so i prayed for God to answer one of the questions because i didn't know which one to do and he answered it yesterday when i went to visit Taylor U. in chapel, reverend Dwight Knight partly answered why suffering happens:
-pain is God's indicator that something is wrong. without pain, a toothe ache could eventually kill you. Likewise, when there's pain, God is telling the world that something is wrong! It's not always Satan. Yes Satan tries to distort the purpose of the pain and tries to steal our joy while we are in pain. If he's stolen your joy in any circumstance, he's gotten you to lost your trust in God. That's why Paul suffered so much yet was such a godly, joyful, persevering man. He realized that his joy was not in this world but in heaven and that he no longer feared death- pain is god's megaphone to a deaf world.- in pain there is refinement. he came baptizing with the Spirit and with fire. The fire part, i believe (and correct me if i'm wrong), is the pain. Pain is for refinement. Something's wrong. Figure it out and fix it. Let God.C.S. Lewis said that God whispers to us in our pleasure and screams to us in our pain.
looking up that quote, i read this article. it's quite purposeful:
God Whispers in Our Pleasures and Sings Over UsC.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." (The Problem of Pain, 1940). inside me, I did not yet understand how painful life could be. I understood a child's pain, but had yet to discover a woman's pain, or a mother's pain. All of those pains laid before me as I totally trusted Jesus without question.
Many of us would never have recognized our need for God had it not been for the pain we were experiencing. It was that way for me. Even though I had accepted Jesus as my Savior as a child, and asked Him to come and liveThen, as inevitably happens, the noise of the world began to drown out the voice of God's Spirit. It grew harder and harder to hear The Spirit's voice. At first I recognized the difficulty, but without coming back to Him, each succeeding time His voice grew dimmer and dimmer.
Then, because God is a God of unlimited grace, He allowed painful circumstances to enter my life. In essence, He said, "OK, have it your way." But He did not leave me! I picture Him standing back, arms folded, brow furrowed, eyes fixed on His precious daughter to see what a mess she could make.Each time I ran to the Arms of God, He sat me on His Lap, hugged me with His Arms, and rejoiced over me with songs (Zephaniah 3:17).
The Lord your God is with you,He is might to save.He will take great delight in you,He will quiet you with His love,He will rejoice over you with singing.
There is nothing like hearing - with your spiritual ear - God rejoicing over you with singing! No emotion known to man can compare with it. I'm so thankful for the megaphone of God, followed by His singing over me. I know exactly how the prodigal son felt, and it feels good!"
September 29, 2009
Out of their poverty overflowed a rich generosity. let us excel in the gift of giving.
Hey so this is an article i read in yahoo news and was surprised at the facts in here. please feel free to give it a quick read and read what's after it.... there's hope:)"RELIGIOUS LIFE WON'T BE THE SAME AFTER DOWNTURN by RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, Ap Religion Writer – MonSep28, 7:11pmETNEW YORK – Organized religion was already in trouble before the fall of 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances.The Great Recession made things worse.It's further drained the financial resources of many congregations, seminaries and religious day schools. Some congregations have disappeared and schools have been closed. In areas hit hardest by the recession, worshippers have moved away to find jobs, leaving those who remain to minister to communities struggling with rising home foreclosures, unemployment and uncertainty.Religion has a long history of drawing hope out of suffering, but there's little good news emerging from the recession. Long after the economy improves, the changes made today will have a profound effect on how people practice their faith, where they turn for help in times of stress and how they pass their beliefs to their children."In 2010, I think we're going to see 10 or 15 percent of congregations saying they're in serious financial trouble," says David Roozen, a lead researcher for the Faith Communities Today multi-faith survey, which measures congregational health annually. "With around 320,000 or 350,000 congregations, that's a hell of a lot of them."The sense of community that holds together religious groups is broken when large numbers of people move to find work or if a ministry is forced to close."I'm really still in the mourning process," says Eve Fein, former head of the now-shuttered Morasha Jewish Day School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.The school, a center of religious life for students and their parents, had been relying on a sale of some of its property to stay afloat but land values dropped, forcing Morasha to shut down in June."I don't think any of us who were in it have really recovered," Fein says. "The school was 23 years old. I raised my kids there."The news isn't uniformly bad. Communities in some areas are still moving ahead with plans for new congregations, schools and ministries, religious leaders say.And many congregations say they found a renewed sense of purpose helping their suffering neighbors. Houses of worship became centers of support for the unemployed. Some congregants increased donations. At RockHarbor church in Costa Mesa, Calif., members responded so generously to word of a budget deficit that the church ended the fiscal year with a surplus."We're all a little dumbfounded," says Bryan Wilkins, the church business director. "We were hearing lots of stories about people being laid off, struggling financially and losing homes. It's truly amazing."In the Great Depression, one of the bigger impacts was the loss of Jewish religious schools, which are key to continuing the faith from one generation to the next. Jonathan Sarna, a Brandeis University historian and author of "American Judaism," says enrollment in Jewish schools plummeted in some cities and many young Jews of that period didn't have a chance to study their religion.Today, some parents, regardless of faith, can no longer afford the thousands of dollars in tuition it costs to send a child to a religious day school. Church officials fear these parents won't re-endroll their kids if family