Isaiah 6:8

One Minute Sermon

2011-01-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

I recently came across a video of a gal who made up a rhyme/rap about one minute long where she lays out all that is needed to deal with today. It applies well to our entertainment centered American culture. I found it transcribed as well and wanted to post it here to remember and for others to read as well. Click on the link at the bottom of the post to see/download the video (right click to 'save as...').

------------

To be a survivor in this Amazing Race with the need for speed you need God’s Grace and if your desperate like housewives watching days of our lives, you can’t cope without hope and that is not on a soap. If you’re looking to Oprah or Dr. Phil you can shop non-stop or pop a pill, but the void won’t fill and the pain won’t kill until you love the one that hung on a hill.

Kicking back in your lazy boy easy chair watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, nah your not gonna find it there. No American Idol or Council Tribal has the final answer that will satisfy ya. C. S. I. ain’t got a clue. S.V.U. don’t know what to do Not the E R or the OC not those seen on a CD TV DVD or MP3 can save you and me.

CNN has got no Good News here’s a headline you must choose. It’s not a simple life Paris Hilton, It’s treading on thin ice living in sin. You can be an apprentice for Donald Trump or eat Fear Factor fast food from a dump. You can be a heavy hitter or wheel of fortune winner or a Fox news no spin spinner or flat out sinner but you better check this life that you’re livin’ and make sure your sins are forgiven.

I bet ya 50 cent Elvis done come and went, and eventually every Black-eyed-pea, Gwen Stefani, P-Diddy and Britney. Every wanna-be on M T V with their Icy Bling, every Dixie Chick that Sings, they all gonna see the king of kings.

I don’t care if you’re J-Lo, Leno or Bono. One thing you gotta know. Some day you’re gonna die, Bro. Then Where are you gonna go? Hey, I’m not talking some punk junk that is irrelevant. Like your Grandma’s church from way back when. It’s not some preacher feature on T B N. that you need to be liking or listening.

The real superstar is Jesus Christ. He’s the way, He’s the truth and the life. One day he’s gonna split the sky. He is the brightest light and the highest high and so what I came to say and what I’m telling you is don’t buy that stupid stuff they be selling ya. it’s all designed to fill your head and waste your space until your dead.

Here’s the bottom line in my rhyme. Give your life to God while there’s still time.

See video here

God Speaks

2010-12-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Early this morning during my "quiet time", I was reading through Luke 1 and 2. I have been trying to spend time lately studying and praying about the birth of Jesus and all the events that surrounded this amazing time in history. For good reason of course as Christmas is coming and it is top of mind. But this morning I was struck with a new truth. This truth is not a new "revelation" per se, but something I did not expect the Lord to be teaching me. This truth is the various ways that God speaks to us if we are willing to listen.

In the past decade of my spiritual journey with Jesus, I have experienced some pretty amazing things. Miracles I guess you could call them. But for me, they have been the undeniable leading of the Holy Spirit and God's ways of directing me where He wants me. God knows me so intimately that He knows EXACTLY how to reach me with whatever He is trying to teach me. When I look back over the past 10 years I can see a pattern. Being relatively young in my faith 10 years ago, God has shown me His power and has "spoken" to me that cannot be attributed to anything else but to His "voice."

I was reminded this morning of how God has spoken to me. Nine years ago I was at a turning point in my faith. I knew that God was real; I knew He wanted more for and from me; and I knew He wanted ALL of me, not just a portion. I was ready to devote all of myself to him (or so I thought then). The gifts He has given me to see something and make it better (in our fallen state) and to create something out of very little (graphic design) I was and continue to be determined to devote to Him for His glory and purposes.

I was reminded of this by how the angel Gabriel came to Mary and spoke to her and that she would give birth to a child and that He would be the Savior of the world, the Messiah that had been spoken of for centuries prior. The cross reference in this part of Luke took me to Hebrews 1 where the author describes Jesus. In Hebrews 2 it then refers to Psalm 22:22, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." Chapter 22 of Psalms is a Messianic chapter, meaning it accurately describes the coming Messiah and what He will endure. It is prophecy. Not only is it prophecy of the coming Messiah, it was in a dream I had nine years ago. Very clearly I saw the word Psalm and many "double 2s" (22, 22, 22, 22...). God was telling me that, yes, I will use you to proclaim the coming of the Lord, that I (God) will use you to encourage and build up the body of Christ.

God has spoken to me in many other ways over the past decade, but one thing they all have in common is they are attached to God's Holy Word, the Bible. In every case, the leading I received from these "chats" with God were followed up by a scripture. I put all my trust in God and I believe that what the Bible says is literally God's words spoken to men, like you and I, and written down for all to read. I believe we are to take them literally and DO what they say. When Jesus said "GO into all the nations..." in Matthew 28:19, it was not preceded or followed by "if you want to." It was and is a clear command. I do not want to let down my Heavenly Father. I want to be used to the full extent of what HE intends for me, because I know there isn't a life worth living unless it is lived FULLY for God.

How are you "going" into all nations? How have you been blessed? God blesses with time, money, abilities, etc. so that we can use those to bless (and ultimately love) others. Are you using those blessings to further God's Kingdom? This is not only my challenge to you, but a reminder to myself to pick up my cross DAILY and follow Him where He leads. It's a reminder of how the creator of the universe, of life and all the incredible intricacies of it, has set in place every event and time for a purpose. It's a reminder of His love for me that He has set me apart for a purpose -- that He has spoken to me literally and that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. It's a reminder of sacrifice and the blood that was shed for me. I am indebted to Jesus for what He did for me on the cross. He wasn't just a man. He was and is God. How can I give Him any less than all?

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill?

2010-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

I suppose that, "All of them," isn't quite the answer you are looking for. In reality, Jesus did fulfill all of the prophecies pertaining to the coming Messiah. I will get into some examples in a moment. But, first of all, what is a prophecy? It is God speaking through a servant-a prophet-to describe a coming event long before it happens. There are over 400 prophecies in the Old Testament which point to the coming Messiah and to His life and death. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled every single one of them. The odds of someone doing that who was not the Messiah are too great to even figure. It is impossible.

Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel." Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary.

Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of there shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old; from everlasting." Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Also prophesied were events like John the Baptist preparing the way, Jesus teaching in Capernaum and Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt.

Psalm 41:9 even foretells Judas' betrayal, "Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me." And Zechariah 11:12 perfectly predicts the payment Judas would receive, "I told them, 'If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.' So they paid me thirty pieces of silver."

Jesus' death on the cross was prophesied to the smallest detail. Isaiah 53 spoke of His sacrificial death paying the price for the sins of all. Psalm 109:25 tells that He would be mocked by those who watched. Psalm 34:20 records the miracle that would happen when none of His bones were broken. Psalm 22:18 says that people would gamble for possession of His clothing. Psalm 31:5 contains the words that Jesus said when He committed His spirit into His Father's hands. Isaiah 53:12 says that He would plead for the forgiveness of those who persecuted Him. Amos 8:9 records the darkness that would follow the death of the Messiah. To find evidence that Jesus fulfilled all of these prophecies, read the gospel accounts of His life and death.

As I said, there are over 400 prophecies that Jesus perfectly fulfilled. This evidence of His Lordship is indisputable. If you have never turned your life over to Him, He is anxiously awaiting the day that you look to Him for salvation. The Bible says that every person is a sinner and in need of forgiveness in order to have eternal life in heaven with Jesus. Go to the Lord in prayer, admit that you are a sinner and desire His forgiveness to cleanse your heart and life. Jesus promises, in the Bible, that He will answer that prayer immediately. Then you can begin to walk with the Lord daily through prayer and Bible study. God bless you as you begin your walk with Him.

He will RISE

2010-04-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Reprinted from www.gty.org:

Without the resurrection, our Christian faith would be just wishful thinking, no better than human philosophies and speculative religions. In fact, the noted seventeenth-century philosopher John Locke, some of whose ideas were incorporated into the Declaration of Independence, wrote, "Our Saviour's resurrection is truly of great importance in Christianity, so great that His being or not being the Messiah stands or falls with it."

Every Easter the newspaper runs an article that casts doubt on the resurrection. Just how important is the resurrection to the Christian faith?The oldest Scripture passages contain the message of resurrection hope (see Job 19:25-26). Death has never been the end for the believer, but simply a gateway to eternal life in heaven. Abraham was ready to sacrifice his only son Isaac because in faith "he considered that God is able to raise men from the dead" (Hebrews 11:19). The Lord assured Daniel that believers "will awake ... to everlasting life" (Daniel 12:2).

The resurrection was the focal point of Christ's teaching to the disciples about His sufferings and death: "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). It is therefore completely understandable that Mark and the other three gospel writers all included an historical account of Jesus' resurrection in their narratives.

Paul knew that without the resurrection our salvation could not have been possible (1 Corinthians 15). He was also convinced a person couldn't be saved without believing in the resurrection of Jesus: "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).

It's no wonder Paul, the other apostles, and every leader in the early church continually proclaimed Christ's resurrection as the culmination of His ministry. Those men were so captivated by the significance of the resurrection that they could not help but preach it. And that should be our attitude today.

Profile of the obsessed

2010-03-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

I was moved to write about a topic that has been continually on my mind lately. That is the purposeful pursuit of holiness and knowing the Creator in a personal and intimate way. I am writing these things because I am heartbroken to the state of Christians today. I am not in any way leaving myself out of this statement. I am guilty of not revering God they way he should be.

The following describes what Christians should be, but mostly are not. The following is something I strive for and need God's help and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to accomplish. I pray it motivates you to become obsessed for the One who created you, loves you, died for you and now is your advocate in this life and beyond.

Adapted from the book 'Crazy Love,' by Francis Chan.

Obsessed: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.

People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.

People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and that poor so often because it was really important to him. (1 John 2:4-6; Matthew 16:24-26).

Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day" (Luke 14:25-35; Matthew 7:13-23; 8:18-22; Revelation 3:1-6).

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough," and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matthew 5:16).

People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving his people (Matthew 13:44; John 15:8).

People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26).

A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.

People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; he is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with him. They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.

A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying "Thank You!" to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.

What is love?

2010-02-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

A free gift for those who want to know what true love is. John 19:1-3

Set this as your desktop background. Just click the image to see it larger and right click to 'save as...' or 'Set as Background' (Internet Explorer) or 'Set as Desktop Background' (Firefox).

Praise to the Creator

2010-01-31T06:55:00.000-08:00

It's dark outside... woke up at 5:45 am this morning wide awake. I typically get up around 6:30 to be with the Lord in prayer and in the Word, but this morning was different. I felt a strong urging to get out of bed. I opened the Word to Psalms and began reading. I have read Psalms many times over, but this morning every word jumped off the page. I feel the Lord is telling me to write down what I am reading so that He can receive praise and glory for WHO HE IS. I cannot express in my finite mind the glory of God, so I will repeat what those wrote many, many years ago about the One who created all things, who is not created, but IS. I feel led to write these Psalms as my heart's prayer to the Lord.

The following are verses I am pulling from all throughout the Psalms, in no particular order, but as the Lord directs me: (all NIV)

I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
I seek you with all of my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
I will not neglect your word.
I am a stranger on earth.
Teach me your decrees!
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings,
and will not be put to shame.
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
Teach me your decrees!
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm... Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
Save me, for I am yours.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth.
My zeal wears me out!
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked.
Give me understanding according to your word.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Blogging MORE!

2010-01-29T10:26:00.001-08:00

Ok, it's time to start. I have been wanting to journal my experiences lately with the whole journey I've been on with missions and my daily walk with God. Mainly for my own purposes, I will begin blogging more so I can look back at where I have been and where God has led and guided me. At least once a week I want to post something, at the very least giving an overview of where I have been spiritually and where I see God working. The most important thing to me is being in God's will. To know His will is like the key to all understanding. In order to do this, however, we must know the Holy Spirit. To know the Holy Spirit, we must know Jesus. You see the pattern here... God wants us to give all of us to Him. Selfishness is the world's way. Selfishness is doing ANYTHING outside of God's will. This blog will now serve as a way to keep myself in check, to look back and see the patterns in my life and how closely I stay (or not) in His will.

CBN reports on Haiti earthquake with mention of Salem Evangelical Church team currently in Haiti:

2010-01-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

Be Holy because I am Holy

2010-01-08T15:50:00.000-08:00

My prayer and heart song to the Lord of Lords:

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what
You want for me, for me

Holiness, holiness is what I long for (that's what I long for)
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what
You want for me

Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need (thats what I need)
Righteousness, Righteousness is what
You want for me, for me
So, take my heart and mold it

So, take my heart and mold it (So, take my heart and mold it)
Take my mind, transform it (Take my mind, transform it)
Take my will, conform it (Take my will, conform it)
To Your, to Your, oh, Lord (Take my will, conform it)

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for
Brokenness what I need (gotta be broken)
Brokenness, brokenness is what
You want for me, for me
So, take my heart and mold it

So, take my heart and mold it
Take my mind, transform it
Take my will, conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Take my will, conform it (Take my will, conform it)
Take my mind transform it (Take my will, conform it)
Take my will conform it (Take my will conform it)
To Your, to Your, oh, Lord (To Your, to Your, oh, Lord)

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I know I need
Holiness, holiness is what
You want for me
I want to be holy

Its what you want for me
I got to be holy

It's what you want for me

(lyrics to Sonic Flood's "Holiness")

What Christmas is ABOUT

2009-12-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

Remember that Christmas is NOT about presents, it's not about lights, it's not about family, it's not about food, it's not about shopping, not about gold, tinsel, silver, wrapping, bows, Santa, reindeer, or snow. No it's not about any of these things. IT'S ABOUT THE KING OF KINGS.

It's about a baby in a manger, born as a King. It's hard to describe the King, but here goes anyway:
He's the King of the Jews.
He's the King of Israel.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's savior.
He's the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's honest.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.
He's the grandest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in high criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
He's a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the master of the mighty.
He's the captain of the conquerors.
He's the head of the heroes.
He's the leader of the legislatures.
He's the overseer of the overcomers.
He's the governor of governors.
He's the prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.
His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable.

This post is in honor of my King Jesus! Praise His holy name!
(Credit to S.M. Lockridge and the sermon "My King")

The Story

2009-12-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

Learn how it all began and how it will never end...

Two opposing prescriptions for happiness

2009-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

Source

SELF-SAVING vs. SELF-GIVING prescriptions for happiness:

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I can get others to love me the right way how I want to be loved.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I learn to love others maturely.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I accumulate enough things for my own self-enjoyment.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy the more I use my things for the well-being of others.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I get enough time for myself to do what I want to do.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I learn how to use most of my time to serve other people.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I get circumstances going my way.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I love others regardless of my circumstances.”

