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Bling you’ve never seen

Bling you’ve never seen

There is a struggle that I have. I think it is common to all Christians actually, we just don’t talk about it. I want the things of this world at times: security, happiness, good health, maybe bigger pecs. Yet deeper inside of me I long for the things of God.

I am finding that the things of God are uncommon. What I mean is that they are not readily available. They are holy and perfect and pure. They cannot be purchased at Kum and Go on your way home from work. The things of God are not around every corner. God is. His presence and authority is over all the earth. You can find him everywhere because he has made himself easy to be found.

The “things of God” are not readily available. They are to be sought after and found because they are rare by definition

I am talking about the things that come from God as he is the source. Things that come from a life following God, listening to God, worshiping God, knowing God, and obeying God. That produces something in a person. The bible calls it spiritual “fruit”.

This is not readily available.

I think we would rather it was. We would rather give up 6 bucks, consume a little of God to get us to the next day and continue on our way. After all 6 bucks isn’t much of a sacrifice for a little bit o’ God in my life, right?

I am finding something else is true in life. The world in which we live does not value the things of God. It values freedom from commitment, autonomy, happiness, money, sex, impressive resumes, big gains, good music, and did I mention freedom from commitment yet?

The things of God come slowly and incrementally. The things of God are have no value on the market, but they are of great value to the individual that possesses them. The things of God undermine the things of this world and are considered foolishness and laughable.

But here is what I am finding. The things of this world really are passing away. They really are transitory and not to be trusted. Jesus said that a long time ago and I am finding that he is actually telling the truth. The only things that last for the long run are the things of God; those uncommon and “ridiculous” things that only God can give a soul: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

But I am more and more valuing the these things. And as I do I feel the pressure to change my mind, even from “Christians”; to value other things that are more tangible or readily available or able to boast about (after all, you can only brag about what you measure right).

I want the deeper things of God no matter the cost. I hope that I will not change my mind. I hope that I will not give up.

I saw this on a theological blog today and it inspired me as I am slowly continuing my study on suffering and joy for the Christian.

I wanted to share it with you all. Hope it bothers you and inspires you.

-chad

joy

Necessity of Joy

It is funny how you can go through you life day after day and not be aware of the obvious. It may be obvious to others but is shielded in some way to your eyes.

I was listening to an interview of a well known pastor and he began to speak about joy. What it was and how important it is to our growth in Christ. Instantly I was struck by how much I neglect joy in the Christian life. The word hasn’t been in my vocabulary for months! Why is that?

It seems to me that joy is a necessary by-product of faithfully following Jesus, not an optional blessing. Prior to (in God’s sovereignty) and since my dear friends death, I had been studying suffering. I firmly believe that people (especially young people) are woefully ill-prepared to suffer well. I have been on a quest to get a “theology of suffering” not only so I can be better equipped, but so I can equip others.

It wasn’t until recently that I was hit with the connection between suffering well and being filled with joy. As the Bible says, “the joy of the Lord is our strength”.

What is the difference between joy and happiness? How does someone attain joy or become “filled with joy?” Does the Bible tell us a definition of joy? Why is joy a fruit of the Holy Spirit?

These are questions I have as I attempt to study joy and suffering. My hunch is that joy is what empowers us to suffer well. If that is true (whatever joy means) then joy must be a NECESSARY mark of someone following Christ.

I am finding Joy a fascinating lens to look at life through and by which to measure life. I have never thought about life in this way before…I hope I will have the time as summer approaches to do a good study on this topic.

Thoughts anyone?

Thinking Philosophically

Those that claim to hold to the atheist world-view must accept that atheism offers no ultimate hope to humanity. I found this passage from renowned atheist Bertrand Russell quite telling. It is from his book “A Free Man’s Worship”:

“That man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his love and beliefs, are but the outcomes of accidental collocations of atoms, that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve individual life beyond the grave;

that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand.

Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” (emphasis mine)

There is no ultimate/final “good news” to atheism if its claims are true, and any claims to the contrary are disingenuous.

Humor

I walked outside and thought to myself: “Man, the sky looks bluer, the grass looks greener, the clouds look whiter. What a great day!”

Then I realized I was wearing polarized sunglasses…

A Prayer of James

James 1:2-4

“2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

A prayer for when we are in a trial of faith:

“Dear Lord, please let it have it’s full effect in me so my faith can be strengthened, and so I can endure”.

Friend Like a Brother

I am grieving the death of one of my best friends right now. He died tragically and suddenly two days ago in a chemical plant accident. He was only 31 years old. I share this to let you know that I will not be posting here for a while.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Pray for his wife and two little children left behind. I know God is in control of all things- even this. I am looking to Him, and asking him to help me not waste this suffering.

Blog Series- will you help?

A Better King

Read 1 Samuel 13: 5-14 before viewing the video

Meditation

Black Friday Meditation

Read the following Scripture before watching video…Luke 12:13-21

Commercialism

Black Friday Footage

Consider the following footage of Black Friday before you choose to participate in it this weekend (or Cyber Monday for that matter).

I think something has gone wrong with us as a society…these moving images speak for themselves.

Thank you

Love My Neighbor- recap

I hope this was a great experience for all you who participated.

I would like to hear your stories of last night so we can pass them on to those that couldn’t make it. Email me, facebook, or do a short webcam response if you want. To God be the glory!

-chad

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