finances improve because it might be disruptive once they've settled into a new school.Enrollment in one group of 120 Jewish community day schools is down by about 7 percent this academic year, according to Marc Kramer, executive director of RAVSAK, a network of the schools. A few schools lost as many as 30 percent of their students. Many of the hundreds of other Jewish day schools, which are affiliated with Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements, are also in a financial crunch.Kramer says 2009-10 will be a "make or break" year for Jewish education, partly because of the additional damage to endowments and donors from Bernard Madoff's colossal fraud.Overall, U.S. Jewish groups are estimated to have lost about one-quarter of their wealth."It's going to be painful," Kramer says. "There will be some losses." The Association for Christian Schools International, which represents about 3,800 private schools, says enrollment is down nationally by nearly 5 percent. About 200 Christian schools closed or merged in the last academic year, 50 more than the year before. At least 80 members of the Association of Theological Schools, which represents graduate schools in North America, have seen their endowments drop by 20 percent or more. The National Catholic Education Association is still measuring the toll on its schools, but expects grim news from the hardest hit states, after years of declining enrollment. "Some schools that were on the brink — this whole recession has just intensified that," says Karen Ristau, president of the association. Clergy in different communities say worship attendance has increased with people seeking comfort through difficult times, although no one is predicting a nationwide religious revival. Americans for years have been moving away from belonging to a denomination and toward a general spirituality that may or may not involve regular churchgoing. The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey found more people who call themselves "nondenominational Christians" and rising numbers who say they have no religion at all. Before the stock market tanked last fall, only 19 percent of U.S. congregations described their finances as excellent, down from 31 percent in 2000, according to the 2008 Faith Communities Today poll. Because of these trends, mainline Protestants were among the most vulnerable to the downturn. Their denominations had been losing members for decades and had been dividing over how they should interpret what the Bible says on gay relationships and other issues. National churches had been relying on endowments to help with operating costs, along with the generosity of an aging membership that had been giving in amounts large enough to mostly make up for departed brethren. The meltdown destroyed that financial buffer. The Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and other mainline denominations were forced to cut jobs and their national budgets. The damage was felt across Methodist life. As of the summer, more than half of the church's 62 U.S. regional districts, or annual conferences, reported they had budget deficits. Some sold property and buildings to continue their ministries. Two national Methodist boards cut more than 90 jobs. Fifty bishops took a voluntary pay cut. Annual conferences in hard-hit regions, such as Florida and Ohio, lost thousands of members as people moved to find work elsewhere. "Many of these groups have such large endowments that they're not going away," Roozen says. "But I think there's no question that they're going to be smaller both as organizations and in membership." Roman Catholic dioceses for years had been struggling with maintaining their aging churches, paying salaries and health insurance and funding settlements over clergy sex abuse. With the hit to investment income and a drop in donations, they are now freezing salaries, cutting ministries and staff. The Archdiocese of Detroit, at the heart of the meltdown, had a $14 million shortfall in a $42 million budget in the fiscal year that ended in June 2008. Conservative Protestant groups, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and evangelizing, were not immune. The 16.2 million-member Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant group in the country, has had budget cuts in its North American Mission Board, at least three of its six seminaries and in its publishing and research arm. Religious leaders say the next year or so will be key in determining which organizations survive the downturn intact. Even if the recession ends soon, religious fundraisers say the angst donors feel will not lift immediately, prolonging the difficulties for congregations, schools and ministries."Pasted from <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090928/ap_on_bi_ge/us_rel_meltdown_religion> 1 Timothy 6:17-19"17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."2 Corinthians 8:1-4"1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints."Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. Their poverty welled up to generosity. The more impverished they became the more they gave. Where our treasure is there our heart will be also. In the time of recession, let out churches not get scared. We will take this as a reminder that our joy is not in this earth. Nothing on earth can satisfy our desires so our joy remains in heaven. Solomon already tried it: he had everything he could ever want yet, he found that "Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income." "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." John D. Rockefeller said, "I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness." W.H. Vanderbilt: "the care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it." So why are we at a loss of funds in the church? Why are child support organizations losing sponsors? Out of our poverty, let it overflow in rich generosity towards others. We've got nothing on earth to lose- its all already God's and we've already got our treasure. Let us give.I pray to continually find joy in trading my earthly treasure for heavenly treasure. In our poverty, let us give recklessly as we are commanded to, trusting it will be repaid to un one day tenfold. Our hope is not in a church building but in the death and resurrection and kingdom to come. So if our building campaign funds run out or pastors start volunteering, let us rejoice in the hope that the hungry are being fed and the poor are becoming richer and that we are growing ever closer to the goal of equality. Our abundance or poverty will overflow to provide their needs. Let our giving beyond our ability be a testimony that God can provide in any circumstance. Daily bread.
