Whatever

I seriously think I have done a post about this so if you are reading this for the second time then treat it like you would holy, holy- something said twice that means you need to pay extra attention to.

So I moved to Charlotte this past weekend, and I apologize for the friends reading this right now with an open mouth because I clearly have not told you. The move has been a great choice, fresh air and fresh start (not that I needed one, God graciously gave me a GREAT college experience!). anyway, stories another day.

In my life and particularly in the last few weeks surrounding my decision and move here, I've tried to set my eyes on Jesus and follow Him where He leads to effectively follow. I find that in life we dwell on the wrong things often and that's what gets us so far off track before we even know it. We watch television or absorb ourselves in other people's drama and let those things consume us to a point that our minds become set on them and not on Jesus. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God" Romans 8:5-7a. All the drama that we carry around with us- the annoyances we have against friends, the way we pick out the smallest imperfections of people and rip them apart, our critical natures, our exaggerated stories- all of it are just ways that we set our minds on the flesh and not the Spirit.

So I ask God, Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, whatever is excellent, whatever is praiseworthy let me think about such things (Philippians 4:8). Because if I do, I honor God and that is man's chief end and purpose.

"Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things" Colossians 3:2. All that matters is that which is eternal. The switch doesn't come overnight and it's not permanent. We're sinners but the more practice you put in it the better you'll get. I find myself thinking "Things above, katie, things above, not earthly things" and then remembering Phil 4:8 and what classifies as "things above". If you love Jesus, it's worth the shot- it makes life less complicated.

Kindness

I was in Target yesterday waiting in line to checkout. One of the lines had a hold-up and the people in it had been waiting for some time, seeing people in all other lines get checked out while they waited. A man from the line beside it who was about to get his turn stepped back and offered the first lady in the held-up line to go in front of him. The lady politely said "oh no, that's ok" and continued to wait.

I had two thoughts: one- the impact of small kindnesses and two- our often inability to allow someone to be thoughtful and help us.

I didn't know the man, but he seemed to have light in his eyes. Whatever the case, he was being Jesus to that lady. It was such a small thing, 3 minutes extra for him in line if she went in front, and yet it stuck out to me as remarkable that we don't choose to be Jesus to other people more often. I see people who look lost on the streets or in a store and I hardly think to ask if they want help when I'm sure I could help them. I think that there are so many small kindnesses that we choose not to interject ourselves into others' lives and we lose out on small joys that could make a lifetime for us and other people. I wonder why we aren't more focused on storing up treasures in Heaven and I think we do that by the small kindnesses.

Maybe it's because our treasure is often here on earth instead of in heaven that we're less inclined to put others before ourselves and more inclined to do whatever necessary to maximize our time, our own world, our own lives. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

My second thought points to the conservative nature of society. We hide things we don't want people to see- we hide the ugly parts about our lives, we hide the embarrassing moments that make us look less than perfect. And you know, we fool a few people, but the people that matter aren't fooled. But when I thought of that lady I wondered why we arent' more inclined to accept the small things people offer. We're programmed to immediately decline before we even think about what the person offers. We don't want to be needy or vulnerable I suppose by taking someone up on what they say. Although I will unfortunately say that often in our culture (yet not in this Target case) people offer things they really don't mean and then we find ourselves full circle on a possible reason why we so quickly tell people no. It's sad really, if only we stood back a moment and thought before we ask or seek help and do it because we're trying to be Jesus.

Hated for the right cause?

So we're often told in the Christian world that if we want to follow Christ we have to be ok with being hated. Sunday school teachers and pastors continue to remind us that Jesus was hated- which clearly he was considering that the same people that threw palm branches in front Him welcoming him were the same people that screamed to crucify the perfect Lamb. So Jesus was misunderstood, misrepresented, hated, slandered, persecuted, abandoned and left to die by all but His mother and John. The Christian world tells us that if we are to walk in the ways of Christ then we too must follow this path and realize that we will often feel each of these emotions and states of being; we too must die to the outside world and stop caring what they think about us so that we may live more wholly for Christ and the Glory of God.

