Question to Ponder II

I have really been pondering this question: What attribute of God am I most able and suited to portray?

You see, as Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, representatives of His values and qualities. Therefore, I believe it is our responsibility to understand what are strengths and weaknesses lie in our Christian life. We need to focus our service in ministry according to our strengths and work to embolden those weaknesses.

It's nothing gigantically profound, but it is an interesting question to think about. It allows for some well-needed introspection.

MTI

Question to Ponder I

If you are loved by God who is infinite, what more importance do you need? Really.

I'm reading the book by John Ortberg, The Life You've Always Wanted, that explores the characteristic of humility in chapter 7. It talks about how pride or self love is poisonous to our lives and others. The decision to put ourselves above others and God is only an effect from a root problem in our soul. That problem is your self worth. When you are unsure of your worth in this world it is confusing and lonely. As Christens we feel tend to become timid, depressed, and so on because we compare ourselves to others instead of going to God. We see others who are spiritually mature and desire that in our lives too. But desire turns into jealousy when we don't keep our relationship with God in order, and it goes downhill from there. A bad attitude and outlook on life replace the joyful peace of god in your heart, and that heart then becomes filled with doubt.

If you are in that place now pray sincerely and believe, then everything will be okay. Hope, Faith, and Love are what is most important.

The point of this is once you've lost your center, then everything else is thrown off balance. As a Christen, God is our hope and strength. The holy spirit is what moves us and makes us grow. So stop worrying and let go. LET GO AND LET GOD. When god fills you then you won't have to worry about yourself as much, then you can focus on loving others with an overflowing cup of sincere love, not needy love.

So, let's try from now on to draw strength and power from God, as He meant us to, everyday. And this will be challenged and tempered as you do this so, be prepared to face them this week. It is my hope that we could all learn to love this way.

So, if an all loving God loves you enough to die for you, how important do you have to be?

Meditating

Whew, what a long day!

Ok, so I know it is technically not Wednesday anymore, but since I have yet to go to sleep, it still counts! Like I said, today was long. But it was the good kind of long... the productive, satisfying one. This is the first time that I get sit down at the computer and really concentrate. I have quite a bit on my mind, but once again, in the good sense. They are not burdensome or overwhelming. I can really see the Lord's hand in my life. I know what I need to do -- now the ball is in my court to respond.

Lately, the Lord has been really specific in what He has been showing me. The whole difference between "mature" and "maturing" was a simple little truth that I needed to realize. That has been such a great reminder for me in how I should conduct my life. As a "maturing" Christian, my life needs to be a constant process of self-denial. Remember the problem of being a living sacrifice: we ultimately have the decision to crawl off the altar and live life our way, rather than humbly subjecting it to God. At first, it seems difficult; and frankly, not worth the struggle. But seeing God's faithful work in a life devoted to Him offers us encouragement and strength to continue on.

This week, the Lord slapped me around a bit with this verse:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Phil 4:8, NKJV)

I had been concentrating on all the negative aspects of my life. My personality tends to focus on everything negative. Does that justify it? Nope. I just need to work extra hard to make sure not to dwell on the unfavorable things of this world. Paul is specific here: I must meditate on the true, noble, just, etc., things of this world. Why? These things will point me to God (read 1 Timothy 4:4). So that's where I am at. Trying to focus on God. My prayer this morning was that I can just keep in tune with Him throughout the whole day, in accordance with that verse.

Ok, that's it for now. I am praying for all. It is hard though, because I do not know where you all stand, or what you need prayer for. Let me know how I can serve you in this way. Remember, we are still getting together every Wednesday morning (9 AM, at the building) for times of prayer. E-mail Brittney or me with any requests. I hope to see you all this Friday =)

MTI

eXpelled

http://www.expelledthemovie.com - NOTE: CCA does not necessarily indorse this movie - we simply want to get the word out about it. After we see the movie we will be able to comment more about it...

CCA Meeting @ 6pm

We will meet at the Serene Bean at 6pm Saturday 2.16.08 -- Kyle is working Saturdays, so we will be meeting at 6pm for now. Stay posted for changes though...

See you there! -

Mature vs. Maturing (an Update)

My, oh my...

This week has been one of the worst, for me, in recent memory. I feel like it should be nearing the beginning of next week; but no, it is merely Wednesday. As I write this, I am in the UM library (I will have been here for over 12 hours) exhausted from a huge Physics exam that I barely studied for. Mind you, I didn't study for it because of the myriad events that required and reverted my attention elsewhere, not because I felt prepared in any way. Nonetheless, that is over with. Now I can focus my efforts to finishing a project (haven't started - due tomorrow), completing an HW assignment, and studying for another exam Friday.

