The Lord led me to read the beginning of 2nd Samuel the other day and I want to share with you lovely people what I found. It has to do with reverence of the Lord. A reverent heart is something I lack sometimes but I think it is something every christian can work on.
Second Samuel 1 is where David receives word that Saul and Johnathan are dead. There is a song thrown into that chapter plus a lying servant as well but that is generally chapter one summed up. Up to this point in Davids story, he has long been next in line for the throne. Saul, the former anointed one, has chased David all over trying to kill him. David trusts that, when it is Gods time, He will be given the throne of Israel. So Saul, the now former king and only obstacle to David ruling, is dead. Sounds like a good time to ascend the throne. David, though, waits another seven and a half years to take the throne. Why?
I have heard David cited for his patience but his reverence for the Lord, His timing, and his own anointing is on another level. David was a consummate servant of the Lord. David followed the Lord all around the wilderness alluding capture for years. He was afraid at times, as the psalms written during that time show, but he never stopped trusting or fearing the Lord and his plan. Even in the moment that he had been waiting for since the Lord anointed him to be the future king seemingly come true, he still waited because the Lords timing and plan was better. I believe it takes a reverent heart for the Lord to be this patient. What is so amazing about David to me is that he rarely moved without the Lord telling him to go. He feared the Lord and all that He is. Our Father and Lord in heaven is far more holy and wonderful than we can comprehend. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. His plan is complete and perfect. He is at all times completely just and righteous in His judgements. His love is perfect, lacking nothing, and is the only love that knows the furthest reaches of eternity. He is the perfect King and David understands this in his heart. His patience in ascending to the throne of Israel extends from him recognizing how small he is in the presence of the Lord and, at the same time, recognizing that God, infinite in every way, has a plan that he is executing perfectly because that is the Lords nature.
I hope that all makes sense. It is my prayer to not lose sight of the Lord and how incredible and beautiful he is. I think I often commit silly sins I should not because my eyes come down from the brilliance of God and becomes enamored with something far less beautiful. I want to live constantly aware of how small I am and how big God is and, because of that difference, live aware of how beautiful it is that the Lord has a plan for me that he is perfectly executing because of His great love for me. God bless.
5 Things I Like and Don't Like
1. I believe that their should be someone who is the facial hair police or something of the like. Sounds goofy I know. But only certain kinds of facial hair should allowed. If you cant grow it, dont. (No shave November is different) There are too many neards in the world.
2. I love cloudy and rainy days. If it was sunny only two days out of the week I wouldn't complain.
3. I do not fans of the following teams or the teams themselves: Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Heat, Lakers, Panthers, Saints, Patriots, 49ers, Auburn, Ga Tech, Florida, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State.
4. I love the ocean. I see God in the ocean and can just begin to understand what eternity looks like by looking at the ocean.
5. The MLB season needs to either be shortened by 80 games or the game itself needs to be spiced up. For instance, if no one has scored after seven innings, the mound needs to be moved closer, base runners forced to wear clown shoes, and second base removed. I would watch that.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Christmas Day
Well, I said that I wanted to try and blog everyday of break but that has not happened. It has given me a week of thinking and reflection on the past semester, family, friends, and the coming year. I am going to use the first part to talk about something that is on my heart. The second part will be borrowing from one of my favorite writers Zach Lowe over at Grantland where I will be doing something called 5 Things I Like and Don't Like. He does ten things but he also writes that part once a week. Here goes, hope you enjoy and share.
I have been reminded this break the importance of communication and, a step further, meaningful communication. Lack of communication has often been the Achilles's Heel of my family and I would imagine it is for a number of families. It is something we have been improving on in the years since we were healed but it still is a work in progress. I often joke that I am the last to know anything in my family and with good reason. The lanes for communication just are not there all the time though, I will admit, it is getting better. There are reasons for these break downs. Some are relationship specific (e.g. brother-to-brother or parent-to-parent), while others are just mistakes made we make when attempting to communicate. I want to to unpack a few of these.
The first is brother-to-brother. My brother and I are very different communicators. I am the more outspoken one between the two of us. I yell and stomp and get in people's faces. My brother on the other hand rarely verbally says how he feels but he wears it on his face and in his posture. Non-verbal communication is not good for much though. This is not to say that my brother and I do not have an unspoken language. Best friends and siblings are just like that. Non-verbal communication though should not be the chief form of communication. This is something I am working on changing in my relationship with my brother. Few things are more important to me than my relationship with him and I firmly believe that he is one of my biggest allies I have on this earth. Non-verbal communication relies on assumptions based on your knowledge of the other person. It is impersonal though and leads to numerous mistakes. My prayer is that one day their will be healthy, two-way communication between us to go along with all the non-verbal stuff that we are so good at.
Tone is important when communicating with someone. Tonee communicates much to the person who is being spoken too. The quickest way to eliminate quality communication is by adopting an accusatory tone. I have noticed that this tone runs in my family. Common responses to questions or questions themselves become strange accusations. Once offense is taken, quality communication goes out the window. Being in my family, I have come to realize being a good communicator means not taking offense easily which means loving a person even when they are being crazy or are just being plain mean. Becoming offended accomplishes little so I try to limit how often I take offense. While I believe the world would be better off by practicing my take-little-to-no-offense method of life, I must also admit that I am not perfect at these things. I take offense and get mad with the best of them.
There is grace though and I am thankful for it because remembering to give grace is key to being a good communicator. Grace is important because without it, we would all just walk around bitter at each other. People are obnoxious sometimes but everyone is obnoxious sometimes so that really is not saying much. It helps me to place myself in other peoples shoes because it provides another perspective for me to examine myself by. Having grace can negate offense which allows for smooth communication.
I realize that i may have oversimplified some of these things but I believe there are simple solutions to problems if we are willing and humble enough to seek them out. This topic could be expounded upon many times over but they will not here. Feel free to share what works for you or things you have learned in your journey to communicate with people. On to the 5 Things I Like and Don't Like!
1. I like Basketball. National Basketball League mind you, not collegiate. I am enamored with the NBA. I also love all of the analytics that is now a thriving part of it. About a year ago I embarked on a journey to understand basketball on both a nuts and bolts level and a historical level. What a year its been! Seriously, the NBA is the best of the major sports in America and its not close.
2. Speaking of collegiate basketball, I do not like it. I cannot think of a bigger waste of time other than the WNBA. Until NCAA players are required to stay in college, get a degree, and develop their skills further and mature as players and adults, I will not be a fan of NCAA basketball. The one-and-done rule is stupid and makes a mockery of the "student-athlete" title. Offenses are often slow and have very little creativity built in, at least from my eye. Offenses are little more than a few pick rolls while the ball swings from side to side while the players look for a lane to dribble drive and pass out.
3. I love to serve people more than I probably let on a lot of time I think. It is literally my favorite thing to do things for people. I never want anything in return. I just like to help.
4. I don't like people who take a lot of selfies. Not bad some times. But lets be real, if someone were to scroll through someones Instagram and Twitter and more than 15-20% are of your face, you need something else to do with your time.
5. Celtic music holds the key to my heart. Something about it transports me somewhere else. I really cannot explain it.
Thanks for reading guys. God Bless
I have been reminded this break the importance of communication and, a step further, meaningful communication. Lack of communication has often been the Achilles's Heel of my family and I would imagine it is for a number of families. It is something we have been improving on in the years since we were healed but it still is a work in progress. I often joke that I am the last to know anything in my family and with good reason. The lanes for communication just are not there all the time though, I will admit, it is getting better. There are reasons for these break downs. Some are relationship specific (e.g. brother-to-brother or parent-to-parent), while others are just mistakes made we make when attempting to communicate. I want to to unpack a few of these.
