Marathon of Sorts

It's cold today, the kind of cold that feels like pin pricks in your spine and won't go away without a hot bath or shower.  It's tempting to stay inside with my coffee and curl up with a blanket and have a marathon of old movies. Today seems like a good day for hours and hours of Cary Grant. One slight problem though. Would this be using my time wisely? I have to hang my head in shame because I know this is such a foolish waste of time. I'm surrounded by Bibles and books of theology in my room, and I know that I can always spend more time with God. This thought is gnawing at me and it won't subside. I think it means that I need to spend this Sabbath in the Word for a long time.

A little fun fact that I found out today: Cary Grant marathons do not show up in google.

The photo above is the awesome world hot dog-eating champion Takeru Kobayshi. 

And here's a random fun site for your enjoyment.

James 3:17

I came across this verse this morning. It's a beautiful definition of God's wisdom, so I thought I would share it:

'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.'

Transforming

Proverbs 19:21

There are many plans in a man’s heart,
      Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. 

While visiting my parents this weekend, my mom and I engaged in a conversation about the difference between God transforming and changing people vs. people transforming God to fit into their lives. As I laid in bed, this topic spawned a night of self reflection.

I am a completely different person than I was two years ago, and it still amazes me. Growing up I never thought that I would fall so far away from God, to the point where I was so disenchanted with everything that had to do with Christianity, but it happened. I still remember calling Kim numerous times to see if she really thought that God could forgive me for the wretched things that I’d done. Every time, without fail, she insisted that He could, and she would proceed to back up her stance with scripture and solid theology.

Then, something clicked. 

At that point, I knew I had to change... a lot, like a lot, a lot. It happened in time. Actually, I’m surprised by how quickly so many things changed. The weird thing is that everything happened so naturally. I became less interested in worldly things and more interested in what Jesus was saying about helping others and other messages in the Bible.

To this day, when I’m out and about and I hear young women let out a long string of swear words, I’m reminded of who I used to be. I haven’t forgotten it, but I’ve learned much since then and I am so grateful that I gave up on controlling my life. Letting God take over was the scariest and best decision that I’ve ever made. Nothing has been the same since.

My favorite verse is 1 Corinthians 13:13, ‘Abide in faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’ This is how I view Christianity and what I strive for. I’m far from perfect and God is continually revealing to me the areas where I need to grow, but having just a little bit of those three elements in my life has caused this major transformation. I feel so blessed! I feel like there’s so many reasons that the world gives me to be down and depressed, but I can’t help but be overjoyed because of Jesus.

Each day I’m growing. I’m learning to put God first in my life, and with this radical change of focus, my plans have changed dramatically because my passions  changed. I went from wanting a career in art to focusing on what it really means to be a disciple of Christ, and how God’s love can be manifested through me everyday. I know this can be integrated into art, but I just don't care about it that much anymore beyond it being a hobby.

The Proverbs verse at the top of this posting gives me great comfort in my unemployment and throughout the rest of my life. I can plan and plan, but God can always change those plans. I’ve seen it so much throughout my life during these past few years. I still have a plan for my future, but I trust God with it. I know that following Him always is the only thing that matters. Knowing that God is in control and has a plan makes me incredibly excited because He's a far better planner than me.

Ephesians 2

This passage stood out to me this morning, so I thought I would share it.

Ephesians 2:1-22

By Grace Through Faith

 ¹ And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in Hiskindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Brought Near by His Blood

   

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Christ Our Peace

   

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Christ Our Cornerstone

   

¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Drawing Near - Psalm 103

Man, it's like blogging is my new obsession since school let out...

Anyway, I was about to head out for the day and then suddenly I became filled with this overflowing joy. I know it's from God. While I was getting ready this morning, I was thinking that I really need to go to Mass today, I was also thinking about James 4:8, 'Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.' I've been missing my daily Bible readings and I can feel it. I've become rushed or I leave my devotions until I go to bed (...and then fall asleep). When this joy came this morning, I stopped. I sat down with my Bible and in God's grace, He brought me to Psalm 103. I'm reminded why I'm filled with so much joy: our God is so wonderful, loving, and merciful. This was a beautiful start to my day; Jesus reminded me to not be selfish and to always put Him first.

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

 ¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 ² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 ³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
         
 ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness
         And justice for all who are oppressed.
 ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
         His acts to the children of Israel.
 ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious,
         Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
 ⁹ He will not always strive with us,
         Nor will He keep His anger forever.
 ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
         Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 
         
 ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
         So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
 ¹² As far as the east is from the west,
         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father pities his children,
         So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
 ¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
         He remembers that we are dust. 
         
 ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
         As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
 ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
         And its place remembers it no more.
 ¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
         On those who fear Him, 
         And His righteousness to children’s children,
 ¹⁸ To such as keep His covenant,
         And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 
         
 ¹⁹ The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
         And His kingdom rules over all. 
         
 ²⁰ Bless the LORD, you His angels,
         Who excel in strength, who do His word, 
         Heeding the voice of His word.
 ²¹ Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
         You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
 ²² Bless the LORD, all His works,
         In all places of His dominion. 
         
         Bless the LORD, O my soul!

John 6 and the Eucharist

This past weekend, I traveled to Healdsburg for a wedding that I was in. I got to know many new people and what did I talk about? Well, I spent most of Friday night talking about religion. I know, I know it's taboo to talk about that in social settings. In my defense, I didn't initiate the conversation about God, but as many people know, it's incredibly difficult for me to stop talking about Him once I get started. I love God, so I end up talking about Him frequently because He's pretty wonderful.

During this conversation, there were many tangents. I do feel that I left one thing that came up unclarified and that is the Biblical basis for the Eucharist. Below is one reference from the Bible, which I believe to be one of the strongest supporters for the true presence during communion. It's long, so brace yourself. :)  One thing to remember while reading this is the Greek word that Jesus uses for 'eat' is better translated as 'gnaw,' like eating meat or flesh. There's so much more writing about the Eucharist from early Christian fathers like St Augustine, St Ignatius, and others, which can provide further support for it. For now, I'll just provide this passage that stood out to me. But, if you do feel inclinded to learn exactly what the Catholic church teaches, I'm going to direct you to this site instead of reiterating it.

I understand Catholics and Protestants have different understandings of what the Bible says about this, so I'm not trying to convert anyone here. I'm simply letting others know the why behind what I believe to be true.

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John 6:22-71

The Bread from Heaven   

²² On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— ²³ however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— ²⁴ when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵ And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 

²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. ²⁷ Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 

²⁸ Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 

²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 

³⁰ Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? ³¹ Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

³⁴ Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 

³⁵ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. ³⁷ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹ This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Rejected by His Own   

⁴¹ The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” ⁴² And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 

⁴³ Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. ⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. ⁴⁶ Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. ⁵⁰ This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” 

⁵² The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” 

⁵³ Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. ⁵⁶ He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” 

⁵⁹ These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Turn Away   

⁶⁰ Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 

⁶¹ When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶²What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. ⁶⁵ And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

⁶⁶ From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. ⁶⁷ Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 

⁶⁸ But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

⁷⁰ Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” ⁷¹ He spoke of Judas Iscariot,the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

-NKJV

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Questions to ask:

1) Why did people walk away?

2) Why didn't Jesus correct them if He meant something other than literally eating His flesh?

3) What makes this a hard teaching?

**Please note that these were a few of my own questions.