Traveling

Mindset of a Christian ( Knight: Serving the King – Part I )

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

— Philippians 4:1-9 (NIV) —

Verse 1: Introductions
Paul starts out by addressing his brothers and he refers to them as his “joy and crown”. What does he mean by this? I think the easiest way to think of it is kind of like his “pride and joy”. Out of all the things that bring you deep contentment, can we say that our family in Christ is one of them? When we stand before our Father in heaven, what else can we bring before Him? For all eternity, there is only one thing that truly lasts. Do you know what it is? And the idea of a crown… think of how anyone would treat a crown. It something to be treated with honor and with respect. And we would wear it proudly. When was the last time you said, “this is my brother” or “this is my sister” and you can’t help but say it proudly and joyfully? Think of when parents talk about their young children… “This is my son.” Now we’re getting there.

Paul talks about standing firm in the Lord. If we stop and think for a second, how do you stand firm on something? You’ve got to place both your feet on a solid surface and keep your center of gravity directly above it. Think of a person who’s standing on solid ground, but if he’s leaning on something else, you could easily make him fall over by taking away the other support. We know that our firm foundation should be upon God. But is He the one that you plant both feet on? Do you have one foot on the ROCK and another one sliding around on the sand? You can’t just trust God partially… if you don’t trust Him fully, know that you’re only one step away from being set adrift.

Verse 2-3: Cheering each other on…
Paul is showing by example what it is that he wants from those who are joined in Christ. We are to show love and concern for them. This includes both male and female siblings in this family. We can’t just say we are only going to minister to those of the same sex. This is hard for me to say because I don’t follow this well, but I think that Paul is saying we can’t be sexist when it comes to loving your fellow christian. Not to say that we don’t show our love differently to the different genders, because men and women receive love differently. We have to help your fellow comrades, your fellow disciple of Christ. All of those saved by Jesus are written in a book of life and are also marked by their faith in Christ. Why are we supporting each other? The reason is this, each one of us should be contending for the gospel. How do we contend for something? Same thing as a contest where we compete, but in this case, we are fighting for the hearts and minds of God’s people. Not pitting man against man, but fighting to free man from sin… body, heart and soul. But as in any other contest, we need people who are going to be in our corner, cheering us on, urging us to get back up when we stumble, and to fight onward in a war, we believe that is already decidedly won. Just a matter of determining who’s on the winning side…

Verse 4-7: Training activities to reach this goal…
Rejoicing. Paul thinks this was worthy of our attention. Evidently, enough so to make him repeat himself. We might have this idea in our heads after reading this verse that we are supposed to always be happy. Like David dancing like no one’s watching… (2 Sam 6:14-16) This cannot be true. Even Jesus wept when he saw Lazarus laid out in death. We are supposed to rejoice in the Lord all the time. Rejoicing = (worship, loud, praise, celebration, joyful). How do we rejoice in Him all the time? in all situations? always is not one of those words that should be used lightly… in grief & sorry, times of trouble & tribulation, times of joy & celebration… For historical context, Paul was most likely chilling in a jailcell at the time, so he’s definitely not having the best of times.

But gnaw on this for awhile, when we take our eyes off of our situation and fix our eyes on our God, isn’t there many things to be thankful and joyful about? We have a God of mercy, love, peace, power, life, and joy. I’m sure there are more, it’s just beyond my ken to try and list them all. And this is not just any god, but your God and my God. A God that came down to meet us where we are, save us from sinful selves, and given us a new life unlike anything the world has ever imagined that is for both now and forever… Can I get an rejoiceful AMEN to that?

Gentleness. Paul is asking us to be gentle in such a manner that anyone can see it. Both christians and non-christians. Now, to my legalistic mind, this doesn’t necessarily translate to being gentle with everyone. But I do know that Jesus seems to be fiercely gentle… it seems like an oxymoron, but perhaps after walking awhile in Jesus’ sandals makes me think it more normal than anything else. The best way I can picture this is the way I hear about family pet dogs fighting off wild animals more than twice their size. It is protective and gentle, but there is a strength and fierceness in the heart of it… In more eloquent words, gentle as doves, wise as serpents. (Matt 10:16) We can afford to be gentle because God draws near. Jesus is not dead, but risen promising death’s defeat. The Holy Spirit isn’t just floating around, it’s dwelling within us, helping and guiding us. When you dwell on something like that, I think we’d all speak alot softer, cuz God has a super-big stick. Ya feel me?

