Rejoice - We're All Called For Something More

While trying to remain in the holiday spirit, this blog may come to you as something a little out of the ordinary. Instead of trying to get you to wrap your mind around some over-zealous biblical intellect, I’m going to change things up a little; maybe a lot, depending on how you look at it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still looking forward to telling you about Jesus, but maybe in a way we rarely tend to think about Him. Anyway, enough beating around the bush, let’s hop on this ride and see where it goes.

As Christmas approached this year, I found myself lacking the appropriate funding to purchase many of my loved ones gifts for the holiday. In other words, I was poor. So poor that I paid for my cup of Biggby coffee with quarters and dimes I found between the seats of my car. I started to question God’s plan, asking Him daily what He was trying to show me from this. Then I started to think, maybe this isn’t even a God thing at all. Maybe it’s just my lack of responsibility securing this bind? Maybe I’ve just gotten so wrapped up in a sense of comfort, that I lost focus on my duty as a man of God? I just couldn’t figure this one out. In a time where money is so prevalent, why do I not have any?

Then, December 21 happened.

I have this friend, let’s call him Dave, and Dave is engaged to a woman we’ll call Erin. Dave and Erin are your typical twenty-something couple, faithful to the Gospel with loving hearts and sacrificial minds. A few months ago, Dave set his eyes on securing a house for the couple after they wed, abiding to his role as the man in the relationship. Since he had a few months of preparation before the wedding, Dave’s plan was to buy a house, fix it up, and have it move-in ready for the couple when the time came. So Dave put his bid in and played the waiting game (which is actually a really boring game; I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re bored). After weeks and weeks of wrestling with the mortgage companies, Dave’s house fell through (this is the part of the story where you say, “awwww, poor Dave and Erin”). In a mad scramble to find some sort of secure housing, Dave was in what most would call a pickle. Frustrated and tried, Dave and Erin slowly grew impatient with the situation, weighing options on what would be most conventional to the circumstance. With ideas forming of joining the peace core, moving overseas and even attending seminary, Dave and Erin finally decided they would remain in the area (at least for the time being) and continue their duties here. The only problem: Dave and Erin were three months from officially registering homeless. Now, this may seem like plenty of time for your average American to find a home, however, when you’re planning on getting married within those three months, circumstances and priorities tend to change a little. Needless to say, Dave found the couple a wonderful apartment, and things were beginning to look auspicious once again. Did I speak too soon? I think I did.

Dave is a successful man. He has a college degree, a good job, and a nice car. Dave makes good money, thus causing a problem in the particular situation. I know what you’re thinking; how does making good money ever cause any kind of problem? Well, Dave’s apartment was set typically for individuals with low-income, which in turn did not qualify Dave for the apartment (he makes too much money). Strange? Yes. I know. Now Erin was going to re-apply to lease the apartment on her own, however, she was not allowed to submit an application for 90 days after they were declined. If you’re still following me, remember I told you Dave and Erin would become homeless in 90 days, so sadly, this idea would not work. Running out of time and options, I got a phone call from Dave explaining the situation. I’ll never forget what happened next.

Reluctant, Dave braced himself and popped the question.

“Will you lease an apartment for us?”

I could sense him bracing for impact. You know, that impact when a 6th grade bully is gearing back to drill you one right in the nose? Yeah, that kind of impact.

As I thought about it, and decided what kind of a decision this was, it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is why I’m poor. This is what I was being shown all along. Without question, I agreed, and within a week Dave and Erin had their apartment. Their focus on a home could be quieted, and they finally had the opportunity to subdue their attention on what really matters; their relationship.

It’s hard to rejoice in our struggles, especially when they are so threatening they seem to grasp our every decision. When money becomes an issue, we tend to point fingers in every which way, forgetting that God has a plan for all that He does. It took a faithful friend to remind me of that, and an extremely odd circumstance to pattern the confidence in my faith. The apostle Peter wrote to us, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:7.

God tends to intrigue our faith in ways we rarely fathom. He tests us so that we may prove faithful and endure, yet He never overwhelms us with more than we can handle. Don’t lose hope in times of struggle, because you never know whose lives you might fulfill.

Dave and Erin have an apartment, and I’m the reason why. Sometimes we can’t always afford the little things in life, but every once in a while we’re called for something more, and as far as I’m concerned, I can always afford that gift.

Happy Holidays you guys. May God fulfill your hearts like He has mine.

