The Essence of Christianity by John Piper

The essence of Christianity is that God is the supreme value in the universe, that we do not honor him as supremely valuable, that we are therefore guilty of sin and under his omnipotent wrath, and he alone can rescue us from his own condemnation, which he has done through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, for everyone who is in Christ. Knowing this, if what we promote is housing, jobs, health care, sobriety, family life minus this message, we are not Christian - we are cruel. We comb man's hair in the electric chair and hide his freedom in our hands.

Romans 1-7 lays it all out. I tried to sum it up last week: holy God, sinful man, coming wrath, perfect Savior, Jesus Christ crucified and risen, justification by faith, sanctification by faith. And now Paul sums up the message of Christianity in the great conclusion of Romans 8:1, "Therefore - in view of all that - there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." That's the essence of Christianity. That's the central, foundational message of God to the world. This is what we announce. This is what we plead. This is what we lay down our lives to communicate to the nations and the neighborhoods: No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.


look at the whole article here.

How different would things be if every Christian knew this truth to the very core of their being and did exactly what John talks about in the last sentences? Do we, as Christians know this truth to our very core? Does Romans 8:1 resonate in our minds with thanksgiving and praise? If so, that alone is a work of God.

can't wait for summer!

some of the many things I like about summer:

1. salty skin and hair

2. little kids running away from the waves

3. kids jumping into waves

4. underwater handstands

5. everyone in a generally happy disposition

6. freedom, at least in high school and college

7. bright colored flowers

8. sun

9. picnics

10. beach volleyball

joy

"You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you."

Isaiah 26:3

yes! (for every woman)

Emily Balli (a woman at Reality) shared this last Saturday and I wanted to spread the word:


Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone.
To have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.
But God to the Christian says, "No, not until you're satisfied and fulfilled and content with living, being loved by Me alone and giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me, to have an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone. I love you, My child, and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me - exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires and belongings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to bring it to you.You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait.
Don't be anxious, don't worry. Don't look around at the things you think you want. Just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you'll miss what I have to show you. And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would have dreamed.
You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, I am working this minute to have both of you ready at the same time, And until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I've prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me, and this perfect love. 
And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. 
I want you to see in the flesh the picture of your relationship with Me, 
and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union 
of beauty and perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.
Know I love you. I am God Almighty, believe and be satisfied."

work it girrrrl

I like this. If only I had more time to paint...hmmm.

to do: paint something similar to this style.

woohoo

"Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name."
(Psalm 100: 3-4)

power

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:17-23)

Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14)

Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
(Psalm 40:5)

truth

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25-26

well

"You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God"
-Chris Tomlin

How awesome is this?! Even better, go on this blog and read the witty comments below each photo. I laugh every time.  http://unhappyhipsters.com/

Thanks Jen!

Excerpt from Girlfriends in God's email devo for today:

"It is important to note that Paul was first a servant - then an apostle set apart for the gospel. The people he served became his family and in turn served him by praying for him, encouraging him and meeting his physical needs. Service is not an option for the Christian. It is a command - a holy calling and the ultimate joy. The most contented people I know are the ones who serve the most. They have found an outlet for giving, have discovered their God given gifts and are using them to serve God. It is a paradox in the Christian life that the more we give the more we receive and the greater our level of contentment. When we turn inward and become focused on self, discontentment creeps in and takes up residence.
The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are made of the same water that flows from Mt. Hermon. The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful place, lush and green, because it has an outlet as it gathers in its riches then pours them out again to fertilize the Jordan plain. It gives. On the other hand, the Dead Sea, with the same water creates destruction because it has no outlet. It keeps.
The highest purpose in life is to be used by God to impact the lives of others. We often think that God reserves service for those called "ministers." Every follower of God is called to be a minister. Your mission field is your home - your office - your neighborhood and your world. If you want to discover the secret of contentment, look for opportunities to make investments in others by giving yourself away. Every act of service is a deposit in eternity and a wise investment." -Mary Southerland

Three of my closest friends (Tracy, Kel, Kate) and I receive these daily email devotions.We try to send responses to one another but it's been a little busy lately...gotta get back to it. To receive daily devotions go here: http://girlfriendsingod.com/

As cheesy as this photo is it's so true. I love all my girlfriends so much and I am so thankful for them! You know who you are.

"Am I My Brother's Keeper?" - Oswald Chambers

"None of us lives to himself..." (Romans 14:7)


     Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? For instance, if I allow any turning away from God in my private life, everyone around me suffers. We "sit together in the heavenly places..." (Ephesians 2:6). "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it..." (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, "Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?" "Our sufficiency is from God..." and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5).
     "You shall be witnesses to Me..." (Acts 1:8). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? That is what God means when He uses the word witness. But it takes time, so be patient with yourself. Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am i willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one person and one alone-to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life of service to God is the way I say "thank you"to Him for His inexpressibly wonderful salvation. Remember, it is quite possible for God to set any of us aside if we refuse to be of service to Him-"...lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27).

be encouraged!

sunlight!

the inspiration

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
   Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17

arise

"For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful to even speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,



"Awake sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you'."


