TAM Reflection - MASKS

The first time I saw the masks we used at TAM - I could only think of how weird they looked. Honestly, it was difficult to take the whole idea very seriously - at first.

What a revelation! ... that sometimes God doesn't 'look' or 'sound' or 'feel' anything like what we expected Him to. Actually, I'm thinking that it is extremely rare for God to reveal Himself to us in ways which we totally expect Him to.

I saw some people dressed up as knights and swordfighting with woden swords not long ago... In watching them, I realized that if all things we DO are found righteous or unrighteous on the premise of what is Godly and what is unGodly, than no action we do is different to God than any other given action, so far as the physical nature of the movement itself. In other words, I move my arm up and down when I strum the guitar - riight? I move my vocal chords in certain tunes and sounds and what-not... right?? What I do can very well be an act of worship no more or less than the movements of those people sword fighting. Why? Worship a condition of the heart, not a movement of the body.

I walked past a garbage bin last summer - NOT a peaceful stream of spring-water - a GARBAGE BIN, and I thought about what was inside that I began to smell as I walked by. It reaked. To God, sin is far worse than that trash was to me - and that was one of the most powerful realizations I've ever experienced. Ever since, I will randomly see a garbage can or bin or whatever - and think of all the things in my life which I should 'throw away,' and make a concious effort to do so.

Okay, so when I first learned that God says (in Jeremiah 29:13) "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." ...I expected to like find Him - to feel a certain way all of the time - the big one was I wanted to HEAR Him. I learned, by means of walking past trash cans whilst watching people sword-fighting (hahhaa), that He reveals Himself in ways we sometimes would literally never expect coming. There is no way for us to discern how God 'looks' or 'feels' or 'sounds' except by our constant drawing near to His Heart.

So, even while I write, God uses uncommon things to speak to me. Masks (the oddest looking masks I've ever seen) have been the tools, this time, with which God has revealed to me the irrefutable, undeniable beauty of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful Savior! :D

Loving with the heart of God

A few days ago, it was my earnest prayer to see the world as God sees it. To have understanding as He does about it. To have the love that God has! Well, tonight, me and my dad went downtown Canton to eat the Dominoes that we picked up, and to walk around the 'First Friday' fair thing going on.

My eyes and ears are not sheltered from the 'corruptness' of society, but tonight I have understood that corruptness in a different viewpoint - God's. It was not 'uncomfortable' to walk amidst the many different characters that appeared tonight, as many Christians would explain their experience to have been 'uncomfortable,' as if in the presence of evil. I do believe them, surely there is tension when evil sees Christ in us. We do fight a war not of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit.

Driving home, me and my dad spotted black smoke in the air. We decided to follow it and see what was up. At first, we thought it was just a big mechanical plant or something, I would have laughed! But there was a truck-fire at an auto repair shop. This was yet another notable moment in my life. As we slowly drove past, I could not help but see the people standing on the street observing - again, many different characters, all of which shared common threads: hopelessness, carelessness.

My heart was torn apart as we were getting on the highway and a rusty old car cut us off, nearly side-swiping the front of our blue Toyota. It missed, only because my dad put on the breaks. The car acted as if, quite literally, we were not there. When my dad pressed on the horn, there wasn't a reaction from those in the car, except the small amount of energy the passenger was willing to deal with, lifting the finger out the window.

When we were finally on I-77, I wanted nothing but to go back to where we had just left. It would do no good to wave a Bible in the faces of passerby's, screaming "TURN OR BURN!" It may even do no good to try and speak rationally about the Bible with them. But what I saw in the people tonight was far more than Godlessness. I saw the Godless, restless, friendless, fatherless, hopeless, careless, and the list is never-ending.

It was natural to think "what would Jesus be found doing, here?" I saw a man sitting on a bench alone - Jesus would have spoken to that man. I saw people dressed in knight's armor, battling each other with wooden weapons, Jesus would have asked them about it! Does not Jesus love the things we are passionate about, like "Facing the Giants" says when the coach explains how God is out on the football field with the players? Yes, Jesus would have shared the passion these people had for the fun they were having. It is just like Him to meet us where we are.

I'm beating myself up tonight. I did nothing. A conversation could have brought a friendship - which could have led hundreds of people to Christ in itself. God provided the opportunity; twenty times at least. I walked right on without thinking twice. Now, I'm feeling discouraged because I was not faithful to discerning His specific purposes for me.

Lord, do not keep Your Holy Spirit from me. Please deal with me as you have David! My I have the privilege of having a heart so like Yours, a mind so like Yours, discernment as from Your wisdom, courage as from your confidence! Give me success in just one 'part' of my life - the part that is completely surrendered to You; bringing You glory and a smile.

Just thinking (about the comings of Christ)

The 'pastors' of the day in Biblical times were so excited about the Christ' soon-coming. They expected Christ to be, as was told by the Old Testament, a war-Lord, a conqueror of nations, a victor in battle, etc.. Jesus was all of these things, but each in a way that the leaders were not expecting. For, our battle is not one of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit.

