Tonight I am humbled and in awe of a God who is far greater and wiser and more amazing than anything my mind can even fathom.
This past weekend God has shown me so many things and opened my eyes to things I've never really grasped before. I've always embraced the fact that I'm a man. I like to get my hands dirty. I like to be a helper. I love to fix things. But the difference between being a mere man and being a man of God is one thing. STRENGTH. On my own strength I can get very little done. The results are limited and things never seem to work. Things backfire in my face. I'm left empty and wondering why I cant just fix everything for everyone. But God reminded me that It is by his strength alone that things get accomplished. How could I ever be a friend, a son, a boyfriend, an employee, or a Wyldlife leader on my own strength? I can't. I cannot do it. There is nothing of purpose and no reward from it. With God I can do all those things and more! One day I hope to be a father to some beautiful kids. One day I hope to be a firefighter and save peoples lives. One day I hope to be an Ephesians 5:25 man to my beautiful wife. Is there any way possible that I can do that on my own strength?
NO.
I am so humbled and thankful that God has saved me from so much grief and pain and anguish in all my failures. He's giving me a chance to start relying on his strength and love on a daily basis. Do not be fooled. Your friends cant give you the strength and your family cant do it and your significant other cant give you the strength to accomplish Gods will for your life on their strength. Only God working in them, and God in the full can give you the strength to succeed in these things.
I am a man. I'm a man that has been reminded that a real man lays down his pride and humbles himself in the midst of a God who is eager to help us. A God who will never leave us nor forsake us. This weekend has strengthend my foundation and I am eternally grateful to God.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Holding on when you can't.
When Job lost his children to the death and destruction of Satan he immediately fell down to his knees and praised God.
That is a testament to all of us who have ever been down on our luck, who haven't had things work out, who lost something or someone in a sudden way. To praise God when our hearts are crushed is the epitomy of radical faith. To do an act such as that is putting ourselves in the backseat instead of the drivers seat. An act such as that is saying "Okay, God. I trust you. I know you will work this out to my benefit. You will heal me and sustain me. In this mess of my life you are being glorified." Anyone who has been crushed knows that it's not easy to praise God when we are upset.
Who wants to praise God when all we want to do is wallow in our own self pity? Read that statement one more time.
"Who wants to praise God.." Want? WANT? It doesn't matter if we WANT to praise God. We NEED to praise God. Sometimes I don't WANT to go to work but I know I NEED to go to work so I can earn my paycheck and continue living!
If anything, I've learned over the past year (with many recent reminders) that we cannot get our fulfillment from anything other than God. We can't. If we put our hope, our dependency, our aspirations, our love into anything that isn't God then we are setting ourselves up for a rude awakening.
Two days ago I was waiting to hear back about a job. I can't tell you how excited and hopeful I was for this job. I had so many people praying for me and supporting me. I acknowledged in my prayers that this wasn't in my hands but in Gods. Well, long story short is that I didn't get the job. When I heard about the news I immediately felt like a failure. I felt like everything that I was hoping for and dreamed of was shot down. I wanted to go off by myself and be alone. I wanted to wallow in my disappointment and crushed hopes, but I wasn't able to and that was most definitely because of God.
I didn't fall on my knees and praise God. I sat in a chair and asked "why not me?"
Thankfully, I have an amazing group of people in my life that support me. To remind me that life goes on, that God has other plans, and this doesn't define me as a person. I knew all those things, but to be encouraged by the people you love is a blessing from God. It picks you up when you cannot stand on your own.
In the end you can't sit down and focus on what you don't have. The things that didn't pan out. The hurt you feel inside. The emptiness we feel. You must give EVERYTHING over to God and push forward. You cannot let your failures, hurt, and downfall define who you are. You are only defined by who you are in Christ Jesus. PERIOD.
God finds value in you. God cherishes you. God wants your praise. God wants your hurt. God wants it all.
The devil will haunt you. The devil will tell you lies. The devil knows just exactly how to make you feel incomplete.
When we listen to the lies of Satan and question God... Look what happens.
Job 38
Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
The verse goes on for awhile. The point is that God knows what he's doing!
Fall to your knees and praise Him.
