Once again this time of year is here. I am constantly reminded of how great God is. I hope and pray that 2010 will be another great year and that I will continue to grow in my faith. Life is such a short time even though parts seem to drag out. There will be trials, temptations, and growing pains. But there will also be joy, new beginnings and victories. As I/we continue to contend with economic flaws and issues as well as other issues in our great country, I hope that we all could be part of communities that are about change and solving problems. Not just for solving problems sake, but to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
My main concern is spreading the Gospel and most importantly living the Gospel. I know I hark on this quite a bit, but it is near and dear to me. I feel like giving up sometimes to be transparent to you, but God always comes through to me. I am learning everyday to give up my life for the sake of it all. This means doing things for others that I might or we might not always want to do. Even little things matter. But to truly give up your likes, your desires, and your wants to meet the needs of others is a hard task. It is becoming easier though and I hope I continue to grow in this area. I have a passion for missiology which is living a missionary lifestyle. I try very hard, by God's grace, to live this daily. I have opportunities to do so everywhere.
I really think that Jesus had to do this from the moment he was born. He came as a baby, so he was dependent on a family. He didn't get to stay in a fancy hotel or palace, but a barn full of animals and stuff that animals produce. How many "American" moms would allow such a thing these days? So he came to give his life as a ransom for us, our sins. He could have easily established a kingdom. He had all the people backing him, and of course, God. But, he knew his mission and it was his passion and heart to see it come to fruition. Even Peter tried to stop him (Matthew 16:23) so he was constantly on mission no matter what.
So my hope is that this will serve as a reminder, this day that is. I know this isn't necessarily "the" day that He was born, but it is the day designated to celebrate with family, friends, and foe. It is every day, every week, and every year I am reminded and hope that it will continue and that others will continually serve this mission that we have been given. I love you all, and have a Merry Christmas.
Peace ><>
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thank You. All of You
As this year comes to a close, I have thought about all the people who are in my life, who have been in my life, and who will one day be in my life. I would just like to say, Thank you. Thank you for being there for me, or not. Thank you for calling me up to go hang out. Thank you for putting up with my junk. Thanks for hearing me out or not. Thank you for being my "friend" on Facebook and not making fun of me when I post stupid stuff. But most importantly, thank you for even speaking to me.
You see, we are shaped by those in our lives and that can be good or bad. But no matter what, we are inspired, corrected or cautioned by those in our lives. We have the opportunity to decide what decisions we make and to take the good the bad and the ugly and allow it to shape our futures. I am thankful of all the people who have been in my life. Those who have always and will always be there for me as well as those who have used or hurt me in the past. I am the type who doesn't hold grudges so I don't hold that in. But through forgiveness I have grown into a new person. Even those who may not care for me, I still care for them.
I am constantly learning more and more about myself and others through my own heart and what God has revealed to me. Of all the experiences I have faced and been through, I have grown into the person I am today.
So I guess what I am saying is, thank you all whoever reads this that knows me. Thank you for being in my life at one point or another and keep me in your thoughts, prayers, and heart. I am always here if you need me for anything; talking, hanging out, whatever. Let us not allow the net to be our only source of communication and connection.
peace.
You see, we are shaped by those in our lives and that can be good or bad. But no matter what, we are inspired, corrected or cautioned by those in our lives. We have the opportunity to decide what decisions we make and to take the good the bad and the ugly and allow it to shape our futures. I am thankful of all the people who have been in my life. Those who have always and will always be there for me as well as those who have used or hurt me in the past. I am the type who doesn't hold grudges so I don't hold that in. But through forgiveness I have grown into a new person. Even those who may not care for me, I still care for them.
I am constantly learning more and more about myself and others through my own heart and what God has revealed to me. Of all the experiences I have faced and been through, I have grown into the person I am today.
So I guess what I am saying is, thank you all whoever reads this that knows me. Thank you for being in my life at one point or another and keep me in your thoughts, prayers, and heart. I am always here if you need me for anything; talking, hanging out, whatever. Let us not allow the net to be our only source of communication and connection.
peace.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Considering Death
What a crazy week. My friend at work lost her husband, I took my final exams in school for the semester, Samuel my son is starting basketball and my favorite time of year is fast approaching. Breath. So in the quickness of life, I have come to realize that life is but a flicker of a candle flame. Days come and go without ceasing and kids grow up fast.
