You May Want to Get That

So there has been times I have been at nice restaurants with nice clothes on and I am looking and feeling pretty good. A group of people and I are having a great time and really enjoying the chips and spinach dip we are eating. After fifteen minutes of dialogue in which people are uncharacteristically looking at my mouth, then looking way, someone finally has the guts to point out that I have a huge piece of gross looking spinach plastered over my tooth.

Well I shudder and turn red because I embarrass easily and hate being the center of everyone's attention in a situation like this. But before I can focus on anything else, I remove the spinach from my tooth. I realize that nomatter how good I look in every aspect, this piece of spinach is what everyone is zeroing in on. 

The beauty of this situation is until the spinach is pointed out by another, or someone finds a mirror, the person has no idea and carries on with normal behavior. Yet, once we see and believe that its there, we will do whatever it takes to remove the defect.

I want you to have a proper view of your spiritual life. When sin is actively ruling you it is glaring and ugly to those around you, even if you can't see it. So make an effort to look in the mirror. Let pride and everything else aside and take an honest view of yourself. Are you the man\woman you want to be? How about the one God wants you to be? With our power of rationalization we can easily be blinded. We think that through our self will sin has no power over us because we would like to perceive ourselves as good people. I don't care what you have done, you are not a good person! You are a depraved human that has sinned against a holy God. Hopefully this has compelled you to desperately seek the grace of God with your whole being. You need reproof and correction because our flesh is weak. We have power over sin not by what we have done, but through the acts of the God we worship. We have to rely on His power.  So take a close look at your life and desperately ask the Lord to reveal your flaws so you may be clothed in righteousness. 

Secondly, it is awkward not only to have someone tell you that spinach is in your teeth, it is also uncomfortable to tell somebody else this. If a brother or sister points out something that they deem destructive of you in their life, I urge you to lay down any desire to judge them and pridefully think your ok, and carefully examine the area that they have suggested. This is very tough to do and you don't even have to agree, but at least honestly consider what they have said. On the flip side, if someone has spinach in their teeth they need to know about it! Graciously point out that out of love you see something inconsistent in their life. Here is my advice on the matter... before you rashly get in a habit of pointing out everyones flaws (which is very dangerous in itself) spend time in prayer and fellowship with that person. Develop a compassion for that person so that you speak out of pure motive. You never know how they will take it, but you want them to realize you are only telling them this because you love them and want the best for them. You are gaining nothing by helping them get the spinach out of their teeth, you are simply doing the role of a loving friend. 

I wanna leave you with a couple of passages:

Psalm 139:23-24- "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

This is a good verse to pray through with the Lord and then humbly accept however He answers you.

Proverbs 17:10 "A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool."

Those who can take rebuke are considered wise in the eyes of God. Be considerate of the advice that loved ones give.

Trust the Little Things

I have an overwhelming desire to accomplish tasks in one sitting. Maybe its just a characteristic of a man that when you set your mind to do something, it has to be done. Yet, I have found this to be problematic at times. I will get so overwhelmed by the enormity of a task, that I will simply refuse to do it and put if off because of the stress that comes with tackling such a big project. While stressing over a big paper, I was recently advised just to take it one step at a time. What novel advice! You mean I can take it in smaller strides? Why it seems pretty obvious, this is advice I really needed to hear, and I think it applies to my spiritual walk as well.

I want my life to count for the Lord and I have many views (probably mostly wrong) of what that looks like. When I decide I want to learn the Bible, I want to learn the entire Bible right then and then get dissuaded by the daunting task. When I go to memorize scripture, I write down dozens of verses because I want to learn as many as I can only to be overwhelmed by the work I created. I seek to be a light to as many lives as possible, but then get guilt-ridden when I don't quite live up to the standard I created.

Maybe we need to just trust the small stuff. What if we devoted our lives to a few disciplines. What if we spent time and prayer and trusted it is useful and effective. What if we read our Bible each day and trusted that the Lord will provide us with wisdom as we continue to seek Him. What if we just committed to spending time discipling and encouraging those we have relationship with, and concentrate on asking the Lord to bring that one lost person to Him.

