Make a Change!

The following is inspired by Francis Chan’s sermon entitled, “When God Doesn’t Listen.” His exact wording is placed in quotation marks.

“Either give up Christ or give up your sin… you can’t have both.” (Chan was talking in the context of repetitive sin-problems, as we know it is impossible to completely totally forever eliminate sin this side of heaven)

When you sin, as sin is a part of everyday life, repent and turn away from it. Be determined to not be had by it again. If you look that sin in the face, and find you’re having a hard time leaving it behind, realize that not moving past it comes at a cost - and that cost doesn't just affect you. Do you realize what you’re doing to God’s reputation, and how you might be leading fellow brothers and sisters into sin? Others might see you committing a specific sin, and be led into thinking that such a repetitive action is OK in God’s sight.

You MUST close the door on this repetitive sin habit, and start with His strength and help to strive to purge the sin from your life… minute by minute, action by action, thought by thought. Be careful of your reputation and who you claim to be representing. If you walk around claiming to follow Jesus, yet you struggle with the same sins over and over again, a heart check is in tune…. We MUST become aware of how we are representing Christ’s name, to our brothers and sisters in Him, but ALSO to the world around us!

Our sin doesn’t just hurt God and burn us… it mis-leads our community (those observing your sin, and their reaction when they see your non-repentant heart), the world around us (when they hear you calling yourself a Christian, but see you acting just like they do, in a lifestyle CHARACTERIZED with sinful habits and actions), and the church (as you are not actively contributing to the body of Christ with actions that please God or words that build others up; rather your actions REALLY ARE leading people astray!).

Take a moment to EXAMINE yoiur life, and look at your lifestyle from the eyes of those around you, and realize who your life impacts. Do your choices, (whether people see them, hear them, or not), act as harmful and painful stumbling blocks for the believer, and an inconsistent testimony of the God of Heaven to the unbeliever? Check it out yo! Make changes in your life!!!!

This really is SO important for you to do! I hope you understand how much your sinful thoughts and actions, minute to minute, not just affect and kill you, but affect and kill everyone around you. Stop rationalizing your everyday sins… give them up, repent, give them over to God, and turn in a new direction.

Its time to wake up and take a stand towards a new minute, a new hour, a new day, and a refreshed lifestyle that SCREAMS Jesus Christ to the world around you!

Take a step back... welcome to simple faith

Man…

Shouldn’t it just be SIMPLE?!

Can’t we just get away from all the science, all the debates, all the arguments and facts… and just live a simple life, loving God, working hard, and loving each other?

If we all just got out of our “uppity” societies, filthy wealth, and corrupting social class, we could sit back and just feast on the simple sights of nature and Truths of God. We would be SUCH a content people! What have we become?

If we just took a step out of it all to lay under the stars, watch birds and butterflies, watch a powerful storm roll in, and understand the majesty of God through the power of nature… I can’t imagine how it would change our perspectives on life – on the meaning of it all!

We miss out on so much, through our distracting society. Computers, videogames, TV, music, toys… its sick. We are a selfish society, consumed by our possessions, reputation, and social status. Our clothes and cars are so important to us… those things didn’t always even exist… how many countless gods we follow after without even realizing it!

Our passions and cares are SO misplaced. We ought to be sick because of how far we’ve fallen from the simple yet valiant truth of God. How blinded we have all become.

What do you delight about God

God means so much to me. Growing up, I had really struggled with believe in God's existance. Does He really love me? Will He really satisfy all my needs? Can I really trust Him to teach me EVERYTHING I need to know?

I continued with my doubt in God through my freshman year of college (2007-2008), as I watched my mom struggle through a really hard battle with double kidney failure, I noticed her faith. Her life was hanging on the line, she either would get a kidney transplant, or most likely pass away... sure, she was scared, but she was made strong by Gods strength. By the hope He gave her. By the assurance she had in Him, that He would protect her and care for her in the best way that He knew how. She had faith that went beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Over the last year, I have faced many painful trials. I have lost a number of dear loved ones, and been through some other very traumatic experiences. At the beginning of it all, and as it continued to unfold in my life, I didn't understand why I should have to undergo such trials. It was then that I remembered that this life is not going to be perfect. Following Christ doesn't mean that everything will be roses and butterflies. Following Christ means that God is going to allow things to happen in your life, that will break you down and soften your heart towards Himself.

