My Own Skin

This isn't just a post about my feelings, I promise. It has a more universal meaning than that.

I think one of the best things about being a Christian is knowing who I am. I know that a lot of teenagers struggle with identity issues (Erikson's proposal that the adolescent conflict is identity v. role confusion has a lot of validity). This is not to say that Christians are always happy... that's not true. I can't speak for guys, but I know that most girls, even Christian girls, go through periods of insecurity. However, as a Christian, my identity is set. I don't have to work for the praise of others or the attention of boys; I can live to glorify God. One who is a Christian can be comfortable in his own skin, and be free from the plague of self-doubt. The Bible says that a Christian is a friend of Christ, a son or daughter of God, God's workmanship, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a part of the Church (which is the Bride of Christ), an ambassador for Christ, a part of the Body, and a citizen of heaven. Christians are redeemed, ransomed, forgiven, free, protected, anointed, sanctified, strengthened, and complete. Since I am complete in Christ, I don't have any need or right to complain about who I am. I can worrying so much about the opinions of others, and be secure in the knowledge of who I am in Christ.

"If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love." - Amy Carmichael

"For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Colossians 2:9-10

The Right Way

I had a piano lesson last night, and my teacher explained to me how if I wanted to bring out the top (melody) note of the chords I was playing, I had to emphasize that note, which I was playing with my pinky. In order to do this I had been leaning my hand to put more weight on my pinky, but I ended up not aligning my fingers properly and playing with poor technique because of it. My teacher had me straighten my hand and play, and the top note sounded louder almost automatically. She smiled and said that our hands are well designed and if I use correct technique it will be easier for me to make everything sound good.

I was just thinking about that again today--how if I follow the rules of technique, it is so much easier to play and to play beautifully. Then I started thinking about how following the rules in anything often makes things easier and more beautiful. Following God's rules in the Bible about sexual purity now makes it easier to build a strong marriage later. Paying attention in class instead of texting and passing notes makes the material easier to learn and the test easier to pass.

Doing something correctly often makes it easier. And while we shouldn't assume that the easy thing is always the right thing (it is definitely not), it helps to have the encouragement that by following the rules now, we are doing something that will benefit us in the long run.

Known by its Fruit

Often people use being tired or hungry or stressed as an excuse for poor behavior. If we snap at someone or say something rudely, we explain that it was only said because "I didn't get any sleep last night."

Sometimes we even go so far as to blame others for our behavior. I might come home angry because a teacher was unfair in grading, or a friend insulted me. But is the behavior of others a valid excuse for my own selfishness, impoliteness, or resentment?

I read a metaphor for this last night. If you squeeze a sponge and get water on the floor, someone else might come along and wonder why you squeezed the sponge. The reality is that no water would have gotten on the floor if the sponge wasn't soaking wet to begin with. In the same way, people try to blame their faults on the squeeze of bad circumstances or another person's unkindness, but the squeeze merely reveals what was already in their hearts.

The article states, "In the same way, when we get squeezed by the circumstances of life (an inevitability), we ooze the overflow of our hearts. We usually don't like what we see, so we blame the squeeze. We blame the circumstances. "I wouldn't have reacted that way if I hadn't been tired." Or, "I only said that because I was hot, thirsty, and uncomfortable." That's our default setting: blame the circumstances.

But Jesus tells us the overflow is what's already in our hearts. Being tired, hot, thirsty, or uncomfortable are only "revealers"; they aren't the reason we react in anger. We're angry because anger has taken root in our hearts."

"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:43-45

Dying to Self

As I was preparing an outline for the youth service, I thought to myself I might as well post some of what I have prepared for that on here. This is the first "sermon" (if you want to call it that) I gave at our now monthly youth service... I think this one was from the end of December. I don't usually have a lot to say off the top of my head, so I pick out Bible verses and arrange them and then pick my points based on that--I think it works out better that way. At this service, we had watched a short video about "Dying to Self," which is something that people often say and don't understand. Here's the outline I made about it.

Dying to Self: The What, Why and How

What is dying to self?

Losing our “false self.” Becoming living sacrifices. Repenting.

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him

What living sacrifice can we give?

A repentant heart

Psalm 51:16-17 (NCV)

You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them.

You don't want burnt offerings.

The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit.

God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.

Why should we die to self?

If we try to keep our life, we will lose it. Jesus must become more important in our lives, we must become less self-important.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

John 3:30 (KJV)

He must increase, but I must decrease.

How can we die to self?

Crucifying our sinful nature

Galatians 5:24 (NKJV)

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Colossians 3:10 (NIV)

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Questions to Ponder

Can I see any duplicity in my life? Do I ever “tweak the story” to try to make myself look good in front of others? Am I the same at church as I am at school and at home?

Am I decreasing, and allowing Christ to increase His influence in my life?

What are some ways I can decrease, so that He can increase?

What sinful desires do I need to put to death? Are there parts of my earthly nature that I am allowing to live that I ought to nail to the cross?

What are some changes I can make in my life to crucify my sinful nature?

Galations 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Is my life lived “by faith in the Son of God”?

