It’s not only those outside the Church who have misconceptions about Christianity.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what we think Christianity means that we end up basing the truth on our own perceptions. Let’s see Christianity for what it really is.
This was such great read from Relevant Magazine. I encourage everyone to take a look at it too.
I have so much love for my church. I love the fact that you can come in and put a name to every face you see. I love the fact that church members have such a strong relationship with the pastors that asking them for a ride home is never considered out of the question. I love that while there are distinct areas and ministries in the church no one is ever too proud to help out or unwilling to lend a hand in an area they’ve never dealt with before. With all that said, what I love the most about my church is the commitment every single person puts into making the church what it is – it’s a commitment that is unfailing and unwavering.
While we may not have a large building or even up to 200 people, one would think otherwise with all the love, time, and consideration put into our services. Every Sunday and even on the days between I see a work ethic that is nothing short of inspiring. You yourself cannot help but be impacted by it. Members, pastors, and volunteers make an effort to put on something that will personally touch the lives of the people who make it out each weekend.
What I have learned over the last seven months of being here is that fame does not matter, and neither does size. I have been a part of bigger churches - churches that have their own CDs, stations, and PR team. Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely root for those churches too because I believe in spreading the gospel in any and all ways possible. However, the church I go to does not have that, they are of a modest size but one with the heart of ten giants. They believe that even if only four people show up those four people are everything. Those four people ought to be cared for and shown that no matter who they are, no matter where they come from or what denomination they are a part of that they matter to the church and to God. I believe that that right there is the epitome of attention to detail. It is no gimmick, rouse, facade or embellishment on who they are -what you see is honestly what you get.
Which reminds me, I was at a business seminar a few weeks back and the keynote speaker brought up church. He said, whatever church you go to surely you must consider it to be the best one out there otherwise you wouldn’t go to it. How true is that? If I didn’t think my church was the best I would have looked for another one already. I must say, because of the work and care put into this church so much light shines out and that light is what draws me close. I am so blessed by the people that make up this body of Christ-followers and so grateful that God has continued to bless me with their company and presence in my life.
I love you God for that and love you church for you are and what you do.
*I’m not here to advertise to or persuade anyone on religion, that’s a choice you have to make yourself. Nonetheless, if you ever do find yourself questioning or considering, in need of a prayer, or just wanna talk, come to Every Nation. Our doors are always open.
"Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.’” -Luke 9:23-24
It’s a pretty tall order what Jesus asks of us. It’s not like you’re simply giving away your clothes to your siblings because you don’t fit in them anymore, or sharing the last slice of pizza with a friend. No. This is our lives we’re talking about. Jesus is telling us to drop what we’re doing to live a life for Him.
If we see further beyond our initial shock we are then able to see the greatness God has planned for us up ahead. What we usually fail to realize is that this is nothing but a win-win situation.
I saw these words the other day and oh how perfectly does it fit into what I’m writing about here today. You see, when Jesus asked us to drop our lives and pick up the cross, it was His own way of saying I have something greater for you. God created you as an individual, He created you with your own personal desires that He has not forgotten (Psalm 37: 3-4). Not only that but if you allow Him He can also give you a new desire for something you have never considered before. So whether it be your love for design, veterinary work, technology, cooking or what have you, He knows it all! The path He is leading you on is not that different from the one you currently walk on, the only maybe minor difference is that it is one billion times better (Jeremiah 29:11). He will show us how to use our passions to the fullest and not only will they better our lives but that of those around us.
Here comes the personal story:
I’m a lover of the arts. I enjoy a good design and I take delight in capturing moments with my camera - I enjoy these things so much that during my last year of college I even started a small business and it did pretty well. However, following my move from Oregon to Sydney I found it difficult to start it up again. Fortunately Jesus came in and blessed me with a job where I could do just that but on a more selfless level. Sure it was a weird transition but what stage in life isn’t? I now work for my church and in all honesty, I am so grateful. Once I got past the sting of losing my business to help others I found more joy in doing what I now do. Through that, God has given me more opportunities to design and photograph different things. Additionally, the people I have been lucky enough to call co-workers are people I can also call my friends. When God wants to bless you, with Him it’s either a “Go big or go home”
type of thing.
Just remember:
YOU WERE MADE FOR THE PLACE WHERE YOUR REAL PASSION MEETS COMPASSION BECAUSE THERE LIES YOUR REAL PURPOSE.