That is a testament to all of us who have ever been down on our luck, who haven't had things work out, who lost something or someone in a sudden way. To praise God when our hearts are crushed is the epitomy of radical faith. To do an act such as that is putting ourselves in the backseat instead of the drivers seat. An act such as that is saying "Okay, God. I trust you. I know you will work this out to my benefit. You will heal me and sustain me. In this mess of my life you are being glorified." Anyone who has been crushed knows that it's not easy to praise God when we are upset.
Who wants to praise God when all we want to do is wallow in our own self pity? Read that statement one more time.
"Who wants to praise God.." Want? WANT? It doesn't matter if we WANT to praise God. We NEED to praise God. Sometimes I don't WANT to go to work but I know I NEED to go to work so I can earn my paycheck and continue living!
If anything, I've learned over the past year (with many recent reminders) that we cannot get our fulfillment from anything other than God. We can't. If we put our hope, our dependency, our aspirations, our love into anything that isn't God then we are setting ourselves up for a rude awakening.
Two days ago I was waiting to hear back about a job. I can't tell you how excited and hopeful I was for this job. I had so many people praying for me and supporting me. I acknowledged in my prayers that this wasn't in my hands but in Gods. Well, long story short is that I didn't get the job. When I heard about the news I immediately felt like a failure. I felt like everything that I was hoping for and dreamed of was shot down. I wanted to go off by myself and be alone. I wanted to wallow in my disappointment and crushed hopes, but I wasn't able to and that was most definitely because of God.
I didn't fall on my knees and praise God. I sat in a chair and asked "why not me?"
Thankfully, I have an amazing group of people in my life that support me. To remind me that life goes on, that God has other plans, and this doesn't define me as a person. I knew all those things, but to be encouraged by the people you love is a blessing from God. It picks you up when you cannot stand on your own.
In the end you can't sit down and focus on what you don't have. The things that didn't pan out. The hurt you feel inside. The emptiness we feel. You must give EVERYTHING over to God and push forward. You cannot let your failures, hurt, and downfall define who you are. You are only defined by who you are in Christ Jesus. PERIOD.
God finds value in you. God cherishes you. God wants your praise. God wants your hurt. God wants it all.
The devil will haunt you. The devil will tell you lies. The devil knows just exactly how to make you feel incomplete.
When we listen to the lies of Satan and question God... Look what happens.
Job 38
Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
The verse goes on for awhile. The point is that God knows what he's doing!
Fall to your knees and praise Him.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Promise keeper
When I was fairly young my dad took me to a mens conference called "Promise Keepers". It was a weekend long Christian mens retreat in a big arena in Tampa. I only remember bits and pieces of it, as I was really young when I went. But I always remember the drive home when my dad would ask me... "So are you a PK?" And I'd always kinda stare at him with this confused look on my face. He'd smile and say "Are you a promise keeper or a punk kid?" That always made me laugh and take a step back to think "Am I keeping my promises to God? Am I following Him and glorifying him the best I possibly can? Or am I being a rebel?" As I've grown up and moved on from those times in my life, I still ask that question to myself. Am I a promise keeper? Am I glorifying God in my actions, following His will, and ultimately living a Godly life? Unofortunately many times the answer is no. God made a promise to us that He would always love us, never leave us, and always forgive us when we did wrong. The only thing He wants in return is that we seek Him and love Him with all that we have. To live honorable lives according to his Word. There are numerous times I have failed over and over and over. Every single time I know God is there to pick me up and dust me off. He embraces me when I don't deserve it. He extends grace when I'm rebellious.
It always comes back around. Am I a promise keeper? My dad always told me that being a promise keeper was the true measure of a man. A man that keeps his promises to God and the ones he loves showed where his priorities and heart were. Over the past week that has hit me so hard. I not only want to be a man, but I want to be a Godly man who is true to his promises. I want to show God and the ones I love that I am true to my word in every aspect. Yes, It's possible for me to fail but thats only If I let my pride get in the way. I need to lay down my pride and pick up my cross... daily.
Thats whats on my heart and that is what I so strongly am striving for in my day to day life right now. I'm a promise keeper. Are you?
