My sister Jennifer just graduated from BGSU yesterday! She is an amazing sister that is greater person than I could ever think about being. She has always been there whenever I might need her. I have loved seeing her grow in her faith in the Lord. Iwish I could spend more time talking about the wonderful woman that God has made my sister, but I must go to her graduation party. Jennifer, if you read this or if you never read this, it really doesn't matter): I love you! Keep following the Lord with everything you've got.Sunday, May 6, 2007
My Graduated Sister!
My sister Jennifer just graduated from BGSU yesterday! She is an amazing sister that is greater person than I could ever think about being. She has always been there whenever I might need her. I have loved seeing her grow in her faith in the Lord. Iwish I could spend more time talking about the wonderful woman that God has made my sister, but I must go to her graduation party. Jennifer, if you read this or if you never read this, it really doesn't matter): I love you! Keep following the Lord with everything you've got.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Brokenhearted Psalmist
David, writer of both Psalms 34 and Psalms 69, has written about his times of having a broken heart. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalms 34:18, NASB). “Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.” (Psalms 69:20, NASB). King David has a lot of grief in his life and he is searching for the way to deal with it.
In Psalms 34, David has found the source of comfort. For some reason in Psalms 69, he forgets who he can put his trust in. Instead of finding comfort in God, the only One we can ever find comfort in, he searches for comfort in these no-name “comforters.” He is upset in Psalms 69 because he can’t find comfort. Thankfully later in the chapter David realizes his error. “But I am afflicted with pain; may Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.” (Psalms 69:29, NASB).
The important comparison between these two chapters is that David is hurt and in pain. David needs comfort. We all at times need comfort and we need to know where to look for it. We need to be like David and realize that the only true comfort comes from God.
In Psalms 34, David has found the source of comfort. For some reason in Psalms 69, he forgets who he can put his trust in. Instead of finding comfort in God, the only One we can ever find comfort in, he searches for comfort in these no-name “comforters.” He is upset in Psalms 69 because he can’t find comfort. Thankfully later in the chapter David realizes his error. “But I am afflicted with pain; may Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.” (Psalms 69:29, NASB).
The important comparison between these two chapters is that David is hurt and in pain. David needs comfort. We all at times need comfort and we need to know where to look for it. We need to be like David and realize that the only true comfort comes from God.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Do We Do the Work or Does God?
This is a huge question that must be addressed. To be honest I still don't completely understand what's going on. This question is so hard because the Bible seems to contradict itself. Even the same book of the Bible seems to support both sides. So, do we work in the process of sanctification or is it God that is sanctifying us? I'm going to point out Paul's letter to the Philippians, which holds what seem to be contradictory statements. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB). This supports the fact that God is working in us, perfecting us, until we are with Him again in heaven. In the next chapter Paul confuses us. First he tells us to work, then he tells us that it is God working in us. "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, NASB). So, which one is it? Is it us or is it God? Here's what I have come up with.I think that it is both. We are working, but truly it is God working in us and through us. This may seem confusing (it does to me), but I think that the Bible does support this view. I've been reading through Exodus and I came across the story of Joshua's army fighting against Amalek's army. This is found in Exodus 17:8-16. To summarize, Moses tells Joshua to take some men out to fight Amalek. While Joshua does this Moses, Aaron, and Hur go to the top of the hill overlooking the battlefield. When Moses is holding up his hands, Joshua's army is winning. When Moses lets his hands down, Amalek's army is winning. Moses' arms get tired so Aaron and Hur both support each of Moses' arms (engraving above by Jan Lievens (1607-1674)). Can you see how this supports the theory that both God and us are working? Joshua and his army are down on the battlefield fighting. They are doing the work. Moses, with the support of Aaron and Hur, is holding his hands up to God. They are doing work. The outcome of the battle, however, is caused and determined by God. He is working through Joshua, his army, Moses, Aaron, and Hur. Joshua could have fought as hard as he wanted but couldn't have won if Moses' hands were down. It had nothing to do with Moses' arms, except for the fact that God caused the army to win while they were up and lose while they were down. All of these men learned that the must rely on God.
