Nat's blog

Temperaments or grace?

tirzah64 — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:10:40 +0000

Many look at the Beatitudes and see them as some natural disposition. They are based on behavior and human temperaments. They look at somebody with a laid back personality and say that he is meek. They look at somebody who tries to avoid conflict and ignore tension and say that he is a peacemaker. These conclusions could be nothing further from the truth. This would negate the supernatural aspects of the Christian man and degrade them to mere DNA and character traits. The beatitudes are one of the greatest manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s work because they are the reflection of the character of Christ. To say that the beatitudes are based on personality is to take a miracle and say that man has performed it.

I for one praise God that the beatitudes are nothing less than the working of the Holy Spirit. Man’s dependency on grace to enter into the beatitudes is comforting and provoking at the same time. It is comforting because we know that, despite our proud personality, natural inclinations toward sin, corrupt desires and motivations, we are just as much a candidate for holiness as the next guy, because our ability to do so is not based on human strength. The foundational principle of the beatitudes is that it’s not about what we have. It is what we can get by positioning our hearts to receive from the Holy Spirit.

This then also provokes us, because it means that there is no excuse for us. All of those that hid behind their aggressive, extroverted, ambitious personality types must now come to terms with the fact that they have no way out of pursuing this lifestyle of happy holiness. The Holy Spirit working on the inside and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ make this an equal possibility for everybody. For even Paul, chief of sinners turned apostle said, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

A trip down memory lane

tirzah64 — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:22:12 +0000

I have decided to give my faithful blog readers a periodical peak into my past and hopefully along with that some look into my personality. My goal is to take random moments in my childhood and tell them so you can get insight into my personality, where I grew up and what I did as a child. So without further delay here is my memory.

When I was in first grade many of my classmates would jokingly pretend (although my five-year-old mind was unaware of this detail) to cheat on their assignments. I was delighted to see the teacher’s amusement and the all around jovial atmosphere concerning this behavior. So one day I decided it was my turn to be a cause for joy and laughter. I quickly recorded all the answers to my math questions out of the answer book.

When my teacher discovered that I had cheated (which was easy to conclude, since it was probably the first time ever I got all the questions right) I was quite disappointed to find out that my behavior was not looked upon with a smile and a wink. In fact, there wasn’t any positive response whatsoever. The details of the consequences are too severe to describe in this rated G blog. However, I will tell you that that was the first and last time I ever cheated.

Beatitudes and the time delay

tirzah64 — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:54:39 +0000

Why is it that despite the fact that Jesus has so clearly laid out the way to happiness that even in the church His methods are so often ignored?

The reason why so many still choose to not walk in the way of blessedness is because of the time delay that is ever so common in the kingdom of God. People want it fast and easy, here and now. The beatitudes speak of satisfaction that is slow, difficult and far away. That is because ultimate fulfillment of these promises or prophecies is not until the age to come, making the beatitudes profoundly linked to the theology of hope. Whenever a reward is promised in the bible that does not have immediate results then that reward can become part of the hope which we have. This is true of every single one of the beatitudes.

Whenever we experience one of the discomforts described in Matthew 5:3-10, our hope is that “this light affliction, which is but for a moment is working in us an eternal weight of glory.” (1 Corinthians 5:17. “The sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) This line of thought is expounded on throughout many of the epistles. It is no wonder Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes.

However, the joy spoken of in Matthew 5:3-10 is not just future tense. He doesn’t say “blessed will be…” He says “blessed are…” This difference holds a great truth. That is the truth that hope itself is a source of joy. Even Paul spoke of “rejoicing in hope…” (Rom 12:12) and the “blessed hope…” (Titus 2:13) that we have. So for believers there is always a certain measure of joy to be found in accordance with our confidence. Despite our negative circumstances we can have joy because for believers it counts for something. Even in our mourning we experience happiness knowing that our Consolation will come.

So in stead of honor, fame and fortune Jesus speaks of poverty and persecution as the way to happiness. The way to obtain that which you desire is not pride and self-interest, but mercy and serf-denial. His ways are truly higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). And when we truly understand the beatitudes we will thank Him for it!

Beatitudes, more than encouragements

tirzah64 — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:48:59 +0000

First of all, I would like to let all of my faithful readers know that I have chosen to stay on days for a the next few months.

Lately I have been studying the beatitudes. I am thinking of starting a series on my discoveries on the beatitudes, so here is my first post.

The beatitudes are the much loved and well-known verses Jesus gave to His disciples and the multitudes as an opening to His Sermon on the Mount. In these few verses Jesus gives humanity the secret to blessedness. Montefoire gives a practical definition of blessedness: “happiness because of divine favor.” It is ironic that history continually testifies of man’s quest for happiness failing time and time again when Jesus has given us eight simple steps that lead us right into this much desired state of being.

In His kindness He has revealed to us the way we can satisfy the God-given desire for happiness. The desire to experience joy is not something to be repented of. If God gives us the means to obtain happiness then surely the desire for happiness is not ungodly. God recognizes and acknowledges this longing as something He has placed in us to lead us on the paths of righteousness if we choose to follow.

