This week was kind of humbling. I was asked to speak for about 5-10 minutes with my great friend Erik at my church's youth group about a topic that can be hard to talk about, relativism. The idea that what you believe is right, and what I believe is right, that everybody can be right! I will say this, I would rather talk to someone who thinks their belief is right and mine is wrong, than someone who thinks both of us can be/are right. And relating to this I believe is the idea of karma and God coexisting. I think that this trend has started because of the fear of conflicts and everyone not getting along. It doesn't have to be that way.
For one I think this has a lot of flaws and holes. All the different religions (including atheism) and belief systems simply cannot coexist. If I believe murder is wrong, and in universalism, someone else thinks that it's ok and does so, then we can't say whether it is wrong or not! And there is absolutely nothing to determine if it is good or bad. In another word, there is absolutely no absolutes. Does that statement make sense? Not at all.
Do I believe my beliefs are right and is the truth? Yes, I stand by the bible and that Jesus said "I am the way and the truth". Do I know everything about God, the bible, and everything to know in the universe? Haha yeah right, not even close. 1st Peter talks about believing in what we can't see. It's true, I can't physically see God, but I have faith He exists and that He is the truth. I want everyone to know who He is and have a relationship with Him.
A trend I've also seen is the idea that karma exists...but so does God. I've never believed in karma, personally I don't see how it can work. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. But more so than that, both are supernatural forces, so who answers to who? Sure karma could be God's tool...but then it's God, not karma, karma is more of a fancy name for Him which it is not intended to be. So might as well call it God right? But if karma is the big boss in the sky running things, what's the point of God? How can they possibly coexist and both be truth at the same time? Then God is not really a God, He very obviously, as evidenced by the scriptures, created the world with a structure.
This isn't an easy topic for me to talk about. I have friends of all beliefs, and I love them all the same and most of all I respect them the same. I treat every person I come in contact with with love and I try to be like Christ. Like I wrote earlier, I do believe that the bible is the truth and the way to live and is the only truth, but that doesn't mean I'm going to force and impose my beliefs on you or preach to you. The beauty of this is God gave us the free will to believe what we want. He just hopes you choose Him.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Who I am hates who I've been...and still does sometimes
If there's anything I've struggled with, like millions of others in America, it's that I don't like myself sometimes. At all. Most people have something, or several things, about themselves they don't like. It could be weight, intelligence, looks, disability, and for myself I've always had a problem with my hearing problem and that's affected me a lot. It's been tough for me being a muggle, not hearing...but not totally deaf either. That definitely hit my self esteem to the point where I couldn't even accept it until last year. It's sad that there are so many people, even the best looking, struggling with this sort of problem.
I was reading 1st John and I spent a good 2 hours on chapters 3 and 4. So many thoughts and questions came to my head, easily one of the best experiences I've had in reading my bible. In that section he spends a lot of time talking about love, and how important it is to show love and be love. It's so important that he says "anyone who does not love remains in death". That's pretty powerful right there. And in Matthew, Jesus describes love and says "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind...and the second is...'Love your neighbor as yourself".
Catch that last part? "Love your neighbor as yourself". There's two things I get from the two chapters in 1st John and this verse. The first thing was how to love, and everyone knows the famous 1st Corinthians 13 passage that describes what love is, and it's more than just saying I love everyone. It's living it! John talks about if you see your brother in need but have no pity and you don't do anything to help how can there be any love in you. There's so many ways to love and I firmly believe love is more than a feeling, if it even is at all; it's a verb. It's showing love to everyone who comes your way in life, there's no room for hate in love. If God loves everyone despite how broken and evil we are, what's our excuse for not loving anyone? I just don't know how else I can put it other than that we all, Christian or not, need to show kindness, compassion, and love to everyone.
The second part which really made me think last night for some reason was can I show love and be love if I have a hard time doing it for myself and really loving myself as well? Now I don't exactly hate myself anymore, but sometimes, sometimes too much depending on how life is going, I just don't like myself. Every think maybe that's how it should be? You could say "at least it means I'm humble and not prideful". But is it? I'm definitely not talking ego "I'm so freakin amazing and nice and I'm this super awesome good person", more of a "I'm a creation and tool of God that He's using to do good". We all get that pride at one point or another, it's something everyone feels, it's just our human nature.
Maybe not loving ourselves is a problem just as bad as not loving others. We should, in my opinion, strive to put others in front of ourselves. But can you love others and not yourself? Think about it...you...are a creation of our amazing God. He made you and put you together with his hands and even knew you before the world even existed! Scripture clearly states that. How could we not appreciate and love what God has made and is doing with us? We SHOULD love ourselves! I think people get the misconception that loving ourselves has to mean an ego kind of love when I really don't think it means that whatsoever. We're supposed to love others as ourselves, Jesus seems to make that clear, accept yourself for who you are.
I don't think most people would admit it when they don't like themselves, but it's definitely no secret that more than enough people struggle with self esteem and self worth feelings. It's something I will probably struggle with still, though that feeling goes away more and more over time. But I realize I'm a personal creation of God who has created stars and planets, and so is every person who's lived. I think that's pretty awesome. Christian or not, we should all strive to love each other and accept ourselves for who we are. This will probably be the corniest thing I will ever say...but to quote bruno mars "you're beautiful just the way you are". Haha, but it's true. Don't hold yourself back from being the potential of what you can be!
I was reading 1st John and I spent a good 2 hours on chapters 3 and 4. So many thoughts and questions came to my head, easily one of the best experiences I've had in reading my bible. In that section he spends a lot of time talking about love, and how important it is to show love and be love. It's so important that he says "anyone who does not love remains in death". That's pretty powerful right there. And in Matthew, Jesus describes love and says "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind...and the second is...'Love your neighbor as yourself".
Catch that last part? "Love your neighbor as yourself". There's two things I get from the two chapters in 1st John and this verse. The first thing was how to love, and everyone knows the famous 1st Corinthians 13 passage that describes what love is, and it's more than just saying I love everyone. It's living it! John talks about if you see your brother in need but have no pity and you don't do anything to help how can there be any love in you. There's so many ways to love and I firmly believe love is more than a feeling, if it even is at all; it's a verb. It's showing love to everyone who comes your way in life, there's no room for hate in love. If God loves everyone despite how broken and evil we are, what's our excuse for not loving anyone? I just don't know how else I can put it other than that we all, Christian or not, need to show kindness, compassion, and love to everyone.
The second part which really made me think last night for some reason was can I show love and be love if I have a hard time doing it for myself and really loving myself as well? Now I don't exactly hate myself anymore, but sometimes, sometimes too much depending on how life is going, I just don't like myself. Every think maybe that's how it should be? You could say "at least it means I'm humble and not prideful". But is it? I'm definitely not talking ego "I'm so freakin amazing and nice and I'm this super awesome good person", more of a "I'm a creation and tool of God that He's using to do good". We all get that pride at one point or another, it's something everyone feels, it's just our human nature.
Maybe not loving ourselves is a problem just as bad as not loving others. We should, in my opinion, strive to put others in front of ourselves. But can you love others and not yourself? Think about it...you...are a creation of our amazing God. He made you and put you together with his hands and even knew you before the world even existed! Scripture clearly states that. How could we not appreciate and love what God has made and is doing with us? We SHOULD love ourselves! I think people get the misconception that loving ourselves has to mean an ego kind of love when I really don't think it means that whatsoever. We're supposed to love others as ourselves, Jesus seems to make that clear, accept yourself for who you are.
