We are damaged goods too. The only difference is that we are wanted. Jesus wants us, in return for what we have to offer, and he doesn't offer a sub-standard price.
Jesus paid the full price for your life when he died on the Cross.
Monday 26 March 2007
Damaged goods
Next time you walk around Tesco, take a look at the reduced items. The items nobody wants, the damaged goods. There's something wrong with them, be it with the packaging, the goods, or both. Nobody wants it, even though it is at a reduced price, because it's broken. Damaged.
We are damaged goods too. The only difference is that we are wanted. Jesus wants us, in return for what we have to offer, and he doesn't offer a sub-standard price.
We are damaged goods too. The only difference is that we are wanted. Jesus wants us, in return for what we have to offer, and he doesn't offer a sub-standard price.
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
To save a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."
I've been challenged by the film Amazing Grace. As I was walking out of the cinema, the thought occurred to me 'How do I apply this to my life?' Then I saw her bag. It was a Nike rucksack, and had the slogan
'Just do it.'
In big letters right at my eye level. So I'm just going to do it.
It's been 200 years since Slavery was 'abolished', and the slave trade is still there. The only difference is that we have, as with everything else, made it more 'politically correct', and sugar-coated it, by calling it 'Human Trafficking.'
I'm not saying that it isn't an accurate description of what is happening to every Man, Woman or Child who is torn away from their surroundings, and forced into a life of prostitution, smuggling or labour.
But somehow, through giving it a different name, it doesn't sound as wrong. We have made it sound like an issue in a broadsheet newspaper, which people do not understand. And because of this, people do not understand. We need to show people that Human Trafficking is not acceptable, and that it is a much bigger issue than they realise.
"No matter how loud you shout, you will not drown out the voice of the people"
But the people aren't understanding enough to be shouting. They are hesitating, awaiting instruction. Don't instruct them, but provide them with the necessary information for them to decide what to shout. Let them make the decision to cry 'Freedom!'
We shouldn't just be worrying about the physical slaves now. Consider yourself; are you a slave to sin?
"Now set the captives free; leave us abandoned to your praise."
To save a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."
I've been challenged by the film Amazing Grace. As I was walking out of the cinema, the thought occurred to me 'How do I apply this to my life?' Then I saw her bag. It was a Nike rucksack, and had the slogan
'Just do it.'
In big letters right at my eye level. So I'm just going to do it.
It's been 200 years since Slavery was 'abolished', and the slave trade is still there. The only difference is that we have, as with everything else, made it more 'politically correct', and sugar-coated it, by calling it 'Human Trafficking.'
I'm not saying that it isn't an accurate description of what is happening to every Man, Woman or Child who is torn away from their surroundings, and forced into a life of prostitution, smuggling or labour.
But somehow, through giving it a different name, it doesn't sound as wrong. We have made it sound like an issue in a broadsheet newspaper, which people do not understand. And because of this, people do not understand. We need to show people that Human Trafficking is not acceptable, and that it is a much bigger issue than they realise.
"No matter how loud you shout, you will not drown out the voice of the people"
But the people aren't understanding enough to be shouting. They are hesitating, awaiting instruction. Don't instruct them, but provide them with the necessary information for them to decide what to shout. Let them make the decision to cry 'Freedom!'
We shouldn't just be worrying about the physical slaves now. Consider yourself; are you a slave to sin?
"Now set the captives free; leave us abandoned to your praise."
Monday 12 March 2007
Do we even deserve the choice?
Well I never. Actually, Never say never, as it actually happened. Today I learned a lot in maths... Nothing whatsoever to do with trigonometry, or anything about the Angle in a semi-circle. Today in maths, I learned yet another spiritual lesson.
You would think, that by the age of 16, it wouldn't be a life-or-death situation if somebody sat in 'your' seat. You remember when you were eight, and it was crucial that you had to sit next to your best friends at school. Well, it turns out that it's still crucial. Amazing how people can fight over sitting near their friends, but how many times do you find them fighting to get closer to God?
We should all be pushing to know God more, to be closer to him. And sometimes that means being uncomfortable, maybe sitting in a chair that squeaks discouragement and makes you want to move back to where you were before... But if you hold on, you can soon be sitting in that Deluxe reclining chair with the nice massage function, right next to the best friend you will ever find : Jesus.
Mark 8:34-35
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.' "
The girl who won the battle for her seat ended up moving to sit with another friend two minutes later anyway, so what was the point, really? The point was that she wanted to sit there. She fought so hard for what she wanted, and it didn't matter about anyone else. All too often we find ourselves thinking about what we want in life, without giving a second thought to what God's plan for us might be.
Are we listening to him? And if we are, are we acting upon what we hear, or are we ignoring him, in favour of our selfish desires?
You would think, that by the age of 16, it wouldn't be a life-or-death situation if somebody sat in 'your' seat. You remember when you were eight, and it was crucial that you had to sit next to your best friends at school. Well, it turns out that it's still crucial. Amazing how people can fight over sitting near their friends, but how many times do you find them fighting to get closer to God?
We should all be pushing to know God more, to be closer to him. And sometimes that means being uncomfortable, maybe sitting in a chair that squeaks discouragement and makes you want to move back to where you were before... But if you hold on, you can soon be sitting in that Deluxe reclining chair with the nice massage function, right next to the best friend you will ever find : Jesus.
Mark 8:34-35
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.' "
The girl who won the battle for her seat ended up moving to sit with another friend two minutes later anyway, so what was the point, really? The point was that she wanted to sit there. She fought so hard for what she wanted, and it didn't matter about anyone else. All too often we find ourselves thinking about what we want in life, without giving a second thought to what God's plan for us might be.
Are we listening to him? And if we are, are we acting upon what we hear, or are we ignoring him, in favour of our selfish desires?
Wednesday 7 March 2007
Love beyond all reason
Think about it. Would you really want to give up a life of luxury to spend time with unpleasant people? People who mocked you, scorned you, and who you knew would kill you? Not really, no.
But Jesus did.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the word that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but shall have eternal life."
WHOSOEVER...Yes, that includes you. And me. So many of my friends think that God wouldn't love them if he knew what they'd really done... But he does know, and he still loves you as much as the day he created you.
Lately I've been struggling somewhat, fighting against God in my life. Trust me, it's not a good idea. It's like swimming against a current that is a million times stronger than you. You can't win by fighting it. The only way you can win is if you let go, and let God take you home to dry land. I'll be the first to admit, that through small things, I haven't been giving my all to God. Small things can make big problems when they add up, can't they? But once again, God has taken me by the hand and led me back to the right path. :)
"The time has come to stand for all we believe in. So I for one am going to give my praise to you, Jesus!"
But Jesus did.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the word that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but shall have eternal life."
WHOSOEVER...Yes, that includes you. And me. So many of my friends think that God wouldn't love them if he knew what they'd really done... But he does know, and he still loves you as much as the day he created you.
Lately I've been struggling somewhat, fighting against God in my life. Trust me, it's not a good idea. It's like swimming against a current that is a million times stronger than you. You can't win by fighting it. The only way you can win is if you let go, and let God take you home to dry land. I'll be the first to admit, that through small things, I haven't been giving my all to God. Small things can make big problems when they add up, can't they? But once again, God has taken me by the hand and led me back to the right path. :)
"The time has come to stand for all we believe in. So I for one am going to give my praise to you, Jesus!"
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