Do not hide the name of Jesus
The idea of Jesus is uncomfortable for a lot of people. So often we hear people say “Not my God” or “The Jesus I know wouldn’t do that”. We so often want to change the God of the bible into something softer and kinder then what he actually is.
We all know Jesus the dead man, all though I think we have heard the story so many times that it has lost much of its meaning. I think we forget how extreme life was for Jesus on the day of his death. I am guessing that if his Skull existed on the earth today it would still carry the scars from the thorns that were driven into his head. The whips used to rip the flesh from his body deep enough to expose bone. The cross, carrying the cross through the streets while guards continued to beat him. After everything he went through that day I would almost think that death would be welcome.
Then there was Jesus the magic man. My wife hates it when I say that, but really to the unbeliever, what else would his miracles look like? I mean really, a little boy’s lunch feeds 5000? Jesus rubs bud in a blind man’s eyes and he can see? Rise Lazarus – Do you know why Jesus had to call Lazarus by name? Because he is so powerful that had he not specified Lazarus all of the dead would have risen (Borrowed from Bill Johnson). I imagine that in the end times it will be like that. Jesus will say Rise, and we will. In today’s world you will hear people say that these are just stories written a long time ago, to try and prove a point. They didn’t really happen. I say this is the faith of a man who is afraid to believe that was not created in his own mind.
Of course we have Jesus the angry man. So many times I hear people talk about God Love, and Gods grace that no matter how you are God will forgive you. Yes Gods love is in failing, and unyielding. We are covered in grace by the blood of Jesus. And yes, if you confess your sins and repent God will forgive you. Nowhere that I have seen on the bible does it day that God or Jesus will never become angry with your actions. As a matter of fact, the whole picture of God speaks otherwise. The bible paints a picture of God as a father, Passionate and Loving, willing to place he first and only blood son on earth to die at the hands of man for the salvation of his adopted children. Tell me he isn’t going to become angry and punish us for not following him. That’s one of ways a father raises his children.
These last three tie together so closely that it’s hard for me to pick apart. Jesus the punisher, Jesus the king, Jesus the warrior – I can go on for days about this, but really it’s not about what I have to say. READ REVELATIONS
Personal Update – Life Experience
Ok, so I want to share a little of what’s been going on over the last week.
The story actually goes back a long ways, but started to come to fruition about a month ago, or so and we closed the deal this week. So here it is.
Over a year ago I started playing guitar. I set a goal at that time to own a Les Paul – It was the guitar I wanted. I started with a dirt cheap Ibanez SE, traded for a Epi Special II (looks like an LP with a bolt on neck), and about a month ago I was able to buy an Epi, Les Paul Standard. I know it’s not the end all of Les Pauls, but it’s my first and I do love it.
But, this baby didn’t come without sacrifice. First I traded in the special II (Not a Sacrifice), Shelled out somewhere around $500 cash (Sacrifice), and had to commit to give up cable for 1 year.
Now let me explain something here. The only time I can remember not having cable TV in my life was when I was young, back in the days of no remote, and playing pong…
Anyway, my loving wife dropped the axe on Tuesday, 4/14/09. The only thing is we don’t have any type of antenna on our TV. So, all of a sudden we went from 600 channels to ZERO channels. We did rent a movie last night, but have not spent any other time watching TV this week.
It’s been good, I have spent more time learning a backing track for Wonderful Tonight this week, and it’s really starting to sound good. I have spent some time reading fiction, which I have not done in a long time. Zander and I had a nerf gun war last night, was also great fun… There have been a few boring times, but all in all it’s been a good week.
I do need to go pick up at least one antenna to that we can get our local news stations for weather updates and what not.
Thus far I have learned that I was not able to actually, completely step away from the TV until it was not an option. It does have a freeing effect by doing this. I don’t really want the antenna hookup, but understand the need to have some access to the world for family safety and what not. If your thinking about it, I say go for it. Set a time frame, and cut the cord.
