tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9553994626203941012023-06-20T06:18:00.451-07:00Talking To MyselfI've never been able to keep a diary, and sadly have forgotten alot of what God's shown me over the years as a result. I recently discovered that writting it in a blog is easier. If people read it then good if not then meh it's mostly here for me anyway.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-9935101978457696882009-03-27T23:34:00.000-07:002009-03-27T23:37:41.522-07:00A Hard FallAfter several days of feeling free from all temptations I fell hard this week. It's true that the devil hits us hard not just when we're down, but that he hits harder yet when our guard is down. Now that I'm at the bottom it's time to climb again.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-2886941652230616742009-02-28T13:25:00.000-08:002009-02-28T13:31:35.460-08:00Taking God for GrantedOur discussions at my Wednesday night small group have hovered alot around this idea we take God for granted. We approach God as we would a nurse, wanting him to fix us up, not even considering that he has our lives in our hands. We ask him to take sin out of our lives as if we shouldn't have to work hard to live a Christ like life, even though he sent his son to suffer and live a sinless life. Our God is the one who created everything. He's the one that flooded the earth, the one that destroyed Soddom. He has placed kings in power, and stripped their power from them. Why do we approach a god with so much power as if he was tame. It reminds me of The Chronicals of Narnia where we are constantly reminded that Aslan is not a tame lion. Our God may want a personal relationship with us, but he is not tame.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-73675941738658997622009-02-21T20:53:00.000-08:002009-02-21T21:02:51.963-08:00Feelings... All These FeelingsI've realized lately how much a base my Christianity on my current feelings toward and about God. I'm not sure to what extant I should be worried though. I grew up being taught that we need to have this deep <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">emotionally</span> connected feeling with God, which I do sometimes. I was also taught though that our emotions <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">shouldn't</span> determine our relationship with God because then when we aren't feeling close to God we'll walk away. I've been struggling inwardly in my faith ever since middle school when I determined that I wasn't a worthy Christian. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Honestly</span> though I'm not, but that realization rocked my faith to it's foundations, and I've spent most of my life since feeling like a hypocrite, and fretting over my salvation. Over the last 3 years or so I've started to develop more of a comfort I guess in my faith where my emotional highs and lows <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">haven't</span> equaled religious highs and lows. I can't but feel though that I'm missing out as a Christian, that somehow I'm not really a Christian, and only pretending. I see my friends feeling these deep spiritual callings, only to deviate from things they were certain of a few years before, and I wonder who is the better Christian. I haven't felt God's guiding hand telling me I need to do something in years. Am I a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">deficient</span> Christian? There are so many around me with a passion and a zeal I've never had, and it makes my faith feel worthless.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-37662505736087594972009-02-18T16:14:00.000-08:002009-02-18T16:27:10.143-08:00Hosea 2:2-8<div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"Contend with your mother, contend, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband; and let her put away her harlotry from her face and her adultery from between her breasts, or I will strip her naked and expose her as on the day when she was born I will also make her like a wilderness, make her like desert land and slay her with thirst. Also, I will have no compassion on her children, because they are children of harlotry. For their mother has played the harlot; She who conceived them has acted shamefully for she said, 'I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink. "Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her so that she cannot find her paths. "She will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them; And she will seek them, but will not find them then she will say, 'I will go back to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now!" For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil, and lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> When I did my scripture reading the other day this was not the scripture I planned on reading. God has a way though of changing things around on you. I read this, and it really hit home. How many times have I gone through a dry spell in my Christian walk and sought out things other then God to fill me, only to turn back too God when I decide that he's all that can fill me. I've played the harlot spiritually. As I go through a time in my Christianity where God doesn't always feel close I need to be secure in our relationship, and seek my refuge in him.</div>Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-56700003271535632252009-02-11T19:48:00.000-08:002009-02-11T19:51:28.565-08:00A Rose By Any Other Name Is?Lately I've been thinking about what makes a Christian a Christian. God hasn't given me any particular deep insight on this, it's just whats been disturbing my thoughts. I think of the early followers, I think of the bible, I think of our modern teachings, and yet I can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for in any of them. What is it that makes me the Christian God wants me to be?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-42129796400870224852009-02-08T17:56:00.000-08:002009-02-08T18:52:16.787-08:00Uber UpdateSo much has happened in these last 2 days, that I need to write my thoughts out all at once, so it's uber post time.