BORN 2 B WILD

Victory is in Him!

2007-01-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy.
Though I have fallen,
I will rise because there is a power in me that is greater than this heaviness I feel now,
And there is a light before me that will shine through the darkness that surrounds me now.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy
Because for the moment your weapons are working.
Yes, I have retreated to the Lord my refuge, but surrender is not an option.
I'll be back to fight because Christ fights with me, and I will win because the victory is in Him.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy
Because I appear weak.
My weakness is my greatest strength.
His grace is all I need, I wll follow as He leads.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy
Because I've lost a few battles.
You can't beat me because in Christ I am more than a conqueror.
I had victory before this war began, and your end is near.

Do not rejoice me, my enemy
Because I appear outnumbered.
You have no advantage. There are angel armies on my side.
If Christ be for me, who can be against me?

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy
Because I am wounded.
You can't deliver the death blow, because Christ has taken your sword.
My heel may be bruised, but your head will be crushed.
I will wave His Banner of Love that signals our triumph and your defeat.

As good as it gets

2007-01-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

If you haven't figured it out yet, Satan is a LIAR! I was doing some pondering tonight after watching a sermon on temptation. I didn't really hear any crazy, groundbreaking truth that I never heard before, but I did think to myself that temptation still works in my life. Everyone can probably relate that there are some things that we seem to struggle with constantly even though we know they are wrong. Yet, we still fall, and then we think that we are losers because we realize our stupidity. It becomes a vicious cycle. Why do we fall for temptation? Because it usually looks awesome! Otherwise, it wouldn't tempt us. We've all got these needs and desires that must be filled. God made us this way. God also has ways of meeting every single need and desire that we have. God is our Father, and He's pretty capable of taking care of us. "My God SHALL supply ALL your need according to His RICHES in Glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19 Okay, so there it is, plain and simple. God promised to take care of us. It seems like this promise should take care of our dilemna, but it doesn't seem to be working all the time. Why? There are two reasons. The first reason is that we don't fully trust God to come through. So we look for satisfaction elsewhere. The second reason why temptation works is because we believe lies. We get misled by the Devil and ourselves. Satan is a destroyer and a liar. While God wants to bless and fulfill our lives, Satan wants to curse and wreck our lives. One of the ways he does this is by luring us away from God's goodness with lies. Usually no one will willingly walk down a path that they know will lead to their total destruction. Why do we choose these wrong paths? Because we think that they are leading to somewhere great. We think that the object of our temptation will bring us what we ultimately want. In order to get us headed in the wrong direction, Satan lies to us. He will undermine every truth that God has told us, until he gets our attention. I realized tonight that one of the lies that Satan has me believing is that "This" (whatever it may be) is as good as it gets. I stop trusting God, get impatient, and chase after something totally pathetic because I think that the temptation is the best I can expect in this life. I think that this lie is believed a lot. Most people pursue the American dream, reach it, and then lead miserable lives thinking that this is as good as it gets. I've read in God's Word that the best life has to offer is available, but it's not found where we often look for it. God says that he is the source of all that is good. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Ps. 37:4 Only God knows want you truly need and want, and He wants to give it to you. But it takes patience, trust, and commitement. Ps. 37:5-11 So let's not settle for less, much less than the best. However, not only is the path of temptation less thant the best, but it's ultimately dangerous. "And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." So next time we are tempted, recognize the lie and seek the truth. Remember that SAtan came to steal, kill, and destroy, and Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the FAther of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 2:16-17 Believe it!

Looking Back

2006-12-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

I just recently ran across an old poem of mine that I think I wrote when I first moved to Florida. This poem was written during a time of lots of changes and uncertainty. It was cool to read it now and see how God has been faithful all along and has yet to let me down. As humans, we are always up and down, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and will never leave or forsake us.

Either Way

Why am I in the dark?
Is it because there is no light,
or have I lost my sight?
God, could You shine brighter,
or do I need my eyes to open wider?
Either way, I need to see You.

