I recently gave a speech in my communications class about compromise in your convictions and it was pretty powerful, but it got me to think about several other things. Most recently it has been brought to my attention the amount of times people will share their beliefs and start it off by saying, "I was raised..." or "I was brought up to believe..." even though many times in their adulthood they have turned from these ideas/religions/beliefs/etc... they were raised up on. It got me to wonder did they ever really believe in their beliefs? Or did they just fall victim to a set of rules cloaked behind religion?
More and more I am finding out how important it is to understand what you believe and why you believe what you believe, because in the long run setting that foundation is what is going make or break your beliefs. People sometimes have a hard time believing in God and the Bible because they have never viewed it as something personal or applicable, yet something they were forced to believe growing up or coaxed into it through fear or whatever the tactic may be. Sure God has set boundaries up in our lives if we so choose to follow those, but not because of regulation but because of the importance of it in every relationship! Yes, God's word says to wait to have sex til you're married, why do I follow that? Yes, I do want to follow God's word but I now see the importance behind it. Unfortunately I did not wait, but one day I am going to marry the love of my life but with sadness I am going to have to look him in the eye and tell him that he was not important enough to me as a youth to wait for and give myself to! Ouch!! Talk about a sucker punch to the manhood, lol (yes I went there!!)
So many people cut the excuse that they were raised Christian, like that buys them a holier than thou ticket yet they hate God's church (which people, the church is Biblical and I will show you in both the Bible and early church history), they party, sleep with people who aren't their spouses, (okay this may sounds religious, but if you sleep with someone who you do not have the intentions of marrying or don't marry at all, you are sleeping with someone else's future husband or wife- maybe that will change your perspective next time you're thinking of a little roll in the hay!!!) Look I am not here to judge nor condemn, that's not my place or position- but I am here to stir up the complacency of our generation and encourage you to find relationship with the God you pray to instead of finding religion, which will only get you to a place of bitterness and crazy, false philosophies. As the saying goes, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."
So lately I have heard this statement more so than usual, because for some odd reason if a girl can keep up in a sport that is considered predominately a male sport then she is "pretty good for a girl". People we live in the 21st century and I think that some woman have proved themselves to sincerely pown the opposite sex in sports in every arena. I hear these statements anytime that I go skating, snowboarding or play football- you know what? I like these sports and yes I know that guys are just trying to be complimentary when saying they recognize that talent, but maybe we could word it a bit differently. How about "wow, you are really good at that. I wish I was as cool as you or as talented as you." lol Guys step aside because there are some girls stepping up in the sports arena and quite frankly some of them are going to leave you in the dust with their skills. So show some respect, honor them for their talent not their gender. Don't try to belittle their talents by saying they are only as good as their ge
nder allows them to be. Now here's a chic who dominates!!
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So the past few months has been an exquiste testimony of the greatness and perfection of God's timing! It has been quite a display that putting it into words is nearly impossible, but yet it is a testimony that is worthy of sharing. Timing and patience has always been a struggle which I could probably vouch for most of us in this area, especially in such a culture that begs for the here and now! Gimme gimme!! I certainly fall into this unfortunate group many times, I like to consider myself zealous but really, I am an idiot LOL. Despite trying to rush the process of God in my life, He still has such an unique way of slowing down my mind and zeal, whether it be through people in my life who balance me out, or His voice just ushering me to keep still and wait. Ugh wait!! LOL For instance, my first year interns, I wanted to skip my second year and start a fresh at BSU. I wanted to move into the dorms, start some stellar small groups, get involved on campus and basically turn the place over to Jesus. All of these seem like noble deeds, I mean my intentions were in the right place but God had different plans in mind. That year, I went to Generation Conference in Seattle and heard a powerful message from Bishop T.D. Jakes. He spoke of David and how the prophet Samuel told David that he was to become King, yet David went back to being a shepard that day. In fact, it took David quite some time before he ever took hold of his inheritance. He was chased for years by the current King due to King Saul's jealousy and David's best friend was even killed. Eventually, David found himself, in the right time, on the throne. The Bishop also went on to talk about arrows- how they have a time where they are in reserve in the pack, not really going anywhere, then they pulled out of reserve only to be pulled back by the bow. This is the stage where most of us have a hard time, instead of moving forward and pursuing our destiny it seems as God has taken us back. This is where you must be careful, because if you only allow yourself to be pulled back a little bit, the arrow will not go very far but through perseverance and testing, the farther you get pulled back, they farther you will soar!!! That was the Word that convinced me of doing another year of interns, which looking back now, I can not imagine not having that extra year of delving into God's Word.
