And thus it begins.
Finally.
27 August 2007
26 August 2007
Out of one, many
I don't really have some catchy way to start this post so I'll jump right into the meat of it. God has been teaching me a ton this summer. One of the overarching themes has been learning to abide in Him and find total fulfillment and satisfaction only in Jesus Christ and His will for my life. According to Webster's, abide means to "remain stable" and to "endure without yielding".
One of the biggest struggles for me is when we talk about love. In the past, it has been very hard for me to love someone without taking my eyes off Jesus; to cease abiding in Him as I put my attention on someone else. The point I'm making applies to every kind of love you can have (familial, platonic, romantic...) but for now I'm specifically talking about the romantic type.
In the past, when I've allowed myself to care for someone, things started to revolve around them. They became the object of far too much time and attention. Focus was lost and too much emphasis was placed on them. This is not the way that things should be. I have learned, through a bunch of scripture and some old epiphanies / revelations in the past week or so, that I've had it all mixed up in the past.
We are supposed to love Jesus Christ first and foremost. All other loves flow from our love for Him. He is the fountain in which all other affections find their source. I've been seeking God's will wholeheartedly for a while now. I'd even venture to say that I've been devoted to Him (I hesitate to use such a strong word because I fully know the limitations and faults of my selfish heart). But even in all the days I spent at Pine Cove and since then back in Nac, I couldn't truthfully say that I allowed Jesus to be source of all my love.
I'm at a point in life now where one of the biggest, most likely the biggest, things I'm working on is preparing to be a Godly man and, much more so, a Godly husband. Paul set the bar extremely high for the husband who wants to love as he should, "...love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her..." - Eph. 5:25. It would be a daunting and virtually impossible task if we were to somehow produce a genuinely Christ-like love in and of ourselves. But, if we place all our attention on Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives, we will soon find that love residing in our hearts.
It is not our primary responsibility to worry about loving our wife the right way. However, it's definitely our primary responsibility to love Jesus with all that we have and devote ourselves to His service and plan for our lives. If we are fully submitted to Him, the love that we are called to show will flow naturally from the pure love and spiritual union we enjoy with Jesus.
The same can be said for taking the love we have for Jesus and spreading it out into a lost and dying world. That will be the topic of a post coming soon to a theater (or blog) near you.
I take great peace in knowing that the love I want to show to my future wife, the love that she will crave (a 1 Cor. 13 kind of love), will come straight from Jesus Himself. I will merely be a conduit of Christ's pure and holy love straight into the heart of my wife. Notice, I said a conduit, not the conduit. I am definitely not saying that "husband" replaces "Savior and Almighty God". This is surely not the answer and it was never meant to be. Moving on...
Once again, the answer is Jesus. He is all we need. Devote yourself wholeheartedly to knowing Him more deeply and loving Him more passionately. You'll see a difference in the way you love people. I spoke about romantic love in this post but the same goes for the friends and family in your life. As long as Jesus stays #1 in your heart, you'll be able to see things from a proper perspective. You'll be able to bless, encourage and strengthen those around you like never before.
"After all this...3 things remain. Faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love." - 1 Cor. 13:13
One of the biggest struggles for me is when we talk about love. In the past, it has been very hard for me to love someone without taking my eyes off Jesus; to cease abiding in Him as I put my attention on someone else. The point I'm making applies to every kind of love you can have (familial, platonic, romantic...) but for now I'm specifically talking about the romantic type.
In the past, when I've allowed myself to care for someone, things started to revolve around them. They became the object of far too much time and attention. Focus was lost and too much emphasis was placed on them. This is not the way that things should be. I have learned, through a bunch of scripture and some old epiphanies / revelations in the past week or so, that I've had it all mixed up in the past.
We are supposed to love Jesus Christ first and foremost. All other loves flow from our love for Him. He is the fountain in which all other affections find their source. I've been seeking God's will wholeheartedly for a while now. I'd even venture to say that I've been devoted to Him (I hesitate to use such a strong word because I fully know the limitations and faults of my selfish heart). But even in all the days I spent at Pine Cove and since then back in Nac, I couldn't truthfully say that I allowed Jesus to be source of all my love.
I'm at a point in life now where one of the biggest, most likely the biggest, things I'm working on is preparing to be a Godly man and, much more so, a Godly husband. Paul set the bar extremely high for the husband who wants to love as he should, "...love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her..." - Eph. 5:25. It would be a daunting and virtually impossible task if we were to somehow produce a genuinely Christ-like love in and of ourselves. But, if we place all our attention on Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives, we will soon find that love residing in our hearts.
It is not our primary responsibility to worry about loving our wife the right way. However, it's definitely our primary responsibility to love Jesus with all that we have and devote ourselves to His service and plan for our lives. If we are fully submitted to Him, the love that we are called to show will flow naturally from the pure love and spiritual union we enjoy with Jesus.
The same can be said for taking the love we have for Jesus and spreading it out into a lost and dying world. That will be the topic of a post coming soon to a theater (or blog) near you.
I take great peace in knowing that the love I want to show to my future wife, the love that she will crave (a 1 Cor. 13 kind of love), will come straight from Jesus Himself. I will merely be a conduit of Christ's pure and holy love straight into the heart of my wife. Notice, I said a conduit, not the conduit. I am definitely not saying that "husband" replaces "Savior and Almighty God". This is surely not the answer and it was never meant to be. Moving on...
Once again, the answer is Jesus. He is all we need. Devote yourself wholeheartedly to knowing Him more deeply and loving Him more passionately. You'll see a difference in the way you love people. I spoke about romantic love in this post but the same goes for the friends and family in your life. As long as Jesus stays #1 in your heart, you'll be able to see things from a proper perspective. You'll be able to bless, encourage and strengthen those around you like never before.
"After all this...3 things remain. Faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love." - 1 Cor. 13:13
24 August 2007
Poetic Expression: Round 3
This entry was written in November of 2006.
No Words Necessary
by: James B. Jenkins
In the sweetest simplicity of sight and of sound
A joyous tranquility there can be found
My eye in her eye; my hand in her hand
That moment holds power no word can command
The hands of the clock seem to quietly cease
As if waiting so patiently for the release
Of a message too grand for a tongue to bestow
Of a touch far too passionate for skin to know
In the stillness of night all else passes away
Where the black and the white all become shades of gray
And as face turns to face with eyes burning like fire
The heart yet returns to a calling much higher
22 August 2007
........
It's 1:26am.
Most everyone I know is sound asleep right now.
I can't sleep as usual.
I turned to the stars for some peaceful contemplation.
I found a mighty God staring down at me.
I was humbled by the weight of His presence.
It was sweet.
It's good to be reminded who's in charge.
I'm not.
Big surprise.
God is good.
Word.
Most everyone I know is sound asleep right now.
I can't sleep as usual.
I turned to the stars for some peaceful contemplation.
I found a mighty God staring down at me.
I was humbled by the weight of His presence.
It was sweet.
It's good to be reminded who's in charge.
I'm not.
Big surprise.
God is good.
Word.
20 August 2007
The guy in the mirror
There is a problem I face every morning when my feet leave the bed and touch the floor. There's a mirror in my bathroom (big surprise, right?) and I tend to stand in front of it while I do the morning routine. What's the purpose of a mirror? To reflect your appearance, right? For much of my growing up years, I was equally scared of both mirrors and cameras. The adolescent insecurities in my physical self were always present and sometimes completely overwhelming. I can remember early in my teenage years being afraid to play football with the guys because they would usually go shirtless and I was disgusted with the lack of "manly" features I saw in the mirror each morning. However, as time passed, the insecurities took on a new face.
It's human nature to be your own worst critic. I haven't figured out why it is that, before this summer, I had such a hard time thinking anything good about myself. Is anyone else the same way? On the surface, I came across as an overconfident, cocky young man who thought and acted like he was bigger and better than everyone else. However, as is usually the case with arrogant people, it was all one big cover-up. Inside, I desperately wanted to be accepted, liked, respected, etc. My problem was that I was listening to the wrong voice. I've spent the first two paragraphs covering the problem...now for the solution.
We all have the quiet voices in our heads. The intuitions, the assessments, the conscience, the evaluators and the decision-maker all have their seat on the jury of our minds. All of these voices come together at times to form our identity. Not our identity to the world, but the identity we see in ourselves. It's the identity that waits for us when our eyes meet themselves in a mirror. You have heard the voices countless times in your life. They tell you who you are.
My friends, the real question is: From where do you draw your identity? Whose voice do you listen to? For most of my life to this point, the message I've received is "failure". "You're not good enough and you never will be". I have fought the dragon of self-loathing for as long as I can remember. This summer at Pine Cove, I read the Psalms and Proverbs in their entirety. I rediscovered the affection that our Creator has for us. For me, the most powerful Psalm, when attempting to fix an identity crisis, was Psalm 139. Read and be blessed, my friends...
Psalm 139
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
We as humans are always fighting 3 enemies: satan, the world and our own sin nature. All 3 of them love to lie to us. The Bible refers to satan as the "father of lies"- John 8:44. The world is full of people who don't know Christ and are searching desperately for something to fill the hole that only He can fill. Someone who doesn't know Christ or accept the truth of His word, The Bible, should never be looked to as a source of identity. They are missing many pieces to the puzzle they've spent their life attempting to assemble. You should never look to them for validation or to help you figure out who you are. Even the face in the mirror can't be trusted whole-heartedly. We have to remember that our human nature is fallen; it's broken beyond repair. It is desperately selfish and self-serving and will do whatever it takes to feed its own desires.
If you give satan the chance to tell you who you are, you'll get an answer that isn't the truth and definitely not what you want to hear. The Bible says that satan has only come to "steal, kill and destroy" - John 10:10. I surely don't want the enemy of my soul to have any opportunity to speak lies into my heart.
The world is desperately insecure and we all know that misery loves company. I love how 1 Peter 4 puts it, "For you have spent enough time doing what godless people enjoy...they think it's strange that you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do." The world wants you to draw your identity from what you do, your title, your job, the amounts of toys you possess, how big your house is, how beautiful your wife is (or handsome your husband is), where you vacation, etc. The world can't be trusted because they've completely lost sight of all things eternal, all things truly significant.
