How creepy are you when you watch Christmas lights? An awkward questionaire

It's that time of year again! Christmas season is upon us, and its time to pile up into the cars, drive around the neighborhood and check out the Christmas lights.

Although, have you ever wondered how creepy you seem when you do so?

To ease your thoughts, just go through the checklist below to determine just how creepy you seem. Just add up the points and see how you score!

• You drive around by yourself: +5

• Your vehicle has tinted windows: +10

• Your vehicle has no windows at all: +1,000

• You park outside a house just to "appreciate" the lights: +2

• You physically get out of your car to get a "better viewpoint": +15

• You take pictures of your favorite houses: +20 

•  You take pictures of ALL of the houses: +30

•  You take those super cool mental pictures: +53

• You bring your family onto the lawn to get a closer look: +40  

• Not that you would know, but looking at the house of someone in witness protection: +10

• You DO know that they are in witness protection: +100

• You have a picnic in front of your favorite house while you look at the lights: +200

• You return to the best houses every night as long as the lights are up: +10

• You leave the families of said houses a note letting them know that you will, in fact, be back: +500

• You keep looking at your own house: Not creepy, but pretty conceited. Check yourself.

• It isn't Christmas and there aren't any lights up: There is no number to describe how creepy that is.

Merry Christmas!

3 Great Tips on Getting the Most out of Your Summer as a Camp Staffer

Summer camps are something I'm extremely passionate about, especially after working two summers for CentriKid camps. I wouldn't be the person I am today if God hadn't led me to CentriKid, and I know several people who would say the same. In my experience I've found that there are certain things you can do to make the most out of your experience as a camp staffer for any kind of summer camp, and the lessons you learn are lessons you'll keep with you for the rest of your life. I'm so thankful that God has taught me and so many others these lessons.

1. Preparation begins long before camp does. If you're working a camp this summer or just considering it, your spiritual preparation begins NOW. I've made plenty of mistakes and it usually goes back to the fact that I had not allowed God to fully prepare my heart and mind. I can guarantee that I'm doing it differently this summer, and I encourage all of you to begin praying and searching now, and let God speak into your heart specifically about this summer and the ministry you'll be doing.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

2. Give it your all. At the end of a long day working camp, when you're barely able to walk, seek God and let Him comfort you. I know I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world, and that's how God gets me through those days. Give God your all, give the campers your all, and give your fellow staffers your all. Being a camp staffer is one of the few experiences that puts you in the position to serve incredible amounts of people with a Christ-like character. Don't let it go to waste. 

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10

3. Stop comparing. I have DEFINITELY learned this one the hard way. I've struggled with comparing "my" successes with kids to the ones who haven't really understood what God is trying to teach them and seeing it as a failure. However, that is a completely wrong way to look at things. When a kid accepts Christ, it's not my success, it's God's. My successes are when I commit to follow God no matter what happens with a camper or anyone else. That's what we all need to remember.

There are many more ways to get the most out of your experience working as a camp staffer, these are just the three that stuck out in my mind. If you have any others that stick out to you or would like me to post others, you can comment on here or do whatever technologically savvy things you like. Also, if you want information on working CentriKid, you can definitely talk to me about it or look up their website www.centrikid.com 

God Doesn't Play Fantasy Football

Okay, so I just recently started playing in a fantasy football league this year. The great thing I've discovered about fantasy football is that it gets rid of all those ridiculous "teams" like the Philadelphia Beagles and Tampa Bay Musketeers (I'm actually not too familiar with the team names), and you can just create your own team of the best players you can find, and leave everyone else out. Kinda sounds like my high school gym class. This can be either sad or happy in your mind depending on how you rate my athletic ability.

Something I really enjoy doing is relating normal stuff I encounter to the supernatural presence of God, it's just a gift He's given to me. So, since I'm really terrible at fantasy football, I decided I might as well get something good out of the season, so I thought about ways that fantasy football could relate to God. I'm a strong believer in the fact that everything we do can be pointed back towards God, so I knew there was something out there. When I reflected on my many, MANY losses, I realized how glad I am that Christianity is nothing like fantasy football, because I'm just as bad at avoiding sin as I am at fantasy football (and, once again, I'm quite terrible at fantasy football).

Like I mentioned somewhat before, in fantasy football (and fantasy sports in general) you draft the players you hope will do the best, and have some on the bench, and then the others just go undrafted. Each week, you choose who to "start" and who to keep on the bench. Depending on their performance, some players can get added, and others can get dropped. Once again, I am SO glad that God doesn't go by these rules.

The blessings that God pours out to us is not based on our performance. Obviously, if we follow Him and obey His word, he promises to pour out blessings to us. God promises in Malachi 3:10 to pour out endless blessing if we give Him our all: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." However, the blessings aren't reserved for those who do well, and God doesn't pick who to "start" or "bench" depending on how we are doing in that season of life. No matter how well I'm following God, He needs me about as much as I need a third kicker in my roster (I don't.). God chooses to use whoever He wants based on His plan and His timing. God sometimes uses the people we would least expect to carry His name across nations, because through that, His power is shown. it's not about us, our performance, or how likely we are to follow through. God knows our hearts and His blessings are poured out to those who believe and follow in His name, not the smartest or strongest or most popular people. It's not about our wisdom or strength, it's about God's awesome power. His roster isn't limited, He promises to accept whoever comes to Him by faith.

So, in summary, God doesn't play fantasy football, and NEITHER SHOULD YOU!!!! Just kidding, you can play fantasy football, just don't live a Christian life believing that the same principles apply. Don't live you're life with a low opinion of yourself based on how you've performed and served recently, because God loves you just the same. Just put the past behind you, learn from it, and go out there knowing that you can serve God freely. As believers, we can all be in the starting lineup of God's army, let's go and make disciples. The game has already been won. Satan ain't got no more players to score.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength" 1 Corinthians 1:25

Bucket List of Things to Do While Listening to Chris Tomlin's "God's Great Dance Floor"

I hold the belief that songs have a certain personality that go along with them, and the Chris Tomlin song "God's Great Dance Floor" just has a joyful personality. First of all, if you don't know the song, look it up on the ol' Tube (cool guy slang for YouTube) and check it out. After that, do all of the activities on the following bucket list while listening to "God's Great Dance Floor". I guarantee that it will enhance the joy in your life, and you're just gonna say to yourself, "Man, my life is cool."

1. Dance. That's pretty obvious.

2. Watch a video montage of your life. It doesn't matter if you're the one who made it or if you find it in your mailbox one day (although if that's the cause, you may want to contact the police). Video montage + God's Great Dance Floor just says: "Hey buddy, check all the cool stuff you've done on God's metaphorical dance floor. You got a swell life, champ."

3. Be in the process of being revived by CPR. If there's one song I wanna continuously wake up to while drifting in and out of consciousness, it's "God's Great Dance Floor". However, the chorus of Newsong's "Arise My Love" does give it some heavy competition.