In that second year, I found my fit in ministry and life, I met people who profoundly shaped my life and vice versa and I was equipped in ways that I can not even explain. Let me share of few testimonies of God's favor when you just step out in faith, no matter how dismal the outcome may appear. My first year interns, God spoke to me about starting a snowboard ministry- it combined the very things I was most passionate about: Christ, people and snowboarding! So I did, only one person was a faithful helper and establisher with it, a certain Dan Dunson (thx brother). And let me tell you, at that time, he was last person who I thought would fulfill such a role, but the Lord told me him specifically and despite my qualms, I listened and it paid off! By the way, it has been amazing seeing Dan grow into such a radical man of God. Now we are in the 3rd year of the ministry and God has been hooking us up in such a BIG way and a lot sooner than I anticipated. We have more people who are all passionate men and women of God who share the vision and passion. We have some amazing contacts with pro companies and riders, plus we just got local sponsorship to give free product to kids. Oh and get this, during our second year of the ministry I needed to talk with one of the PR administrators at Bogus, so I asked my supervisor who I would need to contact. He told me that I needed to talk to Jennifer Johnson and gave me her number. Well I get off work and hitch hike down the hill- a lady picks me up and we get to chatting. She told me how she never gets to come up to the mountain to ski because she works in the valley so much. It turned out that she worked for Bogus in the corporate office and told me her name is Jennifer. Yup, you guessed it! It was the very Jennifer I had just talked to my supervisor about and needed to talk to, so I got to spend the entire car ride with her asking her all the things I needed to know! Coincidence? More like divine...that sort of stuff just does not happen all too often.
Just this weekend I got laid off from Micron, which was an answer to prayer! This summer, I was praying about whether or not to leave Micron and work full time with Bogus this winter because I wanted to be more involved with the community and ministry. One day in service, my pastor asks if there was anyone who was facing job decisions and said he wanted to pray for them. Well of course I responded and a week later I am up backpacking and I had a dream that I got laid off at Micron. Which it was strange that I was laid off in my dream because Micron was not even talking about laying anyone off at the time. When I woke up, I asked God if that was a dream from Him or if it was something that my subconscience conjured up. Well here we are a few months down the road and I am laid off from Micron, with a sweet severance package that will sustain me til the coming snow season where I will be working full time. Plus this money enables me to get caught up on bills and even get moved into a sweet new apartment which is giving us a killer discount on our first three months of renting!!! I could continue on and on and share with you about the awesome breakthroughs that I have experienced but this blog would turn into a novel!
All of this has brought me to a point of realization that timing is everything. God is so specific in His timing and if we are not tuned into what that timing is we are going to miss out on so much! I can not imagine the predicament I would of been in if I had quit Micron previously like I wanted to. I can not imagine going to school now without that extra year of interns and I can not imagine what GC Snow would look like if I did not believe in certain people and stayed with it even when things did not happen as fast as I wanted. Gosh, how it is so NOT about me! The choices I make not only effect me, but effect those around me. That's why it is so important to submit ourselves to the timing of God. I keep quoting it but "it's the good things in life that keep us from the best things in life." -P. Mark Francey. If you could get $1,000 today or $1,000,000 at the end of the week, which would you forfeit? Timing, timing, timing...I still screw this concept up, but I am learning and I am tuning myself into the will of the Father as I progress in my faith. So my advice to you is to submit yourself to the One who created you- He is the author and finisher of our faith, so if He writes it then maybe, just maybe there is a plot that is meant to unfold and it is probably in your best interest to discover that plot! Ecclesiastes 3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=25&chapter=3&version=31
Okay this may step on a few toes although I am not intending it in such a way as to point fingers at any specific person or condemn or even cast a display of self righteousness, yet conveying a message that has literally been burning inside my heart lately. God has certainly been challenging me in this area and neither have I achieved a hundred percent excellence in this area but it is something that I feel needs to be addressed. Call it critical, I hope it is more of an exhortation to all of us who call ourselves Christians. In return to this exhortation I ask for even accountability in this area as well. Okay what is it that has me riled up? Christian cliques, yes I said it...I too have fallen into this category and let me confirm that I am not saying that you should not have a core group of friends that are Christians. I am talking about being selective of who we allow in our daily lives to spend time with and help them grow in the Lord. A lot of the times in the church, we get together and we worship God and then in the time where we should be making connections (and I am not talking just introducing yourself, but making real connections!!!) with people, we spend it with our friends who we see on a day to day basis!
