Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Bible is screaming, "LCG!!"
Hey Downpour,
I was reading Ecclesiastes this morning and I came across this passage, which screamed out "LCG!!" to me.
Hope all your LCG times have been consistent and effective, filled with prayer and true accountability. I pray no one in our life group will be left without a brother or sister to pick him/her up.
The Holy Spirit seems to be laying similar convictions in the hearts of churches all over the world!
http://buildingchurchleaders.com/articles/2009/microchurch.html
I was reading Ecclesiastes this morning and I came across this passage, which screamed out "LCG!!" to me.
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Hope all your LCG times have been consistent and effective, filled with prayer and true accountability. I pray no one in our life group will be left without a brother or sister to pick him/her up.
The Holy Spirit seems to be laying similar convictions in the hearts of churches all over the world!
http://buildingchurchleaders.com/articles/2009/microchurch.html
Saturday, January 24, 2009
With still a week of fasting left, I better make full use of this opportunity to really show God my desperation and by His grace receive his blessings.
Commitments:
I commit to a week's time or self-denial... just fruits and vegetables and then a juice fast for the last 2 days. Everyday, I will go to FCC after class to persevere in praying and build my spiritual muscles. I commit to knowing God's own heart more.
Goals: To build up my prayer life and also hope that God'll continue to shed light on the areas in my life (like the walls due to my sinfulness i talked about during retreat) that He wants me to work on. (Praise God some things are already surfacing. Like one area is my interaction with people, that I'm not loving enough... and another is how God keeps bringing back the people I intended on reaching out to previously but did not follow through and that He wants to me DO SOMETHING!)
This is like my spiritual detox.
:]
- Angela -
Commitments:
I commit to a week's time or self-denial... just fruits and vegetables and then a juice fast for the last 2 days. Everyday, I will go to FCC after class to persevere in praying and build my spiritual muscles. I commit to knowing God's own heart more.
Goals: To build up my prayer life and also hope that God'll continue to shed light on the areas in my life (like the walls due to my sinfulness i talked about during retreat) that He wants me to work on. (Praise God some things are already surfacing. Like one area is my interaction with people, that I'm not loving enough... and another is how God keeps bringing back the people I intended on reaching out to previously but did not follow through and that He wants to me DO SOMETHING!)
This is like my spiritual detox.
:]
- Angela -
Human/Sex Trafficking Videos
Hey Downpour,
In light of Call+Response, here are some videos regarding this issue of human/sex trafficking in the world and right here in the United States.
This is collection of videos about human trafficking in general:
This is a video about sex trafficking in the United States:
More information can be found at: http://humantrafficking.change.org/
In light of Call+Response, here are some videos regarding this issue of human/sex trafficking in the world and right here in the United States.
This is collection of videos about human trafficking in general:
This is a video about sex trafficking in the United States:
More information can be found at: http://humantrafficking.change.org/
Friday, January 23, 2009
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
Commitments:
1. I can not eat meat, bread, or dairy, but still stuff my face with fruits, veggies, and legumes (or even look for loopholes). I know this is not the fast God desires. I'm committing to eating only fruits and veggies (no tubers or legumes) this Sunday-Wednesday and only water Thursday-Saturday.
2. During this time, I don't want to drag my feet around or just sleep the whole time. I commit to prayer in the mornings and whenever I'm hungry or sleepy during the day.
Goals:
1. My brother's birthday is tomorrow. He'll be turning 24. Praise God that my brother came to know Christ at an early time in his life and that he is living out the calling God has given him (teaching). I'm praying that God will provide for him a strong community of Christ-followers (mentors, peers, mentees).
2. Learn how to really cry out and persevere in prayer. I don't want to fall into mindless routine and to just go through the motions.
3. Learn to keep my eyes on God and wholeheartedly trust him with my future as I stay faithful to what he has already given me. I know I'll start to see my calling more clearly.
4. To experience the joy of being used by God in LCG, life group, ministry teams, men's ministry, classrooms, family, friends, roommates, strangers, future workplace, and in any other context.
Please pray for me in these areas!
