This week as I've read through Joshua, I have felt God speak to me in many ways other then through His word. Yes, I have been touched by many of the verses but that is not what I feel lead to write about today. Instead, I feel that I need to reflect on a song that came on my ipod while I was reading a few days ago. Music is my connector to God. He speaks to me on so many different levels through various artists and songs allowing me to become so emotionally and spiritually involved in Him. Bellarive has quickly become one of my absolute favourite Christian bands. They lead the worship times at Youth Quake, a conference that I attended in February, and their songs have God's presence weaved right through each word and line. The song that really stuck out to me though as I read through Joshua was a song called Tendons(The Release). It reflected what was occuring in my heart at that moment and as I listened, I felt a prayer coming from my soul to God my Creator. It was spectacular, a feeling that is very hard to describe! So I am giving you the second half of the lyrics to ponder over and I pray that they will touch you the same way that they touched me.
Tendons(The Release)
By Bellarive
....
If the Titanic was made to sink
Then so was my heart
For I made sure it was impenetrable
Oh, what a wretched man I am
Who will save me from this flesh
Paul whispers in my ear,
“Oh, don’t worry my friend …
You’re in good company”
Poets before me have tried
to measure this love
And if 40,000 brothers cannot
with all of their quantity of love
make up this sum
Then how can my heart contain this mass
It would only burst at the seams into
a million tender pieces
So what then
What good is a broken heart to You
Could you even hear my heart from there
And like a father assuring his son
to come home
“Oh my son, it’s enough, it’s enough”
So who am I to accept this grace
that just falls like rain
‘Cause we all know I chose to lay
my head in this desert
But like a fish out of water
We only know then what it means
to be parched
So if Christ is alive, the love,
and the groom
Then take heed my friends
For chivalry is not dead
For I know no other lover who would
have met me here in this place
So I awake and I rise from my bed
of complacency
Oh, my God I’ve been sleeping
with a corpse
Oh, and these bed sores they still
rest in my bones
Oh, how I’ve made a beautiful dance
with this cadaver but my audience
is appalled
Oh, how strong these tendons
How they desperately need to rip
from this ancient Adam
So light up the sky and
Set me a flame
Burn this bone and tissue
For I no longer want to be
entangled in this sinew
That hinders my reach towards You.
<3
Friday, August 24, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
And the Challenge Reveals Itself...
Reading through Leviticus and Numbers has been a challenge for me as it isn't the type of stuff that I read very often. I'll admit, I skimmed through alot of Leviticus, and for Numbers, I listened to it on my ipod while I was packing. It gave me a new perspective to hear someone else reading God's Word outloud to me. Unfortunately, I was easily distracted and I had to go back and reread some of the chapters.
Anyways, I got a glimpse of how this 90 Day Challenge is indeed a challenge. God's Word doesn't always become personal the first time (or the second time) that you read it. I realize now that for scripture to really hit home, I need to be focusing on it more in depth and with a deep longing to learn and be changed. This is one area that I am excited to grow in throughout this Challenge.
Another thing that became clear to me today during church is that knowledge is not wisdom. The things that God is teaching me through this Challenge mean NOTHING to me unless I am able to apply in my everyday life. I got the chance to see this in action today even as I was learning it through the message at church. Just saying a simple "yes" to God when He asks me to do something is a huge step in the right direction on the pathway of wisdom. So as I sit here writing this, I am thankful for all of the second chances that God has given me when I have said "no" to him. As I reflect on God's Word, I am also going to begin praying that God will give me the oppertunities to apply each thing that He teaches me to some aspect in life. I have an feeling that this is just the beginning of an incredible journey which God is going to take me on, as well as any other person who has a willing heart to be a servant for Christ. :)
Anyways, I got a glimpse of how this 90 Day Challenge is indeed a challenge. God's Word doesn't always become personal the first time (or the second time) that you read it. I realize now that for scripture to really hit home, I need to be focusing on it more in depth and with a deep longing to learn and be changed. This is one area that I am excited to grow in throughout this Challenge.
Another thing that became clear to me today during church is that knowledge is not wisdom. The things that God is teaching me through this Challenge mean NOTHING to me unless I am able to apply in my everyday life. I got the chance to see this in action today even as I was learning it through the message at church. Just saying a simple "yes" to God when He asks me to do something is a huge step in the right direction on the pathway of wisdom. So as I sit here writing this, I am thankful for all of the second chances that God has given me when I have said "no" to him. As I reflect on God's Word, I am also going to begin praying that God will give me the oppertunities to apply each thing that He teaches me to some aspect in life. I have an feeling that this is just the beginning of an incredible journey which God is going to take me on, as well as any other person who has a willing heart to be a servant for Christ. :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Details, Details, Details...
