Blank, Blank blanked the blank and the blank.

"Yesterday, Stephen ate the muffins and the broccoli."

The above is a very underwhelming sentence and can easily be ignored or discarded as it does not really contain any vital information.  However, this particular configuration of letters and punctuation is acting a space filler and an example for this lesson in fully understanding an idea through word meanings and sentence structure.

"Yesterday" is an introductory phrase in that it provides important information that applies to the sentence's meaning, setting, and back story.  This particular word is letting the reader know the time that the actions relayed by the statement took place.  So before we learn the action or subject of the sentence, we know the time...yesterday.

"Stephen" is the subject of the sentence.  This means that the whole sentence was created to explain what the subject, Stephen, did.  Subjects are like the bread in a sandwich, while the fillings (actions) and toppings (describers) may change the bread will always be there as the staple.  We are thus learning what action Stephen took that was important enough to be expressed through written communication.

"Ate" is a verb.  Verbs are the action that is being preformed by or to the subject of the sentence.  Verbs give motion to the sentence.  Without this type of word, the subject simply exists without movement or activity..."Yesterday, Stephen."  Yesterday Stephen existed.  While it is important to know what the sentence is about it is equally important to know what is taking place.  The verb choice sets the tone for the idea as words like "decimated" or "ran" bring very different images to mind.

"The muffins and the broccoli" is a phrase known as the direct object.  A direct object answers the "What?" question.  Stephen ate what?  The muffins and the broccoli are the answer.  The sentence can be called complete without a direct object but it would lack possibly vital details.  Yesterday, Stephen ate...a rhino...a hamburger...Manhattan.  I think you get the picture.  Like the verb, the direct object and alter the magnitude of the atmosphere of the sentence.  Eating a rhino is much more epic than eating a hamburger...unless it is a hamburger the size of Manhattan (but that is a different topic).

The fact that I ate muffins and broccoli is not really that big of a deal and possibly not even worth the bits of data that it takes to transport it to you to read.  But the point of this email was not to share my dietary habits with you but to explain and hopefully deepen your appreciation of the power of words and the way in which they are organized.  While the words are simple, the depth is not.

The fact that I ate muffins and broccoli could tell you that I care about getting my vitamins but still enjoy fun food.  It could also imply that the fact that I told you that I ate the food yesterday was so important that I had to put it first...I could have told you the timeline at the end or not at all.  The fact that I am telling what I ate must mean that those muffins and broccoli were a pretty big deal in my life.

The fact that I have spent almost a page over-explaining this whole event to you should make you think that the first sentence of this whole rant most be HUGE in order to be worthy of an entire blog entry...

How about another example.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Where the Women At?

There is a shocking shortage of 20-something women that on are on the roads at the same time that I commute to work and back.

Nothing.  Nada.  Zipporino.

Now this may not seem like a valid concern or even something worth taking notice of but for me it is for many reasons:

1. I am a male.  Being of such gender, I notice that all prospective mates of appropriate age in any situation that I may find myself in.  It is not something that I or any person of the XY model always does on purpose.  It is sort of like how radar picks up the presence any moving object within a certain perimeter...only my objects are women between the ages of 20 and 25 and with a pulse...and it is always working.

2.  I would like to someday get married.  This fact goes beyond the basic ability to detect and identifying possible matches and narrows it to the fact that to usually marry a women...one must meet a women (and no I do not realistically expect to meet my future wife by passing her on the freeway...I am not that dumb...but it could happen and thus reason #1).

3.  It sums up the last month and a half of my life (see explanation below).

We all have expectations for life.  No matter how hard we try or strive to not make plans, we end up making a plan in the process.  Humans naturally like to know what is going to happen, what should happen.  Our lives contain an infinite amount of possibilities for how every single second of our lives could turn out...think about.  At this moment, as you read this, anything could happen.  There is nothing from stopping an elephant breaking free of the local zoo, picking up a bouquet of flowers, and delivering them to you right this instant through the new elephant sized sun light in your house.  Anything could happen...there are no limitations, sure some may say stuff about laws, social etiquette, physics, jail, and other restrictions that determine what we can and cannot experience in our lives.  I am currently writing this piece from my desk at work during my lunch.  Warren Buffet could walk into the office and tell me that he just bought the company and inform me that I am fired because he needs my cubicle for his ferret bungalow.  That could happen...it probably will not, but it could.  Reports of miracles from the news and the Bible give us knowledge that anything is possible despite the supposed restraints.  When there is an infinite God with infinite knowledge in charge of the universe, possibilities are infinite.  THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR "EXPECTED" 74 YEARS OF AVERAGE LIFE.

                                                                  ...but with such unlimited possibilities, we still find expectations.

If my expectations came true I would be currently resting up for my game as a professional football player in my Make Tony Stark Jealous engineering lab where I make the world’s coolest products and with my pregnant Christian model wife…but obviously things do not always go the way we hope.  For me it turned out better than my feeble imagination could conjure.

I wonder if that is how Gideon felt as his defending force was cut from 32,000 to 300 (not exactly up to expectations)…and then he conquered an army of 120,000 (way better than expectations).

How about when Samuel was told to anoint the next king of Israel and finds himself face to face with the strapping first born of Jesse…and God said, “Next.”…seven times until he got to the baby of the family (that is not what he expected)…who became one of the most acclaimed men and kings to ever live (that is not what he expected).

I am in a place that God is bringing me to places beyond my comprehension by taking me places beyond my comprehension.  

I am loving life in a new state, a new city, a new apartment, and a new job.  I am in a place I have never been before and often find myself completely clueless…that is not any easy place for me to be.  I have always prided myself on having answers or a direction or at least something to make up.  God knew that too and has brought me to this place so that I do not know where I am going to end up, but I suppose that that is fun part.