1. I can not eat meat, bread, or dairy, but still stuff my face with fruits, veggies, and legumes (or even look for loopholes). I know this is not the fast God desires. I'm committing to eating only fruits and veggies (no tubers or legumes) this Sunday-Wednesday and only water Thursday-Saturday.
2. During this time, I don't want to drag my feet around or just sleep the whole time. I commit to prayer in the mornings and whenever I'm hungry or sleepy during the day.
Goals:
1. My brother's birthday is tomorrow. He'll be turning 24. Praise God that my brother came to know Christ at an early time in his life and that he is living out the calling God has given him (teaching). I'm praying that God will provide for him a strong community of Christ-followers (mentors, peers, mentees).
2. Learn how to really cry out and persevere in prayer. I don't want to fall into mindless routine and to just go through the motions.
3. Learn to keep my eyes on God and wholeheartedly trust him with my future as I stay faithful to what he has already given me. I know I'll start to see my calling more clearly.
4. To experience the joy of being used by God in LCG, life group, ministry teams, men's ministry, classrooms, family, friends, roommates, strangers, future workplace, and in any other context.
Please pray for me in these areas!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
fast or slow ?
hello everyone ! i wanted to REVIVEEEE and bring LIFE back to our blog =D
i want to use this blog to continue our spiritual growth together. i know that not everyone is fasting with the church, but i still believe that we are still taking other steps to grow our walk with God. i want to use this blog during the next 2 weeks to document our fasting and/or growth journey. it wont be like the winter vacay where each person was assigned and "coerced" more or less into blogging, but more of a free flowing exchange of ideas, thoughts, and prayers.
what i do ask is that you mention these two things:
1. your commitments while you fast
2. your goals for fasting
you can see what i mean by my example. and then there on after it's more of a update on your commitments/goals/praises.
commitments:
1. not watching tv or listening to secular music, so that i wont be influenced by worldly things during this time.
2. praying every single day for my family and certain people that i know God needs to work in.
goals:
1. for God to reveal to me my next step in my calling; i would like to even see a glimpse of how God will use my personal calling of teaching to expand his kingdom
2. greater spiritual power in my ministry esp. in the area of intercession
3. humility in my family members and deeper intimacy with one another so that they can experience God
please pray for me in these areas !
i want to use this blog to continue our spiritual growth together. i know that not everyone is fasting with the church, but i still believe that we are still taking other steps to grow our walk with God. i want to use this blog during the next 2 weeks to document our fasting and/or growth journey. it wont be like the winter vacay where each person was assigned and "coerced" more or less into blogging, but more of a free flowing exchange of ideas, thoughts, and prayers.
what i do ask is that you mention these two things:
1. your commitments while you fast
2. your goals for fasting
you can see what i mean by my example. and then there on after it's more of a update on your commitments/goals/praises.
commitments:
1. not watching tv or listening to secular music, so that i wont be influenced by worldly things during this time.
2. praying every single day for my family and certain people that i know God needs to work in.
goals:
1. for God to reveal to me my next step in my calling; i would like to even see a glimpse of how God will use my personal calling of teaching to expand his kingdom
2. greater spiritual power in my ministry esp. in the area of intercession
3. humility in my family members and deeper intimacy with one another so that they can experience God
please pray for me in these areas !
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Good evening Downpour! I arrived in Ann Arbor early this morning and am excited to face this new semester. It hit me on the plane that this may be my last flight into Michigan from NY, and I hit a depressive state for about 10 seconds...this was the last thought running in my mind before I knocked out on the plane. Anyway, it's great to be back (I hope you guys are even more excited than I) and lets strive to be amazing students/friends/Jesus-followers/yata yata yah this year!
John 20
Two things that struck me:
1) Mary encounters Jesus near the empty tomb, but cannot recognize him. If I witnessed someone's death penalty and then their burial...I would be pretty convinced that the person is dead. Mary even thought Jesus was a gardener when she first encountered him. I would've thought something along that line. However, all Jesus had to say was "Mary" and all of the sudden Mary had the guts to yell "Rabboni!" (sounds like an Italian dish, but it actually means teacher). There are many times I cannot recognize Christ in my own sin. And sometimes I use to blame Christ for all of this...he never calls my name! He never listens! However, in this story, Jesus has not yet returned to the Father (meaning Jesus' act of saving the world is still incomplete at this phase). Today, in the year 2009, Christ's death and resurrection is fully at work in each and every one of us. We now have the ability to call for him, instead of just waiting for him to call our name.
