Okay, so for those of you who don't know, there is a song by Casting Crowns called If We Are the Body. I'll put the lyrics here for those of you who have never heard this song before or for those who don't know it very well...
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girl's teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus payed much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
Now, you're probably wondering why I put that song. Well, here it is...I have been talking to a lot of people about the way that Christians are treating others. If you are a Christian, and you are reading this, I want you to think about what I am about to say very carefully.
First to the Parents: I am addressing you specifically because in the past month I have heard about this issue numerous times. If you are a parent, and your child is dating a non-Christian, how are you treating this person your child is dating? Are you allowing your son or daughter to make their own decisions about who they love? And while I'm not saying it's a good thing they aren't dating a Christian, are you turning them away from Christianity, or are you showing them the same love that Jesus would show them? Jesus didn't sit down with the Christians, he ate dinner with the sinners. If we are always hanging out with other Christians, how are we going to reach out to the non-Christians? I'll put it another way. We can't be a light amongst other lights. If we are candles, once you have a bunch of candles in one area, there is no darkness. So we should spread our light to the dark corners. Darkness flees from the light! Believe that! So stretch out your hands and spread the light!
For the Churches/leaders of the church: I know that there are churches out there that you may not agree with. Here's what I say to that: Instead of telling them that they aren't "true Christians" and shunning them, why don't you join them and bring light to them. Show them the way of Christ. As my friend Rachel so eloquently put it the other night with arms flailing around "If we are the body, why aren't our hands reaching?!" We look at those people coming into church, and they may not be the best dressed and they may stick out. Does that mean we just look at them and pass them by?! NO! Get to know them. Become their friend. Maybe they'll want to come back and maybe, just maybe, God will use you to help heal their broken hearts.
For the people at Christian Colleges (even secular colleges): Instead of shunning or hating the people who don't follow Christ and make mistakes, why don't we start acting like the body of Christ and lift them up when they need help. Why are we continuing to let them walk alone in this world? Girls are getting abused, teased, and are told by society that they aren't good enough. And they walk along the path and you can see they are hurting, but you just look at them and walk by, not caring if they will be okay.
It's time to wake up. We are a generation that has the opportunity to see great things happen if we stop and let it. Don't let the world pass you by. Stretch out your hands to those who need help and use kind words to show love.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Like Children
What is it about children that we all love? Is it their unending energy or watching their faces light up when even something small happens? For me, it's watching their faces light up.
You might be wondering where I am about to go with this. Well, you're about to find out.
Today I was at church and during worship, I happened to open my eyes and look down. And to my left, there was a young child dancing in the aisle. Immediately a thought popped into my head "Why aren't we all dancing in the aisle like this child?"
Please keep in mind that I am by no means an expert on the topic, I am just a college student trying to learn and grow into something bigger than any of us can imagine.
Jesus loved the children. He even told His disciples to let the children come to Him. Matthew 18:2-5 says this: "Then Jesus called a little child to him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives on little child like this in My name receives Me.""
Now, I'm not saying that you have to stay like little children all of the time. Instead, I believe that as we learn and grow in the Word and grow closer to God, we grow. But I also believe that our initial child-like wonder shouldn't fade like we so often let it. We should still be seeing little things from God that make our faces light up- even if no one understands why.
I know that for me, marveling at God's works like a child doesn't happen very often because I don't allow myself to think that way. At least, that's how it was until today at church. Before I saw that child dancing in the aisle, I found myself almost giddy in amazement at what God is doing and in those moments, I felt very much like a child. I didn't try to pull the logic out of what I was feeling, I just allowed myself to be filled with child-like wonder that something amazing was about to happen.
I want to challenge you. If you have time this week, go for a walk. Explore God's beauty and creation and marvel in it like a child. Allow your face to light up like a child's.
Monday, March 28, 2011
A Courtroom
I want to share something with you that Christopher Hopper said at a Fearless gathering this past week He was giving his sermon on identity and what it means to be a follower of Jesus and at the end, gave us this scene.