Recently I have made it a goal of mine that when I am at church or a church event/party, etc...that I will not spend my entire time mingling with those who I am close with. One of my best friends at the church is Jennifer Glover, but rarely will you see us sitting by one another in service or clinging to one another. We still hang out most every day together but there is a time for fellowship with the "Barnabas" and the time for connecting with the "Timothy's". I am tired, even in my own life, surface level relationships with new people in the church. You have the introduction and then the occasional hello's and the occasional myspace message or text message. That is not enough! It is in our nature to want to feel accepted and feel like we fit in, it is hard enough going to a new place, being new in your faith and not develop any deep relationships. I know that when I first got saved the people who really poured into me and talked to me and would have me sit next to them was so important to me. I still haven't forgot those people and I know I would not be where I am today if it was not for those people taking the sacrifice out of their daily lives and friendships to love me!! I get a lot of hassle (not really in a bad way) about how I am always putting together stuff and inviting people to do things, HELLO...it's not because I get too bored with my life that I always have to be doing something but I know when I invite someone from the church to do something that is not always about the church it means a lot to them. They become more of a friend than someone who we are trying to occupy a seat at church. And you know what frustrates me sometimes, the people who I have the hardest time getting involved is leaders! Look, I am not trying to shut down the church, because I know how important it is to have church be such a priority in your life. It's where you grow, become equipped, fellowship, have accountability, etc...but I am telling you, if the only relationship you have with people is only inside a church building, and they are new in Lord, they are going to go elsewhere to find relationship.
Let's become radical lovers of people! I have had some amazing friendships form because of getting together and involving people in activities. It is good to invite them to church, it is good to invite them to small groups, it is good to invite them to conferences, but do something separate of those things! Be spontaneous! Be creative! Have fun! And one more point to make before I close this (LOL) when someone stops coming to church, keep calling them, continue to make time for them. Fruit comes from persistence, when you don't give up on people. Thank God that He never gave up on me, and He has not given up on those who have left the church or are struggling. So if God does not give up on people, why should I? When you tell people how you miss them and set times to hang out, that does a number on someone's heart! No more of this asking people how so and so is doing, why don't you pick up the phone and ask them yourself? I am challenging myself to refrain from asking that question to people and if you hear me do that, please remind me of this exhortation. Because ten to one, you are going to get much better perspective than a third party response. And when you ask them, pray for them or ask them to meet up.
So I have said a lot...I mean a lot, but like I said I am stirred in this area right now and I know that we all could become better radical lovers (myself most definitely included). We can step out of the comfort of cliques and take the time to love people and loving people takes time and relationships. I mean if Jesus, the God man had to spend as much time with His disciples as He did, don't you think we need to step it up in our own lives a little more? I love you all reading this and I hope this does encourage you as it is a standard that has been encouraging me lately.
So I have been thinking a lot of the subject of peace. Most people would agree that our aim in life is to achieve peace and live in harmony with one another. Not too many people I know love dissension and spite. Without sounding like a "Debbie downer" but peace to me almost seems like this Utopian fantasy that we all dream about but will never achieve. Why can we not achieve peace in our world? Because what is it in each one of our selfish selves causes us to live outside our desires, our needs, wants, etc...? Where does peace even start? Certainly not on a global level, that involves way too many people in one arena and too many people are too selfish to achieve peace on a global level. Next we go to a national level yet the same dilemma presents itself, so let's move on to state wide, city wide, etc... It is funny to me that we want to achieve global peace yet we can not even get along with the people that we love, better yet those whom we mark as our foes.
