all made for wilderness, called into pilgrimage

So I will step off of these walkways and head for the hills

trade my plastic jesus for a Lover more wild

life is more than four walls and bowls of fix-it pills

so hold my hand

and after everything: stand.

 

" God loves organic obedience as much as organized obedience."
                         -Christian George

To tithe new Testament style is so different from the Old Testament call to give a tenth of all you are given. The tithe laid out in Leviticus was to protect the Levites and to support this priestly tribe. So what does that mean for today? Is 10% enough? Is it required? Is it still a time to test God and see him tear open the flood gates of heaven into our homes and bank accounts? The early church was united in their giving. They sold their possessions and gave to anyone that had need (Acts 4:42-47). NO ONE WAS WITHOUT. Each had exactly what they needed. The old woman gave her last of everything while the young man flaunted his great gift, probably a small portion of what he had to give. So is 10% enough? What about late bills? What about trying to save? What about college, debt, and a car that runs? To honor God with your money do you give it freely or use it to pay down your own debts and live a more miserly life? What about a combination of the two? The question still remains: how? James talks about us not having because we do not ask, but when we ask we do not ask with correct motives-we ask because we want to spend what we receive on our pleasures (4:2b-3). Ask so that you can give.

"Oh sleeper, get up and be reminded that you are the child of a King. He wouldn't leave you with nothing to bring."
                                             -Miriam Jones "Earth and Sky"

 

~We spend so much time trying to buck tradition because we see the American church failing. True, the church is dying. But to try to build anew rather than recover is to forget what Jesus has been doing in the world for the last two thousand years~

This is a paraphrased thought from the book "Godology." It felt like a punch to the gut- the good kind. I have too long been angry at the church. I seethed as I sat through the hours of Baptist History, subconsciously rolling my eyes at what I perceived as the failings of generations of overly pious men and women. Now I think it's time to take another look. To really look at the fire in the bellies of our ancestors and to let the diesel of the Spirit rain down once more. It's time to set this thing on fire!

 

"You're the only thing I can't do without today"


- Miriam Jones "Anything"

T.W. Hunt said that each morning he spends a few minutes just praising God in order to orient himself to eternity. He then goes into his study where he has a list of all the names he uses to refer to God. He studies this list in order to remind himself who it is he is praying to. I understand what the Psalmist meant when he said "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"(42:2). In a world where we value immediate satisfaction I would like to offer this- come to love Jesus for the very fact that today will be better. Though suffering will come, and often comes daily, the precious time spent freely in the presence of the Ancient of Days, the Creator and Redeemer, THE KING---will make all things fade in comparison. This is not to say that relationship with the Almighty is something fleeting, but rather that even the smallest taste and you will indeed see that He is good and forever long for more. There is nothing in my life that does not mist into the distance the moment I choose to dance around my living room in the hands of my Savior. For those of you who know what I mean, be reminded that you are committed to the "message of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19). And for those of you who do not yet know, "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."     

 

"I don't need company in the company of you. I don't need love, your love will do…I don't need air, no I don't need to breathe. I don't need rest, no I don't have time to sleep; cause I've got You and You've got me- and that's, that's all you need."
                                                            -Tegan and Sara "When I get up"