Tonight is just another one of those nights. Again, I feel like there is so much I could blog about but for whatever reason, it just isn't happening. I have the house to myself tonight. Earlier tonight, I watched the recent dvd from Netflix. Yeah, it was Rambo. Pretty violent and bloody. But, very much realistic. The characters who play missionaries go into very dangerous territory and they see much bloodshed and they also are tortured. They wanted to change lives and maybe they would have succeeded. I won't give the movie away so I'll quit there.
But, I sit here, listening to some Mortification. I loaded their CDs (14 studio albums) into the media player and I'm just listening to a random playlist of Mort songs. For those who might read this and have no clue who Mortification is I shall tell you. They hail from Austrailia. Metal is the style they play. They have ranged from Iron Maiden like metal to death to thrash/speed to all kinds of metal genres in between. Steve Rowe is a miracle mainly because of all that his body has been through with cancer. They are a Christian band. Steve would probably cringe at the fact I loaded all of his CDs into my media player, but I don't have a CD burner and I have no intention of sharing any tracks with anyone. Just for my own pleasure. But, Steve is evangelical. Something you don't really see enough in Christian metal. Having helped at a venue for a while, there isn't much evangelism going on there. It blends in with the world. We're supposed to be different from the world, aren't we? God has sent us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us through this life, sharing with others the Good News. There should be no emptiness if you have placed your faith in Christ.
I feel encouraged just sitting here and just typing away. I didn't really have any thoughts in mind. Just knew I needed to get something out of me.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
Sabrina and I just finished watching a movie called "Final Season". It was a movie recommended to us by her Mom, which for me usually should trigger red flags, but for the most part, we do have some similiar likings in movies. I actually finally watched Lord of the Rings for the first time when she had gotten it and her and Sabrina were watching it. Now, I love that whoe trilogy and one day will read the books. But, I'm drifting from my story.
So, we watch this movie and it's a very good story. Based on a true story of a school in Iowa that is facing consolidation with another school to cut costs. This school had a big thing going for them in their baseball program. 19 titles. Can they go out with a bang? New coach comes in to fill in huge shoes and the town thinks they have a snowball's chance in Maricaibo in winning. Ok, the town's people probably would have said hell, but I thought I'd clean it up a bit. haha Anyway, they perservere and they get to the state championship. The new coach, played by Sean Astin, asks them, How do you want to be remembered?
I've had my share of dreams in my life. I had forgotten that at one point in my life, I wished I coud play baseball. I used to throw a tennis ball against the back of the house (it was a plaster wall). My brother would play a bit with me and I would catch him pitching softball to me. He was a good pitcher. Good catcher. Good hitter. I collected baseball cards. Had a little pitchback. I had one problem. I was fat. That didn't lend me for speed. My coordination was, and still is, lousy. I usually got picked on by the students. I had one really good friend who played little league with me. I'm glad he was around. The team I was on was a scrappy lot. The guys who pitched were good and usually traded off between pitching and catching. Our shortstop had an arm like a wild rifle. I think at times he must have thought I was Wilt Chamberlain and could jump a mile trying to catch his throws from shortstop (I was at first base). The kid who played 2nd base was good. We wound up being short in the outfield because we never seemed to have enough players to fill the lineup. The coaches were ok but I didn't feel like they were the best encouragers to me. So, the next season, I moved up but after 4 games, I had had enough. I didn't get along with the kids, the coaches or anyone. They pretty much left me feeling hopeless about myself. So, I gave up those dreams of playing ball.
Music was my next dream. Thankfully, the lyrics I had written in high school are gone because looking back, I would never have made it with the stuff I had written. Not original enough. My influence came so strong from other bands that I never made anything my own. So, on through school I went, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. After graduating, I went to work with my Dad and stayed at that job for 16 years. Sabrina and I moved to Alabama where I work at a UPS Store. Not exactly where I thought I'd be but it's a job and I guess it's better than nothing. I guess my next dream is ministry. Or counseling. Or something along those lines. I dream that I can make a difference in people's lives. A real difference. And prayerfully, one that involves eternity.
