Know who you are
08 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Christianity, God, religion, thoughts
“My drive in life comes from a fear of being mediocre. That is always pushing me. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being but then I feel I am still mediocre and uninteresting unless I do something else. Because even though I have become somebody, I still have to prove that I am somebody. My struggle has never ended and I guess it never will.” Madonna.
Struggle with self image, identity and value is something that presumably every person battles with constantly or has had to overcome at some point. When we take our human psyche what are we aiming to nurture in ourselves and those we disciple, a high sense of self esteem…..? Is poor behaviour a consequence of low self-esteem?
In 1 Corinthians Paul urges the Corinthians not to be proud but instead of using the normal word for pride “hubris” he uses “physioo” which literally means “Over inflated” “bellows.” Tim Keller goes on to say that this is an evocative image which conjures up the rather painful metaphor of an organ in the human body which is distended, ready to burst and inflamed and this is the condition of the human ego.
He goes on to say that this suggest 4 things about the human ego
1) Its empty, full of air. Kierkegaard says “The normal human ego is built on something other than God. It longs and searches for something that will give it a sense of worth and purpose and proceeds to build itself on that.” If you try to fill something that was originally intended for God the substitute will only rattle around in a space that it will NEVER fill.
2) Its painful. We don’t tend to notice our body until something goes wrong! Our body only drawers our attention when something is painful or abnormal. The ego often hurts because it has something incredibly wrong with it! It makes us aware of how we’re looking, how we’ve been treated, sometimes we say our feelings have been hurt but it’s not our feelings it’s our ego! It’s very rare to get through a day when we haven’t felt snubbed/ignored/stupid or down.
3) Its busy. It is always busy drawing attention to itself, busy trying to fill the emptiness. Busy doing 2 in particular jobs, comparing and boasting! The way the normal human ego tries to sooth itself and deals with its discomfort is through comparison of others. C.S.Lewis “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person/ We say we are proud of being rich and clever but they are not. They are proud of being richer or clervER than others. If everyone became equally rich there would be nothing to be proud of!”
4) Its fragile. Anything that is overinflated is in danger of imminent deflation. A superiority complex and inferiority complex are basically the same, results of an overinflated ego.
Our ego is never satisfied, it’s a black whole that consumes everything thrown in.
Paul says he doesn’t care what people’s opinion is of him, he also says he doesn’t care for his own opinion either. His identity and value is by no means tied down to others or his own verdict. WHY? HOW did he get to that place? He was spent on the gospel he know that the verdict is already in!
Paul builds his identity on the cross and its consequences. No sins or good works are part of his identity. So if you sin ….it doesn’t comprise and make up who you are. If you are a good theologian it is not who you are.
Freedom of self is in SELF-FORGETFULNESS! When you’ve been with someone who is humble you don’t come away thinking they were humble you come away thinking how interested they were in you. When you are criticized you don’t get broken because it’s not who you are instead you take it as an opportunity and learn from it.
The human ego puts us in the courtroom on a daily basis. Knowing the ultimate verdict has been stamped is key to becoming who we really are. Loved and forgiven and no sin/acts/badges/labels can add to the verdict.
Stand on the Truth ,the cross says all there is to say about you… anything else is a fraud.
(T. Keller The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness)
Crazy Deception
02 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Christianity, eternity, personal, thoughts
Imagine….there’s a rope that is as long as you can see and beyond…this rope is a representation of your life as a timeline….it goes on and on and on and on….there is a 5cm red marking on the rope this if your time on earth.
This 5cm impacts upon the rest of our eternal existence…yet we become so consumed with our time and our lives and this ladies and gents… is the crazy deception.
(A Francis Chan illustration)
A common error we find today is short term thinking, delayed gratification is certainly not in vogue. Eternity is not at the forefront of my or most people’s minds and we seem to forget this life is a dress rehearsal!
