Today Warren reminds us that we are called to grow in our faith. Unfortunately a lot of people simply grow older, but not so much in maturity, especially not spiritual maturity. Warren asserts that is most likely due to the fact then never really ever intended to grow. He goes on to say, "Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing... Jesus calls us, and we respond: 'Come, be my disciple,' Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.'"
For those who are concerned about this notion of having to do something, or decision theology, Warren goes on to refer to Philippians 2:12-13 saying, "This verse, written to believers, is not about how to be saved, but how to grow. It does not say "work for" your salvation, because you can't add anything to what Jesus already did. During a physical 'workout,' you exercise to develop your body, not to get a body."
The chapter ends reminding us that we need to change our auto pilot, the way we think. By sheer will power we can effect change, for a little while. However, if we don't change our base way of thinking we will be back to way were. We can willpower ourselves to follow a diet or start an exercise program. We might even last for a while, but unless we change the way we think we will eventually drop the diet and return to the couch. I can see that now with my running. I've got some really strong willpower and have used it to complete a number of marathons. I still need to adjust my mindset if running is going to continue as a consistent part of my life. The same is true if I intend to grow as a Christian. I need to repent and change my mindset so that I'm "programmed" to grow.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Created to Become Like Christ
Today, Warren talks about being created to become like Christ. He reminds us that we were created in God's image. What does it mean to you that you were created in God's image?
He brings us back to the old expression, "Like Father like Son." It speaks to how Christ is so very like God. As God's children it speaks to us as well, I think. Still, Warren reminds that we were not created to be gods or to become gods. Put those two thoughts together and I got to thinking about how we try and become like gods, feeling entitled to create our own destiny. Our desire to become gods, I think, is most often manifested today in our worship of our children. It is good to love our children, to give them what they need, but I think we go beyond that. The way we traipse around to their games and tournaments, rearranging our life for the sake of kids (even if it means giving up worship time or serving God through the church). It is scary. None of us, really, are immune to it. We were guilty just this past weekend. We allowed Mother's Day to be usurped by Senior Recognition.
For those who want to be critical of "The Purpose Driven Life" they often attack at it being some sort of Christian self-help book. Yet, I don't think it can be characterized with the kind of superficiality that is implied by such critiques. In a number of places Warren has warned against that sort of behavior. Today's chapter especially reminds us that life is hard. And he leaves us with this thought, "Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives."
He brings us back to the old expression, "Like Father like Son." It speaks to how Christ is so very like God. As God's children it speaks to us as well, I think. Still, Warren reminds that we were not created to be gods or to become gods. Put those two thoughts together and I got to thinking about how we try and become like gods, feeling entitled to create our own destiny. Our desire to become gods, I think, is most often manifested today in our worship of our children. It is good to love our children, to give them what they need, but I think we go beyond that. The way we traipse around to their games and tournaments, rearranging our life for the sake of kids (even if it means giving up worship time or serving God through the church). It is scary. None of us, really, are immune to it. We were guilty just this past weekend. We allowed Mother's Day to be usurped by Senior Recognition.
For those who want to be critical of "The Purpose Driven Life" they often attack at it being some sort of Christian self-help book. Yet, I don't think it can be characterized with the kind of superficiality that is implied by such critiques. In a number of places Warren has warned against that sort of behavior. Today's chapter especially reminds us that life is hard. And he leaves us with this thought, "Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives."
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Protecting Your Church
Today Rick Warren talks about unity in the church, but I think the best word he used was "harmony." I think that is more fitting of what he is going after. In music the best music has different notes all playing together at the same time. They are different, but moving together, in some ways moving towards the same goal. That is the image I have of the church.
The problem seems to be that we so naturally focus on the negatives, focus on our differences, instead of focusing on what we have in common and what is going well. It is easy for us to look and see that we are little behind financially here at church, but why not celebrate that our attendance and giving is up (quite significantly) from last year and years past. We worry more about how other congregations worship and run their congregation and less time celebrating the number of people worshiping Jesus on a given Sunday. Perhaps it is unrealistic expectations of the church. Perhaps we forget there is no perfect church.
