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12 years ago
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
" To live is to suffer, to survive u have to find meaning in the suffering!" ---- DMX
DMX, a gangsta rapper, actor and recent convert to Christianity; sums up life quite well here. well at least my experience that is. on this earth there are some of us that are in a constant state of suffering. and yes to make sense out of all this crazy life we need to understand the whys in life so we can survive and stomach another day filled with let downs and disappointments. i have to constantly remind myself that it is all going to be fine, and when that doesn't work i have to call upon God to hold me up when i want collapse from exhaustion or mental anguish! i am trying to make sense of what i am supposed to be doing for my Father! a year ago i feel He placed two very distinctive paths in front of me.one was a mentoring program to get kids that need extra encouragement to see that they can be successful and hook them up with people to help them in their endeavors and train them up in any areas of weakness they may have, and the second was a very radical approach to cleaning up our community! well option 1 i shared what God had placed on my heart and then was set aside cuz of some shady circumstances. at first i will admit i was deeply hurt and felt very used, but then i figured that the idea wasn't mine anyways, cuz He put it on my heart to share. it took a while but the bitterness is subsiding. and obviously it wasn't meant for me, He must want me to concentrate on path # 2. to be honest i have been blowing it on getting started cuz i was letting myself get distracted with thoughts of anger and bitterness towards those i felt did me wrong. but all along i was probably really stalling cuz option # 2 would throw me right back in the lions den to say the least, plus it could be very dangerous! no not could be, it is dangerous! but as i have said before i believe God pulls us out of the situation that is to our ruin, then makes us strong in Him! then to be thrown back in to reach others that are like we were! I am now a "free agent" for the Lord! i have left the church i have attended for 4 1/2 years, also where i served in leadership for 2 to 3 years, i also resigned from a local ministry organization. these places are good places, they just aren't somewhere i could call home. i am starting to believe that i belong back on the street, cuz "normal" people just don't seem to understand me. yes i still attend church, and a great one at that, but for now i am gun shy on just how much i get involved! i am a lone wolf renegade type and am very comfortable with that and am coming to embrace it openly. i haven't found anyone that i am willing to fall under their authority other than God himself! no one else can seem to handle me or how intense and passionate i can get at times. and to tell u the truth i have always had issues with authority. still learning to submit to others rather than only God! this has been very hard cuz it is against my very nature cuz i truly do not trust my fellow man< well i do trust a very small and select group of people. otherwise people in general have showed that they r really out for themselves and i have grown very ill watching and taking it all in. i haven't given up, i have just gotten more determined to surround myself with like minded people who are not afraid of getting dirty and real for our God! But now i have once again reached the end of my rope. i need to get a tune-up mentally and spiritually> i am confused, tired, and disgusted with life outside and i n the church. i here of "missionary trips" where almost half the time is site seeing and the other part is token ministry in my opinion! sorry! but come on! to me it seems like a vacation with a little service so u can feel good about yourself. whatever keep fooling yourselves people, cuz its really just a vacation u went on! real mission work u don't stay in hotels; u live with the people u r serving and do what they do, eat what they eat, share in their pain and sufferings and threw your dedication and servant heart show them who Jesus is! again just my opinion! i believe we as Christians have strayed so far away from the "Acts" version of church. we don't need a building to maintain, shouldn't have to pay people to preach Gods word or sing worship music to Him! just imagine how mush more effective we could be as followers of "The Way" we could be if we got rid of frivolous expenses like professional paid Christians and building that r in a constant state of decay and repair. just a thought, but as i recall the disciples made it a point to tell us that they were never a burden to those they served cuz they worked to supply their needs! wouldn't it be nice to put pastors secretaries and accountants salaries and building overhead costs and throw that very big amount of money back into the community to solve issues> for example i know a church that has over a million dollar plus take in from tithes. could u imagine how much more good that money could do rather than to serve basically the needs of a Church building and those needed to run it. not to mention what that million plus could do every year! and this is just one church and it has less 2k people attending. could u imagine the money that Joel olsteens mega Church's incoming tithes and offerings could do, let alone just olsteens salary! i bet if we used Gods money correctly,we could solve alot of problems in this world or at least make a serious positive change! i have grown very very tired with our churches being worried about numbers and how much money they need to spend on carpet, citrus water, and all the other wasteful expenditures of what i call a consumer based church instead of a serving church! wake up people, Gods not impressed with this foolish behavior and irresponsible spending! i don't believe God would put His name on most of the expense and resources that are being wasted on stupid bells and whistles that don't get u any closer to God!
