Someone told me the other day they can't remember the last time they really looked up at the sky and the clouds.
Do you find yourself starring at the sky?
or are you focused on what is going on in the here and now?
Does it seem childish?
In ancient times and even not that long ago when the world lived by their own agriculture, People looked to the sky. The looked for rain, they praised the rain; most civilizations even devoted a God to that of the sky and rain and placed them in the sky.
In the early 20th century we finally captured the power to fly, before that all we had were air balloons and gliders.
As children many lie on their back and look at the clouds or play with kites or just lay back and enjoy the great big blue sky.
So what is it about the sky that draws us in?
Why have Humans been so interested in the sky that we live? It hasn’t really changed or grown or shrank, it still looks basically the same? So what is it?
Well I’ve always enjoyed nature and the sky, and recently I’ve made some connections. To us the sky doesn’t end. We can’t see the ends we know it keeps going we have faith in that. The sky is continuous, eternal like God. We must trust that it will still be there and we have faith it won’t end or change, because it never has. God doesn’t change either; just how we perceive him does. Blue is a calming color and that is what God generally is, he calms us he’s strong and stable. The sky gets lit up with beautiful colors from time to time and it just shows Gods glory and beauty like he himself is. He also gets angry and fills the sky with clouds and storm, yet even in this time he still is beautiful in a new way. He’s firm, just, and strong.
These religious applications are only a few, but you can see just focus on one thing in nature and you can see god’s glory shine through in so many ways. But then again he did make it.
Have you ever looked at an invention? You can see what the inventor was trying to accomplish just by looking at it. A microwave: used to heat things up quickly. The pencil: someone wanted something to write with that was easy to make and cheap an something everyone could use.
What about the world? He made the world, to show his power, made us to show his love…
So why do we feel childish when we sit and relax in God’s creations? Why do we feel inferior when were outdoors to those making money in their office? I think the world needs to literally stop and smell the roses, maybe then people could understand God’s power and love.
But even more maybe people will remember what it was like to be a kid again. I think that is the bigger problem. Yes as we grow we are suppose to get older, but we make excuses for knowing things or doing things just because we are older.
Well Christ called us to be like the little child, and I think it’s more than having a pure heart I think it’s also being a little naïve and not fully understanding this world, because we don’t really belong here anyway. But even more than that it’s having creativity, not caring what the person next to you thinks, and enjoying the world we live in.
So maybe next time you have time just go outside sit relax maybe look at the sky or the trees or even be a little kid, play in the dirt, get dirty and just have fun and worship God by your actions of enjoying his creation and not complaining.
Just be a Kid!
And leave it to him, your father.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Game, it has no Rules
1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.
2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."
So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, [b] in his native land. Balak said:
"A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."
Numbers 22:1-6 NIV
(Story continues through chapter 24)
The Search for weapons of Mass destruction plagued our Televisions for months and still does from time to time. I do not want to talk about the politics or even if anything was right or wrong for the United States or what other countries have done, but What if these weapons were located in certain people(s) or countries hands and were operational (which more than likely some has them somewhere...)?
This could cause great panic in the world if others knew of the lingering threat upon their delicate body, surroundings, and family. This sense of Fear and searching for the last resort is what Balak is feeling. He sees a massing army of people threatening his countries well being. He has also seen what these people can do and acknowledges that this is the Weapon of mass destruction of the day. These people from Egypt Contain power over their surroundings and he is sacred.
So he calls on one man to curse these people so that he may live. The ironic part is, this man Balaam is from God (he receives his answers from God the same God as the Israelites, whether he Knows or acknowledges that or not…), the same Destructive power represented in the army he is trying to curse. So since He will not curse himself he instead blesses the destructive power knocking on Balak’s door.
I feel this is how we have begun to view Christianity.
We view it as me verse Satan, a type of game we’ve created using the Bible as the foundation. We see him crouching at our Door and we hurry and sweat to find a cure or a way to keep him out because we know he is more powerful than us. So we call on God to curse Satan, we call on him to hide us from his sight and to bestow on us great peace and prosperity.
Yet we have forgotten that he has given us what we need, he will keep from us what we cannot handle, yet he will not stop testing and strengthening our lives to fight the fight. We need to stop hiding in the hills calling on curses of Satan, but we need to go down and join God’s army.
Now Balak could not go down and join the Israelite, but we have been given that opportunity from God, and Christ.
