Sacrifice

Col 1:24-25 -- I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.

Often there are times when I read two verses that are next to each other and wonder why God pushed the person to write them in that order.

Why next to each other?

What do they have to do with each other?

Paul quotes something similar in his second letter to Timothy, who is actually helping him write this letter to the Colossians, in the second chapter:

"If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him."

This is the entire message of the gospel, which is even included in the third chapter of Paul's second correspondence to Timothy that anybody who even holds the desire to live a godly life will be persecuted.

"So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me."

Paul counted it such a blessing to be persecuted in the trips he took. The partial message is everlasting life. The "entire message" includes a persecution and hatred from the world that clearly Paul was overjoyed to possess.

Living to die? Dying to live?

"For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die." Phil 1:20

It's an amazing accomplishment to know that in someone's death, they can actually make as much of an impact if not more than when they were alive. Since his death, Michael Jackson has sold over 2 BILLION albums. If he's really still alive, this was the greatest hoax the world has ever seen. Much like if Christ is really did, that would be an even larger hoax. Paul says that even in his own death, the life he had led would bring honor to Christ. Can we honestly say that about ourselves?

"For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live."

After losing a good amount of the mentors I would consider most noble and respectable already in life, I can honestly say your life can shine bright. However, your death can shine brighter. Sadly, nobody remembers the charitable, kind, good spirited man who picks a fight with the wrong person. Then again, people often remember those young in their pursuit towards caring for the world who leave us when we're not ready.

The difference is is the consistency. Paul hits the nail on the head and hopefully reminds us to keep hammering away when he says, "I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die."

Keep hammering away, just as you have. And expect, and hope that you never have a sore thumb.

Worship

I'm going to let this one speak for itself.

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God and king, and praise your name forever and ever.

I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.

I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.

Not the typical...

Nothing profound today.. just a thought.

"If you feel you have been excluded from the Bible, please write your way back into it."

That's what a Scottish gallery is encouraging visitors to do.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/2669187/Gallery-invites-visitors-to-deface-Bible

Read the article, and if you can, the comments. Post your thoughts.

Is it art? Is it sacrilegious? What needs to be said of the people participating in the exhibit, if anything? What else do you think about this exhibit?

I hope that we as adults can get along here. Play nice. No arguing.

There is no off season

"With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity."

This is Ephesians 4:17-19. It's kind of redundant to say that, but I say it to make the point that we look at this and we quickly say "Wow I would hate to be those kind of people" And we eagerly read the following:

"But that isn't what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned about the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception."

We get all encouraged thinking about this because we say "Yay! We're good people!" and we forget the important part. We're not good people. We're NEW people. Re-read the part that talks about your (and my) former life. "Which is corrupted by lust and deception".

The few times we really see this is when we're around others who seem to still be a little late to the New People Express that day.

"Oh gosh, Sally has a gossip problem, she talks about everybody behind her back" (which is always an incredibly ironic form of gossip)

"Dave is always so angry, he NEVER thinks before talking, he just says whatever comes first to his mind"

Why do we revert back to this? Why don't we revert even further. Back to the way we were supposed to be. Pick up God's word and read the final part:

Instead, Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And "Don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quiet stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

My mommy said never talk to strangers..

Here are some of the dumbest questions in the world:

What Pokemon are you? Could you survive a Zombie infection? Are you a potato? How asian are you? How fat will you be in 20 years? How many seconds will you last in a fight against Chuck Norris? What Crayon Color are you? What kind of librarian are you? Are you a mac or a PC? Which Hogwarts teacher are you?

That's right. Facebook quizzes. EVERYBODY hates them. If you don't, I probably blocked 99% of what you put on my minifeed. Not because I don't love you, but because these quizzes should be fairly easy!

Are you a potato? No! You have fingers to click on this quiz, potatoes don't have fingers!

How asian are you? "I'm asian." You are asian!

What kind of librarian are you? "I'm a janitor" The not-librarian kind of librarian!!!

By no means am I about to go on to say "If you fill out facebook quizzes you don't love Jesus." It's a non-necessary social networking cite. I have the log in my eye too, don't worry.

