Boasting in Christ

Galatians 6:14 (NLT)

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

Lecrae, Boasting

With every breath I take, with every heart beat,
Sunrise and the moon lights in the dark street.
Every glance, every dance, every note of a song.
It’s all a gift undeserved that I shouldn’t have known.
Every day that I lie, every moment I covet
I’m deserving to die, I’m just earning your judgment.
I, without the cross there’s only condemnation.
If Jesus wasn’t executed there’s no celebration.
So in times that are good, in times that are bad
For any times that I’ve had it all I will be glad.
and I will boast in the cross. I boast in my pains.
I will boast in the sonshine, boast in his reign.
What’s my life if it’s not praising you.
Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit. I do.
That count my life as any value or presence at all.
Let me finish my race, let me answer my call.

Verse 2:
Tomorrow's never promised, but it is we swear
Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air
God has never been obligated to give us life
If we fought for our rights, we be in hell tonight
Mere sinners own nothing but a fierce hand
We never loved him we pushed away his pierced hands
I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy
Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty
Eternally worthy, how could I live for less?
Patiently you turn my heart away from selfishness
I volunteer for your sanctifying surgery
I know the spirits purging me of everything that's hurting me
Remove the veil from my darkened eyes
So now every morning I open Your Word and see the Son (Sun) rise
I hope in nothin', boast in nothin', only in your sufferin'
I live to show your glory, dyin' to tell your story

Glory was solely meant for you
Doing what no one else could do
With all I have to give,
I'll use my life, I'll use my lips
I'll only glory in your Word
What gift to me I don't deserve
I'll live in such a way that it reflects to you, my Praise

I post this blog for the simple reason of reminding myself, and others, that we are nothing outside of Christ. Many boast about being saints, saved from the chains of sin. From this, we have people looking down upon non-Christians. But the only thing that separates us from a sinner is what Christ has done. It is nothing we can brag about, or take pride in. Did I save myself from death? Did I release my sickness? Did I bridge the gap between myself and God? No. Only Christ has done so.

And only Christ gives my heart the strength to beat, my lungs the desire to breathe. I cannot do this on my own! How shall I brag about being alive? Or should I boast about my abilities? Did I create myself with the ability to have intellect? NO! Only Christ did this for me. Therefore, I cannot boast in anything about myself, my life, or anything else surrounding me. I can only boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, His wonderful life, powerful statements, and mysterious love. I boast in the wounds that He bore. I boast in the punishment He willingly took. I boast in His second coming. And I boast in eternity with Him. My whole life, therefore, should be, and hopefully will become, nothing but praise to Him.

I hope we can all say this.

A vision I once had.

I was going through some older writings of mine tonight, and came across something I wrote last year, in January, based on a dream I had. Here is what it says:

There were many church buildings which were large, and made of gold, silver and other precious metals, and were decorated with gems. The insides of the churches were equally exquisite and beautifully decorated. Inside one of these churches I saw a bunch of Christians, who were dressed in very nice, expensive clothing and jewelry. They were gathered around a large table, eating a great many things. They ate in excess, and were very loud to the point of being obnoxious. In one corner of the church there were people engaging in a large sexual orgy, doing many unholy things. I then went back outside and saw poor people in torn clothing, which looked very malnourished. They were clawing at the doors of the churches trying to get in. They were begging for food, clothing and shelter, but were ignored. The head of one church went to the door and began to curse those begging, telling them that the nice things inside were provided by God for those Christians only. He then shut the door and locked it. The people outside of the church began to die. Many killed themselves to keep from dying slowly. All around were bodies of many men, women and many, many children. The skies grew dark, and God spoke to the churches saying "You have betrayed my covenant, and ignored my commands. For this, I will forsake you and destroy your evil works and souls." Then the ground began shaking intensely, and fire spread across the land. The churches began to crumble to the ground. The precious metals were melted down, and the gems were broken. Then I saw all the people being gathered up. Many began to grab Bibles and crosses, hoping to appear pious, but were all thrown in the lake of fire. Fire then consumed the rest of the land, but as the fires slowly died I saw a large wooden cross which was not harmed by the fire.

