Banishing the Villain, Becoming a Hero (part 3): Surrender to be Free

Do you ever find it twisted that we live in a country that is supposedly built on freedom? Walk down the street, look around you, are we really free? Politically maybe but it seems more often than not we are trapped with four walls encasing us, closing in, walls that we ourselves made. No I am not speaking of physical walls, but emotional or even spiritual. We all have imperfections that make us want to wear an unseen mask. Something we put on to hide our brokenness, a persona. Only to find ourselves trapped in something unreal and deceptive. We are the victims of our own devices. True freedom deep down, is not reality for most of us. For deep down we all face our own selves, the picture is not a pretty one. We are like shattered glass trying to pull ourselves back together only to realize we can’t move. We need help; we need to rely on someone else. To gain freedom and wholeness we must, in a sense, surrender. To whom? To God. For who better to pick up the pieces then Someone who does truly know you and still wants you. All your faults and failings do not change His desire for you. His desire is to see you free, free from the prison and chains. True freedom is reliance on a God who will only do what is right, true, and best. Think, if God truly did not love us, why would He waste His time sending His Son down to earth to give us a chance. God does not want to see you imprisoned emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Doubt me, condemn me, do whatever but you can’t deny my witness. I have seen lives changed, I have had the same change personally. I can’t deny what I know as truth no matter how much this culture or the cowards in it want to suppress Christ. Just so you know, when people finally have true freedom, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. You can tell us were fools, ridicule us, even physically persecute us. It won’t ever do you any good, we only grow stronger. Why? We have freedom, we don’t have to hide, at least the ones of us who are true believers. I leave it to you, God’s will has a place, a great place made especially for you. You personally. Take the plunge or reject it do what you think you want. You make your own bed, or your own mirror that is. A mirror of completeness and freedom, or one that just lies on the floor broken and deserted.

Last part coming soon…

PS- I find it interesting that people who don’t believe in God want to blame Him for everything that goes wrong in the world (disasters, hunger, etc.). Make up your mind either He exists and you hate Him, or He doesn’t which in that case grow up and do something.
Another thing, for those who ask the question why would a loving God send people to Hell? I pose a question, how can a just God let people into heaven? Think about that one.

Banishing the Villain, Becoming the Hero (part 2): A Hard Look in the Mirror

Find a mirror, take a good look. Look past the beauty that God has put into your outward appearances. Those looks, while they are very good, do not make you who you are. Look deep, right down into the depths of your being, your mind, your very soul. In Scripture it says we are corrupted beings, that we were once good but now are full of evil. So let me ask you, do you like what you see? Do you feel it deep inside you, the corruption, the dilution, the disease that is always fatal? It changes you, enslaves you, and breaks you. Sin is villainy. You are a villain through every action that flies in the face of all that is good, of all that is Godly. I know this might be offensive to some, but some things are a lot more important then worrying about who is offended. Don’t try to ask me, who are you to make such assumptions or accusations. I know Who is backing me, I have seen Him, and I have been right where each and everyone is either standing or stood. I know the pain, the anger, the hatred. I also know the truth, the entire human race is doomed to die, and that truth is an unfortunate inevitability that we all must face. It has been caused by the fact that deep down all of you and I know, we are all villains. We are all attracted to rebellion and evil. I also know the truth that there is hope, as bleak as it seems the light is always stronger. We might be doomed in this world, but it does not have to end that way. There is a hope, a chance to break out of our chains, a light that can overcome the villain persona that we all have. A chance for Someone to mold us into a hero. The question is do you really want to be free?

Stay tuned…

Preston Newby: Personified Heroism

The last two weeks have been probably some of the hardest two weeks I have ever been through. I have had a moment of clarity though and thought this is probably a good time to clear up and speak. One of my mentors, teacher, youth pastor, and good friend was killed helping someone in a tragic accident (http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=122169250967465300). Preston lived his life for Christ and died a hero that was molded by the One he lived for. I mourn greatly for many reasons, for a family that lost someone they loved, for his friends that lost someone who was closer than a brother, for his church who lost a great leader and example. Do not weep for Preston, I can not even fathom the joy he is experiencing right now with Jesus. Weep for those that have lost, for those that knew him and those who never got the chance. For those that knew him, as hard as this is and will be, we have to move forward and Preston will never be forgotten. His legacy will be honored through the steps we now take, Preston lived for Jesus and looked to Him and His Word for direction let us all do the same. One of our leaders is in heaven now, we look to the leaders who worked with him to give us direction. I am confident in their leadership and know that God is with them as He was with Preston. The spirit of what Preston's life was about, the very Spirit of God that he followed will never leave us. We can make it, I don't know how, but I know we can. Its what Preston would have wanted, its what Christ our Savior wants from us. For those of you who tragically never met Preston, I cannot begin to tell you what an example he was. Christ was first in his life, that always showed up in his actions, his joy, in his life. He loved his family more then anything, it made him so happy to spend time with them. He cared for his friends, he was always real with us, and could always bring a smile to our faces. There are so many things I could tell you, all good, nothing bad. I found no fault in him, even though I think Preston would disagree and point to Christ as the only true example, as it should be. But let us all at least remember forever, God created a man that left a legacy to show the way to Christ. God gave us all someone to look up to. God truly molded through his grace and mercy, a hero. Preston, I miss you my friend, my brother in Christ. I'll see you on the other side, someday.