In ancient times, the birthright was a very important and sacred thing. It belonged to the firstborn. He would also receive a chief portion of the inheritance. But it was more than just a title to the physical assets of a family. It was also a spiritual position, and in the case of the people of God, God would lead the family through patriarchs, or fathers (Hebrews 1:1-2). Additionally, in the special case of Esau and Jacob, that meant the one to whom belonged the birthright was the one through who the covenant promise made to their grandfather, Abraham, would be realized. Ultimately, the Messiah would come through the holder of the birthright and bless the nations of the earth…BUT ESAU GAVE THIS UP FOR STEW!
I can look at this and think “what an idiot” but then I can often on a daily basis choose “stew” over inheritance.
Why we would do something that when we aren’t caught up in the moment is ludicrous!? The simplistic, obvious answer in a nutshell…
1)We do not understand and therefore correctly value our inheritance/eternity
2) “Self” is allowed to rule. Discipline and self-control are not exercised.
Life is but a breath the Scriptures tell us, the longer you live the more you realise the fragility of life. We’re told not to store up treasures on earth that will rot and perish. We’re told that the only thing that will remain after the second coming is that with eternal significance everything temporal will not stand…
Maybe we need to be more aware and start differentiating between temporal and infinite. Maybe we need to invest in understanding eternity a little more, seeking a Revelation of eternity that manifests as application for today.
Let’s not be fooled into living out this crazy deception but Let us fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
Pop the bubble
01 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Christianity, God, inspiration, personal, thoughts
E and I played bubbles I blow, he pops (in theory)….but he didn’t move, instead he froze. There were so many bubbles he had stuttered movement and ended up not popping any. Cute, but not when life mimics his bubble popping, or lack of! Paralysed by indecision.
Sometimes we become so overawed by life’s decisions that we clam up and simply do nothing. Clinging to the balance beam of life all padded up with our “Abercrombie and Fitch” helmet on.
What then do we do with the verse “Without Faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. “ Heb 11 v 6
The world sells us comfort in exchange for our faith. Comfort subtly kills. Standing still is not a neutral position, it’s a choice and a consequence of that choice is stagnation. There is always “Selah” times in life but sometimes (maybe more often than we think) God is wondering why we are still crying out to Him when we should be moving on (Exodus 14 v 15.) Knowing your season and knowing His voice, integral to our walk.
Potential unachieved is something of a tragedy, as Oscar Wilde would say some write the poetry they long to live and others live the poetry they cannot write…I don’t want to be a writer.
Dreams, visions and promise will remain bound until unlocked by intentional choices (not to be confused with moving in the arm of flesh) but at the same time they are not gotten by direct pursuit, rather a bi-product of the greatest pursuit and a life laid down.
So how do we live a life worthy of hearing “well-done my good and faithful servant?” How do we please the Father who is only pleased by faith whilst remaining under Grace and not works!?
We simply submit to God. We listen to those promptings and we obediently follow. We root and secure ourselves in the knowledge that we our loved unconditionally based on what He has done not on what we do or do not. We know that it is Grace that allows us to do and Grace that upholds when we fall.
Actualise ordained potential…
Not an Accessory
16 Nov 2011 1 Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: christainity, God, life, religious, spirituality, thoughts
“…nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (1 Chronicle Ch 21 v 24)
Sacrifice is a word that seems to belong to an ancient vocabulary of a generation gone by. Cost is something that makes this generation recoil and turn from. This consumerist mentality were surrounded by encourages us to build an empire for SELF.
If we are honest the truth of the matter is more than often than not our version of what David says goes a little something like this
“…nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me too much they must be affordable and at no detriment to self.” (1 Hannah Ch me v me)
To be able to embrace cost we must first understand the most costly sacrifice of all time.
A God who had everything, who came down and gave up everything, to give us everything. Jesus Christ on the Cross.
If we truly understand what happened on the cross then all other “costs” to self will pale into insignificance.
At the centre of our calling according to scriptures is the cross. At some point you will come to a cross roads and you will be asked to lay your “Isaac” on the altar. The cross isn’t an accessory it’s our entirety .
The enemy loves to twist Truths, he makes avoiding cost look like self preservation and protection but in reality it’s the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
How much do we want God kingdom and Glory over our “empire?” It involves pain by definition but it also involves the birthing and fruition of promises and life like no other.
A sacrifice on the altar is always met with fire from Heaven.
Death of self is a most beautiful life.
