Ch. 760 - Dissatisfaction

[Alright, so the next two posts were on my other blog. But I wanted to use them as a catch-up for this one. :) I'm awesome.]

How does not knowing what community - or, I dare say, "the Church" - is become a problem in one's life? I could begin to attempt to tell you, but I don't think I would get very far before realizing, "I don't know."

Where does it start?
Can you put a finger on its generation point?
... Who is to "blame" for this tangled mess?

Blame it on self?
... Body?
... Soul?
Blame it on others?
... Family?
... Friends?
Blame it on church?
... Pastors?
... Teachers?
Blame it on the Church?
... The Body?
... The Bride?

It's a sad realization, let me tell you. My heart broke tonight. Not just for myself, mind you, but for the seemingly infinite number of people in this world who do not about Christ, let alone a [true/Church] community.

There are just... too many.
Too many, I say, and it is overwhelming.

Oh, how my heart aches.

I desire to be proven wrong.
I desire to be shown it exists.
I desire something more than "this".
I desire to learn how to bring that which we all need to others.

And I desire to truly figure out how this problem is generated.

It is simply unfortunate that I feel like I have to do so on my own.
And that, more often than not, I feel as if nobody else cares whatsoever.


'Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.'
[Ephesians 2:19-20]

Ch. 744 - Bridegroom Thoughts

These concise thoughts are the result of reading a report written by a young man named Blaise Foret. I think he's a student at IHOPU, but I could be wrong... Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about what was said in the paper and through my own reading... and I want to just get my thoughts down.

Jesus is the Bridegroom.
A husband's love for his wife surpasses his love for his children.
Or, at least it should.

Jesus coming as the Church's Bridegroom... mere language... or truth?

[Ephesians 5:22-33]

Christ: His Church
Husbands: Wives
<------------------->
One body...
Mutuality in love...

Mystery: Christ and the Church
--> Communication
--> Emotions [like fire]

Engagement... it creates a longing, a yearning... a deep desire.
[A yearning from and of the Holy Spirit...]

Our desire for the return of Christ, for the marriage to the Bridegroom, will be a "real impartation of hunger that comes from the Holy Spirit..."

[Luke 18:7-8]

A perfect marriage.
Faithful in all facets.

His presence will bring peace and rest.

The cry: "Come!"

......

Click here to revisit Chapter 271.

Ch. 711 - Something

God works in mysterious ways.

How many times have you heard that throughout your life?

Probably a lot.
Because it's true.

He does.

And I'm glad.
It keeps us on our toes.

We paint pictures of Him in our minds with glory and wonder.

Who knows what He will do tomorrow?
Or the next day?
Or the next?

Something big.
Something beautiful.
Something.


'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.'
[Ephesians 1:3]

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Click here to revisit Chapter 131.

Ch. 356 - Simplicity at Its Best

'Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.'
[Ephesians 6:23-24]

20. October 2010 Edit:

Such a desire to have upon my fellow believers: peace... love with faith... grace... simply lovely. I believe these things came from a humble heart. These came from a man who truly put others before himself. How often do we ask God for peace upon ourselves? Or ask for greater portions of love and grace? Why not ask for these things for others, first? I don't know... I simply feel like we all too often try to make everything about ourselves, but try to mask it to look otherwise.

Ch. 248 - Fight!

Today I kept thinking about warfare and what I wrote about the school a few days ago. And then just a few minutes ago I checked my e-mail and was cleaning out my inbox. I noticed that I had actually saved a devotional from Rick Warren titled 'How to Fight Spiritual Warfare'. Hm. Whaddya know? I actually don't remember reading it. I probably clicked on it so that it wouldn't appear as a new email and was going to read it later. I thought I'd share it on here, because I liked it a lot.

How to Fight Spiritual Warfare

'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'
[Ephesians 6:12]

There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:

1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). When you’re being attacked, it’s proof that you’re a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it; it just gets more intense. If there were no Devil, why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8 [NLT], "The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil."

2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers are very ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples …" He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he’s given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20).

3. Put on God’s armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle. For instance, I will often pray, "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give me. I don’t want to think the Devil’s thoughts. I don’t want to think my thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that that I may be a voice for you. I put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I want to lead people into righteousness."

4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life, in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul says the weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments – that’s the way people think; they pull down pretension – that’s the way people think. We take every thought captive.

In this battle for thoughts, we have four weapons: humility, faith, truth, and praise.

Ch. 181 - Feel the Presence

You are never alone.

Never.


'... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.'
[Ephesians 3:16-18]

Ch. 134 - The Thanksgiving

I worked outside in the yard for a long time today. It was a very pleasant day. A bit on the humid side - but I love warm, humid weather, so I was quite content. The sun was shining in a perfect, cerulean sky, a slight breeze blew across my face every so often... and for most of the day I had a cardinal singing to me while I worked. Truly, a beautiful day.

Now, once you've got a set task in mind and decide to start and you're up to your elbows in dirt, yard work doesn't require a lot of thinking. Just doing. So I had a lot of space for thought - and a lot of time to think. Thus, I did just that. I thought about all kinds of things. Of 'shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings'. Alright, so maybe I didn't think of said things. But I certainly could have! No, instead I thought about things along the lines of family and friends, future times and God. Surprise, surprise, eh? I must say, though, that sometimes I don't know what will come up next as I let my mind wander on random thoughts. So yes, at times my own thoughts surprise me. Or more like the way I get to thinking about something surprises me. For example, at the end of it all I'll think, 'How did I get from thinking about strawberries to my pillow, and then from my pillow to God? Honestly, Natalie.' [True thought, by the way.]

Anyway. Before I knew it, I was thinking about God. Same ol', same ol', really. How cool He is. How big and small He is. How loving He is. And before I knew it, I found myself thanking God for basically everything I could think of. And I mean everything. It was really a nice time to do so. I was living in a perfect day. In the presence of a perfect God. How could I not be thankful for, in fact, everything?

I've said before that I need to give thanks to God more often. If I am to truly worship Him every minute of every day by living my life for Him, it should take up more of my time than it presently does. I feel a mid-year resolution coming on...


'Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
[Ephesians 5:19-20]

......

Ch. 134, Part Two:

This week's memory verse:
'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.'
[1 John 1:9]

Ch. 127 - More Changes

I have no problem staying up late to read a new book - or even one I've read before - and finishing the entire book.
But when I stay up late because I feel 'I need to read my Bible' I'm asleep within five minutes of opening my Bible.

I have no problem sitting down and planning out my coursework for the next year.
But when I sit down to write out prayer requests or a new journal entry, I find my mind wandering and I'm soon up and out, forgetting about what I sat down to do in the first place.

I have no problem dreaming and thinking about doing work all day every day in the future.
I have no problem dreaming and thinking about being a missionary overseas.
But when help is needed here locally, I find myself thinking that I've been dragged into work, and then I help out with a not so cheerful heart.

Not. cool.

What is wrong with me?

Honestly.

I need a change in attitude and heart, and I need it now.

I'd like to think that if my focus were on God and building up the Church and spreading His love, things would seem entirely different.

I'd have no problem reading my Bible regularly.
I'd have no problem staying focused and keeping up with the intercessory prayers.
I'd have no problem helping out whenever and wherever needed, and with a cheerful heart at that!


'Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.'
[Psalm 119:1-2]

......

Ch. 127, Part Two:

This week's memory verse:

'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'
[Ephesians 4:29]

Ch. 102 - Faaather

I like to call my dad 'father' sometimes. For example, I'll greet him when he comes in the door from work with a simple "Hello father," and he'll respond with "Hello daughter."

I like this.

Mostly I just call him dad, though. I've never been one to call him 'daddy'. He keeps saying that when my sister has her baby and he becomes a 'Grandaddy' or a 'Papa' that he will be called 'Grandfather.' And not just 'grandfather' - but 'grandfaaather' with a slight English accent. He can be so silly sometimes, I don't know what to do with him!

My dad's a great guy. At times he's a man of few words, but he makes them count. He's quiet. Not shy, really. Just quiet. And gentle! Yet he's not a gentle giant, exactly. I mean, he's not imposing, but he's not meek either. I think one of the things I like most about my dad is that he makes you feel comfortable when you're around him. There's something about his presence that makes you feel at home, wherever you are.

He always wants what is best for you, and only you. He cares for your well-being. I know that he will do anything to ensure our family's health, safety, security, and happiness.

'Father' is very intelligent. He's got one of those math and science brains that I would kill to have a piece of, but he's creative, too. He's got a good job at Rockwell Collins, but I worry about him sometimes because I think he's taken advantage of. He's dependable. Reliable. Quick-thinking. Hard-working. A problem-solver. In short, he'll get the job done, whatever the assignment is, and he'll get it done really well.

This world - and especially Rockwell Collins - could use more Kevin Keenes, that's for sure.

