Good morning!
I have been reading this really intriguing book called "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller and he explains the thoughts and patterns of the current post-modern society. He writes on their skepticism and doubts toward God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The chapter I read last night was very moving and piqued by curiosity. The name of the chapter was titled "Christianity is a Straightjacket." Talk about a title first of all! Uffda! The chapter deals with the exclusivity associated with Christianity and how there are certain standards that we adhere to and not everyone fits into them--primarily because they choose not to fit into them. (I want to be clear, as did Dr. Keller, that the message of Christianity is for everyone and is meant to be available for all. However, some choose to reject the claims of Jesus Christ, remain unregenerate, and then persecute the church for being "narrow-minded." These are the skeptics addressed in this chapter.)
Out of Dr. Keller's argument, he argued that love, which is infinitely found in Jesus Christ Himself, must contain discipline. In fact, Dr. Keller states that any freedom is only found when there are restrictions applied to that freedom. To make his case, Keller gives an illustration of a fish. A fish is only free when it is restricted to water. If you were to put this fish on the grass it would not be free for it would die. Hence, restrictions lead to freedom.
With a love relationship, persons must also adjust to one another for their love to grow. (This makes sense.) So in order for that love to grow, there must be other restrictions placed the relationship so that freedom with your significant other can develop. Keller states this is the same with Jesus Christ. We are asked to restrict and conform ourselves, but we can wonder, what about God? Well, He has already done it. He came as Jesus, restricted Himself to a human body, and took on our sins to give us life and freedom in Him.
I finished reading this and was blown away. It has been awhile since I have been absolutely floored by a message, but this one did. In order for us to be free and attain the freedom we so desperately need, we have to restrict ourselves because it is for our good! Otherwise, God would have found another way. God is His infinite wisdom once again strives to set us right with Him, and He did in the only way that would completely renew us, and that is through Jesus Christ.
Friends, if you haven't accepted that great message of Jesus Christ, please do so now! In Him you will find all the strength and freedom you could ever desire. I promise this life won't be easier, but following Jesus never has been. BUT the sacrifice of yourself will give NEW life to you and bring you to the utmost joy and experience this life can even offer. Let the restrictions take hold of you--You will know the unsurpassing love that contains us all so completely.
Heavenly Father, I am grateful that you have spoken. Speak now and reveal your glorious heart to this world, that they may know you and honor you. Father, you have restricted us so that we could find absolute freedom. Thank you. Father, turn this world upside down with your ridiculous, crazy, unfathomable love. Great is the power of the Cross, and I thank you for it everyday, Jesus. Renew me in your promises and strengthen me by your truths. Great are you, Holy Spirit, who I long to be under your complete control. You are amazing Great God! Amen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
one minute apologist
Hey everyone!
After a wonderful, awesome weekend of sunshine (minus the rain on Saturday night), we are once again seeing the dreariness of the clouds. And it's Monday.
But instead, it's a great day for celebration! We are alive, God's grace and mercy are flowing in unsubstantiated amounts, and I am crippled by the power of His love. How wondrous the Father's love truly is toward us!
Over the past few days I have been reading up on apologetics. It is great stuff, but articulating it has not always been my strong point. Out of this reading, I continue to have great comfort in knowing about the character of our great God. And I love Him more knowing that I see Him anew. But a piece of my heart hurts too. I see all this great information, and yet I feel a dichotomy between knowing about God and knowing Him. When I personally get on my knees and bow before the Creator, I know His character in such a new light. I am not displacing apologetics, because I have learned so much more about God and fallen in love because of some works. But I am calling out to be personal with God and seek Him in quiet time.
Sorry about that little rant. Anyway, the reason I was reading up on apologetics is because I shared with my youth group going to NYC answers to questions they had about God. What I did was have them write out any question they had, then answer it as best I could. One thing I really hate (yes, hate) about the culture shift that is going on is that EVERYTHING is so fast paced. I had to be a one minute apologist last night and that was hard. I had to be very concise with what I said and I couldn't develop these points in a deeper fashion. It was hard, but I know some did benefit from my sharing.