But are we hated for the right cause? I see so often in the Christian world these trail blazers that have this massive spiritual side and parade around with an almost prophetic air exclaiming that "god told them..". I use a lower case "g" because in my opinion it's blasphemy to use any other in this case. "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whome he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world" (Hebrews 1:1-2). And then after Jesus' death the Spirit provides wisdom and power because God has left us a Helper to lead us in the right direction. This is the train, the way it works in all the worlds before and after us. I think that many followers want so badly to be fierce in the battle that they run out fighting for a cause that they haven't sat back and made sure was Biblical. I know of people that are "hated" or disrespected at least, the people that others talk about behind their backs as being "super-Christian" or a "Bible-beater". I think a lot of these people are sadly fighting the wrong cause.

I realize it's a fact that if we truly follow God we will be all of those things that Jesus was- misunderstood, abandoned and hated. But the sad thing is that I think a lot of people try to be such radicals to prove they love Jesus, as though God needs proof, that they get far off course and are hated for the wrong cause. I dread the thought of being hated if I'm honest, but God, make it for the right cause. Don't make me one of those bandwagon individuals that gets off course. Make me a true follower that stays so deeply in you that my foundation is steady and the waves of the world do not harm me but only build me stronger in you. It's such a sad thing to have so many different religions that we begin to pick a flavor that suits us instead of letting them drive us into the Bible to find truth and the church that truly follows God by the principles in His Word.

Armor of God

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the WHOLE armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil i nthe heavenly places. Therefore take up the WHOLE armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Those of us that have grown up in the church have heard the full length of this passage a few dozen times but it recently has made me step back and exam it further. The passage doesn't say "put on some of the armor" or "try to put on at least a few pieces each day".. it says "Put on the WHOLE armor of God". Do I put on the whole armor? It's difficult to remember to strap on my shoes fitted for the readiness given by the gospel of peace particularly when I really want to yell at that person for doing exactly what I just asked them not to do. Or, do I remember to whip out my sword of the Spirit in response to other people thereby responding to someone's questions through scripture and not through my own opinions. This is a hard one for me particularly because if you know me at all you know I'm rather opinionated and yet I'm so very human. What a better way to combat my humaness than to be so equipped with scripture that I can respond in God's perfect words instead of my human and imperfect narration. Another striking piece of the armor is the belt of truth. Wow, here's one I often throw over my shoulder but don't fully fasten. There is only one way to truth and righteousness and those ways have GOd in them. HOw often are we led to leaving some important details out or amplifying the story just a bit to make ourselves sound better? If God truly is in control then we need not exaggerate at all- He's got it and He'll make our lives great- if we let Him and don't screw it up!

I'm sure you're familiar with the rest of the pieces- the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith. It amazes me that we're suppose to carry all of that each day, each moment. It shows our great need to spend time alone with God to be able to carry all of this equipment!

I'm also sure you know the days when you haven't carried all of your armor. It's the days that your lose your temper and someone gets hurt. The sad thing though is that because of sin we're bound to mess up. Even when we have the armor on there are times when evil arrows will find their ways through but take heart because GOd has overcome the world. Focus on each piece for each day and "keep alert with all perseverance" (v18). If you do, I can promise life will be worth fighting for- yours and others.

A God afar off

If I was ever asked my biggest problem with God, or confusion rather, I would say that I am often frustrated with the earnest followers I know seeking God from all different versions of religion. How can this be? Today is not the day I offer a view of predestination, baptism or even the necessary works to reach Heaven. I'm referring to major differences- such as Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims etc. I know people that earnestly seek God, much more so than I do to be honest. Yet, when I listen to them and all of their wise council, they often have things to say that cannot be totally right. Somewhere in their words the modified phrase "I've been praying and I really feel that God is telling me" or "This is God's will, I'm supposed to do this" etc. etc. You HAVE to have heard it. I say it all the time. [SIDENOTE: Do we use God as an excuse to justify our actions so that others support us- Mainly because we so desperately need others' approval to make ourselves feel better?] How can we not all hear the same Guide, the same right and wrong? How can someone earnestly seeking, someone open to hearing God's truth, not hear it?

