Be Holy, Because I Am Holy

1 Peter 1:16 is such a small statement, but if I really accepted this statement for what it is, a command, then my life would look contrastingly different. Tonight in our guys campfire group we talked about how disturbingly easy it is to fool ourselves by living halfway in the light. We only expose the part of our lives that we are comfortable letting other people see. This message really hit me between the eyes! Last week the question of the night went something like, "If you knew that every minute of your life would be put on TV for the world to see what would you do different?" Again, the question found its mark directly in the center of my heart! I want badly to be holy, but I feel so very far from it! The awareness of shortcomings in life can sometimes leave me feeling discouraged, but I'm reminded that only through the power of Christ given to me through the Holy Spirit am able to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. Consider this prayer from Augustine:

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Augustine realized, like we all must, that we are powerless on our own. We must acknowledge Him and His power! Too often I live oblivious to Him and do things on my own. This only leads to failure after failure. We must strive to mesh our lives with Him. John 15:5 reminds us: "Apart from Me you can do nothing."

Father, thank You for reminding me that I am nothing without you. Thank you for inspiring me through Your Word, my fellow brothers, and those who have preceeded me like Your servant Augustine. Empower me to live a life that reflects my adoption into Your family. Help me to live well. Strip away pride from my life that I would focus on Your plans, Your ways, and Your Love. Breathe in me, act in me, draw my heart, strengthen me, and guard me. Thank You for your neverending compassion and mercy. I love the way You show Your love to me. I love the way You love me. I love You.

Creation VS Evolution: Awesome Video Online!

The debate ensues: Creation, Evolution, Both? People arguing from opposite sides of the fence are educated and well prepared for debate so who do we believe? Do we accept the stance of Christianity blindly without "scientific" evidence or do we reason with logic that the scientific community, with all of its conclusions and evidence, must be right? It's a confusing topic that is long from being settled. In the meantime I suggest that you check out this incredible (and FREE!) video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5488284265590289530#

It's well worth the time you'll spend watching it as it provides a well-rounded view of the issues at hand from the world's leading experts on the topic.

Grace, The Gospel, and Luther

The Luther Rose. This symbol is commonly found in Lutheran churches. As I've been studying the life of Martin Luther and his contribution to the Church I was introduced to the symbolism behind this image. The Yellow Circle surrounding the blue represents the eternal life of all believers. The blue space was Luther's color for eternity spent in Heaven with The Christ. (Sidenote: Heaven is not so much a place but a reality that we will never be physically absent from the Christ). A Christian, because of their redemption, should live with eternal joy, thus the White Rose. The red Heart shows the new life that a person possesses through Christ. And last, but certainly not least, the black Cross. The Cross in the center, thus showing that is central to the faith. Apart from the Cross, everything else represented would not be possible. The new life, the joy, and eternity in Heaven are all dependent on the Cross. Why is it black? To represent the sin that Christ took upon himself to bring the world to the Father. Christ accepted the curse of the Cross as an eternal act of love for us. He did this so that we would become new, joyous creatures elated to live with Him forever. The centrality of the Gospel is Christ and His supreme act of grace demonstrated on the Cross. It is this same grace that restores all of us. I pray that I will daily live in the grace afforded me through the Cross.

Toilets and Blessings

I just saw this picture on my twitter page from charitywater.org. This organization has a simple mission: give safe drinking water to people who need it. The caption that goes along with this picture says, "this toilet was used by slumdwellers in Monrovia, Liberia." It reminds me that I am blessed. I have never had to use a shack positioned on the edge of a pond to relieve myself. My gut says that if you're reading this from the convenience of your home, office, or school using your computer and high speed internet connection that you rarely, if ever, experience conditions like these. We are blessed. Spend time giving God credit for how incredible your life is.

Reach

Today as I read Romans I was reminded how marvelous a thing it is to be found in God's grace. It's difficult (if not impossible) to comprehend how God can look upon us with favor, mercy, compassion, love. It is only by GRACE that we can call ourselves sons and daughters of the King. I am thankful that our Father saw fit to reach down into this world and into my life for I know that it is impossible for me to reach Him by any other means. I am thankful that through the Cross God reached to me, a depraved sinner, and saw fit to bring me into a right relationship with Himself. I am thankful that Christ, who was and is God, seeing my desperate need, reached out His arms and completely ended my cursed state. I am thankful that one day Christ will again reach out to me and call me home with Him. Thank You for reaching me.

Encouragement

Personally, there's never enough encouragement. I can always use more, especially from the ones I respect and love. My world can completely change with genuine encouragement. I tend to be my biggest critic. It's commonplace for me to get down on myself and beat myself up over the little shortcomings in life. Often, after trying to live an upright standard of life on my own, I realize the futility of personal effort. While frustrating, this pushes me to the Cross. I must realize that only there will I find the power to be the man God has called me to be. That's good news. He's provided for me. Now if I would live in that realization and forsake living life of my own effort. What's more good news is that He is also an encourager: John 16:7 & 13 read, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; bu if I go, I will send Him to you...He will guide you into all truth." I desperately need the Encourager and maybe you do, too. What would He say? How would He encourage? Maybe like this:

Dear Servant,

How are you? I can tell that you are frustrated from all of your up’s and down’s. I can see that you are disappointed with yourself and your inconsistency. Be encouraged. Not because it’s okay to be inconsistent, but because it’s all been handled. You’re trying too hard to do things on your own, can’t you see? This life wasn’t meant to be lived in solitude. You are not designed to fight your spiritual battles in isolation. You are designed to follow me. I will lead you, guide you, and show you the way. I am here to give you assistance every step of the way, not just when you think you need it. So please, stop living as though you don’t need me. Stop waking up every morning with a list of do’s and don’ts – life is more than that. I care more about your heart than your actions.