Paul encouraged Timothy about this issue and being open to always sharing the truth, and I take great comfort in these words: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teacher to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:2-3) I know the truth and I have God's word written on my heart. While these verses very much reflect American society, they also are a call for us to remain steadfast to our message of Jesus, the truth and the only way!
One last Scripture that's been burning in my mind lately is 2 Peter 1:16: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." I love how Peter lays out how true the Word is--it is not a fairy tale, but actual documents of real life situations! It is for our power that we get to read these words, to encourage us and lead us in the ways of a life that reflects Jesus!
Get to know your Bible, spend time with God, and don't forsake that. How can we ever be a witness if we don't take the time to seek to know the One we are proclaiming?
God's blessings to you on this day!
After a wonderful, awesome weekend of sunshine (minus the rain on Saturday night), we are once again seeing the dreariness of the clouds. And it's Monday.
But instead, it's a great day for celebration! We are alive, God's grace and mercy are flowing in unsubstantiated amounts, and I am crippled by the power of His love. How wondrous the Father's love truly is toward us!
Over the past few days I have been reading up on apologetics. It is great stuff, but articulating it has not always been my strong point. Out of this reading, I continue to have great comfort in knowing about the character of our great God. And I love Him more knowing that I see Him anew. But a piece of my heart hurts too. I see all this great information, and yet I feel a dichotomy between knowing about God and knowing Him. When I personally get on my knees and bow before the Creator, I know His character in such a new light. I am not displacing apologetics, because I have learned so much more about God and fallen in love because of some works. But I am calling out to be personal with God and seek Him in quiet time.
Sorry about that little rant. Anyway, the reason I was reading up on apologetics is because I shared with my youth group going to NYC answers to questions they had about God. What I did was have them write out any question they had, then answer it as best I could. One thing I really hate (yes, hate) about the culture shift that is going on is that EVERYTHING is so fast paced. I had to be a one minute apologist last night and that was hard. I had to be very concise with what I said and I couldn't develop these points in a deeper fashion. It was hard, but I know some did benefit from my sharing.
Paul encouraged Timothy about this issue and being open to always sharing the truth, and I take great comfort in these words: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teacher to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:2-3) I know the truth and I have God's word written on my heart. While these verses very much reflect American society, they also are a call for us to remain steadfast to our message of Jesus, the truth and the only way!
One last Scripture that's been burning in my mind lately is 2 Peter 1:16: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." I love how Peter lays out how true the Word is--it is not a fairy tale, but actual documents of real life situations! It is for our power that we get to read these words, to encourage us and lead us in the ways of a life that reflects Jesus!
Get to know your Bible, spend time with God, and don't forsake that. How can we ever be a witness if we don't take the time to seek to know the One we are proclaiming?
God's blessings to you on this day!
Monday, June 22, 2009
created anew
"Beauty for ashes
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
You're the richest of fair"
The stings of this life can be brutal sometimes. I've experienced a few in my little 23 years. But I have a hope. Jesus has given us new life in Him.
In John 3, Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee, comes to Jesus in the middle of the night and asks Him about the eternal kingdom. He questions how this life is entered into and Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus declares that nothing begins or can be made new without the Holy Spirit's working. The water represents baptism and the cleansing of our sins.
How interesting these verses are, but how profound also! I am continually amazed at how things spoken are so profound to me, but I constantly need the reminding of God's amazing power at work in my life.
I've gone through issues that I don't know how to settle and yet the Lord stands by me because I have been born again in Him. He has exchanged my rubble and brought an offering out of that for His glory. I am far from perfect and I still need to be reminded of His grace. I stumble so often it just amazes me and how disgusting I really can be. God is wonderful! How amazing His grace is!
The song above is called "Beauty for Ashes" by Shane & Shane. It has been playing on my iPod consistently for about a month and I cannot get over the utter simplicity of the melody and the weight it puts on my heart as it pounds God's truth over me.
I was also reminded of another song this morning, as I have been pondering about my inconsistency and God's utter satisfaction and perfection, and that is "Sea of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor. God has taken my sin as He has made me new in Him and placed those sins in the sea of forgetfulness. In the song, Helen relates that it is "me who keeps reminding you over and over again." God has forgotten our sins. He has completely forgotten it because He sees His Son instead-His perfect and holy Son! And how my mind and heart need that reminder so much. I praise God that He has made me new. And I praise Him for the struggles because they make me more like Jesus. That's who I want to be like. I need Him.
