I don't have time right now to go in-depth with this post, but I will update it with some scripture references tied in and some more food for thought. For now, let's get to the point!
A report has just been released (look here) basically stating that highly experienced and educated officials believe that America will be attacked with a weapon of mass destruction (nuclear, biological, chemical, etc.) within the next 5 years - however they believe it will most likely be of a biological nature. If you are surprised by this then you need to pay just a little more attention to the news. There are many many nations in the world who would love to see our country fall - or at least suffer. Personally, I'm surprised it hasn't happened already - and I believe "Hollywood" is too considering all the terror-based movies they've released since 9/11. One such movie that would be an excellent portrayal of the releasing of a WMD on American soil is 'Transporter 2'. All in all, I really liked this movie - especially his response to a lady he's working for that gets drunk and throws herself on him in hopes of sleeping with him. He says, "I can't..." and she says, "Is it because of who I am?" (his employer) and he says, "No, it's because of who I am." (what he believes in)
Ok, so I'm not just writing about this to regurgitate main-stream media's take and propogation of news they think is worth talking about. I wanna' talk about OUR Weapons of Mass Destruction. What do I mean by "our"?!?! I mean all who follow Jesus Christ and trust Him as their spiritual savior from eternal separation from God and serve Him as the Lord of their life. Other's refer to us as "Christians" as well, in case you're still not with me. :-P
This is a dangerous place to stop typing with the FBI, CIA, NSA, etc. looking for residential terrorists.... but I have to go. I'll be back soon!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Second Epistle
My brothers and sisters....
I'm so blessed to have you in my life! What an encouragement you are - what inspiration and motivation I receive from seeing you walk out the faith with me!!! With so many stumbling blocks and diversions and temptations it's not always easy to stay on the narrow path. Seeing so many people from our generation NOT walking this path can (and will) make you think that we're going the wrong direction - and many times it may seem that we're by ourselves with no one else in sight for miles while all of our peers are surrounded with people and they're laughing and carrying on in their drunken stupor while we're struggling to carry our cross and live for the cause of Christ and not the spur of the moment. But not now my friends... this is what Hebrews 10:24&25 is all about. As we continue to come together and encourage one another our pace quickens and our confidence is boosted. Our strength is renewed as we share one another's burdens and are reminded of God's power and faithfulness as we hear of how He reveals Himself to each of us in intimate, personal ways.
I believe we've all been there, where we feel isolated - standing in the dark alongside a steep cliff; waiting for someone else to come along so we don't have to walk it alone anymore. I was there not too long ago. We know that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us... but it can be almost unspeakable how comforting it is to have another believer share in life's journey with you. It's those times in the dark, along the treacherous slopes that our character and our dependence on God is truly revealed. Those times are necessary - yes, but they aren't permanent. We need to comfort one another... support and encourage one another. We all need it - plus, it's a command from God Himself! Don't be a "loner."
It's pretty easy to get disillusioned with walking in the footsteps of Christ if your eyes aren't on the person of Christ and God's heart for you. You'll swear that it's all vanity and futility and that life wasn't as complicated when you just indulged in yourself and threw caution to the wind. However, life will never be the same once you've been exposed to the Truth. And living for God is more satisfying than the highest high, the longest orgasm, the richest possessions, the biggest promotion, the best grades, etc., etc. Those things are only temporary... we know that. Lasting joy is only found in God. Living for Him (whether or not it makes other people happy) is worth any level of sacrifice because no other person, place, idea, thing, or event can transform our lives like the Living God -the Creator of the universe, the Lover of our souls, our Hope and our Salvation.... the Lord, our Redeemer. As we see our brothers and sisters willingly laying down their desires to take up God's desires - we too will have the courage to live a life that reflects the love, power, purity, and passion of Christ.
Thank you so much for your faithfulness... for your steadfastness... thank you for the encouragement and the support. I need you in my life and my walk with God just wouldn't be the same if you weren't around.
God bless you and keep you...
I'm so blessed to have you in my life! What an encouragement you are - what inspiration and motivation I receive from seeing you walk out the faith with me!!! With so many stumbling blocks and diversions and temptations it's not always easy to stay on the narrow path. Seeing so many people from our generation NOT walking this path can (and will) make you think that we're going the wrong direction - and many times it may seem that we're by ourselves with no one else in sight for miles while all of our peers are surrounded with people and they're laughing and carrying on in their drunken stupor while we're struggling to carry our cross and live for the cause of Christ and not the spur of the moment. But not now my friends... this is what Hebrews 10:24&25 is all about. As we continue to come together and encourage one another our pace quickens and our confidence is boosted. Our strength is renewed as we share one another's burdens and are reminded of God's power and faithfulness as we hear of how He reveals Himself to each of us in intimate, personal ways.
I believe we've all been there, where we feel isolated - standing in the dark alongside a steep cliff; waiting for someone else to come along so we don't have to walk it alone anymore. I was there not too long ago. We know that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us... but it can be almost unspeakable how comforting it is to have another believer share in life's journey with you. It's those times in the dark, along the treacherous slopes that our character and our dependence on God is truly revealed. Those times are necessary - yes, but they aren't permanent. We need to comfort one another... support and encourage one another. We all need it - plus, it's a command from God Himself! Don't be a "loner."
