Sometimes life just feels like a war zone. I know I'm talking to somebody!! It may not feel like a constant war zone but maybe many smaller battles. I use to live the military lifestyle and this title reminded me of the bonds I made. During deployments we would call other friends "battle buddies" or "battle sisters". Still today I could call any one of them and they would help me out. I would do the same for them in a heartbeat. No questions asked! Now take the actual military member and that bond is even stronger. Those men and women would protect one another to such an extreme level it is not even imaginable to someone who has not gone to war.
"Great love has no one as this
that he lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13
Do you have people in your life that you can count on like that? Sadly I think most of us would say no.
Jesus came not to just be Our Redeemer but our true Battle Buddy. He is willing to go through the trenches with you and take bullets for you. He desires that forever bond with you!
If you have been "through the trenches" and have had that friend with you and not flinch when the war became bloody you know that deep bond I am talking about.
Others can encourage you but only Jesus can protect you. Jesus knows what it is like to be in battle, to be rejected, to be tortured, to be rejected, to be unloved, to be thrown to the way side.
Our Heavenly Father knows our pain, our struggles, our disappointments, our needs and wants--our greatest desires. He is the one who created YOU!!
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb."
-Psalm 139:13
He made you to have the desires you have. Do you trust Him enough to care and nuture those desires because He has a bigger purpose than you can see?
We crave so badly to have someone go to battle with us. Jesus is that person who willingly wants badly to go to battle with you. In fact, He has begged to be that Battle Buddy for you.
That forever bond lasts forever. Even when friends part or don't talk as much that forever bond never goes away. You may hear of your earthly battle buddy in need and you won't hesitate to do anything for that person--even in death. That is what Jesus desires to be for you. He wants to be your Battle Buddy. The only difference is that HE can save you from everything and anything. He has already conquered death to give you LIFE.
"I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand."
-Psalm 40:1-2
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Why Do We See Blue?
While this title may seem elementary how easily can you answer this question? When we look into the sky we see blue. Scientists tell us it is because the color blue is reflected easier than any other color. So the sky is not actually blue it is only because of the way we see things that it appears blue to us. However, I think it goes farther than that. I find it beautiful that of all the colors God created, it is blue that we see when we look up into the sky.
There is no doubt we have an intelligent creator. He created us with such precision even our eyes see only what He designed them to see. I will talk about that more later but for a minute I wanted to point out some biblical truths about the colors blue and red.
Biblical references to the color blue include:
-Signifies life (mostly in the form of water)
-Reminders of heaven and refers to Jesus as the Son of God who came down from Heaven reflected in the book of John.
-Represents the righteousness of God, Heavenly Grace, Holiness, and Gods Commands.
-Color is worn by servants.
-The book of Numbers describes the instruction and importance of blue as hanging curtains, ropes, and other coverings.
Biblical references to the color red include:
-Color of sin/death
-Represents war or battle
-Also may represent richness
We know these colors have meanings because as we see in the books of Numbers and Leviticus, colors have a specific meaning as do numbers. God's instructions in Leviticus were very specific and it was for good reason. We can see in these books alone the beauty of God's instruction. Even looking at the original Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek we can see a letter did not exist without a corresponding number.
In researching the color blue and red I couldn't help but think of medical textbooks where oxygenated blood is in red and deoxygenated blood is in blue. This means this blue blood represents blood in an organic state that is being transported to be transformed by the HEART!
We know that our blood is red. That is just a fact! However, when we look at the veins on our skin we only see blue. Even when our skin is bruised we only see blue or different varying colors of blue, green, and yellow. As I mentioned above blue is symbolic to life. All life is surrounded by blue whether it is land based or in water. Life does not exist without water or the covering of the sky.
Blue represents life, His protection--His covering, His presence, and His love for His children. He loves us all so much that we wants to give us real physical proof of how much he desires us as His children. We see what red and blue portray and must realize as the Bible states, God wants us to gaze up into the heavens and see His Commands, His Holiness, His Perfection, and His Forgiveness. We don't need to look down upon ourselves and see the sin in our own body. Jesus came to take away this sin so you could focus your attention on the beauty of life.
How beautiful that we were created this way. We can expect to see physical evidence of His undying love for His children in all things. The question is how much digging are you willing to do?
