Thoughts. For. A. New. Year.
Happy New Year! Yes, I realize I'm approximately 5 days behind, but that's what happens when life moves at 110 mph and you don't take the time to sit and think. I apologize to my readers for not posting more lately. That will change with the New Year. I don't usually believe in the "new years resolution" business because a lot of times it's just another way to fail... and quite frankly I fail enough as it is. The difference though, is most of my failures come with joy.. stick with me here.
James.1.2-4.
Imagine that, first post of the 2012 and I'm talking about James 1:2-4. *shock*. I have been thinking about this idea of sin, grace, righteousness, life, being a child of God, failure, the Enemy attacking, etc. I know, that's a lot to think about, hence why this needed to finally be written. The first thing I want to touch on though is a new outlook on that verse. I was thinking about James the other day, and read it a little differently. In the past, I have always looked at the verse as meaning that we go through bad times to prepare us, and God will do something joyous in the future to counteract that trial. Which, in all reality, I still think is very true. Peep this though, what if we looked at it from the perspective of having JOY in our TRIALS because our trials show us we are probably doing some RIGHT. Here's what I mean... When I feel the Enemy attacking me, whether it be through a painful memory, a bad relationship/friendship, physical pain, confusion, disdain... whatever, it means I must be doing something right. If I am living my life for Christ that is. If I wake up every morning, and try to stay focused on being an Ephesians 5:1 kind of man, Satan is going to attack me. The Enemy doesn't want God's army to grow bigger and stronger. So Satan uses my weaknesses, my moments of doubts, my fears to tear me down and become distant from Christ. So when I feel him attacking, I find it's much easier to look at Christ and say "I know you are there, so let Satan attack me. He can't hurt me with you by my side. He can't hurt me if I trust in YOU. and He is attacking me because I am living my life for YOU". I find joy in doing things to piss off Satan, because when I am making him insanely mad, I know I am making CHRIST insanely happy. There is no greater joy than that right there.
If. Grace. Was. An. Ocean.
I love Crowder's song "How He Loves Us", it has always moved me (I'm listening to it now). My favorite line "If Grace is an ocean, then we're all sinking". Wow. You know what's awesome about that line? It is so, absolutely, 100% TRUE. I look at it this way. We can't earn grace, we've heard that a thousand times. Grace is FREE. Which is what makes it grace. We are completely unworthy of it, yet it's always there. We can try to run and hide from Christ, but grace still surrounds us. You know what's funny? Even if we tried to earn grace... we couldn't. We don't deserve it, we constantly fall short of the glory of God, we constantly fall and fail to pursue Christ, to live like Christ, to move like Christ. YET, grace is given to us, free of charge. I have spent a very long time trying to wrap my head around that. It wasn't until recently that I started to fully comprehend it. The idea of Grace still throws me for a loop sometimes. I realized though, if I wake up every morning and recognize the beauty of that grace, my day will be so much better. If I wake up and say "okay Christ, I am ready to live today for you.. I am going to strive to be more like you" but also realize that I'm going to fall short, I will have a wonderful day because I will be so much more thankful for grace if I am realistic about my human abilities. I can't be perfect, I never have been and I never will be. And if I stop expecting perfection from myself, I can truly start to love myself the way God wants me too...
One.Last.Thing.
I want to talk about that idea of love for a second. I don't mean romantic love, I mean relational love. There is a difference. My heart has been bursting these last few weeks with love for so many different people from all walks of life. I am so thankful for those people, and my goal for 2012 is to make sure that they know on a regular basis that I love them. There is one life in particular that my love has just been overflowing for. He's a 2 1/2 month old little boy from Ethiopia. His name is going to be Elijah Gideon Eatherly, and he is the most precious nephew anyone could ask for up to this point. I love Elijah more than he will ever understand, more than even I fully understand. Each time he crosses my mind all the heaviness that has filled my heart for that day is lifted, if only for a second, and I know that when he comes home, my days will be brighter. I am so thankful for his parents, and for the role they are allowing me to play in his life...
Happy New Year to all. I love you.
GRACE and Peace,
B
1.05.2012
12.23.2011
God's anticipation
I.Have.Been.Thinking.
I know, I know. That first statement scares some of you because you know me all too well. Here's the thing though, as Christians we always talk about the ultimate sacrifice right? I truly believe that God sending Christ to die on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice. I mean, God's ONLY Son, that's HUGE! Of course, to go with that Christ gave up His life on Earth, for our sins. Again, it's HUGE. I just can't get over how crazy that is, but at the same time... I have another thought. It's Christmas time right? The birthday of JESUS himself. The Christmas season, and the thought of the sacrifice made me come up with this thought...
