Christianity

I love You, Jesus.

The point of all creation, life, existence, etc. is this: to know God and be known by Him.  It is why you and I were created, why the earth was formed, why the wind blows and the sun rises.

It is too easy as a “Christian” to forget this (or not even really know it to begin with).  I can say from personal experience that I was a Christian long before I understand this foundational truth.  I believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  I believed in His love for me and that my sins were paid for on Calvary.  But I was constantly puzzling over why people were created in the first place.  For a very long time all of my bible studies revolved around this one unanswered question.  It was years before I discovered the verse that forever changed my life and understanding of my relationship with Abba Father.

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent

– John 17:3

In Strong’s Greek Lexicon this word know is actually “ginóskó”.  It means to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance).  Another place it can be found in Luke 1:34:

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

That’s some serious intimacy right there.  We’re not just talking about having some information about God or being buddies.  We’re talking about a deep, abiding friendship that will last for eternity.  I don’t know about you but I’ve never had a friendship last for all eternity.

Some days the beauty of what God has done overwhelms me so much that I cannot read a single word from the bible without crying.  Other days, of course, I’m a mere mortal and forget to read my bible all day long.  But my favorite thing right now is that this reality of why we were created has been rocking my soul lately.  I can’t let it go.

I’ve believed a lot of things over the years.  I’ve said A LOT of stuuuuupid things over the years.  I’ve been prideful, arrogant, misguided.  I’ve jumped the gun, spoken out of turn and put my foot in my mouth like it was a gourmet meal.  But if I can just lay hold of this TRUTH: Father God wants me to know His heart and for me to share my heart fully with Him…  If I can really and truly walk in this, seeking and desiring His presence above all things it will change my life.

This is the word for my life today:

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I want to set my spirit on seeking His presence daily, set my mind on His Kingdom and begin to treat my body as the gift that it is.  Some of this is going to be easy.  A lot of it is going to be hard.  I make no promises, swear no oaths and make no vows.  I just want to love my Father more every day and to hear Him speak to me in my heart.

I love You, Jesus.

Rich is killing it today!

Rich_Mullins

Here’s the song “Jesus” by Rich Mullins from the Jesus Record.  It’s my song today.  I’m singing up a storm around here.

 

Jesus
They say You walked upon the water once
When you lived as all men do
Please teach me how to walk the way You did
Because I want to walk with You

Jesus
They say you taught a lame man how to dance
When he had never stood without a crutch
Well, here am I Lord, holding out my withered hands
And I’m just waiting to be touched

Jesus
Write me into Your story
Whisper it to me
And let me know I’m Yours

Jesus
They say You spoke and calmed an angry wave
That was tossed across a stormy sea
Please teach me how to listen, how to obey
‘Cause there’s a storm inside of me

Jesus
Write me into Your story
Whisper it to me
And let me know I’m Yours

Jesus
They drove the cold nails through Your tired hands
And rolled a stone to seal Your grave
Feels like the devil’s rolled a stone onto my heart
Can You roll that stone away?

 

Snow Pride

20140205-163806.jpgHello, Snow People.  The snow came down and blanketed the earth.  I don’t really want to talk about the snow.  Or read about it.  I’m okay with looking at it, though.  But not touching it.  No way.  I mean, it’s pretty and all, and it does cause cancellations and delays and such, but I just don’t care.

Everything I care about these days is changing all the time.  Some days I feel like my heart is in a time machine heading to the past and the future all at the same time.  I’m reliving past emotions, thoughts and attitudes.  Collecting old healthy memories like picking up unbroken seashells on the beach at sunrise.  In many ways I was more free as a young Christian than I have been as a “mature” believer.  I suppose I am choosing to become as a little child in order to embrace the kingdom of God.

This morning I was reflecting on freedom.  Freedom is a state of mind.  I’ve heard that many times before but never really understood it.  But it really is.  I live in the United States of America where I am supposedly “free”.  Now I’m not here to debate the intricacies of our current government and the ways that our “freedoms” are being compromised daily (NSA, etc.) but the truth is that I currently can do pretty much whatever I want.  No one tells me where to attend church, what grocery store to shop in, how to educate my children, what clothes to wear or what words I can write on this blog.  My every move is not being watched and I don’t have to live in fear for my mortal life.  That being said, I have spent much of my adult life imprisoned by my own fears and worries, bound to behave a certain way because my fear dictated that I do so.

Fear is a prisoner for us all.

Worrying about pleasing others or what they might think of me has brought me nothing good.  It has given me anxiety, caused me to overeat and given me ulcers.  Furthermore, worrying has done the worst thing of all, taken my eyes off of Jesus and put them on myself.  I call it inverted pride.  Because what pride really is at its core is lifting yourself up, putting your eyes on yourself rather than on Father God.  And living for the praise of others rather than the affection of the Father is pride in disguise.

So it’s easy to look at all the snow posts from the last two days and wonder how much of it was born out of a need to appear “just as cool” as everyone else.  How much of it was done because you worry what others think of you and you want them to like you?  I think of times in my life when every single thing I did was to garner the praise of others.  So painful to think about.  I want so badly to free others of that burden.  But my yoke is not the easy one, that yoke belongs to Jesus.  Giving others my “9 steps to a more humble you” speech isn’t going to change them.  The only thing that can change anyone is true revelation and desire given by the Holy Spirit.

Okay!  I think I’m done ranting.  Weee!  Glad I got that out.  Later!

-Bonz