Stay Connected

It's the 21st Century! We have advanced in technology and technology makes the world a better place!

Or does it???

It is easy for one to argue either way. One aspect of technology that I want to focus on, however, is that which connects us and keeps open multiple lines of communication. Today we are all consistently aware of what others are saying, thinking, and doing by way of Facebook, Twitter, and various forms of social media, as well as having cell phones that keeps our friends and family just a few short rings away at all times. Many would think of this as a wonder that has brought progress and advancement to the world, and they would be right in saying so! But what else have these things brought us?

I don't think we realize the problems that have also been wrought by our so called "advancements". For one, technology has led to the depersonalizing of relationships. Certain social networks have taken away the risk in relationships, as well as devalued the meaning of the word "friend". Today, everyone is automatically a "friend" so long as they have sent a friend request. No one personally shares their stories with there friends. Instead they pour it out for everyone to see/read.

Boundaries are broken because of the advancement of technology. Privacy is invaded, and people are quicker to speak without thinking first. Many people make statements online that, if they were in the presence of all the people they have "friended", would think twice about saying and ultimately choose not to say. Emotion and personality are significantly reduced by the use of texting and social networks.

Ultimately, one could argue that we are in fact LESS connected because of advancement. When communication is reduced to short, emotional-driven statement made in haste and without discernment as to whom is reading, then we are left with relationships that are raped by emotions and by cold, unforgiving delusions of popularity and friendship.

Also, I question the value in people also being contactable? This severely affects the much needed solitude and silence that are needed for one's psyche. These are two spiritual disciplines that are all but lost because of all that I have mentioned above. With the presence of cell phone, people suddenly are loaded with false obligations and responsibility. How many of you have been reprimanded for not answering your phone? Or for not responding to a text fast enough? Is it your responsibility to do so? There is no scripture that says "Thou shalt make yourself as available as possible for others" or "If thou art within the reach of one's voice, then thou shalt heed it!" No, this is not a Bible taught concept. Again, this is a violation of privacy and of personal boundaries. Too much "communication" can be bad, especially since these forms have overridden true quality time with other members of humanity.

Don't get me wrong. I am grateful  for technology and I am grateful for what cell phones and social media can do to better our lives; to ease our lives. I simply am stating that we need to be aware of the problems that can incur because of it and work to keep these from affecting us, our relationships, and the unity of the Church.

Peace be upon you all,

Stephen

"Respect"

It seems that I may have provided the wrong impression concerning my "not feeling respected". This was not me simply being on an ego trip or being down on myself. No, this was something far different.

We read about ancient civilizations and how people sought to have honor for themselves and their family. To BE honorable people, to BE people worthy of respect. This is kind of the angle I am coming from. I guess where I was coming from is the belief that I am not yet one to be honored. I believe that there is within m,e the power and characteristics that are necessary to be one that is respectable, but I have just not yet stepped into the position, or I have not yet begun to use those skills in a way that it is noticeable.

Now, let me be clear. The goal I have is not to do things so that I will get noticed, but instead to live out such a life of honor and discipline that it is noticeable without my seeking to be noticed. You tracking?

Here are some of the questions that I've been asking of myself:

• "Do my words hold wisdom, or halfhearted babble?"
• "Are my words reliable? Can people listen to what I say and know for a fact that I am honest and sincere?"
• "Do I live out what I teach?"
• "How do I interact with people around me? Am I a good example to others?"
• "Is my lifestyle one that is honorable and reflective of my God and my love for Him?"

These are the questions I place before myself to filter and sum up myself for the purpose of improving myself and to become more disciplined. If you are reading this and you know me, or you have merely been reading my blog and think you have some insight into who I am, please feel free to comment, message, or email me (sgreen2049@gmail.com) and share your thoughts! Do you think I am a respectable person? Why or why not? What are so observations you might have about me to help me answer the questions above? 

Also, examine your life! Ask yourself these questions and see what you come up with!

Peace be with you!

Stephen

Stay FRESH!

Something that came to my mind the other day was the topic of "revelation". Now, I'm not referring to the book of Revelations found at the end of the New Testament, but I do plan on referring to that in just a moment. No, what I am referring to is the often believed goal for one reading scripture. Growing up I constantly heard that one needed a "fresh revelation" from God to be able to grow or operate in the kingdom of God.

I'm not speaking against one receiving a revelation from God. I simply believe that it doesn't happen as often as people would like to think it does. I also believe that, more often than not, people are too fixated on receiving a "revelation" that they conjure one up or take the first random thought that pops into their head as a revelation without checking themselves or testing it first.