I in no way wish to limit someone's work in the Lord. However, God has not called an individual to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel alone. We are united as brothers and sisters and we commit together to praying for others and testifying to the truth. Lofty ambitions for the Lord aren't bad things but as John 15 says "Apart from me, you can do nothing." So plug into the vine. Do the small things and trust the Lord that His Spirit will do mighty works. Once you become faithful with a little, He will open your eyes to more things. God doesn't intend for His work to be overwhelming. It is likely that it will be difficult or uncomfortable, but He will gladly carry our burdens if we trust in Him. So commit your life to daily disciplines of communing with the Lord and sowing the relationships around you, and trust God for the power, strength, vision, and perseverance in your life.

I Am Ready, But Not Yet

So it's going to be a little tricky to capture my train of thought on this one because there are a lot of things bouncing around. I want to paint a picture with an illustration first though:

We all know someone in the military who is or has diligently served our country. I hope that you have the ultimate respect for these people. Now why do these people go do what they do? Sure there are monetary benefits nowadays, but I want you to envision those patriotic soldiers that love their country enough to sacrifice everything they have to protect what they believe in. It gives me chill bumps just thinking about those who have laid down there lives. So they leave their friends and family, they leave their safety and comfort, to go through intense training and hardship. Once they finish that they willingly go to foreign lands, all aware that their life is at risk. Many see things that would be unbearable for our eyes to see. When they finish their tour, they come home and get to embrace their family. I can't imagine what that feeling of love and comfort feels like. Being immersed in the arms of the one you have longed to see for so long, and realizing the peace and freedom you feel from being on your own soil. Yet, many of our brave soldiers re-enlist. Why? Is it because they don't want to stay wrapped up in their spouses and children's arms? I think for most that's not the case. They could think of no better place then right there with the family. They go back because they have been called to a mission that has not been finished. They are trained to make a difference, and save lives and that is the ultimate sign of love and sacrifice. So they willingly continue to serve, even though they so desperately just want to feel the comforts and love for home.

Before continuing on I want you to grab your Bibles and read Philippians 1:20-26. The most remembered verse in this particular passage is v. 21 where Paul writes "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." We love our lives so much don't we? We see death as such a terrible thing along with everything associated with it. But Paul is wrestling with these two things and you can feel in his heart how he desperately longs to die because dying means being home with the Lord. He is an alien on foreign territory and he is tired from his service. He knows that there will be no greater feeling then the day he get to rest in His Lord's presence, being overwhelmed by love, peace, and comfort. So death becomes not a fear to escape, but a hope to embrace. His argument to keep on living is because he has dedicated himself to a noble cause on this earth and it remains unfinished. He knows His Master has put him for a reason and he has a great desire to obey the Master. He longs for the souls that don't know the freedom He has, and that will face death (in a spiritual sense) if he does not carry out the testimony of good news that he has received. What a life of sacrifice and unselfishness! Yet, we are promised the same hope at death as Paul. He had a great perspective of what life on this earth looks like.

Be encouraged those who read this. God has put His image all over this earth, from the divine creation of nature to His image in mankind. We can always rejoice because He is active in our world and we can always praise Him. The Spirit is alive in us and compelling us to do the work of the Father. So praise God that even in this foreign kingdom, He is everywhere because it is his creation. But all your days look forward to the day where you get to go home in your heavenly kingdom. And during your time away be in constant remembrance of what God has given you and what He longs to do through you. Rejoice with Him as more people come to worship and glorify His great name. We must lose our own lives so that His may be exalted and praised.

Counting My Blessings

Many people believe in the power of positive thinking. I will agree that being optimistic can put you in a better mood. Yet, evil exists in the world and its not healthy for that to be ignored. However, I'd imagine if one truly pondered the grace in their life they would feel overwhelmingly blessed.

Here's some things to be thankful for as a believer:

1. God is in complete control and specifically made you just the way you are. 
2. He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sins because He loves you so deeply. 
3. You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit who will be an advocate for you as you go through life.
4. You have been promised eternal life with the God of the universe.
5. You have a hope in something so powerful that nothing in this life can shake it.