Psalm 49
"5 There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, when enemies are surrounding me.
6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paing a ransom to God.
8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough
9 to live forever and never see the grave.
10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.
11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but they leave their wealth to others.
12 They will not last long despite their riches- they will die like the animals.
13 This is the fate of fools, though they will be remembered as being so wise.
14 Like sheep, they are lead to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates.
15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death.
16 So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich, and their homes become ever more splendid.
17 For when they die, they carry nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them to the grave.
18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate, and the world loudly applauds their success.
19 But they will die like all others before them and never again see the light of day.
20 People who boast in their wealth don't understand that they will die like the animals."
Psalm 49
"5 There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, when enemies are surrounding me.
6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paing a ransom to God.
8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough
9 to live forever and never see the grave.
10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.
11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but they leave their wealth to others.
12 They will not last long despite their riches- they will die like the animals.
13 This is the fate of fools, though they will be remembered as being so wise.
14 Like sheep, they are lead to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates.
15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death.
16 So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich, and their homes become ever more splendid.
17 For when they die, they carry nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them to the grave.
18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate, and the world loudly applauds their success.
19 But they will die like all others before them and never again see the light of day.
20 People who boast in their wealth don't understand that they will die like the animals."
September 22, 2009
Isaiah 59-60
Isaiah 58
True Fasting 1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness [a] will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 59
Sin, Confession and Redemption 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
5 They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
6 Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.
7 Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.
8 The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
9 So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.
11 We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.
19 From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along. [b]
20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.
21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.
Isaiah 60
The Glory of Zion 1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.
7 All Kedar's flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple.
8 "Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?
9 Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, [c] bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.
10 "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.
11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession.
12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.
13 "The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.
14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 "Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.
18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly."
Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [d]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
True Fasting 1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness [a] will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 59
Sin, Confession and Redemption 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
5 They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
6 Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.
7 Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.
8 The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
9 So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.
11 We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.
19 From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along. [b]
20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.
21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.
Isaiah 60
The Glory of Zion 1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.
7 All Kedar's flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple.
8 "Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?
9 Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, [c] bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.
10 "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.
11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession.
12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.
13 "The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.
14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 "Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.
18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly."
Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [d]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
September 17, 2009
Absolute Truth
You know, praise God so much for absolute Truth!
For being stable when I'm not.
For being faithful and always there.
For being so vast that I'll never get a breather and stop needing to learn more about him.
For designing it so perfectly.
For absolute truth.
Cause in a world where people are so subjective, I need a foundation.
I feel sorry for anyone who can't unashamedly say that they need an unsubjective foundation.
Something not based on opinion.
Cause my opinion isn't your opinion.
So praise God for having the opinion that isn't opinion- it's fact.
It's not a suggestion.
It's truth.
