The Gad Complex
So here's the deal, I have had a bunch on my mind, some of it heavy, other stuff not so much, and I just decided now is as good of a time as any to get it out. I'm going to jump right in to the heavy and leave you with a lighter note. Then maybe I'll hit you with a zinger or something.
As a Christian, I know part of my duty is to help further the kingdom of the Almighty God here on Earth. Now this is very much so easier said than done. At first, it seems like the logical thing to do is to study the Word and memorize it so that you can spit out an answer in any situation to show how much you know about the Bible and what it says. It seems to make sense that through this, people will be able to understand what being a Christian is all about and be drawn to it. But let's face it; no matter how much scripture you know and how good you are with words, there is always going to be somebody who throws you a curveball and just baffles you with all of your knowledge. It's true, knowledge can be fallible. Luckily, there is another way. I've been coming to realize more and more that the only foolproof way to show people what being a servant of Christ is all about is... drum-roll.... to just plain live it. All of that scripture you know and all the memory verses you studied so hard as a kid mean nothing if you aren't out there on the battlefield living out what they say. People may not be too keen on you coming up to them and saying, "love your neighbour as yourself because the Bible says so."
But if you just show that person the love you are talking about and when they ask you why you do it you respond, "because Jesus commands it and I want to obey him," it may leave a bit more of an impact. Someone will look at that and say, "Wow. I want to serve that Jesus guy too!" But at the same time you must be ready for some ridicule. The reaction to your response could very well be the opposite. Someone might say, "That's just an easy answer." And they are partly right. It is an easy answer. But that's because it is the only answer. You can quote verses that support what you are saying but it doesn't change the fact that at the root of it all is obedience to Christ. It's not an easy thing for a non-believers to understand, you know. Now I apologize for the reactions this example may generate but picture this. We are all members of the church of Oilers and Pastor Lowe comes and tells us that we got rid of Ryan Smyth and it was the best thing for us. Though some people will agree and handle it well, others will react radically and reject this idea and call for blood. Some people may turn away forever and some may just take a while to warm up to the idea. Needless to say reactions will vary but we do just have to take Lowe at his word that it is best at this point in time (my thoughts on the trade later). In the same way, people can only take us at our word when we say we are choosing to obey Christ and they can't understand it until they choose Christ for themselves.
Ok, that felt good. I hope you got something out of that. Now there is something else that I have been thinking about for a while. To quote Pharaoh in Exodus, "Who is this Gad?" Now it isn't a big deal to me but what is the deal with this. I know a lot of people that, whether in prayer or in bible study or whatever, have been known to talk to or about Gad. Where did the "a" come from? It boggles my mind. Now if we were Southern Baptists I would understand. The short "o" sound wouldn't even by a possibility. But here in the middle of Alberta? What is the deal? Do you or your loved ones suffer from this? There is hope. We may need to pull a caper of "My Fair Lady" proportions to fix this but we can fix it.....
Clearly I'm being sarcastic but I do find it funny. I can't say I have never been guilty of this but after thinking to myself, "What if when God is talking to me he starts calling me Paduh (pay-duh)?" That would get a little annoying. So I stopped. Anywho
Alright, finally, put your nooses away (or is it neese?). We don't need to hang Kevin Lowe. He made a really good move. We picked up a future 1st round pick and two highly touted prospects and still have an opportunity to re-sign Smyth in the off-season. It was a really good move. Face it, we know we weren't going to make the playoffs this season. And if Ryan Smyth wouldn't budge 100 000 dollars a year who knows if we would actually get him locked up in the next few months. The difference between today and two weeks ago is that we have 2 new prospects, a future draft pick and a chance for some young guys to prove themselves. Smyth still is a free agent at the end of the season so whatever. If we get him back we get him back. If not, we didn't lose him for nothing. So put the pitchforks down and dowse the torches. Kevin Lowe did us a favor.
Ok, this is a crazy long post now so I will end it. In conclusion, Go Penguins and bring on the baseball season!