<br /><br /><strong>Where I'm At</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Over the weekend I thought alot. Just to start small and work up, I discovered I still have some latent feelings for a good friend that I've liked off and on since high school. I have no clue why I get this way every time I see her, but ya, it bothered me this weekend that that still happens. Only reason I bring this up is because it just amped the feeling of loneliness I get when I'm together with my friends who are dating. Not long into the weekend though this feeling almost disappeared. I spent alot of time getting to know some people who I don't spend enough time with. Also, I had some fun watching two of my friends flirt :) Second part is the trip that was supposed to help solidify my faith just threw me into more confusion. The basis of my faith is still strong, the bible makes sense, and I still believe. Yet spiritually many things that have always helped me spiritually just felt like empty ceremony. I found myself looking at the cross, and saying I don't get it. I kneeled there taking communion and all I could pray was make me understand lord. It's not that I don't feel God's presence anymore, but more that everything around me seems empty and hollow. I'm reading this and all I can think is how poorly these words describe this struggle going on inside. I've never felt that my Christianity was so empty, and yet God feels so alive to me. I admitted to my friends this weekend that I've been struggling with feeling God's love, not just feeling it on me, but even feeling a need for it. Also I have struggled in the extreme with showing Christs love to others alot lately. I've also made the decision to try and reconnect with my brother. When he walked out of our lives about 2 years ago he made a point of not contacting me, and I therefore made a point of ignoring him. I guess on some level I was hurt, which only made it easier to reject him. Lately though I've been missing him, and have felt God's calling to put forth the effort to meet him where we are at now, rather then waiting for things to change. After today though I know for certain that God is pressing on me to make that connection. Oh yeah, I'm also sick, and my neck hurts.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Thoughts From The Weekend</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Poor Theology<br /><br />Alot was said this weekend about casting away wealth and experiencing God's restoration. This obsession our church (the church as a whole, not a specific one) has with eliminating wealth scares me. At first I thought it was just because I dislike Christians trying to marginalize other believers as less Godly because they have more then you. Now I know that it's also because I'm afraid of loosing what I have in life. Don't get me wrong, if I had to give everything up I would, I just wouldn't enjoy doing it, and let's face it, God doesn't enjoy it when we follow his will reluctantly as if it's a chore. I'm still not a fan of this anti wealth theology, but I have more of an appreciation for it then I did.<br /><br />Modern Gnostic's<br /><br />This weekend Nate talked a bit about gnosticism, and the similarities to the modern church. It's interesting though in terms of history, that Christians (even you kindly postmodernists) seek to undermine other Christians beliefs with this idea that your not a "real" Christian without the correct theology.<br /><br />Okay, I'm tired and loosing focus, so ya might as well stop there.<br />I need to get post my testimony on here some time.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-16856945369334793652009-02-03T00:20:00.000-08:002009-02-03T00:34:17.254-08:00Choosing ElectivesI've heard discussion before on wether or not certain church activities help promote the church, and wether the church can, or should indorse them. For example, does having an official church baseball team further God's kingdom? Or if the church takes a group to go see a rated R movie does that reflect well on the church or Christians in general? Although I find these discussions somewhat pointless I've wondered lately why we dont ask these questions of our everyday lives. When we rail on about saving the earth, and fight with people who don't agree are we furthering God's kingdom? Does the fact that I've taken up brewing allow me more ministry oppurtunities? Is it my activities, or my actions that will allow me to live a life above reproach?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-25645033974074968332009-01-29T12:01:00.000-08:002009-01-29T12:11:52.874-08:00When Life Hands You LemonsI was doing my scripture reading the other night and I have to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">honest</span> about the fact I got nothing out of it. What good is reading Gods word when you not only have no desire to read, but in the end you've gotten nothing from it? It leaves you feeling worthless when you cant connect with God. So what do you do when it feels like God's word has dried up? How do you make Gods words exciting and meaningful again?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-62115338340649604052009-01-29T00:37:00.000-08:002009-01-29T00:43:20.329-08:00Wise WordsI was looking through my bible and came across a paper that I'd jotted some notes on. Written on this was something I'd heard or read a while back that got me thinking. Here's what it said.<br /><br /><em>Christians need to be careful in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exercise</span> of their freedom in Christ lest they bring reproach on themselves and their religion</em><br /><em></em><br />It was followed by<br /><br /><em>the rules put limits on the social <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">consequences</span> of our unity in Christ</em><br /><em></em><br />These are a couple of the things that I've been meditating on since I found this paper.