I have not been feeling good as of late. Don't know what it is. It's hard. Too hard at times. It's physical. It's mental. It's emotional. I think. I don't know.
It's just really hard right now. This is a different side of this "illness." Yet there are so many things that resemble my past experiences.
Hope...where are you right now? God....where are you right now?
I need you. Or something. Mostly you. But then again, what do I know?
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Just as I promised......
Just as I promised, here is my summary of the first chapter of A Generous Orthodoxy. I like the book thus far. It is very engaging and interesting. However, I do not find McLaren as engaging as he normally is.
The first chapter is about the 7 Jesuses that he has known throughout his life. He chronicles them and presents them and what he learned from each one. He goes through the evangelical Jesus, the charismatic Jesus, the Catholic Jesus, the Eastern Orthodox Jesus, the liberal Protestant Jesus, the liberation Jesus, and the Anabaptist Jesus.
He presents the insights that he gained at these very different times of his life. He shows a few insights into each Jesus and shows the truths that he has learned from each one. He gives some very good remarks about each of these traditions and things that we can learn from them. I am sure that this is just the beginning and that is what excites me.
I didn't find this chapter, awe-inspiring but it was good, just not his usual self. I will continue on. I know his writing and I know that it will captivate me in the end.
The first chapter is about the 7 Jesuses that he has known throughout his life. He chronicles them and presents them and what he learned from each one. He goes through the evangelical Jesus, the charismatic Jesus, the Catholic Jesus, the Eastern Orthodox Jesus, the liberal Protestant Jesus, the liberation Jesus, and the Anabaptist Jesus.
He presents the insights that he gained at these very different times of his life. He shows a few insights into each Jesus and shows the truths that he has learned from each one. He gives some very good remarks about each of these traditions and things that we can learn from them. I am sure that this is just the beginning and that is what excites me.
I didn't find this chapter, awe-inspiring but it was good, just not his usual self. I will continue on. I know his writing and I know that it will captivate me in the end.
High Stakes For Church and State, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
Well, here is another article frmo the Sojourners Mag. This is one is probably the best one of the two. I really liked this one and it was the first one that I read at the library. I find it engagine, enlightening, and entertaining. Ughh. I just did that preacher thing. All words started with the letter "E." That's alliteration right? Anyways....just thought you might want to see these articles.
Even you young folks need to read these articles. We need for you to be politically involved and making up your minds about the politics of America. I know I didn't when I was in school. All I cared about was making somebody laugh. And I did. May be why I am stupid today. (Smile) But being stupid has its rewards....I can always get a job at ......well nevermind.
Look for my thoughts on the new book I am reading. I have finished the first chapter and will post my thoughts on it today sometime. You can click on the title up above or you can click on the red link below.
Until then.....
High Stakes For Church and State, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
Even you young folks need to read these articles. We need for you to be politically involved and making up your minds about the politics of America. I know I didn't when I was in school. All I cared about was making somebody laugh. And I did. May be why I am stupid today. (Smile) But being stupid has its rewards....I can always get a job at ......well nevermind.
Look for my thoughts on the new book I am reading. I have finished the first chapter and will post my thoughts on it today sometime. You can click on the title up above or you can click on the red link below.
Until then.....
High Stakes For Church and State, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
The Politics Of Piety, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
Here is one of those articles from the Sojourners magazine that I read the other day at the library. For those of you out there that are "into" this election and you wonder about the religious aspect of it, this is a good "make you think" articles. Even if you don't agree with it, at least it will make you say, "Hmmm"
The Politics Of Piety, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
Click on the red link or on the title to get to the article.
Have fun....
The Politics Of Piety, Sojourners Magazine/November 2004
Click on the red link or on the title to get to the article.
Have fun....
Friday, October 29, 2004
Well it arrived....
My new book, A Generous Orthodoxy , just arrived today. I am pretty excited about it and I am sure you are going to be hearing a lot about in the coming days. I plan on blogging on at least every chapter and maybe more. Just depends on how it hits me. If you haven't read anything by Brian McLaren , I suggest that you do it soon. You might not agree with him but you will see that he is truly a great writer and will at least make you think. Or at least he did for me.
I also wanted to tell you that I also recieved a new CD today. These are gifts that Resa got me for our anniversary. The CD is "Bullet" -by Mat Kearney and it is totally awesome. Dude has some kinda new type of flow. He kinda raps, kinda talks, kinda sings, all to some really sweet melodies. I am serious....you need to check this guy out...majorly. Here is his website . There is a sample of one of his songs on there. Here is an article reviewing his new CD.
Well, I am trying not to say anything political for a couple of days. I will say that I read the Sojourners magazine today and was very impressed with some of their articles. You should check them out. I will just say that things are becoming "clearer" for me so we will just see how it all turns out.
So, I guess I don't have much else to say....so I will say, goodbye...
I also wanted to tell you that I also recieved a new CD today. These are gifts that Resa got me for our anniversary. The CD is "Bullet" -by Mat Kearney and it is totally awesome. Dude has some kinda new type of flow. He kinda raps, kinda talks, kinda sings, all to some really sweet melodies. I am serious....you need to check this guy out...majorly. Here is his website . There is a sample of one of his songs on there. Here is an article reviewing his new CD.
Well, I am trying not to say anything political for a couple of days. I will say that I read the Sojourners magazine today and was very impressed with some of their articles. You should check them out. I will just say that things are becoming "clearer" for me so we will just see how it all turns out.
So, I guess I don't have much else to say....so I will say, goodbye...
Thursday, October 28, 2004
My response to comments......
I am glad that my last post has stirred you to think and therefore caused at least one of you to post a comment. Things like this excite me. I love these kinds of things. That is why, I want to probe their thoughts a little in my post. I will quote them and then respond with questions that I have.
Let me say this: I am asking questions not out of bias but out of critical thinking...not trying to take sides but to pose real questions that come up.
“With the issue of abortion man has begun to chip away at the fact that "man is created in the image of God" and that we are no differant than an animal.With the issue of Marriage they have begun to chip away at a foundational institution that God set in place.”
With the issue of homosexual acceptance they are chipping away at sin and mocking God.
I am not so sure that we can say definitively that Bush is God’s choice based on abortion and the homosexual marriage issue. Here are a couple of my thoughts:
1.Do you think that sometimes we often place some issues higher than other issues? For example, shouldn’t the country be concerned about the poverty of this nation, the lack of healthcare for millions, and the economic welfare of this nation?
Here is something that a lot of us miss: what about those that are starving around the world and are consequently dying due to lack of food and malnutrition. We do nothing in that regards. That is in some ways, killing of innocent children. If abortion is absolutely wrong in all cases and killing babies is sinful and unjust, then why don’t we do something about all the children that are dying all over the world?. I mean more than do something. Shouldn’t this be a major issue for the USA? I know that everyone thinks that we do enough but the question must become: are we doing all that we can?
Also, if abortion is wrong because it is taking another’s life – then shouldn’t the death penalty be done away with? You probably say “No” and your reasoning is that the Bible gives us the command to do it. Let me ask you this, why should our laws be based on the Bible? (What exactly does separation of church and state mean?) Who chooses which parts of the Bible becomes law?
2.A question coming from someone else is this: “Why is same sex marriage illegal? It can’t be illegal, because it doesn’t break any laws. Oh yeah, you must object due to it’s a sin and that is the reason. Well, not every church sees it as a sin, who gets to decide what sins are sins? What about divorce? The bible is pretty clear about it being a sin, yet it is legal. Many churches see divorce as a major sin yet we don’t hear their opinions and make that a law do we? Some churches think war is wrong yet we have war. ” I think what this person is trying to say is this: What does separation of church and state exactly mean? If this nation is founded on religious freedom, how much freedom is there when you base your laws on whether or not something is a sin? Who’s religious text do you use? What happens if another religion sees same sex marriage as part of their religion? Do they not have the right to object? These are just some questions that this person raises….I will let you decide the answers.
