#22 Homework, but not Homework

There was this episode of one of my favorite shows House where they all go back and forth diagnosing a patient, It’s cancer, but it’s not cancer. It was a really interesting episode but back and forth House went saying it was cancer then saying it wasn’t. Then it ended up being something that acted like cancer that was cancer.

What acts like homework that isn’t homework?

• Personal devotions and bible reading time with God.

Why is it so hard to keep up with daily devotions?

Well because there a couple things about devotions that makes it like homework but not. And honestly, who enjoys doing homework. (I do… but I’m a major nerd)

Homework we are penalized for not doing. Devotions we are not.

We feel guilty when we don’t do devotions but you can rationalize that God loves you even if you don’t do them. You are only hurting yourself.

Homework is a daily event. Devotions should be a daily event. But it is not an assignment. You don’t have to stick to one type of devotion time. You can switch it up. Homework just stays homework. Subject matter changes but it is still the same paper, worksheet, math problems, reading assignment… devotions can change it up. You can take a bible passage and make it a skit. Or make it into a song. You can memorize the stuff you can read a book about the Bible verses. Homework is just the same homework.

Homework, can be boring. Devotions should never be boring!

Homework teaches you many things and helps you practice what you learn in class. Devotions definitely teaches things and helps you put into practice when you learn about Christian living (wherever the source, church, the Bible, other people).

So again, why are devotions so hard for people to stick to?

Self-discipline.
That is the bottom line. We have to have the self discipline to want to do it. It is a daily regiment that once you start you pretty much can’t stop. If you find it boring, do a different type of devotion. Pray to God to make the Bible like a movie for you. (That seriously works). God wants you to read and enjoy his Bible. And If you want a movie-like story. Go read the David Saga in 1 and 2 Samuel. If you want a soap opera like read, just read anywhere in the Old Testament History books (Judges through 1&2 Chronicles) You can skip over the naming of generations, or the “and they conquered this town with this many people” parts but seriously the Bible is a good read. I suggest the Message Translation if you want a story.

I digress. Self discipline. No one can force you to do your daily bible reading. No one can force you to pray to God. You won’t be penalized. God loves you the same. That’s why it is so hard to stick with it. There is no tangible reward for doing this task every day. You don’t get a degree, you don’t get a job from it

HOWEVER, you do get closer to the Maker of the Universe. You do please him by learning about him. He wants us to hide his Word in our hearts so that no one can steal it away from us. We can use his Word like a sword when the going gets rough. We can use his word to encourage us when the forecast for our lives is overcast with showers every day. We can use his Word like a shield for defense against the enemy.

The enemy knows the Word. So should we.

The enemy USES the Word (ref Matt & Luke 4), so should we.

We need to learn how to read the whole word and not just sections. Don’t stop at chapters. Read complete sentences, not verses.

 

It was even on the radio this morning, Donna Cruz (WAY-FM) said What you feed on you crave. When we feed on the Word, we start to Crave the Word and the only satisfaction we get for that craving is more of it. There is no such thing as having too much of the Word.

SO. I encourage you. Don’t think of devotions as homework. It’s homework but it isn’t. AND Don’t just read the Bible, let the Bible read you.

 

Suggestions for topics:

Story-like history: Old Testament History books mentioned previously

Poetry: Proverbs and Psalms and Ecclesiastes (though Eccl can be depressing)

Like FML.com … you want to feel better about your life, read Lamentations

in Awe of God Stories… Genesis & Exodus, Revelation

Jesus stories: in this order I suggest reading John, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts

Instructions for daily living: Proverbs, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Ephesians

Tough stuff to swallow: James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews

Confusing stories that would make an awesome movie: Revelation, Ezekiel

Brushing up on proving Jesus is real and the Christ: Isaiah, Micah

 

#21 Celebration as Tradition

Today I was thinking. Why on earth does the entire world celebrate Christmas? Granted, there are some cultures that don’t. Like Jewish cultures celebrate Chanukkah, and African cultures celebrate Kwanza and I’m sure there are many more that I don’t know about. But for some reason the world stops on December 25th (or the day for Eastern Orthodox Christmas which I believe is Jan 7). Everyone celebrates it differently, but it is one in the same… I would say the majority of the world celebrates Christmas.