Infinite possibilities with an infinite God…enjoy the ride.  You will probably end up in a place you never expected.

Going Straight Biblical

The 55th chapter of Isaiah has always been one of my favorite sections in the Bible because of its variety.  However, recently it gained a whole to new level of depth and meaning and importance.  Let's see if I can break down just how awesome this chapter is.  I recommend having a printed or digital copy of the Bible open while you read this.

(Warning: Explanations are not be chronological)

Vs 8-9 have been one of the foundation stones for my spiritual life for quite awhile.  Why not?  God is telling us (paraphrased) that we are dumb and He is smart, we know nothing and He has the game plan, we are mortal and He is infinite, we are nothing and He is God and thus...we should trust Him.  I love to make plans for my life (very spiritual and God pleasing plans mind you) that I believe to be a good course of action.  You would think after the first fifteen times that I presented my life script to God and He briefly scanned it, laughed, and asked me why I was trying to write a sketch comedy, that I would figure it out that He knows better than I.  I know you would not trust a three year old to set up your annual budget (otherwise you would end up with large investments in gummy bears and the proud owner of a unicorn ranch...which would actually be pretty cool) so why would you trust YOURSELF to set up your entire life...go to the expert.  Vs 10-11 continues the theme to remind us that God's Word accomplishes EXACTLY what it is supposed to, nothing more nothing less.  The snow and the rain nourish and grow the earth, God does the same for us. Look to Him especially when it makes no bloody sense according to our man (or woman) logic.

Vs 12 might be one of my favorite happy verses in the Bible.  So we are going out in joy and being led by peace strolling through the countryside with all birds chirping on this wonderful day, you know one of the those days that could only be made better if...wait "THE MOUNTAINS AND THE HILLS WILL BREAK FORTH IN TO SHOUTS OF JOY BEFORE YOU AND ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD WILL CLAP THEIR HANDS." How awesome is that!  It always reminds me of the 1940's Disney shorts where the character is strolling along to cheerful whistle music and all this stuff happens.  How can there be anything wrong in the world when you have the mountains singing and the trees clapping (Boom...clapping to music while praising is Biblical...the trees say so).  Life is a joy.  Life is a blessing.  You exist in God's love...that right there is enough.  Nothing else matters.  When you feel low remember that Pikes Peak is swaying back and forth belting out a Southern Gospel hymn while the Redwoods are using their limbs to throw down a mean syncopation because...their God reigns and He is glorious and worth getting excited about.  Repeat: OUR GOD IS WORTH GETTING EXCITED ABOUT.  Focus on the blessings.  Life is amazing.

We spend our money on really dumb stuff.  Why do I have three toaster ovens?  Do I need a fully body massager for my dog?  What is the point of owning thirty-seven t-shirts?  Answer: Cause you problems; Heck no;  There is not one.  Vs 1-2 is a cry to not waste our time or resources.  We spend money on stuff that does not matter.  How is your 401k going to treat you in heaven?  Guess where your vintage dress collection goes when you die?  Goodwill.  The earth is temporary.  Jesus wants us to "Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good and delight yourself in abundance."  People always talk about those missionaries that go into dangerous places or people who pray four hours a day or believers that give away 90% of their income...and call them "radical" or "crazy" or "unbalanced".  Would you rather spend an extra hour on a school or work project that will be forgotten by next year or spend that hour building up your treasure in heaven for the REST OF ETERNITY?  I read a story in "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan about their where at his daughter's play and he asked his mother-in-law if she was enjoying the play and she responded, "I would rather not be here."  When he asked why, she said, "I just don't know if this is where I would want to be if Jesus came back.  I could be ministering to the poor, preaching to strangers, or in my room praying."  Our first reaction might be something along the lines of "Crazy old bat", "She has nothing better to do with her life", or "She is too spiritual".  Maybe you should read verse two again.

6 and 7 brings us back down to earth, again.  Repent.  We are all dirty sinners.  Period.  Finito.  We all have issues and problems.  We are all broken.  We are dirt.  We are worthless.  It is easy to get on our high horse and compare our righteousness to that person down the street.  You are right...you haven't raped anyone...congratulations.  Good work on not murdering anyone.  Do you want a gold star?  The problem is the comparison reference point.  Jesus, never sinned perfect Son of God who died on the the cross and conquered death for the salvation of every man, women, and child that ever lived and would live,...Jesus...is the standard...how righteous are you now?  How is that self-worth and sense of entitlement doing?  You deserve nothing.  But God says, "Seek the Lord...call upon Him...and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."  We are redeemed and set free.  We are given worth by that perfect being that died on the cross.  Live in appreciation.

This last section is the new one.  I have read it before but current life circumstance have made it...well...real.  Vs 5 freaks me out and makes me uncomfortable.  Here is why:  "Behold, you will call a nation you DO NOT KNOW, and a nation WHICH KNOWS YOU NOT will run to you, BECAUSE of the Lord your God...for He HAS GLORIFIED YOU."  Usually change occurs through hard work, connections, investing time, planning, outreach, and other generally tangible methods...usually that is how life works.  That just got thrown out the stinking window.  God is going to bring entire nations TO us that we have never met before...to us for what?  To preach the gospel and glorify His name.  Imagine walking outside your door to get the paper and an entire African tribe is sitting their, 300 strong, waiting for you to tell them about Jesus.  Intimidating right?  You ask why are they here and they respond, "God told us to come to you."  BOOM.  All self-accomplishment out the window...AGAIN.  GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE AND MASTER OF EVERY ATOM HERE, NOW AND FOREVER, HAS GLORIFIED YOU, THE KNOW THE KNOW NOTHING MORTAL THAT CANNOT TIE THEIR SHOES WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL, SO THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER HEARD OF YOU AND YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THEM WILL COME TO YOUR DOORSTEP LOOKING FOR THE LIFE GIVING WATER OF THE LOVE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Are you getting the scope?  That kind of pressure and responsibility and lack of control is well...unearthly.  God is using us to reach the lost, heal the broken, and save the sinners.  We are not equipped or qualified but He "glorifies" us to make it work.  I am intimidated by the nations that I do not know but understand to be coming down the pipes.  Just be willing to show up and rely on Him.  You have the opportunity effect eternity with how you interact with strangers everyday that God has brought into your life...and there are no coincidences.  God plans all

I have no answers, just a passion to see the world on its knees before my God.