4. Walk out of class after miserably failing an exam. Sure, you just failed a test and may have to retake the class if you're on that path, but that song will always remind you that you're on God's dance floor. Boogie your way through all 3 semesters of Psychology 101, my friend.

5. Walk out of class after stupendously passing a test with flying colors. YOU JUST OWNED THAT TEST. Dance your way out of class with no shame, 'cause you just passed that test like a kidney stone.

6. Write a blog post. I'm doing that right now, and I'm not gonna lie...feels good.

What are some other activities that will enhance you're life with God's Great Dance Floor blasting in the background?

How to Know If That Awesome Christian Song You're Hearing is Actually a Secret Reference to You and Your Crush

It's happened to everyone. You're riding around in your car thinking about your big crush jammin' to some sweet tunes on Air1, or K-Love, or some other station, when it comes on. That song that reminds you of your crush (for our purposes lets call them Sasha, as in a girl or strapping Russian man.) It twists your mind around: Is this song about God, or Sasha??? Well, here are some simple ways to determine the answer to those questions. This way you can jam out stress-free.

1.) When that song comes on, examine the lyrics closely to determine whether or not the song could even be talking about a human being. For example, in Matthew West's "More", part of the chorus reads "I love you more than the sun and the stars that I taught how to shine...". At first listen, you may think this definitely is in reference to the feelings you have for Sasha. I mean, the song does say "I love you". Yet, when you examine the lyrics, it becomes obvious that it is in reference to God. Sasha is pretty awesome, but no way did he/she teach the sun and the stars how to shine. They probably haven't even been to space.

2.) If you wanna go a more elaborate route, contact the artist of the song and inquire them as to who they were referring to. Do they know Sasha? If so, for how long? Are they related, cause if so, their song is kinda weird and you probably don't want to listen to it anymore. The positive of going this route is that you will have all your questions answered. However, you may find yourself in a love triangle with a popular musician, and will most likely lose.

3.) If you really have courage, approach your crush and play the song for him/her. Afterwards, have them fill out a brief survey on how the song made them feel towards you (short answer questions will yield the most honesty). This can go one of two ways: They feel the same way and the meaning of the song doesn't even matter to you anymore or they don't feel the same way, plunging you deep into awkwardness, and Sasha is left awkwardly avoiding you, and you are left resenting a song for the lies it told you that fateful day in the car.

It's always helpful to examine before you approach, because more often than not, that song will be written about God. Not to say that there aren't songs out there on Christian radio that are about earthly love, but when they are its pretty obvious. Listen and learn, my friends.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Travis (and other ridiculous stuff kids say)

In my years of working with children, whether its at a camp or elsewhere, I've realized that there is a reason why we teach and reteach bible stories in Sunday school and elsewhere. The majority of the time, when kids "remember" a Bible story I've asked them about, they have never ever heard that version before. Whereas the Biblical accounts I've heard several children present are completely random, I've noticed that there are some basic constants in the ideas that young children present:

1. Names in the bible are interchangeable and sometimes just aren't important. It's impressive how many kids know the story of David and the Lion's Den and Daniel and Goliath. I didn't even know that one. Maybe they just saw those stories in dreams and visions like Jonah and the Coat of Many Colors. Or hey, got a friend named Travis? Lets throw him in that furnace with Shadrach and Meshach in the gripping story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Travis. You can probably guess which one was adopted.

2. Modern-day examples just aren't as plausible. While teaching a bible study to a group of 5th graders, I tried to come up with a modern day example of Daniel and the Lion's Den. I can't remember all the details, but somewhere in the story we had broken the law and been thrown in the lion's exhibit in the zoo. However, each kids had objections to how much danger they were actually in. One, in a gross underestimation of the size of a lion's appetite, said he would just feed the lion his shoe so it wouldn't be hungry anymore. But, in fairness, a good pair of Nike's with velcro straps are just what lion's crave after a hard day of prowling.

3. Veggie Tales is a legitimate translation of the bible. The VTT (Veggie Tales Translation) does contain some accuracy, but I don't know if it qualifies as being parallel to a bible translation, what with the Chocolate Bunnies and singing asparagus. In the future, emphasize to your kids and little siblings that Veggie Tales is a creative retelling of the Bible, but not a shot-for-shot remake. Great for a rainy day, though.

All in all, kids say some crazy funny stuff when you take the time to share Bible stories with them and invest in them. Consider the rewards of sharing the Gospel with kids. You get to impact the next generation of Christ followers, and get some really good laughs when you do it. Trust me, it's worth it.

Just Be Yourself

We live in a culture where we are taught that "it's all about who you know". With so many people receiving the same education level and boasting the same skills, our success is being driven more and more by what our superiors and those in power think about us. This truth has created a strong temptation for us to try and form ourselves to the appearance desirable to those above us. I know it has definitely happened to me. I try so hard to impress people with power and influence, not to show Christ to them, but so I can get some sort of recommendation or more responsibility. Even worse, I see this culture and lifestyle flooding the spiritual lives of myself and so many others around me. Instead of being real with God, we just try to "act the right way" and "say the right things", and if we ever mess up (which we do. ALOT) we could never mention it in our prayers because God would think less of us, right? Wrong. 

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

God knows our hearts. He knows our mistakes and our true feelings. When we pray without being genuine with God, it doesn't keep God from knowing our hearts, it only hinders us from being the person God has created us to be. With this said, God has helped me to see three things that we must be genuine with God about when we pray:

• First, we must be honest with God about our attitude. 
• Now, don't take this as meaning that you should always outwardly display your current attitude in your ministry and daily life. However, if you are angry or upset with someone, talk to God about it first, and then let Him lead you in how to reconcile with that person. If you are exhausted in your ministry, talk to God about it, and allow Him to bring you a new sense of joy in what you are doing and also to lead you into the ministry of your God-given passion. There have been several times where I have been involved in a ministry that I have grown tired with and that I have never been extremely passionate about it, and instead of asking God to help me to stay committed, I decided it must be God's plan for me and I run away from it. Instead, it is better to honor the people you have involved yourself with in that ministry and finish what you started. When the time is right to leave, God will guide you in that, as well.
• If the way that I tend to pray is any indication, I sometimes act as if I've never had a bad attitude towards a ministry or a person. Let me tell you, God did not send Christ to die for us and take all the world's sins upon himself so He could hear a bunch of people "say the right things" in their prayers. He sent Christ so He could be in a real relationship with us, and that includes hearing about our struggles and shortcomings. We have nothing to gain from "sucking up" to God. He loves as much as anyone else, and no amount of "right words" will make Him think anything more or less of us, especially if we don't mean it. God knows our attitudes and our thoughts, whether or not we tell Him about them. The only thing that is lost is the chance for us to work together with God's power to change our hearts for the better.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
 2 Timothy 2:15

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 
John 13:35

• Secondly, God truly desires for us to be honest with Him about our behavior.
• I know that I don't always treat people the way I should, but for some reason, the hardest person for me to admit that to is God. This goes hand in hand with being genuine about our attitude, because our behavior is a reflection of our attitude and of our heart. Be honest with God about where you fall short. 2 Timothy 2:15 (above) doesn't just mean to present yourself to God in what you say in your prayers, but to do it through your actions, and allow God to see that the state of your heart is producing fruit through your actions to those around you.