RESULTS: Jesus promises that the SELF-SAVING life always results in emptiness for everyone who pursues it, while he promises that the SELF-GIVING life always results in true happiness for everyone who pursues it. Is this true? Look at our world today. Let's break down what SELF-SAVING and SELF-GIVING really means:

SELF-SAVING: Dissatisfaction. You may experience a temporary sense of happiness when you get some of the above—but it is fleeting—you need more next time to get the same lift, and it leads to long-term emptiness.

SELF-GIVING: Increasing contentment with what you have in the above areas—because you know that’s not what makes your life full and meaningful anyway. You often experience short-term excitement from giving to others—and definitely experience a long-term deepening sense of satisfaction that you have helped others.

SELF-SAVING: Relational failure. When people try to build a relationship based on expecting the other person to love them the right way, relational problems are bound to follow: usually either breaking the relationship off to find someone else who loves you better, or negotiated selfishness and parallel lives.

SELF-GIVING: Relational success. When even one person becomes committed to self-giving, it radically changes the dynamics. And when both people focus on how to give/serve (Rom. 12:10) rather than on expecting/demanding, the relationship ripens into something that, while not trouble-free, becomes more and more stable and enjoyable as the years go by.

SELF-SAVING: Emotional problems. Because your happiness depends on things you can’t control, this leads to a lot of anxiety about losing the things you have, lots of effort to control people and circumstances to get a sense of security, frustration and anger and bitterness when people disappoint you or block you from the things you want, increasingly chronic depression, etc.. And this gets worse as people get older.

SELF-GIVING: Growing emotional health. Because we are fallen and a sinful race, none of us is ever completely free from emotional problems. But we do see people who truly sell out to this get substantially free from anxiety and need to control and bitterness and depression—progressively delivered from unhealthy self-centeredness to wholesome other-centeredness.

Read Isa. 58:9,10 as a picture of the self-giving life and its results. When you make happiness your goal, it eludes you. But when you turn away from this and make serving others your goal, happiness finds you.

The self-giving life requires access to God’s love

But how can this be? It is counter-intuitive and seems crazy for one simple reason: Who is going to take care of me? What’s going to prevent me from being used up? That’s a fair question, and this is why the self-giving way of life is crazy unless the God of the Bible exists—a personal God who loves you and who will take care of you and who can indwell you as an inexhaustible source of love to give to others.

See what Jesus “knew” that enabled him to wash his disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:3,4). He knew that he was secure in his Father’s love (destiny; ultimate authority), and on this basis he could focus on serving his disciples even when he was in great need himself. So it is with us—and this is why Jesus called the disciples to love one another “as I have loved you” (13:34). This means not only that he set an example for them, but that they could depend on his ongoing love for them. Through our relationship with Jesus, we can know that our destiny is secure (Rom. 8:1), that God’s sovereign and loving hand is on all of our circumstances (Rom. 8:28), and that nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:37-39).

Read 1 Jn. 4:16-19. We are able to love others because God first loved us. As we come to understand and choose to believe the love that God has for us, we are perfected in loving others.

Even Matt. 16:25 presumes a love relationship with Jesus (“for me”).

So this is God’s wisdom—only the self-giving life brings true happiness, but you can live the self-giving life only when you have personal access to God’s love. And there is only one way to gain this access—through receiving Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus claims in this wonderful invitation (read Jn. 7:37,38). Have you made the decision to receive God’s love through Jesus Christ?

Do not live in fear!

2009-10-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

I knew a man once named Mike who was afraid of everything. I mean, literally, afraid of EVERYTHING! He was afraid of getting sick, of getting injured, of losing his job, of strife in his marriage, of giving into immoral desires, of being poor--and on top of all that he was afraid of what people thought of him with the smallest self-esteem of any person I have ever known. I asked him boldly one day, "why are you so afraid of everything?" His answer is what I expected. He answered, "I am afraid of what tomorrow might bring because I am not worthy of anything good." Wow. This guy was afraid of good things happening to him because he believed that they would be taken away. He was living in the past and never looked to the future or to any other source for joy and hope.

There are many people in our world today like Mike. Many people, especially the U.S., have hope in things that have no value. They measure their own value by the things they have, or the friends they associate with, or things they are "good" at. But those who have hope in these things must live in fear. If I put all my trust in these things I would be fearful too! But I do not fear anything. Why? Not because of my own strength and self-control. Trust me, NOT because of that! It is because there is a greater power at work within me that gives me strength every day to continue on. This power gives me hope for a future and I know without any doubt in my mind, that this power at work within me will be with me for the rest of my life and I will do things, say things, and experience things that are beyond what I can hope or imagine. This trust I have is not in things that will rust or get eaten away by moths. This hope is not in a career or status in society. No, it's an understanding of things to come, a knowledge that there is a greater power than myself and my circumstances.

I do not fear because Jesus died for my pitiful, selfish, sinful, deceitful self and gave me a new life, one full of hope, love, and confidence. I am confident God put me here on this planet in this time period for purpose and that he has done that for every other person in this world. Fear is only from those things that oppose God's plan. If we are to claim what God has purposed us for then we CANNOT live in fear. Fear is straight from the Liar and Deceiver himself, Satan. Do you have strife in your life? It is because of fear. Do you have uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring? It is because of fear.

READ the Word of God. The Bible is the best selling book of all times, not because of it's popular messages (in fact it is hated by many). It is called the Living Word because that is exactly what it is! It not merely a book with words in it. When read, the words are given power, literally. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

When you are hungry, do you eat? You feel hunger pains and your stomach growls. Are you feeling pain in your life? Is your body and/or your circumstances "growling" at you? We are given warning signs for purpose. If we did not feel hungry we would not eat and we would starve. As well as nourishing your body, you need to nourish your soul. In Scripture, King David declared God's Word to be sweeter than honey (see Psalm 19:10), and Job said that he treasured God's Word more than his necessary food (see Job 23:12).

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That statement has profound wisdom if looked upon in a spiritual sense. Do not let fear control you. Get into the Word of God, study it daily, keep a journal, and pray daily for the Lord of All to show you an abundant life free from fear.

A just God draws the line in the sand

2009-09-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

People have asked, “If my God is so loving and kind, why would He allow some people to go to heaven, while letting others go to hell?” I respond by saying that I do not believe that God has a scoring system for rating “when good is good enough to go to heaven” and “when bad is bad enough to go to hell.” God knows that all will fall short of the standard created by His Holy nature. Rather than thinking in terms of a wall between “good enough” and “bad enough,” think of it as everyone’s sinful nature being “incompatible” with God’s Holiness.

Jesus is God’s “line in the sand,” so to speak. Those who seek the light of His true nature and immortality will stand with Him. Those who prefer the darkness of the world’s lies will not. Although God wants an eternal relationship with everyone, He only makes the offer, we must make the choice. (Matthew 19:17)

Another question that relates to this last comment is this: “If my God is so loving and kind, why would He allow suffering and torment on Earth?” He ultimately wants us to seek Him. But He gives us free will so that we will follow Him willingly. Those who do not follow Him and serve the other side (the absence of light is darkness), cause this suffering and torment. For example, who do you suppose terrorists serve, a God of love or a god of suffering? It’s apparent it’s a god of suffering. That’s not my God.

In our fallen and sinful world there is decay. This decay goes through every living thing, including our own bodies. Those who fall to illnesses do so because of sin, the original sin of Adam and Eve, not because God caused it or because someone “deserves” it - there is no such a thing. But for those people who do suffer in this way, God’s ways and will is perfect. There is a purpose in it and it CAN be used for God's glory...

Chance at a new life

2009-08-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been reflecting on how I came to be a Christian and what that means. I chose to remind myself frequently of my past because I want to remember what Jesus has done for me, not just in the "spiritual" sense, but literally. I don't dwell on the past, as that would not allow me to move forward. But remembering who I was before I met Jesus, before I gave up my stupid ways, reminds me who I am living for. If you are a Christian, do you think about this? It's important because without our past we would have no witness or example at all as to why the heck we would put all our faith into this unseen person, Jesus.

It has taken several years (a decade in fact) to get to the point that I am at today. I lay my life at the feet of Jesus for him to take me and mold me into the man HE wants me to be. I was once heavily into alcohol and loved the party scene. Going to clubs, hanging out in the most obscene places. That was my life in my teens into my early 20s. Although I accepted Jesus and the fact that I believed he was and is truly God at age 19, I struggled to live out my new faith. After years of living as I did before I knew Christ, I realized one day that something needed to change. I was not going down the road I wanted to, struggling with my marriage, my job, everything. So with my wife, we decided to make a real change. The year was 1998. We started attending church regularly and eventually found a "home" church that we would go to every week for the following 8 years.

Fast forward to today, two mission trips to India later, a leader of an international surfing ministry, ministry partner with several evangelists, going to an incredible mission-minded, spirit-led, praying church, and working for a Christian college. Not to MY glory, but to God alone. I am willing. I am ready. To live is Christ, to die is gain - dying to myself (Phil. 1:21).

Want to know more about who Jesus REALLY is? Not what you see on TV. Not what you typically know of at church. The REAL Jesus. He IS real and he has changed my life. I have seen him work in amazing ways. The things I have seen are not explainable in human terms, only spiritual. I'd love to talk to you about your walk in life and experiences. Give me a call or email: 503-320-4814 / corey@ckwells.com.

Encourage someone today

2009-08-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

"'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.'"
-Proverbs 12:25

The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. During his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, 'Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass [one of Whitman's recent writings]. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career.' It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature. But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he's not alone. When we're on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we're too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength. Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible:

'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad' (Proverbs 12:25).
'Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees' (Isaiah 35:3).
'For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'' (Isaiah 41:13).

Encouragement doesn't deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn't validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn't leave us alone to carry the burden; it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!

I pray you are encouraged by this...

What is your identity?

2009-07-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

Who are you? What do your closest friends associate with you? I have been thinking about this as I pray and read in my quiet time with the Lord. Recently family that I had not seen in many years came from the east coast and we caught up on the past 15 years. I was talking with some of them about what I liked to do as far as a hobby and surfing came up. I don't consider myself a great surfer, yet when they heard I surfed, it raised curiosity and my position with them. Funny thing about this is my parents also mentioned to them that I was a big time surfer. Is that my identity? Do I want to be associated with being a surfer?

This got me thinking about the different positions that people in the Bible held. Jesus was a carpenter, Peter was a fisherman, Matthew was a tax collector, but were they looked upon with this identity? Before they knew Jesus and laid down what they did to follow Him, yes I think they did hold these identities. It makes me wonder if my identity is where it should be. When people meet me and get to know me, will they know me as a surfer or something else? Or that guy who is sold out to Jesus?

I want people to remember me as someone who is wholeheartedly seeking the Lord. Surfer? Maybe. Jesus used many skill sets as examples (or parables) to relate to others about the Kingdom of Heaven. So surfing has its place; using it to relate life to one of faith following after the Lord, seeking His wisdom. But that is not what I want my identity to be solely. I want people to know that I love the Lord with all my strength and might. I want them to know that the greatest purpose for living is to please the Lord, glorifying Him in all we do. Of course this comes back to who we are, what we do. But do not to let WHAT you do supercede WHO you are; let WHO you are direct WHAT you do.

Rethink how you think

2009-07-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a great Q&A article by Rethink Magazine, a local Christian perspective mag in my area. The interview is with Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church. He poses very good insight into how we must rethink the way we think of ourselves as missionaries in the world around us.

rethinkmonthly.com

.

The Least of These - Part 2

2009-04-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!" (Matthew 25:31-45)

Jesus died for you and for me, and for the leper and for that man dying of hunger and that naked person lying in the street... Jesus insisted that we love one another as He loves each one of us. Jesus gave His life to love us and He tells us that we also have to give whatever it takes to do good to one another. And in the Gospel Jesus says very clearly: "Love as I have loved you."

Jesus died on the Cross because that is what it took for Him to do good to us - to save us from our selfishness in sin. He gave up everything to do the Father's will - to show us that we too must be willing to give up everything to do God's will - to love one another as He loves each of us. If we are not willing to give whatever it takes to do good to one another, sin is still in us. That is why we too must give to each other until it hurts.

It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is not true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.

It hurt Jesus to love us. We have been created in His image for greater things, to love and to be loved. We must "put on Christ" as Scripture tells us. And so, we have been created to love as He loves us. Jesus makes Himself the hungry one, the naked one, the homeless one, the unwanted one, and He says, "You did it to Me." On the last day He will say to those on His right, "whatever you did to the least of these, you did to Me, and He will also say to those on His left, whatever you neglected to do for the least of these, you neglected to do it for Me."

When He was dying on the Cross, Jesus said, "I thirst." Jesus is thirsting for our love, and this is the thirst of everyone, poor and rich alike. We all thirst for the love of others, that they go out of their way to avoid harming us and to do good to us. This is the meaning of true love, to give until it hurts.

-------

The above is an excerpt from a speech given by Mother Teresa in February, 1994, at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. It plainly states that we, as believers in Christ Jesus, must treat one another, our neighbors who are those all around us including the homeless, the overlooked and the oppressed, with the same love that Christ showed us by dying on the cross. Are you living your life as one who is convinced that you are doing all you can to show the love of Christ to your neighbors?

I have been bombarded lately with a burden for those people who do not know who Jesus is. When walking by people I wonder, "Do they know Jesus? And him? And her?" Because if they don't and if I don't do all I can to share the hope that I have found in Jesus with them, will anyone ever?

It's not only the fact that putting faith in Jesus will secure a place in Heaven when they leave this earth (God does not know sin and you cannot enter His presence with the guilt of sin - Jesus is the answer for our sin and he bore it on the cross and enables us to be in God's presence). It's the fact that living here on earth without Jesus creates hopelessness. It creates a false sense of security in the things that our world says is security - money, possessions, sex, success, etc. And why live life with a blindfold on when you can live it with a renewed view of the world? In this world we live in today, I cannot in my lifetime remember a time when the world has needed more hope. Markets are failing, money is worthless, jobs are scarce...

What have you done to those who have nothing? If you have a job in the U.S. you are among the richest 2% of the worlds population. So don't whine about not having anything or not having the perfect job, or best car, or nicest neighborhood to live in. You are blessed. But why? To bless others!

-----

I am your:
brother
sister
father
son
mother
daughter
friend
neighbor

I AM

Jesus and Mohammad Compared

2009-04-13T09:57:00.001-07:00

Here is an interesting comparison (with references) between Jesus (of Christianity) and Mohammad (of Islam).