The beatitudes are not introduced as commandments; in fact they are not introduced at all. Jesus simply opened His mouth and began to teach. This could cause some to underestimate the value of the beatitudes. If they are not specifically stated as commandments they are not worth being sought after. However, when the nature of man is understood even just a little we realize what a grave mistake this line of thought is.

Let us take a look at humanity and the way we function for a moment. Man’s pursuit of happiness is inherent, therefore inevitable (no matter what level of resistance is offered). We are going to pursue happiness no matter what. The question is: in what manner will we pursue this feeling of contentment? That is where unrighteousness finds its place. The painful truth is that when people are left on their own they are bound to stray from the God-ordained method by which we can obtain blessedness, eventually ending in sin. In light of this reality we can look at the beatitudes and not only consider them to be encouragements or exhortations, but commandments that come from the very wisdom of God.

I hope that you will all look at and study the beatitudes with increased care. That’s all for now. Hopefully, there will be more on the beatitudes soon.

tirzah64 — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:54:25 +0000

The other day I had an epiphany. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this bright, beyond brilliant idea before. I’ll do both nights and days. Sleep has always been overrated any ways.

I’ll let you know how this goes.

To night or to day? That is the question.

tirzah64 — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:55:25 +0000

I am going crazy. Just a little.

My indecisive nature is not coming in handy at this point. Within one day I will be 100% convinced I’m going to do nightwatch and 100% convinced I am staying on days. And that happens at least five times a day.

Help?

Going, going, gone…coming, coming back!

tirzah64 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:46:53 +0000

Dear friends and family,

Well for some of you the first phrase counts and for others the second phrase. Either way it is clear that there is going to be a change in my geograhical location in just three days.

On Monday morning I will be making my way back to Kansas City. I will be leaving home (family, friends, my house, food that isn’t pumped full of hormones, fresh air, grass that has maintained it’s color) to go home (the prayer room, EGS, FSM, friends, my apartment)…so that I can continue waiting for my home (New Jerusalem, a city whose builder and maker is God, a place where sorrow and sighing has fled away, the heavenly country).

I live a strange life.

Well, while I am at home away from home waiting to be home I hope to update my blog more frequently.

Italy

tirzah64 — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:31:27 +0000

This is a picture of my cousin and I while we were in Italy. I’ll write more about my trip later.

I have ravished His heart? Yikes!

tirzah64 — Sun, 06 May 2007 00:00:10 +0000

So here at IHOP we take the verse in Song of Solomon that says that we have ravished His heart with one glance of our eye (SoS 4:9) and place it in the group of sweet, intimacy verses.

I was thinking about this verse the other day and I came to the conclusion that tender nearness isn’t exactly the first thing that would come to my mind at the thought of a ravished God. There is only one thing more terrifying than a God who is all-powerful, who is seated above the circle of the earth and who sees the nations as a drop in a bucket. And that is when that same God is ravished by me.

When we touch the untouchable heart of God with our devotion we have reached a point of no return. So often I take my weak heart and touch a part of God’s heart especially reserved to be moved by me and then I entertain the notion that I can continue life as usual. Little do I know that something has been set in motion by that glance. God takes that moment of devotion and translates it as an excuse to relentlessly pursue me. Oh my, what have I gotten myself into?

A certain picture comes to mind as I think of all of this. I envision a little girl standing in front of a vast, snow covered mountain range. In a moment of awe she tilts her head as far back as possible and cries out in wonder as she claps her hands in delight at the beauty of nature. A few moments later she turns to leave, but just as she starts walking she hears a soft rumbling. It quickly grows louder and the next thing she knows she’s facing a powerful, rumbling avalanche headed straight for her with only moments before she is completely immersed. All of it started with her little hands clapping. Let Him be your fear. Let Him be your dread.

The fear of the Lord becomes a completely different reality when we add intimacy to it. It is not as much His power, as it is His heart that ignites a holy fear and reverence in me. He is not unresponsive. I suggest you take a look over your shoulder. There just might be an avalanche coming after you.

Stage antics

tirzah64 — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 01:32:52 +0000

Well, after that lengthy post I have decided to give all of my wonderful readers a break with a breather.

The following story would probably be my embarassing moment of the week. Only those who know the worship with the word harp and bowl model will understand this.

The other night I had a worship with the word set at 2am and we were singing through Song of Solomon. At one point Jonathan (the worship leader) starts singing “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me…” and we all bop our heads, smile and sing along happily to the bumchuck beat as Jonathan bangs on the keys with a big smile. Then we gradually go into singing in the spirit all the while we still have this bumchuck beat going and everybody in the room is kind of smiling and laughing. All is well and good and then Jonathan looks over at me with a big grin on his face and in an instant my happy countenance was overshadowed with dread as my jaw drops to the ground.

The singing in the spirit dies down and suddenly I stare down at the passage infront of me (after picking up my jaw)….all the while the bumchuck beat is still going, now no longer a happy beat, but a incessant pounding in my ears. Then I realized that I was the one who had to introduce the passage.

What happened between the words “My beloved…” and “…is mine” after introducing the Song of Solmon 5 cycle I don’t remember. I think its a method my brain has developed to cope with intensely traumatic experiences. All I know is that I looked up and everybody still had goofy smiles on their faces except now they are all directed to me.