Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friendship of Christians
This entire thing is in part influenced by my Mom, Jesus, the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and of course, the Bible. So here it is:
"Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities."
-C.S. Lewis
What I want, and what we all should want in our own way, is friendship. For to me friendship is the greatest relationship created. The reason is quite vividly explained by what C.S. Lewis said. For our world, as I have spoke of before, incredibly encourages people to put on a persona. As we all know, our society and culture is corrupt. And with that, our morals become corrupt. What once was unethical, is now not only accepted, but encouraged. Our culture expects us to lie about who we are, what we like, what we wear, how we talk, they expect us to not be ourselves but rather whatever is on the screen, whatever looks good in the flesh, to portray that.
That is why friendship is so great. We are not bound by physical imperfection, that is not what sparks true friendship. Friendship is built upon two people, with a common interest enjoying each others company, and having a kind of relationship without compromise of them self. Friendship is the only relationship that isn't censored, revised, and pretested. It's straight forward. And that is what makes it so great! You get to learn who the person you are in a friendship with actually is.
Now I'm going to address something in context along side with this, that you may, or may not respect me for saying. Dating. Premature dating in high school. I'm sure you've heard Jadon going off on this before, but it is something that truly needs to be addressed. Before I full on address this I'm going to need to give you some back story if that's the right word.
God has all granted us freedom in many ways. And this may seem odd, but the most free part of your life, and possibly the part of your life that God can give you amazing opportunities the most, is when you are single. Because you have no one to worry about. In dating you are constantly worry about pleasing the other person. You are preparing three hours prior in front of a mirror for thirty minutes with that certain someone. And not only does it take away from other relationships, it takes away from your relationship with God. Because your attention is somewhere else.
That is why taking advantage of your singleness is important. You aren't bound by unsaid expectations. You have true freedom! But when you choose recreational dating there is a dissatisfying feeling that emerges because you are using the freedom selfishly, you are not giving to God what he deserves, but instead that devotion is given to someone else.
I just explained the bad things within dating and the whys, but what about friendship? (I'm sorry I did get a little off subject)
Friendship is when you don't have to care. When you like the person for who they are!
Okay, but here's what's important: Spiritual Relationships within Friendship
This is super important. The level of spiritual relations between two people in a friendship should not be limited, but also not limited to simply one person. What I'm saying is, you should care, love, and pray for the friend intensely like two Christians in a "relationship". Now this may seem weird. "Why should I care for my friend like he/she is in a "relationship" with me". Because that level of care and Christian love is what I want you to attain. Now here is the key: Don't limit this great care and love and prayer to just one person. If you do that than it can turn out to be a relationship. You need to have that same love and caring, that you care what happens to the person and you pray for them when they are in need unrelentingly as one in a "relationship" would do. Except that you would do that for more than one person.
You need to widen your gaze. In a relationship all the passion, and love, and care goes to one person. What you should do though, is give it to all your friends. The reason I bring up relationships at all is just because of they way the two people care for each other and that it is the only model you will understand. What I am trying to say, is attain an attitude to care for each other immensely. Don't pray for them through obligation, but because you want to, because you feel you need to. This is what you should shoot for. The whole thing of comparing it to dating might be odd to you. And the caring won't be exactly the same as that, so I'm sorry there did need to be some clarification there, but using that as a model, you should even surpass that in your Christian love for one another, not for only one person, but for all around you, both Male and Female, that you call your friends.
"Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities."
-C.S. Lewis
What I want, and what we all should want in our own way, is friendship. For to me friendship is the greatest relationship created. The reason is quite vividly explained by what C.S. Lewis said. For our world, as I have spoke of before, incredibly encourages people to put on a persona. As we all know, our society and culture is corrupt. And with that, our morals become corrupt. What once was unethical, is now not only accepted, but encouraged. Our culture expects us to lie about who we are, what we like, what we wear, how we talk, they expect us to not be ourselves but rather whatever is on the screen, whatever looks good in the flesh, to portray that.
That is why friendship is so great. We are not bound by physical imperfection, that is not what sparks true friendship. Friendship is built upon two people, with a common interest enjoying each others company, and having a kind of relationship without compromise of them self. Friendship is the only relationship that isn't censored, revised, and pretested. It's straight forward. And that is what makes it so great! You get to learn who the person you are in a friendship with actually is.