The face in the mirror can't be trusted because, in the end, it only serves one master: itself. Self is a black hole of loneliness and despair that can never be satisfied. Self is the corrupt leftover of the perfect and righteous being we were created to be. Let's face it folks, if we look inside the depths of our own minds it won't take long to realize that our humanity is a truly dreadful thing. Our identity cannot come from such a tainted source.
It's time for the answer. Care to take a guess? The answer is the same no matter how the question is asked: Jesus Christ. Who better to tell us who we are and define for us a life purpose than the One who made us with His bare hands, knit us together inside our mother's womb? When we begin to understand that the only identity we need is that of a child of Almighty God, all else falls in line behind that title. We are called to be ministers of His grace, teachers of His truth, mentors to the younger and inexperienced, protectors of the precious, delicate, weak or innocent. We as men are called to be husband and father; ladies as wife and mother. We are called to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, business owners, teachers, construction workers, public servants, musicians, politicians, you name it. But before any of that, we are called to righteousness. We are called to be sons and daughters of the Almighty. We are called to play a part in the biggest adventure ever known to mankind.
There's your identity, my friends. If you ever find yourself with a lack of confidence or self-worth, look in the mirror and tell the old self to shut his pie hole. Satan has nothing but lies and destruction to share with you. The world wants nothing more than to force you to conform, so it can write you off and ignore the truth you bring to the table. Remember your identity, my friends. Remember who you really are.
We know the voice of our Shepherd (John 10:14). We know whose words can be trusted. The Lord's toolbox has grace, peace, confidence, mercy, assurance, abundant life, love, patience, temperance and many other tools sitting inside.
Ask Him today to help you recognize His voice. Ask Him to help you find your identity only in Him. Be blessed...
It's human nature to be your own worst critic. I haven't figured out why it is that, before this summer, I had such a hard time thinking anything good about myself. Is anyone else the same way? On the surface, I came across as an overconfident, cocky young man who thought and acted like he was bigger and better than everyone else. However, as is usually the case with arrogant people, it was all one big cover-up. Inside, I desperately wanted to be accepted, liked, respected, etc. My problem was that I was listening to the wrong voice. I've spent the first two paragraphs covering the problem...now for the solution.
We all have the quiet voices in our heads. The intuitions, the assessments, the conscience, the evaluators and the decision-maker all have their seat on the jury of our minds. All of these voices come together at times to form our identity. Not our identity to the world, but the identity we see in ourselves. It's the identity that waits for us when our eyes meet themselves in a mirror. You have heard the voices countless times in your life. They tell you who you are.
My friends, the real question is: From where do you draw your identity? Whose voice do you listen to? For most of my life to this point, the message I've received is "failure". "You're not good enough and you never will be". I have fought the dragon of self-loathing for as long as I can remember. This summer at Pine Cove, I read the Psalms and Proverbs in their entirety. I rediscovered the affection that our Creator has for us. For me, the most powerful Psalm, when attempting to fix an identity crisis, was Psalm 139. Read and be blessed, my friends...
Psalm 139
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
.....
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
(verses 19-22 talk about slaying the wicked and hatred for the unrighteous...not exactly on our topic)
We as humans are always fighting 3 enemies: satan, the world and our own sin nature. All 3 of them love to lie to us. The Bible refers to satan as the "father of lies"- John 8:44. The world is full of people who don't know Christ and are searching desperately for something to fill the hole that only He can fill. Someone who doesn't know Christ or accept the truth of His word, The Bible, should never be looked to as a source of identity. They are missing many pieces to the puzzle they've spent their life attempting to assemble. You should never look to them for validation or to help you figure out who you are. Even the face in the mirror can't be trusted whole-heartedly. We have to remember that our human nature is fallen; it's broken beyond repair. It is desperately selfish and self-serving and will do whatever it takes to feed its own desires.
If you give satan the chance to tell you who you are, you'll get an answer that isn't the truth and definitely not what you want to hear. The Bible says that satan has only come to "steal, kill and destroy" - John 10:10. I surely don't want the enemy of my soul to have any opportunity to speak lies into my heart.
The world is desperately insecure and we all know that misery loves company. I love how 1 Peter 4 puts it, "For you have spent enough time doing what godless people enjoy...they think it's strange that you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do." The world wants you to draw your identity from what you do, your title, your job, the amounts of toys you possess, how big your house is, how beautiful your wife is (or handsome your husband is), where you vacation, etc. The world can't be trusted because they've completely lost sight of all things eternal, all things truly significant.
The face in the mirror can't be trusted because, in the end, it only serves one master: itself. Self is a black hole of loneliness and despair that can never be satisfied. Self is the corrupt leftover of the perfect and righteous being we were created to be. Let's face it folks, if we look inside the depths of our own minds it won't take long to realize that our humanity is a truly dreadful thing. Our identity cannot come from such a tainted source.
It's time for the answer. Care to take a guess? The answer is the same no matter how the question is asked: Jesus Christ. Who better to tell us who we are and define for us a life purpose than the One who made us with His bare hands, knit us together inside our mother's womb? When we begin to understand that the only identity we need is that of a child of Almighty God, all else falls in line behind that title. We are called to be ministers of His grace, teachers of His truth, mentors to the younger and inexperienced, protectors of the precious, delicate, weak or innocent. We as men are called to be husband and father; ladies as wife and mother. We are called to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, business owners, teachers, construction workers, public servants, musicians, politicians, you name it. But before any of that, we are called to righteousness. We are called to be sons and daughters of the Almighty. We are called to play a part in the biggest adventure ever known to mankind.
There's your identity, my friends. If you ever find yourself with a lack of confidence or self-worth, look in the mirror and tell the old self to shut his pie hole. Satan has nothing but lies and destruction to share with you. The world wants nothing more than to force you to conform, so it can write you off and ignore the truth you bring to the table. Remember your identity, my friends. Remember who you really are.
We know the voice of our Shepherd (John 10:14). We know whose words can be trusted. The Lord's toolbox has grace, peace, confidence, mercy, assurance, abundant life, love, patience, temperance and many other tools sitting inside.
Ask Him today to help you recognize His voice. Ask Him to help you find your identity only in Him. Be blessed...
19 August 2007
Simple? Ha!
So, I've figured out the whole dating thing. I have been enlightened as to the reason for my existence. My education is rolling along nicely, taking me down the tracks to the destination (my career and professional success). My relationship with my Creator and Savior is better than ever before. My fraternity is set to draw the largest pledge class in years and my college ministry at church is growing steadily and actively seeking Jesus Christ like never before. I am healthy (barring an annoying knee) and my family is as well. I am blessed beyond belief. Jesus is more than faithful, He is omnipresent. So why am I so unsettled?
The answer is simple...I'm a problem-solver with no problems to solve. I'm a man who loves a good challenge who has realized that the only challenge is to leave life in God's capable hands and follow His will on a daily basis.
For some reason, my mind seems to enjoy working on about 13 things at once, 24/7. This is why I rarely sleep, and even more rarely sleep well. Does anyone else have this problem? I feel like all of life is going exceptionally well, but at the same time it's not moving at all. I am done with my degree plan at SFA, all I'm here for are a few classes that most medical schools require. My personal life has been put on pause by the Almighty and I've been told that it will be a long time before He allows me to move from this spot. This summer God grew me up...big time. For the first time ever, I feel like I'm finally beginning to look like the man I'm supposed to be. God has pounded the "be humble and teachable, practice servant leadership" mantra into my brain countless times.
So what is a passionate man who loves Jesus and His people with all his heart supposed to do in the meantime? Live life. Practice ministry. "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God" - Micah 6:8. Every single second is an opportunity to bless and minister. Now I'm repeating myself; I know I've said that in previous blogs but it's important enough to say more than once. Significance isn't some you obtain, it's something you maintain. You never reach the end of the road to significance; it's an eternal journey.
So, when you think you've arrived...take a look around. I guarantee there is someone in need of encouragement or a helping hand, or a listening ear or available shoulder to lean on. Maybe some random person needs a ride somewhere, or a meal to quench their physical hunger. Everywhere you go, you can be Jesus to someone.
It's easy to turn to God when the going is tough. He has all the answers. The hard part is when everything seems to be great. Will you stay submitted? Will you stay on the path He has called you to when personal success, self and temporary satisfaction lie elsewhere? Will you? Or will you put your eternal perspective on and listen to that still, small voice? The choice is yours.
(I have faith in you)...
The answer is simple...I'm a problem-solver with no problems to solve. I'm a man who loves a good challenge who has realized that the only challenge is to leave life in God's capable hands and follow His will on a daily basis.
For some reason, my mind seems to enjoy working on about 13 things at once, 24/7. This is why I rarely sleep, and even more rarely sleep well. Does anyone else have this problem? I feel like all of life is going exceptionally well, but at the same time it's not moving at all. I am done with my degree plan at SFA, all I'm here for are a few classes that most medical schools require. My personal life has been put on pause by the Almighty and I've been told that it will be a long time before He allows me to move from this spot. This summer God grew me up...big time. For the first time ever, I feel like I'm finally beginning to look like the man I'm supposed to be. God has pounded the "be humble and teachable, practice servant leadership" mantra into my brain countless times.
So what is a passionate man who loves Jesus and His people with all his heart supposed to do in the meantime? Live life. Practice ministry. "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God" - Micah 6:8. Every single second is an opportunity to bless and minister. Now I'm repeating myself; I know I've said that in previous blogs but it's important enough to say more than once. Significance isn't some you obtain, it's something you maintain. You never reach the end of the road to significance; it's an eternal journey.
So, when you think you've arrived...take a look around. I guarantee there is someone in need of encouragement or a helping hand, or a listening ear or available shoulder to lean on. Maybe some random person needs a ride somewhere, or a meal to quench their physical hunger. Everywhere you go, you can be Jesus to someone.
It's easy to turn to God when the going is tough. He has all the answers. The hard part is when everything seems to be great. Will you stay submitted? Will you stay on the path He has called you to when personal success, self and temporary satisfaction lie elsewhere? Will you? Or will you put your eternal perspective on and listen to that still, small voice? The choice is yours.
(I have faith in you)...
keep your eyes on the prize
"...The upward call of Christ Jesus..." What the heck does that mean?
In Philippians 3, Paul likens the Christian faith, and life in general, to a race that we're all running. He says that the prize waiting for us at the end is the "upward call of Christ Jesus". Paul's words ring true in our society today just the same as they did in 35 A.D. Life runs at a breakneck pace with very little down time and no room for laziness.
