I Found God… in the Red Light District

Yesterday was the culmination of too many amazing encounters, I just had to stop and put these thoughts on paper.  And if you are confused by the title of this post, don’t worry, just keep reading and it will all make sense.

If the amazing weather, great company, and an incredible day spent outside climbing at Foster Falls wasn’t perfect enough…   It got even better when shared with new friends, and what seemed to be nearly half of my student staff.  Even though our group started out as four, we ran into another small party of ours early in the afternoon and met some new friends not long after.

Ally, Sam, and @JacuiBA were taking Kaley climbing outside for her 18^th birthday. We stopped to chat, I sang “Happy Birthday” in Espanish, and then made our way towards the Red Light District (The name of a small section of wall at Foster Falls) where we were going to eat lunch and wait our turn to get some climbing in.  It wasn’t too long till the girls made their way towards the Red Light District as well, where we to ran into more friends from Chattanooga.  Finally, after eating a quick lunch… we spent most of the early afternoon climbing, enjoying good company, and talking about God.

So there I was, ironically enough, in the “Red Light District”… climbing a route called “Timeless Christian Values”…  and listening to my student staff share in an incredible conversation about Christ with some friends we met only an hour before. I heard conversations of God’s faithfulness and provision, as well as some incredible facts about the Bible and some of its “hidden” messages.  With all this going on, I sat there thinking about all of the incredible people I’ve met within the last few weeks and could help but sit there completely amazed at this Spirit of God that brings complete strangers together in amazing community.  

While getting ready to hike out Andrew made a comment that this day was probably the closest thing he has experienced to heaven on earth… I may just have to agree.

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Oh how I love talking to people about God, even listening to others talk about God makes me “smile real big” inside.  I don’t know if anything else brings me more happiness than when two people who have spent absolutely no time together can talk for hours about the goodness of God.  It reminds me of the unity that Paul talks about in Romans 15.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

The bottom line… God is faithful, that is all there is too it.  He is so many other amazing things as well, but in my life (and I bet in yours too) he has most certainly been faithful.

This last month I’ve been asking God for “community”, and his response to these prayers has been incredible… I guess finding God in the Red Light District really made me realize just how faithful God has been this last year.  Special thanks to all who’ve been able to share in these amazing experiences, you guys have truly been a testament to God’s faithfulness in my life.

Romans 15:5-6

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Positive Thinking

Okay, I realize that a few of my last postings have had a negative subject line… but really the truth behind all that seems “negative” is quite encouraging.  In all of our failings, sufferings, fears and doubts, God never intended for us to do all of this alone.  In my shortcomings, struggles, and fear of God asking me to live uncomfortably I have been reminded of one of God’s promises to all of us…  I’m not talking about the warm and fuzzy grace and love either (well, not in the sense our minds are conditioned to think).  I’m talking about the promises of the Holy Spirit.

While I am in the process of strengthening my relationship with the Holy Spirit and better understanding His gift, I usually fail to recognize one important truth.  The Spirit is God in us.  Really, He is in us and he never leaves, and He is always there to help guide me in my decisions (that is, when I let Him) and he is always there to convict me when I am not living out God’s will in my life. 

We have been promised so much strength and comfort it’s hard to believe I have spent any time at all worrying and stressing over things that are really quite insignificant.  If you haven’t read what we have been promised by the Holy Spirit I urge you to read the Gospel of John, chapters 14-16.

The quick list God has promised me (and you):

·      Anyone who has faith in Jesus will do even greater things than He did, can I get an amen? (John 14:12)

·      He has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever!  He will live with us and in us! (John 14:16-21)

·      He will teach us and remind us of all that Jesus told us, this is something I need constantly.  (John 14:26)

·      If we remain in Jesus, and intentionally live out his teachings, we can ask whatever we want and it will be given us.  I believe as we live intentionally for Him, our dreams and passions begin to line up more closely with God’s will for our life. (John 15:7)

·      He will testify the greatness of Jesus, through us.  I love it when “I” say or do things that are unexplainable, things that can only be explained by the power of God…  and the only explanation is the Spirit in me.  (John 15: 26)

