Just wanted to take this moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
This year I've selected Matthew 11:28-30 as my year verse.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Owner's Manual for Christians - Chapter 3 Joy
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Today's entry isn't nearly as long, it's short and sweet. Joy and happiness are a choice! No matter the situation; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joy is something we choose to have. we've all been in situations where we've shed tears (that's normal), but true joy can be seen through those tears. I've been to more funerals than I would like to have had and yet only one stands out in my mind. It wasn't a sad deal, it was a celebration of the life lived and the live going to be lived. That's joy.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
Today's entry isn't nearly as long, it's short and sweet. Joy and happiness are a choice! No matter the situation; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joy is something we choose to have. we've all been in situations where we've shed tears (that's normal), but true joy can be seen through those tears. I've been to more funerals than I would like to have had and yet only one stands out in my mind. It wasn't a sad deal, it was a celebration of the life lived and the live going to be lived. That's joy.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
Monday, December 28, 2009
2010: The Year of Self-Improvement
Like many I try to come up with a list of resolutions for the new year. I will only make three this year, in attempts to both keep and achieve them.
Resolution #1: Read the Bible Daily.
This is the one that is most important to me. Every year I seem to start out strong, but my April I get slack and then by May I normally have stopped all together. Not this year! I even went and purchase a bible that takes it and splits it into the daily readings. I really hope to accomplish this year! I pray to accomplish that this year. That leads me to resolution number 2.
Resolution #2: Pray without Ceasing.
We know the verse, but I will be a little transparent here and just say my prayer life is NOT where it needs to be. I can always tell when my prayer life is stronger. I just feel as if, well I don't feel like a camel anymore, carrying all the junk that this world brings. So I will not only try to start each day with prayer, but also at meals and at the end of the day. I want to be careful not to make it part of my daily checkoff list, it's nice for it to be part of my routine, but I don't want it to feel like a chore, I want to want to pray.
Resolution #3: Get Healthy.
I'm not naive, I know I need to lose a few. But I want to do more than that. I want to not only lose weight, but I want to learn how to eat healthier. I'm going to try a new book for 40 days and see how it goes. It stresses the importance of organic eating and how it can cause a boost to your immune system, alleviates/prevents any aliments and helps to extend your years. I certainly don't want to live to be 200 like back in Noah's day (I actually look forward to Heaven, but that's another post), but I do want to be around to enjoy my future wife, kids, grand kids, and if I'm lucky, great-grand kids. Oh, and I do want to exercise more. I tend to try and kill myself at the beginning and quickly lose interest with workouts. So I've come up with a plan that will slowly allow me to build stamina, and hopefully will allow me to have the physique God intended. I think I should only have to carry a spare tire in my car, not around my midsection as well. =)
I'm doing this alone so any encouraging words are greatly appreciated.
Resolution #1: Read the Bible Daily.
This is the one that is most important to me. Every year I seem to start out strong, but my April I get slack and then by May I normally have stopped all together. Not this year! I even went and purchase a bible that takes it and splits it into the daily readings. I really hope to accomplish this year! I pray to accomplish that this year. That leads me to resolution number 2.
Resolution #2: Pray without Ceasing.
We know the verse, but I will be a little transparent here and just say my prayer life is NOT where it needs to be. I can always tell when my prayer life is stronger. I just feel as if, well I don't feel like a camel anymore, carrying all the junk that this world brings. So I will not only try to start each day with prayer, but also at meals and at the end of the day. I want to be careful not to make it part of my daily checkoff list, it's nice for it to be part of my routine, but I don't want it to feel like a chore, I want to want to pray.
Resolution #3: Get Healthy.
I'm not naive, I know I need to lose a few. But I want to do more than that. I want to not only lose weight, but I want to learn how to eat healthier. I'm going to try a new book for 40 days and see how it goes. It stresses the importance of organic eating and how it can cause a boost to your immune system, alleviates/prevents any aliments and helps to extend your years. I certainly don't want to live to be 200 like back in Noah's day (I actually look forward to Heaven, but that's another post), but I do want to be around to enjoy my future wife, kids, grand kids, and if I'm lucky, great-grand kids. Oh, and I do want to exercise more. I tend to try and kill myself at the beginning and quickly lose interest with workouts. So I've come up with a plan that will slowly allow me to build stamina, and hopefully will allow me to have the physique God intended. I think I should only have to carry a spare tire in my car, not around my midsection as well. =)
I'm doing this alone so any encouraging words are greatly appreciated.
