"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are, the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." C.S. Lewis (Reflection on Psalms)
I came across this quote a few weeks ago and I think it true, the praising of a thing, even the silent approval in the privacy of our minds, IS the culmination of our enjoyment of that thing. We praise the things we love and enjoy most in life. A husband telling his wife that he finds her beautiful; a sport fan cheering wildly when his team wins an upset victory; a braggart, enamoured with himself, prattling ceaselessly about his virtues and accomplishments.
With each example, the acts of praise are far from arduous endeavours; rather, in proclaiming their delight in the objects of their admiration, the praisers' enjoyments are increased. In fact, were they somehow prevented from voicing their pleasures (perhaps by shyness or embarrassment), their joy would be diminished. This is praise! We are wired and designed to delight in things. A person who never compliments, never admires, never praises is a joyless person.
Now, at least within christian circles, the word "praise" generally conjures images of people singing worship songs on Sunday mornings. Many of us miss the point that we praise things besides God ALL the time. And here we come to the crux of the problem. If the objects of our most genuine and heartfelt praises indicate the where of our deepest satisfactions and, I would argue, worship; then it begs this eternally crucial question: How does our affections for God stack against everything else?
Let us joyfully praise the things we love and let our love for Christ grow till it ranks above all others.
Have a happy Wednesday,
Edward
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Race against a champion marathoner for 60ft (4:46 min mile time over 26.2 miles)
http://gizmodo.com/5859048/giant-video-wall-lets-you-get-smoked-by-a-marathoner
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Happy Wednesday (11/9/11) (Jesus Wept)
Hey Guys,
Most of us are probably familiar with the "shortest verse" of the Bible, and even if we can't always remember that it is John 11:35, I'd imagine most could quote it as "Jesus wept." I've always been fascinated with that, why was he weeping? After all, John 11:5-6 tells us that his late arrival was intentional (and cited love as his reason for not going sooner), and he more than hinted that he was going to resurrect Lazarus. So why shed tears for a dead man soon to be brought back to life? Perhaps it was out of shared grief with Mary and Martha in the passion of the moment; but I wonder if there isn't more here than emotional empathy..
Verses 4 and 15 tells us the reasons why Lazarus had to die, that it was for the purpose of glorifying God and for people to come to see Jesus as God. The point of his earthly ministry: the parables, the miracles, raising of Lazarus, all the way down to the cross itself was for the purpose of giving us access to God. To have us believe in him. This is a loving act on God's part because what we NEED most in this life and the next IS God (this is a foundational assumption a Christian needs to establish before becoming a believer). So God's deepest desire is to give us what we most desperately need: himself.
Upon Jesus' arrival at Bethany, he was accosted three times by Martha, Mary, and the crowd and asked why he did not come in time to prevent Lazarus' death. They were looking for the blessing and not the blesser. Jesus' answer was simply this, "I AM the resurrection." What you need, I am; even if you do not know what your needs really are. Verse 33 and 38 tells us that Jesus was greatly distressed upon seeing that they did not see him for who he is, God. If they had, there should have been no weeping, but full confidence in his godhood and love. If Jesus' weeping was merely empathy for the (albeit temporary) sorrow of Mary and Martha, why would their lack of trust ("why weren't you here?") bother/hurt him? Which leads me to think...perhaps some portion of the tears Jesus shed was over the anguish of them not seeing him when they desperately needed to?
My closing thoughts on the matter is simply this: As much as God cares about our physical needs, he knows those needs to be temporary and our spiritual needs to be eternal. He is infinitely more concerned about meeting the latter, even at cost to the former if it is necessary. And for this, I love him.
Happy Wednesday!
Edward
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:31-33
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
Worst hunter ever (no animals were harmed in the making of this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk0HYn2u7c0&feature=related
Most of us are probably familiar with the "shortest verse" of the Bible, and even if we can't always remember that it is John 11:35, I'd imagine most could quote it as "Jesus wept." I've always been fascinated with that, why was he weeping? After all, John 11:5-6 tells us that his late arrival was intentional (and cited love as his reason for not going sooner), and he more than hinted that he was going to resurrect Lazarus. So why shed tears for a dead man soon to be brought back to life? Perhaps it was out of shared grief with Mary and Martha in the passion of the moment; but I wonder if there isn't more here than emotional empathy..
Verses 4 and 15 tells us the reasons why Lazarus had to die, that it was for the purpose of glorifying God and for people to come to see Jesus as God. The point of his earthly ministry: the parables, the miracles, raising of Lazarus, all the way down to the cross itself was for the purpose of giving us access to God. To have us believe in him. This is a loving act on God's part because what we NEED most in this life and the next IS God (this is a foundational assumption a Christian needs to establish before becoming a believer). So God's deepest desire is to give us what we most desperately need: himself.
Upon Jesus' arrival at Bethany, he was accosted three times by Martha, Mary, and the crowd and asked why he did not come in time to prevent Lazarus' death. They were looking for the blessing and not the blesser. Jesus' answer was simply this, "I AM the resurrection." What you need, I am; even if you do not know what your needs really are. Verse 33 and 38 tells us that Jesus was greatly distressed upon seeing that they did not see him for who he is, God. If they had, there should have been no weeping, but full confidence in his godhood and love. If Jesus' weeping was merely empathy for the (albeit temporary) sorrow of Mary and Martha, why would their lack of trust ("why weren't you here?") bother/hurt him? Which leads me to think...perhaps some portion of the tears Jesus shed was over the anguish of them not seeing him when they desperately needed to?
My closing thoughts on the matter is simply this: As much as God cares about our physical needs, he knows those needs to be temporary and our spiritual needs to be eternal. He is infinitely more concerned about meeting the latter, even at cost to the former if it is necessary. And for this, I love him.
Happy Wednesday!
Edward
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:31-33
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
Worst hunter ever (no animals were harmed in the making of this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk0HYn2u7c0&feature=related
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