JUDGMENT

When Christ followers immerse themselves in this world without girding their loins with spiritual caution and without the armor of God that scripture mentions (Ephesians 6:10-18), concepts of the world burrow and embed themselves into our subconscious, soon becoming copacetic. As I was reading through my devotional today, the topic handles the issue of judgment and Christians being seen as judgmental.

"Is it becoming more and more difficult for you to be a sold-out 100 percent-committed Christian? If so, you're on the right track! The apostle Paul warned his young mentor, Timothy, that in the last days it would be very difficult to live in a Christian life."

"If you're truly living in radical obedience to the lordship of Jesus Christ, you're well aware of the fact that it's...tough!"

"When you take a bold stand against sin, it's likely you'll be labeled judgmental. But it's important for you to know that those who call you that don't really understand the concept of judgment. Do you realize the Bible says there are times when we should be judgmental? Many Christians have the mistaken idea that tolerance is always a virtue."

"Jesus never had an open mind toward sin...God doesn't want you to be tolerant of sin. He wants you to tolerate people but not sin."

"Some Christians will even accuse you of judging others. But labeling sin for what it is isn't being judgmental; it's being factual."

"That's reality. Many Christians want to focus only on God's grace...There are two sides to our heavenly Father. If there weren't, he would be imbalanced...It's much easier to simply overlook His wrath and focus only on His grace, isn't it? But to do so isn't living a spiritually mature life."

--The One Year DEVOS by Susie Shellenberger

I found this particular devotion extremely refreshing, especially being a person who has been accused of being judgmental by close Christian friends before. I tend to find that the people who are GUNG HO on "Don't judge me", "not judging" and "Only God can judge me", those are the people that deep down know that they are in the wrong and doing something that NEEDS to be judged. Judging SIN is a task that Christ has imparted to us as well as Himself, judging PEOPLE is for God. Everything we call out should be in love-in a gentle and quiet spirit; a genuine care for the OTHER person. We should never call out to prove ourselves right. That is not of God. When it all comes down to it, Scripture is the FINAL WORD. Not what is politically correct, not our best friends, not people who have been Christians for years. Always, only God's Word.

"They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

--1 John 4:5-6

Beyond All Reason

For the past few days, Jesus Culture's "You Are My Passion" has been on repeatrepeatrepeaterbeater (Had to do it-for all the Mew fans). A line in it just hit me tonight, the very first line in fact: "I found love beyond all reason." This made me think. People who don't believe in God or Christianity always argue that "it doesn't make sense." The atheist organization is promoting their new billboard in New Jersey right now: "Celebrate reason this season", against the celebration of Christmas. I am not demeaning the Christian faith in any way, especially since I believe with my every fiber in the Word of God. But if you think about it...it IS beyond all reason. The Christian faith is beyond all reason in the best possible way. We shouldn't be able to make complete sense of it with our human conception because it does not make ANY sense WHATSOEVER that a God with FULL SUPREMACY and HOLINESS would show grace to the most filthy creatures that spit in His face numerous times in a day. How does that make sense? That He died for US? We are worthless without Him. The only reason we are redeemable is BECAUSE of HIM and His love. His love doesn't make sense in relation to our sinful nature-but He sacrificed everything anyway. He loves us anyway. He forgives us 70 times 7 anyway. Why SHOULD that even make complete sense to us? We just hold the responsibility of ACCEPTING His FREE GIFT. That is the miracle of His love and acceptance for us-we could NEVER do ANY amount of works or possess ANY amount of faith to save ourselves-He chose that out of the goodness of His heart. His heart is ONLY good. So the next time someone argues that our faith "just doesn't make any sense", I should hope it doesn't FULLY make sense to us either; that the God of time wants to be intimate with our dirty hearts. He makes them clean. If we could fully comprehend the price of what He paid...well then we would have a God that resides at the same level of intellect as we are at-and who would want that terrifying fate?

