For several years I wrote for The Volante, the school newspaper for the University of South Dakota. Listed below are links to some of the articles I wrote during my college career:
Life Lessons from "The Simpsons" [March 23 2005]
Nature v. Nurture [April 20 2005]
Beede Residents Forced To Move [December 6, 2006]
Wright From The Start [April 18 2007]
Piano Player Insures Hands [February 7 2007]
Traditions Worthy of Reconsideration [April 27 2005]
Meeting Your Roommate Can Be A Real "Joy" [May 8 2007]
Friday, October 30, 2009
Schfall.
Schwell, it's almost Schnovember. And then it will be schwinter time, which is a bit schridiculous. I've barely been used to schfall.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Church's "Multiplication Myth"
Sometimes multiplication can divide and subtract instead of the ultimate goal of extensive addition.
We want the Body of Christ to be reaching out and multiplying their faith. But as we grow larger, we divide into subgroups and become introspective. We divide over politics and ways to 'do church' and end up subtracting from the Body. Our goal is to add in such large numbers that we multiply and grow exponentially.
But that doesn't always happen. Shane Claiborne writes about this problem in his book, The Irresistible Revolution. It has been very thought-provoking, and has really challenged the stereotypes that I believe, and those that surround the Christian sub-culture today.
Near the end of his book, Shane explains what he calls the 'myth of multiplication.' "The pervasive myth is that as we grow larger, we can do more good. But there is little evidence that this is ever realized. My own research and experience would suggest that as congregations grow in terms of staff and property, their giving to causes outside of operating expenses decreases dramatically, especially money given directly to the poor. (A recent study shows that) rich people are significantly less generous (proportionately) than poor people, and that large congregations give proportionately far less to people in poverty than do small ones...as we build our buildings, human temples are being destroyed by hunger and homelessness."
I've seen a lot of things in the Body of Christ that don't make sense. Typically I just go along with the crowd because I assume other people know better than I do. I'm starting to question more and more motives and actions in the Church and Christian circles today, due in part to hanging out with a lot of non-Christians. For the first several months at my part-time job in college, I avoided discussing church and other religious topics because I considered myself to be above my coworkers.
But after a few months, I started to really listen to them. Their opinions became really important to me; I tried to dispel the untrue beliefs they had about the church. But after awhile I started to realize that maybe they were right. They weren't persuading me to change my beliefs, but they had a lot more experience in dealing with Christians and the Church. They were legitimate concerns and hurt feelings underneath all of the blown-out-of-proportion opinions.
"Amid all the super-sizing, I want to make a modest suggestion: our goal should be not to get larger and larger but to get smaller and smaller. I think of the Kingdom of God as bubbling up from the bottom rather than trickling down from the top," writes Clairborne. I don't exactly know what this means, or how to go about this as one person in the Body of Christ, but I like the idea. And I'll keep thinking about it until I figure it out.
We want the Body of Christ to be reaching out and multiplying their faith. But as we grow larger, we divide into subgroups and become introspective. We divide over politics and ways to 'do church' and end up subtracting from the Body. Our goal is to add in such large numbers that we multiply and grow exponentially.
But that doesn't always happen. Shane Claiborne writes about this problem in his book, The Irresistible Revolution. It has been very thought-provoking, and has really challenged the stereotypes that I believe, and those that surround the Christian sub-culture today.
Near the end of his book, Shane explains what he calls the 'myth of multiplication.' "The pervasive myth is that as we grow larger, we can do more good. But there is little evidence that this is ever realized. My own research and experience would suggest that as congregations grow in terms of staff and property, their giving to causes outside of operating expenses decreases dramatically, especially money given directly to the poor. (A recent study shows that) rich people are significantly less generous (proportionately) than poor people, and that large congregations give proportionately far less to people in poverty than do small ones...as we build our buildings, human temples are being destroyed by hunger and homelessness."
