X-mas - one of the most annoying terms out there. You can't take the Christ out of Christmas. Thats the whole point of Christmas to celebrate that Christ came into the flesh.
On that point, Jesus CAME into the flesh. He was born in a little manger, a stable. In todays equivalent, it was pretty much a shed. He was born into the spot where the animals ate out of, the saliva mingling with the hay. Then a mad king plotted to kill him, and his family had to flee the country to escape him while he violently massacred every boy under 2 years in Bethlehem. Not excatly the sort of conditions you'd expect for the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the creator and designer of everything you've ever seen.
But thats just how God works, God consistently uses the weakest things to lead the strong (I'll blog more on this later.) I find so much hope in that thought, God will use the weak, the sinful, the broken. I often feel weak and sinful and broken (because I am,) but God uses the weak and sinful and broken.
Once again, I apologise if my thoughts aren't very well articulated.
Friday, December 24
Wednesday, December 22
'You've Changed'
I was looking at my friends facebook the other day, and I was shocked, absolutely shocked to find a little verse from James in her 'info' box. At school, she swears, she gossips and doesn't live a 'Godly' life as such. I realise that I'm not going to be passing judgment on her on that day, and I don't know her heart, and I don't know if she struggles with that stuff, or if there was some other motive to her verse, but I was shocked.
I want people to immediately see from my life that I'm different, the way I treat people, the way I talk, the life I live. I don't want to wear 2 different masks.
I also don't want someone to be surprised when they see something I do with one person, thats different to how I act with them. I have ONE personality, its who I am. Sometimes I'm happier, sometimes I'm tired, so obviously these will influence my character. But I don't want such MASSIVE character changes that people would be shocked when they see me with a good friend compared to when I'm at church. I want my character to remain CONSTANT, no matter who I'm with.
I want my character to be totally pointing towards Jesus, no matter who I'm with.
As always, I'm not sure if I've articulated my thoughts well enough, but I hope it encourages you or helps you somehow.
I want people to immediately see from my life that I'm different, the way I treat people, the way I talk, the life I live. I don't want to wear 2 different masks.
I also don't want someone to be surprised when they see something I do with one person, thats different to how I act with them. I have ONE personality, its who I am. Sometimes I'm happier, sometimes I'm tired, so obviously these will influence my character. But I don't want such MASSIVE character changes that people would be shocked when they see me with a good friend compared to when I'm at church. I want my character to remain CONSTANT, no matter who I'm with.
I want my character to be totally pointing towards Jesus, no matter who I'm with.
As always, I'm not sure if I've articulated my thoughts well enough, but I hope it encourages you or helps you somehow.
Friday, December 17
'Somethings Missing'
We live in a society ruled by vanity and greed. Ruled by the mirror and the dollar. This is really clear in popular culture, we're all encouraged to be greedy; 'I want to be a billionaire.' 'Greed is good.'
I disagree; greed is bad. Most billionaires are still unsatisfied, John Mayer tells us (even though not a billionaire) that he's got money, girls and everything. But he thinks that 'Something's Missing.' He's right.
Jesus tells us that we will be unsatisfied, John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
That may sound really confusing, but when I think about it, thirst is a longing, a desire. So, all it means is that things of this world will never 'satiate' our thirsts, our desires, we'll always feel that little bit empty. That is until Jesus gives us his water. Our desires will be met. Obviously I still desire things. But one day, every single one of my desires will be filled.
I'm looking forward to heaven. I'm PUMPED. Pumped for that day when I'll be satisfied. Completely satisfied. So satisfied I will never weep, or mourn. God will wipe every tear from my eye. (Revelations 21:4)
I disagree; greed is bad. Most billionaires are still unsatisfied, John Mayer tells us (even though not a billionaire) that he's got money, girls and everything. But he thinks that 'Something's Missing.' He's right.
Jesus tells us that we will be unsatisfied, John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
That may sound really confusing, but when I think about it, thirst is a longing, a desire. So, all it means is that things of this world will never 'satiate' our thirsts, our desires, we'll always feel that little bit empty. That is until Jesus gives us his water. Our desires will be met. Obviously I still desire things. But one day, every single one of my desires will be filled.
I'm looking forward to heaven. I'm PUMPED. Pumped for that day when I'll be satisfied. Completely satisfied. So satisfied I will never weep, or mourn. God will wipe every tear from my eye. (Revelations 21:4)
Wednesday, December 15
Change
I have changed SO much in the last year. My friends have changed a lot. The world has changed a lot. EVERYTHING seems to have changed heaps. But maybe its just my eyes that have changed. The way I perceive. Maybe some things have remained the same.
But 3D has become normal for movies. Heaps of new ideas have come out. I've started writing heaps more songs (most of them rubbish.) I've grown heaps in my faith (I'm sure I've still got plenty more room.) Facebook has changed heaps :P. Looking back at this time last year, everything is so different. I'm pretty sure I like change, or at least I can accept it. Sometimes its a really scary change; like moving schools or houses or quitting work. But mostly, my life just changes in subtle ways.
This is because humans are fickle: we change who we stand with, we make fleeting decisions.
