Why is it that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Why is it when I try to follow the rules or do it myself, I always fail? Why is it that Christians, Muslims, Atheist, Buddhist, etc... don't believe in the same thing? Why is it that Kanye West is so.. well you get the point. Why is it that little girls and boys are molested, sold into slavery, and abused in every country in the World? Why is it that we are so obsessed with celebrity gossip? The list goes on and on.
Idolatry. Not a common word in the world, but so prevalent in our culture. We are America, land of the free. Free to do what we want, as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else. We worship money, cars, toys, games, people, celebrities and ourselves. Yet, God is kind of a kickstand for us. To some, he is just a door mat we wipe our feet on. I am totally not saying I have never fallen into this trap, or never will, but I will sure as hell try not to. But when I do try, I seem to fall even deeper. I have found that it is not by the effort I exhort, but rather my reliance on God to change my heart. Continually. Not just in the moment. When I allow myself to be captivated by what I can attain and accomplish here on Earth, I cease to rely on God. I start to worship this life, this world, this body instead of giving my life and heart to God.
What is sad to me, is that a lot of "Christians" so easily fall into this trap and profile. There are so many distorted Gospels that it is unclear to the unbelieving world who is right. And so Atheism is so huge. It is not so easy to pick apart the teachings of Jesus and the Bible narrative, but it is real easy to spot the half hearted, half faith Christian. It is harder and harder to spread the Gospel. But even harder to rebuke false teachings that some believers are being taught. Pride is so deep within our DNA that we can not see or hear the real truth.
So as I continue to live out this life, God is putting me back together from the broken state He found me. I am NOT perfect, but I strive for perfection that only a savior can bring me. I can't do it. Christ in me is the only way. So I pray everyday that God would help me to be relevant and loving in a world that doesn't love me. To not be consumed with the earthly passions and longings that take away my worship of God. I pray that I would be bold and courageous enough to share the Gospel with anyone and that I would grow in love and understanding.
Peace.
B.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
No One is Good
I have a problem, a curse if you will. I don't want this to come off arrogant or prideful and it may cause you, whoever reads this (lest you feed my pride), to not really like me or care for me anymore. Here goes nothing: I am a "good" person. I did not say this about myself, I do not think this about myself, but, I am a "good" guy. This is what I hear all the time from co workers, from acquaintances, and from strangers. I am a "good" guy. I am so sick of it. I don't really go out of my way to be a "good" guy and I am NOT trying to impress people with my "good" guy attributes. But I am cursed none the less.
Here is why: I am not good. This is what I have come to realize in my spiritual walk with my creator. I am NOT good. I was born in this world NOT good. My descendants were not good. NO ONE IS GOOD! There is only one person, thing, being that is good and that is God. THE God. It is by His grace that there is anything good that comes from me or is produced by me. I can't take credit for it. We ALL are not good, believers or non believers alike. Jesus has even said it before men. If people knew the baggage, the lies, the deceit of your heart, my heart, their heart and it was revealed for all to gaze upon, would life be the same? I doubt it unless they have been redeemed by grace and have put their hope and trust and life in the hands of the only one who can save us, the only saviour worth living for, the One who died on a bloody, beat up, splintered cross. That is the only way. The world would not understand and doesn't understand this belief in the true and only God. How he could save us from being damned to hell for eternity knowing all that we have done, thought, and said in our lives that was not "good". I have baggage probably that no one knows about that I have struggled with and still do. I am quick to anger at times, I have had lust issues, I have said and thought hurtful things to people, I don't tithe like I want to, and sometimes all I can think about is what is in it for me in all circumstances. But as I live in the spirit daily, as I have pursued God and walked in His grace, many things have changed about me and still do. Not to say that I have been perfected, but I am continually changing.
BUT, once again, if I passed out a disclaimer to everyone I meet, work with, do life with before or after they get to know me, would it cause them to run? If they are a true friend, which I have just a few, they will stay I hope. If everyone leaves me, so be it. I will have ONE who will never leave me or forsake me. The thing is, I wish I could have the type of friends that would call me out, who would keep me accountable, who would be there for me when I struggle. But, that is something we as humans struggle with.
If you read this whole blog, and you are completely disgusted with me, I understand. But, just know, you, me, and the kid named Capri are liars in a since. We want everyone to think well of us. We want people to say nice things about us when we die. But for me, if I am not honest with everyone about everything, I feel like I am a continual liar and not depending on God's grace and provision in my life. I am not some Emo kid sitting on a staircase thinking "oh my life is so bad". I am saying that before you call me good, get to know me first. I am not. But Christ in me, causes me to do good things for HIS glory, not mine. So if I take credit for it, I am worshiping myself and my ability. It is all God and it is all good!
Peace
B.
Here is why: I am not good. This is what I have come to realize in my spiritual walk with my creator. I am NOT good. I was born in this world NOT good. My descendants were not good. NO ONE IS GOOD! There is only one person, thing, being that is good and that is God. THE God. It is by His grace that there is anything good that comes from me or is produced by me. I can't take credit for it. We ALL are not good, believers or non believers alike. Jesus has even said it before men. If people knew the baggage, the lies, the deceit of your heart, my heart, their heart and it was revealed for all to gaze upon, would life be the same? I doubt it unless they have been redeemed by grace and have put their hope and trust and life in the hands of the only one who can save us, the only saviour worth living for, the One who died on a bloody, beat up, splintered cross. That is the only way. The world would not understand and doesn't understand this belief in the true and only God. How he could save us from being damned to hell for eternity knowing all that we have done, thought, and said in our lives that was not "good". I have baggage probably that no one knows about that I have struggled with and still do. I am quick to anger at times, I have had lust issues, I have said and thought hurtful things to people, I don't tithe like I want to, and sometimes all I can think about is what is in it for me in all circumstances. But as I live in the spirit daily, as I have pursued God and walked in His grace, many things have changed about me and still do. Not to say that I have been perfected, but I am continually changing.
BUT, once again, if I passed out a disclaimer to everyone I meet, work with, do life with before or after they get to know me, would it cause them to run? If they are a true friend, which I have just a few, they will stay I hope. If everyone leaves me, so be it. I will have ONE who will never leave me or forsake me. The thing is, I wish I could have the type of friends that would call me out, who would keep me accountable, who would be there for me when I struggle. But, that is something we as humans struggle with.
If you read this whole blog, and you are completely disgusted with me, I understand. But, just know, you, me, and the kid named Capri are liars in a since. We want everyone to think well of us. We want people to say nice things about us when we die. But for me, if I am not honest with everyone about everything, I feel like I am a continual liar and not depending on God's grace and provision in my life. I am not some Emo kid sitting on a staircase thinking "oh my life is so bad". I am saying that before you call me good, get to know me first. I am not. But Christ in me, causes me to do good things for HIS glory, not mine. So if I take credit for it, I am worshiping myself and my ability. It is all God and it is all good!
Peace
B.
