I'm always looking for ways to improve practices in my life. I am ALL FOR changing if it means I can do something more easily, efficiently, expertly. (BTW how was that for some alliteration?!) A lot of times I garner new practices, techniques, from reading. So, when an idea presents itself that I'm not familiar with I like to read up on it. When I feel like I can improve the way I do something in my life I read up on the way other people do it... thats the genesis of this blog I suppose.
Someone asked me a while back about meditation... wanted to know if I meditated. I said something along the lines of 'not really'. The word meditate has always brought to my mind middle eastern practices for some reason. I have never associated meditation with Christianity... probably part of being raised baptist. haha. Now, I knew all about having a daily 'quiet time' as the good old baptists like to call it, but meditation wasn't a part of my thought process so much. (aside: I HATE the phrase 'quiet time'... when I spend time with people I love I'm notoriously loud... sometimes I want to yell or squeal or something. My quality time with Jesus isn't quiet at all...) Anyway, I looked up meditation and it was defined as follows:
meditate |ˈmedəˌtāt|
verb [ intrans. ] think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.
So yeah, I suppose I do meditate... blogging about my faith is a pretty good form of meditation... gotta think before you type. After I started thinking about the meditation thing, I decided to take it a step further. I started wondering about the most effective way to have 'quiet time' (is there a better term for that?! I shall here after refer to daily time with God as QUALITY time or QT). What ratio of meditation to reading to prayer to whatever else is most effective? How long should this process be lasting each day? How can I maximize my time to learn the most and apply what I learn the best? Of course I had to investigate all this... and I came across something in a devotion book that I found pretty interesting.. Lectio Divina.
Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Catholic practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. Basically, this is a way of praying with Scripture that calls you to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray within the soul.
OK OK.... I know some people are probably thinking that this is a little out there. Seriously though. This really makes sense. I am a creature of structure. Its MUCH easier for me to stick with something that has a pattern, structure, organization... and this is a GREAT way to organize Bible study... I admit that it sounds a little cheesy though...
Lectio Divina has been likened to "Feasting on the Word." The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savor the essence of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio).
Lectio
This first moment consists in reading the scriptural passage slowly, attentively several times. Many write down words in the scripture that stick out to them or grasp their attention during this moment.
Meditatio
gravitating around the passage or one of its words, takes it and ruminates on it, thinking in God’s presence about the text. You benefit from the Holy Spirit’s guidance here. It is not a special revelation from God necessarily, but the inward working of the Holy Spirit that helps us grasp the revelation contained in Scripture.
Oratio
prayer... we allow the word that we have taken in and on which we are pondering to touch and change our deepest selves. ...God invites us in lectio divina to hold up our most difficult and pain-filled experiences to Him, and to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase He has given us in our lectio and meditatio. In this oratio, this consecration-prayer, we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.
Contemplatio
This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in His presence....
So, basically depending on your education and spiritual strengths, this method helps you engage in Scripture in a way that most people don't ever actually get to... The expected outcome will be a deeper knowledge of scripture, oneself, others and God, and to see all these in gradually increasing light of faith. What's not to like, huh?
Thursday, December 16
Wednesday, December 15
DISCOVERY!
So... this blog is my new FAVORITE!
www.stuffchristianslike.net
Specifically the post that got me hooked was a post about what the author calls 'Jesus Jukes.'
"Like a football player juking you at the last second and going a different direction, the Jesus Juke is when someone takes what is clearly a joke filled conversation and completely reverses direction into something serious and holy."
I HATE when people do that to me... and apparently this guy does too. Ok, so I write Xmas on my Facebook status... don't need a sermon. I still love Jesus. Ohhh, you noticed that I posted a tweet at 11am on a Sunday. No need to admonish me for skipping church (especially since we have Saturday services). Here's Jon Acuff's reasoning on why the Jesus Juke isn't cool.
"Chances are you’ve experienced this. Someone pulled the Christian version of the Debbie Downer, they threw out a bit of Jesus Juke on you. If you have, or even if you haven’t, there are three things we all need to know about this particular move.
1. It generates shame.
The Jesus Juke is a great way to tell a friend, “I wish you possessed the uber holiness I do and were instead talking about sweet baby Jesus in this conversation.” It’s like a tiny little “shame grenade,” you throw it into an otherwise harmless conversation and then watch it splatter everyone in guilt and condemnation.
2. It never leads to good conversation.
I’ve been Jesus Juked dozens of times in my life and I’ve never once seen it lead to a productive, healthy conversation. You might think it will before you juke, but what usually happens is just raw amounts of awkwardness, similar to how I felt sitting in a theater watching the Last Airbender.
