Weird Spiritual Dream

So I have some pretty bizarre dreams, but this one ranks as pretty weird. I was doing street ministry in NYC. I met a homeless guy and was taking him to a van. Suddenly the homeless guy puts a gun to my back and threatens me. Somehow I get the gun and shoot him back. He starts dying. I kneel beside him and say, "It can't end like this. I was supposed to give you Jesus. I was supposed to tell you that Jesus changed me for the better." I'm not sure if he accepted it, but it got me thinking.

There are 2 explanations for this dream:

1) I watched Bourne Identity, went to church, heard Lister's mugging story and went to a Bible study. Perhaps this dream is just an amalgamation of all those things.

2) If you can learn anything from me it is that Jesus has changed my life. If you haven't gotten this impression from me yet then you are seriously getting ripped off. If you have gotten the impression that Jesus has only changed my ethics and values and put me into some urban-Amish commune, than I have sincerely ripped you off. I went from absolute worst, negative, deathly ill, pointlessness to fullness, life, purpose and destiny. As C.S. Lewis says, this [Christian life] is not teaching a horse to jump higher or run faster. This is teaching the horse to fly.

Building a Better Me

So I am no longer a youth director and I want to use the months of Summer to work on being a better person. I want to blog about it because it helps others see what is working inside me. Also by writing this publicly I can be held psuedo accountable.

1. I want to stop guarding my social self and start being more honest with who I am. That means letting God protect my character, image and heart, while I step out in interactions.

2. I want to give up on instantaneous pleasures (compulsive buying and feasting) so to build up more lasting things.

3. I want to be quiet before God more and see if he speaks.

4. I want to reinforce a healthy self image. One that is stable not based on how my friends see me.

5. I want to be more organized and focused

6. I want to strengthen my comic book/ writing creativity

7. I want to memorize the binary code for Facebook (not really, but I needed to end with lucky number 7)

Enough is enough

John 14:8
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
NIV


How much is enough? This question has plagued millionaires, hobbyists, and teenage boys since the dawn of currency. It is downright ironic to those that test that question because they will all come back with the same answer: "A little more is enough."

Enough is not a short term goal nor is it even a long term goal; enough is a state of present mind. Those that seek to fill up their tummy's with riches and wealth will find that it eventually evaporates and they will need more to get enough. I have bought myself everything and I have not found the state of enough. I don't have enough video games, I don't have enough music and I certainly don't have enough blessings from God.

Philip asks the same question from Jesus. "All I need is a view of God and I will have enough faith to believe forever." This was a man who traveled with Jesus and saw his great miracles. This was the same apostle who felt a confirmation of the spirit when Jesus spoke. Now he is standing in front of the living God asking for more.

The problem is we measure our hunger with quantity. We need the security of bigger and better in order to feel complete. Even spiritual experiences are measured in how much your brain releases serotonin. All the while Jesus is saying, "Philip, all you need is right here. Focus on me. I am enough." We tend to miss God's face if we stare too long at his hands.

Hebrews 6-13 (Faith)

Christianity is hard...that seems to be the resounding theme that scripture and life is telling me.

In Hebrews the greatest temptation was to go back to Judaism. It was a fallback religion for those who could not stand the heat in the kitchen. The writer condemns this (6:4-6). It is impossible to go back once you fall away.
My understanding comes from Houghton college, this verse was a warning against those that wanted to be saved by Judaism beliefs. The audience had tasted the salvation of Christ, but didn't want the death and agony that came with it so they went to Christianity's cousin, Judaism. The point stands that disowning Christ has consequences. It breaks God's heart when we leave for selfish reasons. This is not simple falling away, the term crucifying Christ all over again is considered apostasy. To crucify Christ again means to side with his enemies, declare him guilty in trial and sentence him to death. By siding with Judaism, the audience was sending Jesus the same message.

I've seen some authentic hatred for Christian believers, but nothing irritates me more than a pot shot at Jesus. In a way, I feel sorrow for those who pass him off as irrelevant. They may have Jesus preached to them on a daily basis, but their soul won't budge.

One of the greatest benefits of Christ's death and resurrection is that we can enter a relationship with God that only the Jewish high priest could officially enter once a year. We can get close enough for God to love us and we can return that love. This is the covenant that God had penned up since the beginning. The other rituals were shadows, mucked up by sin.

Therefore brothers since we have confidence to enter the most holy
Place by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way opened up to US
through the curtain, that is, his body. let US draw near to God With a sincere
heart in full assurance that of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse
us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with
pure water.
10: 10-22

Therefore, give yourself over to Christ. Do not shrink back and be destroyed, but believe and be saved (10:39). This is a call to be persistent in your beliefs.

