Our God brings beauty in all things.
I don't meditate on this truth enough and tend to get caught up in the moment whether it be sinus surgery pain or headaches or (insert whinny discomfort here).
As our pastor says frequently, "In Christ we got it going on!"
Its sad when one person cuts us off or one electronic device doesn't work properly that our demeanor turns sour and we are anything but thankful.
God help me, keep me from this attitude and missing the mark.
God help me to see the beauty in the seasons of change coming.
God help me to see the providence and purpose in these frustrating setbacks in my day.
The future for us is truly bright as children of God and in the here and now we have the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance.
In the here and now we get the opportunity to enjoy the things of this world that God has given us (not sin or sinful activity).
For example: I love summer. Summer is my favorite season. The sun and the heat, the poolside laughter, road trips, water skiing, youth camps, sunshades and throwing a Frisbee.
Oh so much to be thankful for, right here, right now.
My health, my friends, my brain, my gifts and my opportunities to live, breath - love and preach Jesus.
Thank You God
Grow in me this heart of thankfulness.
H
O
P
E
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sinus Surgery
I had surgery yesterday...They straightened my septum that was only moderately deviated and then they shrunk my turbinents in my nose that have kept me from breathing almost at all through my nose.
Recovery is going well... Just a little pain, but a WHOLE LOT of bleeding.
I am taking it easy through the weekend and the first part of next week. I'm seeing the faithfulness of the Lord working through doctors and modern medicine.
The lord is healing my body and if he allows I will be able to breath better and possibly my migraines be reduced after the healing process is complete.
Recovery is going well... Just a little pain, but a WHOLE LOT of bleeding.
I am taking it easy through the weekend and the first part of next week. I'm seeing the faithfulness of the Lord working through doctors and modern medicine.
The lord is healing my body and if he allows I will be able to breath better and possibly my migraines be reduced after the healing process is complete.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Moving at the Speed of Life
I find more beauty each day.
Amidst the relentless depravity and brokenness around me, God gives me the grace to live with an unbroken Spirit.
Keep me from sin Lord, Forgive me when I fail, I know I am the problem. I am broken and depraved. Thank you for your sanctifying work. Thank you for love.
Living with an unbroken Spirit has been my theme here lately.
Its not just some philosophical pondering, its resting yet operating in what and who I know to be faithful and true. I trust you Jesus.
The days come whizzing at me like bullets lately, we are moving at the speed of life.
The depravity and pain, brokenness and shame, will never overtake the God who conquered sin and death.
As these days fly by help me to use each moment and opportunity wisely Lord. Help me to be the passionate man that loves as you love.
May I not get caught up in the whirlwind of life, to miss the beauty the grace extended to me to love those around me and to embrace the joys and gifts of life that make much of the Giver!
Praise you Jesus, Be magnified be glorified!
Amidst the relentless depravity and brokenness around me, God gives me the grace to live with an unbroken Spirit.
Keep me from sin Lord, Forgive me when I fail, I know I am the problem. I am broken and depraved. Thank you for your sanctifying work. Thank you for love.
Living with an unbroken Spirit has been my theme here lately.
Its not just some philosophical pondering, its resting yet operating in what and who I know to be faithful and true. I trust you Jesus.
The days come whizzing at me like bullets lately, we are moving at the speed of life.
The depravity and pain, brokenness and shame, will never overtake the God who conquered sin and death.
As these days fly by help me to use each moment and opportunity wisely Lord. Help me to be the passionate man that loves as you love.
May I not get caught up in the whirlwind of life, to miss the beauty the grace extended to me to love those around me and to embrace the joys and gifts of life that make much of the Giver!
Praise you Jesus, Be magnified be glorified!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Why?
You were given a piece of peace
Then I watched you slay a thousand dreams
In your wake you hold hope ransom
why?
The depravity that sits at your feet
You would rather pet than kick or beat
All I want is to understand
why?
It doesn't work well if it works at all
I sit watching the sand rise and fall
As you confess freedom is a religious pipe dream
why?
The one who gave you the mind to doubt
Is the only one who can lead you out
Yet you sit in the forest of confusion hanging from limbs of delusion
why?
If its for freedom that he set us free
Why are you so bound in your understanding
Why do you find love so confounding
Why is the man on the tree not astounding
Why does hostility trump humility
Why would you rather be caught up in "Me" than lost and found in he..truly free, yes free indeed.
Then I watched you slay a thousand dreams
In your wake you hold hope ransom
why?
The depravity that sits at your feet
You would rather pet than kick or beat
All I want is to understand
why?
It doesn't work well if it works at all
I sit watching the sand rise and fall
As you confess freedom is a religious pipe dream
why?
The one who gave you the mind to doubt
Is the only one who can lead you out
Yet you sit in the forest of confusion hanging from limbs of delusion
why?
If its for freedom that he set us free
Why are you so bound in your understanding
Why do you find love so confounding
Why is the man on the tree not astounding
Why does hostility trump humility
Why would you rather be caught up in "Me" than lost and found in he..truly free, yes free indeed.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Drink and Be Filled
I long for satisfaction
in the wastelands of materialism
the emptiness that comes with feasting on carnal trash
chases me through moments of hopelessness
Reeling for lasting anything
You find me...