Imagine you are in a courtroom and you are on trial for ________. Maybe it's adultery, maybe it's lying, cheating, anger, lust...you put in your own word(s). And the jury right now is deciding whether or not you are guilty of this crime. There is no more chance of defense for you. It's obvious it's you- your DNA is all over the crime scene.
It's time. The Jury is filing back into the courtroom with that little piece of paper saying your verdict. You hear "For the count of ________ this jury finds you guilty.
You know it's over. You're going to die for this. You are about to be Capitally Punished for this. You hear the Judge say "Bailiff, take them away" and you know it's over. As the handcuffs are being put on your wrists, someone raises their hand and asks permission to approach the bench. The Judge grants them permission and you watch the Judge and this stranger talk. You see the Judges head snap up at one point and at last you hear "Bailiff, take this man here in front of me away instead. He has offered to take the place of the accused." After the man is led out of the courtroom, you hear everyone whispering "Do you know who that was?!" Interested, you strain to hear the answer. "It was the Judge's son."
This scene changed my life. In my mind, I saw myself sitting there for anger and bitterness toward one of my parents. I had allowed it to fester and grow and get infected and in the end, the only thing this anger and bitterness did was to hurt every other relationship I had. I don't know about you, but for me, living life like that SUCKS.
I want to challenge you. Imagine it's you in that courtroom being accused of a crime you know you committed and you know you're about to die for. What is that crime? Is it worth dying for? If not, I challenge you to let the Son's death be something big in your life. Follow him and don't let His death on the cross be for nothing.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Breath
Okay, I know, I know, it's been over a month so here it goes...
I have learned this past month or two what it is truly like to be surrounded by Christians. And I don't mean those people that say it but don't live it. I'm talking about people who I can wake up, walk down the hall, and first thing I see is them on the couch. And the first thing out of their mouth to me is "Jill! Listen to this!" and they proceed to tell me about a sermon they watched online from Mars Hill Church, or about what God is doing and how He is moving, or even what they hear from God. And I know that these people are the people who have had, in the past few weeks, a bigger impact on my life than friends I have known for years.
It's amazing to me that sometimes, we wake up and go about our daily lives and forget that God is there. For a day, a week, a month, even a year or more, we forget and ignore Him. Leaving Him to stand knocking. And eventually, maybe we stop feeling Him knock or we have done something in sin that has caused Him to turn His back on us (or spit us out of His mouth). Maybe we have turned our back on Him.
I was in chapel the other day, and the speaker was a doctor in Africa. He made us hold our breath and put our hands in the air. When we couldn't hold our breath anymore, we were supposed to lower our hand. Well, I didn't last much longer than 30 seconds. And by the end of 2 minutes, every hand was down. And then he said this and it has stuck with me ever since.
"We can't go more than two minutes without the need to breathe, so why do we think we can go days, months, years without God? He is the breath of life."
So this made me think. Why DO we think we can go for more than 30 seconds, minutes, days, months, or years without God guiding our way? Is it because we don't want to give up our independence and we're afraid of stepping out from behind our sin and manning up? Or is it because if we lose our sin, we will lose our identity? I don't know about you, but for 17 years, I was afraid of who I would be without my sin. I was afraid to take of the mask and let my life be defined by something...no, someONE else. But there is good news, God will and has placed some amazing people in each of our lives to help build us up and hold us accountable for our actions. You just have to wake up and notice.
I have learned this past month or two what it is truly like to be surrounded by Christians. And I don't mean those people that say it but don't live it. I'm talking about people who I can wake up, walk down the hall, and first thing I see is them on the couch. And the first thing out of their mouth to me is "Jill! Listen to this!" and they proceed to tell me about a sermon they watched online from Mars Hill Church, or about what God is doing and how He is moving, or even what they hear from God. And I know that these people are the people who have had, in the past few weeks, a bigger impact on my life than friends I have known for years.
It's amazing to me that sometimes, we wake up and go about our daily lives and forget that God is there. For a day, a week, a month, even a year or more, we forget and ignore Him. Leaving Him to stand knocking. And eventually, maybe we stop feeling Him knock or we have done something in sin that has caused Him to turn His back on us (or spit us out of His mouth). Maybe we have turned our back on Him.