The first is brother-to-brother. My brother and I are very different communicators. I am the more outspoken one between the two of us. I yell and stomp and get in people's faces. My brother on the other hand rarely verbally says how he feels but he wears it on his face and in his posture. Non-verbal communication is not good for much though. This is not to say that my brother and I do not have an unspoken language. Best friends and siblings are just like that. Non-verbal communication though should not be the chief form of communication. This is something I am working on changing in my relationship with my brother. Few things are more important to me than my relationship with him and I firmly believe that he is one of my biggest allies I have on this earth. Non-verbal communication relies on assumptions based on your knowledge of the other person. It is impersonal though and leads to numerous mistakes. My prayer is that one day their will be healthy, two-way communication between us to go along with all the non-verbal stuff that we are so good at.
Tone is important when communicating with someone. Tonee communicates much to the person who is being spoken too. The quickest way to eliminate quality communication is by adopting an accusatory tone. I have noticed that this tone runs in my family. Common responses to questions or questions themselves become strange accusations. Once offense is taken, quality communication goes out the window. Being in my family, I have come to realize being a good communicator means not taking offense easily which means loving a person even when they are being crazy or are just being plain mean. Becoming offended accomplishes little so I try to limit how often I take offense. While I believe the world would be better off by practicing my take-little-to-no-offense method of life, I must also admit that I am not perfect at these things. I take offense and get mad with the best of them.
There is grace though and I am thankful for it because remembering to give grace is key to being a good communicator. Grace is important because without it, we would all just walk around bitter at each other. People are obnoxious sometimes but everyone is obnoxious sometimes so that really is not saying much. It helps me to place myself in other peoples shoes because it provides another perspective for me to examine myself by. Having grace can negate offense which allows for smooth communication.
I realize that i may have oversimplified some of these things but I believe there are simple solutions to problems if we are willing and humble enough to seek them out. This topic could be expounded upon many times over but they will not here. Feel free to share what works for you or things you have learned in your journey to communicate with people. On to the 5 Things I Like and Don't Like!
1. I like Basketball. National Basketball League mind you, not collegiate. I am enamored with the NBA. I also love all of the analytics that is now a thriving part of it. About a year ago I embarked on a journey to understand basketball on both a nuts and bolts level and a historical level. What a year its been! Seriously, the NBA is the best of the major sports in America and its not close.
2. Speaking of collegiate basketball, I do not like it. I cannot think of a bigger waste of time other than the WNBA. Until NCAA players are required to stay in college, get a degree, and develop their skills further and mature as players and adults, I will not be a fan of NCAA basketball. The one-and-done rule is stupid and makes a mockery of the "student-athlete" title. Offenses are often slow and have very little creativity built in, at least from my eye. Offenses are little more than a few pick rolls while the ball swings from side to side while the players look for a lane to dribble drive and pass out.
3. I love to serve people more than I probably let on a lot of time I think. It is literally my favorite thing to do things for people. I never want anything in return. I just like to help.
4. I don't like people who take a lot of selfies. Not bad some times. But lets be real, if someone were to scroll through someones Instagram and Twitter and more than 15-20% are of your face, you need something else to do with your time.
5. Celtic music holds the key to my heart. Something about it transports me somewhere else. I really cannot explain it.
Thanks for reading guys. God Bless
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
"...He loved them to the end"
Hello dear friends. I wanted to share with you a passage that has been rocking me lately and I hope it encourages you today.
John 13:1 says, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that he should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." I love this passage, particularly the bolded part. It is so beautiful to me. Think about it with me.
This is the same chapter where Jesus identifies his betrayer and tells Peter, his most exuberant disciple, that he will deny him thrice before the rooster crows. His time in the world is not long at this point. Jesus goes on to teach for a few more chapters before his arrest but I find it so interesting that this is how the chapter starts. I think this passage is a beautiful expression of both Jesus' humanness and Godliness. Jesus knows in his heart his time is short and so he takes this time (chapters 13-17) to spend time with those whom he dearly loves. He spends it imparting wisdom, feasting, and teaching them lessons that will serve them for the rest of their lives. That is the Godly part of him being revealed. I can appreciate the Godly part because his words affect my life today. It is the human part though that resonates. With his time short on the earth, Jesus chooses those who walk with him over anyone else. They are his disciples yes. But they are his friends as well. He loved them with his dying breath.
Now I know of course that Jesus' love is eternal and he has always and will always love his disciples as well as all of us. The human part of him loves his friends like we love our friends. To the end. And I love that. To me it shows that he how human he was. Sometimes I think when reading through the gospels I forget that beyond the miracles and red letter words is a human. I love this passage because it explicitly says that He loves us to the end. To the end of our lives or the end of eternity he loves us to the end. This passage served as a gentle reminder that I am a little like my savior because I love my friends to the end as well. The end of my life or this season I am in. I don't know if this is encouraging but I hope it will be.
God Bless y'all
John 13:1 says, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that he should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." I love this passage, particularly the bolded part. It is so beautiful to me. Think about it with me.
This is the same chapter where Jesus identifies his betrayer and tells Peter, his most exuberant disciple, that he will deny him thrice before the rooster crows. His time in the world is not long at this point. Jesus goes on to teach for a few more chapters before his arrest but I find it so interesting that this is how the chapter starts. I think this passage is a beautiful expression of both Jesus' humanness and Godliness. Jesus knows in his heart his time is short and so he takes this time (chapters 13-17) to spend time with those whom he dearly loves. He spends it imparting wisdom, feasting, and teaching them lessons that will serve them for the rest of their lives. That is the Godly part of him being revealed. I can appreciate the Godly part because his words affect my life today. It is the human part though that resonates. With his time short on the earth, Jesus chooses those who walk with him over anyone else. They are his disciples yes. But they are his friends as well. He loved them with his dying breath.
Now I know of course that Jesus' love is eternal and he has always and will always love his disciples as well as all of us. The human part of him loves his friends like we love our friends. To the end. And I love that. To me it shows that he how human he was. Sometimes I think when reading through the gospels I forget that beyond the miracles and red letter words is a human. I love this passage because it explicitly says that He loves us to the end. To the end of our lives or the end of eternity he loves us to the end. This passage served as a gentle reminder that I am a little like my savior because I love my friends to the end as well. The end of my life or this season I am in. I don't know if this is encouraging but I hope it will be.
God Bless y'all
Monday, September 16, 2013
God of Miracles
Some times, when life gets a little hectic, we just need a miracle. Something small or large from the Lord that tells me that he hasn't forgotten me. This morning I prayed for a miracle. I needed something. I was and am feeling more than a little bit under the weather. Being sick makes me tired and cranky like it does most people. Its also when I am sick that often I forget to include my Creator in how bad I feel. I sometimes think that the Lord does not have time to make sick Zach better. He has got wars, revivals and the like to worry about.
This morning I just needed something. A little bit of God. Just a shade of attention. A reminder of his providence and unfailing love because I am human. I forget that I forget that, per psalm 139, that even if I make my home in the depths of the ocean, He is there and his righteous right hand upholds me. When I am sick an found wanting that my Savior is there, offering completion in Him.
There are times when my soul and my spirit cry out louder than my voice. Today was one of those times. The depth of my depravity overwhelms me sometimes. There are mornings when I wake up and can barely face the day. There are days when I do not feel like I can continue on in the everyday dredge that is life sometimes. This morning though, the Lord offered me hope in the smallest way, but a way that meant the most.
