Deliverance is a *snapping fingers* moment. But if I never walk away from that which I have been delivered from, I am never truly free.
When the Israelites were freed from the oppressive bondage of slavery, Pharaoh's words extended freedom to them in an instant. They went from a people of captivity to those who could rejoice in unrestricted liberty. BUT, if they would have chosen to remain in Egypt, working for Pharaoh, even if they were technically free, they would have remained a people of slavery. It was in the action of walking away from bondage that they became the freed people the Father intended them to be.
As of now, I am delivered. Yes, I am set free from the bondage of slavery to unforgiveness and anger. But, every day, every moment, is a conscience choice to move away from the area of that which had enslaved me. I choose to put away thoughts of malice and contempt and walk in the freedom of the Lord. The further I walk, the deeper I enter into the liberty of Abba.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Out With the Old... But Wait! Keep Their Stuff...
Retro is IN. Old is new in today's hip culture. Vintage EVERYTHING. And if it isn't vintage, at least it looks like it is. We obsess over our Grandparent's sweaters, mom's hippie attire, and dad's skin tight jeans from the 70's (which we USED to think were SO lame...). We listen to records on our record players (even though we have access to the greater music quality and quantity on our Ipods). We read old and worn copies of books (instead of buying the same ones brand new). I even had a bicycle that was my Great-Grandmothers and of course, it was a hit with the culture moguls. Modern is ironically becoming a regurgitation of old styles.
What interests me about this new trend is that while our culture is obsessed with old THINGS, it rejects the people and the values of the same eras. This same hipster generation that buys old, broken furniture in the name of vintage has been built upon a foundation of rebellion against "old" principles and standards. The hip movement bases its entire existence on a "we want to do things our own way" and a "screw authority" mentality. The values that carried our forefathers are no longer "cool" to stand by. But, their stuff is rad.
I'm concerned with the culture as a whole but I'm more concerned with the seeds this type of thinking is sowing into our next generation of Christ followers. This attitude not only rejects simple principle (such as respecting parents) but is beginning to reject foundational biblical values. For example, it is now acceptable to support gay marriage and abortion as a professed Christian in the name of "21st century culture." Being pro-life is only for old, right winged, stiff collared people. (FALSE!)
Proverbs 4 calls out to the younger generation to take heed of a (physical and spiritual) Father's counsel.
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
We will not survive if we do not embrace the ones who have gone ahead of us. We must learn from their wisdom, not reject it. Biblical values do not "go out of date."
C.S. Lewis expressing his frustration this way:
"I have some definite views about the de-Christianizing of the church. I believe that there are many accommodating preachers, and too many practitioners in the church who are not believers. Jesus Christ did not say “Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.” The Gospel is something completely different. In fact, it is directly opposed to the world."
I'm with Clive on this one...
What interests me about this new trend is that while our culture is obsessed with old THINGS, it rejects the people and the values of the same eras. This same hipster generation that buys old, broken furniture in the name of vintage has been built upon a foundation of rebellion against "old" principles and standards. The hip movement bases its entire existence on a "we want to do things our own way" and a "screw authority" mentality. The values that carried our forefathers are no longer "cool" to stand by. But, their stuff is rad.
I'm concerned with the culture as a whole but I'm more concerned with the seeds this type of thinking is sowing into our next generation of Christ followers. This attitude not only rejects simple principle (such as respecting parents) but is beginning to reject foundational biblical values. For example, it is now acceptable to support gay marriage and abortion as a professed Christian in the name of "21st century culture." Being pro-life is only for old, right winged, stiff collared people. (FALSE!)
Proverbs 4 calls out to the younger generation to take heed of a (physical and spiritual) Father's counsel.
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
We will not survive if we do not embrace the ones who have gone ahead of us. We must learn from their wisdom, not reject it. Biblical values do not "go out of date."
C.S. Lewis expressing his frustration this way:
"I have some definite views about the de-Christianizing of the church. I believe that there are many accommodating preachers, and too many practitioners in the church who are not believers. Jesus Christ did not say “Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.” The Gospel is something completely different. In fact, it is directly opposed to the world."
