Friday, June 22, 2012
Words of Life
John 6: 64-68
"After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Probably one of my favorite responses to Jesus. It says so
much.
1. Jesus is Lord. They recognize who He is.
2. They know their place is to follow Him wherever He leads.
3. And they trust that where He leads is good.
2. They know their place is to follow Him wherever He leads.
3. And they trust that where He leads is good.
Its so easy to judge all who were in the crowd that left, and to think, “They knew
better. They’ve walked with him, they’ve seen the signs and miracles. They’ve
witnessed His love and heard what he had preached. They should’ve remained with
Him. They knew better.
But then I look at my own life, and I remember all the times
I have failed to follow. And I can say the same thing. I knew better.
And a lot of days, I wake up and find myself in this place.
I experience Christ, and yet…it’s like I’m still not fully following. I pick and choose when to follow in trust and when to go my own way.
How can we remain in Him and be dissatisfied? This is sin.
This is the sin from which all sin came to be..the sin of the first man and woman. It is also one that grips us, whether we realize it or not. Our hearts don’t hope in Him sometimes…
But moments like these, we can unite ourselves to Peter's words. We, too, can recognize who He is, know our place, and trust in his unfailing goodness. We were made by Him and for Him. Where else could we find
fulfillment? We could never look elsewhere to increase a joy that is only found in Him.
- God, break these walls and uproot whatever in me needs to be
uprooted. Be my cornerstone.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Light in dark places
I've been debating whether or not I should post this for some time now. Honestly, I didn't want to rain on anyone's parade. I've always been the type to avoid public expressions of opinions on pretty much everything...which I'm not sure is a good thing.
But lately, I've been hearing a lot lot lot about a show called Game of Thrones that's become such a hit recently. And it really caught my attention. I used to never look up what anything was about before sitting down to watch a movie with a friend or browsing a t.v show. If it looked good, I'd be open to watching. Recently though, I'm proud to say that I''ve become quite the IMDBer. So I IMDBed it. And Game of Thrones sounded super cool.
"7 noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westheros...(IMDB)." Adventure, drama, fantasy. It really seemed like my kinda show. And it got good ratings (9.4/10). So I started to watch for myself to see what all the hype was about.
What I discovered when watching online was not impressive at all. In fact, it was the opposite of impressive. It was one big disappointment. This series has the most vulgar and disrespectful language that I've ever been exposed to in a television series, as well as the most graphic sexual content. Adultery, brothels, fornication, lots of nudity, implications of orgies, and the like are just a few of the types of immoral content presented. Even the way women are talked about is objectifying and just plain disgusting. Basic concepts like power and control are completely distorted. Women are viewed as objects of pleasure. And after watching, I was just so shocked that I felt, and still feel, the need to express it, openly and honestly.
And you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal? It's just a show." But I believe that questions like that are part of the problem. We excuse things that we like and enjoy in order to dull our consciences, in order to continue liking and enjoying them without further thought or regard. People might also say that there are a lot of worse things you can watch, and that's probably true...but why watch any shows like this? I think another problem would be to say that these types of shows are only for a certain “type” of audience…perhaps older, more “open-minded”, etc. I think people will claim that it’s just not for younger audiences. That it doesn’t hurt them or affect them. Again, the “what’s the big deal” claim.. But I strongly believe that it isn’t just younger audiences that shouldn’t view it..it’s not good for anyone. And sometimes, that’s the point. We might justify things and defend the belief that they aren’t that bad…but at the same time…it’s clear that they’re not good. Why fill our hearts and minds with that which does not inspire us to be better? Some things are time wasters…and in my opinion, even if a person says that shows like this don’t affect the way they think, speak, and act…it’s a waste of God-given time.
But the bigger disappointment, more than the show, for me is society's response to it.
Shows like Game of Thrones make me think, "What has happened to all the men that seek to protect, honor, and uphold the dignity of women? Where are the godly men, and why are they being silent? And what happened to women who are confident enough to say, "Enough's enough. This stuff is offensive, degrading, and just plain trashy."
Matthew 5:15 states, “What good is it to have light and hide it under a basket?”
This quote has been a real source of inspiration for me:
"True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement." (Blessed JPII)
If we, as Christians, desire to live out the Gospel, then we must strive to do so in every instance, at every occasion, at all times. This means saying "no" to all those things that are not good for us - not good for our eyes, ears, hearts. But this also means saying "yes" to everything that will ground our hearts in Him. For it is written:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8)
Let's choose to be lights in dark places. A little light can brighten up a whole room. Let's turn the world upside down through our choice of lifestyle. God is able to do so much when we make even the tiniest changes in how we live...whether its saying no to certain music and t.v shows, using disrespectful language, whatever! Let's be unashamed to live lives that bring Him glory and turn away from all that doesn't. Be blessed today.
