"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaimed peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"
~ Isaiah 52:7
I would just like to start off by saying that I love the imagery in this passage. In my mind's eye I can see a man standing on the top of a mountain with his arms thrown out wide and his head tilted up high. He's yelling at the top of his lungs, "Your God reigns!" Isn't that just awesome? And by "awesome" I mean filled with awe, not "that's awesome, dude!"
Now, I have never gone mountain climbing, and I probably never will. (Unless I marry someone who's really outdoorsy and makes me.) It's not because I don't think it would be fun or invigorating. I just know it's a lot of work...and I'm not sure how I would handle the altitude. That being said, if I were to climb a mountain, I would make absolutely sure that I had the best pair of hiking boots available. I use my feet a lot (I'm sure you do, too), and they're more then kind of essential. I beat them up enough without the help of a mountain.
There are two big things that stick out to me in this verse. First, Isaiah mentions how beautiful the person's feet are. I instantly think of my roommate who isn't a "foot-phobe" per se...but she's pretty close. They just gross her out, and I think beautiful is the last word she would use to describe feet. I don't think many would. It's not the first word that comes to my mind.
Think about this; they didn't have hiking boots back when Isaiah was writing. Woah. They had sandals. Yeah. Now, imagine how dirty and cut up and person's feet would be after climbing a mountain in sandals. Why on earth would Isaiah be describing them as beautiful? Because they carried good news! They didn't let the mountain stop them from bringing good tidings of salvation.
This leads into the second thing that stands out to me: the person climbed the mountain just to proclaim that "your God reigns." This in itself is beautiful.
I feel like today you and I make excuses to not share out faith. We wait for opportunities to enter our comfort zone, and even then we don't take them. And few of us go to other nations and climb mountains or cross deserts or swim rivers to proclaim the name of God.
The Apostle Paul quotes this passage from Isaiah in Romans 10:15. Paul was traveling all over to spread the good news and I imagine his feet were...beautiful.
I hope that you will have BeautifulFeet someday. Begin your journey today.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
HeartLetter
"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:2
So, I'm an English major...and I really appreciate a good metaphor, a lot. The idea of being a letter is so appealing to me, so beautiful.
I love getting letters in the mail--and not just because it means my opening my mailbox had purpose. No, I love getting letters because they are personal and intimate. When you get a letter from someone you get a tangible piece of their mind, their thoughts, their feelings. Letters are written evidence.
Written evidence. Paul says that we are letters. We are written evidence. Evidence of what? Of God's saving grace. God has written on our hearts the salvation story. We are testimonies of His love. How awesome is that?
As such, we should make sure that we are letters worth reading. We should be living lives that are confirmation of what God has done.
Paul says that we are read by everybody. How true! As we go through our days we should remember that others are watching us and seeing our example. It's sad, but people will judge us and say things like, "Well, that wasn't very Christian" when we screw up, and when we do something right they'll say, "Well, they're a little extreme." But we should be known for our love and not for being hypocrites.
So, you are a HeartLetter. Through you, God will do miraculous things. It's almost like a really long chain letter that has been going on for decades and centuries. Don't forget what you are, and what you are testimony of, HeartLetter.
~ 2 Corinthians 3:2
So, I'm an English major...and I really appreciate a good metaphor, a lot. The idea of being a letter is so appealing to me, so beautiful.
I love getting letters in the mail--and not just because it means my opening my mailbox had purpose. No, I love getting letters because they are personal and intimate. When you get a letter from someone you get a tangible piece of their mind, their thoughts, their feelings. Letters are written evidence.
Written evidence. Paul says that we are letters. We are written evidence. Evidence of what? Of God's saving grace. God has written on our hearts the salvation story. We are testimonies of His love. How awesome is that?
As such, we should make sure that we are letters worth reading. We should be living lives that are confirmation of what God has done.
Paul says that we are read by everybody. How true! As we go through our days we should remember that others are watching us and seeing our example. It's sad, but people will judge us and say things like, "Well, that wasn't very Christian" when we screw up, and when we do something right they'll say, "Well, they're a little extreme." But we should be known for our love and not for being hypocrites.
So, you are a HeartLetter. Through you, God will do miraculous things. It's almost like a really long chain letter that has been going on for decades and centuries. Don't forget what you are, and what you are testimony of, HeartLetter.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
ImpatienceAssassin
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
~ Psalm 27:14
Wow. I don't know about you, but I am a generally impatient person. I get really frustrated when things don't happen in my timing. So often I find myself trying to bend events to fit my plan--this rarely turns out well, but I do it anyway.
