On Friday night, a group of us gathered in what feels like the start of something amazing. If you weren't there, this probably won't mean alot to you. I just feel like sharing about it.
It was the re-launch of SCBC's college ministry. Some of us lucky ones who are older but don't act like it get to be involved as leadership. It just felt good to be around people that sincerely love each other and are willing to remove the communication barriers so we can help each other. And be helped. I walked away from this believing that we will strengthen the whole by strengthening the parts. And we strengthen the parts by strengthening the individuals. It's a simple theory and I do love simplicity. If we are a body, then each individual part must work correctly for the body to function. When one part falters, the others must compensate until the part is healed.
We must pick each other up. All of those who were present are old friends. I am actually the newest to everyone. But for five years I have known these people, you people. A half dozen or so of you read this so let me say that I love each of you dearly. My circle at Stock Creek has become my life's blood. You are the ones that keep me centered, that let me see God when I am having trouble finding Him. I fail you all miserably and often but I seek to be a source of strength for you. I want to be the compensating part for you when you need to rest and heal. We are a family. I have spent so much time with you all and made so many memories with you that I honestly can't remember not knowing you. We agree that SCBC is in a state of transition but that only means that we are on the move - upward. Man, I'm really sappy, huh? Must be the painkillers talking.
When things get out of hand with life, we can draw inward and be restored. That is what the fellowship is all about. I, personally, am available for any of you at anytime. Because I know you are available for me, also. None of us are perfect which makes us good for each other. We will fall away sometimes but it's good to know that we can fall back in to open arms. I'm done, now. I'll just have to be a little extra cynical tomorrow to make up for this.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Quite possibly the Key to Life
But we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him,"
but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:7-11
God's secret wisdom that is destined for our glory. That excites me. He wants us to have His wisdom! Wouldn't that make life a little easier? If we had God's wisdom to use in our decision-making, in our trials, don't you think we would make better decisions? Wouldn't the trials be a little more joyful? James said, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (ch.1, v.5) We can receive His wisdom simply by asking for it and believing He will give it. This is not the world's wisdom. Dr. Phil can't give you anything close to this. This is the wisdom of the ages. This is the counsel of God Himself.
Paul also quotes Isaiah here. We cannot begin to imagine the plans God has for us. We try because we want to know. But, as Matthew Henry said, "there are things which sense cannot discover. The great truths of the gospel are things lying out of the sphere of human discovery." They are revealed by His Spirit. The Spirit comprehends the depth of God's nature so He is competent to make these revelations. Only God's Spirit knows the thoughts of God, but they can be revealed to us.
I gotta tell you, I like knowing that I can't imagine what God has in store, for this life and the next. Rev. Fowler is fond of saying that to try to portray Heaven through drama is very near to blasphemy. We can't comprehend how it will be. I like that because I can imagine some pretty wonderful things for myself. To know that God has plans far beyond my imagination is great comfort.
I've been trying to pray for wisdom lately. I honestly can see a difference. I've seen some changes in my behavior that make me more like myself. I mean myself in God, of course. I've felt more peace and I've started acting instead of reacting. I feel more like the old me. There was a time when I walked closer to God and made a difference in the lives of those around me. I want to get there again. All in due time, I suppose. One of these days I'm gonna have to suck it up and write about patience.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him,"
but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:7-11
God's secret wisdom that is destined for our glory. That excites me. He wants us to have His wisdom! Wouldn't that make life a little easier? If we had God's wisdom to use in our decision-making, in our trials, don't you think we would make better decisions? Wouldn't the trials be a little more joyful? James said, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (ch.1, v.5) We can receive His wisdom simply by asking for it and believing He will give it. This is not the world's wisdom. Dr. Phil can't give you anything close to this. This is the wisdom of the ages. This is the counsel of God Himself.
Paul also quotes Isaiah here. We cannot begin to imagine the plans God has for us. We try because we want to know. But, as Matthew Henry said, "there are things which sense cannot discover. The great truths of the gospel are things lying out of the sphere of human discovery." They are revealed by His Spirit. The Spirit comprehends the depth of God's nature so He is competent to make these revelations. Only God's Spirit knows the thoughts of God, but they can be revealed to us.
I gotta tell you, I like knowing that I can't imagine what God has in store, for this life and the next. Rev. Fowler is fond of saying that to try to portray Heaven through drama is very near to blasphemy. We can't comprehend how it will be. I like that because I can imagine some pretty wonderful things for myself. To know that God has plans far beyond my imagination is great comfort.
I've been trying to pray for wisdom lately. I honestly can see a difference. I've seen some changes in my behavior that make me more like myself. I mean myself in God, of course. I've felt more peace and I've started acting instead of reacting. I feel more like the old me. There was a time when I walked closer to God and made a difference in the lives of those around me. I want to get there again. All in due time, I suppose. One of these days I'm gonna have to suck it up and write about patience.