I think that this must be the way that it works. If it was only us working, then we wouldn't have a need for God. We could do it on our own. We could achieve sanctification without God's intervention. If it was only God working, then we would get really lazy. We would always have the mindset of "God will take care of it, there's no sense in me doing anything." If both God and we are working, then neither of these horrible situations will take place. We are working, but it is truly God working in us and through us.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hard Thoughts About Forgiveness
What is your understanding of forgiveness?
If we are followers of God then we must forgive those around us. We shouldn't feel obligated to do this. We should want to honor and glorify God by forgiving others. Jesus says "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15, NASB). This is a heavy set of verses. Where does this fit in with "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:10, NIV). Isn't that all we have to do to be forgiven of our sins and saved? Yes! If we do this, then our lives will be utterly changed. We will want to do everything we can to glorify God, including forgiving others. If someone is unwilling to forgive someone else for a wrong that has been committed, then have they really believed with their heart and confessed with their mouth? It is not my place to judge, my conclusion would be no because of what Scripture tells me.
Another thing that is important is that forgiveness isn't a one time thing. This is expressed in a question Peter had and the answer Jesus gave. "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" (Matthew 18: 21-22, NASB). By this, Jesus means, never stop forgiving your brother, no matter how severe the case. It is not our place to judge whether he is sincere or not. That is between him and God. God just tells us to forgive. We can learn from the past so that we can avoid that person sinning against us in the same way, but if he does it again we are called to forgive him. Jesus forgave the people who killed him as they were in the process of killing him. I think we can forgive the petty things that happen to us.
If we are followers of God then we must forgive those around us. We shouldn't feel obligated to do this. We should want to honor and glorify God by forgiving others. Jesus says "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:14-15, NASB). This is a heavy set of verses. Where does this fit in with "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:10, NIV). Isn't that all we have to do to be forgiven of our sins and saved? Yes! If we do this, then our lives will be utterly changed. We will want to do everything we can to glorify God, including forgiving others. If someone is unwilling to forgive someone else for a wrong that has been committed, then have they really believed with their heart and confessed with their mouth? It is not my place to judge, my conclusion would be no because of what Scripture tells me.
Another thing that is important is that forgiveness isn't a one time thing. This is expressed in a question Peter had and the answer Jesus gave. "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" (Matthew 18: 21-22, NASB). By this, Jesus means, never stop forgiving your brother, no matter how severe the case. It is not our place to judge whether he is sincere or not. That is between him and God. God just tells us to forgive. We can learn from the past so that we can avoid that person sinning against us in the same way, but if he does it again we are called to forgive him. Jesus forgave the people who killed him as they were in the process of killing him. I think we can forgive the petty things that happen to us.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Relying on Others Instead of God
In this blog I'm going to post a lot of the papers I write for my class. I would love to get people's opinions on what I write, so that you guys can keep me in check. The question for this paper was: Why is it so easy for us to rely on other people to fulfill our needs instead of God and why should we try to avoid doing this? The book by Parrott that is mentioned in my paper is the book we're reading for the class right now. It is entitled: Relationships: An Open and Honest Guide to Making Bad Relationships Better and Good Relationships Great. It's a really corny title, but the book has brought up a lot of good points on why we do what we do, especially in relationships with other people. So, please check out my answer to the question and see what you think. Please tell me if I'm way off base.
It is so very easy to fall into this temptation of going to people instead of God. Why is this so easy? “At the core of each of us is a compulsion for completion so strong that no single human can consistently fulfill it.” (Parrott, 36). I think that most Christians do believe this statement; it’s just hard for us to put into practice what we truly want to do.
Our sinful nature is constantly drawing our attention away from God and onto things and people that we can idolize. We see a glimpse of this in Romans 1 as Paul describes the way these people are trying to go after relationships with people (mainly those of the same sex) instead of following after God. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:25, NASB). Why shouldn’t we do this? “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are not proper.” (Romans 1:28, NASB). This is a scary thought and may be a little extreme because of what these people did. But, what’s the difference between what they did and what we’re doing? All sins are equal in God’s eyes, so what they did isn’t any different from what we do when we go to others besides God.
God wants to be number one in our lives. He wants us to come to Him for our needs, not others. That’s why the first commandment is what it is. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3, NASB). Anytime we go to someone else for our needs we are putting them before God. We are idolizing them.