3. I’ve never met someone who was “juked to Jesus.”
I once tweeted, “No one’s ever said: ‘The way you bitterly mock other Christians helped me begin a life-changing love of Jesus’ (Be kind).” I wrote that because I wanted to remind us that our jerkiness never led folks to Christ. I don’t think our jukes do either. I don’t really see it as a conversion technique. It’s more of a conversation killer technique.
I hope we all keep talking about Jesus. I hope we talk about him lots and lots. I hope he defines our life and conversations. But if I tell you that when it comes to My Little Pony, I tend to prefer Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and that Toola Roola has been riding their coattails for years, please don’t respond, 'You know who created ponies? Our Lord God did, that’s who.'"
Just something that I found interesting and HAD to share. Check out www.stuffchristianslike.net 'cause its GREAT.
www.stuffchristianslike.net
Specifically the post that got me hooked was a post about what the author calls 'Jesus Jukes.'
"Like a football player juking you at the last second and going a different direction, the Jesus Juke is when someone takes what is clearly a joke filled conversation and completely reverses direction into something serious and holy."
I HATE when people do that to me... and apparently this guy does too. Ok, so I write Xmas on my Facebook status... don't need a sermon. I still love Jesus. Ohhh, you noticed that I posted a tweet at 11am on a Sunday. No need to admonish me for skipping church (especially since we have Saturday services). Here's Jon Acuff's reasoning on why the Jesus Juke isn't cool.
"Chances are you’ve experienced this. Someone pulled the Christian version of the Debbie Downer, they threw out a bit of Jesus Juke on you. If you have, or even if you haven’t, there are three things we all need to know about this particular move.
1. It generates shame.
The Jesus Juke is a great way to tell a friend, “I wish you possessed the uber holiness I do and were instead talking about sweet baby Jesus in this conversation.” It’s like a tiny little “shame grenade,” you throw it into an otherwise harmless conversation and then watch it splatter everyone in guilt and condemnation.
2. It never leads to good conversation.
I’ve been Jesus Juked dozens of times in my life and I’ve never once seen it lead to a productive, healthy conversation. You might think it will before you juke, but what usually happens is just raw amounts of awkwardness, similar to how I felt sitting in a theater watching the Last Airbender.
3. I’ve never met someone who was “juked to Jesus.”
I once tweeted, “No one’s ever said: ‘The way you bitterly mock other Christians helped me begin a life-changing love of Jesus’ (Be kind).” I wrote that because I wanted to remind us that our jerkiness never led folks to Christ. I don’t think our jukes do either. I don’t really see it as a conversion technique. It’s more of a conversation killer technique.
I hope we all keep talking about Jesus. I hope we talk about him lots and lots. I hope he defines our life and conversations. But if I tell you that when it comes to My Little Pony, I tend to prefer Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and that Toola Roola has been riding their coattails for years, please don’t respond, 'You know who created ponies? Our Lord God did, that’s who.'"
Just something that I found interesting and HAD to share. Check out www.stuffchristianslike.net 'cause its GREAT.
Friday, December 10
people.
Well, I'm sick. I have some kind of stomach bug or something. Fever, throwing up, feeling all achy. I threw up at work and my boss sent me home. So, I have been in my bed all day. Of course, since I'm totally weird, I watched the news most of the day. I have no clue why I'd much rather watch CNN than MTV, but that's me.
I was just watching the local news and they were talking about Elizabeth Edwards. I was APPALLED to hear that people are planning to protest at her funeral. That is just the most crass thing I have ever heard.
As a result, I've just been thinking all day about how many people spend their lives focused on issues. So often I come across people who think that the most important thing in life is to speak out against issues, to align yourself with a party, to maintain the 'us' and 'them' mantra. WE are right, and THEY are wrong. Think about it. This happens a LOT. How many Christians (especially the southern Baptist kind... and I was one, so I can say this) focus on being republican, conservative, etc. They worry about speaking out about abortion and homosexuality. They crusade tirelessly against drinking, sexual immorality, and liberal politics. They campaign tirelessly to get 'their' candidate into office.
But how often do you see those same people putting in such an effort when it comes to helping PEOPLE? Maybe the way to reach a homosexual isn't to campaign for his rights to be restricted when it comes to marriage and military service, but to instead demonstrate the love of Christ to him no matter what he chooses to do. My sin is no different than his, and Jesus still loves me....