Look at the divorce rate in America alone, the vows that one makes with one another is soon shattered by lack of selflessness and peace, two people who once loved each other now can not even live under the same roof. (and yes I understand there are many factors that play into a divorce, but you get what I am saying) How backwards is that? Maybe we should start somewhere practical such as the home and work for peace in homes before we try to take the mission overseas. Now let me clarify, I am neither saying that I am or am not in support of this war nor am I claiming that we just give up our strive for peace. Because in striving for peace, our aim and focus shifts from ourselves to others. Let's think practically though, starting by loving our literal neighbors and even our friends and family and then hopefully we can take that to an international level. On another practical level, what is causing you to strive for peace? I think that peace is something we yearn for more when it does not cost anything for us, let me explain. It is easy to love your best friend who is always there for you, but what happens if that person betrays your trust? A price has to be paid with restoring that relationship; that price is allowing that hurt to be healed and forgive them of their trespasses. Not so easy is it? In Luke 6:31-35 it says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back..." It is easy to love when a price does not have to be paid, it is easy to love those who love us. The challenge comes when you have to love someone who hates you or has hurt you, all of a sudden those peace signs carry a heavier weight.
The United Peace Coalition is launching a campaign of going to 1,000,000 doors and getting 1,000,000 signatures to bring our troops home from the Middle East. Sounds like a good plan right? (note: I am not stating my position of whether I think or don't think we should bring home our troops, yet making a statement) Well say their plan is a success and the troops are brought home safe and sound, do we honestly think peace is going to start there? Give it time, something else will arise and action will be taken. So my advice to all peace advocates, let's start practically, let's start by getting along with those in our own lives first.
"Oh back to school, back to school, to prove to dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight, oh back to school."
Good ol' Billy Madison there, in a way though I kind of feel like an adult trying to go back to school again (well okay I am, but you get the point...hopefully). I start Boise State again tomorrow and I really am excited for what God wants to do with me there! I am so grateful for second chances- let me give you a little synopsis of my first experience with BSU. I was just graduated from high school (02') and like most people, went to college right away and I might I add that I had the greatest of intentions when I first started out. I started out okay but as time progressed and the classes got harder as well as my partying, class didn't seem like much of a priority for me. I scheduled everything in my life at that time around 3 things: snowboarding, partying and work. I had class early in the morning (big mistake), snowboarded the rest of the day til work on the mountain in the evening and then partied all night. And let me reiterate, it is not easy going to class still buzzed from the night before or morning of! I started skipping a lot because I was so exhausted, but of course I didn't sacrifice anything else. I probably would have skipped out on work if I didn't need it to pay the bills. Well I managed a full year of school by that routine and of course landed myself on 
academic probation. That next fall I decided to take a semester off to make sure that school was what I really wanted to do. Spring semester rolls around and I decide to give it another whirl and re-take some of the classes that I failed only now all motivation quickly diminished and I stopped going altogether. Disclaimer: If you make the decision to not go to school or class, do so before the withdrawal date, that way you don't fail every single class and it winds up on your permanent record. Four years has passed since I last roamed that campus as an actual student and a lot has happened in those four short yet long years. The last three, God has radically encountered my life and set me on solid footing and for the first time since school I have restored hope and excitement for that campus. I see a future and something new to work towards in life. I am excited to meet new people and leave a positive and lasting impression in their life. I now have something to offer them besides snowboard tips and keg stand records. That hope is Jesus and I really want to be bold and courageous. I want any and all fear to vanish. I was a little bit scared that since it's been so long since I really buckled down in school that I wouldn't be able to get the job done or that I wasn't smart enough, but I know this is God's will for me at this season of my life and you know, He's called me there for a reason. I really am brimming with excitement at this new opportunity. It hasn't hit me yet that I am officially back in school and officially finished with interns! So pray for me this year, pray for all of us going back and hey, when you see us, encourage us! :)
So the other night I went with my non-biological lil bro night fishing at the ever-beloved Swan Falls. I hadn't gone night fishing in I can't remember how many years, but it turned out to be such a lovely night to go fishing...the weather that is...no one get any ideas!
