Holiness...

It probably looks different than we think. Not so much a list of rules to follow, but an external expression of internal change. This post from our friends at the Buffalo, NY Vineyard explain a little better the things that were on my heart last night, after reading C.S. Lewis' words on goodness. Steve is much more intelligent and articulate than myself. Here's the quote again:

"Good, as it ripens, becomes continually more different not only from evil but from other good." -C.S. Lewis "The Great Divorce"

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Thoughts To Ponder... Courtesy of Mr. Lewis

"Good, as it ripens, becomes continually more different not only from evil but from other good." -C.S. Lewis "The Great Divorce"

If this is true, then why am I so afraid to be the one who swims upstream? I think that you and I would both agree that we want to fit in. I think that the vast majority of people seek an existence that conforms to the culture and society around them, despite their desire, or lack thereof, to take on the belief systems of that culture and society. There are few people who desire nonconformity, and fewer still who actually seek it out. But as Henry David Thoreau said, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet despiration."
I live in despiration!! We all do. Despiration for what? Freedom from the strangling fetters of rules and values you don't actually agree with? Freedom from fear? Despiration for confidence in your God given gifts and abilities? Despiration for something more than the seemingly meaningless monotony that life had become?
Break free, Beloved... Jesus was never afraid to be an outcast. Break free or surely your spirit will die.


So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

A Story...

Once upon a time there was a girl who had a sword. She took her sword to the swordsmith to get it sharpened one day. The Smith gave her the price and she went on her merry way. Soon thereafter she began to experience excruciating pain on her left side. She thought to herself, "there is no way" and continued on, but the pain did not cease. In fact, the pain got worse, and not only was it now on her right side, but her whole body. She rushed back to the Swordsmith and as she threw open the door, breathing heavily with pain, she yelled for the to the Smith to stop. He stopped his work, and immediatly the pain ceased, confirming her susspicions. She told the smith that he needn't sharpen the blade any more and went on her way home, the blade hanging gently at her side. Some time later there was a battle that required the girl's skill and cunning, but she found that her blade was dull and weak. Although it survived the battle, it did not fair well. Yet again, there came another battle, and this time the girl's sword did not survive. She escaped, but only after nearly losing her life. She knew that despite the certain pain, she must take her sword to the Swordsmith. As she entered his shop, apparently ashamed of her recent battle loss, She caught his knowing eye, and instantly she knew his compassion and love for her. "Will it hurt badly?" she asked. In his kind manner, The Swordsmith replied "Not as badly as if there are no reapirs at all. But don't be afraid, I'll be with you for all of it. And then, even your losses in battle will be victories."

I ran across this quote. read it a few times and let it sink in...
“A walloping great congregation is fine and fun, but what most communities really need is a couple of saints. The tragedy is that they may well be there in embryo, waiting to be discovered, waiting for sound training, waiting to be emancipated from the cult of the mediocre.” -Martin Thornton

Maybe it's you....

Seasons Change. He Is Still The Same

It was a typical Wednesday night. We all came together and shared a meal, followed by songs of adoration for our King! It was wonderful. After a time of prayer, Kyle asked everyone to share how long they had attended the college group and what God had done in them during that time. It was beautiful. We had everyone, from founding group members, to first timers. We all shared. It was amazing the things that God has done! He has begun to raise up leaders. He has brought us closer to himself. He has released gifts of prayer and worship, and has driven us to learn how to disciple one another and live in community. Oh, the amazing things that God has done!! He is so good!!
It was bittersweet, and yet perfectly timed. What an amazing opportunity we have now, to go out and live out this Jesus thing, drawing people along the way, and all the time being sharpened. What a great lesson it has been, learning that at the end of the day, God is still God. What a humbling thing it has been to have heartaches and struggles on the table and see that through it we are loved. He is SO abundantly good!!
And now, Lord, give us the grace to follow you in this new season. Give us the humility to rely on you, and give us the strength to keep our focus on you, at any cost.

Remember...

I was talking with a Roommate this evening. In our conversation I shared some of my past experiences and how those experiences have reassured me of Christ's providence over my life. As I was talking I was oversome with the strangest feeling. It was suddenly as if I was tlaking about an entirely different person, as though the experiences weren't mine after all, and were, in fact, memories from the life of someone very distant from myself.

Now, At first I was slightly disturbed. I felt as if I was condoning, and making light of, some of the experiences that I had before my life was apprihended by the Holy Spirit's call. After a bit of contemplation, I realized that that was not it at all. Rather, I truly am a new creation and the old has been replaced with something new.
It reminded me of something:
"...Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live... (deut. 4:9)"
Then, as foolish as it seems, the scene from the movie "The Lion King" comes into view. I see Mufasa's face in the clouds telling Simba, "You have forgotten me. You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me... Remember... Remember..."

The ego wishes to hide those things that seem as though they may blemish us, but the heart cries out for us to remember where we have come from, and in our rememberance of continual provision, and protection, we have the strength to move on. In knowing how far we have come, we find strength to continue on the journey.