God Bless

Haiti

I just got back from two weeks working with orphans in Port-au-Prince, Haiti so I figured I had better give a summary of what God did there and what I heard and saw:

We live in a broken world.  Jesus is awake and live.  Our Lord God reigns.

Here is the website for Faith Mission International, the organization that I went with and my father works with, if you are interested in more information about their work or are interested in being apart of supporting this ministry through donations, prayer, or being a member of a team.

www.fmi-haiti.org

Blessings.



Wait...that is it?  You spent two weeks in one of the most impoverished locations in the world that is crippled by Satanic Voodoo and you write three short sentences?  It takes you at least four run-on sentences just to explain how you feel after a nap.  Where is the long, wordy text?  Where are the stories of how God broke you in every aspect of your faith and life?  How you experienced mornings where you could not talk to people for fear of blowing up at them from sheer annoyance and internal turmoil?  Not even a mention of the battle with the personal demons of pride and jealousy for a full week in relation to team members and leaders?  The absolute squaller in which a majority of the country lives that involves living in houses made of other people's trash and eating garbage?  To work with kids who were thrown in latrines by their parents due to the lack of interest or children that will probably never feel a loving embrace their entire lives?  You have to share your heart with these people, Stephen...the need to know what God is doing in you and in Haiti.  If the spiritual and emotional trials are too tough to share...go somewhere else.  They at least deserve a good story of a pant-less three year old boy in the tent city grabbing the newly unwrapped Nerf football and running screaming all the way throw the tents with the ball above his head as fifteen Americans watched.  Share the joy that comes from dance battles in which the winner is the first to remove the hat from the head of the other, playing basketball on a broken basketball hoop in 105 degree heat, cramming 47 people on a 24 capacity short bus for a two hour ride, or standing on the beach as orphans sing the praises of the ONLY Father that truly loved them.  What about the infants at the hospital that sat in stimulation-deprived comatose that later smiled and repeated words because someone took them time to care?  The botched projects that resulted in two hours of time with only the smile of an appreciative boy and a pile of splintered wood to show as a product?  The passion with which people in this country praise their God, no matter their economic or physical situation?  Tie in a important bible verse like Matthew 28:18-20, 'And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ' where God showed you that He has all authority and He will never leave and we are to spread His love to ALL nations.  SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE THAT OUR GOD IS NOT DEAD AND THAT HE HAS ALREADY WON THE WAR AND NO MATTER THE CORRUPTION OR DEVASTATION OR THE PAIN OR THE FEAR OR THE DOUBT, HE WILL ALWAYS REIGN HERE, IN HAITI, IN AFRICA, IN EUROPE, ON EARTH, IN THE MILKY WAY, AND IN EVERY CREVICE OF THE UNIVERSE OUR GOD IS ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN AND THUS WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.  Tell them that...tell them what your Heavenly Father has laid upon your heart.  Tell them of our inadequacy to handle life and all its issues.  Tell them that you have no idea what you are supposed to do with your life next year, next month, next week, or even tomorrow...but right now your God reigns and you know that Bible tells you that he has already won so we are to take joy in HIS victory.  Tell them.

Nah...I'm good...sometimes a few words say all that is needed.

We live in a broken world.  Jesus is awake and alive.  Our Lord God reigns.

Freedom Verse

Why is it that we never ask God what He would want from our life?

Instead we toil day after day in the meaningless pursuits like those of a fife.

Everyday we try to claim another piece of this world for ourselves, a continuous struggle,

But in the end we just end up as another muggle.

Part Christian and part worldly man and thus missing the point,

For a man that is only part Christian, is no Christian at all, not a single joint.

It is absolute dedication that our Heavenly Father demands from us,

Our heart, our soul, our successes, and our failures…this is not a band wagon or party bus.

Galations 2:20 says that it is no longer I who lives but Christ that lives through me,

It is the very abandonment of self identity that will actually set you free.

Free from  bondage and worry and helplessness and doubt and eternity in isolation,

The opportunity to live in unison with the very ruler of this entire population.

I have never really been excited about living forever in heaven,

Singing in robes and floating on clouds forever is as thrilling as bread without leaven.

But while I may not be amped for what I know about the above,

I am ready to live in eternity with the One Holy Dove.

Because I know the joy and peace and love that resides in me and my soul,

If heaven is the source of this goodness, I don’t want just part, I want the whole.

The song says that there is power in the blood of Jesus Christ the Lord,

It is that power that allows smile each day and not slam my head against a board.

God saved you and me.  He saved us through the abandonment of Himself, His Son,

Don’t you think that He deserves credit for everything that we have ever done?

My heart is my testimony for the reason that I died to live in service of Jesus,

What is your reason?  But please don’t keep it just between us.

America

Last night I had the privilege of driving and accompanying my elderly neighbor to a "Patriotic Musical" at a enormous church in Wichita, KS.  I was not sure what to expect but she was pretty excited so I settled on anticipation.

In the midst of a 80 person choir, 15 person orchestra, gymnast, professional videos, thousands of waving miniature American flags, smoke machines, confetti, thousands of red, white, and blue balloons dropping from the ceiling, taps, altar call (did I mention that all participants were decked out in patriotic clothing?), and the playing of many great American classics ("Yankee Doodle", "Proud to Be an American", "Hymn of the Old Republic", etc), I got concerned.