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-78519000899551543902009-01-27T22:46:00.000-08:002009-01-27T22:57:16.909-08:00Meaningless TheologyAre you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">trib</span> or post-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">trib</span>? A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Calvinist</span> or an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Armenian</span>? What are your thoughts on drinking? Dancing? Holding hands? Now sweep all those questions to the side, and focus on one. Are you going to heaven?<br /><br />We criticize our parents and grandparents for drawing lines through there Christianity on all those points. We point out that even if we are a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">trib</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Armenian</span> who dances, holds hands, and enjoys beer we can still get to heaven. Yet even now we draw lines in our Christianity. We attach labels and measurements in order to determine what makes a real Christian as if our salvation depends on it. We forget that our salvation comes from Christ, and Christ alone. Not a set of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">interpretations</span> of scripture. Our differences in theology rent the church, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">divide</span> old and young, and still we continue down a path that destroys the church. Not sure where I'm gonna go with this yet, but I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">definitely</span> felt the need to vent about this silliness.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-20808256590540597862009-01-23T23:48:00.000-08:002009-01-24T00:02:15.027-08:00Fair Is FairI've tried to stay away from my political beliefs, because they really have nothing to do with this blog, but I've become disenchanted with Christians playing politics on both sides of the spectrum. It all started when Barack Obama was elected as president. I may not have voted for him, but I will certainly follow him as long as I am not asked to violate God's laws. The first thing I noticed however was all the Christians that voted for him going ape poo crazy about how the Christians who didn't need to submit, it is biblical after all. The thing that bothered me was these people were strangely silent when Bush was still president. I wasn't a fan of Bush's policies, but he was my president. Who was I to throw a tantrum. Why is it that we're all happy to follow God's rules when we agree with what's going on. Then for those who watch the news, a local politician was outed over the fact that he slept with an 18 year old intern just shortly after their 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> birthday, then lied, ruining the political career of his opponent. Most people don't debate the fact that if it was an 18 year old girl they would probably want him to stop down, but now very few of the Christians I know are gunning for him to step down. After all, forgiveness is important when it's your candidate in office.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-64715016284440059442009-01-22T17:03:00.000-08:002009-01-22T17:35:46.701-08:00ContemptLately I've been struggling with contempt.... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok,</span> maybe not just lately, but I've certainly noticed it being much more of a problem in my life. There's certain people that I just love, yet the things they do fill me with such contempt for them sometimes. I don't know where this feeling comes from, and it really bugs me, because the things that trigger it are small and petty. I guess I wonder if other people struggle with this, and why it's become a problem lately, especialy since I've become much more open to things, and less black and white.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-65592654392971678002009-01-19T12:53:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:12:51.763-08:00Planning AheadI was talking to a friend the other night about God's plan in their life, and it got me thinking. Why do we put God's plan for us in a box? For example when I was in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">highschool I</span> felt Gods calling to be more involved in children/youth ministries. In my mind this meant that I needed to go to college, and get a degree in youth ministries so that I could teach Jr High or High School students. Never once did I think God could be calling me to be a youth worker, and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definitely</span> ruled out (at least in my mind) working with young <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span> k kids, cause there was no way I was gonna be changing diapers. It's 5 years since I felt Gods call to get involved, and here I am the teacher of a class for three year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">olds</span>, and serving has never been this joyful. I'd felt God's calling, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">immediately</span> began to make my own plans from there, and if I'd followed them who knows where I'd be. So why is it that when God calls us to something we charge forward like a bull in a china shop rather then letting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">him guide</span> our steps?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-20616915113247522002009-01-15T13:49:00.000-08:002009-01-15T14:00:25.397-08:00One BodyIt seems <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">allot</span> of Christians have two ways they view the world. Either they believe its their job to make everyone follow their rules, or they believe that everyone makes their own rules and who are they to say otherwise. I've been reading <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">allot</span> in the old testament this year simply because Gods relationship with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Israel</span> fascinates me. One thing I've noticed is the way Gods law was set up. First there were basic rules that everyone was made to follow, followed by rules for Gods people, that all Gods people were required to follow. There <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wasn't</span> any room for a follower of the way to decide what rules they felt were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unnecessary</span>. What