Bad Hair Cuts and Redemption

Sins are like bad haircuts. It's hard to look at your self in the mirror. You try to cover them with a hat or up in a ponytail. You really don't want anyone to see you in the present state, so you avoid broadcasting your presence in a group or avoid any confrontation at all. But hair will grow back. You can start over with a new pallet. Starting over is not hard, you just have to avoid getting a bad hair cut again. You rethink how you want it to be cut. You research it, study others hair style, and really think it through.

Sin is similar in that when you do sin, you want to cover it up. You don't want anyone to know especially God. Some sins do not seem to effect you as others do. But then again there are those times of shame and guilt that drive you nuts. But God calls us to put an end to all sin. In his eyes, Sin is Sin!! But we always seem to put it in categories of severity. Sin is all around us, and none of us can avoid it. It is our nature. Let he who has no sin cast the first stone. No one can throw that stone, that I know.

But the cool thing is, like a bad hair cut, you get to start over when you sin. Asking forgiveness and repenting helps get you back on track. Jesus Christ took on the burden of all our sins when he was crucified. He died a horrendous death just for us. He was WITHOUT sin. The only person ever like that. When you think about what he did for us, you can only wonder why he would do that. Because he loved GOD. He loved YOU. And He loved ME. Everyone was under his love. When we confess our sins and repent (turn away from our evil ways) to God, he can dwell in us forever. This doesn't mean to keep sinning, but that we show that we trust God to forgive us and it also shows that we have full faith in him. That we weak and in need of his strength and love. That we admit we don't have it all together and that we are fully dependent on Him. He gives us a chance to start over, just like when our hair grows back out. Have you had a bad hair cut lately? Do you need to start over?

Affraid of the Dark

There are a few times in my life that I have been so afraid of something, that I couldn't control myself. When I was around 7 or 8, I was disturbed by the thought of Tornadoes. When I was in my teens, I was scared of failing a grade. Now in my late 20's, I am rarely afraid of anything. That is with the exception of; not being a great Dad/Husband, not being a great worker, and not being a full on Christian. With that in mind, I thought a little about what puts fear into us. I believe it is the fact that we are not in control of our lives and that scares us. If we were in total control, we wouldn't need God.

Both of my boys have there fears. Some are surreal, some are silly, and some are very logical. Sam is very scarred of the dark. Ashton is deathly scarred of the roaring lion at the beginning of Metro Godwin movies. He actually analyzes movie boxes to see if they have the logo. He pays attention to them and knows if it is Disney, Fox, or any other movie box.

What can I say, the kids quirky! Anyways, the point is this, we all have hidden fears in us. Sometimes the fear is something we know is about to happen, or we are expecting to happen, or the fear is unknown, unannounced unnoticed. We walk everyday with this fear inside whether we know it or not. Sometimes when we least expect it, this fear attacks our system and we are left helpless and vulnerable. It is how we cope with this fear that helps us resolve the issue. It may stem from a previous experience, and experience that someone else has had, or something that we conjure up in our own imagination. Regardless, we have to do something with our fear. The bible speaks of a man named David who slayed a giant with nothing more than a sling and a rock. I don't know about you, but I would be pretty damn scarred of a 8 foot tall guy coming at me with a giant sword!! I am sure all of those in his village had the same sentiments, or else they would have backed him a little better. There are many stories that come from this. Moses was not so sure that he could deliver his people from Egypt, Jesus even asked God if there was another way the crucifixion could go down without he himself dying. But it all happened for God's purpose. And none of it would have happened if these people did not do what God asked, regardless of their fears and hang ups. I guess what I am saying is that I hope we all can sooner than later come to a point where we just trust God when he puts something on our hearts no matter how scary the outcome could be. This is when I think we will have the most breakthrough, and break out of old habits, break free from being oppressed, thinking unworldly.

By the way, the biggest thing I am afraid of in this life is that I am disappointing to God. I know I am at times, but it is time to change for us all. I KNOW Jesus Loves Me!!!!

