I was blessed to watch the movie Soul Surfer this past week. It is one of the best movies I have seen in some time in the secular movie world. God was evident in the movie through Scripture and even praise songs at a church service. I must admit I was moved to tears multiple times. Reflecting on those tears and the movie itself has encouraged me to "surf my soul" and find the reason for those tears. These are my discoveries....
There is a greater purpose for every trial and struggle in life. We may not see it from close up, but in hindsight or when we view the big picture, we will see His hand in it all. Lately I have not been seeing the big picture. I have been confused and in a big struggle with work and relationships. I know when I step back and look that the Lord ordained for me to be here. I need to be the best cupbearer I can be in my job as Nehemiah was in his. I need to have a greater measure of grace with those around me and love them as Christ so loved us. I need to rest in His perfect plan and enjoy the journey and the growth through the struggles and the heartaches.
I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Lord has more for me. This discovery comes with some regret. I know the Lord has another season down the road in which He will greatly use me in other avenues. I await that season with great anticipation for I know it will be one of much joy, growth, and eternal value. It is this current season where the regret is found. I have been given much in the ways of passions, gifts, and opportunities. I must confess I have not made the most of any of those. I have missed opportunities and left my passions and gifts dormant far too many times. I must make the most of every opportunity for the harvest is ripe and as is evident in the deaths around me, life is very fleeting.
I MUST use the gifts God has given me now. I MUST use the passions God has given me now. Will it be hard? Will I be tested and face adversity? Of course, but as was repeated many times in the movie, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!" If Bethany Hamilton can lose an arm and get up again and use her passions and talents to minister to others, why can't I do the same in the face of my minor challenges?
I am convicted to pick up my cross today, to use my every breath, my every fiber, my every idea, and every word to spread the glorious Gospel and edify the church. May my remaining days be a fragrance of great, yet humble, service to the King. I lay my desires, gifts, talents, and passions at your feet Lord. Use them as You will.
I pray this be not only my desire, but the desire of many. The harvest is ready. Our world needs the hope found only in Jesus Christ. May we, like Bethany Hamilton, use our everything for His glory, and His alone. My hand is to the plow...
One Pure and Holy Passion
Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You
Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me on magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You
To know and follow hard after you
To grow as your dicsiple in your truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you, my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you
Lead me on and I will run after you
Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after you
To know and follow hard after you
To grow as your disciple in the truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you
Lord to know and follow hard after you
And to grow as your disciple in your truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you
Lead me on and I will run after you
Lead me on and I will run after you
This is my ambition, my passion, and I pray a deepening obsession. Oh Lord may all I desire be to run after the prize of knowing and serving You. May all else fade.
To God be the glory!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Oh To Be Dangerous...
As I contemplate the next season of life, I have been faced with a great question. Am I DANGEROUS? Are my choices and the things I am doing changing the world and ruining the plans and desires of the evil one? Jim Elliot has convicted me greatly through his life and his words. The following quotes seem to be so distant from my life and yet a great desire of my soul.
"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" -- coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous! "
"Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me."
How harmless am I? Why am I on the sidelines so often? Get in the game Jason! I greatly desire to be that crisis man, to direct people to the King of Kings, and to change lives for eternity. I know the fear of stepping out in faith has kept me from being the dangerous man I know I should be. Do I not trust Him? The book of Joshua reminds us over and over to "be strong and courageous." Paul says that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2nd Timothy 1:7)
I so often feel inadequate. Why would the God of the universe choose to use me as a crisis man? I am so wretched at times and so impure. How can I yet be considered for His service? It is so easy to become crippled and stagnant when we feel inadequate or incapable. That thinking is all about us and not about Him. It is about my being a sinful man when it should be about His power and might. Oh Lord make me less that You might become more. Change my mindset that I may always look Heavenward! Through His work on the cross we are washed clean and made worthy to be His heirs and to serve Him for eternity. I must grab hold of this truth and rest in it.
I choose to throw off the fear and the feelings of inadequacy that hinder my service in the army of Lord of Lords. TODAY MAKE ME DANGEROUS! May that be said of us as the body of Christ. The harvest is ready and our world needs the hope of Jesus Christ. May we daily say "Here am I, SEND ME!"
