The Science of Life and Tea

I feel as if things happen for a reason. That you're placed in certain situations, certain places for some divine reason. That has been my job at the hospital. I clean, I talk, I listen, most importantly when the time is right, I try to speak the truth. Through this job, I've had some pretty cool conversations about God and Jesus. Tonight was one of them...
What started out as a conversation about the hospital being haunted, turned into a talk about the man upstairs
One woman's comments
"Well, I believe Jesus was a good man, but I'm not sure if he was the son of God"
"I feel the most spiritual when I'm by a tree or a creek, somewhere outdoors, that's how I get filled, that's my church"

Another woman-a Catholic, raised in Guatemala
"Well, my kids and I we pray and we always bless eachother. I feel as if my kids are my angels. I love angels, they're all over my house. I also have all these candles, I feel like when I light a candle I'm lighting part of my spirit, like something comes alive within me."
"Everyone at church though, always so judgemental and looks at what you're wearing. So I go in on the week days early in the morning to pray. I cry and I feel this warmth like something's holding me. But, I don't go to "church""
"I believe in ghosts and have had some experiences" *and continues with experience with grandmother who passed away and others

I feel as if every human being has some sense of their inner spirit. But what is that which lives within us? We are the church, we are a part of the body of Christ. But, can we live on an island and separate ourselves from the whole body-what we call the church. The place where fellow believers join in corporate worship, prayer, and share their lives, confess their sins to one another. We want to be spiritual, we are aware of this light that lives within us. This higher sense of being, a greater meaning of life. But we don't want to be accountable to anyone, we want to live our own lives, create our own faith. That's why so many people don't go to church. We don't want to have to answer to anyone.

These people have it right, we are the church, we are the body of Christ, we can feel God's presense outside of church, everyday. We can have a relationship with the Father, we don't need a building or a priest for that. We don't have to go to church to know God, we don't have to say 5 hail mary's and 8 our father's, we don't have to clean the church every thursday. We CAN'T BUY OUR FAITH! WE CAN'T BUY OUR WAY TO HEAVEN. It was given to us when Jesus sacrificed his life for us as he died on the cross for our sins. So that we may have new life, that we would be dead to sin and alive in Christ. BUT- We CANNOT live on this desolite island of faith, it just doesn't work. And most of the time, when we aren't accountable to someone, we just continue to live in our sin.

I believe the Bible, to be truth, to be God breathed, to be like God's diary. HE said it!

Peter's Confession of Christ Matthew 16:13-18
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

-The church was Jesus's idea.

Read this, I agree with the guys response

I will add more to this as far as biblical references and faith being an action, not a feeling, but I am very tired...

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17

I've realized this past week, the beauty of grace and how we don't have to do a thing to enter the Lord's rest. A simple walk from class came my revelation...
Christianity? So many rules to follow. I have to give up so much, I can't do the things my flesh wants to do! But, here's what I realized. God has granted us ETERNAL life. For what we give up is only a glimpse of what we will recieve.

"What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him" (Philip. 3:8-9).
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17 ESV).

Not only this, but last week I was struggling with alot of worry and doubt. I realized the simplicity of knowing Christ. That we can cast all our cares on him, because he cares for us that much that he takes care of our every need if we just TRUST in him (1 Peter 5:6-7).
When we come to know Jesus, we have more freedom than we did before we accepted him as Lord and Savior. Our response to certain actions is simply in response to his grace. Because of his sacrfice, I know I want to do all I can to honor him in that and thanking him for dying on the cross for me.

"Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" 2 Cor. 6:11-13 The Message Paraphrase.

So lets go and open our hearts and live the expansive life we are called to live. Free from all that entangles us!

Why do we worry?-A Lack of faith.

I've noticed how easy it is to fall into the routine of life and to forget about God in the midst of it all. I've also realized currently in my own life, how easy it is to turn God into a chore, a to do list. I have a desire to seek God, but sometimes I forget, I don't have to do anything. He's done it all for me. He's bought my salvation, my freedom, all on the cross. How do we live between legalism and lawlessness? Quite a question, one I'm still figuring out.
Can't we just stop thinking for a moment and just start living and enjoying life? We're always analyzing and critiscizing all the things that could be better, when we can just stop and breath in, be still and know (Pslam 46:10).
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in the troubles of life and the "Oh God please help me" prayers that we forget the beauty of life. The blessings he's given us, the simple things we take for granted. Which leads me to men, why do men seem so much more easy going than women? Woman are so worryful and always stressed out and emotional. Not to say that men don't get worried or stressed, or even emotional at times. All of these things are normal, we are simply human and flawed. But what creates this constant struggle inside the human mind?
Doubts, confuesion, worry, guilt, shame.
The Lord shared with me two passages these past days during my morning prayer:

Galatians 5:7-10
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

Galations 4:8-16
Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 9 So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 10 You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 11 I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws.You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

We run the race, we trip and fall but get so caught up in the fall that we forget to pick ourselves up. We start to believe that the confuesion in our mind is God. But God hasn't given us a spirit of fear and of confuesion, but of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

If you're anything like me, you want to know "What's next God!" Or "I really want this, won't you hurry it up! I'm sick of waiting." I believe God uses these times of frusteration to teach us things about ourselves. If you believe you'll someday get married, but you aren't yet, obviously that's because now is not the right time. God has certain things he wants to teach you and I to prepare us before that season of our lives. Like Paul says, we are to remain in the situation God called us to (1 Cor. 24). We mustn't ask for more than we can handle at one time, and I feel as if we do that so often. We want God to work on our time, we want it done our way. But, aren't we his creation? And yes, we do have free will. I don't think God wants people to love him simply beacuse he made them to love him, he wants us to truely love him out of our own desires. When you marry someone, they love you, there're not paid to love you. That's what I think it's like with God. He wants us to love him because we choose to love him.