if we did that here in the US? <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wouldn't</span> it be amazing if Christians said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ok</span>, here are the rules for everyone here, and here are the rules that all Christians are required to follow. Can you imagine what that would do? The world would see a unified front of believers, who followed God's principles instead of playing theological <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dodgeball</span>. Of course there would be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">theological</span> differences between us, and there would be room for those, but let's stop debating the big stuff that's obvious to us. Lets agree that theft, abortion, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">premarital</span> sex, and all those other big things are things God desires his people to stay away from. Let's give up this perception that we have rights and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">privileges</span>. We are children of the king, and under his authority, not the courts, and certainly not our own.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-83961532518398222752009-01-12T23:38:00.000-08:002009-01-12T23:56:31.301-08:00Lord Have MercyTonight I've had a thought bouncing around in my head, but every time I try to put the thought into words it snowballs into another topic, so hopefully I wont muck this up too badly.<br /><br />Tonight I was at our churches "Monday Night College Thing" (the name has been changed to protect the innocent) and we were reading in Daniel 2. What struck me wasn't the dream Mr Nezzar had or his actions, nor was it the foretelling of the messiah. What struck me most was Daniels prayer.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter,<br /> 18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span >I love how Daniel prays that God would show compassion on him and give him the ability to interpret Nezzars dream. It wasn't God that ordered all the wise men in Babylon to be killed, yet David doesn't pray for God to fix Nezzar in any way. If I was in Daniels place my prayer might have gone something like this.</span><br /><br />"Dear God, I don't wanna die right now. Could you please make Nezzar change his mind, could you fix whatever is wrong with him that makes him want to kill me."<br /><br />I think too often we pray to God as if we were equals, as if he were a parent that was there to fix our mistakes, and kiss our owies better. Yet here Daniel prays to a God that is the master of all things. It's God that chooses whether he lives or dies, and he is not telling God, "I don't want to die, please fix this." Instead he is asking God for mercy. He's saying God I'm not worthy, but please save me anyway. The best part is when God delivers him by showing Daniel the dream he doesn't say a quick thank you and run off to save his hide. Instead he blesses God, because the master of all things deigned to show him mercy by giving him wisdom.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-67735127097713619002009-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:002009-01-07T15:38:28.863-08:00The Line Is DrawnI've taken to wondering lately where we <em>should</em> draw the lines in our lives as opposed to where we have drawn them. I hear <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">allot</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">discussion</span> about poverty, ministry to the poor, and money management, and where a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Christians</span> duty lies within that realm. The problem is that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">there's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">allot</span> of discussion of the topic itself, and not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">allot</span> of discussion on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">biblicality</span> of it. After all its hard to argue that by not living in poverty you somehow are not a Christian. It's hard to convince someone that their financial contributions towards ministries are less helpful then them offering their time instead. Speaking from experience, I look at a situation where someone has a homeless relative, who refuses to give up drugs and alcohol and therefore cant maintain a job, and wonder if it's biblical to support them <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">financially</span> even when they become either an emotional or financial burden that is destroying your family. Yet as a church we've chosen these subjects to debate, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">divide</span> ourselves upon. I hear pastors talk of how Christians need to get out their pocket books, how they need to get off their duffs and volunteer, and I think, "Yes, good for them. These people need to walk the walk." Then at the same time I hear many of the newer pastors and speakers out there saying it's not enough. They tell you teaching Sunday school and tithing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">isn't</span> enough. Somehow you working a job at a clothing store makes you less of a Christian then someone who spends their day at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">mission</span>. Is this where the lines should be? Are all Christians called have this ideal life? Have we forsaken the idea that a Christian can serve God in whatever capacity he has given them in whatever situation he has put them in?