How to divide the body

The ultimate divisive tool: gossip

Proverbs 20:19

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; 

therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 

Update

Brian is doing well. He is fully enjoying his senior year, taking in every moment. He’s busy with working full-time and full-time school, but is making sure to live every day to its fullest. Brian is learning a lot! A couple of weeks ago he received a promotion with a lofty title, “Branch Operation Manager”, and has yet to understand what the title means. He is stepping out each day trying to be grace and love to all who he encounters. Brian has been exposed to the depth of his sin and is clinging to the saving cross of Jesus Christ. He’s reading the letter of 1st John and has been convicted, encouraged, and corrected. The Spirit is teaching him what true love is and how it looks. Brian is thankful for his family and friends. He’s learning that wine can be good, not yet a connoisseur. The other day Brian said that the turning of water into wine was Jesus’ greatest miracle, then he corrected himself by saying it was Jesus’ first miracle and a great miracle! Although ASU faces a tough schedule these next couple of weeks, Brian is sticking in there and rooting for his team! Brian thinks he may have mastered the art of procrastination that’s why he’s posting this at 12:45 am instead of doing homework or sleeping. Below you will find his pre-midterm week activities (notice that none include studying).

P.S. – Brian is friends with David Crowder!

The week before my mid-terms begin, I think I balanced study and play time well...take a look below for a nightly recap:

Monday Night - Dave & Busters

Tuesday Night - The Office

Wednesday Night - don't remember...YIKES!

Thursday Night - David Crowder Concert
Front Row Baby

Friday Night - D'backs Playoff Game

Saturday Night - Tailgate and Sun Devil Football

Sunday Night - Arizona State Fair

Community

What comes to mind when you think of community?

Is it a group of people who unite for a cause? Is it a gathering where individuals think beyond themselves and serve others? Is it a family? How does it function? Is it comfortable, uncomfortable, or both? Is it a safe place?

Instead of bore you with what I feel is community and answer these questions, I'd rather post a link to another blog that explains whether or not community groups should be a "safe place". The article written by a pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle sparked my interest because I too struggle with the thought of community being a safe place and equating safe with comfortable. Here's the link for your reading pleasure: Community: The Un-safest Place.

Update #1

After a l-o-n-g break from the blogging world, I’m back! Well, maybe for a short post today. I don’t even know where to begin since it’s been so long.

April: At the beginning of April I had a meeting/interview with the CFO of Alliance Defense Fund. If you haven’t heard of ADF, click here http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/. After studying spiritual gifts over 15 months ago, I have prayerfully considered using my gifts, abilities, and talents in a ministry or non-profit organization. I haven’t completely given up on financial planning. The economy, stock market, investments, and financial instruments still capture my attention and intrigue me. However, I could not see myself pursuing a career in which the end goal is to get a client to retirement. I believe it is wise to plan ahead and for the future. I have seen that as people age their health typically declines so yes, saving/investing/planning for the future is smart! I am not anti-planning. I currently work for a financial planner and I see great wealth. Multi-generational wealth is what most financial planners want (a grandfather passing on a large inheritance to his son, and on down the family line). Mutli-generational wealth is not a bad thing.

Here are the bad things that I see in financial planning:

• I couldn’t help those who truly need financial planning because I would need to earn an income and my focus would need to be on those with much wealth.
• I don’t buy the American perspective of retirement. I could not see myself helping others attain this time of life where there’s rampant selfishness and a complete shut off from most aspects of life.
• Too much multi-generational wealth and not enough multi-generational faithfulness and teaching. Instead of teaching the son to fish just give him money and he can buy a fish.

After analyzing my spiritual gifts, much prayer, and submitting any thoughts of using these gift as a career to God, I was given a contact at the Alliance Defense Fund. My interview/meeting went VERY well. It was two hours long and at the end I was offered an internship for Spring 2008 semester.

If you all could lift this up in your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it! Also I am going to meet with others who do administrative work for ministries to see if opportunities are available.
That’s the beginning of April…and it just got busier and busier. More to come!

Quick Updates:
Currently Studying: Photo I (at MCC), Writing for the Professions, and Exercise and Wellness
Currently Working: Too much (40 hours a week)
Currently Reading: The Sinfulness of Sin (puritan classic)
Currently Drinking: Tall Iced No Whip White Mocha
Currently Thinking About: All the things I need when I move out in late August

ALIVE and WELL

The crux of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Death could not Handle Him – The Grave could not Hold Him

Acts 2:24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your victory?
O Death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.

Jesus’ death and suffering quenched the WRATH of God –
Inscribed on the nails were my sins piercing the Savior as He gives himself as a substitute.

The resurrection of Jesus upheld Him as righteous, proved him to be the Son of God, and demonstrated His victory over death.
My Savior is alive and well. He has triumphed over the grave. He has freed me from the bondage of sin and death. Christ shall reign forever and ever.

The Passion, The Agony, The Glory...

Isaiah 53:2-7
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

1 Peter 2: 22-24
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Wednesday's Word

Wednesday's Word

The Surface

The surface is so clear -

white sandy beaches come to mind.

