Satisfaction

I was reading in Mark and it struck me that even after Jesus had fed 5,000 people, the disciples doubted that He could feed 4,000 people. The reason it stood out to me is that we do the same thing when it comes to getting satisfaction from God. God satisfies us in so many ways, yet we still find it necessary to go out into the world and try to find satisfaction through it. God's satisfaction is eternal while the worlds is not. I'm guilty of it. I get so satisfied in Jesus then I go out and try to satisfy myself with things in the world. That is so wrong because God made us to have pleasure, but to find that pleasure in Him. What's not to enjoy about God as well? I feel like the world has so corrupted the idea of fun, pleasure, and happiness. All of these things can be found in God yet the world says that they are found in things like sex, money and drugs. The truth is that God is more fun, more pleasing, and makes you happier than anything the world can create. Recently I've been focusing myself more on God and being more centered around glorifying Him. I can tell you that I have never been happier, never been more pleased, and never had more fun than I have had serving Him. Looking back at when I've tried to be pleased by the world, it's amazing how big and important the difference is. The devil definitely takes some truth, and manipulates so it feels right and looks right, but it does not meet up with God's standards, and that one thing makes the difference. Anything that God does not approve of, no matter how close, is sin. Close doesn't cut it with God. The bible says "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." This is direct from Jesus that close does not cut it. It shouldn't be surprise, going back to the original topic, that God is more satisfying than the world. Obviously God created the world, and satan, so anything created by them will be lesser and not as satisfying. So all in all, true and fulfilling satisfaction is only found in God and I challenge you to look only to God for satisfaction!

I am a Disciple

How I've Seen God Recently

In FCA on Thursday, the group was asked how they have seen God work recently. Not many people answered  and I wanted to answer but I could not get my thoughts to process. So after further thinking this is my answer to that question. I have seen God in so many ways recently. I will start off with how I have seen Him in others around me. As I have gotten older in high school and more of a leader in my youth group, I have come to grow to enjoy watching younger kids along with my peers grow in Christ. It makes me excited to see others get excited about Christ and it also really encourages me to see God working in them as He is working in me. The way I see God also working in my life is through myself and how much He has been teaching me recently. I feel this flame inside of me that keeps growing and I can not keep it inside of me. It makes me want to pour out my relationship with God to others and share with them in this love God has for all of us. God has an overflowing love for me, just as much as he does with you, and I feel like that love is brimming over the capacity of my heart so that I desire to share it with others. The problem then comes, at least with me, is carrying that out. I want to be a leader to the people God has allowed me to lead, but to do that I need to be servant. I realize that it is not me who needs to be first, but God and others, in that order. I feel like I have grown so much even in these past few weeks and that is so God working in me. I challenge you to let your heart to be open to God's work in you. And actively seek God in your everyday life. He is always there. He is always working.

From the Heart

I really am bad at starting these blogs, and I think that half of my blogs have started this way. I just want to just release some tension that's been on my heart for awhile. It's finding the line between good works and strong faith. One thing that has pressed this point is that I'm reading a book called Radical Together by David Platt. In it he describes how there are normally two ends of the spectrum in the church. The one who has faith but no works to show for it and another who has works but is not sure of their salvation. Let me clarify that I am no expert on such things, just speaking my mind. Anyways, Platt says that they are both wrong. The bible clearly says in James that faith without action is dead, but it also says that we can not gain salvation by works. To use Platt's line, we were saved from work to do work. Work is not our means to salvation but it is the byproduct of our faith. If you have true faith, good works will follow. That's not to say that if you don't have good works you are not saved. How this affects me is that it really gets me thinking on how I am letting God working in my life through my faith. I feel like I am involved in so much, but I also feel like I'm not doing anything. One thing I struggle with also is that I don't give my actions or involvements to God, instead I try to do them myself and that never works. The less I am, the more He can become through me. This does not mean that God will not be able to do something without me. But I want to be honored to let God use me. And I feel like we view working for God as a job that has to be done otherwise nothing will be done. When we think this way though, we are making God our servant, which is so wrong in so many ways. As Christians we should really be inclined to think that when we are serving God, it is a privilege and an honor, not a hassle. This all comes down to the where our hearts are though. I really do not know if I can express how much the topic of the heart means to me. I say that because there are so many things in the scripture that show how important your hearts standpoint is. Let me also say this, Christianity is not just a religion, especially not a "If you follow these 5 steps you will get your 'Get in to Heaven Free' card" type of religion. It is a heartfelt religion that has the one and only God in the universe, and He desires a relationship with you. I feel like I'm just rambling on here and I will end this shortly. It all comes down to this, God loves you, He desires for you to know and praise Him, He showed this by sending His son to save all of us unworthy people and even when things seem the hardest, He is still with you. God will not forsake you.

Purpose

I found it funny that my pastor spoke on the purpose of relationships this morning considering the fact that the purpose of relationships have been on my mind all week and is something I've struggled to come to terms with. So within the past month or so, I've met someone whom I'm now becoming friends with. And one thing that she's made me think about is the purpose of relationships. Now it wasn't really something we talked about, but an underlying thought that's been brought to the surface in my mind. And it's made me come to the realization that all relationships are meant to glorify God and bring each other closer to Him. This has really made me think about my friendships more closely, not just with her but with everyone. Am I showing Christ's love through my friendships with people and am I drawing them closer to God? My answer was honestly, no. I don't feel like I have been doing a well enough job of doing that, of sticking by my friends and through my words and actions leading them closer to God. One thing my pastor said this morning was "God made us for relationships." With that I totally agree because we were not made to be hermits, but to have relationships with others. Whether they be friends or enemies, we all have relationships with people. And I feel like God has really challenged my heart to not just affect those I love and bring them closer to Him, but also those that I do not really enjoy being around and even those who metaphorically spit in my face. It shouldn't matter what type of relationship we have with people when it comes to showing Christ's love to them and bringing them closer to God. And if they're unsaved, it may be the only way they will see Jesus' all-encompassing love for them.
This led me on to think about my relationship with my God, and with my Savior. What's the purpose of knowing them and following their teachings? It all points back to one thing and it is that we need to worship God with all we have, all we are, and our relationships with other people. That's the purpose of our relationship with God. We were made to worship God. God never had a thought in His head that said "I need to create a super important species called humans so that I can serve them and be there for them." That wasn't why He created us. God does not need us! We need Him. There's a reason we pray to Him and not He to us. He doesn't ask us for things, He commands us. God is not an ATM or a vending machine, conveniently placed for our benefit. He made us. And if I'm correct, I wasn't made my a vending machine. God has given us all we have and all we are so that we can worship Him. One way to worship God, as I said before, is through relationships with others. So I want to challenge you with this. What is the purpose of your relationships? Are you looking for your own benefit and happiness? Or are you trying to bring that person closer to Christ than they were before? We should all strive to for that. There is a purpose in our relationships, they aren't just there. They are there so we can worship God through them and bring others closer to Jesus so that there life will be bettered by knowing Him better.

The End

If you took a glance around our world, you'd probably start to notice how much is focused on goodbyes, on the end, on the finale. But what about the beginning? The in between? What happened to people rejoicing when their friends arrived? I know when my friends get to my house, I just open the door and say "Hey, what do you want to do?" What we should all be saying when our friends arrive is "Hey! Welcome! I'm glad you could come! How have you been?" And I know that when my friends are over, the constant question is "When do you have to leave?" I find this focusing on the worst part of joining up with friends, and I don't know why it's the focus of so many questions. It's true that everyone has to go eventually, and that everyone dies, but why do we act like it's hopeless and nothing is worth our time? That we all have to rush to get places, instead of taking the scenic route or slowing down to notice things that you've never noticed before or even looking at the things you've taken for granted all your life. Let me ask you this, why not focus on the in between? Are we too focused on the end result that we forget about the path getting there. If you were to take Lord of the Rings for example. If Frodo just rode an eagle over into Mordor, dropped the ring into Mt. Doom and left, which would have been easier, would he still realize how much he loved the Shire, or see Sam's loyalty and devotion. There would be no lessons learned. That applies to real life as well in the fact that we look so forward to the end result that we miss all the lessons learned in between. That's also the primary reason that God gives us hardships and trials to deal with because of the spiritual, emotional and personal growth that one can gain from going through such endeavors. The ending is just important as the beginning or middle but it's not more important. Make every minute with a loved one or loved thing count because you never know the time when you will have to say goodbye. Do not focus on the end of such things, rather the time you have and the present. I am not saying that you should not be aware of things that will most likely happen in the future such as death among others, but that you should not train your eyes to them. How I long for the day when we shan't need to say goodbye anymore, where tears of sorrow will be replaced by tears of happiness and rejoicing. For that day when the Lord comes down again will be like the green of spring coming down out of the darkness of winter. When evil shall be no more and love shall abound. Where we will be with God, and our friends and family and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. To me that is no end, but rather a new beginning. And one I am looking forward with all of my heart!

This Is Me

On my mind I consistently have the thought, who am I really? My answer is that I am a person. A child of the Living God and Servant of Christ. I like gloomy fall and winter days, they help me think better and ponder deeper thoughts. I like things that are dark and have an certain feel. This is really hard to say because I don't have a good way to describe it. Some people like flowers and sunshine and summer, although those are good and I like them when I'm in certain moods, I prefer the moonlight, snow, leaves of fall, dreary days, and hopeless situations. It is there where I feel I'm closest to God as well. I have to lean more on God than on myself and in my opinion, the more out of my hands the better. This is really hard to say because it makes sense in my mind but I can't make light the thoughts I have sometimes. I also love women, not particularly a woman, but their kind in general. It's through them, a select few of close girl friends I have, that I see God and his beauty and grace and kindness and love and passion and this list could go on and on. But I want to focus on the beauty aspect of it for now. Women are beautiful. Plain and simple. They remind me a lot of the beauty of fall mixed with the freshness of spring combined with the graceful fall of snow in the winter (It's a compliment) added with the joy of summer. But I digress. I enjoy reading my Bible, and I love listening to music. I love slowing down and watching the world go while taking time to look at the simpler things of life. I love pouring out my heart to my Lord, even if it means I cry, and how much I grow closer to God through those. I love my friends and family and will always stay by them. I sing really loud in the shower and I'm not ashamed of that. Being myself is one of my first priorities, and school is not one of my first priorities. I love helping people in need or just giving people advice and if you ask me I will help you, on anything. I absolutely love to read and how they transport me into different worlds. I've always wanted to gallop on a horse, and also I want to ride a lion. I look at the smaller things in life just as much as the big. I don't get easily stressed out and try to keep a level head on things. I am stubborn but can be persuaded if the reasoning is good enough. I love women, especially those close to me, you know who you are. I love my friends, especially those close to me, you know who you are too. And I love my God, and I am blessed that He knows who I am and that He is always close to me. This is me.

