New Beginings

 16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ accordingto the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 19 NKJV

It is the custom of many in those final days of each year to step back and take stock of not only the year past but also what is to come.  Some vow resolutions to do better or to achieve more in the year to come while others seek some spiritual guidance which may somehow make the upcoming year better than the last.  Any way you look at it, what we are ultimately seeking in the year ahead is...change.  Change from something, or someone, that we've decided we no longer needed.  However, I'll always be the first one to tell you that sometimes change isn't really a good thing.  What is it that we're running from?  Come to think of it, do we really need to change at all?  Sure, it's good to take stock of where we've been and where it is we're going, I have no problem with that if that's all we're doing.  However, I began to question when someone vows a radical life change.  I'm guessing that I should never assume that others out there see religion, Christ and God the same as I do.  What's the old saying of what happens when we assume?  You get the idea.  That being said, I'll take a step back to explain just how I see these new years predictions.  See, I used to be like most of the run of the mill christians out there.  I was that good christian soldier who walked into church each sunday, did my share praying and gave when I was asked to.  For all intents and purposes, I was living the christian life...or was I?  Not too long ago, a dear pastor friend of mine opened my mind to something I had been missing all along in my christian walk.  What I had been missing all along was Christ Jesus.  Oh sure, I knew that Jesus bled and died on the cross to wipe away my sins, but beyond that Jesus just someone who I knew by name.  I had no personal connection with the man who gave Himself for me {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  What did I care, I was a christian man.  Each new year I did the same thing so many do, I vowed to pray harder, pray more and to give till it hurt.  I did this because even though I was a christian, I was still but a sinner saved by my Lords grace...and I needed to change.

5For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 5 - 11 NKJV

That was the essence of my thinking as each year drew to a close.  I needed to change, I needed to do better than I had been doing.  How could I, a sinner, ever be in the presence of God.  I mean, God hates sin right?  It seemed I was doomed to a life on the spinning wheel of forgiveness and self condemnation.  I say self condemnation because that's excatly what it is.  God had never been condemning me for my past at all {Romans 8:1}.  The only condemnation I had came from my perpetual accuser who we all know so well {1 John 4:6}.  Indeed, that very same cat who deceived Eve into taking a bite of the forbidden fruit had been doing the same thing to me all along!  Not just me, everyone around me!  I came to realize that I was  not condemned but loved.  We are told that God is love, so how can He have anything less for His own children {1 John 4:8}?  God loves me, and I don't need to change!  God loves you, and you don't need to change!  I know that not everyone will be able to handle that truth of Christ Jesus as I have.  Of course, it took me awhile to come to grips with the truth that Christ Jesus is alive and well within me {Galations 2:20}.  Knowing this I will ask you, does Jesus need to change anything about Himself?  Can you see now just why I no longer need some new years resolution to somehow change what Christ Jesus has created in me?  Now, I have no issue with those resolutions aimed at curtailing certain behaviors, for I believe that this is not changing what Jesus has brought into us.  I believe that instead of so many new years resolutions that we should instead glory in who it is we are in Christ Jesus.  Satan can keep the change!

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

~Scott~

A Knock On The Door

19Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greaterworks than these, that you may marvel. 21“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23“that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
John 5: 19 -23 NKJV

I was listening to a few radio talk shows the other day, which I do whenever I need to catch up on some current events or just need a break from the normal media trash.  As I listened, a well known local broadcaster was interviewing a author of a recent book on...opportunities.  I forget the name of the author and the book, but what I didn't forget was the point that he made.  Be it by law or just our inherent human right, we are all entitled to equal opportunities for success.  What we are not entitled to, however, is equal success from those opportunities.  Now, I know that this statement may not be popular with many who desire to fan the flames of racial tension, but I believe that this man was onto something profound.  A child may have the opportunity for equal access under the law for schooling, but does that guarantee that they will succeed?  A man may have equal access under the law to employment, but does that guarantee that he is CEO material?  The answer to both of these is, of course, no.  Opportunities do not equal success, they never have.  Now, when the opportunity comes we may, through our determination and all that is within us, will ourselves to do well.  Still, our own success is  not at all guaranteed.  When I look at a successful businessman I am seeing someone who had the very same opportunites presented to myself, yet something within him drove him to be more successful.  I can't be mad at him, he's doing what he needs to do to make it.  So, what does that say about me and the opportunities I've had?  Well, like that businessman, some have suceeded and some haven't.  We're not all Donald Trump, but one thing we do have in common with him is that even we have succeeded in a number of our own opportunities.  One thing I can say for certain is that eventually opportunity will come knocking.  What will you do with it when it does?

24Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.26“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30“I and My Father are one.”
John 10: 24 - 30 NKJV

Without getting too much into the weeds of this issue, one thing I feel that we need to understand from the get go is that whatever hopes, desires dreams that we may have, they are and always have been connected to Christ.  Indeed, if it is Jesus who lives through those who have accepted Him, then we share all that He is {Galations 2:20}.  So, can we then stake that claim that our desires are His desires as well?  I believe that you could present a pretty strong case for that very fact.  Jesus Himself claimed on more than a few occasions that He could do nothing by Himself, but did only did what He saw the Father do.  Those of us who have children of their own will surely understand this, as a child will surely see what his parents do and do likewise.  Christ Jesus is no different.  Jesus knew the will of the Father, He and the Father were one.  Of course, this pissed off the Jewish authorities who ridiculed Him for making Himself equal to God.  However, scripture tells us that Jesus was indeed the image of the invisible God {Colossions 1:15}.  So, if Jesus only did what He saw the Father do, what does that say for us who have His Spirit in us today?  Well, I believe that whatever hopes and desires we may have, that Jesus Himself definately has a hand in speaking them onto our spirit.  You could say that, like Jesus, we ourselves can do nothing of ourselves but what we see the Father do.  Yeah yeah, but the Father never messed up like I did.  The funny thing about our flesh is that it sometimes runs contrary to the Fathers desires for us.  That does not mean that Jesus has left us, just that we choose to follow a different leader at from time to time.  The apostle Paul himself recognized this as he realized that in his own flesh nothing good dwells {Romans 7:18}.  However, Paul realized that it was only through Christ Jesus that he lived.  So it is with us as well.  I would say that it is not opportunity that every now and then comes knocking, but Jesus Himself.  Will you answer Him?

7“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves."
John 14: 7 - 11 NKJV

~Scott~

That Old Ball And Chain

13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossions 2: 13 - 17 NKJV

I was reminded once again this week of something long ago, something whose time has more than come to be put away for good.  I'm talking about the church killer we know as christian legalism.  I say church killer because I call it for what it is.  For legalism and tradition in the modern church are just a few of the things people cite as reasons for leaving the church.  Now, most people don't simply "leave" the church but just find a congregation which will be more hospitable with fewer regulations and requirements.  Bro, if I wanted requirements and regulations I'd join a club!  Personally, I don't see the need for some of the same old song and dance routine which most modern churches have become.  I know that I've said it before, but I'm pretty sure that I can predict the course of almost any church service around given the chance.  See, you have the intro music festival, this draws you in and is meant to get you pumped up for the Lord.  Then the fun statrts, you'll have a prayer session and tithing plate passed around before you get to the encore performance of the pulpit pounder telling you what you need to be doing.  Sound familiar to anyone?  That's the old ball and chain of christian legalism.  Now, I have a few close friends who bristle at the fact that some of my writings are directed against the modern institutional church.  My answer to them would usually be, what are you afraid of?  What are we afraid of?  Brother, if some guy stopped me on the street and demanded money from me and then tried to justify it all by making me feel guilty for not listening to him, he and I would definately have a problem.  So, why is it that we tolerate this same behavior from our churches?  Especially when we no longer need to.  Yes, those days are gone thankfully.  Or, should I say that they've never left us?

1Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.6He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; aand he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
Romans 14: 1 - 6 NKJV

