The One About Contentness

Finally. The one you've all been waiting for... Turn with me to my biggest biblical pet peeve.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me.".

Okay, now having a Bible verse as a pet peeve probably isn't a great thing. But hear me out. It isn't so much the verse, but the way it is used...

Do you hear that?! 

That is the sound of a Bible verse being ripped from context. This verse, Philippians 4:13, all on its own has been used as a Christian defense for attempting stupid things. Because you are a Christian, doesn't mean you will be able to run a marathon without training, you won't become a MLG COD Player with out gaming, and you won't pass that big exam at school if you don't study. God CAN do those things, but lets be honest, He won't always allow that happen if you don't put in the work.

So what does this Philippians 4:13 mean? .

Philippians 4:10-12 "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need..."

Time for some context. Paul was writing this from prison. Prison is not a fun place to be, I think we can all agree on that. But what is Paul saying? He isn't saying that with God he would be able to break out of Prison and live a free life. Paul says that with God he is able to be content in all situations. Even the unpleasant ones. Paul is being content in prison and I find it hard to be content while being hungry for more then an hour.

Now just to be really clear, what is contentness?(I actually don't think contentness is a word, but I'm in I.T. not English.) In this passage the word "content" is used, It's the only time the Bible uses this Greek word for content, and we are told that it basically means "not needing aid in spite of external circumstances." Paul was fully trusting in God and through that he had everything he could ever need, even though he was in Prison.

Another thing I want to make clear just so we can end this with no confusion. Contentness doesn't mean being complacent or stagnant. As an example of what I mean: I currently live in my parents basement, I am single, and only work part time hours. What this verse ISN'T saying is to just accept where I am in life and do nothing. God wants us to be useful. Of course He wants our relationship with Him to be number one priority. But he also wants us to work hard, to enjoy life, and live productive lives.

The trick is to do things in God's timing. To wait for God to prepare our path, to be patient. This is the hard part. But judging by the Christians who have accomplished this task, it is so totally worth the wait. Contentness breeds patience. Or vice versa?

Well that is all I got to say. I hope you can follow my train of thought. If you can't, to bad. You'll just have to be content not knowing.

Nolan Out!

P.S. I love living at my parents house. I love my family. It's just that I am getting older and want my own space.

P.P.S If anyone knows any Christian, single, attractive females. Feel free to give them my email.

The Problem With Nolan

Recently I've been noticing a downward trend in the world. Nothing super specific, it just seems that more and more bad things seem to be happening. The world is drifting farther and farther away from God's law. Valuing things that are wrong. This sort of thing.

I have been seeing people I used to know, some of them very good friends, that have been drifting away from God. When I was younger these people used to seem like they had it all together, I was even envious of their spiritual life. But from observing their lives now, clearly, they did not have it all together, they gave up, or missed something important.

Now I know that sounds really harsh, and maybe it is. Just a little. But want to know the the worst part of this story? I sometimes look at these people and feel like I am better then them. I mean, I go to church most Sundays, I help run the sound booth, I do other things at the church.

But the truth is that I'm no better. If anything, I am worse off then these friends of mine. I wear a mask. I play a role in the musical called Church. I know my lines. I know them well. 

But when I am not at church I have hidden sins that I indulge. The ones no one sees. The ones that are best kept secret and are easy to keep, at least from most. My sins are worse, at least in my mind. I see mine as less "bad" just because mine just aren't out in the public eye.

From the outside, people think I'm doing well. I'm not. My life is a Christian roller coaster.(See previous post.) It definitely has its ups, and let me be clear, the ups are wonderful and hard work. But I get really low some times. Sure I know how to smile and keep things nice on the outside. But inside I am somewhat of a wreck.

Sorry for the depressed late night post. I really do plan on getting around to writing that post about being content. Eventually.

Here is some homework. Read Psalms 73. 

Nolan Out!

P.S. Just to lighten the mood: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? Because he felt crummy.

Consistently Inconsistent

So I have something to say. It is something new, it is something you have never heard before. Are you ready for this? Daily devotions actually help. Crazy right!?

Okay, so not mind blowing. Let me briefly explain how I came to this conclusion. I grew up in a christian home and have been told this since I was able to understand language, this is not how I came to this conclusion. You'd think I would have been smart enough to maybe figured this out log before I was 24(Wow, I am SO old). But I didn't! Because I need to learn things the hard way.