I've seen a lot of things in the Body of Christ that don't make sense. Typically I just go along with the crowd because I assume other people know better than I do. I'm starting to question more and more motives and actions in the Church and Christian circles today, due in part to hanging out with a lot of non-Christians. For the first several months at my part-time job in college, I avoided discussing church and other religious topics because I considered myself to be above my coworkers.
But after a few months, I started to really listen to them. Their opinions became really important to me; I tried to dispel the untrue beliefs they had about the church. But after awhile I started to realize that maybe they were right. They weren't persuading me to change my beliefs, but they had a lot more experience in dealing with Christians and the Church. They were legitimate concerns and hurt feelings underneath all of the blown-out-of-proportion opinions.
"Amid all the super-sizing, I want to make a modest suggestion: our goal should be not to get larger and larger but to get smaller and smaller. I think of the Kingdom of God as bubbling up from the bottom rather than trickling down from the top," writes Clairborne. I don't exactly know what this means, or how to go about this as one person in the Body of Christ, but I like the idea. And I'll keep thinking about it until I figure it out.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sundays.
Life is so good. I love today. Played in the worship band at church, heard a challenging sermon, Hy-Chi with friends for lunch, Vikes FB, cleaned the kitchen, blogging, reading, Vespers practice, a solid hour of worship, and hanging out with friends after. Probably one of the best days I've had in awhile!
Expression.
The way that Christians express their faith is so interesting to me. I've come to find out that the majority of the Christian population that I've met has a genuine desire to share Christ with other people. While some are much more passionate than others, almost everyone I know who professes to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord has a desire to express this relationship in someway.
I don't know what to say to the Christians out there who don't have this desire. I understand the reasons behind not wanting to share Christ with others. Fear, selfishness, apathy, pride, the list goes on and on and on. But overcoming these obstacles builds my character and brings me closer to God. Sometimes our motives for sharing are even selfish. I think the level of desirability to share Christ with others really shows a person's maturity level in Christ, and the seriousness of their commitment to Him.
And just in the way we express things inappropriately at times, I don't think we always express our faith in appropriate ways. All too often, because we don't know how to express/share it, we just shy away from reflecting it at all. "Better safe than sorry" is such a bummer. Safety is a legitimate concern for those in the Middle East or China, but that's another story. Even in those situations, God sometimes calls us to give up our safety. I don't know too many situations where He calls us to do this in America- because safety is often never in question.
I love to write, so I write about my faith. I enjoy discussing theological issues, so I bring them up in conversation. I was very upfront about my beliefs with my coworkers when I started my job two years ago. And in the last two years, my non-Christian coworkers brought up theological questions and issues more than I did! I enjoy music, so I express my love for Christ in the songs I write and play. How do you express your faith? God has created you with interests. Pottery, music, cooking, poetry, woodworking, writing, painting - all these things can be used to express your faith.
And once in awhile, spoken words even work. :)
I don't know what to say to the Christians out there who don't have this desire. I understand the reasons behind not wanting to share Christ with others. Fear, selfishness, apathy, pride, the list goes on and on and on. But overcoming these obstacles builds my character and brings me closer to God. Sometimes our motives for sharing are even selfish. I think the level of desirability to share Christ with others really shows a person's maturity level in Christ, and the seriousness of their commitment to Him.
And just in the way we express things inappropriately at times, I don't think we always express our faith in appropriate ways. All too often, because we don't know how to express/share it, we just shy away from reflecting it at all. "Better safe than sorry" is such a bummer. Safety is a legitimate concern for those in the Middle East or China, but that's another story. Even in those situations, God sometimes calls us to give up our safety. I don't know too many situations where He calls us to do this in America- because safety is often never in question.
I love to write, so I write about my faith. I enjoy discussing theological issues, so I bring them up in conversation. I was very upfront about my beliefs with my coworkers when I started my job two years ago. And in the last two years, my non-Christian coworkers brought up theological questions and issues more than I did! I enjoy music, so I express my love for Christ in the songs I write and play. How do you express your faith? God has created you with interests. Pottery, music, cooking, poetry, woodworking, writing, painting - all these things can be used to express your faith.
And once in awhile, spoken words even work. :)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ebenezer.
Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come.
And I hope by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
What the heck is an Ebenezer?
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again." { 1 Samuel 7:12-13
The word Ebenezer is apparently two Hebrew words pronounced together: Even Haazer. The Hebrew word for "help" is Ezer and the word for "stone" is Even. Removing the 'ha' creates "Ebenezer," literally meaning a "Stone of Help."
Friday, October 23, 2009
WoF 09
Quotes and Notes
Women of Faith 2009
Patsy Clairmont
.. If it's not working, stop it.
.. The joy of Jesus will light your life. LET IT SHINE.
.. Don't ask God for the truth. He'll pierce your heart with it.
.. You've been on this mountain too long. Rise up. Leave.
Rich Stearns, President of World Vision
Two Questions to ask yourself:
1. What does God expect of me?
1. Am I willing to be open to God's will in my life?
Lisa Harper
Matthew: written to Jews, genealogy is a big deal
Includes names of imperfect women in genealogy
.. Forgiveness is God's gift to us to live in a world that's not fair.
.. Hebrew of "be still" in Psalm 46:10 means "let go."
Marylin Meberg
.. Of course I would have met my goals. But I would have missed my purpose.
Women of Faith 2009
Patsy Clairmont
.. If it's not working, stop it.
.. The joy of Jesus will light your life. LET IT SHINE.
.. Don't ask God for the truth. He'll pierce your heart with it.
.. You've been on this mountain too long. Rise up. Leave.
Rich Stearns, President of World Vision
Two Questions to ask yourself:
1. What does God expect of me?
1. Am I willing to be open to God's will in my life?
Lisa Harper
Matthew: written to Jews, genealogy is a big deal
Includes names of imperfect women in genealogy
- Tamar
Judah's D-I-L, Gen 38
Sleeps w/Judah while disguised as a prostitute - Rahab
Full-fledged prostitute - Ruth
Follow's M-I-L, Naomi to Bethlehem
Moabite: Lot's daughter sleeps w/Lot = son Moab (Gen 19) - Bathsheba
Her name isn't even written ('had been Uriah's wife')
.. Forgiveness is God's gift to us to live in a world that's not fair.
.. Hebrew of "be still" in Psalm 46:10 means "let go."
Marylin Meberg
.. Of course I would have met my goals. But I would have missed my purpose.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
motivation
Some days, caffeine motivates me more than Jesus.
I know it's sad, but it's so very true.
I combine both of them a lot and that makes it hard to tell...
I know it's sad, but it's so very true.
I combine both of them a lot and that makes it hard to tell...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
love
"I want my son to know that I loved him before I even knew him or saw him- I loved him before he was even born." - new mom
Isn't that great?? God says the same of us. He loves us as much as a new parent who is seeing their child for the first time. And He loves us even more than that! How and why I do not know.
Isn't that great?? God says the same of us. He loves us as much as a new parent who is seeing their child for the first time. And He loves us even more than that! How and why I do not know.
sacrifice
Can we do anything for God that is truly sacrificial?
"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
Sunday, October 18, 2009
pick up.
I am intrigued by people's unique individual qualities. I enjoy learning about their passions and talents. Lately I've been thinking a lot about my strengths and how to use them to best glorify God. I think knowing them and how to use them effectively is super important. Someday down the road I'd maybe like to help others figure this out for themselves. I like that it's strategic (a strong thought pattern of mine) because harnessing your potential will increase your effectiveness and efficiency.
I feel like I've been on the fast track to a mature walk w/the Lord. The last five years have been a wild ride, but I think it has been good all around. I've always been surrounded by people who were more mature, some very much so, which helped me grow immensely.
For the first few years of my walk with the Lord, I ate everything up. My faith became very real and personal to me. In hearing many sermons and reading many books, I focused mainly heard the "should nots"- things I should not do, should not say, should not think. But somewhere along the way there was a disconnect with what I SHOULD do, say, think. If people were telling me, I was not listening.
