[christ]mas tree

It breaks ground as a sapling, patiently waiting to stand firm in the wind.  It soaks in the suns rays and adores the heavenly showers.  The rain effortlessly dances from its highest branch to its base, ultimately quenching the roots thirst.  It competes among the forest bottom to stretch high into the heavens.  It suffers and flourishes as seasons change.

Its Creator knows the precise coordinates of where its seed settles.  Its Creator knows this Tree isn’t going to be like the thousands around it.  Its Creator has given it a purpose.  He takes special care of it as it sprouts from the earth.  His hands firmly presses the soil around it.  He speaks to it.  ”Oh little one, if you only knew the plans I have for you”.  He frequents the location of the Tree to monitor its growth.  He sends summer thunderstorms to test its foundation.  When the time is right, He anxiously approaches, plucks a piece of fruit from its branch, and absorbs its nourishment.  As days turn into months, and months into years, this sapling became the delight of the forest.  Sturdy it stands between the heavens and earth.  Rooted in one and stretching high into the other.

Although glorious to see in its natural setting, its true destiny awaits.  Its Creator looks down from the heavens, whispers, and nods.  The day of harvesting arrives.  Slowly each axe begins to cut through the surface.  Deeper and deeper they slice.  The pain and agony experienced slowly comes to an end as this mighty tower plunges to the earth.  The soil that once gave it life, now merely supports it in death.

Now silence was heard all throughout the forest.  The sun now shines onto the virgin soil below.  To a passerby this Tree now became just another obstacle along their journey.  But to its Creator, the life of this Tree was just beginning.  Unlike most days, today there was a western wind causing this stock to plunder along the narrow way.  Quietly, the process of decay begins.

Only two rising suns away from its demise, the day has come.  Off in the distance a rumble is heard.  As minutes pass, the turbulence increases and now becomes recognizable.  A congregation of bodies, some shouting while others in tears, slowly approach this low lying handicap.  Then, in an instance, two worlds collide.  A delicate man soaked in red, leans over, and quietly states “I’ve been waiting for you, as you have me”.  Awkwardly lifting it and throwing it over his shoulder, the procession continues.  Now being carried by man, this Tree would soon return the favor.

With similar fates, they approach the hilltop where destiny awaits.  As minutes pass, and clouds roll in, they forcibly connect.  One already lifeless and the other slowly approaching, their purposes are fulfilled.  Both Man and Tree, heaven and earth, became one in that moment.  Though tried and tested, living through seasons of blossom and spoil, each one successfully took turns carrying the burden of their world.  Feebly born and patiently nurtured, this Man and his Tree were chosen far in advance to give themselves up unto death, only to be gloriously raised into the heavens accomplishing their purpose and  satisfying the intentions of their Creator.

you+me

Imagine this. You’re walking along the shore of your favorite beach. You feel the sand between your toes and the morning sun on your back. The sound of the waves crashing fills your ears. Your eyes gaze out into the vastness of the ocean tracing the horizon back and forth. The hard work and late nights you put in to be able to afford this beach house has now paid off. You continue down the beach and find a great place next to the bluff to take a seat. The sound of the waves become a backdrop for your thoughts. You begin to smile. Your mind tells you that all you’ve dreamt of as a child has come to fruition. The sun bounces sharply from your south facing facade. The wind gently brushes against your skin. You’ve finally made it.

Or have you? Im learning that this walk of life wasn’t meant to be done alone. No matter what stage of it you’re in, true joy always comes with great company. My entire life i’ve been called an introvert. I can honestly say this is true after reading about.com’s definition. As much as i enjoy my alone time, nothing satisfies my soul like sharing something special with someone else.  Jokes aren’t funny alone.  Road trips arent the same alone.  Church isnt church alone.  Show me a table and ill show you enough room for two.  Show me a hand and ill show you another waiting to be held.  We were created not only with a God shaped void in us, but a people shaped void as well.  So no matter how beautiful your city or fancy your apartment, real joy comes from sharing these places and experiences with others.  A dream is not a dream unless it is shared.

taboo topics

Last night Pastor Jeff Leake came into APEX (APC’s young adult group) and answered questions on the hearts of our young people.  I wish i could explain to you how effective this was for me.  I must first preface the story of this night with what happened the previous tuesday.  A few of us young adults got into an amazing conversation about christians and dating.  It was a conversation that begin with 3 or 4 and ended with the a table full of listening ears.  Everyone had their own story and opinions on dating and relationships.  There was a beauty to its depth.  I say that to inform you of the irony of the timing of Jeff coming in to answer many of these same questions the following tuesday.  Im 26 years old and many of the people in the room were around my age.  The idea behind the night was to text in anonymously a question that you would want your pastor to answer.  How many people in the world have questions about their faith and how it fits into their every day life, but never have the time to sit down with their senior pastor.  That is why i say thanks to Pastor Jeff.

