The Lord of the Rings is probably my favorite story I've ever heard. There's just so much to love! One of the things that I find most intriguing is the way the characters relate to us. For being set in a land of elves, dwarves and magic I can relate to it quite easily. There are characters that I see myself in and in whom I wish I could see more of myself. There are themes that resonate in my life and in my thoughts and there are questions that get raised by this strong mythology that I find myself forced to answer.
The question that I want to start to talk about in this post is simply the idea of kingship. Throughout the story of Lord of the Rings there is an understanding that nothing will be set right until a king is on the throne of Gondor. There's an idea that evil will continue to triumph until the true king can put things right. I identify with this. Almost daily I look at my life and the world around me and realize that the evil I see in the world will continue until the day that the true King is on His throne. This may sound cheesy, and as though I'm dumbing down the problems that the world faces. But, humanity knows of its brokenness, and we are constantly trying to fix it. We try to combat evil in our own ways, but in our hearts we know that ,by ourselves, we are powerless against the corruption in our world. It is only when the true King sits on the throne that the tide of evil will be stemmed. Just as the evil of Sauron can not be stopped until Aragorn takes his place as king and rallies the armies of Gondor. There is an imminent fight, and they need a leader. They need a king.
Boromir is a true son of Gondor. He's a son of the steward of Gondor, He's brave and strong. Even he is defenseless against the onslaught of evil that he faces. He cannot defend the city that he loves. He is helpless in this. He tries to fight evil in his own way, by trying to force Frodo to give him the ring of power. He sees this evil object as a means to save his city and to be the hero. He succumbs to the evil that is the one ring. He becomes the evil for a moment. Boromir starts with the best of intentions, but midway through the struggle he succumbs. He is powerless against this evil.
For so long I wanted to look in the mirror and see Aragorn, someone who rises above his own weakness and doubts. Someone who is powerful, steadfast, wise, fair and unflinching in the face of evil. In the hubris of my younger days I thought I could see that! But, the older I get the more I realize that I'm just like Boromir. I may have one or two good qualities, but I'm weak, and vulnerable to deceit. Though I start out with the best of intentions, I inevitable lose sight of what I'm supposed to be. For years I've set out to rid my world of evil. I've combated it every way I could think of. But I am utterly powerless against the evil that besets my world. I can not save my city, just as Boromir could not save his. There have been times where my pure intentions become muddled, and they are no longer beneficial to my world or those around me.
The way that Boromir sought to protect his city and combat evil, was in fact a perpetuation of evil.
How often do we lose track of our motives and start to do things we normally wouldn't do because we see it as a means to an end? Are we combating evil? Or are we ,in actuality, adding to it? Do we recognize that the king is the only one who can truly defeat evil?
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Courage, Dear Heart
"Courage, Dear Heart" Aslan spoke these words to a young Lucy Pevensie as she was on an adventure in the land of Narnia, afraid of what was coming her way. Oh how I feel like Lucy sometimes. A frightened child needing comfort. Needing to be reassured that I'm on the right path. That I'm not alone. Needing to be spurred on to action. Needing to know that I'm not defeated.
How does one thrive in a world intent on beating us down? How can you have courage when everything in you begs you to fear? Courage seems like a laughable idea when you think about everything that is bent on our destruction. When it seems the world is against you and you've lost your way. When it seems you're on your own against the onslaught of an innumerable army, How does one have courage? This is the question I have been asking myself for a long time. Where does defeat lie and how close am I to falling into its trap? What has fear done to my heart and mind? Has it paralyzed me? Am I moving forward? Do I fear that I'm not moving forward? Do I fear that I've been forgotten? These thoughts cloud my mind and judgement.
The thing I've always loved about Aslan is the way He so understands Lucy. He understands her willingness, but also understands her weakness. Though she may shine with courage one minute she is overcome with timidity and fear. He sees her in these moments and whispers words to her that are simple yet so powerful. "Courage, Dear Heart". The comfort flows from such a simple statement.