Faith is powerful considering the hope and promises in Jesus Christ. It seems to be the fuel that makes the relationship with God work. The writer speaks of bold moves in faith through the Old Testament. Faith pleases God like Abel did, faith helps you listen to God's command to leave your land, faith let's you build an Ark when there is no rain, faith helps see the invisible God. Faith gets you through the hard times. Christianity is not a religion meant for strong willed souls, crazy lunatics, hermit shut-ins or heroes that love danger, but it is a world built on faith. This faith can turn any man into someone who sees God and acts in relationship with him. We may not have the miracles of the Old Testament, but we certainly can have the faith.

What can we learn from this?

The term that comes to mind is "buck up!" Christianity is hard, persecution sucks and no one likes discipline, BUT a life away from God's redemptive plan through Christ is far more terrible. That would mean you are denying the truth. Instead, we as believers should come boldly to Christ asking for help, rely on our brothers for encouragement and ask for heaping bowls of faith to get us through the hard times.

13: 11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. ¹²And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. ¹³Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. ¹⁴For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Hebrews

Hebrews

An unknown writer explains that the recently converted Jews should not abandon their Christianity in favor of Judaism. Even if Judaism was a legal religion at the time it does not change the truth in Christ.

Jesus was fully a man, but he was fully God's appointed son. He consisted of %100 human and God flesh. We're not talking Two Face; we're talking both at the same time. The author is battling two fronts in this letter 1) that Jewish beliefs are enough for salvation and 2) that persecution is too hard to keep a faith going.

1) Hebrews 2:9 (New International Version) 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

2) Hebrews 3 1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version) 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness

Hebrews has two ways to avoid the temptation of falling away. 1) Think about Jesus and his sufferings. He went through everything first. He was tempted and perfected in his suffering. Jesus had to face every single pain a Christian must face and therefore we should come to him knowing he can handle anything.

2) Go to your brothers to be part of the community of encouragement.

Hebrews 4:2 (New International Version) 2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.[a]

Nothing is concrete to the five senses. For every visible, testable conclusion there is a doubt waiting. Not because God's truth is not truthy enough, but because of sin and its habit of making things mirky. In the end, its the strength of our faith that truly tells us to hold on.

The author argues that because of the Hebrew's decision to fall away they won't be recieving the rest, which is a metaphor for the promised prize at the end of life. Similar to that is the Old Testament rebellion of the stagnate generation that complained in the wilderness. I think we fall into the same folly when we believe that a certain president will make everything better or a system of thinking like Going Green will help everything. That is not the goal. Only Christ is the goal for us sinners.

The writer urges his audience to trust in scripture which is sharper than a two edged sword, able to cut through the crap of deception and reveal the heart and attitude of a person. This audience had total fear of commitment and we're using the option to run back to Judaism as an excuse. Scripture had chewed them out and revealed this nasty lie.

4:13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Finally, the lack of commitment from the Hebrews caused them to be weak at their faith. The writer calls them on it and says that they were still on the Baby Formula of scripture and couldn't even handle Solid Food. A Christian must always train up in their relationship with God. You can't stay in the same place with God, just like you can't stay in the Honeymoon forever with your wife. You need to grow and get wise in your relationship.
Stay tuned for more.

Philemon and Hebrews

Philemon is a short letter concerning Paul's love for a slave and their spiritual relationship. Only one verse stuck out in my reading.

Philemon 1:6 "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

I wonder what the full breadth of this verse means. Does that mean sharing our faith reminds us of how good we have it in Christ? Or does it mean that you can't have the full enjoyment of a relationship with God without sharing your faith? One thing is certain, God won't let a Christian leave this Earth without being a witness of who he is. The light of Christ must shine and the salt of his word must be in our actions or we are only using half of him.

I don't usually associate sharing my faith with others as a joy. It's definately something God enjoys and if people listen than they enjoy it, but I am the one who has to get nervous and wonder if I will be accepted. Maybe I am missing a point.

Titus: Become what you are

Max Lucado once described the most obedient Christian as the one who were most joyful about their forgiveness. Titus picks up on that theme and gets to its epicenter in chapter 3.

3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

The emphasis is stressing our rebirth and renewal as motivation to being and doing good. I have heard many things about being good including: "it's okay to be bad because Jesus forgives us anyway" or "the ten commandments are just a discouragement so that we need Jesus." While those aspects might be true on a Roman's Road level, it does not help the Christian who had been following God his whole life. No, instead, Paul argues that the crux of our piety, love and sacrifice comes from what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit did to get us there.

I rarely think in those terms. When I am good it is either by accident, by convenience or I just feel guilted into doing a good deed. But Paul says that there is power in our transformation and that should motivate us to do good.

The word self-control pops up a lot in Paul's letter. There are many kinds of self control including: purity, eating, alcohol, temper, ownership and spiritual discipline. From the context and history we can gather that Paul was opposed to how the church was treating its body.

2:3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Pagan life had no boundaries. It was perfectly normal to engage in orgies, drunken parties and soirees. Imagine being around that lifestyle where you lived. Thus the children of the church needed to be reminded that lifestyle was not appropriate.

