It's been a while...but here are my thoughts today....

It’s often a surprise to me the words that come out of some peoples mouths. There have been Christian people that I have known in different circles or experiences that I have had in my life that I respect and love very much, but in an extreme way don’t understand. The main subject of misunderstanding is the words that they let come out of their mouth. Maybe it is just because of the way I was raised or maybe it means I’m old fashioned and this might seem like a naïve post, but hear me out on this, because it’s really something I think people need to look at introspectively. I’m sure that some who might read this will just think, “Oh she’s at it again-what’s her problem-we live in the year 2009 it’s not a big deal?” but at the heart of it all it’s really just something that doesn’t sit well with me-Christians who cuss.

The arguments that I’ve had with various friends about this subject have added up to rebuttals of “who made curse words curse words anyways?” and “what makes them bad words?” These are both questions I don’t know the answers to, but I do at least know that in our society certain words really do hold a certain stigma.

It’s amazing to me, because in one of the most spiritually respected circles that I have had a chance to be a part of I found the largest amount of people that found this as a gray area. When really, just like gossiping it’s laid out there for us black and white biblically. I don’t know if Christians as a whole this day and age are trying to smudge the lines a bit to make Christianity less of a responsibility or less of a demand, but in this we fault ourselves greatly.

The one argument that I’ve had with someone that falls into the lamely labeled category “Christian Curser” that was successful was just making the reasonable point that when it comes time that I have kids, in no way would I want a husband that cusses or talks like that, because I wouldn’t want that influence on my children. But is that really the only argument that should be able to sink in with the masses of “Christian Cursers”?

Even now, just writing this, I can hear different people that I’ve talked to and the laughs this will probably get, but I guess I really just don’t care. Because even when I hear or read some of the words that come out of their mouths it bothers me. So, whether it does or doesn’t bother the non-Christians you know, or does or doesn’t have an affect on the witness that you hold, I really believe it needs to be understood that there really is a higher standard for us as Christians in our speech than any of those people. And this alone should be what convicts us. To make Christians “relevant” by allowing yourself sloppiness in the words you let out of your mouth is a joke.

It’s not really my place to know or say if cussing really inhibits or withholds any movement of God in your life (it seems like too bold of a statement to say it would) but, what I have seen is that it does seem to carry with it a bit of numbness to conviction in general.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

James 3:10

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'”

Matthew 15:18

So, basically what I’m trying to say is-it’s not a matter of opinion. It’s not really a matter that is up for debate or can be fudged in. If we apply God’s word to other areas of our lives but allow for exceptions in ones we really just see as pointless we aren’t fully following God are we? And I don’t say these things because I’m perfect, there are still other areas of speech that I need to work on like gossip-it’s an easy thing to fall into. But whether it is gossip or whether it is cussing, the cry of our heart truly should be one like David’s when he says:

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

Media Fast

Not that many of you, or any of you await with bated breath the goings on of this blog.

But in case there were some that were looking for my next post. After this, there wont be one for 40 days (that's till Easter).

As a leader of theBURN at Hope Community Church I am participating in a 40day media fast with our students.

It begins TODAY, Ash Wednesday and continues till Easter. Definitely a time to get priorities in line and put time and emphasis in areas that deserve it, and less on the distractions that hinder it, like TV, facebook, movies, non-worship music and so on.
The feeling is bitter-sweet about it. I look forward to see what God can do in my life as I sacrifice so many of the things that distract me!
SOOO, see ya in 40days!

Remind the People

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
Titus 3:1-7

In this letter Paul instructs Titus with direction that I think is good for all of us. To remind people to be respectful to authorities, obedient, ready to do whatever is good, not be slanderous, be peaceable and considerate, and humble in all situations-towards everyone. He charges Titus with these instructions that he is the one that should be reminding people to do so. The thing that is so hard for me to grasp in this, is the concept that--in order to do such a thing, that would mean that Titus would have to be living in such a way that reminds people to do so-not just in words, but in action.

