40 Days
That's how long it's been since I've updated my journal. It's Biblical....40 days on the Ark, 40 days in the wilderness, 40 days no journal entry. Cool...
So, the last time I updated, I was in Australia. I am not there anymore. Right now I'm sitting in the lower-level bedroom of the Mansion, which I have renamed "The Furnace" because in order to save money we are not using the air during the day. I've gotta turn that junk on...hold.
Things that have happened since Australia:
I've started student teaching. We had band camp last week. Man, the first two days sucked. Day Three...pickin' up a little. Day Four and Five = Fantastic! I think I could teach music for a living, were God to change part two of this update.
Part 2 (I know you were wondering when it was coming...).
How nominal of a Christian I am. I see a consistent desire in my life just to be comfortable. To find a magnificent woman to love and care for, find a good job, and be comfortable for the rest of my life. That is the mindset of the nominal Christian... An easy, comfortable life, and not Hell. That has been my mindset.
But God has been changing that. I have realized how opposed to the Biblical mindset this complacent mindset is. I mean, countless times Paul says, "I rejoice in my trials." "I boast in my sufferings for your sake..."
Romans 5:3; Romans 8:18; Ephesians 3:13; Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 1:8,12; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13... Those are just a few examples.
The point is that God never ever promises the Christian an easy life. One must wonder, is the ineffectiveness of the American church not largely due to our insatiable desire for ease and comfort, and our unwillingness to embrace pain and trails with JOY, knowing that Christ is working for our good?
My favorite verse on this subject is Hebrews 13:11-14.
"For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by
the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus
also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own
blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he
endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to
come."
The "camp" represents our place of safety and comfort. The author of Hebrews makes no apology for his demand that we not seek that safety and comfort. "Let us go to (Christ) OUTSIDE THE CAMP and bear the REPROACH He endured." Incredible. We don't deal with these texts enough as Christians. We deal with "Ask and you shall receive" and "All things work together for good..." Where are the Christians who are saying to God, "I will follow Christ outside my safety. I will not seek an easy life, but I will die for the sake of Christ, because 'These present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us.'" I want to be that kind of Christian.
I know that was a tangent. It's just my life for the past few weeks.
Peace.
So, the last time I updated, I was in Australia. I am not there anymore. Right now I'm sitting in the lower-level bedroom of the Mansion, which I have renamed "The Furnace" because in order to save money we are not using the air during the day. I've gotta turn that junk on...hold.
Things that have happened since Australia:
I've started student teaching. We had band camp last week. Man, the first two days sucked. Day Three...pickin' up a little. Day Four and Five = Fantastic! I think I could teach music for a living, were God to change part two of this update.
Part 2 (I know you were wondering when it was coming...).
How nominal of a Christian I am. I see a consistent desire in my life just to be comfortable. To find a magnificent woman to love and care for, find a good job, and be comfortable for the rest of my life. That is the mindset of the nominal Christian... An easy, comfortable life, and not Hell. That has been my mindset.
But God has been changing that. I have realized how opposed to the Biblical mindset this complacent mindset is. I mean, countless times Paul says, "I rejoice in my trials." "I boast in my sufferings for your sake..."
Romans 5:3; Romans 8:18; Ephesians 3:13; Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 1:8,12; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13... Those are just a few examples.
The point is that God never ever promises the Christian an easy life. One must wonder, is the ineffectiveness of the American church not largely due to our insatiable desire for ease and comfort, and our unwillingness to embrace pain and trails with JOY, knowing that Christ is working for our good?
My favorite verse on this subject is Hebrews 13:11-14.
"For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by
the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus
also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own
blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he
endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to
come."
The "camp" represents our place of safety and comfort. The author of Hebrews makes no apology for his demand that we not seek that safety and comfort. "Let us go to (Christ) OUTSIDE THE CAMP and bear the REPROACH He endured." Incredible. We don't deal with these texts enough as Christians. We deal with "Ask and you shall receive" and "All things work together for good..." Where are the Christians who are saying to God, "I will follow Christ outside my safety. I will not seek an easy life, but I will die for the sake of Christ, because 'These present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us.'" I want to be that kind of Christian.
I know that was a tangent. It's just my life for the past few weeks.
Peace.