Incomplete Idiot

"I've heard someone say that our problems aren't the problem; it's our solutions that are the problem. That tends to be one thing that goes wrong for me — my solutions." - Anne Lamott

Name:
Location: Georgia, United States

I am currently the Logistics Coordinator for MCYM/Club Beyond Europe (my missions agency is Young Life, just to be confusing). :0) I have traveled to many parts of this world, but I'm not as well-traveled as I would like to be some day. I have had more jobs than I can count, and my list of interests grows everyday. I take seriously Paul's urging to be "all things to all people". Mostly, I am interested in being a friend to all the folks I have been blessed to meet, because I am discovering (slowly) that it is not all about me.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Hymn

The closing hymn in Sunday morning worship a few Sundays back was “We Are God’s People”. The first line of this hymn states,

We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord,
Born of His Spirit, established by His Word;
Our cornerstone is Christ alone,
And strong in Him we stand:
O let us live transparently
And walk heart to heart and hand in hand.

In spite of the fact that I have a hard time singing hymns without having to find some funky harmony that allows me to stay in a vocal range that neither screeches nor bottoms out into tenor/baritone territory, I find myself enjoying the lyrics more and more. This one particularly spoke to where God has me at the moment. Establishing the precarious balance between the pressures and heartbreaks of this world and desiring a stronger hold on the promises of God’s kingdom can be wearisome, lonesome, and downright confusing. It seems to me that it’s all in these lines somehow. Bryan Jefferey Leech manages to get the whole of Christian life and calling of the church into six short lines. There are, of course, more lyrics, but I feel he could have effectively stopped there. (It doesn’t hurt that the song is sung to Johannes Brahms’ tune, either. It doesn’t necessarily make it more sing-able for me, but it sure is pretty.) I guess, for me, I want the second half of the verse to be true in my life. To live transparently heart to heart and hand in hand with the world doesn’t sound like such a bad thing to want, but, (there’s always a “but”) in order for that to happen, the first half of the verse must be true. I must be born of His Spirit, established by His Word, and trusting in Christ alone, standing strongly in Him before my relationship to the world can be helpful to me or the world. Brennan Manning says that “Love by its nature seeks union”. In light of reading this hymn, I take that to mean that in order for us to be united in relationships with the world, we must first be united in relationship to the giver of the desire for relationships. I’m a slow learner, but someday I hope to get this one right!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

My Not-So-Secret Identity

After a rough week of loss, familial pressure, self-deprecation, and failure to destroy the idols in my life, I came across these truths about those who have been redeemed and thought I'd share it as a reminder to myself and anyone else who struggles with this sort of stuff. Let's face it; who doesn't struggle with this kind of stuff?

Who I Am In Christ

I am accepted...

John 1:12
I am God's child.

John 15:15
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1
I have been justified.

1 Corinthians 6:17
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27
I am a member of Christ's body.

Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

Colossians 1:13-14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2:9-10
I am complete in Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

I am secure...

Romans 8:1-2
I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:28
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.

Romans 8:31-39
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.

Colossians 3:1-4
I am hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians 1:6
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.

Philippians 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven.

2 Timothy 1:7
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

1 John 5:18
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant...

John 15:5
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.

John 15:16
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:16
I am God's temple.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

Ephesians 2:6
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 2:10
I am God's workmanship.

Ephesians 3:12
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.