The world is corrupt. People are corrupt. Our anger, hatred and prejudices all fall out of the same bucket of lies. America believes in righteous anger and justified war; “what war has my country gone to that has bettered anyone’s situation?” Granted, tyranny is wrong, but the concept of war gives undue power to self-gratifying pseudo-tyrants. I call them that because they themselves represent the flaccidity of the reality I live in, we all live in. the government is there for “the greater good” and our “protection” yet what good has the U.S. government done, what are they protecting me from, higher gas prices? I am at war, with my thoughts, my morals, my discontent for normality and complacency and silence and tyranny. I see tyrants all around me; at a Baptist college, at church, on the street,, at home, in the mirror: my greed controls me, my passion for pleasure has me by the throat. I am choked to the truth. Racism, money, possessions, governments, hate, war, financial security, murder, indifference, block out God. I drown, gasp for air, gasp for God. Why do I have to go into debt to follow Christ? If God provides the money am I on the right path, if he does not am I on the wrong one? Trivial !Money? Does God even care about something as trivial as money? I am not going to pretend to know. I am not going to lower myself to the ignorance of my own government.
I'm selfish, I'm cruel and I will be the first in line to buy the latest $50 t-shirt made in some sweatshop in Cambodia just to impress a cute, mindless, superficial, pink finger nailed girl. Why don’t we stop and ask ourselves, “Why do I keep taking this absolute bull shit that “that’s just life” instead of trying to change something? Why does reality have to be dictated by a world of hate that's completly absent of God?” Why is it, that people are constantly saying “I used to think I could change the world, but now…” And even at this very moment, some of you reading this are too worried that a Bible student said shit than about “my agenda”. God believes that His creation is capable of changing this world. He says it to you everyday it’s just so muffled inside those leather bound covers that you can’t hear it.
I will tell you why we give up, we are lazy. What I am saying right now is that I am off my lazy ass and am ready to do something. This world doesn’t need anymore starbucks or Macy’s, it doesn't need any more "objects of morality", it needs people who love God and are loving people just because they do!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
a chapel
How do we live are lives as Christians…recklessly? Do we as Christians recognize those around us or are we too concerned with ourselves, being an object of morality. If we are concerned with living out the example of Christ, where is His compassion, His affection for those who need Him?
Christianity isn’t a race to see who can become the most holy the fastest.
It isn’t about running past those who are struggling and hoping they will be encouraged by how holy we look, it’s more than just being an example to others. We must be examples to others, but that isn’t what we are here for. We are here to be followable, in everything, pointing people back to the perfect example, Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 5 there are great examples of how Jesus is the word of God in human form. He came to earth to be followed. The truest form of Christianity is the life of Christ. The very reason Jesus became human was show us this life, a God that we could see, touch, eat with and cry with. This God became a man, and sacrificed Himself for those He love, His creation, the world.
I have to ask myself “Is the knowledge of God making me even more detached from the world?”
There is nothing wrong with a pursuit of God, it’s great. But we need to ask ourselves what our purpose is in that pursuit, there’s nothing wrong with asking ourselves or God, why? If we, in our attempt to be more like Christ do not have a sincere compassion for the people of this world, something is wrong.
In 2nd Corinthians 4 Paul talks about how we are to be revealers of Christ with our lives.
If we are called to live out a life as an example of Christ, what message are we giving with our indifference to the hurting, desperate, confused, and lost?
What good is our knowledge of God if it doesn’t strengthen our relationship with Him and make it easier to see Him through us?
When people see us do they see the life of Christ? Do they see his compassion, his love?
Do our lives reveal God?
Christianity isn’t a race to see who can become the most holy the fastest.
It isn’t about running past those who are struggling and hoping they will be encouraged by how holy we look, it’s more than just being an example to others. We must be examples to others, but that isn’t what we are here for. We are here to be followable, in everything, pointing people back to the perfect example, Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 5 there are great examples of how Jesus is the word of God in human form. He came to earth to be followed. The truest form of Christianity is the life of Christ. The very reason Jesus became human was show us this life, a God that we could see, touch, eat with and cry with. This God became a man, and sacrificed Himself for those He love, His creation, the world.