There is no doubt we have an intelligent creator. He created us with such precision even our eyes see only what He designed them to see. I will talk about that more later but for a minute I wanted to point out some biblical truths about the colors blue and red.
Biblical references to the color blue include:
-Signifies life (mostly in the form of water)
-Reminders of heaven and refers to Jesus as the Son of God who came down from Heaven reflected in the book of John.
-Represents the righteousness of God, Heavenly Grace, Holiness, and Gods Commands.
-Color is worn by servants.
-The book of Numbers describes the instruction and importance of blue as hanging curtains, ropes, and other coverings.
Biblical references to the color red include:
-Color of sin/death
-Represents war or battle
-Also may represent richness
We know these colors have meanings because as we see in the books of Numbers and Leviticus, colors have a specific meaning as do numbers. God's instructions in Leviticus were very specific and it was for good reason. We can see in these books alone the beauty of God's instruction. Even looking at the original Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek we can see a letter did not exist without a corresponding number.
In researching the color blue and red I couldn't help but think of medical textbooks where oxygenated blood is in red and deoxygenated blood is in blue. This means this blue blood represents blood in an organic state that is being transported to be transformed by the HEART!
We know that our blood is red. That is just a fact! However, when we look at the veins on our skin we only see blue. Even when our skin is bruised we only see blue or different varying colors of blue, green, and yellow. As I mentioned above blue is symbolic to life. All life is surrounded by blue whether it is land based or in water. Life does not exist without water or the covering of the sky.
Blue represents life, His protection--His covering, His presence, and His love for His children. He loves us all so much that we wants to give us real physical proof of how much he desires us as His children. We see what red and blue portray and must realize as the Bible states, God wants us to gaze up into the heavens and see His Commands, His Holiness, His Perfection, and His Forgiveness. We don't need to look down upon ourselves and see the sin in our own body. Jesus came to take away this sin so you could focus your attention on the beauty of life.
How beautiful that we were created this way. We can expect to see physical evidence of His undying love for His children in all things. The question is how much digging are you willing to do?
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Christian Unity
Do we speak about Christian unity as passionately as Paul did in the New Testament? I am sure we can agree the answer is NO. If struggles in life are getting more severe and more common our passion to live out Matthew 6:33 should be as well.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33
Paul addresses Christians as Brothers and Sisters and that is how we should treat one another. This unity was created when Jesus died on the cross and His blood was shed. Not only was the relationship between Christian and God changed but also the blood washed away the separation between Jew and Gentile and we became one body.
By the precious blood that Jesus poured out we did not become friends with one another but instead we were united by our Heavenly Father as true Brothers and Sisters. That is why even when it comes to gifts that God gives us it is a demonstration of the special task of one part of the body.
As Brothers and Sisters we all share the same troubles and the same blessings. Paul is a wonderful Brother who has encouraged us to live boldly for the Lord. He was willing to struggle, to be in severe pain, to be in prison, and to die to glorify our Lord.
"He must become greater; I must become less." -John 3:30
There are times when we forget God's promises or what He rescued us from and our Brothers and Sisters can remind us. They can remind us to seek the only one that can save us from the smallest things to death.
"This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." -Jeremiah 29:10-15
One of the hardest tasks with the issue of christian unity is how different we feel from the rest of society and sometimes within our own family. However, no matter how different we think we feel we must keep our focus on our purpose which is to glorify our Heavenly Father. It is because of Him that we are united and we must not get confused in small issues that derail us from the task at hand. Paul even warns us that there will be things that will try to confuse us. The enemy will try to drive a wedge between Brothers and Sisters knowing what your weaknesses are.
With that diversity that God created in us He also created us to desire likeness. The likeness of being loved, being noticed, being accepted, and to seek help. Our desire to be noticed has already been fulfilled because God has set you apart from those people who are not children of God. My Brothers and Sisters you are already special and noticed!!
God has created us to 1) love Him and 2) to seek out others in fellowship. One of the most important aspects of fellowship is what I sum up as kindred spirits. No matter how smart we think we are, we as Brothers and Sisters all fall to the same things. However, because God created us to be in relationship with one another we can encourage one another when we do fall. Through this relationship with our Father we are apart of 1 body. It is further proof of God's love for His children when we know of someone who went through a similar struggle. It is even more telling when we find another person who has an experience so close to yours you know it is God pointing out that you are not alone.