Thinking about Christ' second coming, we usually are told in church that it will be magnificent, unforgettable, marvelous! All of these things, it couldn't help but be. However, do not keep your eyes looking for a flash of light! Do not keep your ears intently listening for a loud trumpet blast! The religious leaders held expectations for the day Christ would come to save them of sin. Little did they know that their imagination was not nearly in line with the ways of God, let alone know that they were the perpetrators who would execute the very Son of the Living God, who came to save them, that they've been waiting for since the fall of man.

When reading the Scriptures, it's easy to take away our own image of what an event will look like. Especially with events like the second coming of Christ (trumpet blast - the opening of the heavens - the multitudes of angels). Make no assumptions, however; especially audible and visual assumptions! Have little expectation other than for the Almighty God to be glorified. Ask for His wisdom and insight when concerning the Scriptures; lest we have the very Word of God in our worldly minds, like the pastors and religious leaders of Biblical times, and fail to receive the heart-translation.

Just Thinking (about prayer)

Conversation with myself today:

You’re a Christian, right?
How do you spend your time?
How do you use your energy?
What do you think about most?
An idol is something that takes up your time, energy, and thought.
Ouch.
Is God your idol?
Where is your loyalty?
Have you lied to yourself all along, believing that you are living for God when you are really devoted to yourself?

You profess to be for Him, in Him, and of Him.
I wonder if you know Him.
I wonder if you love Him.

Today, I recognize:
God's infinite wisdom - about everything!
His ultimate power - to do anything!
His transformation - so we can do something!
I recognize the desire of God’s heart - to be being loved by His creation.

I proclaim that God is calling every person to play a considerably small and eternally significant role in His grand story.

Nobody can fill your shoes. God only called one person to build the ark, to deliver the Israelites, to draw water from a well. You are called to do something(s) especially, things which nobody else ‘will do.’

Instead of focusing on the sea of regrets and unholy routines that are in your life currently and need to be replaced, just follow the streams flowing into that sea (sea = your life). Construct a single stream to overcome all others, a stream of prayer! Let His love be flowing from His heart into your life, that you may truly be of Him, for Him, in Him, and truly devoted to Him. (Romans 12!)

I agree with Phillip Yancey who said, “Prayer, and only prayer, restores my vision to one that more resembles God’s.” When you pray, you will be given insight from the mind of God as to what you are called to do. Whatever you decide to do with the wisdom you are given determines who/what you are serving.

As for now, pray. For me, prayer is a matter far greater than life or death. William Booth once said something like this: “Work as if everything depended on your work. Pray as if everything depended on your prayer.” Yet another person, I’m still unsure who – I believe he is from Akron Citadel Corps – once said,

“The greatest regret Christians will have when they get to Heaven will be when they realize how powerful prayer really is and how lightly they regarded it while here on earth. They will realize how much more of a difference they could have made, but it will be too late.”

Praise God for the power and wisdom and guidance He gives us through the gift of prayer. I praise Him too, now, for the realization of my slack of a prayer life. I’ve said a prayer for you today, who read this. May you feel the Lord’s tug, call on Him, and reap the tools and peace and guidance He has in store for you by it.

(Stream/Sea illustration was the idea of Phillip Yancey, used in his book "Prayer")

Just thinking (about consistency in its relation to exclusivity/having a focused concentration)

What am I trying to say?
1) We will be very effective in prayer if we pray throughout the day - if we pray with consistency.
2) Our prayer life will be more effective, still, if we set aside time to pray with no distractions.

Here's how I understand it...
When I am in the process of trying to memorize lines for drama, sometimes I try and memorize them while I am on the go. When I'm driving, for instance, I will try and recite my lines and remember them. In memorizing my lines, this kind of consistency is very important. BUT when I set aside the time to memorize and practice my lines in my room with no distractions, I get it done so much quicker and I even begin to act out my role, not just know the lines. It is so helpful to be reciting my lines throughout the day, but setting aside time to memorize lines is so much more effective, and it makes the times I recite in the car to be much more effective as well.

Now here's the kick to my stomache that got me today:
When I'm driving, I pray alot. And when I'm on facebook, sometimes I will pray. I am pretty consistent in praying throughout my day, and I'm sure that is a great thing and all, but how more effective could my prayer life be if I would simply set aside time to pray without distractions? Only when you seclude yourself from the world and come before God with NOTHING ELSE on your schedule for that particular moment will you find the necessity of focused and concentrated prayer. You will also find the uncomfortable convictions of the heart and challenging of the Spirit.

Remind me, if you know, the man who once said "I begin my day in prayer for TWO hours except for the days that I am extremely busy, in that case, I begin my day in prayer for THREE hours."

I do not feel that any more needs to be said. Be challenged today. Pray to the Lord with me.

Don't forget...
1) We will be very effective in prayer if we pray throughout the day - if we pray with consistency.
2) Our prayer life will be more effective, still, if we set aside time to pray with no distractions.

Digging deeper
I'm being redundant in this statement on purpose: "having a focused cocentration." There's a difference (in my mind) between having a focus and having a focused concentration.