Crystal clear blue skies,

people laughing, playing, soaking up the sun.

Swim away from the shallow

and the land becomes blurry.

The further out one goes

the less comfortable they become.

Deep below the surface is a whole new story -

one beyond comprehension.

Why am I inclined to stay on the surface?

Am I so wrapped up with my story

that I don't take time to explore others?

I desire to go beyond me.

To get out of the shallow and dive deep.

Sweet Salvation

Jesus is coming! He is coming to rescue His children and bring them home. No more pain. No more suffering. No more death. No more sin.

ALL JESUS - only Him. Oh, my soul longs.

I'll Fly Away

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

Spring Break Slide Show - Seattle

Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

Friday's Fotos

More photos from Seattle! Blog posts on the experience soon to follow along with a slideshow!

Wednesday's Word

Vacation: freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

As many of you know I went to Seattle for Spring Break. It was an AMAZING experience. I am capturing all of my thoughts and will be posting much more on my trip very soon. Some highlights: Seeing Brenna Orr who goes to Seattle Pacific University, attending Mars Hill Men's Training Day on Saturday, navagating the city, Thai food, receiving overwhelming hospitality, and learning the many words there are for what we Arizonans call rain. I know many of you are itching to know what I thought of Mark Driscoll, but that will come later. I'll leave you with one picture. Look out for more in the coming days.

Wednesday's Word

Christians on Global Warming

This may be my only post on this issue and as you will see there is a very good reason for it. I have been hearing much news about Christian leaders and Christian groups jumping on two separate bandwagons when it comes to global warming. The first group is placing their money, support, and people behind an initiative to educate people about global warming; holding campaigns and events at churches and Christian colleges. The second group of people say that the jury is “not out yet” on global warming and are not endorsing any such global warming campaigns.

Where do I fall on this…
I personally pray that this matter is not one in which the church splits and begins to have “green” or “tree hugger” churches. I believe that God’s word is VERY clear on this issue and that those who are endorsing campaigns with time, energy, effort, and money need to take a moment to carefully read and understand HIS word. YES, we do need to take care and be responsible for the resources God has given us. We are only here for a short amount of time - Christians, earth is our temporary home and we need to take the time to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. We need to tend to our yards, we need to pick up litter, but first we must see that God has given us these things for our enjoyment and our comfort…what an amazing God we have!

I love what Pastor John MacArthur has to say on the issue of preserving the earth: “I’ve told environmentalists that if they think humanity is wrecking the planet, wait until they see what Jesus does to it. Peter says God is going to literally turn it in on itself in an atomic implosion so that the whole universe goes out of existence (2 Peter 3:7-13).”

Brian’s final thought: Don’t get so wrapped up with the here and now (the next buzzword or buzz topic). Satan’s goal is to get Christians so far off track that they are ineffective for God’s kingdom. Global Warming Initiatives: Another ploy by the adversary.

Wednesday's Word

LOVE

John 15:12-13
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.

Reply with your favorite "love" scriptures!

Wednesday's Word

1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

So True

Below is an article that was published in the State Press (ASU's newspaper) on February 1st.

Top 5: Strange behaviors learned in college
by Amanda Fruzynski

1. Leave a seat between
Never sit next to a person in a lecture hall unless every other seat has been taken. Always avoid your classmates' three-foot personal space bubble unless you want to play an awkward game of "who gets the armrest."
This situation actually happened to me the other day and I was forced to take a seat between two classmates that are not my friends. Result: Extreme discomfort!

2. Bike trumps walking, but skateboard beats bike.
It's the rock-paper-scissors of who gets control of the sidewalk.
Also experienced this one on Monday...a girl who could not control her bicycle screamed at everyone, "Get the hell out of my way before I run you over!" My thought: Skateboards hurt, bikes do injury (trust me, I've been hit by both).

3. Laptop screens are fair game.
If the person in front of you is having a deep personal IM conversation on their 17-inch laptop screen, feel free to read it. It's fair game.
Can't agree more. I like playing "detective" by examining the photos and also their myspace page that is displayed and guessing what their job is, what their family is like, and all around if I should try to get to know them!

4. If you stare down at your cell phone, magazine or iPod, you're invisible.
The salespeople on campus won't bother you, and people walking or biking toward you will be forced to swerve.
True, unless the person is absolutely involved in what they are doing and walk right into a pole (saw this one happen last semester).

5. Text message relationships are fine.
Even though you haven't heard your friend's actual voice in over two months, you know exactly how her classes are going this semester. She texts you during all of them.
Not exactly, but I should give this a whirl for the people who I would like to speak less too.

Wednesday's Word

What makes me beautiful in the eyes of God is Jesus

Strange Living

Borrowing the title from Tuesday night's message at seven:ten, I wanted to post a variety of words that are written on the whiteboard in my bedroom. I constantly ask myself, "Does this describe me?" This question moves me forward in prayer to be dependent on Christ; for without Him I would never possess any of these qualities:

HUMBLE
HONEST
CONSISTENT
CARING
FORGIVING
UNIFYING
PRAYERFUL
PATIENT
GENEROUS
REJOICEFUL
PASSIONATE
HOPEFUL
UNDIGNIFIED
LOVING

Wednesday's Word

Why do we obey?