Muslims around the world putting their faith in Jesus Christ

2009-04-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

I was recently emailed an article that really caught my attention. As one of my regular prayers, I ask my Lord to work in the hearts of the many people around the world who do not know Him. I especially pray for the Muslims and Hindus as they have a special place in my heart. The article below was written by The Revelation Files.

=================

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (KJV). Guess what? He wasn't kidding. You rarely hear about it on the news. You rarely even hear about it in churches in the West, in the East, or even in the Middle East. But the big, untold story is that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in history.

After criss-crossing the Islamic world over the last several years and interviewing more than 150 pastors and ministry leaders operating deep inside the most difficult countries for Inside The Revolution, I can report that in Iran, more than 1 million Shia Muslims have turned to Christ since 1979. In Pakistan, there are now more than 2.5 million followers of Jesus Christ. In Sudan, there are now more than 5 million followers of Christ. Not every country has seen millions leave Islam to become adherents of the New Testament teachings of Jesus. In Syria, there are between 4,000 and 5,000 believers, but this is up from almost none in 1967. In Saudi Arabia, there are about 100,000 followers of Jesus now, up from almost none in 1967. But overall, the trend has been dramatic and largely unreported.

For many Muslims, despair and despondency at what they see as the utter failure of Islamic governments and societies to improve their lives and give them peace, security, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life are causing them to leave Islam in search of truth. Some have lost their way entirely and become agnostics and atheists. Others, as we have seen, have sadly turned to alcohol and drug abuse. But millions are finding that only Jesus Christ heals the ache in their hearts and the deep wounds in their souls.

For other Muslims, it is not depression but rage that is driving them away from the Qur'an and the mosque. They are seeing far too many Muslim leaders and governments and preachers both advocating and acting out cruelty toward women and children and violence even against fellow Muslims. Not all of these find Jesus in their journey away from Islam, but millions do, especially since the 9/11 attacks against the United States. In fact, while this backlash against the theology and practice of Radicalism has been building since 1979, I first began to detect it during my travels in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East soon after 9/11. Again and again, I would meet people who had long been devout and traditional Muslims who told me that they had watched with horror as Arabic television networks constantly replayed the images of commercial airliners hijacked by radical Islamic jihadists flying into the World Trade Center.

First they found themselves weeping. But then they saw other Muslims cheering, and their sadness turned to anger as they asked themselves, "Is this who we really are? Is this what it really means to be a Muslim? To fly planes into buildings and kill thousands of innocent civilians? Because if it is, then count me out. How could I possibly be part of a religion or a political movement that glorifies and celebrates death?"

That said, what intrigues me is not simply that the Revivalists say the greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East is under way. What intrigues me is that Islamic leaders are worrying in public that a Christian surge is taking place in the region.

In 1993, a Saudi sheikh by the name of Salman Al-Odeh delivered a sermon entitled "Christian Missionaries Sweeping the Islamic World." He argued that "in Spain [Christians] have the biggest center of missionaries to Africa. They are trained really well, and their efforts lead many Moroccans to convert." He then cited the World Christian Encyclopedia- which he described as a "dangerous survey" - and warned his fellow Muslims that "the number of Christians in Africa was 9 million only in 1900 AD, or . . . 9 percent of the whole population. In the year 1980 they became 200 million! . . . They jumped from 9 to 200 million in 80 years [and the survey's authors] expected them to reach 390 million in the year 2000, or 48 percent of the whole population of Africa."

Eight years later, in December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad Al Qataani, another significant Saudi cleric, appeared in a live interview on Aljazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. "In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity," Al Qataani warned. "Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity."

Let me give you an example.

I met "Shakir" during my first trip to Iraq in February of 2008. Another fearless and effective evangelist, church planter, and pastor in his war-torn country, Shakir (pronounced "Shah-keer") has a tremendous passion to care for the poor and needy, preach the gospel-especially in villages and rural areas-and help young converts from Islam study the Bible and become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. But this was not always the case. Indeed, how Shakir became a Christian and entered full-time ministry is one of the most fascinating testimonies I have personally had the privilege of hearing firsthand. What's more, spending time with him helped me understand more fully the theology of the Revivalists.

Our journey to a humanitarian relief project we were doing together was long and dusty and required our little team, traveling in an old Chevy Impala, to pass through numerous military checkpoints, each manned by heavily armed Iraqi soldiers and policemen checking passports and asking questions, all on high alert for members of al Qaeda and the Mahdi Army. Along the way, I found myself staring out at a landscape that was often as barren as the surface of the moon, covered with rocks, nearly devoid of vegetation, and only scarcely populated. During a lull in the conversation with an Iraqi in the car whom I had known for several years, I asked the meek-looking and mild-mannered Pastor Shakir how he had become a Christ follower and a pastor.

"Were you raised in a Christian home?" I asked through our translator.

"No," he replied quietly. "I was raised a Muslim."

"Really!" I said, a bit startled. "What did you do before becoming a pastor?"

"I was a jihad cell commander."

I gulped. You don't say, I thought. He certainly had my full attention now. "Please, tell me your story," I said eagerly, pulling out my notebook. Shakir graciously agreed.

He explained that he was born in 1975 to a devout Sunni Muslim family and that as he grew up he became deeply religious. Even at an early age, he loved going to the mosque regularly, and by the age of seventeen, he had joined a secret Radical Islamic movement. He studied hard and learned quickly, and before long he was teaching the Qur'an in various mosques.

"My leaders then sent me to a military training camp where I was trained to use light weapons-pistols, machine guns, and RPGs [rocket propelled grenades]-against the infidels," he told me. "I was so excited because I wanted to do jihad for God. I was fully convinced that the Shias and the Christians were blasphemers and that if I killed them I would be blessed."

After successfully completing "Terrorism 101," Shakir was made a jihad cell commander and was ordered to quietly recruit other jihadists. "I soon had a group of my own followers," he explained. "I would put them through this military training and then help them get jobs in different government offices and other shops and businesses so they could spy for me and be in position to do great damage when we launched the overthrow of Saddam and his regime."

One day, one of Shakir's Radical Muslim disciples came to him and said that someone was distributing Bibles to everyone in the machine shop where he worked. The disciple was very angry and told Shakir that he had cursed out everyone in the shop, collected all the Bibles, and promptly destroyed them. All but one.

"He brought one Bible-a New Testament-to me and said I should read it and see how to react to it and counter it," Shakir explained. He said he praised his disciple for acting quickly and decisively. Then he sent the disciple away and took the Bible home, and that night he began to read the Gospel according to Matthew.

"I read the book very fervently to find all the blasphemies and corruption," Shakir said. "But I discovered the words started affecting my mind, and my heart started changing. These were powerful words, not human words. They seemed to me like God's words. But I thought, 'How could this be?'"

Shakir became deeply troubled. He kept reading through Matthew but was ashamed of himself because rather than finding fault with these Christian Scriptures, he found himself completely intrigued. He had so many questions. But whom could he ask? He couldn't very well start discussing the life and teachings of Jesus with the members of the terrorist cell group he was leading. He couldn't very well ask questions of the terrorist leaders above him. He didn't dare seek out any Christians. So night after night he kept reading the Gospels, searching for answers. The more he did, the more troubled and anxious he became.

"After reading the Bible in a deep way, I began comparing it with the Qur'an," he told me. "I was so confused, and in my confusion, I began pleading with God, 'Please show me Yourself.' I begged God, 'Please, show me the right way-is it the Qur'an or the Bible?'"

This went on for several nights.

"One night," he said, "I was really pleading with God fervently to show me the true, straight path. And that night I had a dream. I found myself standing on the side of a road. There was a large crowd gathered on both sides of the road, and they were cheering and very excited. And I realized that they were awaiting a parade to go by. So I looked down the road to see who was coming, and I saw many prophets riding on horses coming towards us. Suddenly Jonah was riding by. And then David. And Abraham. And Moses-riding on high, strong horses. Everyone was cheering and I was cheering. It was so exciting to see these prophets."

Shakir kept waiting for Muhammad to come riding by as well, but Muhammad never came. He was not in the parade of prophets. Instead, Shakir said that "at the end of the procession, I saw another person riding, but He was riding on a donkey instead of a horse. He was wearing a white robe, and His face was covered by a white shroud. When this person approached, for some reason I heard myself calling out to Him and asking, 'Are you Jesus?' Like I said, His face was covered by a white cloth. So I couldn't really see His face at that moment. But when He heard my question, the man pulled the cloth away from His face and smiled at me and nodded yes.

"Something came from His face that filled me with a joy I had never felt in my whole life. I started shouting, 'I saw Jesus! I saw Jesus!' I was so happy and so joyful and I was laughing. But as soon as I woke up, I realized that my pillowcase and my sheets were all wet around my head. I realized that at some point during my dream I had been crying-sobbing-in shame for all of my sins, for all of my hatred."

Shakir said he found himself overcome with the realization that he had been so wrong about God, about Islam, about terrorism. He also found himself incredibly grateful and humbled that Jesus would come and rescue him and forgive him of all of his sins and set him on the true path to heaven.

"I felt a strong joy, and I wanted to find my Muslim disciples and tell them that I loved them and that Jesus loved them," Shakir explained. "After that dream, my life was completely changed. I was eager to evangelize-to tell people about the love of Jesus Christ. I couldn't hide that joy. The more I read of the Gospels, the more I felt I had to tell people about this love of God, even people that I had hated. This was not easy. I was mocked and persecuted by many. Once I was beaten by eight people. I was nearly assassinated three times. But it is okay. Since I came to know the Lord Jesus as my Savior, I am ready to put my life-and my family-as a sacrifice for Jesus."

What a remarkable transformation, I thought as Shakir finished his story. He seemed to be thinking the same thing, for when our time was up and the interview was over, Shakir stood up, looked me straight in the eye, and without any expression on his face said, "Joel, you are very lucky." "Yes, I think that's true," I said. "But why do you say it?"

He took a deep breath. "Because if I had met you in 1993, I would have killed you immediately."

My pulse quickened, and then he added, "But now you are my brother in Jesus, and I love you!"

A huge smile flashed across his face. He threw his arms around me and gave me a bear hug. I breathed a big sigh of relief, and-laughing-gave him a hug as well.

In Inside The Revolution, five core convictions held by all Revivalists are described. Here is the first - GOD LOVES ALL OF MANKIND.

Each and every one of the Revivalists I interviewed-including Shakir-noted with deep conviction that according to the Bible, God's defining character trait is love. The Bible teaches that God loves every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth-regardless of race, nationality, tribe, or language.

God loves all of us with an everlasting love. He loved all of us before we loved Him. He loves us so much that He wants to adopt us into His family as His children and let us live with Him in heaven forever. He loves us so much that if we let Him, He will be a Shepherd to us, guiding us, providing for us, protecting us, giving us rest, and taking care of us in every possible way. He loves us so much that if we follow and obey Him, we can actually become friends with Him and develop a personal, intimate relationship with Him.

Here are some of the verses the Revivalists point to in describing the love of this incredible God:

"God is love." -1 John 4:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." -John 3:16

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." -Jeremiah 31:3

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his lovingkindess is everlasting." -Psalm 136:1-3

"We love, because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God." -1 John 3:1

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:1-6

The Least of These

2009-03-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

This post has been copied from a blog I recently read. It was so impactful to me that I needed to share it here. Visit Least of These blog to read more.

God is Shuffling Along
He didn’t lift his feet, he slid them, as if skating on the concrete sidewalk.
Maybe he was old, but I couldn’t tell because he looked like a cave man, and it’s hard to read a cave man’s age.
Eyes looked out from sunken pools in his head, down at the ground where he shuffled.
And wild, long hair stuck out from all directions on his head. Some of it was matted.
I don’t know if he had lips. His beard had crept up his cheekbones almost to his eyes and crawled back down his face, past his neck, until it disappeared into his ragged coat.
From behind the wildness he mumbled.
I think he must have been saying, “Someone help me. God is in here somewhere, but no one can’t find him no more ‘cause he’s all crusted over and hid.”

God is Running Scared
Something was chasing him from up in the sky. Demons I guess.
He ran with a look of terror, and I thought in this heat that can’t be healthy because he’s old.
He was panting and sweating and grunting in terror.
He tripped, lost his balance and touched the ground with his hand. He didn’t fall, just stumbled and kept running.
Good thing, because I’ll bet those things in the sky chasing him might have caught up to him.
When he ran past I looked up to see what was terrifying him, trying to run him down so mercilessly.
Just blue skies. ‘Cept maybe those things from his memory. Demons from some war. Vietnam? Korea? Boyhood abuse?
I don’t know. But they had him running scared.He was too scared to talk, but I think he probably would have said, “Someone help me. God’s prints ha’ been swallowed up by all this fright and that terrible thing what happened to me long ago.”

Jesus Likes the Big Mac Value Meal
I once prayed walking to the McDonald’s in Santa Monica, “Jesus, I’d like to have supper with you.”
I stepped up to the counter to order and I saw him.
He was really skinny and ragged, but he did have that long hair, beard and mustache I had always imagined. Though I never imagined the body odor.
He was ordering just a cup of water.
“Would you like something other than water?” I asked.
“Sure.” He said. “I’ll have a Big Mac Value Meal. It’s number one.”
I knew this guy was Jesus because when we sat down to eat together he said right away, “You know, I’m sorta like Jesus. ‘The foxes have holes and the birds have nests but the Son of Man has no where to lay his head.”
I smiled.
“I have schizophrenia” he said, which is something I never knew about Jesus.
After dinner we tried to find him help, but it’s hard to help someone like that.
He’s alienated himself from everybody because he gets spooked by people easily.
“You can’t get close enough to see Jesus in me.” He says as he slips away, throwing me a suspicious glance. “He’s hidden here, and I don’t want no one to steal him.”

Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you mentally ill and shuffling or scared or hungry, and did not take care of you?'

Matthew 25:45 (NRSV)
Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'

Culture vs. Spiritual Oppression

2009-03-02T12:05:00.001-08:00

Why do you want to change their culture?

This is a question that I have been running across lately while exploring how missionaries have gone out into the world to share Christ with those who not have heard. Why do I want to change their culture by sharing Christ with them? What most people in this world do not understand is that, in most cases, "culture" is the special packaging that the world-centered view puts on spiritual oppression. Hinduism is a prime example of this. India's religion is mostly Hindu. And do you think it is a cooincidence that India has the largest number of people groups in the world who have never heard of Jesus? Not only that, but the fact that the Hindu religion have over 3 million gods? The rules and regulations that are in place for those gods, not even mentioning the oppression of society that comes from it, are enough to send an entire nation into spiritual darkness forever.

So why do I hear this question? Ignorance? Most likely. Most people in the world (i.e. the United States as that is our mindset as Americans) do not have a clue as to what Hinduism and other world religions do to a society of people.

