Note: Well I suppose it figures that right before writing the very last post we would have a lightning storm and I would have to get out the pencil and paper. Oh well, hopefully it will end soon so the post can go up in the morning, but it looks doubtful!
Update: Sorry the post had to go up late! But it's here now and I had it written, I promise!
Day forty! Hurray! It's the end, the finale, the ultimate... today ends the forty day blogging/writing challenge. And successfully, too!
I'm very happy to have made it to the very end and I will certainly take the occasion to celebrate. This isn't a post about celebration (though I thought about it) but don't think it's not important! Taking time to reflect and just enjoy ourselves after an accomplishment or period of time gives us the energy to keep going and make it to that next milestone.
Today, however, I turn the forty day challenge to you. Maybe you've read just a couple of posts or maybe you have read them all. It doesn't matter. The point is I want to challenge you to pick your own challenge and to stick with it for forty days! Pray about it and let God guide your decision. It can be a really life-changing experience!
As for me, I'm going to take a couple days off from writing to recharge my creative side of my brain and then I will pick it back up again. I'll make another post here if you'd like to continue following what I'm working on. I'm not sure what it will be yet! It could be more posts here or maybe something different. We'll see!
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you'll stick around. God bless!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Day 39: Reflections
Only one more day left.
It feels like it has been a long time since the idea to write for forty days clicked into my head. I'm not even sure I really put enough thought into it before I dove in. It just kinda happened.
It is truly tough to keep an every-single-day schedule. Sure, on most days it just falls into place at a specified time. But every once in a while a day will sneak up that does not just fall into place. I come in late, don't have anything to write about, want to go to bed, etc. But through the easy days and the hard days, I think it has been worth it.
If you stumbled over here and read through my forty days of posts or even just one or two, I want to say thank you. I know I have a tendency to ramble and I'm not the greatest editor in the world, but I hope I was able to give you something to think about.
For me, I've learned a lot about what it means to honor God with writing. He has blessed me by showing my how diverse and ultimately unfathomable the many dimensions of living a life following Him really are. I could continue writing one post every day until I die the oldest man to have ever lived and I still wouldn't have the full picture of every idea and thought that can come from taking up the cross.
Since we're reaching the end, I'd appreciate your feedback on my little project. Feel free to drop me a comment or a twitter message. Tomorrow I'll deliver my little "sign off" post on forty days of writing finished, but don't expect me to stop. If you've enjoyed the posts thus far, keep your eyes peeled.
It amazes me that God works all these things together, all the wheels and gizmos of this universe, carefully crafting each moment like mechanical clockwork wonder world of perfection. I have written these posts for a reason and you have read them for a reason too. Incredible, right?
And for one last time: see you tomorrow.
It feels like it has been a long time since the idea to write for forty days clicked into my head. I'm not even sure I really put enough thought into it before I dove in. It just kinda happened.
It is truly tough to keep an every-single-day schedule. Sure, on most days it just falls into place at a specified time. But every once in a while a day will sneak up that does not just fall into place. I come in late, don't have anything to write about, want to go to bed, etc. But through the easy days and the hard days, I think it has been worth it.
If you stumbled over here and read through my forty days of posts or even just one or two, I want to say thank you. I know I have a tendency to ramble and I'm not the greatest editor in the world, but I hope I was able to give you something to think about.
For me, I've learned a lot about what it means to honor God with writing. He has blessed me by showing my how diverse and ultimately unfathomable the many dimensions of living a life following Him really are. I could continue writing one post every day until I die the oldest man to have ever lived and I still wouldn't have the full picture of every idea and thought that can come from taking up the cross.
Since we're reaching the end, I'd appreciate your feedback on my little project. Feel free to drop me a comment or a twitter message. Tomorrow I'll deliver my little "sign off" post on forty days of writing finished, but don't expect me to stop. If you've enjoyed the posts thus far, keep your eyes peeled.
It amazes me that God works all these things together, all the wheels and gizmos of this universe, carefully crafting each moment like mechanical clockwork wonder world of perfection. I have written these posts for a reason and you have read them for a reason too. Incredible, right?
And for one last time: see you tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day 38: Overwhelming Love
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8, NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13, NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
Think about how often you use the word "love." Perhaps a little, perhaps a lot. Think about if you've used it today or yesterday. Maybe you've said "I love you" to a significant other or family member. Maybe you were merely remarking at the local McDonald's "Man, I love these fries." Maybe it was even in sarcasm, as in "Don't you just love it when your alarm clock fails to go off in the morning."
But God's love is something else. Throw all the different way we use love out the window; these definitions are not big enough.
God knows what love is all about love because he made it. He is love according to John. We didn't do jack to earn it, but God gives of his endless, overwhelming love anyways.
I think sometimes we need a reminder that God's love is completely out of this world. It's so easy to look around at all the examples of love we have here on earth; all the movies and the Casanovas. But God's love goes totally beyond all that. While we were still evil he went and died for us. We deserved death but loved us so much that he became human to rescue us and shows us what real, pure love looks like.
God's love is earth-shattering, mind-numbing, totally crazy, unthinkable, unimaginable, enormous, overwhelming - awesome.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13, NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
Think about how often you use the word "love." Perhaps a little, perhaps a lot. Think about if you've used it today or yesterday. Maybe you've said "I love you" to a significant other or family member. Maybe you were merely remarking at the local McDonald's "Man, I love these fries." Maybe it was even in sarcasm, as in "Don't you just love it when your alarm clock fails to go off in the morning."
But God's love is something else. Throw all the different way we use love out the window; these definitions are not big enough.
God knows what love is all about love because he made it. He is love according to John. We didn't do jack to earn it, but God gives of his endless, overwhelming love anyways.
I think sometimes we need a reminder that God's love is completely out of this world. It's so easy to look around at all the examples of love we have here on earth; all the movies and the Casanovas. But God's love goes totally beyond all that. While we were still evil he went and died for us. We deserved death but loved us so much that he became human to rescue us and shows us what real, pure love looks like.
God's love is earth-shattering, mind-numbing, totally crazy, unthinkable, unimaginable, enormous, overwhelming - awesome.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Day 37: Second Wind
I have to admit, when I first started writing this forty day thing, I didn't give too much thought to how difficult it would be to stay on a daily schedule, ensuring enough content is written each and every day. On top of that, I am making an effort to not be repetitive.
Sometimes I like to get out in the morning and go running. I stretch a bit, put on my running shoes, and take off. For a while, its a nice, pleasant experience. I'm just now waking up, I get to stretch my legs out a little, and it's nice to be out in the sun. But before long the pleasant experience starts to fade. Suddenly the birds don't seem to be chirping anymore. I'm no longer looking around at my surroundings and taking it in. Now I'm focused on the pain coming from my legs. Now I'm focused on my shortness of breath.
