John 3:31 He must become greater; I must become less- John the Baptist.
I can't wait til Friday. I have a full day of rest. All I want to do is escape life and relax with the Lord. When was the last time you spent time with the Lord. The kind of time where you make it more important than anything else.
Love the Lord
Chew on that peace
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The running Pi
When you just need to run. Running leads to great feelings. It also lets out some not so great feelings.
Our bodies align with our heart(soul) in interesting ways. What I mean to say is, when I personally cannot put into words what my heart wants to say, I am drawn to just run or some other sort of activity. The freedom of being free to run helps the heart release the tension of "speechless" syndrome.
So where do I run? I know it is to the end of the block or until I get tired, but as a Christian: "where do I run?" I read: "a mark of a mature christian is when in time of struggle you run toward God and not from Him". Many times my struggles have resulted in me running to drugs, alcohol, dip, working out, girls, etc. Now I see how eternal these things are, haha. Wow, not one of things have helped me grow, not to mention all the trouble most of those things have gotten me in.
Now I know to run to God. But, how does God come in the moment of struggle as it is happening. ex. I am drunk and my girlfriend wants to have sex. I know drinking is wrong but here I am drunk. Now, my girlfriend is pressuring me to have sex. How can I run to God. Tough situation.
I believe God wants the best for Himself. The best for Himself is going to be the best for ourselves. The thing you must realize is the best for God is not on the same level as what is best for us. This is where we trust God is good. The answer as to what to do is: "what will please God". We can't think of ourselves as the who should be put first. God is who we should want to put first. John the Baptist said: he must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30
tough pi to swallow and run with.
we weren't made to run alone; join with each other. It will be beautifully messy.
Chew on that peace
Our bodies align with our heart(soul) in interesting ways. What I mean to say is, when I personally cannot put into words what my heart wants to say, I am drawn to just run or some other sort of activity. The freedom of being free to run helps the heart release the tension of "speechless" syndrome.
So where do I run? I know it is to the end of the block or until I get tired, but as a Christian: "where do I run?" I read: "a mark of a mature christian is when in time of struggle you run toward God and not from Him". Many times my struggles have resulted in me running to drugs, alcohol, dip, working out, girls, etc. Now I see how eternal these things are, haha. Wow, not one of things have helped me grow, not to mention all the trouble most of those things have gotten me in.
Now I know to run to God. But, how does God come in the moment of struggle as it is happening. ex. I am drunk and my girlfriend wants to have sex. I know drinking is wrong but here I am drunk. Now, my girlfriend is pressuring me to have sex. How can I run to God. Tough situation.
I believe God wants the best for Himself. The best for Himself is going to be the best for ourselves. The thing you must realize is the best for God is not on the same level as what is best for us. This is where we trust God is good. The answer as to what to do is: "what will please God". We can't think of ourselves as the who should be put first. God is who we should want to put first. John the Baptist said: he must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30
tough pi to swallow and run with.
we weren't made to run alone; join with each other. It will be beautifully messy.
Chew on that peace
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Pi that leads
Be a leader.
I was challenged to be the same kind of leader off the soccer field as I am on the soccer field. Naturally, on the soccer field I am loud, intense, inspiring, passionate, and full of joy. This is a result of devoting practically all of my life to the game of soccer. I know soccer inside and out, not to say I don't have anything to learn.
Off the soccer field, I can have a different style of leadership than on the field. I have been compartmentalizing my life. What if I meshed them together. I knew soccer by playing soccer, watching soccer, coaching soccer, reading soccer. Let's put this in living a Christ life and leading others to do the same. I will always learn more through Christ, but if I model Christ, watch Christ, teach Christ, read about Christ most certainly I will be able to lead a Christ life and have the confidence to bring others with me.
My prayer is a heart to know Christ, the courage to step in faith to stand firm in his name. I like to avoid conflict off the soccer field, but love the contact in soccer. May in grace I change that to honor Christ as a MAN of God. I don't mean to be a bible pusher but a tenacious man living firm in his Faith in Christ.