"Church as we know it needs a major overhaul! i have a few sledge hammers and can get construction equipment to tear down the walls of churches that keep Gods people out of touch with and serving their fellow man. i don't want to play church, i want to live it out; and i cant do it in the churches of today! God wants us to heal his church; cuz currently most are only serving themselves!~"
so u have a choice to make; either continue playing patty cake in church or get real and serve Gods plans! seriously, read this again after u r ready to look at what i said here and measure weather u r being a consumer or a server!this isn't meant to insult anyone, just want to through these thought out there hoping to wake a few up from their self induced slumber! He is waiting for u to get serious and do something to effect positive change for other!
Search your heart and ask God to reveal to you your part! Then put it into action! you want to here from God this right; " good job my faithful servant!" Right!
till next time, keep it real! remember you have so much more to offer God than you are currently doing, we all do!
renegade soldier of Christ
john h.
DMX, a gangsta rapper, actor and recent convert to Christianity; sums up life quite well here. well at least my experience that is. on this earth there are some of us that are in a constant state of suffering. and yes to make sense out of all this crazy life we need to understand the whys in life so we can survive and stomach another day filled with let downs and disappointments. i have to constantly remind myself that it is all going to be fine, and when that doesn't work i have to call upon God to hold me up when i want collapse from exhaustion or mental anguish! i am trying to make sense of what i am supposed to be doing for my Father! a year ago i feel He placed two very distinctive paths in front of me.one was a mentoring program to get kids that need extra encouragement to see that they can be successful and hook them up with people to help them in their endeavors and train them up in any areas of weakness they may have, and the second was a very radical approach to cleaning up our community! well option 1 i shared what God had placed on my heart and then was set aside cuz of some shady circumstances. at first i will admit i was deeply hurt and felt very used, but then i figured that the idea wasn't mine anyways, cuz He put it on my heart to share. it took a while but the bitterness is subsiding. and obviously it wasn't meant for me, He must want me to concentrate on path # 2. to be honest i have been blowing it on getting started cuz i was letting myself get distracted with thoughts of anger and bitterness towards those i felt did me wrong. but all along i was probably really stalling cuz option # 2 would throw me right back in the lions den to say the least, plus it could be very dangerous! no not could be, it is dangerous! but as i have said before i believe God pulls us out of the situation that is to our ruin, then makes us strong in Him! then to be thrown back in to reach others that are like we were! I am now a "free agent" for the Lord! i have left the church i have attended for 4 1/2 years, also where i served in leadership for 2 to 3 years, i also resigned from a local ministry organization. these places are good places, they just aren't somewhere i could call home. i am starting to believe that i belong back on the street, cuz "normal" people just don't seem to understand me. yes i still attend church, and a great one at that, but for now i am gun shy on just how much i get involved! i am a lone wolf renegade type and am very comfortable with that and am coming to embrace it openly. i haven't found anyone that i am willing to fall under their authority other than God himself! no one else can seem to handle me or how intense and passionate i can get at times. and to tell u the truth i have always had issues with authority. still learning to submit to others rather than only God! this has been very hard cuz it is against my very nature cuz i truly do not trust my fellow man< well i do trust a very small and select group of people. otherwise people in general have showed that they r really out for themselves and i have grown very ill watching and taking it all in. i haven't given up, i have just gotten more determined to surround myself with like minded people who are not afraid of getting dirty and real for our God! But now i have once again reached the end of my rope. i need to get a tune-up mentally and spiritually> i am confused, tired, and disgusted with life outside and i n the church. i here of "missionary trips" where almost half the time is site seeing and the other part is token ministry in my opinion! sorry! but come on! to me it seems like a vacation with a little service so u can feel good about yourself. whatever keep fooling yourselves people, cuz its really just a vacation u went on! real mission work u don't stay in hotels; u live with the people u r serving and do what they do, eat what they eat, share in their pain and sufferings and threw your dedication and servant heart show them who Jesus is! again just my opinion! i believe we as Christians have strayed so far away from the "Acts" version of church. we don't need a building to maintain, shouldn't have to pay people to preach Gods word or sing worship music to Him! just imagine how mush more effective we could be as followers of "The Way" we could be if we got rid of frivolous expenses like professional paid Christians and building that r in a constant state of decay and repair. just a thought, but as i recall the disciples made it a point to tell us that they were never a burden to those they served cuz they worked to supply their needs! wouldn't it be nice to put pastors secretaries and accountants salaries and building overhead costs and throw that very big amount of money back into the community to solve issues> for example i know a church that has over a million dollar plus take in from tithes. could u imagine how much more good that money could do rather than to serve basically the needs of a Church building and those needed to run it. not to mention what that million plus could do every year! and this is just one church and it has less 2k people attending. could u imagine the money that Joel olsteens mega Church's incoming tithes and offerings could do, let alone just olsteens salary! i bet if we used Gods money correctly,we could solve alot of problems in this world or at least make a serious positive change! i have grown very very tired with our churches being worried about numbers and how much money they need to spend on carpet, citrus water, and all the other wasteful expenditures of what i call a consumer based church instead of a serving church! wake up people, Gods not impressed with this foolish behavior and irresponsible spending! i don't believe God would put His name on most of the expense and resources that are being wasted on stupid bells and whistles that don't get u any closer to God!
