Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Philosopies, Theories, and Me
Ahhh! I am so tired of philosophers. I really am. Sorry Plato, no intention to offend. But if I hear one more person talk about life as if it is a theory, I might shoot myself. Or better yet, them. : ) (I am not normally this violent.) Here's the deal. LIFE IS NOT A THEORY. I can reach out and touch things, I can breathe in and out, I live in a tangible and very REAL world...that is part of an even bigger universe. I am not in any way discounting the spiritual realm that we also live in. I want to be clear in that.
But I am tired of modern day philosophers. We see them everywhere. Colleges are infiltrated with them, our churches host them at our pulpits, we listen to them and get all emotional and stirred when then lead our bible studies...they are everywhere. What do they do? They talk about ideas as if an idea is the root and end of all things. They treat the Kingdom like it is some experiment that can be hypothesized about and put into a test tube. They talk talk talk talk talk about what we should do and be and who God is and says that we are. A lot of the things that they say are true, biblical, and "sound". But they are still just theories if no one lives them out. Right?
We are to be hearers and DOERS of the word. Our ideas are NOTHING if they do not push us to action. And I fear that our lives are just becoming this big spiritual pep rally, but we never get out there and play the game. Does anybody hear me? I mean can anyone relate to this?
I do not mean to say that I am not privy to all these things. I am just as bad. I will sit around and talk about what we are going to do for the Lord and who we are going to be and how we out to be full of passion, intention, and other things. It's like I sit there and read the word and have awesome talks with God and know exactly what I need to do...and then go on with my day like none of that happened. Sometimes I feel like I am this awesome, advanced, polished, well-made, pair of running shoes that just sits on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. But they are good in theory right?
Ug. I am so tired of being a philosopher.
But I am tired of modern day philosophers. We see them everywhere. Colleges are infiltrated with them, our churches host them at our pulpits, we listen to them and get all emotional and stirred when then lead our bible studies...they are everywhere. What do they do? They talk about ideas as if an idea is the root and end of all things. They treat the Kingdom like it is some experiment that can be hypothesized about and put into a test tube. They talk talk talk talk talk about what we should do and be and who God is and says that we are. A lot of the things that they say are true, biblical, and "sound". But they are still just theories if no one lives them out. Right?
We are to be hearers and DOERS of the word. Our ideas are NOTHING if they do not push us to action. And I fear that our lives are just becoming this big spiritual pep rally, but we never get out there and play the game. Does anybody hear me? I mean can anyone relate to this?
I do not mean to say that I am not privy to all these things. I am just as bad. I will sit around and talk about what we are going to do for the Lord and who we are going to be and how we out to be full of passion, intention, and other things. It's like I sit there and read the word and have awesome talks with God and know exactly what I need to do...and then go on with my day like none of that happened. Sometimes I feel like I am this awesome, advanced, polished, well-made, pair of running shoes that just sits on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. But they are good in theory right?
Ug. I am so tired of being a philosopher.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Not Long Here
"I've got my memory. Always inside of me...created for a place I've never known. This is home." Jon Foreman is the man. I will always say this. His writing for Switchfoot has caught me off guard many times. Tunes that come off as "catchy", become something I am quickly, and completely "caught up in."
That was only a preface to my main point. I have written about this before, and I still believe it. God works in circles in my life. He brings it all back around and will again and again. He really drives things home with me. Each time I learn the same core lesson, just in a deeper and more beautiful way.
This one started by reading "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis. I learned more about, and Lewis perfectly captured, this longing in my heart that could not be explained. I know it is for heaven's streets and the Lord's face. I was not made for this earth. I am a stranger here. I want to be home.
Next was the song "Home" by Switchfoot. I cried the first time it graced my radio and immediately became obsessed with this song that everyone else seemed to deem "simple" or "not that deep". My heart understood every word and I knew that Jon Foreman must have read a lot of C.S. Lewis.It has become one of my theme songs.
Alas, I am listening to Brooke Fraser the other day and she has a song called "C.S. Lewis Song". The bridge repeats "We are not long here" and she sings of being made for another place. That phrase has been in my head for days... and the circle comes back around again.
Lord, thank you for the reminder. Thank you for knowing my heart and the exact circumstances I am in. You always send me just what I need. And thank you for using the writings of this man from the past to remind me of my eternal future. I am not long here.
That was only a preface to my main point. I have written about this before, and I still believe it. God works in circles in my life. He brings it all back around and will again and again. He really drives things home with me. Each time I learn the same core lesson, just in a deeper and more beautiful way.
This one started by reading "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis. I learned more about, and Lewis perfectly captured, this longing in my heart that could not be explained. I know it is for heaven's streets and the Lord's face. I was not made for this earth. I am a stranger here. I want to be home.
Next was the song "Home" by Switchfoot. I cried the first time it graced my radio and immediately became obsessed with this song that everyone else seemed to deem "simple" or "not that deep". My heart understood every word and I knew that Jon Foreman must have read a lot of C.S. Lewis.It has become one of my theme songs.
Alas, I am listening to Brooke Fraser the other day and she has a song called "C.S. Lewis Song". The bridge repeats "We are not long here" and she sings of being made for another place. That phrase has been in my head for days... and the circle comes back around again.
Lord, thank you for the reminder. Thank you for knowing my heart and the exact circumstances I am in. You always send me just what I need. And thank you for using the writings of this man from the past to remind me of my eternal future. I am not long here.
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