A simple analogy: I live in the Pacific Northwest and there is a lot of moss and mildew here. Why? Because there is a lot of cold rain and darkness. If there was less rain there would be less darkness because of lack of clouds. Where the sun is, mildew and moss cannot survive. The same can be said of world religions. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through the me." -Jesus (John 14:6). Without the son darkness prevails and oppression flourishes. Are the people at fault for denying Jesus? Maybe, maybe not. I would say that most have never even heard his name, and of those who have they do not know the significance of his existence.

Bottom line is I love people. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" as it's been said. I have looked into the eyes and faces of many, many Hindu people. How can I walk by them without sharing the hope and love that I KNOW in my heart of hearts will change their lives for eternity? I cannot. In my eyes, to do so would be to condemn them to hell. Maybe someone else may tell them... but I can't take that chance. I want to share my hope with as many people as I can because I know that hope is real.

The Message in Art

2009-02-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Kind of going off track of where I normally go with my posts, I wanted to put up some artwork that I think speaks volumes to our culture today and some to our past. Some of the images below may speak differently to you than to me. I'd like to hear your comments on them so please leave me a message if you feel moved to do so.

"White Crucifixion" by Marc Chagall 1938, Art Institute of Chicago
Chagall is a Jewish artist - he painted this in response to anti-senisism and the plight of the Jewish people. Little did he know that his painting would have a much different meaning to those who follow Jesus, prominently centered in a beam of light and anchoring the chaos around him.

"Dream of Solomon" by Luca Giordano ca. 1693, Museo del Prado, Madrid
Take close note of the images and icons around Solomon and the image of God.

"Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Take a close look at the focal point, the tower. Notice the crumbling foundation, yet the top is new and still being built. There is a slight to the tower to the left - notice the city in that direction. Also notice the group of people in the lower left that appear to be following a figure in a white robe, bowing to him and holding spears.

"The Calling of Saint Matthew" by San Luigi dei Francesi, ca. 1599, Rome
This painting has an obvious message in it. Jesus (extreme right) calls upon Matthew (behind the table in the middle) to join him. Matthew, then Levi, is a publican, collecting taxes for the Romans, by no means a popular profession. Everyone is astonished. There is light on Levi's face. Jesus' finger is reminiscent of Michelangelo's spark of life for Adam in the Sistine Chapel. On the right, in front of Jesus – Peter.

And now to more modern day icons:

Mural of Statue of Liberty with a skull face in front of an American flag, former US Embassy, Tehran, Iran. Photo speaks for itself. This is typical anti-American propaganda initiated by Muslim extremists. This photo does not show it, but the red stripes turn into barbed wire down the wall.

Notice in this version the small cross on the upper lip of the face (click to enlarge).

And just for fun (but not very funny):
The 2018 White House lawn...

The hidden meaning to this post? To show that throughout history man has been called to serve God and that Jesus has been the center of this calling, from the tower of Babylon to the missionaries of today. Who is a missionary? You are! Every Christian man and woman IS a missionary. We are ALL commissioned to "go into all the world" and "make disciples."

More importantly, Jesus came to offer forgiveness to the world, including those who are raised from birth to learn hatred as a way of life (Jihads), by living a sinless life and dying on the cross. Did you know Jesus fullfilled all Bible prophecy in the Old Testament to the coming Messiah (over 400)? A Muslims' search for God (or any person for that matter) can be found in Jesus Christ. Once realization has been made that although God serves different functions through the trinity, He is one and only God. This is what is so hard to grasp for Muslims and Jews alike.

I pray that the God of peace and justice will soften the hearts of those who hate him so much.

Sold Out?

2009-01-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Are you sold out to Christ? If you claim to be a Christian, you should be. What does being "sold out" mean? It means doing what Jesus commanded us to do (a mandate) when he told us to go into all the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:9-20). Esther 4:14 tells us that "such a time as this" is the best time of all to tell others about Christ. "Do the work of an evangelist" is what we are told to do by Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5). Don't just merely believe in Jesus. Tell others! As a follower of Christ, you should know that those who do not know your savior Jesus, will be condemned to hell for eternity (Mark 16:16). This life is short and God gives us many opportunities to share our faith in Him with others.

But are we willing to listen? Are we willing to lay down our agenda and plans for His? Are we willing to pick up our cross and follow Jesus? What does that mean? It means you would die for Christ. It means that telling others about Jesus would be the most important thing in your life! If you don't, you are not sold out. You are lukewarm. Do you know what the Bible says about "lukewarm Christians?" Jesus tells us that we will be "spit out" (Revelation 3:16). Think in your head for a moment the kind of imagery that puts across. The Bible also tells us that in the last days (which have been occurring since the church was established in the first century) many hearts will grow cold. Hearts that have followed Him at one time... read on.

If you feel you are one of these people who calls himself or herself a Christian, but knows deep inside that your money and lifestyle comes before Christ, if you know that there is never any time to pray or have fellowship with God because of the time it takes to earn your money, party, play with all the toys that money can buy, read/watch pornography, enjoy R-rated movies, or just sit in front of the television for hours, then you are a "lukewarm Christian," and it's time to make a turnaround, before Christ spits you out, which I think means, you may be on your way to Hell.

God doesn't want us to just live. He wants us to LIVE! Living out loud, sold out to Jesus. Telling others, people we care about and love, what Jesus has done in our lives. Showing them by our past that He has made an eternal difference in our lives and showing that transformation in our lives. Live out your faith and tell others about Jesus. Show them that you are sold out to Him.

Artwork credit: Dave Kinsey © 2008 Check him out - incredible, sometimes disturbing visuals

Discipleship

2009-01-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Discipleship, by definition, involves following and obedience. In John 14:23 & 24a, Jesus clearly says, “If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” Our western way of thought quickly rebels against this word. We are not legalists. We do not live by rules to be obeyed. How dare Jesus equate obedience with whether or not we love him! Oh, I suppose Jesus can do that – HE IS THE TRUTH!

Actually, it is quite simple. If we love God, we trust God. We believe he desires the best for us and that he knows what is best for us. Therefore, if we love him, it would be foolish to disobey. We don’t have to understand everything; we do need to obey. After obedience, not before, we learn that God’s instructions are way cool, and they actually protect us from having a painful and messy life.

“God, I don’t understand why you aren’t healing Lucille, but I will still pray for her healing.”
“Lord, it is hard for me to love my enemy, but I will act good toward them.”
“Jesus, I can’t afford to give tithes and offerings right now, but I will because you told me to.”
“Father, I am so busy! Still, I will come and worship you and dedicate a portion of my time to ministry.”

Did you notice the promise that is given to those who obey? “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” I want that!

RUB OFF – RUB ON
We are witnesses of God’s love and guidance only when we are obedient. Through obedience we reveal to others the truth and ways of God. The unbeliever sees you acting so unworldly, and you are either ridiculed or you create wonder and curiosity in those around you.

“ What’s wrong with you? You never take things from the supply closet?”
“How come you never join with us when we’re telling jokes? Don’t you think they’re funny?”
“Why won’t you tell us what you think of her new boyfriend?”
“Why don’t you just call in sick if you want to go to the party?”
“Come on, take it, use it, do it! No one will ever know!”

I will know, and my Lord, who I love, will know. My life is good because I love and obey him, and I would be a fool to think I knew better than God!

IN THE MIRROR
For some odd reason, disobedience has become a common response in our lives, and is often considered not to be a big deal. Here is the truth:

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17
“We know that we have come to know him (Jesus) if we obey his commands.” I John 2:3
“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever.” I John 2:17

Too often we, like John’s audience, over-spiritualize stuff. We do not connect our daily life with our relationship with God. We borrow money, but we refuse to pay it back, or are late with payment. Is this the good thing to do? We think our homework is boring, so we blow it off. Is this the good thing to do? We are supposed to work our shift, but we call in with excuse after excuse. Others have to double up or come in on their days off. Is this the good thing to do? Our parents tell us to do something. We don’t like it, and we do what we want to do instead. Is this the good thing to do? The movie we rented is foul. We spent $3.49 to rent it, so we have to watch it! Is this the good thing to do? No, no, no, no, and no! And those acts of disobedience are sin because they damage others, yourself, and your witness for God.

Parents, it is of great importance when your kids disobey. If you do not punish and discipline when they disobey they will learn that disobedience is no big deal. Obedience is a big deal! Teach them consistently the truth of God: “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.” Proverbs 29:17

Live it out! Obedience is a matter of life and death for you and your children.

Too Busy to Pray

2008-12-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

John Wesley said, “It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”

Jesus was a man of prayer. Most often He prayed alone, and the supernatural pervaded the natural. The heavens opened, and the will of God was revealed as the natural was changed into the supernatural, and the Father was glorified.

Obviously, the disciples recognized the importance of prayer. And they must have marveled at His ability to minister to the needs of people they knew and lived with. Their lives were transformed. They never dreamed they would leave their life-long occupations to follow a man from village to village.

They knew about miracles, and maybe they thought the day of miracles was over. Their heroes of faith—Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and David—accomplished great feats.

They knew about supernatural provision, the dead being raised, and lepers healed. The Old Testament prophets performed the miracles Jesus was performing. They asked the Master to teach them to pray!

So often our prayer life is directed by circumstances, and we fail to see the core issues. The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how—if we will wait before the Lord in quiet meditation. He will show us things to come. If we ask and listen expectantly, He will give us the wisdom to handle situations correctly. When we’ve made mistakes, He will give us the tools for setting things right.

Do not allow the enemy to steal your prayer time. If you have been too busy to pray, don’t waste time berating yourself. Repent for your prayerlessness, receive your forgiveness, and worship the Father. If you simply don’t want to pray, tell Him how you feel, and ask Him to draw you to a place of prayer. Prayer is talking with the Father.

Unite with thousands who are praying for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Change begins with us. Our families, our communities, and the nations will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord! Purpose to pray prayers that avail much!

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? —Psalm 42:1–2

But those who wait on the Lord.
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31

Marriage was made for a man and a woman

2008-10-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

To those who cannot "understand and appreciate" the views of those opposed to same-sex marriage, I would like to provide some reason behind this opposing viewpoint.

You might say that marriage is not honored in our society (1 in 3 marriages end in divorce - see research), but this doesn't mean we should disregard its sanctity. Most who oppose same-sex marriage say that it's immoral and against their conscience. The Bible, being our moral foundation, gives reason as to why it's wrong.

Jesus said, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).

Marriage is defined in the Bible as one woman and one man becoming one flesh by covenant and sexual union.

The Bible also defines homosexual behavior as "dishonorable" and "contrary to nature" (Romans 1:26-27). Many will respond that this is imposing convictions on others. But all laws impose convictions on a culture, and all convictions come from worldviews.

This view is not to "control the lives and decisions of others," and it is not out of "ignorant discrimination and intolerance" as many claim. It is taking a stand in defense of what marriage is. As a follower of Christ I am entitled to my worldview - please do not be intolerant of this. It is man's right to choose what he believes. The choice to sin, the choice to not sin. To choose "right" or "wrong." I know what I believe to be true because I have a foundation for my beliefs and morals, not just simply I want to believe what I want to believe.

Muslims becoming Christians

2008-08-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

There is a revival happening in the Muslim community. There are more Muslims coming into a belief in Christ than in any other time in history. In the 1980's there were only 500 Christians in Iran. Today there are well over 1 million!! These are all Muslim converts. They are realizing that there is pain, fear and hate in their Muslim communities and beliefs. Please don't misread this. I AM NOT A MUSLIM HATER. I love these people and have spent time with them in parts of Asia. I pray for them daily as I know the hope that they need through Christ Jesus. He is the same today as he was 2000 years ago... please pray for the Muslims.

Israel is GOD's chosen country...

2008-08-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Against all odds, Israel has become an independent nation since 1948. What most people do not know is that the DAY after the signing of independence, Israel was attacked by every Arab nation in the middle east. Think about this for a moment. Israel has a population of 700,000. The Arab nations combined that attacked Israel on this day in history equals 50 MILLION muslims. They HATE Israel. Again, against all odds, Israel defeated these armies and defended their independence. Israel did not have any tanks. The Arab nations had nearly 5000. How did Israel win? Purely by a miracle of God on His chosen people. God protects those who he favors and who follow his laws.

Most people do not know that in 1973 the U.S. was very close to war with the Arab countries. Russia, who has always supported these Islamic countries, threatened the U.S. to remove their support of Israel during this time. Nixon responded by putting the nation on Defcon 3 alert and told Russia that such a notion is grounds for war (in so many words). Russia stepped down their support of the war after this.

One other thing most people don't realize is that a key Islamic leader was very good friends with Adolf Hitler during the world wars. The holocaust is one of the outcomes of this...

The reason I write these things is that we are involved in a Holy War. Whether you are "religious" or not, we are all in this together. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT NORMAL! They are not like Americans, or anything that we know of. Do Americans forget about 9/11? This was a terrorist attack. It was a MINOR attack! It did not involve the military.

I am concerned that the people of our "western world" have become blind to how the Islamic world views us. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. This is serious! Go ahead and think I am crazy if you must, just look at the facts in our world today. Consider the old testament book of Ezekiel 38:1-6 (the War of Gog). This is prophecy to what will come.

Revival?

2008-08-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

A touchy subject lately among evangelical and conservative churches and Christians in general is whether or not we are entering into a revival, much like the days of the Great Awakening of the 1700's. A revival is considered spiritual renewal in the life of the church. Are we entering into a revival? Many events throughout the world point to this. The 1960's through the 1980's was the official 4th revival in the history of the U.S. (called the Fourth Great Awakening). I think that the reason revivals occur is due to the extreme circumstances of our culture and where we are at, as a nation, spiritually, morally, and whether or not the Christian population is willing to step out in faith and believe that God can do anything.

The Bible says that in the last days, the Spirit of God will be poured out among the believers (Acts 2:14-21). Whether or not you believe this or not, the last days are NOW. Jesus' first coming, as God in human form, was the beginning of the last days. Jesus' second coming will be THE final day. So we are in the last days... why should we not expect that scripture is true and that the words in Acts (and many, many other passages) are for us NOW.

Let me rewind a little and enlighten... The U.S. is very much a blessed nation. And yes, it IS founded on biblical principles (whether you believe that or not is not an issue here - it is fact). Around the world are many other nations that have been suppressed by those who do not seek God and do not want him to rule over their land... and they have seen terror and calamity for ages. The Holy Spirit is very active in oppressed nations among the believers there. It has to be because of the power Satan has on other nations. I have seen things in third world countries (specifically India) that would scare people into belief in Jesus. Satan is real and his power is real. Just like the Holy Spirit, Satan can live IN us and I have seen this firsthand. Now why do I explain this? Because the U.S. is BLESSED. God has found favor with the leaders of our nation. He has found favor with our people. We are, in a sense, an extension of Israel. But this is slowly eroding away. As our culture embraces immorality (laws apart from God's laws), we drift further from God. Without belief in God (foundation for a moral truth), there is nothing to weigh morality against. As we take God's word away from our nation (removing scripture references, the 10 Commandments, prayer in public/government places, etc.), what we are doing is taking God away.