“If we truly believe that "faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" and we truly believe that God commands us to teach/preach all that He commands then we "must" be willing to "take up our cross and follow Jesus".For some of us it could be the cross of higher taxes, loss of civil rights, loss of jobs, and maybe even loss of life but if that is the Cross Christ ask us to bear to follow him than a true disciple of His will work to the best of his/her ability to defend the right to teach "all" that God commands us to.”
1.What if in that passage, Jesus was implying that by taking up our crosses we must do something that would get us in trouble with the authorities? That is one interpretation based on the context of that passage. Jesus might have said that because the disciples knew that one would only get the cross due to “big” crimes. Maybe Jesus is calling us to live radical lives anyway? Why would we fear that?
“I find it rather funny and sad that Hustler magazine's owner is for Kerry. He is for this party because he knows that people with morals are a threat to his livelyhood. He is willing to spend millions to protect his business of smut that he is so proud of. He understands better than most Christians that the "judges" in our highest courts will either uphold morals and stop or limit his business or they will allow moral decay to occur. Flynt knows what he is doing when he cast his ballot. He is looking to the future. I only hope and Pray Christians are as wise as he is.”
1.I totally get their point on this. But I must ask myself two series of questions: 1)Should I really not vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? OR Should I vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? Shouldn’t I weigh out this option on my own and seek out God’s will? 2) How can we KNOW that this is the reason that Flynt supports Kerry? Maybe he supports him because he believes in a more democratic process where the government has a more hands on policy? What if he gives millions away to charities and has a heart for them and desires the democrats to be in office so that the economical and societal dimensions of this nation will grow/increase? I can’t rule out that is the reason he is voting for Kerry, but neither can I say for sure.
(The Parable of the Shrewd Manager – see quote in the comments section from last post)
1.Why would this be applicable? The first assumption that we would have to make is that America should be a Christian nation. Now I would be all for everyone to come and know Jesus as their redeemer. But I am not for that through governmental sanctions. If I wanted that then I could move to England. (Which I might ‘smile’) No. Instead, I would want everyone to trust in Him because they see Him as the great pleasure of life. They see Him as the delight that fills their hearts.
2.Why do we equate America as the New Israel? We just assume that because we have prospered that we must now be God’s chosen nation. Why? What makes us think that? Where does it say that? Who says that? See my point?
I am not against a Christian nation. But I must not forget about religious freedom. We can’t make laws making people be Christians. Some may not be saying that but that is exactly what we are trying to do.
Let me say this: I am asking questions not out of bias but out of critical thinking...not trying to take sides but to pose real questions that come up.
“With the issue of abortion man has begun to chip away at the fact that "man is created in the image of God" and that we are no differant than an animal.With the issue of Marriage they have begun to chip away at a foundational institution that God set in place.”
With the issue of homosexual acceptance they are chipping away at sin and mocking God.
I am not so sure that we can say definitively that Bush is God’s choice based on abortion and the homosexual marriage issue. Here are a couple of my thoughts:
1.Do you think that sometimes we often place some issues higher than other issues? For example, shouldn’t the country be concerned about the poverty of this nation, the lack of healthcare for millions, and the economic welfare of this nation?
Here is something that a lot of us miss: what about those that are starving around the world and are consequently dying due to lack of food and malnutrition. We do nothing in that regards. That is in some ways, killing of innocent children. If abortion is absolutely wrong in all cases and killing babies is sinful and unjust, then why don’t we do something about all the children that are dying all over the world?. I mean more than do something. Shouldn’t this be a major issue for the USA? I know that everyone thinks that we do enough but the question must become: are we doing all that we can?
Also, if abortion is wrong because it is taking another’s life – then shouldn’t the death penalty be done away with? You probably say “No” and your reasoning is that the Bible gives us the command to do it. Let me ask you this, why should our laws be based on the Bible? (What exactly does separation of church and state mean?) Who chooses which parts of the Bible becomes law?
2.A question coming from someone else is this: “Why is same sex marriage illegal? It can’t be illegal, because it doesn’t break any laws. Oh yeah, you must object due to it’s a sin and that is the reason. Well, not every church sees it as a sin, who gets to decide what sins are sins? What about divorce? The bible is pretty clear about it being a sin, yet it is legal. Many churches see divorce as a major sin yet we don’t hear their opinions and make that a law do we? Some churches think war is wrong yet we have war. ” I think what this person is trying to say is this: What does separation of church and state exactly mean? If this nation is founded on religious freedom, how much freedom is there when you base your laws on whether or not something is a sin? Who’s religious text do you use? What happens if another religion sees same sex marriage as part of their religion? Do they not have the right to object? These are just some questions that this person raises….I will let you decide the answers.
“If we truly believe that "faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" and we truly believe that God commands us to teach/preach all that He commands then we "must" be willing to "take up our cross and follow Jesus".For some of us it could be the cross of higher taxes, loss of civil rights, loss of jobs, and maybe even loss of life but if that is the Cross Christ ask us to bear to follow him than a true disciple of His will work to the best of his/her ability to defend the right to teach "all" that God commands us to.”
1.What if in that passage, Jesus was implying that by taking up our crosses we must do something that would get us in trouble with the authorities? That is one interpretation based on the context of that passage. Jesus might have said that because the disciples knew that one would only get the cross due to “big” crimes. Maybe Jesus is calling us to live radical lives anyway? Why would we fear that?
“I find it rather funny and sad that Hustler magazine's owner is for Kerry. He is for this party because he knows that people with morals are a threat to his livelyhood. He is willing to spend millions to protect his business of smut that he is so proud of. He understands better than most Christians that the "judges" in our highest courts will either uphold morals and stop or limit his business or they will allow moral decay to occur. Flynt knows what he is doing when he cast his ballot. He is looking to the future. I only hope and Pray Christians are as wise as he is.”
1.I totally get their point on this. But I must ask myself two series of questions: 1)Should I really not vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? OR Should I vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? Shouldn’t I weigh out this option on my own and seek out God’s will? 2) How can we KNOW that this is the reason that Flynt supports Kerry? Maybe he supports him because he believes in a more democratic process where the government has a more hands on policy? What if he gives millions away to charities and has a heart for them and desires the democrats to be in office so that the economical and societal dimensions of this nation will grow/increase? I can’t rule out that is the reason he is voting for Kerry, but neither can I say for sure.
(The Parable of the Shrewd Manager – see quote in the comments section from last post)
1.Why would this be applicable? The first assumption that we would have to make is that America should be a Christian nation. Now I would be all for everyone to come and know Jesus as their redeemer. But I am not for that through governmental sanctions. If I wanted that then I could move to England. (Which I might ‘smile’) No. Instead, I would want everyone to trust in Him because they see Him as the great pleasure of life. They see Him as the delight that fills their hearts.
2.Why do we equate America as the New Israel? We just assume that because we have prospered that we must now be God’s chosen nation. Why? What makes us think that? Where does it say that? Who says that? See my point?
I am not against a Christian nation. But I must not forget about religious freedom. We can’t make laws making people be Christians. Some may not be saying that but that is exactly what we are trying to do.
*****************
Seriously, you should check out my opinion from a couple of posts ago. It is talking about how Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat. I think it sums up my beliefs as far as this election goes.