The drive was typical, normal conversations about life and God, the future and present, mishaps and triumphs filled the air. The drive out past Kuna is pretty uneventful, it quickly becomes vast acres of open land and eager animals waiting to run out in front of your vehicle to meet their demise (well that is what it always seems like when I drive, I am convinced that these animals are choosing suicide by hurling themselves in front of my car...Heather and Meagan can vouch for this). Anyway, we arrive to Swan Falls dam and begin the search for the perfect spot to cast out a line in the dark water below. Amidst our search I casually came to an area where dirt and water had met its match and formed into something that my car loves to rally itself in. So I did what any giddy SUV driver would do, I sped up and rallied that mud with such a ferociousness. I do not know what it is inside of me that whenever I see a mud puddle I have to drive my car through it! Such joy fills my heart as the water spills over the entire car and mud covers the windshield and mud flaps. Aw, pure bliss :)
After I finished enjoying my childish shenanigans, we continued our pursuit for a prime fishing spot. The windows were rolled down allowing the breeze from the water to flow freely throughout the car, although now, the breeze brought forth a pungent, dairy farm type aroma. For Idaho though, this smell is quite common especially when the wind really kicks up, tossing around all sorts of scents. The further we drove though, the smell kept the same and in fact was not growing faint in any way. Some time goes by and the realization hits me that in fact the smell was not in the air, but that this smell had attached itself to my vehicle. I pulled over my car and got out to investigate my suspicions, which only confirmed my accusations...yup the body of my car and tires reeked of poo! I am laughing as I wrote that. The mud that I was so giddy to plow through was no more in fact a "toilet" for animals. I still find this hilarious, I mean, how often does that happen? You know how there is always that kid in school who is the smelly kid? My car is now that smelly kid, it has been tainted. But you wanna know something, if I had known beforehand the repercussions of my mud excursions, I probably still would have done it. ha ha! I know that some of you are so judging me right now, ha ha!! Go ahead, but put yourself in my driver's seat. Trucks and SUV's were meant for fun, they were meant for mud and gnarly roads. I actually use to be so annoyed at people who had trucks or SUV's and didn't use them properly, but just skirted around in them to look cool and tough, or people who turned their trucks into low riders, but that is a whole other story which you don't want me to get into. Low riders are a joke, no offense if you are a fan, but a truck that needs hydraulics just to go over a speed bump is a waste of a good truck.
So I say all this to say, ensure that your mud pot really is in fact mud, not a poo-mud mixture. Otherwise you will be the stinky kid...unless you're in to that sort of thing. lol
So recently I took a backpacking trip up to Seven Devils in Riggins, ID. It was my first official backpacking trip, with all the packs and camping equipment strapped to our backs we hiked up the steep terrain. It was such a FUN adventure for me, I felt like a stinkin kid again climbing up rocks and the mountain side. I hardly paid any attention to the physical exertion, I was just stoked to be out in the mountains and starting a new venture that I have never done before. When we finally reached the top of the mountain where we were setting up camp, the view was magnificent!! It really brought me to my knees and tears to my eyes at the overwhelming beauty of God's wonderful creation! Everything was so beautiful and I was standing so small in the center of it! I immediately have fallen in love with this hobby and sport, I mean camping is fun enough but to actually hike into someplace is a whole different ball game.
It also made me want to take up rock climbing as well, I have done rock walls at gyms before but the little that we did while we were up there was a blast. I love the challenge of pushing your body to new extremes. If any of you get the opportunity to go backpacking, take it!! All the work is worth it when you reach your destination (hey that could be a sermon right there). Needless to say, there was no "devil" about this place, God's craftsmanship and fingerprint was everywhere!! Might I add that my personal worship time there was some of the best I have ever had. God is soooo good!
