We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about…

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

[C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory]

0 to 60 in…

0.                 I own 27 bibles

1.                 I like to read (but I’ve been really lazy lately)

2.                 I wish I were ambidextrous

3.                 I don’t like wearing my glasses, but certain people have changed my mind about that, so I’ll wear them around a select few

4.                 I want to serve as a college pastor one day

5.                 I could wear my rainbows year round if I wanted

6.                 I’ve never successfully been able to grow my hair out when I’ve wanted to…. I am trying to grow it out right now…. any bets?

7.                 this is my favorite number

8.                 I’ve been to the hospital 3 times…. my knee (bad sprain), my hand (first and only time I’ve had stitches) and my eye (severely scratched cornea)

9.                 I drive a Jeep and love it

10.             my favorite bible translations are NLT and ESV

11.             I don’t really like my smile

12.             I want to learn to play guitar, I own 2 of them

13.             I don’t really have a favorite color, but it used to be blue, then red, then it was blue again…most recently it’s been green

14.             War of the Worlds, Cars and Superman Returns are the only movies I’ve seen in the theater more than once

15.             I’ve had 4 jobs so far (restaurant, UNC Charlotte, Christian bookstore, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

16.             I’ve had 9 different cell phones and used 3 different services, Verizon has been the best so far

17.             and yes, I am addicted to my blackberry

18.             but I really want an iPhone

19.             or the new blackberry storm

20.             I really really really want to move out and get my own place, but I don’t have the monies right now…dumb

21.             I went to UNCC for 2 years, I was a Business Management/Accounting major…

22.             …then I switched my major to Psychology…right before dropping all my classes and to date have NOT gone back to finish

23.             I think I would like to live in Nashville or somewhere in Florida one day

24.             I played lacrosse in high school

25.             I’ve never had a messy room, but my room has been getting progressively messier the past few weeks

26.             I am 26

27.             there are 27 days left in the year

28.             Oh…and 26 is NOT old

29.             looking back, I wish I had played soccer growing up

30.             I like snowboarding even though I really suck at it…. I WILL get better

31.             the last time I did one of these random fact things was a whole lot easier, not sure why

32.             wow…. I’m only ½ way done with this list….

33.             I have some kind of A.D.D. I just know it…. and I’m a tad bit O.C.D. with certain things

34.             I think Transformers may be one of my favorite movies…

35.             oh, and Iron man…Anchorman…21…Blood Diamond…

36.             I would like to visit Europe or Australia someday…

37.             I wish I had a suite (or sweet) accent

38.             I have lived in 2 states, have only been to 6, driven through 10, have friends from at least 12 and would like to visit all 50

39.             I like both Macs and PCs…weird!

40.             NEWS FLASH!!! I’m far from perfect

41.             I can’t swim, never really tried since I’ve never been a water person, but…

42.             I like the beach and I’d like to own a pool in my backyard one day

43.             I always get complimented on my eyes and my phone voice

44.             I am a very open and honest person and like it

45.             I own a lot of shoes

46.             my brother is my best friend

47.             he got married this year…I always knew he’d beat me to the altar haha…and yes that makes me sad

48.             I sing in my car, in my room and a few other places, but NOT the shower

49.             I love dogs…just not my family’s dog…he’s mean

50.             I was voted best all around business student in my class in high school

51.             speaking of voting…this was the first presidential election that I have ever voted in…my guy lost haha

52.             I am ticklish

53.             I do not like my middle name

54.             I’m really bad (or good?) at bumping into people and not remembering where I know them from….

55.             …I usually remember about 15-30 minutes after running into them

56.             I don’t have any “famous” friends, but most of my friends do, so I have connections, sweet!

57.             I’m a pretty quick study and like learning new things

58.             I do occasionally watch the national geographic channel which happens to be channel # 58

59.             I’m a noble steed? What?

60.             okay so I know I cheated on a few of these but oh well…enjoy! I was bored!

I’m dying…

Ok. I’m not really dying, at least not any faster than normal (as far as I know). Sometimes, though, it feels as if I am. The state of the world; the lying, the hurting, the crap all around us…that’s on us. It’s our fault. It’s brought death to our lives. I can feel it, and if you slow down for a second I bet you can too.