I have to ask myself “Is the knowledge of God making me even more detached from the world?”
There is nothing wrong with a pursuit of God, it’s great. But we need to ask ourselves what our purpose is in that pursuit, there’s nothing wrong with asking ourselves or God, why? If we, in our attempt to be more like Christ do not have a sincere compassion for the people of this world, something is wrong.
In 2nd Corinthians 4 Paul talks about how we are to be revealers of Christ with our lives.
If we are called to live out a life as an example of Christ, what message are we giving with our indifference to the hurting, desperate, confused, and lost?
What good is our knowledge of God if it doesn’t strengthen our relationship with Him and make it easier to see Him through us?
When people see us do they see the life of Christ? Do they see his compassion, his love?
Do our lives reveal God?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
you know what God...
Sometimes I just feel like saying “you know what God…”. Life just doesn’t make sense sometimes and even when it does I’m still left wondering “what’s the point of all this?”. Is this really part of your “plan”, and if it is, why?
I question God. I wonder, and it hurts…a lot sometimes.
Why, as a person am I so overwhelmed with knowing the next step, the next part of this journey this omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite God has me on. Why is just serving Him not enough?
In very resent days I have come to realize just how human I am. I have become aware of how mysterious He is sometimes and how impatient I am all the time. Never, in my wildest dreams, well maybe my wildest, did I ever picture my freshman year of college to be like it has been so far.
I have worried, been sleep deprived, had a job, hated my job, and eventually quit my job. I’ve experienced emotions, fear, guilt, pain, anxiousness, and love and passion…for God. I’ve been human and made stupid mistakes, and I even got a point or two. I’ve spoke to the entire freshman class, unless some of them skipped, oh those sinners! I’ve laughed like a little girl and cried like one too but in everything I continue to grow closer to the God that most of the time doesn’t make any sense to me.
Isn’t that so beautiful?
I’m an idiot, and I’m probably not the first one to admit it, but I am experiencing the deepest sensation of love I have ever felt in my life, for God!
“God, I want to read your words, express my love to you every minute of the day, sing to you, talk to you, except your grace and walk in your footprints. I want to tell your creation my story, how sometimes you were a potter and other times more like a blacksmith. I want to be humbled, and broken, and desperate for you. I want to love you God, and tell the world of that gracious love.”
I question God. I wonder, and it hurts…a lot sometimes.
Why, as a person am I so overwhelmed with knowing the next step, the next part of this journey this omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite God has me on. Why is just serving Him not enough?
In very resent days I have come to realize just how human I am. I have become aware of how mysterious He is sometimes and how impatient I am all the time. Never, in my wildest dreams, well maybe my wildest, did I ever picture my freshman year of college to be like it has been so far.
I have worried, been sleep deprived, had a job, hated my job, and eventually quit my job. I’ve experienced emotions, fear, guilt, pain, anxiousness, and love and passion…for God. I’ve been human and made stupid mistakes, and I even got a point or two. I’ve spoke to the entire freshman class, unless some of them skipped, oh those sinners! I’ve laughed like a little girl and cried like one too but in everything I continue to grow closer to the God that most of the time doesn’t make any sense to me.
Isn’t that so beautiful?
I’m an idiot, and I’m probably not the first one to admit it, but I am experiencing the deepest sensation of love I have ever felt in my life, for God!
“God, I want to read your words, express my love to you every minute of the day, sing to you, talk to you, except your grace and walk in your footprints. I want to tell your creation my story, how sometimes you were a potter and other times more like a blacksmith. I want to be humbled, and broken, and desperate for you. I want to love you God, and tell the world of that gracious love.”
