This was a letter to my brother. He's been feeling down. I feel like I know what he's feeling because in some ways he sounds like I did, and sometimes do. So here you go, some real brotherly love - eat your heart out Philadelphia.
Yea, sometimes life kinda sucks. Here's a little something that makes me feel better when I feel like that...
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-14
1 "There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."
The whole idea behind this is that God is working all things in your life ultimately to work on you, bring you closer to him, and ultimately to glorify himself. I think that 13 really nails the problem: That everyone may.. find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God.
I can tell you, this is the hardest thing I've found to learn yet: to find satisfaction in where you are, and who you are; not in where you think you're going. As it turns out, all things happen for a reason. Even a break up with a girl that at one point you were sure you were gonna marry, 3 switches in career choices, and 3+ months of unemployment ultimately lead to God's glory and something better that God has in store for you.
Since I'm sharing wisdom I've discovered I'll tell ya an even bigger thing that took me a long time to figure out.. If you wanna know the will of God for your life Rule #1: read the Bible. It's cliche to hear it, sometimes terribly boring to do it, and if it seems like you're not getting anything out of it then you're probably not. And you should figure out how to fix that. But the honest truth is that if you're truly seeking after God, like really putting forth an effort, he transforms the desires of your heart to his desires for you. Romans 8:5 & Romans 12:1-2
I'm not saying all your current dreams will come true, but you might find that those things didn't really have much value, and new things will come to replace them. And, if you've ever asked God to give you more interest in it, he'll do that too, but he's not about to turn you into his little disciple puppet. The relationship thing comes from you being willing to act out what you believe.
P.S. Romans 12:1 says to offer your body as a living sacrifice.. the thing about living sacrifices is they have a tendency to step away from being the offering. Your job is to keep yourself in that place and be satisfied with it.
-Archer
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
L-O-V-E
So here it is, THE question. Why am I here on this Earth? There are a lot of different answers to this that could be considered correct. For instance, one might say, "I am on this Earth to grow, learn, create a family, support them, be a good man, and die honorably." Another might say, "Life's short, live hard die young," or that Life's about getting as much enjoyment as you can while on this Earth because when it's over, it's over(what I'd call the big bang lifestyle).
Here's my view on the matter:
I've come to realize that as I've gone about my life, the times that I found that I was truly happy were when I was loving someone else, or doing something in love for someone else. The thing is, the more I think about it, the more it fits with lots of other things I've been told.
"Treat others as you would want to be treated"-The Golden Rule
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." -Matthew 22:24-25
From the Black Eyed Peas singing "Where is the Love" to, Mother Theresa when she said "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than there is for bread."
There are movies about it, i.e. "Pay it forward," as well as books of proverbs and quotes describing it. And it probably comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that the fact is this world lacks love.
We all feel depreciated at least at some point in our lives, and many of us probably feel it on a regular basis. Some people struggle for years with poor self image, heart ache from things said or done, hatred for the evils done to them, etc etc. This world lacks love in such a way that it seems alien to show someone real love. And of course, I'm not referring to sex or romantic love, though the romantic love seems to be lacking as well, but that's for another post.
What I'm getting at is that isn't it about time that changed? It takes the act of each droplet to make it rain, but also it takes but a sound to trigger an avalanche. Jesus Christ was once questioned on what was the greatest commandment by the leaders of the day referred to as the Pharisees.