Through it all, I have learned, and continue to learn, that God is always there. We can know His presence so intimately in the face of trials...He is here, holding our hands, carrying us through them... and in the end, the trials are always for a reason. They are a part of a bigger picture that we can't see, but God sees it. In the end, we are stronger because of our trials. In the end, we are able to help other people through like trials and situations, because we've been there firsthand, know how it hurts, and can help give them hope.

God has taught me that life is going to throw you some pretty nasty curve-balls in your lifetime - if they haven't come yet, they're coming... but hang tight, because God is in control, and He will never let go of your hand.

God is delightful to me because of His strength. His wisdom. The way He holds me when painful memories consume me. The way He calms me and comforts me through His word, and through talking to me. He knows its hurts. He knows the way is dark and unknown. He knows how it feels to be at every point of life we will face - that is why He can be trusted. He is delightful because of the way that He has revealed His creation to me during this last year. I can't look at ANY aspect of creation the same way. I am continually speechless and amazed at the way the sky looks, at the way the sun sets SO beautifully, the way that the wind wraps around me, the way that a storm rolls in. It gives me shivers and completely overwhelms me to the point of tears most-times. Our God delights me by the way that He has revealed peace to me, through the enjoyment of His creation. How awesome that, when we are enjoying His creation, He is sitting in our midst,enjoying our responses. The thing that has been hitting me most lately is this:

If Gods creations, those beautiful pieces of nature that leave our jaws on the floor, can amaze us and move us to tears... what kind of Immaculate Beauty does God possess. I can't imagine a more beautiful picture than some of the absolutely astounding sunsets I've seen... I can't wait to behold the beauty of God... the thought leaves me shivering with holy fear at His greatness. Quite literally. How GREAT is our God? We haven't the slightest clue. We really don't have the slightest clue...

He is delightful because He is God. Our shield and protector. Our mender and redeemer. He holds my broken pieces in His hands, and He is putting them back together again. Slowly but surely, I can see Him piecing me back together as He heals me with His love and precious grace.

Run to Him with all that you are, because nothing else is worth what He brings to the table. He fills me up, overflowing, as I have never been filled before. He heals the pain that pours from my broken heart. Life your life in reckless abandonment to Jesus. Its the only thing you can do. The only thing truly worth everything.

My God, He dries the tears from my face, reminding me that He's always there, always listening, always loving, always understanding, always having an answer, always dependable... my God, He is always and more.

SEE

(See by Steven Curtis Chapman)

Right now all I can taste are bitter tears

Right now all I can see are clouds of sorrow

From the other side of all this grief

Is that you I hear, laughing loud

Calling out to me

See, its everything you said that it would be

And even better than you would believe

And I’m counting down the days

Until you’re hear with me

And finally you’ll see

But right now all I can say is Lord, how long

Before you come and take away this aching

This night of weeping seems to have no end

But when the morning light breaks through

We’ll open up our eyes

And see, its everything He said that it would be

And even better than we would believe

And He’s counting down the days

Until He says come with me

And finally

He’ll wipe every tear from our eyes

And make everything new just like He promised

Wait and see

Just wait and see

Wait and see

And I’m counting down the days

Until I see, Its everything He said that it would be

And even better than we would believe

And I’m counting down the days

Til He says come with me

And finally we’ll see

We will see

We'll taste and see that the Lord is good

The Lord is good

The Lord is good

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good

The Lord is good

Lukewarm and Loving It (credit to Francis Chan)

Notes I took while listening to the sermon Lukewarm and Loving It by Francis Chan (www.crazylovebook.com)

............................................................................................................

It’s weird that we live this way. We get into this world where we think “gosh, the way they live is SO strange.” 2 dollars a day – half the world lives off of that. We’re FILTHY rich. And we don’t even get it.