Oddly enough, I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It is no secret that the American church is, in large, a bit messed up and turned around. There are many churches which operate out of a desire for fame, wealth, influence, and so on. Many pastors have been caught in acts of sexual deviance, robbing their people of money, teaching false doctrines to appease people, or whatever. There is little focus on missions, preaching the gospel, making genuine disciples, and so on. And it shows not only in the churches, but in the lives of those who are members of those churches.

I have heard of Christians say they don't pray or read scripture. Say what?! Yes, that is correct. I've heard other Christians say they never have fasted. I've heard some say they engage in carnal acts of this world. If I am honest, I admit that I have been in that position, even while in a leadership position. How can the Holy Spirit use a person who is carnally minded? And if they are a leader in the church, how will that church grow and do God's work?

I think about the evil kings of Israel, and when Israel ran away from God's purpose. They were called to be a blessing to the nations, and be God's holy people. Yet, there were many who saw the carnal lives of the pagan nations, and they were so carnally minded that they began to reject God's blessings in search of temporary pleasures. As a result, Israel was thrown into captivity, Jerusalem was sacked, and the temple was destroyed. God judged Israel for their rejection of His ways. He removed his blessings, and allowed them to be destroyed by the very evil they desired to imitate.

Much in the same, I see many churches subtly going this way, and even some not being so subtle. Sound doctrine has been thrown out the door, in exchange for supposed relevance. Instead of teaching about a Jesus who came to cure a sin sick people, many are taught about a Jesus who seems like He needs people to come to Him and accept Him. He is portrayed as weak and passive. He is seen as just a way to get what people want. I am not being merely hyperbolic; I can name examples of many things I have heard and seen in different churches. I can tell you about the people in a church who were supposedly filled with the spirit and were running around yelling and screaming and shaking, and praying loud for car, or a new tool box. I have seen a church spend more money on a sound system than it ever thought to spend on reaching the single mother who is struggling to feed her children. I have seen churches that preach that Jesus came to give us an abundance of things we want. I have been to churches which don't talk about repentance, sin, or holiness, but espouse "living our best lives now". These are but just a few problems with in just one community of churches. I know there are some places which are hot on fire for Christ, and other places which are far worse (I've heard of a Church in France that literally engaged in orgies on the altar, no joke), so it will vary from place to place. However, I believe that there is a trend which shows the decline away from the calling of Christ, and now is embracing a calling of flesh.

There are polls and surveys which back my claims, recently released.
http://futurestorm.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-survey-less-than-1-of-18-23-year.html
http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010

Both shows a church which is in disarray. The sheep are scattered by wolves. And I believe those sheep which are lead astray will be devoured. I believe we will see, before long, quite a few churches close their doors, and many people leave church to embrace heretical ideas, agnosticism, atheism, or even fall into the sway of other religions.

In the end, these temples that have been constructed will ultimately be brought down. The false teachers will lead many astray. People will be judged. All like my dream showed me.

Yet....

I still have hope.

Because even though there is a great time of sadness and darkness coming, I also know that it is darkest before the morning light. So I accept this darkness, because I know the Son is coming again. I also know that fire purifies. When the forests get too thick with growth, they will dry up much of the ground, and cause things to be really fragile to the point of death. The death allows fire to spread quickly. The fire consumes the land. And after the fire is put out, new life grows in place of death. Perhaps we should consider a garden. Sometimes the wrong growth takes place, and weeds with strangle the life of a flower or a bush. We must pluck all the weeds to let the plants grow strong. In this same sense, we need a fall of the church. Let people lose their comfort, their status, their power, their wealth, and their earthly ambitions. Let the faithful few cling to the throne of God, and rely completely on the Spirit. The church, after all, was first started from a few, and spread like fire over the land consuming the hearts of many. Miracles were worked. People were saved. God was honored.

