So I went on a youth retreat with some really awesome people the past few days, to the Outer Banks. The things we discussed, thought of, and listened to are enough to fill an entire book. Some highlights of the wonderful sessions by Pastor Gambill (=more like conversations) are these:
•The story of redemption is written on every human heart. Every good story includes an aspect of the story of God's redemption of His people, from Cinderella to Spider Man III. Even directors who are not Christians are examples of this. Pastor Gambill told me that the screen-writer for Narnia inserted Aslan saying, "It is finished." after he killed the White Witch, because it sounded like the appropriate, triumphant thing to say. C.S Lewis' great grandson or newphew or whoever who was helping the screenwriter said, how appropriate since Jesus said "It is finished" before He died on the cross and accomplishing redemption of sins! and the screen-writer said, really?? I didn't know He said that.
•People who have worldviews different than mine are not to be scoffed at (example: the self-help groups, the environmentalists, the fundamentalists, etc.) They all have elements of truth to them--desires to fulfill the common longings in every human soul. And yet they go about it in a wrong way and Christianity is what ties truth all together, completing the viewpoint. For example-self help groups see that people often are so insecure and down on themselves that it is not healthy, and so they try to boost such peoples' security and confidence. I believe self-mutilation is wrong and harmful and God does not intend it! And yet the self-help groups go about defeating such a demon in the wrong way. Jesus on the other hand, restored our relationship to ourselves in redemption, and enables us to be free in Christ! Not so that we look in the mirror and like what we see, but becasue we can look beyond ourselves and see Christ's glory and be more fulfilled in that, and how He sees us, than any puffed up view of ourselves! See the idea? So many people on this earth have the right idea because all humanity is linked with common issues, desires, and feelings, and yet only Jesus fulfills all of them with the truth of His gospel.
Similarly with environmentalism; God also restores our relationship with nature when He saves us. Environmentalists try to esteem earth as on par with mankind at best, and higher than mankind at worst, and yet through Christ we see that we can live in harmony with nature and enjoy it's beauty, not because it is beautiful in and of itself (though it is!) but because it points us to an all-powerful, all-glorious Creator who made it! So I can't scoff at environmentalists exactly, because they see perhaps some of what God intended humanity to life like with respect to nature, but I believe they come from a wrong viewpoint and don't see the whole picture.
And on and on it goes :)
•Also, motivation for dilligence and obeying God is worship. Not guilt, or even grattitude, because both instill a works-based mentality in obeying Christ. But when we see God for Who He is (as much as one lowly human can,) one cannot help but burst forth in praise, adoration, and loving others as a result! You see how different that is than, I need to be a better person. I need to try really hard to not lie, to speak kindly to others, and to be joyful. Be joyful! Grrrrr!!!!! Joy!!!!!....it just doesn't work. I can attest. Worship everyone, is the motivator for dilligence. And also relying on the Holy Spirit, Who gave power to John the Baptist, Mary, Jesus Himself, and all throughout history. "If the Holy Spirit had the power to raise Jesus from the grave, then He has the power to get you out of bed in the morning." - Pastor Gambill. We cannot conjure up emotions to obey, but we must rely on the Holy Spirit to give us strength to live and essentially, get out of bed every morning.
Anyway, this highlights thing turned into a whole summation of the whole conference so I'll stop there before I run out of room, and your mental attention :)
Hope this spoke to you as much as it did me! There's so much more, I'd love to tell you sometime if you ever want to hear :)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Controversy? Why, that's my middle name!
So I'm going to address a sticky issue to most Christians today... the issue of using curse words. It has been brought to my attention several times over the past five years and I have been thinking a bit about it.
Check out this thought-provoking video by the Skit Guys real quick, and then keep reading: http://skitguys.com/videos/item/walk-the-talk/
I think they have a point. But first, I believe there are two main aspects on the issue of whether to curse or not to curse; 1) what is the definition of a curse word? and 2) for the Christian, does God really say not to curse?
The first aspect is pretty challenging. Are curse words simply cultural? That is, does one word have different meanings simply depending on the context? (the answer is yes. Ex: bloody) Therefore, is there absolute truth concerning curse words? Are any without-a-doubt wrong, or does it simply depend on where you are? Perhaps curse words simply take on the meanings we impose on them (like any word in any language, I suppose.) I believe that is true. Is it wrong then, for us to curse in different languages? I do not know what I believe in this case. For those words seem harmless to us in our own culture, and yet, we speak them in bad conscious if we realize the connotations they hold and use them anyway, as a guilt-free way of cursing. Are curse words then, simply words which we impose a negative meaning? Perhaps that is what the skit guys were getting at-perhaps the actual word itself is not the issue, but the heart behind the mouth behind the word that is intent on hurting or degrading. And yet people do not always use curse words to degrade-people use them when they are really stoked about something, positively or negatively. And so you see there are plausible sides to each argument concerning the actual definition of curse words and consequentially, whether or not it is honoring to God to use them.