In talking about being realistic Warren says:
The problem seems to be that we so naturally focus on the negatives, focus on our differences, instead of focusing on what we have in common and what is going well. It is easy for us to look and see that we are little behind financially here at church, but why not celebrate that our attendance and giving is up (quite significantly) from last year and years past. We worry more about how other congregations worship and run their congregation and less time celebrating the number of people worshiping Jesus on a given Sunday. Perhaps it is unrealistic expectations of the church. Perhaps we forget there is no perfect church.
In talking about being realistic Warren says:
"People become disillusioned with the church for many understandable reasons. The list could be quite long: conflict, hurt, hypocrisy, neglect, pettiness, legalism, and other sins. Rather than being shocked and surprised, we must remember that the church is made up of real sinners, including ourselves. Because we're sinners, we hurt each other, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally....Reconciliation, not running away, is the road to stronger character and deeper fellowship...
...Groucho Marx was famous for saying he wouldn't want to belong to any club that would let him in. If a church must be perfect to satisfy you, that same perfection will exclude you from membership, because you're not perfect!"
...Groucho Marx was famous for saying he wouldn't want to belong to any club that would let him in. If a church must be perfect to satisfy you, that same perfection will exclude you from membership, because you're not perfect!"
There is no perfect church, but we can most certainly strive to work together, to live in harmony.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Restoring Broken Fellowship
Maybe this chapter could have been alternately titled, "Peace Making 101". We all like peace, the idea at least. However, very few actively seek it or work for it. God calls us to seek peace, to restore broken relationships. You need to be tough. When I think of peace makers the first name I usually think of is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one tough son of a gun. He didn't back down. He fought for what was right. He didn't avoid conflict, he entered into it. We are called to do the same. It takes listening, empathizing, confession, cooperation, and being proactive. It means reconciling, seeking healing, and not simply trying to find a resolution, something to simply calm the waters. We all have broken relationships. We all can see brokenness around us in our lives. Where are you called to bring peace?
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Cultivating Community
Being part of community, genuine community, is tough stuff. It is not easy. It takes honesty, saying the hard thing. Often community remains shallow because we're not willing to challenge people when they start wandering astray. We do all we can to avoid conflict, to not rock the boat. Yet sometimes, out of love, we need to rock the boat a little...for the betterment of the person, not just to attack.
Another challenge is the humility that community requires. I like how Warren says it, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others." This is really hard stuff in our "me first" society. For community to work we need to think about others, how our actions and words effect them.
The last challenge I want to think about today is that building community, building genuine and deep relationships, takes time and frequency of getting together. As Warren puts it, "You have to spend time with people -- a lot of time -- to build deep relationships. This is why fellowship is so shallow in many churches; we don't spend enough time together, and the time we do spend is usually listening to one person speak. Community is built not on convenience ('we'll get together when I feel like it') but on the conviction that I need it for spiritual health...it will mean meeting together even when you don't feel like it, because you believe it is important." It is great that you are coming on Sunday morning, that worship time is important. However, if that is all you are coming for you are selling yourself short, robbing yourself of an opportunity, because you are not spending enough time to build the kind of relationships that you need for community.
Another challenge is the humility that community requires. I like how Warren says it, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others." This is really hard stuff in our "me first" society. For community to work we need to think about others, how our actions and words effect them.
The last challenge I want to think about today is that building community, building genuine and deep relationships, takes time and frequency of getting together. As Warren puts it, "You have to spend time with people -- a lot of time -- to build deep relationships. This is why fellowship is so shallow in many churches; we don't spend enough time together, and the time we do spend is usually listening to one person speak. Community is built not on convenience ('we'll get together when I feel like it') but on the conviction that I need it for spiritual health...it will mean meeting together even when you don't feel like it, because you believe it is important." It is great that you are coming on Sunday morning, that worship time is important. However, if that is all you are coming for you are selling yourself short, robbing yourself of an opportunity, because you are not spending enough time to build the kind of relationships that you need for community.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Experiencing Life Together
"Life is meant to be shared." Amen to that. Today, Warren talks about our need for fellowship. We often pay lip service to fellowship. We have a fellowship hall. He have "fellowship" after worship, which basically means socializing over a cooking and maybe some coffee.