I'm with Clive on this one...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Gardening 101
I am the seed
HE is the water
The earth is the soil in which I've been planted.
Without Him, I am useless.
With Him, I grow.
Amen.
(Hosea 6, Psalm 65, Psalm 1)
HE is the water
The earth is the soil in which I've been planted.
Without Him, I am useless.
With Him, I grow.
Amen.
(Hosea 6, Psalm 65, Psalm 1)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Words.
Until I have something more insightful to write about, these are the new words I've learned while reading my latest book:
Fortuitous- happening by accident or chance rather than design
Dubious- hesitating and doubting
Itinerant- traveling from place to place
Zeitgeist- the defining spirit of mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time
Insidious- proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
Mollify- appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)
Kitsch- art, objects, or designs considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garnishes or sentimentality but sometimes appreciated is an ironic or knowing way
Ubiquity- present, appearing, or found everywhere
Eschews- deliberately avoids using; abstain from
Maudlin- self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
Burgeon- begin to grow or increase rapidly, flourish
Sadism- the tendency to derive pleasure from inflecting pain on others
Erudite- having or showing great knowledge or learning
Evocative- bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
My favorite find was zeitgeist. I thought it was a really interesting word and definition.
I love learning. The end.
Fortuitous- happening by accident or chance rather than design
Dubious- hesitating and doubting
Itinerant- traveling from place to place
Zeitgeist- the defining spirit of mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time
Insidious- proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
Mollify- appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)
Kitsch- art, objects, or designs considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garnishes or sentimentality but sometimes appreciated is an ironic or knowing way
Ubiquity- present, appearing, or found everywhere
Eschews- deliberately avoids using; abstain from
Maudlin- self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
Burgeon- begin to grow or increase rapidly, flourish
Sadism- the tendency to derive pleasure from inflecting pain on others
Erudite- having or showing great knowledge or learning
Evocative- bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
My favorite find was zeitgeist. I thought it was a really interesting word and definition.
I love learning. The end.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Love is My Armor.
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"
Romans 12: 9-21
Romans 13 then goes on to say... "Own no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultury, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law... So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light..."
These are some of my all time favorite passages of scripture. Regardless of how many times I read it, I find myself wandering back to Romans 12 and 13 to be reminded of what radical love looks like. (If you have time, I encourage you to read both chapters in full...)
Paul is calling the church in Rome to a level of love that almost seems unattainable. He is demanding absolute righteousness from this congregation. I read it and I am overwhelmed. How can I keep to every single one of these?? Outdo one another in showing honor, seek to show hospitality, never be wise in your own sight... I feel like just one will take a lifetime to fully grasp... But there is hope!!
As I kept reading, Romans 13 gave me the pathway to the lifestyle Paul is asking of us in the previous chapter. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor..." The answer is love. REAL LOVE. If I genuinely love people, I will automatically honor them, bless them, and so on...
But that's not where this stops for me. Love is not only the pathway to righteous living, it is a method of battle against darkness. Paul calls it "putting on the armor of light." What else is armor used for?? Armor is not for the fearful and lazy. It is for those preparing for war. We are clothing ourselves in the armor of light and love in order to take back from the enemy the souls he has possessed. Love is a violent method of warfare.
I want to see revival. I want to see my generation overcome and empowered with the knowledge of God. I pray for it. But, we mustn't stop there. We must LOVE them. Every honorable deed, every act of service, every meek response, is another spear thrust into the heart of the enemies plans.
Jesus personified this perfectly with his life and death. He physically fought no one, but his reckless love for all man is what ultimately defeated the enemy of darkness. (Romans 15 actually talks about the example of Christ.)
I pray that I can exemplify the love of Christ in such a way that it breaks the powers of darkness. Love is practical and beautiful.
I guess Pat Benatar had it right when she sang, "Love is a battlefield"
Romans 12: 9-21
Romans 13 then goes on to say... "Own no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultury, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law... So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light..."