1 Thess 2:8
New verse that has been on my heart and mind
chew on that peace
I was challenged to be the same kind of leader off the soccer field as I am on the soccer field. Naturally, on the soccer field I am loud, intense, inspiring, passionate, and full of joy. This is a result of devoting practically all of my life to the game of soccer. I know soccer inside and out, not to say I don't have anything to learn.
Off the soccer field, I can have a different style of leadership than on the field. I have been compartmentalizing my life. What if I meshed them together. I knew soccer by playing soccer, watching soccer, coaching soccer, reading soccer. Let's put this in living a Christ life and leading others to do the same. I will always learn more through Christ, but if I model Christ, watch Christ, teach Christ, read about Christ most certainly I will be able to lead a Christ life and have the confidence to bring others with me.
My prayer is a heart to know Christ, the courage to step in faith to stand firm in his name. I like to avoid conflict off the soccer field, but love the contact in soccer. May in grace I change that to honor Christ as a MAN of God. I don't mean to be a bible pusher but a tenacious man living firm in his Faith in Christ.
1 Thess 2:8
New verse that has been on my heart and mind
chew on that peace
Monday, October 4, 2010
Old Pi
I turned 24 a week from today. I am getting old and I learn life changes as you get older. Duh... God is focusing my eyes on some changes he knows is best for me.
Leadership: It is time to step into where God has placed me. I have been beating around the bush with inviting roommates to live with me because of the fear of living with new people in a beautifully messy Kingdom (this makes sense if you read my previous post). The thought: "do they know what they are signing up for; do I know what they are signing up for" Oh Satan and your stupid spirit. God is telling me to trust him, draw near to him, delight myself in him (Ps 37:4). I must hold dear his Word, for the older and more responsibilities he gives me the more accountable I must be in his Kingdom. His word is truth, my word is vapor.
I am a model to others. I best be submitting to God, for those who look to me better not see me, but God living in me. How do: i spend my time; spend my money; use my talents; behave towards Kristine (beautiful girlfriend); love friends and family; react to injustice?
Oh do I need to kneel at God's feet. I cannot do anything by myself for myself hates the light. I am wicked at heart. But Christ living in me sheds the light. May it be seen as God getting the glory. John 3:20-21
How do you like that Peace
p.s. sorry for the spaghetti thinking-it was a bit messy
Leadership: It is time to step into where God has placed me. I have been beating around the bush with inviting roommates to live with me because of the fear of living with new people in a beautifully messy Kingdom (this makes sense if you read my previous post). The thought: "do they know what they are signing up for; do I know what they are signing up for" Oh Satan and your stupid spirit. God is telling me to trust him, draw near to him, delight myself in him (Ps 37:4). I must hold dear his Word, for the older and more responsibilities he gives me the more accountable I must be in his Kingdom. His word is truth, my word is vapor.
I am a model to others. I best be submitting to God, for those who look to me better not see me, but God living in me. How do: i spend my time; spend my money; use my talents; behave towards Kristine (beautiful girlfriend); love friends and family; react to injustice?
Oh do I need to kneel at God's feet. I cannot do anything by myself for myself hates the light. I am wicked at heart. But Christ living in me sheds the light. May it be seen as God getting the glory. John 3:20-21
How do you like that Peace
p.s. sorry for the spaghetti thinking-it was a bit messy
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Pi in Heaven
I wonder what Pie in Heaven will taste like. Will everything taste amazing or do we uniquely have different taste for different foods. I hate cottage cheese but will cottage cheese in heaven taste like pizza does on Earth, at least good pizza.