But if your a runner, then you probably know what I'm talking about when I talk about a "second wind." If you just tough out those moments, eventually you get into a rhythm and you can just keep on running for a long time. The pain seems to fade away, and the breathing settles into a steady rhythm, keeping up with your pace.
I really wish that I could start off the race in that "second wind" mode but I'm no professional runner. I think many of the times that I decide to call it quits early out on a run, I'm quitting just short of reaching that all-important rhythm.
Here at day 37 at 4D Days, I think I'm just now starting to get into that "second wind" mode. For a while, it was a lot of fun to write the posts and come up with new content. My first few ideas were ones that I had been storing up for a while. It seemed I could write huge entries on a subject with little preparation or thought. But then it started getting harder to come up with new ideas for what to write. And then I started procrastinating when the topics weren't flowing as easily. I began to wish that I had the same ease as the beginning of my writing. I began to wish I was at the beginning of my race, not the middle.
I think I'm just now beginning to find that rhythm that gives you a second wind in writing. And really, it's interesting that I'm coming into that right towards the end of my challenge. It's a rhythm that could enable me to keep writing for a long time.
The "running the race" analogy isn't a new one, you know. Just because I get out every once in a while, doesn't make me original. Paul seemed to think it was a pretty good one for life:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV)
To get that prize, we're going to have to keep running when the pain comes and the air is getting short. We're going to have to find that rhythm, find that second wind past our struggles and our pains. God will provide, but we've gotta be willing to not give up.
So put on your most trusted pair of running shoes. You won't be done with this particular run for a long, long time.
See you tomorrow.
Sometimes I like to get out in the morning and go running. I stretch a bit, put on my running shoes, and take off. For a while, its a nice, pleasant experience. I'm just now waking up, I get to stretch my legs out a little, and it's nice to be out in the sun. But before long the pleasant experience starts to fade. Suddenly the birds don't seem to be chirping anymore. I'm no longer looking around at my surroundings and taking it in. Now I'm focused on the pain coming from my legs. Now I'm focused on my shortness of breath.
But if your a runner, then you probably know what I'm talking about when I talk about a "second wind." If you just tough out those moments, eventually you get into a rhythm and you can just keep on running for a long time. The pain seems to fade away, and the breathing settles into a steady rhythm, keeping up with your pace.
I really wish that I could start off the race in that "second wind" mode but I'm no professional runner. I think many of the times that I decide to call it quits early out on a run, I'm quitting just short of reaching that all-important rhythm.
Here at day 37 at 4D Days, I think I'm just now starting to get into that "second wind" mode. For a while, it was a lot of fun to write the posts and come up with new content. My first few ideas were ones that I had been storing up for a while. It seemed I could write huge entries on a subject with little preparation or thought. But then it started getting harder to come up with new ideas for what to write. And then I started procrastinating when the topics weren't flowing as easily. I began to wish that I had the same ease as the beginning of my writing. I began to wish I was at the beginning of my race, not the middle.
I think I'm just now beginning to find that rhythm that gives you a second wind in writing. And really, it's interesting that I'm coming into that right towards the end of my challenge. It's a rhythm that could enable me to keep writing for a long time.
The "running the race" analogy isn't a new one, you know. Just because I get out every once in a while, doesn't make me original. Paul seemed to think it was a pretty good one for life:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV)
To get that prize, we're going to have to keep running when the pain comes and the air is getting short. We're going to have to find that rhythm, find that second wind past our struggles and our pains. God will provide, but we've gotta be willing to not give up.
So put on your most trusted pair of running shoes. You won't be done with this particular run for a long, long time.
See you tomorrow.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Day 36: Heaven
I'm coming that point in my life where I'm often faced with the reality that the people around me aren't always going to be around. I'm not talking about death; I'm merely talking about the parting of ways. As I start to see the end of the tunnel for my undergraduate degree, I realize that the people that I'm in contact with may head off in a separate direction, never to be seen on this plane of existence again. Of course, there will be the occasional chance encounter, but I'm pretty certain that I won't be able to keep up with everyone, there are just too many people out there.
Thankfully, some of these people I know I will see again. You see, it turns out that when Christ died for our sins, he has guaranteed us an eternal life with him someday.
Yes indeed, I'm talking about heaven.
There is quite a bit of speculation about what heaven is actually like. Depending on how you interpret scriptures, it could possibly be a lot of different things. I'm not going to debate these things, since I don't even think that I have an inkling of what it's going to be like.
But I do know this: God is ultimate, and he is love. And an eternity with him will be far more incredible than anything this life has to offer. The few joys and pleasures we experience now are merely shadows, mere flickerings of what is to come.
I'm not sure about you, but this is certainly motivating. It makes the problems I face now seem a lot less important and makes the temptations for power, success, and wealth a lot less powerful. It also motivates me to remember what I'm here for. If this life is only a spec of sand at the beginning of a never ending eternity, then oh how important it is to make sure that God's message is heard!
And then there's the whole time thing. Will we experience time the same way? Will there be a flow of time at all? Who knows! I certainly can't wait to find out though. The only thing I know for sure is that it is going to rock. I hope to see you there - remind me of this post so we can have a good laugh together.
Just a few days left! See you tomorrow.
Thankfully, some of these people I know I will see again. You see, it turns out that when Christ died for our sins, he has guaranteed us an eternal life with him someday.
Yes indeed, I'm talking about heaven.
There is quite a bit of speculation about what heaven is actually like. Depending on how you interpret scriptures, it could possibly be a lot of different things. I'm not going to debate these things, since I don't even think that I have an inkling of what it's going to be like.
But I do know this: God is ultimate, and he is love. And an eternity with him will be far more incredible than anything this life has to offer. The few joys and pleasures we experience now are merely shadows, mere flickerings of what is to come.
I'm not sure about you, but this is certainly motivating. It makes the problems I face now seem a lot less important and makes the temptations for power, success, and wealth a lot less powerful. It also motivates me to remember what I'm here for. If this life is only a spec of sand at the beginning of a never ending eternity, then oh how important it is to make sure that God's message is heard!
And then there's the whole time thing. Will we experience time the same way? Will there be a flow of time at all? Who knows! I certainly can't wait to find out though. The only thing I know for sure is that it is going to rock. I hope to see you there - remind me of this post so we can have a good laugh together.