I wont sugar coat the content of the questions last night.  Sin grows in the dark.  We discussed what was too far before marriage.  We discussed how to have an effective devotional life.  We discussed lust and relationships.  We discussed hypocrisy. Many questions usually ignored in between the walls of a church.  I truly believe that we as christians need to become less sensitive with taboo topics and more transparent about our sin.   Most of the questions dealt with sexuality.  A huge topic for any age, but especially if you are in your 20s looking for your soul mate.  I would post all of the questions but i realize that younger eyes may grace the pages of this post.  We as a church have gone long enough without addressing these awkward topics. We need to discuss these things from a biblical stand and show how they relate to us in our every day lives.  Many times parents have difficulty discussing topics with their children.  Parents, if you’re not telling them the truth IN LOVE, then they will begin to listen to the world around them.  I feel many parents themselves have difficulty with the topic and when it arises condescendingly approach their children with negative comments.  Lets remember that were all in this boat together.  We all have passions, feelings, thoughts, that create each and every one of us.  Jesus led with grace and we should as well.

Pastor Jeff gently answered every question head on.  He didn’t shy away from using certain words.  He didn’t ignore questions because they were awkward.  He cared about each question because his young adults cared about them.  We as christians need to recognize grace covers sin and we should be open and willing to discuss it with each other.  In fact, many times what we think is “sin” after searching through the bible isn’t sin at all.  There is freedom in knowledge.  Many people are dealing with guilt and shame that can easily be overcome with confession with a close friend.  Lets push past this awkwardness in our families and in our churches. I believe pastors all over the world need to “man up” and become relevant by speaking on taboo topics.  I found it unusually enlightening that many topics weren’t mentioned in the bible and Pastor Jeff’s answers were “I don’t know, the bible doesn’t mention it”.  Stop pretending we have all the answers and start loving people by caring about them and their real questions. Lead with grace and stay grounded in the word.  Read Romans 5:20 – Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.

[thanks]-giving

I realize i didn’t post yesterday.  I hope you can forgive me.  I didn’t forget, trust me.  I had plans with my father whom i haven’t seen in weeks, and an “official first date” with an amazing girl.  Both of which i wasn’t missing out on for a blog post.  So today ill post twice.  The first of which i felt should pertain to the season.  Thanksgiving is thursday and im reminded of all the many blessings in my life.   I have gone way too long without saying thank you to everyone in my life.  So here goes..

Mom and Dad :  Thank you for your sacrifice.  Your commitment to God inspires me.  Your work ethic, faithfulness, and ability to show up reveal to me and the world where your treasures lie.  I love you for all youve done and are still doing.  I pray blessing over both of you that your lives will continue to direct everyone to the cross.  Thanks

Ryan:  Thanks for being an amazing big brother.  I owe you thousands of dollars from my inability to bring my wallet anywhere as a child.  Your musical ability and outgoing spirit have encouraged me to become who i am today.  I know of no one who thinks more of others than you.  Youre passion for hunting and golf inspires me.  Although i can no longer beat you my best days still seem to be on the course with you and dad.  Im praying you seek God in everything you do.  Thanks.

My grandparents (and best friends):  No one in our family would be where they are today without you.  I am filled with joy when thinking of the many laughs we’ve had over the years.  Through cancer, poverty, loss of life, and diabetes, you still give glory to God.  What a foundation all 4 of you have in Christ.  Your lives reflect the many promises were given in scripture to those who live righteously.  Your commitment to God and family, through the ups and downs of life, has never wavered.  Thank you for giving me someone to look up to and laugh with throughout my 26 yrs.

Aunts, Uncles, and cousins: I don’t have time to name all of you but i thank you for keeping me in prayer.  I thank you for your uplifting spirits and commitment to God.  Oh the years of laughter we’ve had, and will continue to have.  Each one of you has been given such unique talents and skills.  Thanks for doing everything passionately.  You have taught me perseverance, given me guidance (when i didnt want to talk to my parents), freshened my spirit with your laughter, and allowed me to lean on you when i walked through my valleys.  I pray blessing over you and your families.  I love you guys.

