Freedom

I’ve been thinking about the basis from which my decisions are made from each day. This was brought on by a conversation that I had with a friend over dinner. I was very disappointed by the fact that most of my decisions were rooted in fear, rather than freedom. I didn’t want to move out to Portland initially because the fear that I would be painted as a Don Miller groupie. I wouldn’t ask a girl out for coffee for fear of rejection. I wouldn’t push for a certain job because the fear that I might get criticized, ripped to shreds, and told to forget about it. And these are just the ones that I feel comfortable telling you about. But then I stumbled over the familiar, yet forgoten, verses out of

2 Timothy 1:6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Also, Romans 8:12-16
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”

I’m convinced that freedom, love, & self-control are much better grounds to base the decisions I make each day, including the ones that are major and life-changing. I would encourage you to examine and see if there are any areas where the enemy is looking to bring you back under slavery, and fear. And then remember that, in Christ, we have been adopted as children of God. We have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness, sin, and slavery into the kingdom of light, freedom, and perfect love. And its in this kingdom, by the spirit, that we get to live our lives. So I’m going to try to live my life, and make decisions like this is actually true.

Increasingly More Oregonian & Seminary

Yesterday, I finally passed my Oregon driving test after one failed attempt. I feel like I’m slowly becoming an Oregonian with each day that passes by. I’ve also recently decided that I’m going to be attending seminary up here starting in this Fall. This came after much debate over where to go, and if seminary would be a good use of my time. I’ve settled on Western Seminary located here in Portland, OR.

All Things Entertaining

I recently saw the new Michel Gondry movie, Be Kind Rewind. I normally don’t like Jack Black all that much. However, Mos Def & him were quite funny in a indie film that didn’t leave you hating the world, and totally depressed. (As most indie films do) If you’re looking for some new music to listen to, I’ve been listening to these bands over the last month: Spoon, Cold War Kids, Jon Foreman, Tim Hughes, and a ton of Counting Crows. (They have a new CD coming out soon, if you didn’t know this) I’ve also been reading two different books lately. The first one is tremendously shaping the way I view my ministry, and the kind of pastor I want to be in the future. (The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson) The other (Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want by James Gilmore) is described as an “eye-opening but muddled volume [that] tells companies to remain true to self or, at least, to appear genuine, arguing that in a world increasingly filled with deliberately and sensationally staged experiences... consumers choose to buy or not buy based on how real they perceive an offering to be. Everything that forms a company's identity—from its name and practices to its product details—affects consumers' perceptions of its authenticity.” It’s going to be a fun book to mull over. You can’t read this book & not start observing everything around, while wondering if this is indeed the direction the world is heading.