Dust and Cobwebs

I enjoy reading and learning from others, but I must admit my ability to retain and implement lessons that I've learned are often hi-jacked by my laziness. There are those persons that are hardwired towards a type A personality and then there are those like myself. I'm annoyed by "hard" work. I am definitely a product of the popcorn, instant gratification generation. I'm not afraid of working and sometimes I have to participate, but I'm often taken away with the sense that maybe we could be focusing our energies and minds on not working harder but smarter. But this cannot happen without effort. For instance, I've been contemplating restarting a blog for about a year. But it's not until I actually put my hands on the keys of my computer to write that the rambling can begin. And so here I am dusting off the cobwebs of my mind to think about the thoughts I would like to share with those with the boredom or curiosity to read. I understand that work is not itself inherently evil. God worked and works to present before his creation a beauty beyond our comprehension. Even how intricately unique we humans are made is a bit mind boggling and a product of the works and actions of God. We are all so complicated, yet known by our creator. He has sculpted us for himself. We are his workmanship created for him in good works. So maybe it's not the hard work that's the issue, its the "good" hard work. We were not created to work aimlessly to prove to people we are not lazy. But in fact, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.(Eph. 2:10 ESV) So I'll try and grab hold to the reality that God expects my good work, not my hard work. After all what can we add to the goodness of God, but if our work is not a result of the goodness that he has placed inside of all those that confess and believe in his Son Christ as our Savior then it is wasteful, empty, and hollow. JTeverything

Life Stuff

It's funny how growth in our journey brings about different challenges. Several years ago I may have been certain about my future in ministry. But today I'm so confused about what is best and better. God is so awesome in that I know that I can find my rest in him, but he also gives me a sense of restlessness as it pertains to the future. I'm definitely a product of my culture. We so easily run after things that don't satisfy or seem to convince ourselves of the grass being greener only to realize that it wasn't. I'm blessed, and focusing on those blessing helps keep my blood pressure down. If I could only learn how to be content with the now. It's taking sometime but I'll get there. Thanks be to God, who takes cares of fools and babies. And depending on the day that description could pertain to me. Loving life, and it's challenges keeps me in awe of God and the many things he has to teach me. JTeverything

Long time...No write

It's been a very long time since I've been a blogger. But I think I'm ready to get back in the habit. Much has transpired such my last post. I've graduated, switched jobs, left jobs, gotten new jobs and on and on. But through it all, God have been faithful to my wife and I. What can I say, I'm blessed. More news to come. Blog again soon.

Is the church a storage unit, or the Kingdom of God.

I have been thinking lately about my understanding of church and its relationship to life. We as westerners don't quite grasp the concept of kingdom. But one thing that we have done well in America and Europe is collect and store. Almost all across our nation you can find nice buildings with crosses, or even a contemporary space which could be a warehouse turned church. But are we agents of change or storage units. The word of God is very clear that we are to be salt and light, but can we effectively display this in our facilities. I am challenged in my understanding to connect with the world in which I live. May I no longer hide in a building on Sunday to show others the information I have stored in the boxes of my mind. I want to be in a kingdom, not a storage unit.

Seen It, Heard It, But Can You Live It

Sometimes being a Christian can feel like living one huge cliche after another. There are many things that we hear all the time. "Be a witness for Jesus," "Be transformed by Christ," "Be different," "Obedience is better than sacrifice," "Real Men Love Jesus," "Take up your Cross" and so on. Some are these are very biblical and some are just nice statements to validate our fan club. There are many theatrics that can be involved in our religiosity also, lip service, perfect attendance records, and holy fake smiles. But in the grand scheme of our lives what is it that we really accomplish. When we read God's word it is clear in James that if we are hearers of the word only and not doers then we are a like a man who goes to a mirror and then after he leaves forgets what he looks like. Some of us(including myself) live this Christian life hearing, seeing, and reading God's word often. But it never gets to our fingers to application. Our minds are full of things we would say if we had the opportunity to evangelize, but we never do, say, or live these things out.
I have been in and around church all of my life. Christ permeated my heart with the gospel in my 20s. So for a large part of my teenage years I never realized what I was living for, but I knew exactly what to say to sound like I was spiritual and so forth. And even today I have a knowledge and experiential premise of the grace, mercy, and peace of God, but I am reluctant to get past myself to give this knowledge away. There is a book that was written recently called "Live Sent," and I haven't read it yet but I'm convinced that there are more books that talk about living sent than individuals that actually do it. We are all consumed with ourselves, even those of us that seem to have a knowledge of what we are suppose to do. We need those practitioners in the field to give us insight on this Christian walk, but more than anything we need to be gripped by God and his word to obey what it says. Which is often the testimony of these many authors. My confidence is in Christ, and I pray that God would allow me to practice those things that I am convinced are his truths. And that God would use all of those leaders who are living this day in light of that day to be an example to the larger number of us that have seen it, heard it, but aren't gripped by the living of God's true mission for our lives.

JTeverything

4 years ago...

A friend texted me today and told me that I have not updated my blog in a while and that's true. I have allowed busyness to take over my musings and ramblings. But today is a very special time for me and the one I love. Today was actually the first date we had four years ago. I must admit, I was reminded this morning by her and I would have went the whole day without any reflection of my life then. But a lot has changed in 4 years. I guess you can say I am in a time of transition. I am getting married, training for ministry in New Orleans, and don't know how to process it all. Four years ago today started off with a date and my life has never been the same since. God has assured, blessed, broken, directed, guided, and redirected me so that where I am today is by his grace and his mercy. The years have been full of mistakes, but also I have seen him so clear. My bride to be is the very image of Christ and his forgiveness inspite of ourselves. She loves me and all of my hangups and she makes it so easy to love her. Life is filled with ups and downs, and twists and turns. Before my date four years ago I was running away from God's call on my life, and today although I still struggle with complacency and laziness, I can say I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. Truly the safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. I'd be lying if I said it was easy....(layoffs, financial worries, attacks from Satan), but I know I'm in his will. Because around every corner is his peace, and his assurance. It's taken three years for me to get enough courage to know I'm ready for God's best in a bride, and if I knew how much of an impact she would have on my life it would have been sooner. Her relationship with Christ has challenged me to be a better man. God truly is great. And these have been the best four years of my life.

JTeverything

God is Good

Sometimes in life it is very apparent to see how fortunate you have been and that your life isn't really as bad as you think. I didn't grow up in a traditional Christian home and there are things in my past that I wish I could change. But as I look back over my life, I can clearly see God's provision and protection. God is good. God was good. And God continues to be all the more good to me.
I am blessed with a loving mother who sacrificed everything for me and my brother. She never placed a man before us and never allowed us to feel inadequate because we didn't have a father figure in our lives. Both my brother and I had dead beat dads, and even though there is a part of me that longed for a relationship with him I don't allow that to define the man that I am today.
God also continues to be good to me in allowing me to have amazing friendships. I don't know what I would have been without some of the relationships that I have formed. They have truly shaped me into a strong Christian man. And I don't feel judged by them, but loved. And none of my truly close friends have a problem with correcting me and allowing me to think right thoughts about myself and ministry.
And last but certainly not least God has blessed me with the most beautiful, intelligent, Godly woman I know as my future wife. She is the epitome of charm, grace, and virtue. I truly don't deserve such a gift and her love reminds me of the love that God has for the church. She is simply the best thing that has ever happened to me.
God is truly good and worthy to be praised. Thank you God for you hand in my life.

JTeverything