Bet you're wondering what that's about, huh?
It's not exactly that bad. I bought new furniture! I didn't NECESSARILY need it, but I was in the buyer's market and kinda wanted another sofa. What I ended up getting was a very nice, new sofa and loveseat set. And for a bargain I might add.
When I set out on Friday afternoon with my roommate and his new fiance(!), I was only LOOKING and did have a set amount to spend. To start with, actually, I was looking for an endtable. That is why I even went out with them to look at furniture. Then I saw it. And boy, was it ever beautiful, and not completely out of my price range. I knew I kinda had to act now, and so I did. It was $100 more than I originally wanted to spend, but it will come in handy. I've already had one great conversation on it, with many more hopefully to follow soon!
Well, moving from there, that conversation I had really sparked a great thought in my mind. In this conversation, we talked about the dynamics of the Christian faith. There are many differences and nuances to it, along with understanding of the faith. On a side note, I'm also finishing up a decent book called "The Faith" by Chuck Colson. One overlying theme to our conversation the other day, was how narrow-minded some Christians can be. We discussed the Catholic church the other day. Now, once again, I am NOT Catholic, but there are aspects I do appreciate about the church. And they are CHRISTIANS.
What heated our conversation is that there are so many Christians around my age, who were once in the Catholic church and have found Jesus outside of it. First off, I say "Hallelujah!" because they found Jesus! That is the most praiseworthy thing! But flowing from that, they have left the Catholic church and have even bad-mouthed it. Then there are Christians who don't understand the Catholic church and bad-mouth it anyway. Christian men and women, shame on you.
Now, as stated previously, I am not Catholic, nor ever will be. There is a lot I do not understand about the Catholic church, and I need to study up on it. And that is what each Christian is called to do too, I believe. We are supposed to know where we stand in our faith, and defend it--and if that be by being Catholic or Calvanistic, be that to the core of your being. But don't knock your brother or sister. We are called to build one another up in love, not tear one another down.
On another note, I am catholic! The word "catholic" represents the universal body of Christ, it means we are together, working for God's glory! And that is what Scripture has called us to be! That is what the body needs to be. So, let's be it! For the sake of this broken world, let's not fix our eyes on stupid denominational barriers, but let's look at what we have together, JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED AND RISEN, and let's let that be our battlecry! Let's put Him first and watch Him move through us to bring God's children to repentance and relationship with the Savior!
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)
Soli deo Gloria!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
F.E.E.D: Episode #4--The Battle At Hand
A new episode for you! Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:33-38
Gabcast! Mission Work #9
Gabcast! Mission Work #9
summer love
Hey all,
So, if you did not know before, I will now fill you in. I have started being in weddings this summer and a wedding is not an easy thing. It can be hard process. Believe me, I have now learned.
This past weekend, I celebrated with two friends their nuptials, and it has been an honor for me to be there. This was also the last wedding I am in this summer. I can praise God for that! :)
But more than that, I have learned so much. I have been to weddings in the past, and each of these weddings this summer were all a little different. All were focused on the union being a gift from God and something that binds the couple together and to God. And that is beautiful.
God has done a work in His children and I want to share a little about this past weekend. I was in a wedding in St. Cloud this weekend and it was in a traditional Catholic church. Now I am not Catholic, as I'm sure I've stated that before, but I was blown away by the simplicity and desire for tradition to be proclaimed. There are many things I do not understand about the Catholic tradition, but I can respect and honor that among my brothers and sisters.
One of the most beautiful parts of their ceremony was when the couple exchanged rings. They said a very simple traditional vow, but the power of what they said was breathtaking. The words they said were to the effect that each ring was a symbol of faithfulness between one another and they were making that vow to each other only by the strength of the Holy Spirit, in unison alone with the Triune God. Wow!
And the love these two have for each other was so radiant! I have seen a lot of in love couples, but these two shined so wonderfully, and I was reminded that only God can do that. Only when He is the center and author of the relationship can any couple experience a deep, profound, excellent love like that. And I praise God for showing that to me!
What a summer it has been! But through it all, I have been so reminded of the greatest love that loves me-Jesus Christ! He is the one I celebrate and know that without Him, I would never be blessed to see God working in so many ways! His great love blesses us all, and He gives us the eyes to see that magnificent love affecting us! Praise be to Him!
So, if you did not know before, I will now fill you in. I have started being in weddings this summer and a wedding is not an easy thing. It can be hard process. Believe me, I have now learned.
This past weekend, I celebrated with two friends their nuptials, and it has been an honor for me to be there. This was also the last wedding I am in this summer. I can praise God for that! :)
But more than that, I have learned so much. I have been to weddings in the past, and each of these weddings this summer were all a little different. All were focused on the union being a gift from God and something that binds the couple together and to God. And that is beautiful.
God has done a work in His children and I want to share a little about this past weekend. I was in a wedding in St. Cloud this weekend and it was in a traditional Catholic church. Now I am not Catholic, as I'm sure I've stated that before, but I was blown away by the simplicity and desire for tradition to be proclaimed. There are many things I do not understand about the Catholic tradition, but I can respect and honor that among my brothers and sisters.
