I have just recently realized that I am a pot, and I am black. For years I have looked across the fire pit, as I sat cooking dinner, and stared at that old kettle. The flames and smoke would lick up its sides, and they left the ugliest black streaks and stains. I ridiculed the kettle, and wondered how it could just sit there like that.
Recently, I noticed that the fire that soiled the kettle is the same fire that warms me. I began to wonder, could I be suffering the same results that the kettle suffers? Eventually I got up the courage to look down at myself, and there they were, black soot and stains. They weren’t exactly the same as those on the kettle, but they were there. Maybe I should get to know that kettle a little better…
Matthew 7:2-4
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Some disjointed thoughts on worship
Why do you worship?
This is a question that I do not know how to answer. Usually I can take a stab at what is probably the “right” answer, even if it isn’t the “real” answer, but not on this one.
Why do we worship?
I could list the benefits I receive: rejuvenation, growth, learning, fellowship, communion, etc, but are these why I worship? If they were the only reason, then of what use would worship be in heaven?
To bless God. To lift up the Holy One. But does the God of the universe need my blessing?
Why do we worship?
I suppose the easy answer is I worship because I am commanded to, and because He is worthy of my worship – and these would probably be correct answers, but are they really the reason why I worship?
Is it because worship is why we were created? Not necessarily THE reason we were created, but a reason. Is it possible that when God designed us, he built into us a need to worship...
What affect does worship have on you?
“And when [Moses] came out (from the LORD’s presence) and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant” (Ex 34:34-35).
“Those who look to [the LORD] are radiant” (Psalm 34:5).
“We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face… But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away” (2 Cor 3:13,16).
This is a question that I do not know how to answer. Usually I can take a stab at what is probably the “right” answer, even if it isn’t the “real” answer, but not on this one.
Why do we worship?
I could list the benefits I receive: rejuvenation, growth, learning, fellowship, communion, etc, but are these why I worship? If they were the only reason, then of what use would worship be in heaven?
To bless God. To lift up the Holy One. But does the God of the universe need my blessing?
Why do we worship?
I suppose the easy answer is I worship because I am commanded to, and because He is worthy of my worship – and these would probably be correct answers, but are they really the reason why I worship?
Is it because worship is why we were created? Not necessarily THE reason we were created, but a reason. Is it possible that when God designed us, he built into us a need to worship...
What affect does worship have on you?
“And when [Moses] came out (from the LORD’s presence) and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant” (Ex 34:34-35).
“Those who look to [the LORD] are radiant” (Psalm 34:5).
“We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face… But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away” (2 Cor 3:13,16).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
G.I.G.O.
Over the past few days, I have been considering the “Garbage In, Garbage Out” philosophy, as a few recent, spontaneous decisions have resulted in garbage going out. The idea is that if you put garbage into a process, garbage is bound to come back out.
Jesus said, “18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:18-19). I’m left to wonder, where do the things that come from the heart originate. Do they have their birth in the heart – do they originate in original sin, or the laziness and lusts of the flesh? But for the Christian (in the charismatic since) is not the heart cleaned and inhabited by the Holy Spirit? Surely, these evils do not originate with God, Himself!
So I’m left with the problem – how does the garbage get back into a soul that has been cleansed and freed by the Blood of Christ? As a gut reaction, I feel it goes back to the “input.” Do I contemplate the things of the world that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely, the things that are admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)? Have I, like Job, made a covenant with my eyes (31:1)? If not, then are the things I’ve been looking at inspiring my “unclean” actions?
Jesus said, “18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:18-19). I’m left to wonder, where do the things that come from the heart originate. Do they have their birth in the heart – do they originate in original sin, or the laziness and lusts of the flesh? But for the Christian (in the charismatic since) is not the heart cleaned and inhabited by the Holy Spirit? Surely, these evils do not originate with God, Himself!
So I’m left with the problem – how does the garbage get back into a soul that has been cleansed and freed by the Blood of Christ? As a gut reaction, I feel it goes back to the “input.” Do I contemplate the things of the world that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely, the things that are admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)? Have I, like Job, made a covenant with my eyes (31:1)? If not, then are the things I’ve been looking at inspiring my “unclean” actions?
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