Actually I think that Christians as a whole have a tendency to fixate on some singular aspect of Christianity or spirituality and, therefore, miss out on other important parts of their faith structure. Too many suffer because of the single mindedness of people. If you are going to concentrate on one thing and one thing only, then let it be upon the worship and adoration of God, then perhaps through that you might fulfill all else. Our jobs as Christians is not to "receive revelation", memorize the Bible, or turn our small community Church into a mega church. No we are supposed to love God with our hearts, minds, physical strength, and everything that is within us, and then love others. But I digress.

So why, if one receives a true revelation from God, is it that they are seeking another one the very next moment? Why not take then one you just received and apply it to your life first?! Do the Holy Spirit's revelations have such a short life span that one must try and get a new one every week or every day??? I think that we are treating the Holy Spirit's moving and speaking into our lives too flippantly and not with the gratitude and respect that is deserved. We are too caught up in being awed and getting what we want and as much as we want to truly appreciate what He does in fact give us.

Believe me when I say that I am just as guilty of this as anyone. Many who read this will probably not understand, and many more will be offended by what I say. I pray that God gives me and you understanding in this matter so that we can live fully to His glory and honor what the Holy Spirit does in each of our lives.

Peace be with you all,

Stephen

New Beginnings

Change can be such a difficult, yet exciting, part of life. Some fear it, others crave it, and everyone experiences it. Change is an important aspect, dare I say necessity, of life that pushes us to grow and to be more than carbon copies of our parents or mere byproducts of our environment.

This week I have stepped into a new stage of life that both scares me and excites me. I've moved to a new city for a new job and to get connected to a new church. Everything is new! Thankfully I do have a couple friends that live in the area who have been true blessings to me during this time.

It's only been a week and I've already begun to see change in my life due to the Spirit's revealing, pressuring, and purging. I can honestly say that I think I have experienced every possible emotion there is to experience, except for that which one might feel when jumping out of a plane or staring down the barrel of a gun.

What I have learned thus far:

1. I have seen who my friends truly are and have grown closer to many of them through this experience. I am so grateful for the friendship that God has blessed me with. I am also grateful for support from family, including a few whom I never thought would so me love or support.
2. I need time alone, but I also need people. While it has been well known that I am an introverted person and have often shied away form people and been a bit of a wall flower at social gathering, I am indeed a social person. I need people. I need relationships. Many do not understand that I am a relational person at all. 
3. I have a lot of questions that suddenly I am not afraid to have answered
4. I don't feel like I'm respected by people and I strongly desire to feel respected.

I have a great deal of stuff to to learn. So much to deal with. I'm about to make some of the greatest steps of growth and healing that I've ever done. I will make new friends, I will be hurt, I will experience joy and pain...I will sing songs of life and of lament, I will dance and I will mourn, but I know that I will endure all things until my appointed time. Whenever that may be. 

I'm ready for the change. 

Vows of Love and the Words that Imply Them

I'm not one to talk about love or relationship of a romantic nature. It's outside my realm of knowledge or comfort. Recently, however, I watched the movie called "The Vow" and it left me with a lot of things to think about. Actually I am resisting the temptation to sit here and write up three different blog posts...but I digress.

Vows: that dastardly use of words to convey loyalty and affection; to create promises of allegiance and/or self-sacrifice with the implication that one's words are trustworthy and will ever be fulfilled until a certain condition (more commonly death) has been accomplished or invoked.

Its amazing how little vows mean to society today. Especially among Christians, who seem to make more vows than anyone else (or at least by my observation). It is no longer easy to trust the words of others. A fact evidenced by ever growing need for detailed contracts with witnesses and special seals. I once heard a friend say that contracts rely on a base trust among individuals to believe that one will fulfill the written contract, but in my mind I see the use of them at all as a proof of distrust, not to mention that many contracts are left unfulfilled.

Sadly it is no different for marital vows. So many speak words without sincerity or without truly seeking to work at keeping their vows. It appears to me (and forgive my bluntness), there are far too many people still walking around and breathing in light of all the marriages that have ended just this year. Now, I'm not saying that there are not biblical reasons for divorce. I would stand to say that abuse and continual adultery are valid reasons for divorce, while still very unfortunate and heartbreaking, as well as displeasing to God. These two actions are in complete disregard to the vows that were made during the couple's wedding ceremony. A friend of mine once told me that "It is more biblical for me to murder my wife than for me to divorce her. But I would never murder her." I think that this is a beautiful and yet...disturbing, image that we all need to grasp. Murder is recognized as being ultimately wrong, but no one is willing to hold vows and marriage to the standard that they should. Perhaps it is the overwhelming pride and self-contentedness of humanity without the old cultural pressures to "make it work" that has led us to this place.

