![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
Karson is much taller than I, and I'm known by some as the tallest they know. His shoulders are set wide, his pants hang low, and he walks with the very definition of what some would call a swagger. To meet him on the street at night would seem the end of all creation, beginning with yourself. You might not find one more intimidating to look upon and possibly guilty of murdering hundreds in the civilized world, yet he walks the streets a free man, proclaiming the tricks and traps of 'the man.'
Tonight he chuckled a chuckle that would seem only proper from the voice of a petite girl. In fact, he laughs more at the most child-like moments than any other male being I know. He's upset often enough as well, yet the one thing I've seen him most upset over is his inability to pay for his three year-old's wipes due to a late paycheck. His words originate in the 'hood, his hood hangs over his face, and his face alone seems as if it could tear you in half. Yet a fireball, Ashley, could get him under control in a word or two. She was the intimidating one. This man is a man who is unafraid to be the man he is. And unafraid to let his voice be heard. Most people hate him.
I love the guy. When I began working at Panera, Karson was obviously the most outcast of the crew. The only thing discussed more than Karson and his mouth was our job. I'm often the first to give the 'bad guys' a second chance, and his philosophical mind endeared me to him indefinitely. He can take a tiny aspect of life or even the job and turn it into his thoughts on the oppression of the little guy. (Also, he's the least likely to get you angry in a debate. He may even seem to disagree with you all of the time, but the respect from him is always there.) It's entirely obvious that he says plenty of things he shouldn't for the place or time or ever, or he says things that make absolutely no sense. He rarely lets himself be wrong. He doesn't always consider what some things may mean to some people. He plays rap music that talks of sex, contains more curses than any other word, and is, in general, disgusting. Yet he also plays Butterfly Kisses on repeat for hours. I'm fairly sure I haven't heard one lie from him. On things that matter, he rarely has been wrong. He's bold enough to cover ground that most fear mentioning in the least. He's a big teddy bear with some rough areas if you rub him the wrong way.
Tonight we talked about music again. We had talked about the Relient K I was playing the night before, and he mentioned that it sounded a lot like Owl City. And how good Owl City's music is. 'Walks with a swagger' and 'likes Owl City' aren't two commonly paired characteristics. Tonight he started talking about his ten year-old brother who wrote a poem in the lyrical style of rap music. Karson had told him that he had a heart of gold. The conversation continued into my mentioning John Rueben and KJ-52, and he professed his enjoyment of both of those artists. And the conversation continued into his mentioning being ordained as a pastor.
This man, with the profile of a scandalous hoodlum, Eminem's music readily on his tongue, and curse words occasionally falling from his mouth, is a pastor. Those people who may lead sermons, make encouraging house visits, plant a church, venture on an evangelical mission, marry a couple: he's one of those. He's also one of those who believes the cops are out to get him.
I dropped him off at his house, giving an encouraging word or two and receiving a 'God bless.' I drove slowly back through the soundless snow, with Beautiful Mess by Jason Mraz serenading the night to slumber. People like Karson give me new perspective on God. I so often put God in a box of conservative American church-goer, and he continues to immerse me in snowy drives with people who seem to others like they might kill someone. It makes me wonder if God isn't in some ways an 'antiestablishmentarianist' with a teddy bear inside as well.
Here is Karson, a man of God.
"jeah, what up world, how ya been, i'm kickin it like i should, ya dig, this ya boy karson kidd, i'm 6'3 270lbs+, hazel eyes, n strawberry hair, anyway, i'm into music, sports, movies, books, magazines, clothes n excessiories, my daughter, my life, serving Jesus Christ as my lord n personal savior, my friend, my family all out for my niggaz, i'm on 6 month probation with some speculations right now n no word back from my po, so pray bout that, anyway there's more to me then a shoe 2 me, so ask n u shall recieve, in jesus name GOD Bless, n take care, ya dig, amen..."
- Music:This is the End/(If You Want It) - Relient K
"...Why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to it's rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings." To me, this seems to be showing either a contradiction to the OT, or that God did not give us those commands in the OT like these and that they came merely from men. Let's find out, shall we?