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 
1 Peter 3:3-4
        

• The third thing that we must be authentic with God about is our motives. 
• We can do our best to display a godly attitude to those around us and treat others nicely, but without the right motives, we are doing it out of our selfish desire and not for the glory of God. I struggled with this a lot working at camp over the past few summers. When I spend time with a kid and do my best to allow them to have fun, do I do it so they and the people around can know God better and see Christ through me, or so that they know me and think I'm a good staffer? When we pray, we have to be honest with God about why we are doing ministry and acts of service for others, even if we don't like the answer.
• Once we identify where our motives are messed up, we can work with God to heal our corrupt hearts and allow Him to transform our hearts into something beautiful and pleasing. Being dishonest with God and just focusing on the deeds and not the motives in our prayers, we completely miss the blessing of being formed into a more Christ-like image.

 Once we are genuine with God in our prayers we will find two things: A more humbled outlook on our service to God, and a closer and more intimate relationship with Christ. However, there is a time to pray and ask for these things, but there is also a time to act and put what God is teaching us into practice. Don't let your failures and shortcomings stop you from practically working on being a better portrait of Christ. Gary Thomas wrote in his book Sacred Marriage, "...you serve no one- least of all God- by becoming fixated on something you can't now undo. That's what forgiveness and grace are for- a fresh start, a new beginning."

From Within the Fire

^{16 "}Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual ²⁰ and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. ²¹ So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. ²² The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ²³ and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace." Daniel 3:16-23

We are at war, and the strength that we need to keep fighting does not come from ourselves. Our strength comes from our faith and devotion to the Lord Our God. Each and every day, we face obstacles and challenges that test our faith and whether or not we will take a firm stand for  God. In the midst of the demands and temptations that his world throws at us, staying true to our faith and call requires us to have the bold faith and trust in the Lord that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had. Daniel 3:17-18 has such a strong message to it when they take a bold stand and say, "the God we serve is able to deliver us...but even if  he does not...we will not serve your gods...".

We are called. Called to be bold. To be strong. To trust in God. When we take a stand for God, we are called to trust in Him, even if it doesn't turn out the way we would plan. Know that God is capable of delivering you and me from anything this world can throw at us, but remember that even if He does not, it works out for His purpose for our lives and our ultimate good. The Bible tells us that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). Always know that no matter what, if we truly love God and trust in His sovereignty, He will be with us and His plan will be fulfilled for His glory and our ultimate good. 

Our world is in turmoil. The Christian faith is being criticized; The Living God is being mocked; and souls are at risk. We don't need to take a stand because God needs us to defend Him, but we MUST take a stand for our faith for the sake of our integrity and so that the world can see the power of God through our lives. Taking a stand is not easy. Even more, if you have been fooled into believing that things will get easier once you stand up for your faith, you are wrong. We all know that Satan has been defeated, but that doesn't mean he is giving up. When we take a bold stand for the faith, Satan fights back even harder. We can see that result in Daniel 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand up for their faith, and verse 19 says that Nebuchadnezzar was infuriated and "ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter". Taking a stand for our faith does not always put us in easier situations. Just like in Daniel 3, the danger is amped, our fate can look bleaker, and the temptation to give in and back down is even stronger. Satan continues to tell us that it isn't worth it and we would be better off just giving in. But those are LIES. The trio in Daniel 3 see the danger has increased, and you know that the temptation to bow down to the false gods is even stronger. However, their faith stays solid and they stick with God because they know God will stick with them, and as we see, God saves and delivers them from within the fire. 

 "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
²⁵ He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
²⁶ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, ²⁷ and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." Daniel 3: 24-27

We are called to never back down. When we take a stand against worldly culture, sexual temptation, immoral behavior, idolatry, and all sinful distractions, Satan fights back even stronger. However, God always provides the strength for us to fight back and survive. We are in a constant spiritual battle for souls and for our own holiness, but we are not alone. God is with us and He will always be fighting with us and for us, form withing the fire of our own temptation and struggles. Satan continues to pummel us with our earthly desires and sin, but just as when God delivers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there is going to be day when God says ENOUGH and Christ will return in ultimate glory and deliver us once and for all from our weakness, and we will rejoice in heaven with Or Lord for eternity. The question is what will I, you, we, do until that moment? Will we give in to our weakness, or will we trust in the power of God and never back down form our fight against Satan? I encourage all of you reading this to think hard about what God is calling you to fight for. It may be your marriage, your friendships, your integrity, your sexual purity, or many other things. DON"T BACK DOWN. DO NOT GIVE IN. Pray to Him and ask Him for the strength to stand your ground. The Creator of the Universe will be fighting with you, and Satan is fighting a losing battle. The victory has been won, so fight with the confidence in knowing that when you stand your ground against the forces of Hell, you can't lose. You may get knocked down, but God will pick you back up. Don't stay down. Fight for your faith. Fight for your integrity. Fight for everything that Jesus stood for. Don't let Satan gain any more footholds in your heart, but in the name of Jesus Christ, cast him away and fill yourself with the Holy Spirit. When we do this, we come out of the fire stronger and even more ready to fight for our faith. Just as in Daniel 3, the stench of our struggle is not evident. Not in our attitudes, not in our conscience, but instead we emerge empowered by the Lord Our God, who fought with us from within the fire, from within our struggles, and one day He will send Jesus back to deliver us once and for all, and we will have the incredible, undeserved honor of praising God in His presence for the rest of eternity. We get knocked down, but we are never  out. With God, we can have the courage to never back down from a fight with Satan, because we have already joined the winning team.

A Change in Perspective

Before you start reading this post, take a moment to pray and ask God to show you something through this blog. This topic is over something that God just used to humble me in a great way, and I truly believe it is something that every follower of Jesus needs to recognize.

 "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" Romans 1: 20

God's power can be clearly seen among all of creation, spanning across every corner of the Earth. God has been working in every part of the world since the creation of the world, and it is difficult for anyone to deny that there is not some sort of higher being, whether they know Who it is or not. That includes Third World countries and impoverished areas all over the world.

I have realized from my own ideas as well as others, we can sometimes take a very prideful approach to ministering to the poor and needy. God does not send us to distant countries and impoverished neighborhoods because He has forgotten about them and suddenly decided to reveal himself by sending the Christians in. Romans clearly tells us that "people are without excuse" because "God's eternal power and  divine nature" has been evident since the creation of the world. This passage reveals to us that God has been working in every part of the Earth since the dawn of creation. God has not favored the middle-class Americans anymore than the "lower-class" and "impoverished people of the world." He has just chosen to work in different ways to different people. How conceited are we to think that we are the only way God can work in their lives? Let me share some of the ways God has blessed the "poor."