Thanks to Levi, here is a link to a petition directly related to that - http://go.sojo.net/campaign/takebackourfaith
Check it out…..anyways….if you haven’t tried the survey/Q and A from 2 posts ago – try it out. At least give it a fair chance. You might be surprised……
Seriously, you should check out my opinion from a couple of posts ago. It is talking about how Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat. I think it sums up my beliefs as far as this election goes.
Thanks to Levi, here is a link to a petition directly related to that - http://go.sojo.net/campaign/takebackourfaith
Check it out…..anyways….if you haven’t tried the survey/Q and A from 2 posts ago – try it out. At least give it a fair chance. You might be surprised……
According to the survey....
According to the survey from the link I posted in my last post, I have found out who I am supposed to vote for....
That's funny. You thought I was going to tell you who I am going to vote for. (Smile) This is really fun to do.
I will tell you the score....one got 60% and the other got 24%
I have been going back and forth over all the reasons to vote for either candidate. I feel like both have been deceitful in one way or another. And the thing I really hate is how much they play "politics." You would think that at one point, a candidate would quit bad mouthing the other. You are grown men for goodness sake.
I guess what has been really disappointing has been seeing some of the remarks that Bush has made. Not that they are BAD or anything, but why does he feel like he must play this game with Kerry. If Bush is such the Evangelical Christian that everyone makes him out to be, then you would think their wouldn't be any bad mouthing going on. I know, I know....he has to defend himself. Wait. Does he?
Then there is Kerry. He claims to be a Christian as well. Why does he continue to go on with all these remarks. I know some of you may not see such a big deal with it. You may even say that they are just telling the truth. I guess I will just have to disagree with you on this one. It may be truth, but that doesn't give you the right to poke fun and harshly criticize the other candidate.
For example: The Kerry party (maybe Edwards and Kerry might have mentioned something) making the statement about Cheney's daughter's sexual orientation. That was uncalled for.
And: "Sen. Kerry's been in Washington long enough to have taken both sides on just about every issue," Bush quipped to an audience of supporters at the Shrine Auditorium who had paid up to $2,000 each to hear him. - quote from San Francisco Chronicle
These are just examples that are found throughout the campaign.
That is what makes me not want to vote for either one. I wish for once, a politician would not be a .....well, a politician.
Maybe I will vote for the Green Party. On second thought....nah.
Go take the survey.....report back who it says you should vote for...and oh yeah, be honest and unbiased. As if that will happen.
That's funny. You thought I was going to tell you who I am going to vote for. (Smile) This is really fun to do.
I will tell you the score....one got 60% and the other got 24%
I have been going back and forth over all the reasons to vote for either candidate. I feel like both have been deceitful in one way or another. And the thing I really hate is how much they play "politics." You would think that at one point, a candidate would quit bad mouthing the other. You are grown men for goodness sake.
I guess what has been really disappointing has been seeing some of the remarks that Bush has made. Not that they are BAD or anything, but why does he feel like he must play this game with Kerry. If Bush is such the Evangelical Christian that everyone makes him out to be, then you would think their wouldn't be any bad mouthing going on. I know, I know....he has to defend himself. Wait. Does he?
Then there is Kerry. He claims to be a Christian as well. Why does he continue to go on with all these remarks. I know some of you may not see such a big deal with it. You may even say that they are just telling the truth. I guess I will just have to disagree with you on this one. It may be truth, but that doesn't give you the right to poke fun and harshly criticize the other candidate.
For example: The Kerry party (maybe Edwards and Kerry might have mentioned something) making the statement about Cheney's daughter's sexual orientation. That was uncalled for.
And: "Sen. Kerry's been in Washington long enough to have taken both sides on just about every issue," Bush quipped to an audience of supporters at the Shrine Auditorium who had paid up to $2,000 each to hear him. - quote from San Francisco Chronicle
These are just examples that are found throughout the campaign.
That is what makes me not want to vote for either one. I wish for once, a politician would not be a .....well, a politician.
Maybe I will vote for the Green Party. On second thought....nah.
Go take the survey.....report back who it says you should vote for...and oh yeah, be honest and unbiased. As if that will happen.
Compare the candidates
Definately check this link out, even if you can't vote...it will give you an idea where the candidates line up with your views...
AOL Presidential Match Main
Post your comments about it if you want......tell me what you thought of the survey...
AOL Presidential Match Main
Post your comments about it if you want......tell me what you thought of the survey...
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Nomey's Spot
You definately need to check out my friend's blog: Nomey's Spot
It has a good post about homosexuality and looks at it in a way that some don't. I appreciate his looking at this controversial issue with a little different angle. I appreciate when people step outside the box to see things in a different light. Definately check out this post. You may not agree with it. Heck, I may not agree with it. But then again....maybe you will. Maybe I will. Definately worth reading with an open mind.
Is that possible? An open mind? Or are we so biased by our upbringing and our culture that we are not able to have an open mind anymore? Besides who wants to be "tolerant"? Cause we know that tolerance is EVIL!
That is another post for another time....check out the link Nomey's Spot
It has a good post about homosexuality and looks at it in a way that some don't. I appreciate his looking at this controversial issue with a little different angle. I appreciate when people step outside the box to see things in a different light. Definately check out this post. You may not agree with it. Heck, I may not agree with it. But then again....maybe you will. Maybe I will. Definately worth reading with an open mind.
Is that possible? An open mind? Or are we so biased by our upbringing and our culture that we are not able to have an open mind anymore? Besides who wants to be "tolerant"? Cause we know that tolerance is EVIL!
That is another post for another time....check out the link Nomey's Spot
Something that bothers me....
Just a short rant.....
Why do people insist on making Jesus a Republican? Seriously....everytime I hear a Christian talk politics, I get the feeling that they are implying that Jesus is a Republican. The same can be said of Democrats. They too align Jesus as a Democrat.
That just kills me. What makes us think that Jesus would align himself with either of the parties? What makes us so arrogant that we would think for a second that we know what party Jesus would vote for?
If memory serves me right.....Jesus had a chance to join the different sects of Judaism. But He didn't. He didn't come to conform the different sects. He came to bring grace and love to all.
If He wouldn't choose sides back then (besides His own side) then why do we imply that He chooses our side now. Republicans say because of our views on abortion and same sex marriage. Democrats say because they care about the poor, something they say the Republicans obviously don't.
I guess we can ponder this question: WWJVF - Who Would Jesus Vote For
Too bad we get wrapped up in this.....maybe there are other things that we can get wrapped up in.....like the grace of God, the moving of the Spirit, the adoration of the Son, even maybe get wrapped up in reaching out to those that haven't experience the saving grace of God.
Maybe......
Why do people insist on making Jesus a Republican? Seriously....everytime I hear a Christian talk politics, I get the feeling that they are implying that Jesus is a Republican. The same can be said of Democrats. They too align Jesus as a Democrat.
That just kills me. What makes us think that Jesus would align himself with either of the parties? What makes us so arrogant that we would think for a second that we know what party Jesus would vote for?
If memory serves me right.....Jesus had a chance to join the different sects of Judaism. But He didn't. He didn't come to conform the different sects. He came to bring grace and love to all.
If He wouldn't choose sides back then (besides His own side) then why do we imply that He chooses our side now. Republicans say because of our views on abortion and same sex marriage. Democrats say because they care about the poor, something they say the Republicans obviously don't.
I guess we can ponder this question: WWJVF - Who Would Jesus Vote For
Too bad we get wrapped up in this.....maybe there are other things that we can get wrapped up in.....like the grace of God, the moving of the Spirit, the adoration of the Son, even maybe get wrapped up in reaching out to those that haven't experience the saving grace of God.
