Eternally Minded

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things"

Colossians 3:2

I cannot even begin to explain the transformations God has been doing in my life. I just read over an old post from January, BEST METAPHOR YET, and realized just how ridiculously far the Father has taken me in such a short time. Things happening in my life at that time that I once considered “concerns” no longer even take up a single second of my time. There is a very real and distinct reason why: PRAYER. God. Is. Faithful, friends.

"If we are faithless, He will remain faithful"

2 Timothy 2:13

The prayer that Daddy has answered the strongest is this: “Father, help me to be more eternally minded. Turn my eyes to the Kingdom and off of this fleeting and flesh-satisfying world.” O booooooy has he answered it! Where do I begin.......

This is what Jesus has revealed to me, and if nothing else, this is what I wish to be revealed to ALL of His children: this place, this world, is not our home. STOP. Don’t read anymore. Well, finish this paragraph and then stop reading. Step away, and let that sink in. I mean really sink in. This. Is. Not. Our. Home.

I once heard a pastor put it like this: “For believers, Earth is the worst it’s going to get.” Do you understand what that means?? We are on a journey, with a very finite and fantastic goal waiting at the end, and that goal will last for eternity. Forever. We. Will. Not. Die! We will be with Daddy forever! We will be with our Saviour and Lord FOREVER! So why does it matter to us when our car isn’t as nice as we would like it?! Why does it matter that we don’t have that particular scarf we’ve been eyeing, or that cute boyfriend, or that well-paying job?? It doesn't! It doesn’t matter!! Earth is wonderful. It’s truly a gift. Don’t get me wrong. To enjoy the beauty and joys that our o so sweet Father has put here for us is beyond understandable, albeit a must! BUT, we must realize that “wanting” stuff here to the point where it distracts us from the goal is a waste of our time and journey.

"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

James 4:14

"But one thing I do [consider]: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"

Philippians 3:13-14

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"

Hebrews 12:2

Allow me to help a bit. A few months ago, my main worries (mind you, worry is sin friends) were “What the heck am I doing with my life?”, “I can’t wait until God sends me a great guy”, “How can I feel prettier?” (side note: God made EVERYONE beautiful. Accept it. Move on. Do not obsess over it.) and a bunch of other garbage that was focused on “success” in this world. But God has shown me, because I asked Him and He is faithful and NOT because of anything I did on my own, that the cares of this world are going to become so miniscule and irrelevant when I am standing in the throne-room of my beloved King. Does this make sense?? I will die! I will leave this planet! BUT I will never leave our Lord. So why do I care if I have those things and junk and stuff that only distract me from what really matters:  pursuing the Father, loving His children, and spreading His word and light. I get it folks. I finally get it. And I am OBSESSED with Him!!!! He has literally transformed, renewed, washed, and sculpted me. And He is DYING to do it to you! Heck He DID die so He could do it to you!!! So I ask that you would pray for this revelation today. Because when He opens up those eyes of yours and shows you the tiniest fragment of a glimpse of what He’s got in store after this short pilgrimage of yours, you’ll become obsessed too!!

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance"

Hebrews 11:13

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace."

2 Timothy 2:22

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction"

1 Timothy 6:9

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness"

Ephesians 4:22

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

Romans 12:2

I love you always!

Ariel

An Encountering

This is what I think. I think so many “Christians”, so many who claim the title but not the shame and suffering that comes with it, do so because they haven’t had something. They haven’t encountered Christ. They haven’t encountered His love. And I think without that, without encountering Christ and His unfathomable, unrelenting, awe-inspiring, head-tilting and jaw-dropping love, we are just swimming around in a pool without water, on the verge of drowning to death.