Prayer, not anxiousness. Don’t let this life get to you. Pick your word of choice: disturbed, worked up, upset = anxious. And Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything”. This includes but is not limited to your job, your parents, your life, your sins, your pain, your social status, your bills, & your health. How do you stay stable through all these things that life is throwing at you? Pray. Talk to God about it. Ask God to help you out. But remember to be thankful for those blessings that God has given you, the prayers that God has answered, those hard places where God has been faithful in his promises. In other words, be gracious toward God. Don’t ask Him for things like He doesn’t want to bless you… as if He wants something, some sort of bribe from you. He wants YOU. Prayer is about remembering God in times of celebration and in times of trouble. That He’s in control, no matter what happens. And that He loves you and wants the best for you and works in you through both good situations and bad ones.

Peace, incomming. Add all these things together and you will receive the peace of God. Something beyond what this world understands. It’s not something you can simply analyze in a psych lab somewhere. And this peace is a shield for the heart and mind. So for those of us who’ve been staring at formulas too long: Rejoicing + Gentleness + Prayer => Peace => Shield for Heart & Mind.

Verse 8-9: Conclusion, things to focus on, and walking with God.
Finally. Tying it all together and nailing loose ends down. Paul puts all these things in plain Greek. For those looking to legalistically avoid things, Paul has your number. These are the things to think and focus on: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” When you think about things that fit all of the 8 criteria outlined: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, ultimately it can only make you think about greater things. *Points skyward* and Paul repeats that he is living a life worthy of Jesus. Not to say that he is perfect, but that his walk with God is what he wants his siblings to learn. How to stay close to God, not to follow everything he does, because he’s already told them to avoid bad things, but what it is that can help each one of us walk closer with our God.

Father, this has been a long time in it’s making. I pray that You would be pleased and that I have spoken the words that Your people needed to hear. Let me not become proud in studying Your words like the Pharisees. May each word be true and Your glory be shown. Thank you for letting me learn more about You and drawing me closer to Your heart. I pray that the sheep may be fed, the lost found, and the broken restored. May we follow in His steps as You faithfully keep each promise. I ask these in name of the Great Redeemer, the one who paid the price in blood, so I would not be forever lost, Jesus. Amen.

KJV Version…

<Random>
I’m having Heidi Klum wake me up…
😀

I’m Geek and proud!
</Random>

Father, I’ve always underestimated You. Thank you for restoration. I thought so many things and I was so wrong. Forgive me. One relationship was no more than miscommunication. The other, completely unexpected… an ambush of a restoration. You keep doing Your thing, don’t pay too much attention to my rambling. In My Shepherd’s name, Jesus. Amen.

Thoughts

I’m feeling a bit neglected. Maybe just unbalanced. I’m feeling wronged. But you know what? I don’t want to get dragged down by all this. I mean when I get down to it, I could focus on how I’ve been wronged and all the ways I could “right” this wrong against me. I call this “righteous anger” mode. But what will come of it? Does it make me feel better for a little while? You bet it does! But in the long run, it will more likely cause a break in the relationship or at least make more separation between pals. I don’t want that. So instead, I’m going to choose to do what Jesus did. His disciples were dorks and confused and wronged Him plenty of times. I mean He was even betrayed by one of them (and He knew which one it was!). But He didn’t break those relationships. He chose to do good, even when He was wronged. I think we only need to look at the cross, where he asks forgiveness for those who crucified Him, to see that. There must be something to repaying good with good and also repaying evil with good. God didn’t raise no fool and you won’t see me calling Jesus that. Choose good, even when you are paying the price in blood, sweat and tears. A Christian cannot be a Christian without being well acquainted with his/her cross. We follow a God of love and all things good, His followers can do no less.

Father, help me to do good, no matter what the cost. Help me to forgive. Help me to restore relationships rather than break them. Thank you for continuing to work in me as I keep my eyes on You. I ask this in the name of the innocent one who was wronged for me, Jesus. Amen.

P.S. Yes, I’m still working on that post…

Excerpt from “I, Issac, take thee, Rebekah”:

One must be profoundly responsible when categorically presenting an absolute, so let me put it this way. The chances are that if you marry somebody in violation of your parents’ will, you are playing a high-stakes game as you enter the future. Any time you violate an authority that has been put in place by God, you need to be twice as sure you are doing the right thing.