I remember last year, during my Christian Ethics 20 Class, when I was supposed to read through the Old Testament. My teacher had told us to read each book throughly with one exception... Leviticus. Being the good student I was, I made sure to do exactly as he said and I skimmed through Leviticus without giving it much thought. This time, however, as I read through the end of Exodus and all of Leviticus for the 90 Day Challenge, I have decided to try and find areas in my life where the over all themes of these two books apply to my own life. One of the key things that has stuck out for me so far is the emphasis that God places on details. Normally I would try and use one of the verses to back up this but basically the entire book of Leviticus does that for me. If you want proof of what I am saying, just go check it out for yourself!
In the end of Exodus and Leviticus, God seems to have an interest in the details of life. He specifies every little thing for the creation of His Sanctuary. From the type of wood that everything should be made out of down to the underwear that the Priests needed to wear, God knew exactly what He wanted and He made sure that He would get it. By the time we hit Leviticus, God is describing in detail the different kind of sacrifices that needed to be made, how they needed to be made, what should and/or should not have been done, and what was clean and unclean. To me, this almost seems like a little bit to much attention paid to the details. But who are we to question God right?
Confused about all of these details, I sat down and looked at my own life and then it hit me. If God would pay this much attention to the details of a man made sanctuary (Yes, it was also God inspired which makes it pretty awesome) and to everything else, then that means that He pays that much attention to the details in my own life. Things that currently seem to be large problems to me such as finances for university, finding a good church to attend, and the fact that I am moving out on my own in two weeks, are minor details to God. He sees my life as a whole, each individual excitement, worry, or event being a small puzzle peice fitting into the larger picture. So I ask myself one final question to finish this off for the night (I would encourage you to reflect on it for a moment as well). Why do we spend so much time worrying about these details when God has them under control? He knows what we need and promises to provide for us. Isn't that enough?
In the end of Exodus and Leviticus, God seems to have an interest in the details of life. He specifies every little thing for the creation of His Sanctuary. From the type of wood that everything should be made out of down to the underwear that the Priests needed to wear, God knew exactly what He wanted and He made sure that He would get it. By the time we hit Leviticus, God is describing in detail the different kind of sacrifices that needed to be made, how they needed to be made, what should and/or should not have been done, and what was clean and unclean. To me, this almost seems like a little bit to much attention paid to the details. But who are we to question God right?
Confused about all of these details, I sat down and looked at my own life and then it hit me. If God would pay this much attention to the details of a man made sanctuary (Yes, it was also God inspired which makes it pretty awesome) and to everything else, then that means that He pays that much attention to the details in my own life. Things that currently seem to be large problems to me such as finances for university, finding a good church to attend, and the fact that I am moving out on my own in two weeks, are minor details to God. He sees my life as a whole, each individual excitement, worry, or event being a small puzzle peice fitting into the larger picture. So I ask myself one final question to finish this off for the night (I would encourage you to reflect on it for a moment as well). Why do we spend so much time worrying about these details when God has them under control? He knows what we need and promises to provide for us. Isn't that enough?
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Road Less Travelled...
If given the choice, no one, in their right mind, would choose the harder paths through life. Dodging bullets such as pain, grief, sadness, despair, and depression is what everyone wants to be able to do. Unfortunately this isn't the case for anyone. Exodus chapters 1 to 15 is a story about some of the struggles of God's people as they fall under the harsh authority of the Egyptian Pharaoh. At first (or second or third in my case) glance, it seems that the trials that the Israelites are put through are based on human choice. The Pharaoh's choice to be specific. But as I read through these chapters today, God pointed out to me that this wasn't so. All throughout these chapters, it specifically says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. God even warns Moses before any of this happens that He was going to cause Pharaoh to stand firm. So one has to take a moment and ask: Why does God allow hard things to happen in one's life? I found the answer a few chapters later in Exodus 13: 17&18.
"It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God though, 'If the people encounter war, they will change their minds and go back to Egypt.' So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea..." (The Message)
As seen in this passage, God wasn't looking out for their immediate comfort and wants. Instead, He was looking ahead into the Israelites future. He picked the best route that would keep them close to Him. So often in life, I tend to ask God why He places me in certain situations. As I look back though, I am able to see in many of those situations the good that came out of dark and hard moments. Back in those specific times I may not have understood God's plan but now I am able to realize that it was in those moments that I have had the most spiritual growth! So whenever God places me in a tough situation, I try and remember this. Though I am on the road less travelled, I trust that God will never give me more than I can handle and that He knows what is best for me and for the big picture of my life.