I am approaching the 30 year mark and I guess I just think of the end sometimes. Not in an unhealthy way but as a motivator to enjoy this temporary life to the fullest. To spend much quality time with my family, friends, and neighbors so as to not waste it all. I have made an effort to not be on the net as much, I maybe watch 3-4 hours of TV during the week, and I really have made an effort to love my wife without abandon or getting so comfortable that either of us are not excited about our relationship. I guess you could say I am trying with all I have to die. To myself that is. What makes me happy more than anything these days is making others happy and hopefully that they would see the joy of Christ in me through my life. Friends, acquaintances, as well as, and especially family are my top priority in servanthood. My family obviously comes first as priority. It should be the call of the Church to emphasize this heart motivation of all its members. It is what the Church of Acts was built on, (Acts 2:42-47) So we see that this was the original design of the Church. But sadly, me included, there are so many who do not live this out on a daily/weekly basis so as to care for those in need in their own church, much less in society. This is sad to me, and I am asking constantly for the Holy Spirit to convict me and change my heart on this. Like I said at my friends husband's funeral service, I don't feel sorry for you, I care about you and Tom when he was living. Sadly I am not sure if he excepted Christ before he died. But I do know that I have an opportunity to still serve my friend and her family and my co workers are with me on that. Through Tom's death, I realized that there needs to be urgency in our actions. Especially Christians. The Great Commission calls us to spread the truth of Christ to all people and to make disciples. So I feel I am not as urgent in this as I should be.
I have spent the summer trying to get to know Tom more and he really took a liking to me. He felt in his heart that Christians were all hypocrites and judgmental but he said I was different somehow. It was really Christ living in me that he saw, he just didn't know it yet. Sadly, I was not urgent enough in sharing my faith with him, though he knew my heart on the subject it was open to him. I thought this weekend of how I was going to be more proactive in our friendship, and planned on taking him dinner this week. I was on my way to talk to him when I got the call. It was all over. He passed on Sunday morning. Doing my first funeral service ever, which was his request, I did not know what to say. I spoke to the congregation about who God is and how nothing can separate us from his love. I did not say whether Tom was saved or what his fate was, but I did offer an opportunity for the family, if they haven't already, come to start a relationship with Christ and start a new life of freedom and grace.
I only spoke what God laid on my heart and I hope it resonated. I hope you who are reading this, all 1 of you, or whoever you are, if you don't have a relationship with him, just ask and you will receive. No matter what you have done, he can redeem you. For it was His death on the cross that has put us in right standing with God, that whoever shall believe and trust in Jesus Christ, will be saved and can start a new life of freedom and grace that is unimaginable. For those who have this relationship with him, I would say that we should all be urgent with our faith. We do not know the time or the place or the last breath of ourselves or those around us. The way is simple, the yoke is light. This first really spoke to me this week and I hope it does you:
I am approaching the 30 year mark and I guess I just think of the end sometimes. Not in an unhealthy way but as a motivator to enjoy this temporary life to the fullest. To spend much quality time with my family, friends, and neighbors so as to not waste it all. I have made an effort to not be on the net as much, I maybe watch 3-4 hours of TV during the week, and I really have made an effort to love my wife without abandon or getting so comfortable that either of us are not excited about our relationship. I guess you could say I am trying with all I have to die. To myself that is. What makes me happy more than anything these days is making others happy and hopefully that they would see the joy of Christ in me through my life. Friends, acquaintances, as well as, and especially family are my top priority in servanthood. My family obviously comes first as priority. It should be the call of the Church to emphasize this heart motivation of all its members. It is what the Church of Acts was built on, (Acts 2:42-47) So we see that this was the original design of the Church. But sadly, me included, there are so many who do not live this out on a daily/weekly basis so as to care for those in need in their own church, much less in society. This is sad to me, and I am asking constantly for the Holy Spirit to convict me and change my heart on this. Like I said at my friends husband's funeral service, I don't feel sorry for you, I care about you and Tom when he was living. Sadly I am not sure if he excepted Christ before he died. But I do know that I have an opportunity to still serve my friend and her family and my co workers are with me on that. Through Tom's death, I realized that there needs to be urgency in our actions. Especially Christians. The Great Commission calls us to spread the truth of Christ to all people and to make disciples. So I feel I am not as urgent in this as I should be.
I have spent the summer trying to get to know Tom more and he really took a liking to me. He felt in his heart that Christians were all hypocrites and judgmental but he said I was different somehow. It was really Christ living in me that he saw, he just didn't know it yet. Sadly, I was not urgent enough in sharing my faith with him, though he knew my heart on the subject it was open to him. I thought this weekend of how I was going to be more proactive in our friendship, and planned on taking him dinner this week. I was on my way to talk to him when I got the call. It was all over. He passed on Sunday morning. Doing my first funeral service ever, which was his request, I did not know what to say. I spoke to the congregation about who God is and how nothing can separate us from his love. I did not say whether Tom was saved or what his fate was, but I did offer an opportunity for the family, if they haven't already, come to start a relationship with Christ and start a new life of freedom and grace.
I only spoke what God laid on my heart and I hope it resonated. I hope you who are reading this, all 1 of you, or whoever you are, if you don't have a relationship with him, just ask and you will receive. No matter what you have done, he can redeem you. For it was His death on the cross that has put us in right standing with God, that whoever shall believe and trust in Jesus Christ, will be saved and can start a new life of freedom and grace that is unimaginable. For those who have this relationship with him, I would say that we should all be urgent with our faith. We do not know the time or the place or the last breath of ourselves or those around us. The way is simple, the yoke is light. This first really spoke to me this week and I hope it does you:
