The Science of Life and Tea

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.