Lord give me a Revelation of the cross and let my deep gratitude be my guidance when you ask of me my Isaac.
Ssshhhhhh
08 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Bible, christainity, God, life, religion, spirituality, thoughts
Life can often feel like one long constant noise. Silence is no longer stumbled upon it has to be intentionally sought out. I look at my days and realise I don’t really have any meaningful interactions with silence .
So…..
“Silence your body, to listen to your words.
Silence your tongue, to listen to your thoughts.
Silence your thoughts, to listen to your heart…beating.
Silence your heart, to listen to The Spirit within you.
In silence, you leave many, and you be with the One.”
It’s in the stillness you know He is God. It’s when you wait on the mountain you see His goodness pass before you. It’s in true silence when your soul is submitted to the Spirit the things of Christ are able to permeate.
Silence heightens our spiritual senses and allows what is being whispered and faintly painted to be heard and seen. In closing your eyes you get a glimpse. In muting the noise you hear the secrets
He confides in those who fear Him have we heard the whispers lately?
Lord may I never fall into the trap of just doing and neglect communing with You.
Silence offers a precious inheritance.
Masquerade
20 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: christain, christainity, Inspirational, life, philosophy, Quotes, religion, spirituality, thoughts
Behind the beautiful exterior , behind the words of confidence, or a seemingly arrogant stride CAN lie another world that we know absolutely nothing of. The human race has much to its own detriment mastered the art of “a front.” At the heart of this “front” is shame, hurt and pride.
Sometimes, hopefully more often than not, the superficial holds little or no interest for me when it comes to a person. I like to know what is going on in their world underneath the mask. I love watching people go about their business, imagining what their secret world looks like, what lives they go back to, are they happy and fulfilled? I try not to judge on what I see but be moved by what God is moved by in them …
Hurtful words are usually a manifestation of someone who has been hurt themselves, insecurities rear their heads in all kinds of external ways but if you are looking on a superficial level you WILL be offended. The devil likes us to be offended with the exterior and judge the book by its cover. Offence is not a hand dealt to us it is something we CHOOSE to take. Move in the opposite spirit to what you hear.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Ro 12 V 21
The heart is the well spring of life and from it the mouth speaks. Take time to delve deeper with what you first hear.
The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
God I ask that you help me descern the heart and motives behind what I may hear and see outwardly.
Handiwork
15 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Christianity, Inspirational, philosophy, religious, thoughts
Fake has a quality that will never fade BUT life’s processes are not at work, no birthing and no growth . Real is battered but not destroyed. Real is overseen and tended to by the protective, watchful eye of the gardener.
Artificial is what it is, a false projection of “perfection” and false existence. There is no need for dependence, it never needs anything. This maybe appealing to some onlookers and will receives its due affirmation which it yearns so deeply for. It stands alone and is passed by, opposed and unimpressed by the gardener.
Real, admitting the state we find ourselves in, nothing more nothing less. Being aware of seasons and storms and vulnerable to life. That vulnerability is a precious gift because it leads to a yearning for the hands of the gardener, to tend, to care and give grace.
A secure knowledge the gardener prunes and cuts back for health, beauty and growth. Next to the tree the gardener placers a placard of the story displaying the A-Z process that shows His handiwork from seed to bloom.
A garden of reality and imperfection tended to by the Great Creator Himself for His enjoyment and to display to the world the beauty of His Glory in us His HUMBLE creation.
Concept Vs Reality
04 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: Inspirational, philosophy, religious, spirituality
If God is God and we are man how does the finite mind grapple with infinite Truths and expect to win? Should we accept defeat in our limited creature knowledge or should we seek and maybe find, knock on a few doors and see if they open?!
There’s a healthy balance between a questioning mind and a mind that will only be satisfied by the empirical approach. Opening the world of “Theology Proper” one may think that the more one reads the less questions one will have…not so in my case.However a correct understanding is imperative
” A right concept of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical everyday living. Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question what comes into your mind when you think about God?We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Low views of God destroy the gospel for all who hold them.” A.W.Tozer
Many try to put God on trial and would do well to know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God will not be subjected to mans interpretations and opinions, He will not be explained through the interpretation of world events, His incommunicable attributes must not be reduced to manageable terms, so we can gain some control as to who and what He is and can do! As our Creator He is not held to account by His creations.
