Wednesday, November 22, 2006
You Must Increase, I Must Decrease...Lord
I've had this song stuck in my head for about a week now and I thought that if I blog about it...it might go away. Its You Must Increase by Matt Redman....
I will lift you high...and bow down low
How high can you be?
How low can I go?
You must increase, I must decrease Lord.
I'll bow down and you will be adored.
I feel challenged as I think about this song and type out the words...because I don't want to decrease! I know its good for me to decrease and let God increase and I want to WANT to be the type of person that willingly lets God take over. Its like Mark 9:15-29 - the father of a boy who is posessed by a demon goes to Jesus to ask for help. Jesus says to him "Everything is possible for him who believes." The man responds "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief." I do want to decrease, but help me overcome my desire to not want to decrease.
I will lift you high...and bow down low
How high can you be?
How low can I go?
You must increase, I must decrease Lord.
I'll bow down and you will be adored.
I feel challenged as I think about this song and type out the words...because I don't want to decrease! I know its good for me to decrease and let God increase and I want to WANT to be the type of person that willingly lets God take over. Its like Mark 9:15-29 - the father of a boy who is posessed by a demon goes to Jesus to ask for help. Jesus says to him "Everything is possible for him who believes." The man responds "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief." I do want to decrease, but help me overcome my desire to not want to decrease.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Mark and Gardens
We've been studying the book of Mark in my small group. Last night, we had quite a discussion about the Parable of the Sower - that's the one about the various seeds being sown on different types of soil...to recap:
Group A - their seed is snatched up by Satan before it can be planted - the general non-believer population
Group B - they get some seed, but because the don't develop a strong root system, the moment there is any sort of trouble, their Christian walk is in trouble
Group C - they've got a little garden growing, but a whole lot of weeds are also growing too and threatening to choking out the seed
Group D - they've got a bumpercrop happening!
My first reaction - I wanna be in Group D. Who wouldn't want to be in that group? My second reaction was...I don't think I'm in Group D! An honest assessment puts me in Group B/C with small bursts of Group D behaviour.
Then I started to really ponder this passage, and it occured to me that maybe Group D is where we move to as we mature. Consider the whole plant analogy...
The first (and 2nd and 3rd) time I heard the word...I was firmly in Group A. I didn't get it. Whether it was my lack of readiness or Satan or some combination thereof, there was no planting taking place.
As a new Christian, I was in Group B. Without the proper food, soil conditions, light, water and general nourishment, my root system would not have developed. Thankfully I had a lot of that - a strong Church family, small group, and many Christian friends. As I grow in faith, my roots are getting stronger. I have to wonder how I would respond under physical threat, torture or persecution....I hope the roots will hold up...
Group C...the constant battle to keep weeds from choking out the word. I remember spending 2-4 hours a week pulling weeds that threatened to over take my flowers at my last home. I think we need to continue weeding out the stuff that threatens to over take our spiritual lives - its a constant process.
So Group D appears to me to be the culmination of a lot of growth and maturity.
Group A - their seed is snatched up by Satan before it can be planted - the general non-believer population
Group B - they get some seed, but because the don't develop a strong root system, the moment there is any sort of trouble, their Christian walk is in trouble
Group C - they've got a little garden growing, but a whole lot of weeds are also growing too and threatening to choking out the seed
Group D - they've got a bumpercrop happening!
My first reaction - I wanna be in Group D. Who wouldn't want to be in that group? My second reaction was...I don't think I'm in Group D! An honest assessment puts me in Group B/C with small bursts of Group D behaviour.
Then I started to really ponder this passage, and it occured to me that maybe Group D is where we move to as we mature. Consider the whole plant analogy...
The first (and 2nd and 3rd) time I heard the word...I was firmly in Group A. I didn't get it. Whether it was my lack of readiness or Satan or some combination thereof, there was no planting taking place.
As a new Christian, I was in Group B. Without the proper food, soil conditions, light, water and general nourishment, my root system would not have developed. Thankfully I had a lot of that - a strong Church family, small group, and many Christian friends. As I grow in faith, my roots are getting stronger. I have to wonder how I would respond under physical threat, torture or persecution....I hope the roots will hold up...
Group C...the constant battle to keep weeds from choking out the word. I remember spending 2-4 hours a week pulling weeds that threatened to over take my flowers at my last home. I think we need to continue weeding out the stuff that threatens to over take our spiritual lives - its a constant process.
So Group D appears to me to be the culmination of a lot of growth and maturity.
Even His Doll is Controversial
It really doesn't get more controversial than Jesus....even his doll sparks controversy....
A donation of 4,000 talking Jesus dolls was initially turned down by Toys for Tots, a Marine Reserves charity that donates toys to needy children around the world. The doll was seen as promoting religious material that might offend familes of other faiths. Toys for Tots has since reversed its decision and accepted the dolls.
The real irony is that that Toys for Tots mandate is to provide toys to needy children for CHRISTMAS!!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Woman on the Bus
Matthew 25:35-40 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
I was riding the bus, staring out the window when a woman sat down beside me. She was a wreak - her face was cut up with wounds that had recently scabbed over. Her eyes were glassy, hair dishevled and she smelled bad. I wanted to move to another seat. I was repulsed by her.
But then a I remembered Jesus words... So I prayed for her. I didn't know what else to do. I suppose I could have tried to give her money - though she didn't ask for money. I couldn't bring myself to start a conversation with her - God forgive me, but I was weak and not prepared to "get involved" with her at that level. So I quietly prayed for her to be blessed, to be kept safe that day, to have the courage to leave an abusive relationship (which I thought she might be in, judging from the wounds), to be provided with food and shelter and to be protected from temptation.
Its one thing to sit in church and affirm that as Christians, we need to reach out to those in need. Its quite another to be confronted with a person in need sitting next to you on the bus. I'd like to think I'd respond with open arms and an abudance of Christs love. But when it came right down to it, I regretfully have to admit that my self interests came first...
I was riding the bus, staring out the window when a woman sat down beside me. She was a wreak - her face was cut up with wounds that had recently scabbed over. Her eyes were glassy, hair dishevled and she smelled bad. I wanted to move to another seat. I was repulsed by her.
But then a I remembered Jesus words... So I prayed for her. I didn't know what else to do. I suppose I could have tried to give her money - though she didn't ask for money. I couldn't bring myself to start a conversation with her - God forgive me, but I was weak and not prepared to "get involved" with her at that level. So I quietly prayed for her to be blessed, to be kept safe that day, to have the courage to leave an abusive relationship (which I thought she might be in, judging from the wounds), to be provided with food and shelter and to be protected from temptation.
Its one thing to sit in church and affirm that as Christians, we need to reach out to those in need. Its quite another to be confronted with a person in need sitting next to you on the bus. I'd like to think I'd respond with open arms and an abudance of Christs love. But when it came right down to it, I regretfully have to admit that my self interests came first...
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Apologist Accepted
I've often wondered why I feel this need to defend my faith using pure reason and logic. I constantly feel like I have to argue my position to friends and family who are non-believers. If I could just dazzle them with some superior argument that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God, that Jesus was the son of God, that Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected and that he is the only way to heaven etc etc - they would not be able to resist.
A couple weeks ago I attended a really amazing Women's conference - Women of Faith - which I highly recommend to all Christian women, women who want to know more about the Christian life or women who just want to be inspired by some truly phenomenal speakers!
Everytime I attend this conference, I come away with several nuggets of truth. One that really struck my heart was a song by Nichole Nordeman - "What If", which she wrote for a friend who thinks this Jesus stuff is nuts.
Like me, and maybe like you, Nichole Nordeman felt this constant pressure to be an apologist for her faith...to reason her non-believing friend into submission. But it doesn't work that way. And maybe that's the point. Having faith exposes the limitation of pure reason and logic...it leaves room for those "what if" questions. Its not up to me to convince non-believers to have faith - I can't do that. All I can do is share my journey, present the Gospel and pray for the holy spirit to do His work.
A couple weeks ago I attended a really amazing Women's conference - Women of Faith - which I highly recommend to all Christian women, women who want to know more about the Christian life or women who just want to be inspired by some truly phenomenal speakers!
Everytime I attend this conference, I come away with several nuggets of truth. One that really struck my heart was a song by Nichole Nordeman - "What If", which she wrote for a friend who thinks this Jesus stuff is nuts.
