the poor in spirit are the lucky ones!
because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
those who mourn are the lucky ones!
because they will find comfort.
the gentle are the lucky ones!
because the earth will be given to them.
those who are hungry and thirsty to be like Christ are the lucky ones!
because they will be filled up.
those who show mercy are the lucky ones!
because God will show them mercy.
those who have pure hearts are the lucky ones!
because they will see God face to face.
those who bring peace are the lucky ones!
because they are God's children.
those who suffer for being like Christ are the lucky ones!
because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
(the bold ones particularly stick out to me right now)
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
commitment
hey
this is my 100th post on blogspot.
cool :)
this morning i went to ihop
(international house of prayer, that is)
and it was fantastic.
it's great how God meets you when you come to him.
i feel like i've been avoiding him some.
i'm glad to have this month of freedom to correct that
though i was starting to get worried i would waste the opportunity
because i'm stupid.
i've been so selfish
and have had a hard time seeing past it even when i want to.
i was literally shouting to God in the car the other day that i'm tired of being selfish.
but i just have to remember
when i take one step toward God
he will come the rest of the way.
if i can be committed to taking a step each day
he will come to me.
this is my 100th post on blogspot.
cool :)
this morning i went to ihop
(international house of prayer, that is)
and it was fantastic.
it's great how God meets you when you come to him.
i feel like i've been avoiding him some.
i'm glad to have this month of freedom to correct that
though i was starting to get worried i would waste the opportunity
because i'm stupid.
i've been so selfish
and have had a hard time seeing past it even when i want to.
i was literally shouting to God in the car the other day that i'm tired of being selfish.
but i just have to remember
when i take one step toward God
he will come the rest of the way.
if i can be committed to taking a step each day
he will come to me.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
victories
again, sorry for the dry spell...
though i won't say anymore, because it's just lame if i start every post groveling :)
if you know me really well, then you probably know a bit about the way i've struggled with porn and whatnot during my life thus far.
and i have to admit, having my own room this year has made it difficult.
but God is reminding me over and over to have hope for the day when he makes all things new. he is reminding me that my spirit is a new creation already! and he is reminding me that because of this we can know each other, be with each other, interact with each other- be friends, father/son, king/servant, shepherd/sheep, lover/bride, etc. (and that is what he desires more than anything)
so for now... i'm not perfect.
my "flesh" (as the bible calls it) is not perfect.
but God is renewing me each day on the inside.
and it will creep its way out fully one day...
and it's not something i have to sit and wait for...
it's starting to happen already!
even as i type this, the new creation is spreading outward from my spirit.
God's reminders and encouragement has pushed me a bit...
urged me to not just sit by and wait.
he has given me hope for what i will be. for what we will be and what we are becoming.
and he is renewing my faith.
more times than i can count i have promised God to make changes and promised God i'll have faith that he can help me make those changes.
and i have failed God more times than i can count (particularly sexually, like i was saying...)
such promises and failure can crush faith...
but God is renewing it.
and it's great :)
anyways, all of that is pretty.... internal. sounds like a bunch of... theory. spiritual talk.
but... it's also real.
for the first time, i feel like i have finally learned how to be held accountable to a brother. it's so hard. and so good. that's a wall God has been trying to tear down for years... i don't know why i have been so hesitant to trust in such a way... but anyways... i'm finally truly learning how to do it fully i feel. and it's magnificent!
also, (again, particularly in regards to sexual sin) i have decided to make a more drastic step than i have ever made and use an internet filter.
it's... humbling for one. it's not easy to admit that it just might possibly be a good idea.
it's frustrating too... it won't even let me do a freaking normal google image search. sooo inconvenient...
it costs money.
but it's all worth it i think. it's what God was calling me to anyways.
guys,
i'm not perfect.
most of the time i feel like i'm juggling everything in my life.
and dropping most of it.
but God calls me his son. his beloved. his servant. his friend.
he calls me new. he calls me "mighty warrior."
though i am not, he calls me as though i were.
and therefore, i am.
even when i don't feel like it...
i lack nothing.
life is good :)
(even when i don't feel it!)
i've discovered something awesome.
i'm calling it bro time with Jesus, unless a better name comes to mind.
it basically consists of...