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11:53 AM
So I have been up in McCall since Monday and have really been enjoying my relaxing vacation time. I was supposed to be at the Oregon Coast this week, but things didn't work out so I got the opportunity to come up to McCall and hang out with one of my besties, Lacey and her husband Cole. They are the newly ordained youth pastors at Mtn Life Church up here and Cole gave Glover (she came up for a few days too) and I the opportunity to preach to their youth group Wednesday night. So Wednesday Glove and I spent the day bouncing thoughts off each other, reading, studying, praying and really asking God what His heart was for this group of young individuals. The theme had been on commitment, so we were asked to correlate that into our message.
Glover was on the vein of wells- God had been showing her about drinking from your own wells and digging deep wells that even when dry seasons come around you still have water to drink from. Throughout her research of wells, she found that they used certain wells that have either dried up or were broken as prisons for people. How interesting that the dry wells in our lives can actually be vessels for prisons in our life.
God has been imparting to me lately about building altars in our lives. How we need to be the sacrifices on those altars and allow the fire of God to burn out areas that are displeasing to God. I read from 2 Sam 24 about David's punishment for taking a census of the fighting men of the land due to pride in his life. Once he recognized the sin that he had committed he cried out to God but it was too late. The sins of the people were already rampant, but once the head of the people fell, the rest was like a domino effect. So God gives him 3 options for punishment- 3 yrs of famine (which they were already recovering from), 3 mos of fleeing from their enemies or 3 days of plague. David decides that it is better to fall into the hands of a merciful God than into the cruelty of man. These 3 options are all in Deut. 28 under the curses for disobedience. After the 3 days of plague, David is instructed to go build an altar to the Lord and offer burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. As he goes to buy the threshing floor to build the altar the man offers to give it all to him for free, but David refuses to offer sacrifices that don't cost him anything. As soon as he builds an altar, the Lord answers his prayers and the plagues stop and healing comes. It is the altars in our lives that are going to bring healing to our spiritually plagued culture.
God calls believers the head, so if our sins or complacency set in then the rest will crumble. We continually need to be offering up ourselves as sacrifices so that we can see healing in our land. God doesn't give us what we can't handle, which usually is a prayer of thanks but it is also bittersweet because he isn't going to give revival to a nation, a city, a church, a person who can't handle it. It's going to take a sacrifice that will cost us something whether it be commitment, cutting off certain hang ups, etc...
It was pretty sweet preaching side by side with another one of my besties, but I pray that the word really went deep in the hearts of the McCall youth. We certainly had a good time after service hanging out at Crusty's pizza! Live outdoor music and dancing, it was bodacious! And here is some footage of us too ;)
So this blog is not like my usual theological, pastoral themed blogs but the experience of today's adventure was much too humorous not too share. Now if you are not from Idaho, this will make little to no sense, but I will do my best to lay out the scenerio as vividly as possible so that whomever may stumble upon this can grasp the fullness of this experience. Who knows maybe where ever you are from, you have people who fall into this category of drivers. Ah yes, I said drivers. Let me paint the picture for you...
Today was like any normal day, heading to my place of employment. Well I am exiting off the Eagle exit and merging onto the freeway only to hear this repeated horn honking at me. My first thought was maybe it was someone I knew (because everyone in Idaho knows each other I swear!), and I was merging the way the law instructs to, so I didn't see any other reason for the horn honk. As I looked closer at this little blue Ford Focus hatchback close in on me, I had come to realize that I did not know this person behind the wheel and yes, they were honking at me...for merging!!! They did not slow down to allow me to merge, nor did they 
get into the vacant lane right next to them, yet they continuously honked their horn at me as if I was breaking the law by merging onto the freeway. I did not get angry, mainly because I saw the driver and its passenger; a little old man and his little old wife with their blue and white handicapped sticker proudly hanging from their rear view mirror. I slow down and allow them to pass and I glance at their license plate, which was merely icing on the cake...yup, you guessed it Idahoans...2C!!!!!
Triple threat behind that wheel!!! So why do I entitle this piece "The Antichrist"? Well my good friend and laborer in the faith, Jake Lee, has a term for a 2C driver with a handicapped sticker and by now you may have guessed what that might be. The reasoning: because they bring death and destruction to all! haha! As us Idahoans know, 2C drivers already are crazy drivers...if you come to Boise and you get cut off, almost run off the road, etc... check the license plate. (2C represents the county that the vehicle is registered in, this particular one is Canyon County) Maybe where you're from you can relate to this, especially if you are from California. Anyway I thought I would share my encounter on my way to work today! haha! It certainly brought laughter to my heart.
