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Sunday, February 28, 2010
. Sermon 1? Haha. First Blog Post! ;)]
Hey guys, so this is the very first post of our new...well...something? Blog? CG? I don't know.
Anyway I was really trying to start with something light-hearted. Honest. But the events of today were really quite catastrophic and it gave me a lot to think about. I hope I can give you all some things to think about too, as we attempt to continue this idea of an Alternative CG (and btw, we SERIOUSLY need a new name). So hopefully this won't sound too much like a sermon, but it'll still help you think about things.
There are some main points I'd want you to focus on as you read this (omg it IS a sermon, AHHHHH-well at least it's inspired) so yeah, here we go.
1. Being a Christian is not meant to be easy. (the cliche)
2. God teaches his word through people.
3. Question your faith.
4. Sin in our lives blocks God's blessings.
I asked a good friend of mine what she thought of this and she was surprisingly aggressive about it. She made some possibly good points, like...how what we could be doing is possibly our own segregation from CG, and how I shouldn't actually look at CG as flawed just by the way the system is, but rather that people are distracted. She suggested that as opposed to doing something external, we do something inside the CG itself.
Also, she said that I was hypocritical, cowardly, running away from my problems. She called this idea the idea that we're some exclusive country club and nobody else is invited and this is only going to make things worse for the church. Then she said I wasn't putting God at the centre of this and the centre of my life and it's a big mistake, and I'm going to bring you all down into disaster and trouble with me, blah blah blah.
In which I promptly broke my friendship with her.
If these things sound discouraging, its because they are. Whether you're just a bunch of casual friends or a close knit CG, there's always going to be some kind of opposition-whether your parents are upset that you're spending too much time at church and less time with your studies, your friends in school for thinking that being a Christian is wimpy and too holy for them to associate with, or people who just think you're crazy. It's hard, I know. Being a Christian isn't meant to be easy.
I admit that I considered what she said (the girl mentioned above) about segregating ourselves quite seriously. But ultimately, I don't believe that's what we're doing. As I said before in the letter, I really believe that the more emotionally connected we are, the easier it is to put our focus on God. If people are distracted, it's pretty much because we're not close enough to respect each other's opinion. You don't see Adeline giving in when we're sick of BS. And while I can honestly say that I'm grateful and appreciative that you are in this and most of you are more than just close friends, sometimes a fault of mine is that I believe I'm too smart about a certain topic to really take advice from someone-especially if it's spiritual.
I even told Esther that I don't think I'd take it very well if she or Aaron or Jia Ming tried to lead me in CG or teach me something 'spiritual.' That's because I was really irritated at the idea that someone younger than me with less life experience (especially since I've gone through so much more than the average teen at my age) was going to attempt to give me crap about God that I should already know. I felt it was arrogant of them to even consider trying to teach me anything.
The truth is, it was arrogant of
ME. God works through anyone and everyone. Look at people like Daniel Chow and Jia Ming. They're insanely empowered by Christ. If Daniel Chow tried to give me love advice or quadratic equations, I'd rip his head off-but if he believes that God has a message for me that he can bring, I'd take it. I
should take it.
Which brings me to my third point of today, question your faith. Sometimes God may want you to hear from someone else, but is he talking to you? If not, why?
I really believe that sin in life blocks out God's blessings. Some pastor said that, I don't remember who. I mean, what possible reason does a God who loves you not want to bless you? (we know how the curse thing works, everyone blame Satan). If sin that is unconfessed exists in your lives, confess. There's some verse on the bulletin every week that's related to that.
In the same way, not just sin in general by the bad things you do-but maybe, just maybe because you've been satisfied with the way you've been living for too long. We've all known God as our personal Lord and Saviour but do we really know him? Has there been any doubts about him, simple things such as his existence? Think about it.
To end off on a positive note, my sister told me this TODAY of all days, and I think it's really some kind of sign that what we're doing here...is right. It's going to glorify God and spiritually enrich us to the point that we will be emotionally attached enough to really make a difference as a group-not just in church but within ourselves.