Just a few days left! See you tomorrow.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Day 35: Creativity
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1, KJV)
There is no doubt that God is creative. A simple look at the human body makes that certain. Take an even deeper look and it just gets more amazing. The human brain by itself is a wonder that, by itself, is still not completely understood (we're working on it though).
Now look elsewhere. Look at the canyons, the valleys, all the creatures you can possibly imagine. Let's not forget that the limits of our imagination were designed by God too. That it is quite a thought, right?
We are made in God's image. Therefore, we, as human beings, are creative. Obviously we can never be as creative as God, since we can never truly come up with anything original. But as we walk in our father's footsteps we can learn to be creative too. I think there is a lot of value in the creations of the Christian community. Music, writings, art: using our creativity can be a powerful way to convey the message we are here to convey.
So be creative!
See you tomorrow.
There is no doubt that God is creative. A simple look at the human body makes that certain. Take an even deeper look and it just gets more amazing. The human brain by itself is a wonder that, by itself, is still not completely understood (we're working on it though).
Now look elsewhere. Look at the canyons, the valleys, all the creatures you can possibly imagine. Let's not forget that the limits of our imagination were designed by God too. That it is quite a thought, right?
We are made in God's image. Therefore, we, as human beings, are creative. Obviously we can never be as creative as God, since we can never truly come up with anything original. But as we walk in our father's footsteps we can learn to be creative too. I think there is a lot of value in the creations of the Christian community. Music, writings, art: using our creativity can be a powerful way to convey the message we are here to convey.
So be creative!
See you tomorrow.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Day 34: Honor
I had this interesting thought today. It struck me as I listened to someone else much older than I pray before lunch. The wording and the phrasing she used had a great deal of awe, reverence, and honor for the Father.
After thinking about it for a bit, it seemed perfectly natural. God, the supreme king of all creation, deserves all the honor we could possibly give him. In an attempt to be (to use a buzz word) relevant perhaps the younger generation has lost this element. By trying to make God fit into our plans, cultures, attitudes, and the like, we lose sight of how glorious, magnicient, and awesomely powerful God really is. We can't make God fit into our creations; we fit into his.
I'm not saying that we should go around using words like "Thee" and "Thy" and "Thou" all the time but I think there is power in the words we use. Perhaps there is a reason that one of the most quoted versions of the Lord's prayer comes from King James:
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2, KJV)
Let's give God the honor he truly deserves.
I do believe in being down to earth with people when it comes to loving everyone and sharing our God with others. But I think that in our attempt to make God "popular" it can be easy to go a little extreme. Let us not forget who God really is.
See you tomorrow (hopefully not technical difficulties this time!)
After thinking about it for a bit, it seemed perfectly natural. God, the supreme king of all creation, deserves all the honor we could possibly give him. In an attempt to be (to use a buzz word) relevant perhaps the younger generation has lost this element. By trying to make God fit into our plans, cultures, attitudes, and the like, we lose sight of how glorious, magnicient, and awesomely powerful God really is. We can't make God fit into our creations; we fit into his.
I'm not saying that we should go around using words like "Thee" and "Thy" and "Thou" all the time but I think there is power in the words we use. Perhaps there is a reason that one of the most quoted versions of the Lord's prayer comes from King James:
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2, KJV)
Let's give God the honor he truly deserves.
I do believe in being down to earth with people when it comes to loving everyone and sharing our God with others. But I think that in our attempt to make God "popular" it can be easy to go a little extreme. Let us not forget who God really is.
See you tomorrow (hopefully not technical difficulties this time!)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Day 33: Habits
Unfortuantely, as I write this, my internet is down and I'm not sure if I'll be able to post this by 6:00 AM since I'm going to sleep soon! I promise I didn't forget, sorry for the delay!
UPDATE: 2:00 AM and still no internet. Yep, looks like it'll have to be posted tomorrow.
UPDATE 2: I forgot to upload this post today since I was out of internet last night and wasn't in the habit of doing so. Sorry for the additional lateness!
---
Well, it is now Day 33. Today, according to many standards I have qualified for a potential writing habit. That means that it is now simply my normal daily course of action to write a bit of something (and for me, this occurs almmost always in evening, with some exceptions).
Now that I have qualified, according to some specifications of how long it takes to make a habit, we are looking at the last few posts on the blog! I'm excited that I've made it this far and I think I might actually make it to the end! I've started thinking about what I'm going to do after those forty days are up, and I'm not totally sure. I want to keep writing, but I'm not sure if that means more posts over here at 4D Days or something else.
But this is certainly I habit I've wanted to make a reality for a long time. I want to thank you for your support as we come into this final stretch. Just knowing that there are a handful of people out there reading means I'm motivated to ensure that the post goes up each day and that I have accountability for if it did not.
Obviously I have a few obstacles to overcome to make writing every day (well, at least five or six days a week, maybe not seven) a habit. Once 40 days are up, that will be the true test. If I keep writing, then perhaps I've actually achieved habit status, if I don't then I haven't.
Good habits are actually pretty tough things to get going. It's often not easy or fun at times to build the habits that can make us the kind of people we want to be. I can't tell you how many times I've sat across from someone in a bible study group and had them admit that they haven't been reading their Bible as much as they'd like (which means it's not a habit!). And I can't tell you how many times I've been that person too. The same thing can be true of other things too like prayer.
But this little forty day experiment has certainly made me more aware of the power of accountability. Just knowing that someone will know if I come through on my post has given me the drive when I didn't want to write anymore. This principle can be applied to any kind of habit you want to develop, just need one person who is willing to check up. And the internet can make this pretty easy too!
See you tomorrow. Just a few days left!
UPDATE: 2:00 AM and still no internet. Yep, looks like it'll have to be posted tomorrow.
UPDATE 2: I forgot to upload this post today since I was out of internet last night and wasn't in the habit of doing so. Sorry for the additional lateness!
---
Well, it is now Day 33. Today, according to many standards I have qualified for a potential writing habit. That means that it is now simply my normal daily course of action to write a bit of something (and for me, this occurs almmost always in evening, with some exceptions).
Now that I have qualified, according to some specifications of how long it takes to make a habit, we are looking at the last few posts on the blog! I'm excited that I've made it this far and I think I might actually make it to the end! I've started thinking about what I'm going to do after those forty days are up, and I'm not totally sure. I want to keep writing, but I'm not sure if that means more posts over here at 4D Days or something else.
But this is certainly I habit I've wanted to make a reality for a long time. I want to thank you for your support as we come into this final stretch. Just knowing that there are a handful of people out there reading means I'm motivated to ensure that the post goes up each day and that I have accountability for if it did not.