It always comes back around. Am I a promise keeper? My dad always told me that being a promise keeper was the true measure of a man. A man that keeps his promises to God and the ones he loves showed where his priorities and heart were. Over the past week that has hit me so hard. I not only want to be a man, but I want to be a Godly man who is true to his promises. I want to show God and the ones I love that I am true to my word in every aspect. Yes, It's possible for me to fail but thats only If I let my pride get in the way. I need to lay down my pride and pick up my cross... daily.
Thats whats on my heart and that is what I so strongly am striving for in my day to day life right now. I'm a promise keeper. Are you?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Figuring it all out.
Ever since I was very young, I have always struggled with knowing what I wanted to do when I got older. I remember wanting to be a fireman, police officer, a pyschiatrist, a real estate agent, and most recently a youth pastor. It's always frustrated me that I could never figure out just exactly what I wanted to do. I felt like I was on the right path on a few things but then somehow the road lead to a dead end. I know I can do anything I set my mind to, and that when I want something... I go for it until I've achieved it. But one of my faults is that I sometimes get discouraged fairly easily and just wanna quit. In all honesty, I really am struggling with the thought of being in ministry as a career. I know ministry is always going to play a role in my life, but I know that the Lord isn't directing my life towards ministry as a career right now. There are other things he's put on my heart and mind. I am pretty nervous and definitely questioning my ability to do some of the things that are asked of me. I am putting my trust in the Lord to guide me through this time of change. I know He won't let me fail in His plan for my life. That is the one thing that helps keep me going. There are so many things in this life that I have yet to figure out, experience, and accomplish. But God has placed so many wonderful people in my life to help me along the way that I am constantly encouraged and challenged.
God has used my mother and father (and siblings) to always encourage me with wisdom and leadership to raise me in the right way.
God has used my friends who bring their thoughts and spiritual encouragement to the table to help sharpen my thinking.
God has used my wonderful girlfriend to encourage me by her strength and courage to remind me that while circumstances aren't always good, God is always good and He will see things through to the very end.
At the end of the day, I know God has provided and blessed me beyond what I deserve. He knows my plans and the things deep in my heart that I pray daily come to pass. He knows the desires of my heart and the things that I care most about. He's got all of those things in the palms of his hands and He's going to take care of me according to His will for my life. That is what keeps me going most of all.
God has used my mother and father (and siblings) to always encourage me with wisdom and leadership to raise me in the right way.
God has used my friends who bring their thoughts and spiritual encouragement to the table to help sharpen my thinking.
God has used my wonderful girlfriend to encourage me by her strength and courage to remind me that while circumstances aren't always good, God is always good and He will see things through to the very end.
At the end of the day, I know God has provided and blessed me beyond what I deserve. He knows my plans and the things deep in my heart that I pray daily come to pass. He knows the desires of my heart and the things that I care most about. He's got all of those things in the palms of his hands and He's going to take care of me according to His will for my life. That is what keeps me going most of all.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What We Need.
I love finding passages I've read before, but never truly studied. Here is the one I found tonight:
"I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean alot to me -- It did! It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." Philippians 4:10-14
Notice that Paul wasn't in need. He didn't need the encouragement, concern, or love that was given to him. But he gladly accepted it, because it is uplifting to know that someone cares for us and is there to cheer us on. That despite distance, time, and isolation, the ones we love are there to show us Christs neverending love. Paul made it clear that the ONLY thing he needed is God. He could maintain happiness whether full or hungry, hands full or empty, with a little or alot. His happiness isn't dependant on a person, relationship, place, or ideal situation. But Paul admits that the help meant so much to him, that it was a beautiful thing for someone to come alongside him and be there for him. I believe that we can take this as an application to our own lives.
We don't need anything but the unconditional love from our Savior. That's it. We need nothing more than that. Now, that doesn't mean we cant have friends or become dependant on someone in some form or another. It's perfectly fine to build relationships, make friends, or like the situations we are in. (Don't forget that God gave Adam the gift of Eve to keep him from being lonely.) Man was not meant to wander this earth alone. I believe God knew that Paul was self-relient and that he didn't need anyone in his life to be happy, but God also knows the importance of a spiritual community around us. Paul was doing everything right in being content in the love that God supplied but God blessed him anyway. Sometimes just when we think we're fine the way we are, God will throw a blessing out there. It's another reminder that God is constantly thinking of us, giving us everything we could ever want or need. In your life, be content in the Lord our God. But always welcome the kindness, love, and support of the people who truly care for you. Those are the blessings God has given us!
