Friday, May 29, 2009

Quick to Love - Slow to Judge

I have been thinking a lot about judging people and standing up for the truth. Where is the balance here? If I say something is wrong that someone is doing, aren't I judging them? Can I just judge the sin and not the person...? idk.. Certainly, I shouldn't just ignore and turn my head to the bad things that people do right? (I can tell this whole post is going to be pretty random, so, I am sorry but try to follow along) I read in Romans 14 today and it is addressing the issue of what food is right and what food is wrong to eat. Paul says: who cares? let people do what they want to do in this area. Don't judge them. Who are you to judge anyway? he doesn't think that any food is unclean, but if someone does that is ok if that is what they want to believe, because they are doing so unto God. that is very interesting, because we obviously can't apply that to every situation can we? I don't think so. If we did it would be complete anarchy. I have learned this over the years: people are much more willing to accept criticism of there life, if they first know that you love them. Not just pretend to love them, but truly love them. When we tell someone we don't know that what they are doing is wrong, they get defensive right? but if approach someone you have a good relationship with you can do that, and they understand that what you are doing is trying to help, because there is a foundation of love. The key to everything we do for Christ is that we must do it in love. quick to love, slow to judge... maybe that should be the rule to live by... Lord, help me understand this!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

What Lies Within Us

I love to learn new things about people. It is great to find hidden talents that people have, and encourage them to use them for God's glory. We are so self-conscious that many die never really doing anything with the gifts and talents God has given them. Why do we hesitate to share these things? I think it is because the things that are truly from God expose who we are as a person down to the very core of our being. If we were rejected when we showed our talent, then it would crush us. It would not only be a rejection of our talent, but a rejection of everything that we are.

Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Peter 4:10 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

There is a connection between the gifts that God has given us and our spirit. I think that is why it is so sensitive. It ties into our purpose in life. We must be willing to step out in faith, and expose our purpose and pour out our hearts to this world; "administering God's grace in its various forms"...

Friday, May 22, 2009

Reality

Forgive my lack of discipline over the last two weeks!!! :) It has been so busy lately it has been crazy! I also, have been meeting with some people in the mornings for breakfast, and that has kinda thrown a kink in the whole blog thing... So, I gotta get something worked out because I like blogging, and I need to blog. It is good for me! Last night I went home and took a nap for a couple of hours and it was wonderful. It has pretty much been a couple weeks of 16-17 hour days, and my poor body revolted last night. lol It felt so good to rest! I am thankful for awesome friends who encourage me and lift my spirit through the week. It kept me going! :) anyways...

We are getting ready to launch a series on "Reality" for the summer at youth. It is one we have done in the past, and it is really powerful. I want to talk about the reality of the issues of our world today, and also about the reality of who Jesus really is. Many times our views of him are messed up. It is my desire to lead people in a walk with God that is not fake, and one that permeates every part of there life. That means it is more than just church on Sunday. The fact is that Jesus probably wouldn't be welcome in most of our churches today, because he would be to extreme. His views and actions would be way to radical! The reality is that he is the "lamb of God" but he is also the "Lion of Judah". He is not tame, he is not controllable. What is the reality? Let's throw everything on the table and look at it. Do we just believe it because we have always believed it? If so , maybe we are wrong... I'm excited about this! I am excited about truth being revealed perhaps for the first times in peoples lives, and I am excited for genuine walks with God that are real!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Value of Proverbs

When I meet with my friend Max on Wednesday mornings, we each flip through the book of Proverbs and pick one out, and talk about it. The wisdom in this book of the Bible is unmatched by any other writing. I continually need reminded of right and wrong. I think it is interesting how we can get in complex situations and struggle with what decision to make, but when we boil that tough situation down to what it really is; there you will find a proverb that spells it out black and white what the righteous would do. It brings the simple truths of life into light, and guides us to live like Jesus. When we step back and look at our situation and forget about our self-centered emotions for second, what we need to do is simple in most cases. I am thankful that God gives me easy to understand instruction for my life!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Putting Away the Church Mask

As I deepen friendships with our youth, it becomes more obvious to me everyday, that we must be real. For far to long church people have felt the need to put on the "life is perfect because I have Jesus mask" Here is the harsh reality... Life sux sometimes... No, I am not having a bad day today. lol :) I actually am having a really good day! It's just something I have been thinking about lately. I think if we have a bad day, it's ok to display that. It is ok to say, life isn't "peachy" right now. Where in world did we get this idea that life on Earth had to be perfect? Jesus certainly didn't say that. I think it is from the preaching of "come to Jesus and he will fix all your problems". The truth is someday all of our problems will be gone. Jesus will make it all disappear, but for the time being we do have tough things to go through and tough situations to be in. Jesus is with us through them all, and I am thankful for that. He supplies grace and blessings in our lives. In the midst of the storms of life, a Bible verse offers hope, a friend comes along beside you, an unexpected blessing arrives, or an answer to prayer. I think that prideful fake perfection has killed evangelism in the church, especially among the younger generation. They want to hear, that we are having a bad day, if we are. They see right through fake! Jesus never told us to lie about how we were feeling. He didn't say, "ok guys, we have to make this look like it is the best thing ever!" The fact is... It is the best thing ever. We don't have to pretend! We don't have to try make God look good. He can handle that. I do love the fact that even in the worst of situations I can say. My hope is in Jesus, and I know that he will bring me through! I want to put the mask away, and just be me, and who I am in Christ. I am still a work in progress and I shouldn't have to hide that. God is good, and I love him! I hope you have a great day! -but if you don't that's ok... :) God is still good!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Healing the Open Wounds

I read in Isaiah 1 today.

Isaiah1:5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness-- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.

I have been praying lately for wounds of the past to be healed in peoples lives. Whether they caused there own wounds, or were simply an innocent bystander. As we discussed in Bible study last night, it is Gods will to heal. The physical wounds are easy to see, but in our lives we have many wounds emotionaly and spiritually. God wants to heal these too! Sometimes these wounds are so deep that our whole heart is afflicted. The hurts of the past consume the present, and make the future look dim. Forgiveness is the key. Whether you recieve forgiveness from God, or you forgive someone else. It is the only way to heal the wounds of the past, and there is no reason to try to keep our old wounds hidden from Jesus. I am praying today that we would all allow Jesus to bandage and sooth our wounds with oil. Bring healing today Lord!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Great Weekend!

I had a great weekend. Very busy, but great! Friday night I hung out with some guys and watched Lord of the Rings. Saturday morning, worked with our youth to clean the church, then went home and got outside in the amazing weather we had! Mowed the yard, and cut down a dead pine tree. Then back to the church to setup for BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge). Sunday morning, was a ton of fun with the younger kids, and another teenager got saved on Sunday morning, which is really exciting! then we had Robyn's grandmas birthday lunch at Pizza Ranch. After that is was back to the house to setup for games food and a bonfire for youth group that night. Then Monday morning hit! :) I'm glad God gives me strength to do all these things! Today I have been thinking about the future, and trying to dream a bit. Where does God want us to go? How can we better help people in there walks with God? How can we make a bigger impact? Harlan, and surrounding areas are on my heart today. I just want to serve. Love God... Love People... Lord Guide us!