• Global Issues tells us that almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. Yet so many still find a way to survive and receive what they need. Blessing.
• Additionally, nearly one billion people entered into the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. However, some of these children of God are being reconciled and able to comprehend the Gospel and God's unconditional love. Huge blessing.

• We have material things that distract us, and people to falsely put our hope in. The "impoverished" have nothing to rely on  except Christ. When they accept Christ,they are so rich in His love and their love for Him, because He has broken them of all worldly distractions. A tremendous blessing. 

God has been at work in so many ways in the lives of the impoverished and needy. We are not called to care for them because we are God's only outlet of love for them. God does not need us to do ANYTHING. He chooses to use us, because so many do not realize His work in their lives, and He sends us to show them to see and appreciate God's work in their lives, and how much He loves them. God has been at work so much in their lives, our job is to show Christ's love to them through our actions and the miracles and blessings that God has been pouring out in our lives all along.

Finally, I invite you to change your perspective on missions and ministry towards the poor. I know in my own life, when I've worked with children and others in poor neighborhoods around the country, I realize how much of a blessing they have been in my life, because I see such a portrayal of Christ's love in their eyes. Maybe God doesn't always call us to reach the poor just to be a blessing to them, but rather so that they might be a blessing in our lives, as well. We need to realize we are not called because we have been more blessed than they have; we are all children of God, all having had different experiences, meant to bless each other through our unique stories that are deeply rooted in the love of Christ. We are called, not based on what we can do for the poor, but based on what has already been done on the cross for all of us.

Creation

Recently, God has placed a desire in my heart to go back through the Old Testament and think of the bible stories that we hear as children in a new light. I believe that the Bible is the Living Word of God, and that the stories of the Bible can be relevant to us no matter what age we are. So, this post is on the story of Creation, a story that I realize I have not looked at nearly as much since childhood.However, upon meditating on the first few chapters of Genesis, God revealed to me some of the timeless truths about creation, relevant to anyone of any age.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep , and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

The first truth about creation that I realize is somewhat obvious. God is the Creator of EVERYTHING. Look around you, and I guarantee that no matter what you see, there is nothing that God did not create. Even the "man-made" things, if you break them down to their basic materials, God created those materials, as well as the man-power needed to form them into what they are. There is nothing on Earth that would exist without our Lord and Creator.
 
Now, think about the things in your life that bring you stress, anxiety,or even fear. We all have things that bring us fear. However,it is so important to remember that God is  in control over all of it. As we see in verse 2, "the earth was formless and empty" before God. If God has the power to create everything, including the things that give us trouble or stress, does He not have the power to be in control over it? Even better, when God sent Christ, and then raised him from the dead, Jesus defeated death and now when we accept a personal relationship with Him, we share in that victory. In the book of Daniel, God reveals the glory of Christ in a vision, and Daniel 7:14 tells us, "He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations,and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed." NOTHING is out of God's control and since Christ gave His life for us, we share in his victory over death by accepting a relationship with Him. So remember, God is the creator of everything, meaning that He is in control of everything. Know that truth and be secure that God has created all and is above all, and that He loves us and will always care for us and protect us.He has created everything in our lives, past, present, and future, and he will take care of us. But don't just take my word for it, read what Jesus says with regards to us and God in John 10: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of the Father's hand."

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

 The second truth that God has revealed to me through creation is that God created us, but He is still creating us more and more every day of our lives. If you are still breathing, God's plan for you on Earth is still being completed and He is still transforming you into a new and more perfect creation (if you aren't breathing, you should probably go to a hospital.). As you see in Genesis 1:27, God created us in HIS image and we are the only part of creation made in His image. That being said, realize that since God created us in His image, we should not be satisfied until we are truly transformed into the perfect image God had in mind for us before sin entered the world. Now that is not to say that you should despise the way God created you, because God uses our talents, personality, and gifts to bring Him glory. What I mean to say is that we should always strive to portray the perfect life of Christ in our lives. The lies that people tell about how we should be fine and happy exactly the way we are are not biblical. Appreciate the way God created you, but we are to despise and rid ourselves of the sin in our lives and the way we were before a relationship with Christ- "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices, and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:9-10. Inspired by God, Paul writes that we are to put off the way we were before Christ and the sinful practices that went along with it. The sinful decisions and acts that we are a part of were NOT in God's image for us in creation, and they still are not today. Our creation is not done yet. As Paul writes, we are being renewed every day into the image of God. Note that God created us in His image, yes, but Colossians also tells us that we are still being renewed into the image of our Creator. Our sinful ways were not in God's image, and we must remember that, and strive to be better, not for ourselves, but for Christ, and for our Creator.

Creation is such an important part of our story. There is so much more to be learned than what is in this blog post. I encourage you to go over the story of creation yourself, and pray to God to reveal to you a new sense of understanding about creation and how to apply it to your life. Lastly remember that prayer and meditation over whatever you do is so important because as creation reveals to us, God created us and since He is in control over everything, that includes us. The third thing about creation that God has revealed to me is that we need God for EVERYTHING. Don't ever forget who is in control.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's power." 1 Corinthians 1:25




 

















 

Trusting in Him

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" 1 Corinthians 1:25

I've found that the hardest times to trust in God are in times filled with uncertainty and in times when those closest to you are giving no support. In such times, it can be very easy to forget who is in control. We begin to try to rely on our own thoughts and plans, and try to rationalize scenarios in which we can fulfill our plans, without giving any thought to God's plans. However, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, no matter how wise or strong we think we are, God is so much stronger and so much wiser. God is in control in both the certain and uncertain times. When we rely on our own strength, we come up short and feeling alone and depressed. Only in Christ, and with His strength, to we truly begin to experience true assurance and confidence.

"Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Christ did not give his life for us so that we can continue to feel alone and drift through life with no guidance. Christ died so that we could be FREE. a life devoted to Christ should exude freedom, passion, and joy. Even in times where it is hardest to trust in God, we must remember that. we must remember that we are not perfect, and our plans are not perfect. But God's plan is always perfect, and always right for our situations. Times can be tough, and people can let us down. It hurts, but its the truth. There is one person who will ALWAYS be there, and that is Christ. We aren't called to trust in Him, but to make sure we have a plan B if it doesn't work out. But we are called to "trust in the Lord with ALL our hearts" (Proverbs 3:5), and fully devote our lives to Him. No matter what, God will always be with you, always care for you, and always guide you along a path to righteousness. That is His promise to us, and His call to us is to trust in that promise. Don't let the lies of Satan deceive you, but let the one who speaks into your life be the Holy Spirit, who is there to guide us and remind us of what God teaches us (John 14:26). As we all strive to walk in the faith of the Lord, my prayer is exemplified in Romans 15:13, as it says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Letting Go

All of my life, I have been able to make quick connections with people. There is just something about people that I love, and fellowship has always been one of my favorite things. Galatians 5:13 ( For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.) lays out the importance of community and love for one another. We are all called to love others and have fellowship with each other wherever we have been called. However, we must remember that our call to love one another through service and encouragement is not for the ourselves or the people we serve, but that it is always for Christ and for the glory of God. It is easy to say that we are willing to follow God's call no matter what, and it is even easy sometimes to physically go where He is calling you, even if it means leaving your friends and family behind.