Lord thank you for daily making me face up to the fact that I'm not good enough.
But that you are.
A friend of mine told me that it all depends on how you want to see it.
True.
Good point.
She went on to say
"The message is up to the person to interpret.
It is not a concrete answer."
False and true at the same time.
Yes.
I might interpret it one way and another person could interpret it another way according to their circumstance.
And in a world where people believe everything is based on opinion,
My friend might say that we have to choose one interpretation.
But what if…
What if
God was big enough
Is big enough
To let both be true.
To let both interpretations be living.
The word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE
Sharper than any DOUBLE edged sword.
So praise God
For being a God
Who maintains ultimate truth
That applies to our lives in our sorrow
And rejoicing
And darkness
And light
In anger
And fear
And confidence
And hope.
Praise God for the foundation of ultimate Truth.
By Him I am justified.
Let all else be a lie
And God be true.
Friendship with the world is hatred towards God.
For being stable when I'm not.
For being faithful and always there.
For being so vast that I'll never get a breather and stop needing to learn more about him.
For designing it so perfectly.
For absolute truth.
Cause in a world where people are so subjective, I need a foundation.
I feel sorry for anyone who can't unashamedly say that they need an unsubjective foundation.
Something not based on opinion.
Cause my opinion isn't your opinion.
So praise God for having the opinion that isn't opinion- it's fact.
It's not a suggestion.
It's truth.
Lord thank you for daily making me face up to the fact that I'm not good enough.
But that you are.
A friend of mine told me that it all depends on how you want to see it.
True.
Good point.
She went on to say
"The message is up to the person to interpret.
It is not a concrete answer."
False and true at the same time.
Yes.
I might interpret it one way and another person could interpret it another way according to their circumstance.
And in a world where people believe everything is based on opinion,
My friend might say that we have to choose one interpretation.
But what if…
What if
God was big enough
Is big enough
To let both be true.
To let both interpretations be living.
The word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE
Sharper than any DOUBLE edged sword.
So praise God
For being a God
Who maintains ultimate truth
That applies to our lives in our sorrow
And rejoicing
And darkness
And light
In anger
And fear
And confidence
And hope.
Praise God for the foundation of ultimate Truth.
By Him I am justified.
Let all else be a lie
And God be true.
Friendship with the world is hatred towards God.
September 12, 2009
The Building is the MEANS, not the goal.
So I was sitting outside. Our church has a beautiful campus. I’m not boasting in our church. I am boasting in the God who allowed us to be here and made the beautiful land the building sits on and made the materials that made the building. So I was sitting there reading, looking at the beauty of God’s creation. I’ll let you know that our church sits on a hill. The highest point in Hamilton County, Indiana. We can stand on our church grounds and see (I think) four surrounding towns/cities and all the surrounding houses and neighborhoods and fields. And we’ve got grass. A lot of it. God gave it to us and makes it grow for us. It truly is such a sight to see. And the sun is beautiful from that hill definitely.
This morning I came to church early with my mom to spend some time reading and staring at God’s creation. There was a cross country race and a woman and her husband walked by going to a spot where they could better view the race, and as I was reading I heard her say “It just goes on forever.” And I thought to myself, “Goodness yes it does.” The land is so beautiful. Then I looked up and realized that she was talking about the building. The building behind me. It is quite long. And my heart broke a bit for the words that woman said. That they were about the building. The creation of the living God, which does stretch on forever, was right behind her, and I just prayed that she turn around, look at God’s creation, and say “It just goes on forever.” God your land goes on forever. Your territory goes further than the heavens. Please let people know that the building is merely a means to the goal. It is not our goal to build false temples for ourselves. We know You do not dwell in just buildings made by human hands. Please help them to know that too. It’s not about the building, but the people in it, and the God who gave us the ability to dream it up. I pray we can direct back all that glory to you. yes. buildings are beautiful. but they don't last forever. they don't dwell in people's hearts. You do. Thank you Lord.