I don't think most people would admit it when they don't like themselves, but it's definitely no secret that more than enough people struggle with self esteem and self worth feelings. It's something I will probably struggle with still, though that feeling goes away more and more over time. But I realize I'm a personal creation of God who has created stars and planets, and so is every person who's lived. I think that's pretty awesome. Christian or not, we should all strive to love each other and accept ourselves for who we are. This will probably be the corniest thing I will ever say...but to quote bruno mars "you're beautiful just the way you are". Haha, but it's true. Don't hold yourself back from being the potential of what you can be!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
I wish I could come up with a witty title but
I was thinking about how bitter I used to be. I was plain miserable, never saw anything good in any day. Every day was just a chore to get through. I still feel that way once in a while when I get overwhelmed. The first thing that really helped me get through each day was a verse in Matthew, verse 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own". We just gotta focus on the task at hand and let God worry about His own plan. Think about it, why worry so much about something God has planned for us already? He's taking care of us, and I trust that for good or bad I have NOTHING to worry about. That helped me a lot in being more optimistic and well...happy!
Another thing that's helped me lately, and it was sort of a challenge from an amazing guy I look up to so much. I had a pretty good heart to heart conversation with him a couple weeks ago and he brought up that I should try to detect God moments. A moment in which I can see God working. It's sort of new for me, so I forget sometimes. But I try to think about a moment in which I felt it clear God was working to remind me that He still cares. I'm not gonna lie, some days I don't think of one, but maybe I just don't recognize them yet. But usually I find something and it really lifts my spirit high.
There's a lot of factors on why I'm so much more optimistic than I was a few years ago but these help. I think taking the time to think about how God is working in all of our lives is an important part of our faith. My faith gets stronger when I can feel God moving, and being able to see His work. Maybe it works for some people maybe it doesn't for others. But it's worth a try. Try looking for God moments in each of our days and see how He's working around us. You never know what you'll find.
Another thing that's helped me lately, and it was sort of a challenge from an amazing guy I look up to so much. I had a pretty good heart to heart conversation with him a couple weeks ago and he brought up that I should try to detect God moments. A moment in which I can see God working. It's sort of new for me, so I forget sometimes. But I try to think about a moment in which I felt it clear God was working to remind me that He still cares. I'm not gonna lie, some days I don't think of one, but maybe I just don't recognize them yet. But usually I find something and it really lifts my spirit high.
There's a lot of factors on why I'm so much more optimistic than I was a few years ago but these help. I think taking the time to think about how God is working in all of our lives is an important part of our faith. My faith gets stronger when I can feel God moving, and being able to see His work. Maybe it works for some people maybe it doesn't for others. But it's worth a try. Try looking for God moments in each of our days and see how He's working around us. You never know what you'll find.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Are you there God? I'm listening....
Talking about the bible and verses, giving support, doing "good things", going to church, I've been pretty good at in the last few years, prayer? Not so much. When I first became a Christian I prayed every night before going to bed. Now? not so much. When I do pray, it's usually in a random place like when I'm at work or driving to somewhere. And even when I do that...it's not as often as it should be. I always feel horrible for this, like, I'm a bad Christian for not praying nearly as much as I should be. Being completely honest...I probably pray....three or four times a week, and half of that is in church. That's not close to talking to God enough for me.
I've always had a hard time with praying because I can't physically hear Him and listen to advice He can give me right here and now. And if the bible is His word, why bother praying if He says it right there and isn't going to say anything that I'll literally be able to hear. Like I said I don't really get that "feeling" that many people feel all the time, sometimes, but not always. For a dumb reason this discourages me from praying more and more. Just how much would I love to be able to hear him say to me "it's going to be ok, I'm right here". I get tired of reading it sometimes, and I want to hear it.
I was talking to my mom about how singing could possibly be like praying recently, and I told her when I pray I don't feel that "Holy Spirit flowing through me" feeling and that's part of what hinders me from praying. But when I do "feel" it is when I'm singing worship and praising God. And it brought up a question for me, is it possible to pray in singing and praising God? I think it might be a form of praying, when I sing to God that He is mighty to save and that I'm broken and in need of His grace, is that a way of me praying to Him to save me cause I'm filthy and broken?
Maybe it is. But I still feel like it's not enough to just do that, I need to talk to Him, tell him whatever hell I may be going through and how I can't do it without Him taking care of me. And at the same time tell Him how happy I am he's blessed me with the many things I have been blessed with. Tell him how I'm so grateful to have a savior like Jesus to save me. More importantly, say in my own words just how much I love that He is in my life and isn't going to leave my side.
These next five months for me are going to be super super tough. I'm taking a paramedic class which is pretty pricey and my family do not have much money. I'm not going to be able to go out to eat, go to the pub with friends, buy myself any music, go to the coffeeshop, basically anything that costs money for the next 4 or 5 months. It's going to be tough since I'm a very social person and I like getting out and doing stuff.
What I've really learned in the last week is just how much I'm really going to have to rely on God to get me through this and trust that He has a plan and will take care of me one way or another. But most importantly, that I'm really going to have to pray and talk to Him more. Is it going to be the hardest time that anyone has ever had or that I will probably ever have? Probably not, but this ranks up there. But I'm trusting in God and that I feel that He will provide and that the fellowship I've grown into will help me stay strong and sane. I'm excited at the same time to see how He uses me in these next few months of giving me more responsibility with this paramedics class and a fellowship that I'm now more involved in.
Am I the "best" at praying? I highly doubt it. But it's something I'm really going to be relying on (and already relying on right now) for these next few months and for the rest of my life. It's going to be a very tough few months, but I'm also very excited to see what happens and how things will develop. All I ask for now is prayer support. And anything anyone wants me to pray for them, I will gladly do it, I'd love to spend more time talking to God about everything. So while I do ask for prayer, I also ask that you also give me prayer requests and anything I could help out with.
I've always had a hard time with praying because I can't physically hear Him and listen to advice He can give me right here and now. And if the bible is His word, why bother praying if He says it right there and isn't going to say anything that I'll literally be able to hear. Like I said I don't really get that "feeling" that many people feel all the time, sometimes, but not always. For a dumb reason this discourages me from praying more and more. Just how much would I love to be able to hear him say to me "it's going to be ok, I'm right here". I get tired of reading it sometimes, and I want to hear it.
I was talking to my mom about how singing could possibly be like praying recently, and I told her when I pray I don't feel that "Holy Spirit flowing through me" feeling and that's part of what hinders me from praying. But when I do "feel" it is when I'm singing worship and praising God. And it brought up a question for me, is it possible to pray in singing and praising God? I think it might be a form of praying, when I sing to God that He is mighty to save and that I'm broken and in need of His grace, is that a way of me praying to Him to save me cause I'm filthy and broken?
Maybe it is. But I still feel like it's not enough to just do that, I need to talk to Him, tell him whatever hell I may be going through and how I can't do it without Him taking care of me. And at the same time tell Him how happy I am he's blessed me with the many things I have been blessed with. Tell him how I'm so grateful to have a savior like Jesus to save me. More importantly, say in my own words just how much I love that He is in my life and isn't going to leave my side.