Seeking God and living out his will through the guidance of the Spirit is Beautifully Messy. BM (Beautifully Messy) is a new favorite saying depicting the kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Beautiful in the sense of living how God intended, with Him/how Jesus lived. Isn't that the reason why he sent his Son, so we may be right with God and have communion with Him Rom 3:21-22; John 3:16. Messy in the sense that we, Mankind, are on Earth. We have a sin nature Rom 3:12. These clash hardcore, having a sin nature and living with God. The joy of living with God is amazing and gives Hope to the hopeless. I love God, He is good. He is the master planner. Pro 3:5
My life is living out a beautiful mess of following God. I just taught over the Blind Man and the Rich Young ruler in Mark 10. I want to be the Blind Man by far. He comes first in the Kingdom of Heaven. He is crying out for Mercy to Jesus, Son of David-the messiah-anointed one-the Savior (where is faith is place in). His trust in God is beautiful, especially in his Messy begging life. He wanted God to fill his life. As opposed to the Rich young Ruler who could not give up the wealth he had to follow God.
I love Jesus for showing the same love to each person. It was a different Love, tough truth for the Rich Man and servant love to the blind man.
God is revealing more and more of His Kingdom to me; the ride I am on in walking in faith towards living according to the Kingdom is Beautifully Messy. I would not want it any other way.
Take a bite of that heavenly peace
Seeking God and living out his will through the guidance of the Spirit is Beautifully Messy. BM (Beautifully Messy) is a new favorite saying depicting the kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Beautiful in the sense of living how God intended, with Him/how Jesus lived. Isn't that the reason why he sent his Son, so we may be right with God and have communion with Him Rom 3:21-22; John 3:16. Messy in the sense that we, Mankind, are on Earth. We have a sin nature Rom 3:12. These clash hardcore, having a sin nature and living with God. The joy of living with God is amazing and gives Hope to the hopeless. I love God, He is good. He is the master planner. Pro 3:5
My life is living out a beautiful mess of following God. I just taught over the Blind Man and the Rich Young ruler in Mark 10. I want to be the Blind Man by far. He comes first in the Kingdom of Heaven. He is crying out for Mercy to Jesus, Son of David-the messiah-anointed one-the Savior (where is faith is place in). His trust in God is beautiful, especially in his Messy begging life. He wanted God to fill his life. As opposed to the Rich young Ruler who could not give up the wealth he had to follow God.
I love Jesus for showing the same love to each person. It was a different Love, tough truth for the Rich Man and servant love to the blind man.
God is revealing more and more of His Kingdom to me; the ride I am on in walking in faith towards living according to the Kingdom is Beautifully Messy. I would not want it any other way.
Take a bite of that heavenly peace
Saturday, September 4, 2010
When you get Pi in the face
Wow, my heart has been turning in all sorts of directions in the past hour. Not to mention the last week. The beginning of the hour I was listening to a sermon by David Platt on disciple making. At the end, David was telling of stories of how small groups from his "faith family" have been living out the gospel tangibly without any planning of the leaders of the Church. The small groups were compelled to share the love of Christ and they did it in the form of community (small groups). This brought me to tears to hear how believers were compelled without the direction of the pastor to reach out "to all nations". They just wanted to be Christ to others and wanted to do it with each other to foster growth and be even more like Christ. It is beautiful to know that people get the gospel and are living it out maturely with other believers.
The last part of this hour, my heart got wrenched in a different way. My mother called me to check up and see how things were going. Our conversation got going and the subject of money, income, and responsibilities came up. I began to see the reality of the situation. I am blessed to have parents willing and able to support me so much financially, but all good things must come to an end. My monthly income now is only enough to cover certain bills, rent, food, and gas. In order for me to pay for the others in the future I will have to change something in my life. It is what scares me right now. I do not know what to change.
God is showing me a lot about his Church and what it looks like outside of what America has made it. Wouldn't it be great to live with others, literal or non-literal, purposefully growing with each other to know God, and make the world a little more like His kingdom.
How do you like that Peace
SPLAT.
The last part of this hour, my heart got wrenched in a different way. My mother called me to check up and see how things were going. Our conversation got going and the subject of money, income, and responsibilities came up. I began to see the reality of the situation. I am blessed to have parents willing and able to support me so much financially, but all good things must come to an end. My monthly income now is only enough to cover certain bills, rent, food, and gas. In order for me to pay for the others in the future I will have to change something in my life. It is what scares me right now. I do not know what to change.