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
talk
I’ve been thinking lately about prayer. Sometimes, during another person’s prayer, I won’t bow my head with the other people in the room. I don’t close my eyes but instead I will just look around. I don’t know why I have the impulse to do this; I think maybe it is because I feel like I am being preached at.
Do people view prayer as a mechanism for getting their points across? Do I?
So what if one day someone high-up in the church said that “all prayer will be non-verbal from now on”. How would our words change without any one to hear them but God?
Would communicating to God be simply that? Communicating?
I want to talk to God, tell Him my problems, and ask for wisdom without talking to those around me. I want my focus to be on Him, He deserves that much when I talk to Him.
Has anyone ever told you to look at them when you’re talking to them?
I want to look at God, praise Him and just talk.
Do people view prayer as a mechanism for getting their points across? Do I?
So what if one day someone high-up in the church said that “all prayer will be non-verbal from now on”. How would our words change without any one to hear them but God?
Would communicating to God be simply that? Communicating?
I want to talk to God, tell Him my problems, and ask for wisdom without talking to those around me. I want my focus to be on Him, He deserves that much when I talk to Him.
Has anyone ever told you to look at them when you’re talking to them?
I want to look at God, praise Him and just talk.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Faith?
Does it ever seem like life can go down hill so quickly that you hardly even notice it before you hit bottom? Do trials seem to come in a 3 for 1 special? If you'd ask me, the answer would be yes.I don't know why God is having me experience these things right now, but I'm trying, the best that I can, to trust Him. To rest on the fact that He is so much bigger than me, and only He can give me the comfort I so desperately need right now. I’m not afraid to cry out to Him. I know He can handle my tears.
Faith, that’s what I need, I truck load…no make that two truck loads of Faith.
Faith in God seems abstract at times of great trials. It is so hard to see a better future when a horrible present is…well present.
I am not claiming that I have found such a faith in God but I am declaring my search for it. The world is “a Hell” right now. It is not how God intended it to be, but somehow in that Hell, God’s existence is so evident. My love for Him has never been this strong, how is that? At no other time in my life have I desired to “know him” than like right now.
Don’t deny yourself of remorse. God loved you enough to save you from Hell. He loves you enough to hear your pain, your agony, your confusion.
A wise man once said “Life is more than the words we speak”
Life is not a bed of flowers, it’s not perfect but God is.
Faith, that’s what I need, I truck load…no make that two truck loads of Faith.
Faith in God seems abstract at times of great trials. It is so hard to see a better future when a horrible present is…well present.
I am not claiming that I have found such a faith in God but I am declaring my search for it. The world is “a Hell” right now. It is not how God intended it to be, but somehow in that Hell, God’s existence is so evident. My love for Him has never been this strong, how is that? At no other time in my life have I desired to “know him” than like right now.
Don’t deny yourself of remorse. God loved you enough to save you from Hell. He loves you enough to hear your pain, your agony, your confusion.
A wise man once said “Life is more than the words we speak”
Life is not a bed of flowers, it’s not perfect but God is.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Our Gift
As a Christian, the hope I have is undeniable but dangerous. If I focus on that hope, create an attitude within myself of “this Earth is not my true home”, I could miss out on the amazing things God has for me. This Earth is my home right now and the people on it, my ministry. What kind of an example of Christianity would I be if I wasn’t an environmentalist?
Have you noticed that the majority of environmentalists are Atheist? Why is that so?
I am not denying the fact of Heaven nor am I saying that we should forget about it as are true home. I am saying that as image bearers of Christ we must be concerned with the gift this Earth is to us. God gave us this world as a gift, He gave it to us to cherish not destroy.
I was never one to recycle nor did I ever think I would someday consider myself an environmentalist. I considered myself a “good Christian” because I went to church and told other people that I was a Christian and that they should go to church too. What did my example give them to go by? How did they see Christians? As a social group that sings songs and talk about some distant God?
Do you believe in Natural Revelation?