Friends, when are we going to stop? Hating each other? Lying to each other? Talking down and killing others with our words? Gossiping and starting rumors? Tearing each other down…hating, killing, destroying ourselves and others…from the inside out. Is this really what we want? Are these things, deep down, really our hearts desire?

Be honest.

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

[Ephesians 4.14, 15 from the Messsage]

Love. We need to love.

I want to get this clear; I am NOT pointing my finger at you, you or you. I’m not calling anyone out. If I were, I’d be pointing 3 more fingers back at me. I’m merely putting the facts and the truth out on the table. For all to see. We are a mess and we aren’t doing much to clean up our acts. I’m the chief of sinners. I own just as much of this crap as anyone of you do. Would you take some time to pray for each other? Pray for yourselves. Pray that we could…no…that we will change.

It’s time for change. Obama was right about that. We need it. But it won’t be brought about by a new president, a new economy, a new haircut. The change, real lasting, meaningful change starts inside the hearts of the people. We need to learn to love again. Speak up in love, Act in love. Somewhere deep inside our hearts is the ability to love. Inside you and me and that guy or girl you’re always talking crap about. That smelly old homeless guy on the exit ramp every morning that we all quickly pass by, he could change everything…each of us,..could change everything if we would simply love. When will we?

I have so many struggles of my own right now, not that I’ve ever been without them, but they seem to be screaming and calling me out every chance they get. We all have crap in our lives; we all make stupid ridiculous mistakes. We live to please ourselves and climb our own individual ladders of success, however we measure it. Some of us find success in how much money we can make a year. How much junk we own. Some of us by the number of friends we have (real or on Facebook). Some of us by how “smart” we are or how many guys or girls we’ve been with. Does any of that REALLY matter? Is this what we are putting our life’s value in? Is this what we are striving for from the moment we wake up till the moment we close our eyes at night?

Stop.

Just stop.

Don’t give me that crap about it “not being that easy” or oh, maybe I’ll change next week. One more high and I’ll tone it down.

That won’t work.

I’ve tried.

You’ve tried before.

We’ve failed.

It’s time to wage a new war. It’s time to quit focusing on all the distractions, all the pleasures, all the things we think will make us happy and fight. Fight for our lives…for the lives of those around us.

It’s time to speak up, speak the truth and speak it in love. Let us not stop there though. Let’s act in love, one small action at a time. Encourage one another. Pay for someone’s drink, coffee or dinner. Give someone a good book to read. Take the time to pray with one another. Simply spend time with each other and listen. Listen.

Stop the death. Stop the killing. Let’s start truly living. Living in love.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

[Ephesians 4.25 – 32, New Living Translation, SE]

I love you all…grace and peace. May God’s love be shown.

…wrap our hearts around whatever we treasure most…

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
[Job 1.20-22, NLT]

Some people struggle with tragedy and heartbreak all their lives. Others seem to sail through relatively unscathed when it comes to such traumatic interruptions as job loss, injury or illness. Still, when troubles come, we may have a hard time echoing Job’s prayer in Job 1.21. Instead, we expect God to give and then give some more. We certainly don’t expect God to take anything away–and we usually resent it when He does. Yet everything remains His. At most, we’re stewards of what He’s entrusted to us. When we hold on to people or possessions as though they belong permanently to us, we only set ourselves up for deep disappointment.

Jesus taught that we wrap our hearts around whatever we treasure most (see Matthew 6.21). But if what we treasure can be taken away or destroyed, our hearts will always be in danger. God was the center of Job’s life–his treasure. Job appreciated what he had, but his life didn’t revolve around his possessions. Instead, his heart was wrapped around his relationship with God. What lessons can you learn from Job’s experience?

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
[Philippians 4.10-13, The Message]

Words kill, words give life…

“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”
[ephesians 4.29, ncv]

In his book on Humility, C.J. Mahaney comments on this verse, writing:

Our words are intended to communicate encouragement. Our words are to edify–they should be “good for building up.” And that goes for all our speech. We’re specifically commanded to communicate “only” that which edifies.

