I don't live here anymore

That's not nearly as emo as it sounds.

I've changed where I'm going to write out stuff (aka blog).

check: sethguthrie.tumblr.com

Photos after 3m27d

London at night.

Big Ben & Parliament.

a blurry close up

again

Big Ben at sunset

A lion w/ Big Ben (my favorite)

Hyde Park.

A path in Hyde Park

Beautiful sky over Hyde Park

Hyde Park once again.

Sunrise over Kensington Church St. in Notting Hill

A Cohesive Day

Today I met a friend in Trafalgar Square for coffee. While I was there I hit up the National Portrait Gallery. Being a fan of art and all things cool, I wanted to check out some Van Gogh & Monet -- you know, being more into "modern art." However, I was enthralled when I saw the above painting entitled Christ Before the High Priest by Gerrit Van Honthorst. It's a depiction of Jesus Christ before Caiaphas, the high priest in Jerusalem, who conspired & longed to have Christ crucified.

Incredible painting. Painting made cooler by what I read this morning during my time with the Lord.

"Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.' " And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of Heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?" They answered, 'He deserves death.' " (Matthew 26:57-68)

I sat in front of this painting thinking and praying about what this scene spoke. I feel like it's an awesome look at the intensity between Caiaphas and Jesus while the high priest is questioning the Son of God. I love how Van Honthorst locked Jesus' and Caiaphas' eyes -- eye's peering straight into the high priest's. A guilty man, wouldn't have done such a thing. The candle on the table too, is specially symbolic with Jesus being the Light of the world. I absolutely love how the light is used to make the scene dramatic, though I doubt the actual occurrence needed anymore help in that department.

For me, Christ Before the High Priest is a depiction of Caiaphas just as he finishes saying: "'Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?'" and as "Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

The Lord rocked me through this Scripture and painting today, though the later isn't completely accurate. It's cool how all of life has God's hand in it...

"Come to Me, & I Will Give You Rest"

In Matthew 11 verse 28 Jesus speaks "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)

Beautiful words. A beautiful promise.

The message is the same: Jew, Christian, Atheist, Hindu, Muslim, New Ager -- place your faith in Jesus' hands. Give all of your life over to the Savior, the redeemer, and find rest. Allow the Prince of Peace to comfort your weary & burdened soul. Invite His Holy Spirit to counsel and lead you through both, the Word and life.

Atheist, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, New Ager, (sinners) come to Jesus Christ, embrace the love of the Savior who desperately wants you to be free of the decay of sin, and receive the abundant life He freely gives. Run to the Lord who died so that you may have eternal life. Run to the King of Kings who gave Himself so that you could have rest, comfort, and peace for your soul; the only part of you that last for eternity. Take your focus off of the material, the things seen that lead to more worry, pain, sorrow, and death. Place your faith, your heavy burden, and your life (the good, the bad, & the ugly) in Jesus.

Christians (sinners) come to Jesus Christ. We need Christ daily. We need to lay down our pride, our fleshly burdens, the lies and grief from the enemy, and in our sorrow put on Christ Jesus. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:14). Christ follower put on Christ and His comfort, His rest, and His will for you life.

Come to Him for He is gentle. Come to Him for He wants the best for us -- Himself. Come to Him, Christ Jesus, for He's paid the ransom of our sin to set us free from death's sting. He's given Himself up so that we can have intimacy with God and call Him Father.

You who are hurt.
You who feel empty and fake.
Come to Him.
You who are battered and bruised.
You who are overwhelmed with anxiety.
Come to Him, for He is gentle.
You who swim in stress.
You who are tormented by your past mistake; both intentional and unavoidable.
Come to Jesus, He will make you anew.
You who are walking sin's death march and are spiraling out of control.
You who are desperate and ready to end it.

Come to Jesus, and you will find rest for your souls. His yoke is easy, and His burden light.

2010

I can't believe it's January. Even more, I can't believe we're in the 2nd decade of this the 2nd millennia. That fact alone makes my brain hurt, but lets be real, it doesn't take much to make my brain hurt. I digress.

Like most people, I've made a New Year resolution, but it's a bit different. What do you expect; I'm weird. It starts with today. Today I started reading the Word through a guideline that Elevation Church is starting next weekend. It's geared to read through the New Testament in 30 days -- New Thru 30. They start next week, but I felt God leading to start today. So, I did. And the Holy Spirit provided me with a "New Year resolution."

"Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentile (the non-Jewish; those far from God during this time) seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:32-34

My one and only resolution this year is to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." To seek God with everything I am, for the sole purpose of knowing Him more. Seek Jesus first and He'll take care of me; no matter what. It may look different then I want or expect, but He's got my back. The Lord's been teaching me to seek Him, His Kingdom, His heart, and His will over my own; seek and cling to Jesus Christ. Far too often I seek Him for His blessings and mentally bypass the Creator. That's not acceptable. That simply is not cool (by His and my standards).

The passage above tells us plainly to seek first God and His Kingdom -- HIM -- above all. Above where nourishment is going to come from. Over what I'm going to where (which is quite limited anyway). Seek Him above what others think of me. Seeking to please only God Almighty whom I serve - and to actually walk that out, instead of talking it. This year I want to make more of an effort to place Jesus at the center of my life and my heart, and Him as the filter. If its not of Him or does not bring Glory to Him, then I don't want it.

This year it's time to put up or shut up.

This year the Lord is pursuing me to be more aggressive in my relationship with Him.

This year it's time to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.