"35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:35-40
Jesus said that all of the Law, all the things that should be lived by can be summed up in the acts of loving God and each other. Why does it have to be wishful thinking to imagine a world in which we all act out of love for each other? Can't we just decide that we're going to start loving each other right now? What's stopping you from loving people? A couple other verses to ponder are:
" 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
-Ephesians 4:29-32 (really 4:17-32 is all about living in love, but this part in particular)
"3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
-Proverbs 3:3-4
"11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." -Proverbs 10:11-12
"43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," -Matthew 5:43-44
I suppose I shouldn't quote the Bible without mentioning that God himself sacrificed the life of his son, Jesus Christ for our sins to save us from their eternal condemnation. I've heard the greatest acts of love demonstrate it through sacrifice. Which I suspect is what Marriage, Child rearing, and Following after God looks like.(See Matthew 22:24-25 above again)
I realize that this could be difficult for some people. I honestly believe the reason that I have the ability to love is because I was given love by God, my family and my friends. Anyone reading this needs to know though that there are people out there that love others immediately. There are people that are truly and honestly are just looking to love you. Also, there are people that arn't quite to where they can do that, namely Me. Understand that there are going to be mistakes, sometimes it's very difficult to love someone. However, like I said in a previous post, life is all about choices. You get chances everyday to love someone. It takes just a single spark to start a fire. That's why I'm on this Earth, maybe that's why you're here too.
-Archer
Here's my view on the matter:
I've come to realize that as I've gone about my life, the times that I found that I was truly happy were when I was loving someone else, or doing something in love for someone else. The thing is, the more I think about it, the more it fits with lots of other things I've been told.
"Treat others as you would want to be treated"-The Golden Rule
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." -Matthew 22:24-25
From the Black Eyed Peas singing "Where is the Love" to, Mother Theresa when she said "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than there is for bread."
There are movies about it, i.e. "Pay it forward," as well as books of proverbs and quotes describing it. And it probably comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that the fact is this world lacks love.
We all feel depreciated at least at some point in our lives, and many of us probably feel it on a regular basis. Some people struggle for years with poor self image, heart ache from things said or done, hatred for the evils done to them, etc etc. This world lacks love in such a way that it seems alien to show someone real love. And of course, I'm not referring to sex or romantic love, though the romantic love seems to be lacking as well, but that's for another post.
What I'm getting at is that isn't it about time that changed? It takes the act of each droplet to make it rain, but also it takes but a sound to trigger an avalanche. Jesus Christ was once questioned on what was the greatest commandment by the leaders of the day referred to as the Pharisees.
"35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:35-40
Jesus said that all of the Law, all the things that should be lived by can be summed up in the acts of loving God and each other. Why does it have to be wishful thinking to imagine a world in which we all act out of love for each other? Can't we just decide that we're going to start loving each other right now? What's stopping you from loving people? A couple other verses to ponder are:
" 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
-Ephesians 4:29-32 (really 4:17-32 is all about living in love, but this part in particular)
"3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
-Proverbs 3:3-4
"11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." -Proverbs 10:11-12
"43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," -Matthew 5:43-44
I suppose I shouldn't quote the Bible without mentioning that God himself sacrificed the life of his son, Jesus Christ for our sins to save us from their eternal condemnation. I've heard the greatest acts of love demonstrate it through sacrifice. Which I suspect is what Marriage, Child rearing, and Following after God looks like.(See Matthew 22:24-25 above again)
I realize that this could be difficult for some people. I honestly believe the reason that I have the ability to love is because I was given love by God, my family and my friends. Anyone reading this needs to know though that there are people out there that love others immediately. There are people that are truly and honestly are just looking to love you. Also, there are people that arn't quite to where they can do that, namely Me. Understand that there are going to be mistakes, sometimes it's very difficult to love someone. However, like I said in a previous post, life is all about choices. You get chances everyday to love someone. It takes just a single spark to start a fire. That's why I'm on this Earth, maybe that's why you're here too.
-Archer
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Self-definition, refinition, and the facts of life...
Recently it's been brought to my attention that - as obvious as it sounds - one of the themes of life is growth. And it seems that growth comes mostly from mistakes. It simply astonishes me sometimes at what I do. Occasionally I'll do something that I know is wrong, and in fact is rather out of character for who I like to think I am, or at least am striving to be.
And what about our effects on each other.