I don't know about everyone else, but my favorite part about Christmas (aside from the fact that it has everything and more to do with my salvation) is the excitement of giving gifts to my friends and family. I just love the creativity that I can exert to find the perfect (for them) gift, the sentiment that it carries, the expression of love, the joy it can bring to them. It's easily what I look forward to the most about Christmas day. (I will admit, #2 is breakfast, #3 is my own present.. No seriously, I really love food.) Which made me think, how excited was God to give us His only Son? I mean, yeah it was a huge sacrifice, but He gave us Christ, and Christ ultimately gave His life because of their love for us. I think when God sent Jesus to be born of Mary, He spent the next 3 years just waiting in anticipation. Waiting for people to realize what He was doing for them. I think God felt a lot like I do about giving gifts to my family. I also think, He's that excited and waits with that same anticipation for us to accept Him as our Creator, Savior, King of Kings, the Lover of our Souls. I think He spent 18 years just fidgeting on His throne waiting for me to accept Him into my life. When I did, it was a HUGE moment for both me and Him. Now, I don't mean to sound arrogant, because I think He waits in anticipation for all the lost and broken to find their way home. I just think about the way I love my family, and the excitement that comes from that love when I get to give them gifts, and I think.. "God loves me more than I could ever love another person, He must be wearing his dancing shoes just waiting for one of us to return home".
Do.It.
I don't know if that all made sense, but I know one thing. God is anticipating giving you a gift, your salvation, all you have to do is say yes. Once you do, He'll be dancing with joy, because of the joy you will then find in Him. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice with His life, God gave us the ultimate gift in His Son, and our Salvation.
Grace and Peace
I know, I know. That first statement scares some of you because you know me all too well. Here's the thing though, as Christians we always talk about the ultimate sacrifice right? I truly believe that God sending Christ to die on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice. I mean, God's ONLY Son, that's HUGE! Of course, to go with that Christ gave up His life on Earth, for our sins. Again, it's HUGE. I just can't get over how crazy that is, but at the same time... I have another thought. It's Christmas time right? The birthday of JESUS himself. The Christmas season, and the thought of the sacrifice made me come up with this thought...
I don't know about everyone else, but my favorite part about Christmas (aside from the fact that it has everything and more to do with my salvation) is the excitement of giving gifts to my friends and family. I just love the creativity that I can exert to find the perfect (for them) gift, the sentiment that it carries, the expression of love, the joy it can bring to them. It's easily what I look forward to the most about Christmas day. (I will admit, #2 is breakfast, #3 is my own present.. No seriously, I really love food.) Which made me think, how excited was God to give us His only Son? I mean, yeah it was a huge sacrifice, but He gave us Christ, and Christ ultimately gave His life because of their love for us. I think when God sent Jesus to be born of Mary, He spent the next 3 years just waiting in anticipation. Waiting for people to realize what He was doing for them. I think God felt a lot like I do about giving gifts to my family. I also think, He's that excited and waits with that same anticipation for us to accept Him as our Creator, Savior, King of Kings, the Lover of our Souls. I think He spent 18 years just fidgeting on His throne waiting for me to accept Him into my life. When I did, it was a HUGE moment for both me and Him. Now, I don't mean to sound arrogant, because I think He waits in anticipation for all the lost and broken to find their way home. I just think about the way I love my family, and the excitement that comes from that love when I get to give them gifts, and I think.. "God loves me more than I could ever love another person, He must be wearing his dancing shoes just waiting for one of us to return home".
Do.It.
I don't know if that all made sense, but I know one thing. God is anticipating giving you a gift, your salvation, all you have to do is say yes. Once you do, He'll be dancing with joy, because of the joy you will then find in Him. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice with His life, God gave us the ultimate gift in His Son, and our Salvation.
Grace and Peace
12.19.2011
Before They Were Champions (revised)
It's never been so hard for me to sit down and write what is on my heart... probably because the things on my heart aren't usually this vast or hard to deal with. This is easily going to be the most emotional post I've written those far on As Days Go By... if it doesn't flow like usual, I apologize in advance...
I have spent a collective 19 years living in Hope, Indiana. There was a time when I wanted nothing more than to leave. I was in high school, it was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I was ready to be on my own. Until December 19th, 2005. That's the day my world came crashing down around me, and had it not been for this small town, I don't know where I would be today. My family lost our home, our belongings, our pets, everything. It was hard to fathom. I stood there at one point listening to someone scream as we watched the fire engulf our home... then I realized the person screaming was ME. It's been six years since we lost our home, and the 19th this year, was just as hard, if not harder than all the others. This post has been many years coming, but it never quite sounded right. It does tonight though. My angst started right around midnight. I was having trouble sleeping, and looked at my phone right as the date changed. It was all down hill from there. Lucky for me, God has blessed me with some amazing friends, one in particular that stepped up last night when I needed her most. I slept about 4 hours last night, the rest of the night was spent tossing and turning, weeping, lashing out in anger, and reminiscing. That pretty much sums up my entire day, except for the fact that I was at work. Once again, I am very lucky to have the friends that I have at my job, they made today a lot easier. After work though, I went to 431 Union Street. It's been a long time since I have stopped there, and as I turned onto the dimly lit street, for a split second I could see our old house. Like a ghost it stood there, in all it's former glory, only to vanish when I blinked. Someone asked me today why I still go there every year. While I was standing there in the cold and the rain, it hit me. It's so that I can be reminded of what matters in life. You see, now that I am in the "real world", the reality of what today means is even clearer. It's not just the cliche "don't take things for granted" or "we are only promised today", but more than that. It's a reminder that it's not about me, or my plans, or my wants. It's about God's plan. Somehow, this was part of the plan (and a pretty bad part if you ask me, it's like the scene in the movie you would love to face forward through, you just can't find the remote). God has shown me a lot of things about that day in the last 6 years, most importantly, He has shown me the value of friendship and community.