Maybe......
Don't Vote!
Mark Noll wrote an article None of the Above: Why I am not voting for president for the The Christian Century Magazine. This is a very interesting article. One that I find myself greatly agreeing with. It is written by Dr. Mark Noll, proffesor at Wheaton College and one of the leading evangelical thinkers of our time.
Basically what Noll is saying is that he can't see himself voting for any of the candidates at this point. He finds that his "main" issues to be of paramount importance to him and none of the candidates agree with him on these. So his conclusion is to basically....not vote.
Now I don't know how much I agree with this approach. Mostly because I wouldn't know how to repsond to the people that asked me about whether or not I voted and because I feel like I am giving up my right to vote. But then again I guess I could respond by telling them that my vote was a private matter and I could think of my right as including not to vote as well.
Anyway it is something to think about and read. I found Noll's views to be pretty much the same as mine. I am Pro-Life and all the other typical "conservative" issues (morally at least) But at the same time, I have a desire for a better economy in this country and around the world. (Not just for me but for those who are poor and living in poverty or those that are struggling)
I really liked this article. Makes one think.
Basically what Noll is saying is that he can't see himself voting for any of the candidates at this point. He finds that his "main" issues to be of paramount importance to him and none of the candidates agree with him on these. So his conclusion is to basically....not vote.
Now I don't know how much I agree with this approach. Mostly because I wouldn't know how to repsond to the people that asked me about whether or not I voted and because I feel like I am giving up my right to vote. But then again I guess I could respond by telling them that my vote was a private matter and I could think of my right as including not to vote as well.
Anyway it is something to think about and read. I found Noll's views to be pretty much the same as mine. I am Pro-Life and all the other typical "conservative" issues (morally at least) But at the same time, I have a desire for a better economy in this country and around the world. (Not just for me but for those who are poor and living in poverty or those that are struggling)
I really liked this article. Makes one think.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Name calling
Quote from Yac - "One day we decided to become a follower of Christ, to seek his presence in our lives, and were doing our best to keep Jesus in our sights when we were shocked to discover our fellow "classmates" calling us names. "Ungodly. Uncommitted. Poor example. Unspiritual. Carnal. Unbiblical." In other words, 'You are "doing God" all wrong' "
It's amazing at how many times I have said that. It's even more amazing how many times I have heard that said. Why is the ones who pick on each other the most are supposed to be the ones that "you will know by their love for each other?" Don't you think that is strange?
But it's all too true. We like to find all the "wrongs" of everybody else instead of looking at ourselves. Or better yet, we spend more time "fighting" issues than seeking after God's face. That's right - I said it and I will say it again. We spend more time making fun of homosexuals and condemning them to hell than we do checking ourselves and worrying about the sin in our lives. It's easy for us to pick on "them" because we don't struggle with that sin.
But what about the ones that we do struggle with? Who's there to point them out to us and raise a big deal about them? Who's there to condemn us when we fall short of the Glory of God? (I know we always fall short but you get my point)
It's prolly cause we spend so much of our time calling people "Ungodly" and other Christianese names. We spend all of our energy tearing down others instead of focusing on what is truly important......us seeking God.
We have a "them" concept.
Now before anybody says it, I know what you are going to say. "Well, I am just calling sin, sin." Yeah. Ok. I understand that. But let me tell you as one who used to do the same things......there is more to it. I have no problem with calling sin out....but there is a way to do it. And for the most part.....we have dropped the ball. We have condemned any person that has dealt with homosexual tendencies, had an abortion, or any other "inappropriate" sin. The time is to quit condemning.....and to start loving.
final thought.....where is our grace? Didn't we recieve some?
It's amazing at how many times I have said that. It's even more amazing how many times I have heard that said. Why is the ones who pick on each other the most are supposed to be the ones that "you will know by their love for each other?" Don't you think that is strange?
But it's all too true. We like to find all the "wrongs" of everybody else instead of looking at ourselves. Or better yet, we spend more time "fighting" issues than seeking after God's face. That's right - I said it and I will say it again. We spend more time making fun of homosexuals and condemning them to hell than we do checking ourselves and worrying about the sin in our lives. It's easy for us to pick on "them" because we don't struggle with that sin.
But what about the ones that we do struggle with? Who's there to point them out to us and raise a big deal about them? Who's there to condemn us when we fall short of the Glory of God? (I know we always fall short but you get my point)
It's prolly cause we spend so much of our time calling people "Ungodly" and other Christianese names. We spend all of our energy tearing down others instead of focusing on what is truly important......us seeking God.
We have a "them" concept.
Now before anybody says it, I know what you are going to say. "Well, I am just calling sin, sin." Yeah. Ok. I understand that. But let me tell you as one who used to do the same things......there is more to it. I have no problem with calling sin out....but there is a way to do it. And for the most part.....we have dropped the ball. We have condemned any person that has dealt with homosexual tendencies, had an abortion, or any other "inappropriate" sin. The time is to quit condemning.....and to start loving.
final thought.....where is our grace? Didn't we recieve some?
Monday, October 25, 2004
Maybe I am being misunderstood......maybe not
My MSN name is the following: Ever felt like your spiritual life wasn't good enough?
Now that can be understood in many different ways. Maybe that name is not the best one since it doesn't relay a concise and easily understood definition or meaning of what I am trying to get across.
Or maybe that is the point. Maybe it's supposed to cause confusion and misunderstanding. Is that possible?
Is that wrong?
A friend asked this question: "isn't it impossible to ever have a good enough spiritual life? think about it."
Pretty good thoughts. Makes you stop and think about it doesn't it? Maybe that is exactly what it is supposed to do. Maybe the name is supposed to make you question if you believe it and question if you agree with it.
The truth behind that name is a little deeper than when you first read it. It is not meant to be a kiddie pool kinda statement but more like a lake. You don't dive into a kiddie pool, but you would a lake.
Let's take a quick dip into the lake and talk about it for a minute. Can our spiritual life ever be good enough? Are we even talking about it in a measurement kind of way?
Or could it be that I am talking about the passionate pursuit by millions of Christians to "do." That's right....do. We base our spiritual life on how much we read the Bible, how much we pray, how much we attend church, and other tangible things that we count. But a lot of time, what we do is talk about how we are not doing enough. If we read 5 chapters of the Bible a day, then we say, "Well I am not reading my Bible enough."
The question that we must answer is: What is enough? If I read the whole Bible, will I still feel like I didn't do enough? If I only read a paragraph....is that enough?
What about prayer...what is enough? If I pray for an hour in the mornings and an hour at lunch and an hour at night...would we say that is enough? OR would we say that we haven't done it enough?
I am NOT advocating not doing these things because we will never do enough. That would be a cop out. What I am doing is trying to make us think.....and to prove a point.
Maybe our spiritual life is never good enough because we try to measure it. Maybe its not good enough because we try to put performance goals and records on it. Maybe our spiritual life is not good enough because we base it on all of these things, when it should be based on Christ and Him alone. My spiritual stance before God never changes.....I am a forgiven, loved child of God. He doesn't take away my salvation or my standing before Him if I don't read my Bible every day. NO! That would be a works based religion. Instead, it is His grace that keeps me hanging on. Not any of my works....but all HIM!
So....are you basing your spiritual life on what you do or don't do?
OR are you basing it on the position you have with God through Christ?
think about it................
Now that can be understood in many different ways. Maybe that name is not the best one since it doesn't relay a concise and easily understood definition or meaning of what I am trying to get across.
Or maybe that is the point. Maybe it's supposed to cause confusion and misunderstanding. Is that possible?
Is that wrong?
