Monday, April 7, 2014

Consumer or Disciple?


http://bit.ly/1g10f3n


Daily, we hear or see things that pressure us to buy, have it our way, consume, rate, and expand our choices. Our culture and economy is based in part on consuming. Get my caffeinated, liquid sugar delivery system order right! Will I get a ribbon or a trophy? We’re number 1! Don’t make me wait too long – I’ll bolt. You will never see me here again, the service was lousy. I rate my experience “fair.” You have got to try this place – it’s to die for. In the end, we often wind up getting consumed ourselves; by debt, busyness, isolation from real relationships, the stress of keeping up, and the fear that, we too, are being judged by other demanding “consumers.”

Jesus’ simply asks us to follow. The trip ultimately leads to an incredibly wonderful destination but it takes an unexpected route. In fact the easy route will not get us there. He makes no conditions on our admission to the trip. But he does say that the trip will be sweeter if we have the eye and the heart of a disciple – a follower who needs the experience of others. Will we be a person willing to learn, especially through taming the consumer in us? A disciple is one who is willing to tame, to harness, the heart, body and mind for a purpose higher than, “feeling good.” The purpose is to love recklessly as Christ himself did. The follower, it turns out, empties herself in order to experience fullness.

Today, how would you describe yourself? Your trip? Will the path you are taking bring you peace?

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, 
but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Who or What is Our God?


http://celestialchurch-vog.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/God-Definition.jpg


People’s opinion of me?
            My childhood?
                        Comfort?
                                    My children?
                                                Looks/Self Image?
                                                            Money/Shopping?
                                                                        Being Right/Hip or In Control?         
                                                                                    Youth?
                                                                                              Fear?  
Drugs/Alcohol/Food/Pornography?

            Escaping Responsibility?
                        My Work?
                                    Athletics/Being the Best?
                                                Retirement?
                                                            Politics/Political Correctness?
                                                                        Sameness/Constant Change?
                                                                                    Perfection?
                                               
Can you fit what you cling to under the Lordship of Christ? Must Christ wait in line to see if there are any leftovers?

In the end, we can have but one Lord, one North Star, one Boss. One God who will never abandon us or disappear or turn on us or fade away or lose potency. Each second, we choose.

Which altar will we choose this day?                                                                                    

1 The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you are the LORD,
most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name.          Psalm 97