But one thing has remained constant: Jesus. Everything around me shifts and changes. All the time. But Jesus remains the same. I still feel the same about Jesus as I did (except the feelings are stronger.) Jesus never changes, He remains constant throughout all of history. When people were cruelly burning 'witches', Jesus was exactly the same. When the world was being created, Jesus was the same. When people were speaking in thee's and thy's, Jesus was the same. Yet somehow he manages to slot into all of those times.
He remains the same, everything shifts and change around him. People continue to worship him. People continue to bow down. Why is that? Because his greatness surpasses all the cultures, all of the worlds greatest ideas. Jesus is greater. "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (I Corinthian 1:25) God is greater then all cultures, no matter what ideas they hold. God is the trump card. As humans we naturally want to bow down to anything greater then us. But we also want to rebel against it. And thus begins the story of my life. Worship and rebel. Worship and rebel.
I change. I will always change my mind. Everything about me will probably change in the next couple of years. Jesus will remain in my heart.
My thoughts are a bit scattered, and a lot of this probably won't make sense. I hope you can get something from it.
Tuesday, December 14
Hollywood
Oh Hollywood, can you not restrain yourself? Can you not abstain from corrupting young minds?I was tempted to say pure minds, but no human mind is pure.
I've begun to realise that Hollywood is the pinnacle of sinful nature. It encourages us to blankly blob and soak in the sexual immorality, the violence & the nonchalant attitude towards death.
In almost every Hollywood movie, a guy strips off his shirt, to reveal a body worked hard for months on end, and probably tanned from a bottle. This creates a lustful attitude in girls, and sets unrealistic standards on guys. And it also seems to create a vain attitude in guys, encouraging the mindset that; without a good body, no girl will ever like them.
In almost every Hollywood movie, there is loads of sexual immorality. Guys hooking up with girls they barely know the name of. Even the underlying themes and jokes in kids movies are sexually immoral.
The violence in Hollywood astounds me. Consistent violence. Shoot one bullet through his head. Who cares about his wife? His kids? Not Hollywood. To them its just another bullet wasted. I understand that they're fictional characters but honestly what kind of example is that setting?
One thing I know for sure: I want to be counter-cultural. I want to be the complete opposite of Hollywood. Why? Because I'm a Christian and I have to obey all these rules? No, because I understand the grace given to me by God. I don't want to take it for granted, even though I do everyday. But I want to STRIVE not to. I want to make endeavor not to.
I've begun to realise that Hollywood is the pinnacle of sinful nature. It encourages us to blankly blob and soak in the sexual immorality, the violence & the nonchalant attitude towards death.
In almost every Hollywood movie, a guy strips off his shirt, to reveal a body worked hard for months on end, and probably tanned from a bottle. This creates a lustful attitude in girls, and sets unrealistic standards on guys. And it also seems to create a vain attitude in guys, encouraging the mindset that; without a good body, no girl will ever like them.
In almost every Hollywood movie, there is loads of sexual immorality. Guys hooking up with girls they barely know the name of. Even the underlying themes and jokes in kids movies are sexually immoral.
The violence in Hollywood astounds me. Consistent violence. Shoot one bullet through his head. Who cares about his wife? His kids? Not Hollywood. To them its just another bullet wasted. I understand that they're fictional characters but honestly what kind of example is that setting?
One thing I know for sure: I want to be counter-cultural. I want to be the complete opposite of Hollywood. Why? Because I'm a Christian and I have to obey all these rules? No, because I understand the grace given to me by God. I don't want to take it for granted, even though I do everyday. But I want to STRIVE not to. I want to make endeavor not to.
Thursday, December 9
Jesus: The Empathetic Son
People often claim, that Jesus doesn't understand;
'Jesus doesn't understand what I'm going through.'
' Jesus doesn't understand temptation. He lived such a holy life, its so much harder for us, I mean he was God, isn't that kind of cheating?'
Well, Jesus understands pain. People don't seem to understand the cross. Sometimes they depict it as an icon of religion. Sometimes they just don't think about it. To start off with, the cross is incredibly painful. 6 inch spikes are stabbed through your wrists. You are then hung by them as you slowly suffocate and your lungs fill up with your blood. Its called asphyxiation. And along with that, on that day he had been tortured beyond my imaging. Pain beyond bearing. A 'cat of nine tails' had tenderised his flesh (similar to tenderising meat,) then hooks were sunk into his back, (sometimes so deep they would reach the ribcage,) and the flesh ripped out of the back.
Jesus understands stress, according to ChristianAnswers.net; 'So great was the stress that tiny blood vessels were rupturing in his sweat glands and emitting as great red drops that fell to the ground.' I often think I understand stress. I DO not, I have never been faced with my own death, I have never been told the hour and date I was going to die. Or literally have the weight of the whole world on my shoulders. Jesus wishes he could run away, he says so in the Garden of Gethsemane 'Father, take this cup from me, not by my will but by yours.' But he still depends entirely on God. He doesn't run away.
Jesus understands temptation, he was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. That is a SERIOUSLY long time. I know I definitely would give in after a much shorter time. I'm sure there were plenty of time when Jesus was tempted, but that is just the most noteworthy.