Banishing the Villain, Becoming a Hero (part 1)

I was watching a movie yesterday night, I gave it about a six, and started thinking about the antagonist of the story. You see, for some reason I thought about all of the dislike and hatred I had for this character throughout the story and wondered, why? Why do I not like this person? Is it because he is doing evil? Is it something much deeper? Contemplating this I went back to a class I took where an idea was put out on a similar matter. Sometimes we dislike or hate someone because when we see them we might see a part of ourselves, a part of ourselves that is painful. For instance, I am an intense person, duh!!! When I see another overly-intense person that person tends to get on my nerves. Now I admit that there are probably exceptions to this but for now I am not going down that rabbit trail. You have to wonder when we see villains in a movie, is our disgust of them more because of a disgust in ourselves and what we could be capable of. Maybe we just don’t want to take a look in that mirror and realize that that antagonist is really a mirror into our own being. Our souls have been corrupted, the only chance we have left is to reach out to God and be changed to a hero.

More to come later...

True Tragedy of a Lost Emotion (repost)

---Note-(So I caused just a little bit of controversy with this one the last time I posted it but I was looking at it and realized it should be put up again)

Think back to your first crush. The emotion, the anxiety we all feel, the funny looks you probably gave this person. Yet, you have to ask yourself, was it love? Is it love when we look at something or someone and find beauty? Is it love to feel "twitter-paitted" about someone? Is love merely romance? If not, what is true love?As I look back I believe I can say with confidence that love, real true love, is the only real emotion that we can trust. Even calling it an emotion is a crude way to put it and in no way defines it. The fact is, though, humanity has a very poor idea of love. The concept has been reduced to nothing but a physical attraction. No wonder the divorce rate is up. No wonder families are in chaos. No wonder people react to death all around us with, in most cases, apathy. There lies the problem, humanity is selfish and therefore doesn't care. When it comes down to it most people care about themselves more than others. Love should be about putting a person you love and care about above yourself. Love is caring about someone who isn't you. Does physical attraction play a part in romantic love? Of course, as it should. Yet God's idea of love transcend the ideas of romantic love. Romance is a part of the ideas of love in humanity but not all of it. Humans are more than just other beings with flesh, they are fellow people, potential brothers and sisters, perhaps future family. Some might not be believers, but all that means is that we should work as hard as we can to be examples of God's love and possibly help bring them back to the fold.So many times we talk in coffee shops, in church, in the news about tragedy. Hunger, war, poverty, injustice, its all tragic. I don't want to downplay these things, they are bad. But to make the statement that Christ in this day would care more about these issues than love and the progress of His kingdom, is an absurdity. People who make that assumption, might need to check their motives and step out of their own little world. There is a source to all of the hurt.The real human tragedy, relationships supposedly built on love are dying at alarming rates.The real human tragedy, our care for fellow humans have fallen down wht seems like a dark hole.The real human tragedy, the strong and popular (whatever that means) group and clique together while leaving the supposed weak behind to fall, alone.Take it from someone who had a pack mentality for years, cliques might share love between themselves, but they do not mirror Christ and therefore are wrong. Every human is on the same hotseat in front of God in the end. Everyone needs the same savior, one who knows what love really is and offers it freely. The real tragedy of humanity today is that we do not have a good idea of love, probably because we rejected and don't care for a God who created and showed us true love in the first place. That is something that is truly tragic.