A friend asked this question: "isn't it impossible to ever have a good enough spiritual life? think about it."
Pretty good thoughts. Makes you stop and think about it doesn't it? Maybe that is exactly what it is supposed to do. Maybe the name is supposed to make you question if you believe it and question if you agree with it.
The truth behind that name is a little deeper than when you first read it. It is not meant to be a kiddie pool kinda statement but more like a lake. You don't dive into a kiddie pool, but you would a lake.
Let's take a quick dip into the lake and talk about it for a minute. Can our spiritual life ever be good enough? Are we even talking about it in a measurement kind of way?
Or could it be that I am talking about the passionate pursuit by millions of Christians to "do." That's right....do. We base our spiritual life on how much we read the Bible, how much we pray, how much we attend church, and other tangible things that we count. But a lot of time, what we do is talk about how we are not doing enough. If we read 5 chapters of the Bible a day, then we say, "Well I am not reading my Bible enough."
The question that we must answer is: What is enough? If I read the whole Bible, will I still feel like I didn't do enough? If I only read a paragraph....is that enough?
What about prayer...what is enough? If I pray for an hour in the mornings and an hour at lunch and an hour at night...would we say that is enough? OR would we say that we haven't done it enough?
I am NOT advocating not doing these things because we will never do enough. That would be a cop out. What I am doing is trying to make us think.....and to prove a point.
Maybe our spiritual life is never good enough because we try to measure it. Maybe its not good enough because we try to put performance goals and records on it. Maybe our spiritual life is not good enough because we base it on all of these things, when it should be based on Christ and Him alone. My spiritual stance before God never changes.....I am a forgiven, loved child of God. He doesn't take away my salvation or my standing before Him if I don't read my Bible every day. NO! That would be a works based religion. Instead, it is His grace that keeps me hanging on. Not any of my works....but all HIM!
So....are you basing your spiritual life on what you do or don't do?
OR are you basing it on the position you have with God through Christ?
think about it................
Sunday, October 24, 2004
I don't know
I just wrote a big long paragraph that I was going to post. Actually there were more than one. But I deleted it. I wasn't saying what I was trying to say. it was coming off very badly. Or at least that is what I thought.
i was trying to say this: i hate when people imply that I am not being spiritual because i am not goo-goo eyed over Jesus. See that still doesn't come out just right. Oh well. I try.
Anyways, I felt like a person implied that those who can trust God through the hard times were more spiritual or better Christians. How does that work? When life is going horrible and I trust God, do I get "brownie points" or "heaven reward points?" I don't think so. I don't think that my spiritual life is dependent on how much I trust God during the bad times. If I trust Him more, that must mean I am more spiritual and must mean that God loves me more. If I am having a hard time during the hard times (imagine that!) then I am low on the spiritual totem pole and God's favor just decreased.
That is foolishness. My relationship with God was sealed on the cross. I do not move up or down in the sight of God. I am justified and forgiven and most importantly, right now at least, is that I am loved.
Back to the point.....why am I supposed to be spiritual during the unspiritual times? Why can't a Christian struggle with his faith and struggle with where God is in their life? Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean that we are asking the hard questions and searching hard to see God? Doesn't that mean that our search is pretty hard and intense?
I don't know. I just know that I love God. Yet, I am having a hard time with all this. I am wondering why this depression seems to bite me.....and sometimes bite me when I am the most following Jesus (my opinion.) I don't know. I just don't.
This person also implied that trusting in God during the hard times is "easy." Now I resent that. It makes me feel like I am super dumb or stupid or even crazy. "Look at me, I am not good enough to trust in God when I need Him the most."
I don't know. I just hated the way I felt. And it was not only me, but Resa saw how I could take that from his comments. So I must not be too crazy, unless, Resa....well....nah...she is not crazy. So, I don't think I am overreacting, at least not too much. Sure, I know that my take on the comments are biased to my personal circumstances and therefore I must adjust accordingly.
Have any of you every experience this.....I don't know....this "superior Christian attitude?"
well have you?.....leave some comments.....
Not everybody wants to hear that.
i was trying to say this: i hate when people imply that I am not being spiritual because i am not goo-goo eyed over Jesus. See that still doesn't come out just right. Oh well. I try.
Anyways, I felt like a person implied that those who can trust God through the hard times were more spiritual or better Christians. How does that work? When life is going horrible and I trust God, do I get "brownie points" or "heaven reward points?" I don't think so. I don't think that my spiritual life is dependent on how much I trust God during the bad times. If I trust Him more, that must mean I am more spiritual and must mean that God loves me more. If I am having a hard time during the hard times (imagine that!) then I am low on the spiritual totem pole and God's favor just decreased.
That is foolishness. My relationship with God was sealed on the cross. I do not move up or down in the sight of God. I am justified and forgiven and most importantly, right now at least, is that I am loved.
Back to the point.....why am I supposed to be spiritual during the unspiritual times? Why can't a Christian struggle with his faith and struggle with where God is in their life? Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean that we are asking the hard questions and searching hard to see God? Doesn't that mean that our search is pretty hard and intense?
I don't know. I just know that I love God. Yet, I am having a hard time with all this. I am wondering why this depression seems to bite me.....and sometimes bite me when I am the most following Jesus (my opinion.) I don't know. I just don't.
This person also implied that trusting in God during the hard times is "easy." Now I resent that. It makes me feel like I am super dumb or stupid or even crazy. "Look at me, I am not good enough to trust in God when I need Him the most."
I don't know. I just hated the way I felt. And it was not only me, but Resa saw how I could take that from his comments. So I must not be too crazy, unless, Resa....well....nah...she is not crazy. So, I don't think I am overreacting, at least not too much. Sure, I know that my take on the comments are biased to my personal circumstances and therefore I must adjust accordingly.
Have any of you every experience this.....I don't know....this "superior Christian attitude?"
well have you?.....leave some comments.....
Not everybody wants to hear that.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
The Great Pretender
Reading in Yac's Messy Spirituality again and came upon this quote, which I couldn't resist sharing:
There is no room for pretending in the spiritual life. Unfortunately, in many religious circles, there exists an unwritten rule. Pretend. Act like God is in control when you don't believe He is. Give the impression everything is okay in your life when it's not. Pretend you believe when you doubt; hide your imperfections; maintain the image of a perfect marriage with healthy and well-adjusted children when your amily is like any other normal dysfunctional family. And whatever you do, don't admit that you sin.
You know what....that is an awesome paragraph. Why? Because it's true. The sad thing is that weknow it, agree with it, yet for some crazy reason, we don't do anything about it. NOTHING at all.
We go throughout our days with a, "Everything is fine" face on and with our Ned Flanders attitude. We will say that everything is fine even if somebody just died.
Person 1: "So how are you doing in all this?"
Person 2 "Well, it's hard, but I am doing ok."
Why don't we just come out and be honest. Life stinks! Majorly. We just lost our mother or father or whatever. Why don't we say that we don't believe God loves us or that God is not there in it all? Why don't we become gut level honest and share what is really in our hearts and minds?
Because we are pretenders. We pretend at all costs. We are never transparent. Although we believe we are sinners, we don't think we do. Oh, we'll say that we do...or we will say, "Sure I sin" but in reality, we live as though we don't sin. We live as though we don't have struggles. I am sick and tired of people saying they sin yet do not acknowledge it in anyway. I don't believe making a general comment like, "Well, we are all sinners, including me" and then living like there is no struggles or temptations is what God wants us to do.
I am calling for us to be more honest. Not with just others but first and foremost with ourselves. We are fallen, sinners who are completely marred by sin, apart from the love and salvation of Christ. We are imperfect, lying, cheating, backbiting, people who need the grace of God more now than ever.