Picture this: I'm hanging out in a small group of people, say at a local organization's free dinner in a feeble attempt to convince college people to join, when in fact everyone knows they come for the free food. At any rate, in the process of conversation I have a sudden realization of a witty remark, or something that I think will be funny, and so I say it. Almost instantaneously realizing that I have just embarrassed, or belittled someone else and at a gain of nothing. Yes I like it when people think I'm funny, but there's little gain when you think about the fact that if I hadn't said anything the conversation would go on without someone else feeling suddenly wronged, unaccepted, embarrassed, uncomfortable, et al.
This whole concept makes me think of Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
That says two different things to me. We can use each other to build ourselves up, and in the process build up each other. We can become great with each other. But at the same time that speaks to me about the things that are said to each other. If I hurt you won't that in turn sharpen you to hurt someone else?
What I'm really trying to say is that it's amazing how choice affects EVERYTHING. Life is choice. You hear it all the time, but it's one of those things that just hits you one day while you're driving along. "Hey, when I do something.. it has an effect on myself and/or someone else.. weird."
It's like a little rule about life that no one makes sure you understand until you've been practicing it for a while. All the while that you're doing things, you're making yourself. You're deciding who/what you are. It's seems logical to me then that you would have a list of things that you want to be, and from that you would base your decisions. For instance, I want to be someone that loves, preferably unconditionally but lets just get the love part down first. Also, I want to be honest, strong, a shoulder to cry on, someone to rely on, pure, the list goes on. So then what is this thing that keeps me from taking advantage of moments in which I can practice exactly what I want to be?
Behold, the human condition. There are a lot of labels for it, laziness, self-centeredness, fallacy, immaturity, passivity. However, it's ALL choice. Realize that you decide what you do, or in some cases what you don't do and it has an effect. For instance, if you practice wickedness, or foul deeds, w/e, you're training yourself to be just that. Not to mention you're further empowering those around you to do the same.
So then... Grow... Start being who you want to be, realize you'll fail along the way, but you decide who you're going to be. I'll be praying for you along the way.
-Archer
And what about our effects on each other.
Picture this: I'm hanging out in a small group of people, say at a local organization's free dinner in a feeble attempt to convince college people to join, when in fact everyone knows they come for the free food. At any rate, in the process of conversation I have a sudden realization of a witty remark, or something that I think will be funny, and so I say it. Almost instantaneously realizing that I have just embarrassed, or belittled someone else and at a gain of nothing. Yes I like it when people think I'm funny, but there's little gain when you think about the fact that if I hadn't said anything the conversation would go on without someone else feeling suddenly wronged, unaccepted, embarrassed, uncomfortable, et al.
This whole concept makes me think of Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
That says two different things to me. We can use each other to build ourselves up, and in the process build up each other. We can become great with each other. But at the same time that speaks to me about the things that are said to each other. If I hurt you won't that in turn sharpen you to hurt someone else?
What I'm really trying to say is that it's amazing how choice affects EVERYTHING. Life is choice. You hear it all the time, but it's one of those things that just hits you one day while you're driving along. "Hey, when I do something.. it has an effect on myself and/or someone else.. weird."
It's like a little rule about life that no one makes sure you understand until you've been practicing it for a while. All the while that you're doing things, you're making yourself. You're deciding who/what you are. It's seems logical to me then that you would have a list of things that you want to be, and from that you would base your decisions. For instance, I want to be someone that loves, preferably unconditionally but lets just get the love part down first. Also, I want to be honest, strong, a shoulder to cry on, someone to rely on, pure, the list goes on. So then what is this thing that keeps me from taking advantage of moments in which I can practice exactly what I want to be?
Behold, the human condition. There are a lot of labels for it, laziness, self-centeredness, fallacy, immaturity, passivity. However, it's ALL choice. Realize that you decide what you do, or in some cases what you don't do and it has an effect. For instance, if you practice wickedness, or foul deeds, w/e, you're training yourself to be just that. Not to mention you're further empowering those around you to do the same.
So then... Grow... Start being who you want to be, realize you'll fail along the way, but you decide who you're going to be. I'll be praying for you along the way.
-Archer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)