This morning I breathlessly called out to the Lord for a miracle. My voice was not actually involved. My spirit, my very aching heart called out to the Lord for a display of how good He is. I was on the verge of packing the day in and trying again tomorrow. I went for lunch and, in what is a hazard of having to bank accounts, used the wrong card to pay for food. The transaction didn't go through and I was left standing there trying to figure out why my card didn't work. Sixty seconds later, a friend that I did not see in line comes out of no where and pays for my food. They wished me a good day and walked away. Now I sit here writing this, worshiping my God and thanking Him for thinking of me. It was a small yet needed reminder that I am never far from Him. Even when I feel that way, like today, I just need to look up and see him providing for my needs. The Lord showed me my growth in desire for him. My Father in heaven, in one act, breathed life into me. He whispered "I love you my son" to me and smiled. Warmth filled me as realization of what is true overtook the crushing lies of the evil one. Jesus loves me this I know; and I wanted to share it with you.
God Bless
This morning I just needed something. A little bit of God. Just a shade of attention. A reminder of his providence and unfailing love because I am human. I forget that I forget that, per psalm 139, that even if I make my home in the depths of the ocean, He is there and his righteous right hand upholds me. When I am sick an found wanting that my Savior is there, offering completion in Him.
There are times when my soul and my spirit cry out louder than my voice. Today was one of those times. The depth of my depravity overwhelms me sometimes. There are mornings when I wake up and can barely face the day. There are days when I do not feel like I can continue on in the everyday dredge that is life sometimes. This morning though, the Lord offered me hope in the smallest way, but a way that meant the most.
This morning I breathlessly called out to the Lord for a miracle. My voice was not actually involved. My spirit, my very aching heart called out to the Lord for a display of how good He is. I was on the verge of packing the day in and trying again tomorrow. I went for lunch and, in what is a hazard of having to bank accounts, used the wrong card to pay for food. The transaction didn't go through and I was left standing there trying to figure out why my card didn't work. Sixty seconds later, a friend that I did not see in line comes out of no where and pays for my food. They wished me a good day and walked away. Now I sit here writing this, worshiping my God and thanking Him for thinking of me. It was a small yet needed reminder that I am never far from Him. Even when I feel that way, like today, I just need to look up and see him providing for my needs. The Lord showed me my growth in desire for him. My Father in heaven, in one act, breathed life into me. He whispered "I love you my son" to me and smiled. Warmth filled me as realization of what is true overtook the crushing lies of the evil one. Jesus loves me this I know; and I wanted to share it with you.
God Bless
Monday, September 9, 2013
Hopelessness Is A Lie
I woke up this morning with a splitting headache. It actually began last night. Have you ever been fed up with a situation? Or a person even? Maybe it is their problems that you are fed up with. Far too often I have been fed up recently. This bothers me a great deal because if I am short on compassion then there is a short circuit elsewhere.
When this happens, often I just need a lesson in love from my ever steady and loving Father. Other times, like this time, I have become so "me" centered that I no longer have the capacity for compassion on my friends.
One of Satan's great tools is discouragement. If he cannot disrupt your ministry as a believer directly, he will go the indirect route. As believers, and really as humans, we thrive upon hope. Hope for a better life, an improved station in life, brighter circumstances, the fading of night and the coming light of morning. Hope is central in each of our lives when it comes to loving and especially having compassion. Hope tells us that while things might be bad in our lives or another's life that we are involved in, through companionship, fellowship, and prayer, there is another side to the madness. The example could be someone struggling with cancer. But it could also be roommates fighting and being snarky. Major or minor, hope can guide us home in these situations.
Hopelessness though sneaks in life a thief in the night. All it takes is feeling overwhelmed and loosing sight that the Lord is good. Just long enough for the idea of their being "no end" to take root, for us to begin to worry. Over time we begin to believe the lie. The lie says,
"No matter the problem, big or small, that person wont change, this situation is insurmountable. Don't bother with trying to help, no, don't even bother with praying. God is not big enough for this."
It sounds ridiculous when spelled out but these very words have been spoken to us all at one point in time. Of the above examples I have experienced both. I have checked out before. Hopelessness is powerful and nearly claimed my life. It steals love because love is full of purpose. It captures compassion because you are fed up with trying to love in the midst of hopelessness.
The truth is that we must hold fast to hope and choose joy. Having once been in a situation where I had been given a death date I can say that my God is bigger than death because that date passed over 4 years ago and I am still here writing these words. He is bigger than roommate disagreements because the Lord turned that living situation into one of the favorite times in my college career.
My prayer is that anyone who happens to read this will take a second and remember all that the Lord has done. Look back at His faithfulness and then look forward at the problems you are facing. We must be like the people of Israel and be people who remember what the Lord has done. His power is greater and if it was greater once it will be so again. We must remember how great his love was once if we can then reciprocate it. Hopelessness is a lie. Tell it so and cast it out. Then walk in love and compassion as our Father does.
God Bless
When this happens, often I just need a lesson in love from my ever steady and loving Father. Other times, like this time, I have become so "me" centered that I no longer have the capacity for compassion on my friends.
One of Satan's great tools is discouragement. If he cannot disrupt your ministry as a believer directly, he will go the indirect route. As believers, and really as humans, we thrive upon hope. Hope for a better life, an improved station in life, brighter circumstances, the fading of night and the coming light of morning. Hope is central in each of our lives when it comes to loving and especially having compassion. Hope tells us that while things might be bad in our lives or another's life that we are involved in, through companionship, fellowship, and prayer, there is another side to the madness. The example could be someone struggling with cancer. But it could also be roommates fighting and being snarky. Major or minor, hope can guide us home in these situations.
Hopelessness though sneaks in life a thief in the night. All it takes is feeling overwhelmed and loosing sight that the Lord is good. Just long enough for the idea of their being "no end" to take root, for us to begin to worry. Over time we begin to believe the lie. The lie says,
"No matter the problem, big or small, that person wont change, this situation is insurmountable. Don't bother with trying to help, no, don't even bother with praying. God is not big enough for this."
It sounds ridiculous when spelled out but these very words have been spoken to us all at one point in time. Of the above examples I have experienced both. I have checked out before. Hopelessness is powerful and nearly claimed my life. It steals love because love is full of purpose. It captures compassion because you are fed up with trying to love in the midst of hopelessness.
The truth is that we must hold fast to hope and choose joy. Having once been in a situation where I had been given a death date I can say that my God is bigger than death because that date passed over 4 years ago and I am still here writing these words. He is bigger than roommate disagreements because the Lord turned that living situation into one of the favorite times in my college career.
My prayer is that anyone who happens to read this will take a second and remember all that the Lord has done. Look back at His faithfulness and then look forward at the problems you are facing. We must be like the people of Israel and be people who remember what the Lord has done. His power is greater and if it was greater once it will be so again. We must remember how great his love was once if we can then reciprocate it. Hopelessness is a lie. Tell it so and cast it out. Then walk in love and compassion as our Father does.
God Bless
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Things Left Unsaid
The major focus of this year, both privately (my life) and publically (Wesley) is making disciples. this has been for my entire walk with the Lord been the weakest and often most nonexistent part of my walk with the Lord. Where passion should be is selfish negligence.
Of course I care about other people and their souls and want for all of us to be in heaven together. But if I am honest, what I mean to say is that I hope you can find it salvation on your own. The past two years have been a struggle spiritually. I have seen a lot of growth and a lot of good. The old man is being put to death and the new me is rising from the ashes of sin. Making disciples though is rough stuff. I don't like to be out of my comfort zone.
