So yesterday I’m sitting in my recently moved into dorm room-after waking up way later than I should be. And I decide to pry myself out of bed and warm up some tea before having some God time to start off my day…err..afternoon. One thing about college is that privacy is something that must be taken advantage off at all costs. It is honestly really hard to get alone and just have some time with the Creator, one on one. One challenge that I constantly face is having that precious alone time with Him before I have contact with anyone else, for preparation for the day and cultivation of our relationship. Therefore I decided that since I was alone and the roomie was at work, that I better snatch up the privacy while I had it. So there I sit, sipping hot tea and I had just finished exalting and thanking Him. Another challenge for me is shutting up. Haha- honestly though I talk his ear off way to often rather than just sitting on His lap and listening to what He has to say. I mean, He is God; I need to have more of a teachable spirit. So I’m sitting…quietly…eyes closed…when out of nowhere I hear this blaring sound. Living in a girl’s dorm one becomes accustomed to hearing ANY humanly possible noise at ANY time (a.m. or p.m.) and after a while one learns to expect the unexpected. However this time I am taken completely by surprise yet It doesn’t take long to realize what the noise is…nothing but, Celine Dion in her 90’s prime singing, or from my point of view screaming the song “The Power of Love.” So it’s like **quietly thinking of God and being still……still… CAUSE I’M YOUR LADAAAAYYYY!!! AND YOUR ARE MY MAAAANN!!!” Honestly my initial reaction was utter annoyance. Seriously?! #1 CELINE DION? really!? #2- I am trying to have my quiet time here! The world revolves around me remember!!...ooooo yeah….. hmmm. So I get to thinking… “’Cause I’m your lady…and you’re my man…” hmmm… ya know, I don’t think enough Christians think about their relationship with God as an incredible love story..and real I’ll-die-for-you love (not an “o my word I Looovvvee pizza!” type of “love”). So I quickly went back to being still and quiet before Him- but after a while I decided to tell God… “Ya know, I am your lady, and God, you are my Man.” Not only is He my man, He is The God- Man. There is no one like Him, He is the most courageous, brave, powerful, and faithful God-man I ever have and ever will meet.
Disclaimer- Don’t get me wrong- I’m not endorsing this song or necessarily saying that God spoke to me through Celine Dion..haha but I do know that despite our self centeredness God can use anything to remind us of who He is, in relation to the world and in relation to us…
Sunday, January 25, 2009
what's the big deal?
Christian. What images come to mind? A crucifix? Pews, hymnals, and a steeple? A set of rules to follow? What does being a Christian really mean? A typical answer, “I mean… I usually go to church and I’m a pretty good person so I guess I’m a Christian.” In America, the term Christian has lost its meaning and has become ritual religion, just something we do- rather than something that we are which bleeds into all other parts of our lives.
So why is Christianity such a big deal, it’s just another religion right? The issue is this: Jesus was perfect, God’s one and only Son (John 3:16). He had it made, if you will, yet still decided to come down and walk in our dirt. But wait, it still intensifies, not only did He leave the right hand of God in Paradise to come be with humans; He died for them. [Philippians 2:6-11]. You see, we are all sinners. Everyone has stolen a cookie out of Mom’s cookie jar before dinner, and that doesn’t even begin to touch the tip of the ice berg of our filth. The fact is God is holy and he can’t be with filth, so we’re in a bind, one with eternal consequences. “But I thought a loving God wouldn’t send people to hell?” God is love and God is also just. Hypothetically let’s say there is a county judge who is the cutest, most loving grandpa figure you’ve ever seen, but when a criminal comes into his court having robbed a store, he still has to send him to jail doesn’t he? The glory and mystery of it all is that God did love us so much that Jesus, the only perfect man, came and took on our punishment for us. He died so that one day we won’t have too. And yet, it just keeps getting better. Jesus not only died for us, but he conquered death and the grave by rising three days later.
He did all of this so this so that humans could have a relationship with God; not so that we could dress up on Sunday’s and hope for up-beat songs during worship and not so that we would be required to follow a set of rules. Once a person realizes the significance of His sacrifice they can not help but live their life in eternal gratitude. God did all of this because He wants to be your Father and your friend! Amazing right? But if He’s not already, He wants more than anything to be your Savior right now. Will you accept His invitation?
-please write a message and ask me if you have any questions, comments, etc. I'd LOVE to talk to you about them!
So why is Christianity such a big deal, it’s just another religion right? The issue is this: Jesus was perfect, God’s one and only Son (John 3:16). He had it made, if you will, yet still decided to come down and walk in our dirt. But wait, it still intensifies, not only did He leave the right hand of God in Paradise to come be with humans; He died for them. [Philippians 2:6-11]. You see, we are all sinners. Everyone has stolen a cookie out of Mom’s cookie jar before dinner, and that doesn’t even begin to touch the tip of the ice berg of our filth. The fact is God is holy and he can’t be with filth, so we’re in a bind, one with eternal consequences. “But I thought a loving God wouldn’t send people to hell?” God is love and God is also just. Hypothetically let’s say there is a county judge who is the cutest, most loving grandpa figure you’ve ever seen, but when a criminal comes into his court having robbed a store, he still has to send him to jail doesn’t he? The glory and mystery of it all is that God did love us so much that Jesus, the only perfect man, came and took on our punishment for us. He died so that one day we won’t have too. And yet, it just keeps getting better. Jesus not only died for us, but he conquered death and the grave by rising three days later.
He did all of this so this so that humans could have a relationship with God; not so that we could dress up on Sunday’s and hope for up-beat songs during worship and not so that we would be required to follow a set of rules. Once a person realizes the significance of His sacrifice they can not help but live their life in eternal gratitude. God did all of this because He wants to be your Father and your friend! Amazing right? But if He’s not already, He wants more than anything to be your Savior right now. Will you accept His invitation?
-please write a message and ask me if you have any questions, comments, etc. I'd LOVE to talk to you about them!
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