I had to write an "I am" pattern poem for my grad class this week. Here's what I came up with.
I am reflective and out-of-control
I wonder what the future will be like
I hear Josh Wilson singing “I refuse”
I see only my next step forward
I want to be devoted
I am reflective and out-of-control
I pretend that I don’t care what others think about me
I feel like a mystery about to be unveiled
I touch freedom briefly
I worry that I will disappoint you
I cry when I think of the loss of anything or everything
I am reflective and out-of-control
I understand that I will not have all the answers
I say, “God won’t break his promises”
I dream of a perfect world
I try to break free from the opinions of others
I hope to be faithful
I am reflective and out-of-control
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The beauty of redemption
Tonight I read in Colossians 1:15-24 about how Jesus is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (v.15). How "by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him (v.16). How amazing. Here was my favorite part:
Colossians 1:19-23 "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated fom God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish, and free from accusation- if you continue in your faith, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you have heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, have become a servant."
Wow.
I need to read this passage everyday! How thankful I am for the good news of the gospel, that though undeserving, Christ did all the above for me and for you.
Oswald Chambers in his devotion, "My Utmost for His Highest," wrote a devo for today on verse 24, "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church."
Chambers encourages Christ-followers to live in a way that displays God's redemption, that God alone saves, we do not save ourselves/others. Chambers says in regards to this, "We have to see that we are in such living sympathy with God that as we proclaim His truth He can create in souls the things which He alone can do."
Chambers also says this, "If a man attracts by his personality, his appeal is along that line; if he is identified with his Lord's personality, then the appeal is along the line of what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men; Jesus says we are to lift Him up."
That gives me lots to think about.
Have a wonderful night :)
Colossians 1:19-23 "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated fom God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish, and free from accusation- if you continue in your faith, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you have heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, have become a servant."
Wow.
I need to read this passage everyday! How thankful I am for the good news of the gospel, that though undeserving, Christ did all the above for me and for you.
Oswald Chambers in his devotion, "My Utmost for His Highest," wrote a devo for today on verse 24, "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church."
Chambers encourages Christ-followers to live in a way that displays God's redemption, that God alone saves, we do not save ourselves/others. Chambers says in regards to this, "We have to see that we are in such living sympathy with God that as we proclaim His truth He can create in souls the things which He alone can do."
Chambers also says this, "If a man attracts by his personality, his appeal is along that line; if he is identified with his Lord's personality, then the appeal is along the line of what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men; Jesus says we are to lift Him up."
That gives me lots to think about.
Have a wonderful night :)
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