The Owner's Manual for Christians - Chapter 2 Love
In the last post we talked about grace. If that is the hardest, why do we find it so hard to love? I'm of the simple opinion that we do love but just don't always know how to express it. I'm not one who just goes around saying "I love you," to everyone I meet. I tend to show love in a more active manner.
Let's start off by saying that we are talking about agape love. This is a Greek term that describes the ultimate love we should feel for God and the love He feels for us. It is anything but simple or finite. It's all consuming. It is how He allowed Christ to die on the cross. He loves each of us so much, He didn't intervene (which He could have).
Paul gives us a famous section in 1 Corinthians (which we've heard numerous times at weddings), but today let's break it down and look at each section individually.
First, Love is Patient and Kind
Does anyone out there have a short fuse, when it comes to their temper? Can one wrong glance send you "over the edge?" Well, true love does not have a short fuse, it's patient. In the old text they use the word macrothymia to describe love. Macro means large or long, while thymia is a term used to describe heat, passion or anger. We actually get the word thermometer from thymia. The literal translation of macrothymia is "long-tempered." This lead us into love being kind. I'm sure you know someone who no matter what seems to happen they can keep their cool and their feathers don't really get ruffled. That is the prime example of love being kind. We see it in Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The term yoke refers to your center (as the yoke is the central part of the egg). If your yoke is light, then you have little stress in your life and are more able to go with the flow.
Second, Love is Not Jealous or Arrogant
We've all seen that one guy who no matter where his girlfriend/wife goes is always in overprotective mode. He doesn't trust anyone, and if any male should happen to say a simple "Hi" to he goes off. he is not secure enough in his relationship/self and it comes off as him being insecure. This is not love. Love is secure. On the other side of the spectrum you'll find that one guy who's all about "showing off" his relationships. This is just another form of insecurity. It's like they walk around with a neon sign that says, "Hey look at us! We're in love!" While it's nice to be affectionate, it comes off as just, well lack of a better term arrogant. Agape love is humble. It's not boastful.
Third, Love is Charming
When I say charming, I don't mean like a snake charmer. I mean it's sweet sounding. Not mushy sweet, but it's pleasing and delightful. We all know that older couple who seems like they've been married for years, and no matter the situation (even in an argument) seem to use the softest words possible. That's love being charming. Now, I'm not married, but I can say that's where I would seek marriage advice, not from pop-psychologists.
Fourth, Love has a Thick Skin
Love, no True Love, does not keep a list of wrongs that someone has done. Love forgets and forgives. I hate the saying, "love means never having to say your sorry." That's completely wrong! Love means exactly the opposite, it means recognizing when you've done wrong and apologizing for it! However, that is where true love forgives and forgets. Now should you become a walking doormat? NO! But, you can't go through life always writing people off for the wrongs people have done to you. We need to forgive just like we were forgiven.
Final Thought
Love loves truth! According to the bible it "rejoices in truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). How many funerals have you been to where you hear someone say that they never said they loved someone enough, when that person was alive? For some unexplained reason, we bottle love up and store it for a rainy day. That's whats great about love! There is an unmeasurable amount to go around. We control how much love we create and give. It's up to us! So don't wait to say it, just let it out. Let those around you know how much you care. So for those of you I don't say it enough to I Love You!
Let's start off by saying that we are talking about agape love. This is a Greek term that describes the ultimate love we should feel for God and the love He feels for us. It is anything but simple or finite. It's all consuming. It is how He allowed Christ to die on the cross. He loves each of us so much, He didn't intervene (which He could have).
Paul gives us a famous section in 1 Corinthians (which we've heard numerous times at weddings), but today let's break it down and look at each section individually.