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-84001129398220160512009-01-05T15:42:00.000-08:002009-01-05T16:15:39.944-08:00Black Hole SunI haven't been posting often, but then again I haven't been listening for God's voice as often as I should either. In fact my free time lately seems to be spent trying to get around doing the things I need to do. For example I woke up, moved my clean laundry from my floor to my bed, went and harvested a container of fennel from the ton of the stuff we grew this last summer, then proceeded to try and distract myself with TV, radio, and the Internet. My time is shifting more towards trying to have fun all the time. Which kinda brings me to whats been on my heart, and that's Ecclesiastes 1:9. "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun". With all the talk of our generation being perverse, of it pursuing the things of the flesh, as if we were somehow more guilty then our parents has been bouncing in my head. I think of the Romans, who would eat and drink to the point where they puked, just to turn around and gorge themselves again. I think of the American Industrialists like Rockefeller, who pursued wealth and power at all costs. I think of our parents and grandparents, who experimented with drugs and free sex in the Haight. I look at all this and have to ask myself, whats changed? The world was flooded, Sodom was destroyed, Christ came, and yet here we are. It's almost as if we seek refuge in the idea that the next group will be worse, and we must save them from what we did, only to turn and say how truly horrible they were. The reality is sin isn't new. Our generation shouldn't be defined by our shortcomings, nor should we try to overcome them with our popular causes, or saving the environment. What if we defined our generation not by trying to save the world either from themselves, or their sin, but rather defined ourselves as individuals (not a generation) seeking God. If we are truly seeking God, and in his will, then the world would crumble away and it would not matter, for God would be in control. It's time to stop hiding in the crowd of society, it's time to stop trying to change the direction of the herd, it's time to step forward, be accountable for yourself and say "I'm guilty, do what you will Lord."Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-20846722215223165122008-12-28T10:09:00.000-08:002008-12-28T10:22:05.018-08:00He Is The ChristI was talking with a friend a few weeks ago during a devotional, and they brought up the topic of the differences in our faiths. they proceeded to talk about how if the soul was eternal, then life, mawage, and family were therefore eternal also. They tried to tell me that that was the most glaring and major difference between us. Yet there is one thing above all else that should be considered when a Christian looks at other religions or faiths, and that simply rests on who Christ is too them. If they have the most biblical doctrine in the world, but Christ is not God, and didn't die for your sins then what good is doctrine? What good is it to have rules, prophets, powers, and beliefs, if there's nothing to overcome your sin? It reminds me of a question a Christian author had in his book. It said, "If Christ was not God would you still follow him?" The author was trying to point out how good Christs teachings were, and even answered his own question with a yes, because to him Christs teachings were so good, and therefore worthy to be followed. But what good is it to have Good teachings? As a Christian I need to figure out where my heart lies. Does it lie with good teachings? Or with the power of Christ our savior?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-87337806594348302422008-12-13T14:46:00.000-08:002008-12-13T15:02:40.342-08:00New Game, It's Called I WinWednesday <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">we started</span> on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Revelations</span> for our small group, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ended</span> up discussing the broad perspective of the book before we get into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nitty</span> gritty (dirt band). The bible is a pretty awesome book to do the book test on. The book test is where you read the first and last chapters of a book to determine if it's good enough to continue r<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eading</span> the whole thing. So starting at Genesis God creates everything, then he chooses the Abraham as the father of his chosen people to be set apart, and then it tells of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">beginnings</span> of their journey with God. In Revelation though we see God's end game. I like the way Adam said it on Wednesday. God is calling the plays now, he's saying no more, this is it, we're gonna settle things here and now. It's almost like this image of God where he's decided that enough is enough, and its time to separate the sheep from the goats, so that he can spend eternity with his followers. The simple <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">description</span> is it's God saying, "game over, I win!" So if you do the book test on the bible you get a God that creates everything in existence, and then in the end gathers his people to him. It shows how much in control God is, and how puny and insignificant we are. Here's a God that made everything, and should he choose has the power to destroy it.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-21191814496732443032008-12-06T16:32:00.000-08:002008-12-06T16:41:37.202-08:00Sansabelt SlacksI'm not sure what slacks have to do with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">today's</span> post, other then the word slacks. I'm a horrible slacker. Last week I wasn't in the word at all, and struggled all week with pornography. It really sucked. I felt distant from God and still do now. Luckily I have a great group of guys as friends who pray for, and encourage me. So far I have been in the word everyday this week, but it feels like little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">consolation</span> in light of the last two. This struggle against my desires has left me feeling like the worst of sinners, and a poor Christian. I see my friends growing in their Christian walk, passionate about God, and certain of his direction in their lives, and I feel left behind.