Idols

    "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it." Habakkuk 2:18-19


     So, I am going to make a confession. Ever since I graduated this past May, I have been wasting my time on foolish idols. No, not the ones made out of wood or metal. An idol is anything you place above God. I have not used my time off from school very effectively to enhance the Kingdom of God.  When I wasn't applying for jobs, I spent a lot of time watching television shows on Netflix and reading a lot of fiction books. And those things are not bad for me to do, but I have spent an excessive amount of time doing these things. During that time I could have been studying the Bible, reading theology books, listening to sermons, or praying (blog post about praying will come later). And although, I was doing some of those things, I really feel like I could have done more. The LORD has helped me realize that I have recently been wasting time that he has given me. Instead of learning more about Him, I have been indulging in things of the world that are not fulfilling. All television shows end. All books series end. None of these things will ever fully satisfy me. In the end all of these things will burn up. These things will not exist in Heaven. As "cool" as movies, T.V. shows, and books may be to me, they will never truly give me salvation, purpose, or satisfaction. They may bring temporary happiness, but only YHWH brings joy.
     
     Now, am I saying that books, movies, and television are bad. No!  I love all of those things. Although, I think all Christians need to be wary about the types of things we watch and read. And Christians need to understand that we all have a certain allotted time hear on earth. My question to you as a believer is this: Do you want to spend your time on earth pursuing idols such as television, alcohol, politics, success,  Facebook, or wealth? Or do you want to glorify God? Honestly, I think it is good for believers to check themselves to see what is the true desire of their heart.

Forgotten God

   

    Alright, so I want to apologize for the lack of postings that I have made to the blog lately.  This semester has been crazy for me. I just graduated with my master's degree in library and information studies.  I have busy with finishing up final projects, applying for jobs, and doing interviews. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine notified me that Amazon was giving away free Kindle editions of some of Francis Chan's most popular works. I have seen Francis Chan speak a few times and I read his book Crazy Love last year. So, I figured that I would download the Kindle App on my trusty i-Pad to get the books. A few days ago I started Forgotten God. In this book, Chan writes about how the Church plays down the importance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can not be forgotten if the work of YHWH is to be done.  After all the Holy Spirit is apart of the Godhead. It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is God, like Christ is God.  The Holy Spirit counsel believers. The Holy Spirit gives believers understanding when they read Scripture. He is also where we strong strength from God. He is God dwelling within us (Romans 8:9). He gives believers spiritual gifts to enhance his kingdom. He gives believers the words to say to Outsiders concerning God.  The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin in order to lead them to Christ. I just wanted to share a few passages from the introduction and first chapter of his book.

 "Even our church growth can happen without [the Holy Spirit]. Let's be honest: If you combine a charismatic speaker, a talented worship, band, and some hip, creative events, people will attend your church. Yet this does not mean that the Holy Spirit of God is actively working and moving in the lives of the people who are coming. It simply means that you have created a space that is appealing enough to draw people in for an hour or two on Sunday.
   It certainly does not mean that people walk out the doors moved to worship and in awe of God. People are more likely to describe the quality of the music or appeal of the sermon than the One who is the reason people gather for church in the first place."

Okay, so there is a lot in there. I could probably write a book about many of themes that Chan touches on. However, in many modern churches we tend to focus more on our music, activities, and buildings that we forget that it is the movement of the Holy Spirit that builds churches not us. Many churches are monuments to wealth and human achievements.

Here is a final quote:

  "It really is an astounding truth that the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. He lives in me I do not know what the Spirit will do or where He'll lead me each time I invite Him to guide me. But I am tired of living in a way that looks exactly like people who do not have the Holy Spirit of God living in them. I want to consistently live with an awareness of His strength. I want to be different today from what I was yesterday as the fruit of the Spirit becomes more manifest in me.
  I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit's leading on a daily basis. Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. I don't want to keep crawling when I have the ability to fly."

That quote should be our prayer. If you say that you are a Christian, what you are saying is that God is living inside of you. Think about that for a second. Think about the shear magnitude of that statement. God is within us. That is huge. The Holy Spirit is God living inside of us. If God lives inside of a person then that person can not continue to be the same person that they were before their encounter with YHWH, creator of the universe. In churches across the world we must put more emphasis on the Holy Spirit and a lot less emphasis on what we can bring to the table. Everything that we do for God comes from God through the Holy Spirit.

I am going to continue reading this book over the next few days.I encourage you to read some of the books written by Francis Chan. They are very enlightening.

I got hit by a train

    So, it has been a long while since my last post. Graduate school has consumed a lot of my time. Both this blog and my library blog have fallen by the wayside.  I just wanted to share something that has been on my heart for a while.  Would you believe me if I told you that I was hit by a train a couple days ago. Of course you wouldn't. If I was hit by a train I would probably be dead. If I survived I would probably be in a hospital bed with a bunch of bandages. After that train hit me, I would not engage in the same activities and think in the same way.  After I got hit by that train, everything about my life would change.   A few weeks ago I was in Colossians and I was reminded of the time that I had an encounter with God.   Having an encounter with YHWH, the creator of the universe, is like getting hit by a train. If you were to get hit by a train and lived, everything about your life would change. Everyone would know and be able to see that something incredible happened to you.
      The same happens when someone becomes a believer in Christ. It is like you get hit by a train. If your life is not completely different after becoming a Christian, you need to examine yourself. When you say that you are a Christian you are saying that the creator of the universe lives inside of you. Think about that for a moment. When you have the LORD living inside of you, who is pure, righteous, just, and holy, it is impossible for you to love the things of the world. When someone becomes a Christian, you no longer live for yourself. You live for God. One major aspect of that is that you live a life different then the one that you lived before you were saved. Our desires are to be completely different. Do you think I am making this up? Read these passages in Colossians.