With this we must remember what God commands us to do. God commands us to do many things but the one thing that stands out is to love others as God has loved you. God created all of His children to be different but we feel the same, struggle the same, and the solution is still the same.
Furthermore, God did not just want us to get married to have one close relationship. He wants us to be united with all of our Brothers and Sisters. We suffer very specific things for a special reason and there is no mistake with God in control. In the same way we search for reviews for mechanics we also search and respect others who have been through a similar or exact struggle. God will use your pain and struggles to encourage someone else.
Sometimes when our Brothers and Sisters sing or talk about Jesus you can hear the condition of their heart. When they speak they may say things that our own spirit recognizes and springs to attention knowing exactly what they are talking about. It is in this recognition that if our heart did not know the words to say before it knows it now.
We may even feel we know our Brothers and Sisters even better because of the Holy Spirit speaking through them to you. Which further edifies the reason behind christian unity. God loves YOU!!
As God's children we are predestined, called, justified, and glorified. It is only by God's authority these things can be true.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." -Romans 8:28-30
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33
Paul addresses Christians as Brothers and Sisters and that is how we should treat one another. This unity was created when Jesus died on the cross and His blood was shed. Not only was the relationship between Christian and God changed but also the blood washed away the separation between Jew and Gentile and we became one body.
By the precious blood that Jesus poured out we did not become friends with one another but instead we were united by our Heavenly Father as true Brothers and Sisters. That is why even when it comes to gifts that God gives us it is a demonstration of the special task of one part of the body.
As Brothers and Sisters we all share the same troubles and the same blessings. Paul is a wonderful Brother who has encouraged us to live boldly for the Lord. He was willing to struggle, to be in severe pain, to be in prison, and to die to glorify our Lord.
"He must become greater; I must become less." -John 3:30
There are times when we forget God's promises or what He rescued us from and our Brothers and Sisters can remind us. They can remind us to seek the only one that can save us from the smallest things to death.
"This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." -Jeremiah 29:10-15
One of the hardest tasks with the issue of christian unity is how different we feel from the rest of society and sometimes within our own family. However, no matter how different we think we feel we must keep our focus on our purpose which is to glorify our Heavenly Father. It is because of Him that we are united and we must not get confused in small issues that derail us from the task at hand. Paul even warns us that there will be things that will try to confuse us. The enemy will try to drive a wedge between Brothers and Sisters knowing what your weaknesses are.
With that diversity that God created in us He also created us to desire likeness. The likeness of being loved, being noticed, being accepted, and to seek help. Our desire to be noticed has already been fulfilled because God has set you apart from those people who are not children of God. My Brothers and Sisters you are already special and noticed!!
God has created us to 1) love Him and 2) to seek out others in fellowship. One of the most important aspects of fellowship is what I sum up as kindred spirits. No matter how smart we think we are, we as Brothers and Sisters all fall to the same things. However, because God created us to be in relationship with one another we can encourage one another when we do fall. Through this relationship with our Father we are apart of 1 body. It is further proof of God's love for His children when we know of someone who went through a similar struggle. It is even more telling when we find another person who has an experience so close to yours you know it is God pointing out that you are not alone.
With this we must remember what God commands us to do. God commands us to do many things but the one thing that stands out is to love others as God has loved you. God created all of His children to be different but we feel the same, struggle the same, and the solution is still the same.
Furthermore, God did not just want us to get married to have one close relationship. He wants us to be united with all of our Brothers and Sisters. We suffer very specific things for a special reason and there is no mistake with God in control. In the same way we search for reviews for mechanics we also search and respect others who have been through a similar or exact struggle. God will use your pain and struggles to encourage someone else.
Sometimes when our Brothers and Sisters sing or talk about Jesus you can hear the condition of their heart. When they speak they may say things that our own spirit recognizes and springs to attention knowing exactly what they are talking about. It is in this recognition that if our heart did not know the words to say before it knows it now.
We may even feel we know our Brothers and Sisters even better because of the Holy Spirit speaking through them to you. Which further edifies the reason behind christian unity. God loves YOU!!
