Christianity, what is this word of which so many of us will lay claim to yet have no part of when THE ONE who paid the price ask us to simply follow him?
I am guilty at times of this very charge yet, over and over again God continues to take me back into his love and shelter me from the storm. Most times I feel as if I am a turtle who can leave his shell naked and defenceless yet for the dumbest reasons I continue to think I know better than the shell (Father) has provided for me. Am I bulletproof in my shell NO, am I safe from attacks NO, am I more able to move freely NO, yet when I am in my shell I am at the most comfortable place I can possiblie be. While the world outside throws all it can at me. Dinged, dented and sometimes even cracked yet, it will always be the place I call home.
All this to say, if we are to profess to be Christians and love our neighbors as are selves then why are we so selfish not to let them have a wonderful shell like ours with all the amenities and safety while at the same time letting them also know the boundaries of the shell.Oops I said it didn't I Boundaries
Why would anybody want to subject themselves to giving up all the things they enjoy right? well maybe like the frog in boiling water no one ever told or showed them how to get out. I haven't blogged in a while because God is really working on me inside and out but the thought of not sharing his Love makes me cry, especially for all of us who have the joy of feeling it. Share the word..Share Gods love... Share your shell... There is always room for one more I think God would love the idea of having to figure out where to put us all I really really do.. Love Justin
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Life Lessons from a YO YO
Many believers and non-believers are caught in a YO YO type relationship wether it be in a sprirtual sents or in our everyday lives. At one point we are so close almost to touch fathers heavenly presents. At the next moment we are spinning out of control far, far away from him or at least in our eyes that is how it must seem. All the while connected by a single thread called his love.
Satan would love for you to believe that this is exactly the way Father works in our lives just keeps us out there dangling about until he pulls us in again but only for a moment. All the while God would love for nothing more than to hold you in his hands forever. We had one of those moments today at Foundations Church God wrapped us in his arms and we where swimming in the holy spirit and the presents of the Lord.
As this Journey continues I am learning that these moments don't happen all the time and to really take it in when they do. This YO YO relationship doesn't have to be so extreme if only we will put forth half the effort God does and push towards him. Not just relying on the Pastor to feed us enough to get through the week realistically we probably won't make it any farther than the drive way from the Church before we start our steady decline down the string again. Spinning spinning spinning not even taking into account the moment we where just in. By chasing after God and realizing that his Grace is enough we can see that string grow shorter and shorter. When finally we become wrapped in his arms and no matter what life may throw at us it'll be OK because everything short of his love is just that Short...
You are so beautifully and wonderfully created find the time to get somewhere quiet so he doesn't have to scream so loud for you to hear his voice. He really wants the very best for you and the very best for you is his un dying love and never changing way. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
To all who read I serve no mask only our heavenly master and will rest the rest of my life in Fathers love being enough. When we make Gods power to be power to be our site of his love we will have fallen from the mark and missed how his son chose to walk upon the earth. Seeing Fathers love in all and always pointing back to him for fullness.
Satan would love for you to believe that this is exactly the way Father works in our lives just keeps us out there dangling about until he pulls us in again but only for a moment. All the while God would love for nothing more than to hold you in his hands forever. We had one of those moments today at Foundations Church God wrapped us in his arms and we where swimming in the holy spirit and the presents of the Lord.
As this Journey continues I am learning that these moments don't happen all the time and to really take it in when they do. This YO YO relationship doesn't have to be so extreme if only we will put forth half the effort God does and push towards him. Not just relying on the Pastor to feed us enough to get through the week realistically we probably won't make it any farther than the drive way from the Church before we start our steady decline down the string again. Spinning spinning spinning not even taking into account the moment we where just in. By chasing after God and realizing that his Grace is enough we can see that string grow shorter and shorter. When finally we become wrapped in his arms and no matter what life may throw at us it'll be OK because everything short of his love is just that Short...
You are so beautifully and wonderfully created find the time to get somewhere quiet so he doesn't have to scream so loud for you to hear his voice. He really wants the very best for you and the very best for you is his un dying love and never changing way. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
To all who read I serve no mask only our heavenly master and will rest the rest of my life in Fathers love being enough. When we make Gods power to be power to be our site of his love we will have fallen from the mark and missed how his son chose to walk upon the earth. Seeing Fathers love in all and always pointing back to him for fullness.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Lord let us learn to be content in our selfish discontent
Just as the Jews thought that they were the chosen people. They had the right to the promise Land yet even after Moses pleaded to save there life God eventually let them die anyway. The Israelites shortly after every miracle were discontent and wanting more. (Exodus 17: 1-16, Number 21: 4-9) God spent all his energy to try too show them that if they would truly trust in him then the kingdom would be open to them. The spirit of Caleb as the bible called it. No matter how great the miracle, they were never content because of there selfish nature.
