Wednesday, February 8, 2012

From Life to Art


The beauty we’ve been given,
Is in that which is unseen;
And although unseen, we hold confidently to its’ reality
In a secret balance of faith and passion.

For a painter is not a painter,
Until he approaches his canvas.

A writer is not a writer,
Until she captures creativity through the power of words.

A traveler is not a traveler,
Until he courageously walks away from the security of certainty.

In everything we start with nothing,
Faithfully holding onto what could be;
And although we cannot foresee successes or failures,
With passion we must pursue Everything. 

The same holds true for love…

For a friend is not friend,
Nor a neighbor a neighbor,
Until kindness is given freely, expecting nothing in return.

A brother is not a brother,
Nor a sister a sister,
Until they have carried each other’s burdens.

A mother is not a mother,
Nor a father a father,
Until they experience true love’s sacrifice.

So in our desire to truly live
We must approach our canvas,
Walk courageously,
Carry one another’s burdens,
Love sacrificially,
And vulnerably embrace our imperfections,

It is here that life becomes art,
And our lives an empty canvas,
Waiting to be faithfully and passionately approached. 

Dedicated to my dear Aunt Debbie.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Spend and be spent...

These last few weeks have been life changing, and still have much farther to go on this trip.  Even before leaving my mind has been occupied with words, how we use them, and often times which ones to choose. 

These last 8 months of my have been putting together a “covertly” Christian organization, the Become a Human Project.  While my convictions and direction come from my faith and love for my creator, my heart has been unsettled about how we, or I, often make attempts to point people towards Jesus.  That is what we are called to do right?  Point people towards Jesus, tell them about our God, make disciples? 
I find this topic to be much like a love-hate relationship.  Why, when I tell people about Jesus and often include scripture verses to emails and text messages, do some people not want to hear about my God?  Why do they seem to close me out when I present them with what I call truth? Why don’t they understand that I just want to save them? Can’t they realize that they need Jesus, just like the Bible says?  Why is it that I can’t seem to forget about them either… I mean I've done my job as a good Christ follower, right?
The answer to all these questions can be found within the questions themselves, in a few key words.  Bible.  Need.  Save. Truth.  Sin.  Evil. Convert.  Heaven.  Hell. These words are not icebreakers to those who don’t share my beliefs; in fact, they often keep people from continuing the conversation or prompt them to put up their best defense mechanisms.  I don’t blame them.  There are a lot of people who have been hurt by religion.  But that doesn’t answer my question, how are we supposed to tell them who Jesus is, and how are we supposed to make disciples if people don’t want to listen to our preachy vocabulary?  Doesn’t the Bible tell me that salvation, Jesus, and its message are for everyone?
The beauty is, it is for everyone.  That is why relationship, understanding, and sensitivity are so important when exploring how we truly make disciples.  Someone who has no understanding of the Bible or its terminology are often offended by the fact that we Christians are set out to “save” people.  I want to reach the hearts of those people.  Even though they may not understand me, they should know that is not you, or me, who are doing the “saving”, but God. 

What if being “saved” could be vocalized differently, taking into account the persons cultural and religious background?  Isn’t it the same that those who are saved have found a friend in Jesus and a deeper understanding that we are image bearers of God created to do good works and make Him known?  If we put it that way, might we open up doors for conversation that all people can relate to?  It isn’t that we are hiding who God is, or who Jesus is, it is that we are beginning to understand our call to evangelism is more than saying the name of Jesus or quoting a scripture to those who don’t want to hear it. 

First we must be Jesus, we must be a friend, and we must use our gifts and talents that God has given us to make him known.  For some, that may be presenting the Gospel in culturally sensitive ways giving proper recognition to Jesus and siting scripture the whole way.  For others I think it may be presenting Jesus in a way that breaks cultural barriers and may be non-conventional and at times a little “covert”.  But the truth remains, the charge is there, we are to go and make disciples, but that doesn't mean it will be easy or the same for everyone.

Paul urges us to first be a friend, it is all over his letters and evident in his actions.   “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.  To those under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law...  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (I Cor 9:19-22)  Again, hey says, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also ourselves, because you had become very dear to us.”  (I Thes 2:8)  “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.  If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”  (II Cor 12:15). 