first getting away from other people, somewhere quiet and mostly dark. (like in my room at night, with a lamp on)
then obtaining an ibc rootbeer.
then getting comfortable, drinking the rootbeer, and spending time with Jesus (mainly talking and listening).
it's awesome.
and i'm gonna go have one before i go to sleep...
though i won't say anymore, because it's just lame if i start every post groveling :)
if you know me really well, then you probably know a bit about the way i've struggled with porn and whatnot during my life thus far.
and i have to admit, having my own room this year has made it difficult.
but God is reminding me over and over to have hope for the day when he makes all things new. he is reminding me that my spirit is a new creation already! and he is reminding me that because of this we can know each other, be with each other, interact with each other- be friends, father/son, king/servant, shepherd/sheep, lover/bride, etc. (and that is what he desires more than anything)
so for now... i'm not perfect.
my "flesh" (as the bible calls it) is not perfect.
but God is renewing me each day on the inside.
and it will creep its way out fully one day...
and it's not something i have to sit and wait for...
it's starting to happen already!
even as i type this, the new creation is spreading outward from my spirit.
God's reminders and encouragement has pushed me a bit...
urged me to not just sit by and wait.
he has given me hope for what i will be. for what we will be and what we are becoming.
and he is renewing my faith.
more times than i can count i have promised God to make changes and promised God i'll have faith that he can help me make those changes.
and i have failed God more times than i can count (particularly sexually, like i was saying...)
such promises and failure can crush faith...
but God is renewing it.
and it's great :)
anyways, all of that is pretty.... internal. sounds like a bunch of... theory. spiritual talk.
but... it's also real.
for the first time, i feel like i have finally learned how to be held accountable to a brother. it's so hard. and so good. that's a wall God has been trying to tear down for years... i don't know why i have been so hesitant to trust in such a way... but anyways... i'm finally truly learning how to do it fully i feel. and it's magnificent!
also, (again, particularly in regards to sexual sin) i have decided to make a more drastic step than i have ever made and use an internet filter.
it's... humbling for one. it's not easy to admit that it just might possibly be a good idea.
it's frustrating too... it won't even let me do a freaking normal google image search. sooo inconvenient...
it costs money.
but it's all worth it i think. it's what God was calling me to anyways.
guys,
i'm not perfect.
most of the time i feel like i'm juggling everything in my life.
and dropping most of it.
but God calls me his son. his beloved. his servant. his friend.
he calls me new. he calls me "mighty warrior."
though i am not, he calls me as though i were.
and therefore, i am.
even when i don't feel like it...
i lack nothing.
life is good :)
(even when i don't feel it!)
i've discovered something awesome.
i'm calling it bro time with Jesus, unless a better name comes to mind.
it basically consists of...
first getting away from other people, somewhere quiet and mostly dark. (like in my room at night, with a lamp on)
then obtaining an ibc rootbeer.
then getting comfortable, drinking the rootbeer, and spending time with Jesus (mainly talking and listening).
it's awesome.
and i'm gonna go have one before i go to sleep...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
soldier
...great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble...
"i wait for your salvation, o Lord, and i follow your commands..."
Friday, July 18, 2008
the dark knight
holy COW
the new batman movie is incredible!
it's one of the best movies i've ever seen...
...for lots of reasons
though for now i'd like to talk about the depth and meaning and symbolism that i saw in it.
some at least... it was impossible to soak it all in.
(i'm pretty sure i wrote this in a way that doesn't spoil anything, so no worries)
a major theme is chaos
what do you do when the plan falls apart?
when nothing makes sense?
when you're lost?
when you're hopeless or afraid or desperate?
when you're being attacked or hurt or threatened?
the 'good guys' have a hope
they believe dawn is coming.
and this is what they cling to.
but they definitely find out that the night is darkest before dawn.
and that enduring through the chaos isn't easy.
especially when they realize that enduring sometimes means letting go of the things most precious to them.
the truth is...
chaos will take from you.
and we are all left with a choice.
you can either remember the hope you had in the beginning
and endure.
or you can let it take you as well.
you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4)
"all along-
thought I was learning how to take
how to bend not how to break
how to live not how to cry
but really
i've been learning how to die"
metaphorically speaking:
gothams will always need batmen:
heros who die [to self].
if you go too long without dieing...
your second face will show.
the new batman movie is incredible!
it's one of the best movies i've ever seen...