"I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean alot to me -- It did! It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." Philippians 4:10-14
Notice that Paul wasn't in need. He didn't need the encouragement, concern, or love that was given to him. But he gladly accepted it, because it is uplifting to know that someone cares for us and is there to cheer us on. That despite distance, time, and isolation, the ones we love are there to show us Christs neverending love. Paul made it clear that the ONLY thing he needed is God. He could maintain happiness whether full or hungry, hands full or empty, with a little or alot. His happiness isn't dependant on a person, relationship, place, or ideal situation. But Paul admits that the help meant so much to him, that it was a beautiful thing for someone to come alongside him and be there for him. I believe that we can take this as an application to our own lives.
We don't need anything but the unconditional love from our Savior. That's it. We need nothing more than that. Now, that doesn't mean we cant have friends or become dependant on someone in some form or another. It's perfectly fine to build relationships, make friends, or like the situations we are in. (Don't forget that God gave Adam the gift of Eve to keep him from being lonely.) Man was not meant to wander this earth alone. I believe God knew that Paul was self-relient and that he didn't need anyone in his life to be happy, but God also knows the importance of a spiritual community around us. Paul was doing everything right in being content in the love that God supplied but God blessed him anyway. Sometimes just when we think we're fine the way we are, God will throw a blessing out there. It's another reminder that God is constantly thinking of us, giving us everything we could ever want or need. In your life, be content in the Lord our God. But always welcome the kindness, love, and support of the people who truly care for you. Those are the blessings God has given us!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Be moved. Stand strong.
Have you ever had someone come into your life and they just... Moved you?
You're not expecting it. You're not searching for it. They just come into your life, and in the most unexplainable way they uplift your very core. The very sight of them. The very thought of them. Something. Anything. It just moves your soul. You can't explain it. You can't control it. It's invigorating. It's joyful. It makes you feel like God plucked this person JUST for you. That God wanted you to know this person, so that in this relationship, God could be glorified in some significant way.
I've had people like that come into my life. When this person arrives, you never want them to leave. You don't want to say goodbye or wait for something else. Unfortunately, sometimes it does happen. It hurts when it does. The pain is real. You ask yourself, why? You don't know what to do. But deep down you know God has this in his holy hands.
I am a romantic at heart. I believe that a woman is to be treated with kindness, respect, and every bit of love I can offer. Even in friendship I give all that I can give. But I save that special love for the one that is out there for ME. I wait for the time to be right. I give my life, my soul, my mind, my heart, my purity, and my focus to God. Because through Him... that special person will be revealed. Whether she's been apart of my life already or not.
Theres something you should know about me. I'll fight for love. I'll fight for whats meant to be. I'll stick it out. I'll wait. I'll be strong. I'll stand. I'll do what it takes. Because I believe in a Christ centered love that is so deep that no boundaries, hardship, or uneasiness could ever stop it!
You came into my life and moved me. I'll wait here and be unmoved. I'll fight. I'll smile. I'll find joy. I'll do it all for you. I'll do it because my God did it for me!
You're not expecting it. You're not searching for it. They just come into your life, and in the most unexplainable way they uplift your very core. The very sight of them. The very thought of them. Something. Anything. It just moves your soul. You can't explain it. You can't control it. It's invigorating. It's joyful. It makes you feel like God plucked this person JUST for you. That God wanted you to know this person, so that in this relationship, God could be glorified in some significant way.
I've had people like that come into my life. When this person arrives, you never want them to leave. You don't want to say goodbye or wait for something else. Unfortunately, sometimes it does happen. It hurts when it does. The pain is real. You ask yourself, why? You don't know what to do. But deep down you know God has this in his holy hands.