I hope that in this I have not convinced anyone to present a watered down version of the gospel.  In fact, I hope that you have been encouraged to present the gospel in its entirety.  If we truly wish to make disciples, we have to be willing build lasting relationships with believers and nonbelievers.  It has to be more than bringing our friends to church to let the pastors do all the work; and it has to include pursuing all people, while remaining sensitive and full of love. Leading someone in a prayer of salvation and repentance must always be accompanied with discipleship, what is the point of creating large groups of “converts” and allowing them to all melt away?  That is not the model that Christ, or the apostles, left us.  It was a lifetime investment, founded on relationship, in which they would gladly spend and be spent, so that God would be known. 

First be their friend, and when Christ in you builds a relationship with them… they will listen.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Hope in the God of Justice

The following is a section taken from a book I have been reading, Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen.

The battle for justice in the world is not fought where we think it is.  The struggle against injustice is not fought on the battlefield of power or truth or even righteousness.  There are pitched battles waged on these ramparts, but the war is ultimately won or lost on a more forward front.  In the end the battle against oppression stands or falls on the battlefield of hope.

No one knows this better than the oppressors.  They know that they never have enough power, lies or loyalty to withstand the onslaught of even a fraction of the power, truth and courage that humanity could at any minute amass against them. Therefore they rely on, utterly depend on, the inaction of despair.  They know full well that their preeminence depends on most people in their community, their nation and their world doing nothing.  This is the essence of Edmund Burke's conviction about human history: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

The oppressors knows that primary reason we do nothing is we have lost any hope of making a difference.  It is not that we lack power, compassion, courage or knowledge.  Rather, we lack a sense of hope that allows us to take what we have into the fray.  By sheer inertia, therefore, we lend our own weight to the downward cycle of despair.  Our lack of hope keeps us from the front lines of engagement.  And our absence only makes the oppressor look stronger, compounding our own despair and that of those who might otherwise be prepared to fight.

But as faithful Christians through the ages have demonstrated, we don't have to be this way.  We have access to hope that changes everything.  Great people of faith- William Wilberforce and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- and the lesser-known giants like Dr. Bushnell and Rev. Murphy changed their communities, their nation and their world because they found the hope to seek justice. 

[excerpt taken from Chapter 4 of Good News About Injustice, by Gary Haugen]

Sunday, December 18, 2011

A little encouragment goes a long way...


This last week has been full of very unexpected and encouraging surprises.  Being home has been amazing, but presents its own set of life’s challenges.  Between text messages, phone calls, letters, reminders, emails, and even a surprise visit, God showed me just how important encouragement is for the Body of Christ.

I am reminded of Paul, and what he writes in Colossians about why he struggles for them to know the mystery that is Christ:

…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:2-5

In Paul’s absence he writes to fellow believers for a few reasons.  Yet the first of these reasons is so that their hearts may be encouraged, and I strongly believe that the other reasons come as a result of his encouragement. 

The result of encouragement connects people in love, and directs them towards the riches of full assurance and understanding of who God is and who Christ is. Why do I believe Paul is writing out of encouragement?  Because faith is tough… There is no hiding the fact, life in Christ will be difficult.  We are told that we will face trials, persecution, and possibly death for what we believe.  Additionally, it is crucial for the message of Christ to withstand plausible arguments, feel good philosophy, and unhealthy human traditions.

Friends, this is why encouragement so important for the body of believers.  For anyone who walks in faith, we need encouragement.

So here is my request. Take ten minutes out of your day this week to encourage someone.  Not just Monday, but every day this week.  Here is the catch, do not fabricate the encouragement.  Even though encouragement should be based on truth, I believe you can always find something encouraging to say to everyone.

Be creative, send a text message, write a thank you note, make a video, draw a picture, or write a poem, there are more ways than one to offer encouragement.  I promise you, you will be amazed at what a little bit of encouragement does to those receiving it, but don’t forget to make note of what it does to you.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for build up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Friday, December 9, 2011

By this we may know...


Preface:
There may be a time when someone who you’ve only truly known for two hours might say; “There is someone in D.C. that I think you should meet.”

I have just recently returned from a very spontaneous trip to the Northeast, hopping from Washington D.C. up to New Jersey, down to Delaware, then back up to Pennsylvania in just six days before returning to beautiful Colorado.  It is trips like this one that remind me to stop questioning God’s plans and just let Him be.  While I am pretty tired, the encouragement I received while on this trip will last a lifetime.  Of this, I am sure.  