This morning I came to church early with my mom to spend some time reading and staring at God’s creation. There was a cross country race and a woman and her husband walked by going to a spot where they could better view the race, and as I was reading I heard her say “It just goes on forever.” And I thought to myself, “Goodness yes it does.” The land is so beautiful. Then I looked up and realized that she was talking about the building. The building behind me. It is quite long. And my heart broke a bit for the words that woman said. That they were about the building. The creation of the living God, which does stretch on forever, was right behind her, and I just prayed that she turn around, look at God’s creation, and say “It just goes on forever.” God your land goes on forever. Your territory goes further than the heavens. Please let people know that the building is merely a means to the goal. It is not our goal to build false temples for ourselves. We know You do not dwell in just buildings made by human hands. Please help them to know that too. It’s not about the building, but the people in it, and the God who gave us the ability to dream it up. I pray we can direct back all that glory to you. yes. buildings are beautiful. but they don't last forever. they don't dwell in people's hearts. You do. Thank you Lord.
September 10, 2009
Enjoy Your Money... Give None Away... by kayla schaaf
"I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day... I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians, because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity."Robert Murray M'Cheyne--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------May we look to Christ's sacrifice as our perfect example. He lived a selfless life - gave His own life - so that we may live selflessly in our giving. May we be inconvenienced for His sake, to give to the poor, to sell all we have and provide for the needy. We have everything we need: He is Christ. The Lord will take care of us.2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (and read on)Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.Give us the strength to be humble, Lord!
A Car
If you're going to buy yourself
a nice new car
please reconsider
please.
cause i like beautiful things.
i've got nothing against 'em.
God's made good things and for that i praise him.
but if it's new. and nice.
all at the same time.
please reconsider.
if it's more than you NEED.
please reconsider.
If it's prettier than it NEED be.
please reconsider.
If it's more expensive than it should be
or expensive because of it's brand
please reconsider.
get it on sale.
find a new one.
please, if you are buying it to fill a hole...
a hole in your heart or your life.
please.
first question the motive.
ask the right question to find out what REALLY should fill that hole.
find why the hole got there.
cure the disease.
not the symptoms.
then it might be ok.
to buy a car.
but still not a new one. maybe not.
cause look around you.
how many cars do you see in a day?
we.
are.
rich.
if you have
ONE car.
you are more fortunate than the majority of the rest of the world.
and that doesn't even matter if it works or not.
i need to reconsider- what is my NEED.
not my want
not my desire
my NEED.
cause there are so many others
who NEED something they have no ability to get.
not a chance.
there isn't the choice of whether to buy a used car or a new car.
that choice isn't even there.
take the car factor out and add in the food factor.
where will their food come from that day?
so i'm not saying this to offend.
or finger point.
or say that i'm better.
cause i'mnot.
i live in a house with extra rooms.
i drink starbucks sometimes.
i turn on the lights when i wake up in the morning and take a fifteen minute shower and flush my toilet.
whenever i want.
multiple times in a row if i like.
so i am not saying this to say that i'm better.
just to make the point.
that New or used? isn't the first question to be asked.
Nor Volvo or Mercedes.
But
NEED or want?
then maybe move on to new or used?
and if you do move on to question two,
then i'd say and beg you
please pick used.
cause we've got enough steel
in our buildings and cars.
we've got enough metal
roaming our roads.
if you see one that drives.
that's a keeper.
just something to consider.
please reconsider.
and i'll be considering it too.
Hebrews 13:5
"5Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have,
because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'"
a nice new car
please reconsider
please.
cause i like beautiful things.
i've got nothing against 'em.
God's made good things and for that i praise him.
but if it's new. and nice.
all at the same time.
please reconsider.
if it's more than you NEED.
please reconsider.
If it's prettier than it NEED be.
please reconsider.
If it's more expensive than it should be
or expensive because of it's brand
please reconsider.
get it on sale.
find a new one.
please, if you are buying it to fill a hole...
a hole in your heart or your life.
please.
first question the motive.
ask the right question to find out what REALLY should fill that hole.
find why the hole got there.
cure the disease.
not the symptoms.
then it might be ok.
to buy a car.
but still not a new one. maybe not.
cause look around you.
how many cars do you see in a day?
we.
are.
rich.
if you have
ONE car.
you are more fortunate than the majority of the rest of the world.
and that doesn't even matter if it works or not.
i need to reconsider- what is my NEED.
not my want
not my desire
my NEED.
cause there are so many others
who NEED something they have no ability to get.
not a chance.
there isn't the choice of whether to buy a used car or a new car.
that choice isn't even there.
take the car factor out and add in the food factor.
where will their food come from that day?
so i'm not saying this to offend.
or finger point.
or say that i'm better.
cause i'mnot.
i live in a house with extra rooms.
i drink starbucks sometimes.
i turn on the lights when i wake up in the morning and take a fifteen minute shower and flush my toilet.
whenever i want.
multiple times in a row if i like.
so i am not saying this to say that i'm better.
just to make the point.
that New or used? isn't the first question to be asked.