God is showing me a lot about his Church and what it looks like outside of what America has made it. Wouldn't it be great to live with others, literal or non-literal, purposefully growing with each other to know God, and make the world a little more like His kingdom.
How do you like that Peace
SPLAT.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
In the life of Pi
It is July and the Sun is doing its job. Oregon is stubborn when it comes to heat. Stubbornness is a struggle in my life. Constantly I try to make life work out to what I see best. What is see best for my life should not be based on what I think. So much hurt, pain, struggle, tears have been shed because life has not worked out the way I think best for it.
Some challenging concepts/ideas and conversations have shown me my humanness (imperfect or sin nature). To be born again: no way can being born again mean you are the same as before. I am born again, yet my life shows a contradiction. I am not at peace with life. God does not control all of my life.
Just yesterday I took a step back and realized this in the moment. I called Kristine yesterday and found out she was watching a movie with friends. I immediately was hurt, because I was not informed earlier and I felt left out of her life. A lot of selfish thoughts entered my head and I did not know how to react to her on the phone. Thankfully I did not say too much and put my foot in my mouth. After hanging up, I prayed. I knew what I was feeling was sin. I had bitterness in my heart and I was disgusted with it. God showed me much more when I was in prayer with Him. Kristine was honest. I cannot ask for more. Dropping everything and trying to find a way to appease me would not be a healthy relationship.
My prayer is the Spirit would continue to work in me. I do not want my own self to get in the way: aka sin. If I was to live by the Bible, what would it look like? Is the way I think of Church the way it is portrayed in the Bible? Or is the way I think of Church based on how I have always been exposed to it?
No wonder Nicodemus was so confused. Surely one cannot enter into a mother's womb a second time to be born again. John 3. I feel like Nicodemus and ask that question "How can I be born again or what does that look like?" I am on the journey of living a born again life. Sounds messy: if it is anything like coming out of the womb a second time, then it must be messy....that was joke.
pi is messy
Some challenging concepts/ideas and conversations have shown me my humanness (imperfect or sin nature). To be born again: no way can being born again mean you are the same as before. I am born again, yet my life shows a contradiction. I am not at peace with life. God does not control all of my life.
Just yesterday I took a step back and realized this in the moment. I called Kristine yesterday and found out she was watching a movie with friends. I immediately was hurt, because I was not informed earlier and I felt left out of her life. A lot of selfish thoughts entered my head and I did not know how to react to her on the phone. Thankfully I did not say too much and put my foot in my mouth. After hanging up, I prayed. I knew what I was feeling was sin. I had bitterness in my heart and I was disgusted with it. God showed me much more when I was in prayer with Him. Kristine was honest. I cannot ask for more. Dropping everything and trying to find a way to appease me would not be a healthy relationship.
My prayer is the Spirit would continue to work in me. I do not want my own self to get in the way: aka sin. If I was to live by the Bible, what would it look like? Is the way I think of Church the way it is portrayed in the Bible? Or is the way I think of Church based on how I have always been exposed to it?
No wonder Nicodemus was so confused. Surely one cannot enter into a mother's womb a second time to be born again. John 3. I feel like Nicodemus and ask that question "How can I be born again or what does that look like?" I am on the journey of living a born again life. Sounds messy: if it is anything like coming out of the womb a second time, then it must be messy....that was joke.
pi is messy
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Peace of Pi
"Now while he was Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man."
John 2:23-25
Christ is beyond my understanding. I see it this way with the knowledge of the whole Bible: Christ was God and Man. He came to Earth to bring us back to God. This verse in John brings things to a reality level. Christ could not entrust himself to Man because Man is evil (we crucified Christ). That would not be a God thing to do. God is Holy, man is not.
