Everyone has a set of standards they live by. A set of what is right or wrong, appropriate and not appropriate. Conflicts happen when one person says something or does something that goes against the standard of another, non-Christians to other non-Christians, Christians to non-Christians, non-Christians to Christians, as well as Christians to other Christians.
When things happen, it's hard to remember to let it go and extend grace. We think that it our right to feel a certain way or react a certain way because they "wronged" us. That our thoughts, feelings, and actions are justified. We hold on to the self righteous attitude so tightly. I think sometimes we feel that if we let things go, we are telling the other person that it is OK to continue to do or say whatever they're doing or saying. That's not the case at all. It'll eat you from the inside if you harbor those icky feelings.
Have you ever noticed that one situation sometimes ruins your whole day? You keep thinking about it and also getting upset and bitter about whatever happened. At the end of your day, you reflect back and realized that your whole day was spend being upset. A day wasted. Letting it go (showing grace) would have allowed you to move on emotionally and have more joy in your day. There are certain issues and problems that can never be resolved between people. We ourselves have to come into grips with the fact people have different life experiences that make them the way they are. And sometimes life happens and people have bad days. I know I do sometimes.
It is not the end of the world if a car pulls in front of us, if the waitress serves us the wrong food, if people make comments about you that was not true, if people make rude comments about anything. Life goes on. Don't waste your time thinking about it. Don't miss life because of other people's attitudes and actions. Don't sweat the small stuff. Life is an adventure with God. We have to decide what we fill it with.
As much as God has shown grace to us, we don't want to do the same with others around us. God calls us to live differently. This living doesn't come overnight. It takes time to change how one thinks about life.
Phil 4:8
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Freedom in choice
What is freedom in Christ? What does it look like for me? Many churches disagree about many issues: drinking, war, dancing, how to dress, etc. Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. What impacts my decisions that I make? God's Word should, but not always....
There are many issues that the Bible does not address, yet people pull and stretch God's word to say what they want it to say.... such as dancing is wrong, drinking is wrong, and for women-wearing pants is wrong, piercings and tatoos are wrong, etc. To say such things are sin is heresy. Yes, I know there are wise and unwise decisions, but to say, for example that piercings are wrong is judgemental. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit-this verse specifically addresses prostitution, not any other issue. I'm not denying that we need to take care of ourselves, but many times we take it to extreme and make it legalistic-a set of do's and don'ts.
On the other hand, the issue of drinking is a touchy topic for most. Drinking in itself is not wrong, yet the Bible clearly states that drunkeness is wrong. How many of my friends go to the edge-tipsy, not drunk? Where's the line? How should I conduct myself-knowing that drinking in itself is not wrong, yet aware of what that might look like to those struggling with drinking, etc. Should I care about what people think? I have freedom to drink, but there are times when it's not wise to do so-depending on the situation. Situations in which there is risk in making someone struggle in their walk with Christ, situations in which it may prevent someone from being open to Christ. The fact that there is freedom doesn't mean that we continue to make the same decisions.
As I live, I need to be careful to not be judgemental as I see people make decisions. I have certain standards I set myself based on what God has taught me. I have to realize that people don't have the same convictions as I do. I'm learning this year that I can't determine standards for other people. I constantly struggle with grace-for myself and others...
What should go through my head as I make decisions? 1. Am I honoring and glorifying God
2. Am I preventing someone from being open to know Jesus or growing in their faith 3. Am I going to be hurt emotionally (or physically for that matter) ?
We are free to choose, but we have to be careful. My embrace of freedom in Christ should not ignore my impact on others. I need to be concerned that my action do impact believers and non believers alike-in their coming to faith or continuing their faith journey.
Living life as Christian is not as simple as I used to think life was. The longer I walk in my faith, the more difficult it becomes because I gain knowledge of not just what is right and wrong, but the knowledge of what is wise and unwise.
There are many issues that the Bible does not address, yet people pull and stretch God's word to say what they want it to say.... such as dancing is wrong, drinking is wrong, and for women-wearing pants is wrong, piercings and tatoos are wrong, etc. To say such things are sin is heresy. Yes, I know there are wise and unwise decisions, but to say, for example that piercings are wrong is judgemental. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit-this verse specifically addresses prostitution, not any other issue. I'm not denying that we need to take care of ourselves, but many times we take it to extreme and make it legalistic-a set of do's and don'ts.