"Church as we know it needs a major overhaul! i have a few sledge hammers and can get construction equipment to tear down the walls of churches that keep Gods people out of touch with and serving their fellow man. i don't want to play church, i want to live it out; and i cant do it in the churches of today! God wants us to heal his church; cuz currently most are only serving themselves!~"
so u have a choice to make; either continue playing patty cake in church or get real and serve Gods plans! seriously, read this again after u r ready to look at what i said here and measure weather u r being a consumer or a server!this isn't meant to insult anyone, just want to through these thought out there hoping to wake a few up from their self induced slumber! He is waiting for u to get serious and do something to effect positive change for other!
Search your heart and ask God to reveal to you your part! Then put it into action! you want to here from God this right; " good job my faithful servant!" Right!
till next time, keep it real! remember you have so much more to offer God than you are currently doing, we all do!
renegade soldier of Christ
john h.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Calling all Renegades
From this point on a constant call is being transmitted via Holy Spirit, searching the hearts of men and women who want to jump in the trenches to positively effect change in their communities! He wants to use all of us right where He pulled us from! that's what makes you uniquely qualified, your experience! now that you were made strong in Him, it is time to go back to where you once came to reach the others left behind! time to make serious investment in the future of your community! God isn't going to change it, that's why He woke you up from your slumber! it is your job to ask, realize and then be obedient to call of being the Gate Keeper in your community! so ask God exactly what He has in store for you and then implement it with all you have! He gave you a story, use it and let it and Him be your source of strength to face the giants that plague your community. Nothing is bigger than true faith backed up with humble and righteous service! There is nothing to fear for He overcame all so we could walk tall knowing we serve the Living God!
Search your heart,listen to the soft still voice inside your heart and then do something rather than reach into your pocket and write a check. believe me He doesn't want it if you don't mean it, and what He really wants and always has wanted is you! you are the key to setting a very particular group of people free from the lies that tie down their souls! Don't be like the third servant in the parable of talents and just hide your gift you received from God, afraid to share it cuz you feel someone will take it from you. expand the investment God made in you and start plucking out the people He put in your life from the world and into eternal peace!
Remember God wants to use you to save others from the deep end of the world and the water here isn't clean! Stop playing patty cake in church and step outside the walls where the real battle is being waged! all the armor you need has been provided, but if you need reassurance read Ephesians chapter 6! all the weapons and armour you will ever need are described there.
be strong, radical and righteous for you are sons and daughters of The Most High!
Search your heart,listen to the soft still voice inside your heart and then do something rather than reach into your pocket and write a check. believe me He doesn't want it if you don't mean it, and what He really wants and always has wanted is you! you are the key to setting a very particular group of people free from the lies that tie down their souls! Don't be like the third servant in the parable of talents and just hide your gift you received from God, afraid to share it cuz you feel someone will take it from you. expand the investment God made in you and start plucking out the people He put in your life from the world and into eternal peace!
Remember God wants to use you to save others from the deep end of the world and the water here isn't clean! Stop playing patty cake in church and step outside the walls where the real battle is being waged! all the armor you need has been provided, but if you need reassurance read Ephesians chapter 6! all the weapons and armour you will ever need are described there.
be strong, radical and righteous for you are sons and daughters of The Most High!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Next CHapter: The Search For Fellow Renegades
Even in the darkness He is there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have lately once again had to fight some personal demons. And admittedly, i kind of let them win and almost let it get the better of me! i was never alone, but for a time that is all i wanted to be. Alone! I was physically, emotionally and yes spiritually drained. I had seen and felt far too many let downs, i was starting to not like or trust anyone outside of my immediate family. Ok, yeah i know this sounds messed up for a man that believes to be feeling this way! listen to me first, almost 4 1/2 years ago i walked away from a well paying but dangerous and illegal lifestyle and gave my life over to God, hoping to find some rest and relief from the scant less lifestyle and people of the life i had set aside.
