I'm sure as you read the title to this post, some thoughts of panic came across your mind. Usually this statement of "God what have you done to me?" is a phrase said in anger, desperation, or confusion. However for me tonight it is just the opposite.
Tonight after the Night for the Nations event where a bunch of college students got together to pray for overseas missions I was wrestling with some bitterness and decided just to surrender it all to the Lord. As I laid in bed I said "God take my bitterness, worry, feelings of how crappy I am, and everything else Satan throws at me and replace it with Your joy. " The amazing thing is that because I trust in Jesus, God responded furiously to my prayer.
As Romans 12:1-2 talks about God transforming our minds to know and delight in His good and pleasing will, the Lord did that for me in my bedroom.
He started to take me back in time to when I was a freshman in college. A dumb kid messing around on his dorm floor, slacking in classes, looking for 'fun' stuff to do, selfish, manipulative, lazy, a heart of stone, and completely devoid of purpose. Then God took me through the process of hearing the Gospel, responding, raising my hands for the first time in worship, feeling the spirit of God change my heart, and remembering that power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me daily.
God then brought me back to working at Bible camp for the past two summers, where he showed me (a dude that used to think he didn't like kids) that working with youth is indeed is my passion. He glided me through all the cool experiences I've got to have loving other people, serving His church, and reminding me that He didn't need me at all but like a good father (who takes His son to work) I had the privilege of all these wonderful experiences.
The Lord then reminded me of all the people that have poured into my life, spent time with me, loved me, rebuked me, taught me, laughed with me and cried with me in times of weakness. Finally God brought me to the reality of where my life is presently heading... in two short months I will be graduating, and will most likely be working full time with youth in the criminal justice system, while pursuing a masters in theology. This all on the shoulders of a dude who four years ago thought the best things in life was easy living, getting what I wanted all the time, and making loads and loads of cash.
I laid in bed, had the biggest smile on my face, and blurted out the statement that best expressed my heart at the moment " God what have you done to me?" Whatever it is, keep doing it. For Your glory.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Jesus in Sociology
As a freshman 4 years ago, I was not following Christ, and didn't put a lot of effort in my classes. I was a slacker and my GPA showed for it my first semester. Now as a senior who by God's grace gets to retake 3 freshman classes, I happily get to write essays with the guidelines of...
"relate sociology concept "X" to your life and rationalize what it represents to you."
Chapter 2 Obedience and what Jesus has taught me...
Chapter 2 had much to do with obedience to authority. In the historical Milgram Obedience Studies, researchers found that normal everyday people, Americans at that, when acting in a position where there is legitimate authority them may obey in such a way that pushes the bounds of ethics. The researcher acted as authority over the participants who administered shocks to the confederates. The study reminded me of various war crimes/genocides/ and acts against humanity that have been perpetuated over history. From Nazi Germany. North Korea, China's Cultural Revolution, Rwanda etc, soldiers and normal people have acted in ways that are barbaric and most certainty unethical. I look at authority as a multisided issue, because authority is good, but unethical and immoral authority is not good. Authority is always derived from some power, and thus giving that authority legitimacy.
In the past I always thought that "well if it was me in that situation (insert tragic world event) I would never perpetrate those acts." However to be real with myself, until I became a Christian that would be far from the truth. As a young guy that trusts in Jesus as He who makes me worthy, valued, and right before God, I know that my true obeisance is not to a flag or country but to the King who is over the universe. I know this sounds cliche, however I can only say that knowing God more and more, makes me realize that no one is more worthy of love, and also fear that Him. If I was a soldier or civilian asked to kill another or be killed I will be scared when I put down the gun, but I know that I will be using the spine that Jesus has made strong, and heaven will be way sweeter.
Romans 12:2- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
"relate sociology concept "X" to your life and rationalize what it represents to you."
Chapter 2 Obedience and what Jesus has taught me...
Chapter 2 had much to do with obedience to authority. In the historical Milgram Obedience Studies, researchers found that normal everyday people, Americans at that, when acting in a position where there is legitimate authority them may obey in such a way that pushes the bounds of ethics. The researcher acted as authority over the participants who administered shocks to the confederates. The study reminded me of various war crimes/genocides/ and acts against humanity that have been perpetuated over history. From Nazi Germany. North Korea, China's Cultural Revolution, Rwanda etc, soldiers and normal people have acted in ways that are barbaric and most certainty unethical. I look at authority as a multisided issue, because authority is good, but unethical and immoral authority is not good. Authority is always derived from some power, and thus giving that authority legitimacy.