Here is the great thing I continually try to wrap my head around. Christ knew Man and our darkness yet he loved us till death on a cross. This is why God sends his Son down here John 3:16 (ever heard of it). Christ from the beginning says I can't commit myself to Man, because you are not Holy. I commit myself to God. God sends Christ to die for the people he can not commit himself to. Christ's commitment to God is crazy. I just love how Christ knows not to entrust himself to Man; Christ knew these same people would post him on a cross. Christ knew at the beginning of his ministry that these people would yell "crucify him" yet he is not discouraged to love them unconditionally.
I want to know Christ. To know Christ is to know God. Jesus says this multiple times. The way Jesus lived gets to me. I want to live like Him. I want to have a relationship as strong as his to the Father.
Chew on that Piece
John 2:23-25
Christ is beyond my understanding. I see it this way with the knowledge of the whole Bible: Christ was God and Man. He came to Earth to bring us back to God. This verse in John brings things to a reality level. Christ could not entrust himself to Man because Man is evil (we crucified Christ). That would not be a God thing to do. God is Holy, man is not.
Here is the great thing I continually try to wrap my head around. Christ knew Man and our darkness yet he loved us till death on a cross. This is why God sends his Son down here John 3:16 (ever heard of it). Christ from the beginning says I can't commit myself to Man, because you are not Holy. I commit myself to God. God sends Christ to die for the people he can not commit himself to. Christ's commitment to God is crazy. I just love how Christ knows not to entrust himself to Man; Christ knew these same people would post him on a cross. Christ knew at the beginning of his ministry that these people would yell "crucify him" yet he is not discouraged to love them unconditionally.
I want to know Christ. To know Christ is to know God. Jesus says this multiple times. The way Jesus lived gets to me. I want to live like Him. I want to have a relationship as strong as his to the Father.
Chew on that Piece
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Savor the Pi
Paul wrote it beautifully when he said, "I want to know Christ". This is truer and truer in my life. I always (as much as I can) ask in my life, "How can I please God through this decision or that decision". Reading/studying the Bible has become more intentional with how Christ lived and what he lived out as important.
Jesus commended those who gave everything especially when what they gave was of small significance i.e. bottle of perfume Mt 26:6-13 and tithing woman Mk 6:12-14. Jesus digs those who give all they got in whatever circumstance they are in. I love that about my God; I do not have to impress him with my bank account before he loves me or show off all my achievements for him to accept me. God delights when we give all of what we have to Him. Whether that be strength, energy, time, gasoline (giving rides), food, money, heart, mind, smiles, jokes, conversations, soccer... I could go on. God wants it ALL. Some of it may be small, and I have been running this faith-race understanding more how beautiful it is to give all of my everything over to God.
God knows better what to do with what I have than I do, otherwise, I would be God. It is still confusing how to do everything in God's name but as I read more through John (I am on Ch 2) the more I learn about Jesus and how he did it. John 14:6
Love each bite of Pi
Jesus commended those who gave everything especially when what they gave was of small significance i.e. bottle of perfume Mt 26:6-13 and tithing woman Mk 6:12-14. Jesus digs those who give all they got in whatever circumstance they are in. I love that about my God; I do not have to impress him with my bank account before he loves me or show off all my achievements for him to accept me. God delights when we give all of what we have to Him. Whether that be strength, energy, time, gasoline (giving rides), food, money, heart, mind, smiles, jokes, conversations, soccer... I could go on. God wants it ALL. Some of it may be small, and I have been running this faith-race understanding more how beautiful it is to give all of my everything over to God.
God knows better what to do with what I have than I do, otherwise, I would be God. It is still confusing how to do everything in God's name but as I read more through John (I am on Ch 2) the more I learn about Jesus and how he did it. John 14:6
Love each bite of Pi
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What Pi have you been dished?