The main focus of the evening was on our service men and women, their families, and other "heroes" in our country.  I was is in no way concerned about the people whom they were honoring, for they deserve it, or their proclamation of their gratitude to have the freedoms that a residence in America allows.

I grew concerned when the following phrase was used: "America, the greatest Christian nation in history".

I enjoy my rights in America and recognize America's past and efforts to serve and reach out to the world.

I simply would not extend the title of "Christian Nation" to today.  America is no longer a Christian nation.  Here is my reasoning:

The previous title insinuates that the nation is led by its Christian beliefs: no.
Policies and laws reflect the Christian beliefs: no.
Citizens work to make sure that policies and laws reflect the Christian beliefs: no.
A majority of the nation claims Christian belief: maybe...and acts accordingly: heck no. (There is a difference between surveys of people and church attendance and life application)
Media, entertainment, popular culture, and clothing reflect such beliefs: no.
The love of Jesus permeates the very social, economic, and behavioral fiber of the nation: no.
Etc.

Call me a hater or in a bad mood but America has come along way from "one nation under God" and "In God We Trust".  I do not want to rag on what is wrong with America...I want to rag on what it CAN be.  The foundations of this country were established on the cornerstones of faith and love.  I know times have changed and things just are not that simple anymore...why not?  People are still people, politicians are still politicians (and sometimes people), and neighbors are themselves.  Things have not really changed that much really...just more technology and a bigger spiritual gap to fill.

I love America.  I am proud to be an American.  But I do not want to be so nostalgic that I think only of the Western exploration and WWII triumphs.  I also do not want to be so apathetic that I just complain and do nothing.  The afore mentioned evening was one of celebration and probably not the best time for the pastor to get all serious and gloomy, but we still must be aware.  Look at the statistics.  Look at your neighborhood.  Look at yourself.

This is our land.  We are God's people.  This is God's land.  We are God's nation.

Now...taking back lost ground is not easy.  There will be embarrassments, harassment's, and failures along the path of proclamation.  I AM NOT ENCOURAGING MILITARY ACTION OR POLITICAL REVOLUTION.  I want us to revolt with our lives.  Be what you want this country to be.  Address problems in communities and people.  Reach out to the hurting.  Comfort the needy.  Protect the weak.  Be a hero.  DO SOMETHING CRAZY.

This 4th of July, remember where you came from and look forward to where God wants to take you.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.
                                                                        1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) 

What is Love?

" What is love?  Oh, baby don't hurt me.  Baby don't hurt me no more.  Oh, baby don't hurt me.  Baby don't hurt me no more.  What is love?  Yeah...oh, I don't know why you're not there.  I give you my love, but you don't care.  So what is right and what is wrong...gimme a sign.  What is love?  Oh, baby don't hurt me.  Baby don't hurt me no more.  What is love?  Oh, baby don't hurt me.  Baby don't hurt me no more."    -What is Love? by Haddaway

What is love?  People have been asking such a question since the world began.  Even this one hit wonder could not seem to figure out.  He has no idea what love is but he does know that he does not want to be hurt.  This song may be simply be a nostalgic glimpse into some of our pasts but I believe it also proclaims a prophetic statement of our humanity.

We want love but we get lost on where to find it.  We attempt to pour out "love" yet are not sure if what we are doing is correct...we are looking for a sign.  And as we as mortals reach out with one hand for an embrace we hold the other up in defense in case the quest for love does not go well...in case the other person "does not care".  What a sad existence...always longing for acceptance and confirmation of worth but always remaining on guard for failure.

What is love?

Will we ever know?

The last week of my life consisted of watching 66 kids between the ages of 5 and 11 screaming out this question.  "What is love?  Yeah...oh, I don't know why you're not there.  I give you my love, but you don't care."  I spent a week at camp for kids that have been sexually, emotionally, or physically abused.  "So what is right and what is wrong...gimme a sign.  What is love?"  These kids have spent their entire lives looking for love in a world in which those that were charged with loving them have shirked that responsibility.  They are looking for anything to which they think might bring them the answer to their question.  Acting out, sexual expression, physical dominance...after all...what is love?

This question not only rang out for the kids but the staff and counselors...what is love?  Where does it come from?  How is it expressed?  As I work to understand the meaning of love and what it is...all I know is that the only thing that I can hold on to is the ultimate example of love.  Our world has shown us many different ways to show love...even the Bible can be confusing in its expression...so I just choose to focus on the concept.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!  For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11 (NIV)

Now you know...live accordingly.

