Sunday, December 26, 2010

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

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

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 boo
ks 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.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

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.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

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.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

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"

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

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.