"Perhaps, I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits."
-1 Corinthians 16:6-7
When I read this, I thought of my sister Jen. I really have been wanting her to visit me in St. Paul because I haven't seen her since August. I really miss her and I really love her. After all, how great is it to have a family member be your best friend?
This is not a typical blog- seeing as it has been quite some time since I have sat down to blog. Just a quick thought on what I read today.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
10. All the Glory
So, last night I went to something that was pretty epic.
Sufjan Stevens in concert.
Sufjan Stevens in concert.
It was unlike any concert I have been to.
And I have been to my fair share of concerts. Because I love them. [Maybe in a future blog, I will name them all.]
But this was honestly just super cool. There wasn't any crowd-surfing; there weren't any mosh pits. We all had assigned seats. It was like going to an orchestra concert on a whole new scale.
I think most of the audience was just captivated by the entire thing, myself included.
I found myself unable to remember any of the other songs while he was in the middle of a song. I was absorbed by it all. The music, the visual arts, the experience.
I only knew like 3 songs, which he played at the very end. But it didn't really matter. It was like going to a musical you have never seen before, but really enjoying it. I didn't have to know the songs. Plus, the songs make much more sense when you see him perform them live. I can get a glimpse of their meanings when I look at the lyrics, but this was like seeing him in his natural habitat. Each song is so rich, so full, so full of emotion.
And I became somewhat attatched to each one. It was odd.
The point(s) is(are):
1. Sufjan Stevens is one talented guy.
2. There are some insane things that go through his mind.
3. I'm a little jealous of that.
4. Because I know he understands some things about the Lord that I sure don't.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
8. To Sift You As Wheat.
For some reason, I can think of 20 titles I want to name my blog posts, but I have no idea how to organize my thoughts to figure out what to write about. So, today, I just write.
This weekend has been something quite unfamiliar. It is rather lonely too.
Everybody is gone, with family, off campus, having fun.
And I am having fun too, just in a lonely sort of way.
I wonder if my voice is going to sound different when it gets to finally talk to a friend after 3 days of talking to myself 0r singing.
Anyways, while all of my amigos were MIA, I went to Substance by myself. And I have really been enjoying the sermon series even though it initially seemed so selfish. It's called "Why Me?" about when we ask "Why Me?" to God when bad things happen, and I would encourage all of you to listen to them online at www.substancechurch.com
Today, I learned something incredible though. And I am almost angry it took me till now to figure it out. Pastor Nick talked about enduring the pain of our trials when we experience events out of our control, or that come out of the blue. And he said this:
Pain and trials are an opportunity for spiritual promotion.
Huh? And then it makes so much sense at the same time.
I know you have heard of Job, but have you actually ever read his story? The first two chapters are all you need to see that the devil is the one causing the pain, not the Lord.
Did you catch that?
Our pain is from living in a fallen world; it is from consequences for our own actions; it is from Satan, but it is not from God.
Which was like a breakthrough for me because I know that moment where I am shaking my fist to the sky, with an angry heart, asking God "Where are you?! Why did you do this to me?"
When all along, he is there, waiting patiently for me to see that He does not cause this harm.
Which gets to this other point.
Satan is the one testing us to see if we truly do believe what we say when we make others believe we trust in God. Do we trust in God during the good and the bad times? He is testing us by throwing trials in our faces to find out. And I have to say that I probably didn't pass.
God is not against us. He never has been. It is the devil who comes to "steal and kill and destroy." -John 10:10. It is God that never leaves us. It is Jesus who pleads that we will pass the test and trust him because Satan has asked that he be able to sift us like wheat, test us to get us to fail. - Luke 22:31-32
Because our faith is increased when we pass our tests. And I liked this part of the sermon- you don't need to study for it; you just have to know your answer to the question "Do you trust God?" If your answer is always yes, then good for you. You pass.
I think this is parallel with the prodigal son situation/dilemma/conversation.
Maybe the people who have not hit rock bottom either haven't been tested yet, or maybe, better yet- they continue to pass the little tests.
Thanks for reading my spiel on this. You should know that it is basically a copy of my sermon notes from this evening. So the credit goes to God and Pastor Nick at Substance.
This weekend has been something quite unfamiliar. It is rather lonely too.
Everybody is gone, with family, off campus, having fun.
And I am having fun too, just in a lonely sort of way.
I wonder if my voice is going to sound different when it gets to finally talk to a friend after 3 days of talking to myself 0r singing.
