truth

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Confessions of an Easily Excitable Person

The idea of “So the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) is completely wrecking my thinking.  

As I read back through yesterday’s post, I realized that I need to apologize.

My goal was not to be a cynic but to draw some attention to the fact that Christians are called, compelled, motivated–and all the other synonyms–by the love of Christ to share the gospel. 

Let’s take this a step further: If Christians are to be like Jesus, that means John 1:14 is talking about us. When my friend Pastor Gwen preached on the subject (I blogged about that a few weeks ago) her words reminded me of the restlessness in my heart.

My faith needs action because it’s actually a bit ADD when it comes to just sitting still.

Once again, this is all I’m talking about these days (Lord, please let me still have a few friends who read my posts!)

Before I came to Rhema, I was already antsy when I read the Word and saw these truths. Then I came to Rhema.

Most days I feel like a volcano that is dangerously close to blowing up.

KA-BOOM!!!!!

How can you sit under Bible teaching 3 hours a day and not get fired up? Lord, please…I need some Ritalin–better yet I need to start serving!

So I have found several places to serve both within Rhema Bible Church and within another organization. 

The reason for my apology is because I am a bit of a zealot when excited. It’s just the extrovert in me, I guess, but this is me:

Ms. Excited-About-What’s-Happening-You-Should-Be-Too.

I will try to be less of a nut, okay?

Please know, though, that my heart is not to be a cynic. If you feel like I am being too critical, please let me know. 

 

 

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Journaling for Perspective 

Sometimes I can get stuck in my head…

Trying to sort things out sends me in 10 different directions, each with their own feeling. 

Writing stuff down helps me capture what’s going on and shows me what areas need to be covered with prayer.

There are times when what I see is ugly. The truth is right there in its distorted, disfigured form. 

As I read through past entries, I notice the moments where my perspective turned out to be wrong, which means everything else–my attitude, feelings, and opinions–were wrong as well. 

The good news about perspective is that it can change! 

It’s easy for me to spot the shift because my angry scribbles and stratch outs give way to hope-filled words–even if my handwriting is still a jumbled scrawl!

Most of the time I end up finding the right words to express the things I couldn’t bring myself to say before. 

There might still be a hint of pain behind the words, but the joy is bigger than the pain. 

The idea of someone else reading my journal is a bit frightening to me. 

However, I believe that when the time is right it will all make sense to whoever ends up with my mountain of words. 

He or she will say, “Yes, this chick struggled, but the struggle always led her closer to God, to seeing things from His perspective.”

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Angels and Demons

 

I’ve never dabbled in witchcraft or anything involving the occult. 

However, the things I’ve read and watched, the testimonies I’ve heard from men and women who have escaped that lifestyle, are enough for me to know that it’s not good.

This term I am taking Angels and Demons. In the class we will be learning about the spiritual realm. Mr. Kirk Dubois is my teacher and I am excited to dive into the topic. 

Here are some basic truths to consider:

  1. If there is good, there must be evil
  2. If there is right, there must be wrong
  3. If there is light, there must be darkness

Skeptics embrace these facts when it comes to other religions, but not when it comes to Christianity (even though the Bible clearly addresses every one of these areas).

 

Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism–and every other religion in between–have an after life, good and evil, as part of their beliefs.

Whenever someone is ignorant about the spiritual realm, Satan has a  field day because that means there’s lots of room for him to deceive. 

Every person I’ve ever heard speak about escaping the occult or coming out of witchcraft starts off their story the same way:

I didn’t know what I was getting in to.

Normally, all he or she wanted was something to connect with, something to give their lives meaning and purpose. What they found was darkness beyond compare.

Guess what?

As Christians we can share with those individuals–and those who are stuck in dead religions–the source of all strength and power:

Jesus Christ! 

In Him is the hope of a bright future!

In Him is power over all darkness!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We all serve a master

I have a guest blogger!

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a LONG time. It’s my goal to have various friends and family share with us from their hearts.

ambear and audraMy first guest blogger is my oldest friend and companion, Amber Siler. I met Amber when I was 12 years old and we quickly became inseparable. Now, many years later, we live hours apart, but sisters are forever.

I think you’ll really enjoy her topic, especially if you’re a fan of minions.