However, the massive amounts of quizzes does lead me to believe that we're quickly forgetting who we are. Ephesians 2 says: So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself." (verse 19-20)

Some of you have that feeling of not feeling like you belong, even with your own family. I'm sure there are people out there who do take facebook quizzes just to feel like they're as famous as their favorite celebrity/pokemon/zombie (I'm finding research that says they're all the same). Or when they're in a relationship they know is wrong, that facebook says they are loved and will be together forever. It's rough to see that quiz pop up and then see them break up a week later (sorry if you're one of those).

Why don't we just stand content in ourselves, as Paul says earlier in the chapter, "For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus". That's a family I'm very comfortable to be a part of.

Discipline

Mitch Anderson. This is a name I have grown accustomed to over the past week and a half. Since nobody here knows who "Mitch Anderson" is, let me clarify.

Elder Anderson. An Elder in the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Sufficed to say, I do not agree with the large majority of what Mormons believe or have to say about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every ounce within me could never come together to believe that I can vicariously on behalf of my ancestors earn their salvation for them. Or that Baptism is 100% necessary for salvation. Or that there is no Hell. For those who might not read this blog consistently, let me tell you, there is a God who wants to be with you every day for nothing else than the sacrificial heart that accepts the gift of his Eternal Life (See Isaiah 55:1-2, John 3:16, Romans 3, 6, 10)

Nevertheless, Mormons do something that the (ironically enough named) Evangelical church is not doing anywhere close in comparison to. Evangelizing. More over, most if not all God-commanded discipline. I found out earlier today that Mormon services do not include one facet that I would say the large majority if not all Protestant Churches include.

"Worship through giving" (Read: Tithe, Offering, "Donation" as some would call it)

They just know to give. To their church, mail it in, bring it to the administration, what have you. The ironic part, since 1820 have you ever heard of LDS enduring financial hardships? Have you ever heard of Bringham Young University going through monetary troubles like Liberty University, or other Christian Colleges?

I know a church that in an attempt to focus more time in corporate praise, nixed the popular "place the plate" idea and set up two towers at the entrance of the room. The result? Little to nobody gave. Where is our discipline? Where is our joy in giving? James says "For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like"

Without that dedication and worshipful giving, how can Godly men and women of this world truly care for the people who need it? The "pure and genuine religion" as James says... caring for those in distress. I hope we can all find the discipline within us to give our time, our strength and yes, our money to those who truly need it.

Early to bed and early to rise..

I've noticed something in the passing years. Something that I never truly equated until the past week.

The closer I am with God, the cleaner my house is.

Yes, I'm serious. But does this come from an actual spiritual principle? Well it just so happens in my reading Galatians today I noticed something a little more closely.

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thereis no law against these things!" (Gal 5:22-23)

I understand generally our spiritual discipline is something that is indicative of our relationship with God, but what about the stewardship of the earthly things God has given to us? Self-control? I would have never thought when I was younger that this spiritual principle included maybe going to bed at a reasonable hour so you're well rested to be energetic and a good missionary and encouragement at your job. Maybe it includes a clean car to offer comfortable transportation to the needy. Maybe a clean house to be hospitable to those who have nowhere to go? Maybe instead of eating out, going grocery shopping to have more food for whoever is hungry.

Where are you exercising self-control? Where is your sacrifice, or your meekness? You can tell alot about a person by how clean their room is, apparently.

Everything!!

The beatitudes. One of the most challenging parts in all the Bible. How exactly are we supposed to live up to the standard of being poor in spirit, mournful of evil, humble in spirit, thirsting of justice, merciful, pure, peaceful, of light and of salt, and neither angry nor lustful in even our thoughts?

It's funny that I would never think to look for an answer guide to this passage. With all these commands, a map almost, you would never think to search for where Jesus is really trying to bring us. It's hard to focus on fourteen thousand things of God when your mortgage is due, you can't find the time to go grocery shopping (so you eat out all the time and spend more money), or you're too busy to pray over small and large things for yourself let alone others.

Jesus clearly gives us the directions, but the destination seems almost hidden. Anyone searching at the end for the answer clearly has read too many math books. He almost hides it in the middle of his sermon. Most people would say the golden rule is the destination "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you (Matt 7:12). I would disagree.