I am a romantic at heart. I believe that a woman is to be treated with kindness, respect, and every bit of love I can offer. Even in friendship I give all that I can give. But I save that special love for the one that is out there for ME. I wait for the time to be right. I give my life, my soul, my mind, my heart, my purity, and my focus to God. Because through Him... that special person will be revealed. Whether she's been apart of my life already or not.
Theres something you should know about me. I'll fight for love. I'll fight for whats meant to be. I'll stick it out. I'll wait. I'll be strong. I'll stand. I'll do what it takes. Because I believe in a Christ centered love that is so deep that no boundaries, hardship, or uneasiness could ever stop it!
You came into my life and moved me. I'll wait here and be unmoved. I'll fight. I'll smile. I'll find joy. I'll do it all for you. I'll do it because my God did it for me!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving. This and That.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope the day is filled with food, family, games, laughing, fellowship, and football of course!
I'm going to be cliche and write what I'm thankful for. Ready? Here goes:
I'm thankful for a God who loves me!
I'm thankful for friends who can make me laugh at any moment!
I'm thankful for my family who supports me in every decision!
I'm thankful for a job in this tough economy, even when I hate it sometimes!
I'm thankful for a place to live, and food on my plate every day.
I'm thankful to have a car.
I'm thankful that I have clothing.
I'm thankful that even when I'm sinful, Jesus still loves me!
I'm thankful for the patience that God is teaching me to have.
I'm thankful for music!
I'm thankful for fall weather!
I'm thankful for this beautiful earth we live on!
I'm thankful for little children that say the darndest things!
I'm thaknful for people that make me want to be a better person!
I'm thankful for the things God has shown me that are yet to come!
I'm thankful for heartfelt conversations with people I care about!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to spread Gods word!
I'm thankful for the ability to take walks and look at the stars!
I'm thankful for God showing me what I should do with my life!
Whew! I could go on for days. But that is some of the many things I'm thankful for!
As I sat down during my quiet time today, I started looking back at some of the things I'm so thankful for in my past. What moments really took me by storm to help mold me into the person I am today? I started thinking about the mission trips I took back in highschool. I was a young 16 year old who wanted nothing more than to serve God and have fun with my friends! Our church decided to take a trip to the Bahamas to run Vacation Bible School, and do a bit of manual labor at local churches.
It was the trip of a lifetime! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun while also doing the Lords work.
One moment in particular I will cherish forever.
The picture above pretty much sums up the entire trip for me. The look on my face, and the joy on the childrens faces. It was such a blessing. I'm so thankful for that moment and for that picture.
It's one of the many reasons I long to do childrens ministry. As I'm still praying about what I'm to do in school, that picture helps me remember that Jesus loves the little children. That they are the future for our world. They hold the key to what becomes of us. And as I'm still asking God's direction in what It is he would have me do in this life. I find great peace in glorifying his name in childrens ministry!
Have a blessed Turkey Day!
I'm going to be cliche and write what I'm thankful for. Ready? Here goes:
I'm thankful for a God who loves me!
I'm thankful for friends who can make me laugh at any moment!
I'm thankful for my family who supports me in every decision!
I'm thankful for a job in this tough economy, even when I hate it sometimes!
I'm thankful for a place to live, and food on my plate every day.
I'm thankful to have a car.
I'm thankful that I have clothing.
I'm thankful that even when I'm sinful, Jesus still loves me!
I'm thankful for the patience that God is teaching me to have.
I'm thankful for music!
I'm thankful for fall weather!
I'm thankful for this beautiful earth we live on!
I'm thankful for little children that say the darndest things!
I'm thaknful for people that make me want to be a better person!
I'm thankful for the things God has shown me that are yet to come!
I'm thankful for heartfelt conversations with people I care about!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to spread Gods word!
I'm thankful for the ability to take walks and look at the stars!
I'm thankful for God showing me what I should do with my life!
Whew! I could go on for days. But that is some of the many things I'm thankful for!
As I sat down during my quiet time today, I started looking back at some of the things I'm so thankful for in my past. What moments really took me by storm to help mold me into the person I am today? I started thinking about the mission trips I took back in highschool. I was a young 16 year old who wanted nothing more than to serve God and have fun with my friends! Our church decided to take a trip to the Bahamas to run Vacation Bible School, and do a bit of manual labor at local churches.