Obviously I have a few obstacles to overcome to make writing every day (well, at least five or six days a week, maybe not seven) a habit. Once 40 days are up, that will be the true test. If I keep writing, then perhaps I've actually achieved habit status, if I don't then I haven't.
Good habits are actually pretty tough things to get going. It's often not easy or fun at times to build the habits that can make us the kind of people we want to be. I can't tell you how many times I've sat across from someone in a bible study group and had them admit that they haven't been reading their Bible as much as they'd like (which means it's not a habit!). And I can't tell you how many times I've been that person too. The same thing can be true of other things too like prayer.
But this little forty day experiment has certainly made me more aware of the power of accountability. Just knowing that someone will know if I come through on my post has given me the drive when I didn't want to write anymore. This principle can be applied to any kind of habit you want to develop, just need one person who is willing to check up. And the internet can make this pretty easy too!
See you tomorrow. Just a few days left!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Day 32: Favorite Verses
I dunno why we do it, but it seems like we as Christians like to latch on particular verses of the Bible. Perhaps it is a particular phrasing that moves us, or a certain time and place for that verse to speak into your life, but if you ask someone for their favorite verse, and they've been a Christian for a little while, they probably have one, two, or pages full of them.
Here are a few of mine:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18, NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phillipians 4:8, NIV)
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (John 1:5, NIV)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45-46, NIV)
Yes, the last one sticks out since it may not make sense without the context it is in, but rest assured, it is one of my favorites. Elijah, with the power of God upon him, basically takes off on a super human feat of running a significant distance, beating Ahab who is in a chariot. Awesome.
What are your favorite verses?
Here are a few of mine:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18, NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phillipians 4:8, NIV)
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (John 1:5, NIV)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45-46, NIV)
Yes, the last one sticks out since it may not make sense without the context it is in, but rest assured, it is one of my favorites. Elijah, with the power of God upon him, basically takes off on a super human feat of running a significant distance, beating Ahab who is in a chariot. Awesome.
What are your favorite verses?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Day 31: Interests
It's pretty neat how God has made us all individuals. We each have our own passions, interests, personality quirks and the like.
One funny thing that the Bible seems to talk very little about is what our interests have to do with the kingdom of God. For example, I like to play video games, perhaps you do not. I enjoy hiking and I like to get sweaty out on a trail with a nice view, while others may be more interested in playing basketball. I like to read certain blogs and chat on instant messengers; others may enjoy reading a particular newspaper or chatting on the phone.
My question is this: where do our interests fit in to being a child of God?
I don't really have an answer. I think part of our interests might be a key to figuring out the place God has called us to in our life, but not all of them. Perhaps God has put some things in our lives simply for our enjoyment. I don't want to try to sell us short of what God has created and put into our lives and brains. But I think it is something worth thinking about. It seems like a lot of the time, I don't even consider how my interests play a part in my role as a Christ follower, and I simply follow them because I enjoy it.
Consider your own interests. Have you thanked God for them? Do they shed light on God's purpose for your life? If they do, how?
Obviously, there has to be balance. Interests can become obsessions. But remember that God loves us and has put us in all kinds of situations for a reason.
See you tomorrow
One funny thing that the Bible seems to talk very little about is what our interests have to do with the kingdom of God. For example, I like to play video games, perhaps you do not. I enjoy hiking and I like to get sweaty out on a trail with a nice view, while others may be more interested in playing basketball. I like to read certain blogs and chat on instant messengers; others may enjoy reading a particular newspaper or chatting on the phone.
My question is this: where do our interests fit in to being a child of God?
I don't really have an answer. I think part of our interests might be a key to figuring out the place God has called us to in our life, but not all of them. Perhaps God has put some things in our lives simply for our enjoyment. I don't want to try to sell us short of what God has created and put into our lives and brains. But I think it is something worth thinking about. It seems like a lot of the time, I don't even consider how my interests play a part in my role as a Christ follower, and I simply follow them because I enjoy it.
Consider your own interests. Have you thanked God for them? Do they shed light on God's purpose for your life? If they do, how?
Obviously, there has to be balance. Interests can become obsessions. But remember that God loves us and has put us in all kinds of situations for a reason.
See you tomorrow
Monday, June 8, 2009
Day 30: Writing
Yesterday, I chatted with you a bit about literature (reading). Today I'm going to talk a small bit about writing.
I enjoy writing.
I'm not really sure if you've figured that one out by now or not. I'm not slogging through forty days of writing on a blog just because I think it is good for me or something like that. I actually enjoy taking the time to put down my thoughts in the written word, and particularly, I like doing it with a keyboard since it lets my thoughts flow much faster from brain to medium.
And when I write, particularly if I am writing about some aspect of life, it always seems to go back to God. Really, it's hard to avoid it. What could possibly be more important than the all-powerful, all-loving, ruler of of the universe?
But regardless, I thought you might enjoy a little piece from one of my other writing pieces I'm working on right now. If you've read Letters to Malcom by C.S. Lewis then you've got a head start, you'll get the idea immediately. The piece is a collection of fictional letters to a good friend who now lives across the country. The setting is in the present. I figured I'd share almost an entire letter with you, since the content of this particular one has been on my mind lately. I'll let you draw your own interpretations.
(Note: This has largely not been edited so it is subject to change in the final draft)
---
Dear Jacob,
Your advice is always some simple and yet so difficult. It is the paradox of Christianity. It is quite a difficult thing, as we must give up everything. And yet, it is so simple and comforting, we must merely give up everything - hand it all over. And with our giving up, we also give up our stresses and worries.
My question now becomes: what are we now holding on to that we have yet to surrender? Perhaps this question never goes away. How can we sing a song like "I Surrender All" and still go back to our lives in slavery to success. It has been such a long time since I have heard that song. Have we become more honest or merely less willing to surrender? Yes, I'm sure the real answer has something to do with the evolving nature of worship in the church, but it is an important question.
Are we unwilling to surrender?
We now stand at in front of yet another paradox. If we will only release that which we cling tightly to, we will discover we have had no need for our obsessions to begin with. I'd like to remind you of the times we have taken a fast from various pieces of the world. There was once a time when I hardly went a day without watching television (it was always my background noise). Then came the time of fasting in which I decided to stop watching for a period of time. At the end of that period I discovered how unnecessary it was! You have experienced this yourself.
Today I find one thing that I have not yet totally surrendered is my future. This ties directly into my previous letters, but is more far reaching than you might realize. As God slowly begins to paint the perfect picture of my life, I become impatient and grab the paintbrush from his hand. After I have discovered what a mess I have made of his work, I hand the paintbrush back with a "Sorry, Lord. I guess I just wanted you to paint faster." Unsurprisingly the end result is that God's will becomes even more difficult to discern and his painting takes even longer, as God now must paint over my mistakes (and perhaps even work with them) before he can begin again from where he left off. But oh, how amazing God's grace is! What a masterful painter! Let us once again mention Romans 8:28 (what a powerful verse!). With his almighty skill, he turns my smudgy mistakes into a beautiful work of artistic redemption.
