Out of the Depths He Emerges...

having gone a solid 9 months without any submission I forgot how therapeutic writing can be. I set mind and fingers to keyboard in the hopes get some things off my mind.

A concept that has always been on my mind is "Community" within the body of Christ. What does it look like; how do we do it? Trouble is I haven't come up with a real good answer yet I have some ideas; such as we have a mentality of coming to serve instead of being served, giving instead of receiving, loving others rather waiting to be loved. Paul tells us in Philippians 2 that we are and we should have to same mind that was in Christ, "Who though he was in the form of God didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but rather he emptied himself,taking on the form of a servant."

earlier...Paul tells us..."Do nothing from rivalry or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

so from this I would take "community" to be those count others more significant than themselves..

And how is one to conduct oneself in relationship that at times seems to be merely "one-sided." My first thoughts go immediately to the 13th Chapter of 1st Corinthians in verse 4 "that Love is patient and kind, love is not envious or boastful, it is not arrogant nor is it rude, it does not insist on it's own way...my thoughts compel to think the Philippians passage as well that we are to consider other more significant than ourselves...we are to look not only our own interests of the interests of others as well.

In View: Passion Week

The inspiration for this submission comes from a phone conversation I had over the weekend....

This week for Christians is at times referred to "Passion Week" the week and events of that week leading up to the arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The gist of the conversation ended up focusing one's particular attitude of the heart. The great work by Mel Gibson "The Passion of Christ" is by far one of Hollywood's best and most realistic portrayals, but still falls short I believe that our Lord endured and suffered serving as our substitute.

The comment was made that, "How can someone say that this movie(The Passion) could and can be someone's favorite movie??" My response was simply its one of my favorites, the response was "how can you say that?", for the reasons I stated above I said, "because it captures as best as Hollywood can the savagery and brutality that Christ suffered for me."

The comment was followed by, "Well I can't watch something like because it breaks my heart to watch the portrayal of Christ get beat like that." My response to this was why does it break your heart?"

Living Out An Authentic Christian Life

What can I say.....inspiration to write has been strong this week. I guess I can attribute it to the contemplative mood I've been in this week.

Now for some insight....

One thing in particular that I've been attempting to think out all the time, but especially this week is how do you live out an authentic Christian life, and furthermore what does that look like? Are there anythings that one desiring authenticity can do in addition to spending time in the word, in prayer, being in community with the body. These are things that are enumerated in Scripture.

Where my thoughts have been as well, is what constitutes a pure motive in doing to the things that God has commanded us to do through being obedient to Him. Is it enough that it is in part a conscious thought or something more required.

Another issue that I have been faced with regarding an authentic life as a Christian is this: I am perplexed by the the Christians who I know who hide behind their masks, for fear that the rest of the body will think or love them less. I've battled with this many times, and I've found the greatest joy and relief in confessing and admitting my struggles to my fellow brothers in the faith. True freedom I'm convinced is found in Christ as savior first and foremost as well as refusing to hide your sin(s) and admitting your struggle with the Body. Realizing the great power of your Savior and knowing that no mater how hard you strive to hide your sin it has been exposed to God.

I would encourage those who might read this to consider that which Derek Webb say in his album "The House Show"

"Your sins have been exposed as if they were on the 5:00 news they have been exposed to Jesus, He knows you better than your even willing to admit to yourself, But he's forgiven you, Take joy in the fact not that your sins are not real, but that are real, and that your Savior is real."

Learning to be Lonely

No posting in over a month, I have some excuses for that, but why bother with excusing oneself when you can get right down to business.

I'm sure you've heard as well I have heard the to be in the ministry especially in the pastoral role whether it be Senior or Student it can and will be lonely at times. Lonely in regards to you are in the position of leadership and everyone is looking to you to know where the church or ministry is going and and what the focus or intent will be.