In his book The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Clairborne writes about this feeling. "There must be more to Christianity, more than just laying your life and sins at the foot of the cross. I came to realize that preachers were telling me to lay my life at the foot of the cross and weren't giving me anything to pick up. A lot of us (his youth group/friends) were hearing 'don't drink, don't smoke, don't sleep around' and naturally started asking, 'okay well that was pretty much my life, so what do I do now?' Where were the do's? And nobody seemed to have much to offer us."
Do you ever feel this way? I think all of us probably at some point in some way. A college grad might lay his future down at the foot of the cross. But what does he do while he waits for God's direction? My relation to this is my identity. I'm at a loss. I know that I should not find my identity in what I do. My resume, my planner and my list of goals in life do not define me, but it's ingrained in me in many ways. And even when I can figure out how to lay it down, I don't really know what to pick up.
I feel like I've been on the fast track to a mature walk w/the Lord. The last five years have been a wild ride, but I think it has been good all around. I've always been surrounded by people who were more mature, some very much so, which helped me grow immensely.
For the first few years of my walk with the Lord, I ate everything up. My faith became very real and personal to me. In hearing many sermons and reading many books, I focused mainly heard the "should nots"- things I should not do, should not say, should not think. But somewhere along the way there was a disconnect with what I SHOULD do, say, think. If people were telling me, I was not listening.
In his book The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Clairborne writes about this feeling. "There must be more to Christianity, more than just laying your life and sins at the foot of the cross. I came to realize that preachers were telling me to lay my life at the foot of the cross and weren't giving me anything to pick up. A lot of us (his youth group/friends) were hearing 'don't drink, don't smoke, don't sleep around' and naturally started asking, 'okay well that was pretty much my life, so what do I do now?' Where were the do's? And nobody seemed to have much to offer us."
Do you ever feel this way? I think all of us probably at some point in some way. A college grad might lay his future down at the foot of the cross. But what does he do while he waits for God's direction? My relation to this is my identity. I'm at a loss. I know that I should not find my identity in what I do. My resume, my planner and my list of goals in life do not define me, but it's ingrained in me in many ways. And even when I can figure out how to lay it down, I don't really know what to pick up.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
MPD.
I think the first time I heard someone say "raising personal financial support for full-time ministry is not about the money" was at new staff training in January. I distinctly remember thinking they were ridiculous. Seriously, I thought they were just to sound uber-spiritual. I thought, surely they are just trying to make the 100+ new staff in the conference room feel better in light of their financial situations. Not going to work, Mr. Awesome Staffer Guy. You are not fooling me. And now I'm a bit mad that Crusade would have you come up on stage and blatantly lie to us.
It's taken me a good six to seven months to realize that it's not about the money.
The money is essential, but focusing on finances above the true Provider robs the process of its purpose. It's about learning and growing in my walk with the Lord and challenging and encouraging others in theirs. It's about partnering in ministry with others to reach people for Christ.
I have had many 'favorite' MPD appointments. One time I met a recent college grad for coffee. She literally thanked me for the chance to invest in something she new would have an effect on eternity. I've continually been encouraged by appointments like this, and by so many friends, and even people I don't really know.
So far I've been learning and growing in so many ways: walking in power of Holy Spirit, surrendering my own plans (sometimes on an hour-by-hour basis!), pride in my own abilities to provide for myself and physically 'earn' my money, and on and on.
MPD is really preparing me for many steps of faith I will be expected to take in ministry.
But more than changes in my life, I'm so excited for and expectant of what God is already doing and what He will do in the lives of my ministry partners!!
It's taken me a good six to seven months to realize that it's not about the money.
The money is essential, but focusing on finances above the true Provider robs the process of its purpose. It's about learning and growing in my walk with the Lord and challenging and encouraging others in theirs. It's about partnering in ministry with others to reach people for Christ.
I have had many 'favorite' MPD appointments. One time I met a recent college grad for coffee. She literally thanked me for the chance to invest in something she new would have an effect on eternity. I've continually been encouraged by appointments like this, and by so many friends, and even people I don't really know.