yes, of course i received huge relief when i gave my life over to Christ! I was just naive to think that i could escape the diseases of the world inside the church! It actually became my greatest let down and biggest source of bitterness, anger and rage! it was horrible! to be honest the scars i have received in the past 4 1/2 years cut far deeper than any past wounds. believe me my wounds in the past are deep and far too burdensome for most to carry around, but these wounds came when i let my guard down and i wasnt expecting them! its not that any or all instances could even compare to just one what i would call a "normal" day for me before Christ. but before Christ i accepted all the possibilities and dangers and hard decisions i would have to live with for the rest of my life by choosing life on the other side of the law, basically i was prepared and at least not surprised for many outcomes i had faced. but as a new believer, i literally shed the old life for the new along with my street smarts, general distrust and alot of barrier walls. little by little i learned that i needed to raise the shields back up, hold back some and retain some of my street sense back. its sad but at times i wished i was back dealing with the goofy people in my past cuz u always knew what to expect and if someone attacked u they always came in the front door and never the back. not that i never got stabbed in the back in that crazy life, i did plenty of times, but my attackers would at least stick around to let me know it was them. but as a christian it was like i was dealing with ninja assassins, i never knew what i did wrong or to who, i was just left on my knees digging daggers out of my back.
but hey no big deal life goes on, forgive and forget so i too may be forgiven! ok here is the disclaimer, i am by no means without fault, bad decisions and reactions, or without sin here!!! i am a straight shooter and one that isnt afraid to poke my head up while others would rather bury it in the sand, so of course i have run into alot of obstacles and discrepancies and yes i may have hurt some feelings by being a little too honest at times. ok lesson learned there too, now i just keep my observations and opinions to myself as much as i possibly can. occasionally some poor soul does something silly and i unload with a dissertation cuz i had just reached my limit with the foolishness. so i have to of course apologize and try to make it right. but eventually it all started to get in the way of corporate worship and the ministry work i was doing. i had reached a point that no matter how much i ignored or walked away from it was being thrown in my face. yes i know who was behind that, "maybe was it satan?" sorry lol, i had to it was fitting the quote the church lady from saturday night live. sorry if u dont get it dont worry i usually tend to lose people with my humor.
you know what this is not what i wanted to say! so here it is! i am done serving for organizations that "serve" God! i will serve as prompted by God and the Holy Spirit... i will start gathering fellow renegades who aren't afraid of being real and getting dirty to do Gods work...i will continue to pray worship and read His Word daily... i will continue to be the shepherd in my family never letting any stray to far from home...i will continue to be honest that i am a work in total progress... i will continue to give grace even when it is not deserved, cuz i received it from Him everyday...
i will not sign my allegiance over to a particular church, Christ said not to split his church....i will not get comfortable i n my faith.... i will never walk away from Him....i will never become a professional christian.... i will never be defined by my religion....i will never let anyone or thing get in between myself and my Father.................................!!
Operation Renegade Soldier begins!
I have lately once again had to fight some personal demons. And admittedly, i kind of let them win and almost let it get the better of me! i was never alone, but for a time that is all i wanted to be. Alone! I was physically, emotionally and yes spiritually drained. I had seen and felt far too many let downs, i was starting to not like or trust anyone outside of my immediate family. Ok, yeah i know this sounds messed up for a man that believes to be feeling this way! listen to me first, almost 4 1/2 years ago i walked away from a well paying but dangerous and illegal lifestyle and gave my life over to God, hoping to find some rest and relief from the scant less lifestyle and people of the life i had set aside.
yes, of course i received huge relief when i gave my life over to Christ! I was just naive to think that i could escape the diseases of the world inside the church! It actually became my greatest let down and biggest source of bitterness, anger and rage! it was horrible! to be honest the scars i have received in the past 4 1/2 years cut far deeper than any past wounds. believe me my wounds in the past are deep and far too burdensome for most to carry around, but these wounds came when i let my guard down and i wasnt expecting them! its not that any or all instances could even compare to just one what i would call a "normal" day for me before Christ. but before Christ i accepted all the possibilities and dangers and hard decisions i would have to live with for the rest of my life by choosing life on the other side of the law, basically i was prepared and at least not surprised for many outcomes i had faced. but as a new believer, i literally shed the old life for the new along with my street smarts, general distrust and alot of barrier walls. little by little i learned that i needed to raise the shields back up, hold back some and retain some of my street sense back. its sad but at times i wished i was back dealing with the goofy people in my past cuz u always knew what to expect and if someone attacked u they always came in the front door and never the back. not that i never got stabbed in the back in that crazy life, i did plenty of times, but my attackers would at least stick around to let me know it was them. but as a christian it was like i was dealing with ninja assassins, i never knew what i did wrong or to who, i was just left on my knees digging daggers out of my back.