Ravi Zacharias is soooo cool. ^_^ (Yes, I know, I’m such a dork…)

Dad, when I’m looking like a chipmonk and feeling utterly wretched… yeah. Thanks. In the Lord’s name, Jesus. Amen.

== Edit ==

When all’s said and done… we guys are such suckers for a pretty face. (by we, I mean I.)

RL Updates:

I’m getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on Friday. I have a wedding to attend. I also need to learn how to be persistent in things that seem to be way off… though it’s closer than things like heaven and meeting God… I chopped up my friend’s bible cover… 😀 Hope you don’t mind, elusive, because I can’t undo it now. It’s election day and I’ve finished casting my vote. Yes, I live in the den of Democrats known as Philadelphia. I didn’t know they could “push” for a candidate when you were sitting there in the booth, but yea, they were like… Hit straight number 1, baby! Hahaha… I’m such a rebel. R,D,D,D,R,R,D. ^__^ I’m still pondering Philipians 4:1-9. Hopefully, some light comes up soon cuz a friend of mine asked about it the other day… 😛 BOOK SHOPPING SPREE! Anyway, I think that’s about it.

== Talking with the G-man ==

Dad, thanks for this wonderful day. You do some seriously good work. Then again, I just love sunny days. The election weight heavy on the heart and mind. I’ve cast my vote, for what it’s worth, and there is nothing left but to wait and see. I pray that You will take the lead here. That our leaders will walk in Your ways and lean not on their own understanding. I am neither for Bush, nor am I for Kerry. I am for You, Lord. May the candidate that is elected be on YOUR side. Each one of us is human, but through You, all things are possible. At the end of the day, may each one of us pray that Your wonderful and often mysterious will be done. I have some things other things sitting like lead on my mind. I’d like to life up the preacher of GCC, he is sick and currently sweating more than normal, I pray that you may comfort him and draw him closer during his time of testing and troubles. Thank you for a man that is not afraid to speak your truths, Lord. My friend, BH is going through a spiritual desert. May you bring water for the thirst or bring some sin to light, because while you long to draw us close, we must learn to stop withdrawing for you. EL is … I’m not sure, something rests uneasy about this. BC is still seeking you, but perhaps distracted by other things. What’s up with that? AB is just so cool. Thanks for such a friend. SS is doing better, but maybe just adding light where there is darkness… well, I’ve got a horrible sense of timing, just tell me when, ok? FK seems to be doing better, I don’t know how it is that You use me, but thanks for hte heads up. KC and I are reading a book about when You came down as a human… all I can say is wow. So many things I never knew… You’ve brought me to a new place of growth, thanks. I’m still learning to let go of some things, help me apply what I have learned, each day and with every temptation. Help me to seek out good each and every day in every way. Help me to let good of those things that harm me, no matter how good that seem to me. Who am I to question what is good? I am convinced now that I have no trouble speaking truth, but I need to speak in love. Your Word has dropped on my like a dictionary on an ESOL student. I am wrong, help me fix that which is broken. I’ve bought alot of books, hopefully I can put them to some good use. Anyone need a little spiritual nightlight? May we continue to shine, Lord, to your glory and may You not be ashamed that we have been chosen as Your ambassadors to the world. And about Philippians, yea, I need some of Your help.. May we continually strive live up to our namesake. I ask this in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen.

== Random stuff ==

For those who need to know when their xanga fix will be unavailable or stuff
http://www.xanga.com/Private/SubscribeTo.aspx?user=updates

I am so bored… I am now a member of thefacebook,  Friendster and Tickle…

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

<OH SO RANDOM…>

For you, the bubbles prove you’re deep in thought. Without even realizing it, you treat your bubbles as works of art, built slowly, then destroyed in a bang. There’s something intimidating about someone so focused that a loud popping sound doesn’t break his or her concentration. Keep messing with their minds!

Take the “How Do You Chew” Quiz to enter a sweepstakes for free Xanga Premium for you and ten of your friends!

</ OH SO RANDOM…>

P.S. I have decided that I haven’t been able to complete Hosea and I’ve just stopped pursuing it. So then I tried to figure out a post comparing a terrorist against a knight, but that fell on it’s face…(aka, I’d have to write a 3 – 5 research paper instead of a cute (relatively) small xanga post.) so instead, I’ll be doing a series on things that remind me of the metaphor? simile? that the christian is like a knight… Sorry to anyone who was really following along on the Hosea series. 😛

Just some things that made my grey matter gurgle… yes, the view on God is distorted here, but it just kind of amazes me sometimes of how things look so different with a change of perspective.