The Lord, in his patient and loving grace, gently convicts me still. He convicts me of my complacency. He ever so gently shows me how much his grace means to me when I forget myself. Against his wise instruction I look to the right and the left after He told me to keep my eyes straight ahead. Like the shepherd rescuing me from the lion or bear though, he leads me back and celebrates my return.
Today the Lord convicted me of all the times I have passed up sharing the Good News with my friends. The things I have said. The bumbling excuses and evasions. The paralyzing fear of rejection from someone I care deeply for.
I had a friend die my junior year of high school. Zohaib Somani. He had been a good friend for years at that point. My partner in crime in whatever class we had together. Those details are lost to time now. I remember hearing about his death. It happened late one night. I woke up to the news. In what seemed like a blur, it had been a week. Even at his funeral I hadn't mourned his death. The gut punch of reality telling me my time was shorter than I thought it was. What ate at me more than anything though, and eventually brought me to tears, was that I didn't know, for sure, if I would see him in heaven. I was a very young Christian and had just assumed that Gods grace covered everything. He was Muslim though. Not a Christian. I had heard him talk about God before, often in a derogatory manner and thought that as long I didn't laugh things were okay. I blamed myself.
I know of course that I have no fault in the matter. What I did have and still do have was and is conviction. For months I thought of things I could've said to him. Instead of pitiful silence when he blasphemed the God who saved my life I had what if I had told him how precious He is to me. What if I had told him the story of my life. The Lord preformed a straight up biblical miracle in my life. I knew a love that surpassed my wildest imagination. These things were left unsaid.
Coming back to the present, these thoughts still stick with me. I am not the perfect witness. I still sin. In the last 7 days I have struggled with lust, forgiveness, bitterness, anger, retaliation, gossip, pure thoughts...the list goes on. I think of the people I want to know the Lord but have always avoided talking until it was easy. The Lord always convicts me of my imperfections. Not to shame me but instead to show me how qualified I am. I am not a sinner in His eyes. I am His beloved. His son. Heir to His throne. My life is a miracle that does speaks for itself. I do not have to offer a defense for my life. All I need to do is trust and speak
Of course I care about other people and their souls and want for all of us to be in heaven together. But if I am honest, what I mean to say is that I hope you can find it salvation on your own. The past two years have been a struggle spiritually. I have seen a lot of growth and a lot of good. The old man is being put to death and the new me is rising from the ashes of sin. Making disciples though is rough stuff. I don't like to be out of my comfort zone.
The Lord, in his patient and loving grace, gently convicts me still. He convicts me of my complacency. He ever so gently shows me how much his grace means to me when I forget myself. Against his wise instruction I look to the right and the left after He told me to keep my eyes straight ahead. Like the shepherd rescuing me from the lion or bear though, he leads me back and celebrates my return.
Today the Lord convicted me of all the times I have passed up sharing the Good News with my friends. The things I have said. The bumbling excuses and evasions. The paralyzing fear of rejection from someone I care deeply for.
I had a friend die my junior year of high school. Zohaib Somani. He had been a good friend for years at that point. My partner in crime in whatever class we had together. Those details are lost to time now. I remember hearing about his death. It happened late one night. I woke up to the news. In what seemed like a blur, it had been a week. Even at his funeral I hadn't mourned his death. The gut punch of reality telling me my time was shorter than I thought it was. What ate at me more than anything though, and eventually brought me to tears, was that I didn't know, for sure, if I would see him in heaven. I was a very young Christian and had just assumed that Gods grace covered everything. He was Muslim though. Not a Christian. I had heard him talk about God before, often in a derogatory manner and thought that as long I didn't laugh things were okay. I blamed myself.
I know of course that I have no fault in the matter. What I did have and still do have was and is conviction. For months I thought of things I could've said to him. Instead of pitiful silence when he blasphemed the God who saved my life I had what if I had told him how precious He is to me. What if I had told him the story of my life. The Lord preformed a straight up biblical miracle in my life. I knew a love that surpassed my wildest imagination. These things were left unsaid.
Coming back to the present, these thoughts still stick with me. I am not the perfect witness. I still sin. In the last 7 days I have struggled with lust, forgiveness, bitterness, anger, retaliation, gossip, pure thoughts...the list goes on. I think of the people I want to know the Lord but have always avoided talking until it was easy. The Lord always convicts me of my imperfections. Not to shame me but instead to show me how qualified I am. I am not a sinner in His eyes. I am His beloved. His son. Heir to His throne. My life is a miracle that does speaks for itself. I do not have to offer a defense for my life. All I need to do is trust and speak
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Perfect Thanks
My last post was pretty emo. I had been in something like a 2 week funk because who I am was being attacked and I, at the time, chose isolation over the Lord which only led to more funk. Praise Him that I am out of that now.
As I have been doing some spring(ish) cleaning in my heart the last few days I have been looking at the truth of what the Lord has done and is doing in my life. I cannot argue his intervention or his blessings. Especially in contrast to the lies Satan has been feeding me, they stand bright as the noon day sun. For instance, I was once told that I would not live to go to college. I had, as well as my family, an incurable disease that would result in my death. The Lord healed me and my family. I am nearly 23 now, which is nearly 5 years past my expiration date. The Lord has healed and is healing the relationships within my family. Everything I have now is because of the Lord and no other reason. It was not human medicine or reason that saved my life and my soul. It was God.
Obviously, I am extremely thankful that the Lord intervened in my life. I have often said that I cannot thank the Lord enough for all that he has done and is doing. Saying I cannot thank the Lord enough implies debt though, and my debt has been paid. So what is the correct way to thank the Lord for intervening in my life? I found that answer this morning in Psalm 116:1. It reads,
"I LOVE the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live."
"I Love the Lord" is the perfect thank you. It is the exact response that Gods heart desires. After all, He sent His ONLY son to become a curse and die for my sins so that the Chasm that entered between Him and us in the garden would be no more. That chasm was my sin. He conquered it like the hero I have always wanted in my life. He did it for love. To show his love and, hopefully, have us love him back. He is a Jealous God who desires us to Love him. SO much so that He asks for us to abandon everything for Him. Every idol, every worldly thing so that we would love him completely. He died so that the greatest love story ever told could be finished.
When he intervenes in our lives, he does not need a grand prayer of thanks full of many words. Our works and words could never be enough to even equal the gravity of what He has done. That is why, "I LOVE the Lord" is perfect. It fulfills royal law (Matthew 22:37-38) and fulfills the desire of the Lords heart. Wrapped up in those four words is the expression of a relationship and the promise of our spirits to the Lord that he has in mind at the dawn of time. With those four words, we welcome the Lord into our hearts and complete the relationship he has spent eternity creating. It is the perfect thanks.
Marshall
As I have been doing some spring(ish) cleaning in my heart the last few days I have been looking at the truth of what the Lord has done and is doing in my life. I cannot argue his intervention or his blessings. Especially in contrast to the lies Satan has been feeding me, they stand bright as the noon day sun. For instance, I was once told that I would not live to go to college. I had, as well as my family, an incurable disease that would result in my death. The Lord healed me and my family. I am nearly 23 now, which is nearly 5 years past my expiration date. The Lord has healed and is healing the relationships within my family. Everything I have now is because of the Lord and no other reason. It was not human medicine or reason that saved my life and my soul. It was God.
Obviously, I am extremely thankful that the Lord intervened in my life. I have often said that I cannot thank the Lord enough for all that he has done and is doing. Saying I cannot thank the Lord enough implies debt though, and my debt has been paid. So what is the correct way to thank the Lord for intervening in my life? I found that answer this morning in Psalm 116:1. It reads,
"I LOVE the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live."