In the book of Joshua we meet, you guessed it, Joshua! He is a man of courage and steely resolve. But God even recognized in him the propensity for timidity.
Just as Aslan did for Lucy, so God did for Joshua. Though the words are different the mentality is the same. God promised Joshua that he would not be alone, and that He would be with him.
What is the antithesis of courage? If courage is what spurs us on to action, fear is what binds us to passivity. As we read the Bible we find that there are a few commands that are repeated. But, one of the most prevalent is "Fear not". Why is it so imperative that we fear not? Why does God mention this so many times and why do we see it as such a prevalent theme through all of scripture?
What does fear do to trust? What are we really saying when we are fearful? What are we saying about our belief in the goodness of God when we are overcome with fear? In 1 Timothy we are told that we are given a spirit of power, love and self-control not of fear. If we are truly living in the new life of Christ which is promised to us then fear has no place in our hearts because they are wholly engaged in the power, love and self-control given to us by the new life of Christ. Our trust in God is what keeps fear at bay. His mere presence makes fear disappear.
Some of the last words Jesus says to His followers are a command. "Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful". This is important guys. If God dispells fear then why do we not seek Him more? Do we like being afraid? Fear is easy. Its our natural state. We're fearful of our future. We worry about money, about jobs, about relationships, We are fearful.
Courage is hard. Its a challenge to "fear not". Courage is a constant choice. It is a conscious state of being. We must decide what we're going to do. Are we going to fear or are we going to trust? Will we fear our futures and the unknown? Will we trust that God is good to us?
"Courage, Dear heart".
How does one thrive in a world intent on beating us down? How can you have courage when everything in you begs you to fear? Courage seems like a laughable idea when you think about everything that is bent on our destruction. When it seems the world is against you and you've lost your way. When it seems you're on your own against the onslaught of an innumerable army, How does one have courage? This is the question I have been asking myself for a long time. Where does defeat lie and how close am I to falling into its trap? What has fear done to my heart and mind? Has it paralyzed me? Am I moving forward? Do I fear that I'm not moving forward? Do I fear that I've been forgotten? These thoughts cloud my mind and judgement.
The thing I've always loved about Aslan is the way He so understands Lucy. He understands her willingness, but also understands her weakness. Though she may shine with courage one minute she is overcome with timidity and fear. He sees her in these moments and whispers words to her that are simple yet so powerful. "Courage, Dear Heart". The comfort flows from such a simple statement.
In the book of Joshua we meet, you guessed it, Joshua! He is a man of courage and steely resolve. But God even recognized in him the propensity for timidity.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
What is the antithesis of courage? If courage is what spurs us on to action, fear is what binds us to passivity. As we read the Bible we find that there are a few commands that are repeated. But, one of the most prevalent is "Fear not". Why is it so imperative that we fear not? Why does God mention this so many times and why do we see it as such a prevalent theme through all of scripture?
What does fear do to trust? What are we really saying when we are fearful? What are we saying about our belief in the goodness of God when we are overcome with fear? In 1 Timothy we are told that we are given a spirit of power, love and self-control not of fear. If we are truly living in the new life of Christ which is promised to us then fear has no place in our hearts because they are wholly engaged in the power, love and self-control given to us by the new life of Christ. Our trust in God is what keeps fear at bay. His mere presence makes fear disappear.
Some of the last words Jesus says to His followers are a command. "Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful". This is important guys. If God dispells fear then why do we not seek Him more? Do we like being afraid? Fear is easy. Its our natural state. We're fearful of our future. We worry about money, about jobs, about relationships, We are fearful.
Courage is hard. Its a challenge to "fear not". Courage is a constant choice. It is a conscious state of being. We must decide what we're going to do. Are we going to fear or are we going to trust? Will we fear our futures and the unknown? Will we trust that God is good to us?
"Courage, Dear heart".
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The redemptive power of our Lord!