[made this on the train ride down to San Diego a while back and thought I'd share]

excerpts from ACTS OF OBEDIENCE by Steven C. Hawthorne

"As He did on the Emmaus road, we should look for Christ Himself to come alongside of us, even in our foolish and self-absorbed moments, and remind us of the "big picture" of all that God has been doing throughout history. As He did in the event on the road to Emmaus, Christ desires to open our "minds to understand the Scriptures" to help us grasp a purpose larger  than ourselves (Luke 24:25). We can expect that Christ is able and willing to give us orders today "by the Holy Spirit" so that specific guidance will mesh with the big-picture vision of the fulfillment of God's global purpose for Christ's glory."


"Millions of people today are being turned away from the gospel, not by Christ, or by the repentance that He calls for. They are turning away because well-meaning zealots for Christian traditions have demanded adherence to so-called "Christian" cultural traditions. Superficial matters such as diet, dress, music, family names or any number of other peripheral matters are not what the gospel is all about. If we insist that these kinds of things are essential, we have to recognize that we are pressing for a "Christian cirumcision" that God has not required...Today we must do all we can to welcome people to Christ through that door of faith, helping them follow Christ without carrying a "greater burden" (Acts 15:28) of other biblically-founded traditions which are not the essentials of obeying Christ in faith. Only then will the gospel be declared and the nations be able to follow Christ "unhindered" (Acts 28:31)."


Praise God for culture and creative expression! And for seeking us out when we are foolish and self-absorbed. 


Rejoice!!! look at this video: http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/

one anothers

"One Another" Commands in the Bible
 
"One another" commands are found 59x in the New Testament. 
A few are repeated more than once.
1..  Members One of Another -- Rom. 12:3-5; Eph. 4:25 
2..  Minister to One Another -- 1 Pet. 4:10 
3..  Edify (Build Up) One Another -- Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11 
4..  Teach One Another -- Col. 3:16 
5..  Bear One Another's Burdens -- Gal. 6:2 

6..  Pray One for Another -- James 5:16 

7.. Have the Same Care For One Another -- 1 Cor. 12:25 
8.. Comfort One Another -- 1 Thess. 4:18; 1 Thess. 5:11

9.. Have Compassion One to Another -- 1 Pet. 3:8

10.. Through Love Serve One Another -- Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:10

11.. Be Subject One to Another -- 1 Pet. 5:5

12.. Submit to One Another in the Fear (Reverence) of Christ -- Eph.5:21

13.. Be of the Same Mind One Toward Another -- Rom. 12:16

14.. Be Tenderhearted One to Another -- Eph. 4:32

15.. Confess Your Sins to One Another -- James 5:16

16.. Stimulate One Another to Love and Good Deeds -- Heb. 10:24

17.. Be Hospitable One to Another Without Complaint -- 1 Pet. 4:9

18.. Be Kind to One Another -- Eph. 4:32; I Peter 3:8

19.. Be Devoted (Kindly Affectioned) One to Another in Brotherly Love-- Rom. 12:10

20.. Love One Another -- John 13:34-35; John 15:12, 17; Rom. 13:8

21.. Exhort One Another -- Heb. 3:13; Heb. 10:25

22.. Admonish One Another -- Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16

23.. Bear with One Another in Love -- Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13

24.. Forgive One Another -- Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13

25.. Be at Peace with One Another -- Mark 9:50

26.. Give Preference to One Another in Honor -- Rom. 12:10

27.. Accept One Another -- Rom. 15:7

28.. Restore One Another in a Spirit of Gentleness -- Gal. 6:1

29.. Do Not Bite and Devour One Another -- Gal. 5:15

30.. Do Not Envy One Another -- Gal. 5:26

31.. Do Not Complain or Hold a Grudge One Against Another -- James 5:9

32.. Do Not Judge (Condemn) One Another -- Rom. 14:13

33.. Do Not Lie One to Another -- Col. 3:9

34.. Not Preferring (Showing Partiality) One Before Another -- 1 Tim.5:21; James 2:1

35.. Do Not Provoke One Another -- Gal. 5:26; I Cor. 13:4,5

36.. Be Not Puffed Up One Against Another -- 1 Cor. 4:6

37.. Do Not Speak Evil Against One Another -- James 4:11

38.. Speak to One Another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs -- Eph.5:19

39.. Do Not Be Consumed by One Another -- Gal. 5:15

40.. Speak Truth to One Another -- Eph. 4:25

41.. Clothe Yourself with Humility Toward One Another -- 1 Pet. 5:5

42.. Do Not Become Boastful, Challenging One Another -- Gal. 5:26

43.. Encourage One Another Day after Day-- 1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13

44.. Live in Peace with One Another -- 1 Thess. 5:13; Mark 9:50

in honor of the upcoming holiday...

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22

here

also fun to look through

happy

My friend Jen showed these two things to me. a) This room just makes me happy. b) I want to make cards with little designs like these. My doodles slightly resemble these strange flowers. Gracias Jen.