"I Love the Lord" is the perfect thank you. It is the exact response that Gods heart desires. After all, He sent His ONLY son to become a curse and die for my sins so that the Chasm that entered between Him and us in the garden would be no more. That chasm was my sin. He conquered it like the hero I have always wanted in my life. He did it for love. To show his love and, hopefully, have us love him back. He is a Jealous God who desires us to Love him. SO much so that He asks for us to abandon everything for Him. Every idol, every worldly thing so that we would love him completely. He died so that the greatest love story ever told could be finished.
When he intervenes in our lives, he does not need a grand prayer of thanks full of many words. Our works and words could never be enough to even equal the gravity of what He has done. That is why, "I LOVE the Lord" is perfect. It fulfills royal law (Matthew 22:37-38) and fulfills the desire of the Lords heart. Wrapped up in those four words is the expression of a relationship and the promise of our spirits to the Lord that he has in mind at the dawn of time. With those four words, we welcome the Lord into our hearts and complete the relationship he has spent eternity creating. It is the perfect thanks.
Marshall
Thursday, July 25, 2013
One Thing Consists of Consistence, And It's That We're All Battling Fear
Its certainly nothing profound to say that we are struggle with fear. Fear is the most innate emotion humans have. According to places on the internet (to lazy to cite anything this morning) Humans are born with a fear of heights and of loud or sudden noises. If I were more pessimistic I could even say that we spend the entirety of life becoming afraid of more things. Anyway, back to me.
I have spent the better part of a week now being in fear of...well...what I perceive to be my calling. I believe that I have been called to be a warrior in the war on truth. I believe that I am an ambassador for the Kingdom of God just like every believer. I believe that, along with the great commission that I am learning to live out, I am to stand for the Truth as scripture has it. I may have done a poor job explaining that but I do not want to get to far off topic. To sum it up, absolute truth of the kingdom is under assault and I believe I am called to stand against false teachings and lies. I also believe this stand against all that is false is in the job description for all Christians due to the multiple urgings in the New testament to stand against false teachers and teachings.
Anyway, back to fear. This fear began with watching how The Zimmerman trial divided the country. I watched as it practically became criminal to agree with the verdict and as my friends tore each other apart. As I have grown up, having an opinion is now the right we all have. The issue is though that having an opinion doesn't mean you are right. An opinion can be wrong. I have heard a number of times people say that, when confronted with truth or a differing opinion, "Well you believe what you believe and I'll believe what I believe." It is a prideful statement. Truth has become relevant and it does not seem to bother anyone. Truth is absolute. There is right and there is wrong with no in-between. This makes for hard, unpopular decisions and divides many. With what I have written so far I have no doubt raised objections in whoever might be reading this. Society has turned the pursuit of truth into the pursuit of whatever helps us stomach our lives.
This is what scares me. I hate that something that seems so simple to me for whatever reason divides friends and destroys relationships. If speaking truth is so inflammatory, EVEN AMONG CHRISTIANS, MY OWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, then why do it? How do I do it? Geez how does anyone do it?
I am familiar with the scriptures where Jesus says they hated him first and stuff. I understand standing for things that are true alienates you from the world. I guess the Zimmerman stuff just brought it to the forefront of my mind. Over a year ago when the it all went down, I thought it was clear cut what happened and forgot about it. Next thing I know there is a trial and protests. I find out our president has egregiously spoken out of place concerning the trial. Now people and celebrities are boycotting THE STATE OF FLORIDA. In the words of Stewie Griffen, "What the hell man!"
All due to different perceptions of truth that people have and an unwillingness to accept fact. Probably the only thing more inflammatory than race is religion, right where I believe the purpose of my life is parked. I am probably just overwhelmed. I wish there was more love in the world more than ever before. Maybe I am just waking up. I do not know. I do know that I am missing community in a bad way. I do know that I am forever sided with God and His Kingdom, and that one day, God willing a long time away, it will mean my death. And that is fine. The Lord is just breaking me in I think.
I could use your prayers and even your thoughts. This post seems jumbled but it is really just an accurate representation of how my mind has been the last week. Thank you for taking the time to read.
In Him,
Marshall
I have spent the better part of a week now being in fear of...well...what I perceive to be my calling. I believe that I have been called to be a warrior in the war on truth. I believe that I am an ambassador for the Kingdom of God just like every believer. I believe that, along with the great commission that I am learning to live out, I am to stand for the Truth as scripture has it. I may have done a poor job explaining that but I do not want to get to far off topic. To sum it up, absolute truth of the kingdom is under assault and I believe I am called to stand against false teachings and lies. I also believe this stand against all that is false is in the job description for all Christians due to the multiple urgings in the New testament to stand against false teachers and teachings.
Anyway, back to fear. This fear began with watching how The Zimmerman trial divided the country. I watched as it practically became criminal to agree with the verdict and as my friends tore each other apart. As I have grown up, having an opinion is now the right we all have. The issue is though that having an opinion doesn't mean you are right. An opinion can be wrong. I have heard a number of times people say that, when confronted with truth or a differing opinion, "Well you believe what you believe and I'll believe what I believe." It is a prideful statement. Truth has become relevant and it does not seem to bother anyone. Truth is absolute. There is right and there is wrong with no in-between. This makes for hard, unpopular decisions and divides many. With what I have written so far I have no doubt raised objections in whoever might be reading this. Society has turned the pursuit of truth into the pursuit of whatever helps us stomach our lives.
This is what scares me. I hate that something that seems so simple to me for whatever reason divides friends and destroys relationships. If speaking truth is so inflammatory, EVEN AMONG CHRISTIANS, MY OWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, then why do it? How do I do it? Geez how does anyone do it?
I am familiar with the scriptures where Jesus says they hated him first and stuff. I understand standing for things that are true alienates you from the world. I guess the Zimmerman stuff just brought it to the forefront of my mind. Over a year ago when the it all went down, I thought it was clear cut what happened and forgot about it. Next thing I know there is a trial and protests. I find out our president has egregiously spoken out of place concerning the trial. Now people and celebrities are boycotting THE STATE OF FLORIDA. In the words of Stewie Griffen, "What the hell man!"
All due to different perceptions of truth that people have and an unwillingness to accept fact. Probably the only thing more inflammatory than race is religion, right where I believe the purpose of my life is parked. I am probably just overwhelmed. I wish there was more love in the world more than ever before. Maybe I am just waking up. I do not know. I do know that I am missing community in a bad way. I do know that I am forever sided with God and His Kingdom, and that one day, God willing a long time away, it will mean my death. And that is fine. The Lord is just breaking me in I think.
I could use your prayers and even your thoughts. This post seems jumbled but it is really just an accurate representation of how my mind has been the last week. Thank you for taking the time to read.
In Him,
Marshall
Monday, July 1, 2013
Good Will Hunting
Before I get to it I will go ahead and alert you that this is not a review of the movie Good Will Hunting. I love this movie.
I put this movie on tonight as I reheated Taco Bell and made some decaf coffee. Dinner of champions I assure you. I really just wanted to hear the apples joke as told by Matt Damon. That scene happens something like 20-25 minutes into the movie so after that I was just a captive audience. I did not expect to learn so much about myself this time around in watching.
In short, I realized that, in a lot of ways, I really identify with the character Will Hunting. Granted i am no genius who sees equations and "just gets it". I identify more with his psyche.
