Why don't Christian's pray more? If we really believed in prayer like we say we do, and were confident in it's power, I think we would. But somewhere along the way, most Christian's loose sense of the incredible nature of prayer. If you think about it, it's really one of the most incredible things we will ever do. To be able to approach the Creator of the Universe, the One who holds all of life in His hand is really a sobering thought. Nowadays, when someone says "I'll pray for you" it means little more than "good luck!" I'm quite guilty of this myself. I always have the best of intentions of praying for that person, and probably do at least once, but somehow I get so busy thinking and doing a million different things, I forget one of the most important things I can do in a day.
The mystery of prayer never ceases to astound me. The balance of God's sovereignty and our responsibility to obey is quite a bit over my head. All I know is this: God is sovereign and His will will be accomplished. He has commanded that I pray and in doing this, I have the privilege of being involved in His work. Just another reminder that He is God and I am not. Oh how unfathomable are His ways! Somehow not always completely understanding Him makes me feel more secure, not less.
A random update: I chose my wedding ceremony music! It was not nearly as much of a big deal as I had myself believeing it was :-)
martedì, luglio 22, 2008
sabato, luglio 19, 2008
Weddings
Today I will be playing flute for my friend Brooke's wedding. Being in weddings these days is a lot different than it used to be. It used to be a job, and occasionally I'd have a slight feeling of "this is going to be me one day...", but for the most part, I'd show up, play, eat wedding cake, and go on with my day. Now I feel like I should walk around all of these weddings with notebook in hand writing down ideas I would like to incorporate, decorations that look nice, what food is eaten most, and what things to avoid like the plague. I usually handle stress very well, but I'm finding myself laying in bed at night wondering what shoes I'll wear at the wedding, if all of the whites and blues in the decorations will go together, how many tulle bags I'm going to need for birdseed, rather or not I'll have enough decorations.... the list goes on.
This is ridiculous because I'm pretty ahead of the game as far as planning goes. Within the first month, I had all of my major vendors booked, my wedding party (mostly) chosen, all of my colors picked out and was care free as could be. But it's the details, which to me are the most important part, that are tripping me up. Mostly the music, now that I think about it. Being a musician, choosing music is a very difficult thing for me to do. I want it all, but on the other hand, none of it is nearly good enough! The only music I'm not worried about at all is my reception music. A couple of incredibly talented friends will be providing the music for that and anything they play or sing is going to be wonderful.
Alright. I've decided. My goal for this coming week is going to be choosing wedding ceremony music.
This is ridiculous because I'm pretty ahead of the game as far as planning goes. Within the first month, I had all of my major vendors booked, my wedding party (mostly) chosen, all of my colors picked out and was care free as could be. But it's the details, which to me are the most important part, that are tripping me up. Mostly the music, now that I think about it. Being a musician, choosing music is a very difficult thing for me to do. I want it all, but on the other hand, none of it is nearly good enough! The only music I'm not worried about at all is my reception music. A couple of incredibly talented friends will be providing the music for that and anything they play or sing is going to be wonderful.
Alright. I've decided. My goal for this coming week is going to be choosing wedding ceremony music.
giovedì, luglio 03, 2008
Seeking the Favor of God
I worry far too much about what other people think. I didn’t really realize this until today. I have spent the past several days very discouraged constantly thinking I’m making people mad at me, saying the wrong thing and being unreasonable. Things that shouldn’t be a big deal or conversations that the other person has probably already forgotten have come back to mind over and over. “What did they think when I said this” “I wonder if it made them mad when I said that” “Does this person approve of what I’m doing?” It gets pretty exhausting trying to worry about what everyone thinks. I’m very conservative, but there are people in my acquaintance who hold more conservative views than I do. I also know and love many people who are quite liberal. This poses a problem when trying to worry about what everyone will think when they see my life.
I decided to find my answers in the only place they can really be found: the Scriptures. I didn’t really know where I should read, but flipped to Galatians and began reading. My answer came at the end of the first chapter:
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10
What would my life look like if after every conversation, I looked back and asked myself if Christ was honored in the words I spoke? What if before making any decision, I thought not of what others would say I should do or what others will think about whatever decision I make, but which choice would be the most favorable in the eyes of God? I think I would be far less stressed. I’m sometimes frustrated when people say “Who cares what anyone thinks?” because it shows a general disregard for the opinions of others. But as I think about it, most people don’t follow that statement with “I’m going to follow Christ, no matter the cost.” They follow it with “I’m going to do whatever I want to.” Therein lies the difference. Not caring if people are mad or disappointed because you are doing what you believe is right, rather or not if it is what you want to do.
Of course, I believe that it is the responsibility of brothers and sisters in Christ to bring it to someone when they see something in the other person’s life that they don’t believe is in line with scripture. But if the response to that is changing your ways just because you don’t want the person to be upset with you, it’s the wrong kind of change. It should be considered seriously through prayer, searching the Scripture and possibly seeking other counsel. But at the end of the day, rather or not you agree with that person, you have to determine rather or not change is necessary to honor God or if your change would just be eye service to please man.
This really isn’t a sermon! And it’s not a response to anyone telling me I needed to change anything, because though I’m sure plenty of people have plenty of legitimate things they could confront me with, they haven’t. Just something I have been thinking about for myself.
So today, when I get off the phone, when I leave a conversation, when I look at what I’m wearing and when I interact with Cole or Sam or anyone else, I want to ask myself if God was honored in it. If He was, I want to give Him glory. If He wasn’t, I want to recognize it, turn from it, and do better at my next opportunity.
I decided to find my answers in the only place they can really be found: the Scriptures. I didn’t really know where I should read, but flipped to Galatians and began reading. My answer came at the end of the first chapter:
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10
What would my life look like if after every conversation, I looked back and asked myself if Christ was honored in the words I spoke? What if before making any decision, I thought not of what others would say I should do or what others will think about whatever decision I make, but which choice would be the most favorable in the eyes of God? I think I would be far less stressed. I’m sometimes frustrated when people say “Who cares what anyone thinks?” because it shows a general disregard for the opinions of others. But as I think about it, most people don’t follow that statement with “I’m going to follow Christ, no matter the cost.” They follow it with “I’m going to do whatever I want to.” Therein lies the difference. Not caring if people are mad or disappointed because you are doing what you believe is right, rather or not if it is what you want to do.
Of course, I believe that it is the responsibility of brothers and sisters in Christ to bring it to someone when they see something in the other person’s life that they don’t believe is in line with scripture. But if the response to that is changing your ways just because you don’t want the person to be upset with you, it’s the wrong kind of change. It should be considered seriously through prayer, searching the Scripture and possibly seeking other counsel. But at the end of the day, rather or not you agree with that person, you have to determine rather or not change is necessary to honor God or if your change would just be eye service to please man.
This really isn’t a sermon! And it’s not a response to anyone telling me I needed to change anything, because though I’m sure plenty of people have plenty of legitimate things they could confront me with, they haven’t. Just something I have been thinking about for myself.
So today, when I get off the phone, when I leave a conversation, when I look at what I’m wearing and when I interact with Cole or Sam or anyone else, I want to ask myself if God was honored in it. If He was, I want to give Him glory. If He wasn’t, I want to recognize it, turn from it, and do better at my next opportunity.
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