Hasten your kingdom Lord! May we be found giving our all and holding nothing back.
I'll Give (Smalltown Poets)
yesterday i lived for me
and i was so alone as i could be
then i saw you and how you give yourself away
and i want to live for you today
i'll give; i'll hold nothing
i'll give and i'll hold nothing back
my love is a lot like me
wanting nothing less than everything
but i know you're the only love that's true
and only giving makes me close to you
my hands are open, so take what you see
and i keep nothing, hold nothing back for me.
"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" -- coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous! "
"Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me."
How harmless am I? Why am I on the sidelines so often? Get in the game Jason! I greatly desire to be that crisis man, to direct people to the King of Kings, and to change lives for eternity. I know the fear of stepping out in faith has kept me from being the dangerous man I know I should be. Do I not trust Him? The book of Joshua reminds us over and over to "be strong and courageous." Paul says that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2nd Timothy 1:7)
I so often feel inadequate. Why would the God of the universe choose to use me as a crisis man? I am so wretched at times and so impure. How can I yet be considered for His service? It is so easy to become crippled and stagnant when we feel inadequate or incapable. That thinking is all about us and not about Him. It is about my being a sinful man when it should be about His power and might. Oh Lord make me less that You might become more. Change my mindset that I may always look Heavenward! Through His work on the cross we are washed clean and made worthy to be His heirs and to serve Him for eternity. I must grab hold of this truth and rest in it.
I choose to throw off the fear and the feelings of inadequacy that hinder my service in the army of Lord of Lords. TODAY MAKE ME DANGEROUS! May that be said of us as the body of Christ. The harvest is ready and our world needs the hope of Jesus Christ. May we daily say "Here am I, SEND ME!"
Hasten your kingdom Lord! May we be found giving our all and holding nothing back.
I'll Give (Smalltown Poets)
yesterday i lived for me
and i was so alone as i could be
then i saw you and how you give yourself away
and i want to live for you today
i'll give; i'll hold nothing
i'll give and i'll hold nothing back
my love is a lot like me
wanting nothing less than everything
but i know you're the only love that's true
and only giving makes me close to you
my hands are open, so take what you see
and i keep nothing, hold nothing back for me.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Written In Stone
My mother shared the following story with me this morning through an e-mail that recapped the past year in the life of my father. Their joys, hurts, and struggles have been great in 2011. Death has taken loved ones to Heaven. Their bodies have experienced great pain and aches. Their ministry has had many mountains and valleys. Yet through it all they have maintained that joy and the hope of Romans 5 that does not disappoint. They have never stopped serving and putting others first and those things are written in stone. I pray the wind does blow away the pains and struggles that are written in their sand if it be His will. Perhaps His will is that those things in the sand will lead to more things of eternal value that are written in stone and stored as treasures in Heaven. Lord Thy will be done in my life and in the lives of my family and friends. Our stones are full for we are blessed. Continue to give us the grace and courage to let those winds come and wipe clean the sand. May we be found joyful as we seek and serve You. Lord increase our joys as our wills align with Thine.
WRITTEN IN STONE
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.
HE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND, "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE".
THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH.
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED “WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND
AND TO CARVE YOUR JOYS IN STONE.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
To God Be the Glory!
WRITTEN IN STONE
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.
HE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND, "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE".
THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH.
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED “WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND
AND TO CARVE YOUR JOYS IN STONE.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
To God Be the Glory!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Your Grace Is Enough
Sometimes I can't help but laugh at the ways the Lord works. I find myself reading a book and then being immediately challenged numerous times on the very subject the book or the passage dealt with. Only our God has the ability to work such things for His glory. My favorite book of the past year was What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. The main difference between Christianity and other religions is grace in the words of C.S. Lewis. I have been challenged to live out this difference in many ways these past few weeks.
God's grace is evident all around me and in me. It is only by His grace that I am alive. It is by His grace that I have my current job. It is even by His grace that I am single and waiting on the one He has to run the race with me. His grace is sufficient and all I need.