...for lots of reasons
though for now i'd like to talk about the depth and meaning and symbolism that i saw in it.
some at least... it was impossible to soak it all in.
(i'm pretty sure i wrote this in a way that doesn't spoil anything, so no worries)
a major theme is chaos
what do you do when the plan falls apart?
when nothing makes sense?
when you're lost?
when you're hopeless or afraid or desperate?
when you're being attacked or hurt or threatened?
the 'good guys' have a hope
they believe dawn is coming.
and this is what they cling to.
but they definitely find out that the night is darkest before dawn.
and that enduring through the chaos isn't easy.
especially when they realize that enduring sometimes means letting go of the things most precious to them.
the truth is...
chaos will take from you.
and we are all left with a choice.
you can either remember the hope you had in the beginning
and endure.
or you can let it take you as well.
you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4)
"all along-
thought I was learning how to take
how to bend not how to break
how to live not how to cry
but really
i've been learning how to die"
metaphorically speaking:
gothams will always need batmen:
heros who die [to self].
if you go too long without dieing...
your second face will show.
Monday, May 12, 2008
release
is it not beautifully ironic that
a christian is someone who simply
realizes
that he doesn't
know God
at all?
we're so tied to ourselves.
what i want to do i do not do,
but what i hate i do.
i tear myself to pieces,
and really, i don't like it.
but then i won't even let myself be forgiven.
last night i went to write in my journal
i think i was just headed for another prayer about being sorry and frustrated with myself.
and i realized it was the same condemning part of me, which had lead me to make mistakes in the first place, who was making me feel that way now!
silly me
it's serious really,
but i think he'd also love if i made a big deal about it
(the part of joshua who tore himself up in the first place and then wouldn't let him fix himself, that is),
because his goal is just to keep me away from God.
he did it by separating me from God,
but Jesus came to fix that.
then he did it by separating me from Jesus,
but i suppose the Spirit made me realize it.
he could also do it again by getting me to spend so much time thinking about... for example, how dumb I was (in both ways now), that, once again, i get distracted from the point.
like getting stuck for a long time studying some math problem, which isn't going to be on the test.
or thinking so much about how to be a good football player that you never take time to play.
so
let's just forget about ourselves, shall we?
let's just stop trying to figure out and understand things.
let's stop feeling like we have to
accept,
and simply receive.
let's stop stopping ourselves from being blessed by God,
and let's stop stopping ourselves from letting God by too BIG to understand.
so that we can stop stopping ourselves from praising him.
hopefully that was coherent. :)
a christian is someone who simply
realizes
that he doesn't
know God
at all?
we're so tied to ourselves.
what i want to do i do not do,
but what i hate i do.
i tear myself to pieces,
and really, i don't like it.
but then i won't even let myself be forgiven.
last night i went to write in my journal
i think i was just headed for another prayer about being sorry and frustrated with myself.
and i realized it was the same condemning part of me, which had lead me to make mistakes in the first place, who was making me feel that way now!
silly me
it's serious really,
but i think he'd also love if i made a big deal about it
(the part of joshua who tore himself up in the first place and then wouldn't let him fix himself, that is),
because his goal is just to keep me away from God.
he did it by separating me from God,
but Jesus came to fix that.
then he did it by separating me from Jesus,
but i suppose the Spirit made me realize it.
he could also do it again by getting me to spend so much time thinking about... for example, how dumb I was (in both ways now), that, once again, i get distracted from the point.
like getting stuck for a long time studying some math problem, which isn't going to be on the test.
or thinking so much about how to be a good football player that you never take time to play.
so
let's just forget about ourselves, shall we?
let's just stop trying to figure out and understand things.
let's stop feeling like we have to
accept,
and simply receive.
let's stop stopping ourselves from being blessed by God,
and let's stop stopping ourselves from letting God by too BIG to understand.
so that we can stop stopping ourselves from praising him.
hopefully that was coherent. :)
Monday, April 28, 2008
ascension day
wow
Ascension Day
40 days after the resurrection. (Acts 1:3)
It's this Thursday!
anyone have good celebration ideas? :)
has anyone else thought of this before? Ascension Day?
i sure haven't
but why not?!
in fact, if i only got to choose one "holy-day"
i'd take this.
forget Christmas and Easter.
that God would become a man
is an astonishing miracle.
that God would die to give me (us) life,
that God would, on top of that, defeat death,
is twice as absurd. and twice the miracle.
that God would ascend to heaven after these things,
that is, God would sit down on his rightful throne
as King
is...
logical?
not so unexpected perhaps?
it really isn't a miracle.