We either revive our nation or we perish. We are not invincible. God is. Do you want the power of the Holy Spirit? It will be poured out if only we ask. Believe in the power of God and share his saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ with people around you. He will give you gifts of the Spirit if you only believe that He can.

To sound like a drunkard (as the apostles were called in Acts), the end IS near.

Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'm not scared because your holding my breath, I only fear that I don't have enough time left, to tell the world that there's no time left...

Marine in God's service

2008-07-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

This post is copied from my friend at sleepybearhollow.blogspot.com. It was important enough to share:

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his Chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?" The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid things and act like an idiot. So, He sent me."

Heaven or Hell - Does it matter?

2008-05-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Eternal bliss far more surreal than we can ever imagine, without pain and suffering.
OR
Eternal pain in a lake of burning sulfur and fire...

What does it matter? Who cares? Live it up! Do what you want! You only have one life to live! Who are THEY to tell US how to live?! Why do they think they are so righteous? What hypocrites....

This is the scenario today. Complacency plagues our churches today. The typical Christian is merely existing and not being an example or expressing the forgiveness that they have received. People are dying daily without knowing Jesus. Do you know where they are now without having a personal relationship with Jesus? Hell. There are only 2 options. Yes, options. Are you making a difference? Do you know what God can do with you? Are you willing to let go of your SELFISHNESS and let God use you? You are NOT too weak. You are NOT too timid. You are NOT too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny. God can use you. Just be willing!

I am fed up. Sick even. Sick of people telling me that we must be "all love" and "no war." I didn't realize it was still the '70s... Does anyone even realize what God is capable of? He CREATED you. He created everything. EVERYTHING. Think about it. Don't you think that God can do infinitely more than you could ever hope or imagine? (Ephesians 3:20)

There is a sect of Christians today that claim that we should not express our belief on others, but to only live our life as an example. We should do this, but we are also told to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Do NOT for one moment take a scripture out of the Bible and use it against another without taking the WHOLE Bible into context. We are COMMANDED by Jesus himself to go into the world and make disciples! This means getting off your butt and telling people about the saving power, grace, mercy, hope and love of Jesus! Tell someone! It is by His grace we are healed. Allow Him to work in you and move you to share you faith with others.

Too bold? No. Too outright? No. Uncaring? NO! Do you want your unsaved friend to burn for eternity? Seriously. Hell has become an image of pop culture, one of Satan's ways to deceiving us into believing that it is cool (fire, skull and crossbones, demonic images, etc.). THIS IS REALITY. Don't let this world trick you into thinking otherwise. If you are OF the world then you are OF Satan. He has rule over it and will use all those who are OF it. To be IN the world means you understand this and will do as God wills you to share your testimony of coming into faith in Jesus with others. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this happens. This isn't just preaching as it might sound. This is real.

Fear tactic? Maybe. God uses fear to help us. Would you jump off of a cliff to your death if you didn't have fear? Probably. God gives us MANY examples to be fearful of Him so that we might turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. With fear also comes love. If we know God and fear Him for who He is, then we know we are loved by Him. Does a father let his child do whatever he pleases? No, he disciplines him and the child fears him. This fear is backed by love because the father knows what is best for the child. The child learns between right and wrong and in turn loves his father for his discipline. God wants what is best for us and it is clear that Satan has control over Earth. But God is greater than Satan. God created him. Don't be deceived by those who claim we shouldn't share our faith. Do we want to "convert" people to Christianity? YES! If they do not believe in the one and only Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, they are going to Hell.

The words are the same today as they were yesterday or 20, 100, 2000 years ago... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:16-21)

Taking it to new levels...

2008-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to those adrenaline junkies (you know who you are) that are looking for the next thrill. Remember, wear a helmet.

Find your Purpose

2008-03-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

As we go day-to-day through our lives, what stands out to you? What is your purpose? What are you good at? Do you excel in an area of your life? Does it have a positive influence on your life? Have you used this ability to help others? Why or why not? Do you want to excel or improve in an area that you feel you have a talent or ability in?

These are the kinds of questions we should ask ourselves every day. We have a purpose here, each one of us. We are each given things we are good at. But sometimes it is difficult to realize these abilities in our culture. America is full of people that are only out to please themselves. This is a destructive lifestyle. We need to look at what we do, as a career, as a hobby, everything we do and analyze it. Does it improve my life or does it take away? Does it give to someone else or does it harm them?

I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up... I am now grown up. But I have discovered through various events in my life that I am good at making things better. I have realized that seeing how something could make someones life easier or improving the way things were accomplished came from an early age. When I was 6 years old, I was very neat - still am. My room was never messy and I had an almost obsessive compulsive way about me to have things in order. Order equaled peace. Without order I was a mess. No pun intended.

In my early teens I realized I had an ability to invent. I have always been into cars no matter what the make or model. I loved the idea that you put the key in, turned it, the engine started, the gas pedal made it go, the shifter made it go faster, etc., etc. I loved to know how things worked. When I saw ways to make these things better, I would dream about how to do that. My mind would race (and still does) to the furthest expanse of my imagination. Then I would reel in to reality and decide what part of these dreams could actually be accomplished. In 8th grade, I went to a private school, Neskowin Valley School, nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range at the base of Cascade Head near the little beach town of Neskowin. There I discovered this ability even more so. I remember a project in particular where we were asked to invent something for our science class. Being a private school, we had no official school bus so we would carpool. I rode in another classmates parents minivan (a Ford Aerostar) that I got to know very well. Being into music my entire life (I had my first "walkman" when I was 8 and "Men at Work" and "The Cars" were my first exposure to "modern" music) I hated wearing those old foam headphones, so thought of adding small speakers into the headrests of the minivan and attaching them to the stereo controls in the back seats of the van. There were several other things I did that were "inventive" that are actually now standard in minivans today.

Later, after high school, and after encouragement from my wife, I went into college to study Computer Aided drafting. After a year of that I was bored so moved onto graphic design. This led to web design, photography, painting, and currently organizational skills for use within the college where I work. The whole purpose for explaining all of this is not to gloat about how "special" I am. It is meant to be an illustration of how we can look back into our life and see a pattern. Sometimes the patterns are not obvious at first but they ARE patterns. We can use this information to narrow down what we are good at and then consciously use these abilities.

The bigger reason for this post is not only to discover abilities. At the age of 19 I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior. To most (non-Christians) they don't really know what this means except that it has become a "catch-phrase" among Christians and Evangelicals. At the time, I really didn't know what it meant, except that I believed (like a mustard seed size) that I was not in control of my own life (rather I shouldn't be in control). High school was a blur and I did not want to keep down that beaten path. Something needed to change and I knew it wasn't within myself to make this change. My journey into my 20s went from surfing with Christian bros to partying again in Salem with old high school buddies during college years. My marriage, only 3 years old, was suffering because of my destructive behavior. A change was needed - again. My wife and I committed to going to church every weekend and haven't looked back. Since my recommitment 10 years ago, God has done amazing things in my life. I am humbled by his grace and mercy on my dirty soul. And best of all, I am forgiven for all that bad stuff I have gone through and every day of my life.

Abilities are given to us for a purpose. God's purpose. He buries them deep within us and slowly molds us to a point where we realize these are gifts from him. That is where the real fun begins. You want to know where JOY and HOPE comes from? It comes from changed lives. It comes from forgiveness. It comes from knowing Jesus on a personal level - not an unreachable god but a personal, loving, gentle, strong GOD. He loves you and wants a relationship with you. If you would like to know more about this contact me: corey@salemsurfers.com.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

Hindi translator on Blogger

2007-12-27T14:14:00.001-08:00

Hello friends! This post is specifically for my friends in India who may have trouble translating my blog posts। There is now a great feature with Blogger that translates English into Hindi! This translation is into the Devanagari typeface, which is a common Hindi print script. I am not sure how this will translate to the 18 different languages of Hindi or to the many more dialects of theses languages, but this is a start. Most of my Indian friends are from Tamil Nadu (Tamil dialect) so they will need to either read Dvanagari or know how to translate. Hopefully this will be useful to others!

To use this Blogger feature, install it into your preferences.

See below for the translation of the paragraph above:

हेल्लो फ्रिएंड्स! थिस पोस्ट इस स्पेसिफिकाल्ली फॉर माय फ्रिएंड्स इन इंडिया व्हो माय हवे त्रौब्ले ट्रांस्लातिंग माय ब्लोग पोस्ट्स. तेरे इस नो अ ग्रेट फेअतुरे विथ ब्लॉगर ठाट ट्रांस्लातेस इंग्लिश इन्तो हिन्दी! थिस ट्रांसलेशन इस इन्तो थे देवनागरी त्य्पेफस, व्हिच इस अ कोम्मों हिन्दी प्रिंट स्क्रिप्ट. इ ऍम नॉट सुर हाउ थिस विल ट्रांस्लाते तो थे १८ दिफ्फेरेंट लंगुअगेस ऑफ़ हिन्दी और तो थे मानी मोरे दिअलेक्ट्स ऑफ़ ठेसेस लंगुअगेस, बुत थिस इस अ स्टार्ट. मोस्ट ऑफ़ माय इंडियन फ्रिएंड्स अरे फ्रॉम तमिल नाडू (तमिल दिअलेक्ट) सो थे विल नीद तो एइठेर रीड द्वानागरी और क्नो हाउ तो ट्रांस्लाते. होपेफुल्ली थिस विल बे उसेफुल तो ओठेर्स!

तो उसे थिस ब्लॉगर फेअतुरे, इंस्टाल आईटी इन्तो यौर प्रेफेरेंसस.

Song's words sum up my life

2007-12-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Mark Hall, lead singer and creator of music group Casting Crowns, uses words that we can all relate to in his music. Honestly, I have never really liked his music, probably because it is overplayed on Christian radio stations. But I actually listened to the lyrics of their most popular song "East to West" and it hit a chord with me (no pun intended). I was curious as to how this guy goes about his life and discovered that he is very humble and realizes his gifting. I read recently this from him concerning his new album The Altar and The Door:

“When we’re at the altar, everything makes sense,” Hall says. “We know what we’re supposed to do. We know how we’re supposed to live. Everything’s black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out, and everything gets gray again. The Christian life is the journey between the altar and door, trying to get the things you’ve got in your head, into your hands, feet, into your life. The Altar and The Door is all about the journey. The realization on the journey, the struggles and the victory of seeing it as possible.” (source)

And here are the lyrics that caught my attention, realizing that we all struggle with this as Christians and dealing with our day-to-day walk with Jesus.

East to West
By: Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight

I know you’ve cast my sins as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now
As though I’ve never sinned but today
I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day the war begins
And less reminding of my sin
Time and time again
Your truth Is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I know you’ve washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
But by the truth your word reveals
I’m not holding on to you
But you’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Jesus, you know just how far
The East is from the West
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
(The arms of your mercy I find rest)
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other (x2)

(Just how far, the East is from the West) (x3)

From one scarred hand to the other…

Isaiah namesake

2007-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

So it's been some time since I last posted. I have been busy with school and just finished a class in Isaiah (the namesake of this blog). If you ever have the desire, pick up the book "The Message of Isaiah" by Barry Webb ($10 at Amazon). It is a short commentary of Isaiah (which in most cases means boring - believe me, I wouldn't last long with a typical commentary). The way Barry Webb writes is done as if you are reading a fictional book.

The story: political turmoil and spiritual brokenness - the warnings of God as given by Isaiah the prophet.

The characters: Isaiah the prophet, King Ahaz and his descendants, and a furious God.

The place: The land of Judah and Assyria.

Special features: history and poetry woven with prophecy... events yet to pass, judgment yet to come, people yet to be born... and a virgin birth of a savior foretold 700 years before.

The reason this blog's namesake is Isaiah 6:8? He was a sinful man given the opportunity to be the voice for God Almighty, to go and share the message of judgment, peace, and salvation with the world. The angels came to him and purified him in order to share this divine message. I am saved only by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through this salvation that I am able to share the message of God with you. Not that I have complete understanding of the Almighty or that I have taken hold of any of this, but that I am willing to do this... willing to serve... to live is Christ, and to die is to gain. Do you understand that? It is better to be with God and Jesus in Heaven, but while I am here I will go.

SEND ME!!!!

Best surfing clip ever...

2007-07-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Longest wave in the world

2007-07-20T16:14:00.001-07:00

Can I focus for more than one minute?!

2007-07-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

This is random... I was reading through my blog getting ready to post something insightful... hmmm. Nothing. Does anyone ever feel this way besides me? Most of the time my mind wanders like going through a fairy-tale land where there are stories of all kinds at every turn. And, yes, it is all animated...

I remember being in 2nd grade and my teacher had me take a hearing test because she thought I had a hearing problem. Well, listening problem would have been more accurate. I scored 100% on the test. I find every day things very boring. I even find myself wandering in my mind when someone is trying to have a conversation with me. This happens every day if not several times a day. I can hear the words they say, but they just go through my head as words not sentences or comprehensible conversation. Of course if it is something I am really interested in I am very focused. I will spend hours on something that is interesting to me. I could write for hours if I was allowed. But only on things of interest. I feel as though I am a good writer. I would love to write more, but then again, it's the whole focus thing...

There are so many things that interest me, probably because I can't stay focused on one thing in particular for too long. I read an article recently written by Tim Kimmel. He is a speaker and author of several books and the founder of Family Matters, a ministry focused on keeping families together. He has the same tendencies as I do. I can really relate to him. He made an interesting point in his article--he started off saying he would love "clock" the person who came up with the diagnosis of ADD and adding the last "D" to include the word "disorder." He goes on to say that he was never good at learning and at schoolwork. I can relate. He finishes up his article pointing out that we are all created different for reasons. And the personality traits associated with ADD is simply one of those "molds," as I like to call them, that God made us fit into. I too, have a problem with the word "disorder." Just because someone learns in a different way than our government likes us to, they are labeled as a disfunctioning part of society. I guess I should just get over it as there really isn't anything that griping will do.

