Love & Obedience

I don't like making up a bed. I just don't see the necessity in it. I get out of the bed in the morning and plan on getting back in it in the evening. I see it kinda as a waste of time. Now my wife sees it completely difference. It makes her happy to know that when she comes home the bed has been made up. She says it just looks cleaner and makes her feel better. Now I love my wife with all my heart. She is the most important person on earth to me. I want to make her happy. She has asked me to please make up the bed because I am usually the last one out of it. Now I would not call this a command, but it is a strong request. Now I could get up every morning and with disgust on my face and frustration in my attitude, I could make up the bed. I would do it solely because it was required, kinda. Or I could get up every morning with a smile on my face and make up the bed because I love my wife. It is not drudgery it is a privilege. It is a welcome activity because I know when my wife sees that I have made up the bed she sees that I love her. She doesn't see me as just granting a request she sees me doing something for her because I love her. I want to do it. I don't have to do it.
Now this brings me to my topic in this blog: Love and Obedience. I was Just Thinking about why we keep Jesus' commands. Why do we obey Him? I believe that most people follow God's commands and obey Jesus because they are afraid. It is a requirement. We love our neighbor because we are afraid of the consequences if we don't. We preach the commands of Jesus with a hint of "He'll get you if you don't obey." I wish we could learn to love Jesus with our obedience. I want my following of His commandments to be something I am yearning to participate in because I love Him. Not because I am afraid He will send me to Hell! It excites me to see my wife pleased when I make up the bed. Does it excite us to know that our love of God motivates us to do as He has asked us to do. I want to share with you a few of Jesus' words, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15 Seems to me that the motivating factor for Jesus was "love." Love is what spurs me on to doing what Jesus wants me do. I believe that if we love God we will do what He wants us to do without feeling obligated. We will do it out of a desire to please Him because we love Him. I believe this is essential to understanding what Jesus said when He talked about freedom: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 Loving God brings about obedience which then sets me free to be who God has created me to be. I want to be obedient because of my love of God not because of my fear of Him. It happens because of my relationship with Him. What do you think???
David

Me and My Music

Last week I was fortunate to attend a Mission Fuge camp sponsored by Lifeway. Over 300 students and adults participated in a 5 day camp that went into the community and did intentional missions is various venues. Each morning before we departed we were in Bible Studies about the Kingdom of God. Before we left each morning we had an assembly to inspire us and send us off with hope and anticipation. Each evening we worshiped together. Now I know I am getting older. I know I have to work harder to enjoy and understand all about "today's" music. I was disappointed in the music at our camp. I did not feel that it was worship oriented. I believe it was performance oriented. It was so loud in the small auditorium that I actually purchased ear plugs after the first night. It helped but I could still hear everything that was said. I know that youth enjoyed the music. I will admit that some of the new songs that I learned were inspiring, but when the music takes over the opportunity to hear from God I believe it has gone to far. Now maybe some of you will tell me that the louder the music the better you hear from God. I will not dispute you, but will wonder how that is possible. I was approached by one of the youth during an invitation time and had to strain with every ounce of my being to hear what he was asking me to pray about. When I kneeled to pray for him I was yelling to the top of my lungs so that he could hear my prayer on his behalf. Now I know God doesn't need me to yell and I was praying to Him, but I felt that the young man would want to hear what I said on his behalf.
I love all types of music. I am a child of the 60's and 70's and I listened to music very loud. I know that my parents complained about the intrusive sound of my home. I had to learn to tone it down a bit. If you were to look on my ipod you would find several different genre's of music. I guess I just had problems responding to God when I was made to focus on musical sounds and words. We were blessed to have a very inspirational speaker. I just felt that we were all unable to focus on the more important thing.
Now I am not trying to be a prude. I know that our youth were touched by the band. I am just asking how much is too much. Is worship music to help us connect with God? Is it performance based or participation based? Is there a difference? Is there a place where they can both be effective? If it is performance based do we need words to sing along or are we suppose to be seeking to focus on God while we listen? Can music claim the focus away from God when we have just invited people to respond to His, "still small voice?"
Any way I am Just Thinking and wonder what you Think?
David

The Shack

About a month ago I was introduced to a book entitled, "The Shack." On the cover Eugene Peterson says it is today's generations version of "Pilgrims Progress." A new friend of mine bought me the book and I began to read. I do not want to spoil the plot or the emphasis of the author, but I was intrigued with the way he pictured spiritual life. I was so taken by his imagery that I immediately passed the book on to my wife. I also told my oldest son about it and he purchased the book. When my wife finished the book my youngest son picked it up and read it. We have all had several questions about the authors description of spiritual living and life in general. We have all seen God in new and different ways. Although we recognize this book as fiction we have had many discussions on whether we felt the author handled certain aspects of spiritual life correctly. I found myself agreeing with him more than disagreeing. I would like to recommend "The Shack" by William P. Young. I do not think is is good reading for the new christian or immature christian who is basically stuck in their way of thinking. I do believe it is an excellent read for someone who is open to seeing God in a new light and to help them to experience a new journey of Christian maturity. If you have read "The Shack," I would love to know what you think. If you have questions about some of the ideas and imagery I would love to discuss them. My soul purpose in exploring this book is to help us all grow closer to God and find ourselves living in a greater relationship with Him. God Bless and Keep on Thinking!!!
David