I'm I Being Heard?

Just some thoughts:

"The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.

-Karl Rahner

As I was making breakfast this morning, this quote popped in my head. Not really sure what triggered it, but it's led me on a thought train which I wanted to share with you.

I was thinking about how we as Christians acknowledge God with our mouths, but deny him with our lives. What if it was the other way around? At first it seemed a little crazy, and perhaps "unchristian", but the more I thought about it I don't know that it's such a terrible idea. What if we did follow God is our actions, in our lives, but denyed him with our tounge. Not meaning we swore and took his name in vain, cut others down, or just did/said terrible things, but rather that we didn't claim to be followers of Christ. What if our lives spoke it so strongly that even our words couldn't convince others we weren't Christians.

This led to the old addage "actions speak louder than words". It's truth. I think God could have sent a prophet in the Old Testament to said those very words. It might have sounded something like:

"O listen people of Israel, live your life as a testimony to God, for actions speak louder than words, thus sayith the Lord."

Anyway about it I think we need to reflect on that idea. If actions speak the loudest, then are we whispering for the kingdom? Seriously, think about it. If we are called to declare the Glory of the Lord, are we nothing more than a whisper in the world of sinful actions by ourselves and non-believers. Even the heavens cry out, rocks and stones, the world he created, and it's not using words. Is is possible that inanimate objects could have a louder voice than we do? I guess it is? If each action were audible, perhaps a musical note or phrase, would the melody of Christ be heard in the symphony of our lifes, or would it be overpowered by a clanging gong and a crashing symbol. Is that all people can hear? I think of the Casting Crowns lyrics.

Empty hands held high...If not joined with my life, I sing in vain tonight.

May the words I say, And the things I do...Let my lifesong sing to You.

-Lifesong by Casting Crowns

Now what? I don't know. That's for you to figure out. I guess we might need to examine our lifes, and our hearts. From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

King Charles Cavalier

Today somebody brought some puppies to the chemistry department here at Bethel. They were absolutely adorable, and one of my favorite breeds. I've wanted one for many years, and playing with the puppies was a great stress reliever.

The Irony

When I created this blog several months ago I was very intentional about it's name. "Sweet Simplicity: celebrating the simple joys in faith, life, and love" How far from the truth that currently is. I wanted to cut back, life simply, love wholy, and NOT get stressed out. I tried to make that a pattern. Whoops what happened. My life is anything but. I've decided not to withdraw from Bethel, but I am going to drop a class. Maybe that will simplify things. I re-read my post "When Life Kicks You in the Face" and it could have been written just two short days ago. Man it stinks to be in that place. However, today I am optimistic, and once again determined to stick it out and persevere. The weather is beautiful, and spring is here. I can't say that I've been able to enjoy it. It's too hard to try to be happy and enjoy something when the world is crashing, but today in a small way I was. On my way back from church three deer were walking on the road between Lissner and Arden Village East as I arrived on campus. I was able to enjoy them, and have the windows down pumping a few tunes on my way. I'm also getting excited about being an RA next year. I can't wait to find out who the rest of my team is, and what room I'm living in. Well, I really need to get back to the books.

Solo (So Low)

Solo by Iyaz

And I don't wanna go, go
I don't wanna go, go
I don't wanna it no, no
I don't wanna it no, no
I don't want to walk this earthIf I gotta do it solo

Cuz I was so high
And now im so low
And I don't wanna walk around alone, solo
Said I don't want to walk this earth
If I gotta do it solo

This is just the chorus, and of coures he's talking about a girl here, but I'm talking about God and a life that isn't worth walking solo. I'm at the low, etc, etc, and it's not worth walking so low either.