|
| It's been a very long time since I last wrote in this thing. I didn't think I'd ever write again but I just recently stumbled upon all of my old entries and thought that it might be worthwhile to do again. lol.
Anyways, my entry tonight is a simple one. I love how God teaches me through all of my life experiences whether big or small. For instance tonight's lesson was learned when I went to go see a band, one of my favorites, Skillet in Nashville. It was at a very Christian event called Winter Jam and it was an encouraging experience. What kind of made the whole experience a little uninteresting was that we were so far away from the stage. Newsong, another Christian band opened up the show and had an amazing set. The music rocked my face off! The only problem was is that we were literally in the third level and as far back as we could get from the band. Don't get me wrong, the seats were very comfortable, I didn't get as much hearing loss, I didn't even get sweaty. lol. I was also with my really good friends but I realized that regardless of how good of a show was going on down on the stage, I never really got to be a part of it. I know that the people I saw right up next to the stage were experiencing an amazing thing because I saw their hands raised in worship and I saw them jump with excitement at the hard rock of Skillet. So I got into it as best as I could but unfortunately there were people around me and there was a large guard rail that only came up to about my waist right in front of me. If I was to really get into it and start dancing around up there I was liable to fall down three stories and get hurt. So we enjoyed it as best as we could and vowed to get better seats next time :)
So what the heck does this have to do with following God in everything that I do? Well it's quite simple really. I realized that because I wasn't close up to the stage and the band I just couldn't get the same experience as the people that were right next to the stage. I think that it's the same with us and God. Imagine that God is the band, and we are the crowd. If we were a mile away watching God as opposed to right next to him I think that we would have a completely different outlook. I think that if I were in a better seat that I would have enjoyed the show much more. I think that if I choose to sit far away from God in my relationship with him; gaze at Him from a distance like so much of the world I won't have as clear a picture of the reality of Him as if I were up close. But that's the thing, sometimes we think that the comfort of places where we can still see God are the best for us because they are safe, but when you get up close and you experience God for real, your attitude, outlook and perspective changes. And as believers we have every right! Not just to have good floor seats but backstage passes granting us access to enter into the presence of the Almighty God of the Heavens. And once we accept that offer we'll NEVER WANT to sit anywhere else ever again.
| | |
| Recently I've heard a lot of people talking about growing up. I guess, that it's kinda a cool thing to see that it's happening all around me. I guess, it also has to do with the fact that the older I get the more I grow up...
Well, sure. But I just have to say that I am amazed at the sunset painted sky along the beach at night that I am looking at right now. It's a memory that I have from a very meaningful time in my life. I remember the season that I was in in my life. It was beautiful...
But though the sunset is beautiful, it only means one thing. Night is coming. Darkness is coming and all that will light our paths are the moon and the stars and the artificial lights that we create for ourselves.
What does that have to do with growing up? Good question.
I guess that the more I grow up I realize what becomes justifiable and what isn't. I realize what is good and what is, for lack of a better term, Not good. I realize that these "good things", these acts of obedience really are more than just a simple basis for following the rules, but could very well dictate the outcomes of our lives... which doesn't seem to line up entirely with what I've been believing for most of my adult christian life. I realize more in these integral moments that there is more on the line, more at risk, than what I had originally perceived.
Picture yourself in the midst of a battle. Suppose all natural elements of a war scene.
Would you fight given the chance? Would you break out of the mold that holds you back, that keeps you in the muddy trench that you find "comfort" in? I believe that you have a choice weather or not to fight. I believe that you have a great responsibility in your decisions weather right or wrong. I guess what I'm trying to portray is that given the reality that you could miss out, or lose something would you fight for it?
Is it not better to be over prepared and fully aware than to hope that it will someday work itself out?
So we grow up and we learn responsibility. Suddenly God becomes more than just our best friend. He becomes everything. His control and sovereignty become coupled with fear and obedience because we know HE LOVES US!
He is Everything and there is Nothing without Him.
| | |
| My strength is made Perfect in your weakness. | | |
| What a beautiful night it is outside. The air is not too warm nor too cold but somewhere in that perfect median that begs, "come outside and experience this". God is beckoning me to come outside and experience Him. And you know what? I could not be more excited about it. Do you ever just get that feeling deep inside your soul that gets excited at the thought of hearing the voice of God, or experiencing his presence in yours? That is how I feel right now. It's been a long time since I have been able to meet God in an open field alone, in the stillness of the night... and I am quite excited about it. I pray against distractions and interferences.
And I pray for you, whoever you are that might be reading this... I could not be more encouraged that God is using this to reach You. And I pray that you would experience this too. I pray that instead of finding yourself alone on a dark night you would be filled with the presence of the Almighty and Sovereign Father. I pray that you too would walk out into the empty and open field of promise and see what it is that he has for you there. I pray that you would know that loneliness no longer exists for those that are children of God. Loneliness is but a lie. Praise God and be encouraged...
So how can I pray for you? How can I help you find God? I point you to the cross and I know you will find your comfort there.
"Give all your worries and cares to God. For he cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7 | | |
| Have you ever thought so deeply about your walk with Christ that you realize something that seems totally irrelavent and crazy and pretty much makes you think that you are crazy?? Well if you answered yes to that question I have good news... You're not crazy!
People are such a treasure and a gift in my life. I absolutely LOVE all the relationships that I share on a day to day basis with all of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ or not. I guess I realized sometime during this summer that I am a very extroverted person; meaning that I throughly enjoy the company of others and often desire companionship constantly. I also realized this summer that God has given me a very big heart for people and their circumstances; to encourage them and lift them up with the Truth. Well, I kinda realized lastly that I wasn't very good at being understanding, slow to speak or quick to listen. I have often brought about Truth (or sometimes what I percieve it to be) in a very harsh and upfront way. Well, I wasn't quite sure that was a big deal...
So I was studying the book of Matthew over my break in Maryland (my hometown) and I realized that Jesus' way of bringing the truth was very different than the way I have presented it in the past. Oh, there was a few times he threw tables and got quite upset but his consistency in doing whatever it was that was commanded of him astounded me! He says, "I do whatever the Father asks of me." WOW! I wish I was that in tune with God, don't you? As I read on I read another very important verse in dealing with my minsitry of people.
"You are the salt and the light of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
I realized that my approach in dealing with certian issues was lacking something. I realized that I was very much the Light, shining in peoples faces, making my presence known always, but I wasn't the salt. I wasn't bringing the other half of the command. And if you read the verse you will see that when saltiness is lost it is no good for anything but to be thrown out (dismissed) and be trampled by men. | | |
|