Jesus understands humiliation. Everyone has this vague idea that Jesus led this life where noone ridiculed him, everyone just fell on their face when he got near. People PLOTTED HIS DEATH. His mother thought he was crazy, even though she was convinced by an angel that he was the Christ. Then, he died on the cross. The cross was reserved for the lowest of criminals. The ones who had done the most horrendous crimes. And yet Jesus, who had lived a perfect life was condemned by the ones he came to save.
Jesus is empathetic. Jesus understands where we are coming from. Jesus understands. Jesus had situations much worse then alot of people who complain about their lives. Jesus had all the trials and temptations we have. BUUUUUT ...He was much stronger then us. He outshone us. He relied upon God the whole way through all the trials, all the hard times. He is the perfect example. I want to live by it each and every day.
Inspired by Nat Smith.
'Jesus doesn't understand what I'm going through.'
' Jesus doesn't understand temptation. He lived such a holy life, its so much harder for us, I mean he was God, isn't that kind of cheating?'
Well, Jesus understands pain. People don't seem to understand the cross. Sometimes they depict it as an icon of religion. Sometimes they just don't think about it. To start off with, the cross is incredibly painful. 6 inch spikes are stabbed through your wrists. You are then hung by them as you slowly suffocate and your lungs fill up with your blood. Its called asphyxiation. And along with that, on that day he had been tortured beyond my imaging. Pain beyond bearing. A 'cat of nine tails' had tenderised his flesh (similar to tenderising meat,) then hooks were sunk into his back, (sometimes so deep they would reach the ribcage,) and the flesh ripped out of the back.
Jesus understands stress, according to ChristianAnswers.net; 'So great was the stress that tiny blood vessels were rupturing in his sweat glands and emitting as great red drops that fell to the ground.' I often think I understand stress. I DO not, I have never been faced with my own death, I have never been told the hour and date I was going to die. Or literally have the weight of the whole world on my shoulders. Jesus wishes he could run away, he says so in the Garden of Gethsemane 'Father, take this cup from me, not by my will but by yours.' But he still depends entirely on God. He doesn't run away.
Jesus understands temptation, he was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. That is a SERIOUSLY long time. I know I definitely would give in after a much shorter time. I'm sure there were plenty of time when Jesus was tempted, but that is just the most noteworthy.
Jesus understands humiliation. Everyone has this vague idea that Jesus led this life where noone ridiculed him, everyone just fell on their face when he got near. People PLOTTED HIS DEATH. His mother thought he was crazy, even though she was convinced by an angel that he was the Christ. Then, he died on the cross. The cross was reserved for the lowest of criminals. The ones who had done the most horrendous crimes. And yet Jesus, who had lived a perfect life was condemned by the ones he came to save.
Jesus is empathetic. Jesus understands where we are coming from. Jesus understands. Jesus had situations much worse then alot of people who complain about their lives. Jesus had all the trials and temptations we have. BUUUUUT ...He was much stronger then us. He outshone us. He relied upon God the whole way through all the trials, all the hard times. He is the perfect example. I want to live by it each and every day.
Inspired by Nat Smith.
Friday, December 3
Proud
It feels as though pride is inherent to the human race. We are a proud race.
In the stories we tell, we make ourselves seem like a hero, and the offender is a villian. But when we listen to the 'villians' side of the story, it seems like they are the hero. Both stories are probably true, just with exagerattions; e.g. and then he hit me as hard as he could, and so you know, I gave him a tiny hit back. And then the other persons story is; and she was annoying me so much, so I gave her a tiny hit, nothing hard though. But then she comes back at me and slaps me with all her might.
BOTH of these people are in the wrong. Neither can admit it. We are the hero in the stories we tell.
Also, we become defensive over silly little things; the other day someone told me the boardies I had spent ages being so happy with were lame so; I tore straight back at them with a harsh laugh and a 'You can talk wearing purple and green boardies buddy.' I just became so defensive over such a trivial thing; because I am proud.
We refuse to accept that we can do something wrong. Because, we like to think of ourselves as pretty great. Maybe a few faults here and there but hey, over all, we're pretty great.
We're so arrogant. I'm so arrogant I don't want people to think down on me. Like the other day I saw my old deputy principal and she laughed and told me I was late for school the other day as she drove past. I laughed and then hurriedly explained why. I didn't want anything to tarnish my reputation.
I struggle a lot with pride and arrogance.
Some posts on facebook are a reminder that we're arrogant. I'm talking about 'Like this status and I'll say what I like about you.' We click on it so that the poster can list off all our awesome qualities.
And people say; Christians are so arrogant. Most of them don't even know why they say it.They just have this idea that Christians are arrogant. Probably fed to them by someone.
Firstly, humans are arrogant. Christians are human.
Secondly, one of the main points of the gospel is that NOTHING that WE do can save us. Its already been done. Its such a beautiful concept, that its by no works or deeds of our own that we gain salvation.
And lastly, I constantly pray (as I know Christians do all around the world); I am a sinner, I stuffed up, I can't live up to Your standards. Please forgive me.
So how can they claim we are arrogant?
In the stories we tell, we make ourselves seem like a hero, and the offender is a villian. But when we listen to the 'villians' side of the story, it seems like they are the hero. Both stories are probably true, just with exagerattions; e.g. and then he hit me as hard as he could, and so you know, I gave him a tiny hit back. And then the other persons story is; and she was annoying me so much, so I gave her a tiny hit, nothing hard though. But then she comes back at me and slaps me with all her might.