Have you ever heard someone say, "It's all in God's timing?" I have, and I'm sure you probably have too. It's a lot easier to say than it is to hear. It's very true, but it's become a cliché.
When I think about what the psalmist, David, had to go through in his life it makes my problems seem pretty inconsequential. He had to run for his life, King Saul did everything he could to have David killed. David knew that he was anointed to be King. He knew the Lord was with him. He knew that one day he would be king, and dying before that day was not in the plan. If it would have been me, I would have been saying, "Okay, Lord, I'm ready for this whole king thing to work out now." But David said to wait, be strong and take heart.
This verse was posted in a friends' hall, right next to their door. I've been in their room several times and never even noticed it. This week has been another hard one for me. While I've been worried about my classes, the big problem I've had is dealing with timing. I feel so ready to be out in the world working with America's youth. There are so many things in my life that I would just love to skip ahead to. It's not that I don't love my college experience, I'm just ready to start making a difference. When I saw this verse, it hit me. I need to wait. I need to be strong. I need to take heart. I need to wait on the Lord.
I urge you, when you feel like skipping ahead in your life, read this verse. Remember that the things happening to you now are building blocks to your character. Every step you take is taking you one step closer to the rest of your life. Be an ImpatienceAssassin. When you start to get impatient about timing, wait on the Lord.
~ Psalm 27:14
Wow. I don't know about you, but I am a generally impatient person. I get really frustrated when things don't happen in my timing. So often I find myself trying to bend events to fit my plan--this rarely turns out well, but I do it anyway.
Have you ever heard someone say, "It's all in God's timing?" I have, and I'm sure you probably have too. It's a lot easier to say than it is to hear. It's very true, but it's become a cliché.
When I think about what the psalmist, David, had to go through in his life it makes my problems seem pretty inconsequential. He had to run for his life, King Saul did everything he could to have David killed. David knew that he was anointed to be King. He knew the Lord was with him. He knew that one day he would be king, and dying before that day was not in the plan. If it would have been me, I would have been saying, "Okay, Lord, I'm ready for this whole king thing to work out now." But David said to wait, be strong and take heart.
This verse was posted in a friends' hall, right next to their door. I've been in their room several times and never even noticed it. This week has been another hard one for me. While I've been worried about my classes, the big problem I've had is dealing with timing. I feel so ready to be out in the world working with America's youth. There are so many things in my life that I would just love to skip ahead to. It's not that I don't love my college experience, I'm just ready to start making a difference. When I saw this verse, it hit me. I need to wait. I need to be strong. I need to take heart. I need to wait on the Lord.
I urge you, when you feel like skipping ahead in your life, read this verse. Remember that the things happening to you now are building blocks to your character. Every step you take is taking you one step closer to the rest of your life. Be an ImpatienceAssassin. When you start to get impatient about timing, wait on the Lord.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
HeartDefender
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
~ Proverbs 4:24
I should have this verse written all over my dorm room, all over my arms, all over my life. This is something I struggle with, and I think that most people probably do as well. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our lives and the people that play important roles in them.
The first application I think of is boys. Guard your heart against boys. (For you gentlemen readers, girls.) I am a hopeless romantic, always have been. As such, it is very easy for me to get my emotions and time wrapped up into one person. This poor heart has been through a lot because I am not very good at guarding it--or rather, in the past I wasn't, I'm working on it.
I realize that not everyone is a hopeless romantic. (Good for you!) There are other things to be on guard for. Sometimes non-romantic relationships can be just as dangerous. Anytime we put too much trust in one person, we are setting them up for failure and ourselves up for hurt. The only person we can fully rely on is God.
The verse directly following this one talks about keeping perversity and corrupt talk away from our lips. Perverse language is like a poison to the heart. If you listen to it for too long it will eventually make it to your heart. Your heart is your wellspring of life. In Luke 6:45 it says: "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Defend your heart against evil, against sin. I am not saying hole yourself up in your room and never come out again. I am saying, be careful about how you perceive things. Do not become callous to certain issues.