I continually get reminded of the brokenness in this world. Ever since Adam and Eve ate that apple Mankind has been struggling, sweating, crying, hurting, etc (Gen 3). Just last night, Kristine and I ran into a young girl, Gabriel, who was sitting against the Building the Church meets in and that I live right by. Our first encounter with her was scary as it was a surprise to see someone just sitting against the building at 10:45 at night. As we kept walking toward the store to get some food and a movie, the thought of this young girl was streaming through my head. It so happened that we had her come over to my house and watch "Where the wild things Are"...great movie. After the movie, she left with Kristine to stay the night at her place.
My heart was wrestling with God on how I have been so blessed in life and the circumstances I have. I have an income, friends, house, loving family, truck, backyard, health, yet 100 yards from this life of mine someone is sitting against a building with all there belongings stuffed in a rolling suitcase big enough for a couple pieces of clothes. I wanted to give this girl more than just a muffin and the company of watching a movie together. I wrestled with how to give grace, not the cheap kind. A grace God has given us through Jesus' death on the cross. I do not know what that looks like at the moment in this circumstance but I hope and pray I can have more opportunities to love her along with all the other broken people in my life (which is everyone) in a way that would show Jesus off.
"we are blessed to be a blessing"
how do you like that Peace of Pi
My heart was wrestling with God on how I have been so blessed in life and the circumstances I have. I have an income, friends, house, loving family, truck, backyard, health, yet 100 yards from this life of mine someone is sitting against a building with all there belongings stuffed in a rolling suitcase big enough for a couple pieces of clothes. I wanted to give this girl more than just a muffin and the company of watching a movie together. I wrestled with how to give grace, not the cheap kind. A grace God has given us through Jesus' death on the cross. I do not know what that looks like at the moment in this circumstance but I hope and pray I can have more opportunities to love her along with all the other broken people in my life (which is everyone) in a way that would show Jesus off.
"we are blessed to be a blessing"
how do you like that Peace of Pi
Thursday, March 4, 2010
How do you make Pi?
I just want to restate my love for using puns, especially with all my titles; it is a weekly challenge. I have no idea how to make Pi, but I trust that someone else knows and I will trust them for making something I have no idea how to make. I use this stupid analogy to a question someone asked me earlier this week, Wednesday to be exact, 'how do you balance your work and life'. My response was "I have no idea, I am lucky to manage what I got".
This question led me to some more questions, something I like to do (ponder). First, let's tackle the original question: I currently have four part time jobs all located in North Salem. This is a blessing and a curse, because it takes about 25 minutes to get to work but I love that they are all close to each other. In other news, I am now off the market. Yippitty yippee, I am dating a wonderful soul named Kristine and she is greater than great. I could go on but I should stop there in order to keep this post short. She will have to make an appearance in the near future via blog world. Back to balance and crap, I really don't know how I got so lucky to score so many sweet jobs that work in line with each other. Soccertots (4-5 year old soccer daycare) Fri and Sat morning; Youth Group SuMT night and any other time I can get a chance; Adam Stephens MS soccer team MTW afternoons; Keizer Soccer Club on Sunday evenings and whenever I can get hours (very flexible).
In my life as it is, this totally works for me. I love how I get to be around youth and children most of my week, not to mention my roommates Mark and L.C. I feel God calling in my life to be a missionary for Salem, specifically North Salem. All four jobs are allowing me to be involved with that calling. Now I want go back to understanding how to make Pi analogy. The other questions led me to the scripture in Pr 3 "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". I love that. I am so glad for that. Thank you Lord that I do not have to depend on what I think for how things work....etc. Trust in the Lord and depend on his understanding for he is God. Of course he will know the why, how, what, when of everything and I praise God for that. The searching, seeking, desiring for that through Christ will bring me knowledge of God and his understanding.