Friends:  When i moved to Pittsburgh i never knew i would build such strong relationships @ apc.  The friendships ive made here in just over a year have had such a large effect on me and my christian walk.  Apex is filled with such passionate people who are living out Gods will.  I couldnt do it without your laughs, sarcasm, and inspiration.  I pray blessing over each of you and your families.  I pray your lives pursuing God and his purpose never ceases to be your first priority.  I pray boldness to go after whatever it is God has laid on your heart.  Thanks.

My Roommates: I remember when you both came to ask me to live with you guys.  I thought you both were weird.  I was content living alone.  God had different plans.  I thank you both for pursuing Christ so passionately that nothing seems to get in the way.  Thanks for spending hundreds on books that i wouldve never purchased, nor read.  Thanks for seeing the big picture in ministry and ignoring the issues, problems, and difficulties that it presents.  I so badly want to state something sarcastic but ill hold back… for now..

Jesus:  Thanks for washing away my sins.  Because you “took one for the team”, listened to your call, and believed in the unbelievable, my eternity can be spent joyfully praising instead of painfully gnashing.  I love telling people about you.  You brought breathe back into my lungs, and a fire back into my heart.  Thanks for being alive and living in me.  I look forward to seeing you someday face to face.

My last thanks goes out to those bold and brave enough to believe in Christ and what he did for you.  This world has been brainwashed into seeing is believing.  True joy and peace lies in the opposite.  Take time today to give thanks to everyone in your life.  Forgive those who have hurt you.  Love those you cant love.  Move on, and move up.  Happy early thanksgiving to you and yours.

[art] thats personal

As a christian there are many things that seem to become “grey area’s”  in our walks with God.  Many churches have even begun to address these issues and how they pertain to our every day life.  Drinking, smoking, types of music, and reading material are just a few of the many.  Today i want to bring to your attention one of the biggest trends across u.s. and the world as of late.  Can you guess?  If you guessed tattoos, you were right.  If you didnt, i encourage you to read on anyways.

Tattoos seem to be showing up everywhere on young adults these days.  Of course they arent anything new to us, but i would just like to share my opinion on them.  Dont be nervous, (especially if you have one) hear me out.  I grew up believing tattoos were a sin. I read Leviticus 19:28 and just assumed that anyone who marked their body was a sinner.  I now know i was very young, and extremely naive.  For the last few years ive been storing in my head all the conversations of people ive talked with who have tattoos.  I quickly saw that many of these people were extremely educated, passionate, and always creative.  I learned so much from these people.  I cant begin to even tell you how influenced and inspired ive become by many of these people.  I thank God they are in my life.

So where does my opinion begin?  It begins with recognizing why people get them in the first place. Sadly, we as christians are easy to write people off for the silliest of things. Yes, even before we get to know them.  If something bothers/intriques me i begin to ask questions.  So my journey began.  I asked everyone i knew who had one, why.  What made you get yours?  Just in that simple question, in most of the cases, the tattoo represented something special to them.  Whether it was a memory of someone whom they loved or a verse that has grounded their faith,  it was easy to see that they really enjoyed talking about it.  It became for me a great conversation starter.  I also began to see that many of the stories behind them dealt with pain or loss.  It was a reminder to them of something great in their life  that now was absent.  This tattoo was an attempt at never forgetting who or what it represented.

I believe some tattoos are beautifully unverbalized cries for love. These people are longing for something permanent in their life, even if just a real conversation.  I believe God loves them and so do i.  He loves youth that wear their hat sideways and pants around their ankles.  He loves the nerdy kids who wear high pants and big glasses.  Do you see the pattern?  He loves them, not for what they look like, but for just being them.  1 Samuel 16:7 says that “man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart”.  We need to be accepting people who passionately love the unlovable.  We need to break this bubble the devil has placed around us that prevents us from loving all of Gods children.  I believe the real issue here isnt the tattoo itself, but the intention behind it.  Has someone come to you for advice on whether to get one or not?  Are you considering getting one yourself? As i would say on any great decision, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Will i ever get a tattoo?   Nope.  I believe God made me this way.

Do i condone other people getting them?  We live in a capricious society.  What is beautiful today is ugly tomorrow.  If you think it will ultimately make you happy, it wont.  I believe God should be the only permanent thing in my/your life.  Ill still love you if you do.