But do we believe that? For the most part we live life as a "perfectionist." We live like the day we were saved is the day all our sin was removed from our life (note I am not talking in regards to justification and the work of Christ.) We believe that we are not to sin anymore and that for the most part we are "good christian guys/gals." We believe that at the moment of conversion, our sins were taken from our life. We no longer should struggle with anything. And if you do....you are not trusting God.
That's bull. Seriously. We all struggle with things. We just don't want to admit it Yet, we would rather point to others sin and make it the sin that we "focus" on. For example, think of homosexuals. We put so much attention and energy into this one sin. We are afraid what these people would do to our church, family or culture. Yet, if we are to be honest, its backbiting Christians that have done the most harm to the church, family, and culture. Or gossiping. Or money loving. Or.....fill in the blank.
Do you see my point? People are sinners....especially "them."
"Now me, shoot I am doing the best I can. Sure I sin, but you know for the most part I am a good Christian guy. I don't struggle with too many sins....at least not the big ones you know. "
Whatever. Stop pretending. Stop thinking that everything is ok when you just need to be honest with yourself, God, and others about who you really are.
I know I need to. I am pitiful. I harbor anger, hold grudges, think of revenge, and am rageful. That is all this morning. Not counting the rampant thoughts that I have about things. I am bad. I am sorry....as in not good.
But.....I am trying. And I will try even harder....today, tomorrow, and hopefully the next day.
any comments?
There is no room for pretending in the spiritual life. Unfortunately, in many religious circles, there exists an unwritten rule. Pretend. Act like God is in control when you don't believe He is. Give the impression everything is okay in your life when it's not. Pretend you believe when you doubt; hide your imperfections; maintain the image of a perfect marriage with healthy and well-adjusted children when your amily is like any other normal dysfunctional family. And whatever you do, don't admit that you sin.
You know what....that is an awesome paragraph. Why? Because it's true. The sad thing is that weknow it, agree with it, yet for some crazy reason, we don't do anything about it. NOTHING at all.
We go throughout our days with a, "Everything is fine" face on and with our Ned Flanders attitude. We will say that everything is fine even if somebody just died.
Person 1: "So how are you doing in all this?"
Person 2 "Well, it's hard, but I am doing ok."
Why don't we just come out and be honest. Life stinks! Majorly. We just lost our mother or father or whatever. Why don't we say that we don't believe God loves us or that God is not there in it all? Why don't we become gut level honest and share what is really in our hearts and minds?
Because we are pretenders. We pretend at all costs. We are never transparent. Although we believe we are sinners, we don't think we do. Oh, we'll say that we do...or we will say, "Sure I sin" but in reality, we live as though we don't sin. We live as though we don't have struggles. I am sick and tired of people saying they sin yet do not acknowledge it in anyway. I don't believe making a general comment like, "Well, we are all sinners, including me" and then living like there is no struggles or temptations is what God wants us to do.
I am calling for us to be more honest. Not with just others but first and foremost with ourselves. We are fallen, sinners who are completely marred by sin, apart from the love and salvation of Christ. We are imperfect, lying, cheating, backbiting, people who need the grace of God more now than ever.
But do we believe that? For the most part we live life as a "perfectionist." We live like the day we were saved is the day all our sin was removed from our life (note I am not talking in regards to justification and the work of Christ.) We believe that we are not to sin anymore and that for the most part we are "good christian guys/gals." We believe that at the moment of conversion, our sins were taken from our life. We no longer should struggle with anything. And if you do....you are not trusting God.
That's bull. Seriously. We all struggle with things. We just don't want to admit it Yet, we would rather point to others sin and make it the sin that we "focus" on. For example, think of homosexuals. We put so much attention and energy into this one sin. We are afraid what these people would do to our church, family or culture. Yet, if we are to be honest, its backbiting Christians that have done the most harm to the church, family, and culture. Or gossiping. Or money loving. Or.....fill in the blank.
Do you see my point? People are sinners....especially "them."
"Now me, shoot I am doing the best I can. Sure I sin, but you know for the most part I am a good Christian guy. I don't struggle with too many sins....at least not the big ones you know. "
Whatever. Stop pretending. Stop thinking that everything is ok when you just need to be honest with yourself, God, and others about who you really are.
I know I need to. I am pitiful. I harbor anger, hold grudges, think of revenge, and am rageful. That is all this morning. Not counting the rampant thoughts that I have about things. I am bad. I am sorry....as in not good.
But.....I am trying. And I will try even harder....today, tomorrow, and hopefully the next day.
any comments?
Friday, October 22, 2004
Who me? Ok. Huh? Oh.
I am rereading Michael Yaconelli's Messy Spirituality and wanted to comment on one of his paragraphs:
I often dream that I am tagging along behind Jesus, longing for him to choose me as one of his disciples. Without warning, he turns around, looks straight into my eyes, and says, "Follow me!" My heart races, and I begin to run toward him when he interrupts with, "Oh, not you; the guy behind you. Sorry."
How often do we have this feeling about our lives? We try our best to be "spiritual" yet for some reason we don't rise up to the "standard." I know for me, I often feel like my spiritual life is very inconsistent. I got through times of unbelievable commitment to times of inability to read my bible. As Yac says, the only thing consistent for me is that I am inconsistent. I guess you could say that I am consistently inconsistent.
I try. I try hard. But there is no rhyme and reason to my spiritual life. Not to mention that most of the time I feel exactly like Yac's paragraph, a misplaced disciple. I often think, WHY? I mean I haven't made the best disciple. It has never been my desire. The desire is there. It's mostly what comes out in action. Now that is another story.
But overall, I am a pretty sorry disciple. I am not the one that you would think Jesus would choose....but then again who is, right? I don't have the best past, I don't have the best temperment, I don't have the best, well I obviously don't have the best spiritual life. Why would Jesus choose to let me follow him initially and follow him still? I am a......well, like Yac said, I am messy. I do my best, but it is starting to appear from everything that maybe my best isn't good enough. Maybe I am just not making the grade.
And you know what? That stinks. I mean I want to be a good disciple. I really do....but right now I am having a really hard time. Part of me has no desire to ever go to church again. Part of me wants to run away from this thing called Christianity. And truth be known, I am running. I am running just as hard as I can. Yesterday as I was driving.....I was deeply "bothered" by the thoughts I was having. It brought a short and brief tear to my eye. I hate all this. I hate the way I feel and I hate that I am having these feelings.
I feel as though Jesus called me to be a disciple and I started walking behind Him and we walked for awhile, even miles. Then He turns around and says to me, "Actually I meant the guy behind you. Where is he at? I would rather have him. You'll have to go back now."
That is a pretty sorry feeling to have. But this book is a good book. It is reminding me that my spiritual life is not based on numbers that I have to meet but is rather based on an unconditional love that my Father has for me and will always have for me......no matter how messy I am.
Live in that.
I often dream that I am tagging along behind Jesus, longing for him to choose me as one of his disciples. Without warning, he turns around, looks straight into my eyes, and says, "Follow me!" My heart races, and I begin to run toward him when he interrupts with, "Oh, not you; the guy behind you. Sorry."
How often do we have this feeling about our lives? We try our best to be "spiritual" yet for some reason we don't rise up to the "standard." I know for me, I often feel like my spiritual life is very inconsistent. I got through times of unbelievable commitment to times of inability to read my bible. As Yac says, the only thing consistent for me is that I am inconsistent. I guess you could say that I am consistently inconsistent.