In the past I always thought that "well if it was me in that situation (insert tragic world event) I would never perpetrate those acts." However to be real with myself, until I became a Christian that would be far from the truth. As a young guy that trusts in Jesus as He who makes me worthy, valued, and right before God, I know that my true obeisance is not to a flag or country but to the King who is over the universe. I know this sounds cliche, however I can only say that knowing God more and more, makes me realize that no one is more worthy of love, and also fear that Him. If I was a soldier or civilian asked to kill another or be killed I will be scared when I put down the gun, but I know that I will be using the spine that Jesus has made strong, and heaven will be way sweeter.
Romans 12:2- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Advice and Humility
Today I had a conversation with a good friend of mine and we talked about what comes out of our mouth, and more specifically when giving advice. One of my favorite questions has always been "What do you think I should..." you can fill in the ending with "do, feel about, watch, eat, say, do about..." the list on and on. Pridefully I loved this question because I got to tell the person what I think, and feel special about how great it is to give people nuggets of my "wisdom" (which usually sucks).
As a believer who by God's grace really loves his brothers and sisters I sometimes dread this question because I so desperately want to give just the right response, the one that will be life changing. As I've grappled with God about this, the response He's given me is kind of a "DUH" response but being as unwise as I am of course it's taken me a long time to get this.
God says" All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Tim 3:16
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
So clear in scripture that all our advice should come from scripture. The Bible is useful for teaching others, rebuking sinning brothers and sisters, correction, and training for all to become more like Jesus. Who am I to give my two cents?
A cool tidbit God has shown me lately is that when we love others through His word, it is an act of humility. The Word says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. I want to live by grace.
God's Word helps a college dude who lacks wisdom live out Proverbs 10:19-
When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
When we as believers give our "wisdom" it esteems us, when God's word is used and true wisdom is given, our brothers and sisters are blessed and God gets the glory.
As a believer who by God's grace really loves his brothers and sisters I sometimes dread this question because I so desperately want to give just the right response, the one that will be life changing. As I've grappled with God about this, the response He's given me is kind of a "DUH" response but being as unwise as I am of course it's taken me a long time to get this.
God says" All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Tim 3:16
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
So clear in scripture that all our advice should come from scripture. The Bible is useful for teaching others, rebuking sinning brothers and sisters, correction, and training for all to become more like Jesus. Who am I to give my two cents?
A cool tidbit God has shown me lately is that when we love others through His word, it is an act of humility. The Word says that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. I want to live by grace.
God's Word helps a college dude who lacks wisdom live out Proverbs 10:19-
When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
When we as believers give our "wisdom" it esteems us, when God's word is used and true wisdom is given, our brothers and sisters are blessed and God gets the glory.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Joy
Psalm 51:11-13
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
First post in October, fall is awesome. I road biked across campus this morning and had a gust of leaves blow across my face, it was awesome. The beauty around during the fall is captivating, and it excites my heart to the reality of how even more wondrous heaven will be.
Now that I've described nature, let me expound on why I titled this post Joy. I came to know Christ three years ago around this time. Knowing the true God of the universe and getting to serve Him has filled me with inexplicable joy. I've sat on the spiritual mountaintop for the better part of the last three years, until recently when I've felt at a spiritual low.
Satan has attacked me a lot this semester, telling me in his usual 2nd person tone of how YOU aren't being used by God, YOU could be doing so much more but wait... YOU are selfish, worthless, in sin, aren't as good as person X, Y, or Z, so just give up.
See Satan is the father of lies, and he is pretty good at it. I'll admit my zeal has been shot, and there are days when it is hard to desire to live for God...
but the truth is, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
The truth is that three years ago, since knowing Christ I am a new creation. That newness does not wane with time, nor does the Spirit that dwells in every person that calls Jesus Lord.
Taking time to step back from myself and take a good look at the Word I see even more truths.
Paul says in Ephesians 2:10- That we are God's workmanship created for good works that He has laid out for us.
Wow... take a moment to think about that. The God of the universe calls you His workmanship! The word workmanship implies that you were crafted, not just crafted but carefully crafted, treasured, special, and not only that but God has predestined good works for us to do for His glory.
1 John 4:9 says that- This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
My prayer during this season as I beg God to make me effective for Him is this "God help me die so you can live in me."
What an amazing undeserving blessing, me child of weakness, watch and pray, found in Jesus my all in all.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Integrity
I love dictionary.com for many reasons and you'll see why in a quick second.
Looking up integrity I found this:
Followed by a great illustration...