Never let something so small affect your love for others.

you play to win the game

I was told repeatedly by “professional bloggers” (is there such a thing?) to keep writing after you begin because it becomes difficult. Is it new years, because i dropped the ball big time. The good thing about a problem is realizing it exists right? I know why I have such a large gap in between my latest (I use that term loosely) blogs.  Its not because ive been busy, because you make time for whats important in your life.  Its not because i have quit, or run out of things to say to you.  Its because ive placed so much pressure on each blog that im afraid its not “blogworthy”.  There it is!  whew i said it.

My entire life i’ve been a perfectionist.  I hated losing at sports as a child.  I despised getting B’s in high school. (C’s get degrees – new philosophy)  I spent hours on drawings in college because i felt every pencil line would draw me one step closer to genius.  Guess what?  I lost at sports as a child,  received B’s in high school, and those extra pencil lines just kept me from much needed sleep. When i look back on those moments though, I don’t regret one ounce of effort i gave to win, get A’s, and create the best drawing i could present.  I believe we as christians are called to GO BIG or GO HOME.  Read Colossians 3:17.

Here is what i say to you: Lift your head up, raise your hands and ask God to give you the strength to pursue what you’re doing with all that you have.  Yes, even if you dislike your colleagues. Yes, even if you dislike your work.  Yes, even if somedays you dislike your spouse.    Somehow someway you are where you are for a reason.  Someday soon, your situation will change, and you will have missed your opportunity to be all that you could have been, there in that moment.  My generation has clung to our parents coat-tails for far too long.  Step out of that “woe is me” attitude and go after those dreams God has placed inside of you.  Start that business you’ve dreamt about as a child.  Work out at the gym harder then you’ve ever done so before.  If you set the time on the treadmill to 10 minutes, actually run for 10 minutes.  Take out that loan to go back to school to pursue that degree the world says you’re not smart enough to get.  Stop watching tv and spurting out what your favorite news man says about politics and finances.  You dont like it?  Step out of that comfort zone and actually make an effort to change this economy.  Be an encouragement to those around you.  Love because we were first loved.  Stop waiting, and start moving.

Easy for me to say, and not do. right?  Im challenging myself to blog every day for the next week starting Friday.  You may or may not be blown away by any of the things i say.  I need to realize that not every post will feed thousands of lives in africa.  Not every post will save someone from depression.  Not every post will wake up a generation lost in self pleasures.  But i believe were called to do all things as unto the Lord.  So be ready and be challenged!  more to come tomorrow.. wait for it. wait for it..

 

Lump – Rob Bell

seeking pleasure is not a sin

Ive been reading John Piper’s magnum opus “Desiring God”. Actually i haven’t been reading it, I’ve been chewing on it. What a book! Im only a quarter of the way through it (partly due to the re-reading of pages) and it has stirred up something within my soul. You know it’s a good book when you cant read it without a dictionary at hand. Oh to get this information inside every “christ followers” head. What a world it would be.   Im not going to jump into the full review, but I came across a few quotes that i felt the world should read.  Enjoy.

“The engagement of the heart in worship is the coming alive of the feeling and emotions and affections of the heart.  Where feelings of god are dead.  So is the worship.”

Im learning that god ignores our worship out of duty, as any wife would disregard flowers from her husband for the same reason.  Only joyful worship graces his holy ears.  When one comes to christ a joy fills the heart for many reasons.  The burdens of past removed, the blessings and hope for a future, and being placed into the holy lineage are just a few reasons for the wholeness we feel.  I encourage you stir up those feelings you once had as a new christian.  It’s easy to see the difference in someone who is serving god out of mere duty instead of joy.

“Misguided virtues smothers the spirit of worship.  The person who has the vague notion that it is virtue to overcome self-interest, and that it is vice to seek pleasure, will scarcely be able to worship.  For worship is the most hedonistic (pleasure seeking)  affair of life  and must not be ruined with the least thought of disinterestedness.  The great hindrance to worship is not that we are a pleasure-seeking people, but that we are willing to settle for such pitiful pleasures.”

He later states that maybe our desires for pleasure arent to strong, but too weak.  What a thought!  My entire life has been up to this point has been filled with shame because of my selfish pleasures.  To now know that i have been given this desire by god to be ultimately happy is completely radical.  By pursuing the pleasures of the flesh i have forfeited the greatest pleasure of all, my relationship with God.  I challenge you to retrain your mind to understand he has created us to enjoy him.  Allow your “have to’s” to become “want to’s”.  Dont settle for whatever church or tradition has done to limit your feelings of joy towards God.

Jeremiah states in chapter 2 verses 11-13 that : “My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.  Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people gave committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

“Dont give up so soon on your quest for pleasure and settle for broken cisterns” piper writes.

