There has been a little change of scenery on this page, but I hope it's not too distracting from the following post.
The Tallest Man On Earth is a band that has caught my attention in the past couple of months. They play a song that is very dear to my heart. This song is called Love is All. I hold this song so close because I find it to be very personal with my life before and after I devoted my life to following Christ.
One of the lines in this song says, "Love is all from what I've heard but my hearts learned to kill." How true this is to my heart. As long as I can remember, I have been told to love everyone. You know, the golden rule; treat others the way you would want to be treated. But is love really all we need? Is the way I love others the most important thing? Well how do I love? What is love first of all?
I believe in defining love we need to look at love itself. And what better example of love then Jesus Christ, who sent His only son to die for you and me. Jesus died the death I deserve. He took my place upon that cross. And for one reason, because he loves me. And in realizing this, I have learned how to love. And I have learned to love others because of Christ's love for me.
And the second part about our hearts learning to kill. Kill what? For me, my heart learned to kill pain. It learned how to kill guilt of a life wrapped up in sin. I became numb and oblivious to these things. I became so good at not caring, that half the time, I didn't even know I was doing something wrong because of the excuses I had made. Excuses to try and justify my actions before myself. I had become so disgusted with myself without even realizing it.
On to my favorite line in this wonderful song. "Like a house made from spider webs and the clouds rolling in, I bet this mighty river's both my savior and my sin." When I first heard this, I had to stop and give praise to God. This song is my testimony. As I built my life around sinful things, it was like building a house made of spider webs. And as soon as a storm hits, it's all over. There isn't enough strength to withstand anything that goes wrong.
And that's exactly what happened. Everything came crashing down on the life I built. And it just wasn't strong enough. And that sin that I was so caught up in, became my savior. It made me realize how broken I was and how much I needed God to work in my life.
So I gave it all to Him. And in doing so, I received the strength to uphold in every storm that comes my way. I have learned that anything is possible with the Lord. He might take you through a living hell, but sometimes that's exactly what's needed. It's what I needed, so I can be here today more joyful than ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BsZt_3MifU
"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." -- James 1:2-3
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
I wanted to be the best.
As I sit here this rainy sunday afternoon, I feel as if days like these is when I will take the time to write. While watching the playoffs, I came to a realization. Glory; not mine, but the Lord's. For as long as I can remember, I was always searching for something. Most of the time I didn't even know what I was searching for.
I have grown up in a house with two older brothers, all athletes. So naturally, everything was a competition. I am the youngest so often I was on the losing side. So a sense of drive and perseverance developed. This turned out to be one of my greatest attributes, but it also became a weakness.
As I was always searching, I thought I could do it all on my own. Before that, any problem I came across, every storm I encountered, I was able to overcome because of the drive that had been instilled in me. I was terribly mistaken.
I wanted to be the best. That's what it all came down to. At whatever I did, I was always trying to beat the next person. Sports were a huge influence in my life. As soon as I could walk, I had a basketball in my hands. I found joy in playing, not only because I loved the game, but because that's how other people knew me.
So I played, for myself. Each and every time I would walk on the court it was "Wow, look at me. I'm able to do great things." And of course, it was all on my own terms. It was all me, I had the power.
But where did that power come from? Why was I able to do these things? There was a million questions I asked myself, but only one answer. Simply, the answer was Christ. Or was it really that simple? At first it seemed as if everything was coming at me all at once. It seemed as if my whole life was broken, and it was. This couldn't be that simple. Everything in my life needed to be reversed. How on earth was I going to do this on my own. And that was it. It was simple. The joy of my salvation was enough to fix my broken life.
After that moment, it all became so clear. I got a clear purpose of what my life was supposed to be like. I knew what God's will for my life was. His Word tells us to use our talents for His glory. My talents? Oh yeah, basketball. How was I going to do that? What did that even mean? Oh yeah, glory; but not mine anymore, His.
I still find joy in playing the game I love, but I no longer play for me. I play for the glory of God. I find joy in carrying out God's plan for my life. I have found that my power comes from the Lord. And now, each and every time I walk on the court, I say "Wow, look at the transformation in my life. I am only able to do great things because Christ so loved me that He sent His son to die for me."
I'm not deserving of anything. I'm overwhelmed with blessings I've received, and I thank God every day for giving me life.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." --Galations 2:20
I have grown up in a house with two older brothers, all athletes. So naturally, everything was a competition. I am the youngest so often I was on the losing side. So a sense of drive and perseverance developed. This turned out to be one of my greatest attributes, but it also became a weakness.
As I was always searching, I thought I could do it all on my own. Before that, any problem I came across, every storm I encountered, I was able to overcome because of the drive that had been instilled in me. I was terribly mistaken.
I wanted to be the best. That's what it all came down to. At whatever I did, I was always trying to beat the next person. Sports were a huge influence in my life. As soon as I could walk, I had a basketball in my hands. I found joy in playing, not only because I loved the game, but because that's how other people knew me.
So I played, for myself. Each and every time I would walk on the court it was "Wow, look at me. I'm able to do great things." And of course, it was all on my own terms. It was all me, I had the power.
But where did that power come from? Why was I able to do these things? There was a million questions I asked myself, but only one answer. Simply, the answer was Christ. Or was it really that simple? At first it seemed as if everything was coming at me all at once. It seemed as if my whole life was broken, and it was. This couldn't be that simple. Everything in my life needed to be reversed. How on earth was I going to do this on my own. And that was it. It was simple. The joy of my salvation was enough to fix my broken life.
After that moment, it all became so clear. I got a clear purpose of what my life was supposed to be like. I knew what God's will for my life was. His Word tells us to use our talents for His glory. My talents? Oh yeah, basketball. How was I going to do that? What did that even mean? Oh yeah, glory; but not mine anymore, His.
I still find joy in playing the game I love, but I no longer play for me. I play for the glory of God. I find joy in carrying out God's plan for my life. I have found that my power comes from the Lord. And now, each and every time I walk on the court, I say "Wow, look at the transformation in my life. I am only able to do great things because Christ so loved me that He sent His son to die for me."
I'm not deserving of anything. I'm overwhelmed with blessings I've received, and I thank God every day for giving me life.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." --Galations 2:20
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
My Introduction
Family and friends,
I urge you to follow this blog, but not just because you know me. In the upcoming weeks I am going to take you through my journey. We will dive deep into God's word and what it has to say about our lives. Questions and comments are welcomed!!
I urge you to follow this blog, but not just because you know me. In the upcoming weeks I am going to take you through my journey. We will dive deep into God's word and what it has to say about our lives. Questions and comments are welcomed!!
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