These next five months for me are going to be super super tough. I'm taking a paramedic class which is pretty pricey and my family do not have much money. I'm not going to be able to go out to eat, go to the pub with friends, buy myself any music, go to the coffeeshop, basically anything that costs money for the next 4 or 5 months. It's going to be tough since I'm a very social person and I like getting out and doing stuff.
What I've really learned in the last week is just how much I'm really going to have to rely on God to get me through this and trust that He has a plan and will take care of me one way or another. But most importantly, that I'm really going to have to pray and talk to Him more. Is it going to be the hardest time that anyone has ever had or that I will probably ever have? Probably not, but this ranks up there. But I'm trusting in God and that I feel that He will provide and that the fellowship I've grown into will help me stay strong and sane. I'm excited at the same time to see how He uses me in these next few months of giving me more responsibility with this paramedics class and a fellowship that I'm now more involved in.
Am I the "best" at praying? I highly doubt it. But it's something I'm really going to be relying on (and already relying on right now) for these next few months and for the rest of my life. It's going to be a very tough few months, but I'm also very excited to see what happens and how things will develop. All I ask for now is prayer support. And anything anyone wants me to pray for them, I will gladly do it, I'd love to spend more time talking to God about everything. So while I do ask for prayer, I also ask that you also give me prayer requests and anything I could help out with.
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Answer to Life's Greatest Question Has Always Been...
Everyone has their demons and some sort of thing that troubles them in life. I have a lot of history and it gets to me, especially in infrequency. I hate admitting this, it makes me feel like I'm nuts or not a man, but sometimes I'll randomly get super down and out and not have a care because I feel like giving up. Maybe lately it's more so because more and more of my friends have left town for school and I haven't gotten out much.
My biggest fault I think is that I think too much sometimes, when that happens I tend to shut myself off, hang out with a select group of people (which is like 3 or 4 people and I haven't even seen them in a long time) and worse of all I kind of shut myself off from being active in my faith. You wouldn't know it unless I told you though cause I can put on a pretty good show sometimes when I'm in actuality not doing great.
I think it's because I haven't really gotten it through to myself to be like Matthew 11:28 and put my burdens off my shoulders and onto Jesus's shoulders. If you think about it, he died with all of our troubles, our filth, our sins on HIM. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck to put all the pain I feel, all the worries I have onto him and just live life. If there's one thing I've always known, it's that there's a whole difference to knowing it and living it. I know that I just need to put all my burdens on Jesus and he will give me rest, but I'm having a hard time living it.
I doubt I'll ever truly be worry free and I know for a fact I'll never be perfect or always be living life exactly the way I should be. And I think that is what scares me the most, is the fear that I'll find a way to screw up everything and not live up to the potential we all have inside of us. But as long as I am breathing I will never lose my faith as shaken as it may get at times, I have faith that my God is watching me and will not let me lose hope in everything. When it comes down to it, God is great, and if HE is for us then who could stand against us. Or try saying it like this, if God is for ME then who could stand against me?
My biggest fault I think is that I think too much sometimes, when that happens I tend to shut myself off, hang out with a select group of people (which is like 3 or 4 people and I haven't even seen them in a long time) and worse of all I kind of shut myself off from being active in my faith. You wouldn't know it unless I told you though cause I can put on a pretty good show sometimes when I'm in actuality not doing great.
I think it's because I haven't really gotten it through to myself to be like Matthew 11:28 and put my burdens off my shoulders and onto Jesus's shoulders. If you think about it, he died with all of our troubles, our filth, our sins on HIM. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck to put all the pain I feel, all the worries I have onto him and just live life. If there's one thing I've always known, it's that there's a whole difference to knowing it and living it. I know that I just need to put all my burdens on Jesus and he will give me rest, but I'm having a hard time living it.
I doubt I'll ever truly be worry free and I know for a fact I'll never be perfect or always be living life exactly the way I should be. And I think that is what scares me the most, is the fear that I'll find a way to screw up everything and not live up to the potential we all have inside of us. But as long as I am breathing I will never lose my faith as shaken as it may get at times, I have faith that my God is watching me and will not let me lose hope in everything. When it comes down to it, God is great, and if HE is for us then who could stand against us. Or try saying it like this, if God is for ME then who could stand against me?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
An uncommon man trying to save himself
So I read books a lot. Typically a regular novel can last me 2 days to 2 weeks on average. Lately longer though thanks to work and school. But any Christian book, especially a good one, takes me 1 day to 1 week on average. I'm trying to always be reading a book. I'm not the biggest book nerd (unless it comes to star wars) and I don't read 5 books at a time like some people do. A lot of times I'm not even reading a book, but I do enjoy it.
I decided I'm going to start "reviewing" books, I figured maybe it'll be a good way for me to look back on what I've learned or how I feel about the book.
This past 3 weeks I've read two books, one is Uncommon by Tony Dungy, who won a super bowl against the Bears (I'm still resentful about that) in '06 and the other book is Save Me From Myself by Brian Welch who was the former guitarist for Korn before he became a Christian.
The first book, Uncommon, was a book that my good friend David recommended and let me borrow. I read it in about 5 days, he was surprised I had given it back so soon. It was that good, how good? I brought a copy just as I was finishing reading to give to another friend of mine. As a young man who just turned 21 I still have plenty to learn about being a man. This book taught me a lot on how to be an uncommon man, how to stand out from the rest, and especially, how to take control and be more comfortable when I'm put in that leadership role. Which I find myself in more and more.
It's a book I will probably find myself reading again to remember what to do in the different situations as a man. I already feel pretty mature for my age and I have had adults tell me that but I know I still have room to grow in that department like all people my age. But this book taught me a lot more than I expected. if i had to compare it to pokemon, I would say it boosted me by 10 levels.
The second book I read, which took me today and yesterday to read, was Save Me From Myself by Brian Welch. I spent about 5 years when I was younger worshipping Korn. I remember hearing about him become a Christian, I thought it was cool, but I was sad cause I liked the guy in Korn. Then when I became a Christian I wanted to read this book. I never got it until last week for my birthday because my parents remembered how much I used to love them (and I still listen to them every now and then) and thought I'd like it.
It was good, it's not a book I'd have anyone younger than middle school read since it has some swearing in it and some kind of intense stuff. But that's what I loved about it, it was REAL. I could actually relate to some of what he had to say. Hard childhood, hard times now, struggling with depression sometimes. Even the month he became a Christian in was the same month for me, Jan, and some of the conversion experiences were similar to mine. This was a guy I could relate to in several ways except for drug usage and the violent nature.
It was inspirational in some ways to me. Like for one knowing that his life, while mine was pretty rough I think, was rougher than mine and he still made it to this point is always inspiring. This was more of a "learn about my life and how I got to where I am" than a "how to be a Christian" book. And he even acknowledged that, saying he hoped to inspire people and let people know about his life and how he made it through. No preaching, no do this and that. Just simple read your bible and get to know God cause no matter what you've been through you can do it, and He still loves you no matter what. So it was a great read in that sense.
However I didn't totally agree with everything he said. He talks a little bit about speaking in tongues. Honestly I don't know the most about it, but I really don't think babbling is talking to God, and it's just really weird. But that's what I think. Maybe I'm wrong, I haven't exactly spent a lot of time on learning the theology about that. It did make me more interested and want to learn more about it. So if anyone ever wants to talk about it I'm up for it! So don't let that stop you from reading it.