So ultimately, I want this to be seen as a vision of hope, and not of doom and gloom.
Christ is alive, and that is all the matters. He has won the war, no matter how the battles may look now.

Let us pray for an honest revival.

Amen.

Knowing God

Humans are social beings. Everything we do is based on social interaction with other humans. As a result, over the course of one's life, one will often build many bonds with other humans. Sometimes they are business fueled, or perhaps just an acquaintance in the neighborhood. Often times, those relationship are not as well remembered, or as meaningful as an intimate relationship with, say, a partner, best friend, or family member. Those are the relationships that matter the most to humans.

It's not surprising, then, that I have noticed quite a few Christians using phrases like "Not a religion, but a relationship" or talking about creating a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not bashing that. I believe it is necessary for a person to indeed have a personal relationship with Christ, for them to enter into Eternal Life, and please God. My point of writing this is to cause people to examine what intimacy with Christ, really is.

I believe the mind set of most American Christians, is that intimacy with Christ is still just a Sunday thing. Unless you are really intimate, in which case its Wednesday nights too. I also believe that the image most people have about Christ is closer to a Greek god than the Living God. Many people hold Christ as a powerful man, who lived long ago, teaching and doing great things for humanity, and now sits far away casting judgment while sitting on His throne. Now, those things are all true, technically, but those people I just mentioned limit Christ to this. Others limit Him to a Holy ATM machine, asking things of Him, only when they need Him. And still others try to hold Him personal as the "Buddy Jesus", but fail to see His Holiness.

So, what does knowing Jesus mean? I look to the disciples, and my own experiences on this. The disciples knew Jesus pretty well. After all, they did spend three years together. This was three years of hearing Jesus snore. Three years of smelling His bad breath in the morning. Three years of seeing his bedhead. Three years of knowing when he had bad gas. Three years of close conversations, not just what was recorded in the Gospels.

I'll give some examples with my own life, which probably applies to most other people. Being in an intimate relationship with my parents, doesn't mean that I hold them as some great person living long ago, giving birth to me, and supplying my needs. That denies what actually makes them great. My dad is a chronic snorer. My mom sometimes has bad gas. I know them well. I know what makes them mad, depressed, and of course, what makes them happy. They have taught me things, and I have shared my ideas with them. They provide for me at times, and I am grateful, and show them that. We know each other.

Or take Dan Rigg and I. We were roomates, (actually sharing a bedroom) for one whole year. I knew when Dan got mad, and he knew when I was mad. We knew when each other had upset stomachs, bad days, colds, or what not. We had, and still have, a close, personal relationship with each other. He has taught me, and vice versa, and both of us have the utmost respect and love for each other. We are best friends.

Likewise, the disciples had this relationship with Christ. Everything he did in those three years, they likely knew about and vice versa. They were closer than brothers, excuse the cliche. They had a personal relationship. This was how Jesus chose how to shepherd, or disciple, those men into what they were to become. And He commanded them to do the same thing with their flocks. They were to become close to them, as they had been close to Him.

And we today, are called to this as well. But in a society that seems to be very disconnected, it is hard create close, meaningful relationships, and that seems to carry over into our relationship with the Lord. Again, we treat Him differently than we do with our closest friends. Why is that?

I challenge ever Brother and Sister to change this in their lives. Our relationship with Him is the most important one that we will ever have. Don't let it be restricted to Sundays. Or to your reading of the Word once a day/week/month/whenever. Or when you put in a Christian CD. Or when you pray to get something you want. As Paul said, "Take captive every thought", because every thought should be based on Him. Any thought not based around Him is a tear divide in your relationship. Every sin is a stab in the back. So then, every thought you think, every breath you are given, every word you speak, every blink of your eye, every life changing decision, every meal you eat, every item you purchase, every time you reflect...All of that should be focused on getting closer to Christ, knowing Him better than the moment before.