Corrupted Scenes

This year was somewhat of a wake up call to me when it comes to “christian” music. I went to two different concerts and had two different attitudes about both of them. One was a completely secular concert with a bunch of secular people, I assume. The crowd was nuts to say the least, there was some scattered spots of pushing and jerks but nothing really huge that I took notice of. It was probably one of the better concerts I have been to in a while. The other was promoted by christian radio stations and venues. The bands that played are very well known as “christian” bands and were very good, but it is irrelevant how good they were. The crowd was ridiculous. Pushing and shoving, people packed in tight enough to crush someone(worse than I have ever seen at ANY concert). People pushed to the ground without any remorse or care from anyone around. On top of that I do not remember one single mention of Christ, God, or anything resembling a gospel message. You know you have a problem when a secular crowd is acting better than a christian crowd. Great job “believers”!
What I am getting at is it seems that so-called “christian rock music” that was originally made to be an evangelistic tool is now nothing but entertainment. This brings me back to a class I took this year on philosophy. Christian music was mentioned and an interesting question was posed. Is Christianity ever supposed to be used as an adjective, for instance the term “christian” music? It was started for the purpose of evangelism, it has become nothing but a haven for sellouts and pretenders wanting stardom. Face it, christian music as it was meant to be is dead. It was never supposed to be like this, and it never used to be like this. It used to be that the gospel would be presented at these concerts. It used to be that people in the crowd treated others with respect and love. It used to be a lot of things. I guess God is not popular enough to be praised or even mentioned at a “christian” venue anymore.

Starting a Movement to Reclaim Moderacy

Ever been inspired, to an idea, a thought, an opinion? I wonder sometimes if I can get off track with my ideas. That the ones I wish to carry out are flying in the face of God. I have been inspired to help start something new. Something you might say could be revolutionary. I don't know why this idea has been plaguing my head for so long but it just seems like it is something that is from God and not my own. Things are becoming too perfect, and I feel conviction. I could turn some heads by supporting some things that might not be "correct" in our so-called "postmodern age", whatever in the heck that means. I am just sick of everyone telling me that the 20 somethings need to rise up and take over now. I am sick of people demanding that I rebel and change the system because I am part of this generation. I am definitely sick of people telling me that I won't be effective unless I conform to the postmodern culture. It’s funny how some of the people saying this are screaming that fundamentalists are putting God in a box when they make some of their claims. To all those who are sick of hearing BOTH extremists sides (that goes for the emergent church, not emerging church, too) say how Jesus is on their side and not the other one, I am sick of hearing it too. To all those who might be offended by this, I am not in a mood to give a care. I have heard all of your beliefs enough times to cram it and pull it out the other side, its time to stop twisting the words of Our Lord for your own purposes. Frankly, your opinions are typical and are not impressive. Everyone wants to be a revolutionary now a day; they all want to see how much they can go against old society and not conform. Though now since everyone is doing the same thing, doesn’t that defeat the purpose? The other thing I have noticed is that some in their efforts to show "the love of Christ" have toned down the message. It's gotten to the point where people are more concerned with not offending people then not offending the God that saved them. This is why both sides of the extremist coin are not very shiny.
Trying to reclaim some moderacy,
The Unsilent Pastor's Kid

True Reluctant Leadership

Ever wonder why the leaders God chose are always the most unexpected? There has to be something to this occurrence. Leaders that God calls always seem to be the people who don’t want to be in leadership.
Take my case for instance. I never wanted to be a leader; the idea of me becoming corrupted by power absolutely frightens me. I have seen what can happen to people who gain power yet misuse it and have had my heart broken numerous times because power corrupts if you let it. Betrayal, greed, selfishness become a lifestyle. The idea of being a tyrant should frighten anyone in leadership. Yet, God has called me, and I obey. The responsibility of being the leader has for some reason followed me wherever I go. I can’t escape, I can only embrace it. I only hope and pray that I can be a leader that helps people grow in Christ. That shows and points people the way to Him, and not be one that points to me. I am nothing, only God makes me something.
I tend to be reminded of another reluctant leader in history. Moses, at first, was hesitant of God’s call to be His chosen instrument to deliver the Hebrews. Now, while he did not fear himself, he still did fear for other reasons. Moses, as we all know became that leader and though was reluctant still chose to follow the Almighty God.
How many times are we reluctant to follow God’s call because we fear the mantle of leadership? Why should we fear when we know who is backing us? I have come to terms with the fact that drama, hardship, and times of strife are inevitable. It’s what we do to deal with that that matters and defines us as leaders. Are we going to trust in God and lead on, or will we falter at the first sign of trouble? One of my favorite verses has helped me come to terms with this truth. This verse has given me confidence and inspired me to come up with a list of traits that I think the Bible has set out for leadership. I don’t claim to have the answers for everything. In fact, even though I am pretty bright, I know absolutely nothing compared with some other people much less Christ. I can only stand up and speak for what I have learned; maybe it will help the same way for someone else that it has for me.

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.---Isaiah 41:10

-True leaders point to God as the focal point and not to themselves
-True leaders will strive to maintain unity yet do what is necessary to protect the Body
-True leaders will be above reproach
-True leaders will put the needs of those he is leading over his own
-True leaders will inspire and teach people to get into the Word, to trust in God, and strive to become more like Christ
-True leaders will stand up for what is truth, what is Godly, and what is right
-True leaders will make their main goal to be leading others to Christ

I just pray I can be the leader in this list, and be the person God wants me to be.