bon iver

I started listening to this guy Bon Iver when I was driving home. It seemed like a perfect soundtrack to a slow, boring, overcast, monday morning. Through it is not, most likely Christian, it stirred my heart to a place of longing for the day we sit on eternity shore. Death will be a memory, work will be fruitful, and tears will no longer fall. All in all the music made me long to be fully present with God. Don't know if music does that for you. If it does what is it that stirs your soul. I attached the music on the side if you would like to listen to it. later

It might be time

Mother Theresa said " I am a tiny pencil in the mighty hand of God as He writes His love letter to the world"

I love that line. I wish that is how I viewed myself. I work so hard to become that person that He wants me, but often in all the work I forget to stop and let God make the changes. My work to earn favor with God is exhausting and futile. All our good works are like filthy rags. It is grace that saves you and grace that grows you. I was reminded of this video during the Superbowl about when to change jobs. I feel like a lot of people could have those same feeling when it comes to church or faith. We daydream about an easier way. Jesus way is easy, light, life giving, and available for those who trust Him. It might be time to quit working and start letting God shape your life into His grand love story.

Glasses

Just got back from lunch and it was sunny outside. Had to wear some cheap shades I found in my office that are made by Nascar. Not very cool looking but when I put them on everything changed. The color of the trees and grass almost turned neon. It was very pretty almost like someone had just photoshopped them to make them brighter. Good reminder coming out of conversation last night. Had a ordinary conversion but in the middle of it just sensed that God wanted to put spiritual glasses on and look at the ordinary different. Started asking different questions and praying. We got to talk about some serious questions, about the point of a following God and role of the church. Not sure how God used the conversation in their life but for me switching into God's glasses made the ordinary into something spiritual. It was a moment I have prayed for so praise God.

Killer Verse

You ever had one of those verses that just always shakes you a little. I spoke on one last night out of Hebrews 10.

²⁶If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

I remember this verse because I remember one night my mom read it over us before bed. I was not living up to the truth I knew existed and I sat in my bed scared of what eternity might hold for me. That fear didn't change my mind though because it is horrible motivator. I chose to follow Christ because I heard of His great love for me. Watching Band of Brother about this group of guys serving on the front lines in WWII. Even though they spoke of all being afraid daily of the enemy and death they did a heroic job because they had such great love for those in battle with them. Fear didn't drive them it was love of country and their fellow soldiers. I no longer fear that the day I meet eternity, but I do plead for God's mercy for those that I love that might not be so sure. I just pray that my friends and family would open up to the love of Christ and get over the fear of the unknown. God your will be done

Craziness

Man I saw this video and don't even know if I can believe those numbers. It is staggering and I think of those students who are trying to grow up in this culture. How did we get here?
ImNotBuyingIt.com Video from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Challenging thoughts

I have been reading through some books about other religions it has been great to refine some what I believe. I not doing it out of fun but out of requirements of a class I am taking in seminary. I have been wrestling through why I believe as I do and what, as a pastor, are those questions that should be prepared to answer. Though most of the questions are not new to me it seems with age comes different angles with which you approach the questions. Some examples that have stretched

What about those people that have no access gospel like babies, mentally handicapped, or people before Christ lived?

Isn't religious affiliation always a function of where you grow up? If you lived in India I am sure you would be Hindu right?

In A.D. 100 about .5 percent of the world population was Christian, in A.D. 1000 19%, in A.D. 1988 31%. Does it make sense to believe that God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of himself only through Christ?

Dont other religions have just as honorable ethical standards?

How would you answer those questions and have you asked them lately? I don't know what to think on some of them but do hold to the conviction that Jesus is the way, truth, and the life. Love this quote by John Calvin: we should leave alone what God has left hidden, but not neglect what he has brought into the open.

New Equation

Here is a new equation that I saw on a blog by Mark Batterson: -++=x. Subtraction plus Addition equals Multiplication. Spiritually it means that sometimes we have to subtract some things from our lives and add some others to see God work multiplied in our lives. I have to subtract some things from my life. Like most Christ followers I don't have to get rid of addictions to cocaine or adutlerous affairs are problems are more discreet. We have addictions they could be to money, power, people pleasing, parenting. For me I am addictted to comfort and security. It drives every discesion I seem to make. I have to subtract it and add more faith. I really desire more than anything to see what God could do with my life if I could just get out of my own way. I was thinking over this idea when I ran into this video of Jesus living out the equation. Subtracting friends, food, and comfort for some quality time with God to multiply His ministry. Hope you enjoy

Sickness

With a new baby on the way I am really starting to get excited about one more Niles to love. Kids just expand your heart in such miraculous ways. When they hurt you hurt when they laugh you laugh. Tripp was sick this weekend and it just breaks my heart to see him hurting and confused after puking all over his shoes. Although the joy will double so will the concern and worry. Terri also got sick which allowed me some time to myself at night to think about how much I love each of them. One thing that was impressed upon my mind was that my relationship with Terri has to come in a clear second behind God and over my relationship with Tripp. He needs to know what love looks like and that it lasts between people. As parents we don't give our kids what they need most when we make them our top priority. They need the family to operate the way it was designed. Don't want to be guilty of childoltry (that what my pastor calls it) before God either. I have to keep the priorities straight.