All my non-Christian friends think I am crazy and severely limited for the godly choices I have made (purity, self-control, belief). It bugs me sometimes that I might be viewed as a tight wad. It would be so easy to drop my beliefs and join them. Fortunately, truth shines through the gray clouds of peer pressure. It's a struggle to follow a path endorsed by an invisible God, while living amongst the loud masses.

Like most Christian areas there were arguments over how Christianity's doctrine should be understood. A certain group of circumcisers were hassling the church. They were hellbent on the Christians following the law.

3:9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Religious argument has frustrated the church's influence on the world for ages. We have been bombarded with psychology, ancient philosophies, new age ideas, sensate opinions and modern science. The Bible does not require that anyone become a science major to dispute these things, but it does ask us to represent sound doctrine (the Bible).

1:9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Finally, not everyone is going to follow what we believe. If you find yourself having circular arguments with someone then you should just leave them be. Instead, show the example of Christ in your actions and be good.

7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

2nd Timmy Themes

Warnings of Heresy: No surprise, almost every church that Paul visits is infested with some religious group teaching with a different agenda for Christianity. The weight of a heretic had a direct attack against the congregation and put them in danger. The way the heretics hooked the congregation was through stories and tales.

2:16 Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Guard against Heresy: Paul encourages Timmy to play good defense against persecution and heresy.

2:1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others

Persecution: Paul is currently in chains when he writes this and his outcome is bleak. But in the face of persecution Timmy is told to keep going. In the metaphor of the runner, a Roman runner had to train for 10 months before he would be qualified to be in the race. Paul considers the "10 months" as our suffering and training for the faith. It's what qualifies us.

2:5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

2:9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.

Persecution and Gifts: Despite persecution, Timmy is encouraged to use his gift of preaching the truth to his congregation.

1:8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,

Persecution and endurance: Many fell away from the faith because of the fear of persecution. Paul reminds that God supplies us with power, love and self-discipline.

1:7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2:3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4:5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Confidence: Paul is sure that his carrying of the Gospel of truth will help him receive the reward of faith.

4:8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

1:12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Worldly Distractions: We are to treat our faith as a full time occupation, not getting caught in a side project of the world. The Roman soldiers treated every task as if it was the most important.

2:4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

Faithful: Christ is the bigger person when it comes to handling faith. In times where we are faltering and heading toward empty on our belief, he makes a promise to remain faithful. It's his very nature and being.

4:17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.

2:13if we are faithless,

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

Desire for virtue: Timmy is not just to play defense, but he is also to advance in the virtues of a godly life.

2:22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Teaching virtues: Timmy's main job was preaching the truth to his congregation and he was instructed to do it well. Within the atmosphere of spiritual idiocy, Timmy was instructed to be gentle to remove it. Timothy was also to be prepared to preach

2:24 ...instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

4:2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Danger to Come: persecution will always be against godliness and Paul wants to assure the church that this is part of a Christian's life in a sinful world. Sin was the biggest persecution to holiness.

3:1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

3:12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Importance of scripture: In the face of lukewarm claims in doctrine, scripture should be trusted as the only way to truth. Paul urges this to Tim. Not only does the Bible fend off the false lies, but it also equips Christians to do more.

3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Sacrifice: Paul speaks as if he is giving up his life for the cause of Christ. Perhaps this was his last letter before he was martyred for Jesus in the Roman prison.

4:6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.

Loneliness: Paul was alone in prison and barely anyone had visited him. Now that he was on deathrow he wanted some Christian fellowship. Christians need each other; no man is an island.

4:9Do your best to come to me quickly,

1st Timothy OR Playing Good Defense

Timothy was Paul's understudy in the Gospel. in these letters Paul tells Timothy how to handle some of the current issues in his church.

1st Tim Chapter 1-- Supposedly, there were false teachers that were preaching that the resurrection of the dead had already happened. This caused many weak believers chaos and uncertainty. Paul aims to set things right by commanding Timothy to nip it in the bud. This included going to the false prophets who were telling crazy stories and telling them to knock it off.

In today's American culture we don't have anything as radical as prophets telling us that the end has already come, but we do have another false allegation: God is a nice god. People want to focus on God as a loving old man with enough sympathy to let our misbehavings slide as long as we don't kill anyone or do drugs. Let's not even mention the fact that God has to be a judge of our conduct and that our conduct has consequences.

The false teachers of Paul's time used to quote the law a lot to back up their beliefs. Paul has a different interpretation: 

8We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9We also know that law[a] is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers.⁰for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

Point and case, Paul says the law is not a road anyone can travel to get to God's good side, rather it is a babysitter that helps us see that we have no chance.  Paul's testimony is proof of this.

 ¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.'

A little lesson in humility, if the most pious and devoted Christian you know says he is the worst sinner ever, you better rethink your own pride.  This is the verse I use to explain to people that no one can go before God without a saviour.  

¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Paul is most known for his major faith in the hyper characteristics of God.  God has unlimited patience.  Its almost to say that God withstood Paul's worst sins and got the better of him in the end.   This answers the question: can I out sin my way out of salvation?  NO! '

¹⁹holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 

According to my commentary book, a good conscience refers to the collective doctrine of the church regarding Christian beliefs.  The church had a foundation of knowledge in the Lord Jesus and any deviation from it was not Christianity.  The false prophets were deviating from the church's foundation and getting suckers every minute.

I particularly like the idea that we have a foundation of beliefs and that we are not just making it up as we go along.  I feel that anyone with confidence and good skills could say anything about the Bible and people would listen.  This foundation that we have through the gospels is a test to see what is real and what is fake.

Chapter 2

 ¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

I like this verse because it is very passive and calm.  I often overlook prayer and quietness in my Christianity because it seems that the loud and bold Christians are the ones that get things done.  This is in favor of a quiet life (one that is not drawing attention to yourself) and one that supports everything in prayer.  Paul also sets the example of how we should treat government.  We should be in continual prayer that the people in government have God's will--not bad mouthing them all the time.

Chapter 2 gives a list of attitudes a church member should take:

Prays for society

Peaceful and quiet

Godly and holy

No anger disputes

proper attire for ladies

non-rich attitude

no inexperienced women taking charge

¹¹A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹²I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

If I ever tried to preach these words in my liberal arts college of Houghton, I would be shot down by a female from the women's dorm.  These words above are what keep some people from accepting Christianity because they think God is sexist.

Let me explain what I have learned.  Imagine you are part of a radical movement that preaches that everyone is free in Christ.  As this movement spreads throughout the towns and villages the followers start reacting radically.  Men start to quit their jobs, children start to disown their family, slaves start hating their masters and women start divorcing their husbands.  What is worse, everyone and their mother wants to start preaching the good news.  The problem, we have all this radical zeal and no knowledge.  Such was the case with women in these times.  They were targeted by the false prophets and easily suckered into their words.  Furthermore, they were taking the freedom of Christ too radically and making many unwise mistakes.  Paul revoked this church's rights to have women in teaching positions because none of them were qualified and women's education was a joke at this time.  Presently, we have two schools of thought on this verse.  One school of thought says that Paul wants all churches of all time to not have female leaders.  Another school of thought says he only meant this particular church at this particular time.  From my personal perspective, if I learn something godly from a female teacher, I cherish it and thank God.

Other notable verses: ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Chapter 3

God's expectations for his church officials include:

Non-adulterous

blameless

temperate

gentle

good family skills

experienced in the faith

friendly to outsiders

non corruptible

patient

non-confusable

Verse 7 dispels any rumors that Christians are supposed to live in a separate bubble from the world.  We are called to have a good reputation with outsiders.  That means getting into the world around us.

Both chapter 2 and 3 talk about the conduct of Christians.  Paul continually calls us to be holy and blameless.  Sounds like a huge demand for such a grace filled faith.  But we are expected to treat this world as if it could be a better place and it starts with how we act.

Chapter 4

³They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

The false prophets were notorious for telling Christians what they can't do or what they can't eat.  They lived by a rigid law.  Paul got uber angry whenever someone tried to do this because his belief was that these things were gifts from God for us to enjoy. 

¹²Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

According to my commentary Timothy was 30 when this was written for him.  You're never too young or too old to be an example.

Chapter 6 

(Chapter 5 is all about taking care of widows which is important, but I need to stick to my main points.)

⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain.

My biggest problem is trying to convince myself that I own enough stuff.  So far I am batting a zero.  I work for a resident who constantly moves his bedroom furniture around because he is bored.  I kind of feel that our constant pursuit of getting stuff is like that.

Paul urges the church to not be like the false prophets who were preaching for money, but to rely on the inner virtues of contentment and godliness.  

⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Riches can be evil if they are the goal of your life.  Anything can be evil if it becomes your goal and God loses his goal in you.  Instead, God wants our hope in him for everything.

17 {hope} in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Finally the chapter ends with Paul encouraging Timothy to guard his church from the false prophets.

 ²⁰Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

 

5 Qualities of God that I have Overlooked

Honest-

Titus 1:2: “[I]n hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised

I find tons of excuses to lie: They might get angry at me, I didn't want to hurt them, I didn't want to get in trouble and it's too insignificant to hurt anyone. God does not use any excuse because he does not lie. No matter what the cost, God will always be straight with you. The problem is that so many people have found that honesty VERY UNWELCOME.  And yet, God still loves us enough to tear the band-aids of truth off the hairy leg of deception. Jesus knew this admitted that his honesty would cause wars and divisions. I used to struggle with God because I never understood that my sin was fighting his truth.  He still spoke even though I fought back.  I rejoice in the fact that God loves me enough to share reality with me. Now I just have to find out how to take it.

Enduring

Ps 145:8
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and rich in love.