Anyways, while all of my amigos were MIA, I went to Substance by myself. And I have really been enjoying the sermon series even though it initially seemed so selfish. It's called "Why Me?" about when we ask "Why Me?" to God when bad things happen, and I would encourage all of you to listen to them online at www.substancechurch.com
Today, I learned something incredible though. And I am almost angry it took me till now to figure it out. Pastor Nick talked about enduring the pain of our trials when we experience events out of our control, or that come out of the blue. And he said this:
Pain and trials are an opportunity for spiritual promotion.
Huh? And then it makes so much sense at the same time.
I know you have heard of Job, but have you actually ever read his story? The first two chapters are all you need to see that the devil is the one causing the pain, not the Lord.
Did you catch that?
Our pain is from living in a fallen world; it is from consequences for our own actions; it is from Satan, but it is not from God.
Which was like a breakthrough for me because I know that moment where I am shaking my fist to the sky, with an angry heart, asking God "Where are you?! Why did you do this to me?"
When all along, he is there, waiting patiently for me to see that He does not cause this harm.
Which gets to this other point.
Satan is the one testing us to see if we truly do believe what we say when we make others believe we trust in God. Do we trust in God during the good and the bad times? He is testing us by throwing trials in our faces to find out. And I have to say that I probably didn't pass.
God is not against us. He never has been. It is the devil who comes to "steal and kill and destroy." -John 10:10. It is God that never leaves us. It is Jesus who pleads that we will pass the test and trust him because Satan has asked that he be able to sift us like wheat, test us to get us to fail. - Luke 22:31-32
Because our faith is increased when we pass our tests. And I liked this part of the sermon- you don't need to study for it; you just have to know your answer to the question "Do you trust God?" If your answer is always yes, then good for you. You pass.
I think this is parallel with the prodigal son situation/dilemma/conversation.
Maybe the people who have not hit rock bottom either haven't been tested yet, or maybe, better yet- they continue to pass the little tests.
Thanks for reading my spiel on this. You should know that it is basically a copy of my sermon notes from this evening. So the credit goes to God and Pastor Nick at Substance.
Friday, September 3, 2010
7. Welcome Autumn
I am now composing my blogs from Minnesota.
And it's already cold.
I have never experienced such a sudden change in weather.
Literally, I moved into a dorm with no air conditioning and 99 degree sunny humid days outside my new window.
And today, I am wearing jeans and a jacket trying to stay warm as the chilliness of autumn began overnight.
That makes me think a lot about change. And how much change happens in life.
I think I am one of those people who doesn't mind change. I am not in love with brand new things and I certainly don't hate it when new things come up, but I definitely don't mind it.
I moved 1000 miles away for college and really didn't think twice about the distance.
I think change is pretty healthy. Life is way too short to live the same days over and over.
But it does get hard sometimes.
But it doesn't matter. Don't forget that God has the best intentions for our lives.
He throws us into new things or takes away old things because ultimately, he is leading us to the next chapter. And he genuinely loves us which is why he helps us out in that way.
So, when I think about how difficult it is to be in a new place, or moving in last year when I was an incoming freshman; or when I remember some of my friends who are experiencing complete life change based on circumstances in their lives this past year, I hold tight to this:
" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6
It seems like one we always hear, but take it to heart. Pray if life throws you a curveball. God listens. He is in control. No need to worry. He offers us a peace we won't find anywhere else.
Because His will is what's best for his kingdom and ultimately for you too.
And it's already cold.
I have never experienced such a sudden change in weather.
Literally, I moved into a dorm with no air conditioning and 99 degree sunny humid days outside my new window.
And today, I am wearing jeans and a jacket trying to stay warm as the chilliness of autumn began overnight.
That makes me think a lot about change. And how much change happens in life.
I think I am one of those people who doesn't mind change. I am not in love with brand new things and I certainly don't hate it when new things come up, but I definitely don't mind it.
I moved 1000 miles away for college and really didn't think twice about the distance.
I think change is pretty healthy. Life is way too short to live the same days over and over.
But it does get hard sometimes.
But it doesn't matter. Don't forget that God has the best intentions for our lives.
He throws us into new things or takes away old things because ultimately, he is leading us to the next chapter. And he genuinely loves us which is why he helps us out in that way.
So, when I think about how difficult it is to be in a new place, or moving in last year when I was an incoming freshman; or when I remember some of my friends who are experiencing complete life change based on circumstances in their lives this past year, I hold tight to this:
" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6
It seems like one we always hear, but take it to heart. Pray if life throws you a curveball. God listens. He is in control. No need to worry. He offers us a peace we won't find anywhere else.
Because His will is what's best for his kingdom and ultimately for you too.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
6. You Can Know
Do you know what will happen to you once you're dead?
It seems pretty harsh, but do you?