Secondly, does the Bible actually say not to curse? Do a word search for "cussing" and you won't find anything. HA! See? Most people would say. And yet if you take the position stated above that curse words, forget whether they are cultural or not, all words that have a negative meaning imposed on them are not to be spoken by the Christian. To me, there are so many other beautiful words in the human language that we don't have to use ones that are tainted with a bad reputation and offense! My mom has recently been struck with the verse Jeremiah 15:19, concerning the value of good words: If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as My mouth. That's coming from God! When we say good things, uplifting things, encouraging things, beautiful things, it's as if we are the very mouth of God (who of course always says beautiful things, and nothing worthless!) I see curse words as low, not glorious! And for those of you who don't find the issue of cursing in the Bible, read James 3:10-12. "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." The first part makes sense, (score!) but what's with the second? I believe it is saying that if one is pure on the inside he ought not to utter impure words, giving light to the first issue, the definition of curse words. They are, according to these verses, completely unnatural for the Christian to utter since they are so unlike him who has been purified by Christ's blood.
And don't give me that, I just cuss in front of my friends who do, argument. Don't be a spineless follower and conformer!
I have one final thought to leave you with as you decide where to stand on the issue of cursing, (because you must stand on one side or the other! It's right or it's wrong. You won't curse or you will.) Would you curse in a prayer? Would you utter the words we know as curse words, in front of God? Because the truth is, God is omnipresent. He hears whatever you say and even knows your motivation behind it. Regardless of whether your words are labeled "curse words" or not is beside the point. Speak the words that you would speak in front of the Judge, Creator, Ruler, and King of the universe, for every word you speak is indeed said as much to Him as it is anyone else.
Now let's have some feedback, as I'm sure many of you have a few things to say :)
Check out this thought-provoking video by the Skit Guys real quick, and then keep reading: http://skitguys.com/videos/item/walk-the-talk/
I think they have a point. But first, I believe there are two main aspects on the issue of whether to curse or not to curse; 1) what is the definition of a curse word? and 2) for the Christian, does God really say not to curse?
The first aspect is pretty challenging. Are curse words simply cultural? That is, does one word have different meanings simply depending on the context? (the answer is yes. Ex: bloody) Therefore, is there absolute truth concerning curse words? Are any without-a-doubt wrong, or does it simply depend on where you are? Perhaps curse words simply take on the meanings we impose on them (like any word in any language, I suppose.) I believe that is true. Is it wrong then, for us to curse in different languages? I do not know what I believe in this case. For those words seem harmless to us in our own culture, and yet, we speak them in bad conscious if we realize the connotations they hold and use them anyway, as a guilt-free way of cursing. Are curse words then, simply words which we impose a negative meaning? Perhaps that is what the skit guys were getting at-perhaps the actual word itself is not the issue, but the heart behind the mouth behind the word that is intent on hurting or degrading. And yet people do not always use curse words to degrade-people use them when they are really stoked about something, positively or negatively. And so you see there are plausible sides to each argument concerning the actual definition of curse words and consequentially, whether or not it is honoring to God to use them.
Secondly, does the Bible actually say not to curse? Do a word search for "cussing" and you won't find anything. HA! See? Most people would say. And yet if you take the position stated above that curse words, forget whether they are cultural or not, all words that have a negative meaning imposed on them are not to be spoken by the Christian. To me, there are so many other beautiful words in the human language that we don't have to use ones that are tainted with a bad reputation and offense! My mom has recently been struck with the verse Jeremiah 15:19, concerning the value of good words: If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as My mouth. That's coming from God! When we say good things, uplifting things, encouraging things, beautiful things, it's as if we are the very mouth of God (who of course always says beautiful things, and nothing worthless!) I see curse words as low, not glorious! And for those of you who don't find the issue of cursing in the Bible, read James 3:10-12. "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." The first part makes sense, (score!) but what's with the second? I believe it is saying that if one is pure on the inside he ought not to utter impure words, giving light to the first issue, the definition of curse words. They are, according to these verses, completely unnatural for the Christian to utter since they are so unlike him who has been purified by Christ's blood.
And don't give me that, I just cuss in front of my friends who do, argument. Don't be a spineless follower and conformer!
I have one final thought to leave you with as you decide where to stand on the issue of cursing, (because you must stand on one side or the other! It's right or it's wrong. You won't curse or you will.) Would you curse in a prayer? Would you utter the words we know as curse words, in front of God? Because the truth is, God is omnipresent. He hears whatever you say and even knows your motivation behind it. Regardless of whether your words are labeled "curse words" or not is beside the point. Speak the words that you would speak in front of the Judge, Creator, Ruler, and King of the universe, for every word you speak is indeed said as much to Him as it is anyone else.