I know so, so many people who tell me they are Christians. And what they, and the rest of our society, (and at one point I) have done is watered down the name. The title of “Christian” is an all out honor. It is an HONOR to say that I follow Him.    
"How GREAT is the love the Father has LAVISHED on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1John 3:1


         But so many of us don’t get it!! We don’t GRASP what it is that the Gospel IS! It is a love story guys!! It’s the story of a man, who created children that turned around and spat on and denied Him. But He yearned to spend time with them so badly that He became one of them and let them KILL Him!!! JUST to be able to be with us guys!!! But we’re not getting it!! America isn’t getting it!! So these “Christians” walk around, and they tell people what (when it should be who) they are. They proclaim the self-righteous title of “Christian” so that others will think that they are a “good person”. They act like it’s cool, like it’s easy, like “God will never give you more than you can handle” and “It’s ok. God’s in control” and “Let me tell you other cliche loads of bologna that I don’t even understand so that IIII can make you feel better. By the way, did I mention I’m a Christian?” It’s not easy guys! Time and again we are promised trials and tribulations. We are not promised that He won’t “give us more than we can handle”. We are promised that when that comes, and it will, we will not be alone. If we can’t handle it, and there will be times when we can’t, then God, our Great Redeemer, our sweet and loving Father, our Alpha and Omega, our Good Shepard, then He will sweep us up in His never-weary arms and carry us the rest of the way. I want so badly for everyone to grasp this. To ENCOUNTER Him!!!! He is REAL guys!!!! God is REAL!!! Don’t water down His name. Don’t throw around the name of His followers as though it’s a merit-badge that will gain you credit just as long as you leave it at surface level. Allow Him to invade the darkest depths of your soul. He’s already there, but He actually wants your permission to explore, transform, mold, and love. And once you encounter Him. Once you allow and receive and invite Him in entirely, you will never, ever, be the same again. That’s one of my favorite of His promises.
I love you, but not near as much as God does.
Ariel

American What?

   

 Seems lately every time I turn around I hear someone talking about this; the Christian American. Whenever they tell me their definition of such a person and the negative connotation they associate with it, I always say, “I know! That’s why Court and I have this blog!” We’re not trying to chastise, or correct, or pass judgement on anyone. On the contrary, I've been quite the definition of this myself many a time. What our goal here, essentially, is to understand how, as Americans, we are to live our Christ-centered lives. 

The question I found myself asking, well, myself, before we started this endeavor was, “Am I an American Christian, or a Christian American?” (Note in these two titles appear to be an adjective and a noun, respectfully.) SO, do I identify as an American woman who practices Christianity, i.e. a Christian American, or do I find my identity in something else? Yes, I’m proud to be an American. The fundamentals this country was founded on are beautiful, and I am incredibly blessed to live in a country where I can even write this blog freely and unafraid. BUT, my identity goes much further than where I place my citizenship. My identity, and praise God for it, is found just there, within the heart of God. I am a Christian, a woman sold out to God, who will do anything for Him, and who happens to live in America. I am an American Christian.

What I feel, and what I’m finding others are noticing, is that “Christian Americans” believe in Jesus, and know who He is, and go to church sometimes, and basically live “good” lives, so that’s that. Content. Nothing more to do. Let’s not talk about our beliefs for fear of ruffling any feathers, and let’s not care what others believe because it’s their life and their choice. To better deal with that, let’s not really believe in hell, so that we don’t feel so bad when we realize so many around us just might be headed straight there because of what they believe. Again, this will offend, so let’s just believe that as long as you live a basically good life, God will cut you a break. Nevermind what His Word says. That’s what we’re going to believe. While we’re at it, let’s delve into sin (just the light-hearted stuff. We’re not doing the bad stuff, like killing or stealing), and seize the day. Carpe diem! It’s harmless right?

“JESUS answered, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Luke 4:8

But here are the facts. To live as Christ called us to live is literally the hardest thing we can do. It’s not rainbows and sunshine and “It’s all good. Jesus LOVES you! So keep on doing what you’re doing!”

                                                   It’s.             Hard.