I should let you chew on that piece of Pi
peace
This question led me to some more questions, something I like to do (ponder). First, let's tackle the original question: I currently have four part time jobs all located in North Salem. This is a blessing and a curse, because it takes about 25 minutes to get to work but I love that they are all close to each other. In other news, I am now off the market. Yippitty yippee, I am dating a wonderful soul named Kristine and she is greater than great. I could go on but I should stop there in order to keep this post short. She will have to make an appearance in the near future via blog world. Back to balance and crap, I really don't know how I got so lucky to score so many sweet jobs that work in line with each other. Soccertots (4-5 year old soccer daycare) Fri and Sat morning; Youth Group SuMT night and any other time I can get a chance; Adam Stephens MS soccer team MTW afternoons; Keizer Soccer Club on Sunday evenings and whenever I can get hours (very flexible).
In my life as it is, this totally works for me. I love how I get to be around youth and children most of my week, not to mention my roommates Mark and L.C. I feel God calling in my life to be a missionary for Salem, specifically North Salem. All four jobs are allowing me to be involved with that calling. Now I want go back to understanding how to make Pi analogy. The other questions led me to the scripture in Pr 3 "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". I love that. I am so glad for that. Thank you Lord that I do not have to depend on what I think for how things work....etc. Trust in the Lord and depend on his understanding for he is God. Of course he will know the why, how, what, when of everything and I praise God for that. The searching, seeking, desiring for that through Christ will bring me knowledge of God and his understanding.
I should let you chew on that piece of Pi
peace
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What Peace is your Pi?
This Tuesday, I had the great privilege of talking with the youth group at Salem First about what God has been showing in my life. It was a personal testimony slash lesson learning talk. I shared the passage in John 1:19-28. I wont post the passage but I highly encourage you to read and chew on it, because the rest of this post will be referring back to it.
The emphasis of what I shared was on the question the pharisees asked John the Baptist. "What do you say about yourself?"(v22). John the Baptist (JTB) replies with truth; he quotes scripture "I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord"(23). Admiration runs over me with the way JTB responds, "he did not fail to confess but confessed freely" (v20). After meditating on this passage I began to ask myself this same question. It was then I realized how far away I am from coming to answer in comparison to JTB. The word admiration was not the right word, more jealous or envy, but not in a malicious sense.
I challenged the youth to ask themselves this question as well and see if they could answer in a way like JTB, with Truth and with out hesitation. In my life I have lost things I defined myself as: soccer player (finished with college soccer), student (I am not going to school). What left do I have to define myself as. And so I turn to God and ask: What do you see me as? What can I say about myself? I am on the road of discovering this question and look forward to the mighty truths God has for me along the way. I know I am a child of God, a truth I have yet to discover the full meaning of but am open and daring enough to venture into the inner chamber with Christ to find out.
Good luck with your Peace
The emphasis of what I shared was on the question the pharisees asked John the Baptist. "What do you say about yourself?"(v22). John the Baptist (JTB) replies with truth; he quotes scripture "I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord"(23). Admiration runs over me with the way JTB responds, "he did not fail to confess but confessed freely" (v20). After meditating on this passage I began to ask myself this same question. It was then I realized how far away I am from coming to answer in comparison to JTB. The word admiration was not the right word, more jealous or envy, but not in a malicious sense.
I challenged the youth to ask themselves this question as well and see if they could answer in a way like JTB, with Truth and with out hesitation. In my life I have lost things I defined myself as: soccer player (finished with college soccer), student (I am not going to school). What left do I have to define myself as. And so I turn to God and ask: What do you see me as? What can I say about myself? I am on the road of discovering this question and look forward to the mighty truths God has for me along the way. I know I am a child of God, a truth I have yet to discover the full meaning of but am open and daring enough to venture into the inner chamber with Christ to find out.
Good luck with your Peace
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Chewing on Pi (even when it tastes bad)
When life hands you lemons you make sprite, right? Not always the case in life. I have come across an article and good conversation where lemonade (sprite) cannot be made from the lemons handed you. I am referring to the life of a pastor/minister. From what I gathered, Pastors face many sticky situations, whether it's spiritual, emotional, or physical. They face awkward messy life circumstances of people they may know well or may not know at all.