·      He will convict the world of guild in regards to sin and righteousness.  While this seems like the gloom of what we have been promised, conviction is a good thing!  Without conviction we have no longer allowed God to work on our hearts. (John 16: 8)

·      He will guide you into all truth.  If this doesn’t comfort you I don’t think anything will.  At a time in my life where I am very unsure of what is coming next, I am confident that God will remain faithful in this promise and look for  (John 16: 13)

·      He will reveal to us the glory of God, even though I don’t think I can fully grasp this concept the thought of it excites me. (John 16:14)

What does all of this mean for me?  It means that I will never have to struggle, fall, or make tough decisions on my own.  It means that when I ask God for wisdom and guidance he will give it, and he will encourage me towards truth.  It means that even though I may become distracted, I will be convicted in the areas of life I need to remove sin.  It means that when I struggle to make the connection that I can never escape God’s presence (Psalm 139) that the Holy Spirit will be there to remind me how to live like Christ.

It always sounds so simple on paper; just remember Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit. And hopefully the simple realization of God’s promises to me through the Holy Spirit will change things… I am confident they will.  Even though these struggles and distractions will never fully go away, I will never have to deal with them alone.  How’s that for a positive thought?

Verse of an undetermined period of time:

John 14:15-17

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Do I really want this?

“What if God does show up but then he asks you to go somewhere or do something that’s uncomfortable?”

Francis Chan- Forgotten God

When we submit our lives to God, to be “subjects of His will”, are we really ready for all that he has planned for us?

As followers of Christ, in a society that may not always share our beliefs, we are going to be called to situations that are uncomfortable. God may call us to minister to an area or people group where the quality of life is not nearly as comfortable as that which we’re used to. Am I fully aware of the discomfort that I may be subject to, or do I just want the feel good sensation of “grace”? Am I prepared to trust that what God has planned for me is so much better than what I may believe to be comfortable or safe? Am I Ready?

It seems like such an easy question, one that I feel I would readily respond, “Yes, of course!” But in my own reflections, I believe anyone would struggle with this question and what it might mean. We worry about little things all the time, like what to wear or what to say… why wouldn’t we worry about what God may ask us to do or stop doing, or where He could ask us to go. While the Church does, and should, preach all the great messages of salvation and grace, I feel I have not been challenged to pursue other important subjects. Subjects that may result in a little “discomfort” at times… like trust, faith, evangelism, and patience… to name a few.

When it comes down to it, I do not feel that I have fully surrendered my life to allow the Holy Spirit to remove the fear in my life, but I believe I am in the process. While I wish for the Spirit of God to work in and through me, and I believe fully that He does, I still struggle with thoughts of what others believe… both Christ followers and those who aren’t. I struggle with the thought of rejection of some of my closest friends when I share my beliefs. I struggle with the thought that I may be called to give up everything. Even though right now it is easy to say, “Here I am Lord, send me…” I hope that I will be ready when the Lord asks me.

I say “when”, instead of “if”, because I believe all of us will be called to something much greater, and more “uncomfortable” than we know. Please do not think that the Lord will call all of us to give up everything, but he will call us to a life that goes against what much of society believes, and even what many churches may consider right and acceptable. The greatest thing about this calling in our life is that God has also promised us something amazing, the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, God in us). Pursuing this promise has proven to be one of the greatest benefits to my relationship with God, and has also removed a lot of fears I have over God’s calling in my life… My fear has turned into excitement in many cases, with the anticipation of growing so much closer to Him.

So I will ask again, do I really desire God to show up when I ask Him? Absolutely, and I hope He shows up for you as well. It is my prayer that the Spirit is so alive in my life (and yours) that what seems uncomfortable now, would not be uncomfortable at all, but exciting and adventurous.

Merry Christmas! Thank you Jesus for my... Suffering?

In this last week of being home I have seemed to come across a few common themes while visiting my home Church in Colorado and the book I have been reading, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, by John Ortberg. The themes: suffering and perseverance.