The question then is how do I breathe that same grace into the lives of others? I am far to oft selfish, prideful, and impatient. I like to see the faults in others instead of working on those that exist in my own being. I only like to give grace to those who give it to me. This is the antithesis of Christ's grace. He laid down His life and took up His cross. It was on that very cross as He called to His father to forgive and save the very ones that crucified Him. He forgives over and over no matter how deserving we are. Even more amazing is that He forgets and does not hold those sins over our heads.
The ball is in my court. Romans 12 reminds me that as far as it depends on ME to live at peace with everyone. I can not control the actions of others, but only my own actions and reactions. I can not wait for grace to be given, rather I must give grace and love unconditionally. I must look first to the needs of others. I must humble myself and wait upon the Lord for "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." (Ecclesiastes 7:8). I must remove the plank from my eye instead of focusing on the specks in the eyes of others. As it is written in John 8:6-8, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
It is for God alone to judge. Only He is righteous, pure, and able. That same pure, holy, just, jealous God shows AMAZING grace. May I be found doing the same as a humble servant, made in His image, and for His glory.
Let It Go - Newsboys
You are waiting on a beach
For a healing word to come
Maybe an apology in a bottle
Maybe a flare that says, "I'm sorry."
And the hurting leaves you numb
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You don't understand it
Let it go
You are waiting on a beach
This is where the east meets west
And as another sun sets on your anger
The darkness laughs, as the wound destroys
And it turns your prayers to noise
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won't understand it
Let it go
This bitterness you hide
It seeps into your soul
And it steals your joy
'til it's all you know
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won't understand it
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
Beneath the cross
You hear His words,
"Father, forgive them,"
And you know
You can't understand it
Let it go
Who do you need to forgive (and forget) today? What bitterness are you holding onto? Forgive, forget, and live by the grace that God lavishes upon us. If grace is the difference between Christianity and other religions and yet we do not live it or give it, are we truly any different? Oh that we might breathe grace into the dark and needing world around us. What a pleasant aroma that would be to others and to the glory of the giver of grace and life. His Grace Is Truly Enough!
God's grace is evident all around me and in me. It is only by His grace that I am alive. It is by His grace that I have my current job. It is even by His grace that I am single and waiting on the one He has to run the race with me. His grace is sufficient and all I need.
The question then is how do I breathe that same grace into the lives of others? I am far to oft selfish, prideful, and impatient. I like to see the faults in others instead of working on those that exist in my own being. I only like to give grace to those who give it to me. This is the antithesis of Christ's grace. He laid down His life and took up His cross. It was on that very cross as He called to His father to forgive and save the very ones that crucified Him. He forgives over and over no matter how deserving we are. Even more amazing is that He forgets and does not hold those sins over our heads.
The ball is in my court. Romans 12 reminds me that as far as it depends on ME to live at peace with everyone. I can not control the actions of others, but only my own actions and reactions. I can not wait for grace to be given, rather I must give grace and love unconditionally. I must look first to the needs of others. I must humble myself and wait upon the Lord for "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." (Ecclesiastes 7:8). I must remove the plank from my eye instead of focusing on the specks in the eyes of others. As it is written in John 8:6-8, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
It is for God alone to judge. Only He is righteous, pure, and able. That same pure, holy, just, jealous God shows AMAZING grace. May I be found doing the same as a humble servant, made in His image, and for His glory.
Let It Go - Newsboys
You are waiting on a beach
For a healing word to come
Maybe an apology in a bottle
Maybe a flare that says, "I'm sorry."
And the hurting leaves you numb
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You don't understand it
Let it go
You are waiting on a beach
This is where the east meets west
And as another sun sets on your anger
The darkness laughs, as the wound destroys
And it turns your prayers to noise
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won't understand it
Let it go
This bitterness you hide
It seeps into your soul
And it steals your joy
'til it's all you know
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You won't understand it
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
Beneath the cross
You hear His words,
"Father, forgive them,"
And you know
You can't understand it
Let it go
Who do you need to forgive (and forget) today? What bitterness are you holding onto? Forgive, forget, and live by the grace that God lavishes upon us. If grace is the difference between Christianity and other religions and yet we do not live it or give it, are we truly any different? Oh that we might breathe grace into the dark and needing world around us. What a pleasant aroma that would be to others and to the glory of the giver of grace and life. His Grace Is Truly Enough!
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