You talk to your closest friends many times a day. How often do you talk to Him? How often do you listen? How often do you seek to know the most intimate, secret, details about the One who made you? How often do you honestly seek to know the Christ intimately?

That is a question we all need to ask, and if we are honest, we should feel a little regret with the answer, because we can always be closer. It is a tough challenge, but we were made for it. All we need to do is allow ourselves to be transformed from what this world has nurtured us to be into the being Christ made us naturally.

Christ said "My Father and I are one". That is the key intimate relationship. We too, are called to be one in fellowship with Him.

Blessings.

A dog chasing his tail.

I love dogs. I especially love how silly they can be. I've seen many dogs who will do the craziest of things. My favorite, however, is watching a dog chase its own tail! They catch something moving back and forth rapidly, in the corner of their eyes and BAM! Their head snaps back and soon the rest of the body follows, going round and round and round. Sometimes the dog might capture a slight snap of the tail, only to have it shake away from its mouth. Other times it may catch it and begin to nibble, only to realize that the tail is a part of itself; A very disappointing catch. The rest of the time, the dog might just get bored and dizzy, after running around foolishly.

We can sit back and laugh at the dog, seeing it being so silly. However, aren't we the same way? I feel like I see so many people who are busy chasing things which they believe are important, but it ends up only being a silly game with nothing being achieved. And I have no room to speak out against others doing it, because, if I am honest, I do the same exact thing. I see something so alluring out of the corner of my eye, and I MUST have it. So I run around chasing it, as much as I can. I might get a little taste of it, but in reality, its just my silly ol' mind playing games. I am just chasing the hallucinations of a fallen heart. I am a fool, running around in circles, being very dizzy and not gaining anything. I am simply a dog, chasing his tail.

I want nothing more than to be the opposite. I try so hard to focus on Christ. I want to be only for him, all 100% of me. My prayer is thus:

Lord, I am tired of running after the foolish desires of my heart. No person, item, accomplishment, or status will ever fulfill me. I know true fulfillment is in you alone. I know that my eyes are to be focused upon your throne. But God I am so hungry for something, anything. I want to feel alive inside. I want to have purpose again. I want to quit hiding behind a mask of happiness on the outside. Please just pour yourself out over me, and allow me to taste of you again. Don't let me be fooled by imitations, for nothing can be like you. I am stumbling, but I still know that I must praise you, whether or not you grant this prayer. You alone are worthy. Praise to you God.

Amen.

I pray that if anyone else reads this, they too would realize the foolishness in chasing the things that are other than the Glory of Christ, and the Will of the Father.

Blessings and Grace,

(A slightly confused and exhausted) Thomas

Secret Cupid

I recently wrote a letter to a complete stranger as a part of this event I created for some single Christians, called "Secret Cupid". It is essentially the same idea as Secret Santa, except geared towards Valentine's Day. As a part of her gift, I wrote her a letter. In said letter, I felt it important to write a poem to her about Christ being lover of her heart. I want to share that poem, because I feel it is true for anyone, and not just for this young lady.

O Maiden,
Beautiful Maiden!

I have gazed upon the beauty in your heart
And I desire you so!

Such perfection,
Wonderful perfection!

How shall a man
tell you anything other than "I adore thee"?

I've watched you for years
waiting
hoping
wanting so much
to be by your side!

And now that I have you
I'll love you no man can
I'll never leave your presences
I'll never stop working
to show the desire of my heart
for you

So, -insert name here-
My Valentines
Promise you'll be mine
For I am forever thine

Love,
Your King, Jesus.



I feel it is important that everyone knows the intimate love which Christ feels towards his beloved bride, which are the elect in Him. We are His beautiful bride, awaiting the return of her Lover. I cannot fathom the greatness of when our marriage is finalized, and we feast with Him forever.