I was in chapel the other day, and the speaker was a doctor in Africa. He made us hold our breath and put our hands in the air. When we couldn't hold our breath anymore, we were supposed to lower our hand. Well, I didn't last much longer than 30 seconds. And by the end of 2 minutes, every hand was down. And then he said this and it has stuck with me ever since.
"We can't go more than two minutes without the need to breathe, so why do we think we can go days, months, years without God? He is the breath of life."
So this made me think. Why DO we think we can go for more than 30 seconds, minutes, days, months, or years without God guiding our way? Is it because we don't want to give up our independence and we're afraid of stepping out from behind our sin and manning up? Or is it because if we lose our sin, we will lose our identity? I don't know about you, but for 17 years, I was afraid of who I would be without my sin. I was afraid to take of the mask and let my life be defined by something...no, someONE else. But there is good news, God will and has placed some amazing people in each of our lives to help build us up and hold us accountable for our actions. You just have to wake up and notice.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Maybe it IS possible...
For most of my life I have really wanted only one thing. And very few of my friends understood.
I wanted my family and my friends to know Christ the way I do.
I used to pray everyday for this miracle to happen and with every passing day, it would get harder for me to believe. I remember the first time I realized that I was different from my family. I wanted to go to church and get involved but I was met with so much opposition.
After a while, I just stopped believing in miracles and that maybe, just maybe, one day my parents would share my faith. So I admit it, I gave up on God. When I would hear of all the amazing things He has done in people's lives and for others, I would listen to the stories and think "why couldn't He have answered my prayers?"
Then the other day, I heard something that changed my whole belief about God (not) answering. my prayers. I kept going to all of these worship functions and the speakers would talk about how there was "going to be a break through in families and people will turn to God." And I kept hearing Nehemiah 1:9 where (in a nutshell) God tells Nehemiah that if he is faithful, He will bring Nehemiah's people back. And a speaker at TFH applied that to families. And then at CCC last Sunday, PB did his sermon on the same thing. So maybe, just maybe, God is trying to tell me to trust in Him and His timing to save them or to not. But I still need to work on that whole trusting thing.
I wanted my family and my friends to know Christ the way I do.
I used to pray everyday for this miracle to happen and with every passing day, it would get harder for me to believe. I remember the first time I realized that I was different from my family. I wanted to go to church and get involved but I was met with so much opposition.
After a while, I just stopped believing in miracles and that maybe, just maybe, one day my parents would share my faith. So I admit it, I gave up on God. When I would hear of all the amazing things He has done in people's lives and for others, I would listen to the stories and think "why couldn't He have answered my prayers?"
Then the other day, I heard something that changed my whole belief about God (not) answering. my prayers. I kept going to all of these worship functions and the speakers would talk about how there was "going to be a break through in families and people will turn to God." And I kept hearing Nehemiah 1:9 where (in a nutshell) God tells Nehemiah that if he is faithful, He will bring Nehemiah's people back. And a speaker at TFH applied that to families. And then at CCC last Sunday, PB did his sermon on the same thing. So maybe, just maybe, God is trying to tell me to trust in Him and His timing to save them or to not. But I still need to work on that whole trusting thing.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Something different. Something new.
Tonight I went to a church worship night. It was one of four nights at The Father's House and this was my first experience there. So as much as I would like to say that I went purely for the worship and message, I did not. I also went to see what it was like and if what people were saying about it was true.
Well, it was. Not only is it a huge building, but the number of people there was staggering for a girl who grew up in a church of 10-15 people and moved to a church of 100-200 to this. I walked in and the first thing I saw was a gift shop area. A GIFT SHOP AREA IN CHURCH?! What the...?! But I was able to get over it fairly quickly because there was so much to see!
After a few minutes, we all found our seats and that's when the fun began. Worship was pretty good but I felt like it was more of a concert than anything. Once the first part of worship came, there was an announcement about how you could buy shirts that they were selling for this four day event. Kind of annoyed me and maybe it's because I have never been to a church like this, but I felt like they were more intent on focusing on people buying things and giving for the offering (if you're an online watcher, donations are accepted through pay-pal).