I still can't believe the way people took care of us when we lost everything. People gave us clothing, places to stay, food, money, hugs, and most importantly prayers. There were people who probably had barely enough money for Christmas gifts for their own families, that replaced many of ours. People I didn't know offered money, and condolences. There are so many important people I would love to thank for what they did, but that would take a lifetime. One group of people has always stuck out in my mind when I think about that time in my life...
Before they were husbands, fathers, college graduates, teachers, coaches, adventure-seekers, insurance salesmen, businessmen, and athletic trainers, there were a special group of guys that were all part of a State Championship. Some were players, others fans in the crowd. That day was a special day though, because it was in that moment, that I saw Christ bless some very important people in my life, by helping them to achieve their dream.
A little more than 6 years ago I wrote an article that made the local newspaper. It was entitled "Before they were champions.." Take a look:
Hauser High School's boys' basketball team brought home their first state title this year, bringing a terrific season to a perfect end. Team and fans alike celebrated their happiness together. However, Hauser's team isn't one that is only there for the good times. Before they were champions, they were just a group of great guys, and true friends. On December 19th my family lost our house to a fire. We were able to salvage very little. Four days later, we were there ready to sift through the ruins and rubble and find what could be salvaged. As I got out of my car at the site of my former home, I heard more cars pull in behind me. They were members of Hauser's varsity basketball team. Not only are they state champions, but they are true good-hearted friends. Each one of them left practice, and drove straight to 431 Union Street. Gabe Miller, Blake Roth, Zach Fugate, Bobby Jolliff, Bryce Mize, Justin Baute, Brandon Barker, Nate Long, Seth Baute, Bryan Bailey, and Ben Gearhart approached me with arms wide open and smiles on their faces. At that moment I felt the true meaning of living in a small community. Eleven young men, current and former Hauser basketball players, clad in old clothes and heavy gloves, ready to help me and my sister sift through our childhood. As we sorted through the remains, I was able to laugh and cry with the best friends a kid could ask for. Eleven kids willing to give up a day of Christmas break, to help a family in need. I stopped after about an hour of working and looked around at these 11 guys. Replaying the memories I had with each and every one of them in my house. Late nights playing video games, and all day football games in the yard, it was all very emotional for me. They were my support system, and I saw it as my duty to return the favor. I spent my Saturday supporting Gabe Miller, Blake Roth, Zach Fugate, Bobby Jolliff, Bryce Mize, Justin Baute, and Brandon Barker in their time of need, by sitting in the front row of the cheer block, cheering them on in their quest to be "Living the Dream". The others, Nate Long, Seth Baute, Bryan Bailey, and Ben Gearhart joined me in the sea of black at Conseco Fieldhouse. At the end of the game, with all the excitement buzzing, I stopped and took a moment to thank the Lord. I thanked Him for giving back to the friends that had helped me through a very hard time. The memory I have of watching my best friends win a state championship is enough to fill the void of all the things I lost in the burning of my house. It's an amazing feeling to watch the people who you've spent your entire life with, accomplish something that seemed so impossible, for so long. Congratulations to the 2006 Indiana Class 1A Boy's Basketball State Champs, and thank you for all you have done for me and my family.
I am so thankful to this day for those boys, now men. They are still some of my best friends, I have seen 3 of them get married, two others are married with kids, 9 have graduated college, 1 has trained sled dogs in Alaska. These guys have all gone on to do incredible things with their lives. They have continued to be a huge part of my life, and they will never fully comprehend what they mean to me. The other thing is, I can remember so many other people that weren't mentioned in that article because they weren't there that particular day, that should have been added to the list. My dear friend,Nick Long, wasn't able to be there that day, but I remember he came to me later and apologized for being sick. He wanted to be there but needed to rest. Just the fact that he thought there was a reason to apologize meant the world to me.Bryan Fields spent hours searching for my grandfather's 1950 Purdue class ring (pictured below) one of the few things I have left of my Grandfather, and found it amongst all the rubble. The cheerleaders, our neighbors, our friends, our family, the teachers, my soccer team, the coaches, administrators, and coworkers of my parents went above and beyond what anyone could have asked them to do.
Now 6 years later I still have my memories, along with new ones with those old friends. Today was hard, going back to 431 Union Street was emotional, but at least I was able to be surrounded by the people I love, and the people that love me. Always Remember, and Never Forget... 431 Union Street.