He's freaking God!
of course he would do that.
well,
i suppose it's this... expectation of ours
which causes us to downplay things.
because while it may not be so absurd,
i think it's safe to say that this is the
BIGGEST
thing he could ever do.
it's the most important.
it's the whole point, you know?
okay, this may sound a little funny,
but sometimes i start thinking...
even if God never came to earth,
even if he never died for us,
even if he never rose from the dead,
he still deserves our praise
our worship
our lives.
why?
for one,
he made us.
on top of that,
he is just plain worthy of it
-for who he IS
and for the things he has DONE.
methinks there's a lot of complicated theology in all this,
but don't worry about it.
the point of what i'm saying
is that
God is GOD.
as one of his disciples,
i don't love and serve and follow him
just because
he loved me first.
i do those things because he is God.
this is why you serve a King.
if he is a King as loving as God, then that's incredible!
if he rules such a wonderful Kingdom, that's great!
now, if the Rightful King
is a bad king,
perhaps you would choose to rebel.
BUT
it does not change the fact that
he
IS the Rightful King.
And as such, he is the rightful recipient
of your service, your loyalty, your life.
dear reader, this is how a monarchy works.
do you understand?
because this is how things are.
to quote the great theologian, Bob Dylan: you gotta serve somebody.
you are part of some kingdom. and kingdoms have kings.
and YOU are subject to one.
in this world, you can practically break everything down into just two kingdoms.
YOU get to decide (for now) which one you will subject yourself to.
first is what we'll call "the kingdom of darkness"
and generally we name Satan as the king of this.
second is "the kingdom of heaven"
it is the kingdom of God.
(Colossians 1:13 is a quick picture of this)
God created the world. it is his kingdom.
but we committed treason in subjecting ourselves to the kingdom of darkness and its ruler.
nevertheless,
God is the original, true, Rightful King.
(the ENTIRE reason that Jesus came was to usher [back] in his kingdom, and to let as many people know about it as possible so that they could join him. Matthew 4:17)
it's pivotal that you understand this before we move on...
so
why Ascension Day?
read Luke 24:50-52 real quick...
"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."
(there, now you have no excuse not to)
why are they happy?
when Jesus was around they were pretty content.
then he died. and things got pretty depressing.
then he's back alive! with them again!
and now...
he's leaving?
after just 40 days
but there's not a single tear shed
in fact, it seems like they're happier than ever.
why?
now look at Daniel 7:9-14
(i'll summarize the first bit)
first we get a picture of God's throne. (it's pretty cool :))
next we see a beast, Satan, slain and destroyed.
then in verses 13 and 14...
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."
so there's this "son of man."
a man.
he approaches God. comes into God's presence.
do you see what he is given? (sound anything like Matthew 28:18?)
Authority
Glory
Sovereign Power
Everlasting Dominion
a Kingdom
people worship him
it's Jesus!
at first glance, it sounds like something from end times.
but this is where Jesus is brought TO God.
this is a picture of what is happening AFTER that bit from Luke 24.
THIS
is what happens when Jesus ascends to heaven.
now whether or not it has "already" happened i don't quite understand.
it's not important.
God exists outside of time, so it probably doesn't work that way anyways. :)
so yes, it's already happened. it's happening right now too. and it's going to happen tomorrow.
THE POINT
is that Jesus
is now the King.
Jesus is Lord.
this is HUGE
this is EVERYTHING
Can you think of the last time God ruled as king of the earth?
Eden.
Is there anything to make us think his kingdom will be any different now?
he descended to earth
-giving us a picture of the King and his kingdom!
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
he died for us and defeated death
-giving us access to the King and his kingdom!
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." Colossians 1:13
and now...
Jesus has ascended to heaven.
the Rightful King has returned to power.