"It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God though, 'If the people encounter war, they will change their minds and go back to Egypt.' So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea..." (The Message)
As seen in this passage, God wasn't looking out for their immediate comfort and wants. Instead, He was looking ahead into the Israelites future. He picked the best route that would keep them close to Him. So often in life, I tend to ask God why He places me in certain situations. As I look back though, I am able to see in many of those situations the good that came out of dark and hard moments. Back in those specific times I may not have understood God's plan but now I am able to realize that it was in those moments that I have had the most spiritual growth! So whenever God places me in a tough situation, I try and remember this. Though I am on the road less travelled, I trust that God will never give me more than I can handle and that He knows what is best for me and for the big picture of my life.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Chosen and Pursued by the Creator
Today I finished reading through Genesis so I took a few moments to reflect on the book as a whole. This isn't the first time that I have read through it so I was expecting to reflect on the same stuff as I normally do. Of course, God doesn't go for that! As I reflected on each individual story, the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph... ect... I realized that they all had one thing in common. One God. When thinking of the Old Testament, I think that Christians tend to think of a life where God couldn't stand to be around His creations because of how sinful we were. In Genesis though, this isn't the case. God sought out specific individuals to have personal relationships with. He walked with those people(Adam and Eve), talked to them(Noah and Abraham), and even physically fought with them(Jacob)! God took a specific interest in the lives of these people no matter how many times they messed up.
It strikes me that this is the kind of relationship that God wants to have with each one of us. As Christians, we are chosen by God and He pursues a close relationship with us. How lucky are we?!?!? No matter how many times we mess up... (Admit it, that is alot of times)... No matter where we are in life at that moment... No matter who we are... God wants to walk beside us and talk with us! The CREATOR of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE desires to be our friend. But He won't force us into a relationship with Him. That is true love right there. So I don't know about you, but I choose to accept that friendship and to walk through life with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. :)
It strikes me that this is the kind of relationship that God wants to have with each one of us. As Christians, we are chosen by God and He pursues a close relationship with us. How lucky are we?!?!? No matter how many times we mess up... (Admit it, that is alot of times)... No matter where we are in life at that moment... No matter who we are... God wants to walk beside us and talk with us! The CREATOR of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE desires to be our friend. But He won't force us into a relationship with Him. That is true love right there. So I don't know about you, but I choose to accept that friendship and to walk through life with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. :)
Friday, August 10, 2012
Adaptability: The Key to a Life with God in Control
Something I have chosen to participate in is the 90 Day Challenge. This challenge consists of reading the entire Bible in 90 Days or less. Yesterday was Day 2 of the Challenge and as I read the required chunk of scripture for the day, Genesis 24:50-51 really stuck out to me. "This is totally from God. We have no say in the matter, either yes or no. Rebekah is yours: Take her and go; let her be the wife of your master's son, as God has made plain." Hold this verse in your mind for a few seconds.
One of my favourite summer TV shows is the Glee Project. It's a reality TV show in which young adults compete through singing for a spot on another show, Glee. Each week has a different theme that the contestants must find a way to excell in. One of my favourite themes so far has been the theme of Adaptability. In this episode, the contestants had to learn to go with the flow. They had limited time to learn choreography and voice, as well as they had to put up with the constant changes that the show threw at them. It was clear that no matter what happened, the contestants always had to say yes.
In many ways, our lives as Christians, as followers of Christ, revolve around how adaptable we are to God's plans. We constantly ask God to be in control but what it comes down to is how willing we are to go with whatever He places before us. According to Google, adaptability is the ability to change (or be changed) to fit changed circumstances. Flexibility. Genesis 24: 50-51 seems to be the essense of adaptability! If something is from God then who are we to say no? God doesn't call us to always be happy with the situations that He places us in, but He does ask that we trust him fully and always say yes. He calls us to be adaptable.
Looking into my own life, I see that I have a long way to go with being an adaptable servant of God. To often do I try to do my own thing rather then letting God shape me into the person He created me to be. I think that most people, after doing some soul searching, would agree with me when I say that each of us have areas in our lives where we are as flexible as hardened concrete. It is those areas that we need to completely give up to God and allow Him to turn that concrete into adaptable clay.
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter. We are all the work of your hand."
(Isaiah 64:8)
One of my favourite summer TV shows is the Glee Project. It's a reality TV show in which young adults compete through singing for a spot on another show, Glee. Each week has a different theme that the contestants must find a way to excell in. One of my favourite themes so far has been the theme of Adaptability. In this episode, the contestants had to learn to go with the flow. They had limited time to learn choreography and voice, as well as they had to put up with the constant changes that the show threw at them. It was clear that no matter what happened, the contestants always had to say yes.