This blows my mind; it is awkward for me to call a girl I like sometimes, hoping I do not act stupid. How can I conceive a Pastor getting in the middle of a tragedy, divorce, or porn addiction a person is facing that he might not know. People come to Pastors for answers or guidance in these times, but it is not the pastor who has the answer, it is God. Pastors are called to a life of serving adn shining light on the darkness, however that might look at the time. Sometimes it is important to just be there as a Pastor, "it might be messy, but you just have to get in there and let yourself be apart of it" (quote from a dude). Presence can make a difference, no one wants to feel alone or abandoned.
Not to say I am a pastor, but recently I came across a situation such as this. It was weird; it was not easy; it was uncomfortable. Through Christ, it was possible for me to get past self and move to be present with a sister in Christ who was hurting. I had no idea what to do but be there and offer prayer, I am not sure I even helped. Hours passed and still no direction of what to do; my only comfort was trusting God is good and had a perfect plan for the things to come. Side note: I have a better understanding of what Paul means when he calls us to be faithful in prayer and pray continually (Rom 12:12; 1 thes 5:17). Things are still not worked out and I am not sure if they will be soon. I know God is in control and I pray the darkness would understand the light John 1:5.
Chew on that Peace
This blows my mind; it is awkward for me to call a girl I like sometimes, hoping I do not act stupid. How can I conceive a Pastor getting in the middle of a tragedy, divorce, or porn addiction a person is facing that he might not know. People come to Pastors for answers or guidance in these times, but it is not the pastor who has the answer, it is God. Pastors are called to a life of serving adn shining light on the darkness, however that might look at the time. Sometimes it is important to just be there as a Pastor, "it might be messy, but you just have to get in there and let yourself be apart of it" (quote from a dude). Presence can make a difference, no one wants to feel alone or abandoned.
Not to say I am a pastor, but recently I came across a situation such as this. It was weird; it was not easy; it was uncomfortable. Through Christ, it was possible for me to get past self and move to be present with a sister in Christ who was hurting. I had no idea what to do but be there and offer prayer, I am not sure I even helped. Hours passed and still no direction of what to do; my only comfort was trusting God is good and had a perfect plan for the things to come. Side note: I have a better understanding of what Paul means when he calls us to be faithful in prayer and pray continually (Rom 12:12; 1 thes 5:17). Things are still not worked out and I am not sure if they will be soon. I know God is in control and I pray the darkness would understand the light John 1:5.
Chew on that Peace
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Peace of Pi
The line between bravery and stupidity is very thin in my life. I easily cross over from one side to the other with out hesitation. I blame much of it on the fact I do not see life or the consequences of my actions past my arms reach. Living this way has brought me many exciting adventures and many regrettable adventures. However, I would not want to live any other way though, but rather live more recklessly for the things which mean most in my life.
What is most important in Life? How do you answer that? Is it family, friends, wife, daughter, boyfriend, Jesus, love, music, movies, money, soccer. A good determinant I have been told to understand what is most important in life is to measure where your time is spent. I confess, I really think Fantasy basketball is important for I check my stats two or three times a day. Not to give much more of my life away, because I rather use blogging to vomit out what God has been putting in my mind and on my heart. I have been hit by God with the question of what is important in life and if it is what God sees as important.
My calling card which I feel is clever is (instead of "how do you like them apples" a quote from a Matt Damon movie),
How do you like that Peace of pi?
What is most important in Life? How do you answer that? Is it family, friends, wife, daughter, boyfriend, Jesus, love, music, movies, money, soccer. A good determinant I have been told to understand what is most important in life is to measure where your time is spent. I confess, I really think Fantasy basketball is important for I check my stats two or three times a day. Not to give much more of my life away, because I rather use blogging to vomit out what God has been putting in my mind and on my heart. I have been hit by God with the question of what is important in life and if it is what God sees as important.
My calling card which I feel is clever is (instead of "how do you like them apples" a quote from a Matt Damon movie),
How do you like that Peace of pi?
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