Happy Ascension Day
Ascension Day
40 days after the resurrection. (Acts 1:3)
It's this Thursday!
anyone have good celebration ideas? :)
has anyone else thought of this before? Ascension Day?
i sure haven't
but why not?!
in fact, if i only got to choose one "holy-day"
i'd take this.
forget Christmas and Easter.
that God would become a man
is an astonishing miracle.
that God would die to give me (us) life,
that God would, on top of that, defeat death,
is twice as absurd. and twice the miracle.
that God would ascend to heaven after these things,
that is, God would sit down on his rightful throne
as King
is...
logical?
not so unexpected perhaps?
it really isn't a miracle.
He's freaking God!
of course he would do that.
well,
i suppose it's this... expectation of ours
which causes us to downplay things.
because while it may not be so absurd,
i think it's safe to say that this is the
BIGGEST
thing he could ever do.
it's the most important.
it's the whole point, you know?
okay, this may sound a little funny,
but sometimes i start thinking...
even if God never came to earth,
even if he never died for us,
even if he never rose from the dead,
he still deserves our praise
our worship
our lives.
why?
for one,
he made us.
on top of that,
he is just plain worthy of it
-for who he IS
and for the things he has DONE.
methinks there's a lot of complicated theology in all this,
but don't worry about it.
the point of what i'm saying
is that
God is GOD.
as one of his disciples,
i don't love and serve and follow him
just because
he loved me first.
i do those things because he is God.
this is why you serve a King.
if he is a King as loving as God, then that's incredible!
if he rules such a wonderful Kingdom, that's great!
now, if the Rightful King
is a bad king,
perhaps you would choose to rebel.
BUT
it does not change the fact that
he
IS the Rightful King.
And as such, he is the rightful recipient
of your service, your loyalty, your life.
dear reader, this is how a monarchy works.
do you understand?
because this is how things are.
to quote the great theologian, Bob Dylan: you gotta serve somebody.
you are part of some kingdom. and kingdoms have kings.
and YOU are subject to one.
in this world, you can practically break everything down into just two kingdoms.
YOU get to decide (for now) which one you will subject yourself to.
first is what we'll call "the kingdom of darkness"
and generally we name Satan as the king of this.
second is "the kingdom of heaven"
it is the kingdom of God.
(Colossians 1:13 is a quick picture of this)
God created the world. it is his kingdom.
but we committed treason in subjecting ourselves to the kingdom of darkness and its ruler.
nevertheless,
God is the original, true, Rightful King.
(the ENTIRE reason that Jesus came was to usher [back] in his kingdom, and to let as many people know about it as possible so that they could join him. Matthew 4:17)
it's pivotal that you understand this before we move on...
so
why Ascension Day?
read Luke 24:50-52 real quick...
"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."
(there, now you have no excuse not to)
why are they happy?
when Jesus was around they were pretty content.
then he died. and things got pretty depressing.
then he's back alive! with them again!
and now...
he's leaving?
after just 40 days
but there's not a single tear shed
in fact, it seems like they're happier than ever.
why?
now look at Daniel 7:9-14
(i'll summarize the first bit)
first we get a picture of God's throne. (it's pretty cool :))
next we see a beast, Satan, slain and destroyed.
then in verses 13 and 14...
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."
so there's this "son of man."
a man.
he approaches God. comes into God's presence.
do you see what he is given? (sound anything like Matthew 28:18?)
Authority
Glory
Sovereign Power
Everlasting Dominion
a Kingdom
people worship him
it's Jesus!
at first glance, it sounds like something from end times.
but this is where Jesus is brought TO God.
this is a picture of what is happening AFTER that bit from Luke 24.
THIS
is what happens when Jesus ascends to heaven.
now whether or not it has "already" happened i don't quite understand.
it's not important.
God exists outside of time, so it probably doesn't work that way anyways. :)
so yes, it's already happened. it's happening right now too. and it's going to happen tomorrow.
THE POINT
is that Jesus
is now the King.
Jesus is Lord.
this is HUGE
this is EVERYTHING
Can you think of the last time God ruled as king of the earth?
Eden.
Is there anything to make us think his kingdom will be any different now?
he descended to earth
-giving us a picture of the King and his kingdom!
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
he died for us and defeated death
-giving us access to the King and his kingdom!
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." Colossians 1:13
and now...
Jesus has ascended to heaven.
the Rightful King has returned to power.
Happy Ascension Day
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