Abortion is an issue that alot of people don't like to touch. As christians, I think the person we should be ministering to is the mom! Remember that they are lost and broken just as we were before Christ, or maybe even they have Christ and need the reminder of who He is and how he does not judge. We should be doing the same! As the hands and feet of Christ, let's let our arms reach and feet start walking down this road with the moms!
As Christians, we have the best way to prevent abortion! Support and love of Jesus Christ! Through prayer, ministries, and just investing in relationships with these woman, we could change this. Be praying for this politcal controversary and that the love of Christ would shine through us to those who are lost and lonely!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Blog 19- Madame Guyon
"...and the wall fell down flat, so that people went up into the city every man straight before him and they captured the city." -Joshua 6:20
The passage I chose to pray over and read was Joshua 6. The Madam Guyon approach to reading this passage really allowed me to dig further into it. This story of the people of Isreal walking around a city for 7 days in order that the "walls may fall" is something I have always heard all growing up. In reading it deeper, I have realized this passage is so much more than a history lesson. There is great significance in it! It has taught me that the Lord asks us to do crazy things sometimes, yet they are apart of his plan! The Lord told his people to walk around Jericho 7 times for 7 days with 7 priests bearing 7 trumpets that they will blow on the final day. Then the Lord ordered them to shout with a great shout on the final day, and the walls came tumbling down!! How funny how the Lord works! Along with that, the Lord brings them a prositute to give them a safe place. How crazy he works all things together for good, even the craziest things he asks us to do!
The passage I chose to pray over and read was Joshua 6. The Madam Guyon approach to reading this passage really allowed me to dig further into it. This story of the people of Isreal walking around a city for 7 days in order that the "walls may fall" is something I have always heard all growing up. In reading it deeper, I have realized this passage is so much more than a history lesson. There is great significance in it! It has taught me that the Lord asks us to do crazy things sometimes, yet they are apart of his plan! The Lord told his people to walk around Jericho 7 times for 7 days with 7 priests bearing 7 trumpets that they will blow on the final day. Then the Lord ordered them to shout with a great shout on the final day, and the walls came tumbling down!! How funny how the Lord works! Along with that, the Lord brings them a prositute to give them a safe place. How crazy he works all things together for good, even the craziest things he asks us to do!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Blog 18- Jeremy Taylor
Out of Jeremy Taylor's rules, the one that is easiest for me is rule number 16--> Do not constantly try to excuse all of your mistakes. Something that the Lord has blessed me with and has taught me over the years is to take responsibility for the mistakes I have made.
The rule that is the hardest for me is rule number 9--> Do not take pride in any praise given to you. When someone compliments me, I let that build my self confidence instead of letting God build it. Therefore, compliments in a way give me a little pride as opposed to me handing it all over to God and letting him build me up and be praised through the compliments I have been given.
The rule that is the hardest for me is rule number 9--> Do not take pride in any praise given to you. When someone compliments me, I let that build my self confidence instead of letting God build it. Therefore, compliments in a way give me a little pride as opposed to me handing it all over to God and letting him build me up and be praised through the compliments I have been given.
Blog 17- John Calvin
"We are not our own, but the Lord's."
Crazy concept to grasp, huh? It is funny how God tells us one thing and the world screams the complete opposite. I feel like everything around me says to be my own person, stand up and make my own choices as a woman, to live for myself and to prosper myself. I am not my own. I think if we really grasped that, and im talking about REALLY grasping it to a point where we live it out, it would change alot. Our culture is so engraved into us to live for ourselves that it is normal, almost expected. It pushes us to conform to one way. For girls, that involves how I dress, how I look, and how I talk. I think it's settling. Settling for what culture thinks should be in comparison to how things could be. Man, what if we lived like we were not our own? How humbling that would be. My choices would change as to what I wear or how I care too much of how I look. It would have to be a denying myself everyday choice.
Crazy concept to grasp, huh? It is funny how God tells us one thing and the world screams the complete opposite. I feel like everything around me says to be my own person, stand up and make my own choices as a woman, to live for myself and to prosper myself. I am not my own. I think if we really grasped that, and im talking about REALLY grasping it to a point where we live it out, it would change alot. Our culture is so engraved into us to live for ourselves that it is normal, almost expected. It pushes us to conform to one way. For girls, that involves how I dress, how I look, and how I talk. I think it's settling. Settling for what culture thinks should be in comparison to how things could be. Man, what if we lived like we were not our own? How humbling that would be. My choices would change as to what I wear or how I care too much of how I look. It would have to be a denying myself everyday choice.
