Through the Bible in a Year- auditory syle!

Lately, I have been feeling pulled toward reading through the Bible in one year. I haven't done it yet, because 1) I am a slow reader, 2) I feel like I will just read through it to get it done, not really getting anything out of it because 3) I'm not really studying it. Then I had a genius idea; OK, not really genius, but I am excited about it. I found this website: ESV online. It is amazing: 1) It's free! 2) You can study from it, even saving your highlighting and note taking on each passage, and 3) It reads the Bible TO you! My plan is to listen to it while I'm nursing. This is why I prefer the ESV.

The reason I want to listen is because I am an extremely auditory learner. It helped me tons in school which is mostly lecture based, but has it's pros & cons in "real life". For instance, I cannot tune sounds out at all, so they drive me crazy if there's too much input in that area. Also, I am basically pretty sure that the auditory part of my brain is crowding out the visual, because I have almost no visual memory and cannot "see" things I'm trying to find that are right in front of me, even though there's nothing wrong with me eyes! Which kind of learner are you?

If you are auditory like me and would like to join, leave a comment! If you are visual & prefer reading, you can sure do that instead! I will obviously be starting January 1!

Power of the Gospel Conquers Fear of Death

I had to share this from John Piper. Amazing. I really needed to hear this!


The Power of the Gospel and the Fear of Death - John Piper from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Reformed Charismatic???

It is so exciting when something that God's been working in your own heart, you find He's also working in those around you. My theology is constantly morphing, as I believe it should be, as I learn more about God & His Word. My foundation, which is basic, God-centered, reformed theology and has been since high school, has not shifted (although it HAS been challenged, lol).

But I've been introduced to some of charismatic theology (for lack of a better term) which has made sense to me, both from experience and from the Bible. I won't go into all the details of what I do & don't agree with about it, but real quick, there are 3 basic things I like about it:

1. The emphasis on spiritual warfare, which is WAY underplayed in most conservative churches today, to the point that no one knows how to handle things when they encounter it. (Many Protestants are even turning to the Catholic church, because no one in theirs knows how to handle it.)
2. Not limiting (or attempting to limit) God's work through the "spiritual gifts". In other words, I'm not a Cessationist.
3. Just the general positiveness of it! (I don't think that's a word, lol)

But what's exciting is that, while God is somehow working this morphing in my own heart & mind, I find there is a whole church movement being led in the same direction! Here is Matt Chandler, a teacher I've been following since college, my absolute favorite preacher, explaining it very well in a recent interview.

"Matt Chandler- 'Reformed Charismatic'"

I was also excited to find this: Sovereign Grace Ministries. A friend on some message boards I frequent was talking about her church's theology, and I thought, "That's me!" Joshua Harris, author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, is one of the leaders, if you've heard of him. Matt Chandler's church is not technically a Sovereign Grace church, but they follow many of the teachings, as does John Piper, actually. Unfortunately, I don't have either church near me, but there's always the internet! :)

Why I Detest Legalism, Pt 2

Cultural Issues....

There are things written in the New Testament that only applied to that specific culture. Critics of this view claim we are picking & choosing what to follow out of the Bible. I'm not going to go into that whole argument here, but check this out if you're interested. (scroll down to question #31-32)

My interest is in what happens when we take something meant for another culture & use it for us today. I believe legalism can easily be found in these circumstances. Take, for example, the passage on head coverings for women. (1 Corinthians 11) The point of this passage is that Paul wants women to look & dress like women (feminine) and for men to look like men (masculine). As cultures change, this standard might change as well. For example, a man would never appropriately be seen wearing a dress today, but in Jesus' day, they wore long robes that resemble dresses. Even today, in other parts of the world men wear robes like this. From this passage we can tell that men never wore head coverings, but it's completely masculine to see a man wearing a ball cap or cowboy hat today. My point is that, as culture changes, the standard of what is feminine & masculine clothing changes as well. But if we're being legalistic, our men might all still be wearing dresses & be seen in this culture as feminine. If that happened, we would then come full circle and actually going against the very point of Paul's (& God's) expectations of us! 