As a kid I've always struggled with being honest, and now as a "young adult" and more importantly as one who has trusted in Jesus and has a relationship with the sovereign God of the universe He calls me to a life lived with integrity.
Cool verses for that- Romans 12:1 (Therefore in light of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing, this is your proper act of worship.)
One of the ways I've thought about this is if my 24 hours of life were made into a movie how would that look? Before God nothing is secret and He knows everything. Everything. Take a moment and think about that, you can fool everyone but God knows you inside and out.
The past couple days I've had opportunity to practice this, and be tested. Over the weekend I got to take my small group of 8th grade boys to Des Moines for a get-away weekend, and it was awesome, and also extremely tiring (staying up til 4 am and getting woken up at 7:30 to go to play in the pool!)
I got back and had to work a night tending the bar later that night. It was one of my most tiring shifts, and the following two days I get to do it again both nights in a row. There were times where I wanted to call in sick, especially Monday night when I just felt legitlly terrible. However something in the back of my mind and deep in my heart reminded me that all of life is spiritual and it is either glorifying to Christ or not.
The cool thing about not copping out to a lie is that it felt great to uphold all my obligations and work is fun. I love working at a bar because it such a laid back environment and all of the servers come back to shoot the breeze and sometimes complain about their customers (it's quite funny). I've gotten to build some good relationships with a lot of the servers and bussers, and I'm excited to be able to talk about deeper stuff. My hope is that they see I'm a servant and someone who lives differently with joy.
Dictionary.com gave a great definition about the hull of a ship. Think about it, if the hull is rotten the ship will never make it across the choppy seas. The same with our character, if we are full of holes, even if we plug them and make our reputation look great, eventually we will sink. Here's another kicker, we might think we have everyone fooled but we don't have God fooled. God has made us in His image, He is just, righteous, and keeps His promises, we as His image bearers should as well.
In His grace, to live a Micah 6:8... to love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with my God.
Looking up integrity I found this:
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Followed by a great illustration...
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.
As a kid I've always struggled with being honest, and now as a "young adult" and more importantly as one who has trusted in Jesus and has a relationship with the sovereign God of the universe He calls me to a life lived with integrity.
Cool verses for that- Romans 12:1 (Therefore in light of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing, this is your proper act of worship.)
One of the ways I've thought about this is if my 24 hours of life were made into a movie how would that look? Before God nothing is secret and He knows everything. Everything. Take a moment and think about that, you can fool everyone but God knows you inside and out.
The past couple days I've had opportunity to practice this, and be tested. Over the weekend I got to take my small group of 8th grade boys to Des Moines for a get-away weekend, and it was awesome, and also extremely tiring (staying up til 4 am and getting woken up at 7:30 to go to play in the pool!)
I got back and had to work a night tending the bar later that night. It was one of my most tiring shifts, and the following two days I get to do it again both nights in a row. There were times where I wanted to call in sick, especially Monday night when I just felt legitlly terrible. However something in the back of my mind and deep in my heart reminded me that all of life is spiritual and it is either glorifying to Christ or not.
The cool thing about not copping out to a lie is that it felt great to uphold all my obligations and work is fun. I love working at a bar because it such a laid back environment and all of the servers come back to shoot the breeze and sometimes complain about their customers (it's quite funny). I've gotten to build some good relationships with a lot of the servers and bussers, and I'm excited to be able to talk about deeper stuff. My hope is that they see I'm a servant and someone who lives differently with joy.
Dictionary.com gave a great definition about the hull of a ship. Think about it, if the hull is rotten the ship will never make it across the choppy seas. The same with our character, if we are full of holes, even if we plug them and make our reputation look great, eventually we will sink. Here's another kicker, we might think we have everyone fooled but we don't have God fooled. God has made us in His image, He is just, righteous, and keeps His promises, we as His image bearers should as well.
In His grace, to live a Micah 6:8... to love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with my God.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Steadfast
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”- Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
At noon I got together with Andrew Lee to share life and pray. God inspired a clear theme during our prayer time which was having full assurance that He is in control and to be submitted to Him. Reading the book "UnChristian" which describes one researcher's analysis and findings of American Christianity it broke down like this:
60-70% of America say they are Christian
15-25%- Have stated they have a personal relationship with Jesus
5-9%- Have a Biblical Worldview
I have been asking God lately what a Biblical Worldview looks like. My heart is careful not to be too narrow in it because God is not narrow but also I am careful not to ponder on an idea and not act on it. The last thing I wish to do is to pull a James 1:22.
Here is what I'm focusing on for my goal to be steadfast with God.