2) I was so inspired by Thomas. In my head, I was thinking..."this man is a scientist! BRAVO!" Doubt is important!!! Tim Keller states, "faith without doubt is like a human body without any antibodies in it." I would never ever EVER promote a pre-Christian or a Christian to avoid some of the challenging questions about the bible, Christian history, etc etc. However, to tap into the DEEPEST resources Christianity has to offer in living, coping, healing, and etc etc, it is important to listen to what Jesus says to Thomas in verse 27, "...stop doubting and believe."
John 20
Two things that struck me:
1) Mary encounters Jesus near the empty tomb, but cannot recognize him. If I witnessed someone's death penalty and then their burial...I would be pretty convinced that the person is dead. Mary even thought Jesus was a gardener when she first encountered him. I would've thought something along that line. However, all Jesus had to say was "Mary" and all of the sudden Mary had the guts to yell "Rabboni!" (sounds like an Italian dish, but it actually means teacher). There are many times I cannot recognize Christ in my own sin. And sometimes I use to blame Christ for all of this...he never calls my name! He never listens! However, in this story, Jesus has not yet returned to the Father (meaning Jesus' act of saving the world is still incomplete at this phase). Today, in the year 2009, Christ's death and resurrection is fully at work in each and every one of us. We now have the ability to call for him, instead of just waiting for him to call our name.
2) I was so inspired by Thomas. In my head, I was thinking..."this man is a scientist! BRAVO!" Doubt is important!!! Tim Keller states, "faith without doubt is like a human body without any antibodies in it." I would never ever EVER promote a pre-Christian or a Christian to avoid some of the challenging questions about the bible, Christian history, etc etc. However, to tap into the DEEPEST resources Christianity has to offer in living, coping, healing, and etc etc, it is important to listen to what Jesus says to Thomas in verse 27, "...stop doubting and believe."
Monday, January 5, 2009
JOHN NINETEEN
Hello my dear friends!!
You are all very greatly missed. I just got back from Florida yesterday... I wish I was still there and started my first day of class today... :( YUCK! I had a lot of fun down in Florida with Andy visiting his family- they are too funny! We went parasailing, jet skiing and banana boating yesterday, regardless to say I am extremely tender and sore all over today, NO fun. I hope everyone is doing well- I miss you all and can't wait to see your pretty faces again. I will put pictures up sometime soon.
Alrighty... so I definitely got the most depressing chapter but it was very moving while I studied it. Chapter 19 discusses the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jews mocked and jeered at Jesus telling Pilate to crucify him. Pilate knew deep in his heart though that Jesus was just not any other man, I believe that Pilate came to that stage of questioning when you know that there is something other than what is being said- when you know deep down that there is something more. Pilate asked Jesus where he came from and told him that if Jesus refused to speak to him, Pilate had the power to crucify Jesus. What a tough position he was put in... As Pilate was 'ruler' of the people he knew that Jesus was the King of Jews and yet he did not want the people to turn against him either.
To me, that was like a sign of something that we struggle through in our lives too. In our personal relationship with God. We suffer from the worldly and selfish desires of ourselves when we know that it is not pleasing to God, yet do we still do it? Pilate gave his efforts in telling the people that the real king was Jesus and that He was the king of the Jews.
The death of Jesus was definitely hard to read- I immediately felt guilty. I know that my sins were paid for at the cost of the death of Jesus. Jesus had died before the others and the Jews did not want the bodies to be held up on the day of sabbath (which I found kind of ironic) and were going to break the legs so that the crucified would die faster. When they reached Jesus though- they found that He was already dead and it was witnessed that not a single bone of His body was broken. The passage just shows to me the even greater mysteries of God and His power. It reminded me of the time my family was in Brazil- we were in a severe bus accident and all we had to rely on was the power of God. We were completely helpless- we had to give our everything to Him. God has provided in the times we need it, not accordingly to us but to His plans.