I know this post ended up being super long. Thanks for sticking it out :)
But lately, I've been hearing a lot lot lot about a show called Game of Thrones that's become such a hit recently. And it really caught my attention. I used to never look up what anything was about before sitting down to watch a movie with a friend or browsing a t.v show. If it looked good, I'd be open to watching. Recently though, I'm proud to say that I''ve become quite the IMDBer. So I IMDBed it. And Game of Thrones sounded super cool.
"7 noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westheros...(IMDB)." Adventure, drama, fantasy. It really seemed like my kinda show. And it got good ratings (9.4/10). So I started to watch for myself to see what all the hype was about.
What I discovered when watching online was not impressive at all. In fact, it was the opposite of impressive. It was one big disappointment. This series has the most vulgar and disrespectful language that I've ever been exposed to in a television series, as well as the most graphic sexual content. Adultery, brothels, fornication, lots of nudity, implications of orgies, and the like are just a few of the types of immoral content presented. Even the way women are talked about is objectifying and just plain disgusting. Basic concepts like power and control are completely distorted. Women are viewed as objects of pleasure. And after watching, I was just so shocked that I felt, and still feel, the need to express it, openly and honestly.
What price will we pay for the sake of entertainment? I think shows like this are an attack on sexuality as a whole - on authentic masculinity, femininity, and the entire family unit. Since the origin of sin in the Garden, Satan has been feeding us lies about who we are and who we should become. And he hasn't had to come up with anything new since. Pretty much the same story, different setting.
And you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal? It's just a show." But I believe that questions like that are part of the problem. We excuse things that we like and enjoy in order to dull our consciences, in order to continue liking and enjoying them without further thought or regard. People might also say that there are a lot of worse things you can watch, and that's probably true...but why watch any shows like this? I think another problem would be to say that these types of shows are only for a certain “type” of audience…perhaps older, more “open-minded”, etc. I think people will claim that it’s just not for younger audiences. That it doesn’t hurt them or affect them. Again, the “what’s the big deal” claim.. But I strongly believe that it isn’t just younger audiences that shouldn’t view it..it’s not good for anyone. And sometimes, that’s the point. We might justify things and defend the belief that they aren’t that bad…but at the same time…it’s clear that they’re not good. Why fill our hearts and minds with that which does not inspire us to be better? Some things are time wasters…and in my opinion, even if a person says that shows like this don’t affect the way they think, speak, and act…it’s a waste of God-given time.
But the bigger disappointment, more than the show, for me is society's response to it.
Shows like Game of Thrones make me think, "What has happened to all the men that seek to protect, honor, and uphold the dignity of women? Where are the godly men, and why are they being silent? And what happened to women who are confident enough to say, "Enough's enough. This stuff is offensive, degrading, and just plain trashy."
Matthew 5:15 states, “What good is it to have light and hide it under a basket?”
I read that, and I think, “Duhhh..why would anyone have a light on and then cover it? Waste of electricity.”…but it isn’t that simple. I don’t think we realize how easy it is to hide a light and settle for dimness, darkness.
If we want to be a generation that stands up for the Kingdom, we must live out our identities as male and female in the way that God intended – upholding the order, beauty, and sacredness of love. Let’s stay away from things that detract us from being fully ourselves in Christ.
"True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement." (Blessed JPII)
If we, as Christians, desire to live out the Gospel, then we must strive to do so in every instance, at every occasion, at all times. This means saying "no" to all those things that are not good for us - not good for our eyes, ears, hearts. But this also means saying "yes" to everything that will ground our hearts in Him. For it is written:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8)
Let's choose to be lights in dark places. A little light can brighten up a whole room. Let's turn the world upside down through our choice of lifestyle. God is able to do so much when we make even the tiniest changes in how we live...whether its saying no to certain music and t.v shows, using disrespectful language, whatever! Let's be unashamed to live lives that bring Him glory and turn away from all that doesn't. Be blessed today.
I know this post ended up being super long. Thanks for sticking it out :)
Monday, June 4, 2012
scattered thoughts
Love and responsibility. Nowadays, I feel like the two words seem to have little association. But love in its truest sense cannot exist without a sense of responsibility. The two are intricately connected by their very nature.
To authentically love something or someone demands that the person seek its ultimate good above or beyond their own. It is nourished and cultivated by this sense of responsibility over another, which it naturally bears.
And that's what it means to love as Christ loves.
"Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God." - John Paul II
--Pope John Paul II
To authentically love something or someone demands that the person seek its ultimate good above or beyond their own. It is nourished and cultivated by this sense of responsibility over another, which it naturally bears.
And that's what it means to love as Christ loves.
"Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God." - John Paul II
--Pope John Paul II
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