I Was Born in the Wrong Time Period

So I totally should be working on my English paper, but this is much better because I can actually talk about what I want. So the reason that the blog is titled the way it is is because I think that all the time. I wish things were more personal, like how they used to be. Today, there are many ways of communicating to people instantly, like texting, social networking, and emailing. What happened to plainly talking? I enjoy that so much more, there is way more emotions shown, it's more personal and more than just skin deep. I want relationships that I can say whatever I have to out loud instead of not confronting someone on something or by texting or something. I wish that people were more confrontational as they used to be. If someone has an argument nowadays, its either over texting, or includes hitting and or kicking. I just want it to be like old days when someone did something wrong, they'd be publicly called out for it or even privately but person to person. Don't get me wrong, I like using technology, but I just wish it hadn't done away with the more personal days. Where if you liked someone or thought she was pretty, you would tell them face to face, not through a friend or a phone.
I also have a weird aspiration to learn how to blacksmith and make it a hobby of mine. I think it'd be really cool. Then I'd be able to make swords and wear them around places. This brings me to the next point which also takes me back to something I already talked about. I wish wars were still fought with swords and on the strength or agility of a man and not on guessing and shooting. I'd much rather die in a battle of swords or a bow and arrow then a bullet. The reason why is that the sword is more confrontational and personal.
Finally, what ever happened to women liking beards? I think they're manly and awesome, well, only if they're not super long. But seriously!? I want to grow one really bad. I don't care if girls like it or not because I want one and also a girl should love me just as much or even more for my personality as my physicality. Call me old fashioned or weird, but people should be more confrontational and personal with people, use swords, and women should actually like beards and not be freaked out by them. This may have been brought on by Lord of the Rings, but I think they're valid points that really should be considered =)

Being a Man

Alright, so I couldn't think of a better title, and yes, I know it's similar to my post yesterday, but they're about different things. So I saw the movie Courageous tonight, and it had a message that I cannot, and will not forget. So if you know anything about it, you'd know that it is about being a Godly father, and Godly man as well. And believe it or not, I'm not a father yet nor do I have any plans to do so anytime soon. Back to the reason I'm writing this. The movie had some really valuable points on being a man, and there were some things that I took out of it that I know will help me grow as a young man in Christ. I saw how the impact of having a Godly father has on young kids, boys or girls. If you know me then you would most likely know that my father passed away almost three years ago this winter, and I miss him, and I didn't realize until now how much of an impact he really had on me. He taught me valuable lessons on being a man and following after God's heart and also leading a family. He may not have said all these things in words, but it is said that actions speak louder than words. Seeing my dad's good example, although he wasn't perfect, makes me want to raise my kids up in a Godly household someday and being a father that chases after their hearts with the same burning passion that I would chase after my future wife's (Lord willing).
When my father died, I lost more than a dad, I lost a role model and someone to look up to for advice, at least so I thought. I saw Godly men in my life all around me, and not having an earthly father made me look more to my Heavenly Father. But the Lord really used this circumstance to draw me close to Him. Because I know that God desires after my heart with a burning passion and love that only a father can have for their son. And I'm starting to see what a man who chases after God's heart has to go through. It's not always easy, it's not always fun, but it is always worth it. I see that it requires sacrifice, honesty, nobility, a pure heart, a desire to grow, a passion for love, and yearning to know my Father more. Being a man doesn't mean that we have all the right answers, but it means that we stand up for what's right, to be courageous and stand for God, even if we stand alone. I want to be a role model for my kid's, if I have any, someday. And I want young women to see the strength of God in me to be the leader of a relationship or anything, and that I desire the best for them, whether it be friendships or dating or whatever it may be. I want what's best for you and that I will stand by you when no one else will, and that I will fight for you, whether it be for your heart, or for your safety. For my guy friends, I want to be a better friend, a Godly friend who encourages you in your faith, and sticks up for you even when the whole world is crashing down on you. I want to be a better man, and I know that I haven't reached the worldly status of being a man yet, but that doesn't mean I can't do more with what God has blessed me with. I know I'm doing a sufficient job of being a Godly young man, but I don't want to be sufficient, I want to be surpassing. Overachieving. And I don't know exactly how that looks now, but I know it starts with what I said a few lines ago. I know I won't always be perfect, and perfect is too much to expect, I just need to move, because there are so many ways I can improve. I want to be held accountable by people, so please try your best. This is my resolution.
  Stand strong for God, even when you're alone.