Blog 15- BGCT #2
The BGCT operates under 5 main areas including Evangelism/Missions, Education/Discipleship, Advocacy/Care, Partners and Church Resources. I will be discussing and going deeper into the area of Advocacy/Care.
There are many types of ministry under this area of BGCT. The first one is Chaplaincy Relations. Chaplains are there for people under times of emotional stress and turmoil. They walk with people through their hard times. In this ministry, these Chaplains go to where local ministers would not have access. There is a branch where the chaplains care goes to specialized settings such as healthcare, military, restorative justice, pastoral counseling, marketplace, crisis resiliency, public safety, and biker.
Another ministry is the Christian life commission. This ministry works with churches, communities, and the government to give voices to those who are often overlooked. It provides resources on ethical issues, religious liberty, prevention of substance abuse, hunger offering and many more.
The next ministry in the advocacy/care is the Community care ministry. Community Care reminds us that although Baptists are very mission minded for abroad countries, it is also a mission field in the community we live right now. It emphasizes in restorative justice and human trafficing.
Community Development is somewhat like Community Care. It is another branch of ministry in the advocacy/ care area of BGCT. This ministry is a reminder that ministering to people you see everyday can be the hardest ministry yet they need to know Christ as well.
Another ministry is the Counseling services. The counseling services offered at BGCT are for ministers and their families. There is a huge need for ministers to be able to get help and be held accountable. This ministry really encourages me. It is often overlooked that ministers are humans as well and can fall into what satan tempts them. Holding them accountable through counseling is a great way to keep satan out of the loop.
Lastly, the human care institutions is a great ministry. This ministry supports hospitals for medical care and institutions for old people
There are many types of ministry under this area of BGCT. The first one is Chaplaincy Relations. Chaplains are there for people under times of emotional stress and turmoil. They walk with people through their hard times. In this ministry, these Chaplains go to where local ministers would not have access. There is a branch where the chaplains care goes to specialized settings such as healthcare, military, restorative justice, pastoral counseling, marketplace, crisis resiliency, public safety, and biker.
Another ministry is the Christian life commission. This ministry works with churches, communities, and the government to give voices to those who are often overlooked. It provides resources on ethical issues, religious liberty, prevention of substance abuse, hunger offering and many more.
The next ministry in the advocacy/care is the Community care ministry. Community Care reminds us that although Baptists are very mission minded for abroad countries, it is also a mission field in the community we live right now. It emphasizes in restorative justice and human trafficing.
Community Development is somewhat like Community Care. It is another branch of ministry in the advocacy/ care area of BGCT. This ministry is a reminder that ministering to people you see everyday can be the hardest ministry yet they need to know Christ as well.
Another ministry is the Counseling services. The counseling services offered at BGCT are for ministers and their families. There is a huge need for ministers to be able to get help and be held accountable. This ministry really encourages me. It is often overlooked that ministers are humans as well and can fall into what satan tempts them. Holding them accountable through counseling is a great way to keep satan out of the loop.
Lastly, the human care institutions is a great ministry. This ministry supports hospitals for medical care and institutions for old people
Blog 15- BGCT
For this blog assignment, our class was asked to go to www.bgct.org and find an article to discuss. This website is an awesome way for Christians to find news that is uplifting and also honest about what is going on in the world. It was interesting to look around and read from a Christian view of what is happening.
The article I chose is about the new movie "Soul Surfer" which is located at:
www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_context&task=view&id=12424&Itemid=53
The movie "Soul Surfer" is an inspritational movie that is impactful in a positive way. What I mean in a postivie way is that it draws people to Christ without "beating them over the head with a Bible." The article is an important way to get people to go watch the movie and support its cause. The family in "Soul Surfer" loves the Lord and trusts his plan and portrays it in a way that is fun and exciting. It is inspirtational to those who already know the Lord and can be a testimony to those who do not.