Today, however, Warren reminds us of our need for real fellowship. Real fellowship is a group of people where you experience mutual support, mercy, and are able to be genuine and real. So often around church we put on a mask, a good face, smile and tell people we're okay. Within authentic fellowship we can admit to our weaknesses, our struggles, our hurts, and our ugly warts. We so often want to hide those things in the darkness so others can't see them. However, we are called to live in the light where all of our faults are visible.
So I ask you, where do you find real, true fellowship?
Today, however, Warren reminds us of our need for real fellowship. Real fellowship is a group of people where you experience mutual support, mercy, and are able to be genuine and real. So often around church we put on a mask, a good face, smile and tell people we're okay. Within authentic fellowship we can admit to our weaknesses, our struggles, our hurts, and our ugly warts. We so often want to hide those things in the darkness so others can't see them. However, we are called to live in the light where all of our faults are visible.
So I ask you, where do you find real, true fellowship?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
A Place to Belong
So far I think this has been the best chapter. I wish every Christian I've encountered who has uttered something like, "I don't need to go to church, I can pray on my own" would read this chapter. Being a part of community, a part of the fellowship, is critical to our spiritual health. Of course the cynical side of me says, "We as a nation don't really take care of our health in any other way, why should I expect that people would want to take care of their spiritual health?"... Since I'm afraid I won't really do this subject justice I would like to simply pass along some of the quotes/lines that struck me and let Rick Warren do the sharing for today...
- You are called to belong, not believe.
- While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private.
- To Paul, being a "member" of the church meant being a vital organ of a living body, an indispensable, interconnected part of the Body of Christ. We need to recover and practice the biblical meaning of membership.
- If an organ is somehow severed from its body, it will shrivel and die. It cannot exist on its own, and neither can you. Disconnected and cut off from the lifeblood of a local body, your spiritual life will wither and eventually cease to exist.
- Sadly, many Christians use the church but don't love it.
- God expects us to give our lives for each other. (1 John 3:16)
- You will never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator. Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscle.
- It may seem easier to be holy when no one else is around to frustrate your preferences, but that is a false, untested holiness. Isolation breeds deceitfulness; it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships.
- The difference between being a church attender and a church member is commitment. Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumer; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility. They are like couples who want to live together without committing to a marriage.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
What Matters Most
"Life is all about love."... I suppose I should have been reading this about Feb. 14, but today is a good day to think about love. It is so important, because God first loved us we love one another. After living as a single person for a number of years, this new marriage has taught me a bit about love...or maybe it just reminded me of things like how Warren says, "Love cannot be learned in isolation. You have to be around people -- irritating, imperfect, frustrating people." Holy cow, have I learned that in abundance. How often does my lovely new bride drive me nuts? Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty certain that I am far worse to try and live with, but she can be absolutely crazy sometimes. Yet here is the weird thing, those nutty things she does and those strange quirks of hers actually make me love her more. I wonder, if I spent more time with other people who challenge me might I start loving them more?
I also think that Warren gives us a good reminder today about time spent. Life, loving others, is best spent by spending time with them. Yet how often are people and relationships just something else to squeeze in the schedule. We spend so much time doing things, working, running around, etc. We strive to accomplish and acquire "stuff." Yet how many people do you see on their death bead wanting to snuggle up with their awards or wishing they had worked more? Isn't always the case that they want to snuggle up with family and dear friends? If they have a regret, isn't it usually that they spent too much time at work and not enough time with family and friends? Maybe we can learn this valuable lesson from these dear ones that have gone before us.