So there it is, a review on two books and if i had to rate them Uncommon was a definite 5/5 but Save Me From Myself i would rate 3.75/5 (I couldn't do 3.5 but didn't feel comfortable saying 4 haha). I'll probably give a review on most books I read and I'd like to hear recommendations. But like I've said...writing a blog, while I like it to an extent, I don't feel the most comfortable about writing for the world to see. I'm still warming up to it haha. God Bless!
I decided I'm going to start "reviewing" books, I figured maybe it'll be a good way for me to look back on what I've learned or how I feel about the book.
This past 3 weeks I've read two books, one is Uncommon by Tony Dungy, who won a super bowl against the Bears (I'm still resentful about that) in '06 and the other book is Save Me From Myself by Brian Welch who was the former guitarist for Korn before he became a Christian.
The first book, Uncommon, was a book that my good friend David recommended and let me borrow. I read it in about 5 days, he was surprised I had given it back so soon. It was that good, how good? I brought a copy just as I was finishing reading to give to another friend of mine. As a young man who just turned 21 I still have plenty to learn about being a man. This book taught me a lot on how to be an uncommon man, how to stand out from the rest, and especially, how to take control and be more comfortable when I'm put in that leadership role. Which I find myself in more and more.
It's a book I will probably find myself reading again to remember what to do in the different situations as a man. I already feel pretty mature for my age and I have had adults tell me that but I know I still have room to grow in that department like all people my age. But this book taught me a lot more than I expected. if i had to compare it to pokemon, I would say it boosted me by 10 levels.
The second book I read, which took me today and yesterday to read, was Save Me From Myself by Brian Welch. I spent about 5 years when I was younger worshipping Korn. I remember hearing about him become a Christian, I thought it was cool, but I was sad cause I liked the guy in Korn. Then when I became a Christian I wanted to read this book. I never got it until last week for my birthday because my parents remembered how much I used to love them (and I still listen to them every now and then) and thought I'd like it.
It was good, it's not a book I'd have anyone younger than middle school read since it has some swearing in it and some kind of intense stuff. But that's what I loved about it, it was REAL. I could actually relate to some of what he had to say. Hard childhood, hard times now, struggling with depression sometimes. Even the month he became a Christian in was the same month for me, Jan, and some of the conversion experiences were similar to mine. This was a guy I could relate to in several ways except for drug usage and the violent nature.
It was inspirational in some ways to me. Like for one knowing that his life, while mine was pretty rough I think, was rougher than mine and he still made it to this point is always inspiring. This was more of a "learn about my life and how I got to where I am" than a "how to be a Christian" book. And he even acknowledged that, saying he hoped to inspire people and let people know about his life and how he made it through. No preaching, no do this and that. Just simple read your bible and get to know God cause no matter what you've been through you can do it, and He still loves you no matter what. So it was a great read in that sense.
However I didn't totally agree with everything he said. He talks a little bit about speaking in tongues. Honestly I don't know the most about it, but I really don't think babbling is talking to God, and it's just really weird. But that's what I think. Maybe I'm wrong, I haven't exactly spent a lot of time on learning the theology about that. It did make me more interested and want to learn more about it. So if anyone ever wants to talk about it I'm up for it! So don't let that stop you from reading it.
So there it is, a review on two books and if i had to rate them Uncommon was a definite 5/5 but Save Me From Myself i would rate 3.75/5 (I couldn't do 3.5 but didn't feel comfortable saying 4 haha). I'll probably give a review on most books I read and I'd like to hear recommendations. But like I've said...writing a blog, while I like it to an extent, I don't feel the most comfortable about writing for the world to see. I'm still warming up to it haha. God Bless!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Where Camels and Needles Meet
WOW so these last few weeks I've been on fire haha. For no particular reason too, although Ignite helped keep it going strong, which I think is a good sign because it shows I'm trusting Him and having faith during regular times instead of needing "a revival" so to say. Honestly even though there could be things that would probably make me happier if it were happening right now, I'm very happy with the way things are going
So that part was just a random beginning to something that has come up a lot and been on my mind for the last year, year and a half. I like to talk about how I sponsor a compassion child, his name is Abenezer and lives in Ethiopia. I started sponsoring him last August and this month will be my one year anniversary sponsoring a child. There were many reasons why I did this, as a poor college student who pays for school and bills out of my own pocket.
You can imagine my excitement to hear at least 4 or 5 bands that brought up Compassion and seeing them reach out to several people who decided they wanted to take a chance and sponsor a child over the weekend.
I spent a lot of my college career saying "I can't sponsor a child, I'm too poor" and going on with excuses like that. Then I read Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and he talked a lot about going outside of the box, and reminded me of a tale I've known for years and years but felt it didn't apply to me, or at least not yet. "a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents...'Truly I tell you, this widow has put in more in the treasury than all the others". He was right, he got me, I felt you know what, I trust that God will take care of me one way or another, so I sponsored a child.
Now you don't have to, and I'm not telling you to though it'd be awesome, sponsor a child. But I'm trying instead to get people to think about what we do with our fiances. I've heard it before that just about all of us living in America, and I will assume YOU are part of this statistic, are in the top 10% of the world financially. Know what else I've learned lately? Anyone who owns a portable computer...is in the top 5%...that means more than likely YOU are one of them along with me.
Scary, know why? Jesus once said "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven". Now, you and I? We're in the top FIVE % of the world, at minimum top 10. Maybe we aren't the typical definition of "rich" but you gotta admit...things could be worse! I hope this doesn't discourage anyone...if anything it made me want to work harder, and most of all it made me realize how blessed I am.
I believe God put us where we are now to take advantage of it, and give back. Does it mean I should go ahead give it all away and just live on the streets? Nah, that's not taking advantage of what God has blessed me with. I've read before that it'd be a slap in the face to God if we just wasted what we could, if we just threw away everything He blessed us with. Why throw away the food God set before us to eat?
Now I don't want to come off as righteous, I'm not halfway close to perfect, but I hope you to think about what you and I are blessed with, and what we will do with what we have. This is a topic that I am super passionate about and I really truly believe you and I can make a difference with what we do with what we have. NO ONE has too little or not enough of anything to do good things with, no one.
So that part was just a random beginning to something that has come up a lot and been on my mind for the last year, year and a half. I like to talk about how I sponsor a compassion child, his name is Abenezer and lives in Ethiopia. I started sponsoring him last August and this month will be my one year anniversary sponsoring a child. There were many reasons why I did this, as a poor college student who pays for school and bills out of my own pocket.
You can imagine my excitement to hear at least 4 or 5 bands that brought up Compassion and seeing them reach out to several people who decided they wanted to take a chance and sponsor a child over the weekend.
I spent a lot of my college career saying "I can't sponsor a child, I'm too poor" and going on with excuses like that. Then I read Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and he talked a lot about going outside of the box, and reminded me of a tale I've known for years and years but felt it didn't apply to me, or at least not yet. "a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents...'Truly I tell you, this widow has put in more in the treasury than all the others". He was right, he got me, I felt you know what, I trust that God will take care of me one way or another, so I sponsored a child.
Now you don't have to, and I'm not telling you to though it'd be awesome, sponsor a child. But I'm trying instead to get people to think about what we do with our fiances. I've heard it before that just about all of us living in America, and I will assume YOU are part of this statistic, are in the top 10% of the world financially. Know what else I've learned lately? Anyone who owns a portable computer...is in the top 5%...that means more than likely YOU are one of them along with me.
