I knew it was coming, BUSYNESS! The school year doesn't start for 2 more weeks, but I am already very busy and beginning to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, the Lord has been preparing me for this time. All summer long (and especially at Bay Shore Camp) he has been revealing to me truths and promises that should help me through this school year.
One victory already: I am still doing my morning quiet times even in the midst of the busyness. That is something I probably wouldn’t have been doing in the past. Praise God that he is building in me a deep desire for his word and a longing for a more significant relationship.
On a related note, with all the busyness in my life, I don’t know how often I’ll be posting. I already have 3 posts in mind based on recent personal revelations, and one draft started, but time is precious and this blog is not. ;)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
reluctant reconciliation
So far in this blog, I mostly have posted on my personal theology; the things that the Lord has shown me that help me understand him a little better. Occasionally, I post a vague reference to some experience or personal trial, but so far I haven’t really revealed myself very much on this blog. I guess that’s about to change.
This morning I was reading about reconciling relationships with the people around us. I often gloss over these readings, because I honestly don’t feel like I carry too many grudges. However, Christ’s words in Matthew hit me today. He says that if you are worshiping, and recall that someone else has a grudge against you, you should cease your worship and go to the person to be reconciled (Matt 5:23-24).
This reminded me of a conversation that I had with a colleague as the school year was ending. We were discussing the potential promotion of an administrator, and I made a comment that this particular administrator did not like me. I don’t know the extent of the dislike, but I feel that the statement is accurate. I also realize that my own past actions and comments have probably helped fuel the situation. Because of this, I feel a need to go to the person, confess and apologize for my past actions.
Now, I realize that in the above verses Christ uses the word “brothers”, which in modern times, we generally think of as referring to the relationship between two Christians. To my knowledge, this particular person is not a Christian, but I still feel I need to apologize and attempt to reconcile the relationship. Needless to say, I am very nervous (even frightened) about how the person will respond, but all the same, here I go.
This morning I was reading about reconciling relationships with the people around us. I often gloss over these readings, because I honestly don’t feel like I carry too many grudges. However, Christ’s words in Matthew hit me today. He says that if you are worshiping, and recall that someone else has a grudge against you, you should cease your worship and go to the person to be reconciled (Matt 5:23-24).
This reminded me of a conversation that I had with a colleague as the school year was ending. We were discussing the potential promotion of an administrator, and I made a comment that this particular administrator did not like me. I don’t know the extent of the dislike, but I feel that the statement is accurate. I also realize that my own past actions and comments have probably helped fuel the situation. Because of this, I feel a need to go to the person, confess and apologize for my past actions.
Now, I realize that in the above verses Christ uses the word “brothers”, which in modern times, we generally think of as referring to the relationship between two Christians. To my knowledge, this particular person is not a Christian, but I still feel I need to apologize and attempt to reconcile the relationship. Needless to say, I am very nervous (even frightened) about how the person will respond, but all the same, here I go.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Glorious Reflection
Sometimes the storms in my life may make it difficult to see the Glory of God reflected on my face, but He is still there, still at work, and when the storm calms, his glory will be all the more evident because of it.
Exodus 34:29-35
Thursday, July 8, 2010
My hope = God's glory
So in the previous 4 posts I’ve established that (according to one source) there are 5 primary ways we reflect God’s glory.
1. In our worship
2. As we are transformed
3. As we love others
4. As we serve others
5. As we testify to others
I’ve also established that I am hopelessly incapable of effectively carrying these things out in my life on a regular basis or in a meaningful way. However, I claim that although I cannot do these things, I still have hope. Where does that hope lie? It lies in my relationship with Jesus Christ.
The simple fact is that apart from Christ none of us can please God. The Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). It also says that in God’s sight “our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). God knows that on our own, we are hopelessly bankrupt and incapable of righteous acts, and thus incapable of bringing him glory, for it is through our good deeds (specifically the 5 types of deeds listed above) that we direct people to God (see Matthew 5:16).