I also think that Warren gives us a good reminder today about time spent. Life, loving others, is best spent by spending time with them. Yet how often are people and relationships just something else to squeeze in the schedule. We spend so much time doing things, working, running around, etc. We strive to accomplish and acquire "stuff." Yet how many people do you see on their death bead wanting to snuggle up with their awards or wishing they had worked more? Isn't always the case that they want to snuggle up with family and dear friends? If they have a regret, isn't it usually that they spent too much time at work and not enough time with family and friends? Maybe we can learn this valuable lesson from these dear ones that have gone before us.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Formed for God's Family
I'm back, and I'm ready to get at it... I hope. I am returning to "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren in hopes of finally finishing it as a devotional. It is a book that has often been critiqued by Lutheran's in fear of its theology, but I can see that it has touched thousands and millions of lives and I want to see why. I think we all want a purpose in life. I think God gives us a purpose. It is a beautiful blend and I am shocked that both nobody has written like this before and that we as a church have neglected this so that a book was needed to be written. So far, I've like what Warren has had to share and in most chapters I've found a wonderful nugget or two to cling to for the day. Like some of the critical Lutheran's out there I have disagreed with some of his theology. Although I'm not surprised because I find that I disagree with a lot of people's theologies. I think theology can be a rather personal thing and we are not all going to line up exactly on all issues theologically. So like many in this generation I am grateful for our common love of Jesus and that is enough.
As for today I read Chapter 15 "Formed for God's Family". The two things I most enjoyed today, that struck me the most, were about family and about baptism. I like that picture of us being a part of God's family. That we are all brothers and sisters as we are all children of God. I was struck as well by the challenge that God's family is more important than our earthly family. Don't hear that wrong because I think Warren was clear that our earthly family is a wonderful gift from God, but they are temporary. God's family is for eternity.
I also was struck by Warren's comparrison of baptism to marriage. "Like a wedding ring, (baptism) is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart." I struggle a little with Warren's understanding of baptism as something you have to decide to do, but that connection to marriage I like. I like that connection of them both being an outward physical sign of an inward love that is happening. I like that...
As for today I read Chapter 15 "Formed for God's Family". The two things I most enjoyed today, that struck me the most, were about family and about baptism. I like that picture of us being a part of God's family. That we are all brothers and sisters as we are all children of God. I was struck as well by the challenge that God's family is more important than our earthly family. Don't hear that wrong because I think Warren was clear that our earthly family is a wonderful gift from God, but they are temporary. God's family is for eternity.
I also was struck by Warren's comparrison of baptism to marriage. "Like a wedding ring, (baptism) is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart." I struggle a little with Warren's understanding of baptism as something you have to decide to do, but that connection to marriage I like. I like that connection of them both being an outward physical sign of an inward love that is happening. I like that...
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Confession
So Lent and Holy Week seem to have gotten the best of me spiritually, in some ways. In some ways it was so wonderfully filling. I enjoyed our worship time, the dramas, and all of the other festivities. However, it also left me drained. You may have noticed my postings dropped off. I just didn't have anything to say. Trying to read a devotional of some sort was more energy than I could muster, and I'm still struggling to find that energy. Thankfully I've been able to cling to prayer, and that has sustained me. God continues to work and to fill me in surprising ways. I am grateful for the "refills", but I'm not a fan of these such spiritual dry spells which seem to be a part of life. As I get back to "The Purpose Driven Life" I will return to sharing more of my thoughts. Until then we'll continue praying, and perhaps you could share some of your thoughts by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of the post.
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Distance
"In fact, sin does disconnect us from intimate fellowship with God." I guess I would push it even further and define sin as disconnecting us from God, that is what it is anything that disconnects us. That may be what Warren was trying to say as well, but I wanted to clarify. Of course, you may recall that Luther then took it a step further and defined sin as not just disconnecting from God, but turning in on oneself.
That being said what struck me the most today was:
Warren goes on then to talk about as baby Christians God touch us with lots of feelings, etc. to reassure us, but eventually we are weaned away. For me this is where our relationship with God being compared to marriage became a helpful analogy for me. I know I have only been married a couple of months, but in that time one of the things that has struck me is the arguments that happen. Usually they are over silly little things, but it seems that often the anxiety gets heightened because those warm, gooshy feelings aren't there and panic sets in that maybe in this moment the other doesn't love us. Just because I sound angry and I act distant doesn't mean I don't love my wife. As our relationship grows I will learn to realize in a very real way that when I experience that from her she hasn't stopped loving me as well. I think the same is true with God. Just because we don't constantly have that warm gooshy feeling doesn't mean that God doesn't love us, for God does indeed continue to love us.
