Just when they thought they took him down, he would elevate
Death can never take pride in that blow
Cause the King beat death when he died and he rose
This is war
On sin and death
The dark will take
It’s final breath
Trip Lee
Hi, I'm Ramses: Interesting Imagery
The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is dripping with allusions to Psalm 22—even a couple direct quotations.
But in reading Psalm 22, I came across something interesting: in verse 6, it says “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, despised by the people. All those who see Me…
(via angeliquecrest)
Conflict is woven into the fabric of God’s purpose to make us like Jesus. It loses its power over us when we make the choice to change—to die to ourselves. The more we choose to change, the more we become agreeable to each other. Our love grows deeper because it’s proved by our eagerness to change for the sake of the other—for the sake of our Maker.
Akshay Rajkumar — RELEVANT Magazine
Harsh critic
I need grace with myself when it comes to my shortcomings. That way I can have the same grace with others and their pitfalls.
But first I must understand God’s grace. Then I must ignore my own judgment and choose to see myself as he sees me.
To sum it up:
I am often discontent with remaining as I am. I believe that I always have something to learn, and that there’s always some way in which I can grow mentally, spiritually, emotionally. Sometimes in this discontentment I am tough on myself, but in that place I also see God, whose perspective trumps mine so lovingly that it almost hurts.
Talking to God
(This is just as much for me as it is for anyone who receives it. It’s been flickering in my mind, and Mike’s talk tonight prodded the embers into flame.)
About prayer:
Let’s get personal. Let’s speak like God is right in front of us, listening. How would you speak to him if he was looking right at you as you were talking? Are you going to talk like you’re writing a letter of request? Or are you going to talk to him like the living Father he is? Let’s avoid using such passive voice…”Lord, let this be a great meal” vs. “Lord, this meal is great because you have provided it for us.” Let’s use language that declares that our petitions are answered, right when we’re asking.
Our God is a holy God, yes, and we should have the proper respect for him, but we have the freedom to approach him honestly and openly (Romans 8:1-4). Be real with God because he is real. Tell him your fears, your desires, your thanks, your hopes, just as you would tell anybody else (check out the Psalms). Jesus was real with our Father just before his crucifixion when he asked, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
You could even tell him things you might NOT tell everyone else. With God you have the opportunity to spill your guts and know you’re in a safe place to do it. You and he have an intimate language that he’s just itching for you to tap into, one that comes along with the unique individual he created you as. He longs to hear from you in the only way that youcan speak to him (Isaiah 43:1, Deut. 4:24, Col. 1:16, Eph. 5:1, Rom. 8:14-17).
It’s good to get into the habit of keeping God conversational. It keeps you from forgetting that he’s with you.
I once heard it said that someone who cannot forgive themselves for their past is not struggling with the sin of guilt, but with the sin of pride. Pride is the voice that tells us that what has been done is too great of a sin to be covered by God’s grace. As though our sins were more powerful than the blood that He shed. Pride is also at the root of a heart who cannot forgive another for the sins committed against them.
Debra K. Fileta
The Gospel is—we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared to believe, and at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. This is the only kind of relationship that will really transform us. Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God’s saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God’s mercy and grace.
Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller
To delight in the good of all the universe, but not to delight in God, is like being glad that a candle is lit, but being indifferent to the rising sun
Johnny Piper (via flavoredlatte)(Source: theobernard, via angeliquecrest)
The Secret
“The Secret” is that the secret’s actually quite apparent—and available. Rhonda Byrne and the philosophers and thinkers that came before her will try to tell you that once we harness the “laws of the universe”, we can have anything and everything. However, there is someone who knows better, someone who has abolished the law and offers us something much more amazing: himself. It’s that simple. It’s that easy to be content no matter what life situation you’re in. Are you ready for it? His name is Jesus Christ and this is the truth about him, in the words of the apostle Paul:
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” -Phillipians 4:11-13
It’s not really a secret. In fact, Jesus laid himself quite bare on the cross for everyone to see. The next time someone tries to encourage you with positive thinking, I suggest leaning toward faithful thinking.
