So. It's been a while since I last "blogged"... so I kinda figured it would be a cool idea to write something since it's been like a month. I've had a good month. I've gotten some cool opportunities to travel some here and there. I traveled to lead a D-Now conference last week, I traveled the month before to lead worship at another church, and I've been in Bolixi, Mississippi this last week at the beach on vacation with my family. I've had some good time to reflect and rest as well as be lazy and stupid. I thought it would be cool to share what I've been reflecting on since I last blogged.
Lately, I've been studying Spiritual Warfare. I've read a whole lot of diverse scriptures on warfare, demons, and satan; and I've especially grown fond of listening to Mark Driscoll. Overall, God has been showing me some clear signs that I'm headed in the right direction. Life has gotten a little rough, but it's only conformation that I'm doing something right. When we are a threat to satan, he tries to take us out. So obviously, I'm headed in the right direction when life starts getting hard.
God has really brought my attention to the subject of pride. He has been showing me that the source of almost anything demonic starts with pride. It has been awesome reading up on the downfalls of those who choose to be prideful and eventually die because of their promotion of self. I went a step further in my quiet times to connect that pride is actually a form of idolatry. When we are prideful (the act of promoting ourselves), we are worshiping an idol (1 John 5:18-21). I got a great definition of idolatry from listening to Mark Driscoll. His def of idolatry: the worshiping of creation and NOT the creator. So, by promoting ourselves, we are promoting ourselves as idols.
The thing that hit me the hardest was when I was thinking about the whole subject of idolatry during one of my quiet times. I realized... it's not just a lifestyle or character issue, it's a Worship Issue. Satan's #1 goal is for us to worship things rather than our creator God. Wow. Pretty big deal. No wonder God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. When we are prideful, we have a worship problem. I know it's probably easy for some people to grasp, but I never really thought of pride as being demonic or even a worship issue! Pretty crazy... for me at least.
Untill next post.... Hasta Chico (later dude)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
* The Phalanx Formation *
I've been doing some research lately in reguards to the inner workings of the body of Christ, but more related to the movie "300". Most people that have seen 300 watch it for the sole purpose of seeing sweet war scenes and manly bloody fights. I must agree, some of them do get your adrenaline going, however, on a much deeper level, I have been intrigued by similarites in the armour (almost like our spiritual armour) and the Phalanx formation (similar like the body of Christ). It has been cool to see the similar roles that they play both in a worldly sense and a spiritual sense.
The Phalanx originated from ancient greece and was used as the "ultimate" battle formation. Most of the time the formation would take place in a retangular formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, or similar weapons facing outward. The Phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy, making frontal assaults much more difficult. Individual soldiers carried their shields on their left arm, protecting not themselves but the soldier to the left. This meant that the men at the extreme right of the phalanx were only half protected. However, most attacks against the Phalanx proved to be EXTREMELY fatal.
As I was researching, I decided to check the definetion of Phalanx. I was blown away. It means: "a group of people (soldiers) standing against opposition and moving forward closely together." Wow. This was almost exactly in line with what I had been reading in my quiet time. I have been reading some in 1 Corinthians and Galations.
Here's what I've been reading:
-1 Corinthians 10:13-
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
-Galations 6:2-
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I'm pretty sure that sums it all up. We need a Phalanx formation in our lives. We are commanded to bear each others burdens, almost like each soldier in the Phalanx shields the person next to them. And, if every person does his and her part, the formation is extrememly fatal to ANY oposition.
So, what does being in a Phalanx entail? I think that it can be different according to the needs of the body (people), however, I think that any Phalanx obviously requires 2 main things: 1) Commitment. Most people run from this word. It entails time, work, and energy. All of which require extra effort to succeed. And 2) Selflessness. It means we have to love unconditionally, freely give for the benifit of others above ourselves, and take hits for the people around us. I have been encouraged and also "called out" to step up my efforts. I have been guilty of letting my brothers in arms fail. However, I know there is always a new day and that I have been freed by the blood of Christ in order that I may learn from my mistakes.
The Phalanx originated from ancient greece and was used as the "ultimate" battle formation. Most of the time the formation would take place in a retangular formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, or similar weapons facing outward. The Phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy, making frontal assaults much more difficult. Individual soldiers carried their shields on their left arm, protecting not themselves but the soldier to the left. This meant that the men at the extreme right of the phalanx were only half protected. However, most attacks against the Phalanx proved to be EXTREMELY fatal.
As I was researching, I decided to check the definetion of Phalanx. I was blown away. It means: "a group of people (soldiers) standing against opposition and moving forward closely together." Wow. This was almost exactly in line with what I had been reading in my quiet time. I have been reading some in 1 Corinthians and Galations.
Here's what I've been reading:
-1 Corinthians 10:13-
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
-Galations 6:2-
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I'm pretty sure that sums it all up. We need a Phalanx formation in our lives. We are commanded to bear each others burdens, almost like each soldier in the Phalanx shields the person next to them. And, if every person does his and her part, the formation is extrememly fatal to ANY oposition.
So, what does being in a Phalanx entail? I think that it can be different according to the needs of the body (people), however, I think that any Phalanx obviously requires 2 main things: 1) Commitment. Most people run from this word. It entails time, work, and energy. All of which require extra effort to succeed. And 2) Selflessness. It means we have to love unconditionally, freely give for the benifit of others above ourselves, and take hits for the people around us. I have been encouraged and also "called out" to step up my efforts. I have been guilty of letting my brothers in arms fail. However, I know there is always a new day and that I have been freed by the blood of Christ in order that I may learn from my mistakes.
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