What's our problem?

I don't really know where to start. I had a million thoughts running through my head last night but I wasn't able to get to a computer. In my entry before last I spoke of how I felt more in rhythm and in tune with God. It didn't hit me until last night what the implications of being in rhythm with God were. For a long time I was under the impression that it was a feeling, warmth or peace that fills your soul. Now I was correct in this assumption but failed to realize that it was so much more than that. The past 2-3 weeks God has given me a vision to see the work that needs to be accomplished in our community. And unlike the past I really feel like not only am I in rhythm with God, seeing his visions and hearing his voice but i'm putting those into action.

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Hebrews 6

1 So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity[a] again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
4For it is impossible to restore to repentance those who were once enlightened--those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come-- 6and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to public shame.
7When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. 8But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it.

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We have to take what we know and run with it. We have to mature in our faith and move on to bigger and better things. As leaders in the church we have to step it up a notch. I'm calling out myself on this one because I have totally sucked it up when it comes listening to His voice and doing His work.

We have to become active in more than just the ministries inside the walls of our church.

We have to quit letting diversity between us and other leaders paralyze our ability to minister.

We have to stop writing people off just because one thing they do that we disagree with.

We have to realize that the church is stronger when it when we all unite, despite our diversity, to accomplish one goal.

Sometimes we act like the sins of others makes it impossible for them to be associated with us and inadequate to be a part of God's will. I mean weren't the first disciples Jesus called fisherman (In other words....society rejects that were told they'd be better off fishing)? Jesus didn't want those who thought they were perfect, judged the actions of others and had everything figured out. He prefers broken, jacked up people. He needs broken, humble followers who know they are NOTHING without him. Peter saw it all...every miracle Jesus performed and every step He took but he still sinned. Even seeing first hand he couldn't get it down perfect and in Acts 10, he still hadn't figured it out!

But like i said in a previous entry, God is not lookin down yelling at us because we can't figure it out...and he's not secluding us from his will because of one sin we can't break loose from.

I wish some of us, including myself, could grasp hold of this concept.

It's a Tough Thing

Sometimes I think "you know what...maybe I just need to suck it up. Every once in a while things will be tough and my heart might get broken." Sounds a bit like Christianity. You love someone or something so much it makes you sick or even just makes you angry (because some aspects of it are out of your control). So maybe I do need to suck it up and maybe I won't feel broken like I do right now.

Rhythm

About 2 months ago I listened to a series on Rhythm by Matt Chandler. It was a series that caught my attention because it seemed like something that might apply to my life. Matt talked about knowing Jesus and who he really was and how he was a person who lived out what he preached. He talked about sometimes the thing that's wrong with us is we are just out of Rhythm with God. I saw a video Sunday morning and Rob Bell stated that sometimes we have knowledge and we know things about the Bible but our life is just out of tune with God. We can spit out knowledge and tell people how to live their lives but when it comes to love...we are just out of Rhythm.

When I first started playing guitar I had to teach myself. I had a wonderful book with pictures and even a CD to help me along. I would look at the book and think "Gosh this looks easy. Anyone could do this!" Now I didn't really have an ear for knowing if the guitar was in tune or not and I was terrible at Rhythm (lol). So you can imagine I was a horrible, horrible annoyance in my room to my parents. I found out it was a lot harder than it looked. It's kinda like our life and how it relates to God. We have all the knowledge in front of us and the tools to create a wonderful lifesong. But we are so out of tune and don't have a clue how to stay in Rhythm. We know every commandment in the book and love to let others know when they are wrong. But all those falls off the cliff to the depths of the ocean because we are so out of tune with God. Our relationship with Him lacks the Rhythm to even make it through 2 chords. I've realized lately that sometimes all the knowledge I have from growing up in church does me no good. I barely have a clue on how to truly love people.

So tonight, while leading worship, I finally felt in rhythm and in tune with God. It felt like nothing could destroy our rhythm...nothing could distract me from His Spirit. It felt like he took every note and made it beautiful. I feel like I am hearing his voice again. Specifically when I am studying for RAMM or listening to Chandler. He's speaking to me through those things and His warmth fills my soul. I'm praying that my rhythm with God will get tighter and tighter and through that I can display the love that Jesus not only taught...but lived out every day of His life.

Just a Little Late

Titus 3

Do What Is Good

1Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.
4But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. 5He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. 7He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life. 8These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone.

Pauls Final Remarks and Greetings

9Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These kinds of things are useless and a waste of time. 10If anyone is causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with that person. 11For people like that have turned away from the truth. They are sinning, and they condemn themselves.
12I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. 14For our people should not have unproductive lives. They must learn to do good by helping others who have urgent needs.
15Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to all of the believers who love us.
May God's grace be with you all.


Brad told me to read this on Friday. Wish I wouldn't have waited til Saturday afternoon to read it. Great stuff.