 

My husband and I recently watched the movie Minions. It is the story of the little yellow creatures from Despicable Me before they came to know and serve their master, Gru.

The movie begins with the narrator explaining that minions have a natural instinct to serve the most despicable being alive. We are then taken on a journey through time as the group of minions chooses these evil beings to serve, among them the mighty T-Rex and Dracula. Time shows that these masters are sub-par and vulnerable.

After losing yet another master, the minions decide to just live on their own and make life one big party. But it doesn’t take long before the party isn’t fun anymore.

The narrator tells us: “ They felt empty inside. Without a master they had no purpose. They became aimless and depressed. If this continued much longer, the minions would perish.”

Wow.

I think I missed the next several minutes of the movie as I pondered that statement.

Humans aren’t much different than minions.

We too were made to serve a master. We give ourselves to master after master, only to be disappointed when those “masters” don’t have what we are looking for. We then turn our energy inward to serve ourselves, partying and living life any way we please. But it doesn’t take long before the party loses it’s appeal. And without a master to serve, we lose our purpose.

We were created to serve THE Master – God himself, Creator of the universe. We cannot live a fulfilling life unless we are in dedicated service to Him. That’s the bottom line.

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The Greater Good

I’ve been watching The Voice and it’s fun! The judges fight for good singers. 

They’re building a team of vocalists to compete against each other and the other teams (from what I’ve gathered so far).

Singing  competitions are interesting to me because they showcase the immense amount of talent in our country and around the world. 

Can you imagine if everyone used their gifts and talents for the greater good?

This is where my mind goes when I watch shows like The Voice and American Idol. 

All of that talent…

Most of the stories you hear are about why the singer wants to be famous, to be discovered. 

And there’s nothing wrong with being famous! This is not a post from a bitter wannabe. 

I just wonder if the singers understand the opportunity being placed before them to make a difference. 

Not everyone gets to stand on a platform. Their words and actions aren’t under scrutiny by millions. 

The pressure of fame can be crushing, but it doesn’t have to be. Many celebrities use the spotlight to be a voice for those who don’t have a voice. 

Of course, you don’t have to be a celebrity to make a difference. (I’m assuming everyone knows this truth.)

Watching all of these talent shows, though, has me thinking about the motivations of the heart. 

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Not an ordinary book

The biggest part of my job is communicating with students, so most of my day is spent talking on the phone or checking my email. 

It doesn’t bother me too much because my job–my mission–is to help the students connect with the right information to graduate. 

I love connecting others with information!

Ask any of my closest friends and they will tell you I always have a book recommendation. 

Just tell me what you need or want to know and I’ll get a book in your hands. 

This passion is not separated from my faith either. 

I love teaching and explaining scriptures! 

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

As much as I love reading, I’ll never love another book like I do the Bible. 

The Bible is Jesus in print. 

It’s His mind, His will for us to follow. 

Every question can be answered by the Bible. 

This is why it’s so important to teach and explain scriptures. You’re connecting others with information–faith–and faith comes by hearing. 

What can faith do?

Well, we’re saved by grace through faith. 

We’re healed by faith. 

We pray by faith. 

Just check out Hebrews 11 and you’ll see how all of our favorite Bible characters did nothing without faith. 

In fact, Hebrews 11: 6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

I’d say faith is important. 

I’m all about sharing a book with someone to help them understand more about Christianity. 

Just be sure you give that person a Bible as well. 

Then go a step further: Actually read, study, and discuss both the recommended book and the Bible with them. 

Other books are great, but only the Bible holds all truth. 

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BFFs and such

One of my best friends lives in Canada. She’s actually more like my sister, which is awesome because I always wanted a big sister growing up. 

You know the cliche that friends are the family that you choose?

I wholeheartedly believe it to be true because I have a small group of friends who have become my family. 

We’ve weathered many storms together and I know who to call whenever I need prayer. 

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know my personal stance on the idea of doing life alone:Just don’t do it!

We need family. 

We need friends. 

We need a community. 

The Bible says that loners rage against all sound wisdom. 

I’m so blessed to have great friends. The Lord has always put people on my path to encourage me and challenge me towards spiritual growth. 

Friendship matters. And all of the cliches and warnings from your elders are true. 

You really do become like the people you hang around. 