Seldom we think about the wonders and gifts that God has provided us. We quickly and often forget this precious life that God has given us is a treasure and our purpose here in life. This passage was definitely a good reminder to me of what it is like to be completely helpless and alone- to remind me of the things that I really need to look upon and depend on; God.
Well hopefully I shed some reflection the chapter- please let me know your insights, it could be completely and totally different from mine :)
love you all
d-sizzle.
You are all very greatly missed. I just got back from Florida yesterday... I wish I was still there and started my first day of class today... :( YUCK! I had a lot of fun down in Florida with Andy visiting his family- they are too funny! We went parasailing, jet skiing and banana boating yesterday, regardless to say I am extremely tender and sore all over today, NO fun. I hope everyone is doing well- I miss you all and can't wait to see your pretty faces again. I will put pictures up sometime soon.
Alrighty... so I definitely got the most depressing chapter but it was very moving while I studied it. Chapter 19 discusses the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jews mocked and jeered at Jesus telling Pilate to crucify him. Pilate knew deep in his heart though that Jesus was just not any other man, I believe that Pilate came to that stage of questioning when you know that there is something other than what is being said- when you know deep down that there is something more. Pilate asked Jesus where he came from and told him that if Jesus refused to speak to him, Pilate had the power to crucify Jesus. What a tough position he was put in... As Pilate was 'ruler' of the people he knew that Jesus was the King of Jews and yet he did not want the people to turn against him either.
To me, that was like a sign of something that we struggle through in our lives too. In our personal relationship with God. We suffer from the worldly and selfish desires of ourselves when we know that it is not pleasing to God, yet do we still do it? Pilate gave his efforts in telling the people that the real king was Jesus and that He was the king of the Jews.
The death of Jesus was definitely hard to read- I immediately felt guilty. I know that my sins were paid for at the cost of the death of Jesus. Jesus had died before the others and the Jews did not want the bodies to be held up on the day of sabbath (which I found kind of ironic) and were going to break the legs so that the crucified would die faster. When they reached Jesus though- they found that He was already dead and it was witnessed that not a single bone of His body was broken. The passage just shows to me the even greater mysteries of God and His power. It reminded me of the time my family was in Brazil- we were in a severe bus accident and all we had to rely on was the power of God. We were completely helpless- we had to give our everything to Him. God has provided in the times we need it, not accordingly to us but to His plans.
Seldom we think about the wonders and gifts that God has provided us. We quickly and often forget this precious life that God has given us is a treasure and our purpose here in life. This passage was definitely a good reminder to me of what it is like to be completely helpless and alone- to remind me of the things that I really need to look upon and depend on; God.
Well hopefully I shed some reflection the chapter- please let me know your insights, it could be completely and totally different from mine :)
love you all
d-sizzle.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
JOHN 18
Hey DownPour!
I just got back to Ann Arbor around 3pm today. I did not know that the dorms would not be opened until tomorrow so I am staying over at the guys place in Chalet. I can't wait to see you guys and hear all about how well your break went!
JOHN 18
This passage is separated in six parts, but it mainly revolves around Jesus getting arrested. He was praying with his disciples before he was confronted by Judas and a couple soldiers. He knew what they wanted, but he continued to ask them anyways. Jesus says this in order to reveal the situation and force them to action. They asked for Jesus of Nazarene and Jesus responded, "I am". These people, who were Jesus enemies, were drawn away and fell to the ground. I would expect his worshipers to fall to the ground instead. One of his disciples injured a soldier, Jesus said "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" The cup represents Jesus will. He is willing to accept everything the Father gives him, even the suffering.
Earlier in the book of John, Jesus also said that Peter would betray him three times before the rooster crows. Although Peter denies this will happen, he eventually ended up doing so. This reminded me of the discussion that we had during Lifegroup when we talked about whether or not we would deny Jesus if we, ourselves, had a gun pointed to our head.
Jesus was questioned by the high priest and Pilate. The high priest had questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching while Pilate question Jesus and ask him who he was. Jesus made it clear that he has spoken openly to the world of who he was. One of the officials slapped Jesus because he had answered the priest improperly. I liked the way Jesus answered to the high priest. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" This highlights Jesus' dignity and boldness as well as his respect for the truth Honestly, I don't think I would of been so kind to the official.