Cats & Dogs… hehe. ^__^

== Random ==

Ig Nobel Prizes

== Updates ==

I’ve been procrastinating on how to put together this knighthood post that has been stewing in the back of my mind. I keep having this reoccurring thought of how the christian walk seems so much like being a knight. There are too many interconnecting things for me to make a cohesive post, maybe a mind map might help.

Also, my home computer’s hard drive went dead and I’ve just found out my backup drive has also somehow gotten wiped. I am not happy about that at all. Pictures, resume, personal / business contact information, … stuff is gone. Ah well, nothing I can do about it unless I want to try and get the data retrieved for like some crazy $$$…

Dad, I don’t want to be filled with all this “other” stuff any more. It just doesn’t satisfy. I want more than sexual immorality, I want flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. I want more than just dancing and singing, but I want to praise in spirit and in truth. No more living vicariously through video games, I want to live life to the fullest. I don’t want to act like a little boy anymore, although I’ll always be Your child, I want to be man. You placed desire within my heart, show me how to use them to honor You. Show me the truth, show me where I am at, and show me the way. I trust that You are lighting the way for me, even when all around there is darkness and all I seem to do is stumble after You. Thank You for life, thank you for continuing Your good work in my life, thank you for showing me that I can be Your tool, even when I feel broken and useless, that great things can come from You through me, thank You for restoring me and thanks for the priceless gift salvation. Thanks for a job, even though I want something else, You have provided for me in more ways than I know or see. There have been a couple of things on my mind as of late. First, the shepherd at GCC, may he continue to be led by Your spirit and continue in speaking Your words. I do not see the vision he has, but it seems that he is walking in Your ways. My brothers and sisters at GCC, may they continue to grow and mature in You. I pray that we may all continue to learn how to invest in other people, because they will be the only investment with eternal returns. LOL. I don’t know about praying for an hour. Maybe I need to work on my listening skills again: “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.” One of my friends decided she believes in You. I’m torn between encouraging her or pushing her back to counting the cost of following You, Lord. Help! Maybe a gospel presentation is in order… Ya think? I’ve decided my strength lies in my bluntness and pursuit of truth. My weakness lies in my vision and empathy for the feelings of those around me. You’ve brought me to this crossroad and seems to me halted me there. What is Your will? I spoke with a friend for the first time in a couple of months, so refreshing… How is it that some brothers and sisters are so tiring to talk to and others seem to understand after just a couple of mins? Is it me? or is it my friend? both? My family group rocks. It’s amazing how good fellowship is after you’ve been through a desert of unbelievers & mockers. Help me not take them for granted. I haven’t really had some bible study time everyday. I’ve been reading lots of other books and just meditating on verses that “pop” into my head. Where do I need to grow? And yea, solitude has been missing again as of late. Maybe it’s time to step back from the crowds and just chill with You, mano al dios again. This good results comming from bad situations idea is kinda freaking me out… a bit. How is it that we celebrate the torture, death and resurrection of an innocent man? I know why Jesus died for us, but it’s so… weird. Whoever thinks Jesus is some sort of made-up character needs to step back to check out how Jesus acts, He’s stranger than fiction. Sheesh, I suck at story writing and I could’ve made a more “believable” character. Anyway, things are going well right now. I may be losing occasional battles, but You’ve already won the war. Help me to live that way. I ask these things in the name of the awesome sin-eater, Jesus. Amen.

== Edit: ==

I had another girl cry on me again. Man, it sucks to have someone cry that you can’t really comfort or calm or somehow make better. and for those random thoughts…

Cell phone service: about $45
Losing about 2 hrs sleep: about $26 (opportunity cost)
Prayer partners: 6 phone calls.
Encouraging a sibling in Christ: PRICELESS~!

<Random>

The perfect gift for control freaks

“We just have to get used to the fact that we don’t have many more genes than a worm,” Rubin said.

</Random>

( :: EDIT :: These comics in no way portray my views of God, but they do offer a very interesting look into how non-Christians may view God. For those who were offended, my apologies. )

I don’t always agree with what other ppl think, but sometimes, another point of view is kinda refreshing. ^__^ Enjoy!

Opps… almost forgot my favorite one..

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

Mark 9:38-41 (NIV)