Logging some quality time with Justin Townes Earle and Harry Potter.
Literature and folk music. What a beautiful combination.
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
It isn’t sufficient to solely hear the word of God, but we must also obey. If I don’t build my heart’s foundation on Christ, then I’m far more susceptible to falling. Like that house on the rock — fragile and exposed to flooding; I’m also fragile exposed to the temptations of the world and of Satan. I need to be focused on putting my safety in Christ, to have a reliance on his promises, a confidence in his protection, and a hope for eternity through the redemption of his blood, not in myself or other worldly objects or people.
Definitely one of the coolest gifts I’ve ever received — an ampersand teapot made by my honorary little sister, Jennie. She’s far more talented in ceramics than I ever was and I’m glad I benefit from that. Thank you, Jennie!
As if I’m not already stoked for a new Joshua Radin CD, he adds to the excitement by giving away the title track. I love him.
I’ve been watching Lie to Me this week. Just finished the first season. What a great show. I’m sad it was cancelled, but then again, I’m part of the problem, since I never watched it prior to this week on Netflix.
Celebration.
I think I shall spend a good portion of my day celebrating Bob Dylan’s 71st birthday by listening to my endless collection of his delightful music and trying not to think about the fact that at 71, he looks like he’s roughly 102.
Season finale tonight! Ahh!
A nice run on a beautiful 60 degree sunny morning with Axl, great time with Jesus, tasty coffee, new Sigur Rós stream on NPR, and now first listen through The Spill Canvas’s new album. What a lovely start to today.
Time to get to work. I hope you’re productive, Tuesday.
Dear big and bonus Rolling Stone issue,
You’re awesome and I’m excited about you. But, you’re entirely too large to be a comfortable read.
Heavy On My Heart Thing of the Day.
I often see my fellow Christians post things with “I don’t care who I offend, but…”, using the defense that Jesus used harsh language and offended people. Yes, but who did he offend? The religiously arrogant people, like the Pharisees, whose righteousness consisted of outward observances of the traditional and ceremonial laws, but they neglected justice, truth, and purity of heart (Mt. 5:20, 6:1).
Jesus commanded us to make disciples, but didn’t issue us license to offend. We have kids as young as 12 years old committing suicide, because they were mocked, insulted, demeaned, and condemned, most often by people who claim to be doing the Lord’s will.
2 Tim. 2:24-25 says, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them a knowledge of the truth”.
How many times in my life have I been insulted and offended into changing my mind and heart about something? I’d say never, and I’d doubt that the most important decision of my life would be made in this manner. I came to know Jesus through other people who knew Jesus and taught his truth and showed me his character, full of love and grace. And knowing that Jesus, it’s hard to believe he’d rather me insult someone into a corner where they have no other choice but to take their own life than open my heart and mind to them. We’re all sinners.
We will “inadvertently offend people”, if we are truly living out the gospel. Hence, Mt. 5:10-11, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Jesus knew that if we were living the way he commanded us to, then it wouldn’t sit well with some people.
That takes us back to 2 Tim. 2:24-25 though. We aren’t commanded to be actively seeking persecution. I guess my point is that I don’t think we’re commanded to protest Starbucks, because their corporation leaders support gay marriage, or protest at funerals of soldiers. Is that not doing more harm to the Kingdom than good? Are we not inappropriately and unfairly portraying Christ in doing so?
God made us a relational people. We don’t do well with threats, judgments, or insults. We should be willing to not allow our brothers and sisters to live in sin, but what about those outside of the church? What traction should the Bible have on their lives if they do not understand who Christ is and the sacrifice he made for them? I’m just saying that rather than trying to “scare” people into repentance, we should extend the same grace that has been extended to us.