But my point is that I have been created in a way that makes me unique, more so than the majority I believe. I have posted before about the blog SleepyBearHollow and how the author of this blog connected ADD tendencies to some of the most successful (in the worlds terms) and most influential CEOs in the world. I think this is due to the extreme focus that occurs when attempting to achieve something that is of interest to the person. I have seen this in my oldest son, Gavin. He has a tough time when it comes to organized learning, but if he is given a task that he enjoys, he will do it until it is perfected (or nearly so). I am proud of the fact that my son has the same traits as me... I am able to understand better what he is going through and how he learns best. It is not a disorder, but a rare gift.

And speaking of focus, I found a killer video of the world's longest wave, a ripple in the middle of the Amazon river... check it out.

New Book Suggestion

2007-07-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I last posted, thus the reason I opted to leave dates off my posts. It's actually embarrassing for me because I am such a slacker at posting regularly. But since my life is slowing down a little lately (I have finished a 16 month education program) I will be posting more regularly.

No time for any "insight" to events in my life right now, but I did want to share a book that I purchased recently. It was recommended by someone I highly respect and trust--the only reason I am suggesting it before I read it! It is a fiction book, which I normally don't read. I personally think they are usually a waste of precious time, plus the fact that I can't stick with a book long enough to finish the story. Part of the reason I like factual books or books that help in understanding behaviors and personalities of people or books that delve into an insightful area of spiritual beliefs, Christianity, leadership, etc. I can take bits from them without needing to dedicate a lump of time to them.

So anyway, below is a comment from the author from his blog site. It is something I would like to remember and also something I thought would benefit others. To visit his blog go to Windrumers.com. To visit his book website go here: The Shack.

The Need for Control

In my opinion, much of our drive to control (circumstances, others etc) is based in fear (fear of failure, fear of others, fear of being embarrassed, fear of the future etc) and if our fight to control is not an exercise against outright fear, we at least want to minimize the uncertainties in our lives. I am not talking about fear of ‘real’ dangers, but the fear that is linked to ‘imagined’ potentials.

Many think the opposite of fear is courage or bravery, but really the opposite is love. Perfect love casts out fear - there is a direct relationship between the fear in mylife and the settled-ness in my heart that I am loved (the one who fears is not perfected - has not come to wholeness in the matter of being loved). To use a metaphor: the small child of the greatest potentate enters his presence without any fear while others quake. Why? Because he knows he’s loved.

Another way to put it might be that in the process of becoming whole we are continually given opportunities to exchange all the uncertainties of life for the certainty of God’s character. This is an exercise in dependence and we should recogize it for the revolutionary action and rebellious stand against the systems (who are so quick to promise all manner of ‘certainties’).

As we trust God’s character of Love and particularly His active and involved love toward us, we don’t have to understand the circumstances of our lives in order to live freely and live loved. Faith sees past the uncertainties, and in some sense even embraces them, knowing that the certainty of Papa’s love is the only place where there is real solid ground.

Fear, on the other hand, runs from uncertainty or tries to erect systems and devices or gives allegiance to anyone or anything that promises to make life more certain. But the ultimate little child pointing out the emperor’s nakedness, is death. Death is a mockery of every attempt at certainty and why the world lives in fear of death, the one ‘potential’ that is assuredly ‘certain’.

The life of being loved and the life of faith is a life of risk; learning to hear the voice of One who loves in the midst of screaming uncertainties and demanding necessities. It is a journey and process…this learning to live loved. We will make lots of mistakes, but like Peter and Mack, we will come to understand and actually be overwhelmed by joy when we begin to realize that we would rather be sinking out on the water with Jesus than ’safe’ back in the boat, without Him.

-willie

Plan A or Plan B?

2007-03-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

In 1914 Ernest Shackleton and a crew of twenty-seven men set out for Antarctica. When the expedition was just one day’s sail from its goal, their ship, the Endurance, became frozen solid in the ice. The crew was stuck there for ten months until the shifting ice crushed the ship. They salvaged the lifeboats and set up camp on the unstable ice floe. The original goal for Shackleton and his crew was to cross the continent of Antarctica. Shackleton was an adventurer and an incredibly optimistic leader who would not give up. When it became clear to him that they were not going to reach the continent, Shackleton set a new goal. To me this is the most impressive part of this story. Shackleton’s new goal, his plan B, was to get every one of his crew back home alive.

After their ship disintegrated and disappeared into the icy sea, they camped on the ice for five more months until it broke up enough for them to set off in the lifeboats across open water to tiny Elephant Island. Against all odds, they made it. The majority of the crew stayed there, while Shackleton and five others set out across the treacherous open sea in a life boat rigged up with a sail. Their goal was a whaling station on the island of South Georgia 800 miles away. They miraculously reached the island, but during the landing their boat smashed against the rocks. They were on the wrong side of the island with no boat. Wearing rags, hungry and with minimal supplies, they set off on foot on a 22-mile, 36-hour trek over the frozen, mountainous island to the whaling station on the other side. They made it. They procured a boat and, three months later, after three aborted attempts, were finally able to head back to Elephant Island for the men they had left behind.

One of the most moving parts of the narration is when Shackleton returns to icy, blistery Elephant Island. It was months past their expected return. Food rations left with the men had long ago run out. Conditions on the island were brutal. But when the ship neared shore Shackleton could see movement. He saw the men running out of their shelter. One…two…three…he slowly counted. Twenty-two. A shout went up on the ship. They were all accounted for. They were all alive. Every man on his crew had survived one of the most grueling expeditions in history.

I don’t know of anyone who likes to resort to Plan B. I don’t know what disappointments you may have faced in recent months or how many Plan A’s you’ve had to abandon. Plan A was an adventure. Plan B was a commitment. In my opinion commitment trumps adventure every time. Every time. Why? Without commitment we would not go anywhere in this world of ours. The commitment to trust God without looking back. The commitment to step off that cliff in faith, or in this case, to forge forward until odds are against you to even survive. The commitment to keep moving forward even if it means changing your original plan. God uses all sorts of situations to help us grow in our faith and understanding of His will for our lives (and to help us realize our selfish desires). He chooses to push us into a direction similar to Captain Shackleton's. But the end result may not be what we expect. It may not be anywhere near the so-called target.

Adventure is not by any means bad. In this case Shackleton was full of ambition and pursued adventure and discovery. It was the commitment he displayed through the whole ordeal that stood out. Commitment to save his crew. Comparably, I can relate this to surfing (as I do to a lot of things). Paddling out on those big days that look all gnarly is scary, I will admit. To not be scared of the power of this churning creation is, in my opinion, just plain stupid. Respect is a must. Those big days sometimes turn from a surf session into a survival session, not so unlike Shackleton's expedition. It's by God's grace we are able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope.

Luis Palau: Into the Light

2007-02-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Besetting sins?" That's what the old-timers used to call them. They're the sins we go back to again and again. With some of us it's temper, with some of us it's gossip, with others it's bitterness, or it could be a sexual sin. So what do we do when we're caught in a rut of sinful behavior? We have to go back to the Lord every single time! Every time confess and move on.

I've heard many new converts say, "How many times am I going to go back and confess my sins?" As many as it takes! Eventually you'll get so tired of confession that you'll probably decide, "I better not do it again. This is getting boring."

David says in Psalm 32 that he felt like his bones were dry as in the heat of summer until he confessed his sins to the Lord. And then he was forgiven, set free. It didn't mean that he wasn't tempted again, but now he was free from besetting sins.

First John 1 tells us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Romans 8 says we aren't obligated to the sinful nature any more. Hebrews 10 says this is now God's covenant with us: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

Don't let besetting sins keep you from living fervently and free in Jesus. Your victory over sin is a tremendous testimony of abundant life in Jesus Christ, our Savior!

The fish are biting

2007-02-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a missions trip to Chennai, India and was reflecting on what went on there. Many people heard the Good News of Christ and many accepted Him as their personal saviour. Through this trip I have learned many things. I was reading a particular passage in the Bible from Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus calls upon his disciples to cast their nets into the water and he fills them with fish. Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man!" He had shown his power to them and Simon Peter realized his failures and unworthiness in the presence of God in flesh. Jesus then told them, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

Knowing God had used me and allowed me to be a part of this mission trip to India made me realize that He has a greater purpose for all of us. It made me realize that life is short and many people in this world have no hope. They believe in things that are dead and lead to destruction and that we can make a difference in peoples lives and live together eternally in heaven with them. I know that by following God's prompting and praying for His will to be done that He will accomplish infinitely more than we could ever hope or imagine (Eph. 3:20). I know that I need to be a fisher of men, as the fish are biting and the bait is good... eternally good.

New India Blog Site

2007-01-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

I have created a new blog site specifically for my trip to India. For daily updates (or as often as I can), photos and video footage go to redhillsindia.blogspot.com.

Red Hills India

2007-01-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

From February 1-14 I will be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. I was asked to be part of a team of 20 to go to Chennai, India to take the Good News of Christ to this city of 1.5 million. My specific role will be to serve with the technical team in setting up audio/visual equipment and assisting with photography and videography. This is especially exciting for me because the Lord has chosen me to use the gifts he has given me to use to His glory. My background is in graphic design, but over the years have "evolved" into more of a rounded communications area. I am a photographer and graphic designer at Corban College, and, by God's grace, I have been led to many people in ministry that can benefit by what I do as I can benefit from their knowledge in the Lord and experience in ministry.

Here is a brief background: the team I am traveling with is headed up by Reid Saunders, an alum of Corban. The Reid Saunders Association (RSA) travels around the world telling the Good News through evangelistic events. I had the chance to get to know Reid through various events at the college and around the city of Salem. RSA was created under the umbrella organization Next Generation Alliance (NGA), a Luis Palau company. NGA is also associated with Livin' It, an extreme sports ministry headed up by Stephen Baldwin (yes, of the Hollywood Baldwin brothers). I also had the opportunity to meet Luis at an event in Salem and was at that time asked to go on this trip. The trip involves setting up events to share the Good News of Christ with the people of Chennai. It has been more than 15 years since the Gospel has been taken into this city, so there is expected to be at least 4000 people attending each event per day.

I am truly amazed at how God has been working in my life. This is just another step in my spiritual growth that will lead to yet another step. I am learning that, by faith, stepping out into the unknown is perhaps the most gratifying experience, because I know God's hand is in it and He is in control of everything; nothing is impossible through God! I can see how he has worked in my life and it gives me a hint of where He will lead me in the future.

For those of you who are interested in my trip, I will be logging my experience on this blog beginning soon. I leave on February 1st and will attempt to post as much as possible (wherever I have an internet connection). If you would like to help with this trip you can do so by praying for the team and I. We need specific prayer for God to prepare our hearts for this experience, for all necessary doors to be opened, for protection from harm (both physically and spiritually), to focus on Christ and strengthen our fellowship and to prepare the people of India to receive Christ into their lives. You can also help by supporting me financially. Since I didn't even know about this trip until about one month ago and it wasn't confirmed I was going until a few weeks ago, I have just a short time to do any fundraising. If this is something that is on your heart, I ask you to help send me to India on your behalf. God has blessed us all in different ways, some financially and some not. I have been blessed by being chosen to go on this trip. I honestly don't feel worthy of it, but very humbled that I can serve with the team. I know the Lord will provide financially for me through certain people and He has already selected them. By supporting me, by prayer and/or financially, you’ll have an opportunity to be a part of this trip. I am grateful for anything you can do.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to chat about the trip, please feel free to get in touch with me at cwells@corban.edu.

Our Fallible President

2007-01-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

The recent national address by President Bush got me thinking about where this man has been in the last 7 years... It made me realize some things about how we, as humans, are fallible. We have our personal weaknesses and our strenths. By nature, we dwell on weakness. Why? I don't know. It may be how God programmed us. Trusting in God by raw faith is perhaps opposite what our bodies tell us to do. I think that maybe we were created to seek truth, to know that what "is" is weak and that there is something better. It's possible that our reaction to this human trait is to look inward and to attempt to acheive greatness ourselves. To attempt to become greater than the weakness we find in others. This is the case with many Americans, and actually, the entire human race. I do believe we have pointed our efforts in the wrong place. Instead of inward, we need to be pointing upward. God designed us to seek Him!

President Bush is a fallible man. Not perfect by any means and, yes, he has made some major mistakes as president. But what has he done to better our country and the world? I was discussing with my wife last night about our world politics and the countries and powers within it right now. We are living in an incredible time of history - the United States is the most powerful country in the world! And the man who leads it is simply a man. However, I believe he is a wise man. I can't begin to image the trials he has gone through and I would not wish that on anyone. But he has also been through some incredibly gratifying times. Our infallible God chose him to lead this country whether we like it or not. As a Christian, I am called to obey the leaders of nations and those put into power as long as it is not in defiance of my faith, because God put them there. Although I don't agree with everything he has done as a president, George W. Bush has my utmost respect. Consider what is going on in our world right now. It is not the same world we knew 100 years ago, 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago. A time in history that we should all be proud to be a part of.

"I'm a Methodist. I'm an active church member. . . I attend church, I like church . . . I've heard great preachers, I've heard not-so-great preachers. I love the hymns, I read the Bible daily. . . .I pray on a daily basis. I've got a structure to my life where religion plays a role. I understand religion is a walk, it's a journey. And I fully recognize that I'm a sinner, just like you. That's why Christ died. He died for my sins and your sins."
-- "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith," US News Online

"I would describe myself as a man who was raised a Christian, who sought redemption and found it in Jesus Christ. And that's important by the way, for someone running for public office. It's a humbling experience to make that admission. I admit I'm a lowly sinner. It's that admission that led me to redemption and led me to Christ. Without making that admission, I don't think there's such a thing as redemption."
-- interview with the Baptist Press, 31 August 2000

New Year – New Beginning

2007-01-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

The new year brings an opportunity to start fresh. A new beginning to a new year. Resolutions are made to be better, do better, have more, do more, etc, etc.

To me, the new year is a reminder of death. Dying to my past and looking to a new future full of hope and optimism. Dying to a part of myself I don't want to be in this new year. Dying to selfish ambitions and realizing a greater purpose. To decrease is to increase. A new year? A new opportunity? A second (or third, or fourth) try? A new life? Yes, all of these. Only through death am I worthy of such a claim. The death of a man to live life like I should, like I know I am to live. Giving credit where credit is due? Jesus.

ADHD or CEO?

2007-01-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

This is a great post to consider the natural tendencies of those diagnosed with ADHD and the leadership abilities of your average CEO: Sleepy Bear Hollow: Ponder this

Life

2006-10-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
--Helen Keller

A Child's Excitement

2006-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

“Every child has in him an aching void for excitement and if we don’t fill it with something which is exciting, interesting and good for him, he will fill it with something which exciting and interesting and which isn’t good for him.”
--President Theodore Roosevelt

Risk & Faith

2006-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

As I was reading an article in Psychology Today it sparked an interesting notion. For risk seeking individuals, specifically Christians, is it possible that because of their faith in God they are more apt to seek more risk? As a Christian, and one who thrives off opportunities to take risks, am I more willing to take risks because of my faith? I have started reading more about this lately trying to find answers in Scripture and have noticed a few important things. Christians (as noted in the Bible–specifically the Apostles and "saints" such as Paul) have been called to be risk takers to varying degrees. I know there are different personalities out there and that this goes against some of their wiring, but I believe that God has called ALL Christians to take some sort of risk, some more than others.