On Sunday, Pastor Jim spoke from Luke 2:25-35. Simeon, a faithful and devoted servant of God, spoke of Jesus’ reign to come, “This child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

In the spirit of Christmas we celebrate all that Christ means to us, but has it ever crossed your mind to thank Jesus for our suffering, especially on Christmas? As much as I hate struggling, suffering, and falling, I would be missing an important part of what Christ has done for me. So during this Christmas season, I have been challenged to be thankful for all that I have suffered and learned… Merry Christmas? I would say so! While I would never wish to suffer, or fall, I may never have to suffer again in the same way because I have persevered and matured. So in the spirit of Christmas, be thankful for all that you have learned through suffering and persevering.

What does it mean to rise and fall? Jesus came, and he challenged the way viewed God. His life was the perfect example of rising, falling, and rising again (both metaphorically and literally). Though he has given us grace and truth, and calling us to much more in life than our own wants and needs, it is by no means an easy calling. When Christ came to give us “life to the fullest”, we were given the opportunity to rise and fall.

I’ve come to understand that falling is inevitable, and as Pastor Jim put, “You have to fall in order to rise”. Life, and life in Christ, will present many challenges and struggles. Whether they be physical, mental, professional, spiritual, relational, or financial, suffering allows us a most precious opportunity to learn. Falling can take many shapes, but I also believe falling challenges our faith to mature much faster than we would be willing when life is easy, as found in James 1:2-4.

In my most recent reading, John Ortberg makes a very good point about suffering.

“Suffering alone does not produce perseverance, only suffering that is endured somehow in faith…”

When we make the wholehearted effort to pursue God, we will suffer; but it is only suffering endured through faith in His will for us can we really persevere. Otherwise we are just surviving, not persevering. When we struggle, our hearts are revealed as Simeon stated in Luke 2. I don’t want survive; I want to persevere. I wish I could say that has always been the case, but I am grateful for the challenge to suffer in new ways and with a new heart.

Are we going to show faithfulness to God when times get tough, or only when things are good and easy? Are we willing to let God work through our struggles, or do we want to hold onto our own hopes and dreams and not trust that what God has for us is so much more than we could ever hope and dream? I hope so, and I think God is faithful and will send us the encouragement we need to endure the suffering and see Him work mightily in us and through us.

Christ came and suffered for us, more than we will ever be able to fully understand. In his coming we have been given the same great honor, to rise and fall, and hopefully transform into the great tool he intended us to be… Merry Christmas, may you fall and rise, may you suffer and persevere, and may you be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

To be, or not to be... Intentional

I grabbed a book off my bookshelf before I left for Thanksgiving break, The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg, I’ve had this book for years but have never made it past chapter one (may not have gotten past page one). Even though it was given to me by my friends in University Ministries I have always looked at the title and couldn’t help thinking that this was totally going to be a “self help” book, and would continue putting it aside for when my “self” needed a little more “help”.

What is that saying… “Never judge a ‘self help’ book on spiritual disciplines by its cover”? I think that’s it.

While I’ve had every intention of getting through all of the books given to me by respected friends, I’ve had this one for nearly four years. I wouldn’t even necessarily say that I’m in the “self help” mindset, I just so happened to have lent another book I was reading to friend who I thought might be inspired by it, and now I was stuck with a short break from school, and no book. Time for a little dose of “self help” I guess…

Regardless of the reasons causing me to start this book, I’ve been challenged to think about some of the early points that this book has presented. Specifically, the one that caught my attention the most, how is my spiritual health or how would I describe my spiritual life?

What defines our spiritual life? When someone asks, “How is your spiritual life?” what is the first thing that you think? Is it a list of acts or spiritual disciplines that we have or have not done recently? Maybe we just regurgitate something that we had recently read in a book, or even the Bible… but do these phrases, actions, or even inactions, truly describe the state of my spiritual life?

If you aren’t sure what actions I am referring to, let me offer a brief list: quite time, reading the Bible daily, going to church, skipping church, journaling (daily, weekly, or however often), praying… these are all things that I should do if I want to be closer to Jesus, but by saying that I do these things can I truly describe how my spiritual life is doing? Don’t get me wrong, all of these are important spiritual disciplines, but I have found that I can do all of these things and still lose sight of God. When my heart is not behind each action, I just begin to walk through the motions, hoping that these things I do will tell everyone else that I am spiritually on my game.

