This post was inspired by the song-writer Jon Foreman...
In my lifetime of studying God, I have come to a conclusion of many different theological ideas or thoughts. The one idea that I have had the most trouble is with the idea of sin. The idea or the question that I have never had a clear answer for with sin is this; 'Does sin seperate us from the love of God?'
I know these things about sin. I know that sin is real. I know that sin has consequences. This is one idea of sin that I don't agree with. That sin seperates us from God.
I think that our sin gets us even closer to God. That in the times of trouble and needing of some forgiveness that we go to God. And that its this ironic idea of doing something sinful that brings us closer to God. I'm not here trying to advocate for someone to live in an unhealthy lifestyle of sin. I am only saying that it is wrong for us to say to people that they are not near to God because of their sin.
For example...
I was a part of a hyper spiritual community of faith where the leaders of the church would look down on you and condemn you for doing something sinful... One of the things that I got condemned for and made feel guilty of was not inviting my pastor to my birthday party. He made me feel so shameful for having a celebration that I thought he would not even want to go to. He told me that I was sinning for not honoring my leader and that I should feel guilty. At that moment I felt so far away from God. The reason being was because someone in a leadership position condemned me and made me a sinful person.
From my example, I hope we can all learn.
I would hope even further that we as a people would be more open to see that the work of Christ was for the sinful.
My prayer for all humanity is this, "That the shadow may prove the sunshine."
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The New Lakers
Teamwork, Enthusiastic, Caring, Passing... Words that describe the new Lakers. Where is the drama that was supposed to be the Laker season.
It is gone, like the wind. Or is it gone with the wind...
Anyways we have seen this season that Kobe is a true leader and the early candidate for M.V.P!
It is gone, like the wind. Or is it gone with the wind...
Anyways we have seen this season that Kobe is a true leader and the early candidate for M.V.P!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Shy
This event that reminded me of my 5 year old self... Please enjoy!
During the past week I was fortunate enough to attend a 3 day faith based youth event at the Anaheim Convention center. Up to 3,000 young people attended this event to learn about the injustices that are occuring in our world today. While I was talking with some people or fooling around, I can't remember, my boss came up to me and asked me if I could waive one of the flags that we had brought when the founder of our no-prof went up to speak. Without even thinking I said sure why not. I went along my day and eventually it came to the main night session.
This is when I realized how massive the crowd was. To tell you the truth, 3,000 people doesn't seem like a lot of people when they are all scattered and attending different workshops, but when they all concentrate into one area, it was like a mighty army of ants all waiting for the next order. So I started getting shy. My heartbeat started rapidly speeding up and my palms were getting sweaty. I knew that soon, when there was no music, no other distractions that I would have to stand up and start waiving this massive flag in the arena while the founder spoke. Finally the time came and I broke down. I couldn't do it. I meekly raised the flag and hoped that no one saw. My friends who were next to me cried out "Dan, hurry up and raise the flag!" My girlfriend who was sitting on the other side of me said sternly, "Dan, what are you doing?!" I didn't know. So I did the only thing that I thought was reasonable, I sat down and put my head down. The rest of the story is that my girlfriend bravely took the flag out of my sweaty palms and started waiving it for me.
As I sat down and realized what was happening I came to realize that this was because of my past. I became the shy 5 year old again. When I was 5 my mom used to order me around and tell me to do crazy things in public. It ranged from standing in line at the supermarket while she got last second things and the cashier looking at me to tell me that I had to pay while knowing that there were people behind me who were irratated that this 5 year old didn't have enough cash to pay for the groceries. I would just shut down.
Isn't it crazy how our past comes and haunts us at the worst times. Mine came in front of 3,000 people.
Thats all I have to write about right now. Cause I'm starting to get anxiety again!
During the past week I was fortunate enough to attend a 3 day faith based youth event at the Anaheim Convention center. Up to 3,000 young people attended this event to learn about the injustices that are occuring in our world today. While I was talking with some people or fooling around, I can't remember, my boss came up to me and asked me if I could waive one of the flags that we had brought when the founder of our no-prof went up to speak. Without even thinking I said sure why not. I went along my day and eventually it came to the main night session.
This is when I realized how massive the crowd was. To tell you the truth, 3,000 people doesn't seem like a lot of people when they are all scattered and attending different workshops, but when they all concentrate into one area, it was like a mighty army of ants all waiting for the next order. So I started getting shy. My heartbeat started rapidly speeding up and my palms were getting sweaty. I knew that soon, when there was no music, no other distractions that I would have to stand up and start waiving this massive flag in the arena while the founder spoke. Finally the time came and I broke down. I couldn't do it. I meekly raised the flag and hoped that no one saw. My friends who were next to me cried out "Dan, hurry up and raise the flag!" My girlfriend who was sitting on the other side of me said sternly, "Dan, what are you doing?!" I didn't know. So I did the only thing that I thought was reasonable, I sat down and put my head down. The rest of the story is that my girlfriend bravely took the flag out of my sweaty palms and started waiving it for me.
As I sat down and realized what was happening I came to realize that this was because of my past. I became the shy 5 year old again. When I was 5 my mom used to order me around and tell me to do crazy things in public. It ranged from standing in line at the supermarket while she got last second things and the cashier looking at me to tell me that I had to pay while knowing that there were people behind me who were irratated that this 5 year old didn't have enough cash to pay for the groceries. I would just shut down.
Isn't it crazy how our past comes and haunts us at the worst times. Mine came in front of 3,000 people.
Thats all I have to write about right now. Cause I'm starting to get anxiety again!
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