It's pretty easy to get disillusioned with walking in the footsteps of Christ if your eyes aren't on the person of Christ and God's heart for you. You'll swear that it's all vanity and futility and that life wasn't as complicated when you just indulged in yourself and threw caution to the wind. However, life will never be the same once you've been exposed to the Truth. And living for God is more satisfying than the highest high, the longest orgasm, the richest possessions, the biggest promotion, the best grades, etc., etc. Those things are only temporary... we know that. Lasting joy is only found in God. Living for Him (whether or not it makes other people happy) is worth any level of sacrifice because no other person, place, idea, thing, or event can transform our lives like the Living God -the Creator of the universe, the Lover of our souls, our Hope and our Salvation.... the Lord, our Redeemer. As we see our brothers and sisters willingly laying down their desires to take up God's desires - we too will have the courage to live a life that reflects the love, power, purity, and passion of Christ.
Thank you so much for your faithfulness... for your steadfastness... thank you for the encouragement and the support. I need you in my life and my walk with God just wouldn't be the same if you weren't around.
God bless you and keep you...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Psalm 151
My Pastor strongly encouraged me to think about the Psalms and how the psalmists poured their hearts out to God (the good, the bad, and the ugly) throughout the different points in their life and take into consideration the "pattern" that is found in the Psalms and come up with my own. He called it "Psalm 151" (because the book of Psalms in the Bible only consists of 150 Psalms) and assured me that it would help personalize my faith in God and help me to get to know God's heart for me and my life in a deeper, more intimate way. So, I wrote Psalm 151. I liked it so much I had some friends do it too and I will be writing 152, 153, etc. as time progresses. Feel free to leave your "Psalm 151" in a comment. Here it is:
"God, You're simply amazing!
Though trying to describe You isn't necessarily simple,
There are so many things about You that are easy to uderstand...
yet it still blows my mind.
Like Your great love for me;
You know everything there is to know about me
and yet You still love me and want to be with me.
I don't have to jump through hoops;
You love me just the way I am...
It's simple.
It's amazing!
Lord, my heart's desire is that You would be blessed
by the way I live my life.
Words can be so empty... and just knowing something
isn't as powerful as walking it out.
My heart is heavy and I greive about
the hearts and lives the people around me.
They hurt, they're alone...
They live as though they are groping around in the dark
desperately reaching for something safe, familiar;
something of substance.
It seems as if they are looking everywhere
for a fix, a rescue, an escape...
everywhere except to You.
I know You've called me
to be Your heart, Your hands, Your feet.
I don't give perfect love the way You do;
but You still want to use me to reach
the lost, the broken, the hurting, and the dying.
I pray that these wayward people
see Your kindness in the way that I live,
and that You keep me in the center of Your hand
as I try to lead these people back to the narrow path;
the path to forgiveness and a growing relationship with You,
the God of the universe, the lover of our souls.
God, You're amazing!"
Though trying to describe You isn't necessarily simple,
There are so many things about You that are easy to uderstand...
yet it still blows my mind.
Like Your great love for me;
You know everything there is to know about me
and yet You still love me and want to be with me.
I don't have to jump through hoops;
You love me just the way I am...
It's simple.
It's amazing!
Lord, my heart's desire is that You would be blessed
by the way I live my life.
Words can be so empty... and just knowing something
isn't as powerful as walking it out.
My heart is heavy and I greive about
the hearts and lives the people around me.
They hurt, they're alone...
They live as though they are groping around in the dark
desperately reaching for something safe, familiar;
something of substance.
It seems as if they are looking everywhere
for a fix, a rescue, an escape...
everywhere except to You.
I know You've called me
to be Your heart, Your hands, Your feet.
I don't give perfect love the way You do;
but You still want to use me to reach
the lost, the broken, the hurting, and the dying.
I pray that these wayward people
see Your kindness in the way that I live,
and that You keep me in the center of Your hand
as I try to lead these people back to the narrow path;
the path to forgiveness and a growing relationship with You,
the God of the universe, the lover of our souls.
God, You're amazing!"
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
First Epistle
To God's chosen ones...
The journey is long, the hardships many - and the pursuit is noble, worth our very lives. Our path is not for the weak, the coward, the proud, or the swift ... it's a path that wanders through many dark places of the soul and of this world; fording rivers of sorrow, coursing the jungles of persecution, sailing across oceans of fear, climbing mountains of disbelief, and weaving through valleys of death as we go. Why is it so difficult, why is it so dangerous, why is it so narrow, and why is it so valorous? Because we are following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I find it disheartening to appeal to you with such a solemn introduction, yet it's this sort of "backwards encouragement" that people seem to respond to the most. Identifying with the woes of life and not fully embracing the victories of Christ...
My brothers.... my sisters.... it's time to focus on victory! The way has been prepared, God's voice is still heard, and our purpose is clear - let's move forward with courage and boldness, knowing that God has already given us the victory!
The journey is long, the hardships many - and the pursuit is noble, worth our very lives. Our path is not for the weak, the coward, the proud, or the swift ... it's a path that wanders through many dark places of the soul and of this world; fording rivers of sorrow, coursing the jungles of persecution, sailing across oceans of fear, climbing mountains of disbelief, and weaving through valleys of death as we go. Why is it so difficult, why is it so dangerous, why is it so narrow, and why is it so valorous? Because we are following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I find it disheartening to appeal to you with such a solemn introduction, yet it's this sort of "backwards encouragement" that people seem to respond to the most. Identifying with the woes of life and not fully embracing the victories of Christ...
My brothers.... my sisters.... it's time to focus on victory! The way has been prepared, God's voice is still heard, and our purpose is clear - let's move forward with courage and boldness, knowing that God has already given us the victory!
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