with His Word and Spirit; when we ask God to be patient so that the ungodly can have time repent

Christians preserve life – they prevent destruction and decay – by resisting sin, evil, and wickedness in our land. All across our land and even within the church we see sin and immorality becoming more and more acceptable. If God's people live and function as salt then they are like the watchman on the walls of Jerusalem who call the people to arms because of the enemy's approach.

We are supposed to be like salt. Salt irritates, we're supossed to irritate people. We're not supossed to just love them and pray for them, (altho thats important too) we're supossed to show them they are wrong, and that they need God. Who do you need to talk to about God? Who is that person that you pray for, but only tell them the "good" parts about God. You never tell everything, you never make them uncomfortable. You're not being the Salt of the Earth.

Salt irritates. Go irritate someone.

How He Loves

How He Loves

David Crowder Band

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

In Remembrace Of Me...

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

"After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me."

Tonight was the Thanksgiving & communion service at my church. It was very different from any other communion service i've been too. i've seen two other kinds of communion services: Where it's tacked on to the end of a regular service, and doesn't seem very important. Or where its all very solemn and somber.
This one was different. Where others focus on how holy we should be, this one focused on how we're not holy, and God chose to save us anyway. Several people gave testimonies, and the praise band lead us in several songs. That was really cool, most communion services i've been to didn't include music. It was a serious service, but more joyful, more thankful than i've seen before. i really liked it.

Spirtiual Gifts

i've been attending my church's new member class for a few weeks (i just completed it!!) and one of our projects was to take a spiritual gifts test. i was pretty excited cause i have no clue what my spiritual gift is. Ok, let me back up a bit.

What is a spiritual gift? Well, my pastor described a spiritual gift as something the Holy Spirit equips us with the moment we become Christians. It's purpose is to help us fulfill God's plan for us, and to bring glory to Him. It can be a 'new' gift, something we've never been good at, or tried, or it can be something we're already good at that is strengthened. Also, our gift doesn't just happen right away, it has to be matured, or cultivated. As we show we're responsible in small things, God trusts us with more complex things. Its the same with our gift, the more we use it to glorify God, the stronger it gets.

Anyway, i had to take a spiritual gifts test to see what mine might be. (This test isn't conclusive, its just a way to see where to start looking) Here are my 3 highest scores:

14- Helps: Serving/Hospitality
"These individuals make people feel at home and comfortable in new situations. Whether they are opening their homes to guest or welcoming new faces into the local body of believers. These men and women have a friendly smile and a helping hand for everyone." Ok, i could have told you i'd be good at this one, i Love having people over and making people feel welcome :) This one totally fits me, though i do need to practice it more. i sometimes get stuck in "my little world" and forget to be nice to new people.

13- Mercy
"These individuals empathize with others, feeling compassion and a desire to help. They are able to help with the grieving process or acclimate individuals to a new environment." Ok....That sounds kinda like stuff i'm good at, certainly "help with the grieving process" fits, but the general idea of Mercy doesn't fit me. i'm not very forgiving, if you cross me, or worse my friends, prepare to die!! jk. But seriously, im not merciful. i hold grudges, i don't forgive easily. Most of the time if you hurt me, i don't let it get to me. i'm strong enough to just let it slide off. But if you do manage to hurt me, or far worse a friend, the claws come out. i mostly ignore whoever hurts me, and make sure thier name is mud in the community. i don't lie, i tell it exactly like it is, which is usually worse than something i could make up. People are pretty terrible sometimes, and i have no patience for them. So i kinda wonder why i got this answer, if really doesn't fit.

13- Faith
"Those with the gift of faith have a deep conviction and belief in the truth of the Word of God. These individuals believe God in the face of extraordinary circumstances and inspire those around them to deeper relationships with him." Hmmm... i think this is kinda cheating. i mean, we're all supposed to have deep faith and conviction from the Bible, right? The "believe God in the face of extraordinary circumstances" part applies to me, i guess. but not the "inspire those around them to deeper relationships" part. if i'm struggling with something, even if it draws me closer to God, no one really notices. i'm kinda torn on this one, some of it fits, but not all.

So those are my results! What do you think? Accurate, or completely wrong? What about you? Do you know what your gift is??