I try. I try hard. But there is no rhyme and reason to my spiritual life. Not to mention that most of the time I feel exactly like Yac's paragraph, a misplaced disciple. I often think, WHY? I mean I haven't made the best disciple. It has never been my desire. The desire is there. It's mostly what comes out in action. Now that is another story.
But overall, I am a pretty sorry disciple. I am not the one that you would think Jesus would choose....but then again who is, right? I don't have the best past, I don't have the best temperment, I don't have the best, well I obviously don't have the best spiritual life. Why would Jesus choose to let me follow him initially and follow him still? I am a......well, like Yac said, I am messy. I do my best, but it is starting to appear from everything that maybe my best isn't good enough. Maybe I am just not making the grade.
And you know what? That stinks. I mean I want to be a good disciple. I really do....but right now I am having a really hard time. Part of me has no desire to ever go to church again. Part of me wants to run away from this thing called Christianity. And truth be known, I am running. I am running just as hard as I can. Yesterday as I was driving.....I was deeply "bothered" by the thoughts I was having. It brought a short and brief tear to my eye. I hate all this. I hate the way I feel and I hate that I am having these feelings.
I feel as though Jesus called me to be a disciple and I started walking behind Him and we walked for awhile, even miles. Then He turns around and says to me, "Actually I meant the guy behind you. Where is he at? I would rather have him. You'll have to go back now."
That is a pretty sorry feeling to have. But this book is a good book. It is reminding me that my spiritual life is not based on numbers that I have to meet but is rather based on an unconditional love that my Father has for me and will always have for me......no matter how messy I am.
Live in that.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
My day....
I just got back from Indianapolis with Chris. He had a Dr.'s appointment so I offered to take him and Allison there. They have a big day tomorrow. They will find out what their baby is going to be (Chris is hoping for a boy)! They are both very excited and praying for a healthy report about the baby. We are praying too! Then also, they find out about what Chris will have to do with his surgery. Either he will have to have chemo or surgery. He is nervous....or I think he is. I am just praying for everything to be ok. This worries me. I hate to see a friend going through so much pain.
We had a good time today talking theology and such. I have found that Chris is pretty articulate and sharp. Way sharper than I am. We are so much alike....its almost like we are brothers. Seriously.
well, readers, keep my bro in your prayers.
i'm out.....
We had a good time today talking theology and such. I have found that Chris is pretty articulate and sharp. Way sharper than I am. We are so much alike....its almost like we are brothers. Seriously.
well, readers, keep my bro in your prayers.
i'm out.....
Friends
I got an email that Levi sent out today to all of his friends. Well, probably not all, but you know what I mean. It got me to thinking about my friends. Or should I say "friends."
For the most part, my life has been filled with an attitude that 2Pac had when he said something like, "sometimes your friends are the ones you have to be close because they turn out to be your enemies."
I have found this true in many cases and situations. Its a shame too. One should at least be able to trust his friends shouldn't he? I would think so. But sometimes you can't.
I have, through the years, found many "true" friends. Ones that I feel like truly care for me (or for me and Resa). I know back in the 'Ville....there is Leslie Riggs. We have been friends for, wow, its been around 10 years now. Ever since my freshman year, me and Leslie have been friends. Although I look at him as more than a friend....more like a brother or I don't know....just whatever is more than a friend. He has stuck by me through it all....even when I was a jerk. He was there for me and hopefully, I was there for him whenever he needed me. Still to this day, I know I can depend on Les. And I hope he knows that he can depend on me.
Then there are some of my former youth - Matt, Jake, and JJ. I consider them more like friends than former youth now. I don't see JJ very much, but Resa and I have considered him as our adopted son. Matt and Jake, "the boys" as my wife calls them, are away at school, but I would still consider us as pretty close friends. I enjoy hanging out with them. Matt and I share a love for writing. I am actually planning on going and seeing him tomorrow. I am grateful for their friendship and support!
On through the years has seen many friends in my life. Michael. Jeff. Brian. (I hope I spelled that right...you would think I know how.) Many, many others.
Now I am surrounded by some good friends....ones I know that are there for me, both in person and online. Chris is one of those. He and I act very similarly and always have a ball whenever we get "goofy." Chris is going through a hard time, dealing with cancer. He has been there for me and hopefully I will be there for him when he needs me. Then there's Nathan. Nathan and I got close, prolly, because of Upward. But now, we remain strong friends and I know I can depend on him. He can depend on me.
Then there are my online buddies....Michael down in Mayfield...and Levi in Tennessee. And Jim Tom. He has really been there through all this and has been concerned for me. He has gone out of his way for me. I know he is concerned because others have told me that he was. He is sincere in his care.
I am glad that I can say that I have all these friends.
But then there are those who have pretended to be my friend. Those that are out for no one but themselves and care for no one but themselves. These are the ones, far too many, who have my attitude tainted. All of these "friends" make me not want to trust anyone.
That's a shame.
Then there is Resa. She is the epitome of what a friend should be. She is my everything and the one I know I can trust. I love her so much. Today is our anniversary. 3 years. It has been the best 3 years of my life, spending it next to my best friend and wife.
Happy Anniversary!
For the most part, my life has been filled with an attitude that 2Pac had when he said something like, "sometimes your friends are the ones you have to be close because they turn out to be your enemies."
I have found this true in many cases and situations. Its a shame too. One should at least be able to trust his friends shouldn't he? I would think so. But sometimes you can't.
I have, through the years, found many "true" friends. Ones that I feel like truly care for me (or for me and Resa). I know back in the 'Ville....there is Leslie Riggs. We have been friends for, wow, its been around 10 years now. Ever since my freshman year, me and Leslie have been friends. Although I look at him as more than a friend....more like a brother or I don't know....just whatever is more than a friend. He has stuck by me through it all....even when I was a jerk. He was there for me and hopefully, I was there for him whenever he needed me. Still to this day, I know I can depend on Les. And I hope he knows that he can depend on me.
Then there are some of my former youth - Matt, Jake, and JJ. I consider them more like friends than former youth now. I don't see JJ very much, but Resa and I have considered him as our adopted son. Matt and Jake, "the boys" as my wife calls them, are away at school, but I would still consider us as pretty close friends. I enjoy hanging out with them. Matt and I share a love for writing. I am actually planning on going and seeing him tomorrow. I am grateful for their friendship and support!
On through the years has seen many friends in my life. Michael. Jeff. Brian. (I hope I spelled that right...you would think I know how.) Many, many others.
Now I am surrounded by some good friends....ones I know that are there for me, both in person and online. Chris is one of those. He and I act very similarly and always have a ball whenever we get "goofy." Chris is going through a hard time, dealing with cancer. He has been there for me and hopefully I will be there for him when he needs me. Then there's Nathan. Nathan and I got close, prolly, because of Upward. But now, we remain strong friends and I know I can depend on him. He can depend on me.
Then there are my online buddies....Michael down in Mayfield...and Levi in Tennessee. And Jim Tom. He has really been there through all this and has been concerned for me. He has gone out of his way for me. I know he is concerned because others have told me that he was. He is sincere in his care.
I am glad that I can say that I have all these friends.
But then there are those who have pretended to be my friend. Those that are out for no one but themselves and care for no one but themselves. These are the ones, far too many, who have my attitude tainted. All of these "friends" make me not want to trust anyone.
That's a shame.
Then there is Resa. She is the epitome of what a friend should be. She is my everything and the one I know I can trust. I love her so much. Today is our anniversary. 3 years. It has been the best 3 years of my life, spending it next to my best friend and wife.
Happy Anniversary!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Made me think
I have been doing some reading in the YS Message Forum about the Bishop that was ordained in the Episcopal church. I am sure most of you remember this story. The Bishop was an "unrepentant" homosexual and they went ahead and ordained him as Bishop.