We make 100x’s what the average person on this planet makes. Is that weird, or is it weirder that we don’t think we’re rich. We are so filthy rich – yet most of us would say we’re not. Walk out saying “man, I’m just LOADED - rich beyond imagination.” We’d say “I’m broke” we’re stressed out about 30 years from now – most people would look at us and go “you’re an idiot”… our richness puts us at such a serious disadvantage spiritually. SO hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter the kingdom of God. Not only are we the richest people of the world, but in the safest city… the TOUGHEST people to reach are the people who are the most safe and secure. Luke 18:18

What’s impossible with man is POSSIBLE with God. . . we CAN be saved, and we CAN follow Christ with all our might – because He can change our heart!

ITS HARD FOR THE RICH TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Be convinced of that!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes, we dissect a passage so much, that we lose sight of what it is really simply saying. We’re so rich, and so comfortable – this is one of the hardest places to bring people to Christ. It’s impossible from a HUMAN level, but with God, we can attain it!

Zaccheus – I am staying at your house today! Look Lord, here now, I give half my possessions to the poor, and I will pay back 4 times the amount to those I have cheated out. Jesus said, TODAY salvation has come to this house. What happened? The impossible – a rich man said “TAKE MY MONEY”… I don’t care about money anymore - Jesus just invited me in! He wants to dine with me!

He doesn’t have to think about it “with GREAT JOY, he sold all he had, and bought the field” this isn’t a COMPARE…. No, with great joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He sold all he had – NO HESITATION! What is WRONG with us?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Money does weird things to people. :/ Money has done weird things to ME… US. The more you have the less you’re inclined to feel that you are needy… money brings FALSE security!

Revelation 3:14-17 perfect representation of AMERICA. You make me GAG. Not a hot coffee, not an iced mocha I sip it by accident agh that’s disgusting. You’r enot on fire. You’re LUKEWARM. That’s what I think of your church – you’re not fired up about me. You’re not on fire. YOU SAY I’m RICH. I DON”T NEED A THING. I DON”T NEED A CRUTCH, YOU DON”T REALISZE that you are……. Buy from me GOLD refined in the FIRE. CLOTHES. Salve – so we can SEE! God says “you don’t get it, you really ARE the needy – nakedpitiful disgusting – because of their view of me. . . you’re not on FIRE for God right now”

Yeah I am lukewarm – and then you’ll walk out the door, and do NOTHING about it. You are lukewarm, you KNOW IT, you’ve got enough “God” in your life – and you don’t want to be on fire. You’re COMFORTABLE.

I once was BLIND but now I’m BLIND. If you GET IT, you wouldn’t be lukewarm! Are you REALLY saved? The Kingdom of Heaven is like this: “WHOA!!!!!!!! HERE I AM LORD, TAKE EVERYTHING I HAVE... ALL I WANT IS THAT TREASURE YOU PROMISE US!” God or the world… God or the world… God or the world?? UGH you make me GAG! You’re comparing ME to this CRAP? You’re wondering if I’m GOOD ENOUGH … DUH are you kidding me? Let me just sell everything! Here's a guy who jumps out of a tree, and goes FORGET IT! I can have God?!?!?! YEAH!

We, on the other hand, say yeah, then 10 minutes later, you forget about it and move on in life. What else is there to think about??!

You shouldn’t do ANYTHING until you figure out how to be on fire for God. You should be down on your face, you shouldn’t eat again, until you come before God and fast and pray… “God get me on fire, I’m not on fire, You gotta get me on fire for You. I wanna be in love with You, I’ve gotta see how valuable You are compared to all this other junk! You know… GET ME HERE!

THAT SHOULD BE ALL YOU CARE ABOUT – Don’t go to work tomorrow until you figure this out! Man, sell your house, move – do whatever it takes! You can’t enter life lukewarm! Do you get that? Why are Jesus’ words SO strong?!

THOSE I LOVE I REBUKE AND DISCIPLINE SO BE EARNEST AND REPENT!