God knows all. He has seen everything that has happened, is happening, and is going to happen. Why wouldn’t we go to the One who knows everything and can provide everything? In Isaiah 40, God gives Israel a lot of rhetorical questions, here are a couple of those questions: “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14, NASB). The point is, no one can possibly add to God’s wisdom or advise Him in anyway. It would be wise of us to rely on Someone that knows all and created all to fulfill our needs instead of others. God goes on to say, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:15, NASB). God tells us that the nations are a drop of water in a bucket compared to Him. Nations are filled with millions, or in the case of China, billions of people. One person isn’t even the size of a speck of dust, how will he/she be able to fulfill our needs. Even though we are all worthless compared to Him, He shows us that He still loves us, cares for us, and provides for us. “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31, NASB). Rely on the Lord. He knows everything about each one of us and is ready and willing to help us with our needs. The Lord tells us “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7, NASB). That is a promise that will never be broken.
It is so very easy to fall into this temptation of going to people instead of God. Why is this so easy? “At the core of each of us is a compulsion for completion so strong that no single human can consistently fulfill it.” (Parrott, 36). I think that most Christians do believe this statement; it’s just hard for us to put into practice what we truly want to do.
Our sinful nature is constantly drawing our attention away from God and onto things and people that we can idolize. We see a glimpse of this in Romans 1 as Paul describes the way these people are trying to go after relationships with people (mainly those of the same sex) instead of following after God. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 1:25, NASB). Why shouldn’t we do this? “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are not proper.” (Romans 1:28, NASB). This is a scary thought and may be a little extreme because of what these people did. But, what’s the difference between what they did and what we’re doing? All sins are equal in God’s eyes, so what they did isn’t any different from what we do when we go to others besides God.
God wants to be number one in our lives. He wants us to come to Him for our needs, not others. That’s why the first commandment is what it is. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3, NASB). Anytime we go to someone else for our needs we are putting them before God. We are idolizing them.
God knows all. He has seen everything that has happened, is happening, and is going to happen. Why wouldn’t we go to the One who knows everything and can provide everything? In Isaiah 40, God gives Israel a lot of rhetorical questions, here are a couple of those questions: “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14, NASB). The point is, no one can possibly add to God’s wisdom or advise Him in anyway. It would be wise of us to rely on Someone that knows all and created all to fulfill our needs instead of others. God goes on to say, “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:15, NASB). God tells us that the nations are a drop of water in a bucket compared to Him. Nations are filled with millions, or in the case of China, billions of people. One person isn’t even the size of a speck of dust, how will he/she be able to fulfill our needs. Even though we are all worthless compared to Him, He shows us that He still loves us, cares for us, and provides for us. “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31, NASB). Rely on the Lord. He knows everything about each one of us and is ready and willing to help us with our needs. The Lord tells us “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7, NASB). That is a promise that will never be broken.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
My New Goal!
For a while I was receiving Backpacker magazine and wasn't paying for it. In the last magazine I got there was an article about hiking the Appalachian Trail. It's supposed to take a season to hike all the way from Maine to Georgia or vice versa. I love God's creation. Seeing and exploring it shows me a glimpse of how powerful and awesome God truly is. I am honored that He has created this earth and the universe so that I could admire it and see His glory. So, when I finish up my Master's program (Youth Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan) I am going to take a summer to hike the Appalachian Trail. I am going to be done with the degree in December of 2008, so in the summer of 2009, anyone can join me on this adventure. I want and need this time to reflect on what God is doing in my life. In the solitude of nature, I will be able to hear God's call better. There won't be any cell phones, e-mails, blogs, appointments, or classes. It will be me (and anyone who decides to come along), God, and His creation.
As a side note, I called this my new goal, because I have three other goals in my life. They are to get as close to a volcano as possible, to chase a tornado, and to get struck by lightning and live to tell about it. Crazy, I know, but that's the mad scientist in me!
As a side note, I called this my new goal, because I have three other goals in my life. They are to get as close to a volcano as possible, to chase a tornado, and to get struck by lightning and live to tell about it. Crazy, I know, but that's the mad scientist in me!
First Post
I've been thinking about creating a blog for a while and I finally have some time to sit down and do it. I want a place to share my thoughts and we all know MySpace and Facebook aren't really the best places to do that. I'm still trying to work out the kinks so it might be a little while before I figure it out. Have a good one my friends!
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