Fast forward to the Disciples they would end up fighting amongst each other about who would set at the hand of Jesus. ( Luke 22: 24-30) Even in the presents of the fully God, fully man they still fell into the trap of selfish nature. Now after he would leave could they only realize the request they ask for was far more than they could ever receive.
Welcome to modern day when was the last moment you were blessed only to turn around and ask again for another blessing. God wants you to know that no matter how great a miracle he provides. It will never fill the void of a relationship with Father. So lets go back to the title, if we are going to learn to be in a full blown relationship with father. We must first learn to be content in our own selfish nature. Then and only then will God be able to work on those things that concern your heart. For he may fill the void that you have now allowed to become vacant.
" MAY WE SERVE GOD BEYOND OUR HEARTS THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL HE BE ABLE TO BE OUR STRENGTH OUR HEART BEAT"
Fast forward to the Disciples they would end up fighting amongst each other about who would set at the hand of Jesus. ( Luke 22: 24-30) Even in the presents of the fully God, fully man they still fell into the trap of selfish nature. Now after he would leave could they only realize the request they ask for was far more than they could ever receive.
Welcome to modern day when was the last moment you were blessed only to turn around and ask again for another blessing. God wants you to know that no matter how great a miracle he provides. It will never fill the void of a relationship with Father. So lets go back to the title, if we are going to learn to be in a full blown relationship with father. We must first learn to be content in our own selfish nature. Then and only then will God be able to work on those things that concern your heart. For he may fill the void that you have now allowed to become vacant.
" MAY WE SERVE GOD BEYOND OUR HEARTS THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL HE BE ABLE TO BE OUR STRENGTH OUR HEART BEAT"
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sad end to what will be the end
Today Mike Starr of Alice in Chains died from a drug overdose he was 44 years old. I am 41 yet while we travelled in the same circles we had 2 dermatically different outcomes. His was a battle with addiction to drugs which ultimatley cost him his life. Mine was to find peace in a savior who for no reason at all let me know he loves me more than anything in this world. I wish after all the help Dr. Drew gave him someone would of shared with him how special he is in Fathers eyes and how if he could just spare a moment Father would show him just how great his love is for him. Dr. Drew did prove one thing that no matter how hard we try or care. The end result layes soaley in the hand of our own decision.
My heart breaks as I write this because it is the same scene that is repeated over and over again. All the anger, all the sadness, all the hate, all the hurt, all the pride, very simply just missing a place where God is allowed to enter.
As paul so put it 1 Timothy 1:15-16, This was my truth, that Father had a place for me in his Kingdom. All the messages back and forth between Christians and Non-Christians really makes me sad neither grasp the fact Jesus did not come to heal the healthy nor did he come to judge John 3:17.
He came to fill the gap that was broken by Adam and Eve to be the bridge that leads us home to Father. His tears he cried where all for you and just like Mike Jesus heart hurts for one of his beloved is gone.
I am in no way saying he is in Heaven or Hell. I am saying with Gods great love this tragedy could of been avoided it was for me. I speak only through personal experience. A tear is shed tonight and I pray so hard for Mikes Family and friends sadly he will be missed. I pray in those last moments Him and Jesus got to know each other and Mike found the peace that he avoided for so long. We will miss you Mike Good night
My heart breaks as I write this because it is the same scene that is repeated over and over again. All the anger, all the sadness, all the hate, all the hurt, all the pride, very simply just missing a place where God is allowed to enter.
As paul so put it 1 Timothy 1:15-16, This was my truth, that Father had a place for me in his Kingdom. All the messages back and forth between Christians and Non-Christians really makes me sad neither grasp the fact Jesus did not come to heal the healthy nor did he come to judge John 3:17.
He came to fill the gap that was broken by Adam and Eve to be the bridge that leads us home to Father. His tears he cried where all for you and just like Mike Jesus heart hurts for one of his beloved is gone.
I am in no way saying he is in Heaven or Hell. I am saying with Gods great love this tragedy could of been avoided it was for me. I speak only through personal experience. A tear is shed tonight and I pray so hard for Mikes Family and friends sadly he will be missed. I pray in those last moments Him and Jesus got to know each other and Mike found the peace that he avoided for so long. We will miss you Mike Good night
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The First or of a Last at Last
As I write tonight I am reminded of the prodigy I am. Most if ask would say that they didn't start lying until later in life and that if ask it was their first sin.