Why does it see so silent?
Is it because You left,
or have I become deaf?
God, could You speak louder than before,
or do I just need to listen more?
Either way, I need to hear You.

Why do I feel all alone?
Is it because You left my side,
or am I trying to hide?
God, could You let me know You're near,
or do I just need to lose my fears?
Either way, I need to your presence.

Why do I feel ignored?
Is it because You don't hear what I say,
or do I not really believe when I pray?
God, could You please answer a prayer,
or do I need more trust that You care?
Either way, I need an answer.

But honestly, I don't have one good reason to doubt You.
Every Promise You made to me has come true.

So here we are, now what?

2006-11-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've written. I think this is because it's been a while since I've slowed down. So today I was able to slow down and do some thinking, and here's what I thought. I was sitting on my front porch this afternoon, and as I was enjoying the beautiful southern Florida afternoon I realized that there is unmistakeable evidence of a purposeful creation all around me. I'm preparing to teach my students about some of the faults of evolution in our next science chapter, and I've been thinking a lot about why evolution is wrong. As I sat there this afternoon, I noticed that I was refuting evolution with every breath I took. I gazed at the blue sky scattered with clouds and thought about how purposeful this creation is. This planet is perfectly suited for us. We are able to breath it's oxygen and drink it's water and eat it's nutrients. Every breath I took proved to me that I was no product of accident. Then I thought about how we as humans horribly dishonor this creator by ignoring Him, destroying His earth, and hating His creatures. Romans 1:20-22 says, "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools." I don't want to be a fool and live my life on this earth ignoring the unmistakeable realities of God that surround me. I want to know this Creator, and through this Creator I want to find my purpose. Is it possible to know this Creator? Yes, Jesus was God in the flesh. John 1 talks about how Jesus was the Word, and the Word was God. The Word means the expression of God, the very picture of God. In Colossians 1:15-17 it says, "Christ (Jesus) is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[a] 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together." Jesus is our picture of God. He is the one who connects us to God, and Jesus is the meaning of life. I know it may seem weird to think that a person is the meaning to life, but in John 14:6 it reads, "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Jesus is the way to the Father! Our Creator sees us as His children! It's so awesome to know that in this big, confusing existence there is my Creator who is my Father, and my Father has opened up life, truth, and hope for me. How do I know that I belong to the Father? I know because He has poured out His Spirit of love and truth into my heart. And eventhough this world can be a tough and lonely place sometimes, the Holy Spirit is my constant Comforter and Guide through it all. Romans 8:14-18 says, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[a] of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[b] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[c] 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Yes, there is hope of a glorious existance beyond this temporary existance we have now on earth. God desires His children to live with Him in paradise for eternity. Again in Romans 5:5 it reads, "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." So, no. Life is not an accident. Life is a gift. Life is not pointless. Life is full of grand purpose. Life should not be lonely. Life should be spent enjoying the love of God who made it all.

Lt. Barkers

2006-10-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

We got a professional to take this shot. This'll go on the Christmas cards for sure.

2006-10-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

That's how she rolls.

2006-10-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Me and my homeslice cruising south central, boy!

2006-10-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

My two roomates

2006-10-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Cover girl!

2006-10-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah, she plays soccer.