I know it must be difficult to understand. You live in a culture that demands self improvement, self realization, and self centeredness. That’s all the work of the enemy. You must redevelop your entire thought-life in order to gain a better perspective on how to truly be successful. Success is not about triumph, it is about submitting yourself to Me. You need to understand that as long you are the focus of your decisions and actions you will continue staying stuck, or worse. Rather, turn your attention to Me and those around you. It is totally counter-cultural, which may be difficult, but we both know it is the only way.

Will, stop worrying about who you are. You are mine and that is enough. I am not concerned about whether or not you make a name for yourself as a preacher or pastor. I prefer that you focus more on getting to know Me instead of telling others about Me.

Rest assured that you will have trials in this life. You will experience difficult times and rough moments. Don’t loose it because that’s normal. I want more than anything for you to rely on Me to pull you through those brutally harsh experiences. You are prized in my eyes and I promise that I will screen everything that comes your way. If it’s too big for you to handle, I’ll handle it for you. You can trust me.

When temptation raises its head and stares you down remember, I fought the same fight. I experienced the temptation to be lazy, have pride, and lust. I know that you sometimes think there’s no possible way to overcome those things in your life. There is. Or have you forgotten the Cross? Have you forgotten what was accomplished? I set you free to sin no more – live like you know that. I did not die for my sake, it was for you. Carve that into your heart and remember when you feel like giving in that I provided a means for you to honor Me.

I am so happy that you are my son. I remember the party we had up here when the eyes of your heart were opened for the first time! Now, my son, take heart in me as your Father and give me more than you think I am capable of handling. I am always here and I will never forsake you.

My Own Screwtape Letter

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to write my own Screwtape Letter. If you are familiar with C.S. Lewis' work The Screwtape Letters then this will ring a bell with you:

My Own Screwtape Letter

My Dear Wormwood,
I commend you for your persistent efforts. Our fellow is showing signs of stubbornness to our attacks, but I trust that through continued pressure he will soon be upon the breaking point, making a decision that will cause shame and separation from his King. Keep in mind that you can not afford to be too aggressive in the measures you choose to take. Instead choose attacks of a more subtle, prolonged nature that will prove most beneficial for seasons to come. Of course, you should always be ready to charge without caution, having studied our victim knowing when he is most vulnerable.

It appears that your increased work of complacency is providing adequate dividends. Our subject is most unaware of the dangers that accompany a tolerating attitude. Through my centuries of experience I have seen many extraordinary men and women crumble with decay as a result of their mediocrity. We know full well, dear Wormwood, their King desires for our patient to experience continued growth and renewal – we must not allow that to happen. Continue your work of whispering in his ear that he has achieved much in the spiritual realm, he will believe it. His satisfaction with current circumstances will allow us to usher in laziness and apathy. We may not possess much influence, if any, over one who is passionate, but much can be done in the life of the complacent.

Similarly, Wormwood, I approve of your crucial timing with the firing of our victim’s lust triggers. You are wise to note that in the company of others our person resists valiantly against our efforts to reacquaint him with his lustful passions. Fortunately for us, few of our Enemies followers truly believe in the power and strength they can harness through sincere fellowship. Therefore be encouraged to persevere in your efforts. When he is alone remind him of the pleasures he will experience through his fantasy world. Coax him down the long, lonely path of selfishness, pleasure, and pride. In the darkness of night he will be most susceptible to your schemes – turn your suggestive whispers to bold commands. You must show some resiliency here, Wormwood, for he will initially put up a bold fight for he knows firsthand how he should behave, but keep in mind the power of perseverance. The longer he is isolated the more prone he is cave in under the pressure.

Lastly, and perhaps of utmost importance when he caves be ready to suffocate with shame. Our fellow is highly prone to wallow in humiliation and guilt. How I desire for all stay in their cages of shame, for there they find no capacity for reconciliation. Howl over our patient and echo words of worthlessness. You know full well the magnitude such words can have over one who has reached their breaking point. Smother out any signs of confession or repentance – we have no hold over the reconciled. Fight with every ounce of energy to defeat our person with a feeling worthlessness. Above all he must never be reminded of the price that was paid for his life, for there he finds the power of humility and grace.

Your affectionate uncle
Screwtape

I would encourage you to write your own version of a Screwtape Letter. It's an eye opening exercise that is designed to help you understand your personal struggles with obedience to Christ. Let me know how it goes!

If you are interested in getting your own copy of The Screwtape Letters then check out this link: http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652934