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Studying Philippians for this months series at K-Life has been a much needed reminder of the importance of Joy.  And more importantly having joy and allowing it to work itself out in your life despite whether or not you are happy or pleased with your circumstances.

I believe most men & women who claim to love God also desire to be something of an example to those around them; to be a living encouragement & whatnot to those around them.  The more I learn, the more I see the absolute necessity to pursue Truth all the more — whether it works itself out in developing that inner peace, that unshakable, calm character that relaxes people around you — or if it works its way even farther into becoming a joy that exudes from your demeanor.  I genuinely think that’s what can make a person attractive to others, whether believers, seekers, or people who hate Christians.  I guess there is a purpose to zealot Christianity, but with the upcoming generations of 20 and 30 year olds, that doesn’t seem to work.  But when our character is unflinching and true to itself, that is respectable.  Then on top of that, when we are steadfast with the addition of genuine joy, not just happiness (which is circumstantial), we can become those people whom attract others easily and can love them in spite of the turn of events we may find ourselves in.

I hope for myself — that I can mature this attitude in me.  So my ministry with K-Life can be the most effective it can, while not destroying my enthusiasm for this lifestyle.

I want to find peace –

It’s been tough for me lately because I haven’t found that balance between working too much and taking time to really ‘rest in God’.  I’ve been planning a talk for K-Life next week on ‘God as Peace’ — and it’s been good because the whole talk is based around John 15 — Where Jesus is talking to His disciples about living in His love, in His peace.  Letting the Truth abide in them, and letting themselves abide in the Truth.  To me that sounds like perfect and wonderful peace.  It’s almost pains me to be studying it for this talk because it makes it more real to me how terrible I am at doing this.  I don’t rest in that Truth and peace as much as I wish I could.  I know that it would make every little worry disappear — because the promise in John 15 is that in abiding in Christ’s love & peace, Joy will be made complete.  The world will still exist along with it’s worries, but they wouldn’t be my biggest focus, because my joy would be real.  That joy would keep everything else in perspective.  It’s too easy for me to keep overwhelmed at being busy and then spend no time for me to rest, and rest in Christ not just be lazy.  But ironically it’s the thing I crave more than anything else.  Rest & Peace in Christ, which I know would transfer into complete Joy in life.  So anyway, that’s my prayer for you and for me — that we can genuinely experience & know the peace of God.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
– Jesus (via John 10:10b)

“people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want to be saved only from the penalty of their sin.  they don’t genuinely hate sin & aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them — people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one.”
– Francis Chan

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i could re-write that using ‘brian’ instead of ‘people’ but that would be redundant.

i would love to come up with some educated pretentious way of explaining my lack of belief in the Gospel, but that would be pathetic.  i am however going to try this whole meditating on scripture thing.

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“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.”
– galatians 5:25 (the message)

Cave Basin 360 Degree View (<–link to the full size photo)

This is THE link to the 360 degree photo I was finally able to piece together on Photoshop, it took forever.  But, finally got it to work.  Very exciting.  Hope you enjoy the view from my office all summer.

What is it about being human that makes me so prone to forget the Truth of the Gospel? Why would I be so quick to leave my first love for something less worthy, something unable to fill the need, the longing, the desire and the yearning that only my Savior can completely fill? Christ is the only lover that is wild enough to tame my heart and perfect the emptiness we feel in this experience we call our lives.

Nothing else can fill this chasm created by my sin.

Not money, nor popularity, nor power, nor fame, nor lust, nor possessions, nor knowledge, nor companionship, nor acceptance of people, nor female companionship, nor sex, nor alcohol, nor drugs, nor coffee, nor traveling, nor temporary escape from reality in it’s many forms, nor the relaxing scent of a cigar on a summer evening while sitting on a back porch, nor the other myriad of possibilities I will continue to fill my heart with while trying to make sense of the things this ‘life’ has thrown my direction.

I know the Truth, I want to live the Truth — but do I want it more than this medley of options that I sometimes choose over the Truth? I want to want it more. I want to have the faith to believe this Truth that I am accepted. I am not only loved by my Savior, but he is even fond of me. My Savior, my Jesus, is actually fond of me. And besides that, he loves me with such a stubborn passion; more than anyone or anything can ever attempt to woo against. Can I believe that? I want to. Because the Gospel is supposedly ‘the Good News’. Ergo, if that is indeed true, I want to dedicate my life to that sort of Jesus — The real Savior, because if it’s all true like I hope. Than this is genuinely Good News. I pray that this Truth, this Way, permeates my being, and radically changes my heart.

they tried.  it wasn’t pretty.  either way, America felt the love.

eat your heart out.