He is our great reward and you should smile when thinking about what he has done for you.

You should want to lift your hands in praise.

You should want to leave your seat and worship in the front.

You should want to lay hands on others during prayer.

You should want to take your kids to the altars during prayer.

You be the one that rekindles the fire at your church.

Dont settle for being the thermometer instead of the thermostat.

It only takes one match to set an entire building ablaze.

jesus culture – obsession

Francis, not Jackie.

Crazylove by Francis Chan.  Have you read it? Experienced it?  If you havent done either of these than i encourage you do so.  When i found out it was the book we were studying @ Apex this fall, i got ahold of it and plowed through it.  I knew it was something i would later post about but didn’t feel the time was right.  That time has come.  Last night we studied chapter 4, titled “Profile of the Lukewarm”.  Francis felt pressed in this chapter to call me out.  No one enjoys being called out, ever.  Let me explain.  The first quote of the chapter reads:

“It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel.  It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow hearted prosperity”.

Read Luke 8:4-15

Do we as christians assume we are good soil? Take time to truly ask yourself this question.  God spoke in parables so those who truly were listening would understand him.  This technique separated the “men from the boys”.  Simple yet truly effective.  The verses describe 4 types of soil/people.

1.One who hears the word of God and could care less.  In one ear, out the other.

2.One who hears the word, yet has no root.  When storms of life come, they are swept away.

3.One who hears the word, yet is choked out by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures.

4.The last of which is one that grows and produces a crop.

This passage was directed to “christ followers”.  People whose Facebook status reads “christian”.  It scares me to think that all the time and effort we put into being one, and yet we still might not be considered one in Gods eyes.  How many christians spend years teaching sunday school, singing in the choir, setting up the sound system, playing in the orchestra, yet truly do not know God?  Let me ask you again.  Are you assuming you are good soil?  Do we love Gods stuff, more than God himself?  Do we have knowledge of him, but lack the smallest bit of faith?  Do we pray to say we prayed, or are we praying to move mountains?

I look at this passage and focus on the last of the 4 types of soil.  The good soil.  We all want to be the good soil, but we dont want to stop sinning.  We all want the blessings of being the good soil, but we havent truly changed from who we were before we were saved.  We think we know God, but never pick up his word.  We all know of the term “lukewarm” but we brush it off because it could never be us.  Chan writes:

Lukewarm People are moved by stories about people who do radical things for christ, yet they do not act.

Lukewarm People rarely share their faith with neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They fear rejection.

Lukewarm People gauge their morality by comparing themselves to the secular world.

Lukewarm People say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of the their lives. But only a part.

Lukewarm People love God, but not with all of their heart, soul and strength.

Lukewarm People love others but do not love them as much as themselves.

Lukewarm People think about life on earth more than eternity in heaven.

Lukewarm People are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor.

Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe. they are slaves to the God of control.

Lukewarm people do not live by faith: their lives are structured so they never have to. They dont trust God if something unexpected happens– they have their saving’s account and retirement plan.

Lukewarm people drink and swear less than the average person, but besides that, they really arent very different from your typical unbeliever.

It’s so easy to read all of these and be overcome by the feeling that we will never meet Gods standard.  Quite the opposite.  Remember back to when you were a child and your teacher would hand out practice exams.  She would remind you to circle the problems you missed on the exam.  By doing so, you would recognize your weaknesses and be able to study those for the upcoming test.  That same philosophy applies here.  God is our father who sees us at our highest potential.  How does he motivate us to this place?  He moves us by his Love that addresses our weak points.  In architecture school, we only progressed by someone pointing out our mistakes.  If you cant handle constructive criticism, if you are unteachable, you will struggle pursuing a relationship with God. We must learn that without taking time to confront our faults, we will never move forward in life.  The first chapter of this book is titled “stop praying”.  Chan reminds us how often we run to God with our problems and fail to just stop and stand in awe of who he truly is.  I encourage you to allow your awareness for who God truly is to fuel your fire.  Stop running to him with issues, and just kneel before him and praise him.

How do we become good soil?  First, we must recognize we are absolutely nothing without Christ. We must actually be changed.  We must take time, daily, to STOP and hear from him.  We must be willing to obey when he speaks.  Expect him to speak, because he will.  We must be flexible to change addresses, friends, salaries, and yes even churches. All that you think is “yours” is Gods.  I challenge myself and my readers to live a life fully committed to the one who shed his blood to save us.  Dying on a cross for you and me?  Thats what i call CrazyLove.  <—-check out his videos here