The "upward call" that Paul is referring to, is the revelation of our life purpose. I believe that it is our job to actively seek out where and how God would have us administer His will to the world. He is not going to walk up and plop our life purpose in our lap as we sit munching popcorn and watching the evening sportscenter. We must put in the time on our knees and find out where He wants us.
The "upward call" also refers to our actual salvation and the rapture of our physical bodies to Heaven. A champion runner never lets up, never slows down until he crosses the finish line. As a follower of Christ, we don't have a paper number pinned to our shirt. We don't have some kind of uniform we can just take off when we're tired of living the right way. Christianity has no off-time. A follower of Christ is always a follower of Christ, like it or not. There is never a time when you can just decide to not be a Christian for a while. You have either submitted your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, or you haven't. There is no test version or "no risk in-home trial" of the Christian walk. Attempting to follow this dead-end path can bring real destruction to your life. Keeping our eyes on the prize means living our days with respect for the fact that the end of this game is approaching. We only have a certain amount of time to complete the mission that God gave us. That's why "Carpe Diem" and striving to live eternally significant lives is so important. Unfortunately, many people are content to live their lives blissfully ignorant of their eternal destiny and calling.
So many of my friends went off to college and left their faith back at mom and dad's house. They went buck wild and forgot their heritage completely. Now, most would charge that they were never saved to begin with, but I will leave that argument alone for now. It breaks my heart to see so many "Christians" who have completely lost sight of the prize, the "upward call". They are wandering around, wallowing in insignificant lives, wondering why life seems so empty and void of real purpose.
The answer is a paradox; simple and yet horribly complex at the same time. Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on that upward call, keep your head in the game (sorry for all the sports analogies, but it's easier than talking about knitting). Remember your reason for getting out of bed in the morning. Each person has their own reason, their own set of gifts and talents created to maximize God's glory received from their life. It's near impossible to get it right consistently, but God loves working with "impossible" things. That way He gets all the glory when everything works out alright.
If your life seems to be missing something, missing that "upward call" mentality...ask Christ to restore that mindset to your everyday life. All it takes is some good prayer time and reading life's instruction manual (B.I.B.L.E. - basic instructions before leaving Earth).
Leave the rest in Jesus Christ's capable hands. Be blessed...
In Philippians 3, Paul likens the Christian faith, and life in general, to a race that we're all running. He says that the prize waiting for us at the end is the "upward call of Christ Jesus". Paul's words ring true in our society today just the same as they did in 35 A.D. Life runs at a breakneck pace with very little down time and no room for laziness.
The "upward call" that Paul is referring to, is the revelation of our life purpose. I believe that it is our job to actively seek out where and how God would have us administer His will to the world. He is not going to walk up and plop our life purpose in our lap as we sit munching popcorn and watching the evening sportscenter. We must put in the time on our knees and find out where He wants us.
The "upward call" also refers to our actual salvation and the rapture of our physical bodies to Heaven. A champion runner never lets up, never slows down until he crosses the finish line. As a follower of Christ, we don't have a paper number pinned to our shirt. We don't have some kind of uniform we can just take off when we're tired of living the right way. Christianity has no off-time. A follower of Christ is always a follower of Christ, like it or not. There is never a time when you can just decide to not be a Christian for a while. You have either submitted your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, or you haven't. There is no test version or "no risk in-home trial" of the Christian walk. Attempting to follow this dead-end path can bring real destruction to your life. Keeping our eyes on the prize means living our days with respect for the fact that the end of this game is approaching. We only have a certain amount of time to complete the mission that God gave us. That's why "Carpe Diem" and striving to live eternally significant lives is so important. Unfortunately, many people are content to live their lives blissfully ignorant of their eternal destiny and calling.
So many of my friends went off to college and left their faith back at mom and dad's house. They went buck wild and forgot their heritage completely. Now, most would charge that they were never saved to begin with, but I will leave that argument alone for now. It breaks my heart to see so many "Christians" who have completely lost sight of the prize, the "upward call". They are wandering around, wallowing in insignificant lives, wondering why life seems so empty and void of real purpose.
The answer is a paradox; simple and yet horribly complex at the same time. Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on that upward call, keep your head in the game (sorry for all the sports analogies, but it's easier than talking about knitting). Remember your reason for getting out of bed in the morning. Each person has their own reason, their own set of gifts and talents created to maximize God's glory received from their life. It's near impossible to get it right consistently, but God loves working with "impossible" things. That way He gets all the glory when everything works out alright.
If your life seems to be missing something, missing that "upward call" mentality...ask Christ to restore that mindset to your everyday life. All it takes is some good prayer time and reading life's instruction manual (B.I.B.L.E. - basic instructions before leaving Earth).
Leave the rest in Jesus Christ's capable hands. Be blessed...
11 August 2007
dating is killing marriage, Pt. 2
First off...don't read this post until you've read part 1, I don't want to summarize or repeat myself. Let's pick up exactly where we left off...we were talking about determining if the person you're interested in or already dating was an acceptable choice according to biblical standards.
I've received some comments on the subject already, so let me first clarify my position. I'm not saying that dating or marrying someone who doesn't share your relationship with Christ or your major beliefs and values can never work. Scripture implicitly states "do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" - 2 Cor 6:14 (NASB). It doesn't get much simpler than that. Whether we're talking romantic dating, engagement or marriage...the Book says you have no business committing your heart to that person. Done-Ski.
We've talked at length about what is wrong with the dating is practiced right now. I think we all agree that the whole system, and the whole world for that matter, is pretty messed up (thanks Collin). It's time to talk about how a Christian young adult should approach dating / marriage.
The first answer is the most important one and the one you've hopefully been doing for a long time. Pray for and about your future beloved. Fervently seeking God's will on this subject is of paramount importance. It's so easy to get completely lost in what I call the I-Me-My syndrome. "Well...I think this person is cute, smart and funny. I think they might be what I'm looking for." See anything wrong with that? It's all self-centered and selfish to the core.
Here's a simple little concept whose implications go far beyond this subject: Self gets in the way of God's will (thanks Megan). Asking God to guide your attention and your affections before you even begin to look for the special someone is a great idea. Our society places so much emphasis on the physical aspect of interpersonal relationship that it can be easy to lose our focus. This hindrance to finding the right person is much more difficult for guys, simply because of how we're wired. I have good news for all you people (myself included) that weren't blessed with model bodies: Baring surgical intervention, we'll all be wrinkled and unattractive to the world when we're 65...it's coming.
So we know that the way the world dates is a very large factor in the equation that states roughly half of every single marriage covenant made will be broken by the monster of divorce. The question you might be asking yourself is: But if I don't date around, how will I find out what kind of person I want to be with? So many people have bought into this lie from Satan and paid for it dearly. The answer is simple...spend time in their world.
If you want to know what someone is really like, be around them and their friends, or their family, or their college group from church. It is extremely easy to fool someone one-on-one, but most people's true colors are readily evident when they are in their natural environment. This approach also solves several other problems with isolated, intimate settings...
Do not imply, with your actions or words, a level of commitment that does not exist. I know so many people that are deep into a romantic relationship. They've dropped the L-bomb, they spend tons of time with their significant other, much of their identity is found in their bf/gf. This kind of situation is extremely problematic, because no real commitment exists in their relationship. There is nothing keeping one or the other of them from "falling out of love" just as easily as they fell into it. The entire concept of "falling in love" is a recipe for disaster. Love is not an emotion, it is not attraction, it is not infatuation, it is not touchy-feely / ooie-gooie tenderness...love is a conscious decision to place someone else's thoughts, needs, desires and benefit before your own.
Now, I'm really going to meddle. Until you're married, you are not married. This is definitely an area where I was dead wrong in the past, my entire viewpoint has pulled a 180 now that I view the subject through the lens of those two huge questions that rule my philosophy:
1. Does this action bring glory or shame to Jesus Christ?
2. How will this action be perceived given my position as a follower of Jesus Christ?
Dating is not meant to be the arena where two people embark on a journey together where they go become intimately knowledgeable about each other's lives and begin to be God's provision for spiritual, emotional and physical intimacy and companionship (thanks Boundless.org). Your BF/GF is not yours yet. Unless you've been given the gift of lifelong singleness (for the purpose of a life devoted to full-time vocational service to the Kingdom of God...like Paul did), God has a plan that includes a spouse for you. You are defrauding them when you engage in marriage-like activity or conversation with someone who is not your spouse.
Here's a short personal anecdote on this topic:
A few months ago, I met this lady at a conference I was working for Pine Cove. She and I hit it off quite well, we found each other interesting and had plenty in common. After a 3-hour conversation the second night I knew her, when it looked as though we were going to pursue the possibility of a romantic relationship, I gave her the brief version of how I intended to approach the blossoming relationship (my, oh my, if I could go back and punch myself that night...). I basically told her that I was going to treat her like a queen. She responded with words that I will never forget: "I certainly hope so, because if it doesn't work out with you...I'm somebody else's wife." I can't begin to tell you the impact that one sentence had on me. It's still affecting my entire concept of how I approach dating/engagement/marriage even today.
Guys, your girl does not belong to you. Her hand is not your hand. Her lips are not your lips. They belong to her husband. In the same way, your hands, lips and all that you are belong to your wife. No one else.
Song of Songs speaks clearly about love, sex, etc...it's about as frank as the Bible gets about any of that stuff. It clearly states that awakening passions before the proper time brings nothing but pain and sorrow in the end (Song of Songs 2:7).
Now I can hear the uproar and the attitudes brewing right now. You are thinking I am a nutjob. Guess what, I am thinking I am a nutjob too. Holding this belief completely flies in the face of everything our society and culture have taught us our whole life. It's important to note that the Bible doesn't specifically mentioning the act of a kiss outside of marriage as "bad" or "good." I believe that any act that brings any amount of sexual satisfaction should be deemed a sexual act. I'm not saying that if you choose to kiss your BF/GF that you are sinning...I just believe you're taking something away from your future spouse every time you do. Let me justify my opinion:
What is the point of kissing your significant other? To show affection and care for them, or to receive the physical pleasure that comes from the act itself, right? It is satisfying to kiss them, you both feel that some of your needs are met in that moment. You are both meeting your needs apart from the resource that God installed to meet them: your spouse. I am looking forward with great anticipation to being completely frustrated and unsatisfied physically until the day of my wedding. I want to build up as big a pile of unmet physical and emotional needs as humanly possible...so that on the day of my wedding, I can look my new bride in the face and know that all the frustration and dissatisfaction I felt all those days were worth it. They were worth it because now I get to lay all that stuff at her feet and allow her to be the complete and total source of my physical, visual, emotional and relational satisfaction.