What's difficult is bringing your full heart and mind to that mission field with you. Deciding to follow Christ wherever He calls you isn't just a call to physically get up and go, but it is a much stronger call than that. When we do get up and follow Him into our respective mission fields (I'm not just talking about foreign countries, I'm talking about college choices, jobs, or anywhere else that takes us away from what we have come to know as comfortable), we are called to let go of everything that is holding us back, including the people we are closest to. In no way am I saying that you completely break off communication with everyone, by all means continue to serve them in Christ-like love whenever your paths cross. Yet, if we continually dwell on the people we left behind or the relationships that could have been had if we had stayed or done something different, we are hindering ourselves form giving our full attention to our mission and to the Gospel. We have adopted a culture that feels sorry for ourselves when we have to leave people behind and say goodbye, as if we didn't leave due for an incredible call from an all-powerful God that is far greater than anything we could ever hope for if we were to walk through life alone. We need to stop reluctantly accepting God's call and then complaining about what could have been! Titus 3:3 says, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." The story of mankind ending with that verse is what could have been. What could have been is that we were left in our sin, without a savior, and we all would spend eternity in Hell.

But praise God that our story didn't end there. Christ did come. Christ died for our sins and rescued us from ourselves, and now God has sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us in His plan. So don't grumble and complain about the relationships that could have been and the opportunities we could have had. Without God's plan, we would be dead in our sin. His plan is far better and greater than ours, so what if we have to sacrifice things in this life? Yes, it is difficult. It is tough. I love my friends more than anyone, and I've had to say goodbye far too many times than is comfortable. Luke 9:57-58 tells us, "As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." There is a price. A difficult price. But in Mark 10: 29-30, Jesus also promises us "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life." Does it not seem like the sacrifice is worth it?

To truly be obedient to God's call for our lives, we must be ready to let go. Not to let go of our love for people or relationships, but to let go of our dependence upon them. To let go of our expectations of relationships. To let go of our need for worldly love. If we can do that, and truly be obedient to our heavenly call, Jesus promises us so much more. His love sustains us, and no matter where we are called, we will have His love. That is all we need. Of everything else, we must let go.

Surrender

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:19-20

I've screwed up. We all have, but sometimes I feel like I'm the biggest screw up in the world; not because I have done "worse" things than everyone else, but because I have tried so many times to fully surrender everything to God, only to find myself holding on to a piece of the world that I just don't want to let go of. It's so easy to want the things of this world, because those are the things with immediate gratification and that are pleasing to our corrupt hearts.

But in those times where I stop serving myself and genuinely seeking God, I begin to look beyond the surface and let me tell you what God reveals to me:

People who are broken,
                                     hurting,
                                                in need of love,
                                                                       insecure,
                                                                                    imprisoned,

And I am overwhelmed with a desire to help. But they don't need any part of me. Who am I? I am a self-centered, egotistical, broken man who genuinely only cares about what can help me. All that is good in me is the power of Christ through me. Full surrender to the Gospel is the only way any of us can help any of the suffering the people of the world experience.

It's not easy, trust me. Only by grace does God continually give me the desire to lift up my hands and allow God to pick me back up and keep going. I have gone off the path countless times, but God straightens them. God is so good. We are so weak, but He has the power to make us strong. It's incredible the difference a life devoted to Christ makes in our attitudes.

We experience joy
                            love
                                  acceptance
                                                   hope
                                                           peace
                                                                   
When I am living a life surrendered to Christ, I experience all the feeling I have when I eat breakfast for dinner (brinner), but in a lasting way. God is incredible. Surrender to Him and He will open Your eyes to the hurt people around you. It hurts to see it at first, but its so much better than living blind to the world around you. Don't show yourself to the world, but show them Christ. He is the Savior. We are just a vessel for His glory.
                                                

Being a Hero to a Child

Spiderman is the best superhero of all time. He has the strength and powers of a spider! You can't argue how awesome he is. I always admired Spiderman because of the powers he had and I always wished I could have them. Yet, as much as I always wanted to be Spiderman and have his awesome abilities, I never wanted to actually be Peter Parker. If I was to meet Peter Parker, I would be like, "Hey, what's up Peter? You're a pretty cool dude. But...where's that spider that gave you all your powers?" I still think Peter Parker is cool and definitely would hang out with him, but I also really would want to meet and know where the source of his powers come from.

There is a difference between allowing a child to idolize you and being their hero. A hero is defined as someone who is admirable, and known for their outstanding qualities. You want a child to admire you, because you want them to notice that something is different about you. However, just as we know that Peter Parker has his powers because of something outside of his own abilities;something supernatural, that's also what we need to communicate to the children that the only reason we can have the abilities and admirable qualities that we do, is because of the supernatural power of God being shown through us.

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man." 1 Corinthians 1:25.

 Be a hero to a child. Make them feel special, and love them the way Christ loved us. But don't allow them to think anything more of us than that we are servants of Christ allowing Him to live through us. Kids all look up to superheroes because they want the powers that they have, not because they want to be the person without the powers. Show children that the source of your power is Christ. As cool as they think we are sometimes, show them that the power of Christ is the only reason we can be what we are to them. When we show them true love, we are showing them Christ, the best friend that they could ask for. That's what they are truly looking for, and that's what they truly need.

Using Recreation to Teach Children Essential Truths of the Gospel

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen." Matthew 28:18-20

There are countless ways to effectively spread the Gospel and to disciple people across the world. No one way is better than the other, because Christ works through all of them for His glory. Personally, one of my favorite ways to teach others the truth of Christ is through games and physical activity. I discovered this passion through working at Centrikid, in which I was able to spend an entire summer doing this through the daily recreation time and the Outdoor Games track (which is the best one if anyone ever asks...which they might...probably not, though.). When I first started leading recreation at the beginning of the summer, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty terrible at it. My heart was not in it. I was much more interested in getting it over with and heading to Bible Study. Yet, as the summer progressed, God began revealing a couple things to me that planted in me an ever-growing passion for recreation, and once He put that passion in me, I noticed a huge change in how much I enjoyed recreation, and how much my groups were enjoying it.