but hey no big deal life goes on, forgive and forget so i too may be forgiven! ok here is the disclaimer, i am by no means without fault, bad decisions and reactions, or without sin here!!! i am a straight shooter and one that isnt afraid to poke my head up while others would rather bury it in the sand, so of course i have run into alot of obstacles and discrepancies and yes i may have hurt some feelings by being a little too honest at times. ok lesson learned there too, now i just keep my observations and opinions to myself as much as i possibly can. occasionally some poor soul does something silly and i unload with a dissertation cuz i had just reached my limit with the foolishness. so i have to of course apologize and try to make it right. but eventually it all started to get in the way of corporate worship and the ministry work i was doing. i had reached a point that no matter how much i ignored or walked away from it was being thrown in my face. yes i know who was behind that, "maybe was it satan?" sorry lol, i had to it was fitting the quote the church lady from saturday night live. sorry if u dont get it dont worry i usually tend to lose people with my humor.
you know what this is not what i wanted to say! so here it is! i am done serving for organizations that "serve" God! i will serve as prompted by God and the Holy Spirit... i will start gathering fellow renegades who aren't afraid of being real and getting dirty to do Gods work...i will continue to pray worship and read His Word daily... i will continue to be the shepherd in my family never letting any stray to far from home...i will continue to be honest that i am a work in total progress... i will continue to give grace even when it is not deserved, cuz i received it from Him everyday...
i will not sign my allegiance over to a particular church, Christ said not to split his church....i will not get comfortable i n my faith.... i will never walk away from Him....i will never become a professional christian.... i will never be defined by my religion....i will never let anyone or thing get in between myself and my Father.................................!!
Operation Renegade Soldier begins!
Monday, May 3, 2010
How's Your Alignment?
Our spiritual life can be like our cars alignment, if its off it effects everything around it and if you ignore it, it can get real expensive real quick. So how do we check our spiritual alignment? From what I've been taught and understand from God's word is that there is a very specific order of importance of things!
It follows: God first, family second, ministry third! We have to remember to always keep this balance otherwise we are no good to God. We sometimes as Christians fall into the trap of doing God rather than being with God. That's the whole point He wants to commune with us.
So to be honest i have had to recheck and fix my alignment. i was helping out at after school program, being effective and doing Gods' work, but was neglecting my own kids. I was missing out on the most important time of day with my kids< from when they got home,did homework,ate, and did family devotional study. I and my family were missing out on so much. I had been struggling with this for quite a while and one day my babysitter cancelled on me so i couldn't go. this brought up the opportunity for me to be honest with my employer how i felt and the struggle i was facing. Thank God this man too values the God, Family,Ministry order also.
But anyways, i found that through my obedience and keeping to that order resulted in a gift from God last Monday night.
It was beautiful, a young man from youth group begged me to give him the floor for a little while because he had something he felt God wanted him to share with the group. normally i wouldn't do this but all of my spirit was at peace with this. This kid has a gift for preaching and on Monday he just exploded with this ultimate firework display of Gods' word and cultural relevance of stepping out of the world and arming yourself with the Armor of God. It was absolutely beautiful!
But it gets even better, one of the guys that has been straying a bit from the Lord had came back after a jail experience and he shared his testimony. He shared that he once new the Lord but strayed, he messed up bad because he was weak at the time to the enemies attacks, he suffered the consequences and while in jail he renewed his relationship with Christ and got that same peace he had once had. Prodigal son!
But then another one of the guys tells me he has heard Gods calling on his life and he needs to stop ignoring it and be obedient. He is being called into children's ministry, which i totally see him being awesome at!
See what happens when u keep your life in balance, God,family,ministry. God blesses u with awesome gifts like myself and the other leaders at Edge with witnessing awesome transformations, just like these few here that i just mentioned. This is why Jesus did what He did, and as followers of Christ that's why we continue in His work in reaching out to the lost! What a privilege it has been to be part of Gods plan in these kids lives, this is the true blessing being used to bring Him glory and honor.