Please don't think I am saying that being a republican or a conservative or even a baptist is bad, because I'm not. What I am saying is that PEOPLE are more important than ISSUES. I take my lifestyle cues from Jesus. Did you ever see him protesting anything? Did he ever go to a rally or endorse a political figure? Nope. He just spent his time loving people... all people. So maybe we should go about the business of loving people like Jesus did, and let our political and moral opinions to flow out of our love for him and for others. If we all did that, i doubt there'd be any protesting at funeral services.
I was just watching the local news and they were talking about Elizabeth Edwards. I was APPALLED to hear that people are planning to protest at her funeral. That is just the most crass thing I have ever heard.
As a result, I've just been thinking all day about how many people spend their lives focused on issues. So often I come across people who think that the most important thing in life is to speak out against issues, to align yourself with a party, to maintain the 'us' and 'them' mantra. WE are right, and THEY are wrong. Think about it. This happens a LOT. How many Christians (especially the southern Baptist kind... and I was one, so I can say this) focus on being republican, conservative, etc. They worry about speaking out about abortion and homosexuality. They crusade tirelessly against drinking, sexual immorality, and liberal politics. They campaign tirelessly to get 'their' candidate into office.
But how often do you see those same people putting in such an effort when it comes to helping PEOPLE? Maybe the way to reach a homosexual isn't to campaign for his rights to be restricted when it comes to marriage and military service, but to instead demonstrate the love of Christ to him no matter what he chooses to do. My sin is no different than his, and Jesus still loves me....
Please don't think I am saying that being a republican or a conservative or even a baptist is bad, because I'm not. What I am saying is that PEOPLE are more important than ISSUES. I take my lifestyle cues from Jesus. Did you ever see him protesting anything? Did he ever go to a rally or endorse a political figure? Nope. He just spent his time loving people... all people. So maybe we should go about the business of loving people like Jesus did, and let our political and moral opinions to flow out of our love for him and for others. If we all did that, i doubt there'd be any protesting at funeral services.
Wednesday, December 8
tunes.
The purpose of this post is two fold. First, I can't sleep, and typing makes me tired. Second, I like blogging about music. BAM. There ya go... stole this from another social media website.
(1) Turn on your MP3 player or music player on your computer.
(2) Shuffle your songs.
(3) List the first 20 songs that come up (Song title and artist) NO editing/cheating, please. Even if you might skip the song when it comes up or be embarrassed for people to know that it's in your collection, you still must list it.
here are mine...
1. Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul. [this song is AMAZING. If you don't know this band do yourself a favor and look them up!]
2. Counting Crows - A Murder of One. [Counting Crows never get old... gotta love them.]
3. Chris Brown - Take You Down. [This song has accompanied the conception of many children I'm certain... sexy.]
4. Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow - Picture. [Don't lie... you KNOW you like singing along to this... ESPECIALLY when there is a member of the opposite sex there to accompany you!]
5. Lifehouse - Learn You Inside Out. [such a good mellow band. good to listen to before bed. =)]
6. Robin Thicke - Lost Without You. [His voice makes me melt...]
7. Panic! at the Disco - nine in the Afternoon. [takes me back to such fun times in college!!!]
8. The Beatles - Yesterday. [Its The Beatles... not further comment necessary]
9. The Smiths - How Soon is Now. [How can you not like The Smiths? They stir up such a mix of emotion with their lyrics...]
10. Ricky Martin - Nobody Wants to be Lonely. [can we say GUILTY PLEASURE?! I LOVE this song and I'm not ashamed!]
11. Marc Broussard - Come in From the Cold. [Love me some Brouss... and immensely talented and nice guy!]
12. Nine Days - If I Am. [This song has KILLER lyrics. Look them up!]
13. John Mayer - Wait Until Tomorrow. [I <3 John. His songs say so many of the things I feel but am not eloquent enough to express]
14. Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels. [great song with great memories from great friends]
15. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback. [possibly written from JT to me? Geez, he's my dream man!]
16. Guns and Roses - Welcome to the Jungle. [classic. sometimes you just need to rock out.]
17. The Velvet Underground - I'm Waiting for The Man. [loving VU may make me a hipster. DON'T CARE.]
18. Nsync - Selfish. [All of their stuff is on my iPod. I still listen to it. Boy bands can brighten up any day!]
19. The Foo Fighters - Best of You. [Dave is one of my favorite musicians... and this is a great song.]
20. The Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy. [This song/band makes me wish i was a teenager in the 90s. GREAT music.]
ok. I'm done. Although, i could comment on music all day. =)
(1) Turn on your MP3 player or music player on your computer.
(2) Shuffle your songs.
