Confederate Flag Thoughts

Thousands of years ago their was a symbol that represented peace, good fortune or well being. It was used by Buddhist's to represent the sun moving through the sky. It was put on pottery and places of worship. It was known to a lot of people for good.

In 1920, Adolf Hitler, decided the Nazi Party needed a new logo for a flag. This symbol I am referring to is of course the swastika. The next few years Hitler and the Nazi's redefined the meaning of the swastika to mean discourse, pain and hate.

I know a lot of my friends have strong feelings one way or another about the Confederate Flag. For The Dukes of Hazzard fans it means "the good ole' boys." It also represents being from the south, having pride, independence.

Unfortunately racists have adopted the confederate flag as one to spread pain and hate in the United States.

 

We do not use the swastika because even in the short period that it has been seen as evil, the meaning of it has been changed. Like the swastika, the confederate flag for many people is seen in the same evil, hate and more. I am probably not going to change your mind and this is ok. Just think about what you want your life to portray. What do you want to be known for?

 

Celebration of Discipline- Study

Some of the past studies, I admitted that they were not strong points. Study however is one of my strongest disciplines. Not only is it a part of my job where I study scripture of what the context meant by the author, but also how it applies to my and your life. This is something I love to do and is something I would do if I were not paid.

Romans 12:2 Says that we should be "transformed by the renewal of our mind." This is big because the mind can be an inhibitor to the process of our faith. Why do most atheists/agnostics have trouble believing? Because they are unable to grasp or explain God. God does not make sense to them.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  For many the road block to faith is being able to understand. And honestly I dont think it is possible for anyone to be able to explain the existence of God in full. This is why it is faith. 

There are 4 steps of study that Foster discusses in this chapter. 

1. Repetition- The more you read something, the more you notice. The more you notice, the more you understand. Repetition helps you focus. Why do you think a band practices the same song over and over. So they know it inside and out. It gets to the point where they memorize the notes and words. They no longer need the sheet in front of them to tell them what comes next. It becomes a part of you.
      In my devotions I used to read a different passage every day. This was good for a season, and one day I am sure I will go back to this. Right now, I am reading the same passage everyday for a week. I am diving into it, so I can know it inside and out. I want it to become a part of who I am.

2. Concentration- Repetition leads into concentration. If you are able to concentrate of something you dont have all the outside distractions. You are really able to focus. Think about how easy it is to concentrate today. Most homes you walk in and the tv is even if someone is not watching it. The radio is on, the kids are playing, we are receiving texts or notifications. All of these things are competing for our focus. How often do we just get away from what we are doing and focus on God's Word, listen to what someone is saying, or focus solely on a task.

3. Comprehension- If we were able to concentrate, we would definitely be able to comprehend. If we listened to a friend we would know what is going on. Comprehending leads to knowledge, new insights, and discernment.

4. Reflection- Reflection brings in the significance of what we are studying. This shows the importance. As we give ourselves to it, this is where change happens. Our minds are being transformed.

Foster says, "the purpose of study is not doctrinal purity but inner transformation." 

 

Celebration of Discipline- Fasting

If there is a discipline I am worse at I would be surprised. Fasting is difficult for me and it is not just the idea of giving up of food although that is still a valid reason. American culture is adverse to fasting because it is the idea of ridding ourselves of the distraction, of humbling ourselves to focus on the worship of our Lord. We need to learn to simplify to rid ourselves of the things getting in our way of the obedience of Christ.

Foster says their are "no biblical laws that command regular fasting." Is this why we dont focus on it that often? Just because we are not forced into something doesnt mean that it is not a good practice. Foster refers to it as an "opportunity."

Foster also says "we are accustom to cheap grace." In other words we are okay with the benefits of Christianity but avoid sacrifice, discipleship. The problem with cheap grace is that grace was never free. It was offered free to us through the cross but it was never cheap. It meant that Christ gave his life. Fasting will take sacrifice. It will force us to get out of our routine and change things up.

Foster uses a lot of quotes from John Wesley. Wesley was big into fasting and practice it every Wednesday and Friday. He took this practice from the Didache. Wesley was even known to only ordain anyone to the Methodist ministry who also took on this practice as well.


Tips from Foster on Fasting For beginners-
1. Start with skipping a meal.
2.  Begin with a partial fast of 24 hours, from lunch to lunch. Eat lunch, skip supper, skip breakfast than eat lunch again. Drink fruit juices. Try this once a week for 2-3 weeks.
      -most important monitor the inner attitude of the heart. pray, sing, worship.
3. After 2-3 weeks of #1, try substituting the juice with water. if water gets old use a teaspoon of lemon juice to help.
       -in ways the stomach is like a spoiled child, dont indulge the desires. It took many years for your stomach to be used to food at specific times. It will continue to want food at those times.
       - you can master your stomach
4. The more you do it the easier it will be.
5. Fasting is not just about skipping food but the connection we have with Christ. If there are other avenues that get in your way of connecting with Christ try giving those up for a period. i.e. tv, phone, internet, social media, etc
This can only enhance your worship. I will be starting to do this practice a little more often on a consistent basis. Every relationship takes effort on our part to connect. This is the same in our following of Christ. So try adding this discipline to your schedule.

Celebration of Discpline- Prayer

Prayer is fascinating. If meditation is dwelling on the word of God, I think we can define prayer as connecting with God.  Foster says, "prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives." Everyone need prayer like we need connection with God. It is necessary, more so than even air itself. When we are connected with God we live forever.

When we pray, really pray, "we begin to think God's thoughts after him." It will change us, our desires, our love, our will." It is not something that we just do. But it is a part of us, it is bigger than something we add onto our life but it is life.

People ask how can I pray better?  God meets us where we are at. We don't need to be a Martin Luther (prayed for 3 hours to start the day.) Or even a John Wesley who prayed for only 2 hours a day. He meets us where we are and then brings us deeper. Also we need to realize it is our prayer life and not someone else. Something that works for me probably wont work for you. Prayer is about finding a rhythm.

Many people pray, "if it be your will" prayers. Foster sees this as a little dangerous. What if you pray for someone who is sick and he never recovers? Do we blame God because it was not "in his will?" Rather ask his will, what would please you? What would advance your kingdom? "When we pray we are asking God what to do?"

Do you believe in coincidence? Just because someone prays, is it God who healed him. Or did it have to be more about the medicine? Are you one who leans to miracles? Can God work through both?  Archbishop William Temple says, "the coincidences occur much more frequently when he prays." Does not sound life a coincidence.