As God's children we are predestined, called, justified, and glorified. It is only by God's authority these things can be true.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." -Romans 8:28-30
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Love: Our Greatest Desire
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." -1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is a subject that is the most important desire for every one of us. We can pretend to be strong enough to not need love in our life but that only ends with depression. The harsh truth is no matter how strong you think you are you are nothing without love. We have no purpose without it.
Love is the reason God created us, it is the root of creation. He first loved us. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were created because of love however their greatest sin was also because of love. Love for self.
At the beginning of creation God was love and poured out his love onto the earth. Sadly, it was Satan who perverted that love and turned the innocent love for what God created into pride (love of self) as we saw in the choice that Eve made.
God created love to draw us nearer to Him and we must remember this when we are focusing our attention on things of the world.
Love is our greatest pursuit and our greatest desire. When we have a desire for a spouse, to be accepted, recognition, even to get a pet. Furthermore, what exactly are we chasing when we desire marriage, children, recognition, or even a pet?
I find in my own life I desire love, love, love and more love! Love is still the cause and the cure. You can see love clearly when you look at your desires. Desire to protect, to care for, to nurture, to know right from wrong, to help others, to encourage, to provide, etc. These desires are unexplainable in physical terms so obviously the solution will not be a physical one. Love can make us appear crazy or irrational but love catapults us into what we know to be our purpose.
Another question we must ask ourselves is how do we learn to love? What is our example of love? Are we loved first in order how to learn to love others? If we were not loved first how would we know how to desire or pursue it? How can we explain our NEED for love. Not just a want but a deep seeded need knowing you need it for survival. Without love we have no desire to live. People face depression because they feel unloved.
"We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19
We seek love like we seek food to nourish our body. We know we need it to live. Even if its perverted into a love of self. We desire this love because it makes us feel like we are living. Especially if we are lacking it. So where do you look for love?
On the other side we can confuse love with emotions. Love can make us feel alive at such a depth we may compare it to a supernatural experience. It can give us purpose and can keep us alive.
Love is also about trust. Whether that love is with a family member or the Heavenly Father. It is through love we learn to trust.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." -Galatians 5:22-23
We can love God or think we are loving him but we seek a love from another human. This can be dangerous if our focus is on this physical experience. What happens when this physical experience does not nourish your desire?
We think if people love us then we will feel complete. This is just another example of perverted love. Married couples sometimes refer to their spouse of their better half. I know it is more a term of endearment but it just rubs me the wrong way. God is the only one that can make us feel whole. We cannot depend on another human to feel complete.
I was encouraged to write this because I see so many of my brothers and sisters craving love as if they are trying to find a satisfying meal. We are running around from restaurant to restaurant trying to find the richest, most satisfying steak to give us that full feeling when in actuality this meal is only prepared by our Father in Heaven. There is no meal on earth that can satisfy this craving. This meal is only made by our Heavenly Father and in Him you will find true nourishment, true rest, and the love you are so desperately seeking.
Love is a subject that is the most important desire for every one of us. We can pretend to be strong enough to not need love in our life but that only ends with depression. The harsh truth is no matter how strong you think you are you are nothing without love. We have no purpose without it.
Love is the reason God created us, it is the root of creation. He first loved us. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were created because of love however their greatest sin was also because of love. Love for self.
At the beginning of creation God was love and poured out his love onto the earth. Sadly, it was Satan who perverted that love and turned the innocent love for what God created into pride (love of self) as we saw in the choice that Eve made.
God created love to draw us nearer to Him and we must remember this when we are focusing our attention on things of the world.
Love is our greatest pursuit and our greatest desire. When we have a desire for a spouse, to be accepted, recognition, even to get a pet. Furthermore, what exactly are we chasing when we desire marriage, children, recognition, or even a pet?
I find in my own life I desire love, love, love and more love! Love is still the cause and the cure. You can see love clearly when you look at your desires. Desire to protect, to care for, to nurture, to know right from wrong, to help others, to encourage, to provide, etc. These desires are unexplainable in physical terms so obviously the solution will not be a physical one. Love can make us appear crazy or irrational but love catapults us into what we know to be our purpose.