BOTH of these people are in the wrong. Neither can admit it. We are the hero in the stories we tell.
Also, we become defensive over silly little things; the other day someone told me the boardies I had spent ages being so happy with were lame so; I tore straight back at them with a harsh laugh and a 'You can talk wearing purple and green boardies buddy.' I just became so defensive over such a trivial thing; because I am proud.
We refuse to accept that we can do something wrong. Because, we like to think of ourselves as pretty great. Maybe a few faults here and there but hey, over all, we're pretty great.
We're so arrogant. I'm so arrogant I don't want people to think down on me. Like the other day I saw my old deputy principal and she laughed and told me I was late for school the other day as she drove past. I laughed and then hurriedly explained why. I didn't want anything to tarnish my reputation.
I struggle a lot with pride and arrogance.
Some posts on facebook are a reminder that we're arrogant. I'm talking about 'Like this status and I'll say what I like about you.' We click on it so that the poster can list off all our awesome qualities.
And people say; Christians are so arrogant. Most of them don't even know why they say it.They just have this idea that Christians are arrogant. Probably fed to them by someone.
Firstly, humans are arrogant. Christians are human.
Secondly, one of the main points of the gospel is that NOTHING that WE do can save us. Its already been done. Its such a beautiful concept, that its by no works or deeds of our own that we gain salvation.
And lastly, I constantly pray (as I know Christians do all around the world); I am a sinner, I stuffed up, I can't live up to Your standards. Please forgive me.
So how can they claim we are arrogant?
Mumbai
Mumbai; is the most confusing, broken, depressing, and yet inspirational, and marvelous place I've ever seen. I'm disappointed that people would prefer to write about dancing at night time or whatever then places like this.
Let me explain; there's almost literally a line down the middle of this city that divides the rich from the poor, the superficial from the generous and the vain from the humble. In the 'poorer' side of town, slums just line the street, sanitation is absolutely horrendous. TOXIC puddles of waste lies next to the fresh water that they drink. Toxic waste. People walk outside, I don't really know how to put this, but literally just let their faesces lie on the ground. Rats rule the streets. Disease rules the slums.
Working conditions. I'm not even going to go there. Just know that they're horrible.
In most slums 3 generations of families live within a house the size of my room. 6 or 7 adults lie together in a room the size of my cupboard, and rats roam these rooms, even while the family are sleeping.
All that I have said sounds thoroughly depressing. But the great thing is, these people have an incredible joy, and sense of community. They're so happy with the little that they have. And they do have so little, apart from family. Yet I, live in a wealthy country, in a wealthy suburb with a lovely family in a massive house. And I seem to find little things to whinge and whine about. Little things to get frustrated over.
I have only seen pictures and watched videos of this megacity, but one day, I would love to go there and see it. Experience it for real. But for now, I just need to be content with what God has given me. He's given me PLENTY. :)
Let me explain; there's almost literally a line down the middle of this city that divides the rich from the poor, the superficial from the generous and the vain from the humble. In the 'poorer' side of town, slums just line the street, sanitation is absolutely horrendous. TOXIC puddles of waste lies next to the fresh water that they drink. Toxic waste. People walk outside, I don't really know how to put this, but literally just let their faesces lie on the ground. Rats rule the streets. Disease rules the slums.
Working conditions. I'm not even going to go there. Just know that they're horrible.
In most slums 3 generations of families live within a house the size of my room. 6 or 7 adults lie together in a room the size of my cupboard, and rats roam these rooms, even while the family are sleeping.
All that I have said sounds thoroughly depressing. But the great thing is, these people have an incredible joy, and sense of community. They're so happy with the little that they have. And they do have so little, apart from family. Yet I, live in a wealthy country, in a wealthy suburb with a lovely family in a massive house. And I seem to find little things to whinge and whine about. Little things to get frustrated over.
I have only seen pictures and watched videos of this megacity, but one day, I would love to go there and see it. Experience it for real. But for now, I just need to be content with what God has given me. He's given me PLENTY. :)
Thursday, December 2
Love
Love is an overused word. It is so overused its almost lost all meaning, like saying to a close friend; I love you.
Love is a misunderstood concept. Love is NOT, an attraction between boys and girls. Thats called sexual attraction. It is not a funny feeling that you get when that special girl or boy is around. That is probably still sexual attraction ...
Love isn't physical. Thats just plain old sex.
Love isn't being affectionate. Thats called affection.
So what is love?
1 John 3:16; And this is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay our life down for our brothers and sister.
We sin. Every day. But he still loved us enough to die for us.
Jesus showed us the perfect example of love. Sacrificial. Unconditional.
Love is a misunderstood concept. Love is NOT, an attraction between boys and girls. Thats called sexual attraction. It is not a funny feeling that you get when that special girl or boy is around. That is probably still sexual attraction ...
Love isn't physical. Thats just plain old sex.
Love isn't being affectionate. Thats called affection.
So what is love?
1 John 3:16; And this is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay our life down for our brothers and sister.
We sin. Every day. But he still loved us enough to die for us.
Jesus showed us the perfect example of love. Sacrificial. Unconditional.