Now that was pretty simple and obviously there is a lot more. But I think that the list provides enough things to continually be thankful for. Does this mean that because of this evil can no longer touch us? No not at all. Yet, it's how you respond to the lost world that's so important. Do you worry about things out of your control to the point where they consume your thoughts? Do you focus so much on your problems that you are self-centered and have little concern for others? Do you scoff judgmentally at people struggling with sin who do not know the love of Jesus? The truth is that we are all selfish beings and it is by the grace of the Lord that we have the ability to lose ourselves and trust in One who has the power to save. When we emphasize self all we focus on is self. Our problems get made bigger then anything going on around us. To love others like we are supposed too we must endure things in our own life and be a blessing to others. Not to say that are problems don't matter, but we do know the last will be first. To illustrate what I'm getting at let me give an example.

My parents have provided for me in every way possible. Both of them have taught me so much and I am forever grateful for them. My dad suffers from arthritis and other health issues that cause a lot of pain. He has every right to complain but he doesn't. He knows if he complained then all the attention would go to himself and he couldn't be the father and husband he needed to be. Obviously his health issues still exist, but he chooses to not let them consume him. I know in my relationship with him it allows him to take more interest in what's going on in my life and his love is expressed.

I know there is a lot of pain in this world and I want you to be able to share with others so your able to endure it. However, as a believer, you have so much to be thankful for. Remember the grace God has given you and what He has made you to do. Let thoughts of Him consume your mind because I promise He is so much bigger then anything you face. He created you for goodness sakes. He created the entire universe and still knows the number of hairs on your head. So trust Him through the hard times and quit letting worry consume your life. He is able and willing to bear all your burdens if you would just lay your life down and hand them over to him. 

Talks With Mr. Elvis

I have had the great privilege of getting to spend some time with the elders of our church. About two years ago a group of friends, in undergrad at the time, began going to visit a few people. One of these is Mr. Elvis. He is a wonderful man who tells us about his faith, which he constantly wishes to grow more in, his family and the life he lived. He tells us about what he wishes he had done differently and the things he values most in his life.

One lesson he always gave us was to tell your spouse you love them everyday. It was one of those that he wish he could have done. Now I've heard a bunch of different people say that, but its different coming from Mr. Elvis. He was married for over 60 years and when he tells you this its not in a matter of fact way. You can see the compassion he has even though he told her he loved her a million times he wishes he had every day back that he didn't. It makes you hope for love like that.

Every time we go to his house before we leave, Mr. Elvis prays for us. It is simply a prayer of thanks. He thanks God for our time together and just asks the Lord to continually be with us. It helps me understand that its not always about asking God for guidance in the future. The Lord gives us our daily bread. We need to spend time just giving thanks for that moment, and knowing that if He is with us we have everything we need. The other night he had Allison and I over for dinner. His friend Jan cooked and we had a great conversation just about our Christian walk. He kept asking some tough questions about faith and trying to figure out and who God was. Even though he has so much wisdom, he is not satisfied with what he knows. He constantly battles to have a better understanding. I hope I never get content and spend the rest of my life trying to know God better. We ended up playing rook and skip-bo until 10:30. I almost missed a homework assignment due at midnight because I didn't expect to be over there that long. At the end of the night he asked me if I would like to pray instead of him. I did and I simply just gave thanks for our time together and the love that was in the room.

Mr. Elvis would probably tell you that we are doing him a service by going to see him. I've never been around anyone like him and Mrs. Wilma (another lady at our church) who appreciate the time they have with you so much. The reality is that Mr. Elvis is impacting our lives more then he will ever realize. His hospitality and the love that is felt when we just show up at his house is overwhelming. He has no agenda, but just talks to us about whatever is on his heart. Hearing his story, we get to go through all the times of joy and all the times of sorrow and see how a person got to where they are today. As a 23 year old unsure about what the future holds, it is very comforting hearing from someone who had struggles himself and can give me advice on how he got through it. Mr. Elvis has learned how to give thanks for the current moment. I think I need to stop looking ahead and have that same attitude of thanks. I feel like people have a tendency to think their difficulties are unique, and they have to fix their problems on there own. I love talking to someone who will openly share with me what he has been through, so its not as scary when I go through it. What's funnier is that the difficulties he went through involved money (jobs), health, and discernment for his life. The things he valued were God, family, and his wife. It's pretty similar to how I feel today.

My advice from this post is to quit thinking you have to figure it all out and that you can't enjoy the moment. You are going to grow and learn as you go, so don't allow worrying about what's ahead to take away from the right now. We have so many things to be thankful of right now. Find someone that has been there before and hear their story. Seek wisdom from those who have it. Never be content. You are going to have room to grow and learn the rest of your life. Never stop seeking, and be a minister of God's grace for all the days He gives you.

