This has been such an off day. I don't like it at all.
Go away Monday.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Jump start my heart and wake the sleeper inside
Tiny bit pressed for time today, so I'm going jump ahead a bit in Philippians, and then jump back, just like old school hopscotch. There's some really interesting stuff in here that I'd like to dig into, including a few terms I don't really understand, but I'm just going to write about my new "focus verse". I decided I want to change it more than once a week, but less than once a day, so any sort of basic time-moniker is clearly out of the question. Thus the term "focus verse" which is what I shall call that particular segment of my blog until I think of something better.
But I digress.
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"
-Philippians 2:14-15
Ouch.
That was my first reaction when I read verse 14. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Do I do anything without grumbling and questioning? I had to think about it for a minute. In the outside world I might, but at home, I am like an olympic grumbler. I complain every chance I get when I'm "busy" with homework and don't want to be disturbed. And questioning? I question my parents all the time. Actually, I probably question everyone who asks things of me. I question my friends, my coworkers, and worse, far worse, I question God. I have a very curious nature...I always have to know. I like to pry things apart and overanalyze every chance I get.
But how dare I question God? He is working all things to my good, so to doubt him is nothing but sin. I think it's okay to ask for clarification...and to pray about why things are happening, but at the same time, there is a sinful side to questioning, the grumbling and complaining side, the "I-don't-want-to-do-this-or-deal-with-it" side.
The thing is, we don't always need to know. The reason why has no bearing on how we ought to carry ourselves and act.
Also, I think there is nothing that you can do to provoke the unsaved more. At work and school, the amount of grumbling and complaining I hear is ridiculous, and yet it is so natural that everyone does it. But we can show people a different way, by putting off grumbling and questioning. We can shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and twisted world.
Children of God without blemish!! There is grace for this!
There's so much more I could say...just off these two verses...but my family's waiting on me. Let me know what y'all think. That was all a bit rushed...maybe I can come back in and flesh things out if necessary...
Later llamatatoes.
But I digress.
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"
-Philippians 2:14-15
Ouch.
That was my first reaction when I read verse 14. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Do I do anything without grumbling and questioning? I had to think about it for a minute. In the outside world I might, but at home, I am like an olympic grumbler. I complain every chance I get when I'm "busy" with homework and don't want to be disturbed. And questioning? I question my parents all the time. Actually, I probably question everyone who asks things of me. I question my friends, my coworkers, and worse, far worse, I question God. I have a very curious nature...I always have to know. I like to pry things apart and overanalyze every chance I get.
But how dare I question God? He is working all things to my good, so to doubt him is nothing but sin. I think it's okay to ask for clarification...and to pray about why things are happening, but at the same time, there is a sinful side to questioning, the grumbling and complaining side, the "I-don't-want-to-do-this-or-deal-with-it" side.
The thing is, we don't always need to know. The reason why has no bearing on how we ought to carry ourselves and act.
Also, I think there is nothing that you can do to provoke the unsaved more. At work and school, the amount of grumbling and complaining I hear is ridiculous, and yet it is so natural that everyone does it. But we can show people a different way, by putting off grumbling and questioning. We can shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and twisted world.
Children of God without blemish!! There is grace for this!
There's so much more I could say...just off these two verses...but my family's waiting on me. Let me know what y'all think. That was all a bit rushed...maybe I can come back in and flesh things out if necessary...
Later llamatatoes.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Hi.
It's been awhile since my last post...there's a ton I could talk about. In fact, here's a list of everything I could blog about:
-Caregroup
-Accidentally loud screeching noises
-Ashton wears a diaper. Don't ask. Please don't ask.
-Unstable chairs and the people who get kicked out of them
-the prayer meeting yesterday
-my semi-successful and very odd attempt at fasting
-how to build cheap furniture without noticably breaking anything...
-Mint mentos+diet coke=GIANT GEYSER OF POP!
-Courting cars. "Oh look...they're holding hands in the parking lot..."
-The wrath of Lamby.
-Island Grill: Fake hawaiian food that doesn't taste good!!
-Deciding I am fit for the circus, and that Chad and I should start one.
-Wheel of Fortune at Anne Marie's
-Learning the truth about the evils of mayo
-Carmel pop that tastes like sugarless gum
-Jeremy and Vanna. Don't ask. Please don't ask.
That's what I WOULD blog about...but I can't. We have company over for a game night thingie. My plan was to do homework, but it isn't working, so I must join in. Otherwise I'm an antisocial weirdo updating his blog during a party. And worse, I have a really, really loud laugh so I keep blowing my cover.
It's been awhile since my last post...there's a ton I could talk about. In fact, here's a list of everything I could blog about:
-Caregroup
-Accidentally loud screeching noises
-Ashton wears a diaper. Don't ask. Please don't ask.
-Unstable chairs and the people who get kicked out of them
-the prayer meeting yesterday
-my semi-successful and very odd attempt at fasting
-how to build cheap furniture without noticably breaking anything...
-Mint mentos+diet coke=GIANT GEYSER OF POP!
