Do Not Love the World

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

Lust of the flesh. Lust of the eyes. Pride of life.

The writer says that these are not from God. Yet, in Colossians, the writer states that all things were created in God. It is a thin line to be crossing. All things are indeed created in God, by God, through God. Yet, the purpose of it all is to bring praise to Him. Amazing cuisines, beautiful people, being confident are all gifts from God. However, if all that is sought after in life are such the following, it becomes a sin. It is simply too easy to be flowing in and out of worldly desires to holy thankfulness. 

It is simply weird to throw away what God has given you, while it is also weird to start craving for what you do not have. Balance seems the most difficult in life. 

"Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. 

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes." Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

In a world where everything passes away, the only solid ground seems to be God according to the Bible. 

Speaking in Tongues

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:4

My first encounter with glossolalia, or, speaking in tongues, was back in grade school. It was during a Bible camp I had attended, in which the teachers gathered together during the last service to pray for the students. As I was still very young, the dark room full of gibberish was very frightening. It was as if the teachers were all in a trance, suddenly having become strangers. 

I had asked my parents what the teachers were saying after camp. They told me it was a form of praying. I soon got used to hearing such prayers. At times, I even wanted it for myself, as it seemed to me a marker for "good" spirituality.

After college, an opportunity came for me to receive the gift. A missionary had come to visit my parents. Before he left, the missionary came to my room and for reasons I do not quite remember, decided to ask God the gift of tongues for me. He told me to close my eyes and repeat after him. 

"La, la, la, la, la..." 

That was all that he had told me to say. I simply repeated after him. Soon, he complimented me on having good faith, and told me that I had now received the gift. I had not felt any different. I did not feel a burning in my soul. I did not fall into a trance. I felt rather stupid. 

Years went on, and I seldom chanted the magic words. I had hoped that something might change along the way, but I grew rather lukewarm to it. 

Recently, however, I had attended a retreat. I only made it for the last night's worship service, but I was bit expectant that night. I was truly hoping for a change in my life, but during prayer time, I had the hardest time concentrating. I closed my eyes and decided to chant the words yet again. 

"La, la, la, la, la..." 

All of a sudden, I felt dizzy, almost blinded by a light shining in front of me. I grew rather hot and my tongue seemed to be saying something, but I knew not what it was. I did not want to open my eyes. 

Prayer time seemed to end rather quickly, and the experience did not last long. However, I had realized something. Even prayer was a gift from God. It was something only possible through the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues was a confession to such beliefs. It was letting my soul worship God in ways that my physical body could not. 

I still am rather unsure of what the short experience really was, but I was glad to have realized that God indeed was in complete control. He was moving everything in perfect harmony, even my prayers. 

I'll Climb

I'll climb high until you see me.

I'll climb higher until you need me.

Spiritual Dementia

Awake, asleep. I live a dream. I dream a life
I open my eyes to see the world hazy.
I close them to see it ever clearly.
Everyday, confusion binds me,
for I know not what I knew seconds ago.
Grace has set me free,
but I turn around to see me shackled in.
I burn with anger and frustration,
only to see the light of God a minute later.
I'm suffering from spiritual dementia.
So dearest God, hold me until the very end.

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The Clod and the Pebble by William Blake

The Clod and the Pebble by William Blake

Love seeketh not Itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care;
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hells despair.

So sang a little Clod of Clay,
Trodden with the cattle’s feet;
But a Pebble of the brook,
Warbled out these metres meet.

Love seeketh only Self to please,

To bind another to Its delight:
Joys in anothers loss of ease,
And builds a Hell in Heavens despite.