I have long known that the happiest moments of my life have come when I am unconcerned about what moment should come next. But in the moment, I often forget where the source of true joy is, and attempt to grab at happiness' succulent fruit by my own power (and of course, this never works out in the end).
---
See you tomorrow.
I enjoy writing.
I'm not really sure if you've figured that one out by now or not. I'm not slogging through forty days of writing on a blog just because I think it is good for me or something like that. I actually enjoy taking the time to put down my thoughts in the written word, and particularly, I like doing it with a keyboard since it lets my thoughts flow much faster from brain to medium.
And when I write, particularly if I am writing about some aspect of life, it always seems to go back to God. Really, it's hard to avoid it. What could possibly be more important than the all-powerful, all-loving, ruler of of the universe?
But regardless, I thought you might enjoy a little piece from one of my other writing pieces I'm working on right now. If you've read Letters to Malcom by C.S. Lewis then you've got a head start, you'll get the idea immediately. The piece is a collection of fictional letters to a good friend who now lives across the country. The setting is in the present. I figured I'd share almost an entire letter with you, since the content of this particular one has been on my mind lately. I'll let you draw your own interpretations.
(Note: This has largely not been edited so it is subject to change in the final draft)
---
Dear Jacob,
Your advice is always some simple and yet so difficult. It is the paradox of Christianity. It is quite a difficult thing, as we must give up everything. And yet, it is so simple and comforting, we must merely give up everything - hand it all over. And with our giving up, we also give up our stresses and worries.
My question now becomes: what are we now holding on to that we have yet to surrender? Perhaps this question never goes away. How can we sing a song like "I Surrender All" and still go back to our lives in slavery to success. It has been such a long time since I have heard that song. Have we become more honest or merely less willing to surrender? Yes, I'm sure the real answer has something to do with the evolving nature of worship in the church, but it is an important question.
Are we unwilling to surrender?
We now stand at in front of yet another paradox. If we will only release that which we cling tightly to, we will discover we have had no need for our obsessions to begin with. I'd like to remind you of the times we have taken a fast from various pieces of the world. There was once a time when I hardly went a day without watching television (it was always my background noise). Then came the time of fasting in which I decided to stop watching for a period of time. At the end of that period I discovered how unnecessary it was! You have experienced this yourself.
Today I find one thing that I have not yet totally surrendered is my future. This ties directly into my previous letters, but is more far reaching than you might realize. As God slowly begins to paint the perfect picture of my life, I become impatient and grab the paintbrush from his hand. After I have discovered what a mess I have made of his work, I hand the paintbrush back with a "Sorry, Lord. I guess I just wanted you to paint faster." Unsurprisingly the end result is that God's will becomes even more difficult to discern and his painting takes even longer, as God now must paint over my mistakes (and perhaps even work with them) before he can begin again from where he left off. But oh, how amazing God's grace is! What a masterful painter! Let us once again mention Romans 8:28 (what a powerful verse!). With his almighty skill, he turns my smudgy mistakes into a beautiful work of artistic redemption.
I have long known that the happiest moments of my life have come when I am unconcerned about what moment should come next. But in the moment, I often forget where the source of true joy is, and attempt to grab at happiness' succulent fruit by my own power (and of course, this never works out in the end).
---
See you tomorrow.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Day 29: Literature
I'm going to take an easy day today and discuss literature.
I'm a big fan of the written word in its many forms: fantasy, non-fiction, spiritual, secular, classic, instructive, journalistic, diary-esque, blogs, technical, etc. God has used the written word, not just in the Bible, to speak to me and to make huge impacts in my way of thinking and my daily life. Particularly through some works of C.S. Lewis like Mere Christianity, the fundamental ways I think about God have changed and evolved. But even beyond works of a spiritual nature, a little reading can go a long way to building a solid knowledge base and making one a fully educated person.
Here are some of my favorite books:
Perhaps my biggest inspiration for my own writings and Christian philosophy comes from the works of C.S. Lewis. It always seems that his writings shape my worldview in some way, and his work Letters to Malcom is the inspiration from a similar untitled project of my own based on fictional written letters. C.S. Lewis is also my inspiration for my interest in time thanks to his chapter called "Time and Beyond Time" in Mere Christianity. And Fyodor Dostoevsky taught me that not everything worth saying can be said easily or simply as I attempted to claw my way all the way to the end of Crime and Punishment (which is totally worth it).
But all that aside, I love to chat about books, both classics and modern and the knowledge and wisdom they can impart, both mentally and spiritually.
What are your favorite authors? What are your favorite books? What has inspired you?
I promise I won't call you out ;-) I'm just curious. Let's talk literature.
See you tomorrow.
I'm a big fan of the written word in its many forms: fantasy, non-fiction, spiritual, secular, classic, instructive, journalistic, diary-esque, blogs, technical, etc. God has used the written word, not just in the Bible, to speak to me and to make huge impacts in my way of thinking and my daily life. Particularly through some works of C.S. Lewis like Mere Christianity, the fundamental ways I think about God have changed and evolved. But even beyond works of a spiritual nature, a little reading can go a long way to building a solid knowledge base and making one a fully educated person.
Here are some of my favorite books:
- Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
- The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
- The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
- Letters to Malcom - C.S. Lewis
- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
- Through Painted Deserts - Donald Miller
- Crime and Punishmnet - Fyodor Dostoevsky
- The Gambler - Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Notes from Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Persuasion - Jane Austen
- Emma - Jane Austen
- 1984 - George Orwell
- Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli
- Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
- Freakonomics - Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Perhaps my biggest inspiration for my own writings and Christian philosophy comes from the works of C.S. Lewis. It always seems that his writings shape my worldview in some way, and his work Letters to Malcom is the inspiration from a similar untitled project of my own based on fictional written letters. C.S. Lewis is also my inspiration for my interest in time thanks to his chapter called "Time and Beyond Time" in Mere Christianity. And Fyodor Dostoevsky taught me that not everything worth saying can be said easily or simply as I attempted to claw my way all the way to the end of Crime and Punishment (which is totally worth it).
But all that aside, I love to chat about books, both classics and modern and the knowledge and wisdom they can impart, both mentally and spiritually.
What are your favorite authors? What are your favorite books? What has inspired you?
I promise I won't call you out ;-) I'm just curious. Let's talk literature.
