Who am I, really? (revised)
My pastor will appreciate today's blog because he's responsible for it.
On Sundays, I try to follow along with the scripture reading in the Bible as it's read. Last Sunday, I read ahead a little bit. I have to tell you that little story to tell you this:
As I listened to the sermon last Sunday, these words jumped out at me: "Who are we, really?" They were important enough to write down and fortunately, the family that sat in the pew last week strategically placed a brown crayon there so I could write down this important question on my church program. I laugh about this because using a crayon to write down something so meaningful was so fitting for who I am.
The question popped out at me because of some of the comments left on the blog lately and something Wendi said to me the last time I talked to her. As I thought about this, my mind took me back to the part of the Bible I read in the pew on Sunday, just a few verses past where the pastor left off. I think this passage will help my friends understand who I am:
From Colossians, Chapter 3 (NIV):
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Who I am is just an improved version of who I was. I left the bad part, the impatient, short, snotty, selfish part of who I was behind. I don't swear too much anymore and for my Guard friends, they will understand the significance of that change in me. If I hear you taking the Lord's name in vain, I'll say something to you about it. I left some other things behind I needed to as well. I still like to fish and to play cards. I still miss going hunting and I'm hoping that in 2011 I'll be able to do that again. I still like to watch the deer walk through my neighborhood. I still hang up Christmas lights on the house at Christmastime because I like them. I still love old movies. I still make good chocolate chip cookies. I still laugh at life and chuckle at people when they do dumb things.
What I am is a man trying to be the person described in the above passage. I'm trying to abide by the things written in the Bible about how we should live our lives. Some days I do better than others, just like everyone else. One big difference is that when I stumble or fall short, it really bothers me. I share with you because it's important for Christians to help spread the Gospel. It says in the Bible that we should each use our own gifts to do that. I write about my life to encourage others.
Thanks for reading today. I hope that gives you some insight into me and what the Bible says about becoming who we should be and leaving the old behind when we're saved. If you get some time, google, "Insight for living" and listen to today's message about Joseph. I've been thinking a great deal about Joseph these past few days and it's interesting that I heard this message today.
Random? Absolutely.(?)
On Sundays, I try to follow along with the scripture reading in the Bible as it's read. Last Sunday, I read ahead a little bit. I have to tell you that little story to tell you this:
As I listened to the sermon last Sunday, these words jumped out at me: "Who are we, really?" They were important enough to write down and fortunately, the family that sat in the pew last week strategically placed a brown crayon there so I could write down this important question on my church program. I laugh about this because using a crayon to write down something so meaningful was so fitting for who I am.
The question popped out at me because of some of the comments left on the blog lately and something Wendi said to me the last time I talked to her. As I thought about this, my mind took me back to the part of the Bible I read in the pew on Sunday, just a few verses past where the pastor left off. I think this passage will help my friends understand who I am:
From Colossians, Chapter 3 (NIV):
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Who I am is just an improved version of who I was. I left the bad part, the impatient, short, snotty, selfish part of who I was behind. I don't swear too much anymore and for my Guard friends, they will understand the significance of that change in me. If I hear you taking the Lord's name in vain, I'll say something to you about it. I left some other things behind I needed to as well. I still like to fish and to play cards. I still miss going hunting and I'm hoping that in 2011 I'll be able to do that again. I still like to watch the deer walk through my neighborhood. I still hang up Christmas lights on the house at Christmastime because I like them. I still love old movies. I still make good chocolate chip cookies. I still laugh at life and chuckle at people when they do dumb things.
What I am is a man trying to be the person described in the above passage. I'm trying to abide by the things written in the Bible about how we should live our lives. Some days I do better than others, just like everyone else. One big difference is that when I stumble or fall short, it really bothers me. I share with you because it's important for Christians to help spread the Gospel. It says in the Bible that we should each use our own gifts to do that. I write about my life to encourage others.
Thanks for reading today. I hope that gives you some insight into me and what the Bible says about becoming who we should be and leaving the old behind when we're saved. If you get some time, google, "Insight for living" and listen to today's message about Joseph. I've been thinking a great deal about Joseph these past few days and it's interesting that I heard this message today.
Random? Absolutely.(?)
yep, your pastor likes it!
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