Squiggles

Words are the way in which we as humans primarily communicate.  We also use non-phonic methods such as gestures, body language, and guttural sounds but it is the words that, for those speaking English, are formed from the twenty-six different symbols that we call letters.  It is extremely arbitrary if you think about it.  Our entire system of communication if based upon choosing random squiggles, designating a sound to that squiggle, putting the squiggles into groupings, and then giving those groupings meaning.  "Elephant" could have just as easily been spelled "Asqtinfi".  A "pencil" could have been "stomachache".  The whole thing is so simple and un....unsolid.  Yet it controls everything that we do.  Prolonged expression of squiggle groupings have started and ended wars.  The lack of the expression has done the same.  "Love" is the word that God has chosen to use His unending, unconditional, unquantifiable care and protection and passion and affection for us...we also use it to talk about our favorite Skittle color.  Depending on when or where you grew up the meanings of words change.  Being "Bad" is not always so awful.  "Freedom" does not mean lack of responsibility.  "Fatherhood" is not disposable.  We all look at words and meanings differently.  I think that is what makes cultures so vibrant is the ability of its citizens to continuously expand and explore and grow.  God does the same thing with His Word and the Bible.  He wants us to explore who He is and who we are to worship and serve Him...but just like exploration can be beneficial, one can never forget where they came from.  Words can also gain or lose their power depending on who is presenting them and how they are doing it.  "Hands in the air" is taken differently depending on whether a child or a policemen is speaking.  Many of us do based solely on the presence of the person that is telling us what to do.  I am a Christian and believe in the God as my savior because the God of the universe said so.  It all depends on the authorities that we respect, if we even consider them authorities.  Humans often determine the value of words and concepts on how they view the person.  Researchers once had two men of similar age and education experiences, one with a British accent and another a Southern accent, read a speech to an audience.  Both speeches were identical in content.  Listeners were later asked to choose which man was more educated and provided better information.  People overwhelmingly chose the British man.  The British man was deemed smarter because of how he was perceived.  The audience automatically shut out the words of the other man because they deemed him to not be an "authority".  We pigeon hole people and their messages based on the words and language that they use...especially when it makes us uncomfortable.  Man does not like to hear they are wrong and thus jump to conclusions and actions because of it.  Words are powerful.  They have the ability to heal and destroy.  Do not judge someone or ignore their words purely because of age, gender, wealth, education, word choice, or personal injury.  Be open.  Ask questions.  Know the motives and concepts behind the words for after all...words are just squiggles.

James 3:3-12 (NIV)
³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Paradoxicalness

It is sort of confusing.

I was once an engineering major looking towards a career as a design engineer with a Research and Development department.  Two years later, I was called by God to minister to youth.  I was then an engineering major looking for a youth pastor job with a distaste for my previous engineering dream.  Two years later, I turned down a youth pastor job and accepted a design engineering job with a Research and Development department.

Poop.

Welcome to my paradoxicalness.

Now one may ask, what would make a fairly sane (go with me) man with above average intelligence in his early twenties to live with such reckless abandon?

God.

Yes...God.

God made me do this sort of crazy life choices...and the funny thing is that I am okay with it.

You may say, "Stephen, you have been jerked around like a rag doll and made to make such idiotic life decisions.  Why are you okay with this?"

Because I'm a dude...and He is God.

(Awkward Silence)

"So you just summed up the explanation for the activities of the last four years of your life with: 'Because I'm a dude...and He is God'?"

Yup.

"Really?  All the major decisions in your life...dude...God?"

Yup.

"Sure?"

Yup.

"Alright."


¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.                                Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 

A Moose Named Greg

The moose was confused.  He had left his pile of pineapples under the licorice tree not ten minutes ago and now they were gone.  The moose, also known as Greg, could not fathom this recent occurrence.  He had been saving his toenail clippings for almost two weeks so he would have enough to trade with the blind goat at the market for some of his famous pineapples.  Greg was never sure what the near-sighted ram did with all the clippings but he knew he liked what he got in return.  (For those that do not know of the pineapples in question, these were Pepscue Pineapples.  Pepscue Pineapples grew only on the underbelly of a particular elephant named Frieda.  Frieda has the first and only recorded case of Pepscuitis.  Pepscuitis results in the infected to ooze a slimy green mucus that had the strong smell of toe jam and mint but contained the needed minerals and nutrients to support the rare Pepscue Pinapples.  The blind goat, ironically, knew where to find Frieda.)  So here was Greg out two weeks worth of toenail clippings and a pile of Pepscue Pineapples.  He was altogether distraught at the whole situation which is understandable.  After all, Pepscue Pineapples are the rarest pineapples in the world (see above "parenthesized" explanation) but taste oddly of sweaty sock juice which Greg finds delicious.  

So Greg was now confronted with the dilemma of what to do next.  He wanted to find his beloved pineapples but he could abandon his kids (Greg is currently the adoptive father of a nest full of light blue eggs, surprisingly the exact size of billiard balls.  He is the nurturing type.).  Thus Greg did what any loving father would do when faced with a choice between family and food: he improvised.  He scooped up the nest into his antlers and went in search his pineapples.  Not an hour later, Greg found his Pepscue Pineapples moving across the forest floor, yes moving.  Obviously shocked, he scampered over to his mobile snack (taking great care for the little lives on his head naturally).  Greg saw upon closer observation that the pineapples were being carried across the forest floor by an army of Bolivian Jelly ants (great on toast).  Being a peaceful and logical animal, Greg, now grateful for those two semesters of Bolivian in college, struck up a conversation with the produce laden insects.  Come to find out, the ants were simply hungry and had found these food orbs laying on the ground.  They had taken them because they did not believe them to belong to anyone.  When Greg offered to provide them with some berries on the top of a nearby bush as a trade, the ants were more than willing to oblige   The trade was made, the ants continued on, and Greg turned around to go home.

As stories of this nature tend to go, at that exact moment the eggs on top of Greg's head began to hatch.  Greg excitedly put the nest (which was resting next to the recovered Pepscue Pineapples in his antlers) on the ground and watched with anticipation.  Greg could not wait to meet his kids.  The eggs continued to crack into a variety of spider web shapes.  One of the tops of the eggs suddenly popped off and Greg came face to face with the newest member of his family.  Greg then realized, with a slight grin, that he was the proud father of five baby Blue Pinch-toed Pygmy Rhinoceroses.


1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)
⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
⁶ There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.




We have all been given different gifts.  We all have the same God.  One of my gifts is creativity.  What's yours and how are you using it to glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Community

Community...community.......community..........comm...unity.

I used to believe I knew what this word meant.  I mean I have been a Christian almost my entire life and Christians are supposed to have a lock on community.  The Acts 2 Church was built upon the concept of sharing and "community".  Eccl. 4:9 and Gal 6:2 take of encouragement and supporting one another in case one falls.  The Bible is chalk full of references to the "community" term.  Look at Jesus and the disciples...they did everything together...they were living in great community.