Wednesday, December 1
Failure
At the moment, I feel like a bit of a failure. I feel like a fail at relationships; as soon as I leave a room I hear laughter where just before there was only silence. I feel like a a failure at music; which I love so much. I feel like a massive stuff up from a Christian point of view; I'm gossiping, I'm lying, I'm being SO selfish, I'm being self centered. I just feel like a bit of a fail. This may be a result of my over extreme tiredness, my stress and my exams coming back recently, or simply; that I'm human. BUT I do not want to be making excuses. I don't want to be justifying my wrong actions, because they are wrong. I have been foolish. But I just feel like I can't do anything right.
I can find comfort in the fact that I have a God who has a completely STEADFAST love. He will love me no matter how horrible I've been. He will love me no matter how much of a 'fail' I am by this worlds standards. He will love me UNCONDITIONALLY. I will never deserve his love. I will never deserve it. But he still gives out by the bucket load.
He will be there to catch me, no matter how hard I fall.
I can find comfort in the fact that I have a God who has a completely STEADFAST love. He will love me no matter how horrible I've been. He will love me no matter how much of a 'fail' I am by this worlds standards. He will love me UNCONDITIONALLY. I will never deserve his love. I will never deserve it. But he still gives out by the bucket load.
He will be there to catch me, no matter how hard I fall.
Wednesday, November 24
29
In New Zealand 29 miners were killed in an explosion today.
Its so simple to just ride them off as a bunch off numbers, this society does that way too much, but there are 29 smiles, 29 laughs, 29 faces that will remain emblazoned in the minds of 29 mourning families, 29 grieving circles of friends.
I don't want to belittle the trouble of the families of friends but incredible tragedies like this remind me of my mortality on this earth. One day I will die. Its a simple fact.
But, unlike these miners, my death will not be a tragedy. It will be a celebration. For I have hope of life everlasting, Heaven awaits me:
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Its so simple to just ride them off as a bunch off numbers, this society does that way too much, but there are 29 smiles, 29 laughs, 29 faces that will remain emblazoned in the minds of 29 mourning families, 29 grieving circles of friends.
I don't want to belittle the trouble of the families of friends but incredible tragedies like this remind me of my mortality on this earth. One day I will die. Its a simple fact.
But, unlike these miners, my death will not be a tragedy. It will be a celebration. For I have hope of life everlasting, Heaven awaits me:
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Tuesday, November 23
Easy
Life is not easy. I live on the North Shore, Sydney. My life is pretty easy. However, even in my perfect little bubble, peoples lives are deteriorating around me. People are getting abused at home. People are getting into substance abuse. People are suicidal. People are dealing with the suicidal. Life is not easy.
I walk into my room every night with my mobile phone. As I turn it on, the tiny amount of light fills the room. The light is minuscule, yet it lights up my whole room.
There's so much darkness in this world. My hope is the light. It sure does light up my whole world.
I walk into my room every night with my mobile phone. As I turn it on, the tiny amount of light fills the room. The light is minuscule, yet it lights up my whole room.
There's so much darkness in this world. My hope is the light. It sure does light up my whole world.
Monday, November 22
'Remember my Name'
We want the world to remember our name. We want to go down in history, to see our name 'in flashing lights.' There's no way we will be remembered by our own merit, sure we might be remember for 10, 20, 30 years, but after that? I doubt it. A thousand years into the future I doubt they'll be saying; oh yea that Luke guy, he was pretty great. I even doubt they'll be saying; Rihanna was a massive pop star.There are approximately 9 billion people in the world. Almost all of them want to be remembered. Its not gonna happen. There will be so many names and faces just wiped from memory.
There has been 1 man who is remember by most of the world. He lived 2000 years ago. I think that is so insane. Jesus is still remembered in a world where names are left behind. Jesus is remembered He is still one of the most talked about subjects in the world. He must have done something pretty incredible to still be remembered by almost all of the world. 2 of the largest celebrations are in honour of him. 2000 years on. Still.
There has been 1 man who is remember by most of the world. He lived 2000 years ago. I think that is so insane. Jesus is still remembered in a world where names are left behind. Jesus is remembered He is still one of the most talked about subjects in the world. He must have done something pretty incredible to still be remembered by almost all of the world. 2 of the largest celebrations are in honour of him. 2000 years on. Still.
Sunday, November 21
Better
I heard someone pray a prayer the other day; 'Dear Lord, Please help me to become a better Christian.'
There is no such thing as a better Christian, you're either saved or you're not. There's no mid point. There's no way you can be 'more saved' then someone else. You're either saved or you're not.
It's hard to put this into words, so lets use this analogy:
If you're falling off a cliff, the outcome of that is that you get dead or someone saves you. You cannot be more saved then someone else. There's no; 'but I got saved better.' And you don't really add to the salvation you just got, do you? Someone else saved you. Same with Jesus, if we continue in our sinful ways.
This view almost makes me think my friend thinks they can gain salvation. If they just try hard enough they can be deserving of the grace poured out upon them. There is no way. Otherwise it wouldn't be grace, 'an undeserved gift' would it? We would deserve it. But we don't.
There is no such thing as a better Christian, you're either saved or you're not. There's no mid point. There's no way you can be 'more saved' then someone else. You're either saved or you're not.