• a) To receive the praise of men
• b) To avoid guilt of disobedience
• c) To receive the blessing that is in a specific scricpture

OR

• d) To get JESUS (intimate communion with our Savior)

Wednesday's Word

Managers vs. Leaders

Managers ask how and when, Leaders ask what and why

Managers focus on systems, Leaders focus on people

Managers do things right, Leaders do the right things

Managers maintain, Leaders develop

Managers copy, Leaders show originality

Managers have their eye on the bottom line,

Leaders have their eye on the horizon

Managers have short-term perspective,

Leaders have long-term perspective

A manager may OR may not be a leader.

A leader is a manager (does manage at times - part of responsibility)

Great News...

I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance!! (I really did. Since I am 21 now, I got a nice break on what I pay)

Also this past week I got a raise!

Just wanted to share these praises with all of you.

Wednesday's Word

Grace Flows Down

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound

Amazing love, Now flowing down

From hands and feet, That were nailed to the tree

As grace flows down and covers me

Wednesday's Word

RESPECT: to esteem or honor.

Couldn't you hear it roll off your tongue, just the way Aretha Franklin sang it? RES-PECT...just a little bit!

Last week my boss' assistant was on vacation. You're now saying, "so what?" Well, I work in a very small office; my boss (the owner), his assistant (who basically does everything), and two college interns. So the assistant takes the week off, my boss' calendar reads "out all week", and there I was with the entire business on my shoulders (slight exaggeration). To make a very long story short I got to do the assistants job which is much harder than I previously thought.

A word of wisdom: If you don't respect a position, job, title, or status then you should place yourself in the shoes of the one you don't respect. Let's just say that I have a new found respect.

Wednesday's Word

God isn't into making people moral; He is into making people worshippers of Him.

John 4:23

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Wednesday's Word

Bittersweet [bit·ter·sweet]: Both pleasant and painful

A real tearjerker today, as well as a pleasant surprise! I had a full day over at ASU - meeting with advisors, meeting with a professor, study sessions, and chats with friends. In between one of the meetings I had some time so I went to the Memorial Union to get a bagel. Sitting all alone I looked up from my bagel to notice that there was not a single person in the MU. Outrageous...not quite; it is the end of the semester. As I about teared up a smile of joy permeated my face...the semester is over! Only 3 more semesters to go!

Wednesday's Word

For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, "My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose."
- Isaiah 46:9-10

The Joy of Laughter

Hope you find these questions as humorous as I did!

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."

-Bill Cosby

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"

Sunday's Saying

No, this is not a new weekly post to replace Wednesday's Word, but just something I heard tonight at church that I wanted to share.

"I am nothing, BUT this nothing gets to show off the greatest being in the universe."

- Pastor Chris Mueller

Give Thanks!

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate to do a Thanksgiving blog. What is Thanksgiving? Is Thanksgiving the only time of year we stop and count our blessings? Is Thanksgiving just one of those holidays that you are stuck around family and the only enjoyable thing to do is stuff your face? I surely hope Thanksgiving is NOT just a day or a time!

Thanksgiving is an ATTITUDE or EXPRESSION!! Webster defines thanksgiving as the act of giving thanks; an expression of thanks, especially to God; grateful acknowledgement of benefits. Thanksgiving is more than a day, it is an attitude, it is a way of living!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Salvation-------Grace
Holy Spirit------Reconciliation
Faith-----------Adoption
Justification----Sanctification
Eternal Life-----Heaven
Cross-----------Blood
-JESUS-
Truth------------Beauty
Bible-------------Love
Joy--------------Peace
Trials------------Tears

Things I am Thankful For:
Grace = unmerited favor. There is nothing I can do, could do, or did do for God to save me. He covered me in Jesus’ righteousness and cast the full weight of my sin on His son, Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, I live!

Some other great things that I am thankful for:

Family; Brother’s and Sisters in Christ; Friends; Job - $; Shelter; Food; Clothing; Health; Cultures; A Christian Boss; Mountains; Clouds; Ocean; Rain; Arizona Sunsets; Stars; Snow;
Music; Dance; Soft Bed; Comedy; Movies; Clean Water; Encouragement; Seven:Ten; ASU; East Valley Bible Church; Technology; LifeGroup; Football; Starbucks Coffee; Creativity; Seven:Ten; Godly Male examples; Professors; Women.

Sanctification - A simple man's ramblings

This week my life group leader presented this question:
Describe sanctification.

My response may seem sarcastic, but it is not meant to be and it is truly what I have been experiencing lately.

Brian's response - "Sanctification: it hurts like hell, but you end up with heaven."

Thinking about this comment, I think I would now re-phrase it as,
"Sanctification: hurts like hell during this life (God continually pruning you and continually transforming you into the image of His son), and the process finds its completion in heaven. (glorification)

Tell me your thoughts!