Be blessed that He is making all things new-including you. He will transform each and every situation to bring Him glory. There is nothing that He does not know or see, and for that, He is good. (Hebrews 4:13).
Thank you, Lord, for your unending grace-your grace that is so sufficient beyond my finite mind. Thank you Lord that you work beyond my limitations to do the unimaginable in my life and surpass all I could ever understand. I thank you for being a BIG God, but never too far to reach in and speak to me. Thank you for your faithfulness Jesus. Guide me, sustain me, lead me to the eternal victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
You're the richest of fair"
The stings of this life can be brutal sometimes. I've experienced a few in my little 23 years. But I have a hope. Jesus has given us new life in Him.
In John 3, Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee, comes to Jesus in the middle of the night and asks Him about the eternal kingdom. He questions how this life is entered into and Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus declares that nothing begins or can be made new without the Holy Spirit's working. The water represents baptism and the cleansing of our sins.
How interesting these verses are, but how profound also! I am continually amazed at how things spoken are so profound to me, but I constantly need the reminding of God's amazing power at work in my life.
I've gone through issues that I don't know how to settle and yet the Lord stands by me because I have been born again in Him. He has exchanged my rubble and brought an offering out of that for His glory. I am far from perfect and I still need to be reminded of His grace. I stumble so often it just amazes me and how disgusting I really can be. God is wonderful! How amazing His grace is!
The song above is called "Beauty for Ashes" by Shane & Shane. It has been playing on my iPod consistently for about a month and I cannot get over the utter simplicity of the melody and the weight it puts on my heart as it pounds God's truth over me.
I was also reminded of another song this morning, as I have been pondering about my inconsistency and God's utter satisfaction and perfection, and that is "Sea of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor. God has taken my sin as He has made me new in Him and placed those sins in the sea of forgetfulness. In the song, Helen relates that it is "me who keeps reminding you over and over again." God has forgotten our sins. He has completely forgotten it because He sees His Son instead-His perfect and holy Son! And how my mind and heart need that reminder so much. I praise God that He has made me new. And I praise Him for the struggles because they make me more like Jesus. That's who I want to be like. I need Him.
Be blessed that He is making all things new-including you. He will transform each and every situation to bring Him glory. There is nothing that He does not know or see, and for that, He is good. (Hebrews 4:13).
Thank you, Lord, for your unending grace-your grace that is so sufficient beyond my finite mind. Thank you Lord that you work beyond my limitations to do the unimaginable in my life and surpass all I could ever understand. I thank you for being a BIG God, but never too far to reach in and speak to me. Thank you for your faithfulness Jesus. Guide me, sustain me, lead me to the eternal victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tradition
Hello all on this rainy evening. Hope everyone is great!
I just got off the road and back home from a long car ride to Rolla, ND. It is there that I buried my great aunt today in a very beautiful service. It was great celebrating her life and I am so glad I went.
The sermon the pastor gave today was on John 14:1-6. Jesus' words in this tell of what He has prepared for us in heaven if we believe and trust only in Him. Then He reminds us "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What powerful words these are!
The funeral for my great aunt was held in this quaint, small town Lutheran church. The outside of the church was nothing to behold, but the inside--WOW! Absolutely breathtaking! I felt in the presence of God there! I can't say I felt that ultimate presence from walking in a rural church in a long time, but it was nice.
I stood back and thought of the amazing years of tradition that this church is built upon. We Finns know what we're doing! =) (Just sneaking that one in there...hehe) But more than that, the words of Jesus were proclaimed. These words are what we base our entirity as Christians upon! We come only to know God through Jesus Christ and that is what we must to stand upon!
Tradition on the Bible must be our proclamation! Let's let it be so.
I just got off the road and back home from a long car ride to Rolla, ND. It is there that I buried my great aunt today in a very beautiful service. It was great celebrating her life and I am so glad I went.