How do I want to be remembered? I'm not sure I can answer that question just yet. For those who read this? Maybe you can help me with the answers. :)
Sabrina and I just finished watching a movie called "Final Season". It was a movie recommended to us by her Mom, which for me usually should trigger red flags, but for the most part, we do have some similiar likings in movies. I actually finally watched Lord of the Rings for the first time when she had gotten it and her and Sabrina were watching it. Now, I love that whoe trilogy and one day will read the books. But, I'm drifting from my story.
So, we watch this movie and it's a very good story. Based on a true story of a school in Iowa that is facing consolidation with another school to cut costs. This school had a big thing going for them in their baseball program. 19 titles. Can they go out with a bang? New coach comes in to fill in huge shoes and the town thinks they have a snowball's chance in Maricaibo in winning. Ok, the town's people probably would have said hell, but I thought I'd clean it up a bit. haha Anyway, they perservere and they get to the state championship. The new coach, played by Sean Astin, asks them, How do you want to be remembered?
I've had my share of dreams in my life. I had forgotten that at one point in my life, I wished I coud play baseball. I used to throw a tennis ball against the back of the house (it was a plaster wall). My brother would play a bit with me and I would catch him pitching softball to me. He was a good pitcher. Good catcher. Good hitter. I collected baseball cards. Had a little pitchback. I had one problem. I was fat. That didn't lend me for speed. My coordination was, and still is, lousy. I usually got picked on by the students. I had one really good friend who played little league with me. I'm glad he was around. The team I was on was a scrappy lot. The guys who pitched were good and usually traded off between pitching and catching. Our shortstop had an arm like a wild rifle. I think at times he must have thought I was Wilt Chamberlain and could jump a mile trying to catch his throws from shortstop (I was at first base). The kid who played 2nd base was good. We wound up being short in the outfield because we never seemed to have enough players to fill the lineup. The coaches were ok but I didn't feel like they were the best encouragers to me. So, the next season, I moved up but after 4 games, I had had enough. I didn't get along with the kids, the coaches or anyone. They pretty much left me feeling hopeless about myself. So, I gave up those dreams of playing ball.
Music was my next dream. Thankfully, the lyrics I had written in high school are gone because looking back, I would never have made it with the stuff I had written. Not original enough. My influence came so strong from other bands that I never made anything my own. So, on through school I went, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. After graduating, I went to work with my Dad and stayed at that job for 16 years. Sabrina and I moved to Alabama where I work at a UPS Store. Not exactly where I thought I'd be but it's a job and I guess it's better than nothing. I guess my next dream is ministry. Or counseling. Or something along those lines. I dream that I can make a difference in people's lives. A real difference. And prayerfully, one that involves eternity.
How do I want to be remembered? I'm not sure I can answer that question just yet. For those who read this? Maybe you can help me with the answers. :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
I was at a Promise Keepers event (actually, I've been to a few Promise Keeper events) in Baltimore area and a speaker by the name of Joe White came out and he did this incredible talk about the Cross. Carrying this heavy log over his shoulder, he dragged up the aisles and up to the stage. He started his talk by portraying a Roman crossmaker. Why did this Jesus have to die? Who is this Jesus? And he's cutting away at this log to make way for the crossbeam to be placed and then nailed together. He then nails the pieces together and he then holds the cross over his shoulder, nails being quite close to his face.
He spoke of so many things that night but the one part that has stuck with me is the quote, Which Side of the Cross Are You On? To the left, there was a thief who mocked and scorn him. To the right, you had a thief who knew death was coming and he deserved it for his crimes. And he asks Jesus to remember him when he went to his kingdom. Jesus says to him, today you will be with me in Paradise. Even on the Cross, Jesus was working! He gave His life willingly. He thirsted for God.
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
Totelestai. I know I probably spelled that wrong. But, it means Paid in Full. That's what Jesus did on the Cross. He took all of God's wrath on Himself and spared all of us from having to endure that wrath.
