Sleep....

As I lie, waiting for sleep
My soul longs for Thee

Thy soul is full of sorrow,
longing to be set free
only by the power of Thee's
one true Son
sent for the transgression of me
and everyone

How could I ever turn from Thee?
How could I ever run from Thee?

There is no hiding, no running, no escape
All will one day see and believe
We must all be prepared for this to come
Until then.... give me strength through your holy son

Life, Death and the Fall of Man

To preface my thoughts, this is my reflection of Romans 5:12-21.

Sin was brought into this world by the transgressions of one man.  Life for man would never be the same after this one sin.  Now hatred, killing, sickness, lust, and many other evils entered this world.  Evils that God never imagined his creation would encounter.  This one transgression brought the fall of man for eternity.

Just as the transgression of one man brought sin into this world the perfect sacrifice of another man ended this reign of sin for eternity.  Sin no longer bounded man because this gift took his transgressions and made them right in the eyes of God.  This one gift erased years of hatred, killing and sickness.  This one gift made man whole again.

One man's gift erased one man's transgression that intern erased all of the world's transgressions past, present and for eternity!!!

Why do we always focus on one man's sin when we could be focusing on one mans perfect gift?  The gift that God gave to save the creation he would die for, that he did die for.

Until next time...

laterDays

Christianity?

What is Christianity anyway?
What does it mean to be a Chrstian?
How is it any different than any other religion?

At first glance... there is no difference, each week millions of Americans go to church, come home, work throughout the week only to repeat that process.  They leave virtually no impact on the world, yet, they still consider themselves to be Christians.  They may even get a little risky and brag about how they are good people because they go to church ever week.  How can that be all that Christianity is?  How can thousands of people do that and then say they are followers of Jesus Christ?

I often find myself in one of these ruts... it usually starts small and then turns into a huge battle of wills.  I often find myself facing some sort of issue that I cannot escape...  Where is God?  Isn't he supposed to rescue me and make everything better?  I mean, I payed my dues you know, I went to church every week and prayed before bed.  At times I even pick up my Bible and read a few verses!

Christianity is different.  Most religions focus on what you do and how often you do it.  They are composed of different rituals you do at different times to gain enlightenment or earn the favor of the gods.  When following Jesus, there is no need to gain his favor, you already have it.  All he wants is for you to love and adore him, to follow him and share the joy of your life with others.  So simple, yet so difficult.

I often find myself trying to buy myself out of a hole of sin by doing good things.  If I just read my Bible and pray for a week I should be good in God's eyes, then I will feel better about myself.... How is that a way to live?

Mark tells us of a time when Jesus was confronted because his disciples were not following the correct religious code.  They had not done the proper washing rituals before eating, (aka--they didn't pray God's blessing on their food before they ate it).  Jesus' reply was brilliant.  He remind the accusers of the contradictions they allowed to take place in their church.  They were allowing men to give money to them over taking care of his parents.

I also think of a time when Matthew recalls one of the greatest sermons ever given.  Jesus speaks of the religious people who pray in the streets for all to see, putting on a show for everyone to see how religious they are....

Today Christianity has become more of a status icon then anything else?  The other day I was watching CNN and they were talking about GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and her husband and how they were "born again" Christians.  What does that even mean?  That is the most unappealing thing I have ever heard?  Sure I may be a "born again" Christian... but I would never go around describing it in that way... It is just a status icon... a way to win the hearts of thousands of American voters....

Christianity started as a man who had a vision, a vision that can and will change the world.  It wasn't an aspect of life, it was a life style, a life choice.  It was something that you chose knowing you would probably die for it.  When the first believers were called Christians in Antioch they were not being complemented.  It was more of an insult, (aka--insert insult here ****).

In the future I hope to accept more of this idea that Jesus is not looking for more religiouly active people, but that he is looking for people who are willing to change their lifestyle and act in ways never seen before.  Reaching people doesn't happen in that hour slot Sunday morning, it happens the rest of the 167 hours that week....

Until next time...

laterDays

Christian Pop-culture?