But what is community?

I thought I knew.  That is until last week.  I visited my sister in Wichita and was sharing some of my frustrations with the ministries I was involved in and how I felt that I was called to take these responsibilities on by myself because no one else would...I am not sure why I expected compassion and empathy from her (if you know Rachel Cheek you understand), but the answer I got was this, "Stephen, you stink at community.  Do you ever feel superior to those that serve?".  I am in the midst of a first class wallow session and that is what she busts out.  Context: Rachel and her husband live within three blocks of four of her closest friends from college.  Every Monday, 14+ people come over to her house and she makes them gourmet food (it is called "Happy Food").  They will spend entire weekends just sitting around someone's house eating, sleeping, reading, playing games, and abiding in "community".  

It was in this context that I got my first wake up.  Fast forward one week.

I went to visit the other sister in Marian, KS who was due with her first baby.  The little stinker decided not to come while I was there but I spent a couple days with my brother who is attending Tabor College (ten minutes from Marian).  Every Monday, he and a bunch of friends lead a men only worship time on campus with music, small groups, a lesson, man hugs, and communion.  I have been before but this time was different partly due the previous weekend.  As the evening progressed, I just sat there.  My soul and body was not comprehending was going on around me.  Six different guys lead the six different parts of the service.  Silas, my brother, organized the event but did nothing during the actual service.  He was free to just sit and be ministered to by those around him.  For an hour and a half, I sat there in the basement of an old church watching this body of believers carry and support each other.  Attendees were praying with and FOR the leadership team.  There was no head guy or "pastor"...everyone was a pastor.

I sat there in spiritual confusion.  I rather painfully realized that I had no personal precedence for what I was witnessing.  Never in my life have I seen community so lived out in ministry.  I love to minister to others but that is what it is...me ministering TO others.  I have always been in charge, guiding and leading.  I was in awe.

So what is community?  What is God calling us to when He speaks of it?  What are WE meaning when we talk about?  Do we even know?  My definition of living together is scrapped.  After several confusing days, this is the best that I got:

Community is when a body of believers grow as one...body.  The head my think of ideas and encourage movement of the limbs but it is reliant upon the hands to feed it and the muscles to move it.  The feet may feel burdened by the weight of the whole body but that is when the butt shares the responsibility by sitting.  It is not an almighty pastor over a dumb congregation, it is in the words of the musketeer's "All for One and One for All".

I guess I really do not much; the last two weekends can pay atonement to that.  I am currently searching for answers, and pray that you would also be open to what God may be saying to you about how you are living and serving.  Is it solo or supported?  I have had the wrong perspective for years.  God wants us near Him...serving Him...with Him.  He is God...He does not any show-offs.  Just be.  Abide in His presence and His Community.

God Bless.

Change the World

This "rant" is not so much biblical and just a lot of Stephen "Ranting".

People who work with kids and youth but do not know how to work with kids and youth but continue to do such work because they think that they what is best for kids and youth when they actually want make the kids and youth do what the people thinks is best for them...tick me off.

We live in an era of the church where youth programs have become very distinct and often separated from the rest of the church.  Some ideas are that it is better this way so that the kids can be fed their own way and the adults can keep things their way.  Win-win right?

I have purely enjoyed my time as a youth group sponsor, seen the benefits of a great sponsor and program, and seen the hurt and frustration from a bad one (both from the perspective of a sponsor and as a youth).  Youth group is that special time of the week where kids are the #1 priority.  There are no committees or task forces or bulletins, just rocking for Jesus at their level.  It is incredible to see these kids open up when the realize that someone cares.

The wrenches in this beautiful set up comes when the church either overemphasizes the separation of the ages or undermines the separation without proper integration.

Case #1: When a church decides that kids should be seen and not heard in the church, that equals bad.  They start to assume that now that there is this special time for the youth to be ministered to, nothing about Sunday morning worship has to be for the youth.  They get their time so adults should get there time.  Adults push down the voice of the youth in church matters, theological discussions, and ministering goals because they are just those kids over there.  It is at this point that the negativity and resentment of the church towards the youth begins to seep into the isolated youth program and affects that ministry as well.  The results are an unhealthily separated church with negative and resentful youth that are not a part of the church and thus will leave it.

Case #2:  The other side is when churches choose to have no separation between their adult and youth ministries.  This idea appears when the adults of a congregation decide to turn youth time into their time.  No longer is this set aside time of age appropriate ministry squashed but no new place is made for them with the rest of the church.  I have seen several churches that do not have separate youth programs but they actively involve the kids in the service.  The church is for everyone, and everyone is fed differently.  The church can only thrive if it is willing to involve all of its members, no matter their ages.

I am passionate about youth.  Most anyone who knows me knows this.  I have been blessed with many gifts that I believe that God has called me to use for youth ministry.  They are the future of this world and Christianity.  If people continue to ignore their voice, both will die.

I in no way have meant to offend anyone through this writing, but just know that it is the church's responsibility to take care of its children.  You do not need to agree with me but please be willing to open your heart to hear the voice of those that may be different.  People and society change, if the church is not willing to adjust with the people that it serves, things are going to get really ugly really fast...but if it is willing to adjust...

if the church is willing to look beyond tradition and norms to meet the needs of the people that walk through their doors and are waiting behind the doors of their community, the can change the world.

Closed minds: world dead to morality and faith
Open minds: world on fire for Christ

We chose the course.

What a Cheater

1 Chronicles 14:13-17 (NIV)
¹³ Once more the Philistines raided the valley;
¹⁴ so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
¹⁵ As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army."
¹⁶ So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
¹⁷ So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.




What a cheater.  I am serious...the Philistines made a totally fair tactical move in attacking, and David decided that he was too good for the most basic rules of dignified warfare.  "so David inquired of God"...I MEAN COME ON.