Roots

For a while now I have wanted to get in touch with my Norwegian heritage, my roots. Recently, my grandma from Fresno sent me a whole set of books and tapes that teach you how to speak Norwegian. The books also include background information on the "ways of Norway". I am stoked to get to know more about "where I come from", the traditions, and the things that Norway and its people are known for. I must admit though...I'm not rushing into the Norwegian menu with the most exuberant alacrity...

I'll be here someday.

You'd Be Surprised

If you could see me now, you'd be surprised to know that I haven't forgotten about you. You'd be surprised to know that I just recently made my peace...after almost a whole year. You'd probably be surprised to find out that it took that long to heal most of me. You probably would never have guessed that I pray for you everyday-at least once a day. You'd be surprised that I'm not bitter anymore and want nothing more for you than happiness-truly. No strings attached. You'd probably be surprised to know that I love spending time with my family now and that they mean alot to me. You might be quite surprised to know that I don't drink at all anymore. You'd be very surprised to know that I shower now-sometimes pushing 2 or 3 times a day. I brush my hair now, you'd be surprised to find out. You might be surprised to see how I cook and bake now-more than mac n cheese and cookie dough. If you could see me now, you might be surprised to know that I'm going to India like I talked about in the beginning-I'm actually doing it. You probably would never have guessed that I barely eat any sugar these days. You'd be surprised to know that my best friend and I don't talk anymore-for now. You'd be surprised to know that I still haven't forgotten your gate code-and not by choice. You'd be very surprised to know that I wear bra's now-all the time. You'd be surprised to find out that I haven't so much as kissed anyone since you. I haven't let any guy touch me since you. You'd be quite surprised to know that I plan on keeping it that way. You'd be surprised to see that I'm not afraid anymore. Not afraid to sing and use my voice, not afraid of myself. You'd be surprised to find out that I always try to clear&clean my plate because of you. You might be surprised to find out that I’m strictly a black coffee drinker now. You’d be surprised to know that all of those traits that you liked in me in the beginning are amplified now. You’d be surprised to know I channeled my impulsive nature into Jesus instead of drugs, alcohol, or sex like you once predicted I would. You'd be surprised to see that I strive to do well in school now. If you knew me now, you'd be surprised to know that I no longer sleep the day away. You'd be surprised to know that I never cry anymore driving away from my grandparents house. You'd be surprised to know that I can run the full mile now that I always claimed was impossible for me-when you claimed the antipode. You'd be surprised to see how I use big words now. You might be surprised to know that you were my one exception-one and only. You'd be quite surprised to find out that I don't color my hair anymore-but not because I don't want to. If you could see me now, you'd be surprised to see that I am no longer restrained. If you could see me now, you'd be surprised to see that I have no problem speaking my mind anymore. If you could see me now you'd know that I'm nothing like you-never really was. You'd see that I'm nothing like I used to be. If you knew me now, you'd know that I want to get to know each other all over again someday-the way it was always supposed to be.

The X Factor

Things that we have tried time and time again in our past, have failed at, but are now finally succeeding in them? What made all the difference? What makes this time different and efficacious? For me personally, I realized tonight what makes all the difference for me this time around. I always come to realizations when I am least looking for them. Tonight it was a drive home in the smazy, night fog. It is quite simple-every and any reason compacted into one all encompassing word: love. Passion would follow closely after. The last 482 attempts there was no love or passion behind my motives, effort, or reasoning. My heart wanted to be in the right place-key word: wanted. But it just wasn't yet. Love comes before everything-all the pegs will fall into place with that capital element securely fastened into Priority 1. Think of it as a pre-requisite. Can you get things done and succeed without it? Absolutely. Will they stand the test of time and be enjoyable for long? You can absolutely not count on it. I am in a love relationship this time around instead of an obligation of duty. THAT'S why this time is indelible. THAT's why this time I have reason to press on when it seems futile. Everything changes when things get personal. And everything changes when real love is in the frame: Love Never Fails.

Coldplay Compilation

"When it started we had high hopes;

now my back's on the line, my back's on the ropes...

When it started we were alright,

but night makes a fool of us in daylight.