He must be above everything else. He must be our first and true love. He must be our greatest desire. We’re going to be called “Jesus freaks” and “Bible thumpers” in this society. What I’m learning, however, is that compared to what Jesus’ disciples went through (ahem, MARTYRDOM), being called a “Bible thumping weirdo” really isn't all that bad. So WHY do we make it out to be??

“Then JESUS replied, ‘Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’”
Matthew 22:37-38
“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”
Luke 14:27
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23

Todays challenge: Meditate on this. Sit, be quiet, and ask yourself, “Am I a Christian, or an American? Do I love God enough to go the distance?” Don’t be discouraged if the answer is no. Mine was no for the VAST majority of my life. Sometimes it still is. The fact is, being a Christian is tough. It’s really really tough. But the beauty of that fact is this: We don’t have to do it alone. We will NEVER have to do it alone. He saved you. He loves you. He wants to hang out with you!! Not just see you every now and then on Sunday and hear from you when times are tough. He literally wants to hang out with you. His creation. His bride. His beloved. The more that sinks in, the more we soak and marinate and bask in His love and promise and truth, then the easier it will get. Come near to Him. He’ll come near to you. That, my friends, is a promise.

James 4:8

I love you always

Ariel

Best Metaphor Yet

I have a very close friend. He likes to explain everything in metaphors and analogies, partly for his listeners sake, but I think also partly for his sake, so he can understand what it is he’s trying to tell. A few days ago, he told me his best one yet...

Imagine there’s this guy who sags his pants, and doesn’t work or do anything. He’s a dead beat, but you’re madly in love with him. So you do everything for him, and constantly sacrifice, in spite of how and who and what he is, because you just love him so much. So finally, one day, he realizes that he’s going to pull his pants up, because he loves you too and wants to show you. Ariel, that’s how we are for Jesus. We need to pull up our pants and clean up our act, because when you’re in love, that’s what you do. You show it.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth

1 John 3:18

I’ve been thinking about his metaphor ever since, because the fact is, I reeeally need to pull my pants up. The fact is I am doing a lousy job at showing Jesus just how much I love and adore Him. It didn’t quite sink in though. Not really. Then I was listening to a sermon online from my home church, and the pastor was talking about the fact that lucy’s (you remember. That loser whose name we will not capitalize because he is a loser serpent) number one desire is to be worshipped. So I thought, “What do I worship?”. Without a hum of a beat my mind answered: myself. These are the thought’s I’ve been obsessing over lately: I don’t feel pretty. I don’t feel strong in my faith. I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. My heart is broken and I need to figure out how to get over it. I don’t know how to live better for Christ....... That’s a lot of first-person pronouns. Basically, my concern is about Ariel, and how to fit Christ in. YEESH why didn’t I see this before?!
 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 
Galatians 2:20

My revelation: EYES ON HIM ARIEL.

So now, instead of focusing on my broken heart from some guy, or my lack of knowledge on where I’m going in life, or any of that other junk, I’m just going to think about my Sweetheart. I’m going to focus my energy and attention on Him, because I’m in love, and that’s what you do when you’re in love. I’m going to live day by day, knowing that He’s stitching my heart back together and I don’t need to worry about it, and just wonder how I can better serve Him today. Who can I love for you Father? How can I show you my adoration, my obsession, my gnawing desire for you? Forget Ariel. He’ll take care of her in His time. My eyes are set on Someone else, and I tell ya. So far? It’s been a pretty sweet love affair :)


With love and hope and faith in the Man who promises to never tell me He’s lost His passion for me or can’t marry me,
Ariel

“Love is passion, obsession, someone you can’t live without”
Meet Joe Black

God + _____ = Enough

    Huh.

    Dangit.

    Aww maaan.

    Just thought I'd fill ya'll in on what went through my head after I heard this phrase. Hopefully the same ones don't go through yours. Let me start from the beginning...

    Once upon a time (actually about three months ago), I was sitting in a room with a bunch of awesome, God-fearing women. One of them told us all this phrase: God plus blank equals enough. She followed it with "What's ya'lls blank?". Instantly, without a second to spare, my head-voice (you know. The one that's in your head. Not the bad one. Just your head-voice. Ya feel me?) shouted out "HUSBAND!". Quickly after this came the words from above: Huh... Dangit....... Awww maaan!