My God is a God of redemption! So, I'm sitting here at 2am just amazed by my God. God is constantly transforming us. I look back at who I have been, what I've done, what I've been a part of and I realize none of it has been for naught. I have been thinking about Gods overarching plan a lot for the last couple weeks. In the last few years there have been some crappy times, but here I am! I made it out the other side! God always has my back. He's been there with me through physical harm, emotional trauma and just plain ol' life issues. He's been directing my path! It hasn't been the path I foresaw when I was 18. But its been better! I've seen God in ways I never imagined. Even though things haven't unfolded the way I wanted they've folded out the way that will result in God having Glory! A verse thats been really resonating with me lately ( I'm actually designing a tattoo to incorporate this in with the scars on my leg) is
Psalm 37:23-24. The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
God directs the steps of the godly. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!? Isn't that just a stress relief? My plans are usually epic fails. But God, The almighty creator of heaven and earth, directs my steps. Even though I stumble AKA fail, God wont let me fall, Because He holds me by the hand. Thats just beautiful.
Though God directs our steps, and hold us by the hand. The paths we walk can be very painful. They can be lonely, they can be hard, they can be seemingly impossible. But God wont let us fall!
I've tried many plans in the last few years. I've tried getting out of Utah many times. I had an idea of where I wanted to be when I was 22 and Utah wasn't it. But everytime I would get out something would just kinda pull me back to utah. I was mad about it. But looking back at it now I see Gods fingerprints everywhere. Everything God allows us to go through is for His glory! I know now, That all these trials and tough times have helped grow me into the man God wants me to be. Now, I'm not saying I like looking back and remembering all the pain and hurts, but I know that Gods glory will show through all the more because of the trials He's gotten me through. Just like it says in Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
I think the main point I'm trying to get across with this whole post is just that God is good. He knows what needs to happen in order to grow us into the people He wants. Its just kinda a sucky experience sometimes.
Psalm 37:23-24. The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
God directs the steps of the godly. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!? Isn't that just a stress relief? My plans are usually epic fails. But God, The almighty creator of heaven and earth, directs my steps. Even though I stumble AKA fail, God wont let me fall, Because He holds me by the hand. Thats just beautiful.
Though God directs our steps, and hold us by the hand. The paths we walk can be very painful. They can be lonely, they can be hard, they can be seemingly impossible. But God wont let us fall!
I've tried many plans in the last few years. I've tried getting out of Utah many times. I had an idea of where I wanted to be when I was 22 and Utah wasn't it. But everytime I would get out something would just kinda pull me back to utah. I was mad about it. But looking back at it now I see Gods fingerprints everywhere. Everything God allows us to go through is for His glory! I know now, That all these trials and tough times have helped grow me into the man God wants me to be. Now, I'm not saying I like looking back and remembering all the pain and hurts, but I know that Gods glory will show through all the more because of the trials He's gotten me through. Just like it says in Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
I think the main point I'm trying to get across with this whole post is just that God is good. He knows what needs to happen in order to grow us into the people He wants. Its just kinda a sucky experience sometimes.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Happy VS Holy?
Someone made an interesting comment to me the other day, and it got me thinking. The gist of their comment was " God loves us, wants us to be happy and God is ok with whatever makes us happy. Whether it's premarital sex, Drugs, stealing. God wants us to be happy, because thats what we're designed for". That struck me in an odd way. It shows the state of modern culture. I would be willing the bet there are many people out there that would agree with that statement.
I find this statement fundamentally flawed, Yet a part of me wants to believe it, because it appeals to the desires of the flesh. "Oh, God wants my happiness. So, Gods ok with me goin out and partyin tonight". Wouldn't that make life just so much easier/ more fun? To seek only my own satisfaction out of all things. But, that truth of the matter is thats not what life is about. God is concerned with our happiness, yes. BUT, He's more concerned with our holiness. We're called to fight against the sinful nature. I used to be a slave to it, but not any longer. I have a new heart. A Heart no longer ruled by the desires of the flesh, such as partying, premarital sex, drugs and all that stuff. Because those things only bring emptiness! Yes, they may seem fun for the time being, but they're fleeting. Isn't that how it always is with Sin? A momentary high, but the high is never what it was the first time round.