Lately I've been really trying to focus on  actually doing daily devotions. The bad news is that I am consistently inconsistent. After a day when I do my devotions I find it is much easier to withstand temptation, and sin, and my days just go WAY better. When I don't do my devotions the day isn't , what you'd call, Ideal.

I'll leave you with this:

Psalms 1:2-4 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away."

Nolan Out!

P.S. I know I promised this post to be on being content in life, but you'll have to wait till next time, sorry!

Confessions from the sound booth

A few weeks back I was at a church that was not my own. It was very enjoyable. But the sound and projector was almost unbearable. Since I normally run the sound and projector at my church I find myself being very judgey of other people who operate it at other churches.

First off, It's not hard to use one font for song sides is it? Like seriously. Mixed fonts, inconsistent font size, Why is that word bold, and the other italicized? Just remember, consistency is key.

Secondly is music volume. Now I know at my church we don't have drums. Heaven Forbid! But when I go to other churches that do, and find that the volume on the drums, or any instrument is set to 11. Well that just won't do. I want to hear the singing. Oh, and if you have people singing with mic's at the front, lets keep that a normal level too, Sure they might be good, but I still want to hear the rest of the congregations singing too! 

Slides in the wrong order. This is my biggest pet peeve. Now it has happened to me, so I do give some room for error here. Some times the person leading music just decides to go all crazy and sing the bridge in the middle of the song for no reason. I get it. No one is perfect. But when EVERY SINGLE SONG is not in the right order or is missing the 1st verse, I have to think that it might not be the music peoples fault. But that maybe you forgot to coordinate with the music people. Lets remember that as the sound booth guy you play a big role is facilitating worship so lets put some effort in(PS you are not leading worship, that is the Holy Spirits job. He is the worship leader. Another pet peeve. Sorry I'll get back on track now...)

To many "Churchy" backgrounds. This just makes me laugh. Like when you see a slide and the background is like this:

 

The dove, the cross, a fancy bible, a beam of light. THESE ARE NOT COOL. They make me think I'm singing a cult song. Now I'm not saying a cool background is bad. I do my song slides at a brethren assembly where my definition of a crazy background is when we set it to red for Christmas. I know, crazy right? So I might be a little harsh on the whole situation. But I don't mind to occasional cool background, but lets keep it from getting too "Religious" looking. You know what I mean.

And my last point is about when to change to the next slide. This should be common sense, but apparently not. Also I am guilty of what I am about to say, but once again the is more meant for those who do it every time! Lets change slides when the we are done singing the words on the current slide. Or even a half second early so people know what is coming next. It will make everything run smoothly. If you don't believe me, that is fine. But try it just once, to prove me wrong. It it goes better then normal I win and you change your ways. If not, just keep doing it all dumb like. I don't care.

Well that is my rant for today. Maybe I'll rant again soon about something. Who knows with this blog.

Nolan Out!

S*ear W*rds

I myself don't swear because I have been raised not to, but does that really make it wrong? Is swearing really a sin? How can a word in and of itself be wrong. Isn't it the motives behind the words what really matter? You can use "nice" words and say something way worse then a swear, right?

After looking through the Bible I have not found a "List of words not to say because they are Bad." The only things that could be put on the "bad" word list is what we find written in Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." So obviously anything that profanes or is irreverent toward God's name can go on the list.

At this point we still can't compile a list of "bad" words that Christians shouldn't say, other then improper use of God's name. I think since the Bible is going to last forever it wouldn't give us a list. Language changes over time. I think they, sadly, added selfie to the dictionary. The point is that every culture and time period have had there very own kind of "bad" words, and words that once had a legitimate meaning are now what the world calls "bad" words.(Which is a point in itself, if the world says something is bad then shouldn't we as Christians?)

Here are some verses I have found that might help us figure out if we should be worried about swearing:

1. James 3:10 "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so"  
2.  Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."  
3. Proverbs 4:24 "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you" 

 Now obviously these verses don't tell us not to use the F-Bomb. But what I can certainly say is that the content of our speech is very important. When you use a swear it isn't in a happy way, the motives behind the words probably aren't very Christ like. And it certainly isn't going to "give grace to those who hear."

 Which leads into my next point. We are told to be apart from the world, yes? And we should be putting other first, correct? Here is something Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." When it comes to your speech does swearing really build others up?