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
Are we going to be bold in our faith? Or are we just going to sit still or keep in secret for fear of what others might say? Are we afraid of "ramming our beliefs down someone's throat" in danger of offending them? Or, are that person to share the Gospel message with someone who has never heard it? Do we blend in with the world? Or do we live our lives devoted to the one who died on a Cross, who took that brunt of God's wrath, and to rise from the grave 3 days later?!?!?
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
He spoke of so many things that night but the one part that has stuck with me is the quote, Which Side of the Cross Are You On? To the left, there was a thief who mocked and scorn him. To the right, you had a thief who knew death was coming and he deserved it for his crimes. And he asks Jesus to remember him when he went to his kingdom. Jesus says to him, today you will be with me in Paradise. Even on the Cross, Jesus was working! He gave His life willingly. He thirsted for God.
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
Totelestai. I know I probably spelled that wrong. But, it means Paid in Full. That's what Jesus did on the Cross. He took all of God's wrath on Himself and spared all of us from having to endure that wrath.
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
Are we going to be bold in our faith? Or are we just going to sit still or keep in secret for fear of what others might say? Are we afraid of "ramming our beliefs down someone's throat" in danger of offending them? Or, are that person to share the Gospel message with someone who has never heard it? Do we blend in with the world? Or do we live our lives devoted to the one who died on a Cross, who took that brunt of God's wrath, and to rise from the grave 3 days later?!?!?
Which Side of the Cross Are You On?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Surrender the Silence
Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last blogged. Whether it's on this thing, or my myspace page or facebook or whatever. I don't know if it is because I haven't had much to share or talk about or what. Which is sad in a way because, as Christians, we have such a joyous message to share with the world! I could get on here and talk about all the great things God has done in my life and to be honest, I feel like I've been silent when it comes to that. I should be on here everyday because whether I've had a WHOOO GOD moment or not, I'm thankful that I even have breath. I'm thankful for what God has blessed me with. He's blessed me with some great friends. A great wife. A great family. A talent to write songs and play guitar. All of these things, at any given moment, He could take away from me. I should be weeping and mourning deeply for the 100,000 people who have lost their lives between Mynamar and China. These are people who went to their death probably never ever hearing the saving message of Jesus Christ! There is a passage that our pastor did a message on Sunday and it was very convicting. Luke 13:1-5. We all must repent of our sins. I'm not going to say that everyone needs to go to my church's website and download the message because they need to hear it. (I mean, you can if you want to, I won't stop you) But it is a message that I needed to hear and hear again and again.
But, I want to go back to the secret thing. In John 19:38-42, it talks about Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethia coming to take the body of Jesus from the cross and place Him in the tomb. It mentioned that they were both secret disciples of Jesus for fear of the Jews. I guess better late than never to come out as a disciple! But, the same applies for us all today doesn't it? Do we share the Good News with everyone we meet? I know I certainly don't. Working in a retail business gets a bit tough at times. It can be done though. Having Christian radio on in the store isn't enough. The little bracelet I wear with Hebrews 13:3 isn't enough. I can't be silent anymore. We, as Christians, can't be silent anymore. Too many things in this world that the Christian community has fallen asleep over and the world will fall under the influence of the deceiver. What am I saying? It pretty IS under the influence. I lived my life under that influence for far too long. It cost me my first marriage and the guilt and shame from it has clung on to me for far too long.
I surrender this guilt, shame and silence.
But, I want to go back to the secret thing. In John 19:38-42, it talks about Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethia coming to take the body of Jesus from the cross and place Him in the tomb. It mentioned that they were both secret disciples of Jesus for fear of the Jews. I guess better late than never to come out as a disciple! But, the same applies for us all today doesn't it? Do we share the Good News with everyone we meet? I know I certainly don't. Working in a retail business gets a bit tough at times. It can be done though. Having Christian radio on in the store isn't enough. The little bracelet I wear with Hebrews 13:3 isn't enough. I can't be silent anymore. We, as Christians, can't be silent anymore. Too many things in this world that the Christian community has fallen asleep over and the world will fall under the influence of the deceiver. What am I saying? It pretty IS under the influence. I lived my life under that influence for far too long. It cost me my first marriage and the guilt and shame from it has clung on to me for far too long.
I surrender this guilt, shame and silence.
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