We're in a constant battle with our sin. There are whole chapter in romans talking about how sin still plays a huge life even in the role of the Christian. Its a constant struggle to die to the sinful self and live in the holiness we find only through Him who justifies us.
So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
This Chapter continues on to talk about how Sin (IE Premarital sex, Drugs, Partying) only brings death! The path to death is broad and looks very fun! But it leads to DEATH! Death is never good!
By writing these things though, I'm not talking about a false piety. You know, the "I can't do that cuz I'm a goody 2 shoes". I'm talking about the real heart change that the Spirit induces in us. It makes it so, yeah, those "fun" things look appealing, but we have the power to say no. We have the power to say I'm living for a higher purpose. I'm living for a God that has loved me since before time began! I think thats worth living for.
So, Basically, Sin = momentary fun, death. Allowing God to change your heart and outlook on life = Purpose, life and satisfaction.
I find this statement fundamentally flawed, Yet a part of me wants to believe it, because it appeals to the desires of the flesh. "Oh, God wants my happiness. So, Gods ok with me goin out and partyin tonight". Wouldn't that make life just so much easier/ more fun? To seek only my own satisfaction out of all things. But, that truth of the matter is thats not what life is about. God is concerned with our happiness, yes. BUT, He's more concerned with our holiness. We're called to fight against the sinful nature. I used to be a slave to it, but not any longer. I have a new heart. A Heart no longer ruled by the desires of the flesh, such as partying, premarital sex, drugs and all that stuff. Because those things only bring emptiness! Yes, they may seem fun for the time being, but they're fleeting. Isn't that how it always is with Sin? A momentary high, but the high is never what it was the first time round.
We're in a constant battle with our sin. There are whole chapter in romans talking about how sin still plays a huge life even in the role of the Christian. Its a constant struggle to die to the sinful self and live in the holiness we find only through Him who justifies us.
So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
This Chapter continues on to talk about how Sin (IE Premarital sex, Drugs, Partying) only brings death! The path to death is broad and looks very fun! But it leads to DEATH! Death is never good!
By writing these things though, I'm not talking about a false piety. You know, the "I can't do that cuz I'm a goody 2 shoes". I'm talking about the real heart change that the Spirit induces in us. It makes it so, yeah, those "fun" things look appealing, but we have the power to say no. We have the power to say I'm living for a higher purpose. I'm living for a God that has loved me since before time began! I think thats worth living for.
So, Basically, Sin = momentary fun, death. Allowing God to change your heart and outlook on life = Purpose, life and satisfaction.
Friday, September 2, 2011
How He loves!
God is HUGE. He is everything we need. Jesus fights for us, quenches our thirst, picks up the broken pieces of our heart and soul and heals them. He promised to do those things for us. To have grace that is abounding and never ending. God is a God that heals the broken and loves the unlovable. This is a concept that blows my mind! Its so huge. Because whether we admit it or not we are broken. We have no merit in and of ourselves, but God see's the spark of Himself that He put in us at the beginning and He loves us for it! He loves us with the perfect love that only He can have! Its not our "I love toast" kind of love. But its a deep, unfathomable, perfect, true love! Its the kind of love that gives us purpose. Its the kind of love that is awe-inspiring to those who see it, and they want to tell everyone about it! The song "How He loves" by John Mark Mcmillan is probably my favorite worship song. Just the knowledge that He loves us is inspiring. That the Almighty Creator of the universe would love little Jake from west point utah is just.... beautiful. Simply beautiful. That is my greatest source of rejoicing. I know that most of us have heard this song many times. So many times that we may have become calloused to just how powerful it is! So if you're taking the time to read this blog you should take the time to listen to this song and just truly worship God. Thank him for loving you!