A thought I had had after taking a second look at this verse was that this was simply against legalism, and makes no clear reference to the OT. This passage is clearly Paul preaching against legalism, and he notes the deadliness of it in verse 22. Morality for the sake of morality or hopes of salvation is worthless.
However, the similarities between the commands in these passages and the commands in the Old Testament, such as in Leviticus, are apparent. What is the difference, then? This is where things get tricky. In this, we start talking about the differences between the old covenant and the new covenant, and how the new covenant has superseded the old. Here, I'll let Chuck do a bit of explaining. About the sixth paragraph down, he talks about the covenants.
However confusing all of this may be, there is the truth that the new covenant HAS covered the old, God HAS sent his son, Jesus, to take on the sins of all men, and " there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) Our duty and delight in our grace-filled relationship with Christ is to "purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) We always will fail, even fully relying on His strength (Philippians 4:13), and He will always be there to pick us up.
Another verse I thought I'd mention: Philippians 4:8. This is our new covenant; that we will never make it to perfection, but God's grace is sufficient to take away our sins and lead us on in continuing to honor Him with our lives.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." :)
I feel a bit like I missed a couple important ideas or left questions I asked unanswered, so...
Discussion please! :D
(Next time: the CANON! :D)
Looks like I got ahead of myself here. Let's go back to Philippi and hear what Paul has to say!
So my beef with this was where he says 'eagerly await our Saviour.' I was thinking in terms of Jesus' physical life on Earth, in which he had already been here. Our Saviour has come. However, what Paul is talking about here is Christ's second coming. We believers look forward to the coming of Christ....
I really don't know what else to say about this. I was very nit-picky. :D
Discussion please! :D
- Music:Chevette - Audio A
It seems I hit on an area of many difficult statements. In searching around for an answer to my question, I've found that many people have struggled with verses 15, 20, and two different things in verse 23. I apologize if you fall into one of these that I don't look into, but you can find answers to those from John Piper. He's got it down, I'd say.
What I'm concerned with and what I wrestled with was verse 23; the statement that we will be 'presented holy, without blemish, and free from accusation--if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.' I think it's easy to see how this could be taken the wrong way. I looked at this as a salvation-through-works passage. How wonderful it is to tell you with confidence: that is absolutely not what this means! :)
The "if" is in relation to being presented as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach--on the condition of remaining faithful. This is much simpler and almost obvious. If we remain faithful and continue loving God and living the gospel, we will be presented well on Judgement Day. One who would fall away and from the gospel would not, though retains Christ's salvation.
This verse is so near an opposite of what it said to me then. It's no longer salvation through toiling and work, but solely through the grace of God. Even when we turn away and deny the gospel we once clung to, he is faithful and forgiving. God is such a wonderful God. :)
[Edit 7.21.10] I just discovered that most of this mindset can apply to Philippians 1:10 as well.
Discussion please!
- Music:Audio A!
Alrighty. I added verses 12 and 13 because they go along with this in a way. What I said about these is that they seemed to support the idea of salvation through works. This has been an area of much difficulty for me in struggling through understanding that and applying it to my life. I don't quite comprehend the balance between working things out and trusting God to work things out. There are many aspects of that that still seem contradictory.
Now first of all, I notice that he makes the command in verses 14 because, as he states in verse 15, we should be shining examples of Christ in our lives. I believe that to be true, and what you say and do greatly affects how people view what you pour your life into. That is something to be vigilant about always.
Also, now that I re-read it, I see that verse 13 holds a key to a great gate of understanding. This verse may be the link in the chain that connects faith and deeds, that connects the necessity of working things out to trusting God for working things out. "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." What I take from that is that when we will and act according to His purpose, that is Christ working in us every time. Now that may be even more difficult to grasp, and I'm not sure I comprehend it fully. That seems to say that what we do is simply fire away, and follow God's word to be sure we're fully aligned with His will. And it may be like walking on a path at night. Psalm 119:105. The path is lit ahead of us, but we must take the steps. Inversely, we take the steps, but the path must be lit ahead of us. Neither can do without the other. We cannot strive without trusting Him to light the way, and He will not take the steps for us.