The Stone Was Rolled Away

This week has been a remembrance of what Jesus stands for in our lives. As we sit back and reflect upon the unthinkable action he took for us, I hope that we remember what it means to be a believer and a follower of Christ. God has made it clear to me that my life is to be used as a reflection of Christ. What does that mean to me? What does that mean to you? Does it mean we are to be perfect? No. We are not perfect, but a product of perfect love. Does that mean that we hang on a cross? Not necessarily. But it does mean to die. Die?!!!?!!!? What does it mean to die? To me, it is literal, but also figurative. To die to OUR dreams, to die to OUR desires. To serve others and not expect to be served.

Matt 20: 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to served.

When we discover that, it brings true freedom. It is hard sometimes, especially when the person or people you are to serve are enemies. But I think that this will truly bring change to the World, the Church, and all humanity. If we could all live in the harmony and peace that God wants us to, there would be an end to poverty, broken homes, broken bones, and blood shed.

Mark 8:35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and the sake of the Good news, you will save it.

It is plain and simple. This World offers us what? A better house, a better car, a better job, a better way. But this is only temporary. Eventually, the house is going to fall down, the car is going to blow up, and the job is going to disappear. But God is eternal, infinite, and everlasting. There is NO end to His beauty. There is NO end to His Grace. There is NO end to His love!! Take up your cross and lose your life. Forget about the fame, the notarioty, the fortune, the Stuff. Serve others, teach about the Gospel, fill the needs in your community, create a community. Stand up against consumerism! Stand up against racism, predudice, hate, oppresion, and sexual imorality! Rise up oh people Rise. Let the nations say Our King Has Risen!!! The Stone Was Rolled Away!!!!!!

Peace
Benjammin ><>

Sunshine Bear!!

Well, it has been a while since my last post. Not a lot has happened in my world. Sammy is doing great, Ash is doing great, Harm is awesome as usual. Everything seems wonderful. Why is it that I sometimes feel incomplete? I really enjoy my life, but I still feel I should be doing more. God has really opened my heart to many wonderful things. He as shown us a new Church organization that we feel a connection with. I really feel that this is a place for us to be now. But I have been shown and have read that Church is not an organization or creed. It is a relationship with Christ that we should be seeking. We are to BE the Church by the way we live, the way we treat people, and the way we walk in our daily life. There are times when I want to quit, yet at other times I just can't get enough of God's grace love and understanding. Sounds like an Elvis Costello song. Oh that is Peace Love and Understanding. Let's face it, my job (place of employment) is not the greatest. It is not glamorous by any means. I don't make what most consider a very good income in this world. But the fact of the matter is, I am very independent in this position. I get to leave early on Fridays, and I have many chances throughout the day to Worship and witness to many people. Seems sometimes though, I would just rather be quiet, keep to myself and not be interested in others. I want to run through the plant proclaiming how much God loves us all and that, there is more to life than work, eat, sleep, repeat!!! I mean, if we were to put more effort in serving others, we would have much more to do than this model. I know I will not be in this position forever, but some days..

My wife is going to school to be a teacher. She is sooo awesome!! I am very excited for her and supportive. I really feel that this is her calling. I am very positive that God wants her in there with the little heathens to show them love, attention, and to support their learning process. It is going to be hard, but she is very smart and passionate about this so I know she will succeed. There is such a need for the Church to really emphasize kids in the ministry. They should be included in everything that we do. I feel that it is important to teach them at an early age about grace, love, faith, and forgiveness. They are certainly going to need these four things to get through the teen years and the rest of life. This World is so corrupting and spiteful that if we are not careful, we could loose them. We should be teaching them now what they need for their future so that this World can change. If God doesn't come back in my lifetime, I would sure like to see my kids generation take charge of their World, and to be 100 times more faithful than I am. But I am afraid that our time here on Earth is limited. This is not a bad thing for believers in Christ, but others are doomed.

I pray for this World that God would reveal himself to them, and that they would accept his everlasting grace and love. Not in a single person but in the whole Church body. We don't need another discipline, creed, Church fund raiser, or 10 step program. We need God and we need to show people our God.