Another question we must ask ourselves is how do we learn to love? What is our example of love? Are we loved first in order how to learn to love others? If we were not loved first how would we know how to desire or pursue it? How can we explain our NEED for love. Not just a want but a deep seeded need knowing you need it for survival. Without love we have no desire to live. People face depression because they feel unloved.
"We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19
We seek love like we seek food to nourish our body. We know we need it to live. Even if its perverted into a love of self. We desire this love because it makes us feel like we are living. Especially if we are lacking it. So where do you look for love?
On the other side we can confuse love with emotions. Love can make us feel alive at such a depth we may compare it to a supernatural experience. It can give us purpose and can keep us alive.
Love is also about trust. Whether that love is with a family member or the Heavenly Father. It is through love we learn to trust.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." -Galatians 5:22-23
We can love God or think we are loving him but we seek a love from another human. This can be dangerous if our focus is on this physical experience. What happens when this physical experience does not nourish your desire?
We think if people love us then we will feel complete. This is just another example of perverted love. Married couples sometimes refer to their spouse of their better half. I know it is more a term of endearment but it just rubs me the wrong way. God is the only one that can make us feel whole. We cannot depend on another human to feel complete.
I was encouraged to write this because I see so many of my brothers and sisters craving love as if they are trying to find a satisfying meal. We are running around from restaurant to restaurant trying to find the richest, most satisfying steak to give us that full feeling when in actuality this meal is only prepared by our Father in Heaven. There is no meal on earth that can satisfy this craving. This meal is only made by our Heavenly Father and in Him you will find true nourishment, true rest, and the love you are so desperately seeking.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Designed to Love & Work Together
The past few weeks God has given me a wonderful opportunity. This opportunity is seeing how unloved most adults feel. That personally breaks my heart. It is no wonder the suicide rate is so high these days. It saddens me because we as Christians are designed to love on our fellow brothers and sisters. The bible even states, "You are your brother's keeper".
If you were at the gym and you saw your brother lifting weights and needed a spotter you wouldn't think twice--you would run to his aid. But is this what we are doing when it comes to matters of life and death?
What are you doing to show others you love them? That can be as small as asking how their day went. So are you doing this??
We all have an inherent desire to be loved and to love others. We first have to look at where do we get our source to fuel this love. Do we even know what we are seeking when we call it love? Do we keep going back to people to try to earn their love in order to fill our own desires? Are we numbing our feelings with alcohol or drugs in order to feel less empty?
God created us with the sole purpose to love us (His creation) and in turn we would love Him as well as our fellow brothers and sisters. That is why we are called a family. The church is always referred to as the body. When one of our brothers or sisters hurt, we all hurt. When they are healed we feel that too.
1 Corthinians 12:12...
If you were at the gym and you saw your brother lifting weights and needed a spotter you wouldn't think twice--you would run to his aid. But is this what we are doing when it comes to matters of life and death?
What are you doing to show others you love them? That can be as small as asking how their day went. So are you doing this??
We all have an inherent desire to be loved and to love others. We first have to look at where do we get our source to fuel this love. Do we even know what we are seeking when we call it love? Do we keep going back to people to try to earn their love in order to fill our own desires? Are we numbing our feelings with alcohol or drugs in order to feel less empty?
God created us with the sole purpose to love us (His creation) and in turn we would love Him as well as our fellow brothers and sisters. That is why we are called a family. The church is always referred to as the body. When one of our brothers or sisters hurt, we all hurt. When they are healed we feel that too.
1 Corthinians 12:12...
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,(U) so it is with Christ.(V) 13 For we were all baptized(W) by[c] one Spirit(X) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(Y)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(Z) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(AA)
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed(AB) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(AC) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(AD)
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ,(AE) and each one of you is a part of it.(AF) 28 And God has placed in the church(AG) first of all apostles,(AH) second prophets,(AI) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(AJ) of helping, of guidance,(AK) and of different kinds of tongues.(AL) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]?(AM) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(AN) the greater gifts.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Home
As I have written before we have only lived in Colorado for a few months now. So I was recently asked if it feels like home now. Home is such a dedicated feeling. It describes where you consider your roots to be planted. Where you find comfort.
I don't view comfort like most people view it. Comfort to me is in the challenges in life because in the challenges lies my Savior, my Redeemer.