One of the most beautiful parts of their ceremony was when the couple exchanged rings. They said a very simple traditional vow, but the power of what they said was breathtaking. The words they said were to the effect that each ring was a symbol of faithfulness between one another and they were making that vow to each other only by the strength of the Holy Spirit, in unison alone with the Triune God. Wow!
And the love these two have for each other was so radiant! I have seen a lot of in love couples, but these two shined so wonderfully, and I was reminded that only God can do that. Only when He is the center and author of the relationship can any couple experience a deep, profound, excellent love like that. And I praise God for showing that to me!
What a summer it has been! But through it all, I have been so reminded of the greatest love that loves me-Jesus Christ! He is the one I celebrate and know that without Him, I would never be blessed to see God working in so many ways! His great love blesses us all, and He gives us the eyes to see that magnificent love affecting us! Praise be to Him!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Jesus as King
Hey everyone,
1 Peter 3:15-16 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
I just got back from a mission trip to New York City. It was an interesting trip, but saturated by the Holy Spirit's presence. It was praiseworthy and for that I am grateful.
I learned many things on the trip and I saw God work in so many unfathomable ways in the students that went on the trip. I was so greatly blessed to see God move. I was definitely looking forward to seeing God do a work in them more than I was in seeing the sights of NYC.
AND HE DID! I was so drawn to tears for a few of those nights because all I could do was praise Him for revealing Himself. And He still is. I am now praying for those students for further shaping of their hearts by God. I pray that it wasn't momentary but lifelong. And I know that God is so faithful that it will be lifelong!
I wrote our daily devotions for the week. The Scripture above was one I had chosen for the students to think about and read. The day we discussed this Scripture, we talked about letting Christ be our all. But more than that, remembering He is our friend. One of the students in my group even pointed out (so profoundly, I might add) that we can get wrapped up in spending time worshiping Jesus, but forget spend time being relational with Him. We can spend a lot of our energy singing to Him and doing good things while forgetting that He desires a relationship with us, where we do sing to Him, but we also give our hearts and fall in love with Him.
I was moved by the way these young people really grasped that. I desire Jesus to be my King, but also my friend. And He is. But I need the reminder so often. The day we did this devotional, I saw God work in the most profound way I have in a long time in these young people. He really did a work. He brought them before His throne, where their souls were naked before Him and let Him do a work. I cried for the power of God moving. I am so thankful He brought us all to that place.
It's only by grace that I can proclaim Jesus as King. It's only by the favor that God bestows upon me. I know it is not easy to understand, but it is truth. I can only stand and move because of His Holy Spirit's empowerment.
I am a child of the most High God! I am an heir with Jesus! My Lord is my friend! What power love has to transform our hearts and lives! That power is the power that we must carry with us always to transform this world.
I pray these words move for God's victory and bring Him the most glory. To Him be all my praise.
Brandon
1 Peter 3:15-16 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
I just got back from a mission trip to New York City. It was an interesting trip, but saturated by the Holy Spirit's presence. It was praiseworthy and for that I am grateful.
I learned many things on the trip and I saw God work in so many unfathomable ways in the students that went on the trip. I was so greatly blessed to see God move. I was definitely looking forward to seeing God do a work in them more than I was in seeing the sights of NYC.
AND HE DID! I was so drawn to tears for a few of those nights because all I could do was praise Him for revealing Himself. And He still is. I am now praying for those students for further shaping of their hearts by God. I pray that it wasn't momentary but lifelong. And I know that God is so faithful that it will be lifelong!
I wrote our daily devotions for the week. The Scripture above was one I had chosen for the students to think about and read. The day we discussed this Scripture, we talked about letting Christ be our all. But more than that, remembering He is our friend. One of the students in my group even pointed out (so profoundly, I might add) that we can get wrapped up in spending time worshiping Jesus, but forget spend time being relational with Him. We can spend a lot of our energy singing to Him and doing good things while forgetting that He desires a relationship with us, where we do sing to Him, but we also give our hearts and fall in love with Him.
I was moved by the way these young people really grasped that. I desire Jesus to be my King, but also my friend. And He is. But I need the reminder so often. The day we did this devotional, I saw God work in the most profound way I have in a long time in these young people. He really did a work. He brought them before His throne, where their souls were naked before Him and let Him do a work. I cried for the power of God moving. I am so thankful He brought us all to that place.
It's only by grace that I can proclaim Jesus as King. It's only by the favor that God bestows upon me. I know it is not easy to understand, but it is truth. I can only stand and move because of His Holy Spirit's empowerment.
I am a child of the most High God! I am an heir with Jesus! My Lord is my friend! What power love has to transform our hearts and lives! That power is the power that we must carry with us always to transform this world.
I pray these words move for God's victory and bring Him the most glory. To Him be all my praise.
Brandon
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