Wednesday, February 10, 2016

My Word On Lent As I Walk Towards Wholeness

You ever heard someone say I don't like change? Some people are terrified at the thought meeting new people,trying new things, living in different places, and etc. I have many friends and family members like this, some are so bold that they say "I'm afraid but this how God me". Let's call  this group A. Now other is group B, in which I also to have family and friends in. Group B says " along as people have my ideals, I'm fine with change!" This group is a lot of Christians I know, the idea that the rule and reign of Jesus Christ (The Kingdom of God) on earth will melt away any differences that we have and The Body Of Christ (The Church) is His  reflection of this on earth. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Paul does his best to describe this body. In 12-14 he says we who are in this body can't forget even though its one body, that body has many members who do many different things. Paul goes on to say that each member is important and valuable to the body as a whole.  Let's put the brakes on right their.  Most of my Christians friends would tell you " yes we are all one body under Jesus Christ therefore we got our group of members who are the same and you have yours and one we will meet in heaven where God will say good job. - the end".
Even in our world God shows us that this idea of being the same doesn't work. Why? Because God designed diversity. He made us male,female, deferent races, different abilities and much more. God created one world but with water and land. God clearly loves diversity and He also designed us as people to love it too. Diversity keeps us from going mad! Everyone is diverse in some way or another from food to music to art. So you can't say "I don't like change" you do! The real question is how much change are you willing to take? Or maybe the right word is bare? But what does the word say about that? It's says take my burden for it light and give me yours! (I'm paraphrasing) but the point we are to give our worries to him are we not? Paul takes it step more saying "it is longer I who live but Christ who lives in me by faith " gal. 2:20.

This Week we as Christians celebrate Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent. Instead of abstaining from something in order to prepare our for this resurrection season, let's cast off our worries! Let's start a relationship with someone outside our comfort zones. Maybe this means hanging out at unfamiliar places or trying a new things. Invite Jesus to use you to be His hands and feet. So for this next 40 days let's invite people into our time of Lent. It order for us to do this we have to give our fears and  burdens to Him. In so doing we become more like Him and that's the true reason for Lent.

Friday, February 5, 2016

It's a process

Today marks a significant day in my life 23 years ago. In a minute I'll tell you but first allow me to explain the bigger question I think most of you have. 

Where have Daniel been??? Not a easy question to answer if I may add. I guess you may say I've been careful about sharing my thoughts in fear that I was thinking might be wrong. But instead of being careful I just didn't post at all! Sometimes not all but some, I feel like I'm walking egg shells like everyone is waiting for me to mess up.  Over the last few months I've been reading a lot on disability. One of the books talked about how because of stigmatization sometimes persons with disabilities its effects them/us more psychologically then the main cause of the the disability itself.

23 years ago today I became an bond slave of Jesus Christ! He chose me! And now as have come to understand, my life is now in him. 23 years ago a process started to take place. I'm part of the the Bride Of Christ! All my sin is and still is being washed away by His Blood!!! I've been declared lovable and in some verses in the Bible proclaims that Daniel died 23 years and the life I live is Christ working in me. So Jesus through His death and resurrection, give me a completely new whole life.

But... As someone who has the marks of a disability that I and others can touch or feel. Its forces us to wonder is that new life enough?  Can't I just be grateful? But I also that not did Jesus come to save us but also to start establishing HIS Kingdom! Clearly we see in His Word that this was only the beginning! So if you think about it nothing is completely done. We as the people of God are being transformed and renewed daily! The Kingdom of God is indeed at hand and we as believers get to take part in that.

As I continue to post in coming months I would encourage my brothers and sisters, lay and clergy, able-bodied and those who are differently-abled to join with me in remembering that wholeness for us all is a process that happens when I Lord comes back a second time.

So what is wholeness? It's a process! We have to actively wait. I'm called to take part just as much as you are. So let's wait, work and worship together until the Kingdom of God is fully established. On that day we all will be whole!