So far I've been learning and growing in so many ways: walking in power of Holy Spirit, surrendering my own plans (sometimes on an hour-by-hour basis!), pride in my own abilities to provide for myself and physically 'earn' my money, and on and on.
MPD is really preparing me for many steps of faith I will be expected to take in ministry.
But more than changes in my life, I'm so excited for and expectant of what God is already doing and what He will do in the lives of my ministry partners!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
paranoia, for lack of a better title.
I notice people. I notice things. I remember numbers, addresses, patterns.
I. Love. Data. Collecting it, categorizing it, explaining it.
Lately, I've been a little more social than I have been in the last 2 months, and I can tell that I've been noticing habits and tendencies about people. And I've been considering the impact that this tendency can have on my self-esteem/self-confidence, and the possibility that it might cause paranoia. When I was younger I was quite self-conscious (and often still am). I remember thinking that people were looking at me, critiquing me, even staring at me. Now, I can be self-involved, and I generally just paired those thoughts with my ego/pride.
But I'm wondering if those thoughts of paranoia can be attributed to my assumption that people are watching me as much as I'm watching them. They most certainly don't. I can't be that interesting (i mean on the outside- aside from my blogged thoughts). It's funny that I would attribute a way that I am on to someone else, whether I know them or not. Hm.
I. Love. Data. Collecting it, categorizing it, explaining it.
Lately, I've been a little more social than I have been in the last 2 months, and I can tell that I've been noticing habits and tendencies about people. And I've been considering the impact that this tendency can have on my self-esteem/self-confidence, and the possibility that it might cause paranoia. When I was younger I was quite self-conscious (and often still am). I remember thinking that people were looking at me, critiquing me, even staring at me. Now, I can be self-involved, and I generally just paired those thoughts with my ego/pride.
But I'm wondering if those thoughts of paranoia can be attributed to my assumption that people are watching me as much as I'm watching them. They most certainly don't. I can't be that interesting (i mean on the outside- aside from my blogged thoughts). It's funny that I would attribute a way that I am on to someone else, whether I know them or not. Hm.
Monday, October 12, 2009
History.
I've been in a 'let's get rid of all my junk' today; I just cleaned out a plastic bin with hanging folders FULL of stuff from high school, and even some stuff from college I was clinging to. It's hilarious to look back on stuff I wrote and things I was a part of back at SHS. One publication had a biography in it of me. Towards the end it said "Amy wants to be an accountant some day, but she's frequently bursting out into song. We wouldn't be surprised if she created a firm of singing CPA's." HA! I kept my love of music relatively to myself back then. What a good reminder to be real, to be myself no matter others think. My trips down memory lane don't usually make me thankful for the present. Crazy.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
weirdest weekend ever.
The longer I walk w/the Lord, the greater my desire for my family to come to know Him. I want so badly for them to know the joy and hope and potential for change that Christ can bring to an individual, especially one who thinks none of these things are possible in the great ways that they are. To experience that common bond of belief in something and love for something so much greater than ourselves is a constant prayer. After five years, I'm finally starting to just be myself around my family. But I still feel like an outsider, and that feeling will probably never go away.
So after spending several days with family who are obviously not happy or hopeful, I spent 8 hours today with some of the best people in the world. I am so encouraged by being around families that love the Lord. I can completely be myself around them. I've never felt like an outsider, even when I'm being really ridiculous. I want to have my own family some day and experience that enriching joy, that lasting love, with them. To create that environment in which to raise kids. I've had slices of it here and there. Is it possible to miss something you've never truly experienced?
So after spending several days with family who are obviously not happy or hopeful, I spent 8 hours today with some of the best people in the world. I am so encouraged by being around families that love the Lord. I can completely be myself around them. I've never felt like an outsider, even when I'm being really ridiculous. I want to have my own family some day and experience that enriching joy, that lasting love, with them. To create that environment in which to raise kids. I've had slices of it here and there. Is it possible to miss something you've never truly experienced?
Friday, October 09, 2009
Smells.
The number of different smells present on the farm is quite interesting. Hogs have a distinct smell, but it is definitely different from cows. And then there's manure. And dairy cows have a different smell, too. Weird.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Let it be.
