peace.
it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work; it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
a piece from My Upmost for His Highest:
"Thousands of people are happy without God in this world. If I was happy and moral till Jesus came, why did He come? Because that kind of happiness and peace is on a wrong level; Jesus Christ came to send a sword through every peace that is not based on a personal realtionship to Himself."
"I came not to send peace, but a sword."
-Jesus Christ, Matthew 10:34
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
my heart.
4 years ago, Tylor died in a car accident.
i thought about him all day today.
it was shortly after his death that i started to realize that the God i had heard about is real. it sounds simple, but no one had ever told me that in a way that i understood.
today, i have reflected a lot on that time in my life. it has been so beautiful to see the ways God was chasing me over the course of my entire life.
---
i had coffee with a lovely woman the other day named Katie. she's the best. the conversation was so encouraging and strenghening to my soul. one of the topics we spoke of was the church. during the conversation, it was brought to my attention that the church is often missing something huge.
when i say "the church" i do not mean simply the building, or the pastors, or even the idea of church, that we have somehow Americanized. what i am speaking of is the body of believers. all of us - together as one. my realization was this:
if not one person in the church, or the body of believers, is bold enough to individually seek out people and their relationship with Christ, then what are we doing? what's the point?
in Acts 8, Philip was traveling to Gaza when he met an Ethiopian. the man was sitting on his chariot, reading the book of Isaiah and Philip heard him reading. Philip asked the man, "do you understand what you are reading?" the man replied with this:
"how can i, unless someone explains it to me?"
Philip then proceeded to read with him and explain things to him as they traveled together.
---
thank you Tylor for being a light into my life, and for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life in such a powerful way.
thank you to Tylor's best friend for speaking truth into my life after his death.
i thank the Lord for revealing himself to me, and for giving me a story to tell, and for giving me a reason to live.
how will anyone in this world know the depth of the love of Christ unless we explain it to them?
i thought about him all day today.
it was shortly after his death that i started to realize that the God i had heard about is real. it sounds simple, but no one had ever told me that in a way that i understood.
today, i have reflected a lot on that time in my life. it has been so beautiful to see the ways God was chasing me over the course of my entire life.
---
i had coffee with a lovely woman the other day named Katie. she's the best. the conversation was so encouraging and strenghening to my soul. one of the topics we spoke of was the church. during the conversation, it was brought to my attention that the church is often missing something huge.
when i say "the church" i do not mean simply the building, or the pastors, or even the idea of church, that we have somehow Americanized. what i am speaking of is the body of believers. all of us - together as one. my realization was this:
if not one person in the church, or the body of believers, is bold enough to individually seek out people and their relationship with Christ, then what are we doing? what's the point?
in Acts 8, Philip was traveling to Gaza when he met an Ethiopian. the man was sitting on his chariot, reading the book of Isaiah and Philip heard him reading. Philip asked the man, "do you understand what you are reading?" the man replied with this:
"how can i, unless someone explains it to me?"
Philip then proceeded to read with him and explain things to him as they traveled together.
---
thank you Tylor for being a light into my life, and for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life in such a powerful way.
thank you to Tylor's best friend for speaking truth into my life after his death.
i thank the Lord for revealing himself to me, and for giving me a story to tell, and for giving me a reason to live.
how will anyone in this world know the depth of the love of Christ unless we explain it to them?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
let me not to the marriage of true minds.
let me not to the marriage of true minds
admit impediments; love is not love
which alters when it alteration finds,
or bends with the remover to remove.
o, no, it is an ever-fixed mark
that looks on tempests and is never shaken;
it is the star to every wand’ring bark,
whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
within his bending sickle’s compass come;
love alters not with his brief hours and weeks
but bears it out even to the edge of doom.
if this be error and upon me proved,
i never writ, nor no man ever loved.
-William Shakespeare
Saturday, October 18, 2008
an article from Relevant Magazine.
LEADING THE CHARGE
by: Cameron Strang
"Let's get this out of the way up front: I'm not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.
Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It's an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It's a continual power struggle and - from my humble vantage point - seems a bit flawed.