Christian pop-culture is one of the most interesting contradictions in this world.  For those of you unfamiliar with the idea I will explain.  Please understand that this is my interpretation and is by no means the common ideas held by all Christians.  I have developed my opinion after reading and listening to many of these rock stars that find their homes comfortably in this obscure idea.

I cannot say when this idea became a reality but it is clear that it is now a very big problem in Western Christianity and has allowed the gospel to be molded into a middle class American dream-like reality.  As I read books like "Love Wins" and "Crazy Love" I see the realities of this movement staring me right in the face.

How so?  When I read Francis Chan's take on the gospel in "Crazy Love" I was left with the feeling that my passion for Christ was under par and that Francis had some how discovered the secret to the full fulfillment of a Christ like lifestyle.  His description of awe over the size of the universle seemed like a minimal detail to me.  I felt as if I was missing the point, I questioned if I was truly a follower of Jesus Christ.

As I look at the lives of Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, and many other hotshot Christian leaders I start to feel as if something is missing in my life.  They make being Christian look so easy and fun.  When in reality I battle every day with the thoughts of a life without the burden of the Gospel.  They seem to enjoy their lives of upper middle-class America.  They can sit comfortably in their suburban homes and drink iced while tweet about their children as I sit here and battle for my morals among other things.  These Christian "pastors" live the American high life while writing books and leading thousand plus congregations.  And yet I want to be like them?  What will I gain if I have a life like Rob Bell's?  Believe it or not I see myself preaching like Mark Driscoll... but why?  There are times when Driscoll is an outright jerk from the pulpit.  Their lives seem like just a dream to me, a dream that I will never live.  If my life would go as perfect as I imagine now it would never turn out like theirs.  Where is the Gospel in their lives?  Shouldn't their lives look more like the homeless rejection of Jesus Christ?  A man who gave it all for what he believed in and truly was?

There are only two ways that Christianity can go in this world and we all know it cannot be down so it must be up.  The important question to ask is how is this going to happen?  To be honest, I have no idea.  I don't think I will ever be ready to lead a church, but I know God's guidance will be there.

There are more of you out there, who are frustrated just as I am at what the Christian leaders of today are guiding us into.  How can we make Christianity real without the designer jeans and clever books?  How are we going to respond our commission?  How are we going to LIVE?

Until next time...

laterDays

A Time of Reflection

Yesterday on facebook I posted that I would soon be writing a blog about the Logical Problem of Evil.  However, I don't think I will write about that tonight.  I am not sure what I will write about; I think I may reflect on this past school.  Reflection is one of the best ways to learn and grow.  You get the chance to see where you went right, where you went wrong, ways you can improve and ways to respond more appropriately.  I have a lot to reflect on this year.  I have been challenge in more ways than I can ever imagine.  Let's take a look back on the last year, shall we?

As many of you may know, I am a RA (Resident Assistant) this year.  To not bore you with the details, my job mainly consists of a weekly duty night, being there to unlock guys doors and encouraging community in the resident halls.  I have not exactly had the easiest year either.  I have had to deal with some sticky situation among other things, I have been pushed to my limits and have even stepped over them at times.  I have definitely learned a lot about myself since being in this position.  I think it is safe to say that this has been the most challenging responsibility I have ever taken on.

To any of my guys that may be reading this, I am sorry for being a flat our jerk at times.  I am sorry for snapping or saying things that may have been true but still should not have been said.  I am sorry if I have hurt any of you.  My goal coming into this year was to be a positive influence in all of your lives.  I hope I have at least sort of achieved that.

To anyone who is not on my floor, I would like you to know that this job is not easy.  People have seen me at my absolute worst.  There have been nights when I just wanted to give up completely, but I would go back and do it all again.  If there is one guy on this floor that has been positively effected by me then my effort has not been in vain.  Being in a position of leadership was not easy either.  I was always told by my mom that I was a leader, but she never told me what it took to be a leader.  It is rough, nothing like the movies.  There are many times when I feel like a chicken with my head cut off.  My only way out is remembering that God is my light.

Even as I go into the summer I feel the pressure to decide my own fate.  I wish I could sit here and tell you that I am awesome at giving up control of my decisions and taking God's path, but I'm not.  I still fight him every step of the way.  Yet, I know somehow he is getting me where I need to go.  Somehow he is guiding me down the path of righteousness.   Even when I don't feel him, he is there.