As Christians, do we not take risks every day by just professing our faith in Christ Jesus? This is the lowest version of risk in a Christian's life. When I think about "real" risk takers--not the complacent Christians who practice what they preach one day a week and the other 6 live their safe, protected lives in their lovely homes driving their lovely $50k SUV complaining about their neighbors--I think about King David, and Paul, and Job, and Moses, and Jesus. Are we like this? Am I like this? No. Not nearly. I am not judging those Christians that are the complacent type as I am no better. I am simply making a point. Should we not desire some level of risk? What about those of us who desire extreme risk (according to our culture standards) and seek it out?

An example that might illustrate this is the enterpreneuer type personalities. I believe I am one of those. Years ago I was laid off my job because of the downturn related to 9/11. I took this as a new opportunity and truely felt God was opening a door for me, not taking something away. So I went fulltime into my company and built it to a sustainable business 2 years later. It was then that God open yet another door. The opportunity to work in a Christian environment educating young Christians using the gifts God enabled me with. So without hesitation, I closed the doors on my business and moved on (keep in mind this business was bringing in double what I was offered to leave it). Is this risk taking? Or is this simply a reliance on God? Our culture would say "risk taking", but I don't see it that way. God told me to move on and I did. And He has blessed me immensely for it.

So this is what I am getting at: are Christian risk takers simply following God's command and leading or are we just doing it for the thrill? I think both - I get a thrill out it! God wired us all in different ways. He knows our path before we get there and knows that our "wiring" will help us go there if we just listen to Him. Instead of risk, a term I would use to describe this behavior is "nexting". This term was coined by Edgar H. Schein, a professor of management and organizational psychology expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He explains that nexting is the positive rationale aimed at finding solutions to "problems" in organizational settings. In other words, it is a way to approach a problem and present positive or alternative ways to get to a certain result, looking at the "next" alternative. It's never stopping at an "OK" answer and approaching the problem at a new angle, always pushing for more and better. Should we not be this way in life? Striving for better? Risking much to achieve more? Not to HAVE more, but to ACHIEVE more? Not all of us would want this. But without risk (or nexting) life is just too boring. What would Jesus do? What would He want us to do? Questions worth consideration...

Intersting article about similar: Cliff Jumping

Matter of Fact...

2006-08-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

"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." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill that plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of this calendar year until its end, God is working out His plan.

As you follow God's plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that He is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

A moment captured: Alex Castro

2006-08-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Luis Fernando Herrera of Christian Surfers of Jaco, Costa Rica. The purpose for posting this on my blog site is twofold. One, I want to honor Alex and the Lord by sharing this story with you. Two, I want to remember this man for who he was and what he stood for. He is what we all should be and should strive for every day.

That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, That the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 41:20

Fifteen minutes before the most enduring and colorful rays of light disappeared into the western skyline, the children of the Lord gathered together in one large circle floating on their surfboards and held fast by each other's hands, deep over the waters of Jaco. The people of the village united, with the same heart and in singleness of mind; to honor and give praise for the life of Alexander Castro Guevara, a true soldier of the Lord and a servant of the Most High God. On the 30th day of April 2006, our God promoted Alex to serve directly underneath him and alongside his fellow servants the angels, and his soul rested with his fathers. Unfortunately, those of us who are left suffered a great loss at the fall of one of our strongest and most beloved soldiers, and our eternal brother through Christ. Therefore on the holy Sabbath, the 6th day of May 2006, all those to whom Alex had ministered to through his unfailing love showed up to pay him vows of honor and respect, and to give him one last goodbye-kiss as a community. He was severely mourned.

Alex walked over the face of earth for twenty-nine years and did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he was careful to obey his command and to do according to what he had been entrusted as he strayed neither to the right nor to the left, but instead dedicated his life to completing the mission. This year the Lord welcomed him home with a homecoming that a father has for his son, or that a king prepares for a hero returning home from the battlefield. He served his brothers diligently; with pureness of heart, abundance of love and a generosity that is scarcely to be found anymore. He was generous with his time, with his countless gifts and talents, his wisdom and teachings, and above all, with his love. The following scripture has been heavy on my mind, as it is the voice of the Lord describing Alex and the joy he has found in him, for he is proud to call him his own.

Behold! My servant whom I uphold, my elect one in whom my soul delights! I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.
Isaiah 42:1-3

The humility and grace with which Alex lived his life is something that is not of this world. He was a true scholar and a gentleman, a disciple as well as a teacher, a lover and a strong fighter. He fought for the rights of his little ones, he fought for them to have a place to learn, he fought for them to have a place to skate, he made sure that there was always some sort of surf tournament for the kids to look forward to, and he fought to show them true love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment; that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:11-13,17

Brought down to the most basic of principles, I believe with the deepest conviction my of my heart, that this is the message Alex Castro left behind for us. These words are his voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit that so naturally flowed throughout the miracle that was Alex's life. He lived these words, and he departed with them as his theme song, as the resounding chorus that defined his life to those of us who were blessed enough to know him. What I most loved about Alex's teachings was the simplicity of his message he made sure to keep it clear and simple because his greatest concern was that no one would be left behind.

I am now ashamed to admit that the pride of my heart once criticized Alex for his simplistic approach to teaching, the casual clarity of his loving stories and examples. I believed that teaching the word of God was something to be feared, and that we should use the most knowledge, theory, and scripture possible in order to make our case known. Boy did Alex prove me wrong. He's taught me that the love of God is something that you wear on your face, something that is heard in your voice, and that is seen in your actions. He taught me that the message of the Lord is simple, and indeed it is something that even the youngest and least experienced can reveal to a seasoned and educated adult. It doesn't take knowing the Bible inside and out, it is not about having all the answers. It is simply about having complete humility of heart, and about living with the love that can only come from someone who has the peace of enjoying an intimate relationship with our Creator.

God is mighty, but does not despise men; He is mighty, and firm in his purpose. He does not take his eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
Job 36:5,7

I have been with you wherever you have gone, And I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.
2 Samuel 7:9

Alexander Castro Guevara surely is a good name, a great name—a name like the greatest men of the earth. Now I understand what Solomon the Wise was referring to when he stated, "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth."
(Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Upon receiving the news of Alex's death due to severe head trauma, caused by an accident in which a car knocked him off his bicycle on Sunday night the 23rd of April, I was extremely resentful towards God. "Why", I thought, "Of all people, why take Alex; how can this be?" Alex was a founding member of Christian Surfers: Costa Rica. Three years ago he came into town with nothing more than a box-full of his belongings, a passion for Christ and the goodwill and faith to bring the Good News to a town that desperately needed it, as it has been described in a recent newspaper article as "The Next Sodom."

He was fluently bilingual, a talented surfer and orator, and just an extremely cool and humble guy. He welcomed me into the group as I was, and always had a word of encouragement that brought true peace into my life. He was the glue that united teenage surfers with business professionals, drug addicts with clean and healthy people, Costa Rican locals, with English-speaking foreigners, the lost with the found. We all came for him. Deep down I believe that somewhere inside, we were all intuitively going to the Wednesday night Bible studies just to spend some time with Alex and enjoy the company of the Lord.

He spent seven days in deep sleep on a hospital bed, and at seven o'clock on Sunday (the last day of April) he was taken up before the presence of the Lord. Resentment. Hurt. Crying. Confusion. Anger. Fear. More resentment. Mourning. Confidently I believe to be summing up just some of the most powerful emotions that we have been grappling with as a community, and most certainly on a personal level, due to the transpiring events. Our only consolation comes from knowing where Alex dwells at this moment, and the fact that not a single leaf shakes on a tree apart from the will of God. The purpose behind this tragic event will be unfolding for years to come, the ultimate will of the Lord will be fulfilled, and we can rest assured that Alex Castro's life and death will have never been in vain. He was pure, honest: a person of the highest integrity and transparency in his living. God had prepared him well for what was about to happen to him, because in the last few weeks of his life, Alex Castro was running around and serving every one of us, in any way he could.

On Thursday night during Easter week, I saw Alex and Coky (his best friend and fellow missionary) exalted with a 10 minute primetime news special highlighting the Christian Surfers Organization and the amazing work these guys had accomplished during such a short period of time in Jaco. The week before that I had the pleasure of sitting before Alex with a bunch of our disciples as him, Coky and Rebecca read the sacred words of the Bible to us and in front of the National Surf Circuit contest booth, an event that Alex had been asked to host and narrate. This only gives you a slight peak into the type of person he was, and just how beloved he had become in the last short years of his precious life. The very last time that I had the honor of serving alongside him as his English interpreter, he took the time to sit me down after the study and say his goodbye. He didn't say it directly, but the mood and tone of our conversation confirmed it. I remember thinking, "Wait a minute Alex, why does it feel like you are bidding farewell"? All I can say is that somehow, he knew.

Promptly at four o'clock on Saturday we held a small and intimate memorial service for our brother and pastor on the very property that he had worked so hard to build. The Lord showed compassion on us and provided a dark and gloomy afternoon full of heavy clouds and rain showers. And the people showed up. The place was packed! Our little palapa-style meeting place had an overflow going all the way back past the driveway and practically out into the street. With a mixed spirit of praise and weeping, our small community endured the weather and gladly attended his farewell ceremony, packed in like a bunch of wet sardines (just the way Alex would have liked it).

A police unit slowly led the way as an assembly of about two hundred souls walked somberly behind it on course to the beach. This is the place where his ashes belong, on the shores of Jaco. For long before his ashes were spilled, he had poured out the whole of his heart and soul all over the people of this beautiful town. All who had taken their surfboards with them laid them down on the beach in the form of a giant cross, extending about fifty feet in one direction and about eighty in the other. It was now late evening, and the sky was of a pinkish-blue hue, with the storm clouds now dry yet looming in the background. His mother and Coky held his ashes at the center as our large community of surfers and non-surfers, both great and small, held hands and blessed the Lord for Alex, and because we had gathered in his name. It was an impressive sight for all who were present, for we had formed a giant circle all for the glory of the Lord.

Mrs. Guevara then proceeded to distribute his ashes in small plastic baggies to those of his closest friends, and in a loud and pleasant battle cry we all ran in for our surfboards, took hold of our bag and paddled out into the dark and intimidating lineup. It was a day of great swell, yet at the prayer of one of his sons the Almighty stilled the waters, and the ferocious waves of the sea were calmed in order to make way for his people. By this time we were more silhouettes than surfers, warm bodies instead of people, and brothers instead of friends.

We held hands and worshiped the Lord for Alex, and gave glorious praise; for the will of the Lord had been accomplished. In a single motion we tossed his ashes into the middle and the remains of our beloved became one with the ocean indeed, one within all of us. In one of my most memorable teachings from Alex he had us all read, sing aloud and worship together to the sound of a guitar, as in unison we repeated over and over:

Psalm 100

A Psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, And we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Luis Fernando Herrera
Christian Surfers / ALO Foundation
Jaco Centro, Costa Rica.
506-826-0589
www.SupportJacoYouth.com

God is in control

2006-07-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I can see myself getting ahead of what God has planned. This is commonly referred to in an allegory (or an analogy) of the horse and carriage. "Don't let the carriage in front of the horse." How can the carriage get to where it's supposed to go if the horses do not pull it? I refer to this a lot with my Christian walk and frequently need to give myself a systems check, so to speak. God IS in control, even when we don't think He is. He is in control over the so called "bad" things in our lives as well. Who are we to say that because things "don't go our way" that it is not God's will? In our weakness we are made stronger. It is during these times that God reveals His perfect will for our lives. This has been the case for me these last several months. I have been having a difficult time dealing with pressures of work, school, family, ministry, friends and even sins.... All of these things pull for my attention and take my eyes off the real reason for our existence - to serve God and to do ALL things for His pleasure! He will reward us 100 times more than we could image He would by following what He has planned!

To illustrate this (and as a reminder to myself and hopefully a reference to others) there are three things to remember: God is bigger than all creation; God is bigger than any problem; and God is bigger than our will. First let me give credit where credit is due... much of this was outlined by Larry Grine, lead pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. But I thought this to be so simple, yet so important to share with others. I mainly want to express the importance of this through my own experiences. I feel like it is stronger testimony to share that with you than to quote Bible versus. However if you would like to look these up for yourselves here is the scripture:
God is bigger than all creation: Psalm 19, 33:9, 103:9; Jeremiah 32:17; Revelation 4:11
God is bigger than any problem: Daniel 6; Psalm 24:8; II Chronicles 32; Luke 18:27
God is bigger than our will: Daniel 3:6,12, 4:35; Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2; II Corinthians 12:11

The topic that hit home with me was the last of God's will is bigger than ours. We can try to live out our own petty desires and not seek where God wants us to be and struggle through life OR we can surrender our will and do what He wants and enjoy our life more than we could EVER imagine.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel ch. 3 illustrates this well. For simplicity, let's refer to them as Rach, Shach and Benny (anyone every watch Veggie Tales?). They had made a decision to live their lives for their God no matter what the conciquences. They had been promoted to high positions by the king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was very powerful and wanted all of the people in the land to worship his idols and, specifically, to bow down to a giant statue. Rach, Shach and Benny would not, of course, so as a punishment Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. They stated to him that they didn't need to defend their decision knowing that God's will would be done. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

This struck me for the very first time in a different way. They didn't know that God would keep them from frying! They simply trusted Him to do what His will would be, whether that meant frying to a crisp in the fire or being delivered and protected from harm. They stated to the king, "the God we serve is able to save us from it [the furnace fire]." Note they say He is ABLE. This tells me they were not sure of the outcome, only God would do what was within His will. The story ends by Nebuchadnezzar seeing that they in fact didn't die but were protected from ANY harm to them. As they came out of the furnace Nebuchadnezzar promoted them to royal positions within his kingdom.

God is big, isn't He? Much bigger than you or I and much bigger than we can fathom in our puny little minds. There is no reasoning God, only believing. Just like you believe that when you fly in an airplane that you will get from point A to point B by flying through the air, so we should believe that the creator of this world can do ANYTHING and that we should be humble enough to admit that we can NEVER understand God and His creation but to only trust in Him and follow His will for our lives.

Here are some questions to ponder:
What does the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 have to teach us about God's power, His will and our submission to him?