Isn't it all wonderful?! Contemplate with me. :)
Discussion, please!! :D
This one is weird. And it's not really critical or anything. It's just weird. I took issue with the use of the word "everyone" here. When I think of everyone, I think of everyone. I don't think of followers of Christ or good people or people that don't kill people. I think every single person. So I looked at this and thought, 'Why would EVERYONE be rewarded for the good they do? Wouldn't that water-down the goodness of Christians? Aren't non-Christians going to hell anyways where there will be no rewards, only sorrow?' Haha, goodness.
Ok. Good is good for everyone. People who do good WILL eventually have good done onto them. It would be wonderful to have a good world. Good. Ok. Now think about this: 'Christianity,' or, more accurately, following Christ, is NOT about GOOD! Evil people can do good, dying people can do good. Everyone in the world seems to be getting closer to understanding that good is so good. But are these people saved because they're doing good? Absolutely not. It's an unfortunate fact, and it's possible that by doing this good, they might feel good enough that they don't need a relationship with God. But that is what life and following Him is about. It's about the relationship. It's not about pleasing Him with the good things you do. Pleasing Him comes naturally as a result of the transformation that results from your relationship with Him. As John Lynch states so many times throughout his book, TrueFaced, it's about trusting. Mind you, I'm still wrestling between trusting and pleasing Him. It's a tough concept, but one that is vital and we should never give up that struggle to figure it out.
Think about this, if it helps: Murderers can be Christ followers. So can rapists and thieves. Liars and drunkards. It's not likely, and all of those people would have serious issues to work out with God within their faith and their lives. God doesn't need you to be 'clean' before you come to Him. *sigh* Still, there is much more to say on this, and I love to say it all. But I would be rambling, and no one wants to read pages of that anyways. :D
The truth of it is, Christians will be rewarded for the good they have done on Earth in heaven unless they've received their rewards already. (Read Matthew 6:1-24 and know that rewards on Earth are as dust compared to heavenly rewards.) Those who are not saved will either receive their reward on Earth, or not at all. Unfortunately, the good they do eventually comes to nothing but happy dirt. (Genesis 3:19b)
[Edit - 7.20.10] Of course, the good they do could very well lead someone to Christ. God has His way of working things. I'm not one to say God can't work miracles.
One more thought before I go. The good that we, as followers of Christ, do is always out of love for others and always in hopes that others will see Christ's work in our lives. That's another 10,000 pages, but I'll leave it at that.
Discussion, please!! :D
- Music:Owl City - Vanilla Twilight
I think that my only real problems with this passage were verses 3-5 where Paul says that none of these immoral people have "any inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven." At face value, that looks tough. More than tough, it's actually impossible. Have you ever lusted after someone? Have you ever wanted or taken more than what was yours? Have you loved something or someone more than God? I can tell you right now, you've at least done the last.
So what's this verse really saying, and what is the point of it? I think it can be very easy to see this as a contradiction of grace, as I did. However, this is similar to other blogs I've posted where I said that we are no longer identified by this list of things Paul says we should have no part of. David Guzik makes a similar point on this passage. "The people mentioned in Ephesians 5:3 (the fornicator, the unclean person and the covetous man) have no inheritance in God’s kingdom. If God’s kingdom is alive in them, a transformation has occurred so that they cannot rest in the habitual practice of these things." David Guzik says this perfectly: if this transformation has occurred, then resting in the habitual sin (toleration of and laxation in facing the struggle between a spirit killing sin and one's relationship with God) is not possible. Not at all. We must admit that, oftentimes, we allow ourselves to rest in a sin we've committed or make a habit out of a sin. Those are both sins, and not at all healthy. With the Spirit working in our lives, that rest will not become a habit, or we will not rest in our habits.
