From 4/6/16:

2 become 1...

Know that song?  We talked about it at lunch after church the other day.  We all laughed and reminisced about the Spice Girls.  we discussed how we sang along without really knowing what we were saying to not just this song but so many others.

That phrase came up again today but it was in a different context.  I was catching up on sermons from my home church and my pastor said, "the two need to become one."  What was he taking about?

The two people that live inside every single one of us.

Each of us have 2 personalities living inside of us.  One that responds to the spirit of the world and the other that responds to the Spirit of God.  You might not agree with me or believe in God, but the truth is that there's no other explanation.  The spirit of the world appeals to our temporal side, it craves adoration and instant gratification however, every human being has a longing for another world, an eternal world.  All the various interpretations of the 'world to come' is proof of just this.

The real fight for a lot of us is the essential merging of the 2 spirits. It can only be done when God allows it and that is when you find contentment.  In my case, God's spirit has to be stronger than the world's spirit and that's the only way I can be balanced.  It doesn't make any earthly sense but then again when God is involved, nothing ever does...

On a completely unrelated note: Sometimes you just need to sit and allow music to wash over you. there is something very powerful about music.  Here's someone I learned about recently.  He has definitely helped me get through some tough days and I have never even met him.

http://www.kylenolan.net/#/music

Growth

When you think of the word "GROWTH" what comes to mind?

For me, it's a baby becoming an adult and also I see vines holding bunches of grapes. I am sure many people would agree with the first but I am not exactly sure about the latter. I never grew up never any vineyards so I am not sure why that's one of the first images that my brain conjures up.

It's interesting though because while a baby grows vertically, grape vines spread horizontally. Growth in our lives can mean growing up in maturity or it can mean staying in one place but expanding our "horizons."  Recently, I was challenged to do the latter. I always thought of GROWTH as just moving up, learning lessons and then applying it in a bigger pond. However, sometimes you are called to stay in the smaller pond but to explore the other side of the pond.

God could have made Moses the pharaoh and then used Moses to set His people free. Instead he chose to keep Moses as a shepherd and call him to go to the other end of the desert. He asked him to expand his horizons. So as Moses did, we too must go to the other end and glean from the lessons that are awaiting us.

I am a restless being, I am always looking for a way to jump ship because I might find something elsewhere. However recently, God has not allowed new adventures, he has asked me to stay still and it has been one of the hardest things to do.  In the end, it will be worth it.

Love God and the rest will follow.

One of my pastors mentioned a proverb the other day...

"Many people will miss heaven by 18 inches" -unknown

What does this relate to? apparently, it's the distance between your head and your heart!  *shivers down my spine* Why?

Well, I grew up in church, I can speak Christianese really well.  I have sat through countless Bible studies, I have taught several of them!  I have understood the basic tenets of my faith, defended them and can argue them if need be.  However, has it penetrated my heart?

Recently, I have been questioning my actions in the quiet.  I have turned into the person who goes home and watches Netflix for hours on end.  I don't even know what I am watching half the time, the other half I am making conscious decisions to watch shows and movies just to kill the time.  I have fallen behind on keeping up with friends, working on my writing, volunteering or even my baking. All I want to do these days is stare at my computer or tablet.  I have noticed this is affecting my ability to focus at work as well.  If its not in a video format, it doesn't seem to capture my attention for more than 20 minutes.

In addtion, a song has been following me around the last few weeks: "It is well..."

Here are the lyrics:

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

As I write this i am chuckling because I see how God is trying to tell me something.  I am writhing in pain and crying out but have I taken a moment to just stop and sit in utter silence for like 15 mins? Well, of course not.  one of these days, I will have to actually practice some of this preaching to which I am listening.

In another sermon, a pastor said "Get rid of the 'rhuparia'" whats that? Look below! My soul is in pain and its because of all the RHUPARIA in my system.  I am so glad my God loves me that even when I am not investing in him, he is intune with me and is reaching out to me. Thank the Lord!!

Love God and the rest will follow!

The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon

Strong's Number:   4507 Original Word ruparia Transliterated Word Rhuparia Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech hroo-par-ee'-ah    Noun Feminine  Definition to make filthy, befoul to defile, dishonour to make filthy