It's hard to put this into words, so lets use this analogy:
If you're falling off a cliff, the outcome of that is that you get dead or someone saves you. You cannot be more saved then someone else. There's no; 'but I got saved better.' And you don't really add to the salvation you just got, do you? Someone else saved you. Same with Jesus, if we continue in our sinful ways.
This view almost makes me think my friend thinks they can gain salvation. If they just try hard enough they can be deserving of the grace poured out upon them. There is no way. Otherwise it wouldn't be grace, 'an undeserved gift' would it? We would deserve it. But we don't.
Tuesday, November 16
Moral Justification
I believe so many people have a thing I call moral justification. Moral justification is like this; justifying sins for a specific reason. e.g. I can have sex before marriage because God loves me no matter I do right? I can get drunk on weekends because my life really sucks and I need to drown my troubles. I can lie because if I don't, I'll hurt their feelings.
This is stupid.
This shows that we do not understand the grace given to us. Especially 'God loves me no matter what I do,' which is all too common in the world. This is double wrong and arrogant. Its wrong because, God has incredible love for us, but also incredible right anger against us. Its arrogant because it has an assumption that God is lower then us, and loves us because he has to. He loves us as a servant loves his master. We need to be reminded that we are the servants. God is the master.
All of the views show we don't understand that God has loved us so much that he sent his one and only son to save us, when we understand that, we begin to live for Jesus. We realise he's given incredible sacrifices, we can sacrifice a bit more.
The question begins to arise; am I living for Jesus, every second? Do I understand the grace given to me?
This is stupid.
This shows that we do not understand the grace given to us. Especially 'God loves me no matter what I do,' which is all too common in the world. This is double wrong and arrogant. Its wrong because, God has incredible love for us, but also incredible right anger against us. Its arrogant because it has an assumption that God is lower then us, and loves us because he has to. He loves us as a servant loves his master. We need to be reminded that we are the servants. God is the master.
All of the views show we don't understand that God has loved us so much that he sent his one and only son to save us, when we understand that, we begin to live for Jesus. We realise he's given incredible sacrifices, we can sacrifice a bit more.
The question begins to arise; am I living for Jesus, every second? Do I understand the grace given to me?
Friday, November 12
Jesus: The Contradictory Son
Jesus is contradictory to this world's expectations. He doesn't do things by our book or exactly how we would expect.
Jesus, my King, came into this world as a baby. He could have come down with chariots of gold. But he came into this world in a kind of gross way. If you've ever watched the birth videos in science, or in real life, or experienced it you will know that births are not exactly pretty. But Jesus still came into the world like that, not even into a luxurious hospital (or that time's equivalent) but into the place that stinks of animal droppings, that is filled with disgusting, dirty animals. Trust me, it did not look like the nativity scenes depict it; with adorable and perfectly fluffy lambs watching as the shining Jesus is wrapped in pristine white cloths by 'Mother Mary.' It would have been pretty disgusting.
Then Jesus, my King, is mocked constantly. The religious leaders being the ones who, should have bowed down, after waiting for his arrival ALL their lives; they plot his death. They mock him. They try to their very hardest to stump him.
Then Jesus, my King, is put to death, not even by some royal execution, but the lowliest way to die. The criminals death. And he does this for sinners, not even people who will accept it. But people who, no matter how hard they try will always turn their face away. Pretend that they are king. Not very good subjects are we?
And lastly, Jesus, my King, came to serve. Pretty weird that Jesus, my king, came to serve. He teaches me that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
Jesus should be first, but he puts himself last. We should be last, but Jesus puts us first. This is called servant leadership.
The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Jesus was the first to prove this, I want to continue to live this out. Put myself last, and everyone else above me.
Jesus, my King, came into this world as a baby. He could have come down with chariots of gold. But he came into this world in a kind of gross way. If you've ever watched the birth videos in science, or in real life, or experienced it you will know that births are not exactly pretty. But Jesus still came into the world like that, not even into a luxurious hospital (or that time's equivalent) but into the place that stinks of animal droppings, that is filled with disgusting, dirty animals. Trust me, it did not look like the nativity scenes depict it; with adorable and perfectly fluffy lambs watching as the shining Jesus is wrapped in pristine white cloths by 'Mother Mary.' It would have been pretty disgusting.
Then Jesus, my King, is mocked constantly. The religious leaders being the ones who, should have bowed down, after waiting for his arrival ALL their lives; they plot his death. They mock him. They try to their very hardest to stump him.
Then Jesus, my King, is put to death, not even by some royal execution, but the lowliest way to die. The criminals death. And he does this for sinners, not even people who will accept it. But people who, no matter how hard they try will always turn their face away. Pretend that they are king. Not very good subjects are we?
And lastly, Jesus, my King, came to serve. Pretty weird that Jesus, my king, came to serve. He teaches me that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
Jesus should be first, but he puts himself last. We should be last, but Jesus puts us first. This is called servant leadership.
The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Jesus was the first to prove this, I want to continue to live this out. Put myself last, and everyone else above me.
The Basics
As a Christian, I tend to simply ignore the basics. And I know a lot of other Christians do the same. But every single word in the bible comes from the same mouth that spoke this world into existence.