I feel like I'm not making much sense with the last few sentences, but the main point of all of this is that we should not sin. It is not proper for people of light, people who are no longer darkness, as the passage states. And if we should fall into sin (which we will), God's grace will be there to lift us up again. It is as Romans 6:1-4 says. We will always sins, and God's grace is always there. How wonderful it is to receive His grace, but we should not sin solely that we may see the work of His grace more abundantly.
All of this is confusing, I know. Understanding sin and grace is as simple as understanding infinity. The best thing for us to do is trust His judgement. :)
Now! Onto the last two verses. Paul includes these verses to make sure we don't ever believe it is ok to sin. I know that it is extremely easy to believe that, because of grace, it doesn't matter that we sin or how often.
Let me tell you, I was becoming a deceiver. Recently, I read a wonderful book called Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. Miller is a phenomenal writer who speaks truth from the Bible and has an inspiring heart for the lost. And his heart led him to write this book in a way that couldn't be considered condemning in any way. (Not saying it was his intention, but that is what happened.) In this book, I don't think that Miller once tells of the fatal sin in the hearts of the lost around him. He only speaks of loving, and I admire him for it. However, I took his concept quite too far, and began writing off sins as if they affected nothing. The first to go were small things that conservatives have pinned as sins, such as smoking and tattoos. (Now I'm not entirely sure about these, but I'll stand with what I've said that they are not sins until I am proven wrong. However, that doesn't make them wise or healthy.) Then I decided that swearing was not a sin. (Wrong. I'll have to explain sometime. Until then, trust me, or go ask someone smarter than yourself: it's wrong.) I was on my way to saying sin didn't matter one way or the other, really. Apparently I haven't been reading enough old testament.
Verses like 3-5 show me that sin is a massive problem that God deals with the same way He's dealt with it forever. I only had to see it. In fact, I only had to see Amos 1 and 2 (comparatively tiny book with tiny chapters) to understand that God WILL NOT go easy on sin. Sin separates us entirely and unequivocally from God. There is no further distance than that which stands between God and evil. He will have none of it.
Therefore, if I or anyone says that sin is not bad or holds no consequences because of grace, know that they are wrong, and speak truth. :)
[(Edit 4.8.10) - I doubly noted verse seven. I believe I thought it was wrong to throw out the deceivers or to leave their company because we should love everyone. True, but if they are influencing you with the outrageous belief that God is OK with sin, then it's better to just leave them. If you are the one influencing them with the fact that God is just and does not tolerate continual sin.
Also, I don't know what any of this means for judgement day. I would say that, yes, we are forgiven infinitely once we turn our hearts to God and covered by grace for the rest of our lives. But I'm not sure. I won't say either way, but let's not test the line. Our goal is complete devotion and intimacy with God. Sin just gets in the way. Goodness, there's so much more to say about this, but it would take forever, and I honestly don't have it all figured out yet! I know, crazy. :D ]
Discussion, please!! :D
- Music:The Rocket Summer
Such greatness in one book, in one Word, in one life. This 'burden' we carry is a burden I bear gladly. I devote myself to the death of me for this cause, for this Way. Can we possibly understand the weight of a life; such a simple, brief glance with such ferocious meaning. The blessing we have been given just in life is... impossible.
My words fall like stones while my head floats high above. I feel so entirely detached from this world....
We have been given a purpose in life. Call it our mission. Our directives are to seek God and love Him with all that we are (Matthew 22:37-38), and to allow God to spread His love for the entire world, to let it seep out through our hearts that are so full of His life and love. (Matthew 25:31-46) We have a burden to carry, and we carry it gladly.
Recently, many people are latching on to this love, many people who know nothing and want nothing to do with God. I wonder how this is. I wonder how they understand love. I wonder what distinguishes the love that the world shows from the love that flows from us as Christians.I wonder what the point of following God's love is when love can be found right here, right now.