Hands down, we all agree that God puts up with a lot of our crap on a world scale. The most amazing part of this is that God is more than ready to walk the journey. You can doubt him, fail him and kick him and have a total God tantrum and he still will beckon you. It's only when you practice the art of ignoring his presence will he honor your decision and let you go (God forbid!). Many people put God in the judgement seat and give him the role of beating your sins out of you. Very rarily do we consider that God's will is to clean you up and build you up. The life of Jesus is testimony to this. He is slow to anger, which means that God doesn't have the agenda to destroy anyone who hiccups out of place. His joy is to endure us, clean us and rebuild us to our original mint condition and purpose.

Holy

Rom 3:22-23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NIV,

1 John 3:66 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. NIV

I absolutely hate trying to explain to people that we have failed God and have EARNED his righteous punishment. It sounds so manipulative to talk about punishment. Children need punishment--not normal humans. Talking about sin is the ultimate rain on the parade of life. On the other hand, God views a million humans making choices that don't represent his intentions on a grand scale. God has given us a beautiful piece of art as a gift and we only saw it as toilet paper. We often reject the notion that sin should be punished. Really? What would you do if the entire population choose the polar opposite of your government in every facet? Thanks be to God that he endured and gave us a redemption through Jesus so punishment doesn't have to be an option.

 Immutable

Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”

Day 63 billion of God's intentions will be the same as Day One. The foundations at the Earth's infacy will be the same as the Earth's old age. This is a very true quality for a society that changes its ideas every generation. We cannot survive on a shifting reality--it's impossible  I have a lot of trouble with this because it seems that society has one thought process and God has another. Society has always been louder (not to mention society promises not to be your friend anymore if you believe different). One day I know that I will look at God's immutable nature and see the total logic of it all.

 Friendly

Zeph 3:17 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." NIV

We hear many verses on rejoicing in God, but rarely do we hear about him returning it. It always seems like a shock to me that God might be smiling, in a good mood or excited to spend time with me. Perhaps we see God as that super conservative who lives for perfection, works all the time and yells at CNN when it disagrees with him. I'm slowly trying to get it in my head that my bad moods don't necessarily dictate what mood God is in (he is immutable after all). God may hate sin, but he loves his creation and love and joy walk hand in hand. To quote my favorite devotionalist, A.W. Tozer, "When we lift our inward eyes to gaze upon God we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us, for it is written that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earthy."

1st Thessalonians part 2

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (New International Version)

⁷Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

Following the theme of 1st Thessalonians' encouragment theme, Paul tells his audience that Timothy's report gave his faith a boost. This is more than misery loves company. It's more like misery loves inspiration. God has built us in such a wonderful way that we will reenergize completely (no matter how bleak things look) when we receive a sign of encouragement. More so, our goals and strategies change when we see an example of selflessness or piety that we want to copy. The church was encouraged by Paul and imitated him, while Paul was encouraged by the church. This gives strength to how much we need each other.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (New International Version)

¹³May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

The church needed most of its encouragement in the area of how it conducted itself. Judging from the letter, the church needed a reminder on appropriate sexual conduct. Paul tells the church to be Holy and Blameless, literally set apart and irreproachable. To be a Christian means to be an ant colony surviving the waves of persecution and the scrutiny of onlookers. We don't follow hard after God because of fear of getting judged by others, but because we know that a true relationship with God is measured in how much we love his conduct. You can't truly love someone and never listen to them. In our new mission we are to imitate Christ who provided a lifestyle of freedom and true life.

1 Thessalonians 4:5

"Not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God."

The pagans that resided near the church of Thessalonica had a much different lifestyle than the Christians. They had no problem with adultery and giving into the feelings of lust. One thing a Christian understands when he is under God's regime is that letting loose your hormonal tendencies is a trap. This is a big conflict in a culture that likes to pick and choose its own limits and boundaries. Our culture has muddied the line between true love and emotional chemical releases (myself included). I think that sex and love have very different agendas. Love is the act of building up, acting out, committing and following through. You must make a conscious effort to love someone. Sex is all about giving up, surrendering and giving into. You release your value into someone. Don't get me wrong: sex is the final "thank you" to God for the wonderful gift he has given in a partner, but I think that our culture is ready to give up and surrender too easily with very little built up and committed. That is why Christians have chosen marriage as the great boundary line--its the absolute highest commitment someone can give.

^{1st Thessalonians 5:7-8}

⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Paul talks about sleep in two ways. Sleep means a temporary leave from this Earth until the day Christ comes back and resurrects the world. Sleep also means the state of a believer who has given up on his faith. In both ways it refers to death. Like a lightbulb that has faded out; it is useless to everyone. How did the believers fall asleep? According to the context they slowly slipped into a coma from giving into sensual desires. We are not darkness, a time of motionless sleep, deterioration and ultimate stasis, but we are the day, a realm of clarity, action, energy, vision and life. I love this metaphor because it draws a line between those who follow God and those who don't. Christianity is not just a lifestyle in a sea of millions. It is, in fact, the only life that is the polar opposite of death.

l Thessalonians Part one

First Thessalonians is the anthem to hardwork and inspirational posters. Paul addresses his church to keep on keeping on in the face of persecution.