Every week I get an e-mail from Mark, who is a pastor and joined staff with me last January, with an encouraging verse and commentary. Last week's e-mail was labeled 'saving the best.' John 2 tells us of Jesus' first miracle- the wedding at Cana, which everyone knows, and is a pretty great one. It totally shows his character.
He turned water into wine. I mean, come on. He's trying to tell us something. The waiter says:
"Everyone brings out the choice wine first
and then the cheaper wine after the guests
have had too much to drink; but you have
saved the best till now." (John 2:10 NIV)
Jesus supplies wine that is better than the guests expected. And, he gives a LOT of it, not just enough to get by. He doesn't want me to scrape by in life.
So, great. What do we do about it?
I guess in this instance, we do nothing. It's so easy to make things happen for ourselves. In Chad's bible study this week, we talked about Abraham and Sara. God tells Abe he will bless the world through him- he tells him to count the stars, and so shall his descendants be. They took things into their own hands when the Mrs. suggests Abe sleep with Hagar. Not cool. But they can't wait.
God does not disappoint. Well, sometimes we think he does because we don't get what we want...but that topic is for another day.
He turned water into wine. I mean, come on. He's trying to tell us something. The waiter says:
"Everyone brings out the choice wine first
and then the cheaper wine after the guests
have had too much to drink; but you have
saved the best till now." (John 2:10 NIV)
Jesus supplies wine that is better than the guests expected. And, he gives a LOT of it, not just enough to get by. He doesn't want me to scrape by in life.
So, great. What do we do about it?
I guess in this instance, we do nothing. It's so easy to make things happen for ourselves. In Chad's bible study this week, we talked about Abraham and Sara. God tells Abe he will bless the world through him- he tells him to count the stars, and so shall his descendants be. They took things into their own hands when the Mrs. suggests Abe sleep with Hagar. Not cool. But they can't wait.
God does not disappoint. Well, sometimes we think he does because we don't get what we want...but that topic is for another day.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Even When.
It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great
And the bar gets raised too high
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measured, but You know better
We raise the standard and try to reach You
But we'll never make it, and we don't need to
even when//nichole nordeman
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great
And the bar gets raised too high
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measured, but You know better
We raise the standard and try to reach You
But we'll never make it, and we don't need to
even when//nichole nordeman
Waiting.
Waiting doesn't always mean not doing.
We wait for a lot of things in this life. We wait for the tooth fairy, presents at Christmas, the homecoming dance, the first kiss, senior year in high school, college graduation, falling in love, the first real job, the wedding day, the first promotion, the first child. And on and on and on.
I'm not good at waiting. Unless I can watch TV until it happens. And I think watching TV constitutes as doing nothing (productive).
While we wait for things, we cannot let life pass us by. We must work diligently at the tasks at hand. God has put us on this earth to work for his glory. And He enjoys when we take delight in Him, and wants to give us the desires of our heart.
But, as Chad would say, God is God and we are not. He's the Sovereign one, in control of our present and future. And sometimes we must wait for our true desires. We must trust that we will receive them in God's timing, which is always good.
I really want to get married someday. But I have to trust that this will happen in God's timing, if at all. I don't doubt that I can glorify and serve God in marriage. At this point in my life, I think I could, and I'd like to. It is going to be a bigger challenge than I realize right now, that's for sure. But God knows what's best for me, and I trust that. And, I have to trust it may not happen at all. If it doesn't happen, it's for God's glory. It's not because I am flawed or unfit, and it doesn't matter to me what others think about it, only what I think about it. If God decides to be glorified more in my life through my service to Him in singleness than in marriage, then so it will be.
We wait for a lot of things in this life. We wait for the tooth fairy, presents at Christmas, the homecoming dance, the first kiss, senior year in high school, college graduation, falling in love, the first real job, the wedding day, the first promotion, the first child. And on and on and on.
I'm not good at waiting. Unless I can watch TV until it happens. And I think watching TV constitutes as doing nothing (productive).
