As I've been reading the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, I've been wondering if maybe God is trying to speak truths about union with Jesus to me through the books.
In the books, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira are joined together. They are pretty much in union with each other. They feel each others feelings and are able to be inside each others minds and they communicate telepathically. Eragon can speak out loud to Saphira, but Saphira only speaks to him in his mind. So most of their communication is done in their thoughts. They are constantly connected to one another, even if either of them decides to block the other out if angry or upset enough. Eragon can also draw power (in order to use stronger magic) from Saphira.
I realize this all can come across as new age sounding. But Jesus did say that when The Spirit comes, He would be in us and we in Him. "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." His power is the power that works within us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. So we can feel his feelings and His desires and draw upon His own strength. The scripture also says we have the mind of Christ.
Anyway..It scares me because this all sounds really weird, but there is truth in it I think. We are connected to the Lord whether we feel Him there or not (we walk by faith, not by sight). We are one with each other. Recognizing this takes prayer to a new level. No longer is it me talking...It's both of our spirits joined to one another, fellowshipping with each other on a spiritual level. Even when we think we are not praying...The times when we feel burdened and unable to pray or read the Bible...It's possibly those times that we are praying our hardest. Not from our mouths, but from our spirits with groanings too deep for words.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Prayer and Silent Prayer
I've been thinking about silent prayer lately. I realize my prayer life is very feeble and goes up and down. Some days I pray a lot and other days I barely pray at all. But if I stop and take notice, I do hear myself praying, though not in my words.
The exhausting thing about prayer to me is the constant feeling that I need to articulate everything. Everyone else seems to do so, so I guess it's become burned into my brain that in order for God to hear my prayer, I need to pray very specifically or whatever. But most of the time I don't know what to pray for except "Father be with so and so" or "Help them, Father."
I like being short and straight to the point. It's exhausting for me to tell God what I want Him to do in a persons life. I don't know what they really need. I just want Him to be with them and give them help, strength, guidance and joy in the midst of whatever they're going through.
And when I pray for healing it usually ends up being "Father, heal so and so of this and that."
But I was wondering about silent prayer and if anyone in our group prays most often silently. I am mostly verbal which I find tiring. I don't want to give speeches. I just want to tell God what I want for myself or someone else!
The exhausting thing about prayer to me is the constant feeling that I need to articulate everything. Everyone else seems to do so, so I guess it's become burned into my brain that in order for God to hear my prayer, I need to pray very specifically or whatever. But most of the time I don't know what to pray for except "Father be with so and so" or "Help them, Father."
I like being short and straight to the point. It's exhausting for me to tell God what I want Him to do in a persons life. I don't know what they really need. I just want Him to be with them and give them help, strength, guidance and joy in the midst of whatever they're going through.
And when I pray for healing it usually ends up being "Father, heal so and so of this and that."
But I was wondering about silent prayer and if anyone in our group prays most often silently. I am mostly verbal which I find tiring. I don't want to give speeches. I just want to tell God what I want for myself or someone else!
Predestination
I was wondering if anyone had any insight on them matter of election. Of course, I've heard from Bob George countless times his belief that predestination concerns Jews and Gentiles, not you's and me's. He always points to the book of Ephesians to explain predestination. However...I can't reconcile Romans chapter 9 with the belief that election only deals with the salvation of Jews and Gentiles. Also in Acts, the Spirit says: "And everyone who was appointed to Eternal Life, believed."
The idea that God chooses to harden some and save others doesn't sit well with me, but if it's the truth, then I can't do anything about it. But if Bob George is right, I would really love to hear the explanation of Romans chapter 9 and that verse I mentioned in Acts.
The idea that God chooses to harden some and save others doesn't sit well with me, but if it's the truth, then I can't do anything about it. But if Bob George is right, I would really love to hear the explanation of Romans chapter 9 and that verse I mentioned in Acts.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake
Ever been made fun of, criticized or put down because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Free Gift of Righteousness? I haven't, but if any of you have, let me encourage you with Jesus' own words in Matthew:
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you."
I've read these and heard these words of Jesus preached as people who are persecuted for being nice or trying to live righteously. While it's true that people can catch insults for not participating in what the world does, Jesus is not talking about that. He's talking about people who are persecuted and insulted because of the Good News of God's unconditional Love and Grace towards us in His Son, Jesus. "Lawlessness! Antinomian! Heretic! False prophet!"