Another example is a certain parenting book that claims to be the way of the Almighty (red flag right there, if you ask me.) It advises against children sleeping in bed with their parents. Like everything they recommend, they imply you're not doing it God's way if you go against their advice. Let's look at that culturally. In many countries co-sleeping is the norm. Not only do they feel it builds community, there is often no money for more than one bed! I wonder what these authors would tell those families.

Am I saying that culture should define morality? Absolutely not! It's clear from the Bible what God wants our moral standards to look like, and those shouldn't change. What I'm talking about are issues that are either not directly addressed in the Bible or are covered by the above "cultural issues". Some people are guilty of taking a wonderful principle and attaching actions & rules to that principle that aren't necessary. (And other times, even the basic principles behind the rules is unnecessary.) 

A good test to use when deciding if something is being legalistic is how it would come across to other cultures. My point in saying all this is to be careful. Legalism is not just something Christians like to argue about. It is a dangerous enemy to faith, unity, and peace. It's also very contagious; once you catch it, you itch to spread it around. Pray & search the Scriptures; God will not play games with you, but He delights in showing you the truth.

Why I detest legalism, Pt 1

I titled this "Part 1" because who knows how many parts this topic will have! hehe. :) This has become something I am passionate about. I feel like I can say that I detest legalism because:

1- I used to be a legalist

2- I still struggle with its hold on my life that just won't let go @ times.

3- It is not just about little rules Christians disagree on. It is destroying lives.

4- And it is destroying our testimonies to a dying world. 

5- It creates divisions in the church.

So what is legalism? I am very interested in how different people define this, so PLEASE, if you can, leave a comment with your definition of legalism. In my opinion, there are two things usually meant by it.

1- A rule that Christians (or people who call themselves Christians) make up but that is not actually mandated by God.

2- Trying to become more acceptable to God by doing ANYTHING other than clinging to the cross of Christ.

The heart of the matter really lies in this second definition. Aren't we all guilty of that? I spent years doing it. The question of legalism really is not so much the action being performed but the motive behind it. I can serve soup in a soup kitchen because I am feeling guilty about another area of my life I refuse to turn over to God. Maybe serving soup will help God forget about that other area; or maybe it will just make me feel better. Legalism. Or I can serve soup because I'm so happy with the soup God has provided me in my own pantry, or I'm concerned about the poor (because God made me concerned about the poor. I've never cared about the poor on my own. ;) ) You can see the different motives there. Most of us find ourselves in a some version of the first scenario far too often. 

But it works, doesn't it? All the rules you've made for yourself, all the boxes you check each day, all "going above and beyond" really helps you feel closer to God, more accepted by Him, doesn't it? Then why, when one box goes unchecked do we run from Him for a week until we think His anger has cooled off? Why do we ruin friendships pointing the finger at others who aren't following our made up rules, which makes us even more lonely? Why, when we've had a bad day do we feel so far from Him? So unloved by Him? It's because of legalism. 

Solution?

1- First off, start by reading Galatians. There was a time in my life where I just read that book over & over & over again. I really didn't read much else until I was sure it sank in. When I start struggling again, I go back & read it again. Other parts of the Bible may confuse you until you get the truths there. Until they really sink in. Then those other passages (like James! ;) ) really started making sense as well.

2- Realize that God accepts you. If that is a cliche to you (it was to me for years), just pray that God will make it so real you will never doubt it. He is faithful. The reason He accepts you has nothing to do with you. He accepts His Son (He has to), and Jesus covers you, so you're included in that Father/Son acceptance that can never fail (His Godhood is at stake if it does). (as long as you've accepted the covering, that is) "God doesn't love some future version of you. He loves you where you are now." - Matt Chandler

Don't worry, there is more to come on this topic! (with more specifics) :)

Memorize Colossians 2011!

Memorizing Scripture in bulk makes sense to me. It's so much harder to take verses out of context that way. I can NEVER remember the references anyway, so why not learn the whole book? hehe. ...especially when it's a book as good as Colossians! I actually started memorizing Colossians once. I only got half way through the first chapter before getting sidetracked. Then I saw this on a message board I frequent, and it made me want to finish it! You only do 2 verses per week. Who can't do that, right? There are also weeks off to review what you've already done, so you don't forget it. I'm excited. Want to join? If you want an accountability partner, I'd be glad to do it with you. :)

Here's the link to the plan.: 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/01/colossians-in-a-year-details-and-updated/

To Hell and Back- Part 4- Results!