Scary, know why? Jesus once said "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven". Now, you and I? We're in the top FIVE % of the world, at minimum top 10. Maybe we aren't the typical definition of "rich" but you gotta admit...things could be worse! I hope this doesn't discourage anyone...if anything it made me want to work harder, and most of all it made me realize how blessed I am.
I believe God put us where we are now to take advantage of it, and give back. Does it mean I should go ahead give it all away and just live on the streets? Nah, that's not taking advantage of what God has blessed me with. I've read before that it'd be a slap in the face to God if we just wasted what we could, if we just threw away everything He blessed us with. Why throw away the food God set before us to eat?
Now I don't want to come off as righteous, I'm not halfway close to perfect, but I hope you to think about what you and I are blessed with, and what we will do with what we have. This is a topic that I am super passionate about and I really truly believe you and I can make a difference with what we do with what we have. NO ONE has too little or not enough of anything to do good things with, no one.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
skeptical of being a skeptic
So there are two books that stand out to me that talk about the afterlife and the intricate details of what it is like. Both under different circumstances. They are "23 Minutes in Hell" by Bill Viese and "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. Now I'm going to be honest, I haven't read them, I feel too skeptical to, so I can't say too much about these books. However I'd love to hear some thoughts on it.
"23 Minutes in Hell" is a book in which the writer claims he had a dream that he was in hell itself for 23 minutes and had some deep details about it. My brother in law (Mark, he was a youth pastor for my old church and is a missionary in his home country now) read this and liked the book and didn't seem too skeptical of him. While the author says he hopes people believes him but if they don't to still look into the bible which I give him credit for whereas most people looking for attention would probably claim if one doesn't believe him/her is not a believer. I've meant to get around to reading it since Mark wanted me to.
The other book is a boy who at a young age had to go into an emergency surgery and "slipped consciousness and entered Heaven" and afterwards shared extreme details of Heaven and told details of what was happening in other rooms even while he was in surgery, much like the movie awake if you've seen it, and shared impossible to know details. Again, I haven't read it. I was just recommended to read it by a friend and I've seen it at walmart.
I've been skeptical to read books like that, I almost feel like they're possible false prophets and such, one could have been a nightmare and the other he was 4 when this happened. I feel bad for being so skeptical, is it wrong of me to be THIS skeptical? haha. I want to get around to reading them eventually. God does great things and He is beyond understanding, so would He show these two lucky people a glimpse of what it's like after death? Is this His way of reaching out to us in these days? Should I be more open to these two people who experienced this?
I think I forget sometimes just how supernatural the world really is, there's more to the world than the eyes see, it's like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:18 "so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal".
I'd like to hear some opinions on this....
"23 Minutes in Hell" is a book in which the writer claims he had a dream that he was in hell itself for 23 minutes and had some deep details about it. My brother in law (Mark, he was a youth pastor for my old church and is a missionary in his home country now) read this and liked the book and didn't seem too skeptical of him. While the author says he hopes people believes him but if they don't to still look into the bible which I give him credit for whereas most people looking for attention would probably claim if one doesn't believe him/her is not a believer. I've meant to get around to reading it since Mark wanted me to.
The other book is a boy who at a young age had to go into an emergency surgery and "slipped consciousness and entered Heaven" and afterwards shared extreme details of Heaven and told details of what was happening in other rooms even while he was in surgery, much like the movie awake if you've seen it, and shared impossible to know details. Again, I haven't read it. I was just recommended to read it by a friend and I've seen it at walmart.
I've been skeptical to read books like that, I almost feel like they're possible false prophets and such, one could have been a nightmare and the other he was 4 when this happened. I feel bad for being so skeptical, is it wrong of me to be THIS skeptical? haha. I want to get around to reading them eventually. God does great things and He is beyond understanding, so would He show these two lucky people a glimpse of what it's like after death? Is this His way of reaching out to us in these days? Should I be more open to these two people who experienced this?
I think I forget sometimes just how supernatural the world really is, there's more to the world than the eyes see, it's like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:18 "so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal".
I'd like to hear some opinions on this....
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Finally
I grew up in church. I've had the "laws" pounded into my head for my whole life. I've read since I was a little kid all the ways to disappoint God and it was basically everything I do or did. I got pounded into my head this image of God the judge, and He was always a judge, never a father. Sure I have heard about it, but just like I don't see judge Mathis with his kids or family I didn't see Him as anything else but a judge waiting to hammer down that gavel how much I have disappointed Him. I've had a hard time realizing that God on His throne is there as a judge, but also a father waiting for us to run up and sit on His lap and tell Him your problems and what's going on in our lives.
Everyone seems to have that big struggle in their faith, this is mine. I've made a lot of progress in the last few months. Even though I accepted Jesus my senior year, the concept that He loves me is still almost, but not quite, foreign. I know He does, and He does very much. But I'm still scared of never ever making Him happy or proud of me. Does anyone else feel like that?
But like I said, recently I've made progress. Before if I said a swear word, I felt like I ruined it and He's totally embarrassed of me and doesn't wanna know me. If I had some other struggles I would be so ashamed I would shut Him out and sink into a dark hole and it's hard getting out without a rope. Wouldn't read the bible, wouldn't pray, nothing, just listen to some depressing music. Honestly I don't even know how I come running back to Him but I always do.
Now for once I'm not so ashamed of myself when I make little mistakes. He knows, I'm a human, it's our fleshy nature. I hear again and again and again "He just wants a relationship" but It's finally getting better. Just like any other relationship it isn't going to be tight as homeboys right away, it progresses like any other relationship. And this relationship is getting tight as homeboys right now. Sure I make mistakes, I swear once in a while depending on if I'm tired, frustrated whatever, but I don't feel so horrible about it. He loves me, I'm sure He doesn't want me to say it too often, but it's not such a big deal. When I make certain mistakes I won't shut myself out anymore. Sure I'll probably hit my rough patches, I'm in one right now sort of, but instead of shutting Him out, like a father I'm going to seek advice and listen to Him instead of trying to do it on my own.
My mom and I have always had a tight relationship, and by tight I mean we say whatever is on our minds holding nothing back, I've gone on a rant where almost every word was the magic word and she listened. That's how I think God is, He isn't going to listen to what you say and say "whoops you said damn in a prayer, I'm ignoring you now", rather i think He will listen to your frustration and help you out whether it's in the way you want it or not. Maybe this isn't such a struggle for most people, but it is for me. And it's not even just the swearing however.
I can finally say, with all honesty, that I can say ANYTHING to God, if I can tell my own parents and friends what's up, then I should be able to tell Him since he loves me more than anyone else does! Lately when I pray I hold nothing back, like David I praise Him, i vent to Him, i let Him know my frustrations whether they be with Him or anyone else. Isn't that what you think of when you think of relationships? Heck any psychologists will tell you fighting can be healthy, maybe that's only in the case of man/woman relationships but I doubt it, the only difference is...He IS always right whether we like it or not haha.
The whole point of this super long blog I guess is Don't hold back in your relationship with God, sure He's a judge, but He's your father too that loves ya. Talk to Him like one, let Him know how you feel, He isn't dying to know, He did die to know.
Everyone seems to have that big struggle in their faith, this is mine. I've made a lot of progress in the last few months. Even though I accepted Jesus my senior year, the concept that He loves me is still almost, but not quite, foreign. I know He does, and He does very much. But I'm still scared of never ever making Him happy or proud of me. Does anyone else feel like that?