At one point, Will and Robin Williams character are chatting at the park. This is directly following a stunning display of arrogance from Will and ended with Williams hand on Will's throat. Williams begins to lecture Will on the things he does not know. For instance, Williams says that he could ask Will about Art and Will would probably quote the latest thoughts published in the most recent books. But Williams points out that Will cannot describe the way the Sistine Chapel smells. Williams could ask about Love and Will might quote a sonnet. But Will does not know what it means to be truly known by someone. He does not know what it means to love someone so deeply that she could ruin his world with her eyes. I will come back to this. One more story.
The second scene comes a bit later in the movie after Will and Williams have been chatting about what Will wants from life. At this point, Will is receiving all sorts of job interviews with the most prestigious companies in the world. They all want his mind but Will does not want any of them. Williams keeps pressing Will with the question, "What do you want?" Will does not know, gets defensive and leaves. That night, Will is with the girl he has been seeing, Skylar, and they are in bed laughing and kissing and talking. Skylar asks Will to come to California with her when she starts school at Stanford. Will is scared and they begin to fight. His anger is explosive. Skylar is confessing her love to him. Will cannot stop seeing the negatives as he looks forward at their possible future together. She tells him that if he says that he does not love her she will leave him alone. As a viewer, it is obvious Will loves her. Will though says he does not and departs, leaving Skylar collapsed sobbing.
Will is afraid. Because of his fear he chooses a dead end life in South Boston rather than using his extraordinary mind to do something incredible. Because of his fear he is scared to love, to be vulnerable. This is what I identify with. There is a measured about of fear in my life that I am well aware exists. I even hide my fear in ways that are similar to Will Hunting though, obviously not identical because I do not possess his intellect. But I have a know it all attitude when it pertains to things I know or think I know. I tend to alienate those close to me, or at least I used to. Praise the Lord he has changed me some over the years. This fear is an issue though. I have a great calling just like Will does in the movie. My great calling is serving the Kingdom of God. I am a Warrior in His kingdom. (My name means warrior). But I am afraid. I have even seen the old anger creeping back in. Anger is something that I had once conquered.
I am not saying all this to say that I am defeated. Rather I have noticed these things and it is so interesting to me that I randomly picked up this movie and learned a lot about myself. It helps, everyone I think, to look in a mirror and see yourself. Will Hunting served as my mirror tonight. My prayer is that you would lift me up in prayer, and maybe, if you are feeling hungry, ask the Lord to hold up a mirror for you.
I put this movie on tonight as I reheated Taco Bell and made some decaf coffee. Dinner of champions I assure you. I really just wanted to hear the apples joke as told by Matt Damon. That scene happens something like 20-25 minutes into the movie so after that I was just a captive audience. I did not expect to learn so much about myself this time around in watching.
In short, I realized that, in a lot of ways, I really identify with the character Will Hunting. Granted i am no genius who sees equations and "just gets it". I identify more with his psyche.
At one point, Will and Robin Williams character are chatting at the park. This is directly following a stunning display of arrogance from Will and ended with Williams hand on Will's throat. Williams begins to lecture Will on the things he does not know. For instance, Williams says that he could ask Will about Art and Will would probably quote the latest thoughts published in the most recent books. But Williams points out that Will cannot describe the way the Sistine Chapel smells. Williams could ask about Love and Will might quote a sonnet. But Will does not know what it means to be truly known by someone. He does not know what it means to love someone so deeply that she could ruin his world with her eyes. I will come back to this. One more story.
The second scene comes a bit later in the movie after Will and Williams have been chatting about what Will wants from life. At this point, Will is receiving all sorts of job interviews with the most prestigious companies in the world. They all want his mind but Will does not want any of them. Williams keeps pressing Will with the question, "What do you want?" Will does not know, gets defensive and leaves. That night, Will is with the girl he has been seeing, Skylar, and they are in bed laughing and kissing and talking. Skylar asks Will to come to California with her when she starts school at Stanford. Will is scared and they begin to fight. His anger is explosive. Skylar is confessing her love to him. Will cannot stop seeing the negatives as he looks forward at their possible future together. She tells him that if he says that he does not love her she will leave him alone. As a viewer, it is obvious Will loves her. Will though says he does not and departs, leaving Skylar collapsed sobbing.
Will is afraid. Because of his fear he chooses a dead end life in South Boston rather than using his extraordinary mind to do something incredible. Because of his fear he is scared to love, to be vulnerable. This is what I identify with. There is a measured about of fear in my life that I am well aware exists. I even hide my fear in ways that are similar to Will Hunting though, obviously not identical because I do not possess his intellect. But I have a know it all attitude when it pertains to things I know or think I know. I tend to alienate those close to me, or at least I used to. Praise the Lord he has changed me some over the years. This fear is an issue though. I have a great calling just like Will does in the movie. My great calling is serving the Kingdom of God. I am a Warrior in His kingdom. (My name means warrior). But I am afraid. I have even seen the old anger creeping back in. Anger is something that I had once conquered.
I am not saying all this to say that I am defeated. Rather I have noticed these things and it is so interesting to me that I randomly picked up this movie and learned a lot about myself. It helps, everyone I think, to look in a mirror and see yourself. Will Hunting served as my mirror tonight. My prayer is that you would lift me up in prayer, and maybe, if you are feeling hungry, ask the Lord to hold up a mirror for you.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
My Last Comissioning
To be honest I did not want to go to Camp Glisson on May 25th of 2013. Since about September of 2012 when applications went out for the summer of 2013 I had been dreading the day I went back to camp for the first time not as an employee. I had worked there for three summers and now I was moving on. I never imagined moving on from Camp would hurt at all. Especially after three summers of working and being emotionally exhausted, one would think that kissing Camp goodbye would be easy.
Yet, I was amazed as I sat through Commissioning how many emotions ran through me. This place has genuinely touched my heart and maybe even my spirit.
Brandon "Danger" Whitlock, who had been my section leader my second summer, once told us that camp is just a bunch of buildings. I remember strongly agreeing with him. It has always aggravated me when I heard camp talked about like it was the Tabernacle itself. In retrospect however, I understand that camp is a sanctuary. It is a place where roughly 2400 campers run to every summer. Camp is not just a week away from home, parents and whatever personal hell awaits each kid there. Camp is standing in the Quad and hearing the roar of Cane Creek Falls just down the road. Camp is jumping off the diving board at the pool. Camp is going to the Sparrowwood Dance and celebrating the blessings God has given us, no matter our ability. Camp Singing-on-the-Porch in the rain. Camp is eating a hobo pack with your campers around the fire you all created. Camp is standing in the middle of Outpost field and looking up at the vast array of stars while fireflies and the Lords Spirit dance around you. Camp is the wonder you feel in your heart on Friday as you try and comprehend how these kids came to matter so much to you in such a short amount of time. Camp is about the people.
This might not be a profound statement, after all I am pretty sure I have heard it said dozens of time by different people. It is not the chapel itself on a Thursday night service that is impressive. It is the 300 or so people around you, of all ages, who are as one voice and one body, praising and experiencing the Lord. It is not so much reaching the top of the Alpine Tower as it is having your living group spur you on. I could give many more examples but I think I only need mention one more.
Friday afternoon Celebration. All of camp is there plus everyone's parents. It is both joyous and sad. Most importantly it is normally hot as all get out. One act though communicates what camp really is and, what camp really means. It is the My Friend song. Camp is about friends. Camp is about the growth you experience while making those friends. I have been on both sides on the My Friend song, 28 times in total at Celebration. It is sobering to realize, whether you are six or twenty-three, that the people around you are friends, quite literally, forever. I have campers that are coming to college with me next year, as do many others. I have watched some campers grow up through elementary to mid-high, mid-high to high school, and high school to staff. They are my friends, minor or major. and will always be, even if the next time I see them is in the sky.