Now I'm going to address something in context along side with this, that you may, or may not respect me for saying. Dating. Premature dating in high school. I'm sure you've heard Jadon going off on this before, but it is something that truly needs to be addressed. Before I full on address this I'm going to need to give you some back story if that's the right word.
God has all granted us freedom in many ways. And this may seem odd, but the most free part of your life, and possibly the part of your life that God can give you amazing opportunities the most, is when you are single. Because you have no one to worry about. In dating you are constantly worry about pleasing the other person. You are preparing three hours prior in front of a mirror for thirty minutes with that certain someone. And not only does it take away from other relationships, it takes away from your relationship with God. Because your attention is somewhere else.
That is why taking advantage of your singleness is important. You aren't bound by unsaid expectations. You have true freedom! But when you choose recreational dating there is a dissatisfying feeling that emerges because you are using the freedom selfishly, you are not giving to God what he deserves, but instead that devotion is given to someone else.
I just explained the bad things within dating and the whys, but what about friendship? (I'm sorry I did get a little off subject)
Friendship is when you don't have to care. When you like the person for who they are!
Okay, but here's what's important: Spiritual Relationships within Friendship
This is super important. The level of spiritual relations between two people in a friendship should not be limited, but also not limited to simply one person. What I'm saying is, you should care, love, and pray for the friend intensely like two Christians in a "relationship". Now this may seem weird. "Why should I care for my friend like he/she is in a "relationship" with me". Because that level of care and Christian love is what I want you to attain. Now here is the key: Don't limit this great care and love and prayer to just one person. If you do that than it can turn out to be a relationship. You need to have that same love and caring, that you care what happens to the person and you pray for them when they are in need unrelentingly as one in a "relationship" would do. Except that you would do that for more than one person.
You need to widen your gaze. In a relationship all the passion, and love, and care goes to one person. What you should do though, is give it to all your friends. The reason I bring up relationships at all is just because of they way the two people care for each other and that it is the only model you will understand. What I am trying to say, is attain an attitude to care for each other immensely. Don't pray for them through obligation, but because you want to, because you feel you need to. This is what you should shoot for. The whole thing of comparing it to dating might be odd to you. And the caring won't be exactly the same as that, so I'm sorry there did need to be some clarification there, but using that as a model, you should even surpass that in your Christian love for one another, not for only one person, but for all around you, both Male and Female, that you call your friends.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Psalm 23:6
6 Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 22 - from BriBri
Hey guys. Recently, since our literature homework included reading Matthew, Mark, and Luke, I've been kind of studying the synoptic gospels. Or more like, remembering past studies on it. My sister Rachel once told me that Jesus' last command before his death was for the people to read Psalm 22. She explained that when Rabbis at that time quoted a verse of the Bible, it was a direction for others to read the whole chapter. Now, this is after Jesus has been betrayed by Judas and the people, chosen to die, mocked, beaten, whipped, hit repeatedly with a bag over his head, forced to carry the cross, then nailed to the cross. Then he cries out, "My God, My God, why have your forsaken me?" This was not only him crying out, but a command. Here's the full chapter:
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.[b]
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say,
“let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver me from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you[f] I will fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Imagine reading that after watching Jesus die, and realizing that was Jesus speaking. They were the bulls and lions and dogs mentioned, tearing Jesus apart. And they were the rich of the earth that will go down to the dust to kneel before him.
That's all of us. We were the reason Jesus had to die on the cross, we are the bulls and lions and dogs.
Let's also be the ones described in verse 31. "They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"
He has done it. Let's not let that go to waste.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.[b]
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say,
“let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver me from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you[f] I will fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Imagine reading that after watching Jesus die, and realizing that was Jesus speaking. They were the bulls and lions and dogs mentioned, tearing Jesus apart. And they were the rich of the earth that will go down to the dust to kneel before him.
That's all of us. We were the reason Jesus had to die on the cross, we are the bulls and lions and dogs.
Let's also be the ones described in verse 31. "They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"
He has done it. Let's not let that go to waste.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Matthew 7:13
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Are You Devoted?
"To just read the Bible, attend church, and avoid 'big' sins, is this passionate, wholehearted love for God?"
~Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart
~Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart
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