Growth

"... Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2

This verse has been rolling through my head for the past few weeks and I think that it is one of the best verses in the bible, because it helps us realize that any pain we're experiencing, or any tough time that we're going through is for a reason. The main two actions of this verse are God pruning us and becoming more fruitful.

God pruning us could happen in many different ways; you may lose your job, a family member may die, or you may just be put in a dry spot spiritually. No matter what form it is in, it's tough. But as the verse says, this happens so we can bear more fruit.

I think that the fruit that this verse is referring to is something that brings God glory. For example, I had a friend who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13. This was a huge hurdle in his life, but through his attitude, and love for Christ, he held together even though he wasn't able to play the sports that he loved, or attend school with his friends. The nurses and doctors were touched by his (and his parents') attitudes and they, in turn were inspired by this Christian family. I don't know what happened to the doctors and nurses, but my friend is done with treatment and cancer free. Through his "pruning" of his health, he bared more fruit by impressing the nurses and doctors with his attitude and trust in God.

This verse is a great reminder that bad things happen to good people, but regardless of the situation, it is for God's glory in one way or another, even if we don't see it.

For the new year

Why is it that despite all Christ has given us, our houses, cars, friends, comfort, personal luxuries, we still crave more? It is almost like Christianity has become materialistic; people are looking at it like it is a trade - "Okay Jesus, I've been reading my bible for the past month so I expect my boss to give me that raise now" or "I'll feed the homeless, but I expect others to notice me and look up to me because of it." The beauty of following Jesus is that nothing is normal; it is personal. Each person will experience a different level of happiness or even suffering, not depending on how good of a Christian they've been, but depending on what way will bring the most glory to God. 

What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church?

My dad showed me this video on youtube and I realized how relevant it is for some places today. Check it out.

The Eucharist

Communion is that thing we do at Church when we eat a piece of bread and then we drink some grape juice. That’s it. That’s what it’s become. Nothing more than a routine motion every once in a while. The importance of this key action has been lost. How is it that we’ve lost a part of the single moment that changed humanity forever? I can guarantee that when Jesus said "do THIS is in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24), that ’this’ doesn’t mean to only go through the motions. ‘This’ doesn’t mean think about all the things you need to get done before the week starts up again. The importance of the action of communion to remember what Christ did for us. It is out of love, respect, and sheer worship that we have communion.

But it is an action that has become simplified throughout the years. If we look back, we’ll see that the Greek translation of Communion is Eucharist. Eu being ’good,’ and charist being ’gift.’ Jesus was the Eucharist, or good gift. He died on the cross for us. He endured unbearable pain. His body was broken. His blood was spilled. His flesh was ripped. Nails were hammered through his wrists. He endured the most painful experience known to man by dying on the cross. And all for what? A sinful species that has constantly ignored his love and thrown dirt upon his name.

What if when Jesus said "do THIS in remembrance of me," He meant to break you’re body for the broken. Pour out you blood for the lost ones. Endure the pains of sacrifice. What if He meant live a life of communion? To live a life that follows the Eucharist? We should be a “good gift.” We should give every ounce of strength, every breath of air, every word spoken, to serve others. Christ lived his life as the Eucharist. We need to learn to take communion as a reminder that we should live a life of service. Communion needs to become something more than what it has been.

My First Post

So a little bit about me before I get going, since this is my first blog and all. I'm a college student who is trying to live life to it's fullest. I am a Christian, and definitely don't know everything there is to know about God, but I'm hoping to learn more as the days go on. My life motto has been "the only constant is change" (I'll post more on that in the future). I don't really know what I want to accomplish with this blog other than to get my thoughts out. And here is what I'm thinking:

There have been too many days where I have been going from one thing to the next to the next. They’re fun, and I get to do what I want, but they’re not fulfilling. There is nothing wrong with my commitments at all (school, friends, girlfriend, soccer, band, church, studying/homework, working out, tutoring kids downtown). I can get all of them into my schedule, and it works, but there is never a focus. Can one do too much good? I have begun to think so. I remember hearing stories of pastors - leaders of a congregation - slipping in their personal relationship with Christ because they are too busy working at their church. What if some of these priorities were eliminated? Taking out soccer would leave me with 6-8 more hours during the week that I could use to focus on another priority. Jesus said no to good things. Instead of healing people who were looking for Him, He went away to spend time alone with His father. What if all of them where eliminated, or focused around one priority. It has been said time and time again to make God your focus. Yet, I keep saying yes to other things. Every choice has an opportunity cost; it is what or who you say “no” to whether you know it or not. When I say yes to tutoring kids downtown, I say no to extra time with God. Yes, you can reflect God through that action, and it is a great thing to do, but when added on top of all the other things that I have on my plate, it adds up. I don’t want to say that my personal relationship has been my opportunity cost, but it’s become that way and I need to change it. I am going to try and plan my schedule around my one on one God time for a month and see how that works out.