But like I said, recently I've made progress. Before if I said a swear word, I felt like I ruined it and He's totally embarrassed of me and doesn't wanna know me. If I had some other struggles I would be so ashamed I would shut Him out and sink into a dark hole and it's hard getting out without a rope. Wouldn't read the bible, wouldn't pray, nothing, just listen to some depressing music. Honestly I don't even know how I come running back to Him but I always do.
Now for once I'm not so ashamed of myself when I make little mistakes. He knows, I'm a human, it's our fleshy nature. I hear again and again and again "He just wants a relationship" but It's finally getting better. Just like any other relationship it isn't going to be tight as homeboys right away, it progresses like any other relationship. And this relationship is getting tight as homeboys right now. Sure I make mistakes, I swear once in a while depending on if I'm tired, frustrated whatever, but I don't feel so horrible about it. He loves me, I'm sure He doesn't want me to say it too often, but it's not such a big deal. When I make certain mistakes I won't shut myself out anymore. Sure I'll probably hit my rough patches, I'm in one right now sort of, but instead of shutting Him out, like a father I'm going to seek advice and listen to Him instead of trying to do it on my own.
My mom and I have always had a tight relationship, and by tight I mean we say whatever is on our minds holding nothing back, I've gone on a rant where almost every word was the magic word and she listened. That's how I think God is, He isn't going to listen to what you say and say "whoops you said damn in a prayer, I'm ignoring you now", rather i think He will listen to your frustration and help you out whether it's in the way you want it or not. Maybe this isn't such a struggle for most people, but it is for me. And it's not even just the swearing however.
I can finally say, with all honesty, that I can say ANYTHING to God, if I can tell my own parents and friends what's up, then I should be able to tell Him since he loves me more than anyone else does! Lately when I pray I hold nothing back, like David I praise Him, i vent to Him, i let Him know my frustrations whether they be with Him or anyone else. Isn't that what you think of when you think of relationships? Heck any psychologists will tell you fighting can be healthy, maybe that's only in the case of man/woman relationships but I doubt it, the only difference is...He IS always right whether we like it or not haha.
The whole point of this super long blog I guess is Don't hold back in your relationship with God, sure He's a judge, but He's your father too that loves ya. Talk to Him like one, let Him know how you feel, He isn't dying to know, He did die to know.
Friday, May 27, 2011
bah
A lot of times, I wish I was a great writer or someone who could inspire people through writing. I know I won't, but it's good to say what's on your mind right? What do I write about though? It's easy, so easy to write something angry and negative or just angry, but I want to be positive. Maybe I'll get better at this
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
HBO THIS!
So what is right now probably my favorite book in the bible is 1st and 2nd Samuel (yes I count them as one) because it is so easy to relate to in different ways because the Saul and David, like us, are human. And of course, the best part, it is so EPIC!!!!!! Seriously, it's like a full out action movie, it's like a Bruce Willis movie on crack. Guns don't compare to men fighting face to face, it never will, I mean have you seen 300 or Lord of the Rings yet?! This has a story already set, and it actually happened.
Now I'm a visual guy, I like to see things which is why I got the action bible which is illustrated by a former comic book author who worked with Marvel, it's hard to imagine anything with the likes of anyone in history unless I see it. Also why I sometimes struggle with God, I'd love to physically see Him, but that's a conversation for another time if you'd like. But I'd LOVE to see this happen on the telly. I would pay to see this, and there's only one other show I'd be willing to pay on HBO or showtime to see, and that's Dexter.
But seriously, have you seen the works of arts they've came out with on those channels? And don't tell me that when you started watching band of brothers you didn't get hooked. I even enjoy mini-series more than movies now. Lonesome Dove confirmed it for me. I think it'd make a great series, maybe one season be Samuel anointing Saul and his rule over Israel and the rise of David as a warrior with the stories of him fighting Goliath, lions, thousands of Philistines. And then Saul's chase after David. Then the second season be David's reign as king and bring in some of psalms stories, his fights with Absalom and other sons. And then the rise of Solomon for the third and final season, including the 2 women fighting over the baby to show his wisdom God granted him, his building of the famous temple for the ark, and then the fall of the nation because of his blindness and wealth and thus the end of Israel being ruled under one king...for now.
Seriously how awesome would that be. And HBO tends to be more in depth and accurate since it doesn't have a 2 hour time limit, it's a whole series that I think even non-Christians would enjoy. It'd be awesome.
BTW I know the end of David and all of Solomon was in Kings, but it'd make sense to have them included right?
Now I'm a visual guy, I like to see things which is why I got the action bible which is illustrated by a former comic book author who worked with Marvel, it's hard to imagine anything with the likes of anyone in history unless I see it. Also why I sometimes struggle with God, I'd love to physically see Him, but that's a conversation for another time if you'd like. But I'd LOVE to see this happen on the telly. I would pay to see this, and there's only one other show I'd be willing to pay on HBO or showtime to see, and that's Dexter.
But seriously, have you seen the works of arts they've came out with on those channels? And don't tell me that when you started watching band of brothers you didn't get hooked. I even enjoy mini-series more than movies now. Lonesome Dove confirmed it for me. I think it'd make a great series, maybe one season be Samuel anointing Saul and his rule over Israel and the rise of David as a warrior with the stories of him fighting Goliath, lions, thousands of Philistines. And then Saul's chase after David. Then the second season be David's reign as king and bring in some of psalms stories, his fights with Absalom and other sons. And then the rise of Solomon for the third and final season, including the 2 women fighting over the baby to show his wisdom God granted him, his building of the famous temple for the ark, and then the fall of the nation because of his blindness and wealth and thus the end of Israel being ruled under one king...for now.
Seriously how awesome would that be. And HBO tends to be more in depth and accurate since it doesn't have a 2 hour time limit, it's a whole series that I think even non-Christians would enjoy. It'd be awesome.
BTW I know the end of David and all of Solomon was in Kings, but it'd make sense to have them included right?
For everything there is a season, and
a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to
build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a
time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast
away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time
to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace
this will forever be one of my favorite parts of the bible, it talks so much about LIFE in this short section. There's a time for me to rejoice, and a time for me to be sad, a time to spend time by myself, and a time to be with people to embrace each other around. Ecclesiastes will forever be one of my favorite books.
a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to
build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a
time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast
away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time
to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace
this will forever be one of my favorite parts of the bible, it talks so much about LIFE in this short section. There's a time for me to rejoice, and a time for me to be sad, a time to spend time by myself, and a time to be with people to embrace each other around. Ecclesiastes will forever be one of my favorite books.
Monday, April 4, 2011
It's been a while...
I always have these ideas for blogs to write, but I usually don't get around to it cause I should study instead or I'm just too tired to write for 20 minutes or so. Truth is, lately, I haven't been so great. Winter tends to get me extra cynical and callous though I usually am able to hide it but I seem to always, starting in October, sink into a depression. As a result I usually find something to gripe about. This year, I've really been annoyed with the lack of accountability in the church and among fellowships. Like I said I haven't been doing so hot lately, I've been wrestling with my mind for a few months now. And while I don't announce it to the world, or in our country's case Facebook, I don't exactly hide it either, and despite people knowing I'm struggling, they seem to avoid trying to help the problem except for a "hope you feel better" and a pat on the back. Not to say it NEVER happens, I know it does, maybe more than I realize. But i definitely see a lot of people, many in the church, being neglected cause we just want to focus on our own life and our own struggles it seems.