It was the trip of a lifetime! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun while also doing the Lords work.
One moment in particular I will cherish forever.
The picture above pretty much sums up the entire trip for me. The look on my face, and the joy on the childrens faces. It was such a blessing. I'm so thankful for that moment and for that picture.
It's one of the many reasons I long to do childrens ministry. As I'm still praying about what I'm to do in school, that picture helps me remember that Jesus loves the little children. That they are the future for our world. They hold the key to what becomes of us. And as I'm still asking God's direction in what It is he would have me do in this life. I find great peace in glorifying his name in childrens ministry!
Have a blessed Turkey Day!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Underdog.
One thing in life that I've always had a passion for, one thing that I just always felt on my heart was right, was to stick up for the little people. To fight for the underdog. It didn't matter what the situation was. It could be someone about to get beat up by a group of bullies, someone who wanted to be with someone else so bad but couldn't get their attention, or someone who had no chance of making friends on their own. I fought for them. I helped them. It wasn't because I had too, or I felt bad for them. It was because I believe that everyone deserves a voice. Everyone deserves to be heard. Everyone deserves to love and be loved.
To this day, I still love the underdog stories. I'll volunteer to help friends, and even sometimes strangers.
Now, I'm not here to blog about how great I am because I help others, or what an awesome person I am for my good deeds. Far from it!
My passion to help others is due to the fact that Christ first helped us out! We were dead in our sins. We were beaten down. Our sins kept us from greatness. But when God sent Jesus to die for us, it was the greatest underdog story ever.
Jesus not being the underdog, of course. But us.. our selfish, sinful, disgusting selves. We are the ones who need the help. We need the guidance. We need love from an all sufficient savior.
The best part about it is... GOD LOVES TO GIVE US THAT! He makes it a point to help us out when we can't help ourselves. We don't have a voice of our own, and we can't forgive our own sins. But Christ does speak for us! We're the little guys. The world doesn't care about us, but Christ DOES!
So, that is my challenge to anyone who reads this. It's the challenge I give myself every day. Seek the underdog. Show them the love that Jesus first showed us! You'll be blessed beyond what you could expect. Thats the beauty of our God. If we have a servants heart, he is faithful to his promises. Promises of love and hope!
Just my thoughts for tonight. Never give up! No matter what the obstacles are in front of you. If Christ proclaims his words into your heart, then you should pursue them until the very end. If you're the underdog, then heed to God's word. If you need a friend -- I love you! But better yet, Christ loves you!
I've been trying to spice up the blogs a bit! I'll get more in depth, and not so preachy all the time. But I really felt like I needed to speak on this tonight. Until next time... ;-)
To this day, I still love the underdog stories. I'll volunteer to help friends, and even sometimes strangers.
Now, I'm not here to blog about how great I am because I help others, or what an awesome person I am for my good deeds. Far from it!
My passion to help others is due to the fact that Christ first helped us out! We were dead in our sins. We were beaten down. Our sins kept us from greatness. But when God sent Jesus to die for us, it was the greatest underdog story ever.
Jesus not being the underdog, of course. But us.. our selfish, sinful, disgusting selves. We are the ones who need the help. We need the guidance. We need love from an all sufficient savior.
The best part about it is... GOD LOVES TO GIVE US THAT! He makes it a point to help us out when we can't help ourselves. We don't have a voice of our own, and we can't forgive our own sins. But Christ does speak for us! We're the little guys. The world doesn't care about us, but Christ DOES!
So, that is my challenge to anyone who reads this. It's the challenge I give myself every day. Seek the underdog. Show them the love that Jesus first showed us! You'll be blessed beyond what you could expect. Thats the beauty of our God. If we have a servants heart, he is faithful to his promises. Promises of love and hope!
Just my thoughts for tonight. Never give up! No matter what the obstacles are in front of you. If Christ proclaims his words into your heart, then you should pursue them until the very end. If you're the underdog, then heed to God's word. If you need a friend -- I love you! But better yet, Christ loves you!
I've been trying to spice up the blogs a bit! I'll get more in depth, and not so preachy all the time. But I really felt like I needed to speak on this tonight. Until next time... ;-)
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