Grace and Peace
I have spent a collective 19 years living in Hope, Indiana. There was a time when I wanted nothing more than to leave. I was in high school, it was a small town, everyone knew everyone, and I was ready to be on my own. Until December 19th, 2005. That's the day my world came crashing down around me, and had it not been for this small town, I don't know where I would be today. My family lost our home, our belongings, our pets, everything. It was hard to fathom. I stood there at one point listening to someone scream as we watched the fire engulf our home... then I realized the person screaming was ME. It's been six years since we lost our home, and the 19th this year, was just as hard, if not harder than all the others. This post has been many years coming, but it never quite sounded right. It does tonight though. My angst started right around midnight. I was having trouble sleeping, and looked at my phone right as the date changed. It was all down hill from there. Lucky for me, God has blessed me with some amazing friends, one in particular that stepped up last night when I needed her most. I slept about 4 hours last night, the rest of the night was spent tossing and turning, weeping, lashing out in anger, and reminiscing. That pretty much sums up my entire day, except for the fact that I was at work. Once again, I am very lucky to have the friends that I have at my job, they made today a lot easier. After work though, I went to 431 Union Street. It's been a long time since I have stopped there, and as I turned onto the dimly lit street, for a split second I could see our old house. Like a ghost it stood there, in all it's former glory, only to vanish when I blinked. Someone asked me today why I still go there every year. While I was standing there in the cold and the rain, it hit me. It's so that I can be reminded of what matters in life. You see, now that I am in the "real world", the reality of what today means is even clearer. It's not just the cliche "don't take things for granted" or "we are only promised today", but more than that. It's a reminder that it's not about me, or my plans, or my wants. It's about God's plan. Somehow, this was part of the plan (and a pretty bad part if you ask me, it's like the scene in the movie you would love to face forward through, you just can't find the remote). God has shown me a lot of things about that day in the last 6 years, most importantly, He has shown me the value of friendship and community.
I still can't believe the way people took care of us when we lost everything. People gave us clothing, places to stay, food, money, hugs, and most importantly prayers. There were people who probably had barely enough money for Christmas gifts for their own families, that replaced many of ours. People I didn't know offered money, and condolences. There are so many important people I would love to thank for what they did, but that would take a lifetime. One group of people has always stuck out in my mind when I think about that time in my life...
Before they were husbands, fathers, college graduates, teachers, coaches, adventure-seekers, insurance salesmen, businessmen, and athletic trainers, there were a special group of guys that were all part of a State Championship. Some were players, others fans in the crowd. That day was a special day though, because it was in that moment, that I saw Christ bless some very important people in my life, by helping them to achieve their dream.
A little more than 6 years ago I wrote an article that made the local newspaper. It was entitled "Before they were champions.." Take a look:
Hauser High School's boys' basketball team brought home their first state title this year, bringing a terrific season to a perfect end. Team and fans alike celebrated their happiness together. However, Hauser's team isn't one that is only there for the good times. Before they were champions, they were just a group of great guys, and true friends. On December 19th my family lost our house to a fire. We were able to salvage very little. Four days later, we were there ready to sift through the ruins and rubble and find what could be salvaged. As I got out of my car at the site of my former home, I heard more cars pull in behind me. They were members of Hauser's varsity basketball team. Not only are they state champions, but they are true good-hearted friends. Each one of them left practice, and drove straight to 431 Union Street. Gabe Miller, Blake Roth, Zach Fugate, Bobby Jolliff, Bryce Mize, Justin Baute, Brandon Barker, Nate Long, Seth Baute, Bryan Bailey, and Ben Gearhart approached me with arms wide open and smiles on their faces. At that moment I felt the true meaning of living in a small community. Eleven young men, current and former Hauser basketball players, clad in old clothes and heavy gloves, ready to help me and my sister sift through our childhood. As we sorted through the remains, I was able to laugh and cry with the best friends a kid could ask for. Eleven kids willing to give up a day of Christmas break, to help a family in need. I stopped after about an hour of working and looked around at these 11 guys. Replaying the memories I had with each and every one of them in my house. Late nights playing video games, and all day football games in the yard, it was all very emotional for me. They were my support system, and I saw it as my duty to return the favor. I spent my Saturday supporting Gabe Miller, Blake Roth, Zach Fugate, Bobby Jolliff, Bryce Mize, Justin Baute, and Brandon Barker in their time of need, by sitting in the front row of the cheer block, cheering them on in their quest to be "Living the Dream". The others, Nate Long, Seth Baute, Bryan Bailey, and Ben Gearhart joined me in the sea of black at Conseco Fieldhouse. At the end of the game, with all the excitement buzzing, I stopped and took a moment to thank the Lord. I thanked Him for giving back to the friends that had helped me through a very hard time. The memory I have of watching my best friends win a state championship is enough to fill the void of all the things I lost in the burning of my house. It's an amazing feeling to watch the people who you've spent your entire life with, accomplish something that seemed so impossible, for so long. Congratulations to the 2006 Indiana Class 1A Boy's Basketball State Champs, and thank you for all you have done for me and my family.