    There should be nothing there, right?! My blank should BE blank! It should be A blank! But, ever since I can remember, I have dreamt of being married. I am a hopeless romantic, and have massive dreams about what my husband will be like and how we'll live together. Soo.... not being married is literally not anything I have ever considered.

 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols
1John 5:21 (You best believe a husband has been one of my idols for a loong time)  


    The night my friend told me about this phrase, I was dating someone. Well..... dating is a light term here. I was with who I thought to be my soulmate. He and I talked very often about marriage, and even had plans for it. After I considered what my blank was, I became terrified about losing him because I knew I shouldn't need a man to be content. Sure enough, a week later he broke up with me. Shattered my heart is really a better way to put it.

  Please don't misunderstand me. I don't believe that God separated us because he wanted to teach me a lesson. I think the guy was just an idiotic moron. Just kidding.... Really.

  Moving on......

 I've been pondering and praying about this phrase ever since. Is it wrong that I want a husband? Of course not. It is a God-given desire, and is absolutely justifiable and right. Wanting, nay, needing, a husband in order to feel fulfilled in life is what is unjustifiable. My contentment, as I have learned, is fully in the Lord. I believe that the Lord has given me desires and dreams for a reason and that He is faithful and will honor them. BUT, if I live the rest of my life single, I will forever remain joyful, sustained, and content.

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances 
Philippians 4:11 (I should note that this was written by the guy who sat in prison for his beliefs and was beaten to a pulp countless times.... and he was single while he did all of it)
Be joyful always
1Thessalonians 5:16
But godliness with contentment is great gain
2Timothy 6:6 

    Thing is, I am not the only person to have a word in that blank. Words that I've seen in it are "money", "a big house", "a nice car", "a successful job"...... most of it revolves around materialism, obviously. We are in America, and this is a blog about Christians in America, after all. Actually it's about Americans who are Christian, but more on that later. My point is, our focus is on the wrong point. Our eyes should be on Christ and His Kingdom, but too often they are on things (inanimate things, mind you) on this earth. Pursuing money, marriage, success.... all of it will fade away. God never changes, never leaves, never forsakes. That boy I dated let me down and broke all the promises he made to me. God, in His mind-blowingly beautiful faithfulness and kindness, has kept every single promise He's made to me. He is with me every day, He loves me unconditionally, He fights for me (literally to the death!), and He never changes His mind! God is so. Good. Of COURSE I can find my contentment in Him! God + ____ really DOES = Enough!!!
God has said "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you"
Hebrews 13:5
If we are faithless, He will remain faithful
2Timothy 2:13
     What's your blank? Do you disagree and think it's ok to have a blank? All opinions are welcome :) So long as they are presented in kindness, maturity, and love!

      Thanks for reading about my blank. I love you!

Ariel

    

God Over Country

Living in the Bible Belt

    So, Courtney and I both live in Central Texas, which is located in what is commonly referred to as the “Bible Belt”. I’m not ashamed of this. I’m super proud and grateful for it, because as much as I hate to admit it, I’m not sure how my faith would have turned out had I not been surrounded by so many strong believers in the Way. However, there are still a load of problems faced in this belt, and we as it’s inhabitants have to decide how to face these challenges (if at all). Unfortunately, I think the common approach is: not at all. Shove them under the rug. This is what Court and I are challenging ourselves and you with; to face them head on when we meet them, to proclaim our beliefs and the Truth, and to live not for the people we are surrounded by (way easier said then done), but for our savior and redeemer and lover, Christ!! So let’s talk about some of these challenges shall we?