There has been a lot occupying my mind since returning from this trip, and even though these memories are still fresh in my head, I will probably need a few more weeks to fully digest all that I have experienced.  But there is one thing from this trip that I do know: God is using ordinary people, to do extraordinary things...  still, in all of my not knowing, scattered thoughts, and attempts to understand, there has been one verse that has truly caught my attention in the midst of my new experiences and new found friendships.

By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
I John 2:5b-6 (ESV)

Here is the truth, as believers we can imitate Christ’s faith, love, devotion, and selflessness… and we should, because that is how we are known.

It isn’t about how you advertise your cause for your Jesus, but that Jesus is advertised through our actions, our relationships, and our conversations.  It isn’t about the cause itself, and it isn’t about you or me, it is about making Jesus known.  That is the standard, that is how we know Jesus abides in us.

Too often I find myself preparing to do what appears right, and even though conceived out of the purest intentions it is never compared with the ministry, actions, and footsteps of Christ.  So I am very grateful for my new friends, for pointing me towards this verse, and for giving me new perspective as to what it looks like to walk as Christ walked.

By this we may know that we are in him: that we walk in the same way in which he walked. 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

That He may put sin to death...


It only seems right to journal about the season of thanks…  I love the sentiment, and the opportunities to tell others just how grateful you are for them, but I feel the most thankful when I see others using this season to slow down enough to remember that which they are thankful for.  This “slowing down” from the busyness of our day-to-day lives has to be the greatest thing about Thanksgiving.  Let us not forget how important it is to slow down, reflect, and give thanks.

I finally found my time to do a bit of reflecting after a very busy few weeks, and it would take much more than one blog post to write all that I am thankful for in this moment.  The lengths that my friends have gone to encourage me in this last week have been humbling: letters, “goodbye” gifts, hugs, prayers, emails, beard jokes, and free coffee and food.  While I will miss my home in Nashville, I was encouraged to see God at work when I left and am excited to see how much more at work He will be when I return.  Words truly cannot express how encouraged I have been by you all.

After all of the craziness of moving away from Nashville for a while, I spent about 24 hours, over the course of three days, in a car driving across the country with my new friend from Columbia.  It offered the perfect opportunity to think about all which God has done in my life in the last year, and what exactly I am grateful for this holiday season.

Here it is:
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. –I Peter 2:24

This verse has absolutely wrecked me.  While I am thankful for many other things… the joy that comes from a life in Christ, and the protection and provision that God has promised me, I cannot find anything more worthy of my thanks that Jesus bore my sins, so that sin may be put to death in my life!  Maybe this finds a few of your heart strings the way it has found mine, maybe not.  But as those created in God’s image who are in constant struggle with selfish desires, pride, hatred, and all other forms of immorality, Christ promises us freedom from this so we may live as true image bearers of God. 

I am not saying that from now on I will remain without sin, even though that is the goal.  It is my hope that in revisiting this promise we are reminded that with Christ, we can put sin to death; and when people see us they see a glimpse of who God really is and just how much He loves his image bearers.  Maybe, just maybe, if we focused a little more on this promise, and actively desiring to put sin to death and live for righteousness, people will understand that what they desire is not to be around us, but to be closer to the love that comes only from God.

Friends, in this holiday season may we remember this…
We no longer have to live in sin.
We are the image bearers of true, unfailing love; and God has given us His son, Jesus, not only to bear our sins, but also to show us how to live in righteousness.
We have been healed of our sin, by His wounds.
We have been given the honor and responsibility of sharing this love with everyone.

Grace, Love, and Thanks.


I Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Friday, November 4, 2011

It's the little things...


One of my many jobs includes giving private soccer instruction to a group of 7th and 8th graders once a week.  This Halloween they dressed up as "Coach Cy".  I love these kids. 

The contents of this costume include:
  1. Beard
  2. Bandanna
It truly is the little things, like this, that make life so amazing.


Movie Cast:
Coach Cy- Cyrus Eaton
Coach Cy 2- Taylor Vincent
Coach Cy 3- Chance Wiginton
Coach Cy 4- Ethan Wilson