I am so thankful to this day for those boys, now men. They are still some of my best friends, I have seen 3 of them get married, two others are married with kids, 9 have graduated college, 1 has trained sled dogs in Alaska. These guys have all gone on to do incredible things with their lives. They have continued to be a huge part of my life, and they will never fully comprehend what they mean to me. The other thing is, I can remember so many other people that weren't mentioned in that article because they weren't there that particular day, that should have been added to the list. My dear friend,Nick Long, wasn't able to be there that day, but I remember he came to me later and apologized for being sick. He wanted to be there but needed to rest. Just the fact that he thought there was a reason to apologize meant the world to me.Bryan Fields spent hours searching for my grandfather's 1950 Purdue class ring (pictured below) one of the few things I have left of my Grandfather, and found it amongst all the rubble. The cheerleaders, our neighbors, our friends, our family, the teachers, my soccer team, the coaches, administrators, and coworkers of my parents went above and beyond what anyone could have asked them to do.
Now 6 years later I still have my memories, along with new ones with those old friends. Today was hard, going back to 431 Union Street was emotional, but at least I was able to be surrounded by the people I love, and the people that love me. Always Remember, and Never Forget... 431 Union Street.
Grace and Peace
12.03.2011
Support Adoption #1
Love.Before.First.Sight.
Nashville is always a refreshing change of scenery, especially when I get to spend time here with two of my favorite people. This weekend is going to be filled with moments spent dreaming, planning, fundraising and scheming about the love, time and care that will go into Elijah's life. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be this little boy's Uncle B and I haven't even had the chance to meet him, or even see a picture of him. My heart just melts when I think of the first moment I will get to hold him, and the look on Amy and Mike's faces every time he does something new. It's funny how there are some people in your life that you know you were just destined to be family with despite the lack of blood relation. I am ecstatic to be here this weekend and can't even begin to explain how excited I am for Elijah to be here with us, despite not knowing when that will be. The joy that comes over his mother's face whenever she speaks of him is such a reminder of how strong the bond between parent and child is. She will truly be able to tell him that she loved him even before he was born. That she has been praying and planning for his arrival into this world since Christ placed him on her heart. I am so blessed to be a part of this. I am in awe.
Grace and Peace
Nashville is always a refreshing change of scenery, especially when I get to spend time here with two of my favorite people. This weekend is going to be filled with moments spent dreaming, planning, fundraising and scheming about the love, time and care that will go into Elijah's life. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be this little boy's Uncle B and I haven't even had the chance to meet him, or even see a picture of him. My heart just melts when I think of the first moment I will get to hold him, and the look on Amy and Mike's faces every time he does something new. It's funny how there are some people in your life that you know you were just destined to be family with despite the lack of blood relation. I am ecstatic to be here this weekend and can't even begin to explain how excited I am for Elijah to be here with us, despite not knowing when that will be. The joy that comes over his mother's face whenever she speaks of him is such a reminder of how strong the bond between parent and child is. She will truly be able to tell him that she loved him even before he was born. That she has been praying and planning for his arrival into this world since Christ placed him on her heart. I am so blessed to be a part of this. I am in awe.
Grace and Peace
12.01.2011
Give 10 Cents
I.Have.A.Problem.
Okay, before any of you start saying things to yourself such as "he only has one problem?" let me clarify. I have a problem in front of me currently that is weighing heavy on my heart and the hearts of many people whose faith and relationship with Christ I admire. It's a problem of money, materialism, and American culture. I will admit now, this post is probably a little overdue considering tomorrow is a regular Friday, and not the infamous "Black Friday". However, I'm going to speak my mind on it now, so if you feel like you might agree or even disagree for that matter, keep reading.
Money.Is.Everything?
That's such a sad statement. No, it's not my personal philosophy on life but it is for many people in our country. I spent tonight with a good friend who I haven't seen in a month. During our time together we touched on a multitude of topics from jobs, old friends, new friends, to Holidays. Money was a very present theme, and not in the way you would expect. We talked a lot about how disgusting things like Black Friday are, because of the problems money creates. To make matters worse (and me a little more bitter) this conversation followed a very over-priced meal at a local restaurant. Here's what I don't understand though... There are all these people that fight over merchandise, the pepper-spray fellow shoppers, set fire to cars, punch and bite, and all in the name of what? 30% off a Coach purse that is already so grotesquely overpriced that it should come with a fold-out toilet and minibar? Think about this for a second... Black Friday follows Thanksgiving. So we spend all Thursday afternoon giving Thanks for our friends, family, and many blessings from God etc. and then around 10pm we throw all class out the window and attack people because we want to be sure we get the newest $140 Lego set for our kids who will most likely build half of it one time and set it aside-- intelligent. Now don't get me wrong, I have participated in the madness and I am not putting all you Black Friday shoppers down by any means. I'm just using it as an example of how disgusting the importance of money is in our culture.
What.Does.It.Pay.
I hate this question. I hate asking it and I hate being asked. It's such a terrible question, and unfortunately it's one that you hear more often than not when discussing job opportunities. Since I have been basking in the glories of being unemployed (sarcasm) I have talked to more people than I can count about jobs and money. One guy asked me what it would take, a figure, for me to be in full time ministry. I honestly didn't know how to respond, I wasn't sure how to put a number on living a dream or providing a link between others and Christ. However, because of the way we are conditioned to think, I was able to come up with a very reasonable suggestion (one that was lower than a typical business position but high enough that I could buy my iPad) It's a re-occurring theme in every day life. Money, Money, Money. Believe me, I get it, I have selfish wants and desires too... but I just can't get over the idiocy it creates in people.