-Courting cars. "Oh look...they're holding hands in the parking lot..."
-The wrath of Lamby.
-Island Grill: Fake hawaiian food that doesn't taste good!!
-Deciding I am fit for the circus, and that Chad and I should start one.
-Wheel of Fortune at Anne Marie's
-Learning the truth about the evils of mayo
-Carmel pop that tastes like sugarless gum
-Jeremy and Vanna. Don't ask. Please don't ask.
That's what I WOULD blog about...but I can't. We have company over for a game night thingie. My plan was to do homework, but it isn't working, so I must join in. Otherwise I'm an antisocial weirdo updating his blog during a party. And worse, I have a really, really loud laugh so I keep blowing my cover.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
I'll look out for you, you look out for me
Hey peeps.
I got the new Tobymac cd and some of the songs are really good. Some seem really boring so far, but that's beside the point today...
One thing in particular I like is the first song, "One World" which is where I got the lyric for my title. I really like a lot of the lyrics on his new cd. It's very expressive of love for God...and that got me thinking about love...as did Philippians 2, and the Valley of Vision poem I read today.
When I decided I wanted to write about selfless love as my topic, I wasn't sure what verses I would use to back up my thoughts, and then I read Philippians 2, and everything fell into place...
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
Last week something amazing happened to me. I began to think of myself as not just loving God, but being IN love with him. I'm not exactly sure when it started, but the constant awareness of all the horrors God saved me from began to make it easier and easier to think of God with deep affection.
I think there's a big difference between loving someone and being in love. People say they love unimportant things all the time. It's a saying that gets tossed around almost without meaning, from "I love Chipolte" or "I love mayonnaise even when I don't know where it's been" to "I love that guy" as a girl at work has said about me...
Whereas, saying that you're in love with someone is a statement we are far, far more careful with, because it carries a great deal more weight. And rightly so, because it implies a deep bond with that person.
But I'm not going to be careful in saying I'm in love with God, ever! I don't think I can be any more selfish than if I try to hide what God has done for me. This is something the whole world needs to be hearing, from all of us!
"Count others as more significant than yourselves"
This is important. It isn't easy...or natural...but it's really, really important. In bible study we mostly talked about these verses concerning church unity. From arguments I've heard nonbelievers use, I think this is a serious problem for the church as a whole. One of the biggest arguements I have heard against Christianity is that we are so divided. Rivalry and conceit must be put away so that we can focus on love and humility! I don't think the variety of denominations out there will matter nearly as much if we are unified by the Gospel.
I don't know, I haven't thought about this much until today...
I'm stuck on the idea of loving others more than yourself, looking to others interest first, looking out for others instead of yourself. I don't think there's anything we can do to proclaim Christ in our lives more than by following His example of humility and putting others first.
And yet it's so hard because we're so sinful. It's just easier to think about yourself first. I do it without thinking. I want to be less selfish, and I've tried to take my focus off myself, but it's still what I'm comfortable with, what I'm willing to share, what I'm willing to give, and not what God asks of me...
This is not the way it should be. I want to change...
One way I see it is, if we're all putting others first, we'll have no need to ever worry about ourselves, because someone else will have our backs. Anyways, I want to put others first in all things! I'll look out for you, you look out for me...
Here's half of a Valley of Vision poem I really liked...
Lord of all being,
There is one thing that deserves my greatest care,
That calls forth my ardent desires,
That is, that I may answer the great end for which I am made-
to glorify thee who hast given me being,
and to do all the good I can for my fellow men;
Verily life is not worth having,
if it be not improved for this noble purpose.
Yet Lord, how little is this the thought of mankind!
Most men seem to live for themselves,
without much or any regard for thy glory,
or for the good of others;
They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue
the riches, honors, pleasures of this life,
as if they supposed that wealth, greatness, merriment,
could make their immortal souls happy;
But, alas, what false, delusive dreams are these!
And how miserable ere long with those be that sleep in them,
for all our happiness consists in loving thee
and being holy as thou art holy.
Later llamas!
I got the new Tobymac cd and some of the songs are really good. Some seem really boring so far, but that's beside the point today...
One thing in particular I like is the first song, "One World" which is where I got the lyric for my title. I really like a lot of the lyrics on his new cd. It's very expressive of love for God...and that got me thinking about love...as did Philippians 2, and the Valley of Vision poem I read today.
When I decided I wanted to write about selfless love as my topic, I wasn't sure what verses I would use to back up my thoughts, and then I read Philippians 2, and everything fell into place...
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
Last week something amazing happened to me. I began to think of myself as not just loving God, but being IN love with him. I'm not exactly sure when it started, but the constant awareness of all the horrors God saved me from began to make it easier and easier to think of God with deep affection.
I think there's a big difference between loving someone and being in love. People say they love unimportant things all the time. It's a saying that gets tossed around almost without meaning, from "I love Chipolte" or "I love mayonnaise even when I don't know where it's been" to "I love that guy" as a girl at work has said about me...
Whereas, saying that you're in love with someone is a statement we are far, far more careful with, because it carries a great deal more weight. And rightly so, because it implies a deep bond with that person.