What are edifying words?

Here’s what they’re not. They’re not simply polite words. This verse isn’t an exhortation to niceness or social protocol. And it certainly isn’t talking about flattery or about superficial words or about compliments that are man-centered or man-exalting.

Truly edifying words are words that reveal the character and the promises and the activity of God. They’re cross-centered words. They’re words rooted in and derived from Scripture, words taht identify the active presence of God, and words that communicate the evidences of grace that you observe in others. They’re words that flow from a humble heart.

We’re commanded to communicate only words like these that are good for building up another. What a sweet command! What a privilege!

i have to admit, i’ve been doing a really, REALLY bad job of this lately. i’ve been careless and even worse, wreckless with my words. i’ve said things that i haven’t meant and i’ve meant things that i haven’t said. what a fool! what an arrogant fool…i’ve been killing those i love most with my words. i seriously need to refocus and get my priorities straight again because i’ve been failing miserably at this life i’ve been given. we get one life…one shot at this. i need to make the most of it and live it well.

my friend Brian says that i should put this verse to music and make it the theme song of my life because i quote it all the time. here it is, Paul writes, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back” [philippians 3.12, the message]. if i’m gonna quote it so much i’d better start living up to it…i need get on my way, “well on my way, reaching out for Christ” and live this life for Him who lived His life for me.

remember, we are called, and commanded, to encourage others all day, every day…our words are powerful…our words matter. “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” [proverbs 18.21, the message].

…i’m in a hurry, but God isn’t

The day The Dwelling was set up, the Cloud covered The Dwelling of the Tent of Testimony. From sunset until daybreak it was over The Dwelling. It looked like fire. It was like that all the time, the Cloud over The Dwelling and at night looking like fire.

When the Cloud lifted above the Tent, the People of Israel marched out; and when the Cloud descended the people camped. The People of Israel marched at God’s command and they camped at his command. As long as the Cloud was over The Dwelling, they camped. Even when the Cloud hovered over The Dwelling for many days, they honored God’s command and wouldn’t march. They stayed in camp, obedient to God’s command, as long as the Cloud was over The Dwelling, but the moment God issued orders they marched. If the Cloud stayed only from sunset to daybreak and then lifted at daybreak, they marched. Night or day, it made no difference—when the Cloud lifted, they marched. It made no difference whether the Cloud hovered over The Dwelling for two days or a month or a year, as long as the Cloud was there, they were there. And when the Cloud went up, they got up and marched. They camped at God’s command and they marched at God’s command. They lived obediently by God’s orders as delivered by Moses.

[numbers 9.15-23, the message]

Phillips Brooks, a pastor in New England during the late 1800′s, was known as a calm and relaxed man. But one particular evening a friend found him pacing the floor like a caged lion. When the friend asked him what was wrong, Brooks replied, “The trouble is I’m in a hurry, but God isn’t!”

Can you relate? Sometimes the hardest part of following God is waiting on Him to move. At these times questions come fast and furious. “Why won’t our house sell?” “When will I hear something from the person who interviewed me?” “How long do I have to wait for my friend’s attitude to change?”

The Israelites discovered this truth firsthand. God led them through the wilderness, but not always at the pace they had hoped for. Yet God expected the people to obey regardless of the wait.

It’s not hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for the Israelites to be patient and obedient, because you experience this in your own life. Maybe you’re waiting for an answer to prayer. You know that God’s answer is critical, yet He doesn’t seem to be responding. You’re in a hurry, but God isn’t.

And while the hardest part may be the waiting, learning to trust God in the middle of it all is no picnic either. Yet Proverbs 3.5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Obeying and trusting God often require a measure of patience. “Obedience must be the struggle and desire of our life,” writes Phillip Brooks. “Obedience, not hard and forced, but ready, loving and spontaneous.” So Brooks waiting, in spite of his moments of impatience.

Are you willing to wait for God, trust His timing and answers and obey–regardless of the wait?

Why does God seem to move slowly at times?

About what needs or concerns are you waiting to hear a response from God? Pray for patience as you wait.

What practical steps can you take to trust and obey while waiting for God’s answer?