   A really, really common phrase we hear in this geographical area is that one should “pull himself up by his own bootstraps”. Often when someone has accomplished such a feat, they are praised. On the other hand, those who find themselves struggling are met with the mentality of “We’re not going to help, because this is America, and you can get up on your own” (said in a twangy southern accent). There are a couple of problems with this:

   1. To claim one has done this (as in gained success on their own) is an incredibly arrogant and proud statement to make, neither of which leave much room for Christ within the heart. Claiming this is to claim that one has achieved their station and success on their own, with no one’s help. What many fail to hear is the fact that included in that “no one” is the Lord. Southerners are obscenely proud and like to take credit for everything they have done. So what happens when we do so is the most important contributor of all, the entire reason for the individual’s very existence, is left out!

   2. The reaction to an individual who holds such a claim self success is praise. So the individual is taking credit for the work of the Lord and giving Him none of the praise, and the respondent is endorsing this credit. Thus, this culture encourages, condones, and praises arrogance, little by little squeezing out the room for the only One who really has any reason to be arrogant (but who, it should be noted, is the ideal example of  humility). "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you" Romans 12:3

   

    Another problem inherent among us is the fact that many church-goers go for the social aspect, rather than what it’s intended for: the coming together of the Bride and Body of Christ to celebrate and worship Him, and to serve and love one another. Instead, many go to say they went, and pick where they go (i.e. many of the mega churches throughout the area) to be able to say they go there. They want to meet people (maybe even a significant other), to be recognized for going, to be able to say they are “good” Christians (but are instead perhaps what is referred to as “Sunday Christians”), and to be respected because they go somewhere with a good and famous reputation. I’m not saying mega churches are bad. I’m not saying it’s bad to meet others at church. In fact, we’re supposed to build relationships and brother and sisterhoods with those we meet. But, going should not be for show, as it too often is. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them" Matthew 6:1

    The largest challenge I see, and am most often approached with, is that of giving to the poor. This isn’t just a Bible belt problem (as really none of these are*), but is a problem we have brewed in America out of, once again, arrogance and pride. The idea of giving to the poor is not ignored; it’s literally frowned upon! What has been engrained into us is “We live in America. They can get a job. They don’t need to live off me. I earned my money. It’s mine. I don’t owe them anything”. What absolutely none of these responses consider is what Jesus had to say on the topic. Matthew 25:40 tells us “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”. That’s literally Jesus talking. 1 John 3:17 says “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”. How can we claim to know the Lord and love Him if we hoard what He gives us? Which feeds into 1 Corinthians 13:3, “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”. (Courtney's going to post more specifically on this next Sunday. My point: Stay tuned!!)

     What is our mission as Christians? To live good, moral lives? To be nice to people? To go to church on Sundays? No, although when the motivation behind them is right, then these are all fantastic. No, our mission as Christians, as Christ followers, is to bring others along with us. To show and spread His unconditional love so that more and more souls will join us in eternity. Lord has been separated from His beloved children by their sin and wants desperately to be with them again. He desires for us to help Him rekindle that broken relationship. So what we need to do to get started on this is to stop thinking it’s all about us, stop thinking everything is ours and that we don’t need to share, and focus on someone other than ourselves! I think once we get our focus right, these challenges will become a bit less challenging for us.

      There is a reason we are here. It’s not to make money. It’s not to have a big house and a fancy car and to keep our possessions to ourselves. It’s not to find someone to marry or to have children. Once the reason (the Great Commission) becomes a reality to us, once it sinks in and we embrace it and chase it, then these “problems” won’t matter anymore! "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” Matthew 28:16-20. What do you think? Are these issues to you? What other issues do you face as an inhabitant of the Bible Belt (or anywhere for that matter)? Talk to us! Let’s help one another erase these problems from our lives and see the bigger picture.

I love you!

Ariel

*These problems are faced by Christians all over. I write this because it’s not ok that they are so prominent in the “Bible Belt”. If this area stood true to it’s name (which should be a name of honor), then we would not struggle with these, but would be more like the early churches in the sense of breaking bread together and sharing with one another. It’s about time we act like a Bible belt.

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" Galatians 5:14