Sometimes the worst things you go through in life change you the most. We don't always see those results, but I definitely have seen some of mine. First a disclaimer: I have in no way arrived in any of these areas; I am just speaking in generalities. So when I write something here, of course know that I still have a ways to go in these areas. (I don't have to tell you this if you know me well. haha!)

• A Love for Christ. This may sound weird, but perhaps some can relate. Jesus (the man) always kind of freaked me out, and I'm not sure why. Taking communion was always a little weird to me. Looking at pictures of Jesus reeeaally freaked me out, as did watching movies where He was displayed. For some reason, and I can't explain it, when I think of Him now, I just feel His love for me, and I fall in love with Him all over again. Hearing songs about how we've been saved and set free from sin almost always bring tears to my eyes out of the sheer beauty of it all. I had sensed that beauty before, but now it's more amazing to me.
• Developed a disgust for effort and duty. This is something that is so ingrained in modern Christianity, and yet it is so close to heresy. The way to holiness is not through your effort or will, it is through surrender and faith. Galatians 3:3, “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” Human effort originates in pride and ends in lifting you up. Surrender and faith originates in the Holy Spirit and ends up lifting God up. American culture has really taken hold of this "we can do it religion", and it's working against us, because guess what? You will fail- every time, eventually, in every way. And when you fail, you will run from God because you think you're not worthy of Him, will double your efforts at service and obedience, and it will become a vicious cycle. This experience just really showed me that when I focus on getting close to Jesus and taking in all the love He has for me, holiness can't help but flow out. The Bible says that Jesus is a fountain of living water. Many Christians are filling up their little buckets with water and straining them to carry them to Jesus and pour them in, thinking surely He'll be impressed, that we will somehow earn a place in His heart. How silly. We should be bringing our empty, dry buckets to the well, dipping them in the fountain of Him to fill them up, and then going and serving with that living water. That is the heart of the God we serve. He loves for us to fill ourselves with Him, because the Giver gets the glory. (illustration thanks to John Piper.)
• Love: I have always always struggled with this, and I think mostly because it is the litmus test in the Bible for if you're truly saved or not. (1 Jn 3:14).  I was always good at being "nice", but love is a different story. This is really where things came to head for me, because honestly I was saying to God, "I know I am supposed to love, to feel love for others (and yes, I do believe love has an essence of feeling to it. It is not just action as some teach. More on this in another post perhaps.), but I don't. So You have to do it. Either You come with Your Spirit and Your power and love through me, proving You live in me, or You don't, and I'm done for." It's that hard place where God commands something from you that you cannot do, and you have to come to a place where you 100% depend on Him to carry out that command through you. The good news is, He does! He LOVES when we get to that place, because He LOVES to show up and do it, and it's all Him, and He saved the day. He would honestly have it no other way! I do see love in myself now, and it's really surprising to me. Almost every time it happens, I am honestly shocked. I see homeless people on the side of the road, and my heart breaks for them. When I think of most of the people I see everyday headed straight for Hell, it makes me ache & cry for them. I understand "sinners" now and am MUCH less judgmental. I see people as all the same. I never used to be this way, so I know it's all Him and none of me! What an amazing thing to experience.
• Passion for people who think they are saved and are not. Ug. I could write forever on this one, but I will just say that I think our evangelism efforts are often misleading at best. Yes, the gospel is simple, but getting to point where you're ready to accept it is a big thing. I think it is a shame to assure people of their salvation, because honestly, that is not our place. Only God can do that. Let me ask you this. Would you rather your child struggle their whole over the issue of whether or not they were saved and end up in Heaven or have them hardly think twice about it because they "said a prayer" once and end up Hell? Be very careful with assuring others. Make sure you know everything that's going on. I think the visible church is full of people headed for Hell because of false assurance. If you're not sure yourself, study 1 John. But rest assured of His promise also in Jeremiah 29:13!
• Resources if you're struggling with any of this.... (coming soon, I promise!) :)