PE and the Kingdom of God

2006-10-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not kidding. I'm seriously going to relate my PE experience to the Kingdom of God. And no, I'm not trying to be silly by intertwining these two areas. I love to receive fresh thoughts about God, truth, and life, and sometimes God uses my daily life to communicate ideas to me. PE just so happens to be a constant part of my life right now, so God even uses it to speak to me. I know it's weird, but hear me out. I had just finished reading the last chapter of The Secret Message of Jesus, and this chapter was talking about seeing glimpses of the Kingdom. After the chapter, I was wishing that I would recognize the subtle beauty of God's Kingdom more often. Then, all of the sudden, this silly but profound little PE thought hit me. My main goal, my will, my dream as a PE teacher is to provide a fun, inclusive, and healthy (physically, socially, and emotionally) environment to my students by introducing them to fun, inclusive, and healthy physical activities. I couldn't be happier if my students were having fun and enjoying each other's company and freindship. I do my best to create this environment. However, I have this one class. We don't exaclty see eye to eye. I have communicated my goals to them, but they never really responded they way I hoped they would. Their will for class directly opposes mine. Their idea of a good time is organizing into little groups excluding people they don't "like." Once they are in these groups they battle for the spotlight, and most of them are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve center-of-attention stauts. It hurts me to see the lack of fun and the exclusion when I know how good their experience could be. Of course, I could force them. I could make them participate in every activity and punish every student who refuses to smile or who doesn't take turns or share, but that would never accomplish the goal. The students would merely be robots who obeyed only out of fear. There would be no fun, inclusion would be faked, and there would be no personal growth. In fact, force would only breed rebellion and hatred. The only shot at making this ideal PE experience work is for the desires of the students to match the desires of the teacher. How could that happen? I could model it for them. Maybe, just once, they could catch a glimpse of the good time I hope for. Perhaps, they would have to get sick of the way they think PE should be first. I think that this is similar to the Kingdom of God. God has a dream and will for us and this earth. It is a perfect will, a beautiful dream. It is a pure and peaceful world filled with people who love each other. There is no injustice or hatred. God knows that His Kingdom is a glorious experience. However, we as humans haven't really got on board with God's holy plan. We want to fulfill our own selfish desires, sometimes even if it hurts others. We want to be number one, and we might just do anything to get to the top. Of course, God could force us, but that wouldn't be a Kingdom of Peace. It would be a Kingdom of Fear. So how is God going about making this Kingdom happen. First of all, He sent Jesus to model it for us. Jesus showed us the beauty of the Kingdom, but we didn't recognize the beauty. We killed Jesus, the Kingdom's perfect representative. God knew we wouldn't want the Kingdom, but He did believe that to be a part of His Kingdom is the most glorious experience there could ever be. He never scrapped the idea of of His perfect kingdom. He just created a plan to help us joyfully enter His Kingdom. His plan is to transform our lives from the inside out. His plan helps us see the beauty of the Kingdom, but first we have to realize the ugliness of our kingdom. Then we can call out to God, be forgiven through His son Jesus, and begin the process of belonging to His Kingdom. This is only the beginning. We don't immediately love the Kingdom of God, but we start wanting to. We trust God now that He knows the truth, and that He has our best interest in mind. However, we find ourselves still trying to live our own way. So we must be taught and trained to love and see the beauty of the Kingdom. Therefore, we must be humble and teachable. We must listen to God and accept His discipline when we get off track. It's good news to know that we are now on the right track. One day we will fully appreciate and enjoy God's beautiful world. Maybe one day, my PE class will enjoy class for what it could be, but I think the Kingdom might be a little more important, huh?

Life is like coaching soccer? What?