There we were dying of frustration,

saying, "Lord lead me not into temptation."

But it's not easy when she turns you on.

Where do we go to draw the line

I've gotta say, I wasted all your time, oh honey honey

Where do I go to fall from grace

God put a smile upon your face, yeah

Now when you work it out I'm worse than you

Yeah when you work it out, I want it too

Now when you work out where to draw the line

Your guess is as good as mine...

A warning sign,

I missed the good part then I realized,

I started looking and the bubble burst.

I started looking for excuses

When the truth is,

I miss you.

Yeah the truth is,

That I miss you so.

You cut me down to size

And opened up my eyes

Made me realize

What I could not see

I was lost, I was lost

Crossed lines I shouldn't have crossed

I was lost, oh yeah

Yeah, how long must you wait for him?

Yeah, how long must you pay for him?

Yeah, how long must you wait for him?

I was scared, I was scared

When you try your best but you don't succeed

When you get what you want but not what you need

When you feel so tired but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

I am nothing in the dark

Ooh and the sun will shine

Yeah on this heart of mine

Ooh and I realise

Who cannot live without

Ooh come apart without

Just because I'm hurting

Doesn't mean I'm hurt

Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve

No better and no worse

I just got lost

Every river that I've tried to cross

And the hardest part

Was letting go, not taking part

Was the hardest part

I could feel it go down

Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth

I could feel it go down

You left the sweetest taste in my mouth

Everything I know is wrong

Everything I do, it's just comes undone

And everything is torn apart

Tell me your secrets

And ask me your questions

Oh, let's go back to the start

Nobody said it was easy

It's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard

Oh tell me you love me

Come back and haunt me

Oh and I rush to the start

Running in circles

Chasing our tails

Coming back as we are

And honey

All the movements youre starting to make

See me crumble and fall on my face

And I know the mistakes that I made

Come on, my star is fading

And I swerve out of control

If i, if I’d only waited

I’d not be stuck here in this hole

Come here my star is fading

And I swerve out of control

And I swear I waited and waited

I’ve got to get out of this hole

Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes"

GPS JESUS

As I was navigating my way in the rain to a friend's house on a recent night, I was utilizing my handy dandy (sometimes) GPS on my phone. I would not be ANYWHERE without my GPS. I was thinking about Jesus as I quite often do when a realization occurred to me: Jesus is like a GPS. He does not tell you every step of your journey all at once like Mapquest. He does not give you the blue print for your life in entirety. He gives you once step at a time, one direction at a time, one instruction of guidance at a time. Once we have turned down that road that He has clearly mapped out for us, then it is time for the next step of our journey towards our destination. As human beings, we tend to over analyze everything and anything. If we had full knowledge of our consolidated life plans...we would hasten to get to the end point and miss out on important details along the way. Not to mention the fact that knowing our every move would taint our experiences with bromidic boredom. So next time we feel like we want to rush the process of our excursion, we just need to remember to sit back and enjoy the ride. We need to rest in the assurance that He is in control and will inform us of our next turn when we have completed the direction that He has given us at the present time. Let's embrace the season and step that we are in with alacrity instead of pressuring everything to jump into the next season. Let's also remember not to get frustrated the next time that we don't know all of the in's and out's of our plans. We should be in the passenger seat to begin with anyway.

Communion

My whole life, I have understood what Communion meant. I have understood the significance and symbolism of it for many years. Yet somehow, I still never felt connected with it on any level. I understood the significance but I did not see the significance in doing it. Just recently, I realized what it really symbolized for me personally and it finally connected. I suspect I had been over-complicating the practice of it. The purpose and meaning of partaking in Communion is simply for the reminder of....communion. Communion with God.

Communion by definition tells us that it means association, fellowship, interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions, intimate communication, the act of sharing or holding in common. This definition is so enlightening to me because it opens our eyes to the beautiful truth that we are not just servants of Christ...but friends. WE. are FRIENDS with the Big Guy. Communion symbolizes this-our friendship with Him, friends communicate intimate information with each other. Communion is a way of reminding ourselves that we have fellowship with the All Powerful and can share our thoughts and emotions with Him as He shares His with us. I don't care who you are-that is LEGIT. We share something in common-is that not the best feeling?