Like me, and maybe like you, Nichole Nordeman felt this constant pressure to be an apologist for her faith...to reason her non-believing friend into submission. But it doesn't work that way. And maybe that's the point. Having faith exposes the limitation of pure reason and logic...it leaves room for those "what if" questions. Its not up to me to convince non-believers to have faith - I can't do that. All I can do is share my journey, present the Gospel and pray for the holy spirit to do His work.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Taking The First Step
The first blog entry is always the hardest. You feel compelled to explain why you're starting a blog... to validate and legitamize your right to take up a piece of cyberspace. So, here it is...
I think Christians get a bad wrap. Either people think we're:
a) narrow-minded, right wing, fundamentalist freaks (Rush Limbaugh springs to mind)
b) illogical and in need of a major crutch
c) judgemental, self-righteous "do gooders"
d) all of the above
I want to challenge those notions by sharing some of the experiences, thoughts and struggles, that I experience everyday as a politically left of center, Canadian Christian woman. (yes, its possible to be Christian and not vote Conservative!)
Last week, my former pastor emailed a challenge. Inspired by Joe Canadian's "I am Canadian" rant, he asked us to compose a rant about what is means to be Christian. Here is my rant, which pretty much captures the spirit of this blog.
Hey,
I’m not just a Canadian, or a global citizen…
I belong to a Kingdom much greater than that.
I’m not a right-wing fundamentalist…
And I’m don’t subscribe to the politics of Jerry Falwell, Bill O’Reilly or Rush Limbaugh.
I have a God.
His name is Jesus.
He died a painful, humiliating death, nailed to a cross…
He paid for my sins – everything evil that lives in my heart
He conquered death…
So that I could know God and live in his Kingdom forever.
I don’t lack intelligence, or blindly follow the masses
I struggle daily to follow him in a world that values tolerance over truth.
I believe that my life does not belong to me.
That achieving financial security, climbing the corporate ladder, raising well-adjusted kids, pursuing happiness or even doing great charitable works is not my life goal.
I believe in HIS WILL OVER MINE.
MY PURPOSE IS TO FOLLOW HIM AT ANY COST…
AND THAT’S SOMETHING THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND!
THE GOD I SERVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS THRONE WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
AND THAT’S A DIFFICULT REALITY TO GRASP!!!
BUT IT’S THE TRUTH…
DON’T DISMISS JESUS. REVIEW THE EVIDENCE. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
DON’T BLINDLY SAY “IT’S NOT FOR ME”.
WAKE UP NORTH AMERICA!
MY NAME IS K
AND I AM A CHRISTIAN!
I think Christians get a bad wrap. Either people think we're:
a) narrow-minded, right wing, fundamentalist freaks (Rush Limbaugh springs to mind)
b) illogical and in need of a major crutch
c) judgemental, self-righteous "do gooders"
d) all of the above
I want to challenge those notions by sharing some of the experiences, thoughts and struggles, that I experience everyday as a politically left of center, Canadian Christian woman. (yes, its possible to be Christian and not vote Conservative!)
Last week, my former pastor emailed a challenge. Inspired by Joe Canadian's "I am Canadian" rant, he asked us to compose a rant about what is means to be Christian. Here is my rant, which pretty much captures the spirit of this blog.
Hey,
I’m not just a Canadian, or a global citizen…
I belong to a Kingdom much greater than that.
I’m not a right-wing fundamentalist…
And I’m don’t subscribe to the politics of Jerry Falwell, Bill O’Reilly or Rush Limbaugh.
I have a God.
His name is Jesus.
He died a painful, humiliating death, nailed to a cross…
He paid for my sins – everything evil that lives in my heart
He conquered death…
So that I could know God and live in his Kingdom forever.
I don’t lack intelligence, or blindly follow the masses
I struggle daily to follow him in a world that values tolerance over truth.
I believe that my life does not belong to me.
That achieving financial security, climbing the corporate ladder, raising well-adjusted kids, pursuing happiness or even doing great charitable works is not my life goal.
I believe in HIS WILL OVER MINE.
MY PURPOSE IS TO FOLLOW HIM AT ANY COST…
AND THAT’S SOMETHING THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND!
THE GOD I SERVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS THRONE WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
AND THAT’S A DIFFICULT REALITY TO GRASP!!!
BUT IT’S THE TRUTH…
DON’T DISMISS JESUS. REVIEW THE EVIDENCE. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
DON’T BLINDLY SAY “IT’S NOT FOR ME”.
WAKE UP NORTH AMERICA!
MY NAME IS K
AND I AM A CHRISTIAN!