First, Love is Patient and Kind
Does anyone out there have a short fuse, when it comes to their temper? Can one wrong glance send you "over the edge?" Well, true love does not have a short fuse, it's patient. In the old text they use the word macrothymia to describe love. Macro means large or long, while thymia is a term used to describe heat, passion or anger. We actually get the word thermometer from thymia. The literal translation of macrothymia is "long-tempered." This lead us into love being kind. I'm sure you know someone who no matter what seems to happen they can keep their cool and their feathers don't really get ruffled. That is the prime example of love being kind. We see it in Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The term yoke refers to your center (as the yoke is the central part of the egg). If your yoke is light, then you have little stress in your life and are more able to go with the flow.
Second, Love is Not Jealous or Arrogant
We've all seen that one guy who no matter where his girlfriend/wife goes is always in overprotective mode. He doesn't trust anyone, and if any male should happen to say a simple "Hi" to he goes off. he is not secure enough in his relationship/self and it comes off as him being insecure. This is not love. Love is secure. On the other side of the spectrum you'll find that one guy who's all about "showing off" his relationships. This is just another form of insecurity. It's like they walk around with a neon sign that says, "Hey look at us! We're in love!" While it's nice to be affectionate, it comes off as just, well lack of a better term arrogant. Agape love is humble. It's not boastful.
Third, Love is Charming
When I say charming, I don't mean like a snake charmer. I mean it's sweet sounding. Not mushy sweet, but it's pleasing and delightful. We all know that older couple who seems like they've been married for years, and no matter the situation (even in an argument) seem to use the softest words possible. That's love being charming. Now, I'm not married, but I can say that's where I would seek marriage advice, not from pop-psychologists.
Fourth, Love has a Thick Skin
Love, no True Love, does not keep a list of wrongs that someone has done. Love forgets and forgives. I hate the saying, "love means never having to say your sorry." That's completely wrong! Love means exactly the opposite, it means recognizing when you've done wrong and apologizing for it! However, that is where true love forgives and forgets. Now should you become a walking doormat? NO! But, you can't go through life always writing people off for the wrongs people have done to you. We need to forgive just like we were forgiven.
Final Thought
Love loves truth! According to the bible it "rejoices in truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). How many funerals have you been to where you hear someone say that they never said they loved someone enough, when that person was alive? For some unexplained reason, we bottle love up and store it for a rainy day. That's whats great about love! There is an unmeasurable amount to go around. We control how much love we create and give. It's up to us! So don't wait to say it, just let it out. Let those around you know how much you care. So for those of you I don't say it enough to I Love You!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Owner's Manual for Chrisitans - Chapter 1 Grace
Have you ever asked yourself what grace really is? Is it a random act of kindness? Is it love, peace, patience, or any of the other fruits of the spirit?
Well after reading this chapter I discovered something more. Grace is more than any of the above. Grace is like the example used in the book. It's simply a humbling yourself to help those around you. Of course, we all know Christ died on the cross for us, and although that is a GREAT example of grace, it's not one that hits home the most.
In the book of 2 Samuel chapter 9 there is a brief story of Mephibosheth. Now for those of you who don't know who he is, Mephibosheth is the grandson of King Saul. Now when David came to power, Saul and his family retreated out of fear, they all died (in different manners), that is all but Mephibosheth. He was hidden and his named changed. Basically he was in a witness protection program. Well David felt such remorse (some would say guilt) over the whole situation with Saul. It's of my opinion David felt a great deal of compassion and gratitude for Saul's family. If it wasn't for them and the events that had transpired, David would not be in his position of leadership. So, David sends out people to search out any remaining descendants of Saul. Guess who they end up finding, that's right Mephibosheth.
Now Mephibosheth was freaked out, he thought he was about to pay for his family, almost as if he was related to the Mafia. But as it turns out David was preparing a great feast in his honor. Now for the king to have a feast in your honor, was as about the highest honor you could ever possible think of having. While at the feast David won't allow anyone to eat until Mephibosheth arrives. I need to go back, I forgot to mention that during his escape, Mephibosheth broke both his legs and they never healed correctly, so now he's pretty much stuck in a wheelchair. Mephibosheth arrives and David "sings" his praise. Mephibosheth becomes a permanent fixture at the table and has many more a meals with the king and his court.