As the Pastor you are at the "top of the heap" so to speak, the only other person or source you have to look to is God the Holy Spirit and His guidance to you through his Word. Other than that you are alone by yourself. Now, your not alone, alone you have to body of Christ around you so your not alone in that sense of the word. But as leader you are the "Top Dog."

I say all this to say this: That's the feel of my life as of late, it has a very lonely feel to it. There are a lot of changes going on around my life: several of my friends are getting married and or engaged, and we are not as close as we used to be, through no fault on either side of the equation. Hear me when I say this is not complaining or Pining at the situation and circumstance. There are changes occurring in my life I'm currently or continuing to learn what it means to live in the present, rather than worrying about the future, I'm learning live my life as life of man of Deuteronomy 8:3; As man who doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Living out the knowledge that everything I do is an act of worship not just what I do within the four walls of the church. Living out the Christian life and all that entails out of sense of obedience and passion, rather than out of duty and rigor. The reason for the loneliness, personally I think it's God's way of preparing me for future ministry situations where I will be alone so to speak in my role as leader(if it's the Lord's will that I should be so, of course).

Through all of this I've learned that sanctification is not easy it can be at times very tough and very trying. I've been aware of this very recently, but the redeeming factor is that the essence of Truth that can be found in a Caedmon's Call song "Oh Lord Your Love" it is in this song that these words are sung:

"Oh Lord your love is new with every morning, Your faithfulness it gets me through the night, You bid me come, You know that I am weary, Your yoke is easy, your burden is light."

Grace, Peace, and Coffee.

Thoughts on the Days Events

Today at 12 noon this country will usher in our 44th President. History is being made, Barack Obama will become this country's first African-American president, one aspect I'm sure of the dream of Martin Luther King, and for some a sign that this country is coming together racially and socially.

I find it funny that a few of the people that I have seen interviewed on the various networks who say that this all shows that the country is finally united and coming together. Don't think me a pessimist, but unfortunately until this country is completely under the Lordship of Christ this country will never be completely united. We will still continue to be divided along party lines. There will be those who continue to be prejudice towards him simply because of the color of his skin. It's unfortunate that for some of us in this country our valuing of a person stops and goes no further than skin deep.

As for me, at 12:00 noon Barack Obama will become my president and I will support and pray for him that he will lead us as a nation well. According to the word of God Romans 13 says that ultimately all authority is derived and is given by God and because of that fact Barack Obama is whom God has ordained to take power at this time in our country's history and we should all be ready and prepared to support him fully and be submitted to his leadership.

Moving On.....

Most of us I'm sure have moved at one point or another as simply as a different apartment in the same building or as complex as to completely move a whole state away from everything that you've ever known.

Something that occurred to me the other day it struck me as unique it maybe just me but I can only help but wonder what its like to pack up and move out of the White House, within the next George W. Bush like him or not will be officially moving out of what more or less he has called his home for the past 8 years. It has to been whole unique set of feelings to be moving out of a residence such as the White House feelings that only former presidents can identify with.

I am currently in a season of moving on, this one will probably be the toughest one of my life so far, so I would ask my readership out there in the Blogosphere to keep me in your prayers as I proceed and move on to God would have for me next.

Pray that I could continually seek His face not looking to the left, right or even behind me, that my eyes would ever always be on the cross from whence I draw the strength and grace to face each day.

Knowing and Doing God's Will

That is the title of my once daily devotional book, it contains short discourses and reflection statements by none other than J.I. Packer. So it has been very insightful and very thought provoking. Altogether very encouraging and helpful considering where I am now and where I've been for the last 4 months.

One thing that I have found and learned in my experience so far in life is that It is far easier to deal with adverse times than good times. With adversity we can and always look for things to get better, for the fog fade, the darkness to lift, and times to get better. With pleasant times we often times become complacent with how good we have and without warning the adversity and can spring upon us like the high tension spring of a mouse trap; so fast that we never knew what hit us until we are in the thick of it, and all we can do is ride out the storm. There is comfort in the storm because God never leaves nor forsakes us.