Give.10.Cents.
You know those commercials on late night television where if you give $.10 you can change a child's life? Or those really annoying people dressed as Santa Clause asking you for spare change outside of Walmart (this is the last time I'm clarifying my sarcasm, I hope you've caught on by now) Those things really can do some good. I heard about an organization recently that if you donate the price of a cup of coffee they will use it to help underprivileged kids in third world countries. Now, I know there are three groups of people that may read this, they are as follows:
1.) The guy that nods his head and says "Amen brother" and really agrees with you:
This guy or girl, feels the same way about money as you do, they will talk about the need in other places until they are blue in the face and they will donate that cup of coffee, maybe even two! all for the cause, man.
2.) The "What about the children in need in America, God bless America and No one else" guy:
This guy smells what your cooking but thinks that because we are Americans we should focus on ourselves and provide for those in need here, disregarding that most of the poverty in this country is considered middle class in other nations, the ethnocentric guy that sits and the middle and continuously goes "humph"
3.)The grabs cell phone and pretends someone is calling him guy:
This guy uses this to duck the people asking for change for their cause. This isn't just a trick he uses for ex-girlfriends, he actually uses it to duck ministers, police, the homeless, and his mother in law when she drops in for a visit. You would actually think that he is the fix-it man for the entire city with as many times as his phone "vibrates" because someone is calling-- as a side note I would like to add that no one actually takes the time to make their phone audibly ring, it's always on vibrate, and my favorite is when said person's phone actually rings while they are on an "important call"
I will admit I have been all of these people at one time or another which is why I am confident that it is okay that I mock them... I apologize for any hurt feelings. Seriously though, how many of us really ignore the call to help others? Do you really need 6 Starbucks coffees a day (or even one for that matter) Take 5 dollars, 3 dollars, 89 cents (if you buy coffee at your local gas station like myself) and give some change to a charity. Sure you might think it can't impact anyone's life, but you would be wrong. I've been to some of these countries, I've met people that were once sponsor children, I've read and listened to testimonies from recipients of TOMS, Hello Somebody, CURE, or even the Salvation Army that have said that the money we help raise changes lives. Do something about it this year, change the way you look at money, give some away, turn some away, take your dream job that is accompanied by a pay cut, and bless someone else either here or abroad. End rant.
Grace and peace
Okay, before any of you start saying things to yourself such as "he only has one problem?" let me clarify. I have a problem in front of me currently that is weighing heavy on my heart and the hearts of many people whose faith and relationship with Christ I admire. It's a problem of money, materialism, and American culture. I will admit now, this post is probably a little overdue considering tomorrow is a regular Friday, and not the infamous "Black Friday". However, I'm going to speak my mind on it now, so if you feel like you might agree or even disagree for that matter, keep reading.
Money.Is.Everything?
That's such a sad statement. No, it's not my personal philosophy on life but it is for many people in our country. I spent tonight with a good friend who I haven't seen in a month. During our time together we touched on a multitude of topics from jobs, old friends, new friends, to Holidays. Money was a very present theme, and not in the way you would expect. We talked a lot about how disgusting things like Black Friday are, because of the problems money creates. To make matters worse (and me a little more bitter) this conversation followed a very over-priced meal at a local restaurant. Here's what I don't understand though... There are all these people that fight over merchandise, the pepper-spray fellow shoppers, set fire to cars, punch and bite, and all in the name of what? 30% off a Coach purse that is already so grotesquely overpriced that it should come with a fold-out toilet and minibar? Think about this for a second... Black Friday follows Thanksgiving. So we spend all Thursday afternoon giving Thanks for our friends, family, and many blessings from God etc. and then around 10pm we throw all class out the window and attack people because we want to be sure we get the newest $140 Lego set for our kids who will most likely build half of it one time and set it aside-- intelligent. Now don't get me wrong, I have participated in the madness and I am not putting all you Black Friday shoppers down by any means. I'm just using it as an example of how disgusting the importance of money is in our culture.
What.Does.It.Pay.
I hate this question. I hate asking it and I hate being asked. It's such a terrible question, and unfortunately it's one that you hear more often than not when discussing job opportunities. Since I have been basking in the glories of being unemployed (sarcasm) I have talked to more people than I can count about jobs and money. One guy asked me what it would take, a figure, for me to be in full time ministry. I honestly didn't know how to respond, I wasn't sure how to put a number on living a dream or providing a link between others and Christ. However, because of the way we are conditioned to think, I was able to come up with a very reasonable suggestion (one that was lower than a typical business position but high enough that I could buy my iPad
Give.10.Cents.