I'm someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I've realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.
I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.
Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address the issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.
The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that's largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?
If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward for the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that - whether or not the President shares your same values.
The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can't forsee and situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?
Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?
I've heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I've read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.
There's more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that's where our focus should be.
Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don't hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.
I'm not saying don't vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard - that's one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don't let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.
If you have passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn't share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.
We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It's not up to Washington, it's up to us - and I say it's time we step up and lead the charge.
But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just November 4."
by: Cameron Strang
"Let's get this out of the way up front: I'm not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.
Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It's an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It's a continual power struggle and - from my humble vantage point - seems a bit flawed.
I'm someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I've realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.
I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.
Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address the issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.
The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that's largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?
If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward for the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that - whether or not the President shares your same values.
The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can't forsee and situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?
Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?
I've heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I've read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.
There's more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that's where our focus should be.
Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don't hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.
I'm not saying don't vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard - that's one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don't let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.
If you have passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn't share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.
We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It's not up to Washington, it's up to us - and I say it's time we step up and lead the charge.
But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just November 4."
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
a time for the leaves to change colors.
each new school year brings change. i know this. however, this semester has been exceptionally difficult. everything is new. nothing is bad, just different. the distance between old friends is heartbreaking. new people are walking into my life. i have new roles to play. new roommates. a new major. etc. etc.
seasons are good. i know this time is growing me and streching me more than i thought possible. but sometimes the stretching hurts.
recently i have developed an obsession with trees and anything related to trees.
roots.
leaves.
branches.
seeds.
you get the idea.
i want more than anything inside of me to be like a "great oak" that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
the other morning i was talking to God about what it looks like for me to be like an oak tree. i thought about the analogies between what brings life to a tree and what makes me alive. trees require food, water, light, oxygen, etc. my life, spiritually speaking, requires similar traits, but ultimately i recieve life in various ways from the Lord. and only the Lord.
as i thought about this more, i realized the necessity of the word dependence.
just as that tree is dependent on all of these things to live, i am dependent on the Lord to have life. think about it. a tree cannot live if it is looking to other trees for life. the tree is completely dependent on these sources of food, light, oxygen, etc. otherwise, the tree withers.
whether i am aware of this or not, i am completely dependent on the Lord to live. He gives life. and nothing else can. nothing.
i am especially excited for fall this year. it is a beautiful season.
mal.
p.s. if you think of it, please pray for my back. i have experienced lower back pains since i graduated high school and they have become seemingly worse. i think i will go to the doctor soon, but until then, prayer would be great. :)
seasons are good. i know this time is growing me and streching me more than i thought possible. but sometimes the stretching hurts.
recently i have developed an obsession with trees and anything related to trees.roots.
leaves.
branches.
seeds.
you get the idea.
"...he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,isaiah 61.
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness,
they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted
for his own glory."
i want more than anything inside of me to be like a "great oak" that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
the other morning i was talking to God about what it looks like for me to be like an oak tree. i thought about the analogies between what brings life to a tree and what makes me alive. trees require food, water, light, oxygen, etc. my life, spiritually speaking, requires similar traits, but ultimately i recieve life in various ways from the Lord. and only the Lord.
as i thought about this more, i realized the necessity of the word dependence.
just as that tree is dependent on all of these things to live, i am dependent on the Lord to have life. think about it. a tree cannot live if it is looking to other trees for life. the tree is completely dependent on these sources of food, light, oxygen, etc. otherwise, the tree withers.
whether i am aware of this or not, i am completely dependent on the Lord to live. He gives life. and nothing else can. nothing.
i am especially excited for fall this year. it is a beautiful season.
mal.
p.s. if you think of it, please pray for my back. i have experienced lower back pains since i graduated high school and they have become seemingly worse. i think i will go to the doctor soon, but until then, prayer would be great. :)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
peace.
a couple of weeks ago, i was reading in ephesians 4.
"make every effort to keep the
unity
of
the
spirit
through the
bond
of
peace.
there is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to
o.n.e . h.o.p.e
when you were called..."