I recall a conversation I had with a pastor in a church I used to attend.  It seems that a few of the elderly in the congregation, including my mother, were uncomfortable with the volume level of the sunday morning praise and worship music service.  As I addressed these concerns to the pastoral music leader I was informed that the "younger" church goers liked it that way!  Really?  I guess this was my first introduction into the world of church politics and christian legalism.  I can do without it.  From the looks of the ever shrinking congregations around the country, so can a lot of other christians.  We are told in a few places in the new testament that those days of the old church are over and done with.  Yet we still cling to them by means of our own traditions.  The apostle Paul tells us in Colossions that it is through Christ Jesus that many of these so called requirements which were against us were put to death by Jesus Himself {Colossions 2:14}.  Once again, in the book of Romans, Paul tells us that God is able to make the man who observes religious rituals to stand as well as he who does not observe them.  Imagine that.  So, when did it become more about rituals and less about Christ?  Probably when mankind hijacked religion from God.  Does God make His home in a church building?  NO {Acts 7:48}.  Yet we are told repeatedly that we are to gather in "Gods house" each sunday like good christian soldiers do.  Why?  Because our own traditions tell us that it's the thing to do.  All too often God is lost in the shuffle.
I have often been inspired by the words of the physician Luke as he describes the early church of the followers of Jesus in Acts 2.  Here we see early christians meeting in each others homes worshipping Jesus while living in true christian community.  Giving to those in need while coming together and breaking bread in happiness in the name of the Lord.  Yeah, I'd take that over any modern institutional church.  What you don't see in this example of the early church is a central place of worship (chruch building), loud music nor a pulpit pounder telling the people they needed to be more like Jesus.  The truth is, we already have Jesus in us{Galations 2:20}.  What is interesting is that that early church was nothing like we see today, and yet the Lord "added daily those who were being saved."  Imagine that.

44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added qto the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 4 - 7 NKJV

~Scott~

The Best We Could

23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossions 3: 23 - 25 NKJV

We've all had that experience before.  That experience where we feel that the job we're working is well below our talents and abilities.  "I should be in charge by now!" we all too often tell ourselves.  Hey, bro, I've been there.  I can recall taking a walk one night after getting home from work and going over in my own mind just what I was going to tell my supervisor the following day when I went into that office and quit my job.  What I should have been more worried about was why I was abandoning one job before I had secured a replacement for it.  Fortunately, I never quit that job and I went on to have a good little stint there.  Why didn't I quit when I was so damn sure that the job wasn't for me?  Well, someone told me not so long ago stuck in my mind.  "Are you doing the best that you can?"  Granted it's not the single most motivational speech of all time, but it got me thinking.  Was I indeed doing the best that I could?  If I was, then no matter what happened I could rest in the assurance that I had done all that I could.  However, if I had left some stone unturned in my endeavor, then didn't I owe it to myself to do better?  Perhaps, but all too often we don't give ourselves the luxury of the discomfort of going through something that will test us.  I mention luxury and discomfort in the same sentence to make a point.  Far too often, change comes as a result of doing something we may enjoy or dislike repeatedly.  They say that in order to develop a habit that it takes a good thirty days.  That's thirty days of doing whatever it is that you're trying to develop into a habit.  Be it exercise (come on, it's time for those New Years resolutions once again), work habits or our own daily scripture reading, it takes repetition to create and develop a habit.  Yes, you may be trying to develop a habit for something you don't like doing.  Do you have what it takes to endure the discomfort you'll face as you develop that habit?  For me, I dislike exercise.  That doesn't mean that I hate it, I just dislike it.  So, in order for me to cross that Rubicon and create a habit which was good for me, I had to endure some discomfort.  I still have my moments where I doubt that decision.  As I say, there is no luxury without at least some discomfort.

17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossions 3: 17 NKJV

Unless you're Donald Trump, you more than likely know the discomfort of saving for something you need or desire.  That is the discomfort that will eventually bring the luxury.  We endure the discomfort of saving because we see the end goal of purchasing something we desire.  Like I said, unless you're the Donald, you're probably used to shopping for big ticket items that way.  So, am I ultimately doing the best that I possibly can in this life?  Well, that is for my heavenly Father to decide.  However, I feel like I haven't done all too bad.  How many of us can say that with confidence?  I can tell you of one man who could claim with the utmost confidence that He was doing the best that He possibly could and that is Christ Jesus.  See, Jesus knew He was doing the right thing because He was only doing the will of His own Father who sent Him.  How can a man go wrong with doing what God Himself desires?  Did Jesus have discomfort?  Consider the mocking, insults and scourging that He ultimately endured.  Why would a man endure this punishment for me? { 2 Corinthians 5:21}  What was, or is, that luxury of the punishment endured by Jesus on our behalf?  Yes, He died to cleanse our sins, but there was something more at stake here.  I believe that the luxury Jesus claimed for the punishment He received was that those He gave Himself for would be one with The Father as He was {John 17:21}.  So, how is it that we can see the discomforts which we so often go through.  Well, we can either view them as our permanent station in life or as our stepping stones to a greater glory which we shall partake in.  It's taken a long time, but I do not see the discomforts of my own life as a indication of who it is I am or how my own life has played out.  On the contrary, this vessel which Christ Jesus lives through in me today is but a temporary dwelling {2 Corinthians 5:4}.  A temporary dwelling, one that we shall one day gladly shed for the revelation of our true image in Christ {Galations 2:20}.  This is the luxury we have through the discomfort of Christ Jesus.  For He did not endure this for His own benefit, but for ours.  We did the best we could.