But if we are in relationship with Christ, then we have the secret weapon! What is the secret you ask, well the Bible says that “this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing in his glory” (Colossians 1:27, emphasis added). You see we can share in God’s glory, reflecting it to those around us because “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).
Paul put it this way, “…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20).
I have come to believe… No, I have come to base all my beliefs on the idea that Christ lives in me, and that by his indwelling Spirit, I can be transformed (Romans 12:2). If you truly knew me now, and truly knew me before I met Christ, this transformation alone would be enough for you to see the glory of God. But since you aren’t privileged to have that point of view, I am trusting that in the transformation process you will be able to see me worship, testify, serve, and even love others as the Spirit so enables.
“But eagerly desire the greater [spiritual] gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31).
1. In our worship
2. As we are transformed
3. As we love others
4. As we serve others
5. As we testify to others
I’ve also established that I am hopelessly incapable of effectively carrying these things out in my life on a regular basis or in a meaningful way. However, I claim that although I cannot do these things, I still have hope. Where does that hope lie? It lies in my relationship with Jesus Christ.
The simple fact is that apart from Christ none of us can please God. The Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). It also says that in God’s sight “our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). God knows that on our own, we are hopelessly bankrupt and incapable of righteous acts, and thus incapable of bringing him glory, for it is through our good deeds (specifically the 5 types of deeds listed above) that we direct people to God (see Matthew 5:16).
But if we are in relationship with Christ, then we have the secret weapon! What is the secret you ask, well the Bible says that “this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing in his glory” (Colossians 1:27, emphasis added). You see we can share in God’s glory, reflecting it to those around us because “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).
Paul put it this way, “…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20).
I have come to believe… No, I have come to base all my beliefs on the idea that Christ lives in me, and that by his indwelling Spirit, I can be transformed (Romans 12:2). If you truly knew me now, and truly knew me before I met Christ, this transformation alone would be enough for you to see the glory of God. But since you aren’t privileged to have that point of view, I am trusting that in the transformation process you will be able to see me worship, testify, serve, and even love others as the Spirit so enables.
“But eagerly desire the greater [spiritual] gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
We glorify God by testifying to others
Testify – To bear witness, or more simply, to share our experiences. If a door is open, I am ok with testifying. The problem I have is that I do not want to offend the person to which I am speaking for fear of turning them off to my testimony. Because of this fear, I don’t like to testify if the “door” is only half open. I’m more likely to testify if the person opens the door all the way and then stands back with a wide grin saying, “Come on in!” Of course, how often does that happen? Even if I am talking with another Christian, one with whom I should feel safe, I don’t like to get to close to sensitive subjects: homosexuality, creation, husband/wife roles in marriage, etc. I just don’t like to offend. In short, I can testify, but I generally fail to do so because I am afraid.
I have another problem with testifying to others. I have come to the realization that testimonies are generally better received when the person you are sharing with is someone who knows you. Relationships usually need to come first. Then a little tact to get things going. Then the testimony. This need to build a relationship brings us back to the requirement to love, which we’ve established I don’t know how to do.
So, in summary of the last 3 days, our glorifying God is built into our relationships with others. We glorify him by loving others (which I don’t know how to), by serving others (which I can’t do), and by testifying to others (which I am afraid to do). Where does this leave me – miserable and wretched! But there is a solution, I do have hope, and that I will discuss next time.
I have another problem with testifying to others. I have come to the realization that testimonies are generally better received when the person you are sharing with is someone who knows you. Relationships usually need to come first. Then a little tact to get things going. Then the testimony. This need to build a relationship brings us back to the requirement to love, which we’ve established I don’t know how to do.
So, in summary of the last 3 days, our glorifying God is built into our relationships with others. We glorify him by loving others (which I don’t know how to), by serving others (which I can’t do), and by testifying to others (which I am afraid to do). Where does this leave me – miserable and wretched! But there is a solution, I do have hope, and that I will discuss next time.
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