Disclaime
r: In no way was this intended to offend the elderly nor the handicapped, but maybe the Canyon County drivers!! lol
Have you ever had those moments when you have a wave of so many mixed emotions that even in prayer you can not even get it all out? Instead it feels like this war in your mind and usually anger and frustration is what comes spilling out. These are the frustrations though that make the enemy go running for his life- because they are directed at him in such an intimate way I can not even put into words. I am pissed!! I am ticked that he thinks he has a right in my life and a believers life. I can't tell you how much it breaks my heart to see people, especially those I care about feel unloved, feel unworthy, feel inadequate, feel un-special, and the list can go on. Last time I checked, God didn't create something without a purpose. And our purpose is not to be stuck in addiction, bondage, depression, oppression, etc... It hurts me to see people in this state, it hurts me to see the people it effects. And you know what makes me really angry? The fact that I have been given the power and authority to make the change, to see captives released and prisoners set free, but I continuously fail to utilize that authority!!! I am sorry if this blog is not making a lot of sense right now, I am having a hard time putting into words what is aching in my heart right now and to be quite frank, I don't even know what I am doing on this website causing me to be distracted when I should be face down on my floor right now crying out for people and my lack of faith.
God, I wanna be so over myself that I can go up to anyone and tell them how you feel about them and what you see in them! Even those who we think are doing great in their walk with the Lord, constantly encourage them!!! Sometimes when we think we have it all together is when it is one storm away from falling down all together. Believers, we are all in this together- KNOW who you are and where you are in Christ! And don't look through the lenses of the world but look through the Word! When we start to break down and malfunction is when we are operating outside of our created purpose, so if you feel that coming on you- SPEAK!! Speak the Word of God, speak to God, speak to someone about what you're going through- no matter how many times you keep going through the same thing over and over again! I believe in your freedom, I believe in your destiny, I believe in your God, and I believe that "all things are possible through Christ who gives you strength." K I don't know where else to go with this, I guess if you ever feel hurt, rejected, offended, worthless, alone, etc... talk to me, find me and I will pray with you or if you are a guy I'll get you around some people who will encourage you! Just don't give up! Don't give in! Let God be your God and let Him use you!
Okay so I guess I'll start this blog off right and talk about politics. Now I am one of the last people to really have a stance on politics because frankly I have not put in the energy to listen to the ranting and ravings of political leaders. And I do take responsibility for my lack of attention to the news and "the issues". I do, however feel as if I have come to a conclusion with this years presidential election. Now before I get the back lash from political guru's, you must know that I have put a lot of thought into this and it would take a literal act of God to change my opinion on this issue. Yes, I know I am stubborn and probably a bit ignorant, nonetheless, my mind has been made up.
For this next election, my vote is going towards neither of the candidates because I am choosing not to place my opinion on a ballot form this year. Let me first say, that I am not against voting, this is not a rebellious, anarchist stand that I am taking. If you really have a passion for one of the candidates, then by all means, vote for the one whom you believe will impact this country the best way possible. I have found that I don't really agree with either candidate and due to my partial lack with keeping updated on all their political stances- I do not know everything they stand for. For one, I refuse to vote simply because one is republican and I have voted that in the past. I refuse to vote for someone simply because a majority of people I hang out with are voting for a particular person. I refuse to vote on the basis of them supporting or not supporting gay marriage or abortion. (Note: I am against both of these issues, but I also am aware that these topics make up nearly 1% of the issues discussed in Congress. And most of those issues are up to each state to decide, so I say let's be a little more proactive in our state government. And yes, I am pointing the finger at myself as well.) To put it simply I have a hard time supporting either candidate- both of them seem shady to me and no I am not going to vote for the lesser of two evils- which I was informed to do!! ;)
Since voicing my choice not to vote I have received several comments regarding the issue. One comment was, "well you don' t have the right to complain if you don't vote, because you never voiced your opinion." And you know what, you are right, I don't have the right to complain, because since when did I ever have the right to complain? God never said for His people to complain when things didn't go their way or when they had a leader who was bad- no! He has called us to fast and pray for our leaders. It is my responsibility for who ever gets into office to pray and fast for them, because I know that if God can get a hold of their heart, He can get a hold of their politics and their morality. I have been told that it's my right as an American citizen to be able to vote. Yes, it is my right and I am very thankful and privileged to be able to utilize that right. As I stated previously I am not opposed to voting, but considering that it is a right, I have the option to take up that right. I have the right to bear arms, but I don't own a gun. Not that I am opposed to guns, but I personally don't have the need for one. Maybe we will talk if the government tries to take over.