The article I chose is about the new movie "Soul Surfer" which is located at:
www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_context&task=view&id=12424&Itemid=53
The movie "Soul Surfer" is an inspritational movie that is impactful in a positive way. What I mean in a postivie way is that it draws people to Christ without "beating them over the head with a Bible." The article is an important way to get people to go watch the movie and support its cause. The family in "Soul Surfer" loves the Lord and trusts his plan and portrays it in a way that is fun and exciting. It is inspirtational to those who already know the Lord and can be a testimony to those who do not.
Blog 14- We are one!
In soccer, we always chant before every game "WE ARE ONE!" We say this because although we each play a different part, the team could not function correctly without one of those parts and win or lose, we are all still on the same team. My soccer team's chant reminds us of our unity on our team, it empowers us more to work together and play hard. Our team's bond is strong. As Christians, shouldn't our bond be so much more stronger? The link that holds us together as "one" is Jesus Christ.
Bonhoeffer reminds us that "Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No community is more or less than this."
As Christians, we are a community because of what Jesus Christ did. If Jesus did not die on the cross, we would have no connection other than we are both human beings. This connection the Lord created for us to have through Jesus is deep. A&M has a saying for their aggie spirit and community that says "from the outside looking in you can't understand it and from the inside looking out you can't explain it." As Christians, this is what our community almost feels like. We need each other because people who do not know Christ can not understand the bond that we have. God speaks to us through each other, cheers us on. It's a beautiful picture!
WE ARE ONE through Jesus Christ. Embrace it!!
Bonhoeffer reminds us that "Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No community is more or less than this."
As Christians, we are a community because of what Jesus Christ did. If Jesus did not die on the cross, we would have no connection other than we are both human beings. This connection the Lord created for us to have through Jesus is deep. A&M has a saying for their aggie spirit and community that says "from the outside looking in you can't understand it and from the inside looking out you can't explain it." As Christians, this is what our community almost feels like. We need each other because people who do not know Christ can not understand the bond that we have. God speaks to us through each other, cheers us on. It's a beautiful picture!
WE ARE ONE through Jesus Christ. Embrace it!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Persecution
www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=9556
I thought this blog would be an easy one, but turns out this one is harder than I thought. We were asked to pick a story of some Christians who were being persecuted outside of the U.S., the story I chose is the link above.
This story talks about a group of Chrstians in Ji'nan, China. A group of Christians that met in tents for their church were attacked by a mob of over 200 people. According to 2 information officers, the mob was dressed in "police attire". Christians who were in the tents at this time called the emergency police number immediately but were in dispair once the police finally did show up and acted m0re as "bystanders" to the event. 16 Christians were seriously injured, included one permantly blinded.
This story is devestating. I think as a Christian in the United States, I forget how this freedom of believing in Jesus Christ is not world wide. The stories I read of what believers will do for their faith in Christ is so powerful. These people live not for anyone else but Christ, not even their government. This faith inspires me, deepens my faith. There is something about someone giving their life for Christ that strengthens your belief in him as well.
Sadly, I do not think there is much in Texas we can do to help this church except prayer. And lots of it! We are praying!
I thought this blog would be an easy one, but turns out this one is harder than I thought. We were asked to pick a story of some Christians who were being persecuted outside of the U.S., the story I chose is the link above.
This story talks about a group of Chrstians in Ji'nan, China. A group of Christians that met in tents for their church were attacked by a mob of over 200 people. According to 2 information officers, the mob was dressed in "police attire". Christians who were in the tents at this time called the emergency police number immediately but were in dispair once the police finally did show up and acted m0re as "bystanders" to the event. 16 Christians were seriously injured, included one permantly blinded.
This story is devestating. I think as a Christian in the United States, I forget how this freedom of believing in Jesus Christ is not world wide. The stories I read of what believers will do for their faith in Christ is so powerful. These people live not for anyone else but Christ, not even their government. This faith inspires me, deepens my faith. There is something about someone giving their life for Christ that strengthens your belief in him as well.
Sadly, I do not think there is much in Texas we can do to help this church except prayer. And lots of it! We are praying!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Baptists
In studying the Baptist background, there is principls which I have found we should keep relevant today and for the future and 1 principle we should learn to re evaluate and change.