Once again I will leave you with my favorite quote from today's chapter...speaking about Jesus on the cross: "Jesus could have saved himself -- but then he could not have saved you."
That being said what struck me the most today was:
"The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God. They look for a feeling, and if it happens, they conclude that they have worshiped...Seeking a feeling, even the feeling of closeness to Christ, is not worship."
Warren goes on then to talk about as baby Christians God touch us with lots of feelings, etc. to reassure us, but eventually we are weaned away. For me this is where our relationship with God being compared to marriage became a helpful analogy for me. I know I have only been married a couple of months, but in that time one of the things that has struck me is the arguments that happen. Usually they are over silly little things, but it seems that often the anxiety gets heightened because those warm, gooshy feelings aren't there and panic sets in that maybe in this moment the other doesn't love us. Just because I sound angry and I act distant doesn't mean I don't love my wife. As our relationship grows I will learn to realize in a very real way that when I experience that from her she hasn't stopped loving me as well. I think the same is true with God. Just because we don't constantly have that warm gooshy feeling doesn't mean that God doesn't love us, for God does indeed continue to love us.
Once again I will leave you with my favorite quote from today's chapter...speaking about Jesus on the cross: "Jesus could have saved himself -- but then he could not have saved you."
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
All Of You
In case you haven't been "tuning in" every day, I thought I would point out that I have changed from reading through a book of the Bible and now during Lent I am reading Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" for my devotional time. Listed here are some of my reflections on the chapters as I go....
Today's chapter starts with "God wants all of you." God doesn't want just part of you. God wants to engage with heart, mind, soul, body, spirit, with every part of you. God wants all of you, all of the time. So what does that mean? What does that look like in your life? Where do you hold back?
Warren also writes, "Your biggest distraction in worship is yourself -- your interests and your worries over what others think about you." I would add to that your critique of what worship should be, what you expect from worship is part of your personal distraction from worship. What distracts you from worship? What gets in your way? How do you over come those hurdles? What helps you to focus on God?
Finally, I will leave you with this quote from the end of the chapter: "The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart."
Today's chapter starts with "God wants all of you." God doesn't want just part of you. God wants to engage with heart, mind, soul, body, spirit, with every part of you. God wants all of you, all of the time. So what does that mean? What does that look like in your life? Where do you hold back?
Warren also writes, "Your biggest distraction in worship is yourself -- your interests and your worries over what others think about you." I would add to that your critique of what worship should be, what you expect from worship is part of your personal distraction from worship. What distracts you from worship? What gets in your way? How do you over come those hurdles? What helps you to focus on God?
Finally, I will leave you with this quote from the end of the chapter: "The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart."
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Buddy Jesus
So today's chapter made me think about the movie, "Dogma" and the introduction of Buddy Jesus. It makes me a little nervous, sometimes to hear this talk of God wanting to be your friend. Oh, I suppose there is some truth to it, but I think that is only one side of things. It is true that is about a relationship, so I can go with that. However, I think it something deeper than a friendship... Maybe I'm wrong here.
I was struck by the thoughts on prayer. I think it is a great struggle to pray continuously. It makes me think of the line from the Steven Curtis Chapman song that says, "Just because I say, 'Amen' doesn't mean this conversation has to end."... of something like that. The suggestion from Brother Lawrence to pray lots of shorts prayers instead of one long rambling one was beautiful. So go ahead and pray. In fact, go ahead and make your whole life a prayer. It's good communication to build a deep and loving relationship with your creator, redeemer, and savior.
I was struck by the thoughts on prayer. I think it is a great struggle to pray continuously. It makes me think of the line from the Steven Curtis Chapman song that says, "Just because I say, 'Amen' doesn't mean this conversation has to end."... of something like that. The suggestion from Brother Lawrence to pray lots of shorts prayers instead of one long rambling one was beautiful. So go ahead and pray. In fact, go ahead and make your whole life a prayer. It's good communication to build a deep and loving relationship with your creator, redeemer, and savior.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Surrender
I don't know if I have much in way of thoughts today, so I was thinking maybe I'd throw out some of the quotes that struck me...
"The heart of worship is surrender."