But God is adamant about his love for us. (John 3:16) And we can't fully understand true love (I Corinthians 13, II John 6) without the love of Christ in our hearts. (1 John 3:16)
God's love for us was His death on the cross. He gave up his life to free us into his love. (Romans 5:8) And we need his love. We are dying for his love. (Ephesians 2:1-2) God makes it clear that we are lost from the beginning. (Romans 6:23a, Galatians 5:19-21) And it's not just the big things that take you away from Him. God must have all of you, and can't stand to have you give part of your life to something else. (Amos 2:4-5 (For those of you unfamiliar with Amos, (No worries, I was until today.) it is all about God's wrath and judgement upon the Jews.)) We can't make any excuses or appeals. We are all guilty, (Romans 3:23) and we can't do this on our own. (Ephesians 2:9) We are wounded children, crying for love and care from anyone; we're desperate for help.
And help has come. Love has come. (I John 4:16) And Love has saved us from our death. (Ephesians 2:4-5, 8) God has presented us with something totally free and incredible. (Romans 6:23b) All that we need to do is accept it. We acknowledge the dirt and scum in our lives, know that He has been sacrificed for us, and allow Him to clean us up. (Romans 10:9)
Years after my rebirth, I am constantly learning this and allowing God's love to grow into and enfold my heart. We cannot grow apart from it. We know that our strength is fallible without Him. (II Corinthians 12:9) And we will fall into our own rubble and demise apart from Love. (Romans 7:21)
"And this is how we know what love is." This is the most beautiful love story ever told. Can you imagine a love that is just in it's judgement, yet completely forgiving; a love that knows of all of the dirt that mortifies all others, yet still perseveres; a love that will take unfaithfulness and abuse, only to return with compassion and more love; a love that will always be a shield that only under which can we survive? No, we cannot. No one can begin to comprehend Love. But we have it. It is here; Love is here.
And the greatest of these is...
Love. Love that never fails.
- Music:Love Is Here - Tenth Avenue North
Alrighty, It's late and I need sleep, so this one will be quick. My problem with this is that Paul seems to condemn the Gentiles as too far gone and completely without hope. The thing is, Gentiles have received grace as well. Everyone has received it, and has only to accept Christ into their hearts.
What Paul is saying here is that the way of the Gentiles is condemned. I know that the thing between the Jews and the Gentiles was something along the lines of Jews were dissatisfied with their 'conqueror,' and the Gentiles were steeped in their sinful ways or something like that. (No comparison inferred here, we are not to be like the Jews. They were just as wrong as the Gentiles. Romans 10:12) Paul is saying that when we take on the grace that Jesus has given us, we are not to be like the Gentiles who are still sinning without remorse. In fact, using the Romans verse and 2 Corinthians 5:17, we know that we are no longer considered stubborn Jews or ignorant Gentiles. We are the saints and disciples of Christ.
That was fast, so let me know if my brain dies mid-sentence anywhere in there.
Even running through it, the glory of it all still captivates me. :)
Discussion, please! :D
- Music:Fireflight :D
This one is really confusing to me. I know that we are greatly unified by our belief in Christ, and that as our thoughts and actions become more Christ-like, we will naturally gravitate to the moral and the good and those who support us in our faith. However, intentionally doing good to our brothers and sisters in Christ more than the lost that need finding doesn't make sense to me. *shrugs*
Now, certainly this isn't much of an issue at all. The main message of this verse is that we do good to all, and that's the important thing to take away from it. In that respect, what I'm wondering doesn't matter at all.
As it is, it seems that I was wrong. I am pointed to Ephesians 2:19-22. This verse says clearly that we, as believers, are being built together. Following that metaphor, if one brick in the wall fails, another is soon to follow. This argument doesn't hold up well on its own, but combined with the what I said in the first and second paragraphs, it makes perfect sense. John 13:35. And they will know we are His disciples. :)
And before I go, another thought on the discussion: I'm very worried that something I say may become ingrained in my mind or someone else's who reads these, and may be completely Biblically unfounded. So if you notice something important I've left out, or disagree with my thoughts completely, please tell me!!
Discussion, please! :D
- Music:The Rocket Summer