You know those commercials on late night television where if you give $.10 you can change a child's life? Or those really annoying people dressed as Santa Clause asking you for spare change outside of Walmart (this is the last time I'm clarifying my sarcasm, I hope you've caught on by now) Those things really can do some good. I heard about an organization recently that if you donate the price of a cup of coffee they will use it to help underprivileged kids in third world countries. Now, I know there are three groups of people that may read this, they are as follows:
1.) The guy that nods his head and says "Amen brother" and really agrees with you:
This guy or girl, feels the same way about money as you do, they will talk about the need in other places until they are blue in the face and they will donate that cup of coffee, maybe even two! all for the cause, man.
2.) The "What about the children in need in America, God bless America and No one else" guy:
This guy smells what your cooking but thinks that because we are Americans we should focus on ourselves and provide for those in need here, disregarding that most of the poverty in this country is considered middle class in other nations, the ethnocentric guy that sits and the middle and continuously goes "humph"
3.)The grabs cell phone and pretends someone is calling him guy:
This guy uses this to duck the people asking for change for their cause. This isn't just a trick he uses for ex-girlfriends, he actually uses it to duck ministers, police, the homeless, and his mother in law when she drops in for a visit. You would actually think that he is the fix-it man for the entire city with as many times as his phone "vibrates" because someone is calling-- as a side note I would like to add that no one actually takes the time to make their phone audibly ring, it's always on vibrate, and my favorite is when said person's phone actually rings while they are on an "important call"
I will admit I have been all of these people at one time or another which is why I am confident that it is okay that I mock them... I apologize for any hurt feelings. Seriously though, how many of us really ignore the call to help others? Do you really need 6 Starbucks coffees a day (or even one for that matter) Take 5 dollars, 3 dollars, 89 cents (if you buy coffee at your local gas station like myself) and give some change to a charity. Sure you might think it can't impact anyone's life, but you would be wrong. I've been to some of these countries, I've met people that were once sponsor children, I've read and listened to testimonies from recipients of TOMS, Hello Somebody, CURE, or even the Salvation Army that have said that the money we help raise changes lives. Do something about it this year, change the way you look at money, give some away, turn some away, take your dream job that is accompanied by a pay cut, and bless someone else either here or abroad. End rant.
Grace and peace
11.27.2011
The Hands and Feet...
Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it means to "be the hands and feet of Jesus". For a long time I thought it had a lot to do with missions work. Then in recent months I started to realize that it wasn't just missions (international in particular) it was about so much more than that. Yet, once again my view on what this meant began to be jaded. I started to think that the best possible way to be the hands and feet were to be on staff at a church, working in the ministry (and by working I mean getting paid). I was so focused on finding a job at a church I think I lost the true meaning of the name of my small group. The small group I recently joined is called Christos Doulos (Christ Servants), and at first I was so moved by how fitting that title was. Until I allowed myself to be so focused on the money portion of ministry. Now I'm not naive, I realize ministry doesn't always pay well monetarily, but I thought that was the best way to serve my Savior. Little did I know God would use a very unexpected event to change my thinking...
Sunday.Afternoons.Are.Busy.
Two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon I didn't even leave the church until 1:30, I had been there since 8:45, but it felt like I had only been there for 20 minutes. God filled that time with so many awesome conversations, experiences, and moments that it was overwhelming. After church I got the opportunity to help a family in need with other members of our church. Over the last two weeks I have strengthened relationships with new friends from CCC, one guy that I really look up too, and this family that I was so blessed by in having the opportunity to help them. Today, I was again asked to assist in something with this situation. It was then that my dear friend Chuck said to the man we were helping, that "no thanks or money was needed, this was what it meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus". It hit me hard....
This.Is.Ministry.
Just standing in the rain on a cold Sunday afternoon allowed me to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. It also revealed to me that the little things I do each week, or have the opportunity to do and miss out on are all ways to show Christ to others. Whether it be a mission trip, Sunday school, a Youth Convention, or helping a family in need, doing it just for the glory of God is what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It's about being mobile in all areas of life. It's about going out and doing things just because you know they are the right things to do.
Coming.Full.Circle.
Now, to wrap this up... This in no way means that I don't still have a passion to work on staff for a church, especially my church. BUT it does mean that I have redefined my life and what it means to be a servant of Christ. I still have the utmost respect and admiration for those that work inside the ministry and the church. Yet I also realize that being a part of the ministry is so much more than working for the church. It's about working for Jesus, and doing all things to glorify HIM.
Grace and Peace
11.22.2011
The Great Rescue
A.Long.Long.Time.Ago.
I have always wanted to start a post that way, mission accomplished I suppose... When I was in middle school I began searching-- like most kids my age (13-14) I started to feel the pressures of becoming a teenager, I started to realize things were going to change right before my eyes and I didn't know how to deal with those changes. You see, like many kids at the stage in life I didn't... fit. It seemed then that everywhere I went I failed to fit in... I was sort of a misfit. On the outside no one knew that I felt this way, or what I was dealing with on the inside. I was so far removed (on my own accord) from things that I had no where to run... no one to talk to (at least that's what the enemy told me)... and so instead-
I.Started.To.Write.