1st Thes 1:12

Work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ

Paul credits the church for using these three qualities. Thessalonica had shown their faith by working hard. They were inspired to work because they had a true compassion in their labor. They were able to endure suffering because of they believed in the end of their goal. These three qualities are what a human needs to truly enjoy their career. If you believe in your work, care about your work, and have a goal; you truly have a career worth keeping. The spreading of the Gospel produces these three attributes. True faith in God's mission prompts one to work, true love overrides the pain of long monotonous labor, and one cannot endure any goal without knowing that the end justifies the means. Jesus' promise to restore the world to his followers helped Thessalonica to be a church that could work on the goal.

"Gospel came with power, with the Holy Spirit, with conviction."

Paul talks about how his presentation of the saving power of Jesus was not just a sales pitch, but was something that the Holy Spirit had worked through. The New Testament shows a theme of the Holy Spirit intervening whenever the apostles evangelized. This goes to show that the race is not won by the fastest, smartest, most logical, but to the faithful. All in all, it's God's power that works through the heart. This is a Gospel of conviction, which means that those that cling to Christ are truly in it to the end, won over to make this a lifestyle.

"Imitation despite severe suffering"

In return of Paul's missionary services, the church of Thessalonica imitated Paul's qualities and convictions. The only problem was that this came with persecution from the enemies of Christianity. Paul is impressed that they continued this action even when the going got tough. Christians fall easily when they surround themselves with pleasure and suddenly destruction comes and they don't know how to deal with it. I met a girl who worked on an island with me. In the beginning of her career, she and God were best friends, but after the long winter of loneliness she replied, "God just doesn't work for me." Endurance and suffering acts as a litmus test to see who is in it till the end and who was just in it because it was convenient. I often wonder what keeps me from giving up and hanging the towel up. Somedays Christianity seems like the worst lifestyle in the universe. My only helpful hint to my audience is beg God to make it right when the times are getting tough. But perhaps for this reason that is why Paul is writing this letter. No church is an island; we are all connected together. We need each other to keep strong in the faith. Without our loving brothers and sisters encouraging us, we are only recieving half of God's love.
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We need each other to keep strong in the faith. Without our loving brothers and sisters encouraging us, we are only receiving half of God's love.
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Bible Tidbits

Gen 50:20-21
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
NIV

Joseph is an inspiration for the abused. At his early age he was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. Then he was accused of a rape he didn't commit and put into prison. His only hope was a cup bearer's testimony to the king. The cup bearer promised to clear Joseph's name, but he forgot for two years and Joseph was all but hopeless. Then he became 2nd in command for Pharaoh and helped him get through a mighty famine in Egypt. His brothers came back to him looking for food due to the famine. Joseph had a chance to burn them for their mistreatment. While, he did deceive them of his kingly identity and tried to convince them they were guilty of robbing Pharaoh, his reasons were merely to be closer to Benjamin, his youngest brother. At the very end of Genesis, the brothers plead at Joseph's feet for mercy, knowing that Joseph could punish them severely. Instead, Joseph kindly explains that God was in charge of Joseph's fate the whole time and it was truly for a greater purpose. This begs the question: can anyone really do significant damage to us? Sure, people hurt us all the time with their mouths and actions, but will their actions ever be a permanent scar in our lives? If you ask Joseph he would say, "world throw your worst at me, God can take anything and use it for a better me." Truly, putting God at your side changes your attitude on life.

Ex 2:16-20
16 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.

18 When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?"

19 They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock."

20 "And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat."
NIV

Moses has a shaky beginning in his ministry, but one thing he does really well is stick up for smaller people. Maybe it was that small attitude that left God to choose him for the freeing of Israel's people. If Moses hadn't bothered to look out for those shepherd girls he would have never gotten the favor of Reuel. When he stayed at Reuel's house he got a wife and a mission from God. I learned that the good deeds we do have potential to open doors for us. I'm not saying we should do good to get good, but I am saying that a life where you show care and compassion on others is beneficial. Moses continued his compassion on people and God had made him a great leader, a great revolutionary and the only man to see the back of God's head. Our choices have consequences.

Moses is also an example of being in a long list of godly servants that were not right in the head when they started their mission. When God asked Moses to confront Pharaoh about Israel's slavery, Moses said this:

Ex 4:10
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
NIV

Ex 4:13

13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
NIV

Moses was afraid of this mission and you can't blame him. He had to face off against the leader of the Egyptians. It wasn't until God introduced himself as I AM, told Moses about every step of the plan, gave Moses some miraculous tools, reassured Moses and let Moses take his brother along that Moses finally agreed. We often assume that God and people think very little of those that have fear. God has a history of guiding them every step of the way and reassuring them that everything is fine. God is very faithful in this work.