The sermon the pastor gave today was on John 14:1-6. Jesus' words in this tell of what He has prepared for us in heaven if we believe and trust only in Him. Then He reminds us "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What powerful words these are!
The funeral for my great aunt was held in this quaint, small town Lutheran church. The outside of the church was nothing to behold, but the inside--WOW! Absolutely breathtaking! I felt in the presence of God there! I can't say I felt that ultimate presence from walking in a rural church in a long time, but it was nice.
I stood back and thought of the amazing years of tradition that this church is built upon. We Finns know what we're doing! =) (Just sneaking that one in there...hehe) But more than that, the words of Jesus were proclaimed. These words are what we base our entirity as Christians upon! We come only to know God through Jesus Christ and that is what we must to stand upon!
Tradition on the Bible must be our proclamation! Let's let it be so.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Quietness
Why must we maintain busyness?
I have pondered this question in the past few days and inoculated it's grandness and depth. What is the point of being busy? How it ever disturbs us from desiring and seeking God!
A few days ago I read from "The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen. A section of this book deals with prayer. In the book, Nouwen looks at our common notions toward prayer. Often seen as time of talking to God, we forget to listen. Delving into this, Nouwen writes of the Desert Fathers desire for more contemplative time with God, allowing communion with Him to be time of communication rather than speaking at God with all we have to say and letting that be the end of it. As I have heard from other authors as well, we finish with saying "In Jesus' name" and it's like we're casting a spell on God and it must be done because we said those magic words.
What a shame it is that some believe that.
I have been challenged in reading this though. I know that what I pray, when I close with those words, is my trust completely relies on Jesus, no one else. He is my hope and my light and it is only because of Him THAT I CAN come to God and communicate.
Obviously God is bigger than we are and we can share everything on our mind to Him in prayer! Yes He is! But where is the rest in between of waiting on Him, not only wanting Him to speak, but expecting Him to?
These thoughts have been burning in my mind and are taking effect in my life. I desire for God to lead--not pushing all my "prayer needs" on Him and expecting Him to just do. I want God to have total effect on all those I name before Him, but I desire to hear Him.
Maybe I don't pray right. Maybe I don't seek God correctly.
Or maybe this is how we need to.
I am choosing quietness. I am choosing to serve Him and wait for Him. I am choosing to shut off my mind so that He maybe have my full attention. The new prayer I scream from my heart is that my eyes would be fixed on Him and I would keep abiding in Him so that I may bring Him fruit. (Thanks for your help on that Jeremy Riddle!)
May the blessing of the Lord surround you this day! Soli deo gloria!
Brandon
I have pondered this question in the past few days and inoculated it's grandness and depth. What is the point of being busy? How it ever disturbs us from desiring and seeking God!
A few days ago I read from "The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen. A section of this book deals with prayer. In the book, Nouwen looks at our common notions toward prayer. Often seen as time of talking to God, we forget to listen. Delving into this, Nouwen writes of the Desert Fathers desire for more contemplative time with God, allowing communion with Him to be time of communication rather than speaking at God with all we have to say and letting that be the end of it. As I have heard from other authors as well, we finish with saying "In Jesus' name" and it's like we're casting a spell on God and it must be done because we said those magic words.
What a shame it is that some believe that.
I have been challenged in reading this though. I know that what I pray, when I close with those words, is my trust completely relies on Jesus, no one else. He is my hope and my light and it is only because of Him THAT I CAN come to God and communicate.
Obviously God is bigger than we are and we can share everything on our mind to Him in prayer! Yes He is! But where is the rest in between of waiting on Him, not only wanting Him to speak, but expecting Him to?
These thoughts have been burning in my mind and are taking effect in my life. I desire for God to lead--not pushing all my "prayer needs" on Him and expecting Him to just do. I want God to have total effect on all those I name before Him, but I desire to hear Him.
Maybe I don't pray right. Maybe I don't seek God correctly.
Or maybe this is how we need to.
I am choosing quietness. I am choosing to serve Him and wait for Him. I am choosing to shut off my mind so that He maybe have my full attention. The new prayer I scream from my heart is that my eyes would be fixed on Him and I would keep abiding in Him so that I may bring Him fruit. (Thanks for your help on that Jeremy Riddle!)