I have also found that while we are in the midst of the "good times" we always claim that this is God's Will for our lives and that things couldn't be better. However, as soon as things start to turn bad how quick we are to say, "now what did I do to deserve such times and these?"

Just think, could it be possible that our Sovereign God uses both Good Times and Bad Times according to his will and for whatever purpose he had ordained?

I think so, so next time you are in the midst of the storm remember that God is still there, you may not feel or sense him there, but he is.

Just Trust

Grace, Peace, and Coffee to you all.

Quotes for Reflection

In the past couple of days I've been using a resource that I used a lot in my Carson Newman days for papers and as funny as it sounds Instant Messenger away messages. The resource is quoteland.com.

Here are a few that I have run by that I found very insightful and gave pause for reflection.

Blaise Pascal:

"In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't."

"Human beings must be known to be loved, but God must be loved to be known."

C.S. Lewis:

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way."

Augustine of Hippo:

"There remains a restlessness within us, until we find our rest in God."

John Calvin:

"No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief."

Wanting Resolution.......

This week has been a hard one on the mental faculties, I feel I've been 15 rounds with the champ and I'm wearied and tired. So tired, that things are beginning to happen in my life that I'm afraid that will have irreparable results.

Like a wound that is bleeding out of control, I'm hoping to find the tourniquet that will bring relief.

This is plea for grace, a plea for forgiveness(actual forgiveness, not lip service) a call for love just as Christ has loved us.

I must confess that anger has gotten the best of me at times it sin, I confess that I have been fighting for something, something that was special to me, something that I want back, but at this point in my life God has it in his pleasing perfect will for me to grow on a individual basis.

A Song for Reflection....

Nothing fancy or insightful today just the lyrics to a song that has always blessed me and remind me our Great God who is Mighty to Save. It's times in my life like this that I love that I have songs like this to run back to.

"Rock of Ages"
by: Augustus Toplady

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And See Thee on Thy Judgement Throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Anxiety Muddles the Mind

This from my devotional:

Text: Job 38:1-2

I find that the more earnest and sensitive a believer is, the more likely he or she is to be hung up somewhere about guidance. Why is this? we ask. The answer does not seem to be far to seek. The source of anxiety is threefold: a desire for guidance, uncertainty of about how to get it, and fear of the consequences of not getting it. Such anxiety has an unhappy way of escalating. Anxious people get allured by any and every of certainty that offers itself, no matter how irrational; they become vulnerable to strange influences and do zany things. Over the past 150 year there was been a most unhelpful buildup of tension to a point where it muddles minds, darkens counsel, and obstructs maturity in a way that is Spirit-quenching, and scandalous.

This past year I can really identify with this and totally agree. Anxiety can be crippling and it can overwhelm you to the extent that it leads to full blown fear. Unbridled fear can make you do anything in an attempt to eliminate the said fear. The worst of times is when the fear will not dissipate. The redeeming factor is the God of this Universe who is sovereign in all things and the true friends within the body of Christ that can and will come to the aid of those who are suffering.

Let Us Begin Again.....

It's the start of a new year for a lot of people it means a fresh start and clean slate an opportunity to kick an old habit or lose some weight. Sadly, for a lot of those same people the "newness" of this year will slowly fade, the resolutions will fall by the wayside, and they will be left with the same old day to day drudgery.

Now you might be saying, "Gosh Jared what way to start off your 2009 blogging." I would agree with those who might be thinking that, but here comes the redeeming factor in all of this.

We as Christians however at least those who are living in the victory of the cross of Jesus Christ always have a fresh start, its called GRACE, how awesome is that. The fact and truth that you don't have to wait till the start of a New Year to change. The result of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ we can be resolved, renewed, and restored whenever and wherever you might be.

Praise Be To God for this truth.

Psalms 8:3-4

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

How awesome that the God who did in fact create the moon and stars and as big as he is pauses and is mindful of us.