I Just Don't Fit In!

Does this somehow identify you? I grew up in a home with a mom and dad. Went to Sunday school each week. In fact, was picked up by the church bus each week. I had a good sense of right and wrong. I gave my older sister as much grief as I possibly could. Other than that, I was a good kid. Didn't look for trouble and tired my best to not to get into any. For the most part I saw myself as a clean cut kid.
As the years went on, I went to school, went to church and even decided to follow Jesus. It was a normal, expected response in the world in which I lived. Throughout those years I just tried to be the good son and live out my faith to the best of my ability. I knew even then I just didn't fit in. I wasn't really that interested in being bad. Now, I'm not going to lie, I did things that were an afront to what I believed. I just had a way of hiding it, and hide it I did. Even through all of that, I still didn't fit the mold.
Enter in around ten years or so ago. After working full time and part time in church work I began to wonder about my faith. I had already endured some unpleasant experiences with those within the community of faith and struggled to reconcile what I believed with what I encountered. I continue to wonder why I just don't fit in.
After reading through the gospels over and over I began to see a picture of a man who just didn't fit in. Wherever he went and whatever he did there were people who either followed him or tried to frame him. I believe the church, that is the body of Christ, somehow forgets they just are not supposed to fit in. They are supposed to be set apart. Not in some creepy way, but in a way that shows the love of God. Everyone needs and wants to be loved. That is what God offers and that is what the church is to be offering to this world. Who can argue with that? God wants to offer you love and life! Who isn't attracted to that? Is that what we offer in our relationships? In this world, that just doesn't make any sense! So, at one time, not fitting in seemed to be a problem. Now I see this as exactly where I need to be. Right where I don't fit in!

What do you believe?

Do you ever consider what you really believe? I think that everyone who might read this post believes something. Think about this for just a moment. You go about life reading things that are supposed to enlighten you. We have all spent quite a few years being educated in some fashion or another and come away with a set of beliefs. The earth is round, the sky is blue(at least sometimes,) and microwaves cook food from the outside in. You get my point, right?

I know for me I grew up learning from everything around me. I have my parents teaching me about how to be and behave. I have my teachers instructing me on how to read, write and do a little math. I go to church and am instructed on Moses and the burning bush, Noah and the Ark, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. These are not all the things I've learned about but if I am mentioning these things they must have had some kind of impression on me.

This leads me back to the question what do you believe? There is an ancient document that has been passed around for centuries referencing a set up basic Christian beliefs. It is known as the Apostles' Creed. I recently looked this up online as to the origin and discovered not only where, but approximately when and the variations of even it. I think it is interesting that even a document that is the basic Christian belief has more than one version. So, here I am reflecting on what I believe about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That right there tells you I am a Trinitarian. I do believe that God created the world in which I live in. I do believe that my salvation come from the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus my Lord. I believe that there is nothing I could ever do to make myself right before God. I need the gift of salvation offered to me by Jesus' sacrifice. I cannot ever get to God, He came to me. Offering life. Throughout the gospels the same story happens over and over again. Jesus offering someone life.
This has to mean something and have some impression on us all. I know you've probably heard this but what was time refered to as the time before Jesus? B.C. before Christ. Then we now have A.D. or Anno Domini, the year of our Lord. Here is a Man who literally split time on our calendars.
I could go on and on, but I'll leave you with this for now. I know whom I believe in and He is able...etc... What do YOU believe in? Do yourself a favor and freshen up on what and who you are at your core. My hope is that Jesus is Lord, and if not, read the gospels and find out for yourself who this man is. If you have questions or comments be sure to leave them for me.

Till next time,
David

Back to the Blog

I'm back to begin writing again on this blog thing. I know that I have been quite absent, but am working to reverse that trend tonight. This morning I was reading another blog by Frank Viola about self righteousness. I shared the link on both Facebook and Twitter. I'm not sure if you are familiar with this author, but I would recommend checking him out and taking at gander at his site. http://frankviola.org/ If you have not read anything by him I would recommend the book Jesus Manifesto. If you subscribe to his blog there are some benefits. Now, enough about that.

In the near future I promise to put more original thoughts up here. Right now I'm a little distracted by the fact it is getting late and my thoughts are fading fast. Good night, all!!!

New Year, Same Thing!