Why do we not care if we ourselves or others are destroying that natural revelation of God?
We all hear about pollution and the disappearing rainforests but many never stop to realize how clearly one can see God in his own creation. Atheists refuse to see God in His creation but that does not mean His creation is not screaming his existence every day. If you want to see God’s presence open your eyes to wonder in awe at His awesome creation.
I used to live in Florida, a place most people view as paradise, beaches, the sun, and some days, blue skies. Thinking about it now, I was surrounded by the glory and grace of God. Even now as I live in the mountains of Northeast PA, I am awe struck by His work. It is almost like God is saying, “Hey! I am here; I exist, look, and worship me!”. I realize that after the Fall of Man in Genesis the world became a different place, a place with famine, drought, HURRICANES, tornados…the list could go on. But, on a clear day here in PA, when the mountains light up and the colors of autumn burst out, I realize how great our God is. I think to myself, “I don’t deserve this, thank you God.”
“The most selfless thing a perfect being could do is create others to worship him.”
- Searching for God Knows What
By Donald Miller
This Earth He has created is a gift, a gift that gives a tiny glimpse of how amazing God is. He created it for our enjoyment. It and everything on it declares His glory. The mountains, hurricanes, tornados, beaches, forests…even the people who refuse to admit His existence.
Don’t think they do? Listen to some secular music, not the words, their voices…some of those people have the most beautiful voices I have ever heard!
Can you see God, hear Him in that beauty. Do you know how they got those voices?
Denying God does not erase the deceleration of His presence with every breath.
This Earth is ours; it reveals God to those who otherwise would refuse to see Him. Let’s take care of it, and show others what we see, and tell them how we are so lucky to see it!
Have you noticed that the majority of environmentalists are Atheist? Why is that so?
I am not denying the fact of Heaven nor am I saying that we should forget about it as are true home. I am saying that as image bearers of Christ we must be concerned with the gift this Earth is to us. God gave us this world as a gift, He gave it to us to cherish not destroy.
I was never one to recycle nor did I ever think I would someday consider myself an environmentalist. I considered myself a “good Christian” because I went to church and told other people that I was a Christian and that they should go to church too. What did my example give them to go by? How did they see Christians? As a social group that sings songs and talk about some distant God?
Do you believe in Natural Revelation?
Why do we not care if we ourselves or others are destroying that natural revelation of God?
We all hear about pollution and the disappearing rainforests but many never stop to realize how clearly one can see God in his own creation. Atheists refuse to see God in His creation but that does not mean His creation is not screaming his existence every day. If you want to see God’s presence open your eyes to wonder in awe at His awesome creation.
I used to live in Florida, a place most people view as paradise, beaches, the sun, and some days, blue skies. Thinking about it now, I was surrounded by the glory and grace of God. Even now as I live in the mountains of Northeast PA, I am awe struck by His work. It is almost like God is saying, “Hey! I am here; I exist, look, and worship me!”. I realize that after the Fall of Man in Genesis the world became a different place, a place with famine, drought, HURRICANES, tornados…the list could go on. But, on a clear day here in PA, when the mountains light up and the colors of autumn burst out, I realize how great our God is. I think to myself, “I don’t deserve this, thank you God.”
“The most selfless thing a perfect being could do is create others to worship him.”
- Searching for God Knows What
By Donald Miller
This Earth He has created is a gift, a gift that gives a tiny glimpse of how amazing God is. He created it for our enjoyment. It and everything on it declares His glory. The mountains, hurricanes, tornados, beaches, forests…even the people who refuse to admit His existence.
Don’t think they do? Listen to some secular music, not the words, their voices…some of those people have the most beautiful voices I have ever heard!
Can you see God, hear Him in that beauty. Do you know how they got those voices?
Denying God does not erase the deceleration of His presence with every breath.
This Earth is ours; it reveals God to those who otherwise would refuse to see Him. Let’s take care of it, and show others what we see, and tell them how we are so lucky to see it!
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