Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ephesians 4

Yesterday was quite possibly one of the most blessed days I've had in a while. Below is what I read yesterday morning and it's all my heart could focus on all day. It turned out I got to spend the afternoon with two great friends on two separate adventures. I then followed it up with my love for the game of volleyball. Followed by a good time with a few more friends. God's funny sometimes in His timing, but I guess He knows best right? I'm going to leave you with Ephesians 4, I think it sums up an end to a few hard weeks.

Unity in the Body of Christ

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The New Life

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

When did I become emotional?

So it's been awhile since I last wrote anything. Like 3 months almost to the day. I love Austin and life here and the people here and the church I've found. Today is 90 days at my job and I was given the day off to relax. I don't know if relaxing is something that I'm really able to comprehend right now. There has been so much that's been going on in my life in the past week and a half it has just turned me to an emotional wreck, which isn't normal. I don't cry, but I have been and I'm ok with it. This morning I thought I would go for a run out at Town Lake to just release all frustrations and emotions...I didn't make it very far. I made it about a mile to a little sitting area on the Zilker park side that faces downtown. I sat down and thought oh I will sit here for a few minutes...a few minutes turned into 20. I just sat and overlooked downtown and just let my emotions go. Of all songs that came on I just listened to Ray Lamontagne's words in his song "Be Here Now". Who would think Ray Lamontagne would have words of wisdom for me today...not me. I posted the lyrics below. It's what I need to know today...I can't continue to let myself get more and more weary.

Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now