But this is not the only Lesson that we can learn from this Story. In fact there are innumerable lesson, but I would like to point out one last thing. Balak and Balaam look down at Israel from a hilltop and Balak asks for Balaam to bring down his curse on the people that are laid out before him. It seems very similar to Satan when He tempts Christ on the mountaintop, but more significantly if shows that People are always watching. And Him being scared reveals that other people generally know how good of a job we may be doing, even more than ourselves. Balaam and Balak are watching the Israelites form above, and I am guessing Israel has no idea these men are even near by. Yet just their presence creates something significant where they go. So next time you enter your office or classroom remember you never know who is watching. How is scared of who could be effected by just you mere presence in their area could result in tremendous things, but that is not to say one should not confront others, that is also important to express feelings and grow a relationship and connection to spread the joy you know!
2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."
So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, [b] in his native land. Balak said:
"A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."
Numbers 22:1-6 NIV
(Story continues through chapter 24)
The Search for weapons of Mass destruction plagued our Televisions for months and still does from time to time. I do not want to talk about the politics or even if anything was right or wrong for the United States or what other countries have done, but What if these weapons were located in certain people(s) or countries hands and were operational (which more than likely some has them somewhere...)?
This could cause great panic in the world if others knew of the lingering threat upon their delicate body, surroundings, and family. This sense of Fear and searching for the last resort is what Balak is feeling. He sees a massing army of people threatening his countries well being. He has also seen what these people can do and acknowledges that this is the Weapon of mass destruction of the day. These people from Egypt Contain power over their surroundings and he is sacred.
So he calls on one man to curse these people so that he may live. The ironic part is, this man Balaam is from God (he receives his answers from God the same God as the Israelites, whether he Knows or acknowledges that or not…), the same Destructive power represented in the army he is trying to curse. So since He will not curse himself he instead blesses the destructive power knocking on Balak’s door.
I feel this is how we have begun to view Christianity.
We view it as me verse Satan, a type of game we’ve created using the Bible as the foundation. We see him crouching at our Door and we hurry and sweat to find a cure or a way to keep him out because we know he is more powerful than us. So we call on God to curse Satan, we call on him to hide us from his sight and to bestow on us great peace and prosperity.
Yet we have forgotten that he has given us what we need, he will keep from us what we cannot handle, yet he will not stop testing and strengthening our lives to fight the fight. We need to stop hiding in the hills calling on curses of Satan, but we need to go down and join God’s army.
Now Balak could not go down and join the Israelite, but we have been given that opportunity from God, and Christ.
But this is not the only Lesson that we can learn from this Story. In fact there are innumerable lesson, but I would like to point out one last thing. Balak and Balaam look down at Israel from a hilltop and Balak asks for Balaam to bring down his curse on the people that are laid out before him. It seems very similar to Satan when He tempts Christ on the mountaintop, but more significantly if shows that People are always watching. And Him being scared reveals that other people generally know how good of a job we may be doing, even more than ourselves. Balaam and Balak are watching the Israelites form above, and I am guessing Israel has no idea these men are even near by. Yet just their presence creates something significant where they go. So next time you enter your office or classroom remember you never know who is watching. How is scared of who could be effected by just you mere presence in their area could result in tremendous things, but that is not to say one should not confront others, that is also important to express feelings and grow a relationship and connection to spread the joy you know!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Silence is Noise
Have you ever sat in solitude in a busy place? Or with a group of friends?
Do you ever sit back and take things in?
We I know I am most likely a minority, but I greatly enjoy watching people and especially listening. If you do not know me very well you may find it strange that a hot debate can be going on, and I may have strong opinions, but I would rather sit and listen than jump in. While I will admit is one of my weaknesses I am in the process of changing, but it does have its place.
I have known many people to find it strange that I say nothing or just take everything in. Some think it weird or maybe I’m just awkward to be around I do not know… but in this silence I have discovered something unusual.
We have grown up in a world of Noise, or constant commotion. Some people have found that silence is unnerving and they cannot possibly do it for long periods of time. I on the other hand I greatly enjoy peace and quiet and have discovered that you can accomplish much by doing nothing. One can develop new gifts such as patience through long silent sessions and also forces one to think deeply.