See you tomorrow.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Day 28: The Unknown Part 2
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
Today we continue our little chat from Day 24 about the unknowns in our life. Because we all know that life is full of uncertainties, and we need a way to deal with that.
Thanks Phillip for your comment. I feel like I've been through many of those exact unknowns before or am in the middle of them currently and have many more to come. But don't worry about the last one ;-) Whatever happens I'll never be totally out of reach (unless I die or something, let's hope this isn't the case).
Let's review. Get ready for an overload; here are some of the uncertainties that I am facing currently in my life, maybe you can relate:
- Career? I love so many things, it's hard to pick just one. Mathematics, Science, Literature, Technology, Theology, Psychology...
- Summer? I have free time on my hands, and I'm quick to waste it in between the plans I do have.
- Graduate School? I love education but should I continue it? What kind of degree? Where?
- Relationships? Should I be dating right now? When is a good time?
- Ministry? I feel called to do something more than just sit in an office and work a desk job for the rest of my life. What does this mean practically? Does this mean going into ministry or something else?
- Witness? What does it mean to live out the great commission as a college student about to graduate? Is my attempt to spread the love of God really what it should be?
- Free time? I have a lot of interests and a lot of things that I could be doing with my free time: writing, reading, hiking, playing video games, hanging out with friends... What is the best use of my time? How does being interesting in something like reading a book, hiking a trail, or playing a video game factor in to the kingdom of God?
Hopefully I didn't scare you off with all of that, but you I can assure you that I feel very, very uncertain about my future right now. All of my questions can get pretty insurmountable at times, especially when I try to tackle it all on my own. I am often paralyzed by indecision and uncertainty as I try to figure out where I should be going after graduating from college.
I desperately want to know what the future holds. I want to know which way to go so I can prepare for that, I want to know what God would have me do right now and I want to know so I don't make a mistake. But it seems God doesn't always let us know ahead of time what's up. Let's revisit one of my favorite verses.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
It is times like these that I don't feel very much like God is working all things to my ultimate good, but I do love him, and I have been called... so he must be. Sometimes I wish I could tattoo this verse into my brain; the truth here is that powerful. Yes, I am always making mistakes, but God is still working out everything for my ultimate good. Perhaps one of the reasons he leaves me with so much uncertainty is so that I will learn to trust him. Even in the Bible, the stories are often stories of dramatic uncertainty and God comes through for his people in the end.
Whatever uncertainty we face, we are in God's hands, and that is a wonderful, comforting thought.
See you tomorrow
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
Today we continue our little chat from Day 24 about the unknowns in our life. Because we all know that life is full of uncertainties, and we need a way to deal with that.
Thanks Phillip for your comment. I feel like I've been through many of those exact unknowns before or am in the middle of them currently and have many more to come. But don't worry about the last one ;-) Whatever happens I'll never be totally out of reach (unless I die or something, let's hope this isn't the case).
Let's review. Get ready for an overload; here are some of the uncertainties that I am facing currently in my life, maybe you can relate:
- Career? I love so many things, it's hard to pick just one. Mathematics, Science, Literature, Technology, Theology, Psychology...
- Summer? I have free time on my hands, and I'm quick to waste it in between the plans I do have.
- Graduate School? I love education but should I continue it? What kind of degree? Where?
- Relationships? Should I be dating right now? When is a good time?
- Ministry? I feel called to do something more than just sit in an office and work a desk job for the rest of my life. What does this mean practically? Does this mean going into ministry or something else?
- Witness? What does it mean to live out the great commission as a college student about to graduate? Is my attempt to spread the love of God really what it should be?
- Free time? I have a lot of interests and a lot of things that I could be doing with my free time: writing, reading, hiking, playing video games, hanging out with friends... What is the best use of my time? How does being interesting in something like reading a book, hiking a trail, or playing a video game factor in to the kingdom of God?
Hopefully I didn't scare you off with all of that, but you I can assure you that I feel very, very uncertain about my future right now. All of my questions can get pretty insurmountable at times, especially when I try to tackle it all on my own. I am often paralyzed by indecision and uncertainty as I try to figure out where I should be going after graduating from college.
I desperately want to know what the future holds. I want to know which way to go so I can prepare for that, I want to know what God would have me do right now and I want to know so I don't make a mistake. But it seems God doesn't always let us know ahead of time what's up. Let's revisit one of my favorite verses.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
It is times like these that I don't feel very much like God is working all things to my ultimate good, but I do love him, and I have been called... so he must be. Sometimes I wish I could tattoo this verse into my brain; the truth here is that powerful. Yes, I am always making mistakes, but God is still working out everything for my ultimate good. Perhaps one of the reasons he leaves me with so much uncertainty is so that I will learn to trust him. Even in the Bible, the stories are often stories of dramatic uncertainty and God comes through for his people in the end.
Whatever uncertainty we face, we are in God's hands, and that is a wonderful, comforting thought.
See you tomorrow
Friday, June 5, 2009
Day 27: Procrastination, Subtitle to be Written Later
Hello my name is David, and I am a procrastinator.
I can see the people in the circle now, smiling politely and replying "Hi, David." It seems I wondered into a meeting of Procrastinators Anonymous.
You see, there are two reasons I'm writing this post past 2:00 AM (It is now 2:10 AM actually, though I know this post will get scheduled for 6:00, sorry of the confusion). The first reason is that I like to stay up late, and I would likely be up this late regardless of whether or not I have finished my writing yet. The other reason is that I procrastinated on my writing today. But fear not loyal readers, for this is not the first time that I have procrastinated on my writing, and I have come through so far ;-)
I fear that procrastination is one of those obstacles that we have pretty much ignored as a modern day problem to the Christian walk (like gluttony, ever hear a sermon on that?). But it can certainly get in the way.
Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew 8:21-22, NIV)
Now obviously this passage could have a variety of interpretations, and there is a lot of culture involved here behind the scenes we don't see, but here's one potential thought. Jesus calls this disciple to come follow him but he decides he will do it later, he has other things to do first. He procrastinates on the call of Christ.
I do this kind of thing all the time. And my reasons are a lot weaker than this disciple! I see what I need to be doing, but I just simply push it back, and back, and back...
Maybe your a procrastinator like me, maybe not. But Christ has called us to live in the present, since we don't know what the future holds for us. Procrastination helps no one but only serves to make ourselves feel better for the moment. This is one principle that I need to be reminded of more often and one I need to work on practically and pray for God's power to overcome.
So I'd like to say I won't procrastinate any more on writing my daily post, but I can't guarantee it. I'll try though. Imagine, instead of forty days of writing, if I did forty days of zero procrastination. I can't even fathom how I would go about that. It'll have to start a few days at a time.
