Thanks Jason

I just want to thank Jason for that quote from Tozer (see comments on Philippian post). As I was preparing for Bible study tonight I realized that Paul is making a similar statement in Philippians as Tozer did in that quote from The Pursuit of God. Paul seems to be surrounding and embedding within his calls for unity (in Philippians 1:27-2:11) an emphasis on maturity in Christ, and the need for Christ to be central in our lives. First look at the focus of verses 12-26 (which is what I have been preparing this week). Paul states that his purpose while here on earth is Christ, he speaks of his body by life or death will magnify Christ, and he rejoices that Christ is preached, he focuses on maturity in 1:27-30 and then again in 2:12-16, and gives Christ as an example of humility in verses 5-11 of chapter 2. If we are truly going to grow in unity, Christ must be at the center of our lives (when we come together on Sundays for worship, having fellowship elsewhere or on our own in seclusion from the rest of the Body). So thanks again Jason.

Philippians

So Navs is currently studying the book of Philipians, and I thought I would share what I feel is one of the biggest themes within, not only this book but in a lot of the epistles. This is, of course, the unity of the body of Christ, I have come to believe this is one our greatest calls as a church, to seekout the unification of all people within the body, seeking to reconcile with others we may have offended (I Cor. 6), having the same mind, as Philippians 1:27 states "... I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" Or even being unified in humility, serving each other as stated in the beginning of Chapter 2. How bout I Cor. 12:12 "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." Finally, I think Ephesians 4:1-6 sums up this idea very well, "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Not only are we called to have unity out of obedience, but we are called to have unity as a body because God is unified! So I would challenge all who read this to consider extensively, for this theme runs all the way throughout Scripture. It is a way we image God. If you want me to go any deeper into anything, have a question, or whatever, submit a comment, and I will respond.

Poetry

So I decided to post some poetry that I have written, tell me what you think.

King of the North

Descended from the Kings of the North,
he stands tall.
Regal and pure white are his robes,
Gold crowns his head, and polished silver hangs at his side.

His intense brown eyes hold completed wisdom,
and his shoulders no longer bear burden.
Eternal joy saturates his soul.

Heart and mind purified,
he collapses before his King,
and worships.

~Dustin Dahlberg

Folly

She sits at the door of her house
or stands on the street corner.
Beckons to those who are willing
to come and abandon understanding.

“Stolen water tastes like honey,
and bread eaten under the cover of darkness
is pleasant.”
She calls.

“Take me in,
that I may partake of your
honey and pleasant bread.”
Unwise reply.

Unaware, guests in her house
imprison themselves to death.
Those who descend her steps fall from them,
into the flames of Hell.

~Dustin Dahlberg

-Inspired by Proverbs 9:13-18


Time kills (or Ersilia)
Ersilia.

All life moves on to another existence,
abandoning former possessions.
Worth is lost.

Empty strings intersecting, divide the city.
The town deserted, the buildings rot and soon disappear,
only their shadows remain.

The town square is empty.
Dug into the ground,
it is the city’s shallow grave.

~Dustin Dahlberg

Starting things up!

Hey all, I just decided to start up a blog after talking to a friend of mine, also it can be used to comunicate with everyone stuck in the U.S. when I am in Japan this summer. I hope to post on here as often as I can about what I am learning or what I am up to, or just random thoughts maybe, but we'll see how things go.