Now in this story Mephibosheth represents us. No matter what we do by ourselves, we are always going to be crippled. We can never fully amount to what God expects of us. David represents Christ, without Him we would never be recognized or healed. It's because of Him and His sacrifice that we are able to sit at the table and take part of the great feast! That's what grace is. It's taking yourself and lowering yourself so that others can achieve their full greatness! Without grace, nothing else was/is possible!
*Special Note - you pronounce his name as Me-fib-o-sheth.
Well after reading this chapter I discovered something more. Grace is more than any of the above. Grace is like the example used in the book. It's simply a humbling yourself to help those around you. Of course, we all know Christ died on the cross for us, and although that is a GREAT example of grace, it's not one that hits home the most.
In the book of 2 Samuel chapter 9 there is a brief story of Mephibosheth. Now for those of you who don't know who he is, Mephibosheth is the grandson of King Saul. Now when David came to power, Saul and his family retreated out of fear, they all died (in different manners), that is all but Mephibosheth. He was hidden and his named changed. Basically he was in a witness protection program. Well David felt such remorse (some would say guilt) over the whole situation with Saul. It's of my opinion David felt a great deal of compassion and gratitude for Saul's family. If it wasn't for them and the events that had transpired, David would not be in his position of leadership. So, David sends out people to search out any remaining descendants of Saul. Guess who they end up finding, that's right Mephibosheth.
Now Mephibosheth was freaked out, he thought he was about to pay for his family, almost as if he was related to the Mafia. But as it turns out David was preparing a great feast in his honor. Now for the king to have a feast in your honor, was as about the highest honor you could ever possible think of having. While at the feast David won't allow anyone to eat until Mephibosheth arrives. I need to go back, I forgot to mention that during his escape, Mephibosheth broke both his legs and they never healed correctly, so now he's pretty much stuck in a wheelchair. Mephibosheth arrives and David "sings" his praise. Mephibosheth becomes a permanent fixture at the table and has many more a meals with the king and his court.
Now in this story Mephibosheth represents us. No matter what we do by ourselves, we are always going to be crippled. We can never fully amount to what God expects of us. David represents Christ, without Him we would never be recognized or healed. It's because of Him and His sacrifice that we are able to sit at the table and take part of the great feast! That's what grace is. It's taking yourself and lowering yourself so that others can achieve their full greatness! Without grace, nothing else was/is possible!
*Special Note - you pronounce his name as Me-fib-o-sheth.
Life As I Know IT
Do you ever wonder if there's more to life than we see day to day? I certainly do. I often wonder if I'm making a difference. I wonder if there's more to my life to come or if I'm hitting my peak now.
I often have so much to say at the end of the day, but no where to put it. So I've decided to start this blog as a a therapeutic tool. Some days I'll have full entries, others maybe a simple word or two.
Let me start off by giving some background information about myself. I'm 24 years old (will be 25 in June). I'm a teacher and just recently moved out on my own. I'm really enjoying getting my house fixed up. In fact, just yesterday I went and bought some things to help me with the yard. I'm really excited for spring to get here. That way I can see everything in bloom. I'm an avid reader and devout Christian. Sometimes you'll get to see what I'm studying up on. In fact I just started a new book by Charles Swindoll, The Owner's Manual for Christians. I look forward to all the insights it has in it.
I often have so much to say at the end of the day, but no where to put it. So I've decided to start this blog as a a therapeutic tool. Some days I'll have full entries, others maybe a simple word or two.
Let me start off by giving some background information about myself. I'm 24 years old (will be 25 in June). I'm a teacher and just recently moved out on my own. I'm really enjoying getting my house fixed up. In fact, just yesterday I went and bought some things to help me with the yard. I'm really excited for spring to get here. That way I can see everything in bloom. I'm an avid reader and devout Christian. Sometimes you'll get to see what I'm studying up on. In fact I just started a new book by Charles Swindoll, The Owner's Manual for Christians. I look forward to all the insights it has in it.
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