1. "The primary driving force for organization in Baptist life has been the cause of mission." In other words said by Johann Onchen, "Every Baptist is a missionary." This is a principle not only set for Baptists, but for every person who accepts Christ to reign over our lives. This principle is the driving force to all Christians.
2. The second principle we should re evaluate= "Many Baptists perfer unity instead of getting into real discussion". While unity is what we should strive for in a church, true unity can not be attained unless being real with each other in our lives and discussions is achieved.
1. "The primary driving force for organization in Baptist life has been the cause of mission." In other words said by Johann Onchen, "Every Baptist is a missionary." This is a principle not only set for Baptists, but for every person who accepts Christ to reign over our lives. This principle is the driving force to all Christians.
2. The second principle we should re evaluate= "Many Baptists perfer unity instead of getting into real discussion". While unity is what we should strive for in a church, true unity can not be attained unless being real with each other in our lives and discussions is achieved.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Spiritual Gifts
I believe one of the spiritual gifts the Lord has blessed with me with is mercy.
[MERCY] can be defined as being sensitive towards those who are suffering so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery.
Recently, a friend of mine began to struggle with something that happened to her this past week. She did not like talking about it and I was told to not talk to her about the subject. I was intimidated and thought that I could not show her mercy and be sensitive towards her about the subject because I was not able to really talk to her about it. What the Lord revealed to me is that just being there and showing grace and compassion is mercy in itself.. It is not necessary to talk about the issue, she will talk when the Lord urges her to. The Lord told me to wait and just show compassion towards her and mercy to sympathize in her suffering.
[MERCY] can be defined as being sensitive towards those who are suffering so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery.
Recently, a friend of mine began to struggle with something that happened to her this past week. She did not like talking about it and I was told to not talk to her about the subject. I was intimidated and thought that I could not show her mercy and be sensitive towards her about the subject because I was not able to really talk to her about it. What the Lord revealed to me is that just being there and showing grace and compassion is mercy in itself.. It is not necessary to talk about the issue, she will talk when the Lord urges her to. The Lord told me to wait and just show compassion towards her and mercy to sympathize in her suffering.
Affective time
I would like to use my time more affectively in the area of my studies. I would like to be able to study more affectively than I currently do. I can began to help this by studying throughout the day instead of having to work late at night then take naps during the day!
Power of Prayer
This week I was assigned to get up early and pray an hour before church started for the upcoming sermon and that people's hearts may be prepared and such. The experience was unbelievable and powerful. It was truely a blessing to sit and just come into the presence of the Lord and pray for everyone's hearts and the upcoming sermon. As I was kneeling before His throne, I literally felt the presence of the Lord. I felt him sitting next to me and listening as I talked to him. The funny thing was, he used my prayers to impact me later that day. Instead of seeing tons of people get saved that morning, His presence was real and apparant throughout my day Sunday. It was beautiful and powerful.
Monday, January 31, 2011
I was asked to reflect on how my faith has impacted my studies here at ETBU! In knowing that I represent Christ in all that I do, this has encouraged me to work harder at my studies so that I may give Christ glory in all that I do, whether or not it be good or bad. Now to switch that around, my studies have also impacted and grown my faith! While I take tests, I am in constant communication with the Lord asking him to remind me answers that I have studied and give me wisdom with those I have not (lol!). In the end, if I have studied hard and spoken to the Lord throughout my whole test, He gets all the glory no matter if it is good or bad! It has been such an awesome experience to be able to give God the glory in it all! Such a little thing that has grown me tremendously. I also have been blessed with the priveledge to study religion here at ETBU, which has given me knowledge and deepened my faith.
I would say that my life could be deepened in the aspect of connecting a passionate pursuit and intellecual rigor for Christ. The Lord has given me a passion for Him that he deepens everyday through revealing himself to me but I need to gain more wisdom and intellect over the Bible, which I believe will come with time!