Was Pope Julius in the 4th century that popular? His decision to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th has impacted the entire globe. Think about the effect Christianity has had on the world. Even those that don’t believe still celebrate the holiday. December 25th is a national holiday here in the USA and in many places

Why on earth is this time of year celebrated by those who don’t believe? Even before Christmas was established some cultures celebrated the winter solstice and had festivals.

Look through out history, through out all of the different cultures. What is one thing that we all have in common? 1. The tendency to believe in a higher power and 2. The tendency to commemorate special occasions and set up traditions.

It is our nature to celebrate.

Even God told the Israelites to do so! Jewish people celebrate different things all year round! From Passover to Purim, there is never a holiday that doesn’t have something to remember.

I have digressed. The impact of the Christian church (specifically the Catholic Church) has gone so far as that non-believing people celebrate with us. I guess they liked the part of giving gifts to one another so they do that and just ignore the best part, them receiving a gift from God. I don’t really know. But celebration has always been a part of history. Celebration is tradition!

It seems to me that since this transcends culture that God created us to do things in such a way. God created us to celebrate the victorious events, to mourn the catastrophic ones, and to commemorate the people involved in both. But the most important thing that has left our celebration is the source… God.

God should be our purpose of celebration, no matter what it is we are celebrating. If it is victory in war, we can celebrate God’s provision. (Thought that is another topic for another blog entry). If it is establishment of a country, place, idea, or invention we can celebrate God’s design and creation. If it is commemoration of a person we can celebrate God inspiring that person!

Everything can be pointed back to God when we celebrate.

We can celebrate about anything we want. We can celebrate that it’s 10:59 PM right now. We can celebrate that the Arizona Cardinals won the game. Or we can celebrate that Jesus was born. Or (even as non-Jewish Christians) we can celebrate the rededication of the people of Israel to God and the rededication of the temple and the miraculous provision of oil. We can celebrate that we have a country that is established on freedom and liberties that were unknown to the common people before. We can celebrate all of the people that have gone to war for us so that we didn’t have to. We can celebrate Christopher Columbus for sort of finding America. We can celebrate St Patrick evangelizing the country of Ireland. We can celebrate St Valentine facilitating marriage when the emperor would not allow it. We can celebrate our mothers and our fathers. We can celebrate the day our Lord rose from the dead and defeated sin once for all. We can celebrate a day of birth of a friend or family member or even the dude that perfected the filament in the light bulb (Thomas Edison of course, which my town celebrates every year in the Festival of Lights).

We can celebrate anything we want. It is a tradition. It is our nature. It is my opinion that God created us to celebrate.

So celebrate, celebrate. Join the celebration. We’ve got so much to celebrate. Join the celebration!

Celebrate and know that it’s okay to do so. It’s part of God’s design. It is human tradition to celebrate.

Just sayin’

#20 Back on Track

With the new year approaching quickly I realized this:

I should blog more!

I haven’t blogged since October!

So alas, my idea that was originally for post #18.

Q: Why did God Create the Universe?

A biggie.

An answer I of course can not answer. No one can. But I can tell you what I think about it.

I can tell why reasons that aren’t why God created universe.

1. God did not create the universe because he needed to. God does not need anything. He does not need you, he does not need me, he does not need the church, Billy Graham, the angels, Moses, anybody! God does not need anything or anyone.
2. God did not create the universe because he was bored. Can God really be bored? It is such a human emotion and God is not human thus I don’t think God can be bored. To be bored is to seek pleasure in the moment that you’re lacking now. God can not lack. Thus again I’ll say God can not be bored.
3. God did not create the universe in a competition. Who would he be competing against?

Anyway, those are some things that DO NOT answer the question. Now we shall move on towards my answer.

 

First we should look at why does God do anything?

Why did God let Adam and Eve sin?

- His love for them and giving them choice.

Why did God let Jesus die on the cross?

- His love for us and wanting to reconcile us to him.

Why did God let natural disasters and wars happen?

- His love for terrifying people (JUST KIDDING!), But on a more serious note he is sending us the message that this life is not all that there is. He (out of love) has created us a better place for us to live in throughout all eternity without all this stuff now. It is going to be beyond anything we could comprehend!

 

You’ll notice a trend. Each of those answers begins with love. Why does God do anything we don’t understand? The answer will always be love. God can not act out of love. It is impossible!

God is love.

 

Here is one thing to remember though. We can not understand his love. What we think is love isn’t love. We can only get a picture of it.

This is how Paul was inspired to write about it:

 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

That is the love that God is. That is the love that God acts from.