1. I realized that true ministry isn't about emotional experiences. As imperfect humans in an imperfect world, we have been conditioned to think that true life change hasn't happened in someone's life unless they get emotional about it. I had that thought in my mind for the longest time, and that was part of the reason why my heart wasn't as into recreation as it was bible study. I don't really remember anyone ever getting emotional on the rec field (except for that time I scraped my toe really bad the last week and a kid jumped on it...twice...but that was mostly just pain). Yet, emotions aren't what facilitate life change. Christ facilitates life change, and He manifests His power in numerous ways. When I acknowledged this, God also revealed to me that Christ doesn't reveal His power in emotional ways during recreation. Using recreation to teach children the Gospel isn't about emotional experiences, but about drilling into the minds of the kids essential truths to living out the Gospel and providing them with the tools to relate the fun, everyday things in life to the incomparable and supernatural power and love of Christ.

2. There is a balance that must be achieved between the actual game and the "debrief" that follows. You can't just spend the entire time playing the game, read a bible verse that is somewhat relevant to the point of the game and move on. However, you also need to allow enough time for them play the game and understand the rules and objectives so that when you read them a verse or passage and relate it back to the game they just played, they will be able to make a clear connection between what they just did and the guidance you have given them on how to live a life glorifying to Christ. Achieving this balance is crucial for having the greatest impact upon the children who are playing. The balance can be hard to find, so until you find that balance, just do your best to ensure that you emphasize the "debrief", or lesson that you are teaching through the game. To quote my good friend Caleb McDonald , "The debrief is the reason we play the dang game! Don't take the debrief lightly at all, do you want the kids remembering the game more, or the lesson that Jesus gives us through the game?"

3. Recreation provides a unique viewpoint on Christ, separate from the conventional atmosphere of worship and Sunday School. In my last blog post, I spoke briefly on how every child is unique and that they learn differently. The beauty of God's grace is that He has given us all the tools to teach in different ways that cater to each child's unique way of learning. That is what recreation is. It gives the children a fresh perspective on the Gospel that they may not have thought of before. No matter how common the verse or passage is, no matter how often a child has heard it, it is the Living Word of God. You can read a verse five times and learn something new from it each time, especially when you hear it in a different atmosphere, and that is what recreation does. To reference another good friend Vincent Thomas, "It [recreation] can be a great representation of where leading by action or example can be more impacting. God can use that to minister to some kids more than others."

4. As the last point, I learned that if you're heart is not in it, theirs won't be either. This is true across the board, especially in kids ministry, and specifically for recreation. Have fun with it. If the kids see you enjoying it, then they will begin to enjoy it, too (no matter how cool they think they are). I've found that giving a unique (meaning weird) team name is a great way of bringing them more together as a team and getting them to enjoy it more. Team names such as The Narcoleptic Sheep, Juggling Junebugs, and Purple Orthopedic Mattresses have proved very effective for my groups in the past. Above all else, if you are in a position where this is part of your job description, and you don't feel as passionate about as you should be or want to be, give it your all and pray that God gives you that passion and you will be amazed at the blessing He pours out to you (Malachi 3:10).

Remember that recreation is an incredible and unique way to fulfill the call of the Great Commission to teach others how to truly follow Christ (yes, there was a purpose in putting that passage at the top of the post. I don't just do random things for fun...). I pray for all of you that have read this and that God would have revealed something to you through this post, because the power of Christ is the only way I could ever say or do anything useful to others in this world, so that is what I, and all of us, must rely on.

Teaching the Gospel to Kids

There is something special about seeing a child come to know Christ. I had the opportunity to work at Centrikid Camps with 3rd to 6th graders over this past summer, and I can honestly say it was the most exhausting summer of my life. I was tired and beat down and only by the power of Christ was I able to have the energy to continue each day. However, seeing a camper come to know Christ was something that I never got tired of. I absolutely love hanging out with kids (probably because I act like one half the time) and spreading the Gospel to them. But, something that God began revealing to me over the summer, and is still revealing to me now, is that there are several things to remember when teaching a kid the true meaning of the Gospel and what a decision to follow Christ actually means.

1. We must stress the essentials when illustrating the Gospel. You never know how much or what a child has been taught concerning the Gospel, so it is important not to skip any essentials.

• Emphasize the fact that ALL have sinned and fallen short of Christ's glory (Romans 3:23). 
• Show them that though we are sinners, it isn't something to be ashamed of. Tell them how Christ was truly the Son of God and that He redeemed us through His death on the cross and resurrection.
•  Communicate the true meaning of the grace of God, and that we are not saved by what we do once we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10)

2. Although we are not saved by our works, Emphasize that salvation is more than just a prayer. Tell them how it is about a relationship with Christ. Jesus should be our best friend and that it isn't just about believing that Christ was the Son of God, but believing in what He stood for, and dedicating your life to following His plan and not our own. 2 Corinthians 5:15 is a verse I got accustomed to using when illustrating this point, because it paints a perfect picture of a relationship with Christ in a simple way.

3. We want to make the Gospel simple for them to grasp, but remember that kids can understand much more than we give them credit for. Without the Holy Spirit, none of us would be able to truly comprehend the Gospel (Luke 24:45), and the Holy Spirit is accessible to ALL OF US. That includes children. Don't use large vocabulary, but don't skimp on all of the working parts of the Gospel just because you don't think they will be able to understand.

4. More often than not, you are their idol. It isn't our job to show kid's how awesome we are, but to show them how awesome God is. Never allow the kids to look to you as the ultimate example, but to always be looking to the way that Christ lived His life here on earth. If they remember you for anything, let them remember you for showing them the glory of Christ.

5. Don't rush them into a decision. We are there to plant a seed, and we may see them immediately become a follower of Christ, or it may take awhile. Galatians 6:14 says "May I never boast except in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Paul writes this because some were trying to force others into salvation, so that they might boast in their ability to bring people to Christ (Galatians 6:12-13). Never rush a child into a decision so you can bring yourself glory. Children aren't trophies to present to others to show how "holy" you are, but they are the children of God, and the decision of salvation made by anyone is meant to bring glory to God, and God alone.

6. Because of this, remember that We Are Not The Teachers. God has given us the material, but he is the ultimate teacher. He is the one that speaks through us, and without His Spirit in us, the Gospel could not be communicated clearly to anyone. Be sure to supplement anything you tell a child with proper scripture.

In no way is this the road map to being an expert on sharing the Gospel. I'm definitely not an expert. The only way I have ever been able to effectively communicate the Gospel to anyone is through God's grace. These are just my thoughts that I believe have come from God, but always remember that every child is different. Some require more attention than others, and some have the ability to understand more. Rely on God to reveal to you what each one really needs. Yet, no matter how different each child is, know that all of them need Christ. Showing them Christ through your own life is by far the most effective way to teach the Gospel to a kid.

The Why

Big decisions can be tough. Big decisions can be stressful. Right now, I am in the middle of a huge decision about where I am going to transfer to in the coming spring. God has blessed me with several different options, parents that support me, and friends near almost anywhere I could transfer. The only question left to address is the question where God is leading me. With all these friends in different places it is incredibly hard to stay objective, and every time I feel like I'm leaning towards one way, I begin to second guess myself and just hope that I'm not just doing it for myself and to be with my friends, but because that is where I feel God calling me. Honestly, I feel overwhelmed with all of this. I'm scared.