Nor Volvo or Mercedes.
But
NEED or want?
then maybe move on to new or used?
and if you do move on to question two,
then i'd say and beg you
please pick used.
cause we've got enough steel
in our buildings and cars.
we've got enough metal
roaming our roads.
if you see one that drives.
that's a keeper.
just something to consider.
please reconsider.
and i'll be considering it too.
Hebrews 13:5
"5Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have,
because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'"
September 8, 2009
Leadership is Humility
idea that leadership is humility. true leaders are humble servants. those who will allow others to lead when they need to. i need to explore this concept more. also. nothing is truly worth anything unless you are willing to sacrifice it to god.
Yokes and Shackles
"Now i will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away."
-nahum 1:13.
nahum means comfort.
in nahum 1:13 god is telling his people that he would break the yoke of nineveh from his peoples' necks. Judah will once again be able to celebrate festivals and they will fulfill their vows to the lord. the wicked will no longer invade, but will be completely destroyed.
we must also claim victory and praise him for the victory we are sure will come.
lord please develop this idea of shackles and yokes. teach me about them.
what is yoke in hebrew and where else is it in the bible? in greek? what else is seen as a shackle? show me.
-nahum 1:13.
nahum means comfort.
in nahum 1:13 god is telling his people that he would break the yoke of nineveh from his peoples' necks. Judah will once again be able to celebrate festivals and they will fulfill their vows to the lord. the wicked will no longer invade, but will be completely destroyed.
we must also claim victory and praise him for the victory we are sure will come.
lord please develop this idea of shackles and yokes. teach me about them.
what is yoke in hebrew and where else is it in the bible? in greek? what else is seen as a shackle? show me.
God is so big.
It's amazing how big our God is. How many prayers he listens to all at the same day.
today he told us all in one day
that we weren't moving and he told us to mark our calendars for the twenty ninth- that something would happen. well something happened but we didn't think that's what he meant. so mom read today and he said that ten days later god told them that he would answer their requests (ours is whether or not we should move...) and he told them to stay in the land he has given them but to continue rebuildign the temple and be set apart. so that is what we will do.
to give all of my money to someone. i don't know who yet
rebekah was accepted into liberty. praise God!
dad got something for me in his bible for me to not arouse love too soon and it was a needed reminder.
he got a verse to tell someone that they are beautiful no matter what color.
he fulfilled my desire at least temporarily for Acts 2 and i am sure he will continue to build it because that is his design for fellowship in our lives.
he gave me his holy spirit.
he is talking to us all as a family.
we have milk. praise god. and daily bread. praise god.
and i am praying dad gets a job if it's god's will and if he doesn't, then praise God because god will be our only provision.
i can't even remember all of what he's done today. i just know he is immeasurably good and i praise him.
i will exalt you.
oh yes. last night i was fidgety cause i just got back from a busy beautiful weekend praising him and working for him and seeing him work adn i didn't know what to do with myself so i read my devotional and god taught me about the benefits and necessity of rest- that rest is absolutely necessary and better than business.
praise god for family and amazing brothers and sisters in christ
i didn't know what to do for our tuesday morning bible study and sean called and had a message on leadership- we will continue to learn about leadership i think for the rest of the semester.
lord, should we learn about humility next week?
praise him he is with me always.
help me to not forget that.
keep me humble and keep pride away from me.
he was with me speaking through me this weekend. it was Him not i.
we have food to eat.
his promises remain.
he changed people's lives this weeked.
he made my pen work. (that's another story for another day)
i am going to a bible study tonight- is this an answer to my prayer for fellowship?
god has packed so much goodness into one day. i love you god. i have faith in you. move mountains. he is so big. if he can hear every prayer at every time of day and still answer so many of my family's in just ONE DAY, imagine what he could do for africa right now. what he could do for the brothels. for the abused. for the depressed. the anorexic. every single person who is human and has struggles. it's all all all all in prayer and service and He is all. if we would just pray more more would happen. the man who sows sparingly reaps sparingly and the man who sows generously reaps generously. you get what you pay for. praise god. lord help my heart to be transparent.