I would say that my life could be deepened in the aspect of connecting a passionate pursuit and intellecual rigor for Christ. The Lord has given me a passion for Him that he deepens everyday through revealing himself to me but I need to gain more wisdom and intellect over the Bible, which I believe will come with time!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Darkness that brings Purification
The author of The Dark Night of the Soul describes how there are 7 capital sins that the Lord will purify each person of through "The Dark Night of the Soul". The "dark night of the soul" is when a person no longer has the pleasure they once had in their devotional life. From my understanding, it is God's way of purification and being able to test your true love for Him. When you first become a Christian, there is an emotional/ spiritual high that comes along with it. You can compare this to when you start a new relationship with the opposite sex and feel that they have no imperfections and your "obsessed" with them in a sense. Your grades decrease, you can not think of anything but that person, the first thing when you wake up in the morning is thinking of them and the last thing you think of during the day is that person and every point in between, you have a desire to only be with them and neglect all other responsibilities. You love them because they make you feel good. As the relationship continues and the "obsession stage" of your relationship wears down, how a person can truely tell if they love someone is if they choose to love them even after their "obsession" of them has worn off. After the obsession stage, you love someone because you love WHO THEY ARE, not because of how GOOD they make YOU FEEL. The way you can tell if you truely love someone is if once life goes back to normal, go back to fulfilling all your responsiblities, and realize the other person's imperfections.. You love them through it. You love them even though sometimes you do not feel like you do. In the same way, we have a spiritual high (or obsession) once we give our lives to the Lord because it makes us feel good, pure, pleasure and brings fulfillment. I believe the Lord takes that pleasure away because he wants to test our love for Him. He desires to know that we love him for WHO HE IS, because HE IS GOOD.. Not for how he makes us feel.
Of the virtues mentioned by Jon that the Lord purifies each person in, I believe the one I most need is moderation. I have a skewed mind set that the Lord and I are no closer if I only do a Bible study for a while each day.. I feel like it has to be hours long. That is not what the Lord is asking of me though, he asks just a time during the day I can sit down and process what He wants me to hear. He doesnt require a certain amount, just some time.
Of the virtues mentioned by Jon that the Lord purifies each person in, I believe the one I most need is moderation. I have a skewed mind set that the Lord and I are no closer if I only do a Bible study for a while each day.. I feel like it has to be hours long. That is not what the Lord is asking of me though, he asks just a time during the day I can sit down and process what He wants me to hear. He doesnt require a certain amount, just some time.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
In the exerpt of "Spiritual exercises", St. Ignatius reveals the enemies one great fear.
The enemy works by making suggestions, hoping they will be pursued and kept secret. The evil one is greatly disappointed if we share his "decietful words and depraved intentions" with another. He fears this because he realizes that his plan can not continue. His deceits are revealed!
Brothers and sisters, keep each other accountable! This spoke to me in my life that I must learn to make sure the devil continues to fear this! He knows the power there is once Christ's people come together, so I am learning to do just that! Share his deceitful suggestions, let the Lord use those around you to bring light onto the dark.
The enemy works by making suggestions, hoping they will be pursued and kept secret. The evil one is greatly disappointed if we share his "decietful words and depraved intentions" with another. He fears this because he realizes that his plan can not continue. His deceits are revealed!
Brothers and sisters, keep each other accountable! This spoke to me in my life that I must learn to make sure the devil continues to fear this! He knows the power there is once Christ's people come together, so I am learning to do just that! Share his deceitful suggestions, let the Lord use those around you to bring light onto the dark.
Desires
My 3 things that I desire most from the Lord this week are
1. His everlasting peace in unpredictable times
2. His indescrible joy
3. That he will move me to where He wants me to be with Him
1. His everlasting peace in unpredictable times
2. His indescrible joy
3. That he will move me to where He wants me to be with Him
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Living Loved.
"The secret to loving is living loved."
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us.."
-1 John 4:9-10. God's love for me enables me to love him because I have tasted and seen that he is GOOD. Oh, what a sweet sweet taste that it has been. Loving the Lord has been a transformation from loving him merely because without him I can do nothing, to loving him because of who I have learned he truely is. Through out every trial, I have been redeemed by the "grace of the Rescuer" constantly reminding me that "HE is GOOD, not because he is good to me, but because HE is GOOD." What a beautiful reminder.
His love has enabled me to love myself because I have no right to despise myself when the CREATOR loves every part of me.
His love enables.. and demands.. me to love others. "Since God loves us, we surely ought to love each other." -1 John 4:11. BUT I love others only because (1) he loves me and (2) I love him, AND I love him because he loved me first. Without knowing that God loves me yet instructing me to love others is like telling me to write a check without a deposit.. I would be overdrawn. My love would be insufficient! Only in this order has God designed love to work.
