Getting Into the Stride of God

"The test of a man's religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting on. The worth of a man is revealed in his attitude to ordinary things when he is not before the footlights. It is a painful business to get through into the stride of God, it means getting your second wind spiritually. In learning to walk with God there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride; but when we have got into it, the only characteristic that manifests itself is the life of God. The individual man is lost sight of in his personal union with God, and the stride and the power of God alone are manifested." -Oswald Chambers

Forgiveness

"In spiritual relationship we do not grow step by step; we are either there or we are not. God does not cleanse us more and more from sin, but when we are in the light, walking in the light, we are cleansed from all sin." -Oswald Chambers

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9

Today one of our cats, snowball ran away. i was super bummed. But then while i was walkin to the kitchen, i saw his little funny face and sad blue eyes looking in through the screen door. He confessed his disobedience and for runnin away from home, and we accepted our prodigal cat back with love, joy n' grace.  

"American Beauty"

I just finished watching a movie called "American Beauty." It demonstrated that life can be empty without loving each other. It was a good negative example of how families don't know how to treat each other. It threw in a lot of dynamics about how people see the world and those around them. It displayed some of the difficulties in life and how different people handle social pressures. It threw in a mixture of personalities and perspectives. It threw in the dynamics of marriage, parenting, narcissism, low self-esteem, materialism, self-dependency, apathy, indifference, abuse, purpose, family, love, anger, fantasy, drugs, homosexuality, appearances, meeting people's expectations, pain, communication, conflict, and beauty. The thing that they all had in common was that they all needed to be loved. And because they couldn't receive love from others, they turned to other outlets of escape. They were all looking for their identity and something out of life. They all knew there was something more to live for, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it. Some characters would capture a glimpse of beauty and would just wonder what is the whole meaning to this thing we call life.

What was truly missing was a Christian perspective. They needed the love of God to show that there is more to life than chasing the American dream. The fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control can only come from the God. Romans 1 explains that God's creation testifies about Him, and that people can notice that there is something behind all this beauty in life. That there is a Divine Creator to this life we experience. That there is a God who compassionately cares for each one of us; That there is an abundant and full life through Christ and the fellowship of believers. That there is a love that goes beyond any of our descriptions. Are we living robotic, ordinary, boring, and routine lives? Or is there purpose in our life. Who or what do we serve and worship?

Have you ever taken a walk and seen the intense beauty of the sun, sky, wind and trees? God's creation is mind blowing, uncontainable, and can leave you breathless. After absorbing all of that, stop to ponder the unlimited, all powerful, relentless love of God. God uses natural revelation to draw us to special revelation, so that we can know that there is a God who loves us enough to die for us. To claim us, to be His, to save us from sin and death, and give us an eternal life with Him. It is impossible to encounter the full beauty and love of God and not be grateful, joyful, and to be full of awe. If you truly receive and trust Him as Lord over your life, you will be changed, you will love others, you will find your identity, purpose and meaning in life.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." -1 John 3:16-17

For The Joy of Our Lord is Our Strength

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." -Psalm 28:7