Point/Counter-Point: The Only Way To Evangelize

Pro: I have studied the scriptures about evangelism and have decided that the only way to do it is through a method I like to call "Audio Pamphlet" (AP). This way involves sitting all your unsaved friends down and giving them the importance of knowing Jesus Christ as soon as you get the moment. Most of the time we like to waste time through waiting for opportunities, using tidbits of conversational information, inviting others to church functions and focusing on peer-to-peer relationship building. This wastes time (something we don't know if we have) and just beats around the bush. Jesus was not afraid of knocking Nicodemus, the woman at the well and the travelers on the road to Emasus off guard to present how important he is. He didn't worry about the "right time" or the "right place" or even the "developmental stages" of his followers. He shoots first and asks questions later. Once Jesus' followers knew what was important than Jesus had all the time in the world to work on discipleship. We should not be worrying about social etiquette or the price of being offensive, but instead plan to help our neighbors know what relationship they should have. That kind of sacrifice is true love. Can we really waste time beating around the bush?*

Col 4:6
6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Con:... Counter-Point:
I agree, in a way, in your decision to not waste time with evangelizing to "unsaved friends". I agree that people you know should be aware that you are a Christian.

But there is a deeper meaning to evangelism than a lot of people may think. It's a heavy burden, evangelizing, but it's also a gift.

It is obvious that evangelism is a necessary component if you want to call yourself Christian. I mean, if you know Christ, he told us to "Follow me and I will make you fisher's of men" (Matthew 4:19).

So, 1st of all, it seems to me that evangelism is a very opinion-based topic (thus the point/counter-point relevance). 2nd, it's a hinging point in a lot of people's lives when they are introduced to the truth of God and what it is to be a Christian. This hinging point can cause disaster, or enlightenment -- disastrous examples: you reject the fact that you preferably need to get to know the person in order to earn a spiritual respect of that person (if they do not "know" you, the majority of the time that person will think you are a cultist or a nut -- they may not say it out loud!), you slam your beliefs on the table b/c you are "on fire for Jesus" and that person is scared to death (they may not say it out loud!), you annoy the person to the point of no return and that person will shut you out. Throwing your "soul-saving" information at them usually results in a destruction of the relationship (in my opinion). The argument is that Life Ninja says we shouldn't worry about the destruction of that relationship. He believes that we should leave it up to God.

But, where do we draw the line where we "assume divine intervention" in relationships VS. "God helps those who help themselves"?

Why would I ignore the characteristics of Jesus? What is the other option? I will tell you...

The Bible is a contextual book, that is NOT supposed to be looked at as a novel written by God to you. This book has been translated numerous times, through many spiritual ages, and has been passed down to us. The original text was written to the people in the Middle East at that time. To ignore these facts would be idiotic. BUT, the Bible was written as a piece of evangelism. Simply put...we were not there in the time of Jesus. In order to trust scripture, you literally have to have faith in it. You can say all the things possible to prove that the Bible is all true, but that would be defeating the point in having faith in God. People will still doubt the existence of God and the history of Christianity! You already have that against you.

Lifeninja says:

"Jesus was not afraid of knocking Nicodemus, the woman at the well and the travelers on the road to Emasus off guard to present how important he is. He didn't worry about the "right time" or the "right place" or even the "developmental stages" of his followers."

Jesus was at a maturity that we all strive to become. Is anyone on this earth at the spiritual maturity level of Christ? I highly doubt it. Is it possible? Of course (read my post titled "Philippians 1-4" -- skip to the part about Jesus becoming nothing). I'm not saying that we have to be at the maturity level of Christ to evangelize, but I am saying that we aren't God -- God knows exactly what to say -- and not everyone will need to hear the same thing by the same person. There are ways to getting through to people that don't make you look like a con artist. So, I'm not necessarily ignoring Jesus' characteristics, but I am saying that we are not God.

I believe that there is a reason for knowing the human psyche. We are reasoning creatures that are complex and yet simple. We know that some people are stubborn, some people were raped when they were young, some people are surrounded by atheists, some people are happy with condemning Christians, ect. These are not habits that we should ignore. These are problems that, if taken lightly, can lead to a destruction of the relationship. The ultimate reason for evangelism is expressing a Christ-like love to others. If we chose ignorance to achieve that goal, are we really doing the right thing? I don't believe in "the end justifies the means". It's hypocritical to sacrifice wisdom to gain enlightenment (Jesus was strong, but also gentle).

Conclusion
This is such a broad topic with so much controversy surrounding it. So if we aren't sitting people down in a group and evangelizing, what are we doing? We are beacons of God's word, a reflection of Jesus, in a period of time where psychology is apart of our awareness and people are even more messed up. We defend the truth, we gain the respect of others, we love others, we set the example. We become "nothing", a servant to God and others. We love people by creating a relationship and becoming their "brother/sister".