Pilate asked Jesus to see what he has done that resulted in his arrest. Jesus responded by saying that "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." This is one of Jesus common practice in the gospel, he does not respond to the question directly. Jesus came to the world to testify of the truth.
This passage just reminded how everything that happen to Jesus was divine and planned out by the father. The suffering, the arrest, the profound answers that Jesus gave. Although the soldiers or the people might take credit for the arrest of Jesus. It was ultimately God's will that all of this came to place.
I just got back to Ann Arbor around 3pm today. I did not know that the dorms would not be opened until tomorrow so I am staying over at the guys place in Chalet. I can't wait to see you guys and hear all about how well your break went!
JOHN 18
This passage is separated in six parts, but it mainly revolves around Jesus getting arrested. He was praying with his disciples before he was confronted by Judas and a couple soldiers. He knew what they wanted, but he continued to ask them anyways. Jesus says this in order to reveal the situation and force them to action. They asked for Jesus of Nazarene and Jesus responded, "I am". These people, who were Jesus enemies, were drawn away and fell to the ground. I would expect his worshipers to fall to the ground instead. One of his disciples injured a soldier, Jesus said "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" The cup represents Jesus will. He is willing to accept everything the Father gives him, even the suffering.
Earlier in the book of John, Jesus also said that Peter would betray him three times before the rooster crows. Although Peter denies this will happen, he eventually ended up doing so. This reminded me of the discussion that we had during Lifegroup when we talked about whether or not we would deny Jesus if we, ourselves, had a gun pointed to our head.
Jesus was questioned by the high priest and Pilate. The high priest had questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching while Pilate question Jesus and ask him who he was. Jesus made it clear that he has spoken openly to the world of who he was. One of the officials slapped Jesus because he had answered the priest improperly. I liked the way Jesus answered to the high priest. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" This highlights Jesus' dignity and boldness as well as his respect for the truth Honestly, I don't think I would of been so kind to the official.
Pilate asked Jesus to see what he has done that resulted in his arrest. Jesus responded by saying that "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." This is one of Jesus common practice in the gospel, he does not respond to the question directly. Jesus came to the world to testify of the truth.
This passage just reminded how everything that happen to Jesus was divine and planned out by the father. The suffering, the arrest, the profound answers that Jesus gave. Although the soldiers or the people might take credit for the arrest of Jesus. It was ultimately God's will that all of this came to place.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
John 17
Hey Downpour! In updating how Texas has been, I'll cut the verbosity and save that for John 17 :)
- Houston is warm. I'm in my shorts and flip flops.
- My cat has become super obese after just 4 months. It's become a cow.
- I've finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th seasons of House! :D
- Go watch Marley and Me and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
- Watch out for the nasty flu. Got it in AA and suffered through my first week in Tx.
- Alot of Friends and Family time.
- Going back to AA on Monday. (When are everyone else going back?)
Other than that, I'm met with a lot of decision making situations. For one thing, I'm so indecisive I'm still not sure what classes I'm taking next semester. Yes, I'm aware that classes begin next Wednesday :(
(v.2) "For you granted him[Jesus] authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him." This verse reminds us of the fact that those coming to accept Christ and to know God are sent by God himself. No man can convert another man to believe in God. It is all of God's work and only he can make non believers become believers. This is again emphasized when Jesus is praying for his disciples. (v.6) "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours;"
(v.11) "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one." Remember that God's working to protect the disciples to make sure they don't fall out of faith or tempted away but to stay "as one."
(v.14) "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." World today is completely different from world with God. The disciples will be met with hostility and the world will turn against the them because they believe in Jesus, who is not of this world, which makes them not of this world either. (v.18) "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
And then Jesus prays for all Believers. (v.20) "My prayer is not for them[disciples] lone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their[disciples'] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." (v.22-23) "...they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me..." Accepting Jesus fully to heart is like accepting God. Everything comes from God through Jesus. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them eve as you have loved me." Jesus prays to God to protect the believers to stay as one, to branch out to the unreached, let the world know God's love is great enough for God to send his one and only son to this world.