Yet, as always, I hear the voice of the Lord lifting me up and supporting me. God is great. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not b discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. 

When we face big decisions in our lives, it is important not to stay so focused on where we are being called to the point that we lose sight of  WHY we are being called. The words that the Lord spoke to Joshua are true for us as well. He is with us wherever we go. The time will come where I will have to make my decision, and there will be times in all of our lives where we are facing important decisions. My prayer is that all of us can face our decisions with prayer and steadfast faith in Christ, not hesitating in our decisions but simply following His guidance. No matter where you go, God will be with you, using you for His purpose. Focus on why He has called you: to bring the Gospel to all nations. This is a mission that we can accomplish wherever we go, and God commands us to be strong and courageous wherever He leads us and wherever we go. Am I still scared sometimes? Of course, because I'm not perfect. We all fall away at times and get caught up in the storm. But when I return my eyes to Christ, I look at His word and all my fears dissipate. Don't get caught up in the worries of whether or not you are going in the right direction. If you feel God leading you somewhere, go. He will straighten your paths. Remember why He he has called all of us, and minister to those along the way. Be strong and courageous.

"Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

Watch and Pray

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

Take some time to meditate on this verse and pray about what God may reveal to you through the thoughts He has given me, or the thoughts that He is giving you as you think and pray. One verse of scripture will speak more into your life and my life than anything I could ever think to say myself.

In Matthew 26:41, Jesus has just finished praying in the garden of Gethsemane, and He returned to find the disciples asleep, even after he had instructed them, "...stay here and watch with Me." Matthew 26:38. The instruction that Christ gives the disciples in verse 41 is something we all need to take heed of. Honestly, when I'm tired at night, I try and make sure that I pray, but it is rarely a wholehearted conversation with God, as prayer should be. Our hearts should desire the kind of prayer that Paul writes of in 1 Corinthians 14:15: "What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the Spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."

Just like the disciples, we have become tired. We have drifted away from being a people of prayer. Our spirits have become exhausted with the worries and fears that our busy lives bring. My hope is that we can return to being a nation of devoted followers of Christ who go to the Lord in prayer constantly. An amazing example of a person of prayer is Nehemiah. The book of Nehemiah opens with a long prayer by Nehemiah to God, announcing his woes and lamentations of his people. Nehemiah was a man who prayed consistently to the Lord, petitioning God for guidance every step of the way. In chapter 2, the book shows a conversation between Nehemiah and the king, as Nehemiah reveals to the king that his people are suffering, and the Nehemiah writes, " Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heave." Nehemiah 2:4. Nehemiah had just been asked a question by the king, yet, before responding, he goes to the Lord for guidance. I feel as if as a whole (especially me), we have gotten away from the commandment of God  to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and have drifted towards relying on our guidance.

We drift from prayer because we feel exhausted in our busy schedules, so we either "don't have time" or we rush through our prayer without expressing wholehearted devotion to God. This may be crazy but, maybe the reason why we are so exhausted and our spirits have become weary is BECAUSE  we have drifted so far from prayer. We aren't relying on God's strength and asking Him to help us, and because of that we rely on our own strength which is not nearly sufficient enough. Our spirits are weary, but the Holy Spirit never exhausts itself. We fall into sin so frequently because our flesh is weak. WE are weak. But thankfully, God is strong. As Matthew 26: 41 tells us, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The Holy Spirit is ready and willing. Allow the Spirit to guard your heart and do as Jesus commanded and "watch and pray". Put your mind on things of Christ and pray without ceasing. Don't let your spirit become weary. Fill your souls with the Holy Spirit, go out, and make a difference for Christ wherever you are, asking God for guidance every step of the way. Its time for a change.

Words

Start reading this by taking a moment to pray for what God may reveal to you through the scriptures used and the words that He speaks through me. The words and thoughts are His, I'm only a vessel.

Words are a funny thing. They can have so many different effects on people whether they are the one speaking or listening (unless of course, you are rubber and the person speaking is glue). A common saying I heard a lot in school was "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The truth about that phrase is that it is far from the truth.  I've been hurt by words way more times than I've been hurt by sticks and stones. Words are the most common way that people use to hurt others. Sarcasm doesn't translate well with sticks and stones. I am almost completely certain that you cannot sarcastically hit someone in the face with a rock. When someone wants to hurt you, more often than not, the first option will be with words. And it hurts. Yet, words can also be used to lift people up and show them how much you care, and more importantly, how much Christ cares. Words are two-sided that way.

Recently, I spent a day fasting from talking (most people were very happy about that) and God revealed a good bit to me that day. Aside from my friend Keaton's theory that I just wanted a good excuse to play charades for an entire day, hopefully God was able to communicate to others the reasoning behind what He had put on my heart. It isn't about the words that we say, but about what God chooses to speak through us. HOWEVER, words are precious. When we choose to speak, we need to be careful of how we are portraying ourselves. Are we portraying someone who is sarcastic and insincere (I struggle with that more than anyone), or are we portraying Christ? We all struggle with the words that we say. James 3:2 says, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body."

The fact that we all struggle with our words, doesn't necessarily present a challenge, but a blessing. What is there to be ashamed of? We all struggle with it, so why not be open and honest about it with each other? Let us lift each other up and encourage each other to use our words for divine purposes, not for the sake of simply communicating how we feel about politics or basketball (Yes, an Alabama fan just referenced a sport that isn't football). Asa whole, we as Christians are letting our words go to waste. You may not always be tearing someone down, but we definitely aren't building each other up as we should be. The way we should use our words is laid out in Ephesians 4:15: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -"

When we speak we are to speak the truth of the Gospel, and we are to do so in love. God chooses to speak through us for a reason. The world knows how hard it is to tame the tongue, and when we allow God to give us the strength to do so, it sends a message. It sends a message about the power of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. Please, do not let let your words go to waste. Don't just communicate using superficial small-talk, but speak the truth of the Gospel into the lives of those around you. My prayer is that we let God reveal His power through us, lifting each other up as the Holy Spirit fills our hearts and pours out through our mouths. Let it be your prayer as well.

The Builder

Before you read this blog post, stop for a second and go to the Lord in prayer. The intention of these blogs are so that I can bring glory to God and not myself, and to have God speak through me to convey the truth of the Gospel. With this as my intention, it is also clear to me that my words don't mean a thing. Only the words that God chooses to speak through me are capable of impacting the lives of those who read my posts for His glory. So, pray that somehow God can use a post by someone like me to convey whatever it is that He is revealing to you. Don't just skim over this blog for my sake, but read it with faith that God will speak into your life. Its not about what I say, but what He says.

That being said, I opened up my bible today and found Psalm 127, and verse 1 really stuck out to me in a major way. Its says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." We are the house that the Lord is building. We are the city that the Lord watches over. I come to realize that nothing good in this life, whether its a job, friendships, or whatever, is worth anything unless we are bringing glory to God. Unless we are leaning on the Lord to build you up and make you into a new person, our accomplishments will mean nothing. Don't work to build yourself up, but allow the Lord to make and mold you into a new creation, a creation that is willing and obedient.

