Ears to Hear

How does God speak to you, personally?  For me it can be through people and experiences.  In fact, this blog post has been inspired by my pastor's message from two weeks ago, which I feel is very relevant to what has been on my heart.  But aside from hearing God through people or experiences, I feel God speaks to me most through strong convictions.  I do believe God can speak using plain English (or whatever language you speak best), but I have yet to experience this “audible” voice of God for myself.  Regardless of how God speaks to you, it is good to understand that God is speaking to you. 

For the rest of this journal, or for as long as you wish, the moments in which you believe God speaks to you will represent your metaphorical “ears” in which you hear God. 

Revelations 3:22

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The first thing I think of when I read this verse is that I have two ears, one more than just “an ear”.  Fortunately for me, it doesn’t mean that I am twice as guilty when I fail to hear God speaking in my life.  Still, ignoring God’s call or voice in our life is often the easiest thing to do, but it is never the best thing for us.  Rarely are the best things in life easy to come by; you should anticipate difficult challenges, uncomfortable conversations, radical living, and having to think intentionally every step of the way.

In my last posting, I wrote about how strong feelings and convictions should receive special attention, well I’ve got a little bit more to say about dreams, visions, listening, and actions versus inactions.

Revelations 3 is most famous for discussing the topic of “lukewarmness”.  While I am not going to focus on what it means to be lukewarm, I intend to focus on listening (which still has a lot do to with remaining in a lukewarm state or moving out of it).  To be a useful tool for God we have to be able to listen when God is speaking.  When we struggle with complacency, urgency, listening, or even usefulness, we struggle with lukewarmness.  But don’t worry; God never stops pursuing us when we lose sight. Doubt may set in, and we may fail to obey. Struggling to carry out strong convictions, understand strong feelings, or trust God’s vision for our life is something that will happen.  However, even when we fail to act God is still standing at the door of our lives knocking, waiting for us to listen and respond (verse 20), “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” 

The next question is, “are we listening?” 

This is the part I struggle with the most, I can spend hours talking to God about all of my problems and transfer immediately into a grocery list of request, but never once do I stop and just listen.  I have “ears”, I know when God is speaking to me, but I still find it difficult to allow God the opportunity to speak before I interrupt with more concerns.  Fortunately for me, Jesus will knock for an eternity if that’s what it takes to get my attention…  I hope that’s not the case.

So here is the good news: when we finally learn to listen and respond to the Lord’s callings in our lives, Jesus promises us this (verse 21), “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

If you missed that part, let me give you play by play- God does not stop loving or pursuing us, still we are reminded that all who have "ears", have been called to act on the strong convictions that are of God...  and even though we will struggle and face adversity, those who overcome have been invited to the throne of our Father in heaven, sharing this seat with Jesus.

AMEN ("GLORY" and "HALLELUJAH" are also acceptable responses to this amazing truth).

Pure Innocence

When you were younger, what did you always want to be when you grew up?  It’s okay, no one will make fun of you for bringing up your old childhood dreams… I won’t have any of that on my blog.

For me, I always wanted to be a detective, or an FBI agent, I was always drawn to puzzles and mysteries… some days I wanted to be a pro-athlete, soccer mostly… other times when I felt a little more adventurous I dreamt of being Indiana Jones, a Ninja Turtle, or even Peter Parker (That is Spiderman for you old folks)…  But that was back in the day when we were able to dream, encouraged to dream.  Now, I have this feeling that I’m too old to dream… that I have to think “rationally” and refrain from stirring emotions, why?

Why is it that as adults we no longer dream?  Where has our “pure innocence” gone?  

I know I’m not the only one, but somewhere in this adult transformation I learned to be rational, limited, and boring.  Every time we dream our ideas our challenged by our friends, family, and even ourselves. 

What happened to dreaming big?  What happened to being the change we wish to see in the world?  Are we really that okay with our comfortable lives that we’ve lost all reason to dream big, and dream often? 

It’s okay; I’m not going to be entirely pessimistic tonight. In fact, I do believe that adults are still capable of dreaming, and dreaming big.  We may not dream in the same elaborate fashion that we used to when we were young, but we still wish to see change in the world… and we still feel strong emotions toward these changes. 

If you are feeling strong emotions, it’s my inclination to say that those are feelings that are not meant to be ignored.  Instead, those feelings should receive extra close attention.  When God calls us to move we will feel that desire to move strongly.  And knowing that these emotions were placed in your heart by God requires action, no more waiting for the next person…

It’s time to dream again, and it’s time to take action.  The first steps might seem so insignificant, and sometimes it is so hard to simply get started, but getting started is the part where people fail far to often.

The bottom line:  Dream big…   Dream often…  Get started....

(Credit to Grant for reminding me to “dream often”, props roommate.)

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