May the blessing of the Lord surround you this day! Soli deo gloria!
Brandon
Monday, June 8, 2009
Okay so it's been a little while...
"Jesus/King of Salvation/...King of the Broken"
Hey all,
Hope you are well! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! Aah!!! Sorry! I've been a little busy moving this past week and felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Uffda!
I just bought two cd's last week that are so excellent. The first is "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels. I have been a fan of Christy's for a few years, back when she was a part of Watermark, with her husband Nathan. Her new album in great! I love all the songs. I have been challenging myself to really spend time with each song on the record. I have this horrible habit of skipping through songs if I'm not necessarily in the mood for them. But all the songs on this album, even if I want to skip the beginning part, have such great melodies and lines deeper in the song. And they are excellent and I love praising God with the music.
The line above and the one below both come from some new songs off the the "CompassionArt" cd. It has a various number of artists and the songs are powerful! I have been listening to in the office and I am so blessed and challenged to love God more thoroughly and to love His children more completely. Highly recommended tunes!
I have been reading Romans lately, and I love all that I am learning. I am leading a Bible Study too on Sundays in between services and we last studied Romans 3. When I was preparing for Bible Study, there was a componet that really struck my fancy. Paul is countering an argument made by the Jews about God's righteousness. Read it here--Romans 3:5-8:
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrat on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?' Why not say--as we are slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved."
When I was reading a commentary, one author brought up this would be the case Judas Iscariot would bring up against God, believing that what he did was part of God's plan anyway and that should earn him eternal rest with God because he fulfilled what God had in store for him. However, Paul is also looking at our motives toward God. Were Judas' motives toward Jesus pure? We all know they were self-seeking, giving him sin. And God does not tolerate sin at all.
I found this to be very interesting! God is wise. Later on, Paul also continues to tell of the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ! This is the gospel and it is so powerful! We are saved by His blood! I am reminded that I can never question God because of my sin and His own purposes. His ways are higher, and I am glad they are.
Be blessed all! Soli deo Gloria!
"So great/So great/And your love endures forever/To the end/of the age/Oh, your love endures forevermore"
Hey all,
Hope you are well! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! Aah!!! Sorry! I've been a little busy moving this past week and felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Uffda!
I just bought two cd's last week that are so excellent. The first is "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels. I have been a fan of Christy's for a few years, back when she was a part of Watermark, with her husband Nathan. Her new album in great! I love all the songs. I have been challenging myself to really spend time with each song on the record. I have this horrible habit of skipping through songs if I'm not necessarily in the mood for them. But all the songs on this album, even if I want to skip the beginning part, have such great melodies and lines deeper in the song. And they are excellent and I love praising God with the music.
The line above and the one below both come from some new songs off the the "CompassionArt" cd. It has a various number of artists and the songs are powerful! I have been listening to in the office and I am so blessed and challenged to love God more thoroughly and to love His children more completely. Highly recommended tunes!
I have been reading Romans lately, and I love all that I am learning. I am leading a Bible Study too on Sundays in between services and we last studied Romans 3. When I was preparing for Bible Study, there was a componet that really struck my fancy. Paul is countering an argument made by the Jews about God's righteousness. Read it here--Romans 3:5-8:
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrat on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?' Why not say--as we are slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved."
When I was reading a commentary, one author brought up this would be the case Judas Iscariot would bring up against God, believing that what he did was part of God's plan anyway and that should earn him eternal rest with God because he fulfilled what God had in store for him. However, Paul is also looking at our motives toward God. Were Judas' motives toward Jesus pure? We all know they were self-seeking, giving him sin. And God does not tolerate sin at all.
I found this to be very interesting! God is wise. Later on, Paul also continues to tell of the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ! This is the gospel and it is so powerful! We are saved by His blood! I am reminded that I can never question God because of my sin and His own purposes. His ways are higher, and I am glad they are.
Be blessed all! Soli deo Gloria!
"So great/So great/And your love endures forever/To the end/of the age/Oh, your love endures forevermore"
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