How He loves
I've seen and experienced this love. It has changed my life. Its transformed me as a person. I sit here as a 22 year old attending bible college and I realize that my life has been guided by the divine hand of God. He's lead me in the way that He desires for me, He's been there with me through all my victories and carried me through all my seeming defeats.
He has changed my life purpose! Without God I would still be chasing all the empty things of this world. I can honestly say now that I live everyday with purpose! I may not know 100% what God wants for me, but I know its gonna be epic!
How He loves
I've seen and experienced this love. It has changed my life. Its transformed me as a person. I sit here as a 22 year old attending bible college and I realize that my life has been guided by the divine hand of God. He's lead me in the way that He desires for me, He's been there with me through all my victories and carried me through all my seeming defeats.
He has changed my life purpose! Without God I would still be chasing all the empty things of this world. I can honestly say now that I live everyday with purpose! I may not know 100% what God wants for me, but I know its gonna be epic!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The purpose of my blog.
So, I've been tinkering with the idea of having a blog for a few months now. Honestly, I fought it at first. Because, I don't really know if my thoughts are worth writing down and archiving. But I think that God has really been laying this on my heart to just journal. Whether its what He's doin in my life, or the important things I see transpire around me.
So, God is good. He truly is. In the past months I've grown closer to God than I've ever been before. The things that He has been showing me have been life changing. Something I've been thinking a lot about lately is the idea of "Eternal Significance". Is what I'm doing right here, right now furthering the kingdom of heaven or is it for personal gain. If you think about things like that it tends to color your view a little bit. In writing this blog am I building up the kingdom of God or are these just empty words that I felt like writing down? Everything we do should be for the benefit of the church and the glorification of God.
Something that I believe goes hand in hand with the idea of "eternal significance" is how I spend my money and my time. We talked about this at chapter camp last month and I haven't been able to get past it. I've realized I dont spend my money well. In a my favorite book of all time (Beside the Bible, of course) Francis chan asks the question, are we obsessed with God? I think this video was made specifically for me. It addresses cars. The idea of not buying the "best" for yourself, but channeling those resources to something bigger, something better. Crazy Love video
Its my prayer, every day, that I learn to look at things through a heavenly filter and with every choice I make that I ask myself "Does this benefit the kingdom, or does it just benefit Jake". Its a definite struggle. Because I really want a nice car, I really want a nice stereo, I really want a nice house. But, whats the point? It does me no good other than to look nice while I'm here on earth. Which in the grand scheme of things is a very short time! My next breath is not promised to me.
Luke 12:16-21
The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
So, God is good. He truly is. In the past months I've grown closer to God than I've ever been before. The things that He has been showing me have been life changing. Something I've been thinking a lot about lately is the idea of "Eternal Significance". Is what I'm doing right here, right now furthering the kingdom of heaven or is it for personal gain. If you think about things like that it tends to color your view a little bit. In writing this blog am I building up the kingdom of God or are these just empty words that I felt like writing down? Everything we do should be for the benefit of the church and the glorification of God.
Something that I believe goes hand in hand with the idea of "eternal significance" is how I spend my money and my time. We talked about this at chapter camp last month and I haven't been able to get past it. I've realized I dont spend my money well. In a my favorite book of all time (Beside the Bible, of course) Francis chan asks the question, are we obsessed with God? I think this video was made specifically for me. It addresses cars. The idea of not buying the "best" for yourself, but channeling those resources to something bigger, something better. Crazy Love video
Its my prayer, every day, that I learn to look at things through a heavenly filter and with every choice I make that I ask myself "Does this benefit the kingdom, or does it just benefit Jake". Its a definite struggle. Because I really want a nice car, I really want a nice stereo, I really want a nice house. But, whats the point? It does me no good other than to look nice while I'm here on earth. Which in the grand scheme of things is a very short time! My next breath is not promised to me.
Luke 12:16-21
The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
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