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-2382043755598507852008-11-20T00:30:00.000-08:002008-11-20T00:40:30.842-08:00I Got It, And In Spades.Awhile ago I posted on how only true justice existed within God, and that my sense of justice needed to take a back seat to God's will and purpose. I once heard it put that when you ask God for patience he makes you wait. So I ended up in a situation where I was being mistreated, and I let my sense of justice guide me rather then God's will. Just as I was feeling at my wits end, with my stomach tied in knots, exhausted from all the stress; God showed me that I needed to stop seeking justice and seek him. I get the feeling things may work out right in the end, but I understand that regardless of what happens I am in second place, and I need to seek refuge in God. Not only has God spoken to me through this situation, but he has given me far more insight in areas of my life that need to change then I ever truly thought I wanted.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-10383447091372150222008-11-12T16:12:00.000-08:002008-11-12T16:21:33.379-08:0010 Days of NightIt's been almost 10 days since my last post, and I've been in the word maybe 4 of them. Life has seemed so busy lately, and yet when I think back on my day there is at least an hour every day spent doing something to relax. Wether it was watching a movie, watching tv, or just chatting with friends. My day is filled to the brim so to make time for the trivial I've pushed out God. How does this happen? Better yet, why? Why is the person who should be most important in my life the first to go when I want some time to just do what I want. Why do I make myself a priority, when in reality I should be nothing? I was asked Monday to name 1 thing that God has really placed on my heart lately, and the answer I came up with is that I'm not going anywhere. I know my bible. This stuff should be easy for me. God should be my priority. The truth is though spiritualy I havent progressed very far beyond where I was when I graduated highschool. Sure things have changed, but God is still doesnt have free reign in my life. Until Christ is my all I have failed as a Christian.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-32203706608733213232008-11-02T23:54:00.000-08:002008-11-03T00:02:45.953-08:00Counter ResetTonight I hit my reset button. Week one went well in terms of my commitments, but as usual I stumbled. I skipped a few days being in the word, then next thing I knew I was tripping over my self. While watching a movie the other night there was a very brief glimpse of nudity, and it was enough to set me off. Normally something like this doesnt trip me up, but this time it was. Next day I was just surfing the web with that movie in mind and before I knew it I was on a porn site again. So today I hit the reset button on my commitments and attempting to start afresh. I learned alot. The biggest thing I learned though was that I have alot of head knowledge about resisting temptation, but I fail as much as most casual Christians do.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-52336881854819090502008-10-30T22:18:00.000-07:002008-10-30T22:48:18.123-07:00The Secret WarI just finished watching Expelled, and am tempted to write a review. Overall the movie wasn't bad, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">propaganda</span> of any kind tends to grate my nerves a bit. So all that said, the movie dealt mainly with the idea of a culture war in which the establishment is somehow repressing religion in an almost conspiracy like way. My take on the situation is that people <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">don't</span> like God. Simple as that. The bible says he is the cornerstone the builder rejected. Why does there need to be a mass conspiracy for people not to accept God? I think we sometimes forget that to the world our beliefs are strange. The idea of the Hebrew God is something that even <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">religious</span> experts claim not to fully understand, so why would the world get it? <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Instead</span> of fighting a war with legislation, videos, and all the nastiness that the world shows us why not fight back with Christ?Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955399462620394101.post-80671092107727111322008-10-28T00:03:00.000-07:002008-10-28T00:27:36.900-07:00The Balancing ActIt's amazing the contrasts that the bible uses, and it seems like a good way to sum it up is balance that can only be achieved in God. Today I realized 2 aspects of this, and would like to hit them one at a time. Personal responsibility vs equality. These are two things that don't mesh well in our modern society, This almost Marxist view that everyone is equal in every way and deserves equal treatment combined with an almost capitalist view that your responsible for your own mistakes. It's strange really. I'm to care for the poor, even if they made themselves poor. I'm to care for the fatherless even though I'm not the man who ran out on the child. I was raised to believe that people were responsible to do right, and if they didn't then they should be made too. If a man bet everything on the stock market and lost it all it was his fault, and his job too make it back. If a father ran out on his child then he should be forced by society to take on the responsibility of father hood or be an outcast. If someone is poor, the work another job. I have this view that people are responsible for changing their own things, and when it fails, they are responsible for the failure. Yet I'm called to meet people at the same level that Christ met me. That means taking them as they are, forgiving everything, and continuing to forgive. Yet a part of me wants to see justice. After all if their to be held accountable then saying go and sin no more wont do it. Many times I forget how small and insignificant I am, and that it's God in control. That it's sin that makes us all equal in debt and God that holds us accountable. That we truly are all the same. Ryan uses the phrase Imago Dei, or image of God. We are all made in the image of God, and it's only in God that true equality, and true justice exist and are found. The answer isn't a political belief, or money, or anything we can do.... The only answer that truly makes a difference is God.Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12917371482008725119noreply@blogger.com0