(3) List the first 20 songs that come up (Song title and artist) NO editing/cheating, please. Even if you might skip the song when it comes up or be embarrassed for people to know that it's in your collection, you still must list it.
here are mine...
1. Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul. [this song is AMAZING. If you don't know this band do yourself a favor and look them up!]
2. Counting Crows - A Murder of One. [Counting Crows never get old... gotta love them.]
3. Chris Brown - Take You Down. [This song has accompanied the conception of many children I'm certain... sexy.]
4. Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow - Picture. [Don't lie... you KNOW you like singing along to this... ESPECIALLY when there is a member of the opposite sex there to accompany you!]
5. Lifehouse - Learn You Inside Out. [such a good mellow band. good to listen to before bed. =)]
6. Robin Thicke - Lost Without You. [His voice makes me melt...]
7. Panic! at the Disco - nine in the Afternoon. [takes me back to such fun times in college!!!]
8. The Beatles - Yesterday. [Its The Beatles... not further comment necessary]
9. The Smiths - How Soon is Now. [How can you not like The Smiths? They stir up such a mix of emotion with their lyrics...]
10. Ricky Martin - Nobody Wants to be Lonely. [can we say GUILTY PLEASURE?! I LOVE this song and I'm not ashamed!]
11. Marc Broussard - Come in From the Cold. [Love me some Brouss... and immensely talented and nice guy!]
12. Nine Days - If I Am. [This song has KILLER lyrics. Look them up!]
13. John Mayer - Wait Until Tomorrow. [I <3 John. His songs say so many of the things I feel but am not eloquent enough to express]
14. Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels. [great song with great memories from great friends]
15. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback. [possibly written from JT to me? Geez, he's my dream man!]
16. Guns and Roses - Welcome to the Jungle. [classic. sometimes you just need to rock out.]
17. The Velvet Underground - I'm Waiting for The Man. [loving VU may make me a hipster. DON'T CARE.]
18. Nsync - Selfish. [All of their stuff is on my iPod. I still listen to it. Boy bands can brighten up any day!]
19. The Foo Fighters - Best of You. [Dave is one of my favorite musicians... and this is a great song.]
20. The Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy. [This song/band makes me wish i was a teenager in the 90s. GREAT music.]
ok. I'm done. Although, i could comment on music all day. =)
LENNON.
30 years ago today John Lennon was murdered.
As everyone knows I'm a Beatles fanatic. Lots of people criticize me for loving Lennon so much, especially when he was "communist/atheist/whatever else." Even so, I still think he was one of the most talented people ever, and when I listen to his lyrics I hear them through the lens of my life, beliefs, culture... so I don't have a problem with the things about him personally that were different than me. For example... Some of my favorite lyrics penned by Lennon follow. Now, he was talking about some girl, but I appreciate these lyrics in the context of my relationship with Jesus. Lennon's writing was only half of the work... my interpretation is the other half. Think about it the next time you're listening to your favorite 'secular' music...
IN MY LIFE
There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more
RIP Mr. Lennon! <3
As everyone knows I'm a Beatles fanatic. Lots of people criticize me for loving Lennon so much, especially when he was "communist/atheist/whatever else." Even so, I still think he was one of the most talented people ever, and when I listen to his lyrics I hear them through the lens of my life, beliefs, culture... so I don't have a problem with the things about him personally that were different than me. For example... Some of my favorite lyrics penned by Lennon follow. Now, he was talking about some girl, but I appreciate these lyrics in the context of my relationship with Jesus. Lennon's writing was only half of the work... my interpretation is the other half. Think about it the next time you're listening to your favorite 'secular' music...
IN MY LIFE
There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more
RIP Mr. Lennon! <3
Monday, December 6
Holiday etiquette.
I was reading one of my FAVORITE blogs today, Ragamuffin Soul which is written by Carlos Whittaker. I came across this very talented fellow when he was a 'guest' worship leader at Elevation Blakney a few weeks ago. Today he posted a list of reasons its ok to say 'Merry Xmas' during the holiday season. I've always thought that it was a dumb thing for Christians to get mad about, especially in relation to some other stuff that goes on in the world. So, without further ado, here is why you can say 'xmas' without offending anyone or hear it without taking offense.
1. I love baby Jesus too but he didn’t name Christmas…Christmas. We did.
2. If this offends you then I suggest you change your greeting to “May you have the most joyous season of celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. It is less confusing that Merry Christmas.
3. I find it more insulting that people get mad at Bart Millard for saying Xmas and have no idea that the pagan origins of their gift exchanges started in ancient Babylon when the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.