2006-09-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

God reveals truth to me in all sorts of ways. Today, it was losing our most important soccer game of the season. Not just losing, but getting totally destroyed and having to watch it all from the sidelines. My team has come a long way. They came from being really bad to nearly decent. Ok, so maybe we haven't come a long way, but we are heading in the right direction. I'm starting to discover some of the frustrations of coaching or just leadership in general. One frustration is giving your team all the right instruction and practicing all the right techniques that are necessary to play as a team and be successful. We practice over and over again. We review over and over again. I ask them what they need to do, and they repeat it right back to me. Up until game time, it seems like I have elite soccer machines on my hands. But then, it's game time! Time to put all of the practice into action. Time to see what we're really made of. Then the whistle blows, and my kids suddenly turn into a swarm of ball chasing 8 year olds. Everything they've learned seems to have been immediately repressed into the depths of forgetfulness. I used to think it was a focus problem. Maybe they just need to be reminded a lot. So I would scream and yell and tell people to "Mark up" and "Get open." It's like my words hit a brick wall and bounce back so hard that they slap me in the face. I'm usually blue in the face by halftime. At halftime, I ask them what they need to do to be successful, and they say all the right things. But I look at their faces and all I see is frustration, doubt, and discouragement. After the game tonight, I was wondering how I could turn them around. There had to be some way to engrain soccer ability into their bodies and brains. I was borderline frustration too, just like them. I honestly felt like maybe there's no hope. Then I thought about God. He points us in the right direction over and over again. He says joy and life are found in obeying and seeking Him. He says there's nothing better. We say we believe it. We say it right back to Him. Then its tomorrow, and we turn into a swarm of pleasure/money/fame/etc. chasing fools. What's the problem? It's not that we didn't hear the truth. It's not that we don't at least somewhat believe it. It's not that we don't have the grace to pursue it. I think the problem is that we have no idea how wonderful the treasure of abundant life really is. I think that if we really knew how amazing life could be, we would stop missing it. We would stop chasing other pursuits b/c we would know that they pale in comparison to what God has for us. If my team only knew the joy of playing soccer well and the thrill of giving it your all and winning, I don't think they would be ok with losing anymore. They would put all of their effort into getting it again. Yes, it takes effort. It takes everything we have, but it's so worth it it. One time Peter said to Jesus, "We've left everything for you." Jesus replies, "you'll receive a hundredfold of what you've given, and inherit eternal life." Make it a goal to know the life, the joy, the peace of pursuing the kingdom and belonging to God. I think I've quoted this before, but I'm quoting it again b/c it's C.S Lewis. "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." So I'll never give up on my team and I'll never let them give on themselves b/c I want to see them succeed. They have the potential. I can't wait to celebrate with them when it finally all comes together. God will never give up on us either. He is waiting to celebrate with me and you.

Taking the trolley to Ft. Myers beach

2006-09-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

Ft. Myers beach. It's the beach, so it's ok. And I got some good skimboarding in, but it's still not the same. I guess it's cool if you don't like waves, but like crowds instead.

2006-09-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Me getting contemplative on the trolley with my xtreme gulp slurpee refill that only cost me .89 cents. That's right, I still drink slurpees.

2006-09-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

My roomate getting contemplative on the trolley with his frosty.

2006-09-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

Trolley drivers are the coolest!

DEATH LIVES IN OUR GARAGE!

2006-09-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

It doesn't anymore, thanks to my shoe and the wall I smashed it against.

Aggressive forgiveness

2006-09-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Is God's grace amazing to me? What God did through Jesus in this world, on the cross, and through the ressurection, does it all truly inspire me? Can I fully grasp the hugeness and greatness of the gospel? See, I don't think any of us can ever fully appreciate the awesomness of God's grace. It's just too awesome. Look how simple the phrase is: God's grace. Does that small phrase ignite our minds to ponder how glorious it really is. In Ephesians it says that the main reason we have been redeemed from sin and death and given eternal life is to "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." How great is His grace? I think that I live most of my life oblivious of how much I needed and still need and will need His grace. Do I really believe that I was a wretch, an enemy of God worthy of death, evil, full of disobedience, and headed straight for hell where I deserved to be. I still do some pretty wretched things that make me feel very unworthy of God's favor, but this is the point right here! Our complete lack of merit as candidates for eternal life with a perfectly holy, just, and good God is exactly what makes God's grace so amazing! Because even though we were despicable and unworthy, God still gave grace. All the glory to Him! And how perfect and powerful is His grace? There is absolutely nothing, no sin at all, that could keep you and me from God's grace. We can't be bad enough. In Romans 5, the message version says this: "All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end." Sin doesn't have a chance. Grace wins hands down every time. Grace is inviting us all. The hole is never deep enough, the darkness is never black enough, the haze is never thick enough, the wound is never painful enough to conquer the aggressive forgiveness of God. He went on the offensive for our lost cause, faced death, and won, hands down!

