Chaos

Ever feel that life is chaotic. One big void; Out of control; not sure what is coming next; what surprises tomorrow will bring.

Chaos is defined as: a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order; any confused, disorderly mass. The meaning "utter confusion" (c.1600) is extended from theological use of chaos  for "the void at the beginning of creation" in Vulgate version of Genesis. {http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chaos}

There will be chaos in our lives if we follow Jesus. He did not promise riches, wealth, and happiness. He told the disciples they would suffer for following Him. He is more interested in our character than our comfort.

Mark 8:34-37 states:

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

As Wesley says,

Let him deny himself - His own will, in all things small and great, however pleasing, and that continually: And take up his cross - Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly, continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory.

Give up a little today for a lot eternally.

Rules of a Godly Life

The Amish have a devotional called Rules of a Godly life. It contains  rules for living the Christian life. I would like to focus on one.
Concerning your thoughts: In the morning, awake with God and consider that this might be your final day. When you go to be at night, you do not know if you will ever rise again, except to appear before the Judgement. For this reason, it is all the more expedient for you to pray every day, falling upon your knees both mornings and evenings, confessing your sins to God and asking His forgiveness, and thanking Him for blessing received. (from The Amish Way, Kraybill, Nolt, and Weaver-Zercher)
This echos what Jesus said in Luke 12:16-20
16And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17“And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18“Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’
You never know when you will draw your last breath; so live each day as if it were your last and live for God!


בְּרָכָה
ed

The inverted life

Last Sunday one of the pastors talked about what he called the inverted life, based on Phillipians 2:5-11. This where we as Christians go against the prevailing message of the world - significance is gained through power and prestige - and follow Jesus' lead into living a life of insignificance. He washed the disciples feet, which is something only a servant would do. He also told the disciples to be servants in Luke 22.
We need to strive toward insignificance by being humble and being a servant. Significance is measured by obtaining goals for others.

Blessings,

ed

Random Thoughts

This is my blog to communicate my thoughts on life and Christianity. I hope to eventually record 2 minutes random thoughts and send these to christian radio stations.