Precious Marbles

Yesterday I began a post about commitment. I had questions regarding commitment to believers in the church, yet ended with a possible answer in love. In fact, I believe it was the answer to my questions. I want to write more on this subject, but not tonight :)

Tonight, I want to give an update.

Remember the marble post? Well, I ran the numbers. I calculated them up. I numbered my days.

Numbering my months hit me the most. I know how fast a month goes, and when I numbered them, 500 or so, I was taken back. Just a few hundred? My life?

I am understanding more and more why the Psalmist wanted to be taught to "number" his days. It truly works in us that heart of wisdom that he talks about in Psalm 90. It helps us to remove the foolishness of thinking our lives last forever, and empowers us through the Holy Spirit to make the most of the moments we have in front of us.

I can honestly say, this whole thing has been having an impact on my life, for the good. I have thought more than once when I am with my kids, that the moment before me is like holding that marble in my hand. After today, that marble will be gone, never to be held again. It helps me to open my eyes and my heart to the precious moment before me with my children that so often I look over and exchange for the unnecessary burdens I allow myself to carry around in my heart and mind.

So, Lord, once again,

...teach us to number our days

   that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Commitment

On Wednesday nights, I get together with other men from the body of believers I worship with at The Chapel. We have been having wonderful times together. We have challenged one another, confessed to one another, trust is being built between one another... it's really a beautiful thing.

Last night we were discussing a topic that has stemmed from the sermons that Tom Zurowski has been sharing on for the past couple of weeks. We got into commitment to the body. Commitment to one another.

My mind and heart is in turmoil and unrest over this idea of commitment. It feels as if never before in my years as a Christian have I considered commitment to the body (church) like I am going through now. It's possible I have been challenged in this area in the past at other church fellowships, but it has never hit me like it is now.

The thought of committing to a "church" is almost disgusting to me. I'm not sure why. I guess the thought of committing to an institution has no life in it, at least that is how it seems to me. I guess I have the misconception such that when I hear "church," I hear "building," or "programs," or "institution." And I have no desire to commit to that. None.

Commitment to a person, or a people... now that's a different story. There is life in that to me. Of course, "church" is people. I've heard it said before that we live in a generation where little Jimmy and Susie were dragged to "church" when they were young, and so this generation of Christians think church is something you go to rather than something you are.

And so we discussed commitment to one another. What does that commitment look like? What does Jesus require? What is God's command in terms of commitment to one another? As I looked at my brother's last night I inquired, "What does Christ command in our commitment to one another?"

I understand commitment in marriage, and then there is commitment to family. Maybe even commitment to friends. But commitment to those I worship with? In many ways this is new to me.

The model I am used to seeing in many ways is if I don't like a church, if I get hurt or offended, it's OK, I'll just pack my bags and head to a new "church" until it happens all over again there. It seems we can leave at the drop of a hat these days when it comes to church. Oh yea, I'm committed, until... someone hurts my feelings, or, doesn't do things my way, or the pastor doesn't give my family or I enough attention...

All the while "church" is more an institution, and a place where I come and get what I want, as opposed to giving my life away.

And, so, commitment to brothers? Commitment to the body? What does it look like? What does God require? I am at a loss in regards to all this.

But wait. Maybe. Just maybe...

...the question or turmoil goes deeper than that. Maybe the question isn't regarding what God requires in terms of commitment to others in the body.

Maybe... Maybe it's more about what God requires concerning love.

Maybe commitment is implied in love, stems from love, flows from love...

Hmm... I'll finish this tomorrow :)

Heart Words

One thing I am learning about blogging is that for me, I get the most enjoyment when I am able to put into words the passions, convictions, and thoughts that reside deep inside of me. That's what makes the time and effort well spent.

I am realizing the commitment level needed to be able to write on things near and dear to my heart is high. It takes time, reflection, energy and effort to recognize what is in my heart and then put those concepts, emotions and passions into written form. At least that is how it is for me.

I also believe that if I am neglecting my time with the Lord, my inspiration runs dry in many ways. He is my source of inspiration, He is my greatest and innermost desire. The Holy Spirit is the one who even helps me formulate words that accurately express the things in my heart. He is the fountain of my inspiration and desires so to speak, and when I am not drinking from that fountain, my inspiration runs dry.

Jesus is the source of life for me, and He is for all of humanity, though some recognize it while others don't. It is in God we find truth, Jesus being that Truth. He holds the answers for life, both in this life and life eternal. In Christ, we can see through the deceptions of the age, grow in holiness, and renew our minds to think according to truth.

And so, He is my ultimate inspiration. Without Him, I have nothing to write, nothing meaningful to me. Now sure, I could write on things important to me separate from Christ such as my family, my struggles, and convictions, but ever since I found life in Him, He is the river of life that gives even greater meaning to things that are already important to me.

I am new to this. Sharing my thoughts on a regular basis. Each blog is different and each blogger writes for different reasons. For me, my writing is closely connected to my heart. And as a Christian, I believe you would find Christ at the center of my heart. I don't think I say that in pride, but for the simple fact that He is everything to me! He is the only one that helps me make sense of the world around me, and breathes life into my very existence.

And so, I write.

Tapped Out

Yea, this is how I feel tonight. :)

Church

While the saints gathered at The Chapel this past Sunday, the video below was shown to all of us in attendance. God has been adjusting and dismantling some of my baggage when it comes to the "church," who she is and what she does. And I'm glad.

Watch the video below. Careful though, it may break your box, cramp your style, or better yet, cause you to drop your baggage.


This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

Lamp Words

The Bible says in Psalm 119,

Your word is a lamp to my feet
   and a light to my path.

The Word of God is a light in this life, guiding our feet down the correct paths. This has me thinking about Jesus, the Light of the World. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh that dwelt among us. He was and is the very Word of God. Jesus also was the perfect declaration of the Father. He perfectly revealed the Father to us, saying, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," and the fact that He only did what He saw the Father doing.

That means the Word of God perfectly reveals the Father. It is the perfect revelation of God.

This leads me to a few conclusions:

1. No wonder so many people have died to preserve the very Words of Scripture. They are the perfect revelation of the Almighty. They are all we have to help us understand the unseen, the heavenly, the Perfect One.

2. The importance of our Words. The Word(s) of God became flesh and provided the atoning sacrifice for all of humanity. The Word of God became flesh in Jesus Christ and provided light and salvation to the world. The Word of God perfectly reveals God. Our words reveal us. His Word impacted and impacts the nations. Our words can do the same when we join with God to speak His truths, and not just our temporal opinions.

3. The completeness of Scripture. Shame on us if we are ever ashamed of any part of the Word of God. It is the perfect declaration of Him. We cannot be afraid to teach and embrace the whole of Scripture. We shouldn't shy away from parts of His Word because we can't understand them or it breaks our theological box. We need to roll up our sleeves, join with the Holy Spirit and fully embrace the whole counsel of God and apply it to our lives.

S'mores!

We finished a work day at the house tonight with a meal around the fire (hot dogs on a stick) followed up with yummy s'mores. Perfect ending to a beautiful, cool, Fall day!