Mo'nin mix

2006-09-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

I said I'd keep you posted on what I'm listening to. So here it is. This is a playlist that I've been in to lately. Just like a good cup of coffee, it helps get me started in the mo'nin.
1. Marvelous light - Charlie hall
2. Everything - Lifehouse
3. Praise goes out to You and Salvation is here - Hillsong United
4. Take my hand - Shawn Mcdonald
5. Take the world but give me Jesus - Matt Redman
6. Majesty - Delirious
7. Grace is enough - Chris Tomlin
8. When I think about the Lord - Shane and Shane
9. Thank you for loving me and There is no one like You - David Crowder
10. Love song - Jason Morant

Wekiwa springs

2006-09-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

There were some cool underwater caves that we were able to explore. You had to watch out for old people though.

2006-09-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Labor day festivals, beaches, and lakes with my homie Katy

2006-09-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Artsy moon shot through the bushes.

2006-09-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Katy wanted a picture of the back of her shirt. I mean, we're in this picturesque place, and she wants a picture of her back. C'mon Katy.

2006-09-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sunset at lake okeechobee

2006-09-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Beach anticipation!

2006-09-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

I can smell salt water from 10 miles away.

2006-09-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Katy trying out a big gun that these people are keeping around just in case the South rises again!

2006-09-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

I swear I have video footage of this puppet singing "I just found out that Jesus loves cowboys."

2006-09-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

Southern old folk displaying the lost art of chillin'.

2006-09-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

2006-09-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

I felt like I was back home for dinner with mom.

2006-09-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

First Day of School!

2006-09-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Crazy freshmen!

2006-09-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

These are the expressions I get from my students when I ask them to give me their "pumped about the first day of school" faces.

2006-09-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

Some other excited teacher faces.

2006-09-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Here's our chaplain. He's very reserved as you can see. He bores most children.

2006-09-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is my friend who shares my classroom. I guess we're not cool enough yet to have our own rooms.

2006-09-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

My bulletin board is so amazing I can't even look at it's beauty.

Hidden

2006-08-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! You know the times when you read a very familiar verse and then, all of the sudden, the Holy Spirit decides that He will open up the flood gates of divine wisdom and reveal the beautiful depth of God's Word to us. Well, I had one of those moments today, and the more I think about the verse the more it stirs me up. Ok, Ok, I'll tell you what the verse is now. Col. 3:3 "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." My sinful nature, my independance, my condemnation, my aimless life is DEAD! My life, God's abudance, practical wisdom, pure joy, deep peace, the ability to truly love, contentment, fulfillment, and satisfaction is all hidden in Christ, God's Son. My life is not hidden in work. It is not hidden in relationships. It is not hidden in my favorite activities. The ways of this world certainly do not hold my life. It finally hit me that I am wasting so much time not really living. I'm trying to resurrect the dead me, but the old Steve is dead. The new Steve, the real Steve, is hidden in Christ. So how do find this life if it is hidden? Simply Seek. Ask, knock, seek, and it will be found. God is our amazing Father, and he has promised us every good thing. The problem is that my heart does not desire this deep life. My heart is tied up in so many vain and aimless pursuits. God has truly stirred my soul to desire good, but i can most definitely relate with the hymn writer when he wrote, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." I know that I am not a hopeless case though. I just need a lot of work. I am so happy that I know my life is hidden with Christ in God. It's been there the whole time. The verses before this verse uncover the deep but simple secret to uncovering this full life that is hidden. "If then you were raised with Christ" (Ok, yeah that's me, what now?), "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (How do I do that?) "SET your MIND on things ABOVE, NOT on things on the EARTH." Do not let this world distract you from the heavenly mindset. It so easily does. Seek (with your whole heart, not a divided heart) the true and divine life hidden in Christ. Look for it in solitude, in His Word, through listening to the Spirit, through real fellowship with believers, through conversation with God, through absatining from the world (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life), through thankfulness, etc. Maybe look at it this way. If you knew that there was a mountain that contained real gold, real treasure, would you waste your life just scraping by. I would hope that I would start mining my way into that mountain. You would be a fool to be to apathetic or too stubborn to uncover certain treasure. However, I live so foolishly, so aimlessly. In closing, "you have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him." It all comes back around. We were created full of true life in the very image of God Himself. We refused life, earned death, and now Christ has redeemed us. We've been given a fresh start, so we should not just be satisfied with the start. More and more life is uncovered by moving forward, seeking above, and being renewed.

Deeper
Romans 12:1-2; I John 2:15; John 10:1-10; Hebrews 11:6; Phil. 3:7-8, 2:21, 3:12-15; Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:4

Set Sail

2006-06-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

usually when i write something, I am speaking to myself. It helps me to see my thoughts in front of me and organized. Today I shall write about a theme that is very near and dear to my heart, Adventure. I love adventure. I love to see something that i have never seen before or experience something new. I love pretty much anything that has to do with adventure, I specifically mean that i love what adventure does inside of me. It changes me for the better, always. I live for adventure. but I have realized that there is one aspect of adventure that I suck at. That is the venturing out. To leave my comfort zone, to realize that there is so much more, to hate my complacency, to step out, to commit to the journey. I'll put it this way. I picture myself as a boy who loves to hear stories of adventures, who dreams about them. I admire the adventurous heros. All I talk about are my future adventures. I watch boats leave the harbor for long exciting trips to exotic lands. but there i sit, on the docks. I guess I think that the adventures are only for my dreams. I walk back home not quite as alive as I had came. My main problem is that, for some reason, i hold on to the comfort. I am not truly willing to sacrifice for the journey. Maybe I wonder if I will even enjoy it? Do I even doubt that the adventures are as great as they sound? I fool myself into thinking that a life at "home," (not venturing) is good enough, eventhough I have ventured out before. I know the exhilaration. But i stay dejected. Have you ever felt like this? One thing that will kill your adventurous spirit is sin/fleshly pursuits/lust/greed/covetousness. "Beloved, I BEG YOU as solourners and pilgrims, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL I Peter 2:11." Sinfulness is one vain pursuit leading to another. Adventure is a purposeful and exciting pursuit. Deep down we know that sin does not satisfy. We settle. Instead of blazing a trail to the promised land, we build a crappy log cabin in a swamp. C.S. Lewis quotes in The Weight of Glory, "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." In that quote he says that we cannot imagine what is meant by the holiday at sea. My challenge to me and whoever else, is to imagine. Less T.V. and more inspiration. Less Internet and more nature. Less busyness and more dreaming and smiling and wishing for adventure. Freedom is tied into this theme as well. I do not believe we are living free until we are not depending on our comfort zone. The zone holds us back. It sucks us dry. For myself and those wishing to recapture the adventurous spirit, there is hope and grace. romans 12:1-2 paraphrased in the Stevo adventure translation says, "It is time to set sail. You are wild at heart. This is what you were made for. You have everything you need. So leave the shore and everything it offers and let the journey stir your soul. This is only the beginning of the wild amounts of joy that lie ahead for you to discover." One last thing. One of my best friends Tyler Williams always challenges me with this saying. "Don't pursue lovers less wild." By lovers, he means God of course. Here are a few more verses of encouragement. Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of you heart." Psalms 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fulness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Music: Absolutely must listen to Jason Upton "Faith". The whole CD, but especially the song faith. It is rest for the weary soul. Seriously, it has ministered to me tremendously.
Hillsong united-United (Great new CD from the hillsongers) Favorite tracks: Inside out and Fire fall down.
On a less spiritual note, Daft Punk has their greatest hits out now. woo-woo. it is a must get for all those who know they must get it.