So next time I take communion, I will take what they always say before communion, and apply it personally this time. They make mention of how He & His disciples sat at a table together eating dinner and took Communion together. These men He had Communion with were His closest friends on earth. We should feel so priviledged to still share this with Him now even after He is not here physically with us.


"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
John 15:15

Good, better, no such thing

While I seem to be in the groove of getting phrases that urk me off my shoulders, I have another phrase to share that makes me flinch every time I hear it. Sometimes it is not even a full phrase, merely the term "good people, good person". There is no such thing as a "good" person. We are all sinful creatures. We all have a nasty, unclean heart. The only reason that any of us are even able to do good things for other people and good works is by the grace of God. He is good and everything good comes from Him, not us. We do not produce good fruit out of our own power. We are the branches, He is the vine. Branches cannot produce fruit if they are solely a branch. All good that eminates from humans is by extension the goodness of God. He cleanses us for HIS glory and gives us the ability to be good for His purposes by His power.


And the term "good or better christian"? Also non-existent. You are either a Christian or you are not. You cannot be a "better" Christian than someone else. You are a Christian that is invested in Christ and following after Him with your whole heart or you are not.

Mm. Feel better.

Empty Me

"I've had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough

I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be filled with you

I've seen just enough of the quick buys, of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away

Cuz everything is a lesser thing compared to you,
So I surrender all

--Chris Sligh

THIS. IS MY LIFE SONG.

"Oh ya, we're so blessed"

I just recently realized how much the phrase "Ya, we're so blessed here" really bugs me. It never seems to be used in full cognizance of what we are truly communicating. Usually this phrase is frequented in the context of conversation dealing with the less fortunate. The less fortunate in other countries, other walks of life, less fortunate situations. But think about it-by saying that "we are so blessed" because we are not where "they are", we are in essence saying that God has blessed us more than those others that are in poverty and less fortunate. No. This is not the case at all. That is not how our God works. He doesn't bless some people more than others because He feels like it. Some of the people in the worst poverty imaginable that have absolutely nothing from our point of view...those can be the most blessed out of all of us. They are blessed because they choose to make Christ their everything. It might even come easier for them, considering they do not have much to give up to begin with. Here we have such a intoxicating plethora of distractions that keep us from what really matters, this often makes it more difficult to give everything up to God. Surrender all to Him. Back to the blessing though. Jesus promises that we will experience the blessings of His fruit through His Spirit if we keep in step with His Spirit and with His Holy Word. God does not play favorites and when we assert that we are "so much more blessed" by where we live and what we have, we are simultaneously implying that God is favoring our circumstances with His blessings moreso than others. Once again, so unbiblical and inaccurate. The correct terminology, I believe, would be to say that we are PRIVILEDGED. We are so spoiled rotten, quite often to our disadvantage, to be in the midst of the lifestyles that we live in. We are NOT more blessed than others with less fortunate circumstances, we are priviledged and spoiled. Sometimes I have caught myself envying (holy envy of course) those whom most others would never see fit to envy. Those in other countries who have nothing but the bare necessities, if even those, these people have such an ample, uninterrupted opportunity to embrace nothing but Christ. I have found that the less I have, the less I have to hold on to...and that's a good feeling. It might also embellish this point to shed some light on the fact that so many of the people with LUXURIES OUT THE WAZOO are STILL not satisfied with what they have, so discontent with life. Then you look at the people in Africa, or anywhere else, who are struggling to survive, yet they are still so full of life and joyful in their place. We should be calling THOSE people blessed-because they truly are. We should strive to be like THEM. We are priviledged here...but we can be truly blessed to-if we choose to.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him."
Ephesians 1:3-4

This verse clearly states that blessings were made available to us anytime we choose to receive them, since before the foundation of the world. Circumstances fall on the back burner when it comes to blessings, even though the world tends to see these two as congruent. Circumstances=blessings, blessings=circumstances. That's what everyone seems to think isn't it. But scripture says the opposite-that's what I love about the Word. Always goes against the grain of this world. Thank God.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
Ephesians 1:18-19

According to this verse, if you are a Christ follower (saint), you have an inheritance in Christ. We are heirs. Saint=inheritance=riches of His glory. It DOES NOT say you receive the riches of His glory through or by your circumstances. We just need our eyes enlightened by Him. Enlightened to SEE the blessings and riches that are ALREADY OURS because of Christ, through Christ, for Christ, and in Christ. The world's idea of riches is not Christs.