"The secret to loving, is living loved."
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us.."
-1 John 4:9-10. God's love for me enables me to love him because I have tasted and seen that he is GOOD. Oh, what a sweet sweet taste that it has been. Loving the Lord has been a transformation from loving him merely because without him I can do nothing, to loving him because of who I have learned he truely is. Through out every trial, I have been redeemed by the "grace of the Rescuer" constantly reminding me that "HE is GOOD, not because he is good to me, but because HE is GOOD." What a beautiful reminder.
His love has enabled me to love myself because I have no right to despise myself when the CREATOR loves every part of me.
His love enables.. and demands.. me to love others. "Since God loves us, we surely ought to love each other." -1 John 4:11. BUT I love others only because (1) he loves me and (2) I love him, AND I love him because he loved me first. Without knowing that God loves me yet instructing me to love others is like telling me to write a check without a deposit.. I would be overdrawn. My love would be insufficient! Only in this order has God designed love to work.
"The secret to loving, is living loved."
The commands for our lives given in the last post are what are demanded of us if we are to be disciples of Christ. Two commands that Christ gives that stuck out to me are--
(# 1): Vs. 44, love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.
This command is so relevant to our lives! How many of us have enemies or people that persecute us? Sadly, pretty much all of us. But discipleship is loving those who do not love you back, for that is what Christ does for us. Refusing this command can cost someone seeing how Christ loves us or deny us of how God wants to use us in anothers life.
(#2): Vs. 33-37, Do not take an oath at all.. let what you say simply be yes or no.
What a powerful message! This convicts me to be a woman of my word. We should not have to make oaths or promises because people should know us for keeping our word without having to promise it! As Christians, our word should be enough! Just as Jesus' is! Not one time do I remember him taking an "oath", but keeping his word faithfully! Refusing this command can be costly as if we do not keep our words, it does not reflect Christ in the right way.
(# 1): Vs. 44, love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.
This command is so relevant to our lives! How many of us have enemies or people that persecute us? Sadly, pretty much all of us. But discipleship is loving those who do not love you back, for that is what Christ does for us. Refusing this command can cost someone seeing how Christ loves us or deny us of how God wants to use us in anothers life.
(#2): Vs. 33-37, Do not take an oath at all.. let what you say simply be yes or no.
What a powerful message! This convicts me to be a woman of my word. We should not have to make oaths or promises because people should know us for keeping our word without having to promise it! As Christians, our word should be enough! Just as Jesus' is! Not one time do I remember him taking an "oath", but keeping his word faithfully! Refusing this command can be costly as if we do not keep our words, it does not reflect Christ in the right way.
In Matthew 5, 10 different things Jesus commands and demands of us if we are to live as disciples of Christ are included here--
1. Vs. 12--> Rejoice and be glad!!
2.Vs. 16--> Let your little light shine so that the Lord may be glorified!!
3. Vs. 20--> Be righteous!
4. Vs. 21-25--> Always reconcile with your brother and "come to terms with your accuser".
5. Vs. 28--> Do not commit adultry.. but it goes deeper than that. Adultry is defined as "looking with lustful intent." Keep your eyes and heart pure.
6. Vs.--> Do not divorce.
7. Vs. 33-37.. This one caught my eyes.--> "Do not take an oath at all.. Let what you say be simply Yes or no." Be men and woman of our words! Do not make vague promises or oaths, let our words be enough.
8. Vs. 38-42--> Turn the other cheek. Someone who asks you to go 1 mile, go 2.
9. Vs. 44-->Love your enemies and pray for them!
10. Vs. 48--> Be perfect.
1. Vs. 12--> Rejoice and be glad!!
2.Vs. 16--> Let your little light shine so that the Lord may be glorified!!
3. Vs. 20--> Be righteous!
4. Vs. 21-25--> Always reconcile with your brother and "come to terms with your accuser".
5. Vs. 28--> Do not commit adultry.. but it goes deeper than that. Adultry is defined as "looking with lustful intent." Keep your eyes and heart pure.
