Sunday Messages

This past sunday the messages struck some ponderings for me.

when the college pastor was preaching from Isaiah 9:6&7 most 6 and just on the words there used to describe Christ. We focused on Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God for that week. It was cool he went to different passages all of the Bible that referenced more of God's character in that way. All of it was good but the part that stuck out to me was what he said about Mighty God. We looked at 1 Peter 5:6&7. Specifically this phrase "If we say God is Mighty but don't submit to it? We do not really believe He is the Mighty God." that just really made me think how many things do we, I say about God and who He is but in my life do I show it?

then the pastor spoke from 1 timothy 3:14-16. Speaking of many different things from this portion but again the thing that stuck out to me is that Paul gives the church direction in who to conduct themselves. First point is that we are the house of God. when we meet together with 2 or more people He is present! Think about that? as individuals we are the temple of God but coming together we are the house of God. just a cool thought but then this is the part that really struck me. At the end of verse 15 it says "Which is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth." Then the pastor began to describe the the architectural purpose of pillars to uphold something and with the temple of Artemis or Diana, the goddess of fertility (i forget the reference). The pillars they used for her temple 60 feet tall. yes to up hold the ceiling but also to show off the beauty of the temple and ultimately Diana. then he went into describing the practical purposes for foundation. We are those. We are to be upholding the truth and to be showing off its beauty and if the pillars or foundations aren't good then the building suffers and in the same way if we do not uphold the truth it will suffer. I was thinking of the World now and how true it is. Christians not actually being the pillars of truth and the truth is now gray or arbitrary even among "christians."

which just makes me think again back to the college pastor's message we say one thing, "I'm a Christian" "He is a Mighty God" but is there fruit in our lives?

Set Apart

As people trying to strive for a life of holiness are there things that aren't necessarily bad that we should refrain from? The thing that I keep thinking about is music (and movies but mostly music). If artists aren't Christ Followers should we be listening to their music? For even when they don't sing about sex, drugs, or violence but sing about love their love isn't real for they don't know Christ. And therefore if the rule of thumb for music is, "are they glorifying to God?" Wouldn't a false love be dishonoring and more as an idol? Or songs that are more depressing or sad, same reasons; they are trying to fill their life with other things where God should be. dishonoring?

Moved by What?

Walked up the tiled steps to a unknown building with people i had just met but I was optimistic because it was a youth event. the place was small but packed. we found seats and waited. the MC got up and introduced the evening. the band started the night off with a few songs. the instant the song started there were hands raised, clapping for every song, and in the front row a couple of girls were twirling ribbons. After each song a couple of loud "hallelujahs" rang above the applause. a choir stood to sing a couple of songs. Again within a short period of time when the music started hands raised and eyes closed. but there was one individual that I watched. every time he went to raise his hand he looked at those around him to see if they did. There was one song they sang that on every part hands raised. they were dancing and singing so passionately. then pastor began his message. he was more like a comedian to me. not that pastors can't be funny but its seemed as though the message was more jokes. he did read the passage before speaking on it but then besides the general reference to David and Goliath he didn't refer to it again.(due to the language barrier i'm only making these as observations.) when he wasn't making jokes he would speak louder and louder into the microphone and then people would start clapping and yelling. Towards the end as the song started people began to cry. a mass of people went to the front, meaning everyone. As they continued the song they cried then the song ended and people left.


these are only my observations but the thoughts that kept running through my head the whole evening was: without the music, without the pastor speaking louder, would people just read the WORD OF GOD and shout? read the WORD OF GOD and lift up their hands? read the WORD OF GOD and bend their knees humbled? read the WORD OF GOD and be moved to tears? GOD is what the pastor (is suppose to) preache about. GOD is what the songs are written about...and the GOD gave us HIS WORD. are we, am I moved by the WORD OF GOD...or just the songs, pastors jokes and words, and everyone else?