Read this from a Pastor in my home town:

Monday, November 24th, 2008
When Jesus Is Not Enough
Have you ever felt like Jesus is just not enough? Have you ever said; Lord I know your working this out but it’s taking too long? Have you ever fell to your knees sobbing before God in prayer while at the same time formulating in the back of your mind how to get out of the problem yourself? Whether the solution is moral or not? Christian or not? Have you ever asked God to do something or work something out, while not saying it but certainly thinking…Ok God; your on my time table, Go. Wow, I could go on and on, but enough talking about me. Jesus has always been and will continue to be enough. For enough is not determined upon my wants, needs, or desires. Enough is not depended upon my comfort, healing, or status. Enough is not defined as living a life of comfort and prosperity in this life. No!!! Enough is and shall always be defined as the words spoken by The Lamb of God; while hanging on that old rugged cross for me. “It is finished; into thy hands I commit my spirit.” That forever shall be; Enough.
Thanks for listening, Pastor David

The Trees are Given New Life.
I was walking outside the other day and had heard a sermon earlier that morning about how introverted we become during the winter. In the summer we're more outgoing and happy and get out and enjoy God's creation. Then comes winter, we crawl up inside and hide away. We dwell on all our problems. Which, most of the time are created by ourselves. Like the saying goes "we're our own worst enemies", I'm starting to think they weren't kidding.

So I was walking on my way to class and looked at the trees and thought, man they look pretty lifeless this time of year, I wish it was summer and there was new life. That's when it came to me, I felt as if God was saying "Just as the trees are given new life each season, I have given you new life today". I thought, wow that's so true. When we accept Christ into our lives, we become a new creation, the old man is put away and we are given a fresh start.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" -2 Corinthians 5:7
Not only that, but this is continual, each day is a new day. Because of the gift of salvation God granted to us as his son died on the cross, we have eternal life, we are forgiven.
And think-God knows us better than we know ourselves, he knows our every thought, he knows each hair on our head. He knows what we're going to do before we even do it.
SO WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO WORRY?
He has our lives under control, com'mon-HE IS GOD! Let's stop underestimating his great power and love and just live our lives for him. I don't want to get in the way of God's plans for my life because I was too worried about MY life. It all comes down to trust, something alot of us struggle with.

Pray with me this morning:
Lord, we thank you for the simple things in life. We thank you for the gift of salvation and of freedom. We pray that you would continue to reveal yourself to us so that we may grow in love and trust in you. That you would remove the doubts, confuesions, and worries that hold us back from your plans. That you would ignite a fire inside of us, burning passionately for you. When life gets in the way, we ask that you would send your peace to give us a sound mind. Father, we know you haven't brought this confuesion and worry into our lives, and we pray in Jesus's name that you break the strong holds in our minds. That we would live free, expansive lives for you. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Found this once upon a time for download on a website, thought this may inspire some of you.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4:2 (NLT) "For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief."

Matthew 24 from bible.com
Jesus Foretells the Future
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." Matthew 24:36

We must be prepared and ready, evil waits behind our steps to trip us up every second he can get. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind and lead not on your own understanding. (Romans 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6) The Lord has great plans for our lives, and we must trust in him. I pray that each and everyone of us will come to know the beauty and grace of Christ Jesus, for he is ALL satisfying and ALL knowing.

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

MATERIAL OBSESSED, SHOPPING POSSESSED:
Since when did we become so materialistic that someone had to DIE over our obsession over the 42 inch HD tv or the new iphone? As you know, yesterday was black friday, and black it was. Jdimytai Damour of Jamaica, Queens, a maintenance worker at Walmart was trampled. Of the 2,000 people rushing to the store, not one stopped to help him. I can't help but think what do we value more? Material possessions, or life? You know there are some things money can't buy, and no this isn't leading into one of those "for everything else there's mastercard" commercials. That just feeds into our spending and debt even more.
What I'm talking about is things from above like wisdom, peace, and health.


Something to think about: The story of Job from the Bible, if you don't know the main story around it pick up a bible or go online and check it out yourself: Bible.com
Job 1:20-21:20
"Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped and said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother's womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!" (Amplified Bible)

If we come into this world and leave without anything, then does it really matter what we have? Shouldn't we be content with what we already have. "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Now this doesn't mean we can't buy things, of course we need food and clothes and a place to live, but our love for God should be more than the things of the world.

GUNS, PARTIES, AND VIDEO GAMES:

A small city of about 20,000 where one could once leave their door unlocked at night with no fear of robbery or murder...

It's friday night you're at a party at your friends place and decide it's finally time to "break the seal" and pee away, when a loud bang goes off in one of the surrounding rooms. You walk out to see the host on the floor screaming in pain along with another guy. Your bestfriend's brother has just shot his sister. Last night two people I went to highschool with were shot at a party in one of the victim's home, thank God they survived. What is the world comming to? People shooting their siblings, people getting trampled over a sale item, what's next? I'd rather not know.

What about the video game industry? Do you think that violence feeds our own? Take for instance the Columbine shooting or Virginia Tech. Our society is so adrenaline addicted, what games can get you pumped the most, what high risk sport can give you the most thrill. Were our bodies really meant for this kind of deleterious function?