What is the difference between "there is nothing my God cannot do" and "there is nothing my God will not do"? Which do you believe? What danger lurks in the thinking behind this distinction?

How will you respond to this message? What new thing does God want you to know about Him and what will you do as a result?

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'.... into the future....

2006-06-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

Remember that song? If your under age 30 probably not. It wasn't ever a top song when I was a kid but I just remember it for some reason... And it resonates with me right now. It feels like time IS slipping away. Since my last entry, I have started classes to finish my Bachelor's degree and have found that time isn't as abundant as I once thought it was, even though it seemed sparse then too. There is always that one thing that I keep telling myself I am going to do when I "have the time for it." Yeah, right. If I don't make the time, it won't happen. School work has taken most of my time as of lately. And it ticks me off. I can see the purpose for what I am doing by going back to school, but this has been a hard stretch of a few months and I almost feel as if I want to throw in the towel.

Then I realize what I am doing this all for... It's not for me, because as far as I care I would just keep working along at my job and not give a damn about ever going for my Bachelor's or going back to school at all. I enjoy my job and I feel adequately qualified for it. But something deep down tells me I am doing this for a bigger purpose. I know that there is something bigger planned and that my education will have a factor in deciding this future. God is bigger than me (thankfully) and He knows my purpose. I am following His lead and taking advice from the best education advisor I could ever ask for.

Time. That is what I pray for almost daily. Of course without a ton of time (or even a gram of time) it's been hard to stay focused on God. That is my fault because I haven't made Him the priority as of lately. I have been so immersed in school that I have lost time with Him. I want to change this, so the reason I am writing this blog entry. I want to remember what I am feeling now so I can remind myself later to stay focused. I cannot do this (or anything for that matter) without God. He will guide me the whole way and will show me when to act, to speak, to move, to think, to lead, to follow, to listen and to be still. Being still is perhaps the most valuable of all of these now. I need to hear His voice and act when He whispers. Be still.

Planning ahead...

2005-10-30T21:44:00.000-08:00

It is presumptuous to plan too much about the future. But what about strategic planning, retirement funds, career goals, and saving up for a long-planned vacation? Is that presuming upon the future?

Jesus calls the farmer a fool for planning to tear down his barn and build a bigger one to store his wealth (Luke 12:28). In another story Jesus seems to assume that a sensible person will plan ahead and count the cost before starting a building project (Luke 14:28). But then James scoffs at those who make travel or business plans. “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). Is it foolish to plan ahead or is it just good common sense?

For me the answer lies in how tightly I grip my fists around my plan, how firmly I grit my teeth to reach my goal. James goes on to say, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15). Jesus’ problem with the rich farmer who was going to build a bigger barn was not his planning, it was his self-centeredness. The problem comes when we care more about our plans than we do about God’s plans. The farmer with the barn plans was a short-timer and a fool. Jesus warns others with a similar bent. “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

Planning ahead is not a problem. But more important than our plans should be our desire to be “rich toward God.”

Sowing the Seeds of Love...

2005-10-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a song I remember from Tears for Fears... hmm. Actually the title of this post refers to something a little (but not entirely) different. Parables. They were used extensively in the New Testament by Jesus to show his deciples what he meant by what he was saying. The parable I am referring to is from Matthew 13:3-8, that of the farmer and sowing of seeds:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

This is by far the best parable that relates to our spiritual walk. In the first example it refers to seed falling on the path and birds eating it up. This is like the very weak spirited person that allows anything and everything to distract them from God. The examples gradually progresses from hard, rocky soil to good soil. This progression is that of our walk and how when we conciously attempt to weed (repenting or turning away from sin) and sow the soil (reading the bible and learning God's word) we will produce a crop that is multiplied beyond what we can imagine (winning souls for Christ).

Below is a letter I received from a friend who packed up everything and headed for a small country on the northern tip of South America called Suriname. God called him and his family to go there to teach in a Christian School. Here is what he wrote:

------------
"Hello Brothers in Christ,

To try and communicate some things to most of all the brothers I trust and care for will encompass some things that some of you can relate to, and others not so much. Forgive me thinking on-screen, I am just needing an outlet to a listening friend. Never before in my christian life has this sense of aloneness been so complete, though as a teenager, out tripping on the beaches and canyons of so.cal I found solace with my trusty guitar, and writing the ramblings of a lost boy in journals. I kept all of those musings and have them in a steel box in Seaside along with the student ID cards, hippie beads, drawings and headbands of another life. Here, however, is an entirely different place to write from, and to, and for reasons I am hoping to discover in the months to come, if at all.

I remember learning from my step-dad how to garden well. And if it wasn't well done, it would be done again, and again, and again.....until it was well done, good and faithful son. Even then, I understood the significance of turning the soil over, nursing the soil, building it up and preparing it well for the sowing. As a new believer in 1981 my soul began to learn the lessons of the Master Gardener from the parables. I committed the first year of my devotional life to reading, memorizing and getting into the story of the sower and the four soils. My early ferverent prayers were to be a disciple with deep roots, nourished, in good and hard times. Weed free, literally, and not out on the public road of acceptance, or choking and competing with the worlds enticements. Then I began growing food in my yards, and it has all come back to me.

My allegiance to my wife and children to protect and provide for them, has been my garden of sorts. I have prayed and fought for them to grow up as weed free as possible, cultivated in deep and meaningful soil, and spared the broad road that led to my own hard,dry,worn path. And when I was a youth pastor in Santa Cruz the garden included a bunch of other kids from the streets and broken homes of Soquel and Capitola. I remember feeling like the tired gardner who could't keep up with the weeds. When I prayed hard, and spent quality time, the weeds were at bay. When I got lazy, tired, or out of focus on the soil, up would come the weeds, thorns, and pain, that eventually broke my heart as a pastor.....then as a science teacher at Broadway Middle School, and now as a visiting worker in foreign lands.

Though the soil is of different colors, and the weeds are just as vigorous, gardening souls here is hard. The same crabgrass of sarcasm, clover of callousness, and weeds of the world (money, sex, pride, materialism etc...) infest this place too. I am torn as to my allegiance of where my skills will go. When I arrive at school, it is full-on garden-time of the soul until 2. Then theres soccer, youth group, and the school work until sleep. In my limited little world I still thought I'd just come and teach reading, writing, science etc...and play. But the Lord had a different job description than mine, duh...

So here I find myself, serving as a full-time youth pastor, missionary, and mentor to 100 international children. Every contact is rooted for the Lord. Every word, song, and grade, is looking to bear fruit for the gospel. And I'm still figuring out that this was not a vacation teaching experience. I'm on the front line, not the pool deck, of ministry. All my trusty tools and comforts are at home. I have nothing to rinse away the fatigue and dirt from a days service. I wake up with dirt under my skin, and the anticipation of pulling weeds and digging into lives all day, to plow up some fresh soil for Jesus. The weariness I felt in Santa Cruz has returned. The ligering dirt I lived with in Santa Monica gets stirred up everyday as I see and hear of these kids pains, and sufferrings. I can rejoice in the new soil coming up, and then glimpses of growth too. But at the end of the day, home and sweating until bed, the lonesome, and out-there feelings come to remind me that I am working , not for my agenda, but the Lords. And it is hard.

Thankfully I am taking little adventures here and there. Learning to windsurf, though the guys all desperately need Jesus and therefore I'm gardening again. I have come to value those bike rides on the beach, the afternoon paddle out til dark, the fire in the livingroom, and the voice of you, my brothers, and fellow gardners in Christ. There are no soul brothers here, mostly younger guys needing discipling, and some gardening tips...So, here I write, thinking of home fields, and the great tools there to really serve the Master. I wonder, are you guys gardening deeply with your unsaved friends? Are you pulling weeds for your families? Are you digging deeper into the good soil of the Lord in fellowship, worship, and study? You have all the comforts of home, that I dont, save one. Jesus.

Please pray for the school and the students here. The hindu, muslim, and rasta, all are corrupt with weeds and deciet. All need Him. My students are lonely, scared, and confused about the Love of God. And the student body is torn with whats cool, and whats not. Jesus is not. And my family is daily letting things go that they held onto for this venture. Surrendering what we wanted , for what He wants. This is hard, and your prayers and encouragement are needed and appreciated.

I hope and pray for you all that you are in the garden..."
--------

To say I have it hard, even with the "hardships" I have had through money issues and job issues, I cannot complain, but only be thankful...

Change

2005-09-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

The time is here. I have decided I need to take some time away and focus solely on God. The question is when and where? That is in the hands of Him and I will know it is time when He decides. What I am talking about it praying and fasting. There is a desire deep within me to do this. I feel the ever-present tug to committ solely to praying and thinking about God and being still in His presence so I can hear what He wants me to do. Our lives are so full of stuff that I think we tend to forget in the busyness about God and our function and purpose here.

This last week I heard J.P. Moreland speak on the college campus where I work about the spiritual warfare going on inside of us and around us. It is so obvious to me that our existence here is plagued by an evil presence. I have heard and seen situations with numerous people just this summer about this evil and how they have relized its presence and dealt with it on a spiritual level. This sort of stuff gets really deep for the average Christian and most don't even realize it is happening until it is too late.

My church is one of these places. We have gone through a split in the last 2 years and have since hired a new pastor and have lost 5 pastors. It may seem this would be bad for the church but it has only been the opposite. As my mentor Mike Barrett put it, our roots are growing deep and winter is here. It is only a matter of time that spring will be here and the buds will begin to blossom and grow. Like the parable of the fig tree being pruned to produce more fruit, we are being pruned to be more fruitful. Our congregation of 2500 had been split down the middle and has since turned over almost completely save a few hundred dedicated servants. I believe that these servants are the core of the church and have been called to serve in a much, MUCH bigger way. Something incredible is happening here within our Christian community, from the church to the streets. Ministry will take on a new meaning and will no longer be associated with the stuffy church setting that kills us.

About a month ago, our Executive Pastor and Administrator, and his wife (who was also the women's ministry pastor) left the church. It was a shock to the congregation but a needed one. I believe the direction that he and his wife wanted to move was not within the will of God for our church. The reason I believe this is that a day later our lead pastor called one of our interim pastors that spoke several times over the past year to fill in before our lead pastor was hired. But a day before he was called he had typed an email ready to send asking if there were any positions available that he may be able to serve. He deleted the email as he didn't want to come across as being pushy or "haughty" about his Godly insight. He had also turned down a great pastoring position knowing there wasn't any current openings at our church, but that God moved him to do this and to take that faithful step.

The Spirit is moving. The Holy Spirit will pour out onto the Earth in the final days...

Committment

2005-09-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be fully committed to something that means a lot to me. There are several things in my life right now that fit into this category.

The first would easily be to my wife and my family. I am committed as a husband and father and intend to do all that it takes to be all I can be to them. My son is now over 3 years old and my new son is coming in October. How awesome having boys and a supporting wife is!

The second would probably be surfing. I am committed to going regularly with friends to surf. Just last night I took off from work right at 5 and went to the coast with 2 friends. We surfed from about 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm. It was incredible. The conditions were about 4 ft. swells, an incoming tide and very little wind. We surfed into the sunset and into the dark and were the only people out there! Fun little "bowly" waves that were challenging but worth the trip.

The third (ties into the second) would be ministry. I am not saying that surfing comes before ministry, but that surfing IS my ministry, so the reason it is listed second. Christian Surfers of Oregon has fueled my passion for reaching out to lost, wandering surfers of my hometown surf spots. Being a part of CSO is what God has called me to and I feel blessed and priviledged to be a part of it.

Over all of these committments is my committment to God. He has made all of this possible and I am totally committed to serving Him in any manner possible, whether it be with my family, surfing, or leading bible studies...

Which brings me to the point of this post. My first post on this blog was one of disappointment in myself. I felt as though I had let God down and was not serving how I should be. This time away from the bible studies I led with CSO has made me realize many things. God has shown me that it isn't about bible studies or even CSO, it is about Him. He does care for the ministry and has blessed it because of this and because of the loyal servants serving within it. But ministry is not about any one organization or any one group of people. Ultimately it is about reaching out to the lost, connecting with them through relationships and growing together in faith and life to be tools to reach even more.

There are several people in my life who have helped me realize this through God's leading. I look forward to learning more through them and the knowledge they have in God and Christ.

Commit yourself to something worth your precious time here on Earth. It is a short life that needs substance and not worldly things that will rot and rust away. The spiritual fullness that you can receive by committing your life to God and to Jesus is more than any high in life that you can receive.

Committed to God.

ME ME ME ME ME

2005-08-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

ME. What a word. Overused yes. Guilty of using it WAY too often yes. Just something to ponder. Are you really going to complain about THAT today?! Think about it. We as Americans are SOOOO spoiled with what we have. Even the homeless, some by choice of circumstance, are much better off than the best of some other countries in our dark world. ME. Let's start thinking about YOU and THEM and HE and SHE. And then let's start doing something about it. Listen. Act. Learn. And Live it.

The wrapping on the box

2005-08-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

It came to me today. Sitting with my boss having lunch. Are we really doing all we can? I realized I have been in a state of limbo lately, not sure why, but knowingly I had been in a stand still or a form of stagnation. I have been in a holding pattern.

It is not what I had expected after returning home from a week in Hawaii for the National Christian Surfers Leadership Conference. I was pumped! But something was wrong. Mentally I was ready to go, but spiritually there was healing that needed to be done. You see, Hawaii made me realize that I wasn't ready. Not ready for the position I thought I was ready for. It was made clear that if I am not knowing God myself and am not completely surrendering myself to His will, then I wasn't ready to be a leader for Him. I am a follower and a servant, yes. But a leader, no. In due time.

This last week I decided to stop leading bible studies in Salem for Christian Surfers. I need to devote time to God in prayer. I need to seek Him and make it a priority.

The death of a close co-worker has also opened my eyes to this. He was a prayer warrior and died praying on a mission trip in London. He was a model person, not only to the typical person, but he was beyond. He had an insight like no other. In a way, I believe he was given a higher discernment to know God's will and what he should say or do.

God has put situations in my path in these last few months that has shown me that I need to seek and follow and not lead, at least not for right now and possibly after I fast and pray about this. To lead others astray is death. And I feel that is what I was capable of doing. I feel as though I was the wrapping paper on the box or the present and it was all surface. It was all pretty and perfect on the outside, but a brown, plain, corregated, recycled paper box on the inside. That was empty.

Books, conversations, circumstances, surroundings... they were all pointing to this... and even writing this blog I am realizing how true this is.

Devote time to prayer... lots of time... I mean a lot. "Pray without ceasing." That means ALL the time. God will listen if you speak and ask Him to. And He will answer. In ways that would never be expected...