1.) Character- I desire my character (who I really am) to be an accurate reflection of Christ and what He has done in my life. Character is deeper than reputation because the latter is only who other people perceive you as, but character is who I am 24/7.
2.) My Words- I want my words to be careful and life changing. God needs to guard my mouth and inspire my mind.
3.) My joy- All of my joy I want to come from delighting in God, and not what He gives me as the primary.
4.) My life- I want to be steadfast and unwavering with the direction of my life and to pursue the one passion of serving God (Romans 12:1-2)
180 tonight! Sweet
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”- Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
At noon I got together with Andrew Lee to share life and pray. God inspired a clear theme during our prayer time which was having full assurance that He is in control and to be submitted to Him. Reading the book "UnChristian" which describes one researcher's analysis and findings of American Christianity it broke down like this:
60-70% of America say they are Christian
15-25%- Have stated they have a personal relationship with Jesus
5-9%- Have a Biblical Worldview
I have been asking God lately what a Biblical Worldview looks like. My heart is careful not to be too narrow in it because God is not narrow but also I am careful not to ponder on an idea and not act on it. The last thing I wish to do is to pull a James 1:22.
Here is what I'm focusing on for my goal to be steadfast with God.
1.) Character- I desire my character (who I really am) to be an accurate reflection of Christ and what He has done in my life. Character is deeper than reputation because the latter is only who other people perceive you as, but character is who I am 24/7.
2.) My Words- I want my words to be careful and life changing. God needs to guard my mouth and inspire my mind.
3.) My joy- All of my joy I want to come from delighting in God, and not what He gives me as the primary.
4.) My life- I want to be steadfast and unwavering with the direction of my life and to pursue the one passion of serving God (Romans 12:1-2)
180 tonight! Sweet
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day with God
Labor day 2011
Looking at a day where it is a day off from school, and work there was nothing else I wanted to do other than take a sabbath. God rested on the last day not because He was tired or needed a break but rather to set an example for His people. A day taken out of each week to connect with God, and find rest in Him. The daily hustle and bustle of life makes it hard to set aside a chunk of time to completely devote to God and therefore I am very thankful for this day.
I connect the best with the Father when I am actively doing something. Be it out biking, walking around campus, listening to worship music, or anything else I love being active while praying and listening to God. In total I biked around 40 miles today, hung out at a lake for five hours, and had some awesome conversations. Ended the day with biking out to Neveda and cooking for a family that I love dearly.
It was awesome getting to be challenged by Chan's book "Crazy Love". Very convicting what Jesus said to the church in Sardis in Rev 3:1- "You have the reputation of being alive but you really are dead."
The last thing I want in life is for myself to have a reputation of being fully in love with Jesus and yet in my heart be dead to Christ. As the busy year progresses into being closer and closer to graduation it is so easy to take my focus and passion off of Christ. God has designed us with the ability to have one passion and to be able to push forward fully in only one direction. Regardless of how busy this year gets, life will get, and how wonderful, exciting, confusing, tough, etc the future will be, my focus needs to be on the one eternal everlasting God.
Thank you Lord for a day I got to chill with you and just enjoy being loved by you. New week here we go!
Looking at a day where it is a day off from school, and work there was nothing else I wanted to do other than take a sabbath. God rested on the last day not because He was tired or needed a break but rather to set an example for His people. A day taken out of each week to connect with God, and find rest in Him. The daily hustle and bustle of life makes it hard to set aside a chunk of time to completely devote to God and therefore I am very thankful for this day.
I connect the best with the Father when I am actively doing something. Be it out biking, walking around campus, listening to worship music, or anything else I love being active while praying and listening to God. In total I biked around 40 miles today, hung out at a lake for five hours, and had some awesome conversations. Ended the day with biking out to Neveda and cooking for a family that I love dearly.
It was awesome getting to be challenged by Chan's book "Crazy Love". Very convicting what Jesus said to the church in Sardis in Rev 3:1- "You have the reputation of being alive but you really are dead."
The last thing I want in life is for myself to have a reputation of being fully in love with Jesus and yet in my heart be dead to Christ. As the busy year progresses into being closer and closer to graduation it is so easy to take my focus and passion off of Christ. God has designed us with the ability to have one passion and to be able to push forward fully in only one direction. Regardless of how busy this year gets, life will get, and how wonderful, exciting, confusing, tough, etc the future will be, my focus needs to be on the one eternal everlasting God.
Thank you Lord for a day I got to chill with you and just enjoy being loved by you. New week here we go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)