"Surrender is an unpopular word...it implies losing, and no one wants to be a loser."
"In today's competitive culture...If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable."
"It (surrendering) is the natural response to God's amazing love and mercy."
"That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Vicotry comes through surrender. Surrender doesn't weaken you; it strengthens you."
"The heart of worship is surrender."
"Surrender is an unpopular word...it implies losing, and no one wants to be a loser."
"In today's competitive culture...If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable."
"It (surrendering) is the natural response to God's amazing love and mercy."
"That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho. This is the paradox: Vicotry comes through surrender. Surrender doesn't weaken you; it strengthens you."
Monday, March 13, 2006
Worship
We are here to bring God pleasure. What a notion. We worship by bringing God pleasure. Amazing. It's fun to watch parents when their babies are born. There is so much love for that child, and that child brings the parents so much pleasure. As a small infant there is nothing that child can really do to bring pleasure to their parents, but they bring endless pleasure just because of who and whose they are. We are children of God. I think it works the same way.
Today there also much talk about worship and I liked it. I think it was a good reminder that worship is not about the music. We use worship and music almost synonymously when we talk about it, but there was worship before there was music. Worship also isn't about you. You often hear people saying things like, "I got a lot out of worship today" or "I sure didn't get much out of today's worship." You know what? It's not about you. Worship is about God. It's nice if you are touched by the presence of God in worship, but that is not the goal. Worship is bringing glory to God, praising God, bringing God pleasure. Worship is not about you...an excellent reminder to start the week.
Today there also much talk about worship and I liked it. I think it was a good reminder that worship is not about the music. We use worship and music almost synonymously when we talk about it, but there was worship before there was music. Worship also isn't about you. You often hear people saying things like, "I got a lot out of worship today" or "I sure didn't get much out of today's worship." You know what? It's not about you. Worship is about God. It's nice if you are touched by the presence of God in worship, but that is not the goal. Worship is bringing glory to God, praising God, bringing God pleasure. Worship is not about you...an excellent reminder to start the week.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Glory to God
"The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason everything exists, including you...What is the glory of God? It is who God is."
It is our purpose, it is why God created us, to bring God glory. How do we do that? By living out what God calls us to, by using the gifts and talents that God has given us. Jesus talked about having brought God glory, because he did what God set him on earth to do. Because of all that God has done for us we try and bring God glory by doing our best to fulfill the mission God has set before us. Each one of our missions will look slightly different in how we are to go about it, but it seems to me all of them will be similar in that we will be serving God through serving our neighbor.
Let me leave you with two questions that Warren proposes today and I ask you, "Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards?... Who are you going to live for -- yourself or God?"
It is our purpose, it is why God created us, to bring God glory. How do we do that? By living out what God calls us to, by using the gifts and talents that God has given us. Jesus talked about having brought God glory, because he did what God set him on earth to do. Because of all that God has done for us we try and bring God glory by doing our best to fulfill the mission God has set before us. Each one of our missions will look slightly different in how we are to go about it, but it seems to me all of them will be similar in that we will be serving God through serving our neighbor.
Let me leave you with two questions that Warren proposes today and I ask you, "Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards?... Who are you going to live for -- yourself or God?"
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Life is Temporary
Life is temporary, at least here on earth. I was touched today by Warren's analogies for our time here on earth.
The first was that as green card holders. In our country people who come here from other countries to work, but maintain their citizenship in their country of origin need to have a green card. As Christians we are residents of God's kingdom and we maintain that citizenship even though we live and work here on earth.
The second analogy was that as ambassador's of God. Still we remain citizen's of heaven, but we are here on earth on assignment. Our loyalty, though, remains to the kingdom of God. If a U.S. ambassador is sent to somewhere like China they take on some of the cultural practices so as not to offend others, but they remain loyal to the values and customs of the U.S. If that ambassador begins valuing the customs and cultures more of that foreign country and begins to favor that country over their country of origin (U.S.) then they are no longer valuable as an ambassador. So too remains our challenge as Christians. We follow certain customs and practices of the world around us, but we remain loyal to our citizenship in heaven.