Praise King Jesus for being the ultimate example of love, for He is love. Amen


Blessings,

Thomas

Música, sólo música

I was reading through an old book that I had from one of my Spanish classes in University. The book is titled The Generation of 1898 and after. It has select works from the authors and poets between the period of the fall of a once glorious imperial Spain in 1898 to the Spanish Civil War, in 1936. A lot of the writings in the book detail the feelings of Spaniards during that time, about the decline of Spain. Many of the writings are political and very emotional. There is one, however, that sort of stands out, and I will post it for your enjoyment. It is by a man known as Jorge Guillen.

This is called Música, sólo música

Por los violines
Ascienden promesas.
Me raptan? Se entregan.
Todo va a cumplirse

Implacable empeño
de metal y cuerda:
un mundo se crea
donde nunca hay muertos

hermoso destino
se ajusta a su temple.
todo está cumpliéndose,
pleno en el sonido.

se desliza un mundo
triunfante y su gracia
de forma a mi alma
llego a un absoluto?

Invade el espíritu,
las glorias se habitan.
Inmortal en vida:
todo está cumplido

And for a not so accurate translation:

By the violins
they elevate promises.
Do they abduct me? They deliver.
All is going to comply.

Implacable pledge
of metal and cord:
a world is created
where there is no death

Beautiful destiny
is adjusted to its temper
All is being complied,
full in sound

It slides a world
triumphant, and its graces
forms to my soul.
Do I arrive at an absolute?

It invades the Spirit,
the Glories are inhabited.
Immortal in life:
all is polite.

Make of that what you will.I've always had a love for music, though I've never been able to play, read or write it. Music is a beautiful escape from the realities of life. There are, indeed, worlds created, where no death exists. I can think of pieces of music that I hear, and entire universes explode into my mind, captivating my imagination, and even my soul. Every note is another living, breathing creature. Or perhaps a mountain rising out of the void of the sea. Or maybe its the love felt between two young lovers, gazing into each others' eyes. Music is this, and much more.

When I worship the Lord with music, at home alone, I often end up finding myself on the floor, face down, completely lost in the glories of God, as the music carries my soul into the presence of God. Or perhaps the music simply allows God to step down into my room with me? Either way, I get completely lost, as space and time ceases. Fears and regrets, sorrows and anger, life and death; all fade when music carries my heart away.

I end with this: “Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”

Blessings,
Thomas

Didache

Sometimes I like to read the texts of the early Church to try and get an insight of their mindset. So many times we will read the Bible and try to apply its words to our desiring, right? We have to make it about us. Which, the Bible does speak to all men through all time. However, it is important to remember the context in which it was written. To help with that context, I read what the Church Fathers said and did in their lives. To clarify, I consider the theologians, teachers and bishops who were alive with in 3-5 generations of the Apostles as church fathers. These are people like Polycarp, Clement, and Ignatius.

Among the writings of this early group of believers is what is called the Didache. It is a series of teachings and sayings that were supposedly delivered from the apostles to the early church to take to the Gentiles. While that cannot be exactly proven, reading through the Didache makes it clear that whoever wrote it borrowed heavily from New Testament texts, or possibly the long fabled "Q" document.

Anyways, I was reading through the Didache tonight, as I do every now and then, and thought I'd share something out of it. It is my favorite part, a thanksgiving prayer to God:

After you are filled, give thanks like this:

We thank you, Holy Father, for Your Holy name which you made to dwell in our hearts, and for knowledge and faith and immortality as You made known to us through Jesus, Your Servant. Glory to You forever.

You, Lord Almighty, created all things to show forth Your name. You give both food and drink to man to enjoy, and everlasting life through Your Servant. Above all, we thank You because You are mighty. Glory to You forever. Remember Lord, Your Church, to deliver her from all evil and mature her in Your love. And gather her from the four winds, separated into Your kingdom which You have made for her, because You have the power and glory forever.

Let grace come and this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David! If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen

There is such beauty in the heartfelt cry of children to their Father. I pray that we may always remember to thank our Father in Heaven for all the numerous blessings that He bestows upon us.

Praise Him, always.

Blessings,
Thomas