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!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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.
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