While we wait for things, we cannot let life pass us by. We must work diligently at the tasks at hand. God has put us on this earth to work for his glory. And He enjoys when we take delight in Him, and wants to give us the desires of our heart.
But, as Chad would say, God is God and we are not. He's the Sovereign one, in control of our present and future. And sometimes we must wait for our true desires. We must trust that we will receive them in God's timing, which is always good.
I really want to get married someday. But I have to trust that this will happen in God's timing, if at all. I don't doubt that I can glorify and serve God in marriage. At this point in my life, I think I could, and I'd like to. It is going to be a bigger challenge than I realize right now, that's for sure. But God knows what's best for me, and I trust that. And, I have to trust it may not happen at all. If it doesn't happen, it's for God's glory. It's not because I am flawed or unfit, and it doesn't matter to me what others think about it, only what I think about it. If God decides to be glorified more in my life through my service to Him in singleness than in marriage, then so it will be.
Church.
Last Sunday, during a sermon at a church in Des Moines, I had several really good thoughts that I will attempt to share. I honestly don't remember much about the sermon but I wrote down several statements that were in my head. One statement (paraphrased) that came from the Pastor was "The church is not the end - 'this is as good as it gets, there is nothing more to hope for.' "
I don't even remember why he brought this up, but the statement, and idea, stuck out to me. As a new Christian, it was so easy for me to get wrapped up in the weekly church service. It was a joy to experience true fellowship, sincere sermons and meaningful music. As I've continued to go to church each week and grow immensely in my faith, I see that even Hillside, which I idolized for several years, has flaws. Any church will. And maybe in every church there are people that need to be reminded that church is not the end.
I don't think we should expect the church to provide a person a weekly, consistent spiritual high. This expectation puts too much pressure on the pastor, worship team, even on the congregation. Time for the cliche 'If the church was perfect you couldn't be a part of it.' It's our responsibility to bring ourselves into the presence of God in times outside of the church service.
Every Sunday in church, the scales threaten to tip towards complacency. The movement is often so subtle we cannot notice. We start to feel that church is the end, the crown, the goal. We walk through the doors of familiarity, surrounded by kindness and warmth, and we rest in the comfort. We strive as a church to be familiar, comfortable and kind- which we could be to outsiders, yes, and fellow Christians, too. But we can't let that comfortableness distract us from the goal of serving and glorifying Christ in whatever capacity he wants. Sometimes that is getting involved in and serving our local church. Sometimes it is serving our community in addition to or instead of. I think the trouble is when we consider serving in our church the end-all-be-all. We must be conscious of the community in which we live, and consider how God might be calling us to reach out to them.
I don't even remember why he brought this up, but the statement, and idea, stuck out to me. As a new Christian, it was so easy for me to get wrapped up in the weekly church service. It was a joy to experience true fellowship, sincere sermons and meaningful music. As I've continued to go to church each week and grow immensely in my faith, I see that even Hillside, which I idolized for several years, has flaws. Any church will. And maybe in every church there are people that need to be reminded that church is not the end.
I don't think we should expect the church to provide a person a weekly, consistent spiritual high. This expectation puts too much pressure on the pastor, worship team, even on the congregation. Time for the cliche 'If the church was perfect you couldn't be a part of it.' It's our responsibility to bring ourselves into the presence of God in times outside of the church service.
Every Sunday in church, the scales threaten to tip towards complacency. The movement is often so subtle we cannot notice. We start to feel that church is the end, the crown, the goal. We walk through the doors of familiarity, surrounded by kindness and warmth, and we rest in the comfort. We strive as a church to be familiar, comfortable and kind- which we could be to outsiders, yes, and fellow Christians, too. But we can't let that comfortableness distract us from the goal of serving and glorifying Christ in whatever capacity he wants. Sometimes that is getting involved in and serving our local church. Sometimes it is serving our community in addition to or instead of. I think the trouble is when we consider serving in our church the end-all-be-all. We must be conscious of the community in which we live, and consider how God might be calling us to reach out to them.