Anything that God does is based on that love.

 

This year’s fine arts theme is “Compelled by Love”

What would the world be like if we all our actions were compelled by that kind of love.
Such a challenge to even think about.

So go, think about it.

 

#19 O Come Let Us Adore Him

O Come Let Us Adore Him
O Come Let Us Adore Him
O Come Let Us Adore Him
Christ the Lord.

That song should not be limited to the Christmas season, it is such a powerful worship song to just start in the middle of group meeting or something. It is pretty powerful just to sit there and adore Christ.

Worship is VERY powerful. It is the time with heaven and earth meet, (like a sloppy wet kiss for the fans of “How He Loves”). It is the time where our connection with God is stronger than at other times. I don’t know why but many people agree. It is hard to get into the connection without music. Not saying it is impossible, and in fact sometimes silence is most necessary. But worship is VERY important.

Now before I continue, worship is more than just singing music, that is actually praise. Worship is the daily act of doing everything for the Lord. Doing your job to the best of you abilities is worship. Obeying your parents is worship. Giving a dollar when you don’t have anything is worship. Giving a dollar when you made ten last night babysitting is worship. Doing a random act of kindness is worship. Thanking God for something is worship. Doing things for the glory of God is worship.
However, for the remainder of this post I am focusing on the praise aspect of worship, that everyone is so familiar with.

There are some myths of worship. For instance, “fast songs aren’t worship”. I laugh.  Also, “Christmas songs are only for the Christmas season.” Why? Can’t we celebrate the birth of Christ year round? No only can we, but we should!
But on a more serious note, the myth, “God needs our worship” is dangerous. Do you know that God does not need worship. I know right?! That is a common misconception among many people. “We worship God because he needs it.” Hogwash. We worship God because we need to. God does not need anything. Otherwise he wouldn’t be God. I won’t go there though because it is a big theological explanation to be saved for theology class. If you are curious though, email me!
Anywho, we need worship. My college professor always told us no matter the class that is has been proven that people that go to church regularly live 7 years longer than those who don’t (removing other health factors like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, smoking, and drinking). Being connected to our God is beneficial to our health! Just think of it this way: when your computer is broken you take it to the computer maker to fix. That maker may have taught others how to fix it, but truly only he knows everything about the computer, its tiny details, the intricacies of it. How much better would it be the get your computer fixed by the one who actually made it, than by those trained to fix it? It’s the same way with our mental health (and physical health for that matter)! God made you, he mad me. When we are broken, we need to go to him, the Maker, to be fixed. Yes God gave us friends, and family, and even psychologists to help. But he is the one that fixes things better than anyone. He is the one when we go to him, we don’t even have to tell him what is wrong, he knows! When we run into the arms of God, nothing can touch us. That action of running into the arms of God is done through worship and prayer.

Now musical worship has different aspects. There are songs of thanks and gratitude. Somewhat my favorite. There are songs of despair, an entire book of the Bible devoted to this: Lamentations. There are songs of hope. There are songs of surrender, my favorite probably. And there are songs that combine the different elements. There are songs that remind the church of his promises. There are songs of prayer, and songs of history. Either way, songs make up our lives and we connect to God through them.

Next, I am going to share with you some of my favorite worship songs. Some are newer, some are old. But I hope you enjoy this compilation as much as I do.
If you lead worship, if you want to lead worship in the future, definitely consider listening to these songs. Some are male vocal lead, others are female vocal lead. Some are heavy guitar, and some have quite a good piano part.
All in All, just enjoy the show, and I seriously suggest you BUY these songs, because we all know that downloading them for free isn’t right. As far as I know, all of them are available on iTunes, the largest music store on the internet.

With Everything, Hillsong

Yahweh, New Life Worship

You’ll Come, Hillsong

Sweet Surrender, HisNameHigh
I had to pick one song on this CD to share with you. These guys are wonderful. They aren’t extremely popular but they are making their way in all sorts of different churches. I had the pleasure of seeing them during my internship last year, as they are local to Westlake, OH area. The piano player was actually attended the church I did my stuff at, and the guitar player they’ve added (which is not in this recording) was the worship leader at the youth group. So, I hope you enjoy Sweet Surrender, by HisNameHigh.

You are Worthy, Eddie James
This song would be awesome for a large ensemble to do at Fine Arts. Just sayin’. LOVE IT.