Do not fear men, brothers. Jesus loves you freely. Don't let people intimidate you with accusations and insults. When they make fun of you, just keep your eyes on Him alone.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you."
I've read these and heard these words of Jesus preached as people who are persecuted for being nice or trying to live righteously. While it's true that people can catch insults for not participating in what the world does, Jesus is not talking about that. He's talking about people who are persecuted and insulted because of the Good News of God's unconditional Love and Grace towards us in His Son, Jesus. "Lawlessness! Antinomian! Heretic! False prophet!"
Do not fear men, brothers. Jesus loves you freely. Don't let people intimidate you with accusations and insults. When they make fun of you, just keep your eyes on Him alone.
The Comfort of Condemnation
On the way home from Wal-Mart today, I noticed a car with an interesting choice of bumper-stickers. One was a Jesus fish and under it was a sticker of the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
We like to preach the theory of Grace, but we're very quick to put some fine print (The Law) at the bottom of the contract in order to keep control of things. And I agree with legalists. Control, constant self-analysis and condemnation make me feel very safe. Without such things to keep me on my toes, I'm liable to live in laziness and sin! Don't take the whip I use to beat myself in the back with! It is the only thing that keeps me in the faith! It's the only thing that keeps me motivated to serve God! Without it, I'm just another sinner like everyone else, doomed for hell!
These are actual thoughts I have. They may not be so blunt, but that's basically what I hear from myself all the time. Kent's blog post inspired my thoughts on this subject today.
We like to preach the theory of Grace, but we're very quick to put some fine print (The Law) at the bottom of the contract in order to keep control of things. And I agree with legalists. Control, constant self-analysis and condemnation make me feel very safe. Without such things to keep me on my toes, I'm liable to live in laziness and sin! Don't take the whip I use to beat myself in the back with! It is the only thing that keeps me in the faith! It's the only thing that keeps me motivated to serve God! Without it, I'm just another sinner like everyone else, doomed for hell!
These are actual thoughts I have. They may not be so blunt, but that's basically what I hear from myself all the time. Kent's blog post inspired my thoughts on this subject today.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Quiz-majigger
Three jobs I have had in my life
1. Astro-nut
2. Swashbuckling
3. Self-Analysis
Three movies I watch over and over
1. Fellowship of the Ring
2. Braveheart
3. Forrest Gump
Three places I have lived
1. Catawba, SC
2. Rock Hill, SC
3. We once stayed at Myrtle Beach for like two months. Does that count as living there?
Three shows that I watch
1. AFV
2. Destined to Reign
3. The Big Bang Theory
Three places I have been
1. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
2. Haiti
3. Cozumel, Mexico
Three people who e-mail me regularly
1. spam
2. blog comment notifications
3. junk
Three of my favorite foods
1. steak
2. buffalo wings
3. bacon
Three places I’d rather be right now
1. bookstore
2. somewhere beautiful and secluded with a good book
3. flying somewhere
Three friends I think will respond
1. i don't like to make such bold assumptions!
2.
3.
Three things I am looking forward to this year
1. Getting to know more about Jesus and His love for me
2. growing in freedom and being empowered and led by the Spirit of God
3. reading the new inheritance cycle book "brisingr."
1. Astro-nut
2. Swashbuckling
3. Self-Analysis
Three movies I watch over and over
1. Fellowship of the Ring
2. Braveheart
3. Forrest Gump
Three places I have lived
1. Catawba, SC
2. Rock Hill, SC
3. We once stayed at Myrtle Beach for like two months. Does that count as living there?
Three shows that I watch
1. AFV
2. Destined to Reign
3. The Big Bang Theory
Three places I have been
1. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
2. Haiti
3. Cozumel, Mexico
Three people who e-mail me regularly
1. spam
2. blog comment notifications
3. junk
Three of my favorite foods
1. steak
2. buffalo wings
3. bacon
Three places I’d rather be right now
1. bookstore
2. somewhere beautiful and secluded with a good book
3. flying somewhere
Three friends I think will respond
1. i don't like to make such bold assumptions!
2.
3.
Three things I am looking forward to this year
1. Getting to know more about Jesus and His love for me
2. growing in freedom and being empowered and led by the Spirit of God
3. reading the new inheritance cycle book "brisingr."
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