oh my! it has been a while hasn't it? Update?
Im currently applying for a ATWDTS from YWAM in denver colorado.
torn labrum in my shoulder, surgery? ugh.
Love, death, etc etc.
uh, typing and typing to say such simple things.
God's been growing me in some areas that are pretty tough, but I'm thankful for them.
Love, everyone. Love the person that demeans you, Love the person that hates you, Love the person that makes fun of you for being a Christian, Love the person that doesn't love you (....and is supposed to) Love the dying, the hurt, the sick.
Matthew 5:26
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Love the inappropriate person, love the one that demands, love the one that is completely incapable of giving you anything. love the lost, love the ones that hit you, and curse you.
Ah, how much sweeter it seems whenever I experience it. Experience "unconditional" love for others, love that is not returned. And it makes me love YOU more, it makes me see how love is truly wonderful and difficult. How I can't begin to even comprehend the love you have for me, whenever I'm ready to throw in the towel because someone is demanding me, hitting me, and cussing me.
And it all seems so, easy, doesn't it? Ive been thinking about my relationship with God and how some of these truths seem to people who don't have a relationship with Him. Its all about love, that seems a little to simple, with the cheesy Beatles music behind a rainbow. Love is hard, love is tough, I could elaborate more on the subject but what else is there to say? if you can't see amazing strength in Christ's love, try loving someone who hates you. Trying loving someone who says mean things about you, who cusses you, who cuts you off in traffic.
Then love the ones that kill you.
And maybe its just me. I've never associated love with strength. But its the scariest, hardest thing to do. |
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Encourage. Encourage others whenever you feel as if your falling apart yourself. Don't miss an opportunity to help a brother/sister preserver, or for Christ to set a captive free, just because "you don't feel like your in a good place to share the Gospel" Of course your going to feel a little different whenever your speaking truth over lies that have been believed for years.
And. Finally, one that I'm sure will have a resounding presence in the years to come of how I live my life. How thankful I am for that. Are we living by these truths? Am I living by these truths?
But, I just don't see it.
Maybe its America to blame, maybes its me, you, or tv, or celebrities, or accessibility. Maybe its all three. But I don't see truths in the Bible lived out here. Maybe I'm just called to Radical Christianity and want you to be too.
I am by no means trying to rebuke or demean my fellow brothers or sisters, leaders or church. I love you all and am thankful for your boldness for Christ. But to encourage us. I am seeing this of
my life more then anything, something that God is showing me.
If we claim there is nothing for us here, why aren't we giving more? (why am I not giving more?)
If we claim that God will provide our every need, then why worry about actually giving our "extra" away? Why not give away that which we think we cannot give?! (why am I worried about giving my car away?)
If we believe that there is a real place called Hell, and a real God that loves us, why are we not sharing the Gospel? Why are waiting "for it to come up" why are we waiting to "have a relationship with them, and then they will know" Isn't there, and shouldn't there, be an urgency with the Gospel? Why share on mission trips, but not with your co workers? (why am I not living this way?)
And on and on.
I only pray that my life mirrors truth found in the Bible, that I lose myself in attempts to show others Christ. That I am "one of those weird, radical Christians"
I do want to say this as an encouragement, that if God is calling you to a radical lifestyle, or to do something radical (different, scary, big, big leap of faith, whatever!) or to live the Gospel a little more heavily in your life, that you won't be complacent because you see others that are.
