What does being a christian really mean to you? To me being a christian means honoring God with everything in me. And honoring God ultimately means that I have to honor my siblings like non stop... and everyone around me. I've realized that when people ask others about what they believe they're usually looking for a RELIGIOUS answer but religion is what separates people. A bit a ago we were learning about knights and historical figures and it was so interesting that most of the battles we read about were over religion and how rulers wanted to convert everyone. I went to a German school two years ago and the first question they asked me was if I was protestant or catholic. I mean, it's not a bad thing to have religion but let me ask you... is it separating you from the big picture?
The problem with modern day churches is that a lot of pastors are softening up the idea of radical living because they're so caught up with religion they miss the big picture. Like the pharisees who were so caught up with following the law that they made being a good little boy their God! Seriously, even Jesus hung out with sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes and He was the God of all Gods!!! Wake up people!
Recently, I was being the kind of person I pray that I don't want to become like. I was playing Go Fish with my brother and I was being a snot. I didn't lose well and then I realized later that I behaved like a pharisee -- prideful instead of humble, critical instead of affirming. Remember that in the pharisees eyes they always had to be right. I want to encourage you today to keep your focus on the big picture... love people for who they are.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A forty day fast from self preservation
First off, I just wanna say that trying to not be self preserving for forty days is as hard as HECK! Mostly because my human nature is to defend myself and to protect my wants and my needs; but fasting from being self preserving to me means that I always care for other's needs before mine.
There have been a couple times since our family started this fast from self preservation that one of my siblings have told on me about an incident that they thought was on purpose, and when I was told on, I had a chance to defend myself. Instead, I immediately asked God what to say in that situation and prayed that I would not be defensive. Afterward, me and my brother went out and shot hoops together.
This is not easy, but very revealing and eye opening because I was thinking before we started this fast that it would be easy and no problem... but umm ya God had other plans. Lately I've realized that I have so much further more to grow in maturity than I thought. For instance, I seem to have a issue with being defensive towards my dad by saying, "I know," in an exasperated tone of voice and I have felt quite convicted lately. And I really do need all the prayer I can get because I am FAR from perfect. I want to be so humble after this fast that nothing, absolutely nothing phases me. So basically, I want to be BULLET PROOF!
There have been a couple times since our family started this fast from self preservation that one of my siblings have told on me about an incident that they thought was on purpose, and when I was told on, I had a chance to defend myself. Instead, I immediately asked God what to say in that situation and prayed that I would not be defensive. Afterward, me and my brother went out and shot hoops together.
This is not easy, but very revealing and eye opening because I was thinking before we started this fast that it would be easy and no problem... but umm ya God had other plans. Lately I've realized that I have so much further more to grow in maturity than I thought. For instance, I seem to have a issue with being defensive towards my dad by saying, "I know," in an exasperated tone of voice and I have felt quite convicted lately. And I really do need all the prayer I can get because I am FAR from perfect. I want to be so humble after this fast that nothing, absolutely nothing phases me. So basically, I want to be BULLET PROOF!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Experiencing God
Most boys, like me, at one time in their life envision experiencing God as some mystic power that will empower them to fly or do some super hero type things. At least that's how I thought I would experience God. But I couldn't have been further off from the truth. God knew that I would never be able to fly or lift giant boulders. But instead He's been letting me see the world with my favorite five people in the world.
God always meets each and every one of us at our place. And I definitely felt " MET " on a walk I took with my mom. As we set out I told my mom that I was hoping to see some wildlife. On that foggy early morning when me and my mom were walking along a road we came to a big hill and my mom said, "You never know what's at the top of the hill." And she was right, because at the top of that hill were two deer. I knew that I had experienced God just then.
Experiencing God isn't a one time deal. God doesn't say, "Oh you enjoyed that? Well good -- because you're never going to get anything like that again. So too bad." No way! God will always meet us wherever we might be to bring us back to Him. He will never, ever, ever, give up on me or you and if someone just needs to be encouraged and your best friend calls to encourage you when you're feeling defeated, it's not a coincidence -- it's God. A bit ago I was feeling quite discouraged but didn't tell anyone, and my mom was so encouraging to me because she totally reaffirmed me and that was God speaking through my mom.
God's love is so immense for every human being. God wants a REAL relationship with me and you! Now the title, Experiencing God, won't always mean "a walk in the park." Experiencing God might mean witnessing a miracle in a tragedy. Or being a missionary who heals the sick and helps the poor. Experiencing God means He'll do whatever it takes to pursue your heart. It's just like when a father wants his son to come back, he'll do whatever he can to get his beloved son back to him. God is that loving Father who will love his son no matter what he does, even if his son seeks comfort in temporary solutions. God is delighted when his children come back to Him and instead of rejecting us He embraces us.
Thank you, Lord, for pursuing me and loving me unconditionally. Amen.
God always meets each and every one of us at our place. And I definitely felt " MET " on a walk I took with my mom. As we set out I told my mom that I was hoping to see some wildlife. On that foggy early morning when me and my mom were walking along a road we came to a big hill and my mom said, "You never know what's at the top of the hill." And she was right, because at the top of that hill were two deer. I knew that I had experienced God just then.