The last part of this chapter reminds all of us, as believers to stay in faith, love each other (to stay as one under God)
to work to speak out to the unbelieving world. And because Jesus prayed to God, God's working to make all this happen, he has it under his control. Because just as God sent Jesus, disciples and believers are sent by God through Jesus to carry out God's will.
Okay, see you guys soon!
John 14
Hellooo...
Hope everyone's year has been off to a good start. Sorry for the late post, I tried to post earlier but did get the chance to until now. Break has been awesome. I love the Dominican Republic and being home has been nice. I got to spend some time with my family and the older I get, I realize that its something I am coming to cherish a lot more. I just finished an annual 3 day Fast our church has to start of the New Year and its truly been an amazing experience. Its definitely an awesome way to devote the year to God. Other than that its been pretty chill, not looking forward to Michigan weather but God has been working and I'm excited to see what he has in store for me this year.
So John 14....
I honestly must say that God picked the perfect passage to end the year with. It begins with the promise that Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven and we should not be worried. Its so simple, I think sometime I'm foolish and I forget that no matter what happens I will always have a place to call home. Growing up I moved around alot and it was always difficult for me to say I had a true home anywhere but Jesus reminds us that it doesn't matter because our home is not on earth but in heaven so we shouldn't get to comfortable here on earth cause we're not home yet.
The passage then continues on with a clear path of how we get to our final destination. That is through Jesus Christ. Also how we are empowered through our faith in him. Jesus finally promises us with the Holy Spirit. He will never leave us, even though his body is gone we all have the Holy Spirit with us.
Overall, I really enjoyed the passage because its so direct and simply. An awesome reminder to a years end.
Hope everyone's year has been off to a good start. Sorry for the late post, I tried to post earlier but did get the chance to until now. Break has been awesome. I love the Dominican Republic and being home has been nice. I got to spend some time with my family and the older I get, I realize that its something I am coming to cherish a lot more. I just finished an annual 3 day Fast our church has to start of the New Year and its truly been an amazing experience. Its definitely an awesome way to devote the year to God. Other than that its been pretty chill, not looking forward to Michigan weather but God has been working and I'm excited to see what he has in store for me this year.
So John 14....
I honestly must say that God picked the perfect passage to end the year with. It begins with the promise that Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven and we should not be worried. Its so simple, I think sometime I'm foolish and I forget that no matter what happens I will always have a place to call home. Growing up I moved around alot and it was always difficult for me to say I had a true home anywhere but Jesus reminds us that it doesn't matter because our home is not on earth but in heaven so we shouldn't get to comfortable here on earth cause we're not home yet.
The passage then continues on with a clear path of how we get to our final destination. That is through Jesus Christ. Also how we are empowered through our faith in him. Jesus finally promises us with the Holy Spirit. He will never leave us, even though his body is gone we all have the Holy Spirit with us.
Overall, I really enjoyed the passage because its so direct and simply. An awesome reminder to a years end.
John 16
THE PARIS HILTON BLURB.
Hi.... this is technically 1 hour and 23 minutes late.
Swamped by family. sorry. 2 kids and 5 adults in one house is rather a feat for me because im used to only having my mom and sis around but being a host 24/7 for the past 3 weeks is wearing me out. no time to myself or even with friends. just family.
Anyway, reading John 16.
sometimes i do feel angry reading the bible. angry at the people.... only to realize that I'm looking at water which bears my own reflection. I'm angry at the people even though I'm doing exactly what they are doing. Jesus talks to his disciples and tells them He is going away and dying for them. I pictured myself in His position, exclaiming to them my soon to be gruesome death though many others will be nonchalant about it, or even feel smug over it. I stand there, wanting to tell them that this is so they will experience God in greater ways, so that they may have the holy spirit and all the wonders of having Him by their sides, so that they may use my name and have their prayers answered, so that they may the greatest joy and rejoice. So that they will finally understand how much God loves them, how much I love them. but that not all of them will understand these things. some will deny me. some will reject me. some will even betray me just for money. They won't fully understand how much is given to them. They won't realize that they've been given the best gift they could ever imagine or ask for."
and i start to become angry at what a bunch of ignorant people they are..... only to realize that "they" are actually.... myself. I'm "them".