How can I better live out my life in accordance with this verse?

Silence is Golden

I just read this article on Boundless about silence, and was struck by it. I think too many times I jump in to correct others or disagree with them when I feel they are wrong. There is no need for me to have a retort for everything or to always argue when someone else is wrong. Sometimes, I should just silently disagree, or at least wait a bit before saying something. This is so true of most teenagers. How many arguments with parents, siblings, and friends could be avoided if the person would not needlessly contradict everything said by others?

"Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute" - Josh Billings

"Don't speak unless you can improve the silence."

"O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love..." - St. Francis of Assisi

"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27-28

A Short, Simple Thought

The following quote really stuck with me when I read it, and I wanted to share it with you. :)

"If monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery: if people fret me and the little things of life set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary's love." ~ Amy Carmichael

Good Summer Reads

Although for some of us who are headed back to school there is very little summer left, I decided to give my recommended summer reads. None of these are extremely long, nor do they have sequels. After a battle with myself, I removed the "classics," figuring most people would rather read casually this summer... I've included a warning about any objectionable content, so you can be well informed :)

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. This is an intriguing book about stopping the outbreak of an exotic "hot" virus in America, a virus that kills 9/10 of it's victims. What makes it scarier: It's all true! I just bought this non-fiction book yesterday, and have already read more than half of it. It is one of the most exciting books I've ever read, and definitely the most exciting work of nonfiction I've read. I highly recommend it to those who are not overly squeamish.
Caveat: There are some four letter words found in the dialogue. Also, the victims of this virus do die gruesomely because of the way the virus destroys their organs. I have been fine with it so far, but some who are more squeamish than me might not want to read this.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. One of my all time favorite works of historical fiction. This poignant book is set during WWII, and is narrated by death, although the book focuses on Liesel, a young orphan girl whose foster parents hide a Jew. I've read this novel twice, and after each time reading it, I've felt that I could start over again that instant and read it again. I don't want to give any more away, so I will just say this is an absolutely beautiful book, and you won't regret reading it!
Caveat: There are sad things that happen in this book. It is not a tragedy altogether though. There is a bit of swearing, but most is in German.

Thr3e by Ted Dekker. This is a fast paced suspense novel, but it isn't very scary (if you want scary, read Adam by Dekker. Really good!) A man receives a mysterious phone call saying he must confess his sin or his car will blow up in 3 minutes. This plot deals with good and evil, and anyone who is interested in theology or psychology should find it fascinating.
Caveat: There is the normal violence that comes with mystery novels, but nothing excessive or gory.

The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. One of my all time favorite books. The autobiography of the man who felt called to go to New York City as an evangelist and start a street ministry. One of the few books I can read over and over. This book is short, but packs in so much; it's anything but dull!
Caveat: None, other than the fact that it deals with gangs and so must mention drugs, violence, etc.

Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein. (This is the obligatory fantasy/sci-fi book. I don't read much of the genre, but I figured I needed to include at least one) This is my Dad's favorite work of sci-fi, which I read a long time ago. It's an interesting story about an actor who is hired to impersonate an important leader in the galaxy.
Caveat: None that I remember.

Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. This is a fresh look at Christianity presented in the form of humorous essays. It is an easy, fun, thought-provoking read :)
Caveat: As with any book about theology, this might be more liberal or more conservative than what you believe. I'm not presenting it as the gospel truth, but it raises some excellent points, especially the chapter about Jesus and the "Lifeboat" chapter.

"The Medium is the Message"

First, read this article:
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/read/read/a0004706.cfm
Like it or not, technology has profoundly influenced our culture. I just finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion today and was thinking about how our culture has changed so much in terms of friendships and relationships. Myspace and Twitter have taken the place of letter writing and parlor visits; texting has replaced many phone calls. Our world has gotten more connected, but our connections are shallower. I'm not bashing technology, but it needs to be put in it's place, and certainly not glorified.
I have often wondered how technology has affected our faith. The article mentions "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," a sermon by John Edwards from which we read excerpts in English class. One does not hear many sermons like it today:
"There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of, there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.
You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it; but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it."
Wow. Compare that to a typical sermon today, and you will definitely notice the difference. (I am not saying one is better than the other, but I think it's interesting to note the differences in both style and content). Another effect of our culture is our shortened attention spans. Sermons today are at most an hour, Edwards' sermons were often several hours long. And there wasn't kid's church, where one could play games and do crafts. Children sat quietly through the long sermons with their parents. Today, in our internet browsing culture, we have trouble reading through the Bible in a year (I'll admit I've never done it) and instead rely on reading a couple verses somewhat-daily in a 1-minute devotional. In the sermon I heard on Sunday, the pastor said that many Christians are turning to a "Jaccuzi Jesus." They go to church to relax and feel warm and bubbly, but not to be challenged or made uncomfortable.
I'm not trying to be legalistic, but I think it is fascinating to consider the implications of technology on Christianity. At risk of repeating the article, I will stop here and just ask, what do you think of the article? Do you think the changes our culture has undergone are for the better or worse? Do you think the changes Christianity has undergone have been for the better or worse?