Struck, but not Shaken

Living where I do in PA, there is a lot of people worried about the approach of this so-called, "Frankenstorm."  I almost feel cheesy using it as a reference here, but it's what led me to think and read on what I'm about share.

A house built on a firm foundation doesn't fear the flood waters.

Look at these passages out of Luke 6

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

It doesn't say the flood waters missed the house, or that the house was not affected by the torrent.  It simply says that the house was struck, but not shaken.

How's your foundation today?  Dig down deep.  Build it on the rock.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

The Story Has to End with Victory

Written 5/19/12 by "Sam"

I took a hot shower and washed my county prison uniform with a bar of soap and an empty trash can.  I laid down to and started to dream of my future, looking up at the ceiling with my hands behind my head.  I had an inner peace, that is unusual in a dorm-like cell, crowded with seven other convicts.  One was serving 25 years for attempted homicide.

The peace came from above, and I started thinking to myself that I can do, and get through, everything.  Everything that happened in my past, prepared and lead me to this exact time and the story has to end with victory.

I had to be beaten up so badly from drugs, alcohol, sin and failure to reach such a bottom, where I had to rely not on my selfish ways, but belief that Jesus died for my sins.  God forgives me and has a purpose for my life.  I feel the enemy is waiting for me, doing push-ups and checking ammo.

When I leave this prison, I will have to be more prepared, especially with my higher power.

Romans 8:28 - "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."

I now have a purpose and it is to simply live by spiritual principles and help others.

A Danish proverb:  What you are is God's gift to you.  What you do with yourself is your gift to God.


*minor edits made for anonymity

Location. Location. Location.

What is Jesus telling us in his conversation with the woman at the well?

There are a lot things to be discussed and said about this portion of scripture, found in John 4.  Read for yourself below, and then I'll share my thoughts.

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Deep stuff right?

Now I can't break down all the original language and things, but I believe the main idea translates.  What I read here is that location doesn't matter.  She is discussing a mountain that her people have worshiped at for generations.  While the Jews worship at the temple in  Jerusalem.

Jesus says there will be a time, and it's here now, when you won't worship on the mountain or in Jerusalem. 

What does that mean for us?

I mean, I've never been to Jerusalem, or this mountain.  But I have worshiped God.  So, if it's not in either of these once ascribed holy places...where is it?  Jesus says God will be worshiped in spirit and truth.  Because these are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

So he seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.  How do we do that?  Well, this isn't a step by step.  You have to work out your own faith.  However the Church, the body of believes, can help encourage and challenge each other on in their faith.

So let me offer this simple challenge:  follow where the Spirit leads.

Imagine you've been praying for a co-worker.  Is that all you do for them?  Or do you open your heart, your ears, and listen to them.  See what they are and are not saying.  Pay attention and learn to discern.  God will guide you.

Let him.

Worshiping God is spirit and truth is not restricted to sacred music and cathedrals.  Worshiping can happen in a club to rock music, if a person's spirit is open to God.  It can happen in the middle of a forest, an office cubicle, or executive board room.  It can happen on the dock of a grocery store, the parking lot of a movie theater, or a tattoo parlor under neon lights.

Be open to the Spirit moving in your life.  It won't always be a miraculous sign.  It can be in a smile.  A kind word or time spent with someone hurting.  Discipleship isn't about scoring conversions.  It's about teaching others to be like Jesus.  I think the best teaching is observed, not heard.

So keep your heart and mind open for the Spirit to move in you!  Look for the little things, the compassionate things, and just serve God with all your heart, soul and strength.  He'll fill in the rest.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse