10/29/13:

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. It has been a crazy few weeks!

TFTD: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” –Micah 6:8

What is good? That is a very broad question that I want you to think about for a minute. No, literally take a minute and think about it. What is good? 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55… 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Did you take a minute? Now what do you think God requires from you? Does He want you to be the best person on the face of the planet? Doing the most good for everyone ever? Oh you looked at the theme verse. Well then you know that God requires us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. Easier said than done right? I beg to differ. I think that all of those things simply boil down to two words: true faith. Faith alone is what can save us. It doesn’t matter how good you are or how many good deeds you have done. “By grace you have been saved through (your) faith…”. If you have true faith all of these things that God requires of us will be there. You will want to be just, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. They are the side effects of a relationship with God. I challenge you to go and reach all the poor and powerless with your newfound goodness!

“When God is all we have left, we then realize that God is all we need.” –Ike Reighard

10/22/13:

TFTD: “The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?” –Ecclesiastes 6:11

I had a recent run in with a few people about our approach to ministry. We were debating a subject from three different perspectives. Each of us were coming from our personal experiences and ideas and no one really took the time to think about or take into consideration any other perspective other than their own. And I was no different. I was pushing and wanting to see my idea get approved because I wanted to do it my way and was blinded by my selfish desire. Now I can’t speak for everyone that was there but my guess is that would be the case for all, and on top of all of that we were just using our words to create tension and discord between us. Or as the author of Ecclesiastes put it: Vanity upon vanity. It was all a mess and it was because our selfish perspectives and words were getting in the way of the real point. What is best for our ministry?

            This isn’t the only time that our perspectives and our words get in the way of things. We see things from our personal backgrounds and from our understanding of what works the best. As sinners this is by far our greatest fault because we have our perspective that our way is the best and that everything should work that way. But that is just not the case. There is only one perspective that matters in the end, and only three words that matter throughout all of eternity. Those three words are this: “It is finished”. Those three words give God the only perspective He has for us. Forgiven and redeemed, washed clean by the blood of Christ. With those three words He changes the perspective of sinners for all time. He gives us a unified identity of sinless and perfect. None of our words, ideas, selfishness, or sins can screw that up no matter how bad or often they happen unless we are unrepentant of them. But if we ask for forgiveness there is nothing, and I repeat NOTHING that can separate us from the love and perfect perspective of Christ.

“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” -Benjamin Franklin

10/17/13:

TFTD: “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” –Hebrews 11:26

What do you consider a reward these days? Right now for me it is the little bit of sweets that I allow myself on the weekends. Usually I would have dessert a couple of times a week, if not every day because I love sweets so much, but I am working toward a goal of being in all around better health. I’m exercising and eating healthier in the hopes of building some strength and losing a few pounds, but that comes with a price. It takes some discipline for me to give up or refrain from doing and eating some of the things that I want right away. The thing is, when you see results it seems like more of a joy than a struggle.

            This is where we find the Hebrew’s authors account of Moses. They were pointing out that Moses viewed his reproach or tribulation as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. Imagine being the stepson of a pharaoh, one of the most powerful people of that time, and just disregarding everything that you could have inherited. Going and living off the land for 40 years and then coming back and being overjoyed that you are being persecuted for your faith. Crazy right? Not so much when you look at the big picture. Moses knew what was coming, and wasn’t worried about all of the things or persecutions of this world because he was waiting for his reward. He knew that there was a new Jerusalem coming for him. He knew there was something so indescribable that nothing in this life could ever compare. That is the same reward that we look forward to. No matter what you are going through right now you need to remember that you have an eternity of perfection waiting for you. The greatest reward of all awaits! I know I’m excited for it, I hope you are too.

“The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.”
-John Ruskin 

10/14/13:

TFTD: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” –Psalm 51:12-13

I just spent a weekend at our fall retreat with our Sr. High youth. We did so many awesome things and grew closer to each other and to Christ through it all, but one thing really stuck out to me and it was our last event. Repelling. We spent two hours or so just doing different kinds of repelling like normal or walking down the wall facing the sky, aussie or walking down the wall facing the ground, and free repelling which was just lowering yourself down without a wall to walk on. It was awesome to see how adventuresome the youth (and leaders) were being, but I couldn’t help but think that if the staff that was running the event didn’t have any experience with all of these forms of repelling and teambuilding activities we wouldn’t have survived on our own.

            The same goes for pain and suffering if you really think about it. When we go through trials and tribulations, regardless of what they are, it is really difficult to do it all by yourself. When you do it can seem lonely and like no one actually cares about what you are going with. Something that makes it easier is when someone who has gone through it before is there to help you through it step by step. When people are there to walk alongside of us during our troubles that have already gone through something similar we can believe that they know the pain and suffering that we are going through. Thankfully we never have to feel alone in all troubles and trials. Our God has gone through a lot of what everyone has gone through. Loss, disappointment, physical pain, you name it He has been through it which means that He knows what you are going through. He has been there and can be the One who walks with you through the storms of life no matter how scary or difficult. Our God is greater than the world because He has overcome the world! I’m so glad I can revel in that comfort.

“Brokenness is not a revival. It is a vital and indispensable step toward it.” –Arthur Wallis

10/9/13:

TFTD: “In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.” 

–Exodus 20:24

What is the worst pain that you have ever been in? Have you broken an arm or maybe an ankle? Dislocated a shoulder or pinched a nerve in your neck? Maybe it wasn’t physical pain and instead it was the emotional pain of losing someone dear to you or being in a depressed state of being. During those times what was the one thing that you focused on the most? Was it the pain or was it something else? In times of greatest pain in my life I find that I am reminded of my weakness. Weakness that is crippling and I can’t get rid of. It is the sense that I am stuck in the hardships of life and there is no way that I will ever pull out of this vortex of self-doubt and criticism. I then start to question God’s strength and power because He would never let a follower like me go through such an ordeal as this.

            The thing that we need to remember through all of our pain and weakness is that our God is stronger and more powerful than anything that we could ever imagine. God tells Moses in Exodus and tells us the same today that “In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.” So when you are going through your difficult times and find that you are questioning God’s plan for your life, you can then also remember the fact that you are remembering His name and He is there with you blessing you through something else. So remember that when you are struggling and think God isn’t on your side, He is right there building you up and blessing you in numerous ways that you can’t even realize at this moment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

“Anxiety is not only a pain which we must ask God to assuage, but also a weakness we must ask Him to pardon.” –C.S. Lewis

10/8/13:

TFTD: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16

God’s Light

Lord you are the light

This world desperately needs,

Let our lamps keep burning bright

So the lost may come to see

The light of your love

Burning brightly in our hearts,

Chasing away the darkness

Revealing who you are

So your glory may be seen

In everything we do

In our everyday happenings,

May our lives acknowledge you

No matter where you send us,

Whatever land we’re in,

May your light pierce through the darkness

Penetrating deep within

To stir up deep desire

To truly seek your face

And come fully into your light

And receive your saving grace.

-M.S. Lowndes

Let’s go be lights to a dark world and remind the world that no matter how far you go, the light can find you!

“Loving the lovely is an easy test to pass. Loving the unlovely requires much patience and wisdom.” –Ike Reighard

10/7/13:

TFTD: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

–Psalms 27:14

Dependability is a scary thing. It goes hand in hand with responsibility and leadership as well. Being dependable means that we have someone relying on us to come through or complete something that we either said we would do, or was assumed that we would do. Internship has proven that dependability is one thing that cannot be taken for granted when it comes to leadership. You need to be places and do things that you say you will, and do them on time because others are waiting on you for those things to be done. When you don’t meet those requirements you end up letting others down or causing yourself more worry and frustration because you didn’t come through like you said you would. Thankfully in the church there is forgiveness, and a God who is more dependable than we could ever imagine.

            Our God is as dependable as you can get. Imagine that you are the president of a company with 7.1 Billion people. There is going to be a lot of responsibility put on your shoulders for things to get completed and needs that need meeting. There is no way that we could do it without help right? Thankfully God can. He is the president that has taken all 7.1 billion people under His wing, individually, and asked what they need and what He can do to help. However, He is more like a father, giving to us when He knows it’s best for us. You can depend on Him day and night, in health or tragedy, good or bad. The more you depend on Him the more you find that He comes through for you. How wonderfully amazing!

“The more we depend on God the more dependable we find He is.” –Cliff Richard

10/3/13:

TFTD: “He will wipe away every fear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” –Revelation 21:4-5

Everyone like new things. It’s a fact of life. Those new things don’t necessarily have to be brand new out of the package, but they have to be at least new to them. For example, I got a new pair of shoes just over a month ago. *there was just a big crack of lightening that scared the crap out of me* Anyway I got a new pair of shoe, and have been only using them for working out. I know that eventually, whether that is when my workout plan is over or I just quit caring, I will end up using my new shoes for daily wear. And when I do they will get used and abused like the ones I am wearing now, all worn down and dirty. They have definitely seen some better days.
            Our lives kind of follow the life cycle of shoes. Harsh analogy I know, but they do. Let’s say we go to church on Sunday (new shoes). Then over the course of the week we go through so much stuff that we get all muddied up and dirty. Once in a while we get a polish with bible study or something, but generally we get worn down and dirty. Then Sunday comes and we repent of our sins, take communion, and receive forgiveness to make us new again. Thankfully that cycle won’t last forever. In Revelations 21 God is telling John what it will be like in the end times and says this, “Behold, I am making all things new.” This newness is one that won’t ever wear off or fade. It is a newness that will last for eternity. When we reach our final resting place our God, who has loved us with His life, will wipe off all the mud and filth and perfect what we are. We will spend eternity as new creations worshiping and praising God with others who are now just like us. Forgiven and redeemed children, and that is one newness that no one can take away! I can’t wait!

“You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” –C.S. Lewis

10/2/13:

TFTD: “There is one body and one spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” –Ephesians 4:4-7

Even though baseball season for me is over, I want to use one last analogy from it today. As I reflect on the Minnesota Twins’ season I saw many things that were positive and some that were not so positive. Throughout the season, there were many instances where the team pulled together and played as a unit, all doing their part in order to compete. Unfortunately, there were many times that the team seemed to be playing as 9 individuals instead of as one unit. This along with many other things brought the team down and the season to a very disappointing close. There is not much that can be done in a team centered sport when the team isn’t playing together.

            The same can be said for Christianity. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4 that we are all on the same team. We have been called to one hope, and there is one body, Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father. It may say there is only one of all of these things but they are all similar. There aren’t thousands of Gods, or bodies, or spirits that we can pick and choose to believe in or come back a second time as. It is very evident that there is one and only one collection of beliefs and understandings that unite us as a team. Christianity today doesn’t recognize this in a lot of cases. There are so many arguments over petty things like carpet and worship styles that all outsiders see are all for themselfers trying to get their agenda past because they are forgetting about the team, aka hypocrites. It is by far the biggest turn off for unchurched people. Unity in the church is so important because we only have one message to give: You have been saved by grace through faith, not because of what you have done but because of what Christ has done. So let’s get on the same page as a team and spread that message as ones united in Christ.

“Where there is unity there is always victory.” -Publilius Syrus