I don't wake up every day realizing what a blessed child i am, what it means to have Jesus died for me. that i have been equipped with the holy spirit, God's personal helper, living by me at all times, which is better than having a personal assistant sticking by my side helping me through, that i can believe in Jesus and use His mighty name and make waves with my prayers because He has that much power and because He wants me to use that power too, that i can be happy and should be filled to the brim with joy at all times because of what He's done and my salvation, and because of my current connection with God, that i can reach Him anytime like dialing my own Jesus wireless and have Him always readily answer any phone calls. IT'S seriously the BEST THING in the world. I'm spoilt. Spoilt by my Father in Heaven like I'm an heiress (Yes! I am a spiritual paris hilton. OMG.) and truly, He has made me an heiress to everything He has.
everyday i wake up, not fully utilizing all of these, even forgetting them. There's so much to remind myself. Well... for a change, I'd like to REALIZE who I am, how I can be, what I can do, instead of living from day to day. I'm a child of God, I can live with faith and assurance in Him, and I have been created to do good works which He prepared in advanced for me to do. 2009 years ago, Jesus died, He rose again, and ever since that day, I have been so blessed. but I know that I can live PURPOSEFULLY this year, remembering that He gave me so much by dying and rising again for me. :] Let the purposefulness start...ready, set, GO!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
John 13
Hey guys and gals, shalom, hope all is well in the break. Sorry for my belated entry, I had issues figuring out my gmail. Anyways, break has been pretty slow for the most part. I don't know when it happened, but break transitioned from coming home, to visiting my parents somewhere around my sophomore to junior year. It's really strange I have to say. I love seeing my parents, but now my mom calls me guest jokingly and I feel just a bit older and independent these days, not all bad, just a strange realization I suppose. Each day is pretty much the same for me here since my parents moved to Arizona after I graduated so I don't know anyone around here so I basically sit around playing video games and watching movies and the like. We did take a quick vacation to Palm Springs, CA, it was alright, you know how family trips are, an up and down event, trapped in a car for long periods of time, bickering about where to go and eat, haha, it was pretty good, seemed there wasn't much to do in Palm Springs, we eventually went to an oasis park which was very cool, but mostly it wasn't much different than being at home. It's been good to just sit around and not worry about some assignment that might be due or something that I forgot. Anyways, let's get down to some scripture.
John 13
It starts with a scene and reference that many Christians have either read or heard in a sermon, how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, it's one of the most obvious lessons and humbling scenes that Jesus takes with His disciples, I remember once back in high school when the youth group washed everyone's feet during a friday night worship just to showcase the lesson, I'll tell you, some of the most simple lessons in the bible can be greatly magnified by actually living them through, regardless how obvious the parable can be, it can really strike a chord when you are on your knees washing someone else's feet.
I think the second part of the passage is the most intruiging because many times when I read through the bible and come to a passage where it actually narrates Jesus' thoughts, I always ask myself what I might do or feel in the same circumstance. In this scene Jesus shows His struggle with knowing that one of His beloved will betray Him and send Him ultimately to the cross. He prophesies the fact that one of the twelve will "lift up his heel against me" and confuses the rest of the disciples in His message. Then He goes right up to Judas and tells him that he will indeed be the one to carry out the ominous task. I honestly don't know how I could act in that regard. After this summers' experiences for me, to know that someone I hold near and dear, is about to cause ultimate pain in my life and yet sit there humbly and wash their feet? Wow, I mean it's a cliche we hear about how God sacrifices and such for us, but many times it just doesn't hit home because it's such a common idea. Yet Jesus knew, this was all part of a grander scheme to grant the ultimate sacrifice, it was like He had to take little blows until the final one, and yet the entire time He could have risen up, He could have chosen His own path, He could have decided after experiencing life as a human that we weren't worth saving, yet He decides that He will indeed carry this out. That's real man, that's some love right there.
