He must become greater; I must become less.

First of all, I have to say that I really enjoy the Wednesday nights when we have community group. Its so cool to see how much these relationships have grown in the short time that we have been meeting. I would definitely say that it feels almost like family on Wednesday nights even if five new people come. Its amazing how God uses these groups to really bring people together to grow in relationships with one another as we grow in Christ together.

This past week we read the first five chapters of John and discussed on Wednesday night how God spoke to us through it. We normally read some books by Christian authors that are totally in sync with loving God and loving others and totally against the Christian country clubs that many churches have turned into. So it was cool to go to the source from which all these books are inspired. It was insane how even though we all read the same things God spoke to us in so many different ways. This is why it is so important to read the bible for yourself and ask God to speak to you through it. But we could have seriously talked all night about what God revealed to us through this part of the gospel. One of the main things that struck me was how John the baptist totally got how to fulfill his role in the story of Christ.

John 3: 25-30 says:

25An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew^[i] over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ^[j] but am sent ahead of him.’ 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

He must become greater; I must become less. Johns disciples saw Jesus becoming greater than John and started confronting John about it, but John knew that his purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus not to make himself great. I think we often forget how short life is and spend all our lives trying to make ourselves great instead of playing our role in the story of Christ and lifting Him up with our lives. I say this not judging anyone, but simply stating facts about my own life. I found this scripture very humbling and I hope that you do too.

Stories from barnies coffee shop

So… I normally go to Barnies Coffee shop to work everyday because if i stay at my house i kinda start going crazy because of my lack of contact with society So today I was trying not to eves drop but it was impossible because this chick was talking so freakin loud, and she was doing that really high pitched laugh that cheerleaders do when they are flirting… I’m sure everyone has heard that before. This girl was probably in her mid twenties and she was meeting with this older lady to discuss her current relationship. I could tell that she was so ready to get married but she wasn’t sure if she was with the right guy. She went on and on for like an hour and just when I thought she was done she would get started on another trait that she looks for in a man and doesn’t know if her current BF has it. The funny thing was that during this one sided conversation the girl asked several questions but before the lady she was talking to could answer she would start up again getting louder and louder babbling on and on about what her perfect definition of a guy was and when she would hit a dead end she would always say, “Well… God will take care of that.”

As much as I hate to admit this, I totally identify with her. I really wish I didn’t because it was extremely painful to sit there overhearing her conversation. I am totally the babbling girl to God so so often. I like to tell God whats going on and what I understand and what I am going to do, but when I run into rough spots I’m like “Here ya go God, take care of this for me.”

I blogged a few weeks ago about how it was difficult to trust God with everything, and I am finding out more and more that it is an every day thing. I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t just want to be our relief when we get in a bind. He wants to be in our every thought, our every decision, our every circumstance. It takes asking questions and waiting on the edge of our seat for the answer. So I guess the main point I am trying to make with this blog is:

Who would you rather talk to, someone who will talk you freaking head off, or someone who asks you questions and actually cares what you have to say?

Music Monday (Death Cab for Cutie)

Its music Monday again. I hope everyone had a great Monday, I know mine felt like a Monday…. But now to the brighter side of this wonderful day and everyday… the music!!!

This music Monday is all about a band called “Death Cab for Cutie”. Honestly it took me a little while to warm up to this band, but I prefer it this way. If I love an album right from the start I tend to get bored quickly and move on to another band’s album. So, Death Cab is one of those bands that I will probably always like. Death Cab is a refreshing band because to me it seems that they let the music just flow through them instead of forcing it or over working it. I feel that many bands spend way to much time trying to make their songs super creative and original, and this is a good thing, but I think many many bands way over do it. Death Cab is an indie rock band that is a must have for everyones itunes library.

I highly recommend going out and buying there new album “Narrow Stairs”, it comes out tomorrow.

Trusting God With Everything

Everything that I have comes from God. I know this is true, as i am sure many of you do, but do I live like this statement is true? As I was praying the other night i told God that everything that I have comes for You, so teach me to live this statement. He then began to reveal things to me. Things that I take for granted everyday. Things like relationships. Yes God gives us relationships, but do i live like the relationships in my life are given to me from God? or do I take them as mere chance and write them off as not important? He revealed many things to me that showed me that yes I trust God, but mostly just with the easy stuff, like salvation and forgiveness, with these things it is easy for me to trust Him because He is my only hope in those areas. Sounds kinda selfish HUH!?! Thats because it is, and God showed me that I was being a selfish Christian, and I don’t think those two words belong together. As a follower of Christ I am called to be selfless. I then began to evaluate every area of my life in search of the areas that I was failing to trust God completely, and it didn’t take me very long to find some. One of the hardest things for me to swallow was, do I trust Him with my money? Yes I was giving to different organizations and to C3 church, but was I giving faithfully. I found myself giving when it was easy, giving when i had a few extra bucks in the bank account. This isn’t trusting God with everything, this is giving God the money that I found in the laundry. Doesn’t God deserve so much more?

A few weeks ago at C3, Pastor Byron gave us the 90 for 90 challenge. Live on 90% of your income for 90 days, and for me personally I want to scratch the 90 days and do it till Jesus comes. But this is a challenge that is not easy at all, especially for procrastinators like myself. For me, the longer the money is in my bank account the harder it is for me to give it to the church, even though the money i have is a gift from God and I would be giving back just a portion of what He has blessed me with anyway. But because of my procrastination I decided to set up an online giving account, so now when i get paid God gets the first 10% and not what I find in my drier after washing my clothes. God so so so deserves the first and the best of everything and its time we start giving it to Him. Instead of giving God your leftovers start giving Him the prime rib. There is no way we could ever repay Him for all He has done for us, and he doesn’t ask us to, all He wants is for us to be faithful with what He gives us.