What is home? According to the dictionary it is your permanent residence. If I base my answer on if it feels like home here in Colorado I would have to say no as I would any place you could name in the world. That being said Colorado is my favorite state in the United States and one of my favorite places in the world. There are many beautiful places to live here on earth but our surroundings can be deceiving. Take a tropical island for instance. You may be surrounded by what society calls perfection (beaches, warm weather, mountains). What happens if you strip away your physical environment? What is left?
Now you may think I am over analyzing the subject of home and perhaps I am but I believe everyone longs to have a place to call home. I have never found a place on earth (including my hometown) where I feel yes this is my home.
Heaven is my true home and that is the place my soul longs for. I am glad I feel the way I do. I have certain roots planted here on earth but I never want to get so comfortable that I feel that this is my permanent residence. Nothing on earth is permanent. My life experiences have proved that. My heart is focused on my heavenly Father and where He resides in Heaven is the place I consider my home.
I don't view comfort like most people view it. Comfort to me is in the challenges in life because in the challenges lies my Savior, my Redeemer.
What is home? According to the dictionary it is your permanent residence. If I base my answer on if it feels like home here in Colorado I would have to say no as I would any place you could name in the world. That being said Colorado is my favorite state in the United States and one of my favorite places in the world. There are many beautiful places to live here on earth but our surroundings can be deceiving. Take a tropical island for instance. You may be surrounded by what society calls perfection (beaches, warm weather, mountains). What happens if you strip away your physical environment? What is left?
Now you may think I am over analyzing the subject of home and perhaps I am but I believe everyone longs to have a place to call home. I have never found a place on earth (including my hometown) where I feel yes this is my home.
Heaven is my true home and that is the place my soul longs for. I am glad I feel the way I do. I have certain roots planted here on earth but I never want to get so comfortable that I feel that this is my permanent residence. Nothing on earth is permanent. My life experiences have proved that. My heart is focused on my heavenly Father and where He resides in Heaven is the place I consider my home.
"When they want to convince you that earth is your home, notice how they set about it. They begin by trying to persuade you that earth can be made into heaven, thus giving a sop to your sense of exile in earth as it is. Next, they tell you that this fortunate event is
still a good way off in the future, thus giving a sop to your knowledge that the
fatherland is not here and now. Finally, lest your longing for the transtemporal should awake and spoil the whole affair, they use any rhetoric that comes to hand to keep out of your mind the recollection that even if all the happiness they promised
could come to man on earth, yet still each generation would lose it by death, including the last generation of all, and the whole story would be nothing, not even a story, for ever and ever."
-The Weight of Glory (C.S. Lewis)
Monday, July 23, 2012
My True Father
If there was a level higher than cloud 9 I would be on it. God has blessed me beyond belief in just the past 2 weeks. He blesses me all the time but these past two weeks have been nothing short of unbelievable.
In these blessings God has taught me a very important lesson. Who to share these blessings with. He has taught me not to simply share my news with just anyone, but first to share them with the closest people in my life. These people are the ones who truly want to see me succeed.
We can become discouraged when we try to share our news with people we think care about us and our life. Sometimes these people can be our own family members. As humans I think we have an inherent desire to want our family to want the best for us. I know I have that desire. I want them to celebrate with me and I don't mean that in a pious way. I mean it in a celebration of how much God loves and adores us. In all of my blessings I want others to see that i do not deserve these blessings. God only blesses me because He loves me.
I always want to be obedient to His commands because I trust God with my whole heart. He knows what is ultimately best for me and I never want to take away from how great our Heavenly Father is.
In these blessings God has taught me a very important lesson. Who to share these blessings with. He has taught me not to simply share my news with just anyone, but first to share them with the closest people in my life. These people are the ones who truly want to see me succeed.
We can become discouraged when we try to share our news with people we think care about us and our life. Sometimes these people can be our own family members. As humans I think we have an inherent desire to want our family to want the best for us. I know I have that desire. I want them to celebrate with me and I don't mean that in a pious way. I mean it in a celebration of how much God loves and adores us. In all of my blessings I want others to see that i do not deserve these blessings. God only blesses me because He loves me.
I always want to be obedient to His commands because I trust God with my whole heart. He knows what is ultimately best for me and I never want to take away from how great our Heavenly Father is.
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