Glorious and Mighty

There’s a newer song by Sovereign Grace that I have come to love this week. Its called “Glorious and Mighty.” Part of it goes:

Majesty, Your glory is shining
Brighter than the moon and the stars
Marveling, we honor and fear You
Above all gods

Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Joyful songs we raise
Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Greatly to be praised

The song is simple, only three verses. But all point to the glorious God revealed in Scripture. Glorious and mighty He is! This week I’ve been struck by the theme in this song in mainly two ways.

One, He is mighty. I am but weak! Last week I got little sleep (paper time…) and I’ve been extremely tired and weak the last few days. I’ve seen just how little energy I posses when I stand alone, but what strength there is to be found in God. I’ve worked my longest week in several months, given a presentation at school, and God has provided enough strength to get me through both. There’s a verse, in Corinthians I believe, that says to be reminded that the power which raised Christ from the dead is at work in us sanctifying us today! Now, I can’t fathom how much power God possesses to raise Christ (and create the world and sustain it!), but I believe that I can trust my Lord to provide the strength to love Him, obey Him, fear Him. Its sometimes easy to see God provide the power to get us physically through a day – I can say ‘gee, I couldn’t have done that work without God’s help.’ Its harder to remember that it is only by God’s mighty sanctifying hand that I can be made into His Son’s image. Or, possibly to remember that God is mighty and working. Its so sad, but its true. My sinful heart wants to think that I deserve the credit for obedience, or love, or discipline. But, I do all things because of Christ! Do I remember how mighty my God is? Stand before a mountain and be humbled – God spoke it into existence. And that is just but one mountain! I stand amazed at the transforming power of Christ in the lives of the believers around me and in my life. God’s power is incredible.

Two, something I was hit with today is that God is above all gods. I’ve been stressed lately, and I think much of my stress comes from putting my trust in myself or others. All people are sinners, and therefore have the potential of letting me down. I am a sinner, and I let myself down. But God, He is infinitely perfect and glorious! I always laugh at the foolish Israelites, they carved wood figures and then worshipped them. Stupid huh? But, I do the same thing! I create gods and worship them over the true King. Sinful, yes? Disobedience = sin. I don’t think I pause enough to remember that when I don’t seek and love the Lord will all my heart I am being disobedient. How easy it is to throw idols this way and that and arrange them on the table of life. But, they eventually disappoint, they will never please. While I look at my pretty idols my heart is not really content, it wants to worship the Lord. My Sunday School lesson for tomorrow is on King Solomon’s disobedience. Ouch. The Lord has a gracious way of convicting! I praise the Lord that he shows us our sin, because if He didn’t reveal it, I’d never know I am such need of Him! Psalm 103 says, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity.’ O, may my soul not turn to idols but praise the living God!

Easter Weekend

So, I had a great weekend.

Thursday I spent about 8 hours at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. Probably one of my favorite places in LA next to the LACMoA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and Walt Disney Music Hall. Found so many great resources for my papers on Robert Service (a Soviet historian) and the 1916 Kazakh Revolt. Went to a concert of Mozart's Reqium... beautiful. Fun day with my roommate Andre.

Friday I helped out the children's pastor at church. I have come to really respect the man... he's got a huge heart for the children and a passion to see the parents actively involved in their children's relationship with the Lord. Had lunch with he and his wife... so fun. Went to the Good Friday service at PBC. Then, went to Olive Garden with my best friend. Had a blast, then watched 'Blood Diamond.' He's an MK from SA, so he has an interesting insight into things African. Went back to my college days... and stayed up talking with him until 3am! haha. So nice, though! Miss living with some of my bros...

Sunday I went to G-Com with a friend for their sunrise service. Good traditional service. Then 'taught' the 2 year olds... hilarious. They are so different from my 1st and 2nd graders! Went to a pastor's house and got to fellowship with my old discipler and some really amazing people. A real blessing! Great to be at a home since I could not be at mine. Went to another family's home, and had a nice time. Then, had my two Josh's over for dinner. Love those guys. It was so nice to spend the day with my family in Christ! I missed my own, but was thankful that I'm not alone here in SoCal.