My most recent understanding of my spiritual life looks something like this: Instead of showing everyone how big my spiritual-daily-to-do-list is, and flexing my spiritual biceps (and essentially feeding my spiritual ego)… it is the way I interact with others, what I’ve learned from trying to complete that lengthy to-do list, or even things that I currently struggle with, that should best represent my spiritual life… If anyone is like me, we easily look past the purpose of what we are doing, and begin to just do it… That’s when these ever so important spiritual disciplines turn into a checklist.

Read my bible… check.

Prayed… check.

Prayed longer than yesterday… check!

Journaled… check.

Went to church… check.

Fellowship with both believers and non-believers… check.

Did all of this with the intent of learning more about, and growing closer to, God… ____ (yeah, workin on that one)

After I’ve completed my checklist I seem to have missed the very most important point… Intentionality! If I do all of the things on the list and fail to remember that I am His, and I am living for Him, I am just another Pharisee who’s pride has removed the greatness of God from being spiritually disciplined.

If I had to try to pinpoint my biggest distraction to my spiritual disciplines, it would have to be pride. Pride, it can be so sneaky and can easily reverse my perfectly pure and humble intentions if I’m not careful. When I am doing “great” at pursuing Jesus, I become proud of “my” accomplishments and how much I have increased my learning and understanding of Him. Then I forget I am a sinner and I still need grace, every minute of every day. That is when pride sneaks in and knocks me back.

In the end, what have I learned, what have I struggled with, whom have I showed the love of Jesus to? Those are the things that I should begin to define the current state of my spiritual life, or spiritual health. It doesn’t have to be all the things that I have done, even though we know that it is important to be spiritually disciplined and express our faith through our actions. But actions lacking intention are sure to miss the mark (sin reference). The good news is that others can challenge us when our actions become aimless and unintentional. Living intentionally can't be easy for the average, easily distracted and prideful, American... but knowing how important intentionality is for our own spiritual health and our witness has to be half the battle.

Battle on!

My new verse for an undetermined period of time-
James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded

Where can I go?

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. "
- Psalms 139:7-10







This verse was brought to my attention a few weeks ago by a member of my Outdoor Pursuits staff while backpacking over fall break with 6 other students. Since then I cannot get this passage out of my head, not that I want to, but there is clearly power behind the words in this psalm that has really spoken to me during these busy and stressful times.

Had it not been for our backpacking trip, I probably would have lost all sanity before the end of the semester... and had it not been for Ally bringing this passage up for our Sunday morning devotional, I would probably still be frustrated with many of the uncertainties of life and all the work that I am putting in towards an undetermined goal. So for that I would like to give Ally due credit for a very appropriate, and compelling, devotional... one that I am still thinking about three weeks later.

Which brings me back to the title of this post... "Where can I go?" Where can I go to escape God's presence? Why would I want to go? And even if I don't want to escape God's presence, why am I so persistent to "ignore" or avoid God in all of his glory? For some reason I always feel like I we has humans have to make a conscious effort to escape God, when in all actuality we are simple minded and forgetful.

While the above questions are all great questions, ones which I have no great answer for, I almost do feel like we have to make a conscious effort to escape God. Accord to Psalm 139, we cannot escape... and while I never try to run from God, I hate how my undisciplined human nature will so easily take over and I simply forget those things most important to me. I have found that in reflecting on this passage for three weeks I have seen or experienced God in more ways than I had previously noticed... yet when I look back on it, I feel like it should have been obvious all along.

God is not just out there in creation waiting for us to discover Him, even though that is another incredible experience. We can constantly experience God in how we interact with others, God created us in His image and gave us the ability to feel joy, love, concern, etc... God is made up of all that is good, and he has also given us the ability to discern and hate evil. During our travel I was able to experience a lot of emotions, some of which were of frustration and impatience... But more than anything else, God was in our presence. There was an incredibly strong sense of community and participants opened up to each other almost immediately. There was genuine concern for others' well being, health, comfort, and so on... but there was more trust, joy, and love shared during the duration of our three days than other trip I had ever experienced.