The intensity of divine love

2006-05-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

Why the cross? Why did God come to earth to die a gruesome death? Why did He reach out to the most broken, hopeless people? I think almost every human would agree that love is the greatest treasure. It seems that most people, whether they realize it or not, strive and strain throughout their lives to be validated and accepted; loved. We are such broken people. We are so insecure. Or should I say that I am so broken and insecure? Is it true that God really sacrificed everything and died to make us whole again? Out with the old, in with the new. He wants to transform the hopeless into the confidently loved. Jesus told His disciples, "Greater love has no man than this, to lay His life down for His friends." What a powerful statement! Not only Jesus consider me His friend, He showed the greatest love the world will ever know by dying on the cross. If I only could realize the intensity of this divine love, everything would be different. I must keep my eyes on the cross. When satan tries to deceive you into thinking that you are not worthy receive the love of God, just nod your head, but then realize that you do have His love. Of course we're not worthy. We did nothing to earn it, but that's part of the beauty of this divine love. It is completely unmerited and sacrificial. That is why it is great, not just because of the sacrifice, but because the love was given to enemies. By receiving Jesus, I have received everything. Jesus came for the sick. So when you feel like you are sick and worthless, look at the cross. God gave it all up to redeem and restore you. Don't ever give up. The greatest disservice we could do to God would be to think that the cross was not enough. Make that the goal of your life, to discover the intensity of God's love for you. Everytime you see how unloveable you are, look at the cross a thousand times more and see the love of God for you.

As I recall with my stomach turning
I was hiding away from myself, away from you
Like nothing, though something was terribly wrong
And I admit that I was only waiting for the right time
Night time, the right moment for you to look away
Though you never did, I pretended for a while
So I could walk where I don't belong

And I remember every word you said
Come back in time, come back
And I remember I would soon be dead
Now so pitiful, so pitiful

But I know as I hammered those nails into your beautiful hands
Your eyes still try to search for mine, but I look away
Now your eyes are the only thing that can save me
I'm still afraid of them piercing
You're breaking into my prison
Just pretended for a while
My soul is dying
I won't look away

And I remember every word you said...

I'll remember every word you said
This time I won't look away
- Blindside "Pitiful"

Taking it all in on rural route 17

2006-04-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm writing this entry from the front seat of my momma's SUV on rural route 17. There are maybe 4 other cars sharing this road with us as we travel from one podunk town to the next. We're on our way back from a rather fun-filled venture to southwest Florida, just me and mom. Most people headed our way back from Florida would travel on the speedy interstate, but not my mom. You see, mom's not all about the fast lane and the merging car madness. Plus, she's one of them adventurous types. You know, the type that doesn't want to see the same thing twice. She wants to blaze a new trail. So this brings us to route 17, a slower road that takes us past many cornfields but not past many Walmarts. I sleep for most of the journey, but when I wake up I wonder why we've been in South Carolina for what seems like a month. I say, "Mom, let's get on the interstate. This is taking forever." She says," Cool, look at this cool town," or, "look at that deer," or, "look at that neato bridge. I don't like the interstate. It's too crowded. Plus, I wouldn't have seen all of this cool stuff." I just moan and lay back down, smiling to myself abut my mom's stubborn, adventurous spirit. But I wouldn't change my mom for the world. In fact, I think we could all take a page out of her book. It seems as if many of us are only content to live life in the fast lane, speeding along with everyone else to next destination. Life becomes a blur, and we discover that the destination isn't even as cool as we hyped it up to be. Where's the rush? Is start to think, "How often do I get to chill with my mom, who is one of my best friends? Why am I in such a hurry to get back home? Is it just watch T.V.?" No it's not. It's just that I have the same problem as most others. I haven't learned to enjoy the journey. Most of us don't even know why we're in such a hurry. Maybe it's because we think the next stop will solve our problems and relax our restless spirits. We treat life as this big problem that might be solved by the next big event around the corner. However, life is not a problem to be solved but an adventure to be lived. God uses the journey of this life with all of it's roadblocks and scenic views to prepare us for the final destination, our eternal home with Him. So let's slow down, take an exit off the interstate and see what kind of cool stuff God wants to show us on rural route 17.