The beautiful part is...I get to meet those same needs for her as her husband. It's my ordained duty to meet every single one of her physical needs, her longing for emotional and physical intimacy, her desire for genuine security and protection. God may be first in my life and first in the life of my wife, but there is a void sitting there in second place. Even Adam himself, walking around in the physical presence of Almighty God was missing something. God knew that Adam needed companionship other than Himself. "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh..." No wonder the longing to find our spouse is so strong...it's as if we are searching for the missing pieces of our own body.
How do you bridge the gap from friends to engaged without behaving in ways that are dishonorable to our families and our Creator? Understand the purpose of the different stages in a relationship. I'm not going to re-hash what we've already talked about. (There will be a post about deep, personal, platonic relationships soon).
Don't get caught up in the lie that you have to know a person deeply and intimately before you can consider marriage. You have to lay a proper foundation of friendship and commonality, water it with huge doses of prayer and wise council, then run the prospect through the tests: beliefs, opinions, personality, communication, conflict resolution styles, goals (long and short-term), sense of humor, character qualities, integrity, passionate love for Jesus Christ...these all need to fit with the two of you. If that's the case and you have the blessing of people who know both of you...go for it. I don't believe that you have to have a neon sign hanging down from Heaven and pointing at your beloved's head to know if it's God's will. If that person passed all the tests we've laid out above, the chances are they are one for you.
Please let me state clearly, there is no cut and dried formula for this whole love and marriage thing. God doesn't work well with formulas (future topic? I think so...) and neither do the institutions of love and marriage. For every set of lovers, there is another story of how that love came to be.
Keep God in the forefront of your mind and you'll be on the right path. Keep Him in first place in your life no matter what. No one, no matter how great you think they might be, was designed to take the place of God in your life. No one deserves that kind of pressure. Live with the future in mind until that sweet day when you get to look that person in the face and say "I do..." At that moment, all this struggle will be worth it. You can hold me to that promise.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you..." - Matt. 6:33
I've received some comments on the subject already, so let me first clarify my position. I'm not saying that dating or marrying someone who doesn't share your relationship with Christ or your major beliefs and values can never work. Scripture implicitly states "do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" - 2 Cor 6:14 (NASB). It doesn't get much simpler than that. Whether we're talking romantic dating, engagement or marriage...the Book says you have no business committing your heart to that person. Done-Ski.
We've talked at length about what is wrong with the dating is practiced right now. I think we all agree that the whole system, and the whole world for that matter, is pretty messed up (thanks Collin). It's time to talk about how a Christian young adult should approach dating / marriage.
The first answer is the most important one and the one you've hopefully been doing for a long time. Pray for and about your future beloved. Fervently seeking God's will on this subject is of paramount importance. It's so easy to get completely lost in what I call the I-Me-My syndrome. "Well...I think this person is cute, smart and funny. I think they might be what I'm looking for." See anything wrong with that? It's all self-centered and selfish to the core.
Here's a simple little concept whose implications go far beyond this subject: Self gets in the way of God's will (thanks Megan). Asking God to guide your attention and your affections before you even begin to look for the special someone is a great idea. Our society places so much emphasis on the physical aspect of interpersonal relationship that it can be easy to lose our focus. This hindrance to finding the right person is much more difficult for guys, simply because of how we're wired. I have good news for all you people (myself included) that weren't blessed with model bodies: Baring surgical intervention, we'll all be wrinkled and unattractive to the world when we're 65...it's coming.
So we know that the way the world dates is a very large factor in the equation that states roughly half of every single marriage covenant made will be broken by the monster of divorce. The question you might be asking yourself is: But if I don't date around, how will I find out what kind of person I want to be with? So many people have bought into this lie from Satan and paid for it dearly. The answer is simple...spend time in their world.
If you want to know what someone is really like, be around them and their friends, or their family, or their college group from church. It is extremely easy to fool someone one-on-one, but most people's true colors are readily evident when they are in their natural environment. This approach also solves several other problems with isolated, intimate settings...
Do not imply, with your actions or words, a level of commitment that does not exist. I know so many people that are deep into a romantic relationship. They've dropped the L-bomb, they spend tons of time with their significant other, much of their identity is found in their bf/gf. This kind of situation is extremely problematic, because no real commitment exists in their relationship. There is nothing keeping one or the other of them from "falling out of love" just as easily as they fell into it. The entire concept of "falling in love" is a recipe for disaster. Love is not an emotion, it is not attraction, it is not infatuation, it is not touchy-feely / ooie-gooie tenderness...love is a conscious decision to place someone else's thoughts, needs, desires and benefit before your own.
Now, I'm really going to meddle. Until you're married, you are not married. This is definitely an area where I was dead wrong in the past, my entire viewpoint has pulled a 180 now that I view the subject through the lens of those two huge questions that rule my philosophy:
1. Does this action bring glory or shame to Jesus Christ?
2. How will this action be perceived given my position as a follower of Jesus Christ?
Dating is not meant to be the arena where two people embark on a journey together where they go become intimately knowledgeable about each other's lives and begin to be God's provision for spiritual, emotional and physical intimacy and companionship (thanks Boundless.org). Your BF/GF is not yours yet. Unless you've been given the gift of lifelong singleness (for the purpose of a life devoted to full-time vocational service to the Kingdom of God...like Paul did), God has a plan that includes a spouse for you. You are defrauding them when you engage in marriage-like activity or conversation with someone who is not your spouse.
Here's a short personal anecdote on this topic:
A few months ago, I met this lady at a conference I was working for Pine Cove. She and I hit it off quite well, we found each other interesting and had plenty in common. After a 3-hour conversation the second night I knew her, when it looked as though we were going to pursue the possibility of a romantic relationship, I gave her the brief version of how I intended to approach the blossoming relationship (my, oh my, if I could go back and punch myself that night...). I basically told her that I was going to treat her like a queen. She responded with words that I will never forget: "I certainly hope so, because if it doesn't work out with you...I'm somebody else's wife." I can't begin to tell you the impact that one sentence had on me. It's still affecting my entire concept of how I approach dating/engagement/marriage even today.
Guys, your girl does not belong to you. Her hand is not your hand. Her lips are not your lips. They belong to her husband. In the same way, your hands, lips and all that you are belong to your wife. No one else.
Song of Songs speaks clearly about love, sex, etc...it's about as frank as the Bible gets about any of that stuff. It clearly states that awakening passions before the proper time brings nothing but pain and sorrow in the end (Song of Songs 2:7).
Now I can hear the uproar and the attitudes brewing right now. You are thinking I am a nutjob. Guess what, I am thinking I am a nutjob too. Holding this belief completely flies in the face of everything our society and culture have taught us our whole life. It's important to note that the Bible doesn't specifically mentioning the act of a kiss outside of marriage as "bad" or "good." I believe that any act that brings any amount of sexual satisfaction should be deemed a sexual act. I'm not saying that if you choose to kiss your BF/GF that you are sinning...I just believe you're taking something away from your future spouse every time you do. Let me justify my opinion:
What is the point of kissing your significant other? To show affection and care for them, or to receive the physical pleasure that comes from the act itself, right? It is satisfying to kiss them, you both feel that some of your needs are met in that moment. You are both meeting your needs apart from the resource that God installed to meet them: your spouse. I am looking forward with great anticipation to being completely frustrated and unsatisfied physically until the day of my wedding. I want to build up as big a pile of unmet physical and emotional needs as humanly possible...so that on the day of my wedding, I can look my new bride in the face and know that all the frustration and dissatisfaction I felt all those days were worth it. They were worth it because now I get to lay all that stuff at her feet and allow her to be the complete and total source of my physical, visual, emotional and relational satisfaction.
The beautiful part is...I get to meet those same needs for her as her husband. It's my ordained duty to meet every single one of her physical needs, her longing for emotional and physical intimacy, her desire for genuine security and protection. God may be first in my life and first in the life of my wife, but there is a void sitting there in second place. Even Adam himself, walking around in the physical presence of Almighty God was missing something. God knew that Adam needed companionship other than Himself. "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh..." No wonder the longing to find our spouse is so strong...it's as if we are searching for the missing pieces of our own body.
How do you bridge the gap from friends to engaged without behaving in ways that are dishonorable to our families and our Creator? Understand the purpose of the different stages in a relationship. I'm not going to re-hash what we've already talked about. (There will be a post about deep, personal, platonic relationships soon).
Don't get caught up in the lie that you have to know a person deeply and intimately before you can consider marriage. You have to lay a proper foundation of friendship and commonality, water it with huge doses of prayer and wise council, then run the prospect through the tests: beliefs, opinions, personality, communication, conflict resolution styles, goals (long and short-term), sense of humor, character qualities, integrity, passionate love for Jesus Christ...these all need to fit with the two of you. If that's the case and you have the blessing of people who know both of you...go for it. I don't believe that you have to have a neon sign hanging down from Heaven and pointing at your beloved's head to know if it's God's will. If that person passed all the tests we've laid out above, the chances are they are one for you.
Please let me state clearly, there is no cut and dried formula for this whole love and marriage thing. God doesn't work well with formulas (future topic? I think so...) and neither do the institutions of love and marriage. For every set of lovers, there is another story of how that love came to be.
Keep God in the forefront of your mind and you'll be on the right path. Keep Him in first place in your life no matter what. No one, no matter how great you think they might be, was designed to take the place of God in your life. No one deserves that kind of pressure. Live with the future in mind until that sweet day when you get to look that person in the face and say "I do..." At that moment, all this struggle will be worth it. You can hold me to that promise.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you..." - Matt. 6:33
10 August 2007
dating is killing marriage...
The title says it all, folks.
The modern American concept of dating is undermining and destroying the foundation of marriage in our culture today. I could attack this topic from countless angles, but I will try to stick to two for today's note. First, we'll look at how dating is practiced by our generation and how that methodology is so detrimental to marriage as an institution. Then I will finish up with my take on how the college-aged Christian should approach the concept of dating (and, of course, back it up with scripture). Let me throw out this disclaimer before I begin: my own thoughts on this subject have changed radically in the last few months (big surprise, right?) once the change in perspective occurred (read my other notes this week if we're not on the same page). I have, since then, raised the bar considerably on how I will handle dating from now on...we get to that later. Let's go...