Almost 6 years ago my sister got attached to a non-Christian track runner from her school. Church youths at her age tried to dissuade her from the relationship, but she prayed earnestly about it and knew that it was according to God's purpose. So she continued this 'sinful relationship with a non-Christian' and pretty much got forced out of youth by the rest of her friends socially. I was around when it happened, so she took it pretty hard.
2 years later, that boy accepted Christ.
3 years after, today-he's a CG leader. Their relationship has been going on 5 years and a couple of months. I'd say that's a pretty good record.
My sister laughed when she told me that the youths back then are-up until today-too embarassed to admit to their actions. She laughed. As a person, I think during the time she was hurt by
church people she genuinely considered her
friends, I would probably cursed God, gone berserk and killed the rest of them. It could happen to anyone, even to us.
This example might not be big, but you can see God's divine purpose for my sister's boyfriend in life. If my sis had been dissuaded by the conventionality of the church-consulting in man rather than God-she would have cut off her 'non-spiritual' relationship. And in turn, her boyfriend wouldn't be able to serve God the way he does now.
It's the same for us. If you're excited, be excited. If you're scared and just realized what you've got yourself into, be scared. This is our chance to really make a difference-again, not just in the church but in ourselves. And we get to glorify God. All just by 'hanging out' (okay we're obviously not going to be literally doing that, but yeah that'll be the impression from people) a bit more times a month. Is there really a loss here? Isn't that amazing? =)
Anyway, here. Sermon's not over yet. ;)
Questons to think about and what to do about them.
1. How do you feel when someone says 'God spoke to me about this', 'I talked to God about this'.
Do you feel amazed, or just cynical? It's not like people haven't been wrong about this, but they've definitely been right too. If you feel cynical, like I did, pray about it. People are not infallible, but God is. If you haven't heard his voice and a clear message from him during your lifetime, ask God to speak to you.
Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship. You'd be surprised how much closer you can get with God by having not just a 'respectful relationship' with the praying and scripture reading as your Lord, Father and Saviour-but as your Best Friend.
2. Question your faith.
Do you feel that there are some questions about Christianity that haven't been answered that are affecting your faith in God? I personally believe that it's really difficult to get close to God if you don't have a whole lot of faith in him. And if one of the reasons you don't have faith in him is because of something...well for me it was flaws in the Bible, and how awful the world is nowadays. There was really no peace until I got some kind of answers: which I already mentioned; there is no disadvantage serving a God who loves you. But for you who have your own questions: ask yourself if there are some things standing between you and God purely spiritual (not lack of time or whatever, more like Bible-stuff and all that) and pray about it. And then search for answers.
On a side note, it is perfectly FINE to be in doubt about God. Pastor Timothy said this, and he has a lot more credibility than me so take it from someone who knows. It would be really weird if you didn't consider the risks and other possibilities of the consequences of serving One Lord and Saviour for the rest of your life. So if you just realized that you have doubts about God as a whole, don't panic. It's okay. Just find answers.
3.
Do you have any resentment with our CG leader? If you have any resentment with Adeline, acknowledge it now. Don't be offended by this statement...I definitely had resentment with Adeline. As I said earlier, I was annoyingly constantly searching for answers for my faith, and irritated Adeline and others in church mostly about it. I was going to criticize Adeline here, but God warned me not to. She gave me a book on faith and she's not perfect. I shouldn't be upset because she didn't do more as my CG leader because she doesnt HAVE to do anything. (this is not sarcasm though it may sound like it.) As much as we're not pleased with her and the system right now, Adeline has been trying. Kudos to her.