1For we know that if our earthly ahouse, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5: 1 - 7 NKJV

~Scott~

Mama Tried

Despite all my sunday learnin'
Towards the bad I kept on turnin'
Till mama couldn't hold me anymore
~Merle Haggard~

I had a conversation not so long ago with a young lady who had been close to my mom before she passed.  Although we shared little in common, there were still memories to share.  One of her memories of my mom was of a particular sunday morning when my mom came into her bible class ready to tell anyone who would listen just how proud she was of her son.  Although today I cannot for the life of me recall just what I had done to make her so proud, it made me feel good that one of my final memories of her was a possitive one.  But, as they say, things were not always smiles and sunshine for her youngest son.  In fact, I can recall many a time growing up where I was sure that my own mother would abandon me for a more well behaved kid.  Still, mama tried.  I guess I'm not the only kid who ever pushed those limits of parental authority, nor will I be the last.  It's these memories that have stung me the most since her passing.  In my mind I had done my absolute best to push her buttons and make her life miserable.  Still, mama tried.  I will say that one thing that my mother taught her two sons which in some way seemed to stick with me during my rebel years was her faith and belief in God.  This would be the cornerstone which seemed to keep me from wandering too far into a life of being a young thug.  Keep in mind that one of my role models growing up was my older brother.  A older brother who would rather me stay at home than wander the streets with him and his friends.  Thank goodness for small blessings I guess.  Mama tried.  So, instead of wandering the streets and coming home God knows when as my brother and his freinds would do so often, I would be the son who would stay at home and listen as mom would tell bible stories, boring right?  That's what I thought at the time believe me.  Still, mama tried.

14“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.18“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
John 10: 14 - 18 NKJV

One of my memories of my mom while growing up was of her on her knees praying whenever things got rough.  One thing about my mom, when the storms of life came upon her family she knew immediately who to turn to.  So it is that whenever I would come home and see my mother on her knees in prayer I would often wonder what it was I had done.  It might be my own guilty conscience or the fear that she had somehow discovered my latest escapade, but from a young age I learned that God was not someone I wanted to mess with.  I actually envisioned waking up some morning and being pelted by fire, brimstone and lightning on my way to school.  Indeed, my mother put the fear of the Lord in me.  Never in a violent manner, that wasn't her way.  However, she wasn't above reminding me that despite all that I had done, that there was one who knew all I did.  There were no secrets with God.  You can imagine just how much of a damper this would put on a young hell raiser.  Despite my best efforts, I had come to the realization that I couldn't get away with anything.  There was always someone watching my every move.  Of course, as I got older I would all too often turn a blind eye to the Lords vision.  I pretty much didn't care what it was that He saw me do.  It is these times that I know hurt my mom the worst, and it is these times which still haunt me today.  For even though I was focused on living my life my own way, one thing that I always carried with me was that I never wanted to hurt my mother in any way.  Things don't always work out the way we want them to however.  This is exactly why I cherish the memory which my mothers friend shared with me recently.  Despite all I have been through, all that I put her through growing up, she still carried in her heart pride in her youngest son.  Despite my best efforts to the contrary, mama tried.

~Scott~

Open Our Eyes

15And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”17And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6: 15 - 17 NKJV

Elishas servant must have been beside himself.  For all around the Isrealite camp  stood the assembled armies of the Syrians.  Obviously there was no escape from the armies surrounding them...or was there?  As the prophet Elisha prayed, he prayed not for protection, but that the young mans eyes would be opened to what was in front of him {2 Kings 6:17}.  Indeed, as the prophet had predicted, "Those who are with us are more than those who are against us."  The young man stood amazed as standing on those hillsides before him were legions of angels of the Lord God of Isreal.  I have turned to this scripture many a time when my circumstances have more than assured me that the gig was up, that I had finally come to a point where even God could not save me.  My eyes were not yet opened.  Somewhere behind the scenes my heavenly Father was once again orchestrating all which He desired for me.  I guess that by now I should be used to being blind to all that the Lord is accomplishing in my life.  We are indeed visual creatures, we tend to trust and believe only what we see before us.  Yet all about us are the examples which our Lord has put before us to remind us of His work behind the scenes.  The apple falls from the tree only because of the gravity which our Lord has made possible.  The sun rises each day not because of some eco energy source man has discovered, but because of our Lords creation.  Indeed, all around us the world testifies to His creation.  Somewhere back in time before I was even a thought in anyones mind, my heavenly Father assured of His presence.  Long before my eyes were yet opened.