It is a very interesting discussion that I am enjoying. I alway enjoy when I am stretched to thinking things I have never thought of before. I have increasingly found that I am more close-minded than what I should be. I have done what I have always taught not to do. I have taken some of my beliefs from those that have "told" me what to believe. I have never questioned things and I have never studies things for myself.
I believe that this is wrong for a disciple of Christ to do. It is true that orthodoxy is important but so is studying things for yourself. We have to be careful of not taking things for granted and believing just because, "we are supposed to."
I am not second guessing anything huge. I am not even questioning homosexuality. What I am questioning is my practice of not studying things out for myself and for being arrogant to believe that my interpretation of things is the only one that could possibly be "right."
I believe, for the most part, that I have been living my life as a LEGALIST. I have made things into laws and have lived accordingly. But the problems semes to be when I have made things into "laws" that are not in fact, laws. There are things that I thought wrong, where in fact they are not wrong.
We have to remember that just because we think something wrong, does not make it wrong. I may think wearing hats is wrong, but that does not make it wrong. We have to be careful to not be overly influenced by things that should not influence us.....like friends, leaders, culture, and our own arrogant pride. We must be careful to carefully weigh things and go to scripture with them. The "theme" of scripture should be the overriding principle for us. But once again I must warn us from taking scripture and turning it into a law. I really get irked whenever one takes a scripture (just one verse) and then proceeds to use that verse like a dagger, attempting to cut everything up. We have all heard the misuse of the verse "judge not lest ye be judged" but we fail to recognize the verses that we use. We are blind to our own faults and quick to judge others.
It is kinda like this whole homosexuality thing. I feel that there is an over-emphasis on homosexuality. I feel like we have set out to crucify those that have this "issue" or "sin" or whatever you want to call it. But the thing we do not do is look to the backbiters, gossips, lovers of money, those that "hate" in their heart, and a ton of other "issues" or "sins."
In 1 Timothy 3 - Paul lays out the qualifications of an overseer. Most scholars believe that to be equal to pastor, elder and so forth. He gives such qualifications....peacable, gentle, able to teach, hospitable, prudent, temperate, above reproach, not addicted to wine (OH MY, it doesn't say not drink wine but don't be addicted!...maybe its talking about grape juice...that would be bad to be addicted to grape juice), pugnacious (combative or set out to fight), keep their children under control with dignity, not a new convert (what constitutes new? 2 years, 5 years, or 3 months, or 6 months or what?), and of good reputation (so what happens when a pastor gets a bad rep, should he step down?) Why don't we ever call out pastors that have wild kids that are living in open sin....even in high school? Why don't we call out pastors that are not exercising moderation and restraint (temperance)?
Do you see my point? My big problem is not telling a homosexual that he can't be a pastor....my "BIG" problem is whenever we don't hold to the other things. We love to emphasize whatever proves our point or whatever sin that we do not struggle with. But God forbid somebody call us out on our sin....we are ....
What is my point? That is what I am wondering.
Just random thoughts from things that made me think
It is a very interesting discussion that I am enjoying. I alway enjoy when I am stretched to thinking things I have never thought of before. I have increasingly found that I am more close-minded than what I should be. I have done what I have always taught not to do. I have taken some of my beliefs from those that have "told" me what to believe. I have never questioned things and I have never studies things for myself.
I believe that this is wrong for a disciple of Christ to do. It is true that orthodoxy is important but so is studying things for yourself. We have to be careful of not taking things for granted and believing just because, "we are supposed to."
I am not second guessing anything huge. I am not even questioning homosexuality. What I am questioning is my practice of not studying things out for myself and for being arrogant to believe that my interpretation of things is the only one that could possibly be "right."
I believe, for the most part, that I have been living my life as a LEGALIST. I have made things into laws and have lived accordingly. But the problems semes to be when I have made things into "laws" that are not in fact, laws. There are things that I thought wrong, where in fact they are not wrong.
We have to remember that just because we think something wrong, does not make it wrong. I may think wearing hats is wrong, but that does not make it wrong. We have to be careful to not be overly influenced by things that should not influence us.....like friends, leaders, culture, and our own arrogant pride. We must be careful to carefully weigh things and go to scripture with them. The "theme" of scripture should be the overriding principle for us. But once again I must warn us from taking scripture and turning it into a law. I really get irked whenever one takes a scripture (just one verse) and then proceeds to use that verse like a dagger, attempting to cut everything up. We have all heard the misuse of the verse "judge not lest ye be judged" but we fail to recognize the verses that we use. We are blind to our own faults and quick to judge others.
It is kinda like this whole homosexuality thing. I feel that there is an over-emphasis on homosexuality. I feel like we have set out to crucify those that have this "issue" or "sin" or whatever you want to call it. But the thing we do not do is look to the backbiters, gossips, lovers of money, those that "hate" in their heart, and a ton of other "issues" or "sins."
In 1 Timothy 3 - Paul lays out the qualifications of an overseer. Most scholars believe that to be equal to pastor, elder and so forth. He gives such qualifications....peacable, gentle, able to teach, hospitable, prudent, temperate, above reproach, not addicted to wine (OH MY, it doesn't say not drink wine but don't be addicted!...maybe its talking about grape juice...that would be bad to be addicted to grape juice), pugnacious (combative or set out to fight), keep their children under control with dignity, not a new convert (what constitutes new? 2 years, 5 years, or 3 months, or 6 months or what?), and of good reputation (so what happens when a pastor gets a bad rep, should he step down?) Why don't we ever call out pastors that have wild kids that are living in open sin....even in high school? Why don't we call out pastors that are not exercising moderation and restraint (temperance)?
Do you see my point? My big problem is not telling a homosexual that he can't be a pastor....my "BIG" problem is whenever we don't hold to the other things. We love to emphasize whatever proves our point or whatever sin that we do not struggle with. But God forbid somebody call us out on our sin....we are ....
What is my point? That is what I am wondering.
Just random thoughts from things that made me think
Monday, October 18, 2004
Another day....
I woke up this morning at 6:30. That wouldn't be so bad and actually would be desired if I hadn't went to bed at 1:30 last night. So I guess I will survive on 5 hours of sleeping. I was kinda happy I woke up. I got to talk to Resa this morning before she went to school. I heated up breakfast for her so that she would have a "good" breakfast for her first day at her new job. She is very nervous but I am sure that she will do fine. She is so talented that I have no doubt that English will soon become her new forte.
I have a ton of things to do today. I just hope that I get everything accomplished. I'll probably go to the church early so that I can get my letters ready to send out.
****************************************
Well, last night was my last night as youth minister at PBC. I am not sure how I feel about it. Emotions are running close together right now. I am sad in so many ways, angered in so many ways, and happy in a few ways. The bad emotions are offset by a sense of excitement of what God has next. I am trying to have a positive attitude about this and anxiously await what it is that God has in store for me. I am also excited about going back to school, although I am not sure how I will do.
I'll have more thoughts on this later....or at least I think I might....
I have a ton of things to do today. I just hope that I get everything accomplished. I'll probably go to the church early so that I can get my letters ready to send out.
****************************************
Well, last night was my last night as youth minister at PBC. I am not sure how I feel about it. Emotions are running close together right now. I am sad in so many ways, angered in so many ways, and happy in a few ways. The bad emotions are offset by a sense of excitement of what God has next. I am trying to have a positive attitude about this and anxiously await what it is that God has in store for me. I am also excited about going back to school, although I am not sure how I will do.
I'll have more thoughts on this later....or at least I think I might....
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