Hey there, I just looked at the last time I actually wrote something and I couldn't believe it. It has been two months. I could try and say I will be writing more regularly, but truth be told, I know myself better than that. In trying to get things done, I know that this will loose priority. I still think that it is important to contribute something every once in a while. Who knows, it might become something more than it is right now. Anyway on to something better...
I wanted to share some simple thoughts from this past week that seem to be a recurring theme in my life. One thing is prayer. I am involved in learning the Christian disciplines. I may have mentioned it before, but I am learning that it doesn't just happen and it's not something you can just do and check off your list. These require sacrifice. I mention prayer because I am approaching it in several different ways. I've discovered meditation and have found it to be an excellent way to approach God. I've meditated on God, scripture(s) and find it to be very centering on who and what God is. I'm using common prayers, and find that written out prayers are another great way to connect to God. Of course, I'm practicing talking to God, but I best way I am connecting is just simply listening. This requires time to do. In all of the forms that I'm practicing listening is the key. I'm not saying God is speaking to me audibly, but what I am saying is that my life is to be centered on God. I realize that in and through this time with God my other relationships are enhanced. I'm finished for now but I do want to give a link that I have come find very useful in my prayer life.
http://commonprayer.net/about Check this out!!! Hopefully I'll be writing sooner than later.

Where Have I Been?

It has been quite a while since I have written anything here. I know that I would have liked to have written more this year but I just didn't. So, since I'm here I'll put something together that may or may not make any sense whatsoever.
Currently I'm reading a book entitled Jesus Brand Spirituality by Ken Wilson. I started reading it about a month ago, but put it on the back burner. This week I was able to get back to it and now I'm almost finished with it. It's not unlike other books I've been reading lately and it has helped in confirming some things that I'm finding myself involved in. It has been refreshing and as I continue to read I feel challenged and humbled at what it means to know Christ and live as a believer today and tomorrow as well. Until then...

They declared God Just!

Wow!!! I was just reading and something wonderful was revealed. As I was reading in Luke tonight I came across the story of where John the Baptist was asking weather or not Jesus was the Christ. Of course Jesus answered in the way only He can. 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” He then goes on and explains about how the least will become greatest. He states; 28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (i When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just,. Jesus was making it clear what the life of a believer can be. Even the tax collectors recognized how amazing Jesus is and how God is here for us all. When we begin to understand Jesus' mission and how God is reaching out, even today, we can open up and receive His gift of salvation and begin living out the gospel of Christ. 25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” God has made the way for us. We need to recognize Him and live out His way.

all scripture from the ESV bible

He's going to be enough!

Sunday evening always seems to be a great time to write and catch up with this thing. I guess I use the evening to think and prepare for what might be ahead. Each week brings its own problems and I know that compared to anyone else my problems are insignificant. Watching and reading what is going on in other parts of the world help you to put perspective back into your easy life. I can only speak from my own life and as little pain and discomfort I have ever felt in my personal life. I do know for a fact that my basic needs are met each and every day. I budget for the needs of my family and come what may. I realize more and more how really rich I am and how amazingly blessed I am. I'm not asking to be Job nor am I looking for prosperity. I simply want to live in the humility of Christ. All I am and all that I have belongs to God. I am supposed to be the steward of what God has allowed me to take care of. Which makes me more aware of the fact that if I have have more than enough then I have to earnestly seek out ways to sacrifice the money, the time, and the talents God has given me to take care of. I remember a conversation I had with someone who I consider to be wise and discerning. This person pointed out that whatever we are doing it's supposed to be to further the Kingdom. If it's not for HIM then why do it? That struck me and still strikes me on a regular basis. Right now this blog is to further the Kingdom. I do this not for myself, but for the simple fact that I want to engage others in a discussion of who God is. I'm not talking about church. I'm not talking about religion. I am talking about life, real life. I would be so bold as to say that if anyone who honestly sought out God they would find Him. I am discovering in my own salvation how much I do not know about God and who He really is. I am finding myself searching Him out and listening. As I read and as I listen I realize my relationship with Christ is a real thing. That may not make since to all, but as a follower of Jesus I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit and His leading in what I do, what I say, and how I live each daily. Now I say all of this and you may think my life is great. We'll honestly as of this moment it's not half bad. Do I stuggle? You better believe it. Do I sin? Sadly, yes! Do I have doubts? Regularly. Then what amazingly happens is God! He shows up in a way that is real. I know He has put things in my path for me to stop and to help me remember He's real and wants me. Loves me. Forgives me. That may sound trite, but isn't that what we all want; love, forgiveness, acceptance. So as this week goes and I try and fight the good fight. I know I'm going to need God to be God and that is going to be enough.