"Oh, he's with ME"

Just a little rant about a huge peeve of mine: Overprotective girlfriends. They completely urk me. On one end of the spectrum, if you are protective of them because you don't trust them, you shouldn't even be in that relationship. They are built on trust and it won't last long if you have to keep your eye on them 24/7. On the other hand, if you are leaning more towards the side of being protective over them in regards to other girls after them, this taps in to the insecurity issue. If you are not secure in yourself aside from this insignificant other of yours, you should again, not be in this relationship. Trust and security ensure that you do not have to "prove" yourself to other girls, to show that this is your boyfriend and they can't have him. If this partner boosts your self-image and gives you your worthiness, it is definitely a no-go. Leave the protectiveness to the guys, girls.

Happy Eyeballs

Brendan Cass

Thanks to Sam Leaden for enlightening me regarding these photos which my eyeballs so fully enjoy gazing upon

Consumed: Imperishable

I have never been at a place in my life before as I am now-a time that if I were to ask myself what I would do if the Holy Spirit was taken away from me...I would be left with absolutely nothing. Of course anyone who does not have Jesus has absolutely nothing in all reality. But what I mean is, I have never been at the point of complete surrender, reliance, and saturation with the Holy Spirit as I am now. A state of complete activation, flourishing, robust thriving. A level of life teeming with life and live culture. I wouldn't have it any other way. If you took that away from me now, I would have nothing to talk about. I would have nothing to spend time on. I would have no motivation for anything in life. I would have no interests or passions. I would have no love for people, no joy. I would have no identity-I would have no me. I would be a shell of a person. He is my everything-I have waited, wanted, and prayed my whole life to be where I am now.

For a lot of people, this declaration probably seems extremely naive. Why would I want to place my whole identity in something so "intangible"? Why would I want to put "all my eggs in to one basket" like this? My answer to this would simply be another question: "Doesn't it only make sense to place my well-being, faith, and life path in Someone that can never be taken away from me? Isn't it common sense to invest your treasure in the imperishable? That is what I am doing and I don't regret it for one moment. What I have can never be taken away from me.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Luke 12:34

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality."

1 Corinthians 15:53

"...and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay."

"1 Peter 1:4

I have been waiting my whole life to see "things happen". You have to stop waiting, and start living. Now that I'm here, I didn't even realize I was on my way to this place in life when I was working towards it. I was working THROUGH things when things "started happening." The things that you're waiting for in life happen while you think you are waiting for them.

Rise up, oh men!

Lately I have been really pulled to pray for the men and guys in my life, around me, and the ones that used to be in my life. At first I was drawn to one man in specific, then my mind and prayers began to overflow with so many others that I know. After a couple days of this emphasis, I was dialoguing with a friend who shares the same heart for people as I do. During this conversation, she divulged to me the concern she's had for the men in her life lately. keep in mind, this was before I had mentioned anything to her about how I've felt drawn towards the same area. She communicated that she really felt that God is in the process of rising up our men and making men of God. This also reaffirmed for me the prominence and significance of my number 3 answer to the question I had recently asked: "What do you think that the world needs the most today (in this generation, time)? My number 3 answer was "Men of God". And us women need to rise up and support them with prayer, respect and trust. I really cannot fathom what our country and world would be like if more men rose up and stood firm in the faith. On the opposite end of the spectrum, that the worldly men would be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into Spirit-led men of Christ. It is just what the Doctor ordered for this nation.