So till next time, keep the faith, check your spiritual alignment and always remember that God wants to use you to change lives for eternity!
your bro in Christ
john
It follows: God first, family second, ministry third! We have to remember to always keep this balance otherwise we are no good to God. We sometimes as Christians fall into the trap of doing God rather than being with God. That's the whole point He wants to commune with us.
So to be honest i have had to recheck and fix my alignment. i was helping out at after school program, being effective and doing Gods' work, but was neglecting my own kids. I was missing out on the most important time of day with my kids< from when they got home,did homework,ate, and did family devotional study. I and my family were missing out on so much. I had been struggling with this for quite a while and one day my babysitter cancelled on me so i couldn't go. this brought up the opportunity for me to be honest with my employer how i felt and the struggle i was facing. Thank God this man too values the God, Family,Ministry order also.
But anyways, i found that through my obedience and keeping to that order resulted in a gift from God last Monday night.
It was beautiful, a young man from youth group begged me to give him the floor for a little while because he had something he felt God wanted him to share with the group. normally i wouldn't do this but all of my spirit was at peace with this. This kid has a gift for preaching and on Monday he just exploded with this ultimate firework display of Gods' word and cultural relevance of stepping out of the world and arming yourself with the Armor of God. It was absolutely beautiful!
But it gets even better, one of the guys that has been straying a bit from the Lord had came back after a jail experience and he shared his testimony. He shared that he once new the Lord but strayed, he messed up bad because he was weak at the time to the enemies attacks, he suffered the consequences and while in jail he renewed his relationship with Christ and got that same peace he had once had. Prodigal son!
But then another one of the guys tells me he has heard Gods calling on his life and he needs to stop ignoring it and be obedient. He is being called into children's ministry, which i totally see him being awesome at!
See what happens when u keep your life in balance, God,family,ministry. God blesses u with awesome gifts like myself and the other leaders at Edge with witnessing awesome transformations, just like these few here that i just mentioned. This is why Jesus did what He did, and as followers of Christ that's why we continue in His work in reaching out to the lost! What a privilege it has been to be part of Gods plan in these kids lives, this is the true blessing being used to bring Him glory and honor.
So till next time, keep the faith, check your spiritual alignment and always remember that God wants to use you to change lives for eternity!
your bro in Christ
john
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
High Expectations of the Father
Father God, thank you so very much for continually expecting growth in my walk! Thank you for providing your son Jesus as sacrifice paid in full for forgiveness of my past, present and future sins! Thank you for sending the great councilor, Your Holy Spirit, to convict and guide me through life! Thank you for your Word and Your obedient servants who wrote it down so Truth i can find in You! And thank you for finding me worthy of redeeming and giving me Hope! I Love You Father God with all my heart, please continue to speak into my life and use me as a tool for Your glory and honor not mine. I give u permission to re-shape and mold me as You originally intended, before the world corrupted my sight, thank you for removing the scales from my eyes! And last but not least, thank you for providing good brothers and sisters in my life to fellowship with and to be held accountable to. You are a Gracious and Giving God! Thank you! in Jesus name i pray, amen!
On July 29th it will be 4 years since i admitted that i needed God to help me clean up the mess i had made of my life, and that through His sacrifice of His son for my sins that i was re-born, a new creation. What an awesome and challenging journey it has been. I am still and always will be learning to be what God intended me to be. I am grateful for the correction in my life, which is really no longer mine to live. I belong to the Father and i need to continue practicing that. I used to hate correction and authority in my life, i have been humbled and continue to be. At first i thought submitting myself to God was enough, oh i was so wrong! Another lesson learned hard, and is still a struggle but it has been made easier as i surrendered that to God. Anger, wow that is another big one that God has been working on me with. Diplomacy, this too He is working on with me. Love and forgiveness for my fellow man, believer or not, has been a big one too, just a few areas He has been polishing and refining me in. I am no where near done in surrendering all of myself to God, this i ashamedly admit. This too He is working on my heart.
I used to pray for patience, i don't pray for that any longer, instead i pray for Gods' strength, wisdom, endurance, mercy, forgiveness and love. I used to pray for my needs and wants, now i pray for Gods' will be done and for my fellow brothers and sisters needs to be met, and yes i sneak in a need or two for myself and family, cuz its not about me any more. When i pray for a job, it is for a job that i could be most effectively used to bring Him glory, when i pray for provisions and favor, it is only for what we need as a family, when i pray for others it is because God has laid them on my heart and because people have asked me to. I don't pray for perfection anymore, just simply to be better today than i was yesterday and allow myself to be rebuked and corrected as often as needed.
