lost dogs

I got out of my morning class early today, so I decided to go back to my house between classes.  On my way back I sorta jogged to cross the street to beat the traffic light.  As I crossed I noticed two golden retrievers on the opposite street from me, they clearly had tags and seemed to be lost.  Quickly my heart dropped...it's a cloudy day with misty rain...traffic's bad and there's a chance they could get hit!  As I was preparing to dart back across the street to try and get them a few people near them also saw they're need and tried to corral them out of the road, pretty soon a lot more students joined in the effort.  So I smiled and continued on to my house happy that others had compassion on these helpless dogs.

Then, it hit me.  I was willing to stop my day, my schedule, my plans, possibly dart back across the road; all to make sure these dogs were safe and their owners found.  I had compassion on them, because they were helpless...This is what Jesus did when he looked at crowds of people "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."-Matthew 9:36

But what hit me was I would drop everything I was doing for a couple of dogs(albeit adorable) but when I see a crowd of people I often have very little compassion and typically am annoyed if they in any way inconvenience me or my time.  The thoughts that came to my mind were "What if they were mine? What would I want someone to do?"  So then those thought filtered out as, "God created all people uniquely in His image, so they are His, God loves all people, what would He want done with them?"  Clearly He has said in Matthew 9:37 "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest field." So Prayer is one response, another is to be a messenger of the story of reconciliation, that is, that God is calling the world to Himself through Christ, by not counting men's sins against them, but rather against Christ-2nd Corinthians  5:18-21

So I was convicted today by two dogs...and I hope that I would look on people with compassion like I looked on those dogs...but more so like God looked on me!

Decreasing Worth

So yesterday I was meeting a friend of mine for lunch at subway.  This subway happens to be right next to a GameStop video game store.  I got there a little before him and since I hate the smell of my clothes after i leave subway I didn't want to go in early, so I went into GameStop to see if they had and PS2 games.  But let's be honest no one really plays PS2 anymore, it's all X-box 360 and PS3, neither of which I own, because if I did...well I'd play games all day instead of being productive.  So I really didn't expect to see a whole lot of games there, but to my surprise I did happen to find a game shelf devoted to PS2 games.  There were lots of them...and they were all under $9.99, actually I don't think I saw any over $5, and most were around $2.  I started asking myself, "How can something that used to sell for $50 or more be so cheap now?"  The answer is pretty obvious.  Its old, outdated, and there is something much much better in it's place.  Look at brand new cars, they depreciate in value as soon as you drive them off the lot.  The moment something new comes out, the old is quickly undervalued and replaced.  Perhaps it was overvalued to begin with.

    A couple of verses come to mind when I consider what I value and how I value things.  Honestly, I started thinking if I am valued, and how society views me and other people.  Right now I feel like society considers people in my age group, 20-30's, as valuable dependent upon whether or not we have a job, or are "successful." But once again, this value is fluctuating.  It will hit a peak and start falling. 

So where do you see your worth and value?  Is it temporal or eternal?  I hope to say mine is eternal like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

To be a Hero

Over the past few years "Hero" movies have been a staple at the box office.  X-Men, Spider-man, The Hulk, Green Lantern, Captain America, Super man, Batman, and Thor.  First of all, I love movies, partly because I can get lost in them and become a child again, also I love to see what analogies I can find in them to relate to my life.

So this thought came to mind when a friend and I went to see Thor this past summer.  After the movie was over and I came out of my child like trance, I realized, "I am not a super hero...but...I wish I was."  I have no special powers, no super strength, no super speed, no laser sight, no ability to fly, petty much there is nothing specifically special about me.

As with most times when I question my worth, I realize that I'm finding it in the wrong things.  I'm gonna mention a few staple verses I cling to during these times.  Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 4:1 "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."  So I have a worthy calling and I have work to be done...work that is so significant that it was tied to my destiny before time began!  This is great news!

What especially got my gears turning was when I started trying to figure out why I wanted to be like Thor(or any super hero) and what he has that makes him inherently "super."

So let's look first off at why I want to be like him...well it's because he's "super" and towards the end of the movie he uses his power for the ultimate good. 

What makes Thor "super"?
-He's a "god" He was born like this...son of a god, that is where he derives his strength and power from, it is just a part of who he is, it's just in him.  It isn't as if he woke up one morning and asked to be like he is, that's just how he's been made.  Now then, as far the benevolent use of his power...that took some adversity for him to not be arrogant and prideful in his power.  He had to be broken and stripped of himself and admit his weakness before his power was restored to him, and he truly became "super" having not only ability but character to use it for good, saving the world.

Now, what about me?
-Welp, I'm human in flesh(for now Romans 8:23), but in spirit, I've already been born again of God. (Galatians 2:20)  It is through God's grace that I am able to receive this Spirit of sonship (Romans 8:13-17)  Now I also have the power of God to wield, it's called the gospel, it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.(Romans 1:16-17) With this power, I'm called to be an ambassador to the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)  I received this not because I asked for it, but because I was shown my weakness and inability to obtain it on my own, broken of myself, even when I was following the best of laws, I couldn't cut it (Galatians 2:21)  These are just a few of the many verses that could be used to explain my position before God and in the world, and they deserve a lot deeper look, but maybe for another time, cause I think the point has been made.

So the very things I long for in a super hero have already been given to me.  Power I did not ask for and a purpose far beyond myself.

Abuse of the Cross

A few weeks back I went to an MCO(Medical Campus Outreach) conference.  The topic was engaging brokenness.  Something the speaker was telling us has recently recurred to me.  He said that the only way to abuse the cross of Christ is by not coming to it and by not bringing your dirt and filth and worries and problems and pains.  The only way to abuse the Cross is not to use it and not to believe that it is capable of fixing your mess.  I all too often think, "I screwed up and now I have to fix it."  This is not the Gospel.  But functionally it's how a lot of Christians live their lives, they say "Ok now I'm a Christian, I'm on my own."  I believe it is all too easy to get bogged down in the sin of this world and find yourself battling with self and saying "I should know better!"  But the truth of the matter is, we still sin, we still need Jesus.  Why this is SO hard for me to grasp, I don't know...but I do know that when God looks at me, He sees perfection, and that is my motivation to continue forward...that is how I've looked to God ever since the day I became a Christian.  Now my sin does in fact create that separation between myself and God again, but I need to repent and trust again, and MOVE FORWARD! Not get bogged down in my past sins.  Here are two songs that have been very integral in me moving past my failures.

This is "How He loves us" and the line in particular that I cling to is:  "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when i think about how He loves us."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI

This is "Hindsight" by John Reuben and the more I listen to it the more I hear what my heart feels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaHaUGNhQ0


enjoy

Run

He saved me from self destruction,

From the world’s corruption,

My sick heart’s had reconstruction,

My mind is clear, on things above

Feet running that race of love

Eyes fixed, on what can’t be seen

Soul washed the whitest clean

My strength is found in Utmost Joy

The castle falls

As I sit and watch the world I built,

Crumble round me, I feel the weight of guilt

Darkness surrounds me, quietly yet violently

I can't stop it, my life asunder

The storm threatens in thunder

I can't escape this fear I’m under

No amount of work, no toil or strain

Can save me from this pain

My life shatters, my heart breaks

Nothing matters, all my mistakes

My life shatters, my body aches

Nothing matters, but highest stakes

The pain sears worse than fire,

My soul aflame, with broken desire

I know there’s peace, there’s care

I just gotta find it, find it somewhere

I know I can’t, I’m just chasing air

I am worthless, without purpose

I am useless, falling amiss

Ignorance, it used to be bliss

Peace is coming, and already came

He’s taken away my shame

My life He’s here to renew, to reclaim

In Him I have clear direction, a clear aim

My purpose He gave,

I am now a joyful slave

He’s the potter, I’m the clay

My pain He took away

My purpose is this

And I don’t want to miss

To see His love

And show to all below and above

Make me stand

I only have one problem, sin
I know in the end it can't win.

But sometimes i believe it's lies,
O Lord please hear my sighs.

You know i cant do this on my own
Please let your paths be known.

Give me the wisdom that i need
the Boldness to make decisions with speed
To be a man after you're heart

Not after my own selfish greed

My God you know I'm weak
Be my strength, hold my hand
And when i can't, make me stand

Joyfully

Lord I pray for wisdom, that the path I’ve chosen

Is the one you’ve planned for me

The one that’s for my life been woven

That you would guide my direction

Using my desires and affection

Tempered with wisdom and discretion

Lord I pray you go before me

Tearing down mountains and making paths

Give me peace and serenity

My heart be found in you first and foremostly

That I would delight in you joyfully!

