the rockI haven’t posted in quite a while. I suppose that is because I’ve had too much to write down, much of which was outside the normal routine. No friends group and no AACF bible study. But Miles gave a inspiring sermon about leaving behind your junk as you follow God’s will. He made four points:

  • Leave behind all unbiblical and irrational thinking.
  • Leave behnid your requirement for personal happiness.
  • Leave behind your loyalty to man over God.
  • Leave behind your pity party accessories.

I think the first one is so prevalent in my life, influences from my culture, community and sinful nature often shapes my perspective of God, when it should be the other way around, or at least more of a two-way, interactive street. The second one is tough. What is the point of life, if I let go my requirement for happiness? Jenn reminded me that it was the requirement for personal happiness, not happiness itself. It makes me think of Paul when he says he is content in all circumstances and the proverb that says, trust in the Lord (give up your requirement for personal happiness) and he will make your paths straight (God will take care of your happiness) (Proverbs 3:6) and in Romans about how God will make all things work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). The third point definitely hits home, becuase I want to be loyal to my work, my friends, etc, but unless that loyalty is put into a perspective of being loyal to God, it it will fail, and what kind of worker, friend, etc is that? Pity party accessories, pride issues, I just need to continue getting over myself…hah.

Some other cool stuff that has said / shared / watched:
Benson quoting Pastor Jamie: “You know how hunger is a sign of health? Spiritual hunger is a sign of spiritual health.”

John sharing an 80yr old’s wisdom: “Bloom where you are planted. Bloom where you are planted.”

John sharing an 80yr old’s wisdom: “Christians will often pray for God to take them out of circumstances, but it’s rarely about God taking you out of circumstances, but instead you trusting God to bring you through circumstances.”

Gordon Fee from How to Read the Bible for all it’s worth: (paraphrased-alot) “When we read the parable of the good samaritan, we often read it and see ourselves filling the good samaritan’s shoes, but in reality we need realize we are often just like the Priest and the Pharisee who just pass by. If we are to read this parable in modern-christian-day terms, we would replace samaritan with atheist.”

And lastly, about rats. Miles mentioned a rat in his sermon. A rat had fallen into his pool, and despite his wife rooting for its execution, Miles brought it out of the pool. It sat on the concrete for a while, probably half dead, but in half an hour it was gone. Although something might have eaten it, Miles hopes the little guy was just resting up. The same thing is with us, sometimes we are drowning in life, but then we get a second chance from God, and we need to keep on fighting and never give up.