August 14, 2008
· Filed under A Closer look..., What do you think? · Tagged C.S. Lewis, Character, christianity, confidence, dream, freedom, God, holidays, hope, Identity, Mere Christianity, morning, Self, Self-understanding, Strength, term, The Last battle, trust, truth
“Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? “
C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
Self-understanding is something that I desire so much.
I have often thought in the past that I understand myself, that I know myself, and that I can know what is going on inside of me at any given moment.
That is so…not true. Now, more than ever, I wish for the full picture. Although, I know that it will not likely come, as I am ever-changing and still forming.
To think, that just because It is I that thinks these thoughts, that I can somehow interpret them flawlessly.
I suppose, if I allow God to know all of me that I possibly can…then I can know that much more with His wisdom.
Where does my identity lie? Although I know full well where it lies, it seems to change each day with my weakness…and out of that changing source of identity follows the flawed actions of a lost little girl.
But..oh, the beauty when I find strength not of my own, and I am impelled to move out of my true self, confident and free.
The term is over: the holidays have begun.
The dream is ended: this is the morning.
April 11, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Books, christianity, God, Reforming, Rethinking, review, Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis
“God has spoken…the rest is commentary”
-Rob Bell
I’ve just started reading this book: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
My first impression was…huh? I’ve had some “hmmms” some “no way” some “heretic!” and some “ooh, i like that!” …lots of other reactions as well.
It reminds me a bit of the mini series my brother Joel is doing right now called
“I believe in Tradition, but I don’t stand on it” Rob Bell talks all about changing with the times so Jesus is relevant to today…
Some of it makes me worry, makes me afraid that all we stand on is lost, but I was challenged by his analogy of different faiths using a Brick wall, and a Trampoline..
A person set in his or her way would have a brick wall as their faith, if you move, question, jiggle, or change ONE brick in the wall, the ENTIRE wall is compromised and threatens to crumble.
There is no room for change or questions…only tradition…the Literal bible. what?
The other person’s faith is described as a trampoline..where the basis is JOY and LOVE. you don’t argue about who’s trampoline is better or more what God wants..the RIGHT theology, but you invite others to JUMP with you on the trampoline because you cannot contain the love you feel. Your faith is in constant motion, and God is with you constantly as your journey through life…
I love these analogies. One great point Mr. Bell made was…if we contain our faith in a brick wall, and allow nothing else in..we are saying that GOD is as big as our brick wall…and as Rob Bell so wonderfully states:
“…But God is bigger than any wall. God is bigger than any religion. God is bigger than any world view. God is bigger than the Christian Faith.”
Its true..Check out this book. something to chew on.
much love.
March 10, 2008
· Filed under A Closer look..., Random thoughts of the Day, What do you think? · Tagged christianity, faith, God, grief, Jesus, religion, truth
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night
has been unkind.
One of the hardest things in life for me…is to see people struggle on..
through grief, pain, sadness, even joy…without truth.
because…generally that drifting just leaves people helpless…and it makes me feel that way too. Often wishing so badly that God would meet them in that moment of confusion and bring comfort. I know he is always working though, in ways I’ll never truly understand.
But…I’m so tired of watching it sometimes. A play that never really ends…
I don’t want to judge, but there are so many wishy-washy ideas that do nothing
but turn people in circles or back to guilt and shame…back to a defeatist mindset.
Most people would say its Pretension to say “I have the truth”
Its not like I want to impose it and force it on anyone else. Jesus never did that…
He just washed their feet again and again. he served even when he wasn’t being served.
I suppose a gift that is forced and never received can never be fully appreciated, understood, or inserted into daily life…thats the only way that the truth can bring true freedom..
is through acceptance.
bah. All these thoughts from a silly E.R. episode that made me cry.
God can speak through anything my friends…
which is why i think everything we see is a bit more than it seems to be..
Goodnight.