"so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, beating fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10

"¹ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

    A friend of mine, Andrew Seay, said many years ago that Christians are supposed to have an eternal mindset at all times. Believers need to focus on the things of God, and not the things of man. Here is another passage from Romans that talks about how the life of believers change after giving their lives to the Lord.

^"1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-3

    When you get hit by a train it obvious to everyone. When you have an encounter with God, it should be apparent to everyone. Your life should not and can not be like it was before you were saved.
     Also, I wanted to ask prayers about a certain aspect of my spiritual life. I am trying to study back over what I have written in my quiet time journal everyday.  I am trying put into memory and application the verses that I read over.  Pray for me as I endeavor to do this.

Practicing Evangelism

   So, I am trying to get better at sharing my faith. A couple weeks ago, a guy from my Sunday School class went to the Galleria and handed out gospel tracks. We probably handed out around a 100 tracks. We started talking to a few people. We have been doing the Way of the Master study in our Sunday School class, which teaches how to best present the Gospel by using God's law. Hopefully he and I will be able to go again and do more then just pass out tracks. Hopefully we will have much deeper conversations with people.

Knowing God

     A few days ago I finished Knowing God by J.I. Packer. It was a really amazing book. It hit on the major themes of Christianity. Packer devoted a lot of time on the different characteristics of God. He was able to reconcile the love of God with the wrath of God. Packer reminds Christians that their primary study and desire in life is God. He says in his book that Christians should always be mindful of the fact that God has adopted us into his family. That statement ought to change the way Christians think about the Lord. David Platt listed this book as suggested reading material on his last Secret Church. I can definitely see how this book influenced that teaching. This will be a book that I will endeavor to read at least once a year. I would suggest that this book be read by new and old believers alike. This would even be a book for brothers and sisters in Christ to give out to non believers. 

Radical Together

       If you have not read Radical, you need to. The author, David Platt, is a pastor at a Birmingham church called The Church of Brook Hills.  I read it a few months ago. That book focuses on how the " American Dream" has perverted the way Christians in America worship. Platt spends most of book pleading Christians to wake up.  He uses verses from the Bible to challenge Christians to not be comfy and barricade themselves in churches, while ignore the dark and dying world.  Christians are suppose to use their time, knowledge, and resources to honor and reach the world for God. Radical will kick you in the head and make you realize that there is more to Christianity then good sermons, entertaining music, and fun programs. Christianity is living a life like Christ. Giving all or yourself to God, and not just Sundays.
       I decided to read David Platt's new book Radical Together. This book was written in a similar style as his first book, Radical. It had the basic themes of the first book. However, this one focused more on the church, instead of the individual. The book focuses on how the church's money and resources need to reflect on making an impact for the Lord. A lot of churches like to focus on carnivals, lock ins, and movie nights. These things provide good, clean entertainment, but Platt challenges the reader to examine if these things really make a difference for Christ. Or could the churches money be used to plant a church, help adopt children, take care of homeless, or help the millions of dying people in Africa and Asia. Platt argues that if one's heart has truly acknowledged Christ as the Lord then they will share the Gospel with the whole world.
      I personally think that if churches are not doing anything to enhance the Kingdom of God, then they are no different from a community center. I think churches are too concerned with traditions and "doing things like they have always done", that they lose the beauty of the Gospel.
     I also agree with Platt statements about the Great Commission. Matthew 28: 19-20 says " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." It is the duty of all Christians to go make disciples. Not a few, but all. People think evangelism is inviting people to church. They believe that once they hear the words of the preacher they are saved. Even though I am someone who might be dead if now if someone hadn't invited me to church, I disagree with that. The church is suppose to equip Christians to take the gospel to "all nations".

Journaling

     On March 23 2011, made a change in how I study God's Word. I used to read the Bible on my bed. Most of the times I read it on my bed. Sometimes I would fall asleep. Occasionally I would make notes in my Bible. There were times I could not remember  what I had just read. In March I knew I needed to make a change. I decided that I would start keeping a journal. I went to Barnes and Noble and picked out a journal for myself. This has worked out very well for me. I write questions to ask people much more along in their faith then me. I write my own little commentary. I write how I can apply certain verses to my life. I keep track of what I learn. I also write down my prayers for each day. This has definitely helped with me comprehending what I read it. It has also made my quiet times more focused. Today will be my last entry into my journal. I have already bought a new one. Keeping a journal through my quiet times has been very helpful.  I recommend this for all.

This is my journal. Yes it has Harry Potter on it. Don't judge me.