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The Ultimate Authority

Yesterday I told you we’d talk about the right way to view the Bible.

It’s not a trump card to be used as an “In your face!” insult.

The Bible is the Word of God, the way in which God chose to communicate with man. His directives, the history of who He is, the redemption story, how to live a godly life, how the world will end (and begin anew) can be found in the progressive revelation of the narrative.

The Bible is the ultimate authority and the final say.

Whenever I talk with friends and family about my beliefs on a topic, I have to take them to the Bible. There’s nowhere else for me to go.

And, no, I’m not contradicting myself. My use of the Bible to define my beliefs using scriptures is not the same as using a trump card.

My use of the Bible as my guide makes me a Christian.  

I find it so funny that people are offended by this notion.

Yes, Christians make all decisions based on the beliefs found in ancient writings, yet here’s the crazy thing: So does everyone else.

Why, then, is it only “weird” when a Christian says, “Sorry, I don’t believe that because it goes against the Bible”?

I am aware of the rampant biblical illiteracy and the number of Christians who, in the name of culture, twist and bend scripture.

Besides the obvious, logical conclusion that Christians aren’t the only group with nominal followers in it’s camp, let’s put these things aside for a minute, okay?

I think the crux of the problem stems from what Christians profess:

Jesus is the only way, only truth, the only life.

This bothers people.

How can that be?

Isn’t that judgmental?

Isn’t that rather exclusive?

The beliefs about Jesus–who He is, what He came to do–are very clear in the Bible. If you don’t believe the truth about Him, you can’t be a Christian and you don’t believe in the totality of scripture.

So, when I say that this way of viewing the Bible is the best, I don’t say it lightly.

My commitment to the Bible as the ultimate authority means that everything (and I mean everything) is filtered through this singular lens. 

 

 

 

 

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No trump card needed

There are two  ways to look at the Bible. 

The first way is when your knowledge of scripture is used as a trump card.

 In this context, the Bible changes from the ultimate source of transformative power–salvation, repentance, and grace–to a weapon used to win a game, i.e. a trump card. 

Certainly the Word of God is a weapon, but the weapon described in the scriptures is always to be used for edification, as a catalyst for change. 

Trust me. The piercing effects of scripture will tear down all strongholds and sin and any barriers that hold you back from the full freedom of a grace-filled life. 

Games of manipulation and great shows of your general awesomeness are not needed. 

Too many times, Christians get into sword fights with each other. Healthy debate is okay, discipleship is okay.  

But all out war to show off your spiritual prowess?

This needs to end. There is one body of Christ.

 It’s time to walk towards that reality instead of using the Bible as a weapon against each other. 

Quit using the Bible as a trump card. 

Quit saying, “Boo yah! In your face!” and then walking away. 

It’s not helping anyone. 

I told you there are two ways to view the Bible. Tomorrow we’ll talk about the second way, the best way. 

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Internet 101: Don’t write opinion (I mean, open) letters

I’ve noticed a lot of open letters floating around the internet.

Did you know there’s even a definition for them?

An open letter is:

“A letter, often critical, addressed to a particular person or group of people but intended for publication.”

Here’s Audra’s definition:

“An letter is your opinion–masked in self-righteousness–and broadcasted to the world because you don’t actually have a voice in that person or group’s life.

Own up to your opinion, okay?

Don’t hide behind an open letter and say, “Just sayin’…you (and the rest of the world) needed to know.”

Letters–real letters–are very personal. Someone took the time to sit down and express their thoughts. It went out to a special person and led to a deeper relationship.

Blasting out hate mail in the form of an open letter is wrong. Plain and simple.

I’m not saying there haven’t been good open letters too.

But everyone knows the truth.

A letter to “the poor, lonely soul in the corner” is about the writer expressing their opinion as another “poor, lonely soul in the corner”. (To all poor, lonely souls: Please don’t stay that way because I stopped an open letter from being written to you.)

I hope open letters are not how our generation chooses to communicate.

I don’t see the need to write open letters.

If I want to share my opinion, I’ll just blog about it.

Wait a minute!!!!!

You mean my blog is entirely based on my perception of the world?

Like an open letter?

Mind blown.

There are so many ways to express yourself online–without hiding behind anything.