-ephesians 4:3-4
this is what i wrote in my journal that day... and i cannot seem to remove this from my mind:
"Yesterday, my friend, Julie, and I had a conversation about a thought that had stemmed from a book by Rob Bell, called Sex God. The specific chapter we spoke of discussed humans and their animalistic instincts versus their angelic instincts, or in other words, spirituality.
This very conversation reminded me of one I had with a friend in Sapa, Vietnam. The friend mentioned a psychology book that talked of this concept, only using the words flesh and spirit to define the above terms.
After much thought about these two topics, I have come to the most obvious conclusion that there seems to be a battle going on here. It is as if some choose to recognize it and others do not. Nonetheless, the battle continues inside every person. Once recognized, we are given the choice to accept this "one hope" that Ephesians discusses, which is inevitably Jesus.
Back to the verse. The words "unity of the spirit" are beautiful to me. Our spirit is supposed to be unified with our flesh. This is hopeful.
The words "bond of peace" grabbed my attention, so that I would hand on to them for days. I thought of the word peace. And I remembered times when I was a peace. My mind and heart were singing the same song and things made sense. God seemed clearer to me when I was at peace. I then reflected on times in my life that were not so much this way. It seemed as if my mind and heart were at war, tearing one another apart, and impairing my vision in the process. Things got messy.
All of these words suddenly made sense to me. The "bond of peace" is how to keep the unity of my spirit. this is how things are supposed to be. peace is a special bond, like a glue, holding together the angel with the animal."
bond of peace = unity of the spirit
peace = unity
simple.
this has been on my mind so much recently. i am not at peace right now. but the more i realize this, the more dependent i become upon the "one hope" that i have.
"make every effort to keep the
unity
of
the
spirit
through the
bond
of
peace.
there is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to
o.n.e . h.o.p.e
when you were called..."
-ephesians 4:3-4
this is what i wrote in my journal that day... and i cannot seem to remove this from my mind:
"Yesterday, my friend, Julie, and I had a conversation about a thought that had stemmed from a book by Rob Bell, called Sex God. The specific chapter we spoke of discussed humans and their animalistic instincts versus their angelic instincts, or in other words, spirituality.
This very conversation reminded me of one I had with a friend in Sapa, Vietnam. The friend mentioned a psychology book that talked of this concept, only using the words flesh and spirit to define the above terms.
After much thought about these two topics, I have come to the most obvious conclusion that there seems to be a battle going on here. It is as if some choose to recognize it and others do not. Nonetheless, the battle continues inside every person. Once recognized, we are given the choice to accept this "one hope" that Ephesians discusses, which is inevitably Jesus.
Back to the verse. The words "unity of the spirit" are beautiful to me. Our spirit is supposed to be unified with our flesh. This is hopeful.
The words "bond of peace" grabbed my attention, so that I would hand on to them for days. I thought of the word peace. And I remembered times when I was a peace. My mind and heart were singing the same song and things made sense. God seemed clearer to me when I was at peace. I then reflected on times in my life that were not so much this way. It seemed as if my mind and heart were at war, tearing one another apart, and impairing my vision in the process. Things got messy.
All of these words suddenly made sense to me. The "bond of peace" is how to keep the unity of my spirit. this is how things are supposed to be. peace is a special bond, like a glue, holding together the angel with the animal."
bond of peace = unity of the spirit
peace = unity
simple.
this has been on my mind so much recently. i am not at peace right now. but the more i realize this, the more dependent i become upon the "one hope" that i have.
Monday, August 11, 2008
riding bikes and scooters.
the other day 2 kids came to the door and asked if i could come out and "play." the boys are 5 and it was adorable.
so, of course i changed shoes, grabbed my brothers scooter, and rode around with them for a few mintues. then i switched to a much-too-small-for-me bike, and did the same.
i am now getting asked by multiple kids to come out and "play."
i miss being a kid.
so, of course i changed shoes, grabbed my brothers scooter, and rode around with them for a few mintues. then i switched to a much-too-small-for-me bike, and did the same.
i am now getting asked by multiple kids to come out and "play."
i miss being a kid.
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