Remember my Chains...
My grandfather is someone I want to be like. Now, at first glance, if you looked at John P. Philip, you saw a successful surgeon and an even more successful family man. But that is not the man that inspires me. That ideal of a suburban grandfather overcoming unbelievable odds does not encourage me. Here is what did. A man who grew up in a third world country. A man who had no electricity, so he would take his Bible to the street corner and read under the street lamps. A man who put himself through medical school in India. A man who, to help his family through the struggle of growing up in an Eastern Style family, got married to help his own family. A man who graduated top in his class, and then moved to a desolate spot in Africa to save the dying. He didn't do it for the praise the money or the idea of being a "savior" as an ego boost, but to be a representation of a living mighty God. I want to be a badass like my grandfather.
I don't know how it happened, but somehow Satan domesticated the church. That's bullshit. I was indoctrinated with a Suburban church lifestyle. I'm not mad at the church. I don't and won't ever put my faith in the church; my faith rests in a living God. Don't misunderstand me here. I love the church, and even more so, through its misgivings, its faults, and its shortcomings, I know that God loves the church so much more. I mean come on, it's His bride. But I see something I know needs to be changed.
It looks like faith is becoming more and more circumstantial. I mean think about it. How many times do you hear on a day to day basis, "I wish God would open that door for me; You know, I just think God is closing that door for me; If it's God's will, I'll get that job/promotion/girlfriend/raise/car/gig/etc." It would be best descrbed as a glass full to the brim. As we feel God has met our needs or, simply put, made life easier, is where we empty or refill our glass. But that is not how God has chosen to love us. It is a holistic love. Well, that's how are faith needs to be reciprocated. Hell, we need not to be asking God to open doors, but we need to be kicking down doors with our faith. My faith is not based on the circumstances of life that I feel are priority, but on the grace, love, and authority of my Savior Jesus Christ. How dare we choose how much faith we extend based on the limitation of our narrow near-sighted view of this life and world. How dare we.
I don't want the prosperity of my wallet and the width of my smile to be the measure of my faith. I say fuck that. I want to be Christ like. I want to earnestly serve, seek, and fight for the Lord. I want to love people; I want to fight for the lost; and I want to give grace that abounds all hurt and pain. I'm not on a "crusade" against homosexuality or abortion. I want to extend my hand to the poor and needy. I don't want my faith to be described as "missional" because I went and handed out turkey sandwiches along with a tract to people "who need to hear about Christ." I want to be Christ like. I'm not on a crusade. I'm living my one life in world full of other lives, modelled after the One who saved all of our lives.
I don't know how it happened, but somehow Satan domesticated the church. That's bullshit. I was indoctrinated with a Suburban church lifestyle. I'm not mad at the church. I don't and won't ever put my faith in the church; my faith rests in a living God. Don't misunderstand me here. I love the church, and even more so, through its misgivings, its faults, and its shortcomings, I know that God loves the church so much more. I mean come on, it's His bride. But I see something I know needs to be changed.
It looks like faith is becoming more and more circumstantial. I mean think about it. How many times do you hear on a day to day basis, "I wish God would open that door for me; You know, I just think God is closing that door for me; If it's God's will, I'll get that job/promotion/girlfriend/raise/car/gig/etc." It would be best descrbed as a glass full to the brim. As we feel God has met our needs or, simply put, made life easier, is where we empty or refill our glass. But that is not how God has chosen to love us. It is a holistic love. Well, that's how are faith needs to be reciprocated. Hell, we need not to be asking God to open doors, but we need to be kicking down doors with our faith. My faith is not based on the circumstances of life that I feel are priority, but on the grace, love, and authority of my Savior Jesus Christ. How dare we choose how much faith we extend based on the limitation of our narrow near-sighted view of this life and world. How dare we.
I don't want the prosperity of my wallet and the width of my smile to be the measure of my faith. I say fuck that. I want to be Christ like. I want to earnestly serve, seek, and fight for the Lord. I want to love people; I want to fight for the lost; and I want to give grace that abounds all hurt and pain. I'm not on a "crusade" against homosexuality or abortion. I want to extend my hand to the poor and needy. I don't want my faith to be described as "missional" because I went and handed out turkey sandwiches along with a tract to people "who need to hear about Christ." I want to be Christ like. I'm not on a crusade. I'm living my one life in world full of other lives, modelled after the One who saved all of our lives.
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Colossians 4:18