So let me start by saying this was not my first. I had done something wrong and had to lie to cover it up. How amazing it is that when I spoke to my son about this very subject he could see clearly where it was going before I could even finish my story. Since that day I have lied to my parents, my friends, complete strangers, and even lied about stories I've told just because the truth inside my head didn't sound as exciting as the lie. On this point the truth was actually much more exciting than the lie, funny huh.
The oddist part about lying isn't the lye itself but the barrier it puts between us and father. It is a space that is filled in our hearts that Father can not enter.
So first I must ask bareing this in mind, what could have been so terribly important to seperate God from my heart? The fact is nothing, generally we play the justifying game ie. I don't want to hurt their feelings or they wouldn't understand or best of all it won't hurt anyone this one is my favorite.
Remember we are not Christ, we are followers of Christ who are called to be like Christ. Then we are brought back to the original Question. Was the first the last or was it of the last. When Christ put himself upon the Cross he took the weight of our sin upon himself in a very literal since. So could it be God knew our sinful nature before we where ever born? Yes all to clearly and he still sent his son to bridge the gap between us and him. So remember you are forgiven if you will just humble your heart before the Lord and ask for his forgiveness.
Sorry side tracked by his love. No matter what sin you have commited it is not above his forgiveness and really not worth lying. The biggest lie you can tell is when you think you can lie to God or tell a half truth. He sees your heart and knows your every breath so don't waste your time with lying its just a speed bump in the way of Gods love through you to others.
Start your day in prayer and ask God for the strength to no matter what the circumstance you will choose the truth over a temperary fix. Lying never fixes anything. Great love and God speed for your Journey remembering He is with you NOT against you.
So let me start by saying this was not my first. I had done something wrong and had to lie to cover it up. How amazing it is that when I spoke to my son about this very subject he could see clearly where it was going before I could even finish my story. Since that day I have lied to my parents, my friends, complete strangers, and even lied about stories I've told just because the truth inside my head didn't sound as exciting as the lie. On this point the truth was actually much more exciting than the lie, funny huh.
The oddist part about lying isn't the lye itself but the barrier it puts between us and father. It is a space that is filled in our hearts that Father can not enter.
So first I must ask bareing this in mind, what could have been so terribly important to seperate God from my heart? The fact is nothing, generally we play the justifying game ie. I don't want to hurt their feelings or they wouldn't understand or best of all it won't hurt anyone this one is my favorite.
Remember we are not Christ, we are followers of Christ who are called to be like Christ. Then we are brought back to the original Question. Was the first the last or was it of the last. When Christ put himself upon the Cross he took the weight of our sin upon himself in a very literal since. So could it be God knew our sinful nature before we where ever born? Yes all to clearly and he still sent his son to bridge the gap between us and him. So remember you are forgiven if you will just humble your heart before the Lord and ask for his forgiveness.
Sorry side tracked by his love. No matter what sin you have commited it is not above his forgiveness and really not worth lying. The biggest lie you can tell is when you think you can lie to God or tell a half truth. He sees your heart and knows your every breath so don't waste your time with lying its just a speed bump in the way of Gods love through you to others.
Start your day in prayer and ask God for the strength to no matter what the circumstance you will choose the truth over a temperary fix. Lying never fixes anything. Great love and God speed for your Journey remembering He is with you NOT against you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Setting out on the journey
I started this with only one goal, to share the things that God is revealing to me. Over and over again he keeps stressing to me, relationship its me they should seek not a building, not a miracle, not riches, not my power...
I understand very well we all need miracles in our life but all to often just like the Israelites shortly after a miracle Exodus 16:8. We forget and desire another one. After all it is our nature. But it is not an excuse, the only way you will ever be truly fulfilled and at peace is when your relationship with your heavenly father is more important than anything of this world. God will provide for you. I am in no way saying you will not suffer or all your desires will be granted or all your questions will be answered. What I am saying is the life you experience on earth will be greatly enhanced just knowing father has you in his hands.
No, God does not just exist in a Church the Holy Spirit is with you all through your days your choice to hear him or not relys totally upon you. God has provided many types of vehicles in which you may come to know him better the choice has always been yours on weather or not you will follow him and form a relationship that will see you through eternity. Gods love for you is unconditional. Sadly to often we think we have done something so wrong that we can not be forgiven I call this the Judas Trap. God loves you right where you are right now hes waiting for you call out to him I pray. If my words mean nothing to you understand I love you all to greatly so much that it hurts my heart for you not to know father the way I have come to know him. He is the original I AM.