I'll tell you why I am asking, even though it brings me heartache.
This past week, I went to a funeral. Funerals are never something I look forward to especially when it is for a nine year old girl who I absolutely loved. My next door neighbor Taybor was killed in a go-kart accident this month and the reality of her abscence from my street is painful.
She was the first person I ever babysat. She was the best kind of kid to babysitt. I will never forget how much she means to me.
But I have to tell you that I know she is with God. And I don't think I could hold myself together if I knew she was not in Heaven. She was a child.
But what about the rest of us that get to experience life beyond third grade? Don't you think we are given opportunities for a reason? Here's the thing: This life is way too short already. And in the midst of this tragedy, I keep having this thought of who's next. Who am I to think a long life is guarenteed for me? Or that I have all the time in the world to tell my friends about Jesus.
What's the rush? The rush is that I genuinely feel sorrow for those of you who don't know him. He has completely restored me. If I couldn't live with him, I wouldn't want to live at all.
We all deserve death, but it is Jesus who conquered death to break a barrier.
The have been so many bible passages that scare the crap out of me and I want you to hear them. I hope they scare you too.
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven...Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoer."
You guys- it's about KNOWING Jesus. Sure, you can believe in some higher being out there, but if that's all the spirituality you can handle in this one short life, then you are missing out.
You see, Jesus knows me. He knew Taybor. He knows you. Everything about me and you. The good, the bad, the very ugly. It was our sins that nailed him on a cross. And you better believe that he thought of you there and he loved you. He knows you; try to get to know him.
Luke 13:22-30
Just go read it. The door is narrow to Heaven. Make sure you're going to be let in.
Luke 16:19-31
Have you ever wondered what Hell might be like? Is it even real? Is it even that bad? If it's anything like earth, maybe it would be fun. Wrong.
We have a pretty good idea and it does not look fun at all. Agony. Suffering. Pain. And it never goes away. Can you imagine constant torment? The rich man in this bible story knows how terrible Hell is and begs Abraham to warn his family on earth about the reality of heaven and hell so they won't have to experience the torment. But it doesn't work that way. This story is our warning. The bible is our warning.
Death is not the end for you and me. There is either a life in paradise or a life in torture.
Sometimes I have this image that pops into my head. Instead of the rich man suffering in Hell, I think of the many people I know who do not know God or who don't care. I picture some of my really good friends and I am terrified of them ending up there. I don't want that.
Our days are not promised here on earth. Take action now for you're own sake. I cannot bear the idea of going to a funeral where I don't know if that friend is forever in peace, forever with the Lord. You can know where you'll be when life on earth ends. Figure it out.
So, please, PLEASE, realize that I am not trying to win points for being a better Chrisitan. I genuinely care about you and I can't stand the thought of you in constant torment.
Jesus cares about you too. Get to know him. You won't be disappointed.
It seems pretty harsh, but do you?
I'll tell you why I am asking, even though it brings me heartache.
This past week, I went to a funeral. Funerals are never something I look forward to especially when it is for a nine year old girl who I absolutely loved. My next door neighbor Taybor was killed in a go-kart accident this month and the reality of her abscence from my street is painful.
She was the first person I ever babysat. She was the best kind of kid to babysitt. I will never forget how much she means to me.
But I have to tell you that I know she is with God. And I don't think I could hold myself together if I knew she was not in Heaven. She was a child.
But what about the rest of us that get to experience life beyond third grade? Don't you think we are given opportunities for a reason? Here's the thing: This life is way too short already. And in the midst of this tragedy, I keep having this thought of who's next. Who am I to think a long life is guarenteed for me? Or that I have all the time in the world to tell my friends about Jesus.
What's the rush? The rush is that I genuinely feel sorrow for those of you who don't know him. He has completely restored me. If I couldn't live with him, I wouldn't want to live at all.
We all deserve death, but it is Jesus who conquered death to break a barrier.
The have been so many bible passages that scare the crap out of me and I want you to hear them. I hope they scare you too.
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven...Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoer."
You guys- it's about KNOWING Jesus. Sure, you can believe in some higher being out there, but if that's all the spirituality you can handle in this one short life, then you are missing out.
You see, Jesus knows me. He knew Taybor. He knows you. Everything about me and you. The good, the bad, the very ugly. It was our sins that nailed him on a cross. And you better believe that he thought of you there and he loved you. He knows you; try to get to know him.
Luke 13:22-30
Just go read it. The door is narrow to Heaven. Make sure you're going to be let in.
Luke 16:19-31
Have you ever wondered what Hell might be like? Is it even real? Is it even that bad? If it's anything like earth, maybe it would be fun. Wrong.