Another point in this verse brings me back to the struggles of sin. We always fight (or give ourselves the impression that we are fighting) to be better Christians and better people. Yet, as Psalm 127:1 says, unless the Lord is watching over you, you are on your guard for nothing. Psalm 121:2 says "My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth". That verse pinpoints where we need to go for aid in our struggles. God is stronger than us, and God WILL watch over us.

God is with us,God is for us. We all have the potential to be great followers of Christ. We just need to be built up in the right way. God's already given us the blueprints in His Holy Word, why not let Him be the builder of our lives an watchman of our hearts?

Are You Willing?

Romans 3:23 tells us "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." There it is. None of us are perfect. None of us are worthy of God's grace. Yet, he still chooses to give us His grace and forgive us time and time again. And what do we do? We continue to wrestle with the sins that keep us bound in guilt and shame. So many times in my own life I have felt convicted of my sin and disgusted with the way I was living, and I would swear to myself that I was never going to do that again. But here I am, still wrestling; still struggling. Their is a veil of pride, lust, selfishness, envy, and so many other sins covering our hearts and our minds, and we just can't seem to shake it off.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. There is freedom in the Gospel. The story of Jesus defeating sin and rescuing us is not a fairy tale. WE ARE FREE. With the Holy Spirit in us, the veil of sin is torn away. Yet, we live our lives as if we haven't won the battle. Sure, we don't struggle with most sins anymore. We  are pretty decent people. But there is that one sin that we just can't overcome. That one sin that still owns our hearts and our lives. Why?

Because we allow it to. Because we don't wholeheartedly want to give it up. We spend our whole lives wrestling with our sin, hoping that eventually we will be able to pin our sin down and just wait until it "taps out." That is a complete joke. You are kidding yourself if you think that will ever happen. Spiritual warfare isn't an organized wrestling match with rules and regulations. Spiritual warfare is a battle for your heart, and Satan doesn't play fair. If you ever hope to have the sin in your life conquered, you have to go for the kill. Satan isn't going to tap out and walk away, leaving you to follow Christ with no more struggles. You have to be willing to kill the sin in your life. But you can't do it alone. Are you willing to let Jesus take control of your life and conquer your sin? Are you willing to let go of what your heart wants for what the heart of God wants? 1 Corinthian 1:25 says "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man." God is smarter than you. God is stronger than you. Are you willing to let go of your pride and selfishness so God can set you free? Stop wrestling with sin. Go for the kill. The spiritual warfare in your heart isn't something to play with. Satan isn't giving up. You shouldn't either. You are loved. You are redeemed. Your shame and embarrassment is washed away with the blood of Christ. Give it all up to God and He will rescue you.The only question is are you truly willing?

What Storm?

"So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:29-30

The thing that I love most about this story is examining both the faith that Peter had and the clear power of Christ that gave Peter the faith to walk out on the water, and later saved Him when Peter's faith came up short. Recently, I've been faced with an enormous decision that will greatly impact my college career and the path that my life is heading. This decision has caused me to think about how many "storms" that we face in our lives. There are storms of  tough decisions, heartbreak, failure, and so many others that leave us drowning in the sea of our fear, crying out "Lord, save me!" Yet, when reading and meditating on this story and thinking about my own life, I realize that we (especially myself) approach the storms in our lives with completely the wrong attitude. I always expect that when I pray and seek the Lord when I'm overwhelmed, that everything will work itself out quickly and efficiently. Not to say that it can't happen, but even though that's the way that T.V shows work out, when problems are solved in short 30-minute intervals (excluding Friends: Ross and Rachel had problems for like, FOREVER. You guys were on a break, get over it Rachel...), our problems are not usually solved that quickly,because that's not always the way that God wants, and His way is always the better way. When you look at Peter, and the faith that he had in the beginning, it is incredible. He kept his eyes on Christ and that was all he needed. Verse 30 doesn't say that he became afraid when the storm started or when it worsened, but it says he took his eyes off of Jesus and then saw that the "wind was boisterous". The storm didn't stop when Peter began to focus on Jesus, it was still going on. But the thing is that the storm just didn't matter anymore. Christ was all that mattered. That is the mindset that we need to have when facing trials and storms. Don't expect a magical fix, but what you should expect is an overwhelming sense of God-given peace when you focus on Christ. The struggle really began for Peter when he took his eyes off of Christ and focused on his fear instead.

When you are caught in fear and doubt, and the storm seems too overwhelming, look to Christ. Cry out "Lord, help me!", and don't stray from His presence. As Verse 31 tells us, Jesus will immediately reach out to us and save us. The doubt in our lives is what causes the storms to be overwhelming. Trust in Christ. Abide in Him, and though the storm  may still be raging, it won't matter. There will only be the peace of Christ.

Who will you be?

"But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Luke 23:40-42.

These are the words of one of the criminals that Jesus was crucified with.While one of the criminals "hurled insults at Him" (Luke 23:39), this criminal recognized two things that changed his story from one of impending death and separation from God  to a story of God-given redemption in his final hour.

1. He recognized that he was deserving of the punishment he was receiving. This criminal understood that a life full of mistakes and sin was deserving of a painful and agonizing death, and that while he was innocent, Jesus had nothing wrong and was undeserving of death.

2. He recognized the meaning of the sacrifice that Jesus was making. In verse 40, he says "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." This criminal, the lowest of the low by the world's standards, was one of the few that really saw the meaning  of that day. God softened his heart and showed him that his story of self-serving sin did not have to end in the same way. That day on his cross, he saw that he was suffering beside the Savior of the world.

A lot of times in our lives,we either don't make this realization or understand its meaning until its been years since we first heard of it, or some of us may have not even made that realization yet. Unfortunately, every single person in the human race is like one of the two criminals hanging next to Jesus on the cross. The only choice we have is which of those criminals we want to be. Romans 3:23 tells us "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Just like those two criminals, we have fallen short and we deserve death. We must choose between being bitter and rejecting God or being angry with Him, or we can allow Him to soften our hearts and realize the sacrifice that He made for  us. Jesus Christ cam to Earth, lived a sinless life and was undeserving of death. Yet, He chose to suffer and bleed for US. He chose to die for US. A lowly group of criminals who reject His love every day when we sin. We are far from perfect and far from being capable of understanding His love, yet He chooses to accept us as we  are and put aside our sin if we just accept His gift and enter into a true relationship with Him and sincerely say, "Jesus remember me when you enter into Your kingdom." And as verse 43 of Luke 23 tells us, He will always respond with open arms and say, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus is waiting on your love, and its never too late in this life. You can be minutes from death and eternal separation from God, weighed down by a life of sin and shame, but He will lift that burden, take it upon His shoulders and welcome you into paradise with Him. All you need to do is genuinely accept Him. the debt has already been paid.