See you tomorrow.
I can see the people in the circle now, smiling politely and replying "Hi, David." It seems I wondered into a meeting of Procrastinators Anonymous.
You see, there are two reasons I'm writing this post past 2:00 AM (It is now 2:10 AM actually, though I know this post will get scheduled for 6:00, sorry of the confusion). The first reason is that I like to stay up late, and I would likely be up this late regardless of whether or not I have finished my writing yet. The other reason is that I procrastinated on my writing today. But fear not loyal readers, for this is not the first time that I have procrastinated on my writing, and I have come through so far ;-)
I fear that procrastination is one of those obstacles that we have pretty much ignored as a modern day problem to the Christian walk (like gluttony, ever hear a sermon on that?). But it can certainly get in the way.
Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew 8:21-22, NIV)
Now obviously this passage could have a variety of interpretations, and there is a lot of culture involved here behind the scenes we don't see, but here's one potential thought. Jesus calls this disciple to come follow him but he decides he will do it later, he has other things to do first. He procrastinates on the call of Christ.
I do this kind of thing all the time. And my reasons are a lot weaker than this disciple! I see what I need to be doing, but I just simply push it back, and back, and back...
Maybe your a procrastinator like me, maybe not. But Christ has called us to live in the present, since we don't know what the future holds for us. Procrastination helps no one but only serves to make ourselves feel better for the moment. This is one principle that I need to be reminded of more often and one I need to work on practically and pray for God's power to overcome.
So I'd like to say I won't procrastinate any more on writing my daily post, but I can't guarantee it. I'll try though. Imagine, instead of forty days of writing, if I did forty days of zero procrastination. I can't even fathom how I would go about that. It'll have to start a few days at a time.
See you tomorrow.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Day 26: Taken Back
I'm going out on a limb and doing the whole "compare the Bible and God to a movie" thing. Yea I know, it has been done before. Regardless, today's movie is Taken so if you haven't seen it, then you better skip this post. Here there be spoilers.
---
So I watched the movie Taken today. It apparently hasn't been out on DVD for too long and my family had it on a rental, so I checked it out.
I thought the movie looked pretty cool, but it wasn't one of those movies that just made me drool at the mouth or anything. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good action movie. I know that people out there aren't exactly giving movies like Transporter 2 a golden globe, but hey, I like the occasional action-packed, plot-out-the-window movie.
Taken is a pretty wild ride once it gets going. It has just a bit of build up at the beginning and then it's action packed till the end. Here's the premise: A father who was once a top agent (spy) for the government has retired and moved closer to where his ex-wife and her husband live to be closer to her daughter of seventeen years. On a trip away from the country, the daughter is kidnapped by a crime organization which specializes in trafficking women while she is on the phone with her dad. He tells the kidnappers, who pick up the phone, that they better release his daughter or else he's coming after them. They, of course, don't, and he's given an approximately 96 hour window to get his daughter back or lose her forever in a maze of trafficking movement all over the world.
The daddio (who is played by Liam Neeson) hops on a plane and lands in Paris in full wrath. He has no mercy for the kidnappers and does whatever it takes to get his daughter back. He chases down the orignal kidnappers, infiltrates brothels, and escapes capture while quickly going from the bottom ranks to the top of the criminal organization, following every little lead he can get. And he leaves a trail of destruction behind him.
I hope you don't think that is saccreligious if I compare God to the dad in this movie. I'll admit that there are some incongrueties; our God is merciful, the dad here is not, etc. But, I think I too often think of God as a passive entity, the sort of old-man-in-a-rocking-chair-God sort of mentality that I think is easy to fall into. When we look at the God of the Bible, he is also a God of wrath and action. He did whatever it would take to rescue his people (once the Israelites, now us) and get them back. The coming of Jesus was nothing short of an invasion of an enemy occupied world with a God ready to take his people back.
So if you haven't seen Taken, I recommend it. It has a lot of action and a lot of violence, but I give it two thumbs up for an audience that is old enough. I don't know if you'll see the same themes I did, but it certainly reminded me that God is not passive, but the active and living God of the universe.
See you tomorrow.
---
So I watched the movie Taken today. It apparently hasn't been out on DVD for too long and my family had it on a rental, so I checked it out.
I thought the movie looked pretty cool, but it wasn't one of those movies that just made me drool at the mouth or anything. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good action movie. I know that people out there aren't exactly giving movies like Transporter 2 a golden globe, but hey, I like the occasional action-packed, plot-out-the-window movie.
Taken is a pretty wild ride once it gets going. It has just a bit of build up at the beginning and then it's action packed till the end. Here's the premise: A father who was once a top agent (spy) for the government has retired and moved closer to where his ex-wife and her husband live to be closer to her daughter of seventeen years. On a trip away from the country, the daughter is kidnapped by a crime organization which specializes in trafficking women while she is on the phone with her dad. He tells the kidnappers, who pick up the phone, that they better release his daughter or else he's coming after them. They, of course, don't, and he's given an approximately 96 hour window to get his daughter back or lose her forever in a maze of trafficking movement all over the world.
The daddio (who is played by Liam Neeson) hops on a plane and lands in Paris in full wrath. He has no mercy for the kidnappers and does whatever it takes to get his daughter back. He chases down the orignal kidnappers, infiltrates brothels, and escapes capture while quickly going from the bottom ranks to the top of the criminal organization, following every little lead he can get. And he leaves a trail of destruction behind him.
I hope you don't think that is saccreligious if I compare God to the dad in this movie. I'll admit that there are some incongrueties; our God is merciful, the dad here is not, etc. But, I think I too often think of God as a passive entity, the sort of old-man-in-a-rocking-chair-God sort of mentality that I think is easy to fall into. When we look at the God of the Bible, he is also a God of wrath and action. He did whatever it would take to rescue his people (once the Israelites, now us) and get them back. The coming of Jesus was nothing short of an invasion of an enemy occupied world with a God ready to take his people back.
So if you haven't seen Taken, I recommend it. It has a lot of action and a lot of violence, but I give it two thumbs up for an audience that is old enough. I don't know if you'll see the same themes I did, but it certainly reminded me that God is not passive, but the active and living God of the universe.
See you tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Day 25: Blur
I've had an epically long day and I'm feeling pretty tired writing this, so I'll keep it short.
---
You ever have those days where you go through the whole day, look back on it, and think, "Man! I wasn't even really paying attention all day long." Sometimes I have those moments. I realize that the past x number of hours were really just a blur where I was mechanically doing some activity or the like. This isn't always a bad thing, it's particularly nice if said activity was boring or dreadful. But, sometimes I feel like I just blur my way through the enjoyable and pleasantries of daily life too.