Having a focus: I find to be setting aside the time to pray, focusing your time to pray and not to be distracted while you are praying.
Having a focused concentration: This means, to me, to focus on more than just being in 'prayer mode.' It means to focus (1) on your prayer and (2) on the intentions of your heart in praying.

(For instance: When you ask God to give you a good day, what is your intent? What do you expect? Do you assume that God will answer your prayer by making your day comfortable for you? Do you assume that God would answer your prayer by helping His will to be done in you - no matter how painful it is for you? In having a focused concentration, you will acknowledge the actual prayer that you pray, and the intentions of your heart in praying it.)

Just thinking (about revolution)

Revolution is the talk of the day.
Let me give you a word of encouragement and inspiration about it.

REVOLUTION is not the 'product' of believers becoming Christ-Like; it is the 'process' of believers becoming Christ like.

For example...
The 'great awakening' was not a product of a multitude of people who came to an active framework in their lives that fit the description of what they perceived to be Biblical or upright living. In fact, the 'great awakening' was not a change in the hearts of Christians at all...

...sin was the change in the hearts of Christians. The great awakening was when their hearts returned to the UNchanging gospel. The love, acceptance and convictions of God.

REVOLUTION is not when our hearts will change. Rather, SIN is when our hearts change.
REVOLUTION is the turning back of our lives to Christ.

What have we been doing all this time?
What, still, are we waiting for?

Awake! whoever you are! today!
Read the Word - pray sincerely!
Awake! Awake! Awake!

Just thinking (about living as God desires us to live)

What am I trying to say?

• Our efforts are equally important to the Holy Spirit's efforts in our living as God desires us to live: totally for the will of God.
  
• The way in which we ought to be living for God is to be in a mutual relationship with God where-in our efforts are put forth and God, through the Holy Spirit, makes something great of them.

Here's how I understand it...
Firstly, let me say that it is God's power through Jesus Christ which has made the connection between man and God possible. I affirm that nothing but the power of God in the life of Christ Jesus makes true salvation an option for us. Now that the foundation is laid – now that salvation is something to be grasped (because of Christ) - my question becomes: What, if anything, is primary to God's will being done in our lives? What needs to happen for Him to be pleased with us? Is this a possible feat?

God is able to cause us to do His will, but He decides to let us choose Him instead. Since God's desire for our lives is not forced upon us, two things are absolutely essential in order for you and me to be so transformed as to live as God desires us to live (in order for His will to be done in our lives): 1. We need to do our part. 2. God needs to do His part in us through the Holy Spirit.

(1) ‘Our part’ is to KNOW the ways in which God wants us to live and to DISCIPLINE ourselves to live in those ways.
(2) ‘God's part’, through the Holy Spirit, is to help us to live in such a way so as for His will to be done in our lives.

Some people focus primarily on our actions and disciplines and devotion to Christ and His way of life. They find that God will not let us ‘be tempted beyond what we can bear.’ This kind of thinker is stricter about the everyday decisions and actions, saying that these things are too easily ‘overlooked’ and taken too lightly. They are often misunderstood to be heavily judgmental of Christians and non-Christians because their primary belief is to become like Christ, not letting anything to get in the way or become a hindrance to them in this vision.

Some people focus primarily on how God should be helping us to do His will. They see that God promises to help us become and remain righteous and they hold Him somewhat responsible for our lifestyles. This kind of thinker is seen as more easy-going and welcoming of all people from all different lifestyles. They are very active in sharing the love of Christ and claiming it for their own lives. They openly admit their imperfection and claim that they will probably never be perfect while on Earth. They are often misunderstood as rebellious and anti-church.

I’m sure you can imagine the conflict these two kinds of people have. Let me explain how both of these viewpoints hold truth in them, but are, perhaps, missing out on the whole truth. Our part (as explained by #1) is just as important as God's part (as explained by #2).

If I had a broken chair, I would use tools to fix that chair. The tools and I are equally important. The tools aren't as smart as me, or as powerful as I am, but without the tools, I am unable to fix my chair. Similarly, God's will is for the world to be rid of evil, or ‘fixed’. As we give our lives to Him, we become what He uses for His will to be accomplished on the Earth. We aren’t as powerful as God, as wise as God, or as big as God . . . but His will cannot be accomplished without us. Again, He could always cause us to accept Him, but that is not within His will. He wants us to choose Him.

The first step toward living totally for God’s will is to claim the grace of God which is only by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. It is important to realize that eternal life starts when you begin to live for God, not when you die. Step two is for us to live in such a way as God desires us to. How is this done? What does this look like? For the will of God to be done in our lives, effort is needed from the Holy Spirit and from us. It is humanly impossible to live a life of holiness, and that is why our and the Holy Spirit’s activity are equally important.

Don't Forget...
Our efforts are equally important to the Holy Spirit's efforts in our living as God desires us to live: totally for the will of God.

The way in which we ought to be living for God is to be in a mutual relationship with God where-in our efforts are put forth and God, through the Holy Spirit, makes something great of them.