But I'm not going to be careful in saying I'm in love with God, ever! I don't think I can be any more selfish than if I try to hide what God has done for me. This is something the whole world needs to be hearing, from all of us!
"Count others as more significant than yourselves"
This is important. It isn't easy...or natural...but it's really, really important. In bible study we mostly talked about these verses concerning church unity. From arguments I've heard nonbelievers use, I think this is a serious problem for the church as a whole. One of the biggest arguements I have heard against Christianity is that we are so divided. Rivalry and conceit must be put away so that we can focus on love and humility! I don't think the variety of denominations out there will matter nearly as much if we are unified by the Gospel.
I don't know, I haven't thought about this much until today...
I'm stuck on the idea of loving others more than yourself, looking to others interest first, looking out for others instead of yourself. I don't think there's anything we can do to proclaim Christ in our lives more than by following His example of humility and putting others first.
And yet it's so hard because we're so sinful. It's just easier to think about yourself first. I do it without thinking. I want to be less selfish, and I've tried to take my focus off myself, but it's still what I'm comfortable with, what I'm willing to share, what I'm willing to give, and not what God asks of me...
This is not the way it should be. I want to change...
One way I see it is, if we're all putting others first, we'll have no need to ever worry about ourselves, because someone else will have our backs. Anyways, I want to put others first in all things! I'll look out for you, you look out for me...
Here's half of a Valley of Vision poem I really liked...
Lord of all being,
There is one thing that deserves my greatest care,
That calls forth my ardent desires,
That is, that I may answer the great end for which I am made-
to glorify thee who hast given me being,
and to do all the good I can for my fellow men;
Verily life is not worth having,
if it be not improved for this noble purpose.
Yet Lord, how little is this the thought of mankind!
Most men seem to live for themselves,
without much or any regard for thy glory,
or for the good of others;
They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue
the riches, honors, pleasures of this life,
as if they supposed that wealth, greatness, merriment,
could make their immortal souls happy;
But, alas, what false, delusive dreams are these!
And how miserable ere long with those be that sleep in them,
for all our happiness consists in loving thee
and being holy as thou art holy.
Later llamas!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
There ain't a day that goes by, that I'm not singing your praise!
Heyyy. I was hoping to have a new blog up today on Philippians 2...but it doesn't look like I can finish it today...
Have a good wednesday, peeps. I have a bio test to study for!! Hopefully I'll find time while studying to keep working on it.
Work today was too much fun. It's getting easier for me to be outgoing. I was making jokes and funny noises and stuff all day for the amusement of my coworkers. Maybe it was all the coffee...I had two full cups. Normally I don't even finish one...
I also spoke yesterday at Bible study...and led prayer...not normal things for me by any means...it's good to know God is so willing to answer prayer! My thoughts still get scattered a lot, but I can relax when I talk now. I used to not be able to relax sometimes when I talk...thank you God for having mercy on me and being so good to me!!
See y'all tomorrow...or later today...whenever I can get this blog written. I might split it into two blogs...I have a couple of subtopics...The Bible is so cool. I love Philippians!
I also love 1 Timothy 4:12. I made a new sidebar thingy, "Verse of the week". Verse of the day would be nice, but I'm not sure I could keep the commitment. 1 Timothy 4:12 is such a good verse. I've been trying to really take it to heart over the last week, ever since I heard someone use it on WayFM. People should see an example in me in the way I speak and carry myself, and not only that, but in my faith, love, and purity. Faith, love and purity, these should define my whole life, full of faith in God, love for Him and all those around me, and purity in my words, thoughts and deeds. Purity from selfishness and sin...
Anyways, I better get going.
My scalp is pink.
Have a good wednesday, peeps. I have a bio test to study for!! Hopefully I'll find time while studying to keep working on it.
Work today was too much fun. It's getting easier for me to be outgoing. I was making jokes and funny noises and stuff all day for the amusement of my coworkers. Maybe it was all the coffee...I had two full cups. Normally I don't even finish one...
I also spoke yesterday at Bible study...and led prayer...not normal things for me by any means...it's good to know God is so willing to answer prayer! My thoughts still get scattered a lot, but I can relax when I talk now. I used to not be able to relax sometimes when I talk...thank you God for having mercy on me and being so good to me!!
See y'all tomorrow...or later today...whenever I can get this blog written. I might split it into two blogs...I have a couple of subtopics...The Bible is so cool. I love Philippians!
I also love 1 Timothy 4:12. I made a new sidebar thingy, "Verse of the week". Verse of the day would be nice, but I'm not sure I could keep the commitment. 1 Timothy 4:12 is such a good verse. I've been trying to really take it to heart over the last week, ever since I heard someone use it on WayFM. People should see an example in me in the way I speak and carry myself, and not only that, but in my faith, love, and purity. Faith, love and purity, these should define my whole life, full of faith in God, love for Him and all those around me, and purity in my words, thoughts and deeds. Purity from selfishness and sin...
Anyways, I better get going.
My scalp is pink.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
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