After on a couple of the buisiest months of my life have past, I am now returning to lay out some more thoughts. The blog’s name is true to life this is about my contemplative life; and contemplation requires time away from the hustle and bustle of life to think. I don’t try to think of things to share here as if I were living for you I write out of the overflow of my heart things that I feel like you could benifit from. So sorry for being away and hope to make up for it as I have learned a great lesson in over extention in the last few weeks.
How easy is it to live life with blinders on? We go about our business and do our thing as if no one else exist. We have learned this from the culture. The culture is self centered, self absorbed, and self conscience. It’s a fact.
Our most recent craze is Facebook, an amazing communication tool that enables us to hide behind a computer and share our edited lives with others. I’m an addict,(in hopes of rehabilitation), so I speak from a good perspective. But the more I indulge the more I notice that there is a temptation to replace real life flesh and blood
friendships.
Real friendship happens when people are present. When food is eaten and mistakes are made. What will our lives look like if we can continue to hide behind computers, phones, camera, and nice clothes.
I think what will happen is we will lose track of who we are. How can we express our real feelings when we hide in a bubble of presentation.
This is where we need to reexamine the new testament scriptures and old testament prophecies. The old testament prophesied about a God who would be with us “Hosanna.” Jesus exemplified this notion by truly coming among us in the flesh and living life with us. He ate, drank, slept, and died with us. Where have we gone wrong.
Over the last few years the meaning of community has changed for me as my wife and I have been living with another family. There is nothing more sacred than having Christian community every waking moment. It’s trying to be truthful but it is a primal part of life.
True sacrificial flesh and blood friendships, where hands get dirty and shoulders get cried on, are one of the most enjoyable benefits of life.
This is what Christ gave us. He gave us the ability to be reconciled to God and to man. He has given us the tools to forgive others even when they are wrong. He has given us what we call the Church.
So why have we reduced our gift of community to text messages and updated Facebook status’?
Maybe we are not living in the fullness of God’s gift.
Maybe we are just fine living out our faith in our own controlled environments.
Amos wrote in the 6th chapter of the book named after him that…
4.You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs
and fattened calves.
5 You strum away on your harps like David
and improvise on musical instruments.
6 You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
your feasting and lounging will end.
The truth is that there are those around you who need your help. The truth is that they will not be able to make it without you.
The truth is you need to stop presenting yourself to others and present your self to God and ask for clarlity.
Be yourself-your beautiful, stop being reclusive it’s not healthy. Set a date, get together with a friend, talk about real life and watch how God shows up to minister in flesh and blood.
knew how much we asked of Him that this must be an honorable thing.
Prayer- a gateway into the passion filled heaven-bound kingdom of the presence of God.