Love you guys and hope you have a wonderful day!

Life Worth Living

I was reading Ecclesiastes today and in our terms it is pretty depressing.  Solomon says it is better to never have been born then to live in this evil world.  Everything that happens has happened before.  There is no point in gaining wisdom, wealth, or anything else because it will all wither away.

Keep in mind this arguably the wisest man to ever live saying these things.  When you really think about what he says, as depressing as it is, you have to admit he has a good point.  So I was thinking how this should affect us.  I think it clearly means that we were meant to be citizens of heaven and not of earth.  If we expect this life to be all joy then obviously we are wrong because it is such a depraved world. 

We get comfort in things that make us feel safe, such as wealth, but God told us that He would protect us.  God's greatest commandments show that we are to be compelled by love.  Love for Him and love for others.  These are the greatest commandments. I've been thinking about what truly brings me joy.  I love being around people that accept me as I am and let me be comfortable as the man God made me.  I surround myself with these people and I think its something everyone is looking for.  We want to find refuge from all of the things that make us feel insecure.  I love to laugh and goof off, but friendships can't be rooted in that.  Friendships are rooted in random conversations till 3 a.m. where you really get to know someones heart.  They are rooted in the times where a friend desperately needs you and you can be there for them.  They're rooted in seeing the ugly side of someone, but being patient enough to stick it out with them because you know you aren't perfect yourself.  They are rooted in love.  Love that is given to us by our Heavenly Father.  We worship the God who gave us this love.  We worship Him who gave us a way out of this wretched place we were born into.  Yet, we praise Him for allowing us to love while we are here. 

Its funny because I'm always afraid of disappointing people, especially my family and my friends.  It kills me when I make a mistake that hurts someone else.  Yet, I love it when people are vulnerable with me because I share in their suffering.  I don't want people to have it all together because I don't have it all together.  This just shows how we desperately need God.  It shows why we should be quick to forgive and dish out grace.  It shows why we should quit complaining about little things that others do, and focus on demonstrating love.  God's the righteous judge and will handle everything.  Our job is to lead people to Him, and we do this out of love.

Power Not From Us

We are once again having our ministry this summer called "The Refuge".  I have tried to explain to a lot of people what we will be doing, and frankly my attempt to communicate that vision is very weak.  It is simply because I want to have the freedom to allow the Lord to lead our hearts this summer.  And being away from everyone, I am not sure the specific needs.  I also have looked at my own life and every significant event in my life and every time God moved it happened in some way in which I did not expect.  We can't credit anything to ourselves because the Holy Spirit is where power comes from and lives are changed.  I completely believe that.  So does this mean I will sit around and do nothing?  Absolutely not.  We are witnesses and are called to do the work of the Lord.  I just want to be honest to the fact that this is not a well-oiled machine that has every detailed ironed out.  If you know me this should not come as a shock.

So why should people buy in?  Well here are things I am sure will happen.  The Word of God will be taught accurately and will then be applied to our current situation so we may grow closer to the Lord.  We will focus more on God and less on ourselves.  We will also seek out ways to serve the Lord, especially seeking out the lost and developing our mission.  I am not going to structure this, but through prayer and encouragement this will happen.  Lastly The Refuge will be just that.  We have a great community that accept people where they are and desire for people to better know the Lord.  So there will be great encouragement, love, and transparency among believers.  Relationship are crucial in ministry and I pray that we will allow God's power to be made known in the way we interact with one another.  There is power in gathering with believers who actively seek the Lord.

So we are going to seek the Lord together and see where He leads us, and He will lead us.  The Holy Spirit will move through this group.  I am going to lead the best I can, but my success or failure as a leader will not help or hinder God's plan.  He is sufficient on His own.  I just praise Him that I get to be a part of it all.  So I urge you to give your hearts and your prayers to Him, and trust Him to do mighty things.  As we seek out what He wants in our lives, I pray that we live in closer fellowship with Him.