My dad has a beautiful heart and a good head on his shoulders. He is a man of integrity. He's down-to-earth, humble, patient, and a good servant and disciple of Christ. I am so lucky to have him in my life.


'Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.'
[Ephesians 6:4]

I believe my dad has done this and I am thankful for all he has done in his 19 years of raising me.

Ch. 98 - It's a Lifestyle

Christianity is a beautiful gift. God's grace, mercy and love - His giving us His Son to die for our sins... it's all a gift. And while it's nice to read the Bible and pray and go to church on Sunday, we shouldn't be constricted, in a sense, by merely going through the motions.

Don't take what you have for granted.
Don't live in a box created by others around you.

Branch out.
Reach out.

Love is not merely an emotion or a feeling. It's an action. People should know you're a Christian not by the cross necklace or WWJD? bracelet you wear, but instead by how you act and what you do - or even do not - say. Christianity should never be a commodity, an accessory put on to look good around certain people. In my opinion it really should be more along the lines of an absolute lifestyle. Live your life through Christianity. Live your life through Christ.


'... and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.'
[Ephesians 3:16-19]

Ch. 85 - Work It!

Good works are nice.
If you have the right intention, that is.
[You know. Wanting to please God - and only God.]
But they don't get you into heaven.


'But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.'
[Ephesians 2:4-5]

Ch. 42 - Together

I couldn't tell you how many times I've heard that 'we' - believers - are the body of Christ.

Have you ever wondered what body part you would be? I've been doing some thinking about just that lately, and I've come to believe that I am the ears and feet of Christ. I listen. I want to go, travel to places that have not heard the Word. Perhaps the arms, too, or the hands - I like to reach out... do things... work with my hands: Build houses. Clean up. Give. I mean, that's what I want to do, after all. Work for God. Serve Him. Help His people.

And I finally know that it's not just what I want. Someone else is pulling me in that direction.

If we were to come together, work together... imagine what we could do. I get emotional every time I think about it. That doesn't happen often with me. I don't let my tears flow freely. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve. I do more so nowadays than before, but even still. By working together we will build up the body of Christ. People will come to know God like never before. Many people are meant to do great things, they just don't always know it. Things for others, for God. So take the first step, whatever it may be. I can't tell you. It's up to God. Trust in Him, have faith, and see what happens.


'... to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.'
[Ephesians 4:12-13]

Ch. 6 - The Copycat; 8. 1. 08

Me: "Hey Wes, wanna play tag?"
Wes: 'Hey Wes, wanna play tag?'

"Heyyy... you're copying me!"
'Heyyy... you're copying me!'

"Stop it!"
'Stop it!'

"You stop or I'm telling mom."
"You stop or I'm telling mom.'

"Moooooom!"

As much as I loved my brother, sometimes he could be a pain in the you-know-where. We have a great relationship, though. We're only eighteen months apart, so we're buddies. We have fun. He's not that annoying 'little brother' and I'm not that mean 'older sister' anymore (Hey, it wasn't my fault that whenever he was around me he magically ended up hurt, come on. The kid was jinxed, alright?).

You know, we continue to play little games like copycat with each other, even now, as seventeen and eighteen year olds. Why not? It's all in good fun, and we know better than to go storming off to mom to tattle.

Something has been on my heart recently, and, in its simplest form, it's copycat. We should strive to be Christlike. Sure, we can't do everything He did, and unlike Him nobody will ever be perfect. But we can try our hardest to be like Christ.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever truly cared, much less even thought about being more Christlike.

There. I said it.

But as I'm changing and God is working in me, I realize now how important it is to do so. Going along with the last chapter and devotionals... I received yet another devotional, this time from crosswalk.com, that really touched my heart. I'd like to share it. It's short and sweet. It touches on imitating God, but focuses on love:

'Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If we are to sincerely flatter God by being like Him, imitation may be the most costly form of flattery as well. You see, love for God is never something that occurs just in our minds or our hearts. Love is something we do for another - it is action. John said in 1 John 4 that we must love in both our deeds and our words. Love means to give ourselves up - what we want, our rights, our desires - to honor God and serve others. This is a kind of love that can change the world, or a marriage, or a family.

Abba, Father, I will never fully understand how you could love me so much that you would allow your son to die for me as my sacrifice. Please help me love others sacrificially. I know the power to do this is not within me, so please pour out your love into my heart so that I may share that love with others. Through Jesus, my brother and my sacrifice, I pray. Amen.'


'Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.'
[Ephesians 5:1-2]