Um, Mr. Teacher, um...I don't know the answer this question on the test, could you just tell me?

What nerve.  I know David killed Goliath and all but that does not give him the right to be so darn arrogant.  And the worst part is that God TOLD HIM.  God gave David a test to measure his abilities and then just totally caves the first time that David asks for assistance because the situation seems a little "difficult".  God should not facilitate such behavior.  David needed to learn that he could not just come crawling back to God EVERY TIME some foreign power came to destroy his people and family.  Where is the lesson learning?  Tough love?  How is David supposed to work on his battle strategies if God just tells him what to do every time?

Heavenly Daddy's Boy.

It just is not fair.  The rest of us have to go through life without "answers".  We just have to guess if what we are doing is right.  There is no "Almighty Omnipotent Creator" for us to run to whenever life gets hard.  NOOOO...we HAVE to do it OURSELVES.

But I am glad.  I am so much more independent and free and in control.  I can totally take all the credit for all  my achievements and successes because I did with my own two hands.  Sure, I may be more lost at times than "Mr. I Have God to Help Me Out", but I call those learning experiences.  All those emotionally, mentally, and physically scarring experiences just teach me how view and handle the world.  They show people that I AM TOUGH AND STRONG.  I DO NOT NEED ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE I CAN DO IT BY MYSELF...I can do it by myself...I am fine.............I do not need anyone..................I am free..........


Mr. Teacher.....can I have some help?  I do not know how to do this.

Coffee?

Would you like some coffee?

Common enough question with two basic answers: yes or no.  I personally would choose the latter, but for the purpose of this illustration working we are going to have to pretend that the response was yes and thus the ever necessary follow-up question is required:

How do you take it?

Apparently there is more than one form which you can pour "devil juice" into your body, but anyways...coffee comes in many forms.  You can get the frew-frew stuff that is basically caramel, sugar, and syrup with coffee vapors wafted over it and thus called coffee.  Or you can get it so that you might as well be eating moist coffee grounds.  Along there are those that drink everything in between the two extremes; those who drink coffee know exactly what I am referring to.

Now, between the various coffee forms lies a sort of rivalry.  The "frew-frew"ers feel sophisticated and elite due to the prettiness and expense of their coffees.  The "ground"ers look down upon their fellow "coffee" drinkers...wimps.  They don't drink coffee...the drink flavored water.

While we may offer coffee to friends and strangers, we unwittingly offer another source of "life-giving nectar".  The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate morning, noon, and night pick me up (kind of like how some of you drink your coffee...just get an IV).  Through our lives, actions, and words we offer the Gospel to those that we interact with.  Unconsciously, intentionally, or whatever else, it happens every second of every day.  But along with coffee comes the ever important question:

How do you give it?

Unlike coffee, you are giving the Gospel and not receiving, but the consistency is still important.

John 3:16, Romans 3:23, and the rest of scripture gives us a very strong, bold, flavored existence.  Sins are sins right.  Murder is is murder, rape is rape, and unbelievers go to hell.  Simple, right?  Well, hating your brother is murder (1 John 3:15), lust is adultery (Matthew 5:28), homosexuality is an abomination (Leviticus 20:13)...still simple?

What kind of "coffee" do you offer?  Are you offering a strong, bold, rich example?  Or some watered down wannabe?  Are people actually energized and refreshed by the fullness of what they consume or does just more comfort and pride come?  The strong stuff is often to bitter of most.  It is offensive and hard to swallow.  You do a person a disservice by giving them anything less than what the source provides.  They will only continue to wallow in their own misery and dissatisfaction.

For those who have not figured it out yet, I am not talking about coffee any more.

You offer life to the world (the comparison to coffee works here for some).  Why cheapen it?  Why water it down for political correctness or friends?

What kind of coffee to you serve?  Better yet...

                                                                              how do YOU take it?

Attacks from Within

Chose the written or spoken version.
Spoken Version: Attacks from Within

Failure.  Loser.  Waste of Time.  Waste of Space.  Disappointment.  Child.  Useless.  Inadequate.

These are the words that many of us hear everyday.

It may be from the mouth of a boss or coworker.  Maybe from our children or family.  Possibly even the occasional stranger.  However odds are that most of the time when we hear these words are the whispers from within.

You probably hear the words "Failure" and "Inadequate" uttered in your subconscious more than any other source.  I personally believe that the internal utterance is much more difficult to deal with.  We are our own toughest critic.  If we are told by a boss that we are a waste of space, it is possible to process by realizing "That is his opinion.  I do not like his opinion but I know I can work harder in the future.  His opinion does not affect me."  Now in no way am I ever suggesting that the words and opinions of others do not affect us.  The opinion of society, friends, and others is actually one of the main controlling forces in our lives and is often the reason that find ourselves not doing what we are supposed to be doing in the first place.

What I am saying is this:  when the idea of "inadequacy" comes from within, you perceive it as your own personal opinion.  The blockade of self-esteem is no longer there to protect from incoming attacks.  This assassin is already inside your heart, mind, and soul wearing you down until there is nothing left except, "I am inadequate."  This is the danger of the whispers.  The whispers get projected as the opinions of others as well.  It is no longer just you being hard on you, but every person you pass is now "disgusted" by you.  Nobody can even look you in the eye.  You just know that they talking about you when you not around.  You can feel their disappointment radiating off of them like light from the sun.  There is nothing for you to do; there is no purpose for you to be around.  It would be better if........

Many get caught in this downward spiral because they believe that those whispers are coming from themselves.  They are not.  They come from only one person...Satan.  The Lord of Deceit and Deception.  His job 24/7 is to haunt you and pick at you and nag you and nudge you and whisper lies to you.  And he is very good at his job; world and personal history can attest to that.  "Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?" (Ps 43:5)

But here is the answer:  "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God" "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (Ps 43:5, 2 Cor 5:17).