It's about gaining perspective. We are God's property. When that sinks in it seems that our struggles for popularity, trends, and other earthly recognition begins to fade away. We realize that the trappings of this life are temporary and rather insignificant, at least when compared to our eternal inheritance in God's kingdom, which has already begun...if only we can see it.
The first was that as green card holders. In our country people who come here from other countries to work, but maintain their citizenship in their country of origin need to have a green card. As Christians we are residents of God's kingdom and we maintain that citizenship even though we live and work here on earth.
The second analogy was that as ambassador's of God. Still we remain citizen's of heaven, but we are here on earth on assignment. Our loyalty, though, remains to the kingdom of God. If a U.S. ambassador is sent to somewhere like China they take on some of the cultural practices so as not to offend others, but they remain loyal to the values and customs of the U.S. If that ambassador begins valuing the customs and cultures more of that foreign country and begins to favor that country over their country of origin (U.S.) then they are no longer valuable as an ambassador. So too remains our challenge as Christians. We follow certain customs and practices of the world around us, but we remain loyal to our citizenship in heaven.
It's about gaining perspective. We are God's property. When that sinks in it seems that our struggles for popularity, trends, and other earthly recognition begins to fade away. We realize that the trappings of this life are temporary and rather insignificant, at least when compared to our eternal inheritance in God's kingdom, which has already begun...if only we can see it.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Point of View
I think I would agree with today's premise that how you see life shapes your life. I'm not sure exactly how, but I suspect that because I often view, and would describe, life as a rollercoaster it does effect how I chose to live life. I suppose there is something about sitting back with nervous, eager anticipation, enjoying the rush, and looking back and seeing it had gone way too fast. I haven't thought about it much, but I think there is merit. I wonder, what is your analogy for life? What is your image? How do complete, "Life is a..."?
What I'm not all so sure about is the contention that life is a test. I do believe that God tests us along the way of life, but is that one of God's sole purposes? Warren set up the premise that how you view your life shapes how you live it. He even hinted at seeing life as a game is negative because you're always trying to win. I think seeing life as a test, it becomes something you have to get "right." I think that's dangerous. Isn't the point of Jesus' death that we can't get it right and that's why Jesus had to die for our sin? I supposed viewed from the cross I can become okay with the testing. Yes, God tests us, but we pass only because Jesus passed the test for us already.
Being the season of Lent, I think reading this chapter it is a appropriate to pray for forgiveness for not passing the test, for our failures. It is also appropriate to pray a prayer of thankfulness that Jesus passed the test for us so that we can continue taking the test. If we are a success in life, if we pass the tests of life, it is because of Jesus, because of God's hand at work.
What I'm not all so sure about is the contention that life is a test. I do believe that God tests us along the way of life, but is that one of God's sole purposes? Warren set up the premise that how you view your life shapes how you live it. He even hinted at seeing life as a game is negative because you're always trying to win. I think seeing life as a test, it becomes something you have to get "right." I think that's dangerous. Isn't the point of Jesus' death that we can't get it right and that's why Jesus had to die for our sin? I supposed viewed from the cross I can become okay with the testing. Yes, God tests us, but we pass only because Jesus passed the test for us already.
Being the season of Lent, I think reading this chapter it is a appropriate to pray for forgiveness for not passing the test, for our failures. It is also appropriate to pray a prayer of thankfulness that Jesus passed the test for us so that we can continue taking the test. If we are a success in life, if we pass the tests of life, it is because of Jesus, because of God's hand at work.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Forever
I think it's interesting that today's topic was eternal life. It came up this morning at our Monday Morning Theologians Bible study at the bakery in town. We were talking about God's covenant with Abraham (at the point of his name change) and our discussion led to talking about how life becomes somehow easier, or more bearable, when we have some perspective, a hope for the future. In essence God was giving Abraham hope for a future with the promise to make his descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky. One person this morning shared about how their perspective changed after their father died. They got, I believe, a glimpse of eternal life. We are living in what the theologians call the now and not yet. We live both in this world, but we also reside in the life eternal, it doesn't start after death. With that kind of perspective things like fashion trends and popular opinions look completely different. When you live close to God everything else begins to appear small in comparison.
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