Humiliating moment of the day #1
This story will probably get out anyway so I'm going to spill it, in advance, just to protect my dignity. I went to an oral surgeon this morning for two, yes two, root canal procedures. Not a fun morning, by my standards. After FINALLY being taken to a room, the surgeon came in and described in disturbing detail what would be going on in my mouth for the next hour and a half. He then proceeded to numb the entire left side of my head from nose to ear. The shots weren't a big deal. They never have been for me. But today, after a few seconds, I started feeling...funny. My skin got clammy and I started sweating like I was running a marathon. My heart rate was around 220, I think, and my vision, which isn't exactly eagle-like anyway, became spotty. The doctor asked if I was okay (duh) to which I replied, "You're kidding, right?" I asked if I could sit up for a minute since my head was declined two yards below my feet. They, he and the hygienist, sat me up and, sure enough, I passed out. Head over right there on his little table of tools. The next thing I remember is being laid back again and the surgeon smacking me on the shoulder, "Mr. Carver? Chuck? Can you hear me?" I slowly regained consciousness and realized what had happened. My pasty white and moist face instantly turned red from embarrassment. I looked over at the hygienist, who was pale and TERRIFIED, and watched her finally take a breath after half a minute or so. "Wow! I've never had anyone black out on me before. I'm really glad we got you back!"
Yeah. Me, too. An oxygen mask and an hour later, I left. Procedure complete. Those of you who know me can confirm that I am the biggest nerd/geek/dork that ever lived and this story is not that surprising to you, I'm sure. Dignity intact.
Yeah. Me, too. An oxygen mask and an hour later, I left. Procedure complete. Those of you who know me can confirm that I am the biggest nerd/geek/dork that ever lived and this story is not that surprising to you, I'm sure. Dignity intact.
Something for Sarah
Proverbs 19:22 - "What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar."
Hmm. That is a quandry. It really didn't make alot of sense at first. This is from the NIV so I went to other translations for help. (I know, I know. The eleventh commandment forbids this but throw me a bone.)
"What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar." NASB
"What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar." NKJV
"The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar." KJV
Now we have something to work with. It seems kindness is a recurring theme, here. I would agree, as a man, that kindness is a desirable quality. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit which means that it comes from God upon salvation. The KJV, in Galatians, calls it gentleness, which sort of re-defines it for me. I've always thought of kindness as the quality that makes charity possible. You know, being a kind person means having a heart for giving, whether through monetary gifts or spending time giving our talents, blah, blah, blah. But gentleness is a different bird altogether. Gentleness, to me, is like humility. It's like having the ability to handle situations or people gently by putting aside our own wants or feelings, (see Philippians 2:3,4).
D.L. Moody said that gentleness is "love in society." That makes sense, I think. It is an open expression of love, observable in public which is exactly what we need if we are going to show Christ in us. Here's Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse:
"It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than to have ability for it and want a heart to do it. The poor man wishes you well, but can promise you nothing, because he has nothing to be kind with. The liar makes you believe he will do mighty things, but, when it comes to the setting, will do nothing."
The Carver commentary says, in summary, that it's better to be kind and have nothing to be kind with than to say you are kind without actually being that way.
I'm obviously no expert on Scripture, but I hope this helps, Sarah. And anyone else who reads this, pray for my dear friend Sarah who is away at school and I miss terribly. She's my only equal at "Cranium."
Hmm. That is a quandry. It really didn't make alot of sense at first. This is from the NIV so I went to other translations for help. (I know, I know. The eleventh commandment forbids this but throw me a bone.)
"What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar." NASB
"What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar." NKJV
"The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar." KJV
Now we have something to work with. It seems kindness is a recurring theme, here. I would agree, as a man, that kindness is a desirable quality. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit which means that it comes from God upon salvation. The KJV, in Galatians, calls it gentleness, which sort of re-defines it for me. I've always thought of kindness as the quality that makes charity possible. You know, being a kind person means having a heart for giving, whether through monetary gifts or spending time giving our talents, blah, blah, blah. But gentleness is a different bird altogether. Gentleness, to me, is like humility. It's like having the ability to handle situations or people gently by putting aside our own wants or feelings, (see Philippians 2:3,4).
D.L. Moody said that gentleness is "love in society." That makes sense, I think. It is an open expression of love, observable in public which is exactly what we need if we are going to show Christ in us. Here's Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse:
"It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than to have ability for it and want a heart to do it. The poor man wishes you well, but can promise you nothing, because he has nothing to be kind with. The liar makes you believe he will do mighty things, but, when it comes to the setting, will do nothing."
The Carver commentary says, in summary, that it's better to be kind and have nothing to be kind with than to say you are kind without actually being that way.
I'm obviously no expert on Scripture, but I hope this helps, Sarah. And anyone else who reads this, pray for my dear friend Sarah who is away at school and I miss terribly. She's my only equal at "Cranium."
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