LayGuy

I’m tired.

Tired of the following things.

• Christian cliché.
• Whipping up a “spiritual” but totally emotional frenzy
• People who “hear from God” while only trying to justify their own thought process.
• “Off the cuff spiritual transformations” while relying totally on your own ability to “unprave” our depraved life just to make you feel normal.

One thing life has taught me is that I am an open book in the hands of a terrifying God.  While this rattles me to the bone and kicks me out of my comfort zone like there is no tomorrow, I take comfort in that Jesus knows exactly where I am am – right here, right now.

He knows my strengths.  He knows where I suck.  He knows the way my enemy wrecks me.  He knows how to progress me forward and He knows what gets me down.

He knows everything.  Even a casual reading of the Gospels reveals an all knowing, all perceiving God who knows everything about anything of a person life.

And because of this, I’m tired.  Tired of my short comings.  Tired of my failures.  Tired of the consequences of my failures.  Tired of the effect that sin has thrust upon me and those around me. And tired at my attempts, and the attempts of others to justify themselves in front of a Holy God.

Who the hell do we think we are?

And it’s for these reasons that I crave to rest in the words of Jesus when He uttered..

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Mat 11:28

Jesus.  I am burdened.  Burdened by my own sin and burdened by those around me trying to justify themselves without coming to You first.  I need Your rest.  A rest I don’t think my soul has ever experienced.  I need to know Your gentleness and just how low You would stoop for a person like me.  I need to know this not just in my head – but in my heart and in my soul.  I need to know this because my soul needs to rest.  It’s totally beat Jesus.  I’m not going to pretend because You would instantly know. Your words “easy” and “light” are drawing me right now.  Help me find You the way you intend it to be.

One of the most pathetic aspects of “Christianity” out there is the so called prosperity gospel.  It teaches that God wants you to live life to the full and prosper with material wealth and possessions.

I don’t know who is more pathetic – those who teach this so called gospel or those that adhere to it. One thing is sure though, the Bible anticipated this a long, long time ago..

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” 2 Tim 4:3

It’s no surprise that some of the biggest and fastest growing churches in the world spew this crap week in week out from their pulpit.  Itching ears wanting what the world craves for instead of what Jesus craves for.

I’m not going to name names here as I’m sick to death of the crap they teach. Instead I want to post a video that exposes this rubbish for the rubbish that it is.  It’s a satirical take on things but I believe it hits the spot square in the eye.  Hope you enjoy..

HT: The Work Of The People

The debate between Calvinism and Arminianism is alive and well in my heart and mind these days.  In a very basic nutshell, Calvinism says that God chose us to be saved and Arminianism says that we chose God.

In my opinion, both have valid points and scripture to back the theological bend they are trying to achieve.  And both have their problems.

In regards to Calvinism, I agree that we are totally depraved (I’m a classic example of this) and that on our own, we are incapable of seeking God.

In regards to Arminianism, I concur with a tonne of Scripture that God is willing to accept anyone who confesses and repents and turns to Him.

And just by saying that, I realise that I have just totally contradicted myself!  Hence the debate in my heart and mind.

I lean more towards Calvinism for a number of reasons.  But this also makes me wrestle with so many issues that it messes with my mind.  For example the other day, I was talking with my 6 year old daughter and and thought in my mind, “what if she isn’t one of the elect?  What if she hasn’t been singled out by God to spend eternity with Him?”

If this was the case, the moment she was conceived, she was doomed to burn in hell.  And that messes with my mind.  Or another example, many times, I struggle with sin on so many different fronts and Calvinism makes me ask the question, “Am I really one of the elect?  Or am I just kidding myself?”

One thing I never question is God’s integrity.  I take comfort in the song of Moses mentioned in Revelation.  Here, when everything is said and done and God’s plan for salvation has come to a close, the words used to describe God’s ways are “just and true.”  I like that.  I like that a lot.

Just being honest and transparent.  Or maybe both schools of thought should be swept away in my heart and replaced with a solid chunk of Jesus instead.  Yeah, I think that’s way better.

Anyway, in light of this, I thought I may share the following two video’s of evangelism gone wrong from both camps.  Hope you enjoy…they are meant to be funny.

Arminian Witnessing

Calvinist Witnessing

Everyone knows the “Footprints” poem.  It’s a great poem to those going through tough times.  May come across a little tacky to those full of themselves riding on the waves of a successful life. 

But that wave will eventually crash onto a beach with sand and you just may find yourself relating to the footprints poem because you are in that zone.

But I just watched a music video by Leona Lewis with the footprints theme all over it.  But what got me was the footage of children in need.  Abandoned, scared, lonely and sad are descriptions no child should ever face.

They are simply too innocent and precious to be abandoned to the filthy world a fallen humanity has created.  And yet this is the reality of millions and millions of them.

I simply breaks me.  When I think about my two little kids, to imagine their little personalities having to cope with what millions of kids go through everyday makes me shiver.  I’m going to hug them just that little more when I see them next.  And then I’m going to thank God that my two kids have a safe place to grow up.  And then I’m gonna plead with God that those kids “out there” are supernaturally protected by their ultimate heavenly Father.

Matthew 18:3 says:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”

Children are precious in the eyes of God.  He actually wants us to be more like them when it comes to accepting Him.  God loves kids.

So if you mix the footprints theme with the reality of abandoned children and a heavenly Father that loves them so much – and all His children – both young and old, and then throw in the amazing talent of Leona Lewis, you end up with this…

Yeah.  This is where I am at the moment.  Wandering.  Wondering.  Like a stack of Jenga and some invisible hand is taking away the pieces – exposing my weaknesses.

Vulnerable.  A word I can so relate to. It’s amazing to to your self worth and self reliance snatched away from you as quick as the morning dew melts in the rays of sunrise.

Uncharted territory at the moment. New, scary, raw and somewhat excited at the potential outcome.  Happened to me before – when I first met Jesus.

When I think about things, I reckon it needs to happen all over again.  Break me Jesus.  I need to move on from where I am at the moment.  This crossroad has been in my face for far too long.

That heavy burden you spoke about, I know You were referring to religion at the time.  But my burden is modern life.  Modernity is a curse to me and I need you to help me shoulder this.  Even better, I need you pick it up from my shoulders and show me just how destructive it is.

And then I need to see it – atoned for, and paid in full.  Not because I deserve it.  But to be able to see that You can still reach out and save a person like me.  This is where I am..

“You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.  Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.” Psalm 88:6-7

Teach me what I need to know Jesus.  My prayer is that I know how to make you Lord of my life – instead of just my Saviour.  Because if you’re only my Saviour, I’ve idolised you – instead of worshipped you.