“I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, o’er mountain or plain or sea. I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what you want me to be.”

-Mary Brown

Strangers Among Us

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is known for its man-made beauty. But the manmoth structure is also infamous for something ugly–lonely and depressed people jumping to their deaths into the churning water and jagged rocks below. One young man who committed suicide left a note on the dresser in his apartment that read, “I’m going to walk to the bridge. If one person smiles at me on the way, I won’t jump.” Tragically he didn’t find what he was looking for.

Have you ever felt as though no one cares? Like a stranger in a strange land? If so, you’re not alone. God’s people have a history of alienation. Abraham left his home to become a nomad. Jacob and his sons left a familiar land to live in Egypt. The children of Israel left their oppressors in Egypt to become strangers in the promised land. The disciples left their homes in Galilee to take the Good News into the world. The apostle Peter addressed his first letter to the church, “To God’s elect, strangers in the world” [1 Peter 1.1].

Every child of God has been a stranger, a foreigner, an alien. And the truth of the matter is that God designed it that way. The teacher in the book of Ecclesiastes states that God “has also set eternity in the hearts” of people [Ecclesiastes 3.11], so that our souls would always look beyond what we see here and toward a better future. We have this innate sense that what we see is not what we’re going to get–that there’s a spiritual aspect to this life that somehow affects what happens after this life. Those who believe in God recognize this internal dissonance and use it toward God-glorifying ends as they try to make this world a better place so that others will experience hope as well.

Which leads to the next point: You may be a stranger, but you’re not alone, not by a long shot. Take a look around you, and you’ll see strangers everywhere. Some are aware of their status as God’s wayfarers on this earth; others aren’t, and they may be as frustrated and hopeless as the young man described above. God gave us as job to do when it comes to the strangers among us. As He reminded His people not to mistreat them or take advantage of them, so we’re reminded of the same today. But does He leave it at that? No. Because you’ve been a stranger, you are called to love strangers just as you love yourself.

What does it take to feel loved when you’re a stranger? Maybe just a smile will do, or a kind word of encouragement, or a helping hand. Be on the lookout today for strangers in need of love.

When have you felt like a stranger?

What individuals around you today might feel estranged?

What simple thing can you do today to help a lonely individual sense God’s love?

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?” He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”

He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

“Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”

Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”

Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’

“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”

“The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

[luke 10.25-37, the message]

…abiding is about living in the presence of…

“The Christian life is about living life with Jesus. Living life with Jesus is about abiding in Him. To abide means to live within. And so abiding is about living in the presence of: it’s about depending on, it’s about trusting in, it’s about communicating with. To live life with Jesus, I must go into the tent of meeting and get my face in front of His face.”

[Vince Antonucci, I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt]

i hate waking up feeling like this…

i’ll give my usual disclaimer for this one: if all this doesn’t make any sense, i’m not surprised…

but i hate mornings like today… i have no idea if this is a common thing, or if it’s just one of those weird things that makes me who i am… i can’t remember if i actually had any dreams or what, but i feel like everyone hates me… it makes no sense because i know it’s not true, at least not blatantly true becuase i haven’t had any arguements with anyone lately, i just woke up this morning and felt like those closest to me can’t stand me and even border line hate me… hopefully i have a good day and all this will be long forgotten before lunch… oh well… i gotta get ready to leave… hope everyone has a great day…

ct

ps. pray for our high school students who are in Maine right now on a missions trip… they took 2 church vans up and yesterday at some point one of them lost it’s transmission… not sure if they’ll get it fixed or just rent a different van to drive home this weekend…

wish list item # 4

Jeep Commander… this is obviously a big wish list item… not just in size obviously but also in price (they start around $30,000) althought i’d also be happy with a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee as long as it was black and awesome…

i’ve had the tremendous blessing of being able to drive my brother Matt’s Cherokee for a week while he is up in Winterport Maine with some of our youth on a missions type trip… pray that i don’t covet it while i’m borrowing it this week cause it’s a really nice one! and i was told it’s kinda Bear-ish… suite!

anyway, gotta run, time to get back to work!

ct

“Don’t play stupid with me…I’m better at it.”
[unknown]