But then the speaker for the night started worship back up/kept it going (depending on how you look at it) and it was so amazing.
Now, I believe that God performs miracles but because I have never grown up around prophecy, it's still new to me. So I was a little out of my comfort zone but there were some truly miraculous things that happened tonight. Because of tonight's events, I will never be the same. And while it's not something I can describe, it's something I can show with my life. So that's what I'm going to do.
Well, it was. Not only is it a huge building, but the number of people there was staggering for a girl who grew up in a church of 10-15 people and moved to a church of 100-200 to this. I walked in and the first thing I saw was a gift shop area. A GIFT SHOP AREA IN CHURCH?! What the...?! But I was able to get over it fairly quickly because there was so much to see!
After a few minutes, we all found our seats and that's when the fun began. Worship was pretty good but I felt like it was more of a concert than anything. Once the first part of worship came, there was an announcement about how you could buy shirts that they were selling for this four day event. Kind of annoyed me and maybe it's because I have never been to a church like this, but I felt like they were more intent on focusing on people buying things and giving for the offering (if you're an online watcher, donations are accepted through pay-pal).
But then the speaker for the night started worship back up/kept it going (depending on how you look at it) and it was so amazing.
Now, I believe that God performs miracles but because I have never grown up around prophecy, it's still new to me. So I was a little out of my comfort zone but there were some truly miraculous things that happened tonight. Because of tonight's events, I will never be the same. And while it's not something I can describe, it's something I can show with my life. So that's what I'm going to do.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A wrap-up of 2010 and the beginning of 2011
So I know that it has been a while since I last posted anything. In fact, I haven't posted anything since before Thanksgiving break 2010 so here it goes...the wrap up of 2010 and some random thoughts from 2011. So please be patient with all of the jumping around that I do with topics.
Finals week (for the two days I was here) went by really fast but not without some stumbling blocks. It's funny, it was only two days, but in those two days, I had to confront demons that I never thought I would have to face again. But I dealt with them thanks to a few amazing people in my life.
Once I got home and settled into a routine, time started to fly. Before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve and Natalie and I were singing in church and then we were waking up early and going to Courtney and Nate's for Christmas Day. I wasn't working so I had a ton of lazy time to do absolutely nothing. So that's what I did, nothing. New Year's Eve was spent in the same way it always is- games with the family but there was an addition this year. Nick came down for our annual game of Chicken Foot Dominoes and then we left to watch the ball drop at his house. It was weird...it was the first time I wasn't home for the ball to drop and I didn't have to go to bed as soon as it dropped. So that was the end of a great year and the beginning of a new one.
On New Year's Day I learned I wasn't as strong as I thought I was or wanted to be. We did our annual trip to see some of my relatives because, for the most part, they all live in the same area. But what I wasn't prepared for was what I saw on this trip. If anyone has ever watched someone's health slowly get worse, they'll know what I am talking about. I used to think that I would like to know when death is going to happen but now I'm not so sure. My entire view on death has changed and not just in a Biblical sense. I no longer wish to know when my death is going to come nor do I like seeing someone slowly die because of an illness. I would rather be shocked that it happened even though neither is a good option. I have learned that when I die, I want it to be quick. I don't care so much about how much pain I may be in, but for my loved ones, the less they see me deteriorate the better.
I'm hoping you're still with me.
After New Year's, I knew that the time was coming for me to go back to school or as I refer to it most often (sometimes on accident) home. So Nick went back to school and I followed his example a few days later. I was ready to get out and go back to being who I am, not who my parents wanted me to be.
I came to school and did the usual unpacking and cleaning (two days worth of junk) and then I started classes. I don't have classes Mondays so I spent the entire day bored because I had nowhere to go and nothing to do but watch television or movies. I learned that being back is both a blessing and a curse. But here, I can go to the church I want to go to without arguments and pleading and I can be more comfortable. So here I am, in the third week of school, and I am spreading myself perhaps too thin. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have so much. I have classes and work until 5:45 at night and then I come back and usually go to the gym. Today that changed a little because I am now going to Brockport for a life group (and for those who don't know what that is, it's a small Bible study). So because of that, my Tuesdays are now filled, most Fridays will be filled and Monday nights I have another book study with a group of girls that my RD is hosting.