Over in  Luke 6:45 it says "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Do you think that swearing is a "good treasure"?


Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" Is swearing going to allow people to see the Glory of  God?

Bringing glory to God should be one of our top priorities 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." Just remember that as a Christian one of our primary goals is to bring others to Jesus. And in view of our topic, is Swearing really going to help accomplish that goal? As a Christian we are supposed to be aiming to become more like Jesus, Is swearing really going to get us there? As cliche as it seems "What Would Jesus Do"?


Nolan Out!

Don't go swimming with and anvil

1 Corinthians 15: 30-33 "Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame."

This phrase "What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”" 

I did some research, and have come up with one way to interpret this verse. First what I think Paul is saying is that if what Jesus told him is actually a lie, then there is no point in trying to live like a Christian but instead to live it up, have a good time, and do things in life that make you happy. Basically He is telling the Church in Corinth if Jesus is a lie, YOLO!

This is a completely off topic point. But there is lots of speculation that Paul was a Gladiator. Yes a Gladiator. The "beasts at Ephesus", from what I have read, are lions in a colosseum. So basically IF Paul actually did get thrown into this situation, and remember this is something that they actually did to Christians in this time period, the only way Paul is able to talk about it is that he beat the beasts. Cool thought. Back on topic!

Where was I? Oh yes, he is told the Church in if Jesus is a lie, YOLO! This is obviously not the case since his next words are "Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." 

He tells us to "wake from our drunken stupor" and to "stop sinning". Seems pretty serious. But right before that what does he say? "Bad company ruins good morals". Do you think this is a randomly tossed in point? Or maybe Paul(The Gladiator) is pointing out that who we hang out with can play a role in our spiritual life?

I think this is the case. Now I don't want anyone to think I am saying not to hang out with people who aren't Christians. BECAUSE I AM NOT! I hang out with people from school, I  even encourage this they need to see Christians living Christian lives. What I would warn against is have someone who isn't a Christian as a best friend or this type of situation. You should hang out with people who want to see you do great things for God. People who will pray for you. People who will be there to understand what you are living for.

You want the people you spend your time with to be people to bring you higher, people who challenge you to press forward into battle as a Christian. "Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

There you have it, both sides to the story. Go swimming with an anvil and you'll sink eventually, Go swimming with a pool noodle and you'll stay afloat.

Nolan Out!

I have smart friends.

I don't know if any one has started to notice my pattern. I try and make about two posts a month. It forces me to think and some people would suggest that thinking is a good thing. I tend to disagree, thinking can be painful.

Here are my thoughts:

So the other day I was having a chat with a friend the other day talking about God's will for our lives, seems to be a popular topic for me lately, we got to a point in the conversation where I said something along the lines about having a fear that I really hoped God doesn't have THIS planned for me, because that would suck. To which my friend replied with something like this...

One thing that I have been praying a lot lately is that God knows me completely. He knows my fears,  my flaws, my downfalls, my struggles, and my weaknesses. He also knows my strengths, my likes, my goals, my desires, and my needs. The beautiful thing about God is that while we can only really live in and see the here and now, he knows and can see everything.  He knows what he has planned for us and he's taken into account everything He knows about us. He wouldn't force someone into something if that is truly not something that they want. But if that is his plan, Then he would make us okay with it.

Like I said in my previous post, and something that I seemed to have forgotten since then, is that If I follow after God with everything I have in me. Then our desires will be His desires. We won't have to worry about living a life where we are going to be unhappy or discontented with our situations. God is a God who wants us to be happy and He wants to Bless us! We are going to want to please Him and what ever he gives us will make us beyond happy!

Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Nolan out! 

A battle of wills.

Every wonder what Gods plan is for your life?

I think we all have been.

Here is another situation. Ever think you know what God wants you to do, then somethings happen and you think that what you are doing or what you want to do is the complete opposite of His will.

I have been and am currently in these types of situations. Sometimes I just want to know what to do next, where to go, or what decisions to make. And if you are searching for a perfect formula to figure out Gods will you are better off searching somewhere else, and if you find it let me know.

Here is a verse I have found Helpful in these situations:

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

I have been thinking about this verse LOTS lately and I think it can be a help in trying to figure out God will. This verse makes it kinda simple, and I really like simple! It gives us three things to do and one thing God will do. Its a conditional promise, If we do these things(Trust God, Don't rely on ourselves,  and acknowledge God in Everything) then God is going to make our path straight.