True Corporate Worship

Consumerism in our society has really been disheartening to me recently. Especially when I see how much it has tainted my own heart. Everything we do seems to be for our own benefit. We are so critical of how we received messages, that we lack an intimacy with God due to our own selfish perspectives. Who are we to be the judge of every sermon and music that is selected? Heaven forbid our churches don't apply directly to our personal needs while playing our favorite worship songs. Are we really knowlegeable enough to understand what makes the Holy Spirit stir or not due to the amount of speaking expertise? I am not saying we shouldn't guard our hearts against false and unbiblical teaching. That is essential. I am simply proclaiming that we view the leaders of our church with grace and mercy. Their job demands a lot as well so be considerate and encouraging instead of writing them off because they aren't dynamic enough. These problems are not just in the church either. Just be an instrument of light, not darkness.

I want to relate this to our consumeristic view of worship. My World Mission's prof asked us to change our perspective of how we worship. Worship is a time where we join together to praise our God. God's purpose for the earth is that every one of His people join together and worship His name. Every tribe, tongue, and nation. In Revelation 4:8 we see the picture of the creatures sitting around the thrown crying out the praises of God forever. Let all the nations praise the Lord. So instead of wondering if the worship song is your favorite or not, be joyful in the fact that we can lift our voice with our brothers and sisters around the world. We get to sing the praises of our Lord, just as He intended, and it is pleasing to Him. Those without music are still singing the praises of the Lord in their native languages. What a beautiful picture of christians all over the world are praising the one and only Lord and savior.

John 3:30 says that He must increase, and I must decrease. Our Lord and Savior washed feet. He hung out with the broken and needy. He gave His life for us, so that we may have life. So let's not value things by what we get out of it. Examine your heart. And let's become less so that He can be known by all on this earth. Then we will join with them, singing His praises all the more.

Take My Heart and Make it Clean

Psalm 139 is a beautiful message of how our Creator views us.  The intimacy He has for us is almost overwhelming and you can almost grasp how He could send His innocent Son to take on the sin of the world.  He knows us and loves us deeply.  He hurts when we run away from Him or act like we don't know Him.  It is amazing to think that our awesome God views us in such high regard despite all our downfalls.

I want to focus on the last two verses of the chapter.
Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.  See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."

This has been my prayer for the last few days and will continue to be.  Isn't it amazing to see the ugliness inside Godly people?  Isn't it horrific when the evil inside our own hearts is revealed?  We need to constantly ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and our motives.  The devil is very powerful and can blind certain things from us.  Ask God to strip everything away from you if it means that He will be revealed through you.  Don't harbor evil in your heart but seek the way that is everlasting.  If you ask Him, you will receive answer.  God loves you with everything He has, so in response ask Him to purify your heart so that you can have the same affection toward Him.

I Am Not Enough

I had a conversation with a friend about feelings of inadequacy.  My mom tells me she feels inadequate to teach Sunday school.  I feel inadequate to preach when I speak in front of people.  Why should people listen to me and what I have to say?  Furthermore, there are so many people ridden with guilt that feel unworthy of identifying themselves as a child of God.  They spend their whole lives trying to get right so that God will allow them to commune with Him.  This is such wrong thinking. 

Praise God for our feelings of inadequacy.  I hope we never feel that we are worthy of anything on our own.  You might be thinking that's a little harsh.  For don't we want to be confident and happy and successful?  Let your boasting come from the work the Holy Spirit is doing in you alone.  Realize that everything that you do or that has been given to you is a gift from God.  The reason we feel inadequate is because we are.  Realize that you serve a God who loves to demonstrate His power through you.  Realize that you serve a God that loves to take broken things and make them new.  Through this brokenness and feeling of inadequacy we recognize our need for God and His power.  Through this need we gain stronger then ever because the work of the Lord will never fail and He will give us all we need.  So if you don't think your strong enough, trained enough, or good enough to serve the Lord I am here to tell you that you're not.  Yet, because you believe and are a child of God even a broken vessel like you can be used to glorify God.  I hope you pray daily that pride doesn't creep in and divert God's glory to you.  Inadequacy will always be a struggle, but remain faithful and trust in the Lord.

On a side note, I was talking to AM last night and made me realize just how much the relationships I have were sent from the Lord.  I am so thankful for God's grace, especially the family and friends He has given me.  We take so much for granite in this life and are so easily angered and distracted.  Let the blessings you have stay on your mind this week and always be thankful.  Because when you see how the Lord your God has so richly given you all things, you can't help but be humbled by the thought.  I love you guys and hope your faith increases daily.