Now, I'm not saying I want a therapy session or anything, but simply I want to see fellowship pushing each other to be better. It seems a lot of people now in the church have fallen silent. I will say this, there have been a couple people actually interested in what's going on and really do want to help somehow. but most just don't care, and most of those people (keep in mind I'm talking about people involved in church) even talk about church church church fellowship fellowship love love love hope faith! But when they see a fellow christian in need of accountability or even just a good talk at a coffeeshop, a couple beers, or even just a short walk in the neighborhood they say absolutely nothing and hide.
I hate how this sounds like I'm asking for pity cause it's the exact opposite. I don't make myself out to be perfect whatsoever. I have plenty of downfalls and if you want to know them I will tell you in a conversation. The bad things about downfalls is that they happen often sometimes. Sometimes you can go months without having much problems with your personal demons, but then for a stretch of time you can't get it out of your head. That's the time when your fellow Christian should recognize that and say "HEY! SNAP OUT OF IT!" and even get to the point where you say "You're going to bible study tonight" and when the other person says they don't want to you say "I don't give a crap". Like I said, I make no secret when I'm having a rough time. Some people might but typically ones close to them will be able to tell. And this concept shouldn't just apply to Christians. It should apply to EVERYONE. You see a friend struggling you just let them be? why? Do something.
I think one of the big problems is this great country we live in. While America in my opinion is one of the best countries, if not the best, to live in today, we have very much wussified. All that feel good crap it's making us soft!! People have been hardasses (excuse the language) for thousands of years and it has worked just great! So why are we so soft now?? It's sure not going to make things better! And I don't know about you but spanking and slaps on the hand is fine with me! As a pastor once said God put 2 inches of fat on the bottom for a reason. Now I'm getting off topic.
Now getting back to how this applies to the church and fellowship. We need to speak up when we see something obviously wrong! Like I mentioned earlier...a talk at a coffeshop, bar, on a walk around somewhere like the boardwalk or beach. SOMETHING. And to dive into something which is harder but needs to be done, when you see a close friend struggling again with certain problems, whether it be drugs, drinking, or porn whatever. Even when they admit to it, don't be like "oh...that sucks...i hope you do better" because that is NOT what they need. They need someone to say "KNOCK IT OFF". Enough with the feel good trying not to say something the other person doesn't want to hear. I do have some friends who do this...these are my favorite people to talk to, unfortunately those are few and most of them aren't around much anymore. Tell them straight up, "call me if you're gonna struggle with some stuff and I'll help in any way I can", or even a bit of "if you do this I'll kick your butt one way or another", heck even like one of those swear jar for whatever problem it is. We are all in life going to have some problems, fail again and again. But the point is to try not to fail and have our fellowship or friends keep us from doing it as much as possible and focus more on the positive and bettering ourselves.
Now of course there is a right way to do this. You don't say it in front of everyone else or on Facebook, twitter for the world to see. Even the bible says, you should do it privately first and foremost. Grab them to the side and talk to them, listen to the person. Give the best advice you can and tell them to call you, text you, whatever anytime they want! Me personally my phone is always open for talking. I love to do whatever i can to help my friends. especially those close to me, in the same way I'm not afraid to tell someone if they're wrong or if I think what they're doing is not right. And I say it nicely as possible. And again, sometimes all it takes is a talk, seems like those help the most. Sadly I have lost a friend or two because they thought they were right and had to big an ego to just have different opinions. But we can't let that hold us back in talking to our friends whether close or just casual friends and saying what's what. I've taken harsh criticism from some friends and I still remain close with them. And i especially am fond of them because I know they will let me know when I'm wrong. I know everyone could use a friend or two like that. So please...don't have an ego big enough you won't talk to someone anymore. The best friends are the ones who tell you things you don't wanna hear but need to. Those are the ones to keep around. Cause "as iron sharpens iron man shall sharpen another". Being soft and letting your friends think they're never wrong isn't going to fix the world.
Basically the point of this whole pointless ramble is if you see someone in need, even if it's just a person you know but aren't close with, talk to them! help them! don't hold back! don't hold back what you feel like you should say! ya never know...and LOVE is one of the greatest things we can show each other and love isn't always hugs and kisses.
Now, I'm not saying I want a therapy session or anything, but simply I want to see fellowship pushing each other to be better. It seems a lot of people now in the church have fallen silent. I will say this, there have been a couple people actually interested in what's going on and really do want to help somehow. but most just don't care, and most of those people (keep in mind I'm talking about people involved in church) even talk about church church church fellowship fellowship love love love hope faith! But when they see a fellow christian in need of accountability or even just a good talk at a coffeeshop, a couple beers, or even just a short walk in the neighborhood they say absolutely nothing and hide.
I hate how this sounds like I'm asking for pity cause it's the exact opposite. I don't make myself out to be perfect whatsoever. I have plenty of downfalls and if you want to know them I will tell you in a conversation. The bad things about downfalls is that they happen often sometimes. Sometimes you can go months without having much problems with your personal demons, but then for a stretch of time you can't get it out of your head. That's the time when your fellow Christian should recognize that and say "HEY! SNAP OUT OF IT!" and even get to the point where you say "You're going to bible study tonight" and when the other person says they don't want to you say "I don't give a crap". Like I said, I make no secret when I'm having a rough time. Some people might but typically ones close to them will be able to tell. And this concept shouldn't just apply to Christians. It should apply to EVERYONE. You see a friend struggling you just let them be? why? Do something.
I think one of the big problems is this great country we live in. While America in my opinion is one of the best countries, if not the best, to live in today, we have very much wussified. All that feel good crap it's making us soft!! People have been hardasses (excuse the language) for thousands of years and it has worked just great! So why are we so soft now?? It's sure not going to make things better! And I don't know about you but spanking and slaps on the hand is fine with me! As a pastor once said God put 2 inches of fat on the bottom for a reason. Now I'm getting off topic.
Now getting back to how this applies to the church and fellowship. We need to speak up when we see something obviously wrong! Like I mentioned earlier...a talk at a coffeshop, bar, on a walk around somewhere like the boardwalk or beach. SOMETHING. And to dive into something which is harder but needs to be done, when you see a close friend struggling again with certain problems, whether it be drugs, drinking, or porn whatever. Even when they admit to it, don't be like "oh...that sucks...i hope you do better" because that is NOT what they need. They need someone to say "KNOCK IT OFF". Enough with the feel good trying not to say something the other person doesn't want to hear. I do have some friends who do this...these are my favorite people to talk to, unfortunately those are few and most of them aren't around much anymore. Tell them straight up, "call me if you're gonna struggle with some stuff and I'll help in any way I can", or even a bit of "if you do this I'll kick your butt one way or another", heck even like one of those swear jar for whatever problem it is. We are all in life going to have some problems, fail again and again. But the point is to try not to fail and have our fellowship or friends keep us from doing it as much as possible and focus more on the positive and bettering ourselves.