14in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or eprincipalities or fpowers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossions 1: 14 - 17 NKJV

Only my closest friends know of the struggle I had in realizing the truth of Christ Jesus in me {Galations 2:20}.  Sometimes it felt as if I would never get it.  How could I ever trust in one I could not even see for myself?  This man, this Jesus was asking the impossible so it seemed.  There were times where I felt like that young servant staring at the armies of the Syrians assembled against the Isrealites on the hillside before him.  Like him, my own eyes were yet to be opened to what was before me.  Indeed, behind the scenes my heavenly Father was working that I might see Christ in me with my own eyes.  For even though I struggled to see Jesus in me, that in no way means that it wasn't true.  It just means that my eyes were yet to be opened to see Him in me.  Consider that the apostle Paul may have never even met Jesus, yet he spent a good portion of his life opposing him.  By Pauls own admission, it was only when "it pleased God" that his own eyes were opened and Christ was revealed in him {Galations 1:15}.  Why should it be any different for me?  When my Lords timing was right, he opened my own eyes that I would see Christ Jesus in me. I have no idea as to why my eyes couldn't have been opened earlier, but that's not for me to debate.  I only need to see today what my own eyes have been opened to.  That is, Christ in me.  For His own reasons, God did not reveal His Son to me until I my eyes were opened.  That doesn't mean that He wasn't already there, only that my eyes did not see Him.  I wonder at times what other things I have not yet seen.

 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Galations 1: 15 - 17 NKJV

~Scott~

Artificial Acceptance

20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

I have to hand it once again to Wayne Jacobsen for providing me with yet another platform with which to expound on.  This week ol' Wayne was decrying the predominant use in our society of facebook and other social media.  Now, I have known of the evils of social media in our society for some time, but to speak out against it is like crying out in the wilderness.  Indeed, it seems that people are so involved in online relationships that face to face interactions may soon become a thing of the past.  I regret the day that happens.  It's gotten so bad the one of the founders of facebook has recently bemoaned what this social feedback loop has done to our population.  We get a feeling of happiness and acceptance when someone "likes" us on facebook.  At the same time, we feel rejected and sad when we are not accepted by our social media contacts.  Really?  This is artificial acceptance, and it in NO way is a indication of who it is we are in Christ.  I know a thing or two about the whole social media thing because I've been there.  There was a time when it seems that I was addicted to online social chat rooms back in the stone ages when they were popular.  People today may not know a chat room from a like or follow, but they were as harmful as any facebook social media of today.  Don't get me wrong, social media has it's uses, but I feel that we've made it into more than it should be.  We've linked our social media to our very own self worth and emotions.  No social engineering program ever designed could have created a following of zombies as well as facebook has.

Life takes a bit of time and alot of relationship
William Paul Young ~ The Shack

I mentioned my dabbling into online chat rooms for a reason.  I do it as a warning to those who would base their worth, importance and life upon a false acceptance.  At the time, I found that it was easier for me to communicate with others via a chat room than in person because there was less pain involved...or so I thought.  I was looking for acceptance, validation and for others to see and accept me for who I was.  The trouble is, I was looking in the wrong places.  I was tying my self worth into the opinions of others.  This is a slippery slope that once one starts down its road can lead to a boatload of pain and self doubt.  If I were to give any advice to someone concerned about not being "liked" on facebook it would be simply...count your blessings.  Why would you link your self worth to what others think of you?  Why would I do the same?  Simple, for the feeling of being accepted by others.  However, if there is one thing I have learned it's that people are people and will have that tendancy to let you down every now and then.  One who will NEVER let us down is Christ Jesus.  Why would I need a facebook like to validate who it is that I am?  I already know who I am, and my validation is not tied to some social media social engineering project.  No, who I am is a child of God.  Who I am is a vessel in which the Spirit of Christ Jesus lives through today {Galations 2:20}.  It is not about validation but realization.  That realization that it is Christ Jesus who defines me.  Jesus has given me the only "like" I will ever need.

~Scott~