it is now our prayer that you set every singly captive free. every burden lifted in your time. every heart softened. every starving child fed. every homeless man given a home. every orphan adopted. in your time. thank you for redemption lord and love and hope and beautiful things. help us to not forget. help me to be always sincere and thankful. thank you for giving us opportunities to grow. thank you in advance for answering this prayer. amen.
today he told us all in one day
that we weren't moving and he told us to mark our calendars for the twenty ninth- that something would happen. well something happened but we didn't think that's what he meant. so mom read today and he said that ten days later god told them that he would answer their requests (ours is whether or not we should move...) and he told them to stay in the land he has given them but to continue rebuildign the temple and be set apart. so that is what we will do.
to give all of my money to someone. i don't know who yet
rebekah was accepted into liberty. praise God!
dad got something for me in his bible for me to not arouse love too soon and it was a needed reminder.
he got a verse to tell someone that they are beautiful no matter what color.
he fulfilled my desire at least temporarily for Acts 2 and i am sure he will continue to build it because that is his design for fellowship in our lives.
he gave me his holy spirit.
he is talking to us all as a family.
we have milk. praise god. and daily bread. praise god.
and i am praying dad gets a job if it's god's will and if he doesn't, then praise God because god will be our only provision.
i can't even remember all of what he's done today. i just know he is immeasurably good and i praise him.
i will exalt you.
oh yes. last night i was fidgety cause i just got back from a busy beautiful weekend praising him and working for him and seeing him work adn i didn't know what to do with myself so i read my devotional and god taught me about the benefits and necessity of rest- that rest is absolutely necessary and better than business.
praise god for family and amazing brothers and sisters in christ
i didn't know what to do for our tuesday morning bible study and sean called and had a message on leadership- we will continue to learn about leadership i think for the rest of the semester.
lord, should we learn about humility next week?
praise him he is with me always.
help me to not forget that.
keep me humble and keep pride away from me.
he was with me speaking through me this weekend. it was Him not i.
we have food to eat.
his promises remain.
he changed people's lives this weeked.
he made my pen work. (that's another story for another day)
i am going to a bible study tonight- is this an answer to my prayer for fellowship?
god has packed so much goodness into one day. i love you god. i have faith in you. move mountains. he is so big. if he can hear every prayer at every time of day and still answer so many of my family's in just ONE DAY, imagine what he could do for africa right now. what he could do for the brothels. for the abused. for the depressed. the anorexic. every single person who is human and has struggles. it's all all all all in prayer and service and He is all. if we would just pray more more would happen. the man who sows sparingly reaps sparingly and the man who sows generously reaps generously. you get what you pay for. praise god. lord help my heart to be transparent.
it is now our prayer that you set every singly captive free. every burden lifted in your time. every heart softened. every starving child fed. every homeless man given a home. every orphan adopted. in your time. thank you for redemption lord and love and hope and beautiful things. help us to not forget. help me to be always sincere and thankful. thank you for giving us opportunities to grow. thank you in advance for answering this prayer. amen.
September 2, 2009
An Observation of Space
Fact of the World: The more money you have, the more space you are allowed to take up.
It seems that when one has more money, it gives them some sort of right to have more space around them. The richer you are, the bigger your house, the more square footage you have per person. The less money you have, the less the square footage of your house, the closer you are to other people. I guess that makes sense because if you don't have money, you don't have anything to buy stuff to fill extra space with... there's no need for the extra space if you can't fill it i guess (says the world).
There's an idea of distance. The more money you have, the more distant you are allowed to become from people if you like. Now this does not mean that you are distant. Or that you are purposefully distancing yourself. But somehow in the course of time society has made the idea of having more room a statement. Things are different when you have room. If you would like to be alone, you can. If you would like time to yourself and no one else, you can. If you would like to drive alone, you can. And you can even go get lunch alone and watch other people. Who may or may not be alone. But somehow humanity has created a... i don't know the word for it exactly but.. created a privelege in being alone if you like. The fact that you can still have many many friends yet still go home and have more than enough space for yourself. I do not say this cruelly at all, but maybe that's why some of us get a big head... in a room that size, you've got to fill it with something. So maybe if you can't absolutely fill the room with stuff, maybe we begin to fill all of our extra space with ego. There's something dangerous about having too much space... about having too much room to be comfortable.