Vows are far more significant than any mere contract. It is a matter of honor, trust, reputation, and the persons very life is bound to a vow that is spoken. Christians have a tendency to make a lot of these, usually to God, but often to others in the form of false friendship and deceitful acts of love. Additionally, there is the famous phrase "I'll be praying for you!" or "Let me know if there is anything I can do!" which are both too often spoken flippantly and without being fulfilled. A great tragedy of the age. The bearers of truth showing smile and speaking meaningless words that leave people broken and hurt. Distrust reigns and sin abounds because people are unwilling to uphold integrity and follow through with what they vow.

Do not take my post as arrogant. I am just as guilty of the same crime. I call my own integrity into question and ask of myself "what vows have you spoken vainly?", "What words have you said without thinking?", and "How can I overcome this?"

May we always seek to do what we say and say what we do. That all that is said is said with intentionality and purpose rather than manipulation or disregard.

Peace be with you all,

Stephen

Preparing to Worship

How does one prepare themselves for worship? What steps does on take? How does one manipulate his or her own heart or mind to being "prepared" to worship God? Are these even the right questions?

Yesterday I was spending time with my good friend Matt Green, author and editor of the blog From the Library to the Lectern, and talking about this very topic. Though we only talked about it briefly, I found myself with a great deal to write on the subject.

I grew up in a pentecostal/charismatic worship environment where I often heard things like "Get your hearts ready for worship", "Let us prepare to worship God" (This one is usually said after the first two song that are generally fast paced and come right before the one or two slow songs that sum up the typical worship service", and also "I hope you have come prepared to worship".

Such statements leads church goers to begin to question themselves. For the "outsider" who has never been to church before, they might begin to be confused and question their assumption that simply by desiring to come and participate that they are in fact...prepared. Then again, many people come to hear the preaching form the pastor, and could care very little about expressing love and worship to God.

SO back to the original question. How does one prepare themselves for worship? Most people I know would say "by listening to good Christian music on your way to church!" or "by praying, fasting, and or speaking in tongues while you drive!" I find these answer rather unsatisfactory.

1. Simply listening to "good Christian music" is more or less a paradox these days, and listening to "worship" music does not make one ready to worship.
2. If one were to sing along to the worship music they are playing for the purpose of becoming worshipful, are they not worshiping?
3. Praying, fasting, and speaking in tongues are not instruments for making one worshipful. While practicing these things can in fact grow one closer to God, they do not prepare one for worship. Though I will not deny the connectivity of these said action to worship. 
4. Why is worship limited to one or two songs during a service on Sunday?
5. People who sing worship songs on their way to church may still not even worship once there. 
6. I think that our concept of worship is incredibly off base. We boil worship down to either the displaying of emotions, or to the reciting of ancient liturgical writings while missing the real point of worship: God. 

If your heart is not in a place in which you feel excited about going to a worship service, it does not make you a terrible person. We all go through times in our lives where we don't have a desire to worship (in Christianese this called a "dry season" or a "valley"). God does not love you less for this, nor does it mean that you are drifting from God. 

They are a great number of reasons as to why you might be experiencing this lack of desire. A lot of times it's because we get caught up in the stresses and turmoils of life and we lose focus on God, or we neglect to talk something out with Him. We put away our wrestlings and questions that we have concerning life and come with our minds in a fog. While listening to music and praying and speaking in tongues are all ways of bring God back into the forefront place in our minds, they are often promoters of unhealthiness when used by people to ignore or push aside emotions and unprocessed thought. 

Worship is lifting up of God and standing in awe of Him, honoring Him by being what He has created us to be and marveling at His creation and His deeds. How can we do that properly when we do not look at the world around us? How can we worship God when we shove all of reality out of our minds or leave our emotions toward God and towards life/reality unprocessed? 

I believe it is possible, but not to the fullest of our abilities. I have begun to recognize the need for knowledge of God and for the mystery of God to invade me mind. I have found myself worshiping God more and more with my intellect and with deeply meaningful liturgy than with tears and emotion driven singing (though I see purpose and placement for those as well). 

What are your thoughts on worship? What do you think it means to worship or to "prepare" for worship? What brought you to this conclusion?

Peace be with you all,

Stephen