And after all that moment, He again is faced with another moment where He knows another follower will fail Him. He first preaches the message to love one another and then leaves. Just then Simon Peter runs up and asks where Jesus is going and Jesus returns a cryptic answer that He must leave first and that only after then can Simon follow afterwards. Simon is confused and he says brazenly that he would lay his life down for Jesus and it is then that Jesus prophesies that Simon will disown Jesus three times before the next day.
It hits home a familiar problem that we all go through. We can sit there at the feet of Jesus, during our worship services and during our prayer gatherings and feel so strong and willing to fight and die for Jesus, to live for Him and to be great fishermen (and women), yet what are our actions in the face of others and in the environment outside? Many times it's not even the strangers that provide the toughest opposition, because who cares what strangers think, but do we have the courage to live for Jesus in the face of our friends and family, many who might think that these beliefs are completely ridiculous?
It's fairly easy to judge Simon for his following actions after this passage in which he carelessly disowns Jesus, I mean it's not even the harsh moments either, Simon's life is never truly threatened, he more or less disowns Jesus to avoid an argument or avoid losing some reputation, but honestly, isn't that how the enemy works? Apathy is the greatest enemy I think sometimes, it's not those who question what you do, but those who think that anything is okay that really bring trouble. Simon probably didn't think that the little moments of doubt really meant much, but isn't that the challenge? To live for God everyday and in every moment, that truly takes courage.
John 13
It starts with a scene and reference that many Christians have either read or heard in a sermon, how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, it's one of the most obvious lessons and humbling scenes that Jesus takes with His disciples, I remember once back in high school when the youth group washed everyone's feet during a friday night worship just to showcase the lesson, I'll tell you, some of the most simple lessons in the bible can be greatly magnified by actually living them through, regardless how obvious the parable can be, it can really strike a chord when you are on your knees washing someone else's feet.
I think the second part of the passage is the most intruiging because many times when I read through the bible and come to a passage where it actually narrates Jesus' thoughts, I always ask myself what I might do or feel in the same circumstance. In this scene Jesus shows His struggle with knowing that one of His beloved will betray Him and send Him ultimately to the cross. He prophesies the fact that one of the twelve will "lift up his heel against me" and confuses the rest of the disciples in His message. Then He goes right up to Judas and tells him that he will indeed be the one to carry out the ominous task. I honestly don't know how I could act in that regard. After this summers' experiences for me, to know that someone I hold near and dear, is about to cause ultimate pain in my life and yet sit there humbly and wash their feet? Wow, I mean it's a cliche we hear about how God sacrifices and such for us, but many times it just doesn't hit home because it's such a common idea. Yet Jesus knew, this was all part of a grander scheme to grant the ultimate sacrifice, it was like He had to take little blows until the final one, and yet the entire time He could have risen up, He could have chosen His own path, He could have decided after experiencing life as a human that we weren't worth saving, yet He decides that He will indeed carry this out. That's real man, that's some love right there.
And after all that moment, He again is faced with another moment where He knows another follower will fail Him. He first preaches the message to love one another and then leaves. Just then Simon Peter runs up and asks where Jesus is going and Jesus returns a cryptic answer that He must leave first and that only after then can Simon follow afterwards. Simon is confused and he says brazenly that he would lay his life down for Jesus and it is then that Jesus prophesies that Simon will disown Jesus three times before the next day.
It hits home a familiar problem that we all go through. We can sit there at the feet of Jesus, during our worship services and during our prayer gatherings and feel so strong and willing to fight and die for Jesus, to live for Him and to be great fishermen (and women), yet what are our actions in the face of others and in the environment outside? Many times it's not even the strangers that provide the toughest opposition, because who cares what strangers think, but do we have the courage to live for Jesus in the face of our friends and family, many who might think that these beliefs are completely ridiculous?
It's fairly easy to judge Simon for his following actions after this passage in which he carelessly disowns Jesus, I mean it's not even the harsh moments either, Simon's life is never truly threatened, he more or less disowns Jesus to avoid an argument or avoid losing some reputation, but honestly, isn't that how the enemy works? Apathy is the greatest enemy I think sometimes, it's not those who question what you do, but those who think that anything is okay that really bring trouble. Simon probably didn't think that the little moments of doubt really meant much, but isn't that the challenge? To live for God everyday and in every moment, that truly takes courage.
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