You can see the simplicity of Life Ninja's post and the complexity of mine -- showing you an obvious difference between the two forms of evangelism with the same agenda. This is my opinion in which I have found success. But God calls us all to behave in different ways, because we all bring something to the table. That is the beauty of diversity and equilibrium of God's creation. Pray to God for the right answer and He will lead you. But, one thing Life Ninja and I both believe: to do nothing at all, would not be love. God wants us to take action.

* I am taking this extreme stance because I have learned that being your own devil's advocate helps with the struggle for truth. If anything, I have been a user of the counter-point method.

The Shack Review

I had to read this book after the media water cooler was all abuzz on it. I am always rejoicing when Christian entertainment gets the attention of the world (or at least Wegmans). When I first learned that the three main characters were God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I immediately exclaimed, "this guy has got courage."

Seriously, C.S. Lewis turned down an idea to write about angels because he said they were so pure and righteous that he would just screw it up, but William P. Young goes right ahead with fictionizing the God head 3-in-1, putting them in his story.

After reading it I came up with these insights about the book. Not all of them are theological because this book is not supposed to be a sermon or a commentary on scripture.

0. The book is coated in a lovey-dovey atmosphere from the trinity. God is portrayed as an African American woman named Papa (purposely for the sake of shock appeal to the main character). The Holy Spirit is an Asian girl, while Jesus is just a fun loving Jewish man. Throughout the book the trinity is bubbling over with hugs, kisses, encouragements and high fives toward the main character. They can't get enough of him. This was Young's way of portraying God as someone who seeks people and wants to spend time with them.

1. Young writes about Jesus in a similar style that many devotionalists write about--Jesus as mystery. It seems like Young tries to nail the point that Jesus is so counter to what the church thinks that we would never even recognize him. This goes along the same lines of books like, The Jesus I Never Knew, The Radical Jesus, The Jesus Revolution. How many times can we write: Jesus is so out there, but guess what, I found out who he was and wrote about it." It seems like the Jesus in Young's story expected everyone to join a forest community and live off of righteous communism. I prefer the Max Lucado way of revealing the Lord, "Jesus is revolutionary, but here's how he fits into your everyday life."

2. The book is about the suffering of a guy named Mackenzie, who lost his daughter to a murderer. The author confronts his pain with a visit to the trinity in a beautiful paradise. Mac gets to go to Heaven, gets enchanted visions and speaks to God face to face, while they answer every one of his questions. If only it were that quick to heal. Young doesn't disgrace people who suffer, rather he wanted to show his children what he thought God was like.

Overall: I liked the boldness of this book and the statements that were made had a refreshing look. Young's Heaven and trinity is a side of spirituality that we all wish for, but always settle for less in our spiritual lives. We forget that God lavishes us in constant love. This book can sound like a long sermon, but it never gets dry or boring. While its not supposed to be based on any non-fiction, Young makes a great (and therapeutic) book for those who are hurting or just bored.

Thoughts on Ephesians

I've noticed a few themes with Ephesians

God's excited love for our salvation. God is not a disinterested savior and he's not just some plain old lover, but he is an excited lover.

5he^[a] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Eph 1:5)

The word I want to dwell on is pleasure. Even though this book is filled with tons of exciting words, pleasure seems to be a unique one. I liked that God enjoyed making me for salvation. It wasn't something he HAD to do, it wasn't something he did because it was logical, but it was a mission of contentment.

Probably one of the most ill conceived messages of God is that he is a person who HAS to save you and does it with gritted teeth. He gives you a Clint Eastwood look and says, "Do it before I change my mind." Nope, God is more like that excited fifth grader who knows there is a present waiting when he gets home from school. He couldn't even wait to choose us until the world was created; he had to do it before. (Eph 1:4).

GIFTS

Another great theme in Ephesians is LAVISH. Paul can't get enough of speaking about the glorious riches of being in God. He speaks in great detail about getting endless amounts of wisdom, grace, holiness, love, peace and other riches. Paul is clearly contrasting the riches of the triune God with his greatest competitor Artemis. But Paul's argument seems to go on about how a life with Jesus is a constant blessing and a lavishing of gifts. Imagine taking a dry chicken McNugget and drenching it in ketchup; that is lavish.

God is Far Out
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Another great theme is the scope of which God and Jesus have control. His ability to take care of us goes past our very minds. It is impossible to conceive what God can do. I've always hounded on God for making Heaven look like a boring bunch of clouds and pearls, but I think there is tons more than I can fathom. He is the God that blows your mind.

22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

This is one of my most favorite verses in Ephesians because it speaks of a God who has authority over everything. God owns your brain, God owns your enemies and God owns your problems. Not only does he own them, but they are actually under his feet. Accessing God in your life is like using a fire hose to kill a fly. It might be overkill, but it works.