Don't get me wrong, this doesn't happen 24/7, but I do occasionally catch myself with these thoughts.
God gives us such an incredible purpose for our life, it's amazing that I can go through such long periods simply mechanically going through the motions of doing this or that. It's like someone saved my life by taking a bullet for me and instead of living every day with renewed purpose, vigor, and energy, I find myself living some days like nothing exceptional ever happened.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Being a part of the body of Christ means that every little thing, every daily piece of life has significance in our Lord. It's important to remember that we live, work, and play by his power alone and every moment is a gift.
See ya tomorrow.
---
You ever have those days where you go through the whole day, look back on it, and think, "Man! I wasn't even really paying attention all day long." Sometimes I have those moments. I realize that the past x number of hours were really just a blur where I was mechanically doing some activity or the like. This isn't always a bad thing, it's particularly nice if said activity was boring or dreadful. But, sometimes I feel like I just blur my way through the enjoyable and pleasantries of daily life too.
Don't get me wrong, this doesn't happen 24/7, but I do occasionally catch myself with these thoughts.
God gives us such an incredible purpose for our life, it's amazing that I can go through such long periods simply mechanically going through the motions of doing this or that. It's like someone saved my life by taking a bullet for me and instead of living every day with renewed purpose, vigor, and energy, I find myself living some days like nothing exceptional ever happened.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Being a part of the body of Christ means that every little thing, every daily piece of life has significance in our Lord. It's important to remember that we live, work, and play by his power alone and every moment is a gift.
See ya tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Day 24: The Unknown
Sorry this got posted late! It seems I had it scheduled for tomorrow on accident. It was ready to go this morning though, I promise!
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I am currently in the middle of a lot of "unknowns" in my life. I don't know what I should do after graduation, what kind of career to pursue, what kind of graduate education I should seek, what to do with my spare time over the summer, how much to be involved at my church when I know I'm leaving soon, whether or not God is calling me to ministry, how to pay for the extra education, what I should spend my time writing about, etc.
So I thought I would ask a question to you, my loyal, quiet readers.
What kind of unknowns are you experiencing in your own life right now? When was a time when you experienced living in the unknown and God came through?
Hopefully it'll make you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts in my comments section, but at least take some time and think about it. I'll come back and spend some extra time on the thought soon.
See you tomorrow.
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I am currently in the middle of a lot of "unknowns" in my life. I don't know what I should do after graduation, what kind of career to pursue, what kind of graduate education I should seek, what to do with my spare time over the summer, how much to be involved at my church when I know I'm leaving soon, whether or not God is calling me to ministry, how to pay for the extra education, what I should spend my time writing about, etc.
So I thought I would ask a question to you, my loyal, quiet readers.
What kind of unknowns are you experiencing in your own life right now? When was a time when you experienced living in the unknown and God came through?
Hopefully it'll make you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts in my comments section, but at least take some time and think about it. I'll come back and spend some extra time on the thought soon.
See you tomorrow.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Day 23: Children
I hope you enjoyed yesterday's day of rest. I know I did!
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And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:3-5, NIV)
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:13-15, NIV)
I'm currently in the process of becoming a volunteer in the children's ministry at my church. There is a lot of red tape to go through in today's unforgiving world, and I can't blame them. There are background checks, reference forms, and training. But I think it's worth it.
I love interacting with little children. They are the most accepting, loving people in the whole world. All they want is someone to love them and play with them; they aren't blinded by prejudices, judgmental, or tied down to being 'mature.' They love to play and laugh and are simply who they are, not trying to be something they are not.
Children are also needy. We call them 'children' for a reason, they are dependent on their caregivers to provide for them. They do not work for their own food and money and they need someone to teach them the "whys" and the "hows" of life and the world around them.
It is clear from scripture that God loves children. He asks us to look after the orphans and the widows. And when the disciples try to prevent the children from coming to see Jesus, he disciplines them and insists on seeing the children and blessing them. And then he gives his disciples a perplexing command. In order to receive the kingdom of heaven, you must become like a child. Pretty strange, right?
I think Jesus is speaking to the beautiful simplicity of what being a Christ follower is all about. We don't have to be spectacular paradigms of morality, "mature" people of righteousness, we must merely be as a child: humble, loving, accepting, and even needy.
I suppose it is easy to forget that we are not, and cannot be, self sufficient for our daily lives as Christ followers. We need the power, direction, and support of God to get us through our temptations, struggles, and decisions every day. Our natural inclination is not to do this, and it is only by the grace of God that we are able to follow His direction at all.
So let's step off the pedestal for a moment and try to be a little more like children in our faith. We have a lot of "whys?" and God has the answers and he will reveal them in time. But for now, we know that God loves us and will provide for us and that is enough for me to get through.
See you tomorrow.
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And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:3-5, NIV)
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:13-15, NIV)
I'm currently in the process of becoming a volunteer in the children's ministry at my church. There is a lot of red tape to go through in today's unforgiving world, and I can't blame them. There are background checks, reference forms, and training. But I think it's worth it.
I love interacting with little children. They are the most accepting, loving people in the whole world. All they want is someone to love them and play with them; they aren't blinded by prejudices, judgmental, or tied down to being 'mature.' They love to play and laugh and are simply who they are, not trying to be something they are not.
Children are also needy. We call them 'children' for a reason, they are dependent on their caregivers to provide for them. They do not work for their own food and money and they need someone to teach them the "whys" and the "hows" of life and the world around them.
It is clear from scripture that God loves children. He asks us to look after the orphans and the widows. And when the disciples try to prevent the children from coming to see Jesus, he disciplines them and insists on seeing the children and blessing them. And then he gives his disciples a perplexing command. In order to receive the kingdom of heaven, you must become like a child. Pretty strange, right?
I think Jesus is speaking to the beautiful simplicity of what being a Christ follower is all about. We don't have to be spectacular paradigms of morality, "mature" people of righteousness, we must merely be as a child: humble, loving, accepting, and even needy.
I suppose it is easy to forget that we are not, and cannot be, self sufficient for our daily lives as Christ followers. We need the power, direction, and support of God to get us through our temptations, struggles, and decisions every day. Our natural inclination is not to do this, and it is only by the grace of God that we are able to follow His direction at all.
So let's step off the pedestal for a moment and try to be a little more like children in our faith. We have a lot of "whys?" and God has the answers and he will reveal them in time. But for now, we know that God loves us and will provide for us and that is enough for me to get through.
See you tomorrow.
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