These 'basics' that I've heard a thousand times should constantly delight and shake me.
To begin with: Creation.
God spoke some words and everything, every beautiful and wondrous thing I've seen. Every ugly and unloved thing. Every face I've ever seen. Everything was just breathed into existence.
Isn't that amazing?
But way too many times, I'm like: Yea, so what? God created the world. Heard this story a thousand times.
Now; Crucifixion.
I often just ride this one off.
It is SO extraordinary. My Saviour, my Lord, my God, my Creator died. He died. Whats up with that? As if that isn't insane. He died one of the most excruciating deaths there is. So painful, but everyone seems to just think he died ... so ... tell me next easter.
Its so incredible though, that he would undergo so much pain, for a little race of rebellious humans. He could have just as easily, much more understandably just turned his back on us and walked away ( I know I definitely would have.) But he chooses to go through one of the worst physical deaths, and the worst spiritual tearing apart.
The ressurection: another thing I definetely just ignore.
Jesus DIDN'T stay dead. What? Can you do that?
Jesus DIDN'T stay dead. He became alive again, after being dead for 3 days. God raised him up from the dead, that is the most incredible thing of all. And that through this action, he wiped my incredibly dirty little heart clean.
God does some crazy stuff that is beyond my understanding. My understanding is tiny. God understands everything. God has a reason for doing things I wouldn't. Saving people I wouldn't. I probably wouldn't 'die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.' But, Jesus dies for me & you ... sinners. Unworthy subjects of his love.
These 'basics' that I've heard a thousand times should constantly delight and shake me.
To begin with: Creation.
God spoke some words and everything, every beautiful and wondrous thing I've seen. Every ugly and unloved thing. Every face I've ever seen. Everything was just breathed into existence.
Isn't that amazing?
But way too many times, I'm like: Yea, so what? God created the world. Heard this story a thousand times.
Now; Crucifixion.
I often just ride this one off.
It is SO extraordinary. My Saviour, my Lord, my God, my Creator died. He died. Whats up with that? As if that isn't insane. He died one of the most excruciating deaths there is. So painful, but everyone seems to just think he died ... so ... tell me next easter.
Its so incredible though, that he would undergo so much pain, for a little race of rebellious humans. He could have just as easily, much more understandably just turned his back on us and walked away ( I know I definitely would have.) But he chooses to go through one of the worst physical deaths, and the worst spiritual tearing apart.
The ressurection: another thing I definetely just ignore.
Jesus DIDN'T stay dead. What? Can you do that?
Jesus DIDN'T stay dead. He became alive again, after being dead for 3 days. God raised him up from the dead, that is the most incredible thing of all. And that through this action, he wiped my incredibly dirty little heart clean.
God does some crazy stuff that is beyond my understanding. My understanding is tiny. God understands everything. God has a reason for doing things I wouldn't. Saving people I wouldn't. I probably wouldn't 'die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.' But, Jesus dies for me & you ... sinners. Unworthy subjects of his love.
Saturday, November 6
Modesty vs Insecurity
I feel as though Christians draw a fine line in between modesty and insecurity.
Modesty is NOT putting yourself down. A lot of people tend to think that, or they try to act like that in order to feed their pride, so they feel modest and look modest. I often think that to be modest I have to put myself in comparison with God, but this will just lead to depression as God is so holy and perfect, and I am unrighteous (without God's grace.) Comparing myself to God is not modesty, while I feel as though it needs to be done sometimes, it will only make me depressed.
If I was that kind of modest and I was the best runner in the world, what would be the point in saying; oh no, that was a really bad run, God could have done it better. It would be pointless right, God can do everything better then us?
Modesty IS doing everything to bring glory to God. Realising who we are before God and what he has done. Realising we are sinners before Him, realising its HIM who saves us. Not us. Not ourselves. Thats part of modesty, realising that nothing we can do can save us, and bringing all glory to God.
Modesty IS also about honesty, so in my above example, saying 'I'm not that good at running' would be a lie right? We want to say something more like: 'Praise God for this gift I have.'
My thoughts are still in motion.
Stay tuned.
Modesty is NOT putting yourself down. A lot of people tend to think that, or they try to act like that in order to feed their pride, so they feel modest and look modest. I often think that to be modest I have to put myself in comparison with God, but this will just lead to depression as God is so holy and perfect, and I am unrighteous (without God's grace.) Comparing myself to God is not modesty, while I feel as though it needs to be done sometimes, it will only make me depressed.
If I was that kind of modest and I was the best runner in the world, what would be the point in saying; oh no, that was a really bad run, God could have done it better. It would be pointless right, God can do everything better then us?
Modesty IS also about honesty, so in my above example, saying 'I'm not that good at running' would be a lie right? We want to say something more like: 'Praise God for this gift I have.'
My thoughts are still in motion.
Stay tuned.
Friday, November 5
Motives
I've recently been mulling over my motives. Motives for being kind, being generous, being modest, being wise.
In my own heart, I know I am none of the above things on my own. But I love it when everyone else thinks I am. I love it. For example being kind so that everyone is like; he's such a nice guy. Or being wise, so that everyone looks up to me and thinks, oh he's so smart, and he really understands things. Those motives are all wrong.