I realize that I could go back and forth with people about why I should or shouldn't vote. I am sure you could give me Scripture references and the whole ten point sermon about the issue. And I find it ironic that I go to the church I go to, although I do care about the leadership of this nation. I guess, the more and more I think about it, I could honestly care less about the next President and about all of our rights, because as a Christian, living in the end times, it really isn't going to matter who is in office because the Bible promises persecution. Christians are going to have their rights taken from them left and right, but it's the church that is going to have to work together to make the difference and bring souls into the Kingdom. My heart and focus is more concerned towards the people, of all nations, not just the U.S of A. I mean, what right do we have to bomb people who bomb us? Are our lives more valuable than theirs? Are our people more valuable to God than those in Iraq? I know it's a tough line to walk because we can't allow them to keep coming over here and killing all of us, but when we retaliate, are we any better? Has it really solved anything?
I read this book called "The Irresistible Revolution" and although I don't agree with all of his theologies and ideologies I did agree with several really profound thoughts of his. One statement he made was in regards to 9/11. He said instead of the church offering refuge to those in pain and in need, we instead banded together in patriotism. When the country really needed God to be their refuge, we just waved our red, white and blue. He worded it a whole lot better than I did, but you get the point. Sometimes our allegiance to the flag outshines our most important allegiance and that is to God. Okay so I am realizing that I am getting off on a whole different tangent, so I am going to conclude. A lot of you may think I am naive, ignorant, maybe brilliant (only from those who may be equally minded, lol) but this is just my stance on the issue. So when everyone is out this November punching their holes into their ballots, I will be doing God knows what, hopefully praying.
Well it looks like I have succumbed to the world of eblogging, despite the fact I have been posting my opinions and blurbs on Myspace for years now. I suppose now I can channel all of my thoughts into one arena of voices and opinions. It is pretty neat that we live in an age where we can be so explicitly open about our views and opinions and post them for millions of eyes to see. Which in and of itself can be a curse, because there are many opinions out there that I could honestly care less to read or hear- every now and then though you stumble across something that moves your heart and provokes a string of thoughts and emotions. Those are the ones that make this whole open ended, uncensored world wide web worth it all.
I really have no organized objective or theme to this whole blogging thing, maybe that will happen as I continue to write and spill out my ideas on this online canvas. I guess this is my introduction, as with any intro I suppose you are waiting for some sort of outline of what to expect, otherwise it would be a waste of my time to write useless nothing on here and benefit no one, except maybe myself. Well I guess you can expect theological views and insights, frustrations about life and religion (yes, I said religion. Anything where man is involved can be frustrating but also encouraging, so don't except that statement as pessimism) you can expect themes that God is teaching me on or growing me in (right now He has me on authority, unbelief, and learning to forfeit my rights- all of them!), you can expect my joys and triumphs en wrapped with some cool memories and divine encounters, you can expect ministry joys and trials...so I guess in a nutshell I just described life in general. ha ha!
I do enjoy stating my opinion whether I am right or wrong, it usually finds itself in the ears of those on both sides of the fence, wanted or not. LOL I think I am going to enjoy this blog spot, ha ha! Maybe you will too, if not, well can't help you there. Man God is good! He really should have taken away my ability to speak, lol, I am learning that whole silence is wisdom philosophy. Well I hope this introduced you into my chaotic world of thoughts, they are quite scattered and don't have much of pattern to them, so hopefully I can get them to flow together into something readable for the sake of those trying to grasp what I hope for them to grasp. Ah, until next time...til I decide to distract myself even more so.