More and more I am realising Christianity is not an academic exercise, you don’t dissect all the pieces …it’s called FAITH. But then where do we stand with understanding?Are we called to walk blindly?Does the inquisitive mind have to subdue itself? Proverbs 2 tells me otherwise
“Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
If there was hidden treasure, nothing would deter me, be it day or night, rain or shine! It boils down to what I consider of true value, is the pursuit of God my ultimate goal?I would like to say a resounding yes but, sometimes the fruit of that would not align with my answer. Intent and potential do not take you far in life but it is a great starting block.
You can know about God or you can KNOW God. One is conceptual the other has meaning and reality.
Questions can be asked in humility and with a soft heart, by His grace He may choose to give us Revelation through His Holy Spirit. One thing I pray I will always steer clear of is questioning God Himself. God is God and I am man, I can only see apart of the picture He is painting. I pray I always remember when I do not have understanding, who I am and who He is.
Counterfit
30 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: God, life, philosophy, religion, spirituality
Question; How many wardrobe revamps +holidays + jobs + parties + gadgets ( x anything else you’d like to throw in) = Hope and Satisfaction ?
It is human nature to always find fresh cause for optimism, many go through life with an aire of expectation and desires for particular things to happen. I have noticed recently that my motivation and perpetuation have been somewhat shallow and revealing. It’s always interesting to see what perks you up and often very accurately shows you where your roots are or aren’t.
Walking through John Lewis I saw that cream had been packaged up as “hope in a jar!” My heart sank (although the cream maybe amazing that was besides the point!) as God spoke to me through it about how the world distorts what it has to offer. The world presents glamorous packages and we…. invest/ we buy because… we are desperate for hope.
What I am not trying to do is attack the “pleasures” life has to offer, i’m merely trying to draw the line between enjoyment in contrast to placing our hope in them. What a WASTED life when we are offered the HOPE OF THE WORLD and we throw our precious little hope at a nicely packaged counterfeit. If our hope/mood/happiness is reliant on situational gratification then we will be tossed to and fro by the world. When the world shakes we shake with it along with all those who aren’t saved. How does God’s Glory get revealed through us in those situations?!What differentiates us from the world?!God’s Glory is revealed through us when calamity strikes and we don’t go down like those around us because our roots are founded into Jesus-The Only Hope of the world. That is when the world looks at us and asks Why?Who?How?
I was challenged the other day whilst listening to an apologist that we as a church like to blame the world for apathy. The almost lifeless response to the gospel as “the times we live in.” What if the finger was turned the other way towards us, what if we were the cause of the apathy in the world? If we were TRULY living out our daily lives with Jesus as Lord of our lives…people could not help but respond…I no longer blame the world for its apathetic response to my alpha invite or to my Christmas Carol Service invite…I hold myself responsible.
John Piper appeals to his listeners “With all my heart don’t buy the American dream, it is a tragedy. People today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Over against that, I put my protest: Don’t buy it. Don’t waste your life.” That resonates in my heart and chokes me up whenever I hear it because my Spirit knows it is TRUTH.
Once God see this desire and sees your willingness, He sets you on a process that leads to life and ends in His Glory…what a stark contrast to a wasted life.
Mud and Stars
07 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in My Own Scribblings Tags: God, inspirat, life, philosophy, religious
“Two men looked out through prison bars one saw mud and one saw stars.” Same circumstance, different roots. It’s who you are and where you belong.
If you search for happiness it will always elude you, when you make God your priority everything else will be added unto you.
Happiness is not gotten directly it is a bi-product of searching for something deeper. It doesn’t come through controlling your circumstances it comes through controlling your allegiances, find out who you belong to, find out what has you by the heart.
Don’t approach Him as a butler, come without conditions and ambitions, we owe Him everything.
Aim at heaven and you’ll get earth thrown in aim at earth and you’ll get nothing.
The pursuit of God because He is God, nothing more, nothing less.
(Inspired by T.Keller)