You know what, Satan is right.  We were useless, inadequate, undeserving, and failures, but the old is gone and the new has come.  We are glorious shining lights of God's love.  WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE. Our hope rests in him alone.

So when you hear those whispers, internal or external, it is just Satan trying to get you to forget who you are and your worth.  It is not a joking matter, but it is funny when you compare what we have to what is attacking us.

Hope in the Lord.

Direction to the Wall

I am not sure why God does the things that He does.  I suppose it has something to do with His Omnipotent, All-Powerful Sovereignty...or something.

I find myself at point in life where I can go just about anywhere and do just about anything.  Sad thing is that I am not being sarcastic or exaggerating.  The even sadder thing is that I find that frustrating.  I am currently reading two books, "Experiencing God" and "Circle Maker".  Both focus on how we as people interact with God through life and prayer.  I have found the books encouraging and frustrating.  I love the insights that they offer to God, but...let me give you an example.

"Circle Maker" focuses on prayer, big prayer.  It is written by a pastor that took a 15 member church in Washington D.C. to the of the nation's biggest and fastest growing churches with over 10 campuses in about 15 years.  The book revolves around the experiences of this church's growth.  The writer encourages the reader to "pray circles around things".  To keep praying until you get an answer.  To pray with authority to God knowing that He has laid it upon your heart to pray for such things.  The pastor even says that praying for small things insults God.  Again, I greatly appreciate the push to pray big knowing that we have a big God, but...let me give the story the book title is based on.

On one occasion when God did not send rain well into the winter (it rains mainly in the winter in Israel), Honi drew a circle in the dust, stood inside of it, and informed God that he would not move until it rained.  When it began to drizzle, Honi told God that he was not satisfied and expected more rain; it then began to pour.  Honi explained that he wanted a calm rain, at which point the rain calmed to a normal rain.

Honi told God what he wanted.  I love this story because it reminds me of the power that comes from the service of and personal relationship with God and the miracles that can happen when you believe.  But what about this...what if God wanted the famine to continue?  What if God wanted there to be hardship so that the people would learn reliance upon Him?  FLIP SIDE: What if God wanted Honi to pray that prayer so that Israel could be shown the might of the All-Mighty?  What if God so respects the requests of His Faithful that He changes His will to meet said prayers?

Do you get why I am so confused?

In my personal life experiences, God generally does things His way (as it should be).  It usually does not matter what I want or desire.  I see it like this:  If Honi's prayer is like walking up to a very large wall, demanding that that wall fall down, and waiting in one spot till it does, then my prayers and life are seeing the same wall and then trying to discern which way to (left or right) walk.

God has put lots of walls in my life.  I figure that if He wants them there then there is nothing that I can do to knock them down, and if He wants them down, they will come down.  I have lived with the mentality that even if the wall does not fall, I will walk in the direction that I feel the Lord moving me, until I find a door or the wall does come down.  I just do not like to sit.

Explanation:  There is nothing wrong with sitting and resting in God, the "sitting" I am referring to is the concept that we are not able to do ministry until we make it past that wall.  My senior year of college I was the Jr. and Sr. High Youth Pastor at my church.  It was the best year of my life.  I was rattling the gates of hell daring Satan to come and take on me and my God and my kids were right there with me. I saw what God could do in the lives of youth through my life and my teaching.  I was shaking the foundations of the world.  Now I feel like I am not.  I am doing great things for the Kingdom where I am now, but...it is just not "My Way".  I would like to get back into a youth pastor or teaching/speaking role, to get across the wall and rattle those gates and shake the foundation of the world again....but for now I walk.

Here is the thing: I am doing incredible things now.  My walking includes interactions with community members, troubled kids, their parents, pastors, teachers, cashiers, garbage men, librarians, etc.  Everything that I do glorifies God (at least it should).  

I believe that someday there will be a day that I will find my way to the other side of the way, whether by door or a crumpling, and it will be glorious.  But until that day, I am fulfilling my calling and duty as a Child of God by worshipping Him with my life.

An obedient life is the greatest form of worship.  Romans 12:1-2.

KISS

KISS is a math term that I learned early on.  It stands for Keep It Simple Stupid.  There purpose of the anagram is to remind the struggling mathematician that often complex problems can be solved with the simple application of basic mathematical methods.  Calculus III problems came down to Algebra and Geometry (just with more steps).

KISS.

I have also heard it used in other contexts.  We as humans like to over complicate life.  I am not sure if it is out of a desire for the grandeur or some need to show great intelligence through complex theories and processes.  Big problems should have big answers...right?  It just makes sense....doesn't it?

While it is not Biblical by any means (the author was an aethist), "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" offers one of my favorite examples of this phenomenon.

This highly advanced race of aliens created an enormous computer for the sole purpose of answering one question: THE Answer, the answer to life, the universe, and everything.  They ask the computer this question, and the computer says that it will take awhile to calculate so they should back in 7 million years for THE Answer.  The aliens were not very happen but they did have much of a choice so they waited.  When the great day of THE Answer came, the whole planet was in a buzz.  They were all ready to know the answer to life, the universe, and everything (they had been patiently waiting for 7 million years).  The computer woke up from its extended calculating session and reported that it had successfully calculated THE Answer.  The computer said, "THE Answer, the answer to life, the universe, and everything is...42."

Sometimes the answers to life's problems are simpler than we can imagine or even comprehend.

Jesus (the ultimate computer) gave us a similar answer.  Man asks, "What is the answer to my life plan, my family, my health, my wealth, my success, my comfort, my service, my faith, the future, life, the universe, and everything?"

Jesus responds, "You are not alone, because the Father is with you."

Keep It Simple Stupid.

"yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."     - John 16:32b