There's a common saying among Christian women. "A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her." Anyone who actually takes this to heart is understanding a fundamental that many, myself included, have missed. Matthew 6:33: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

As a very wise friend of mine once said, "If you don't have it, then you don't need it yet." All you need is the fervent desire to search for the things of God. Everything is second place.

"Servant"?

If anybody would know a lot about being changed up and serving someone, my guess would be the Apostle Paul. On numerous house arrests or imprisonments, the guy knows what it's like to "serve".

He also knows a thing or two about being incredibly blunt. In the first chapter of Galatians, Paul comes right out and says "If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed" (Verse 9)

It's hard to love different people when that's supposed to be your response. If they teach something different, may they be cursed. What I would say is the most important part of this chapter and what I would argue that entire letter to Galatia is the rationale he gives subsequent to this.

"Obviously I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant"

Who are you really trying to please? Are you trying to please your friends by drinking yourself to a point where you think you're a cooler person to be around? Are you trying to please people by using the kind of language that (as my father would say) is "Unintelligent and a poor vocabulary"?

Or you are you trying to serve the one person that served you through life and death by dying to yourself, and truly living?

Being a servant doesn't seem so bad.

Where is the Love?

It's hard not to judge a book by it's cover. If the cover happens to have a fluffy bunny on it, and says "How to Feel Loved", most people are going to be intrigued. If it has a picture of a very boring person and it says "The Denotative Encyclopedia of Contemporary Information Technology Jargon" and happens to look like it's made out of scrap metal, not many people are going to be interested.

If someone smiles a lot, physically fit, and happens to be a beautiful looking person, let's face it, most people would approach them faster than they would someone who is staring at the wall and looks like they have eaten nothing but bear claws and bon bons for about 14 years straight.

The apostle Paul would probably dare say that these people are one in the same.

As read by Jordan Henderson:

2 Corinthians 5:14 says: Christ's LOVE has moved me to such extremes. His LOVE has the first and last word in EVERYTHING we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focus center, that one man died for EVERYONE. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included EVERYONE in His death, so that EVERYONE could be also included in his life: a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. Because of this decision, we don't evaluate people by what they have, or how they look. We looked at the messiah that way once, and we got it all wrong (as you know), and we certainly don't look at Him that way anymore. Now we look inside and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is create ANEW. The old LIFE is gone, a new LIFE burgeons! All this comes from God who settled the relationship between us and Him, and then called us to settle our relationships our with each other. God put the world square with Himself through the Messiah, giving the world a FRESH START by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling EVERYONE what He is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things RIGHT between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now. Become friends with God. He's already a friend of you. How, you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on Him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put RIGHT with God.

Who cares about the cover? Who cares about the pages, the ink on them, or the words they make, moreover? Why don't we care about what's behind it all? Why don't we help the route of the problem, to make sure that the words, the story, and the covering over it all is bound together for the purpose of Love?

Set Apart...

In the book of Numbers, we find an overwhelming amount of record keeping being done. Enough that would make a tax collector dizzy and an accountant nauseous. In the first and second chapter specifically Numbers records that the Levites were a special people.

God commands Moses to count everybody in the tribes of Israel. Easy task. He counts the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Judah... everybody's there. Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh... things are looking good. Benjamin, Dan, Asher... those will all be great names for people in the future, I'm sure Moses thought. Gad and Naphtali. All set!

What about Levi? Almost like the President was introducing his cabinet and forgot to introduce the Attorney General or the Secretary of Education. They're all important people!

But God says "Nay! You are not counted with the others because you are Holy. You are to be set apart for my tabernacle and its care. That's why you're not counted. You're not included not because you're not important, but because you're very important."

Cute old testament story, who cares, it doesn't apply to us. But the problem (and really the solution) is that it still does.

1 Peter 2:9: But you are not like that (a person meeting their own fate), for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

We are the Levites, living among a giant caravan of aliens in a distant land and somehow we have been set apart to share the goodness of God with others. But notice the condition! You being a royal priest is the condition, showing others the goodness of God is the RESULT (or, read cause and effect).

The result of not living up to your name? In the Levites' case, you don't do your job and people get killed (Read 1 Chronicles 13). Where are you not doing your job? Where are you not living up to your name? How are you not keeping yourself set apart, as according to the command of the Royal Priests?