Today, I'm just thankful for God's wisdom. It's pure. It's honest. It never fails.
That's what I desire to have. God's wisdom. And He says He'll give it to us if we ask. So I've been asking a lot lately.
I haven't blogged a lot in a while. It's not because I don't have anything on my mind. It's actually just the opposite. I have a lot on my mind, but I don't know how to put it into words in a way that will be edifying to the Body of Christ and glorifying to God Himself.
So God, right now, has given me wisdom to just keep my mouth shut for a while. He's good like that.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
On Being Real
People like real people, but not many people like to be real.
I know. It's deep.
But why is that?! I have a theory and it goes a little something like this:
1. It scares us to be real.
It not only scares us when other people are real, it scares us when we start to be real. It scares us to go against the norm. That's part of the reason we have such a superficial Christianity in America. It's a Christianity that looks pretty. It wears a suit and tie and even makes a squeaky noise when you rub it, it's so clean. It fits neatly inside a little box and encourages you to do the same. So, naturally it's scary to actually be yourself and be real with others.
2. It's uncomfortable to be real.
It's uncomfortable to stand out. It makes us squirm to think that maybe, just maybe, not everyone will like who we really are. After all, we have flaws and issues that we are certain others don't have. We have ideas and thoughts that don't necessarily fit inside of the box. We have preferences and likes that everyone may not agree with.
3. It's difficult to be real.
It's easy to follow a checklist. It's easy to conform. After all, we are raised to conform to the world around us. Some of it is cultural and some of it is peer pressure, but regardless, we are raised in a society that encourages conformity. So naturally it is difficult to be yourself, whatever that is, when it's not necessarily socially acceptable.
But I've determined that for me, even though sometimes it's scary, uncomfortable, and difficult, I'm just gonna be real. I'm going to be open about where I am in Christ. The things I struggle with, the emotions I have, the fears and doubts. I'm going to just be myself in every aspect of my life because quite frankly that's the only person I know how to be.
I think people want that. I think the church needs that. And I think that's exactly what Christ wants us to be.
I know. It's deep.
But why is that?! I have a theory and it goes a little something like this:
1. It scares us to be real.
It not only scares us when other people are real, it scares us when we start to be real. It scares us to go against the norm. That's part of the reason we have such a superficial Christianity in America. It's a Christianity that looks pretty. It wears a suit and tie and even makes a squeaky noise when you rub it, it's so clean. It fits neatly inside a little box and encourages you to do the same. So, naturally it's scary to actually be yourself and be real with others.
2. It's uncomfortable to be real.
It's uncomfortable to stand out. It makes us squirm to think that maybe, just maybe, not everyone will like who we really are. After all, we have flaws and issues that we are certain others don't have. We have ideas and thoughts that don't necessarily fit inside of the box. We have preferences and likes that everyone may not agree with.
3. It's difficult to be real.
It's easy to follow a checklist. It's easy to conform. After all, we are raised to conform to the world around us. Some of it is cultural and some of it is peer pressure, but regardless, we are raised in a society that encourages conformity. So naturally it is difficult to be yourself, whatever that is, when it's not necessarily socially acceptable.
But I've determined that for me, even though sometimes it's scary, uncomfortable, and difficult, I'm just gonna be real. I'm going to be open about where I am in Christ. The things I struggle with, the emotions I have, the fears and doubts. I'm going to just be myself in every aspect of my life because quite frankly that's the only person I know how to be.
I think people want that. I think the church needs that. And I think that's exactly what Christ wants us to be.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Books I Recommend
First off, if you don't have a Kindle App (or an actual Kindle), you should get one. The app is free and it's so convenient to carry so many books with you. Just sayin'.
Anywho, here are some recent reads that I really enjoyed/am enjoying.
Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
If you read Radical, it's along the same lines except maybe a little more "hippy-esc". It's sort of Shane's story of applying the concepts you read about in the days of the early church. To say it's challenging spiritually would be, well, an understatement.
Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff
If you want a really good laugh, check out this book. FUNNY stuff.
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
I started reading this book in response to a recent happening in our lives that left me with a lot of emotions that I didn't even know where to begin processing them.
I'll probably blog more about this later, but I'll just suffice it to say that this book has been very eye-opening for me about just how important it is to be ready to stand against the attacks of satan and to drench our leaders in prayer. I'm ashamed to admit I have done a pitiful job of praying for satan's prime targets.
Read. This. Book.
How Do You Tuck In a Super Hero? by Rachel Balducci
If you are a mom of boys, this is a fun book to read and you'll no doubt be able to relate to a lot of the stories that Rachel tells. It's really lighthearted and funny and helped me appreciate even more the ambitious, rambunctious boy that I have as well as realize the huge part I play in his life.
Anywho, here are some recent reads that I really enjoyed/am enjoying.
Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
If you read Radical, it's along the same lines except maybe a little more "hippy-esc". It's sort of Shane's story of applying the concepts you read about in the days of the early church. To say it's challenging spiritually would be, well, an understatement.
Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff
If you want a really good laugh, check out this book. FUNNY stuff.
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
I started reading this book in response to a recent happening in our lives that left me with a lot of emotions that I didn't even know where to begin processing them.
I'll probably blog more about this later, but I'll just suffice it to say that this book has been very eye-opening for me about just how important it is to be ready to stand against the attacks of satan and to drench our leaders in prayer. I'm ashamed to admit I have done a pitiful job of praying for satan's prime targets.
Read. This. Book.
How Do You Tuck In a Super Hero? by Rachel Balducci
If you are a mom of boys, this is a fun book to read and you'll no doubt be able to relate to a lot of the stories that Rachel tells. It's really lighthearted and funny and helped me appreciate even more the ambitious, rambunctious boy that I have as well as realize the huge part I play in his life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