But I'm so excited for this semester! In book study with Celeste, we are reading a book called Boundaries and I cannot wait to get farther into it! Boundaries are something that so many people, including myself, have issues with. So many are not able to say no and are getting stretched so thin they get burned out. So where do we draw the line between Christianity with good deeds helping others to going overboard with it and letting people walk all over us because we don't have the ability to say no. So needless to say, I am very excited about learning to put physical and emotional boundaries in my life because I don't know how to say "no" when I need to.
So here is a warning for those who may read this, I may be posting more about this topic as the weeks go on. But for now, it is time for me to stop writing and go to bed. So goodnight world!
Finals week (for the two days I was here) went by really fast but not without some stumbling blocks. It's funny, it was only two days, but in those two days, I had to confront demons that I never thought I would have to face again. But I dealt with them thanks to a few amazing people in my life.
Once I got home and settled into a routine, time started to fly. Before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve and Natalie and I were singing in church and then we were waking up early and going to Courtney and Nate's for Christmas Day. I wasn't working so I had a ton of lazy time to do absolutely nothing. So that's what I did, nothing. New Year's Eve was spent in the same way it always is- games with the family but there was an addition this year. Nick came down for our annual game of Chicken Foot Dominoes and then we left to watch the ball drop at his house. It was weird...it was the first time I wasn't home for the ball to drop and I didn't have to go to bed as soon as it dropped. So that was the end of a great year and the beginning of a new one.
On New Year's Day I learned I wasn't as strong as I thought I was or wanted to be. We did our annual trip to see some of my relatives because, for the most part, they all live in the same area. But what I wasn't prepared for was what I saw on this trip. If anyone has ever watched someone's health slowly get worse, they'll know what I am talking about. I used to think that I would like to know when death is going to happen but now I'm not so sure. My entire view on death has changed and not just in a Biblical sense. I no longer wish to know when my death is going to come nor do I like seeing someone slowly die because of an illness. I would rather be shocked that it happened even though neither is a good option. I have learned that when I die, I want it to be quick. I don't care so much about how much pain I may be in, but for my loved ones, the less they see me deteriorate the better.
I'm hoping you're still with me.
After New Year's, I knew that the time was coming for me to go back to school or as I refer to it most often (sometimes on accident) home. So Nick went back to school and I followed his example a few days later. I was ready to get out and go back to being who I am, not who my parents wanted me to be.
I came to school and did the usual unpacking and cleaning (two days worth of junk) and then I started classes. I don't have classes Mondays so I spent the entire day bored because I had nowhere to go and nothing to do but watch television or movies. I learned that being back is both a blessing and a curse. But here, I can go to the church I want to go to without arguments and pleading and I can be more comfortable. So here I am, in the third week of school, and I am spreading myself perhaps too thin. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have so much. I have classes and work until 5:45 at night and then I come back and usually go to the gym. Today that changed a little because I am now going to Brockport for a life group (and for those who don't know what that is, it's a small Bible study). So because of that, my Tuesdays are now filled, most Fridays will be filled and Monday nights I have another book study with a group of girls that my RD is hosting.
But I'm so excited for this semester! In book study with Celeste, we are reading a book called Boundaries and I cannot wait to get farther into it! Boundaries are something that so many people, including myself, have issues with. So many are not able to say no and are getting stretched so thin they get burned out. So where do we draw the line between Christianity with good deeds helping others to going overboard with it and letting people walk all over us because we don't have the ability to say no. So needless to say, I am very excited about learning to put physical and emotional boundaries in my life because I don't know how to say "no" when I need to.
So here is a warning for those who may read this, I may be posting more about this topic as the weeks go on. But for now, it is time for me to stop writing and go to bed. So goodnight world!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)