It was natural. I sat at a computer in my room and began pouring my heart into those keys. Each keystroke was like removing a penny from the pile of thousands that had been crushing my soul. No one ever read the majority of those early writing, a few still remain, but the majority were lost with my childhood in a fiery blaze. I didn't realize when the writing began that it would become my biggest outlet for the pain, struggle, trial, tribulations, joys, excitement, and confusion that have been drops of water in the glass of life. I didn't realize this release, this escape that my "anguished" teenage (early at best) heart was relying on would become my spiritual gift (*Disclaimer: Others have called it that, I simply refer to it as a way to organize my thoughts). I never realized that God was behind it all, because during those years (13-17) I didn't give God credit for much of anything.
So.Whats.It.All.Mean.
You (the reader, yeah you the person sitting at your computer thinking why in the world is this nut job still talking to me in parenthesis) might be thinking, where is this going? Tonight I got to hear from the founder of To Write Love On Her Arms. Something he said resonated inside me.. Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, he rescues those whose spirits are crushed". You see in my brokenhearted moments God has been there all along and when He couldn't get my attention He planted a seed. He rescued my spirit by giving me an escape, by pushing me to press that first key. He's been rescuing me in the same way ever since. If you have ever read any previous posts you might notice something- Each time I post it's generally about a lesson God has taught, a revelation, a desire, a need or a moment of confusion in which I needed clarity. In all of those instances God is using those thoughts, those words to rescue me from myself, because inherently, I bottled things up and over analyzed everything, before I started writing.. God threw me a life vest to keep me from drowning myself in a sea of ignorance, depression, self-deprecation and brokenness. The best part, is now, I can pray to be broken, because my brokenness is an opportunity for God to put me back together, He will inevitably rescue the pieces and put them back together in a way that will better glorify Him.
What.About.You.
What in your life is drowning you? Is it an internal affliction or an external attack that has you thrashing in the ocean of life, silently screaming for help? Have you asked for a life vest, or has God thrown you one, an you don't even realize it? Define that hobby that just feels normal, that feels like a release. What is that one thing you do that while doing it you feel the pressure lesson? Identify it, give thanks to Christ for it, establish time on a regular basis to work at it, share it with the world, and make sure you do it for the glory of the Kingdom.
Allow God to Rescue You
Grace and Peace
I have always wanted to start a post that way, mission accomplished I suppose... When I was in middle school I began searching-- like most kids my age (13-14) I started to feel the pressures of becoming a teenager, I started to realize things were going to change right before my eyes and I didn't know how to deal with those changes. You see, like many kids at the stage in life I didn't... fit. It seemed then that everywhere I went I failed to fit in... I was sort of a misfit. On the outside no one knew that I felt this way, or what I was dealing with on the inside. I was so far removed (on my own accord) from things that I had no where to run... no one to talk to (at least that's what the enemy told me)... and so instead-
I.Started.To.Write.
It was natural. I sat at a computer in my room and began pouring my heart into those keys. Each keystroke was like removing a penny from the pile of thousands that had been crushing my soul. No one ever read the majority of those early writing, a few still remain, but the majority were lost with my childhood in a fiery blaze. I didn't realize when the writing began that it would become my biggest outlet for the pain, struggle, trial, tribulations, joys, excitement, and confusion that have been drops of water in the glass of life. I didn't realize this release, this escape that my "anguished" teenage (early at best) heart was relying on would become my spiritual gift (*Disclaimer: Others have called it that, I simply refer to it as a way to organize my thoughts). I never realized that God was behind it all, because during those years (13-17) I didn't give God credit for much of anything.
So.Whats.It.All.Mean.
You (the reader, yeah you the person sitting at your computer thinking why in the world is this nut job still talking to me in parenthesis) might be thinking, where is this going? Tonight I got to hear from the founder of To Write Love On Her Arms. Something he said resonated inside me.. Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, he rescues those whose spirits are crushed". You see in my brokenhearted moments God has been there all along and when He couldn't get my attention He planted a seed. He rescued my spirit by giving me an escape, by pushing me to press that first key. He's been rescuing me in the same way ever since. If you have ever read any previous posts you might notice something- Each time I post it's generally about a lesson God has taught, a revelation, a desire, a need or a moment of confusion in which I needed clarity. In all of those instances God is using those thoughts, those words to rescue me from myself, because inherently, I bottled things up and over analyzed everything, before I started writing.. God threw me a life vest to keep me from drowning myself in a sea of ignorance, depression, self-deprecation and brokenness. The best part, is now, I can pray to be broken, because my brokenness is an opportunity for God to put me back together, He will inevitably rescue the pieces and put them back together in a way that will better glorify Him.
What.About.You.
What in your life is drowning you? Is it an internal affliction or an external attack that has you thrashing in the ocean of life, silently screaming for help? Have you asked for a life vest, or has God thrown you one, an you don't even realize it? Define that hobby that just feels normal, that feels like a release. What is that one thing you do that while doing it you feel the pressure lesson? Identify it, give thanks to Christ for it, establish time on a regular basis to work at it, share it with the world, and make sure you do it for the glory of the Kingdom.
Allow God to Rescue You
Grace and Peace
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