Dating as a concept is so messed up that it's difficult to find a good place to begin to unravel it's garbage. Let's take a person, we'll call him "Bob" and run him through some hypothetical dating situations. When Bob turned 16, he received permission to begin going out with friends without supervision. He went on lots of "group dates" with several people were involved. He liked this one girl, we'll call her "Sally". Bob and Sally weren't allowed to one-on-one date yet, but that didn't keep them from becoming emotionally involved with each other. After a time, Bob bent the rules and went off for some alone time with Sally. They weren't nearly mature enough to begin to understand what was happening in their own bodies. They made lots of mistakes, both physically and emotionally, and ended up going their separate ways after a couple of months.
Fast forward 3 years. Bob is dating this other girl now. They've been together for a few months and Bob really cares about her. He feels a real connection with her and they have lots of stuff in common. Bob and his girl spend huge amounts of time together and share deep and intimate conversations with each other. Bob has had sex with this girl more than a few times and he doesn't see much of a problem with it because he thinks he loves her. After almost 2 years however, Bob decides that he doesn't think she is right for him after all. He breaks up with her and lives with the penalties of that decision for a while.
Fast forward 3 more years. Bob is 22 now. He can't count on both hands the number of girls he's dated since he started playing this game. He is preparing to marry a girl named Susan that he dated for 6 months before he popped the question. He is 2 weeks away from the altar now, terrified that he's making a mistake. He is thinking about all the different girls he's cared about over the years. All the different physical encounters he's had. All the times he has ended relationships for various reasons. Bob knows that he's a broken man, but he doesn't really understand how he got that way. Bob and Susan end up getting married. The future is looking bright.......
.......Until about 5 years into the marriage, Bob just can't take it anymore. Susan does so many little, tiny things that just drive him crazy. Bob doesn't understand why Susan is the way she is. Bob files for divorce and walks away from Susan forever. Thankfully there were no children involved.
-----------------------
Anybody see something wrong with that picture? The whole thing is a product of my imagination, but change the names and some details and this story is being played out every single day. The problem is fundamental. Dating is practice for divorce. You find a person you're interested in...you spend considerable energy, time, money, etc. getting to know this person...you connect in a deep way with them...you enjoy emotional and perhaps physical intimacy with them...difficulty arises, huge difficulty maybe...you decide "things just aren't working out" and you bolt. These situation occur for a variety of reasons. To understand why dating as we know it is so flawed, you need to come to grips with the purpose of exclusive romantic relationships: To determine if this person is a suitable candidate for marriage. An exclusive dating relationship is the last step before expensive jewelry gets put on fingers and lots of money is spent on flowers and candles and stuff.
The concept of dating merely for recreation is a relatively new concoction. It is also poison straight from the pit of Hell. The process of trial-and-error dating lends itself to trial-and-error marriages quite easily. Oprah ran a special last spring where the whole show was talking about good "starter marriages" and things that people should focus on during their "first marriage". Wow. I mean wow people, does that grieve anyone else's soul? Search the Bible for a single example of recreational dating and you will come up empty. There aren't any. The only time intimacy, emotional or physical, is mentioned outside the context of marriage, it's because there's sin to be dealt with. Recreational dating may be setting a horrible standard, but it's not the only culprit we're arresting tonight.
Serious dating has many of the trappings of marriage without any of the stability or security of marriage. (It clearly violates 1 Thes. 4:6 that talks about implying commitments that don't actually exist). There are thousands of "mini-marriages" being lived out all across America. People invest in each other, face difficulty, decide it's not worth the effort and end the relationship. Do that a few times and one might just develop a habit of walking away from a relationship that is in need of serious work. Rings and vows don't matter much if you've got history, habit, selfishness and sin working against your heart. It's much easier to run than to stay and fight. Especially if you've never been taught why or how to put up such a fight.
Let's pull all this back together. We've addressed the problem, now let's bring the solution into focus. How can we, as college-age followers of Jesus Christ, approach the subject of dating with our key thoughts in mind? (1. How does this action bring glory to Jesus Christ? 2. How will other people perceive this action given my position as a follower of Jesus Christ?) As men, we are called to treat all women to whom we are not married equally (Eph. 5:1-2.)
For starters, biblical dating doesn't happen in a vacuum. There are many people other than the man and woman involved in the relationship. If the people are wise, they both are receiving regular council about the relationship from an older, Godly source. They are also under the accountability of friends and loved ones. You've all heard the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child", but it also takes a "village" to properly prepare man and woman for the vigors of marriage.
I'm not the least bit qualified to offer any correspondence on the topic of engagement or marriage. I can, however, relate from personal experience how damaging dating the wrong way can be. There are pieces of me that I can't get back, memories that will be in my head for a long time. Girls that mean nothing to me now still hold pieces of my heart that I gave them when we were dating. My wife will marry a man who is less than whole; that is not a good thing. I could ramble on about this forever, so let me cut to the chase and tie all this up with a nice big bow on top...
My dating philosophy:
First off, the man must show absolute respect to the woman, and her family, in all his actions. Call me old-fashioned, I'll take it as a compliment...before you ask a lady to be your lady, you better have a sit down with her father first (obviously, this is not possible in all situations, but consider this as the ideal set of circumstances).
Group dates, mixed with small amounts of alone time are definitely the way to go. That way possible temptation is kept at a minimum. At this point in the relationship you should already have run this person through the standard battery of questions in your head before you even start dating them...
1. Does this person have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
2. Are they actively pursuing a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him?
3. Does this person possess character and integrity up to the biblical par?
4. Are my core beliefs and purpose statements compatible with theirs?
5. Does this person like pepperoni or hamburger on their pizza? (ok...j/k)
If the answer isn't yes to all of the above questions (minus #5) than we don't even need to have this conversation. Do not continue things with this person right now. They will rub off on you long before you rub off on them. Evangelism dating (and definitely evangelism marriage) is not a good idea.
My apologies, this note is getting ridiculously long. I will stop here and continue with the rest of my thoughts tomorrow. Thank you for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject, please drop me a comment, message or send me an email to checkyourwallet@hotmail.com. Thanks!
go into ALL the world...even your own.
Someone has told my generation a terrible lie. Actually, there were several lies told and a couple of misconceptions thrown in for good measure as well. In this post I will be going after our topic Matt Lantz style (if you don't know who he is, I'll be glad to tell you) by attacking and exposing each of these lies and misconceptions with cold, hard scripture.
Here's the lie: that you and I, along with every other college student, are preparing to live life. We are told by our society that we as a demographic are void of character, skeptical, uncontrollable, attention-starved animals who embrace moral relativism and temporal pleasures. They say we are the most self-centered generation in the history of mankind.
Time for a little truth. You and I wake up and breathe in oxygen, we go to the bathroom, eat breakfast and tackle the challenges of our days. Sounds a lot like life to me, my friends. So many people have bought into the lie that we can just relax and enjoy this time, that we are in no hurry. Real life will come soon enough, college is all about you...it's the "best time of your life" after all, right? (For the record, I certainly hope in 60 years I don't look back on a time when I still slept alone in my bed, sat in a classroom at 8am, ate way too much ramen noodle, worked dead-end jobs and tried desperately to find meaning in every day life as the "best time of my life.") If you really think that today, right here and now, even as you read this note, that God is waiting until later to give you His work to do...you need to wake up and smell the bacon.
In 1989, Robin Williams starred in a movie about a group of bright young men who were preparing to lead wildly successful lives. These boys joyfully embraced the future and didn't give much thought to the trifle events of their daily existence. Dead Poet's Society is one of my favorite movies of all time. In one of the climatic scenes, Robin William's character, Mr. Keating, delivers one of the most powerful monologues I've ever seen. Carpe Diem, he tells the boys. Seize the day. You see, the boys had lost sight of the fact that every second of every day has potential.
Our God doesn't waste anything. There is no such thing as coincidence or luck with the Almighty. Where you are right now, God has a plan for you. God has a purpose and a mission that you should be working towards right now. We, as college students, are presented with an amazing opportunity that very few people ever get. We get to take our faith right into the offices and classrooms of the keepers of the culture. The university is the guardian of knowledge, societal standards, political landscape, all the diverse fields of science and medicine, theology, philosophy, etc. You and I are soldiers in hostile territory, my friends. The vast majority of people on our campuses do not share our beliefs or opinions. When you walk around on campus, get involved in organizations, attend school programs and sporting events, sit down in your classrooms and labs, study with your classmates, etc...you are to be a light in this present darkness.
The Bible tells us to be a "workman who is not ashamed...rightly dividing the Word of Truth" - 2 Tim 2:15. We really do have some work to do. Ask any one of your professors what their general feel of a "Christian" student is. I can tell you what the average concensus is: Christians are perceived as notoriously defensive, "anti-intellectual, narrow-minded and willfully ignorant" (thanks Boundless.org). Across academia, if you profess Christianity you are immediately tagged as "unenlightened", a "radical fundamentalist" or even "bigoted, archaic, Bible-thumper". I'm not out to attack people that think that way about us, I'm out to give them a reason to think otherwise.
When I step into a classroom, I want that teacher to know who I am. I guarantee you that this coming semester I will be on a first name basis with all my professors by the end of the first week. I will sit in the front row, I will participate in thoughtful class discussion, offer alternative viewpoints, study my tail off and do my absolute best in my academic work. I will serve my classmates by leading study groups and helping them in any way I can. I will be in my professor's office asking informed questions and getting difficult answers. I will be known merely as a "Christian" to most, but I will leave a good taste in the mouth of those who cross my path in the land of academia.
I say all this not to boast in my own ideology, but to give you an example of what "carpe diem" looks like from the perspective of a Christian college student. We are called to a standard of excellence far and above the norm. No doubt, this philosophy will be noticed by some and will elicit the kind of conversation that begins with "Why?" That's when the real ministry has a chance to take place and we get to follow 1 Peter 3:15 as we share the "reason for the hope we have in our hearts." This standard of excellence must be maintained, if for no other reason than the fact that we bear the name of Jesus Christ. May I never be guilty of bringing shame to my Savior. May I never be guilty of bringing anything less than my absolute 100% best to lay at His feet.