Music I listen to that my mom discovered that she really liked: The Fray, Sufjan Stevens, Derek Webb, Shapiro, Keane
Books: Finished "Pilgrim's Progress" (absolute must read, and if you say you read it, but you were young when you did, read it again), finished "Red Moon Rising" (must read, proves that God is still moving in mighty ways and still wants to work mightily in our generation), still reading Journey of Desire

Hambones

2006-04-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

This entry is entitled "hambones" because it was inspired by watching my dog Hungry Jack go to town on his special Easter hambone treat. My dad allowed me to give Jack the bone, and boy, was Jack excited about it. All he could do was stare at that hambone licking his chops. I asked him to sit, and then I laid the prized possession in front of him to enjoy. I enjoyed watching him tear into that pig bone with such intensity. Then I reached over to pet my friend who I thought would love me for providing this amazing treat. To my surprise, instead of wagging his tail at his beloved master, he growled at me. Can you believe that? The nerve! He wouldn't even have that bone if it wasn't for my generosity. He's just a dog. Doesn't he realize that the only reason he's enjoying his treat is because of the care of his master? Then it struck me. Are we any better than Hungry Jack? Don't we sometimes snap at God when He wants to have our attention, but all we want to do is gnaw on our hambones? I know deep down that Hungry Jack loves me more than his hambone, but you couldn't tell if he had a hambone in front of him. So let us live our lives in front of the world like our Master means more to us than our hambones. Let's be thankful for and enjoy the hambones in life, but let us also realize that God gives us hambones to show His love to us and invite us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Ft. Myers, here I come

2006-04-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Well, this may be news to some, but my next step in life may be Ft. Myers, Fla. Here is some info. about Ft. Myers that I grabbed off their website. "Ft. Myers, a thriving city rich in history and nature, serves as gateway to a stretch of islands known for their white-sand beaches, bird life and recreational opportunities." Beaches and recreation is one thing, but what kind of a place is known for their bird life? "The city hugs the shores of the wide Caloosahatchee River, which created the town and levered its importance during the Seminole Wars. Since the early 1800s, settlers and visitors of fame and wealth came to Fort Myers and area, most notably light bulb inventor Thomas A. Edison." I see that it is rich in history, I like that. "Professional theater, a sophisticated performing arts hall and two sports parks, which host the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins for spring training, provide entertainment in the Fort Myers area. Downtown is evolving into a lively night scene where clubs, coffee houses, street performers and cafes draw a young, artsy crowd." On second thought, I don't think I would fit in at all (See underlined items). "For nature lovers, parks preserve fragile habitat while providing trails for hiking, biking and paddling. Manatee Park is home to a herd of endangered Florida manatees that come to winter in its warm waters every year. Visitors can kayak among them or listen to their singing through special hydrophones." OK, I didn't know there were manatees. My decision is final. I'm going to Ft. Myers for the manatees. Come and visit. I am actually on my way there for spring break this week. Hello 80 degree weather and random storms.

Theme Music: "Never let go" - Matt Redman, More than Life by Hillsong United
Book: Pilgrim's Progress

Pilgramage

2006-04-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

God has set a theme in my heart right now, and that theme is pilgrimage. God is showing me that He has redeemed my life from an aimless existance and given me a new direction, destination, and compass to help get me there. God is revealing what a dry and thirsty land this world really is, and I want heaven and eternity with God to become more and more glorious to me. I want my treasure to be in heaven. I want to sit in a rocking chair on the front porch of my mansion. The pilgrim's journey is by no means easy. I am always wandering off the path and being dragged back by the grace of God. The way really is narrow, and I want to be one of the ones who finds it. So as I strap on my spiritual backpack and pick up my walking stick, I encourage you to discover the great adventure that God has for you. We don't plan the adventure, all we have to do is follow the leader: Jesus. Be ready because the one leading us has no where to lay his head, and he wants you to die so that you can find true life. Here's some encouragement for the pilgrim: "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage......They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. Psalms 84:5" The journey makes us stronger and the destination is well worth it.

Theme Music: "On the road to beautiful" - Charlie Hall
Books: "Pilgrim's Progress (of course)", Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig, and Journey of Desire by John Eldridge, and the book of 1 Peter. Yes, I am currently reading all of those at once.
Deeper: Hebrews 11:13, I Peter 2:11, II Cor. 4:16-18, 5:1-8