He is always behind all of you as well; following your every step, just waiting to help you along your way.  You just need to let him.  Any of you who have come in contact with me as your RA, somewhere on campus or just through reading my thoughts, I hope that you have seen a small hint of Christ through me.  I hope, despite my failures, that I have still left a positive mark on your lives.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time...

laterDays

Bin Laden's DEAD!!!!

On Sunday, May 1, 2011 at approximately 11:36 p.m. EST President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, announced that the United States Military had indeed killed Osama Bin Laden.  Since this announcment twitter, facebook and many other social networking sites have exploded with praise over Bin Laden's death.  Many are saying that this is the highest moment of Obama's presidency.

What has really been solved by the death of Bin Laden?  What are the chances that our troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan?  Will this really change anything?

Many will praise Obama for years to come because of this moment in history.  He has done what Bush was never able to do; he has finished the war that Bush never could.  Or has he?

How can any man live with the guilt of knowing that he gave the order to take another man's life?  What has he solved by killing Bin Laden?  Did he even care?  I am sickened to live in a country that celebrates death with such joy.

Obama addressed the nations saying, "Justice has been served for the families of those killed in 9/11."  He then ended with, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

..."One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and just for all?"  What was justified by Bin Laden's death?  More killing?!

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but  leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."  -- God has spoken...

College

Hello everyone.  I am coming to the end of my second year in college.  Looking back over these last two years I see how I have changed since starting my college career.  When I came into college I planned on perusing a BS in Youth Ministry.  However, after just one year I realized that was not where I wanted to be.  Something about the Youth Ministry program just did not settle well with me.  It was hard to describe but I knew it wasn't quite where I wanted to be. 

After thinking and praying I decided to switch to the Bible and Religion department.  I am currently pursing a BA in both concentrations (Biblical and Religions Studies).  Why?  It made more sense in my mind.  Something in side of me wanted to be challenged.  Youth min is all about processes and formulas.  With a BA degree I would be challenged to think and create my own opinions and develop these new ideas.

I hear a lot of people that complain about college.  About there school work and taking classes from the Core.  I love taking those courses.  Core classes are were we are challenged, shaped, molded into thinking human beings.  Isn't that what God has created us to be?  We live in all his creation so shouldn't we be thinking about all of his creation?

College is more than a degree.  It is where we learn to think independent of our parents, learn to live on our own, learn to live our own faith and where we learn to learn.

This has been my college experience so far.  Thank you Huntington University.

Until next time...

laterDays

Good Friday?

Today is what Christians call "Good Friday."  The day that Jesus Christ was hung on a cross to die a death that he did not deserve.  The day that our savior died a death of horror...  Why do we call this Good Friday?  What was so good about Christ's death?  It was more like a horrible death.  Good Friday was the darkest day ever.  The one man to walk this earth and never hurt, never lie, never cheat, never kill or never use anyway died an unjust death.  Yet, out of this horrible death came a good.  A good that the High Priest, that Pilate, that even the disciples did not see.  A good that gives all of us the chance we never deserve.  Why then is this day so overlooked?  Why are we not on our knees praising God for the gift that he has given us?  Why aren't our churches full of thankful Christians?

It is as if we are so consumed with our own lives that we miss the point of Good Friday:

NO CLASS!  I need to hurry and get my stuff around so I can get home!  Finally, a day when I can sleep in.  Lets go shopping!  Sometimes I like to picture the world and all the people on this earth, as they busily rush from here to there.  Is there every anytime for rest?

What about when we pray?  What are we asking for?  How much of our prayers are consumed with what God needs to fix in our lives?

I am guilty of all of the above.  I challenge all of you to slow down your busy lives today, tomorrow and Sunday and stop to reflect upon Jesus.  Stop and thank him for what he was done for you.  Thank him for his grace.  Thank him for his patience.  Thank him for his love.  Why not take these next few days to place God's gift center in your mind?  Isn't that what God does for us?

Until next time...

-laterDays