My friends, you and I have been presented with a tremendous gift. We can bring glory to our Creator and perform ministry for His sake on a daily basis. We can bring cultural relevance back to Christianity. We can fix the misconceptions that have been spewed for such a long time. We can stop waiting for "real life" to get here, stop buying into the lies of Satan and secular culture that seeks to steal our focus and energies away from true significance.
"Wherever you are...there you are." God put you where you are and when you are for a reason. He has a purpose for each aspect of your life. For too long has Christianity lived in the church. It's time to take this battle to the front lines.
Points of Action:
1. Be mindful of each moment as an opportunity to live out your faith.
2. Cling to a "standard of excellence" as you enter into academia.
3. Be prepared with the answers when your conduct elicits the questions.
Here's the lie: that you and I, along with every other college student, are preparing to live life. We are told by our society that we as a demographic are void of character, skeptical, uncontrollable, attention-starved animals who embrace moral relativism and temporal pleasures. They say we are the most self-centered generation in the history of mankind.
Time for a little truth. You and I wake up and breathe in oxygen, we go to the bathroom, eat breakfast and tackle the challenges of our days. Sounds a lot like life to me, my friends. So many people have bought into the lie that we can just relax and enjoy this time, that we are in no hurry. Real life will come soon enough, college is all about you...it's the "best time of your life" after all, right? (For the record, I certainly hope in 60 years I don't look back on a time when I still slept alone in my bed, sat in a classroom at 8am, ate way too much ramen noodle, worked dead-end jobs and tried desperately to find meaning in every day life as the "best time of my life.") If you really think that today, right here and now, even as you read this note, that God is waiting until later to give you His work to do...you need to wake up and smell the bacon.
In 1989, Robin Williams starred in a movie about a group of bright young men who were preparing to lead wildly successful lives. These boys joyfully embraced the future and didn't give much thought to the trifle events of their daily existence. Dead Poet's Society is one of my favorite movies of all time. In one of the climatic scenes, Robin William's character, Mr. Keating, delivers one of the most powerful monologues I've ever seen. Carpe Diem, he tells the boys. Seize the day. You see, the boys had lost sight of the fact that every second of every day has potential.
Our God doesn't waste anything. There is no such thing as coincidence or luck with the Almighty. Where you are right now, God has a plan for you. God has a purpose and a mission that you should be working towards right now. We, as college students, are presented with an amazing opportunity that very few people ever get. We get to take our faith right into the offices and classrooms of the keepers of the culture. The university is the guardian of knowledge, societal standards, political landscape, all the diverse fields of science and medicine, theology, philosophy, etc. You and I are soldiers in hostile territory, my friends. The vast majority of people on our campuses do not share our beliefs or opinions. When you walk around on campus, get involved in organizations, attend school programs and sporting events, sit down in your classrooms and labs, study with your classmates, etc...you are to be a light in this present darkness.
The Bible tells us to be a "workman who is not ashamed...rightly dividing the Word of Truth" - 2 Tim 2:15. We really do have some work to do. Ask any one of your professors what their general feel of a "Christian" student is. I can tell you what the average concensus is: Christians are perceived as notoriously defensive, "anti-intellectual, narrow-minded and willfully ignorant" (thanks Boundless.org). Across academia, if you profess Christianity you are immediately tagged as "unenlightened", a "radical fundamentalist" or even "bigoted, archaic, Bible-thumper". I'm not out to attack people that think that way about us, I'm out to give them a reason to think otherwise.
When I step into a classroom, I want that teacher to know who I am. I guarantee you that this coming semester I will be on a first name basis with all my professors by the end of the first week. I will sit in the front row, I will participate in thoughtful class discussion, offer alternative viewpoints, study my tail off and do my absolute best in my academic work. I will serve my classmates by leading study groups and helping them in any way I can. I will be in my professor's office asking informed questions and getting difficult answers. I will be known merely as a "Christian" to most, but I will leave a good taste in the mouth of those who cross my path in the land of academia.
I say all this not to boast in my own ideology, but to give you an example of what "carpe diem" looks like from the perspective of a Christian college student. We are called to a standard of excellence far and above the norm. No doubt, this philosophy will be noticed by some and will elicit the kind of conversation that begins with "Why?" That's when the real ministry has a chance to take place and we get to follow 1 Peter 3:15 as we share the "reason for the hope we have in our hearts." This standard of excellence must be maintained, if for no other reason than the fact that we bear the name of Jesus Christ. May I never be guilty of bringing shame to my Savior. May I never be guilty of bringing anything less than my absolute 100% best to lay at His feet.
My friends, you and I have been presented with a tremendous gift. We can bring glory to our Creator and perform ministry for His sake on a daily basis. We can bring cultural relevance back to Christianity. We can fix the misconceptions that have been spewed for such a long time. We can stop waiting for "real life" to get here, stop buying into the lies of Satan and secular culture that seeks to steal our focus and energies away from true significance.
"Wherever you are...there you are." God put you where you are and when you are for a reason. He has a purpose for each aspect of your life. For too long has Christianity lived in the church. It's time to take this battle to the front lines.
Points of Action:
1. Be mindful of each moment as an opportunity to live out your faith.
2. Cling to a "standard of excellence" as you enter into academia.
3. Be prepared with the answers when your conduct elicits the questions.
Still waiting, God
For some reason that is far beyond my comprehension, most of my best thinking seems to come at unreasonably late hours of the night. I'm sitting here at a time when I should be in bed asleep, but as has been the case most nights of late, I find myself pondering the deeper things of life.
My face is still damp from the tears that were shed a few minutes ago. I was overcome with the enormity of the God I serve. My reaction is not something I even begin to understand. I am humbled beyond belief that, for whatever reason He has, God has been revealing Himself to me like never before this summer. Most people, even most Christians, haven't even the slightest idea of the complexity and magnitude of our Heavenly Father. All of creation, everything our eyes can see now, have ever seen or ever will see, is sitting in the very palm of His all-powerful hand. So here's the question I'm pondering tonight: Why, in the light of this revelation, do I have such a hard time doing what my Father wills of me?
I find myself, as I'm sure many of you do as well, saying something along the lines of "I just want to do God's will" or "I'm praying He would show me His will" quite often. We are called to "wait on the Lord" in many passages of scripture. That has always been the hardest part for me. By nature, I'm not a very patient person. Once the plan of action has been thought out and decided upon, I want to move quickly. Waiting does not come naturally. However, we are also commanded to be pro-active in seeking out opportunities God places in our path. Here's the rub: what about when you know you've determined God's will for a situation, He just hasn't given you the O.K. on the timing yet?
I'm at a point in my life where it seems as if all the things I've been waiting and working for since I began the journey towards adulthood are finally approaching. It's as if I have spent years building these boats that are now docked in the harbor of my life. They are in different stages of readiness: some are still being built, others are in need of finishing touches and some are actually ready to sail right now. You all have boats in your own harbors: career, husband/wife, children, long-term ministry goals and many other boats, large and small.
I am a very passionate man. There are things God has placed on my heart that I know will be a part of my life-long ministry. There are people God has placed in my that I would gladly do absolutely anything they needed of me; people I would die for without a second's hesitation. My difficulty is reeling in my passions and submitting them to the authority of God's sovereign will.
It is our job as followers of Christ to be instruments of His work here on Earth. We all have purposes to fulfill on a daily basis. When determining whether something is in God will for us, we first have to answer the "what" question. Then, if it is something we're supposed to pursue (job, relationship, ministry opportunity, w/e) it becomes a question of "when". The when is the hardest part of following God.
The instant you get ahead of God's will, heartache and pain are guaranteed to follow. Can I get a witness from the audience? I've been guilty of taking matters into my own hands many times in the past; my heart has the scars to prove it. Submission to God's divine timing is the key to both serving our Lord faithfully and also avoiding the pain of prideful impatience.
As a man, the line is a very difficult one to walk. How do I live with these truths in mind, but also refrain from being a man of passivity? How do I pursue that fair maiden properly, while giving due respect to God's timing? How do I make the right job move when I haven't heard a distinct "yes" or "no" from the mouth of the Almighty? That, my friends, is why it is of paramount importance to maintain an intimately close relationship with our Creator and His Son Jesus Christ. That way we don't have to wander around wondering in angst if we're doing the right thing.
As always, the answer is Jesus Christ.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
so true...............
Significance?
Webster's defines significance as "important, having consequence". I have been praying hard for wisdom and direction in my life for several weeks now. After Pine Cove, a big chunk of the stuff I used to think was important had lost its significance to me. The opinions I once held on many topics mellowed considerably as well. Not too long ago, I was a very outspoken and opinionated person. There wasn't much in life I hadn't have a stance on or a viewpoint that I thought needed to be expressed. However, in recent weeks (mostly since my return from Pine Cove) there has been a monumental shift in perspective. I think for the first time I am actually beginning to see life as Christ would have me see it. When you begin to view everything through the lens of "how does this action glorify Jesus Christ?" and "how will people perceive this action with regard to my position as a follower of Jesus Christ?" everything begins to come into great clarity. Here's an example:
I used to think that democrats / liberals were "bad" people and I had a personal dislike for them. I enjoyed heated arguments about foreign policy, social programs, education reform, etc...and I took so much of it personally. Now that I have a new perspective, I just don't see that any of that is worth getting my feathers all ruffled. I doubt very seriously that Jesus would have engaged in heated debate over the trifle politics of His day. He knew that there were much more important things to discuss and focus on. That's not to say that politics, policy, reform, etc. don't have their place. I just don't think that losing even a fraction of our witness over it is worth it. We are called to show Christ's love to the world. Showing that love to people who passionately disagree with you is a great place to start. Politics just aren't eternally significant!
I used to find homosexuals disgusting. I didn't even want to be around them. That was a sin and I have long since repented from it. I realize now that the only way we are ever going to reach homosexuals, pro-abortion people, and anyone else that I used to find distasteful is to show them the love of Christ. I'm talking about genuine, unconditional love. The kind that rocks people's world and changes their heart. Only when they have tasted God's mercy and forgiveness through us, His people, will they have any reason to accept Him into their lives. Homosexuality and abortion are not eternally significant!
