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| Wednesday, September 29, 2004 I think I'm done with Purpose Driven Life. It just got to a point where it wasn't saying anything new and it's really just annoying. I don't like the way it's written, I don't like it's organization, I think it's pretty surface stuff. Maybe if I were a baby Christian it would be better, but I've been saved for almost 20 years, it's just not getting deep enough for me. But...I've been doing something else. I broke up the psalms into daily readings - so I'm reading (on average) a psalm a day every day; I'll read the psalms twice in a year this way. What's amazing is that God's word, no matter how many times you read it, how long you're saved, how "surfacy" it's written, ALWAYS has something relevant to our lives. It will NEVER get old. It IS living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. I LOVE reading my bible - I just wish I actually did it more.
| Sunday, September 19, 2004 Fellowship God commands for us to fellowship with other believers. It is vital to our ability to thrive as Christians. Rick Warren of The Purpose Driven Life writes that the first sign of spiritual decay is inconsistent attendance at a worship service and other gatherings of other believers. He compares a Christian's service in a church to an organ's work in the body. Outside of the body it can't work, and it doesn't get the nutrients it needs to service. It will eventually shrivel up and die. I never thought about it before, but it's very true. I lived my life going to church every week and always felt very strong in my relationship with God. When I got to college I had a hard time finding a church, let alone getting the motivation to go. I lived in the dorms with a bunch of non-Christians and so I was exposed to a lot of stuff that just tore me down. It took a lot for me to start going to a church again, but when I did I really noticed a change in me. I started doing memory verses and quiet times and really finding God again. I even started serving in the church I attended. I really started to feel full again. How awesome of a feeling is that. When Eric and I moved to California, the first thing I wanted to do was find a church. We found one and attended more often than not, but we really didn't start growing and thriving in the community until we got involved and started communicating with other members. We're now involved in a church plant and are being fed while feeding the people of the East Bay. It's amazing how full I feel and how alive in God I feel now that I'm involved. Rick Warren also says the following about fellowship:
Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
| Tuesday, September 7, 2004 I'm reading the Purpose Driven Life right now. I'm not sure I really want to read it, as I have issues with reading fad-books, but it's been staring at me since we moved a month ago and so I finally picked it up to read about a week ago. It was saying some interesting things about worship yesterday. And I agree wholeheartedly with everything he said. Worship is not a 20 minute portion of the church service, and there is not a genre of music called worship music, and it's not something we stop doing just because we leave the church building. Worship is a mindset and it is something that we need to be doing all day long every day. We can worship God in everything we do; brushing our teeth, doing our laundry, driving like a sane person, our conversation topics and word choices... I strive to worship God and give glory to God in everything I do. It's a goal that I don't think I will ever achieve, but the more I strive, the better I get and the more glory God gets.
| Friday, September 3, 2004 There's a lady in my office who is complaining (daily) about religions. Now they are not allowing any religious attire in the schools. I would protest that to my hearts content. She's saying that at least it's even across the board - all religions are being discriminated. But the constitution gives us freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. It is an outrage that wearing a cross around my neck, or a shirt that says, "God is love," is offensive to someone. If I were a student or a parent of these schools saying this, the schools would have a HUGE problem with me. I think if we live in Cali when our children are school aged they WILL be home schooled. I'm a strong believer in the public school system and I am a product of the public schools, but a school system that promotes homosexuality and denies the freedom of religion is not a school of tolerance - as they probably claim to be. I just need to calm down.
| Wednesday, August 25, 2004 So anyway... I work with a woman who really hates Christianity. She is often mentioning how "those dumb Christians are ruining the world," or something to that effect. I've never said anything to her about it. I usually just sit in my cubicle and pray for her or continue on with my own business. There are a couple people in the office who I could see myself witnessing to, but I have such a hard time with witnessing that I just chicken out every time an opportunity arises. Meanwhile...Eric and I are involved in planting a church and our big theme and idea is outreach and evangelism. I'm praying for someone to invite to our "big launch," but I don't know many people here. So I'm thinking about someone from work. I'm afraid, though. I'm still new and I'm afraid of losing my job for harassment or something if what I say is taken the wrong way. I think they know I'm a Christian. I mention that I have church functions, and they've noticed that I don't swear. I try very hard to not be negative about my clients that irritate me. I don't know what I'm trying to say (all my thoughts on this blog entry are lost...). I guess I'm asking for prayer that I would be sensitive to God's speaking and that I would do what He wants me to do.
| Thursday August 19, 2004 I have always believed that God does things for a reason and that when we listen to God and do things according to His will we will be blessed and rewarded, but sometimes there is just stuff in the way or growth that has to happen first. Sometimes God wants us to do something that we just don't want to do. I started a new job about 6 weeks ago. I love my job. My co-workers, for the most part, are pretty cool. I think I'm pretty good at my job too. But for the last 6 weeks I've been struggling to learn why God put me here. I think I've figured it out, and it's why He put me in my last job too. To be a light. If you didn't already know, the bay area is not too "religious" (for lack of a better word). At my new job there are a couple people who talk bad things about God and religion. more to come later
| Thursday, August 5, 2004 My mom is a very special woman. She makes everyone around her feel very special. Well, at least me anyway; I can't speak for everyone. She made a big deal out of breakfast with her. She wouldn't make it, but we'd go out. I remember being in middle school when I had braces and after my orthodontist appointments we'd make a stop off at Le Peep for breakfast; or if we wanted to go shopping, we'd get a Cinnabon first for breakfast. But I think my favorite was when we worked together. Every morning we'd stop at Latta's bagels and get a bagel and a coffee (or beverage of choice) for breakfast. I know she did this whether I was with her or not, but it just made me feel so special to be with her in the car and then getting breakfast. A very fond memory I have of one summer was not only getting breakfast, but also listening to Chuck Swindol during the drive. It just so happened that he was on during the 25 minutes we would drive to work. VERY COOL. We heard some great sermons that summer. Anyway... |