But in our world of noise silence is very much out of the ordinary. I feel if Christians from time to time would just sit down and stay quiet we may accomplish more than standing on a soapbox. If we can carry patience to our busy or noisy lives and take time to in our busy days to just sit back and listen. Maybe not be obvious about it, but take in your surroundings, and then block out the world and search for God. Listen For his voice in the chaos of this world and maybe you’ll get a reply.
Your silence may also not only serve to benefit yourself, but it may also bring attention on yourself, to your peaceful state and your intent on listening and keeping your lips shut. They may start to ask questions and you can then explain and maybe work right into a great conversation that may change a life or at least plant a seed.
Let’s recap:
Entry 1: Think
It’s all about how we think; we need to change from just thinking to thinking bigger, grandeur and putting into action.
Entry 2: Egalitarianism
We have come so far from Moses. Moses talked with God and we sit wondering how we could even compare with Moses. We put ourselves down just because we feel inferior to the past.
Entry 3: Choice
We have the choice for who we are and where we go, but nothing is ever set in stone and we can always change for better or worse.
Entry 4: Passion
We’ve grown numb to passion in Christ, and sometimes we need to rest and reflect and renew our spirits to continue the fight at full strength.
Entry 5: Change
We don’t know God’s plan, we can only try our best to follow Christ and change from our past.
Entry 6: Tools
Tools for Christ: Ear (Hear God), Hands (serving in communication), Feet (serving by Doing and going) and by using our tools we will separate ourselves and cleanse ourselves from the world.
Entry 7: Desire
“Not because I can, but because I must” We should not live for Christ because we can, but for a desire and longing to be great for him and not ourselves.
Entry 8: Best
Lives has ups and downs, but in everything do it to the best of your ability.
Entry 9: Focus
We need to focus on practicing our faith instead of knowing, for we will better understand our purpose by doing not watching.
Entry 10: Silence
Silence may speak louder than words
Do you ever sit back and take things in?
We I know I am most likely a minority, but I greatly enjoy watching people and especially listening. If you do not know me very well you may find it strange that a hot debate can be going on, and I may have strong opinions, but I would rather sit and listen than jump in. While I will admit is one of my weaknesses I am in the process of changing, but it does have its place.
I have known many people to find it strange that I say nothing or just take everything in. Some think it weird or maybe I’m just awkward to be around I do not know… but in this silence I have discovered something unusual.
We have grown up in a world of Noise, or constant commotion. Some people have found that silence is unnerving and they cannot possibly do it for long periods of time. I on the other hand I greatly enjoy peace and quiet and have discovered that you can accomplish much by doing nothing. One can develop new gifts such as patience through long silent sessions and also forces one to think deeply.
But in our world of noise silence is very much out of the ordinary. I feel if Christians from time to time would just sit down and stay quiet we may accomplish more than standing on a soapbox. If we can carry patience to our busy or noisy lives and take time to in our busy days to just sit back and listen. Maybe not be obvious about it, but take in your surroundings, and then block out the world and search for God. Listen For his voice in the chaos of this world and maybe you’ll get a reply.
Your silence may also not only serve to benefit yourself, but it may also bring attention on yourself, to your peaceful state and your intent on listening and keeping your lips shut. They may start to ask questions and you can then explain and maybe work right into a great conversation that may change a life or at least plant a seed.
So if you get a chance take a moment reflect, work on patience and find peace in a busy chaotic world full of noise, and who knows silence may speak louder than words.
Let’s recap:
Entry 1: Think
It’s all about how we think; we need to change from just thinking to thinking bigger, grandeur and putting into action.
Entry 2: Egalitarianism
We have come so far from Moses. Moses talked with God and we sit wondering how we could even compare with Moses. We put ourselves down just because we feel inferior to the past.
Entry 3: Choice
We have the choice for who we are and where we go, but nothing is ever set in stone and we can always change for better or worse.
Entry 4: Passion
We’ve grown numb to passion in Christ, and sometimes we need to rest and reflect and renew our spirits to continue the fight at full strength.
Entry 5: Change
We don’t know God’s plan, we can only try our best to follow Christ and change from our past.
Entry 6: Tools
Tools for Christ: Ear (Hear God), Hands (serving in communication), Feet (serving by Doing and going) and by using our tools we will separate ourselves and cleanse ourselves from the world.
Entry 7: Desire
“Not because I can, but because I must” We should not live for Christ because we can, but for a desire and longing to be great for him and not ourselves.
Entry 8: Best
Lives has ups and downs, but in everything do it to the best of your ability.