We have a pretty good idea and it does not look fun at all. Agony. Suffering. Pain. And it never goes away. Can you imagine constant torment? The rich man in this bible story knows how terrible Hell is and begs Abraham to warn his family on earth about the reality of heaven and hell so they won't have to experience the torment. But it doesn't work that way. This story is our warning. The bible is our warning.
Death is not the end for you and me. There is either a life in paradise or a life in torture.
Sometimes I have this image that pops into my head. Instead of the rich man suffering in Hell, I think of the many people I know who do not know God or who don't care. I picture some of my really good friends and I am terrified of them ending up there. I don't want that.
Our days are not promised here on earth. Take action now for you're own sake. I cannot bear the idea of going to a funeral where I don't know if that friend is forever in peace, forever with the Lord. You can know where you'll be when life on earth ends. Figure it out.
So, please, PLEASE, realize that I am not trying to win points for being a better Chrisitan. I genuinely care about you and I can't stand the thought of you in constant torment.
Jesus cares about you too. Get to know him. You won't be disappointed.
Monday, August 2, 2010
5. Let's Love Him Back
Well, hello there.
I see it has been awhile that I have shared some thoughts with ya'll.
Today, I am going to write about something that I can't completely figure out.
It is mostly just a speculation my sister made and a bit of a sad reality.
And then I found something in the bible that somewhat related that I'll talk about at the end.
Here is the sad reality.
Have you ever noticed that most people tend to experience a rock bottom situation in their life? Like everything is spiraling downward and you are losing it. You reach the deepest and most desperate place. You can't get out on your own at this point. Your only hope is Jesus. Seriously.
I know that scenario all to well because it happened to me the summer before junior year of high school. And I finally just lay there (metaphorically, at the bottom of this pit) knowing that if I let myself continue, I would be laying there the rest of my life. And I had a Jesus experience. He saved me from that pit. I didn't deserve it, but it seems as though I had to reach the ultimate low point in order to recognize that Jesus loved me. And in return, and ever since, I have been able to recognize how much I love him. I have absolute faith in his power because of what I saw him do for my life, for me.
But WHY do we have to reach the bottom before we realize how AMAZING Jesus is?
It's easy for me to know, because I was there. But, why couldn't I have known sooner? Before I suffered through one of the most painful seasons of my life?
My sister and I have had this conversation a couple of times now. She is grateful because she has not yet had this "rock-bottom" experience, but she doesn't want it either. But she sees other people who have these incredible stories of where God delivered these people from their sins and their pits and she sees something in them that she doesn't quite understand. They have become so faithful, so in love with God. And I think that committment and love is what she envies because it doesn't feel the same. We reached a place where we had no choice but to depend on God. And when life had gone pretty well for you for however long you have been alive, it is hard to understand that dependence on God when you have not fully had to yet.
But the question is: Do you have to have an experience that forces you to depend on God with everything you have in order to obtain that level of intimate love with Him?
I want the answer to be no. I want it to be No, you can learn from other people's stories and just trust God with all your heart knowing that He can deliver you from anything if you know he loves you and will take care of you when trouble comes. That is faith, and it is something we're lacking so much in this generation.
So, here is what I found today in none other than the Holy Bible.
Luke 7:36-50. Go read it real quick.
It's basically a Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner and when he gets there, a sinful woman from the town hears he will be there and goes there. She weeps all over his feet, pours perfume on his feet, and kisses them. The Pharisee then says (and I am paraphrasing here) Hey, if you truly are a prophet, Jesus, then you would know what a sinner this woman is. And you would not let her touch you like that. And then Jesus, being the storyteller he is, tells a parable!
About two men who owe a moneylender money, one like $5 and the other $500. (Pretend it is denari or bible money) And the money lender forgives both men of their debt. Jesus then asks the Pharisee which man will love the moneylender more? And he replies correctly that it is the man who owed more.
Jesus then explains that the woman he views as a sinner has had more sins and experienced more forgiveness, therefore she shows him more love. She has experienced more of his grace. But the Pharisee has not shown nearly the same amount of love.
Check this verse out- it scares me: "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:47)
So, here's the deal. Can it work in reverse? Maybe you haven't experienced that crap time of your life where you're desperate. Maybe instead of needing every ounce of Jesus' grace to forgive you for all your mess ups at that present time, you could instead choose to love much.
I know it hardly makes sense, but it also hardly seems fair that because you have been blessed by God with peace and a pretty decent life, that you can't love God with all your heart. It has got to be up to the individual. And maybe in a reverse way, reaching the bottom is easier because you see firsthand what God can do- and for you. But it comes with pain. If God has chosen to bless you, then try to see that as what God can do. And you don't have to "sin" a lot, to recieve God's grace.