Experiencing God isn't a one time deal. God doesn't say, "Oh you enjoyed that? Well good -- because you're never going to get anything like that again. So too bad." No way! God will always meet us wherever we might be to bring us back to Him. He will never, ever, ever, give up on me or you and if someone just needs to be encouraged and your best friend calls to encourage you when you're feeling defeated, it's not a coincidence -- it's God. A bit ago I was feeling quite discouraged but didn't tell anyone, and my mom was so encouraging to me because she totally reaffirmed me and that was God speaking through my mom.
God's love is so immense for every human being. God wants a REAL relationship with me and you! Now the title, Experiencing God, won't always mean "a walk in the park." Experiencing God might mean witnessing a miracle in a tragedy. Or being a missionary who heals the sick and helps the poor. Experiencing God means He'll do whatever it takes to pursue your heart. It's just like when a father wants his son to come back, he'll do whatever he can to get his beloved son back to him. God is that loving Father who will love his son no matter what he does, even if his son seeks comfort in temporary solutions. God is delighted when his children come back to Him and instead of rejecting us He embraces us.
Thank you, Lord, for pursuing me and loving me unconditionally. Amen.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Following God isn't always easy, TRUST ME!
Lately I've been tested a lot with my three siblings.
I have been trying to be the Third option man I plan on being. But its so hard to not give in, be complacent and let my own selfish wants take over. While I want to start a rebelution within my sphere of influence... Well, it's hard not to punch my brother in the arm after he throws my new football in the mud on purpose. Or not to call my sister a name when she deserves it. But being a third option man is about always giving honor and grace to my siblings...
So let me ask you this, did Jesus curse or send people straight to hell when they put Him on the cross? NO! Because Jesus is a third option man! Choosing the third option means having grace on my sibling or whoever it might be only because it takes some really low expectations to retaliate against the person that just wronged you! I mean why wouldn't you get vengeance? Right? But the truth is that real men don't get EVEN. Because they know that getting even is gonna end up making things worse than they were before. Let me tell you this REAL MEN ARE PEACE MAKERS.
The men in this world who are making impacts in this world are the ones who end up in jail because they were sharing the gospel, or are in India working at a homeless shelter serving people food, or are in Africa at an orphanage loving on babies... and forgiving siblings when they offend! Guys, God wants us to impact the world for Him! One of my goals right now is to raise enough money so I can sponsor a child for a Whole year! God wants to make an everlasting impact on the world and the best place to start is with your family and friends. I want change the world but I'm not gonna get anywhere but my front door if I'm not looking for ways to serve my family with little things. A Third option man means loving God from where I am.
Excuse me while I go throw the football with my brother. As I walk by my sister, I'll be sure to honor her with my words.
I have been trying to be the Third option man I plan on being. But its so hard to not give in, be complacent and let my own selfish wants take over. While I want to start a rebelution within my sphere of influence... Well, it's hard not to punch my brother in the arm after he throws my new football in the mud on purpose. Or not to call my sister a name when she deserves it. But being a third option man is about always giving honor and grace to my siblings...
So let me ask you this, did Jesus curse or send people straight to hell when they put Him on the cross? NO! Because Jesus is a third option man! Choosing the third option means having grace on my sibling or whoever it might be only because it takes some really low expectations to retaliate against the person that just wronged you! I mean why wouldn't you get vengeance? Right? But the truth is that real men don't get EVEN. Because they know that getting even is gonna end up making things worse than they were before. Let me tell you this REAL MEN ARE PEACE MAKERS.
The men in this world who are making impacts in this world are the ones who end up in jail because they were sharing the gospel, or are in India working at a homeless shelter serving people food, or are in Africa at an orphanage loving on babies... and forgiving siblings when they offend! Guys, God wants us to impact the world for Him! One of my goals right now is to raise enough money so I can sponsor a child for a Whole year! God wants to make an everlasting impact on the world and the best place to start is with your family and friends. I want change the world but I'm not gonna get anywhere but my front door if I'm not looking for ways to serve my family with little things. A Third option man means loving God from where I am.
Excuse me while I go throw the football with my brother. As I walk by my sister, I'll be sure to honor her with my words.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Third option man
In this life there are three options: the first is live for your own selfish needs, second is just go with whatever the heck the rest of the world is doing, and the third is the most satisfying but most difficult which, FYI, is the option that real men make. The only perfect example of a third option man is Jesus and what makes him a third option man is the fact that he was WILLING to heal people like lepers when the rest of us just stood back and said well sucks to be you doesn't it.
We all need to be willing and open to God's will because if we are then God is gonna use us and do miracles through us; but if we don't let God work through us, then satan is gonna take advantage of us. And use us in ways we don't want him to. My brothers and my dad and I want to be used in ways by God that are dangerous to satan's kingdom.
I am hoping that anyone who reads this will be inspired and motivated to GO and be dangerous for God.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Getting rough
One of my most favorite things to do is play football. So if you know the sport you'll also know that its kind of a very rough sport and thats what I love the most--getting rough. I just love the feeling and smell of dirt but alot of the time thats the problem. "Guys" whimper and cower about getting thier pants dirty but when in fact God has called us men to be warriors for him. But we can't do that if we're whining. So men buck up, get a backbone and be who God created you to be.
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