Today I had fun at Baja Fresh with Josh and Stephen. Fun to be with them both! Don't get to be with both of them together much any more... it reminded me of old times. One told me that he wished i was still in Hotchkiss... I really do miss living with a few of my brothers. But, I'm thankful for where the Lord is taking me. Maybe i'll get to live with some of them in the future.

Well, I'm stalling from writing my papers... so until later... praise Jesus for the grace He gives abundantly to those who call upon him. He gives much joy and peace when we delight and trust in Him! how amazing is that!

Your Righteousness is like the Mighty Mountains

I was blessed to spend two days up in Bishop with two of my best friends this weekend. I had never been to the Eastern Sierra's... wow... what a beautiful area! Driving into Owen's Valley and into Bishop was incredible. I saw a peek of Mt. Whitney's peak! After being surrounded by crowded San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys... it was such a blessing to escape and go to the mountains with some dear brothers.

The mountains get above 12,000' ... that's about triple the size of Mt. Diablo! These mountains are magnificent... and its so incredible to think about how the Lord spoke them each into existence! God's power is amazing, yes? I think of the Psalm,
"Your Love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments like the great deep. Man and beast You save, O God."

We bouldered at the base of the mountains, at the Buttermilks. What amazing scenery to climb in front of! I hadn't been bouldering in over a year, but it was so much fun! I got a few boulders and it was quite a blast! Had a great time being with my buddies and talking, chilling and reading. Had a sweet time talking to my good friend on the way back home.

Today had church - main service was on God's omnipotence. Was a beautiful match to this weekend's experience. Pastor Scott talked about God's power in speaking into existence all of creation, and how we should praise Him for that awesome power! In Sunday school I got to teach the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ! Got so pumped up to share the Gospel with my kids! Oh, I love them so much, it is so humbling and exciting to share the power of God to my kids! It is so incredible to share Christ!

Sunday Reflections

So I haven’t updated here in a very long time. Too long, probably no one reads this anymore. But I just had a day that was a true blessing from the Lord and thought I’d write about it.

Started off with a prayer meeting at church at 7am. Then, a sermon by one of the missionaries my church supports from Uganda. Great! On what God desires in His servants: a humble and contrite spirit, and a trembling at His Word. Oh, how do I need to grow in each of those areas!

Helped with 1st and 2nd grade. Such a blessing to be with my kids. Love them to death. Had to talk to a kid about loving God and obedience. I’m not I ever realized how hard it was to discipline until recently. Growing up you always think teachers and parents are annoyed and even angry sometimes when they have to discipline. I never really realized that discipline stemmed from great love and a desire to see a person honor God. It’s been a cool challenge to learn that.

Did the ‘coordinating’ for 3rd service. Talked to one man. He told me his mom’s testimony: his mom’s sister had picked up some tracks from a church, brought them home and left them at his mom’s place. The man’s aunt was not saved, but had just gotten the tracks for no real reason. The man’s mom read the tracks, read the New Testament, and God called her to Himself! What a glorious testament to the amazing work of God!! Had three of my lil buds help me out. Funny times.

Then, this week it was one of my best friend’s birthday and his sister’s as well. So, an amazing family in the church invited the three of us over to celebrate their birthdays. I teach their youngest son in my Sunday school class and have taught two of their other kids. What a blessing to hang with a family, and their family provides such a godly joyful example as well! So much fun! Seriously, I love them so very much. So great to celebrate the life of my friend. Love him so much – God has blessed me with a great brother.

Heard the testimony of a pillar couple in our church. Found out that she was saved when she was 35 and he at 37. They almost divorced and were having a bad marriage. But, God being rich in his mercy, called them to Himself and restored their relationship with Him and built up an amazing relationship with each other. God is good! At night church got to sing with one of my Sunday school kids. So encouraging. He was so excited to sing ‘Blessed Assurance.’ What blessed assurance do we have that in Christ we are justified and will be glorified with Him one day! Amen.