And with that comes a great conviction in my heart of- am I living in such a way that would remind people to do those things? The first step being, am I even living in a way that I myself do these things? Am I really ready to do whatever is good-if the good thing isn’t what the norm is? It’s easy to do what is good when you’re surrounded by good people, but what about in the areas of your life where good doesn’t prevail? Do I slander no one-or like many a person I know is how I talk about people and situations no different than the person next to me who doesn’t know Jesus? Is peace a characteristic that marks my life? Am I truly considerate of everyone around me or just the people that I feel are worthy of consideration? And, if I somehow managed to do all these things perfectly-would I be able to do so with humility towards all men, not looking down on anyone? And if I actually do all of that, do I remind the people?

The mantle that is placed on Titus through this is overwhelming. Because Paul isn’t asking him to do these things, he’s asking him to remind people to do these things—demanding, that Titus himself has the character of one that would implore that.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

And that’s where it changes for all of us who know God. That’s where any excuse we have of not fostering this in every relationship we have or applying it in our own lives, flies out the window. We don’t have any excuse to not have this be how we live our lives. We have been bought at a price, washed clean and renewed. And in doing so we are justified and forgiven, redeemed, being charged with this very same mantle to
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
That’s our responsibility. How we carry out our daily lives should be in such a way that it does this, with no words necessarily having to be spoken. In understanding that and in knowing that we have the capability to do so, brings great conviction.

Whose Job is it Anyway?

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

The thought occurred to me the other day, and it’s something that I’ve talked with my dear friend Holly about, of: how often do we hinder the process of reconciliation and restoration for people because of our judgment of them? This is not meant as an attack on the Church or anything like that, but more just a chance for some introspection, as people who love God. When our “brother slips”, do we-in our minds-ever allow them to come into view as who they were before? Or does the fact that we have a tendency to label people with their short-comings affect their process of reconciliation? If God instructs us to “enter the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”, do we make it easier or harder for that to be done in how we treat people who’s sin has been exposed; or for people we assume have “fallen away”?

In a practical sense, I help out in a youth group, and it’s common to have students who slip in and out. The fire is on, and then it’s not. I guess I’ve just had a little conviction in the sense of being on the receiving end of the “I just want God’s best for you” in how I’d like to deal with the ones who have disappeared for seasons. Because, does always reminding someone of how they’ve “slipped out of God’s best” really help them find a place of grace and healing? If reminding them of where they need to be always requires reminding of them of how they’ve come up short, is that really a picture of grace?

If God is a righteous judge, and he’s saying enter the throne of grace with confidence I would hope that we, as people who trust Him, would be able to keep our judgments to ourselves and not project those on people and cap them at “fallen away”, never allowing them to be more than just that-fallen.

Because, if we aren’t able to sympathize with them of being in a place of brokenness and sin and look on them with love-wouldn’t that cause them to feel the need to please us more than the need to find God’s healing? And in return slow the chance for restoration.

A friend loves at all times. Not just when the other person has it together. So, how does reminding them they don’t have it together help them get to where they need to be?

It’s only through God’s presence that change occurs. It’s only through his blood that forgiveness is found. It wasn’t through a sacrifice that we had to make that our friend could find wholeness again. I’m not saying don’t call your brother out when you know they’re being stupid. But once that’s done rather than labeling them with that stupid, help them find that throne of grace. Help create a place where there can be confidence to enter that throne of grace without the constant reminder from you of why they’re there.Whose job is it anyway to heal and bring restoration?

The Intro

I suppose every blog needs an intro blog....something to set the bar a bit. Give the readers (if there are any) an idea of what they're getting themselves into.
SO, here it is. The Intro Blog.
I don't really know if much can be expected from this. More or less there's just been a few times where I've thought to myself-should I join this blogging world that's sweeping the nation? And apparently today caught me on a weak spot and I did.
Who knows what can be expected.
I'm a full time student
part time employee
and I help out at an amazing youth group called theBurn.
so perhaps most of those things would be what influence the words to come in following days.
If you read, great, if you don't no loss :)

I do know one thing though. I miss this guy tons!
Mi hermano, away in the Air Force.....