In many ways, our lives as Christians, as followers of Christ, revolve around how adaptable we are to God's plans. We constantly ask God to be in control but what it comes down to is how willing we are to go with whatever He places before us. According to Google, adaptability is the ability to change (or be changed) to fit changed circumstances. Flexibility. Genesis 24: 50-51 seems to be the essense of adaptability! If something is from God then who are we to say no? God doesn't call us to always be happy with the situations that He places us in, but He does ask that we trust him fully and always say yes. He calls us to be adaptable.
Looking into my own life, I see that I have a long way to go with being an adaptable servant of God. To often do I try to do my own thing rather then letting God shape me into the person He created me to be. I think that most people, after doing some soul searching, would agree with me when I say that each of us have areas in our lives where we are as flexible as hardened concrete. It is those areas that we need to completely give up to God and allow Him to turn that concrete into adaptable clay.
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter. We are all the work of your hand."
(Isaiah 64:8)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
"God Moments"
It's been a while since I last blogged. Life gets hectic and some things take a higher priority than others. This summer I was blessed with the oppertunity to work out at a summer camp for six weeks. As this was my fourth summer on staff, I was expecting a summer alot like the rest. To my pleasant surprise, this summer was a completely new experience. Right from the beginning I began to take notice of God's presence all throughout the camp. It permeated everything; The staff, the campers, the atmosphere, ect. As a staff, we all grew closer to God in one way or another. This was the first summer that I really saw God at work in the spiritual growth of others. Every single day, no matter what the weather was or how exausted or energetic we were, was filled with multiple "God Winks" or "God Moments." As a staff, we were encouraged to share these with each other.
How often do we go through life in our fast paced society without taking the time to search for God? The cool thing is that no matter how fast we go, God always provides oppertunities for "God Moments." It's up to each of us to take the time not only to recognize these oppertunities, but to also act on them. As you start to experience more and more of these moments, they will become easier to recognize. :)
As I am moving into a new phase of my life, leaving the place I have always called home, I am focusing on these "God Moments." No matter where I go, God is going with me and I am trusting Him to place me in situations where He will reveal Himself through different conversations and interactions with other people. As we live life, we should be living for God and those "God Moments." All else should come in second. So I encourage everyone to take some time and look for these moments! They will encourage you and change the way you view God in so many ways. :)
How often do we go through life in our fast paced society without taking the time to search for God? The cool thing is that no matter how fast we go, God always provides oppertunities for "God Moments." It's up to each of us to take the time not only to recognize these oppertunities, but to also act on them. As you start to experience more and more of these moments, they will become easier to recognize. :)
As I am moving into a new phase of my life, leaving the place I have always called home, I am focusing on these "God Moments." No matter where I go, God is going with me and I am trusting Him to place me in situations where He will reveal Himself through different conversations and interactions with other people. As we live life, we should be living for God and those "God Moments." All else should come in second. So I encourage everyone to take some time and look for these moments! They will encourage you and change the way you view God in so many ways. :)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Be a Rebel for Christ!
The other day I got the chance to go see a movie I had been waiting for months to see, the Hunger Games. As I reflected after the movie on what I had watched, I was confronted with the recurring idea of rebellion throughout the movie as well as the whole book series. And it got me wondering, how many people would it take in our world to stop the injustices of today. Suzanne Collins outlines a terrifying world in her books. A world where power had corrupted the minds of so many. In fact, the corruption caused the innocent deaths of many people every year.
It struck me that the craving that human beings have for power was definitly not given to us from God. In fact, He created us to submit to Him. We were created to accept power as a privelege granted to us rather than seize it as something we deserve.
God is raising up a rebellion in our world today. A rebellion to take on the powers of this world. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) God calls us to take a stand against the work of Satan. And guess what! The odds don't have to be in our favour because we have God on our side. Anyone who tries to contain us will be no match for the rebellion that God is raising up against the enemy. So go! Be a rebel for Christ. Stand strong against whatever the ways of the world throw your way. With God on your side, nothing is impossible. :)
It struck me that the craving that human beings have for power was definitly not given to us from God. In fact, He created us to submit to Him. We were created to accept power as a privelege granted to us rather than seize it as something we deserve.
God is raising up a rebellion in our world today. A rebellion to take on the powers of this world. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) God calls us to take a stand against the work of Satan. And guess what! The odds don't have to be in our favour because we have God on our side. Anyone who tries to contain us will be no match for the rebellion that God is raising up against the enemy. So go! Be a rebel for Christ. Stand strong against whatever the ways of the world throw your way. With God on your side, nothing is impossible. :)
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