Okay that was beside the point. I really want us-if you can't, it's okay because we're certainly not perfect either-to ask God to forgive us and her for our feelings (if you DO resent her, anyway. I know I definitely had a hard time with this that night). I wouldn't set this up-what we're doing and planning on doing-on the sole basis of resenting her. I believe that if we can develop a closer emotional relationship we can also have a healthier spiritual relationship. And maybe this will work for other CG's also. If there are distractions, we can take away those distractions. That's the idea behind this, for me at least. So do pray about it, if you can. =/
I just spent over an hour writing this!
So guys, tell me if you're in as soon as you can...and God bless!
Luke
Btw, try to leave a comment if anything has changed for you.
Later! ;)
a
dazed dreamer dreat
at 9:43 AM
FIRST COMMENT EVER!
Hey all, Ethan is here with additional stuff to add on.
Last year at youth camp I spoke with Ezra about some stuff at night. Then I came up with an analogy about sin. Its like the moon and stars are God. But the clouds get in the way of seeing the moon and the stars. These clouds are our sin. So now I'm going to add something in. Let's say that those clouds are storm clouds. imagine you are standing outside, trying to look at the moon and stars in the sky, then the clouds come. Before you know it, it starts to rain. Now you have to make a choice. Will you stay out and stand in the rain just to see the moon and stars again? Or will you seek shelter in your home and go to sleep.
I think this can signify what we face when problems and sin come into our lives and our relationship with God. We either run away from them, or face them and overcome them.
For the thing about running away, I think I'm quite the expert at that. I am a coward and can't even face everyday problems. It's hard to call someone that, but it's even harder knowing that you are like that too and are not making an effort to change.
For the part about having someone younger than me teaching me stuff, personally I don;t mind. Everybody is different. Everybody has experienced different things. Just like in sports, if someone has been playing for 10 years, it doesn't mean that they are good at it. So I think that we should give people the chance to teach despite their age. You'll be surprised with what people have to say. Even non-Christians regarding Christian topics.
For the part about questioning our faith, I think that Luke brought up a very good example. From what I understand, God does speak to us through other people, however subtle. And we need to be in tune with God in our individual relationships in order to pick it up. In the example Luke shared, it decision Rachel made to continue in her "taboo" relationship was because she believed that God wanted it to continue. Even when she was excluded from her normal social circles, she decided to carry on, because she believed God wanted her to. And in the end, it worked out better than anyone would have expected, least of all her friends. I think God used Rachel to convert (for lack of a better word) her boyfriend. And to use him to teach other people in his CG.
Now for my own part.XD
If ever you face a problem of some sort, some steps you should take:
1) pray
2) talk to someone
3) face it upfront and TAKE IT APART
4) solve it
If anything has changed for me over these few weeks is that I don't have school anymore!!! (Couldn't resist) (Just kidding) Actually I am still looking or ways how I can change my nasty habits. Any suggestions?
To end off, I think that us doing this is a good idea, it helps us think through. I also found out that typing or writing out what you feel or think about something is much better than just thinking about it. I propose we start doing a journal for this. Maybe we can discuss this later on.
You're my sunshine after the rain...
Nights,
Ethan
firstly you can try to stop irritating me ETHAN.
-esther :D
Second REAL comment EVER!!! Haha. well as you guys know, i seldom question things that happen. They just happen to me. Then, i look up and tell God, "Okay, so em, what other things do you want to do to me? just do it.." YES, i know i stupidly take shit but it's being to hinder my spiritual growth too. I've been sitttng around the sidelines too long.
Hmm...i've nothing else to say at the moment. What i can tell you is that i'm constantly in pain and all i'll require is a pat on the back or something..and yeah maybe a talk about it when i can hold my tears.
For now, well i don't doubt God but bcos i have been relying on Him seemingly in the wrong way, i have become stagnant(don't get me wrong, faith is good) which has only lead me in my decend from a once active christian to lukewarm christian.
Okay, hmm not a good speaker and not in good mood so will end off on this note. I'm currently soaked in VANILLA TWILIGHT.
PS yeah i'm in for alt CG
- Ezra, tears from above
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**dreaming**
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February 28, 2010 at 12:46 PM
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