When I started thinking about this I was challenged to look for other areas that we may experience God, or areas which we cannot escape His presence...

As I started to read through Psalms 139 more and more I realized that there is absolutely nothing we can do to "escape" God, intentional or not. He is constantly chasing us down as we get caught up in the business of life, everyday distractions, good choices and poor choices... He is there to lead us, and to hold us in the palm of his hand. When you know that God is there, or at least when I know God is there, it makes all of life's toughest decisions seem a lot less difficult. The hardest part is being reminded of that trust, so we can forget about worrying. (easy right?) I wish it was that easy, it's not... and just like everything else it takes discipline to remember how much God loves us, and how he is in constant pursuit of me.

Challenging myself to recognize areas where I can see (feel/sense/hear... whatevs you call it) has drastically changed the way I think about trust and faith. While I'm not certain what I'll be doing, or where I'll be going, after May, I have a pretty good feeling God will be there with me. I've also been challenged to look for God in human interaction, the way I treat people and the way others treat me. Service and love are both ways in which we challenge people to "experience" God around them... It's funny, but to me it sounds a lot like the idea of "paying it forward". The way you treat others can greatly influence how they will treat those they encounter. How we lead others will challenge them to lead others in a similar fashion (that is if they experienced positive growth).

In thinking about this idea of never being able to escape God I've challenged myself in how I go about my regular day. Instead of focusing on all the negatives of the day, I hope that "looking" for God will really humble me in spite of my busy schedule, and chances are it will be less likely that I will slip into my forgetful state.



Just thought I'd add a few photos from our trip to Big South Fork.

One of my favorite photos from the trip, campfire fun. That's Ben and I on the right eating all the left over chili we made, and Savannah on the left there getting hydrated for day 3!













Grant said we were lost.... I say he's a bit lost.
















I hate to admit it, but those hiking symbols are terribly accurate when it comes to actual technique. Who would have thought?

Oh how time flies... when you work all the time?

Now that I have found five minutes to look at a calendar, it's upsetting to begin wondering where all my time has gone... It is amazing to think about the last 5 weeks that have passed, it really was not that long ago. But at the same time feel like I've been locked in time, not moving anywhere, for at least 3 months... I hope that is not the case, because I really am looking forward to the end of this semester.

Now, back to it... Time to get back to the e-journal... sorry to anyone waiting for the pictures from the summer. I've continued to experience some technical difficulties. I hope to not keep anyone waiting much longer, but I have hardly found time to put these few thoughts on paper, so don't hold your breath.

This week's verse (I should probably say, "the verse for an undetermined period of time" just to be safe) has been in my thoughts and in my conversation for weeks... and I am just now acting on the conviction I felt three weeks ago after first discussing it during Bible study.

I Timothy 4:8-10

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.

This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

How easy is it to neglect our physical needs, especially when we are busy? Why is it then that it is even easier to neglect our spiritual needs? I feel like I visit this topic time and time again. I don't make enough time, shouldn't making time be easy for a gracious and merciful God? So many questions, and yet the answers seem so simple. Why haven't I given God my best of everything, and not just the best of what I want to give- isn't he deserving?

Yes, he is more than deserving... and I still struggle with my own selfish human desires. Why can't I strive to give God my best, like I feel I do more often for work and for class? Outside of what Paul is saying in I Timothy, I believe I need God's help to love him. Are we as humans capable of loving anything unconditionally, even God himself? While I wish it were true, and with God's help I believe we can come very close. The fact of the matter is, we are incapable of loving as God loves...

That's what it comes down to I guess, disciplined love. Or at least a passionate pursuit of the Love that has been given us.

A friend, b_bOss recently reminded me via his "tweeter"
- "My favorite things in life are the most consistent ones".

I couldn't agree more, and I can't think of anything more consistent than the grace given to me for my imperfections and my shortcomings. People will let me down, and I hope I will not love them any less for it... I will continue to struggle with business and distractions, but I hope that I will love God more through it... Thank God, that he will not love me any less, and is deserving of my absolute best.