Now let's have some feedback, as I'm sure many of you have a few things to say :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Summer is kickin in, and I'm already kicking myself
So I've come up with an ideal daily summer routine (cause you know by now of my phobia of feeling lazy and literally needing to work or do something during the day!). It's funny, you know, how one finds out what one truly lives for when there's all the time in the world. (=summer!) I should hope I live for more than working out, Facebooking, blogging, and eating...but that seems to be the majority of my summer goals (minus the eating.) But some of the things I have been trying to do everyday include walking or running in the mornings, having a lengthy, un-rushed time with God, reading the Bible, praying, and maybe listening to a sermon online, then doing chores and helping out my mom, then catching up with my phone-lovin friends(you know who you are), and then hanging out with friends or reading or whatever.
Basically I want to A) live a healthy lifestyle physically and spiritually and B) I want to be there for other people. I don't want my summer to be all about me, which is definitely a temptation. I see this time of year though as a great time to catch up on all the things I didn't have time to do during the school year, or all the people I didn't have time for :(. As many of you know I've let myself neglect a lot of people in my life for the sake of school, which is good in moderation, but obviously should not impede relationships. And yet it has. So I'm trying to fix that!
Besides my immediate family of friends, there are so many people out there who need a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a counselor, etc. and I also hope to invest myself into those people and serving them as Jesus would.
Today as I met with a friend from class downtown, we came upon a few homeless people. Homeless people are a sticky issue, though perhaps they shouldn't be. I've heard all different arguments over whether it's good for the person to be given money, or food, or anything at all, and I've generally come to the conclusion that most homeless people are homeless because of their own faults and therefore shouldn't be given money. They'll probably spend it on something harmful to them, or illegal, or both. (For those of you who have taken Social Psychology, I've fallen prey to the "just-world-phenomenon".) Also I've come to the conclusion that I should ignore such people, especially men, if I am without a guy. (which is probably wise) So anyway- my friend and I came upon several homeless men, and what does my friend do? She talks to them, smiles, and gave one a quarter she had found earlier. I was dumbstruck. Here I was trying to be a friend to her, and yet she made an even more lasting impression on me by simple acts of kindness that broke through my comfort zone! Even worse, I mumbled to one of the men that I didn't have any money though I had a wad of cash with me, and forgot to offer some untouched fruit I had with me. I could have at least given my food, if money wasn't wise! But I didn't think about it. I'm going to be more clear minded and thoughful next time, and hopefully I won't have cause to feel ashamed and utterly hypocritical again.
I'm so thankful Jesus has unconditional love for me when I represent Him so poorly. He has done so much for me and yet I continue to spit in His face with my sin and ungratefullness. I praise Him for having the greatest love and biggest heart in the universe, and for throwing my sins into the depths of the sea never to be thought of again, and for seeing Christ's righteousness when He looks at me!
♪ Hallelujah, what a Savior! ♪
:]
Basically I want to A) live a healthy lifestyle physically and spiritually and B) I want to be there for other people. I don't want my summer to be all about me, which is definitely a temptation. I see this time of year though as a great time to catch up on all the things I didn't have time to do during the school year, or all the people I didn't have time for :(. As many of you know I've let myself neglect a lot of people in my life for the sake of school, which is good in moderation, but obviously should not impede relationships. And yet it has. So I'm trying to fix that!
Besides my immediate family of friends, there are so many people out there who need a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a counselor, etc. and I also hope to invest myself into those people and serving them as Jesus would.
Today as I met with a friend from class downtown, we came upon a few homeless people. Homeless people are a sticky issue, though perhaps they shouldn't be. I've heard all different arguments over whether it's good for the person to be given money, or food, or anything at all, and I've generally come to the conclusion that most homeless people are homeless because of their own faults and therefore shouldn't be given money. They'll probably spend it on something harmful to them, or illegal, or both. (For those of you who have taken Social Psychology, I've fallen prey to the "just-world-phenomenon".) Also I've come to the conclusion that I should ignore such people, especially men, if I am without a guy. (which is probably wise) So anyway- my friend and I came upon several homeless men, and what does my friend do? She talks to them, smiles, and gave one a quarter she had found earlier. I was dumbstruck. Here I was trying to be a friend to her, and yet she made an even more lasting impression on me by simple acts of kindness that broke through my comfort zone! Even worse, I mumbled to one of the men that I didn't have any money though I had a wad of cash with me, and forgot to offer some untouched fruit I had with me. I could have at least given my food, if money wasn't wise! But I didn't think about it. I'm going to be more clear minded and thoughful next time, and hopefully I won't have cause to feel ashamed and utterly hypocritical again.
I'm so thankful Jesus has unconditional love for me when I represent Him so poorly. He has done so much for me and yet I continue to spit in His face with my sin and ungratefullness. I praise Him for having the greatest love and biggest heart in the universe, and for throwing my sins into the depths of the sea never to be thought of again, and for seeing Christ's righteousness when He looks at me!
♪ Hallelujah, what a Savior! ♪
:]
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)