As we wrapped up my last Commissioning and I watched the life I had known for three summers move on without me, my heart swelled. I truly love everyone of those people who stood on the stage and, at this very moment at 7:41 on Sunday are headed to Amphitheatre to kick off Week 3. My brothers Jake and Will are doing Outpost things right now. Former camper and dear friend Sara is running around doing CREW things. Basil is running around with my grand-campers. Many others are doing identical jobs, preparing to forever impact the lives of precious children. Jesus, the reason for it all, is going to bring some kids to the Kingdom this week. He is going to change lives, camper and counselor alike this week, just as He changed mine countless times.
As I rolled out of camp headed to a brief lunch before I went home, I took in the way out one last time and remembered two things. The first was the words from the Summons. I heard the Lords summons at camp and answered. I can never express my thanks enough for those who prayed for me, encouraged me and loved me each day. It was the people that put me, and every person who goes through camp, in a position to say, "Yes" to the Lord. The final thing I remembered were the words written on the back of the sign on the Path of Silence. Depart to Serve. For three years I had learned what it meant to be a man and a follower of Christ and a leader at camp. I had learned what it meant to be a Warrior. I learned from the people around me who loved and prayed for me. I learned from Jesus, who permeates every inch of Camp Glisson. I will never forget the lessons I learned at Camp. Moreover, I will never forget the people. Camp is people because Jesus is in people.
Yet, I was amazed as I sat through Commissioning how many emotions ran through me. This place has genuinely touched my heart and maybe even my spirit.
Brandon "Danger" Whitlock, who had been my section leader my second summer, once told us that camp is just a bunch of buildings. I remember strongly agreeing with him. It has always aggravated me when I heard camp talked about like it was the Tabernacle itself. In retrospect however, I understand that camp is a sanctuary. It is a place where roughly 2400 campers run to every summer. Camp is not just a week away from home, parents and whatever personal hell awaits each kid there. Camp is standing in the Quad and hearing the roar of Cane Creek Falls just down the road. Camp is jumping off the diving board at the pool. Camp is going to the Sparrowwood Dance and celebrating the blessings God has given us, no matter our ability. Camp Singing-on-the-Porch in the rain. Camp is eating a hobo pack with your campers around the fire you all created. Camp is standing in the middle of Outpost field and looking up at the vast array of stars while fireflies and the Lords Spirit dance around you. Camp is the wonder you feel in your heart on Friday as you try and comprehend how these kids came to matter so much to you in such a short amount of time. Camp is about the people.
This might not be a profound statement, after all I am pretty sure I have heard it said dozens of time by different people. It is not the chapel itself on a Thursday night service that is impressive. It is the 300 or so people around you, of all ages, who are as one voice and one body, praising and experiencing the Lord. It is not so much reaching the top of the Alpine Tower as it is having your living group spur you on. I could give many more examples but I think I only need mention one more.
Friday afternoon Celebration. All of camp is there plus everyone's parents. It is both joyous and sad. Most importantly it is normally hot as all get out. One act though communicates what camp really is and, what camp really means. It is the My Friend song. Camp is about friends. Camp is about the growth you experience while making those friends. I have been on both sides on the My Friend song, 28 times in total at Celebration. It is sobering to realize, whether you are six or twenty-three, that the people around you are friends, quite literally, forever. I have campers that are coming to college with me next year, as do many others. I have watched some campers grow up through elementary to mid-high, mid-high to high school, and high school to staff. They are my friends, minor or major. and will always be, even if the next time I see them is in the sky.
As we wrapped up my last Commissioning and I watched the life I had known for three summers move on without me, my heart swelled. I truly love everyone of those people who stood on the stage and, at this very moment at 7:41 on Sunday are headed to Amphitheatre to kick off Week 3. My brothers Jake and Will are doing Outpost things right now. Former camper and dear friend Sara is running around doing CREW things. Basil is running around with my grand-campers. Many others are doing identical jobs, preparing to forever impact the lives of precious children. Jesus, the reason for it all, is going to bring some kids to the Kingdom this week. He is going to change lives, camper and counselor alike this week, just as He changed mine countless times.
As I rolled out of camp headed to a brief lunch before I went home, I took in the way out one last time and remembered two things. The first was the words from the Summons. I heard the Lords summons at camp and answered. I can never express my thanks enough for those who prayed for me, encouraged me and loved me each day. It was the people that put me, and every person who goes through camp, in a position to say, "Yes" to the Lord. The final thing I remembered were the words written on the back of the sign on the Path of Silence. Depart to Serve. For three years I had learned what it meant to be a man and a follower of Christ and a leader at camp. I had learned what it meant to be a Warrior. I learned from the people around me who loved and prayed for me. I learned from Jesus, who permeates every inch of Camp Glisson. I will never forget the lessons I learned at Camp. Moreover, I will never forget the people. Camp is people because Jesus is in people.
Friday, May 24, 2013
The End Times
I read a story yesterday about two Christian missionaries in China. They had just celebrated the birth of their first child. One morning they were dragged out of their house by Chinese authorities and beheaded on a hill above town while their child was tucked away in their house with a ten dollar bill in its blanket.
A few days ago, a British solider was slaughtered in broad daylight. He was beheaded, and chopped up like meat while the two men shouted, "Allahu Akbar" which means God is Greater in Arabic.
I heard a story last night about a teenager from somewhere out west who was nearly trafficked to Phoenix, Arizona. By what could only be divine intervention she was saved before she actually got in a car with the two men who tried to traffic her. She came to find she had already been sold to a pimp.
I recently learned more about mind control than I would've like. It is used on children and in order to achieve it, that child is severely abused until that child has no choice but disassociate and become a slave.
Stories like this exist in bulk. I would be lying if I hadn't been feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me. I would be lying if I wasn't discouraged. These are just things that are happening around the world. In my own life I am currently looking for a job and fighting hopelessness everyday. I am daily fighting loneliness and lust. I am striving for a life that is built on abiding in the one true God.
This is a message for everyone because the message is simply to never give up hope. Most of us have a personal hell that we fight everyday. Satan is mean. He hates everyone. The world is also an awful place. Satan plays a big role in that. But the message in scripture is to never give up hope.
Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18- So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Romans 8:24-25- For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 12:12- Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 15:4- For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
I could go on. One interesting meaning of hope in the bible is to trust. Whether the darkness of the world is overwhelming you, as it did me, or your own life sucks the hope out of you, it is important that we hope in the Lord, that we trust in Him. One of Satans tools is the steal our joy. To discourage us. So my message is one that I have heard before and you might of as well and it is:
Don't give up. Keep pressing in. Keep asking and praying. Don't. Give. Up. Hope. If your family has issues that overwhelm you, don't give up on them. Don't give up on life, or decency in the world.Or people. God has a plan. He asks to keep praying, loving and hoping (trusting). Take your peace. These end times are not meant to conquer us. They are a reason to offer praise and glory to the one true God. Praise His name and in His name, Amen.
A few days ago, a British solider was slaughtered in broad daylight. He was beheaded, and chopped up like meat while the two men shouted, "Allahu Akbar" which means God is Greater in Arabic.
I heard a story last night about a teenager from somewhere out west who was nearly trafficked to Phoenix, Arizona. By what could only be divine intervention she was saved before she actually got in a car with the two men who tried to traffic her. She came to find she had already been sold to a pimp.
I recently learned more about mind control than I would've like. It is used on children and in order to achieve it, that child is severely abused until that child has no choice but disassociate and become a slave.