Likewise, there can be something observed in poverty as well. Nearly every time someone comes back from a mission trip, especially from poor countries, they say (and I've said it myself) "Despite the poverty- the lack of any materials- they are so joyful and loving and always praising God." Well, what if this statement has something to do with the lack of enclosed extra square footage per person? And has everything to do with God.
The result of not having alot of space brings you closer to people. No longer do you have the luxury of distance. If you wanted to distance yourself, you might not be able to. Yes you could run away, but then you'd take a nice run out into God's creation (not enclosed in the walls of architecture) and you'd once again realize his Glory and probably turn back. People are His delight. So the less space you have, the closer you are to other people, the more you have to learn to share and love others because one: there might not be any other way to survive, and two: there is no other way to survive. So naturally, it brings you closer to the heart of God. And you praise Him, because He's all you've got. No extra space to fill with your thinking. No extra money to worry about how to spend it tomorrow. No extra food, but that's okay because your neighbor's got some and he's just a door or a room away. And if he doesn't have some, then you get the beautiful opportunity of finding some or creating some together. And if you create some together by farming you get the beautiful opportunity of watching God grow things and provide- a system He put in place since the beginning of time. Before the fruit was bitten.
So this beautiful idea of space. It makes a difference. How much space are you giving yourself?
"Now i will break their yoke from your nexk and tear your shackles away."
-Nahum1:13
Nahum means "comfort"
It seems that when one has more money, it gives them some sort of right to have more space around them. The richer you are, the bigger your house, the more square footage you have per person. The less money you have, the less the square footage of your house, the closer you are to other people. I guess that makes sense because if you don't have money, you don't have anything to buy stuff to fill extra space with... there's no need for the extra space if you can't fill it i guess (says the world).
There's an idea of distance. The more money you have, the more distant you are allowed to become from people if you like. Now this does not mean that you are distant. Or that you are purposefully distancing yourself. But somehow in the course of time society has made the idea of having more room a statement. Things are different when you have room. If you would like to be alone, you can. If you would like time to yourself and no one else, you can. If you would like to drive alone, you can. And you can even go get lunch alone and watch other people. Who may or may not be alone. But somehow humanity has created a... i don't know the word for it exactly but.. created a privelege in being alone if you like. The fact that you can still have many many friends yet still go home and have more than enough space for yourself. I do not say this cruelly at all, but maybe that's why some of us get a big head... in a room that size, you've got to fill it with something. So maybe if you can't absolutely fill the room with stuff, maybe we begin to fill all of our extra space with ego. There's something dangerous about having too much space... about having too much room to be comfortable.
Likewise, there can be something observed in poverty as well. Nearly every time someone comes back from a mission trip, especially from poor countries, they say (and I've said it myself) "Despite the poverty- the lack of any materials- they are so joyful and loving and always praising God." Well, what if this statement has something to do with the lack of enclosed extra square footage per person? And has everything to do with God.
The result of not having alot of space brings you closer to people. No longer do you have the luxury of distance. If you wanted to distance yourself, you might not be able to. Yes you could run away, but then you'd take a nice run out into God's creation (not enclosed in the walls of architecture) and you'd once again realize his Glory and probably turn back. People are His delight. So the less space you have, the closer you are to other people, the more you have to learn to share and love others because one: there might not be any other way to survive, and two: there is no other way to survive. So naturally, it brings you closer to the heart of God. And you praise Him, because He's all you've got. No extra space to fill with your thinking. No extra money to worry about how to spend it tomorrow. No extra food, but that's okay because your neighbor's got some and he's just a door or a room away. And if he doesn't have some, then you get the beautiful opportunity of finding some or creating some together. And if you create some together by farming you get the beautiful opportunity of watching God grow things and provide- a system He put in place since the beginning of time. Before the fruit was bitten.
So this beautiful idea of space. It makes a difference. How much space are you giving yourself?
"Now i will break their yoke from your nexk and tear your shackles away."
-Nahum1:13
Nahum means "comfort"
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