Let me say I am far from perfect but having a father that is sure makes your day much better Great love always Justin
I understand very well we all need miracles in our life but all to often just like the Israelites shortly after a miracle Exodus 16:8. We forget and desire another one. After all it is our nature. But it is not an excuse, the only way you will ever be truly fulfilled and at peace is when your relationship with your heavenly father is more important than anything of this world. God will provide for you. I am in no way saying you will not suffer or all your desires will be granted or all your questions will be answered. What I am saying is the life you experience on earth will be greatly enhanced just knowing father has you in his hands.
No, God does not just exist in a Church the Holy Spirit is with you all through your days your choice to hear him or not relys totally upon you. God has provided many types of vehicles in which you may come to know him better the choice has always been yours on weather or not you will follow him and form a relationship that will see you through eternity. Gods love for you is unconditional. Sadly to often we think we have done something so wrong that we can not be forgiven I call this the Judas Trap. God loves you right where you are right now hes waiting for you call out to him I pray. If my words mean nothing to you understand I love you all to greatly so much that it hurts my heart for you not to know father the way I have come to know him. He is the original I AM.
Let me say I am far from perfect but having a father that is sure makes your day much better Great love always Justin
Monday, February 28, 2011
Zero Hour
Me and my wife where recently talking and I brought up about zero hour. She let me know this would be a great title for a blog. I believe she is right but I'm sort of bias she is a great women and loves me and the Lord dearly :)
Zero hour occurs anywhere from 2 to 20 times a day. It is the time when the pavement hits the road, when your faith is truly tested, when you find yourself reaching for God because there is literally no other way or absolutely no one else to turn too.
As casting crowns put it" It is deep water faith in the shallow end" it is easy to have faith when it is not tested ,I would like to introduce you to someone who had Zero hour faith, all the time the first martyr after Jesus, his name was Stephen. I would like to show you 3 verses from his life. Acts 6:5 A man full of faith and of the holy spirit and Acts 7:59,60 And as they were stoning Stephen he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Now just the fact that his wording in his exit would take total belief and he would almost utter the same words of his savior is by any account incredible, yet just before this we find that he was "FULL of faith"
The reason he was full of faith was not because he had memorized Bible verses or he went to church every Sunday or he tithed 10% no not at all. The reason was in the short period of time he had spent with Jesus he developed a great relationship with his heavenly Father and embraced what was to be by the sacrifice of the lamb and also his good friend and mentor Jesus.
My friends God does not abandon you even in your Zero Hour( read Hebrews 13: 5,6) Call out to him, he's right there waiting. The times I have found myself distant from God is not because he has left me it is because I have turned my back on him. What a wonderful feeling it is when you turn around and hes right there just longing to hold you in his embrace again he keeps account of no wrongs if you are just willing to ask him for forgiveness.
PS to all YOU CAN NOT EARN GODS LOVE, FOR YOU CAN NOT EARN SOMETHING THAT IS GIVEN
Great love and greatest dreams to be revealed to you as you grow in him Amen
Zero hour occurs anywhere from 2 to 20 times a day. It is the time when the pavement hits the road, when your faith is truly tested, when you find yourself reaching for God because there is literally no other way or absolutely no one else to turn too.
As casting crowns put it" It is deep water faith in the shallow end" it is easy to have faith when it is not tested ,I would like to introduce you to someone who had Zero hour faith, all the time the first martyr after Jesus, his name was Stephen. I would like to show you 3 verses from his life. Acts 6:5 A man full of faith and of the holy spirit and Acts 7:59,60 And as they were stoning Stephen he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Now just the fact that his wording in his exit would take total belief and he would almost utter the same words of his savior is by any account incredible, yet just before this we find that he was "FULL of faith"
The reason he was full of faith was not because he had memorized Bible verses or he went to church every Sunday or he tithed 10% no not at all. The reason was in the short period of time he had spent with Jesus he developed a great relationship with his heavenly Father and embraced what was to be by the sacrifice of the lamb and also his good friend and mentor Jesus.
My friends God does not abandon you even in your Zero Hour( read Hebrews 13: 5,6) Call out to him, he's right there waiting. The times I have found myself distant from God is not because he has left me it is because I have turned my back on him. What a wonderful feeling it is when you turn around and hes right there just longing to hold you in his embrace again he keeps account of no wrongs if you are just willing to ask him for forgiveness.
PS to all YOU CAN NOT EARN GODS LOVE, FOR YOU CAN NOT EARN SOMETHING THAT IS GIVEN
Great love and greatest dreams to be revealed to you as you grow in him Amen
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