In the midst of my nothingness
Offering all, at no cost
Aware that I have nothing
At which to recompense
Nothing but nails
To crucify you
Justifying my condemnation, yet yielding grace
The merciful reward, despite myself
The blood i drew you purchased my hope.
I'm undone in my cruelty
Overtaken by my depravity
But now lost in your kindness
I'm now known and alive
You traversed the gulf between us
So I may drink and be filled
Satisfied beyond understanding
Lost, yet found in you
My sin you atoned
My life you bought
in the wastelands of materialism
the emptiness that comes with feasting on carnal trash
chases me through moments of hopelessness
Reeling for lasting anything
You find me...
In the midst of my nothingness
Offering all, at no cost
Aware that I have nothing
At which to recompense
Nothing but nails
To crucify you
Justifying my condemnation, yet yielding grace
The merciful reward, despite myself
The blood i drew you purchased my hope.
I'm undone in my cruelty
Overtaken by my depravity
But now lost in your kindness
I'm now known and alive
You traversed the gulf between us
So I may drink and be filled
Satisfied beyond understanding
Lost, yet found in you
My sin you atoned
My life you bought
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hope Without End
As good intenders
We draw lines in the sand
Neat black and white bounds
Just in time to watch Grace wash them away
Set free from man-made prisons
To a hope without end
A door that's always open
The light that chases the night away
Its the words we just can't say
Where tears fall in slow motion
Trading our smallness
For something more beautiful than the apparent
So help the broken and the poor
Build beds for the aching and the sore
Stop the bleeding of lonely hearts
Be the love that won't divorce
And Maybe tomorrow will look different than today
Maybe we can find a way
Maybe if we walk His way
Into Hope Without End
No More
T
E
A
R
S
We draw lines in the sand
Neat black and white bounds
Just in time to watch Grace wash them away
Set free from man-made prisons
To a hope without end
A door that's always open
The light that chases the night away
Its the words we just can't say
Where tears fall in slow motion
Trading our smallness
For something more beautiful than the apparent
So help the broken and the poor
Build beds for the aching and the sore
Stop the bleeding of lonely hearts
Be the love that won't divorce
And Maybe tomorrow will look different than today
Maybe we can find a way
Maybe if we walk His way
Into Hope Without End
No More
T
E
A
R
S
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Seminarian
I love learning. I love being academic. I love being practical. Applied academics.
Yes, its possible. They aren't so mutually exclusive.
I don't want to waste my life talking about wanting to change the world or end poverty or wave the social justice banner. I want to do it.
I want to use my brain and use my hands, not just spout rhetoric while the malnourished close their eyes for the last time in a location oblivious to the Starbucks-crazed Americans.
Seminary is where I begin this quest. Its my first step of acting in response to the call, privilege, honor and duty to grow an army of Christians to fight with weaponry of love and truth against the injustice and sin that corrupts all - from the family unit to the CEO of corporate America to Capitol Hill.
I am incredibly eager to get back in school.
I feel I can began to fulfill my purpose in the body of Christ there.
I don't want to be known for my brain, but my love. If seminary just builds my knowledge base and doesn't kindle affections for God and His people I feel as though such an endeavor would be counterproductive.
While my application list is not yet finished there are quite a few seminaries I will be applying to.
As time goes on, I mercifully get to see a little more of the plan and purpose of God for my life. For such a gift of understanding I am immensely thankful. Much of it I still do not understand and I am equally as grateful there.
If God is making me a Bible teacher and pastor I pray only for the grace to be faithful and obedient acknowledging that God is the sole provider and benefactor and I am simply a chosen partner stewarded with the Gospel message.
Praise You God!
"Command me Lord, then give me what You command" -Augustine
Yes, its possible. They aren't so mutually exclusive.
I don't want to waste my life talking about wanting to change the world or end poverty or wave the social justice banner. I want to do it.
I want to use my brain and use my hands, not just spout rhetoric while the malnourished close their eyes for the last time in a location oblivious to the Starbucks-crazed Americans.
Seminary is where I begin this quest. Its my first step of acting in response to the call, privilege, honor and duty to grow an army of Christians to fight with weaponry of love and truth against the injustice and sin that corrupts all - from the family unit to the CEO of corporate America to Capitol Hill.
I am incredibly eager to get back in school.
I feel I can began to fulfill my purpose in the body of Christ there.
I don't want to be known for my brain, but my love. If seminary just builds my knowledge base and doesn't kindle affections for God and His people I feel as though such an endeavor would be counterproductive.
While my application list is not yet finished there are quite a few seminaries I will be applying to.
As time goes on, I mercifully get to see a little more of the plan and purpose of God for my life. For such a gift of understanding I am immensely thankful. Much of it I still do not understand and I am equally as grateful there.
If God is making me a Bible teacher and pastor I pray only for the grace to be faithful and obedient acknowledging that God is the sole provider and benefactor and I am simply a chosen partner stewarded with the Gospel message.
Praise You God!
"Command me Lord, then give me what You command" -Augustine
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