Evangelism

Is it problematic to suggest that most cases of biblical study are not done beneath the surface of recommended criteria? Has it become so cynical to grasp the fine-wine nature of God’s word that we tend to believe only information presented in general, outlined, and surfaced context? When asked “What is a Christian”, what is your immediate response? Is your answer to generalize the conditions in which the question was designed, or do you attack such inquiry with a sense of bold understanding on which your reply is based? Why be subtle in our derivative for life? Attack each situation with a valiant grasp of why you’re fighting for what you’re fighting for. If we’re going for subtlety, chances are Jesus would have looked a lot different. No crucifixion, no resurrection, no belief that He was and is the savior over all creation. If we’re going in a direction of delicacy, I’ll tell you right now we won’t get far. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying preaching fire and brimstone to six-year-olds wearing ghost costumes on Halloween, however we do need to take some discretely drastic measures in the way we describe ourselves as “evangelists”. Jesus took something deemed impossible and gave it life. He reached out and spoke with such humanity and humility, it’s often difficult to begin to illustrate the sincerity of His entire being. He was, is, and will always be the epicenter in which we are affiliated and unified to one another, and our assimilation of His greatness can never quite become fully perceived. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul wrote, “Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” We are all called to make a difference, now lets try fighting for it.

The weekend that the week ends.

I'm sorry for the delay in updates.  Life has become quite the handful right now.  I'll be back soon, don't worry.

Does anyone even read this thing?  Am I talking to myself here?  Eh well, I'll keep em' coming anyway!

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exulted among the world.”

For years, this verse had me puzzled. I was under the assumption that our whole purpose was to be alive through His word, not tranquil? To be formed on the foundation that we are all driven to a bigger and better principle, not held back by the idea that we are to be motionless in our quest for Glory. If we’re commanded to be still, yet show acknowledgement in our instruction to be mobile, aren’t we just contradicting our every belief? Doesn’t that mean the bible, the actual spoken tongue of God, has opposed itself in its Word? It seems slightly radical to jump to that kind of conclusion, especially a conclusion made in the judgment of God. Nevertheless, I was bewildered by the concept of this verse, unable to accept the truth from the unknown. It never occurred to me that God, in His own way, was a complete anonymity to me. He was obscure and vague, yet distinct and rational, and that was something incomprehensible to my well being. How could I be still and move at the same time? And then it hit me. God is a mystery, and we as human beings do not have the mental capacity to fully value anything He does. We are told that our most important directive from God himself is to love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul. We are never commanded to understand Him, and more notably we are never advised to question Him. We are subject of creation with a longing desire for something more. Our hearts, as humans, are yearning for something bigger and better with no clear understanding on why we are convicted with this promise. Apologetics and clear cut arguments can only get us so far before faith and actions become our most secure form of convaying the truth to the world. With a focus on faith, and a trust in the Word, I have found an understanding in God's command to be still, and forever I am thankful for the promise He has made.

Thoughts From a Park Bench

The quiet peacefulness is slightly overwhelming, as I sit, basking the miracles unfolded at the hands of God. The subtle breeze among the trees mixed with the underlying tones of birds and creatures alike, I've quickly become ashamed at my inability to recognize the beauty God has created in this world. From the gentle breaks in the sidewalk, to the consistant sway of the grassy fields, the wind upon my neck is a faithful recognition of why I'm alive; a fimiliar reassurance that we are marked not by our ability to understand God, but by our faithful character in which we submit to Him. We are all children glorified in His love, and, admitting or not, we will all stand face to face with our creator in the end. So we should worry not about pleasing ourselves, but rather our disposition for pleasing him. In areas of fault and failure we are given hope through the grace of His unconditional love. Our trials and tribulations will not be hindered, however, because we are followers of Christ, in fact, or rebellious nature will dwindle, but accusations against us will succum to it's fullest potential. Remember, we are given the gift to suffer as Jesus did, and we should not overlook that, for it is a blessing, not a burden, that we may share in Christ's trials. I anxiously await my face to face with Him, however that day will only come when He is ready to bring me Home. For now, I will sit on a park bench, and slowly give thanks and praise for the unique gifts I am blessed with, and never forget why I am called to do the things I do. May we all find hope in His love, and change this world day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.

First Blog

Oh boy, here we go. My first ever post in my first ever blog. This could potentially collapse quicker than a New York City skyscraper . Uh...I mean...Sorry George, just keep sticking to your guns; The Cat and the Hat will always get you to the top, we understand.

Anyway, so what types of things are the kids "blogging" about these days? Actual world issues or are we just sticking to Lindsay Lohan's twitter page? Although, I suppose Lohan news does actually put our terrorist level up to red, so I stand corrected. How about sporting news? Anyone talk about that on these things? Or are White Sox fans too uneducated to figure out the difference between a blog and a drunken barbeque? Hmm...I wonder.

How about this one. President Obama is putting a regulation on tobacco products, however we're passing laws to legalize marijuana. Interesting. Last I knew, weed was actually still illegal. Guy pulls into Speedway at 3:30 in the morning after a long night of crapping out bulls*** with the democratic party, walks up to the register and goes, "Uh, yeah I'll take these two Red Bulls here, and uh, gimme a pack of Panama Red will ya?" Nice work Barack, You've really upped the intimidation level of the United States.

Well, whatever the youth of America is writing about these days, I'll be right there with them. Blogging away and losing small pieces of my pride and dignity in the process.