I don’t want to spit you out of my mouth – I love you! Which is why I’m speaking so harshly and rebuking you and I’ll discipline you too. I’ll have things happen in your life to get your attention…. Cause you’re lukewarm, and if you end this way, I’m just conna spit you out of my mouth cause that’s disgusting – it’s repulsive to me.you make me GAG when you question whether I’m worthy of everything and you compare me to your stuff and your false security your idols.

How does this relate to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

3 Things To Pray Over:

1. Reveal to me areas in which I am lukewarm

2. Give me strength in areas of weakness

3. Do whatever it takes to get you on fire for Him

Draw Me Ever Nearer

This might be a bit scatter brained. I have so much I want to say, and I'm beyond exhaustion. Its been a very, very long day.

I have to be honest. This last year has been so hard. Coming full swing around, I'm coming up to many one-year anniversaries that are very painful to dwell upon.

A hymn I discovered last winter, 2009, that helped me through many of the hard days is Draw Me Ever Nearer, by Keith Getty. They lyrics are as follows:

Jesus draw me ever nearer

As I labour through the storm.

You have called me to this passage,

and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,

May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;

Keep my spirit staid and sure.

When the midnight meets the morning,

Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial

Form within me as I go -

And at the end of this long passage,

Let me leave them at Your throne.

Went to another funeral tonight - my good friend Kathryn's mother just passed away on July 3, 2010, from a massive brain tumor. She ended her Second year of struggle in a joyous, indescribable reunion with the Lord Jesus Christ. She is in her Eternal Home now-but the pain for those on earth will continue for weeks, months, years, and decades to come.

Kathryn and her sisters won't have their mother, Eileen, there for their marriages, for their college graduations, one for her high school graduation, for their future-born kids... SO MANY NORMAL memories that are supposed to be had with one's mother, won't be had for them anymore.

God has a reason for why things happened this way - but it sure doesn't make things easier.

The pastor's slogan at the funeral tonight said this, in light of cancer, and secondly in light of the hope Eileen had in her Savior and Precious Jesus: "It is what it is, but it's not all there is."

Eileen knew that the cancer would take her life - yet she lived her life completely for the Lord in spite of it. Sure, cancer - it is what it is, but its not all there is... because she has an overcoming Savior, who was waiting for her as she took her last earthly breathe-Who was waiting for her with outstretched arms, and who, when she finally passed away from this earth, welcomed her into His arms and said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I wish I could take all the time in the world to tell you Eileen's story... she was an absolutely phenomenal woman of God. When you met her, it was as if you were the only person in the room who mattered. She was so devoted to everyone she met - she loved with love that I've never seen come out of any other person before.... She loved people JUST like Jesus Christ did. Endlessly.

She took every moment to tell people about Jesus, whether at Lake Country Caring, the center she started, which gave essential clothing and furiture to needy people, or to the UPS man that came to her house to deliver a package (and she answered the door, shaved head with a big scar from her most recent surgery - and talked to the UPS man for 10 minutes, telling him all about Jesus Christ, what He has done for her, and how much she could live through because of Him).

Family came first for her. Period. She was so involved in her girls' lives. She and her husband loved each other in such an icnredible way. I've never seen a marriage like theirs. Such intense, genuine care and love for one another. Her husband, Neil, said that every night that he and Eileen were married, they would fall asleep holding hands. He said that they had a beautiful courtship, romantic marriage, and a wonderful friendship - they loved, honored, and cared for one another to the fullest sense of the words.

Every morning she would be up early, with a big cup of coffee, curled up on the couch reading the Word of God... and one by one her daughters would wake up and come down to snuggle with her, while she shared with them what God was teaching her that morning from the Scriptures.

That is SO precious. I've never known a relationship like that with anyone before - much less family. What an incredible blessing Eileen was. What an incredible disciple of the Lord Jesus. What an extraordinary example for us all to follow!

It was said of her tonight, that she could look at even the most rotten person, with the most 'dirt' and 'sin' evident in their life, and she could pick out the jems - the good in their person. She was always encouraging, always giving wisdom, always building people up, always going the extra mile.