Life hasn't gotten any easier, its just become more peaceful, cuz i know that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have my back. Its been covered, so i need to be concerned about life's troubles, just not consumed by them. And i always need to remember that it is not my job to save anyone, just to lead them to their Savior.
John 16: 33
" I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."
There is great comfort in this promise of Christ, and in this promise i find strength to press on in full faith that Christ really has overcome this world so i can be obedient and as loud as i want to be about my faith, my God and my Saviour! Praise be to God!
Till next time, remember keep the faith, cast off your fears of getting a little dirty to lead others to eternal salvation and the love of a Father that never gives up on His Children!
Much Love, your bro in Christ,
brother john
On July 29th it will be 4 years since i admitted that i needed God to help me clean up the mess i had made of my life, and that through His sacrifice of His son for my sins that i was re-born, a new creation. What an awesome and challenging journey it has been. I am still and always will be learning to be what God intended me to be. I am grateful for the correction in my life, which is really no longer mine to live. I belong to the Father and i need to continue practicing that. I used to hate correction and authority in my life, i have been humbled and continue to be. At first i thought submitting myself to God was enough, oh i was so wrong! Another lesson learned hard, and is still a struggle but it has been made easier as i surrendered that to God. Anger, wow that is another big one that God has been working on me with. Diplomacy, this too He is working on with me. Love and forgiveness for my fellow man, believer or not, has been a big one too, just a few areas He has been polishing and refining me in. I am no where near done in surrendering all of myself to God, this i ashamedly admit. This too He is working on my heart.
I used to pray for patience, i don't pray for that any longer, instead i pray for Gods' strength, wisdom, endurance, mercy, forgiveness and love. I used to pray for my needs and wants, now i pray for Gods' will be done and for my fellow brothers and sisters needs to be met, and yes i sneak in a need or two for myself and family, cuz its not about me any more. When i pray for a job, it is for a job that i could be most effectively used to bring Him glory, when i pray for provisions and favor, it is only for what we need as a family, when i pray for others it is because God has laid them on my heart and because people have asked me to. I don't pray for perfection anymore, just simply to be better today than i was yesterday and allow myself to be rebuked and corrected as often as needed.
Life hasn't gotten any easier, its just become more peaceful, cuz i know that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have my back. Its been covered, so i need to be concerned about life's troubles, just not consumed by them. And i always need to remember that it is not my job to save anyone, just to lead them to their Savior.
John 16: 33
" I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."
There is great comfort in this promise of Christ, and in this promise i find strength to press on in full faith that Christ really has overcome this world so i can be obedient and as loud as i want to be about my faith, my God and my Saviour! Praise be to God!
Till next time, remember keep the faith, cast off your fears of getting a little dirty to lead others to eternal salvation and the love of a Father that never gives up on His Children!
Much Love, your bro in Christ,
brother john
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Picking The Unusual
Just some thoughts i've had lately as i have looked more at the relationship Christ had with each of his disciples and when they were asked to "follow" Him. He chose some quite unusual and looked over people as the ones He was going to trust His work to be continued by. Back then if you were good enough u had already been chosen by rabbis. Jesus chose those deemed not worthy to be his followers, and look what they did. If they truly were not worthy, i wouldn't be talking about Christ today, no one would. But to the world His disciples were not qualified to say the least.
That's why i love working with the group of kids myself and my fellow brothers and sisters work with. Because these kids have been looked over, labeled unteachable, and just thought of as not worth the investment. I have seen so much fruit from these kids that they give me great joy. Don't get me wrong, sometimes nights can be quite challenging, but the Holy Spirit always finds a way to turn it around.
So this coming monday on the 8th is the Edges 2nd year anniversary. Last monday we talked with the kids about a new devotional series we were going to be studying. Basically it came down to us reading to scriptures; Mark 1:16-20 and John 1:35-45. This was the launching point for our discussion that night. so after reading those scriptures together, we discussed who Christ chose as his followers and how all he had to say was "follow me", and they dropped everything and did so. So i i said to the group, you know we have been doing this for two years now, and the Word have never been failed to be taught, so i asked the guys a honest question. Do you think you guys have applied everything that u have been taught, are u satisfied with your growth although all of you have made progress in your lives, some more than others? It got real quiet and then they all one by one said no. so then i told them that like Christ all the leaders here including myself aren't looking for this huge group of kids to teach and hang out with. the truth is that each of us is looking for a few good men to follow us as we follow Christ. This was my challenge and decree that from this point on we would be looking very closely at Jesus' life from birth to transcendence to heaven, his full deity yet full humanness. My friend and pastor gave me an awesome devotional called "Knowing Him" by Sonlife Ministry.