Here's the hard part...insignificance is not confined to the world of sin and corruption. Sports, fashion, celebrity, technology, medicine...none of it is significant in and of itself. Using these things to reach and invest in people's lives should be their only purpose for us. We are called as believers to bless, provide, disciple, mentor, instruct, love, honor, protect, etc. those around us. Especially those who haven't tasted the satisfaction that comes from knowing Jesus Christ in a deep and personal way. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are in dire need of blessing and encouragement as well.
One of the deepest longings of my soul is to truly bless those around me. It is the biggest struggle I have ever undertaken, because Satan and my humanity are completely opposed to the idea. Giving of yourself for someone else's benefit is an unnatural concept. But, if you want significance in this life...if you want to realize your true purpose and the real reason you are called to be on this Earth in the first place? That's a great place to start.
Just remember, every second of every day is an opportunity to have lasting impact on someone's life. Even something as simple as an encouraging message on facebook could drastically change the outlook of someone's day. You have incredible power in the lives of the people around you. Will you take advantage of that power or let it go to waste? Until next time...be good.
Think about it
They aren't "The One" until they are "The One". But, if they're "The One", they were meant to be "The One" from the dawn of creation. However, even if the one you pick wasn't "The One", when you say "I do" they become "The One" whether they were supposed to be or not...so choose wisely.
Someday these hands
So, I was in the middle of prayer tonight, kneeling beside my bed as I usually do right before I hit the sheets. I glanced down at my hands for a moment and received inspiration to write this...
"Someday These Hands"
Someday these hands will have the power to mend what has been broken and heal what has been hurt.
Someday these hands will comfort the wounded heart and lift up the heavy-burdened.
Someday these hands will touch the face of the one I was created to love.
Someday these hands will put a ring on a finger and bear witness to an oath everlasting.
Someday these hands will hold the life that will call me "father".
Someday these hands will become teacher and protector to a little set of eyes staring up at me.
Someday these hands will have to let go and trust in my Creator's providence.
This day, even now, these hands are laid bare before the Almighty, praying that someday these hands will do all that and more.
Confessions of a college man
So, I've come to a rather startling conclusion. My eyes are wild animals. The last several months God has been working in my life like He never has before. He has brought fairly radical transformation in my thought processes, opinions and even actions. Much of the rough edges in my life have been rubbed off by the sand paper of His grace. Especially since coming back from Pine Cove on July 8th, the transformation has been in overdrive. My body, my hands, my mind, almost all that I am has fallen completely under God's dominion. I realized last night, that regardless of where the rest of my life is at, my eyes are still as untamed and wild as ever. Several friends and I were working out at the stadium last night. There were some women I know on the field with us as well. Several times I caught my eyes gazing in their direction, which is something I have fervently been trying to control. I know that the eyes are the fuel that runs the lust engine, and that if I can keep my eyes where they belong then it will be much easier to keep my mind in line.
I find it extremely frustrating that my eyes can't seem to take a hint. My body belongs to Christ and my future wife, no one else. I have no problem at all controlling myself physically because I love my future wife far too much to take anything away from her. My heart belongs to Christ first and foremost, whatever else is left belongs to "the one". I have no problem closing off my emotion and heart from any girl because Christ and "the one" mean infinitely more to me than any other female on planet Earth.
My eyes are starving lions wandering the savannahs of Africa looking for something to devour. I am disgusted sometimes with the thoughts that seem to appear from nowhere in my mind. It serves as a stark reminder that I am a fallen man, and that all that is good in me is Christ. The only saving grace is that I desperately want to honor and glorify my Savior with the behavior of my eyes. The "neck up" policy I made in the spring goes a long way towards consistently respecting the women who cross my path. Praise God for giving me this constant reminder of why it is so important to remain close to Him. That's the only way to consistently tame the animal of my eyes. Sad but true.
With the strength of Christ, it is possible to remain pure with my eyes. "Flee temptation" takes on a whole new meaning when temptation is wearing a short skirt and walking right in front of you. I don't think this is something women fully understand. Perhaps, they do understand and yet continue to dress and act in ways that only make the problem worse. What a terrible realization that would be...
Ladies: Be mindful of the men in your life and those that cross your path daily. This is something we all struggle with. You can help us out by being the ladies God has called you to be. Modesty is a beautiful thing. Encourage and pray for the guys in your life, that we would raise the standard and live lives of excellence and purity.
Men: Purity of the eyes is not a simple goal that you achieve once and that's it. It is a daily struggle you will face for the rest of your days. Your future wife and your God demand that you remain true to them. It is never too late to begin this fight. The women in your life will appreciate it.
random thought
I find myself praying for my future wife much more than any kind of dating relationship. Her heart, mind, body, strength, safety, joy, peace, patience....all that good stuff. I'm not that interested at all in dating. It's worn out it's welcome in my heart. Unfortunately, our society says that you have to date before you can get engaged. Ideally, I'd just go straight from best-friend to fiance. I want to marry my best friend. Dating for the sake of assuaging loneliness is counter-productive and idolatrous. Christ desires to be our source for complete and total joy and satisfaction until He decides to give us "the one" we are to love. Then, He desires to be the source for all contentment and passion of the marriage itself. Go read Song of Solomon if you doubt me.
Poetic Expression: Round 2
Here Again
Tranquility abounds yet again, as darkness reigns supreme
Light and life has long since laid its head to rest
Here in the silence my demon lays in wait
When all other voices grow faint, there remains a whisper
A crier of a battle fought with each rise of the moon
Past failures rear their ugly head
Fear, the chief enemy of my soul, has arrived
His friends Regret and Despair are not far behind
Their plan to conquer the weary warrior has been hatched
They know not the state of the heart they seek to destroy
The man standing there is no longer a boy
The warrior waits, still protecting his joy
Strength unknown and unseen fills the man here today
His eyes turn to sky as a path lights his way
Down the road he still travels, for as long as he may
Tranquility abounds yet again, as darkness reigns supreme
Light and life has long since laid its head to rest
Here in the silence my demon lays in wait
When all other voices grow faint, there remains a whisper
A crier of a battle fought with each rise of the moon
Past failures rear their ugly head
Fear, the chief enemy of my soul, has arrived
His friends Regret and Despair are not far behind
Their plan to conquer the weary warrior has been hatched
They know not the state of the heart they seek to destroy
The man standing there is no longer a boy
The warrior waits, still protecting his joy
Strength unknown and unseen fills the man here today
His eyes turn to sky as a path lights his way
Down the road he still travels, for as long as he may
Poetic Expression: Round 1
In Longing
Again I drift to that happiest place
Where I am surrounded by wonder and grace
Able to stare at that beautiful face
For the mind can see what the eyes cannot
It sees that my efforts would not be for naught
For sake of the heart was the battle not fought?
For here in the mind she is there by my side
Again walking hand in hand and stride by stride
The eyes speak a language that no ear can know
They travel to places no feet dare to go
There to the heart, to the realm of emotion
Where the thoughts that are thought are as deep as the ocean
In my mind I am lost, there content just to be
Alone on my life raft, adrift on the sea
Again I drift to that happiest place
Where I am surrounded by wonder and grace
Able to stare at that beautiful face
For the mind can see what the eyes cannot
It sees that my efforts would not be for naught
For sake of the heart was the battle not fought?
For here in the mind she is there by my side
Again walking hand in hand and stride by stride
The eyes speak a language that no ear can know
They travel to places no feet dare to go
There to the heart, to the realm of emotion
Where the thoughts that are thought are as deep as the ocean
In my mind I am lost, there content just to be
Alone on my life raft, adrift on the sea
Things I learned at Pine Cove
I think the title is pretty self-explanatory...so here goes.
1. It's no longer just a cliche when I say "it's not about me". It really isn't, and even more importantly, it never was. Jesus was all about others when he was on this Earth. Honoring His Father with His ministry, His purpose and blessing the people around Him were all that mattered. With the Lord's help, it will continue to not be about me post - Pine Cove.
2. There is genuine, life-transforming, heartfelt joy to be found in every single instant of my life. That joy can't be dependent on the situation, the people around or even how I feel about the matter. The joy comes straight from the throne of God Almighty. He is the only source of true, lasting joy. This is not to be confused with happiness, which comes and goes like an East Texas rain storm.
3. We are capable of immensely more than we can comprehend when we submit our will and our strength to God's authority, purpose and plan. He can take us further, longer and help us accomplish much more if allow ourselves to be a tool in His hand. When we exhibit humility and the ability to relinquish control to God, only then can we begin to see our full abilities begin to flourish.
4. There are few things more beautiful and heart-warming than a bunch of individuals from diverse backgrounds, upbringing, education and personalities coming together to work as a single unit. It's one thing to hear a Forgie talk about community, but it's entirely different to live smack in the middle of it for 7 weeks. I can't fully express how incredible it is to see Romans 12 lived out on a daily basis.
5. Following along with number 2, I learned that there are about 8.2 million ways to enjoy life that I never really took the time to see before. I was accused by several people whose opinions I greatly value that I was too serious / intense / calculated, etc...and I sought God's will on exactly how to fix that problem. His joy is the answer...also, I'm making a conscious decision to laugh and smile more. It really is the best medicine.
6. Serving others is one of best feelings known to man. Especially when it's done in the proper attitude (bringing glory to God). I've never had a problem with the actions of service, but the motivation wasn't right. It always came out of a sense of duty or obligation, I was happy to do it but only because I felt like it was expected of me. After this summer, not only is the motivation where it belongs...there's an eagerness and a longing to serve that wasn't there before either. That's definitely a God thing.
7. Sarcasm has been firmly replaced with encouragement. At first, sarcasm seems like a harmless thing. I used to take great joy in a well-placed sarcastic jab at someone. I've begun to understand that speaking truth into someone's life is one of the most powerful ways God can use me. No sane person would turn down genuine encouragement from someone in their life. God has revealed the sarcasm / encouragement relationship as something that needs considerable work in my life.
8. Patience has been developed where there used to be none. I can't think of a better way to develop patience in me than to place me in an environment where I have zero control and zero authority and I am subject to the "go here...go there...do this and then that" will of my superiors. There were many times this summer when I was put in situations where the unexpected happened and it was blatantly obvious that I was being presented with an opportunity to work on my patience (it rained 45 of the 59 days I was there).
9. Humility and teachability have gone hand-in-hand this summer. It was my prayer going into this time at Pine Cove that these two things would be developed in large amounts. Thank God my prayers were answered. I learned how to be a good follower again and I was reminded that I don't do a very good job of following at SFA. That will change once the semester returns.
10. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I learned this summer that significance is infinitely more important than success. The path I'm walking right now will, Lord willing, lead to fabulous success in the world's eyes. It would be easy to lose focus in the midst of worldly success and forget that having significance in the lives of those around me is the goal. Significance brings the power to bless, encourage, disciple, shepherd, and truly love those in my life with Christ-like passion and fervor. The Lord is still teaching me how to attain and retain that significance in His eyes, it will undoubtedly be a lifelong journey.
---------------
This list is only a synopsis of the work God did in my life during my 7 weeks at Pine Cove. There's no telling how much other stuff has happened that I haven't even figured out yet. Thanks to the important people in my life, you know who you are. Your support through this season has helped God do His thing in my life. Now, on to the next adventure...hazzah!!
Christ. First. Last. Always.
1. It's no longer just a cliche when I say "it's not about me". It really isn't, and even more importantly, it never was. Jesus was all about others when he was on this Earth. Honoring His Father with His ministry, His purpose and blessing the people around Him were all that mattered. With the Lord's help, it will continue to not be about me post - Pine Cove.
2. There is genuine, life-transforming, heartfelt joy to be found in every single instant of my life. That joy can't be dependent on the situation, the people around or even how I feel about the matter. The joy comes straight from the throne of God Almighty. He is the only source of true, lasting joy. This is not to be confused with happiness, which comes and goes like an East Texas rain storm.
3. We are capable of immensely more than we can comprehend when we submit our will and our strength to God's authority, purpose and plan. He can take us further, longer and help us accomplish much more if allow ourselves to be a tool in His hand. When we exhibit humility and the ability to relinquish control to God, only then can we begin to see our full abilities begin to flourish.
4. There are few things more beautiful and heart-warming than a bunch of individuals from diverse backgrounds, upbringing, education and personalities coming together to work as a single unit. It's one thing to hear a Forgie talk about community, but it's entirely different to live smack in the middle of it for 7 weeks. I can't fully express how incredible it is to see Romans 12 lived out on a daily basis.
5. Following along with number 2, I learned that there are about 8.2 million ways to enjoy life that I never really took the time to see before. I was accused by several people whose opinions I greatly value that I was too serious / intense / calculated, etc...and I sought God's will on exactly how to fix that problem. His joy is the answer...also, I'm making a conscious decision to laugh and smile more. It really is the best medicine.
6. Serving others is one of best feelings known to man. Especially when it's done in the proper attitude (bringing glory to God). I've never had a problem with the actions of service, but the motivation wasn't right. It always came out of a sense of duty or obligation, I was happy to do it but only because I felt like it was expected of me. After this summer, not only is the motivation where it belongs...there's an eagerness and a longing to serve that wasn't there before either. That's definitely a God thing.
7. Sarcasm has been firmly replaced with encouragement. At first, sarcasm seems like a harmless thing. I used to take great joy in a well-placed sarcastic jab at someone. I've begun to understand that speaking truth into someone's life is one of the most powerful ways God can use me. No sane person would turn down genuine encouragement from someone in their life. God has revealed the sarcasm / encouragement relationship as something that needs considerable work in my life.
8. Patience has been developed where there used to be none. I can't think of a better way to develop patience in me than to place me in an environment where I have zero control and zero authority and I am subject to the "go here...go there...do this and then that" will of my superiors. There were many times this summer when I was put in situations where the unexpected happened and it was blatantly obvious that I was being presented with an opportunity to work on my patience (it rained 45 of the 59 days I was there).
9. Humility and teachability have gone hand-in-hand this summer. It was my prayer going into this time at Pine Cove that these two things would be developed in large amounts. Thank God my prayers were answered. I learned how to be a good follower again and I was reminded that I don't do a very good job of following at SFA. That will change once the semester returns.
10. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I learned this summer that significance is infinitely more important than success. The path I'm walking right now will, Lord willing, lead to fabulous success in the world's eyes. It would be easy to lose focus in the midst of worldly success and forget that having significance in the lives of those around me is the goal. Significance brings the power to bless, encourage, disciple, shepherd, and truly love those in my life with Christ-like passion and fervor. The Lord is still teaching me how to attain and retain that significance in His eyes, it will undoubtedly be a lifelong journey.
---------------
This list is only a synopsis of the work God did in my life during my 7 weeks at Pine Cove. There's no telling how much other stuff has happened that I haven't even figured out yet. Thanks to the important people in my life, you know who you are. Your support through this season has helped God do His thing in my life. Now, on to the next adventure...hazzah!!
Christ. First. Last. Always.
Still I Rise
Still I Rise
by: James Jenkins
Though the world itself feels dark and grey
Though I strain to see the light of day
Though the price is far too much to pay
Still I rise
Though the deck is stacked against me
Though all I hear is what I can’t be
Though all I want is to be free
Still I rise
Though people judge me with their eyes
Though I must fight off Satan’s lies
Though with God I’ll never sever ties
Still I rise
Because this world is not my home
Because I do not fight this battle alone
Because my strength is not of flesh and bone
Because my God is on His throne
Still I rise
by: James Jenkins
Though the world itself feels dark and grey
Though I strain to see the light of day
Though the price is far too much to pay
Still I rise
Though the deck is stacked against me
Though all I hear is what I can’t be
Though all I want is to be free
Still I rise
Though people judge me with their eyes
Though I must fight off Satan’s lies
Though with God I’ll never sever ties
Still I rise
Because this world is not my home
Because I do not fight this battle alone
Because my strength is not of flesh and bone
Because my God is on His throne
Still I rise
Why get angry? Just let it fuel the poetic fires...
Even Then
When all is down and dark
And all I feel is broken heart
Feel like my life is torn apart
Still I will praise the One above
Who bathes me in His wondrous love
Whose plan for me fits like a glove
When all around me makes no sense
When there can be no recompense
When what I loved is gone forever
Only You, Oh God, can be my tether
With You, I can face any weather
By: James Jenkins...
Poetic Praise Ministry
When all is down and dark
And all I feel is broken heart
Feel like my life is torn apart
Still I will praise the One above
Who bathes me in His wondrous love
Whose plan for me fits like a glove
When all around me makes no sense
When there can be no recompense
When what I loved is gone forever
Only You, Oh God, can be my tether
With You, I can face any weather
By: James Jenkins...
Poetic Praise Ministry
She still hasn't found what she's looking for...
In the rush to create a good list of what I'm looking for in the lady God has for me, I failed to remember that I myself have to meet her standards. So, here is the man I strive to be when the time comes...
1. A man whose identity and purpose are summed up in Christ and His will for his life.
2. A man who puts God before all else, and understands priorities in life.
3. A man who is completely devoted to his bride and puts her good before his own.
4. A man of rock solid integrity and character, one whose word and bond are never questioned.
5. A man who is not afraid to be real, vulnerable, to show emotion.
6. A man who is never too proud to apologize when he is wrong.
7. A man who has lofty ambitions and actively pursues them, but understands that true satisfaction and joy cannot be found at the office.
8. A man who takes the time and energy to keep his temple in great shape.
9. A man of tremendous intelligence, who can speak with authority on any subject that comes across his path.
10. A man who is confident and secure in himself, able to lead a good woman through the trials of life.
11. A man who possesses true joy and can find the humor in life; a man who brings joy to those around him.
12. A man who loves intensely, passionately and completely, holding nothing back.
13. A man who can train and lead a child down the paths of righteousness; and be a shining example of what a father is supposed to look like.
14. A man who is not afraid to take leadership roles and serve those around him.
15. A man worthy of admiring, respecting and emulating.
16. A man whose bride can look at him and be proud to call him her husband.
Every man has goals, standards set for himself. These are some of mine. They go beyond what I want to be for my future wife and children. They are the calling of God Almighty on my life. Every day is a new opportunity to get a little closer to seeing them realized.
The list just keeps on growing...
This is a list of some of qualities and attributes I'm looking for in the future Mrs. Jenkins. Most are non-negotiable; but some I can be flexible with.
1. She must put God before me ALWAYS, and be devoted to His path and calling for her life.
2. She must challenge me intellectually. A genius is not required, but she must be widely versed and able to have an intelligent conversation.
3. She must possess a confident and strong personality. She must not be easily swayed by public opinion; and she must be sure of herself.
4. She must be able to find the humor in life. A warm, contagious laugh is also desired.
5. She must be physically attractive to me. A model body is definitely not required, but she must actively maintain her figure.
6. She must be a lady of steadfast character and moral integrity. She must do what is right before what is convenient.
7. She must be goal-oriented and driven. She must know what she wants out of life and not be afraid to pursue it.
8. She must have a soft side. She must be warm and caring when it is necessary.
9. She must have a cool head on her shoulders. A short fuse and a volatile temper are not at all desired.
10. She must have a sense of adventure and spontaneity. She must be willing to be unpredictable and wild at times.
11. She must be a romantic. She must enjoy being romanced and be able to romance me back (I'm a big sucker for that stuff).
12. She must be able to relax. She must know when it's time to just sit down for a bit and spend quality time together.
That is all that I have time to think of for now. I'm sure there is more, but it will all be written down in due time. These are qualities my future wife will possess; I encourage you to create your own list.
1. She must put God before me ALWAYS, and be devoted to His path and calling for her life.
2. She must challenge me intellectually. A genius is not required, but she must be widely versed and able to have an intelligent conversation.
3. She must possess a confident and strong personality. She must not be easily swayed by public opinion; and she must be sure of herself.
4. She must be able to find the humor in life. A warm, contagious laugh is also desired.
5. She must be physically attractive to me. A model body is definitely not required, but she must actively maintain her figure.
6. She must be a lady of steadfast character and moral integrity. She must do what is right before what is convenient.
7. She must be goal-oriented and driven. She must know what she wants out of life and not be afraid to pursue it.
8. She must have a soft side. She must be warm and caring when it is necessary.
9. She must have a cool head on her shoulders. A short fuse and a volatile temper are not at all desired.
10. She must have a sense of adventure and spontaneity. She must be willing to be unpredictable and wild at times.
11. She must be a romantic. She must enjoy being romanced and be able to romance me back (I'm a big sucker for that stuff).
12. She must be able to relax. She must know when it's time to just sit down for a bit and spend quality time together.
That is all that I have time to think of for now. I'm sure there is more, but it will all be written down in due time. These are qualities my future wife will possess; I encourage you to create your own list.
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