Living a life for God is not about obligation, it’s about loyalty. When you’re loyal to someone you do things you wouldn’t necessarily find yourself doing but because you care for the other you do it anyway. In Psalm 51:12-14 it says, “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it… Sacrifice thank offerings to God.” God is calling us to live out a life of loyalty. While He does not need us to to live our lives for Him He would like us to. By sacrificing thank offerings onto Him we are saying I love you, I appreciate all the things you have given to me and done for me, and although there is no way to fully pay you back I’m going to do the things you have asked me to do. Sort of like these trees. I bet if they could talk they would say their days have not always been pleasant, with the rain, harsh sun and what not but because God gave them life and He renews them every season they stand unmoved. - Live a life filled with loyal love not obligatory actions.
Living a life for God is not about obligation, it’s about loyalty. When you’re loyal to someone you do things you wouldn’t necessarily find yourself doing but because you care for the other you do it anyway. In Psalm 51:12-14 it says, “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it… Sacrifice thank offerings to God.” God is calling us to live out a life of loyalty. While He does not need us to to live our lives for Him He would like us to. By sacrificing thank offerings onto Him we are saying I love you, I appreciate all the things you have given to me and done for me, and although there is no way to fully pay you back I’m going to do the things you have asked me to do. Sort of like these trees. I bet if they could talk they would say their days have not always been pleasant, with the rain, harsh sun and what not but because God gave them life and He renews them every season they stand unmoved. - Live a life filled with loyal love not obligatory actions.
Living a life for God is not about obligation, it’s about loyalty. When you’re loyal to someone you do things you wouldn’t necessarily find yourself doing but because you care for the other you do it anyway. In Psalm 51:12-14 it says, “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it… Sacrifice thank offerings to God.” God is calling us to live out a life of loyalty. While He does not need us to to live our lives for Him He would like us to. By sacrificing thank offerings onto Him we are saying I love you, I appreciate all the things you have given to me and done for me, and although there is no way to fully pay you back I’m going to do the things you have asked me to do. Sort of like these trees. I bet if they could talk they would say their days have not always been pleasant, with the rain, harsh sun and what not but because God gave them life and He renews them every season they stand unmoved. - Live a life filled with loyal love not obligatory actions.
Living a life for God is not about obligation, it’s about loyalty. When you’re loyal to someone you do things you wouldn’t necessarily find yourself doing but because you care for the other you do it anyway. In Psalm 51:12-14 it says, “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it… Sacrifice thank offerings to God.” God is calling us to live out a life of loyalty. While He does not need us to to live our lives for Him He would like us to. By sacrificing thank offerings onto Him we are saying I love you, I appreciate all the things you have given to me and done for me, and although there is no way to fully pay you back I’m going to do the things you have asked me to do. Sort of like these trees. I bet if they could talk they would say their days have not always been pleasant, with the rain, harsh sun and what not but because God gave them life and He renews them every season they stand unmoved. - Live a life filled with loyal love not obligatory actions.
I forget that God has a bigger plan for me than I do for myself. I forget that He has a better vantage point from where He stands than I do. At times I get impatient with my current stage. Sometimes it feels like I could do so much more in other places or with different people. Fortunately enough I was reading a friend’s blog, Rivers && Roads and came across this quote that you see above. How humbling it was for God to remind me that He doesn’t “slow” me down to hold me back but to prepare me. To grow me. Because He loves me.
I forget that God has a bigger plan for me than I do for myself. I forget that He has a better vantage point from where He stands than I do. At times I get impatient with my current stage. Sometimes it feels like I could do so much more in other places or with different people. Fortunately enough I was reading a friend’s blog, Rivers && Roads and came across this quote that you see above. How humbling it was for God to remind me that He doesn’t “slow” me down to hold me back but to prepare me. To grow me. Because He loves me.
I forget that God has a bigger plan for me than I do for myself. I forget that He has a better vantage point from where He stands than I do. At times I get impatient with my current stage. Sometimes it feels like I could do so much more in other places or with different people. Fortunately enough I was reading a friend’s blog, Rivers && Roads and came across this quote that you see above. How humbling it was for God to remind me that He doesn’t “slow” me down to hold me back but to prepare me. To grow me. Because He loves me.
I forget that God has a bigger plan for me than I do for myself. I forget that He has a better vantage point from where He stands than I do. At times I get impatient with my current stage. Sometimes it feels like I could do so much more in other places or with different people. Fortunately enough I was reading a friend’s blog, Rivers && Roads and came across this quote that you see above. How humbling it was for God to remind me that He doesn’t “slow” me down to hold me back but to prepare me. To grow me. Because He loves me.
magazines won’t do it. merits won’t connect you. even your friends and family won’t fulfill you. it’s that connection. in that grace it’s Him connecting with you! saying hey! i’m here no matter what you’ve done -no matter what you are doing. you push me away but I sent my Son to die on that cross that connects you to me. connect with me. identify with me. allow yourself to be with me. it’s the most natural thing to do.
so blessed to be broken and yet I still get to be a part of amazing things like this!!! Yes Lord.