4. I’m thinking we should celebrate Christmas when it actually happened. More or less around September.
The shepherds were not tending their sheep in the middle of a Judean winter. I promise.
5. I’m not taking Christ out of Christmas when I say Xmas… I am giving more attention to the word “mas” which in the true language of God means “more”
6. I love Jesus. If you are concerned with people seeing a Christian take “Christ” out of the word “Christmas” let’s just say it Merry Jesusmas so that everybody will get it.
7. On twitter it is a much better way of saving your character count.
8. Let’s face it. Jesus is the X Factor! What A Better Way To Say It!!!
9. I hate lists of 10 so I’m gonna stop at 9…Or really 8.
If you want to read more from LosWhit (and you totally should) check out Ragamuffin Soul.
1. I love baby Jesus too but he didn’t name Christmas…Christmas. We did.
2. If this offends you then I suggest you change your greeting to “May you have the most joyous season of celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. It is less confusing that Merry Christmas.
3. I find it more insulting that people get mad at Bart Millard for saying Xmas and have no idea that the pagan origins of their gift exchanges started in ancient Babylon when the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.
4. I’m thinking we should celebrate Christmas when it actually happened. More or less around September.
The shepherds were not tending their sheep in the middle of a Judean winter. I promise.
5. I’m not taking Christ out of Christmas when I say Xmas… I am giving more attention to the word “mas” which in the true language of God means “more”
6. I love Jesus. If you are concerned with people seeing a Christian take “Christ” out of the word “Christmas” let’s just say it Merry Jesusmas so that everybody will get it.
7. On twitter it is a much better way of saving your character count.
8. Let’s face it. Jesus is the X Factor! What A Better Way To Say It!!!
9. I hate lists of 10 so I’m gonna stop at 9…Or really 8.
If you want to read more from LosWhit (and you totally should) check out Ragamuffin Soul.
Friday, December 3
effective.
Ok, so apparently all I blog about now is loving Jesus... I'm fine with that. Its something I've been struggling over though. Why? Well, frankly I don't always know what I'm talking about, and I screw up on a daily basis. Who would want thoughts on faith from me? I'm not putting myself down, I'm just trying to be real. So, thats something I've been thinking about for the last few days. How can I be effective and productive for Jesus when I am not "qualified" to speak with authority about anything? Got an answer this morning...
I was reading in 2 Peter (vs 1:5-8) this morning... Not really looking for anything in particular... just continuing from where I'd left off the day before. Here it is:
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
and here it is from The Message... just a little more colloquial.
"So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books."
God certainly has a way of pointing out things I need to know. I normally read from an ESV version of the Bible at home. However, for whatever reason, I pulled out an NIV version a few days ago and started using it. Well, this morning as I was reading I came across 2 Peter 1:8 which used the words 'ineffective' and 'unproductive' which are EXACTLY the things I've been struggling over. I worry that I'm ineffective because I'm not qualified to comment on faith. I'm just trying to make it like everyone else. I don't want to present myself as someone who 'has it all together' so to speak. I read a lot, I pray a lot, I think A LOT, but what can I do to make myself a more credible member of the body of Christ?
2 Peter this morning laid it all out quite clearly. I don't have to get a degree in ministry to be effective or productive... I need to demonstrate understanding, discipline, patience, friendliness, love... This is the stuff that will make me an effective member of the body of Christ.
Just a little something I am thinking about today... hope its something everyone else can apply too. =)
I was reading in 2 Peter (vs 1:5-8) this morning... Not really looking for anything in particular... just continuing from where I'd left off the day before. Here it is:
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
and here it is from The Message... just a little more colloquial.
"So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books."
God certainly has a way of pointing out things I need to know. I normally read from an ESV version of the Bible at home. However, for whatever reason, I pulled out an NIV version a few days ago and started using it. Well, this morning as I was reading I came across 2 Peter 1:8 which used the words 'ineffective' and 'unproductive' which are EXACTLY the things I've been struggling over. I worry that I'm ineffective because I'm not qualified to comment on faith. I'm just trying to make it like everyone else. I don't want to present myself as someone who 'has it all together' so to speak. I read a lot, I pray a lot, I think A LOT, but what can I do to make myself a more credible member of the body of Christ?
2 Peter this morning laid it all out quite clearly. I don't have to get a degree in ministry to be effective or productive... I need to demonstrate understanding, discipline, patience, friendliness, love... This is the stuff that will make me an effective member of the body of Christ.
Just a little something I am thinking about today... hope its something everyone else can apply too. =)
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