I encountered some men from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints the other day (Mormons). I really enjoy talking to people from all religions and so of course I invited them in. These questions I'm asking pain me once again because of these guys. They talked about how much they pray, how committed they must be in order to be a missionary, and the sacrifices they give for the church. It also makes me think about Muslims that pray, what is it, 5 times a day? Or what about the Christian who seeks God on a matter and feels she's been given a word that from a bystanders position could NOT be God's command. Ok, I'm trying to purposely exclude the non-genuine imposters that invade religion and claim to know God but do not humbly seek Him. I'm refering to the humble spirits who I genuinely believe are found in the pages of the Book of Life. I dare not widen the gates of Heaven by saying that we're ALL right in our current strivings and paths... so where's the hitch? Are we not earnestly seeking, are we just so human and tainted that we can't come to God genuinely and our world is so tangled in evil that God doesn't intervene and give us religious direction as much as He did Paul or Moses? Why is there no indication in our world as to the correct way, the way that true Christians follow?

"For who among false prophets has stood in the council of the Lord to see and to hear His word, or who has paid attention to His word and listened? Behold, the storm of the Lord!... But if they had stood in My council, then they would have proclaimed My words to My people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds." (Jeremiah 23:18-19a, 22).

So does this still hold? Does God promise that if we stand in His council we will hear truth? Ok yes to that question.. but let me ask a better: How do we genuinely stand in His council so that we can make good on this promise to hear truth? I consider myself to be decent at knowing the truly genuine seekers but are they? It's strange to think if so many very logical and intelligent people are so far off from God's ways then just how far off am I? Can I rely on this gut feeling I have to tell me right and wrong as 99% of us do? Here's the thing, my heart's inherantly evil, so no, I cannot rely on my emotions to tell me. Yes, the Spirit's voice can be there, but is that the voice you hear?

"Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord." (vs 23-24). I sometimes wish the "storm of the Lord" (v19) existed as publicly as it did then- it'd be scarier, but I'd have an answer- quick. It just drives me crazy recently to try to wrap my mind around such fantastic people that I know, people that seek God and read the Bible, people that try to be like Christ and yet have views that to me are so different from not only others' but also from the Bible. I know we're fallen, but how can this be?

Huck Finn

I just finished reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- great book actually. It's one of Mark Twain's crowning achievements how he is able to get away with so many outrageous happenings on account of it being Huck who is the narrator and so therefore they are "his" beliefs coming through in the tale. Anyway, I like the book because I love getting inside Huck's head and seeing how he sees things and feels about them. He isn't very smart or pure and yet seems to outsmart people and come around to do the right thing somehow.

My point: My favorite line of the adventure is this- "It's the little things that smoothes people's roads the most". He doesn't speak the best english, he doesn't always think before he does things and he messes up A LOT, but he realizes that a kindness goes a long way and he chooses to do things that will smooth the road of life for others. So there's your thought for the day!

Tribeless

I read part of a book today that's called The Scalpel and the Silver Bear. The book is about the Navajo people and one such girl's journey between the Navajo and American worlds. She herself was half and half yet in her heart she felt completely Navajo. The story follows her dividedness to college when she spoke of how outcast and ostracized she felt for her native roots. This is what she had to say about her college experience:

"Some years later, reflecting back on my college experiences, I realized something else. Much of the outside, non-Indian world is tribeless, full of wandering singular souls, seeking connection through societies, clubs, and other groups. White people know what it is to be a family, but to be a tribe is something of an altogether different sort. It provides a feeling of inclusion in something larger, of having a set place in the universe where one always belongs. It provides connectedness and a blueprint for how to live. At Darmouth the fraternities and sororities seemed to be attempts to claim or create tribes. Their activities often seemed to be unconscious re-creations of rituals and initiation ceremonies. But the fraternities emphasized exclusion as much as inclusion...I began to honor and cherish my tribal membership, and in the years that followed I came to understand that such membership is central to mental health, to spiritual health, to physical health. A tribe is a community of people connected by blood or heart, by geography and tradition, who help one another and share a belief system. Community and tribe not only reduce the alienation people feel but in doing so stave off illness. In a sense they are a form of preventative medicine. Most Americans have lost their tribal identities."

I think that's one of the big problems in our world. We lost our community, our central beliefs, our inclusion of others. a correctedness for the blueprint on how to live. I think most everyone feels lost in some regard at different points in life and the way to find ourselves is to build life together. The road less traveled is certainly the right path, but that doesn't mean it has to be traveled alone.