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!

Wednesday's Word

Persevere

Webster's Definition: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

Ahh, Romans 5!
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

How I would love to continue on in this chapter because it is so rich with gospel truths!

Yesterday I was encouraged to persevere through school (only 3 semesters left!) If you are currently in school and feeling down, stick with it! The payoff is worth it, just ask any adult who either did not finish school or never started. I was also reminded that there is a prize to those who finish...a diploma. I know, I know - a diploma doesn't sound all that great right now, but think about the opportunities having a diploma opens up for you! Work hard today and you will be rewarded later!

Happy Reformation Day!

Today marks the 489th anniversary of the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church at Wittenburg. In so doing he struck a match, beginning a fire that quickly spread throughout Europe and throughout the world. Having become increasingly disillusioned with the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, and in particular the sale of indulgences, Luther wrote his Theses to try to begin the process of reform. While he was unable to bring reform to the entire church, he did trigger the Protestant Reformation by rediscovering the Gospel - the good news of salvation by grace through faith.

From the Protestant Reformation we get five Solas:

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

Solo Christo (Christ Alone)

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)

I would encourage anyone who doesn't know much about the Protestant Reformation, Luther, or his 95 Theses to research them. You'll come away with a better understanding of church history and much more.

Soli Deo Gloria!

My Debt - Paid In FULL

The other day someone in one of my classes asked me why I became a Christian. Thoughts quickly raced through my head. My response was: Before I became a Christian I was a self-righteous puke who thought by living a certain way I would be accepted by God. I repeatedly failed to meet that standard – my own standard. Oh, how much more did I fail to meet God’s standard – Holiness/Righteousness. I was reminded that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for the sins of those who would believe in Him. I gave my life over to Christ because I saw what my life was like when I had control; it was a mess. I realized the things that I thought were “messed up” or “marred” are actually sin against a holy God. Pride, Deceit, Lust, Un-forgiveness, Self-Righteousness, Disobedience; all of these sins stemmed from me dethroning God of his proper place as ruler and King and exalting myself to that place. I asked God to forgive me for living so long with Brian being king and to change my heart to one that desires to long after Him. I then explained that God exposed me as a sinner and the only one who could measure up to God's standard is his son, Jesus. Through Christ’s death – my sin was poured out on Jesus and his life and righteousness covered me. So now when God looks at me, he sees Christ’s righteousness.

Because of what Christ did on the cross and God’s love, I read the bible to get to know the God that called me into adoption as His son, I pray to grow closer to Him and ask that He will continue to expose sin in my life, I have fellowship with His people (the Church), and tell people about His saving grace. I am accepted by Him, therefore I work towards seeing Him glorified. I still sin and I hate it more than ever. And yes, I daily need a savior more than you can imagine. All praise be to Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Wednesday's Word

And Jesus answered them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:31-32

Wednesday's Word

That's not fair!

Since the time I have become a Christian I have grown to hate the above sentence, especially when people use it in a conversation about God's sovereignty. I am also learning that fair in the world of economics is also absurd. Recently I have been reading a book by Paul Thorson titled, "Painting In The Dark". It's a short 160 some pages and filled with real life and real truth. The excerpt below is Paul's analogy to a girl in one of his classes who asked, "How is it fair for God to randomly pick and choose some and let others just fly right by and into hell."

Here is his reply/analogy that can be found on pages 68-69:

"So, all of humankind is gathered on a cliff. But standing there, we suddenly feel someone else is present. Like the feeling we have when walking at night and we sense that there is someone closing in behind us. A foreboding type of feeling. Our heart is pounding, our pulse racing, we don't know who or what is there and we are afraid to look over our shoulder and see. As we turn around to see who it is we let out a collective scream. 'Aiii! Quick, jump! It's a holy God!' We don't fall; we jump off the cliff together, to escape God.

"You see, I don't want to go to hell, but in that moment, staring into those holy eyes, I'd rather be anywhere else. Heaven only feels like heaven to those who are at peace with the King of heaven. In Romans 5, we read that those who are justified by faith have peace with God.

"But this is unthinkable for enemies of God. And Paul calls those who don't know Jesus 'enemies' just a few verses later in this same chapter in Romans (v.9). At the time God found us, we were not longing for peace with God; we wanted victory over God, or at least protection from the wrath of God. We weren't looking for Him; we were hiding from Him."

"This is where your analogy becomes so interesting", I said. All of humankind has jumped off the cliff and we are falling into hell. And yes, God reached His hand down to catch some people. Suddenly the hand catches a woman falling near me. I instinctively curl up, hoping He won't notice me. And as the woman vanishes, I turn to a guy near me and wipe my forehead, 'Whew, that was close. For a second there I thought He was after me!' He nods his head in agreement, never taking his eyes off that spot where the woman had been moments before.

"Once again the hand appears; the man I was talking to is gone. Oh, no! Again, I feel real terror. 'The poor guy...' No sooner do the words escape my lips than the hand appears again. But this time I feel a sudden change come over me and I realize two things at once: The hand is coming for me; there is no escape. And, My heart is willing; now I want Him to catch me. And he does! And it is wonderful, not terrifying, and it is perfect, not terrible."

Our arguments for "fairness" presuppose that we are wiser than God. We think that we deserve a chance to know God. But even the idea that we first wanted to know Him is a deception. And when we realize this, we realize the foolishness of believing we have a reputation worth protecting in the first place.

We have missed the point in our arguments about whether it is fair of God to choose some people for Himself but not choose others. We assume that everyone wants to be chosen and those who are not feel somehow cheated.

Wednesday's Word

I have been meditating on the following question for some time and will be answering it in an upcoming blog, but for now I need more time to develop my thoughts and not give the superficial or typical "churchy" remarks. Here it is:

What is the TRUEST thing about you?