The last challenge i added for them was for the next 7 days to take some time and reflect on each day; how things went right or wrong, how you treated people, and what could you have done differently. maybe even make amends for the things u did wrong. Then pray and spend time with God about what they came up with.
I hope they all did it, but would be overjoyed if just a few got what i was trying to get them in the habit of doing and find peace in doing so. These kids have been a huge blessing and investment in my life, i thank God everyday that he trusts me and my fellow brothers with mentoring these young men.
The steps forward however small are a huge celebration to me and i praise God for each one. I feel blessed to watch these young men begin a journey of life long change and the gift of eternal life. Some Might not really see the change, but when these kids don't know we are around or paying attention, we catch snap shots of wins in their lives. For example some it might be with how they handle anger, where 2 0r 3 years ago most of these guys would just assume hit you and talk later, to now watching just letting things go, even when the world would not blame them. They are changing little by little whether they know it or not. That is the power of Gods' Word at work! can i get an Amen!
so this following scripture is a big part of why we do what we do on monday nights at the Edge, this scripture was following Mathew the tax collectors conversion at a gathering at Mathew's house, Matthew 9:10-13
11. when the pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, " why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 On hearing this Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means; I desire mercy not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I couldn't possibly say it any better or more clear so i wont. till next time.
remember keep the faith, don't be afraid to get a little dirt on you for Christ, God wants a relationship with all of us not just a certain group.
your bro in Christ
john
That's why i love working with the group of kids myself and my fellow brothers and sisters work with. Because these kids have been looked over, labeled unteachable, and just thought of as not worth the investment. I have seen so much fruit from these kids that they give me great joy. Don't get me wrong, sometimes nights can be quite challenging, but the Holy Spirit always finds a way to turn it around.
So this coming monday on the 8th is the Edges 2nd year anniversary. Last monday we talked with the kids about a new devotional series we were going to be studying. Basically it came down to us reading to scriptures; Mark 1:16-20 and John 1:35-45. This was the launching point for our discussion that night. so after reading those scriptures together, we discussed who Christ chose as his followers and how all he had to say was "follow me", and they dropped everything and did so. So i i said to the group, you know we have been doing this for two years now, and the Word have never been failed to be taught, so i asked the guys a honest question. Do you think you guys have applied everything that u have been taught, are u satisfied with your growth although all of you have made progress in your lives, some more than others? It got real quiet and then they all one by one said no. so then i told them that like Christ all the leaders here including myself aren't looking for this huge group of kids to teach and hang out with. the truth is that each of us is looking for a few good men to follow us as we follow Christ. This was my challenge and decree that from this point on we would be looking very closely at Jesus' life from birth to transcendence to heaven, his full deity yet full humanness. My friend and pastor gave me an awesome devotional called "Knowing Him" by Sonlife Ministry.
The last challenge i added for them was for the next 7 days to take some time and reflect on each day; how things went right or wrong, how you treated people, and what could you have done differently. maybe even make amends for the things u did wrong. Then pray and spend time with God about what they came up with.
I hope they all did it, but would be overjoyed if just a few got what i was trying to get them in the habit of doing and find peace in doing so. These kids have been a huge blessing and investment in my life, i thank God everyday that he trusts me and my fellow brothers with mentoring these young men.
The steps forward however small are a huge celebration to me and i praise God for each one. I feel blessed to watch these young men begin a journey of life long change and the gift of eternal life. Some Might not really see the change, but when these kids don't know we are around or paying attention, we catch snap shots of wins in their lives. For example some it might be with how they handle anger, where 2 0r 3 years ago most of these guys would just assume hit you and talk later, to now watching just letting things go, even when the world would not blame them. They are changing little by little whether they know it or not. That is the power of Gods' Word at work! can i get an Amen!
so this following scripture is a big part of why we do what we do on monday nights at the Edge, this scripture was following Mathew the tax collectors conversion at a gathering at Mathew's house, Matthew 9:10-13
11. when the pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, " why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 On hearing this Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means; I desire mercy not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I couldn't possibly say it any better or more clear so i wont. till next time.
remember keep the faith, don't be afraid to get a little dirt on you for Christ, God wants a relationship with all of us not just a certain group.
your bro in Christ
john
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