Hero, Abandon
This song is newer than most. Actually released in 2009 I think but just now on the radio. I’m really loving it.

The New Jerusalem, Michael Card
This song may not be in your particular favorite style. However, the lyrics are practically straight from the Bible. Turn to Revelation 21 and read along. It makes me cry. It’s so beautiful.

Finally, last but not list a popular hymn. Hymns have lost their attraction over the years, and I hope to be one person that brings them back. They are powerful, and beautiful. An appreciation for them needs to be brought back.

It is Well with my Soul, lyrics by Horatio Spafford
This hymn is so beautiful. It is my second favorite of all time (first favorite being I Surrender All). Actually pay attention to the lyrics. The story behind this hymn is so beautiful. The video explains it. I suggest watching it twice, once with the lyrics here (though the song doesn’t use all of them) and once to watch the story of the writer.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul. 
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

#18 It’s the End of the World as We know it.

But hey, I feel fine!

Actually it’s been the end of the world for the last 2000 years so there is nothing to be worried about. Seriously.

The end of the world isn’t scary. It’s actually a pretty cool thing to think about. But this post is brought about due to the recent oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. It is officially titled the Deepwater Horizon Crisis, or something with BP/oil/spill included in that title lol. It is truly awful what has happened there. I have a few comments about the whole thing and some things you may want to read that are disgruntling and almost terrifying.

Boycotts of BP:
Ummm, this is silly in my opinion. If the oil cap needs to be fixed we should be giving the company more incentive ($) to fix it. Not than any oil company NEEDS money. But still.

Insensitive Prez of BP:
I would say he is like every other CEO of any oil company. Oil spills come with the territory it is just “routine.” (Which is sad to even say that). I would say if what I will talk about later is true, then he is being a little insensitive about it.

Should we care about the environment as Christians? Isn’t God just going to destroy the world later?

Well… first. Yes. Second, Yes and No. It is a widely debated topic amongst Christians and theologians and pastors and basically the entire Christian community. Environmentalism. This is why some Christians can be Democrats! (as if you didn’t already know that.) God calls us to be stewards of what he has given us. His command to Adam was to take care of the land. Unfortunately the land was cursed because we (humanity) was stupid and sinned. So should be take care of the earth? Isn’t it like a lost cause since it is cursed? In my opinion (and you may like the color purple), absolutely 100% yes we should take care of it, and it isn’t a lost cause!
The topic of God destroying the world later is another interesting one. It says the old heaven and old earth will pass away. But later it says that God makes all things NEW, not all NEW things. That is a very important difference. Its like Renewal not Refabricating. So it is confusing. We really don’t know what will happen in the end. But you know what the beauty of it all is?

We can trust the person that does know. In fact… its the same person that made it happen that way! (le gasp!)
So, in summary, please recycle =D

Back to BP.

My uncle shared with me this VERY interesting article about the implications of the oil spill. This article shares information about how the crisis is not over and the worst case scenario after effect will kill millions. (dun dun dun!). The article sounds reliable. Of course they are talking about the WORST case scenario. So my dumbed-down summary of it:
The oil spill is releasing methane gas and it is creating a bubble beneath the floor of the gulf of mexico. Methane gas bubbles can cause fissures to form. Now these fissures will bring about a supersonic tsunami that will engulf all of Florida, and the majority of the Gulf-bordering states. (Looks like I’m moving to Europe =D) If the Methane bubble reaches the atmosphere and is ignited down the road it will cause a major explosion. Think Mount Saint Helen destruction, or Pompei. Yikes. Geologists were concerned before BP started drilling. Now Geologists are concerned because the fissures have started to form.

Now below are two links that were the articles I read and watched. Feel free to read them because I am sure I don’t do the information justice in this blog. The first article is actually 3 articles, and they have some videos at the end of the first one worth listening to.
http://www.helium.com/items/1864136-how-the-ultimate-bp-gulf-disaster-could-kill-millions?page=1
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread584035/pg1

So is it the end of the world as we know it? Maybe… Maybe not. This event would drastically change North America, especially the United States. We would become part of the majority world economy. Some people say that has to happen before the rapture happens, or the tribulation. It’s all just conspiracy but I still like singing the song.
*It’s the end of the world as we know it. It’s the end of the world as we know it. It’s the end of the world as we know it, I feel fine!*

-carly jean

(this wasn’t the normally scheduled 18, so number 19 will happen that I was planning for number 18… but I don’t think anyone noticed)