I want to preface this blog with: I am not God, I don't have His love, compassion, or capacity for grace. I know that's always an interesting way to preface any blog, but I think you will understand why. I want to make it known that I am no greater, better, or have any greater worth than everyone else and I was definitely made even more humble today.
I was working on my stuff for Crave, and I had a gentleman come into the office who just from his appearance you could tell had fallen on hard times. He was asking for a Walmart card to be able to go get some food, because he said he hadn't eaten in days. At our church we don't have Walmart cards to give out to people who need assistance, that would be awesome if we did. So I told him that I could give him the cash I had, and we could give him some food out of our food pantry to help him out. This man was more than amazingly grateful for what we were able to give him which to my own selfish standards wasn't really even enough to get me through a few days, but he treasured it like it was gold in a paper sack. I asked him if I could pray for him, and after we prayed he asked me if he could give me a hug, and really didn't wait for a response and just grabbed me and gave me a hug like a man who had just seen his brother after 10 years of absence. I was moved by his gratitude, and thanks but his effect on me came 15 - 20 mins after he left. I was back at my desk continuing to work on my stuff for Crave and I noticed a subtle scent that seemed a bit off, and after trying to figure out what it was for a few minutes I realized that it was my new friend, who probably hadn't showered in who knows how long because he doesn't have the resources to do so, and when he gave me a hug had given me a reminder that when we are the hands and feet of God it will have an effect on us. That smell of him was a blessing to me because it helped me to remember that one, I'm a few bad months away from being in that exact same place, and two, that when we are the hands and feet of God we're going to be effected by it.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40
Live in chaos, pray for brokenness, and seek to know nothing apart from Him,
Drew
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
A tangible challenge
“love those who hate you”
“rejoice in your struggles”
“in order to truly find your life, you have to lose it”
“less of me is more”
Jesus’ teaching were and still are completely contradictory to what the world, our society, and everything about this world is telling us. Our God is a God of changing people’s hearts as he turn their world upside down.
Matthew 20:16 tells us that he first will be last and the last will be first. That’s exactly how we want to live our lives as followers of the cross. We want to be about putting others before us, serving the needs of those around us before we concern ourselves with our own selfish desires. If we look at the example set for us in the life of Christ there is much to learned about what it is to be a servant, in that Christ’s entire life and death was about serving.
It never ceases to amaze me how God uses things in our lives that don't make sense to us, to teach us something and reveal some life changing truth to us. I just want to encourage you to press into those things that on the surface don't make sense and those things that you seem to struggle understanding because it isn't our understanding that we as followers of the cross are called to live our lives with, we are told to seek wisdom and God will give it to anyone who asks.
The way we think and process through things is so infinitely limited compared to the vast knowledge and wisdom of our creator. And to think that we question His designs, plans, and purposes to bequest a substitution of our eternally-infantile wisdom because we know better than our maker.
Live in chaos, pray for brokenness, and most of all seek to know nothing.
“rejoice in your struggles”
“in order to truly find your life, you have to lose it”
“less of me is more”
Jesus’ teaching were and still are completely contradictory to what the world, our society, and everything about this world is telling us. Our God is a God of changing people’s hearts as he turn their world upside down.
Matthew 20:16 tells us that he first will be last and the last will be first. That’s exactly how we want to live our lives as followers of the cross. We want to be about putting others before us, serving the needs of those around us before we concern ourselves with our own selfish desires. If we look at the example set for us in the life of Christ there is much to learned about what it is to be a servant, in that Christ’s entire life and death was about serving.
It never ceases to amaze me how God uses things in our lives that don't make sense to us, to teach us something and reveal some life changing truth to us. I just want to encourage you to press into those things that on the surface don't make sense and those things that you seem to struggle understanding because it isn't our understanding that we as followers of the cross are called to live our lives with, we are told to seek wisdom and God will give it to anyone who asks.
The way we think and process through things is so infinitely limited compared to the vast knowledge and wisdom of our creator. And to think that we question His designs, plans, and purposes to bequest a substitution of our eternally-infantile wisdom because we know better than our maker.
Live in chaos, pray for brokenness, and most of all seek to know nothing.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Exciting Times
So I was thinking about writing a blog about transition and how God has a greater plan than us. But as I began that blog it had this serious and weighty tone to it, and I didn't like that.
Sure it feels weird right now, because we don't know what's going to be happening in two months, or two weeks from now, but I find that it's in times of uncertainty that God shows me new measures of faith I need to live the life He has for me.
I'm truly excited about what God has in store for us and for me personally. I don't know what it is, but I do know that God is doing great things right now even as I type this blog, God is changing a broken heart into a heart filled with grace, love, and compassion. And God is setting the stage and preparing us for really great things in the days ahead. If you look at the Bible God is a God of amazingness, not surprise, but amazingness. And I just feel it, to the core of me, that there are amazing times ahead in the life of First Denton Students. (i just need to go back and read my own words when Satan attacks me with doubt, self-defeat, and frustration.
This is where I am coming from for Sunday if anyone reads this before then (which I doubt anyone will): Matthew 16:13-20. We're going to talk about what it means to really be the church. Good stuff coming, I can feel God all up in this message so be there bring your friends and expect God to show up and challenge us.
Much Love,
Drew
Sure it feels weird right now, because we don't know what's going to be happening in two months, or two weeks from now, but I find that it's in times of uncertainty that God shows me new measures of faith I need to live the life He has for me.
I'm truly excited about what God has in store for us and for me personally. I don't know what it is, but I do know that God is doing great things right now even as I type this blog, God is changing a broken heart into a heart filled with grace, love, and compassion. And God is setting the stage and preparing us for really great things in the days ahead. If you look at the Bible God is a God of amazingness, not surprise, but amazingness. And I just feel it, to the core of me, that there are amazing times ahead in the life of First Denton Students. (i just need to go back and read my own words when Satan attacks me with doubt, self-defeat, and frustration.
This is where I am coming from for Sunday if anyone reads this before then (which I doubt anyone will): Matthew 16:13-20. We're going to talk about what it means to really be the church. Good stuff coming, I can feel God all up in this message so be there bring your friends and expect God to show up and challenge us.
Much Love,
Drew
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