Grace is Great!

Definition from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grace

a.

the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

b.

the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

c.

a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.

d.

Also called state of grace. the condition of being inGod's favor or one of the elect.

Romans 5:1-2b "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

Grace is a gift...it can't be earned, just received by faith. This Grace is received through faith in Jesus Christ who allows us peace with God.

Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"

So not only does this Grace provide us with Salvation(peace with God) it also is a teacher. It teaches us to put off the old and put on the new, even when surrounded by the evils of this present age. So it is by faith that we say no to the worldly passions and live self controlled upright lives.

1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

This grace is evident in Paul's life...through his work ethic and the way that he spread the Gospel...he says that it wasn't him doing it but this grace that was with Him. Paul seems to be boasting a little here at this work, and he can, because it was done by Grace!

1 Peter 4:10-11 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the Glory and the power for eve and ever. Amen."

By using our gifts and talents to serve others we become distributors of God's Grace...and apparently God's grace has various forms. It seems that what we possess as talents are also part of God's grace, whether it be speaking or serving.

Now then, verse 1 Peter 4:11 seems to tie back in well with Romans 5:1-2. Because it is by Christ that we have received the grace through faith, and so without Jesus we would not have received Grace to distribute. If then we have gifts, it is by Christ and his power, and if we use them to serve others then this is to Christ's Glory!

My True Brother

Once a month all the young adult small group Bible study groups meet and have a large meeting. We have been going through a study by Tim Keller. In this particular session, he recounted the story of the prodigal sons. In the end he called Christ our True older brother...this got my mind thinking about my brother in light of this. You see my brother is nine years older than me. He has always been one that I've looked up to and desired to be like. Athletic, strong, confident, and successful at what he attempts. When he got a Mustang when he was 15, I wanted one too, when he got a Jeep, I wanted one too. Even after I became a Christian, I realized, I still wanted to be like my brother, or at least wanted his approval. One thing I love to do is work out and try to take care of my body, I think this may have originated in trying to be more like my brother. One thing I have never done like my brother is how he has had many many girl friends. But I did notice a while back, probably 2 or 3 years ago, is that even when choosing a girl that I found attractive, I wanted my brother to approve. Even if he never knew, I would imagine what his response would be to her. But now, I realize that I have a True Older Brother, who I truly want to imitate. I also want to do what pleases him, and take actions He would approve of, because I already have his approval!

My True Father

My last year in College I lost Hope. My parents have always taken great care of me, and I was pretty ashamed, but knew they would help me pay for school, however I was prepared to take out loans if need be. My mom, couldn't help me, but my dad said he would give me what ever I needed. I should point out that my parents are divorced, and that at this time my mom had more going for her financially than did my dad. This really hurt me, but it also inspired me to work hard. It hurt because my dad lives in the middle of no where, in a house that his dad built, that is basically falling apart. He could have chosen to live in a nicer place, close to people. I really hurt for what my dad sacrificed to pay for me to go to school. I went to school, didn't work, got to live in a dorm, was around great friends, got plenty of food, and gas money. While my dad worked. I then graduated in May of 2010. My plan was to try and bring up my G.P.A. This would require me to take more classes, again, my dad paid for my living and for my school....living by himself, and working.

I truly saw the Gospel displayed in my dad's life in his sacrifice and love for me. How much more is my True Father's Love for me. Luke 11:11 Jesus teaches on prayer and how well earthly fathers give to their children. How much more I love my earthly father now, seeing the sacrifice, and love he's given me. How much more motivated I am to work hard and honor him, because of what he has done for me. In the same way, I desire to live a life worthy of the calling I have received, Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:27, in order to honor my earthly father as well as my Heavenly Father. Proverbs 10:1 "...A wise son brings joy to his father..."

This is my desire!

The Purpose

I have noticed that often times God reveals Himself to me in beautiful ways in my daily life. But often I forget what He has shown me. It is my hope and prayer that by writing this it will indeed help me to meditate on the Lord and His word all day and night, so that I might not only see wondrous things in His law, but also in His creation.

"Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in You all the day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." Psalm 25:4-6