I'd also like to point out that it doesn't say that God will SHOW us the straight path. It says He will MAKE straight our path. I believe that if we are trusting and acknowledging God in everything then we are already doing His will, our desires will be the same as Gods. If everything we do, we do it to give glory to Jesus then I don't think we have to worry about straying to far.

So here it is one last time. Trust God, Don't rely on yourselves, and live to bring Glory to Jesus!

If we do those three things then we won't have to worry about if we are doing God's will or not!

Hope this verse helped you as much as it helped me!

Nolan Out!


P.S. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Open Letters.

New Favorite Song. (Shout out to Silas for digging this up)
Now normally I'm not one to listen to Christian Rap. Franky 90% of the time the Lyrics are cheesy and the beats suck and its just all around lame. But I guess there are always exceptions to the rules.

The album "Weights and Glory" by KB is just fantastic. I would promote it to any one! But the one song that was just so good is "Open Letters(Battlefield)" the lyrics are so intense and the beat isn't half bad.

Now if you don't like rap I have posted the lyrics below so now you don't have to listen to it and have no excuses to not check out this powerful message...

Nolan Out!

Obligation and Desire

Good News!

I've been keeping up with reading my Bible every night before I go to bed. I haven't missed a day for about two months. This is a BIG deal! I am happy and learning lots.

But there is always bad news to go along with good news it seems. I have this issue, and it doesn't even seem like a big issue, just something I wish was different in my attitude towards reading. There are times I go to bed around 2am and I just don't feel like reading, times I would rather just go to sleep instead of taking the time to read God's word and let Him show me his will. I force my self to read anyways. Which is better then not reading I guess.



I wish that I always had the desire to read. I wish it  was some thing I wanted to do every night, something I wouldn't even consider to skip out on. Something I looked forward all day. Why is it that we struggle so hard with this. Shouldn't it be easy to read what the creator of the entire universe has written to us? Isn't that something that should take the most important place in our lives?

I feel that I am obligated to. I have to because it is the right thing. I'm not saying this is wrong, just something I am trying to work on. I want to get to a point in my life where this is something I can't live with out. Where I thirst to find out what God wants to tell me. Instead of this need to force myself to read his word.



I guess this is something that is common in lots of aspects of our Christian lives. Going to church being at the top of the list as well, shouldn't we want to be there? Is there anywhere else that we find better? There shouldn't be. Why would we not want to be where the Christians are? I know I have struggle with this. Yes, I go to church every Sunday, haven't missed one in a long time. That doesn't mean that is where I want to be. I feel Obligated to go because my parents want me to go or because I know that is what I am supposed to do as a Christian. I want my attitude towards it to change. I want to desire to go to Church because there is nothing better to do on a Sunday or Wednesday night.

I'm sure there are many other areas in our Christian lives that we struggle with this same thing, Desire or Obligation. Think about it. Pray for me!

Nolan Out!

Ruts

Ever been trapped in a rut and you can't get out. I think we all have, both metaphorically and in reality.

It just feels like you can't do anything right and every time you try and push through and finally get out you just fall down again? Sometimes even feeling like you are out. Then it all comes crashing down days, or even moments later?

Yeah me too. But I'm glad that God forgives us no matter what we do. The Bible says he forgets our sins, as far as the est is from the west. That's intense to think about. Some times I lose sight of this. I think I forget because it just doesn't seem normal for our God who is perfectly holy, that he can just clean us from our huge pile of sins that easily? Well the simple answer is that it wasn't easy for Him to clean our huge piles of sin.

He had to give His ONLY son, Jesus. He became man. Another mind blowing topic for some other time. He WILLINGLY suffered and died on the cross for ME, and YOU. I think that is pretty awesome and I am thankful for that. Because of this amazing act of love we have someone to help get us out of those ruts in our lives.

"1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Cool right? Now this doesn't mean that it won't be a challenge to get out. It is going to take hard work and determination. We might even feel some pain, either physical or emotional. But  when it comes right down to it the old saying rings true, no pain no gain. And really who can stand against us if God is for us, right?

The sacrifices you make for God will be the best thing you can do. Actually if you aren't making sacrifices in your Christian life I think you are missing out by not missing out. Weird but true.

Hope this pushes you to go on strong for God. I'm praying for everyone who reads this post.

Nolan Out!