What does it mean when it says your heart is the wellspring of life? Well, in the strictly biological sense, your heart is the muscle that make sure blood reaches all of your body to supply you with oxygen. I've read several books where blood is called "life force." I like fantasy books, and sometimes blood is almost seen as sacred, as life itself. You and I typically see blood as more the oil for the machine--it has a particular function. Of course, we know the danger in having too little blood but we would not call it sacred. We know it is essential to live, but we would not call it life itself. The heart is the driving force behind the blood. We also connect our hearts to emotions, feelings. Some would say that without feelings it wouldn't really be life. The heart is what gives you life. Without a heart you wouldn't be able to live. So, it stands to reason that you should guard it.
Whether you're protecting against anger, foul language, flattery or falling for someone, be a HeartDefender. It's hard, and you may not always be successful, but it is your mandate.
God Bless!
~ Proverbs 4:24
I should have this verse written all over my dorm room, all over my arms, all over my life. This is something I struggle with, and I think that most people probably do as well. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our lives and the people that play important roles in them.
The first application I think of is boys. Guard your heart against boys. (For you gentlemen readers, girls.) I am a hopeless romantic, always have been. As such, it is very easy for me to get my emotions and time wrapped up into one person. This poor heart has been through a lot because I am not very good at guarding it--or rather, in the past I wasn't, I'm working on it.
I realize that not everyone is a hopeless romantic. (Good for you!) There are other things to be on guard for. Sometimes non-romantic relationships can be just as dangerous. Anytime we put too much trust in one person, we are setting them up for failure and ourselves up for hurt. The only person we can fully rely on is God.
The verse directly following this one talks about keeping perversity and corrupt talk away from our lips. Perverse language is like a poison to the heart. If you listen to it for too long it will eventually make it to your heart. Your heart is your wellspring of life. In Luke 6:45 it says: "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Defend your heart against evil, against sin. I am not saying hole yourself up in your room and never come out again. I am saying, be careful about how you perceive things. Do not become callous to certain issues.
What does it mean when it says your heart is the wellspring of life? Well, in the strictly biological sense, your heart is the muscle that make sure blood reaches all of your body to supply you with oxygen. I've read several books where blood is called "life force." I like fantasy books, and sometimes blood is almost seen as sacred, as life itself. You and I typically see blood as more the oil for the machine--it has a particular function. Of course, we know the danger in having too little blood but we would not call it sacred. We know it is essential to live, but we would not call it life itself. The heart is the driving force behind the blood. We also connect our hearts to emotions, feelings. Some would say that without feelings it wouldn't really be life. The heart is what gives you life. Without a heart you wouldn't be able to live. So, it stands to reason that you should guard it.
Whether you're protecting against anger, foul language, flattery or falling for someone, be a HeartDefender. It's hard, and you may not always be successful, but it is your mandate.
God Bless!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
ComfortWarrior
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We've probably all heard the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason." I know I have. I hear it all the time--I even catch myself saying it. It's almost like an automatic response to anything that makes us feel slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes I say it without really thinking about it.
This year I learned the value of that statement. I did a Bible Study with one of my close friends over first and second Corinthians. When I first read the above verse I thought, "Wow, that is so cool. I worship the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort... that's really... comforting." (I know, how redundant.)
Shortly after that, a situation came up with one of my girlfriends. She was having a hard time with one of her other friends. It was because of a prior incident I had had several years before that I was able to relate to her and offer her comfort. The only comfort I had received was from God, and I was able to pass that on to her.
It hit me then that everything does happen for a reason. We suffer so that we can comfort others later. (There are other reasons too.) Sometimes it's hard to keep that in mind. When I realized the power of that, I became almost more accepting of suffering. I know that sounds strange, but if my brokenness can be some brightness to someone else, I pray that I might suffer and feel God's comfort so I can comfort others.
With that in mind, I say to you: be a ComfortWarrior. That sounds strange too, like an oxymoron. Think of it this way, warriors fight for others. They go on, even when they're hurt, because they have their hearts and minds focused on others. You and I, we have God there with us to patch us up as we go. It's because we have Him that we can comfort those to come. So be a ComfortWarrior.
God Bless!
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We've probably all heard the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason." I know I have. I hear it all the time--I even catch myself saying it. It's almost like an automatic response to anything that makes us feel slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes I say it without really thinking about it.
This year I learned the value of that statement. I did a Bible Study with one of my close friends over first and second Corinthians. When I first read the above verse I thought, "Wow, that is so cool. I worship the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort... that's really... comforting." (I know, how redundant.)