6. Vs.--> Do not divorce.
7. Vs. 33-37.. This one caught my eyes.--> "Do not take an oath at all.. Let what you say be simply Yes or no." Be men and woman of our words! Do not make vague promises or oaths, let our words be enough.
8. Vs. 38-42--> Turn the other cheek. Someone who asks you to go 1 mile, go 2.
9. Vs. 44-->Love your enemies and pray for them!
10. Vs. 48--> Be perfect.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Divine Calling
"The church exsists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them 'little Christs'."
I grew up as a member of my home church in Houston, Texas named Champion Forest Baptist Chruch! And what a blessing it was! Champion Forest's primary goal is to help further Christ's kingdom by following Christ's example of making "little Christs". Our girls minister Stephanie Chase says it best when she expressed her primary call to Christ as being one that follows his example of how he handled his disciples. Through this is how Champion Forest is effectively being used by the Lord to make "little Christs". What I was always taught at CFBC is Jesus had his 12 disciples that he invested in deeper than anyone else. The disciples stand for our close group of friends. The superb quality of CFBC is they practice what they preach. For 2 hours during the school week, students come into the student center and express what is on their minds and be hardcore invested into by the staff and other students through what they call "Infolded". Other activities are put into place throughout the year for students to be invested into and their spiritual lives to grow to be like Christ. This is bigger than just CFBC though. They impact the community more than they realize by changing these individuals. CHRIST impacted and invested into 12 men's lives and they were used to Him to help change the world. Christ is still working today by using CFBC to change youth's lives, ultimately, changing the future of that community for whatever each of youth individuals are called to do in their futures.
Paul expresses my prayer and gratitude for the youth staff of CFBC best!:
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. That the Lord of our Jesus Christ, the Father of GLORY, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may continue to know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the IMMEASUREABLE greatness of HIS power toward us who believe, according to the work of his great might.. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is HIS BODY, the fullness of him who fills all in all!"
Ephesians 1:15-19 & 22-23
I grew up as a member of my home church in Houston, Texas named Champion Forest Baptist Chruch! And what a blessing it was! Champion Forest's primary goal is to help further Christ's kingdom by following Christ's example of making "little Christs". Our girls minister Stephanie Chase says it best when she expressed her primary call to Christ as being one that follows his example of how he handled his disciples. Through this is how Champion Forest is effectively being used by the Lord to make "little Christs". What I was always taught at CFBC is Jesus had his 12 disciples that he invested in deeper than anyone else. The disciples stand for our close group of friends. The superb quality of CFBC is they practice what they preach. For 2 hours during the school week, students come into the student center and express what is on their minds and be hardcore invested into by the staff and other students through what they call "Infolded". Other activities are put into place throughout the year for students to be invested into and their spiritual lives to grow to be like Christ. This is bigger than just CFBC though. They impact the community more than they realize by changing these individuals. CHRIST impacted and invested into 12 men's lives and they were used to Him to help change the world. Christ is still working today by using CFBC to change youth's lives, ultimately, changing the future of that community for whatever each of youth individuals are called to do in their futures.
Paul expresses my prayer and gratitude for the youth staff of CFBC best!:
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. That the Lord of our Jesus Christ, the Father of GLORY, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may continue to know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the IMMEASUREABLE greatness of HIS power toward us who believe, according to the work of his great might.. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is HIS BODY, the fullness of him who fills all in all!"
Ephesians 1:15-19 & 22-23
My Whole tree down
"..No half measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked-- the whole outfit." This is C.S. Lewis' expression of Christ's call to us. Giving my ALL. I have trouble with giving "my whole tree" to Christ at times. I often tend to give branch by branch, which I believe most people make the mistake of doing as well. I think fear is what drives it for me. The thought of someone having every part of my life and every part of me in His hands to do what he wants is scary. That can mean anything. The Lord has the power to break me, allow pain into my life. What I have had to learn over time though is who else better to give your ALL to then the one who holds the world in his hands and has my name "graven upon the palm of his hands" (Isaiah 49:16). Yes, He will allow pain in my life.. but with it he always brings his comforting spirit. Yes, he allows sadness.. but he brings so much more joy and fulfillment with the parts I have given to him. For I can "do nothing on my own" (John 5:30). why not lay my "whole tree down"?
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