I saw a video today that brought back the fresh feeling of inadequacy. I was a student leader on a missions trip to mexico my freshman year of college and one night we got the bright idea to pull an eyebrow prank on a fellow student. It's probably the worst decision I've ever made. It's all on video and I saw it tonight and I felt so terrible because I realized how much I screwed up on that trip. I missed the opportunity to be a true leader on the trip, but instead I was temporarily distracted by fun.
The Devil likes to distract us when we aren't paying attention. Then when we clue-in, we realize what we just did. This was the case on this trip. I wish there was some way to go back and re-do it all, but an "i'm so sorry" must suffice to all those affected.
But, I know I'm not alone in making mistakes. So what do we do when we feel like God surely can't forgive us for what we have done? It's like sitting in the middle of a desert with no water, and you are certain you are alone. The Bible teaches us that God is faithful to forgive us all our sins, but are we faithful enough to forgive ourselves and others? Thats probably the best question. Am I willing to forgive myself, and forgive others when they inevitably do wrong to me? The answer must be yes if I am to daily walk with God, because if He is willing to forgive me, I must be willing to also. God needs men and women after His own heart, and I guess it's a bit selfish to be scolding my own heart. It robs God of my attention and desire, and that's a deeper crime than any midnight prank.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
How hard can it be?
I got frustrated today with a bunch of stuff. I haven't had a lot of down time for just me lately and while i enjoy company, at some point I need a break. Thats just how it is with me.
In any case, I was thinking today how I always do when I am with a bunch of people and realize I need to be alone. I was thinking about how important we make small stuff, myself included. Appearance, personal preferences, etc get made into a bigger deal than they ought. I mean who am I to tell someone that their appearance is unclassy, prepped up, whatever. God looks at the inside, not the outside anyway. I can't think of a time Jesus made a comment about how someone was dressed. David danced in his underwear before God even! So why is it that we get hung up on such small things all the time? What is the basis for our unwritten Christian dresscode anyway? I understand the controversy over some verses in 1 Corinthians but I will say that I think that some in the Church take them out of context. I was once told by a bible teacher "to be dogmatic about things essential to salvation, and not dogmatic about those that don't assure salvation." Now I think I can safely say that the Bible is pretty clear that salvation is assured through confession of Christ as Lord, not by dress or by biblical interpretation. I don't wish for all men to hold the same interpretation of the Bible, I simply wish for all men and women in the Church to take the time to understand other opinions about non-salvation matters in God's Word. I also wish that as fellow members of the Church, we stop condemning eachother over matters that do seem a bit grey. And I include myself in that number who needs to be more understanding and less judgemental towards fellow believers in Christ Jesus.
We all know that God's Word brings life, but there are some that manipulate it to their desires to the point that it makes it hard for God's breath to reach man's souls. Legalism and separationism are very real threats to Church unity these days. Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Non-denominational, all fall under Christ's authority. Lets start acting like there is truly one opinion that counts anymore, that being Christ's. It's a hard task to undertake, to truly understand other Christian viewpoints better, but I stand convicted of the need for more grace given.
In any case, I was thinking today how I always do when I am with a bunch of people and realize I need to be alone. I was thinking about how important we make small stuff, myself included. Appearance, personal preferences, etc get made into a bigger deal than they ought. I mean who am I to tell someone that their appearance is unclassy, prepped up, whatever. God looks at the inside, not the outside anyway. I can't think of a time Jesus made a comment about how someone was dressed. David danced in his underwear before God even! So why is it that we get hung up on such small things all the time? What is the basis for our unwritten Christian dresscode anyway? I understand the controversy over some verses in 1 Corinthians but I will say that I think that some in the Church take them out of context. I was once told by a bible teacher "to be dogmatic about things essential to salvation, and not dogmatic about those that don't assure salvation." Now I think I can safely say that the Bible is pretty clear that salvation is assured through confession of Christ as Lord, not by dress or by biblical interpretation. I don't wish for all men to hold the same interpretation of the Bible, I simply wish for all men and women in the Church to take the time to understand other opinions about non-salvation matters in God's Word. I also wish that as fellow members of the Church, we stop condemning eachother over matters that do seem a bit grey. And I include myself in that number who needs to be more understanding and less judgemental towards fellow believers in Christ Jesus.
We all know that God's Word brings life, but there are some that manipulate it to their desires to the point that it makes it hard for God's breath to reach man's souls. Legalism and separationism are very real threats to Church unity these days. Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Non-denominational, all fall under Christ's authority. Lets start acting like there is truly one opinion that counts anymore, that being Christ's. It's a hard task to undertake, to truly understand other Christian viewpoints better, but I stand convicted of the need for more grace given.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Last Weekend
So last weekend Cali and I went hiking at the Ravcn Run Wildlife Sanctuary and spent a few evenings at Coffea. Fun times! It's kinda nice to get out and literally smell the roses (and other spring fauna). I'm waiting for the cost of gas to equal that of tuition each semester but I can't imagine they
are far off! God bless you and yours! -Josiah
Friday, May 2, 2008
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