Now of course there is a right way to do this. You don't say it in front of everyone else or on Facebook, twitter for the world to see. Even the bible says, you should do it privately first and foremost. Grab them to the side and talk to them, listen to the person. Give the best advice you can and tell them to call you, text you, whatever anytime they want! Me personally my phone is always open for talking. I love to do whatever i can to help my friends. especially those close to me, in the same way I'm not afraid to tell someone if they're wrong or if I think what they're doing is not right. And I say it nicely as possible. And again, sometimes all it takes is a talk, seems like those help the most. Sadly I have lost a friend or two because they thought they were right and had to big an ego to just have different opinions. But we can't let that hold us back in talking to our friends whether close or just casual friends and saying what's what. I've taken harsh criticism from some friends and I still remain close with them. And i especially am fond of them because I know they will let me know when I'm wrong. I know everyone could use a friend or two like that. So please...don't have an ego big enough you won't talk to someone anymore. The best friends are the ones who tell you things you don't wanna hear but need to. Those are the ones to keep around. Cause "as iron sharpens iron man shall sharpen another". Being soft and letting your friends think they're never wrong isn't going to fix the world.
Basically the point of this whole pointless ramble is if you see someone in need, even if it's just a person you know but aren't close with, talk to them! help them! don't hold back! don't hold back what you feel like you should say! ya never know...and LOVE is one of the greatest things we can show each other and love isn't always hugs and kisses.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Call me crazy?
It's been a few months since I've written. It's for several reasons. I've felt kind of shut off from the world lately and I was in my own dark hole. But now I'm definitely feeling more pepped up...the packers is part of it :P
But I've had an idea I've floated around in the last few years but kept on the shelf because I really don't know how the heck I could do it. It's definitely a "risky" and "controversial" idea that would probably strike many people as unpopular and ignorant or whatever.
Trying to find a job back when I was 16, and even now for people my age, was freakin impossible! And I thought about how much harder it must be for ex-felons to find a job, much less a decent job since many have families to care for. And I always told myself if I was somehow a manager of somewhere I'd give the felons a fair chance in getting their life straight. Who knows if they had an epiphany or life changing decision to go straight and do good and live a solid life! Sadly this does not happen. My pops said back in his old job working for the LC health department that his bosses would look through resume and without even reading what the felony was or how long ago it was they'd throw out the application. How unfair is that?!?!
How much does the Bible constantly tell us, we are NOT good, we are NOT better than each other, we are ALL sinners one way or another and in that we are equal. We all make mistakes, sure some are worse, but nonetheless we are all in the same boat. Should I look down on someone who got caught stealing or robbed a gas station in his rebellious years even though I've made some bad mistakes? Maybe not as bad as robbing a store or whatever, but I've made some mistakes that made God sad all the same. If someone keeps on making those decisions that ruin their lives and those around them, then they should deal with the consequences but if someone who is 24 made a mistake got charged, he shouldn't be wiped away of a honest future to provide for his daughter or son when he's still so young and has his whole life ahead of him.
I have absolutely NO idea how I could do this, but I think it'd be so cool if a business got started that hired felons and kept them straight, kind of like work for me doing construction and stay outta trouble. A real normal job, an honest living, that only hires felons, sounds CRAZY right?
I don't know...I think it could make such a huge difference. Imagine if they come to Christ because of that job!
I mean, there are so many people, especially in the inner cities, who feel like they HAVE to keep doing those bad things just to get by, cause no one will give them a chance. We see it in the movies all the time right? A bad school, a good teacher comes in, talks to the kids, kids say who cares about us? Why would anyone help us? This is real life, that actually happens, and it's more than that one lucky school that got their story published.
I really feel like they should at least get a fair shakedown, a fair job interview like everyone else. Think about it again, if they're applying for that job, doesn't that already say something about how they might wanna do right in this life?
And like I said, I don't know how I could do this, like a foundation thing, start a business with a friend, talk to a state or local Representative about working with felons and businesses and doing some sort of program, who knows! But should I dare to dream? Should I try to help out people who's made mistakes like we all have? Or maybe you reading this will be in this position of where you have a chance to hire someone, and you'll now think, maybe you should give them a fair chance after all instead of throwing that application away.
I love helping people, I LOVE raising awareness for my neighbor's grandkids who have sanfilippo and helping them out as much as I possibly can. I love sponsoring a kid in Ethiopia and helping out his family. And I hope to do mission work opportunities in my lifetime. But I think this is one more thing that deserves at least a little bit of attention because I think it could truly make the world a little bit of a better place to life, to give people the opportunities to turn their life around or on the straight track. I feel like this is a risky thing to be saying in so many ways...but this is what I think...
But I've had an idea I've floated around in the last few years but kept on the shelf because I really don't know how the heck I could do it. It's definitely a "risky" and "controversial" idea that would probably strike many people as unpopular and ignorant or whatever.
Trying to find a job back when I was 16, and even now for people my age, was freakin impossible! And I thought about how much harder it must be for ex-felons to find a job, much less a decent job since many have families to care for. And I always told myself if I was somehow a manager of somewhere I'd give the felons a fair chance in getting their life straight. Who knows if they had an epiphany or life changing decision to go straight and do good and live a solid life! Sadly this does not happen. My pops said back in his old job working for the LC health department that his bosses would look through resume and without even reading what the felony was or how long ago it was they'd throw out the application. How unfair is that?!?!
How much does the Bible constantly tell us, we are NOT good, we are NOT better than each other, we are ALL sinners one way or another and in that we are equal. We all make mistakes, sure some are worse, but nonetheless we are all in the same boat. Should I look down on someone who got caught stealing or robbed a gas station in his rebellious years even though I've made some bad mistakes? Maybe not as bad as robbing a store or whatever, but I've made some mistakes that made God sad all the same. If someone keeps on making those decisions that ruin their lives and those around them, then they should deal with the consequences but if someone who is 24 made a mistake got charged, he shouldn't be wiped away of a honest future to provide for his daughter or son when he's still so young and has his whole life ahead of him.
I have absolutely NO idea how I could do this, but I think it'd be so cool if a business got started that hired felons and kept them straight, kind of like work for me doing construction and stay outta trouble. A real normal job, an honest living, that only hires felons, sounds CRAZY right?
I don't know...I think it could make such a huge difference. Imagine if they come to Christ because of that job!
I mean, there are so many people, especially in the inner cities, who feel like they HAVE to keep doing those bad things just to get by, cause no one will give them a chance. We see it in the movies all the time right? A bad school, a good teacher comes in, talks to the kids, kids say who cares about us? Why would anyone help us? This is real life, that actually happens, and it's more than that one lucky school that got their story published.
I really feel like they should at least get a fair shakedown, a fair job interview like everyone else. Think about it again, if they're applying for that job, doesn't that already say something about how they might wanna do right in this life?
And like I said, I don't know how I could do this, like a foundation thing, start a business with a friend, talk to a state or local Representative about working with felons and businesses and doing some sort of program, who knows! But should I dare to dream? Should I try to help out people who's made mistakes like we all have? Or maybe you reading this will be in this position of where you have a chance to hire someone, and you'll now think, maybe you should give them a fair chance after all instead of throwing that application away.
I love helping people, I LOVE raising awareness for my neighbor's grandkids who have sanfilippo and helping them out as much as I possibly can. I love sponsoring a kid in Ethiopia and helping out his family. And I hope to do mission work opportunities in my lifetime. But I think this is one more thing that deserves at least a little bit of attention because I think it could truly make the world a little bit of a better place to life, to give people the opportunities to turn their life around or on the straight track. I feel like this is a risky thing to be saying in so many ways...but this is what I think...
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