Entry 9: Focus
We need to focus on practicing our faith instead of knowing, for we will better understand our purpose by doing not watching.
Entry 10: Silence
Silence may speak louder than words
Monday, March 10, 2008
Learn your alphabet
I talked last time about living to the best of your ability, but I’ve been reflecting about life and where I’m being lead and I’ve come to a conclusion. We should Live and then learn.
Have you ever watched a kid try something new? Or maybe you can remember when you first learned to write?
Someone showed you what to do, you may not of completely understood what you were doing, you just followed the example. You practiced the shapes and sizes of letters and spacing, until you felt comfortable with it and could write any time. Then you learned to fine-tune your writing. Maybe you learned new fonts of more about how to write, and how to use words. You learned in school how to “Properly” express yourself.
But here’s the problem, we’ve grown up in a society that incorporates this mind–set, but teaches more so the characteristics of knowledge over doing. In history or writing class you research and learn before you write. In school we study and study before we do anything with what we want to be.
Our society focuses on knowledge and not living.
Look at a major candidate in money given to students in college. It’s not based on how outstanding you live your day, or treat others; it’s based on your act score, or how much you “Know”.
We as humans learn more not from sitting and listening or taking it in, but from hands on. Being an art major I learn more about painting from painting, than from reading about it. I would rather someone show me how to do something, than open a book and read about how to.
But that’s what Jesus did for us. He gave us this book, a guideline for our life, but he also sent us examples. I think we need to focus less on doctrinal discrepancies, little details, and facts. We need to turn our focus to living and showing, and not just telling, the world (our community, even our friends and family) Jesus.
We are to be Christ and he will be in us, we are not called to know everything in this book, in fact for centuries many Christians didn’t even own their own copy.
In fact not even until hundreds of years after that were verse and chapters put into the text to better reference our resources. These have advantages, but I think only once we have learned to live. For new Christians it breaks up the story making it easier to pull things out and dwell on them rather than the whole picture.
We need to learn to live and then learn to better understand who we are called to be.
Calling ourselves Christians doesn’t make us followers of Christ, and in fact calling ourselves Christians, but living a way that is contradicting to his word can give bad name and have the opposite affect on the world than were are called to.
Our actions are what the world sees!
so let's start back at the basics. Learn the basic outline, practice the shapes, fine-tune our living and then learn to express ourselves through Christ, just like we learn to write.
Have you ever watched a kid try something new? Or maybe you can remember when you first learned to write?
Someone showed you what to do, you may not of completely understood what you were doing, you just followed the example. You practiced the shapes and sizes of letters and spacing, until you felt comfortable with it and could write any time. Then you learned to fine-tune your writing. Maybe you learned new fonts of more about how to write, and how to use words. You learned in school how to “Properly” express yourself.
But here’s the problem, we’ve grown up in a society that incorporates this mind–set, but teaches more so the characteristics of knowledge over doing. In history or writing class you research and learn before you write. In school we study and study before we do anything with what we want to be.
Our society focuses on knowledge and not living.
Look at a major candidate in money given to students in college. It’s not based on how outstanding you live your day, or treat others; it’s based on your act score, or how much you “Know”.
We as humans learn more not from sitting and listening or taking it in, but from hands on. Being an art major I learn more about painting from painting, than from reading about it. I would rather someone show me how to do something, than open a book and read about how to.
But that’s what Jesus did for us. He gave us this book, a guideline for our life, but he also sent us examples. I think we need to focus less on doctrinal discrepancies, little details, and facts. We need to turn our focus to living and showing, and not just telling, the world (our community, even our friends and family) Jesus.
We are to be Christ and he will be in us, we are not called to know everything in this book, in fact for centuries many Christians didn’t even own their own copy.
In fact not even until hundreds of years after that were verse and chapters put into the text to better reference our resources. These have advantages, but I think only once we have learned to live. For new Christians it breaks up the story making it easier to pull things out and dwell on them rather than the whole picture.
We need to learn to live and then learn to better understand who we are called to be.
Calling ourselves Christians doesn’t make us followers of Christ, and in fact calling ourselves Christians, but living a way that is contradicting to his word can give bad name and have the opposite affect on the world than were are called to.
Our actions are what the world sees!
so let's start back at the basics. Learn the basic outline, practice the shapes, fine-tune our living and then learn to express ourselves through Christ, just like we learn to write.
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