Shortly after that, a situation came up with one of my girlfriends. She was having a hard time with one of her other friends. It was because of a prior incident I had had several years before that I was able to relate to her and offer her comfort. The only comfort I had received was from God, and I was able to pass that on to her.
It hit me then that everything does happen for a reason. We suffer so that we can comfort others later. (There are other reasons too.) Sometimes it's hard to keep that in mind. When I realized the power of that, I became almost more accepting of suffering. I know that sounds strange, but if my brokenness can be some brightness to someone else, I pray that I might suffer and feel God's comfort so I can comfort others.
With that in mind, I say to you: be a ComfortWarrior. That sounds strange too, like an oxymoron. Think of it this way, warriors fight for others. They go on, even when they're hurt, because they have their hearts and minds focused on others. You and I, we have God there with us to patch us up as we go. It's because we have Him that we can comfort those to come. So be a ComfortWarrior.
God Bless!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
GodServant
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
~Colossians 3:23
This has been a rough week for me. I've been bogged down with homework. I'm taking Greek this semester and it is just taking everything out of me. I would really like to be working out too, but I drag my feet to do even that--and I like my work out program. I get done with classes and work and all I want to do is sit. Just sit and check my facebook. Pathetic.
I have not been putting my heart into my studies. Goodness, I've hardly put my head into my studies. So when I read this verse, it really struck me. I should be giving my all to my work because everything I do I do to the glory of God, not to my own glory, not to the glory of men.
Over the summer I worked two jobs. I worked in a restaurant, which at times could be very frustrating. I was a host, and while I liked the job and the people I worked with sometimes the customers I sat were just plain rude. (Please be nice to your servers when you go out to eat!) It was hard for me to keep a good attitude on days when it seemed like everyone was crabby. I worked with some of my close friends, and on two separate occasions two of them told me how they just tried to remember that they were serving God, not just the people around them.
My other job was far more labor intensive. I de-tasseled. That's right. Now, I don't like being dirty. I don't like being wet. I don't like waking up at five in the morning. I don't like being sunburnt. There really isn't anything about de-tasseling that I like. At least, it's hard to think of reasons. One thing I did like--I liked being out in God's creation, no matter how gross it tended to get. It was cool to be out in the fields when the sun was rising. It was easier for me to think of myself as working for God when I was de-tasseling then it was when I was working inside. I can't say that my heart was in it everyday. It's amazing how clear minded you can be when you're out in the middle of a cornfield. It was a lot easier for me to remind myself that I was working for the Lord, and I think part of the reason for that was because I didn't have a boss hovering over me all the time.
No matter what you do--whether you're in school with a heavy class load, flipping burgers, or working in the fields--do it for the Lord. You are a GodServant.
~Colossians 3:23
This has been a rough week for me. I've been bogged down with homework. I'm taking Greek this semester and it is just taking everything out of me. I would really like to be working out too, but I drag my feet to do even that--and I like my work out program. I get done with classes and work and all I want to do is sit. Just sit and check my facebook. Pathetic.
I have not been putting my heart into my studies. Goodness, I've hardly put my head into my studies. So when I read this verse, it really struck me. I should be giving my all to my work because everything I do I do to the glory of God, not to my own glory, not to the glory of men.
Over the summer I worked two jobs. I worked in a restaurant, which at times could be very frustrating. I was a host, and while I liked the job and the people I worked with sometimes the customers I sat were just plain rude. (Please be nice to your servers when you go out to eat!) It was hard for me to keep a good attitude on days when it seemed like everyone was crabby. I worked with some of my close friends, and on two separate occasions two of them told me how they just tried to remember that they were serving God, not just the people around them.
My other job was far more labor intensive. I de-tasseled. That's right. Now, I don't like being dirty. I don't like being wet. I don't like waking up at five in the morning. I don't like being sunburnt. There really isn't anything about de-tasseling that I like. At least, it's hard to think of reasons. One thing I did like--I liked being out in God's creation, no matter how gross it tended to get. It was cool to be out in the fields when the sun was rising. It was easier for me to think of myself as working for God when I was de-tasseling then it was when I was working inside. I can't say that my heart was in it everyday. It's amazing how clear minded you can be when you're out in the middle of a cornfield. It was a lot easier for me to remind myself that I was working for the Lord, and I think part of the reason for that was because I didn't have a boss hovering over me all the time.
No matter what you do--whether you're in school with a heavy class load, flipping burgers, or working in the fields--do it for the Lord. You are a GodServant.