I cried so hard tonight. She was just an incredible woman! So much love, so much guidance and wisdom.

They played many of the songs that got me through some of my most recent losses as well, which I'm sure added to the emotion of the night.

My friend Cameron passed away last summer, August 1st, 2009. His 1 year anniversary is coming up soon.

Some very intense, brutally raw, painful experiences happened to me over the course of last summer, and I guess I'm still not past those things yet either. Having summertime back in my face, and being back in the same area that I was last summer, is very hard. Being around people who have rejected me brings all the pain, loneliness, and sorrow flooding back in.

Then, this past January 27th, 2010, my Grandmother passed away. My family is very close, so losing her has been so intensely hard.

I can't wait until school starts back up, so I can work on moving on again.

Its been a tough rebuilding process, and I'm nowhere NEAR 'pieced back together'. God is definately on the move in my life though (well, when is He not! BUT, I can see bits and pieces coming together right now, and it is so encouraging!)

Tonight at Eileen's funeral was a painful, but incredibly encouraging night.

I am more determined now than ever, to keep striving towards becoming the Godly woman God wants me to be. To just GLOW with the love, strength, and perseverance of the Savior. To love others with every single fiber that is within me - whether I like them, know them, or not. God made us all - and we are all created equal. If we, as the Christians, don't start waking up and living for Jesus Christ, how WILL the world ever come to know Him?

With the end times coming upon us as quickly as they seem to be, its about HIGH time we start getting our act together too.

Pray with me, please:

Lord Jesus, please refine us. Mold us. Discipline us. Help us to become 100% devoted to you. With everything within us Lord, we want to honor you with our lives. We want to share your love. Your care. Your qualities with those who are lost in this world. Jesus, we are your hands and feet - I pray that you would help us to put ourselves aside, and instead focus on others - ALWAYS - just as Eileen did.

God, let us follow Jesus' example, and Eileen's example, and Cameron's example... of what it looked like to be a sold-out follower of You.

Make us more like You everyday. Keep breaking us down, until we see You face to face.

Jesus, give us an ever more hungry desire to search after You, learn more about You, and become like You.

Be our peace and strength in trials; Your grace is sufficient - You can hold us up. Let me fall on You when I don't have the strength to hold myself up anymore. Let us depend on you completely, always.

Thank You for hearing our cries, catching our tears, and feeling our hurt tonight. I know that You are celebrating BIGTIME with Eileen, and are absolutely joy-filled to have her by Your side tonight.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

Kathryn and I, (about a month ago)

Let Us Love

Let Us Love - NeedToBreathe Lyrics (listen to the song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ORbjT8UO4 )

We were born to embrace, not accept it

We were given nothing more, and so we kept it

As the colors of our boots keep fading

We live a life that we hate without saying

Who would listen to the cries of a poor man

We’ve never done nothing

How could we be something

Every heart has an hour of existence

Every breath brings a chance for redemption

If somehow we could wake up

Let us love

Like we were children

Make us feel Like we’re still living

In a world I know that’s burning to the ground

Give us time

To beat the system

Make us find

What we’ve been missing

In a world I know that’s burning to the ground

In the crowd of the dead and disappointed

We’re ashamed, giving up on what we wanted

Take a chance on a long shot this time

Aren’t we all just at least worth another try

I’m a king in a land of abuses

Undermined by the promise of excuses

Who’s to win if we know that it’s not fair

Who’s to fight when it seems that no one cares

If somehow we could wake up

Let us love

Like we were children

Make us feel Like we’re still living

In a world I know that’s burning to the ground

Give us time To beat the system

Make us find

What we’ve been missing

In a world I know that’s burning to the ground

It’s hard to stay here, but where do we go

I know we can’t feel it anymore I

t’s true that time is wearing us down

We fall further and further away

Waiting for always to change

Let us love

Like we were children

Make us feel

Like we’re still living

In a world I know that’s burning to the ground

Leave your hurting on the road behind you

Let the wind go with you ‘til the morning comes

Yeah your sorrow, it can’t save you

It won’t answer for what you’ve done