These are some of my all time favorite passages of scripture. Regardless of how many times I read it, I find myself wandering back to Romans 12 and 13 to be reminded of what radical love looks like. (If you have time, I encourage you to read both chapters in full...)
Paul is calling the church in Rome to a level of love that almost seems unattainable. He is demanding absolute righteousness from this congregation. I read it and I am overwhelmed. How can I keep to every single one of these?? Outdo one another in showing honor, seek to show hospitality, never be wise in your own sight... I feel like just one will take a lifetime to fully grasp... But there is hope!!
As I kept reading, Romans 13 gave me the pathway to the lifestyle Paul is asking of us in the previous chapter. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor..." The answer is love. REAL LOVE. If I genuinely love people, I will automatically honor them, bless them, and so on...
But that's not where this stops for me. Love is not only the pathway to righteous living, it is a method of battle against darkness. Paul calls it "putting on the armor of light." What else is armor used for?? Armor is not for the fearful and lazy. It is for those preparing for war. We are clothing ourselves in the armor of light and love in order to take back from the enemy the souls he has possessed. Love is a violent method of warfare.
I want to see revival. I want to see my generation overcome and empowered with the knowledge of God. I pray for it. But, we mustn't stop there. We must LOVE them. Every honorable deed, every act of service, every meek response, is another spear thrust into the heart of the enemies plans.
Jesus personified this perfectly with his life and death. He physically fought no one, but his reckless love for all man is what ultimately defeated the enemy of darkness. (Romans 15 actually talks about the example of Christ.)
I pray that I can exemplify the love of Christ in such a way that it breaks the powers of darkness. Love is practical and beautiful.
I guess Pat Benatar had it right when she sang, "Love is a battlefield"
Monday, December 27, 2010
New Year's Revolutions
I've never been one to keep resolutions that I've made in the New Year. To be honest, they are usually broken within the first day. I can't even remember what they are by the end of the year. (Thinking back to this past January, I have no idea what I resolved to do in the year 2010).
I've decided that simply making a list isn't enough to bring about change in my attitude and lifestyle. It sounds like common sense when I say it that way, but hear me out. It is a common practice in our culture to sit down at the beginning of every year and write out things we want to change in our lives. I am no scientific researcher, but I would assume that most people don't actually hold true to these little lists.
What's the problem? We are not going after the heart issues. It is not enough to change habit. Eat less, exercise more, actually read the Bible consistently... These are all merely symptoms to deeper problems in our inner man. If we are not dealing with the heart of the matter, then we will never keep our silly little resolutions. They will always reappear as long as the problem remains in our hearts.
My goal this year is to ask the Lord not only to reveal to me the habits that need to be changed, but I want to take it step further. What changes need to be made on a deeper level? I don't want another year to go by where I've made another crappy list and there is no difference in my life. I want the Lord to bring real change to my heart. A New Year's Revolution I'm calling it...
Amen.
I've decided that simply making a list isn't enough to bring about change in my attitude and lifestyle. It sounds like common sense when I say it that way, but hear me out. It is a common practice in our culture to sit down at the beginning of every year and write out things we want to change in our lives. I am no scientific researcher, but I would assume that most people don't actually hold true to these little lists.
What's the problem? We are not going after the heart issues. It is not enough to change habit. Eat less, exercise more, actually read the Bible consistently... These are all merely symptoms to deeper problems in our inner man. If we are not dealing with the heart of the matter, then we will never keep our silly little resolutions. They will always reappear as long as the problem remains in our hearts.
My goal this year is to ask the Lord not only to reveal to me the habits that need to be changed, but I want to take it step further. What changes need to be made on a deeper level? I don't want another year to go by where I've made another crappy list and there is no difference in my life. I want the Lord to bring real change to my heart. A New Year's Revolution I'm calling it...
Amen.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Let Us Return
This is a call to my own heart.
"Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains water the earth." Hosea 6:1-3
Let us press on to know the Lord.
He is faithful.
"Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains water the earth." Hosea 6:1-3
Let us press on to know the Lord.
He is faithful.
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