Let's not forget how Christ died for each of us on the cross. That makes us all guilty and sinful. But it makes us all forgiven. And it means He loves all of us. It's up to us to decide if we want to love him back. And how much of our hearts we're willing to give over. So, if you know that pit scene, I hope it has brought you to love Jesus in a way that only us pit-reachers can understand. But if you don't know that, then I would encourage you to "love much" and realize that God loves you by protecting you from the pain in the world. He loves us all; let's love him back.
I see it has been awhile that I have shared some thoughts with ya'll.
Today, I am going to write about something that I can't completely figure out.
It is mostly just a speculation my sister made and a bit of a sad reality.
And then I found something in the bible that somewhat related that I'll talk about at the end.
Here is the sad reality.
Have you ever noticed that most people tend to experience a rock bottom situation in their life? Like everything is spiraling downward and you are losing it. You reach the deepest and most desperate place. You can't get out on your own at this point. Your only hope is Jesus. Seriously.
I know that scenario all to well because it happened to me the summer before junior year of high school. And I finally just lay there (metaphorically, at the bottom of this pit) knowing that if I let myself continue, I would be laying there the rest of my life. And I had a Jesus experience. He saved me from that pit. I didn't deserve it, but it seems as though I had to reach the ultimate low point in order to recognize that Jesus loved me. And in return, and ever since, I have been able to recognize how much I love him. I have absolute faith in his power because of what I saw him do for my life, for me.
But WHY do we have to reach the bottom before we realize how AMAZING Jesus is?
It's easy for me to know, because I was there. But, why couldn't I have known sooner? Before I suffered through one of the most painful seasons of my life?
My sister and I have had this conversation a couple of times now. She is grateful because she has not yet had this "rock-bottom" experience, but she doesn't want it either. But she sees other people who have these incredible stories of where God delivered these people from their sins and their pits and she sees something in them that she doesn't quite understand. They have become so faithful, so in love with God. And I think that committment and love is what she envies because it doesn't feel the same. We reached a place where we had no choice but to depend on God. And when life had gone pretty well for you for however long you have been alive, it is hard to understand that dependence on God when you have not fully had to yet.
But the question is: Do you have to have an experience that forces you to depend on God with everything you have in order to obtain that level of intimate love with Him?
I want the answer to be no. I want it to be No, you can learn from other people's stories and just trust God with all your heart knowing that He can deliver you from anything if you know he loves you and will take care of you when trouble comes. That is faith, and it is something we're lacking so much in this generation.
So, here is what I found today in none other than the Holy Bible.
Luke 7:36-50. Go read it real quick.
It's basically a Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner and when he gets there, a sinful woman from the town hears he will be there and goes there. She weeps all over his feet, pours perfume on his feet, and kisses them. The Pharisee then says (and I am paraphrasing here) Hey, if you truly are a prophet, Jesus, then you would know what a sinner this woman is. And you would not let her touch you like that. And then Jesus, being the storyteller he is, tells a parable!
About two men who owe a moneylender money, one like $5 and the other $500. (Pretend it is denari or bible money) And the money lender forgives both men of their debt. Jesus then asks the Pharisee which man will love the moneylender more? And he replies correctly that it is the man who owed more.
Jesus then explains that the woman he views as a sinner has had more sins and experienced more forgiveness, therefore she shows him more love. She has experienced more of his grace. But the Pharisee has not shown nearly the same amount of love.
Check this verse out- it scares me: "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:47)
So, here's the deal. Can it work in reverse? Maybe you haven't experienced that crap time of your life where you're desperate. Maybe instead of needing every ounce of Jesus' grace to forgive you for all your mess ups at that present time, you could instead choose to love much.
I know it hardly makes sense, but it also hardly seems fair that because you have been blessed by God with peace and a pretty decent life, that you can't love God with all your heart. It has got to be up to the individual. And maybe in a reverse way, reaching the bottom is easier because you see firsthand what God can do- and for you. But it comes with pain. If God has chosen to bless you, then try to see that as what God can do. And you don't have to "sin" a lot, to recieve God's grace.
Let's not forget how Christ died for each of us on the cross. That makes us all guilty and sinful. But it makes us all forgiven. And it means He loves all of us. It's up to us to decide if we want to love him back. And how much of our hearts we're willing to give over. So, if you know that pit scene, I hope it has brought you to love Jesus in a way that only us pit-reachers can understand. But if you don't know that, then I would encourage you to "love much" and realize that God loves you by protecting you from the pain in the world. He loves us all; let's love him back.
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