Stories like this exist in bulk. I would be lying if I hadn't been feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me. I would be lying if I wasn't discouraged. These are just things that are happening around the world. In my own life I am currently looking for a job and fighting hopelessness everyday. I am daily fighting loneliness and lust. I am striving for a life that is built on abiding in the one true God.
This is a message for everyone because the message is simply to never give up hope. Most of us have a personal hell that we fight everyday. Satan is mean. He hates everyone. The world is also an awful place. Satan plays a big role in that. But the message in scripture is to never give up hope.
Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18- So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Romans 8:24-25- For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 12:12- Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 15:4- For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
I could go on. One interesting meaning of hope in the bible is to trust. Whether the darkness of the world is overwhelming you, as it did me, or your own life sucks the hope out of you, it is important that we hope in the Lord, that we trust in Him. One of Satans tools is the steal our joy. To discourage us. So my message is one that I have heard before and you might of as well and it is:
Don't give up. Keep pressing in. Keep asking and praying. Don't. Give. Up. Hope. If your family has issues that overwhelm you, don't give up on them. Don't give up on life, or decency in the world.Or people. God has a plan. He asks to keep praying, loving and hoping (trusting). Take your peace. These end times are not meant to conquer us. They are a reason to offer praise and glory to the one true God. Praise His name and in His name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
For Girls
There is something wrong with our society. Regardless of your beliefs, being a woman sucks. Not wanting this to become a scholarly work on everyway woman are assaulted in this society, I will instead zoom in on one thing: Beauty.
For as long I can remember I have heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it is said better by David Hume, "Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them." This means that beauty is a subjective thing. For example, some people find profound beauty in birds. I do not see it the same way. A bird is a bird to me. But for that person, that bird possesses beauty that only their mind knows the height an depth of. When it comes to people though, specifically women, this saying falls short in large ways. This saying suggests that a woman's beauty, which is central to her being and cosmic make up, is circumstantial and only true in some instances. This is a lie.
Somewhere in the history of mankind, beauty became something a commodity, something that suddenly had scarcity written all over it. But beauty is not something to be studied in an economics class. This is thought behind our society and cultures view of beauty. Beauty is bought and sold every day. Whether its pornography, sex trafficking, or professional modeling, society has told women that IT has cornered the market on beauty and you can only achieve it IF and only if you make it your life's goal.
What kind of life that? Spending every day trying to be beautiful but on the inside knowing you don't fit societies standard. Trying to be thin enough, tan enough, fit enough. Having the right hair style and color. Having the right boobs and butt. It goes on and on and on. This life endorses a life style of affection seeking. Desiring to be told that you have in fact achieved beauty.
You, whoever you are, are beautiful. Satan has stolen this TRUTH from you. As a woman, created by the creator, you embody your creators beauty. You are the only one who can. Notice men do not. We are hairy and gross. We fulfill another part of our creators identity. All that our God, our Father in Heaven is, you embody it. It only makes sense that Satan would seek to rob this from you. In stealing your beauty from you, he subjects you a life of seeking something that you already have. You have been lied to, society has lied to you. You are beautiful and worth loving and perfect the way you are.
Song of songs 4:7 "You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you."
I am not just saying these things. Our father has spoken them to us. To you. So bump society. The reason that the phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" falls so short of describing your beauty is because no human could possibly behold your beauty. No human could possibly understand all that you are, will be, and can be. The only person who can behold your beauty, behold the Glory that is your beauty, is God. Because it is his glory and his beauty. And you are his creation. And you never leave his sight, meaning he never loses sight of your beauty.
For as long I can remember I have heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it is said better by David Hume, "Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them." This means that beauty is a subjective thing. For example, some people find profound beauty in birds. I do not see it the same way. A bird is a bird to me. But for that person, that bird possesses beauty that only their mind knows the height an depth of. When it comes to people though, specifically women, this saying falls short in large ways. This saying suggests that a woman's beauty, which is central to her being and cosmic make up, is circumstantial and only true in some instances. This is a lie.
Somewhere in the history of mankind, beauty became something a commodity, something that suddenly had scarcity written all over it. But beauty is not something to be studied in an economics class. This is thought behind our society and cultures view of beauty. Beauty is bought and sold every day. Whether its pornography, sex trafficking, or professional modeling, society has told women that IT has cornered the market on beauty and you can only achieve it IF and only if you make it your life's goal.
What kind of life that? Spending every day trying to be beautiful but on the inside knowing you don't fit societies standard. Trying to be thin enough, tan enough, fit enough. Having the right hair style and color. Having the right boobs and butt. It goes on and on and on. This life endorses a life style of affection seeking. Desiring to be told that you have in fact achieved beauty.
You, whoever you are, are beautiful. Satan has stolen this TRUTH from you. As a woman, created by the creator, you embody your creators beauty. You are the only one who can. Notice men do not. We are hairy and gross. We fulfill another part of our creators identity. All that our God, our Father in Heaven is, you embody it. It only makes sense that Satan would seek to rob this from you. In stealing your beauty from you, he subjects you a life of seeking something that you already have. You have been lied to, society has lied to you. You are beautiful and worth loving and perfect the way you are.
Song of songs 4:7 "You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you."
I am not just saying these things. Our father has spoken them to us. To you. So bump society. The reason that the phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" falls so short of describing your beauty is because no human could possibly behold your beauty. No human could possibly understand all that you are, will be, and can be. The only person who can behold your beauty, behold the Glory that is your beauty, is God. Because it is his glory and his beauty. And you are his creation. And you never leave his sight, meaning he never loses sight of your beauty.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Anonymous
The other night I was listening to a dear brother of mine rap about Truth. At one point I heard him say,
"I’d rather you know the Lord
And feel his presence everyday
Than listen to this once
And continue in your current state"
It was at that moment that the Lord gave me the idea for this blog. I am confident that there is nothing more important in this world than the Truth. Honestly it is what I want my life to be about. I want every one to know the Truth of God, His word, and what it says about them as a person. It is not that easy unfortunately. Every single one of us believes lies about ourselves. These lies end up binding us to sin that we are free from. Believing these lies causes many of our lies to become warped versions of what they could be. So many of us have aspirations to change and influence the world yet fall short.
I want my words to address these lies. I want my words to draw these lies into the light so they can be examined. I don't know exactly the scope of this blog, the Lord does though. I have tried to write blogs before and every time have been afraid of what people would think. I have wanted to be like rather than speak my mind. When it gets down past all my insecurities though, "I'd rather you know the Lord and feel his presence every day." My prayer is that God will be glorified and that the Lord will inspire something of value for me to write here.
Glory to God
Anonymous
"I’d rather you know the Lord
And feel his presence everyday
Than listen to this once
And continue in your current state"
It was at that moment that the Lord gave me the idea for this blog. I am confident that there is nothing more important in this world than the Truth. Honestly it is what I want my life to be about. I want every one to know the Truth of God, His word, and what it says about them as a person. It is not that easy unfortunately. Every single one of us believes lies about ourselves. These lies end up binding us to sin that we are free from. Believing these lies causes many of our lies to become warped versions of what they could be. So many of us have aspirations to change and influence the world yet fall short.
I want my words to address these lies. I want my words to draw these lies into the light so they can be examined. I don't know exactly the scope of this blog, the Lord does though. I have tried to write blogs before and every time have been afraid of what people would think. I have wanted to be like rather than speak my mind. When it gets down past all my insecurities though, "I'd rather you know the Lord and feel his presence every day." My prayer is that God will be glorified and that the Lord will inspire something of value for me to write here.
Glory to God
Anonymous
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