Now, this week hasn't been miserable because of all the school work (it's probably the opposite actually, school would barely scratch the surface), but because of multiple trials flung my way. I wish I could go into detail about these issues, but I believe God values men who wrestle with their struggles independently, without having to involve a ton of people. Rest assured, though, I am not keeping everything to myself; as a matter of fact, I have already spoken to various people about what is going on in my life and the things I've endured (I am probably over-dramatizing it, but it's still rather tough for me). Just watch, this is going to through you for a loop: The purpose of this e-mail is to encourage you! lol

Think back to last week. Do you remember what the e-mail was about? No? Ok, well I do -- and it was about being mature in Christ and exactly what that entails. I wrote this last week:

"If anything, true Christian maturity is being able to say 'Blessed be the name of the Lord' when your flesh desires to throw in the towel. It is understanding that becoming a man or woman of God is incredibly difficult, yet surprisingly refreshing when God graciously offers us His strength to make it through the day."

Isn't it amazing how God answers our prayers before we pray them?! You see, I never specifically prayed to be more mature -- but after learning what I did last week, and after what Freddy spoke about on Sunday, the topic of maturity was on my mind and heart. To make a long story short (too late, huh?), I think the Lord has been using these events in my life to develop me into a more mature Christian. You see, our concept of "mature Christianity" is skewed. Being "mature" implies a level of completion, almost as if there is no more growth to accrue. However, we, as Christians, understand that "mature Christians" do not settle for where they are at in their spiritual walk. They know that their lives are the result of constant self-denial. Instead, these "mature Christians" are, in actuality, better labeled as "maturing Christians," in order to reflect that ongoing process.

I am in the middle of this process -- this struggle, no less. And yes, it is very tough. But I know, when all is said and done, it will be more rewarding than it was tough. Materialistically, I may come out on bottom, but I will be closer in my relationship with Christ and I have faith that it will be more satisfying than anything of this world.

Ok, that's what I am going through. How are you all doing? I wish you guys would take some time to update us on your life and on how God is working in it. I would love to read it... really, I would!

MTI

PS - Throw up a prayer for me every now and then, why don't ya? lol
PPS- I guess I should throw this out there, why not? ... Happy Valentines Day!

Humility....Or Being My Own Worst Enemy

We are reading a book called THE LIFE YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED at church now and it has given me huge insight on the burdens I place on myself that hinder me from growing with God. The subjects range from your motives for growth to your self-esteem. I will summarize what I've learned in each chapter soon, but for now I'll just settle with talking about humility.

When I used to read about the trait of humility, it seemed like the person was always depressed and in a somber mood. Like the were not passionate about anything. Or in my case to keep myself from getting a big head I reminded myself of all the bad things I've done and how far I still had to go in my walk with Jesus. It seemed like the purpose of humility was to put your pride down by balancing it with, in reality, self pity.
God did not intend for us to be put down and in the dumps all the time. The shortest verse in the whole Bible is "Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I say rejoice!" And this message was spoken by Paul while he was in jail. This man called himself the worst sinner of all and he is telling us to rejoice in Him always.
This is what I see from this. Paul knew the truth of his sin after his talk with Christ on the Damascus road, the weight of it caused him grief. And then he was put through a very rough ministry after his conversion. Yet, he was one of the Bible. How is it possible to be low in spirit and high in it at the same time?

HE FOUND HIS WORTH IN CHRIST!!!

Even though he is a sinner, he was forgiven of all of them. Christ took away the debt of sin that Paul had(as well as everyone else's). He surrendered to a love that knows no bounds, except the one to actually choose to take it. He was loved by an eternal God and that is where he got his self-worth from. I mean the prison guards sure didn't pat him on the back during the day.
After this epiphany, Paul realized this: What more importance do I need if God will always love me? Paul began to serve others with a pure heart because he did not need them to feel important. But he did not puff his image up even when he was justified to do so.

Christ showed us the perfect example of being humble. Being a part of the Trinity he was God, but did not even think that was to be grasped by him.

Simply put humility is not trying to puff yourself up but at the same time don't beat yourself up.
When your worth comes from God, what more do you really need? With his strength behind you it is possible to love others without them being your source of love to draw on.

God Bless-Kyle