While being kind and generous and modest and wise, are not bad things, its more about how & why I do them. If I do them so people look at me, and I redirect them to God, to bring glory to God, then I think thats good. But I don't do it. My life should be about bringing about glory to God, but I'm selfish and I want the glory.
I also recently had to think about why I was a Christian, I was challenged by 1 Peter 3:15 - 'Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have.' What was my answer? To gain this prize, this kingdom that I will receive, I mean who cares about this world, when I get the better one? I often forget that 'the whole duty of man is to serve God' - Ecclesiastes 12:13. Not to greedily await his day. I should await his day, with mounting excitement, not greed.
The WHOLE duty, not just when I'm around Christian friends, or when its easy, or when it makes me look good. It is my WHOLE duty to serve God. In EVERYTHING I do.
In my own heart, I know I am none of the above things on my own. But I love it when everyone else thinks I am. I love it. For example being kind so that everyone is like; he's such a nice guy. Or being wise, so that everyone looks up to me and thinks, oh he's so smart, and he really understands things. Those motives are all wrong.
While being kind and generous and modest and wise, are not bad things, its more about how & why I do them. If I do them so people look at me, and I redirect them to God, to bring glory to God, then I think thats good. But I don't do it. My life should be about bringing about glory to God, but I'm selfish and I want the glory.
I also recently had to think about why I was a Christian, I was challenged by 1 Peter 3:15 - 'Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have.' What was my answer? To gain this prize, this kingdom that I will receive, I mean who cares about this world, when I get the better one? I often forget that 'the whole duty of man is to serve God' - Ecclesiastes 12:13. Not to greedily await his day. I should await his day, with mounting excitement, not greed.
The WHOLE duty, not just when I'm around Christian friends, or when its easy, or when it makes me look good. It is my WHOLE duty to serve God. In EVERYTHING I do.
Wednesday, November 3
Significant
I find my significance and my worth in Christ. I am completely satisfied.
However, from my own experience, this world does not, they find no worth in themselves. They will never be satisfied by anything this world can offer.
I was just watching Glee (don't ask why) and a guy with, in the worlds view, the perfect body. He had muscles everywhere. He had beach blond hair. And yet he walks up to the mirror, looks at his body and grabs the tiniest bit of fat, and is so disappointed. He is unsatisfied with his body, even though it is 'perfect.'
I also feel as though, because of our insecurities; we try to make ourselves appear flawless, so that everyone else thinks we're perfect. So that we feel perfect. We turn our houses into galleries; spotless and beautiful. We try so hard to look perfect. We try so hard not to slip up in anything, and when we do, we explain it away with some silly excuse; 'Oh, sorry guys, I'm really tired today.' We try so hard to look our best, to impress everyone, but as I already said, it feels fruitless, we will never be satisfied with anything of this world. Not even ourselves.
But ...
I believe we were made to be unsatisfied by everything in this world.
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis
I was made for Heaven.
However, from my own experience, this world does not, they find no worth in themselves. They will never be satisfied by anything this world can offer.
I was just watching Glee (don't ask why) and a guy with, in the worlds view, the perfect body. He had muscles everywhere. He had beach blond hair. And yet he walks up to the mirror, looks at his body and grabs the tiniest bit of fat, and is so disappointed. He is unsatisfied with his body, even though it is 'perfect.'
I also feel as though, because of our insecurities; we try to make ourselves appear flawless, so that everyone else thinks we're perfect. So that we feel perfect. We turn our houses into galleries; spotless and beautiful. We try so hard to look perfect. We try so hard not to slip up in anything, and when we do, we explain it away with some silly excuse; 'Oh, sorry guys, I'm really tired today.' We try so hard to look our best, to impress everyone, but as I already said, it feels fruitless, we will never be satisfied with anything of this world. Not even ourselves.
But ...
I believe we were made to be unsatisfied by everything in this world.
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis
I was made for Heaven.
Tuesday, November 2
Creation
I am constantly reminded that there is no way in which this world could have formed randomly.
How is it possible for this world, so beautiful and intricate to have formed randomly, just out of the blue? I often wonder at how a birds wings can even flap. How a heart can beat. How the brains ticks. Or how the human body even works so well, it's so wonderful and harmonious; everything works so incredibly well together. The heart and the brain are SO incredible. The heart, this little thing inside my body pumps blood to the rest of my body, and keeps it functioning. Now, the brain, don't even get me started on the brain. The brain sends out all these messages to our bodies that make us do EVERYTHING. It also stores all of our memories and EVERYTHING. So insane.
I don't believe that could have possibly happened by random. I believe that someone created. And that someone was God.
How is it possible for this world, so beautiful and intricate to have formed randomly, just out of the blue? I often wonder at how a birds wings can even flap. How a heart can beat. How the brains ticks. Or how the human body even works so well, it's so wonderful and harmonious; everything works so incredibly well together. The heart and the brain are SO incredible. The heart, this little thing inside my body pumps blood to the rest of my body, and keeps it functioning. Now, the brain, don't even get me started on the brain. The brain sends out all these messages to our bodies that make us do EVERYTHING. It also stores all of our memories and EVERYTHING. So insane.
I don't believe that could have possibly happened by random. I believe that someone created. And that someone was God.
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