So long and goodnight
Petestar
As a Christian, I know part of my duty is to help further the kingdom of the Almighty God here on Earth. Now this is very much so easier said than done. At first, it seems like the logical thing to do is to study the Word and memorize it so that you can spit out an answer in any situation to show how much you know about the Bible and what it says. It seems to make sense that through this, people will be able to understand what being a Christian is all about and be drawn to it. But let's face it; no matter how much scripture you know and how good you are with words, there is always going to be somebody who throws you a curveball and just baffles you with all of your knowledge. It's true, knowledge can be fallible. Luckily, there is another way. I've been coming to realize more and more that the only foolproof way to show people what being a servant of Christ is all about is... drum-roll.... to just plain live it. All of that scripture you know and all the memory verses you studied so hard as a kid mean nothing if you aren't out there on the battlefield living out what they say. People may not be too keen on you coming up to them and saying, "love your neighbour as yourself because the Bible says so."
But if you just show that person the love you are talking about and when they ask you why you do it you respond, "because Jesus commands it and I want to obey him," it may leave a bit more of an impact. Someone will look at that and say, "Wow. I want to serve that Jesus guy too!" But at the same time you must be ready for some ridicule. The reaction to your response could very well be the opposite. Someone might say, "That's just an easy answer." And they are partly right. It is an easy answer. But that's because it is the only answer. You can quote verses that support what you are saying but it doesn't change the fact that at the root of it all is obedience to Christ. It's not an easy thing for a non-believers to understand, you know. Now I apologize for the reactions this example may generate but picture this. We are all members of the church of Oilers and Pastor Lowe comes and tells us that we got rid of Ryan Smyth and it was the best thing for us. Though some people will agree and handle it well, others will react radically and reject this idea and call for blood. Some people may turn away forever and some may just take a while to warm up to the idea. Needless to say reactions will vary but we do just have to take Lowe at his word that it is best at this point in time (my thoughts on the trade later). In the same way, people can only take us at our word when we say we are choosing to obey Christ and they can't understand it until they choose Christ for themselves.
Ok, that felt good. I hope you got something out of that. Now there is something else that I have been thinking about for a while. To quote Pharaoh in Exodus, "Who is this Gad?" Now it isn't a big deal to me but what is the deal with this. I know a lot of people that, whether in prayer or in bible study or whatever, have been known to talk to or about Gad. Where did the "a" come from? It boggles my mind. Now if we were Southern Baptists I would understand. The short "o" sound wouldn't even by a possibility. But here in the middle of Alberta? What is the deal? Do you or your loved ones suffer from this? There is hope. We may need to pull a caper of "My Fair Lady" proportions to fix this but we can fix it.....
Clearly I'm being sarcastic but I do find it funny. I can't say I have never been guilty of this but after thinking to myself, "What if when God is talking to me he starts calling me Paduh (pay-duh)?" That would get a little annoying. So I stopped. Anywho
Alright, finally, put your nooses away (or is it neese?). We don't need to hang Kevin Lowe. He made a really good move. We picked up a future 1st round pick and two highly touted prospects and still have an opportunity to re-sign Smyth in the off-season. It was a really good move. Face it, we know we weren't going to make the playoffs this season. And if Ryan Smyth wouldn't budge 100 000 dollars a year who knows if we would actually get him locked up in the next few months. The difference between today and two weeks ago is that we have 2 new prospects, a future draft pick and a chance for some young guys to prove themselves. Smyth still is a free agent at the end of the season so whatever. If we get him back we get him back. If not, we didn't lose him for nothing. So put the pitchforks down and dowse the torches. Kevin Lowe did us a favor.
Ok, this is a crazy long post now so I will end it. In conclusion, Go Penguins and bring on the baseball season! So long and goodnight
Petestar
posted by Petestar at Wednesday, February 28, 2007
2 Comments:
Hey dude. Good thoughts. Good post. It's funny how simple things sometimes seem. "All that it comes down to"... that kind of thing. But you're right. What does He ask of us? Not a whole lot: Just Be. He is in us to will and to work to do His good pleasure... so we just do it. And there He is! Bam! Just there for people to see - as only HE knows they need. Pretty cool man. Kind of like you.
later.
The other great thing about living the Christian life is that people can see that God has the power to save and transform lives. Check out Titus chapters 2 and 3.
peace out dawg
Post a Comment
<< Home