faith

Posts Tagged ‘faith’

Easter schmeester

04/06/2009

I do grow weary of holidays at times. Even more so when I am busy (like now). But this coming Sunday is the day those who follow Jesus celebrate as the day Jesus rose to life again after his crucifixion and death three days prior.

This is probably the most significant event for followers of Jesus because of the impact … yet it seems to be left in the shadow in comparison to Christmas and even the Superbowl.

I am tired of not focusing with my family on this event and am curious how some of you have celebrated/observed the Death and Resurrection of Jesus with your family. I don’t want it to be about eggs and gathering with the family to watch tv.

One thing I have heard about is beginning Friday night, turning lights off, tv off and gathering to reflect/remember what Jesus did in relation to our sin. Then Sunday morning (the day of the rising of Jesus from the dead) lights on and PARTY!!!

I would love to celebrate the resurrection, but have it celebrated in comparison to the death. Why celebrate anyone like this? Because with Jesus our sins can be forgiven. When our sins are forgiven, we can actually be from from that kind of bondage that propels us to not do anything for God – in many ways we are broken. But with sin out of the way, we can do the things we desire for God: serve others, love others, lift others up, etc. … rather than just serve myself … or even serve others with the hope of being noticed for it (back to serving self). God is so holy that he can’t have sin around him, with the forgiveness, we can have a relationship with God. There is more to discuss on this topic …

… right now I just want to know how you plan to celebrate the Resurrection (if at all).

Tags: faith, Jesus, photo, sin, thoughts
Posted in Jesus | 6652 Comments »Easter+schmeester2009-04-07+05%3A41%3A57Randy+Mooney

Anticipate

01/03/2009

I sit here pondering if I will have another year like last year. A year filled with me pushing my own desires out instead of waiting for God.

I have talked much about this lately with others and haven’t found a simple non-cheesey, non-religious way of following Jesus.

For some this would mean MORE bible study, MORE prayer, MORE ministry, MORE meetings and MORE potlucks! Others it will mean as my friend stated “do I just sit in bed waiting for Jesus to speak to me to show me what to do next?”. This stinks for me, as having been a pastor for over a decade you’d think I would know how to best and quickly answer.

How I would love to live my life is different then how I actually live it. Does that make me a hypocrite? … Yes, yes it does. What do I do when I sense that about my life? I push harder, try harder, make things happen only to be found … once again, seemingly distant from God and not feeling like I am doing much in the way of eternal impact in peoples lives … shoot, I almost would be happier with any kind of impact – even if temporal.

I am not wanting to plan my year out for fear I will be in that same spot. I also don’t want to simply wait … and then second guess if that was “God’s voice” calling or my own.

I do have a job that I like, but it isn’t my calling. I really do yearn for doing ministry full time, but my debt is holding me back. I don’t see that I am pouring my life into my children so that they can “taste and see that the Lord is good”. My ministry at church is ok, but since the lay off I haven’t gotten plugged back in … and then when I did, I was frustrated at how many guys aren’t plugged in online to interact with easily. It would be easy to blame the complexities of my current job as the reason for what is going on … but I think it is much deeper. I think it is a longing to be near Jesus again, in a way that there is no doubt as to what His will is in my life.

How do I get there again?

All I know is to go back to the things I did when I was much closer.

What was I doing?

I was spending time daily reading the Bible recognizing the intent is to know more about God. The Bible is God’s revelation to humanity to reveal not marching orders, but to reveal God himself in ways we might better comprehend.
I was spending time talking to Him.
I was spending time sharing Him with others in a way that people also want a relationship with God.

Simple, really. Just need to do it, without making it too complex! Do I really need to drag out all of my study books, just to read the Bible? Is it necessary that I write in a journal, just to pray? Do I have to set up a meeting and strategize with others, just to continue the story of God in the world today? WHY do I make things more complicated!?!

Jesus,

Take my life, make it how You want it. Allow me the privelege of seeing You work within my world. Help me not be so complicated in being with You. Let my girls tell I am connected with the Creator of the world.

Tags: Bible, faith, meaning, thoughts
Posted in ponder | 6412 Comments »Anticipate2009-01-03+20%3A38%3A26Randy+Mooney