On the other hand, the issue of drinking is a touchy topic for most. Drinking in itself is not wrong, yet the Bible clearly states that drunkeness is wrong. How many of my friends go to the edge-tipsy, not drunk? Where's the line? How should I conduct myself-knowing that drinking in itself is not wrong, yet aware of what that might look like to those struggling with drinking, etc. Should I care about what people think? I have freedom to drink, but there are times when it's not wise to do so-depending on the situation. Situations in which there is risk in making someone struggle in their walk with Christ, situations in which it may prevent someone from being open to Christ. The fact that there is freedom doesn't mean that we continue to make the same decisions.
As I live, I need to be careful to not be judgemental as I see people make decisions. I have certain standards I set myself based on what God has taught me. I have to realize that people don't have the same convictions as I do. I'm learning this year that I can't determine standards for other people. I constantly struggle with grace-for myself and others...
What should go through my head as I make decisions? 1. Am I honoring and glorifying God
2. Am I preventing someone from being open to know Jesus or growing in their faith 3. Am I going to be hurt emotionally (or physically for that matter) ?
We are free to choose, but we have to be careful. My embrace of freedom in Christ should not ignore my impact on others. I need to be concerned that my action do impact believers and non believers alike-in their coming to faith or continuing their faith journey.
Living life as Christian is not as simple as I used to think life was. The longer I walk in my faith, the more difficult it becomes because I gain knowledge of not just what is right and wrong, but the knowledge of what is wise and unwise.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
shirt
When i'm in a hurry, sometimes I forget a few things like everyone else... wearing wrong shoes, locking myself out of the house, etc.
Last week I somehow put my right arm into the head hole as well-without knowing it... ??? How? The shirt was very stretchy. I had a sweater on over the long sleeve t-shirt. It kinda masked the discomfort. I didn't notice it until I saw my sleeve dangling out of my sweater sleeve-a few hours later :-) Like I said I was in a hurry AND the shirt was very, very, stretchy.
Last week I somehow put my right arm into the head hole as well-without knowing it... ??? How? The shirt was very stretchy. I had a sweater on over the long sleeve t-shirt. It kinda masked the discomfort. I didn't notice it until I saw my sleeve dangling out of my sweater sleeve-a few hours later :-) Like I said I was in a hurry AND the shirt was very, very, stretchy.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
mountains
I want to hike in the mountains this summer. Back to the backcountry of Glacier National Park...
Friday, February 15, 2008
my mind
It's amazing how my mind can be occupied with so many things...so many. Good thoughts, bad thoughts, my dreams and aspirations, my list for the day, my planning of fun trips coming up, my relationships with people, presentations and papers i need to get done for school, when do I clean my house?, when do I exercise? how do I balance?, things God is teaching me, who am I called to be and who am i now? And so much more...
It's a wonder my mind doesn't explode.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I Peter5: 6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
To rest in God's sovereignty and power...I need this reminder.
It's a wonder my mind doesn't explode.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I Peter5: 6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
To rest in God's sovereignty and power...I need this reminder.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Vision for my life
Today, I thought about what my vision is for my life...In the end it's still my own choice in which direction my life will go. Oh the challenges of having free will.
I want my heart to be more like Christ. It is far away from that right now. I feel that I just have a long way to go, but I know there is hope. I want to make a impact in this life. In doing so, I need to be in the world, but not of the world. I want to be relevent so I can interact with others who don't believe in Jesus. It's a fine line being relevent in this world, yet trying to stay away from participating in its values (the drive for money, greed, lust, gossip, etc). e
To give more than my 10%. I don't want money to be my focus.
To pour my life into others. Encouraging them in their walk with Christ.
To be bold in sharing who I am and what I believe with people around me.
God is continually refining me. I am being filled.
I want my heart to be more like Christ. It is far away from that right now. I feel that I just have a long way to go, but I know there is hope. I want to make a impact in this life. In doing so, I need to be in the world, but not of the world. I want to be relevent so I can interact with others who don't believe in Jesus. It's a fine line being relevent in this world, yet trying to stay away from participating in its values (the drive for money, greed, lust, gossip, etc). e
To give more than my 10%. I don't want money to be my focus.
To pour my life into others. Encouraging them in their walk with Christ.
To be bold in sharing who I am and what I believe with people around me.
God is continually refining me. I am being filled.
Monday, February 4, 2008
renewing my soul
Isaiah 40:
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I'm renewing my strength this week. I was weary spiritually for the last few weeks and I was not aware of it for a long time. God has used my amazing friends and mentor to be my encouragers. I am thankful. The well of my soul needs to be filled up.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I'm renewing my strength this week. I was weary spiritually for the last few weeks and I was not aware of it for a long time. God has used my amazing friends and mentor to be my encouragers. I am thankful. The well of my soul needs to be filled up.
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