These are the times that I cherish. Sitting around a fire with my whole family. I hold these moments so precious to my heart because it is a rare occurrence. We have recently been united by the ever so wonderful visits from my brother Jeff and his girlfriend Kelsey. So there we sat, next to my other brother Corey and his fiance Melissa. Dad got the fire rolling as Mom came out with s'mores. What more could I ask for? Oh I know, a wonderful girl named Shannon sitting right next to me.
Laughter filled the air as we talked about life and love. Every person outside of our immediate family has said the same thing. When we are all together, they all comment on our movie-quoting habits. I will say a line from a movie but I'll stop before completing it and wait, and without hesitation one of my brothers, Mom, or Dad will finish it.
Others will literally laugh until they cry. Especially when we are around my Nanny, who is probably the most unpredictable woman on the earth. But we love her all the same.
And so we sat, reminiscing on our favorite childhood memories. We decided to watch our favorite movie when we were little, 3 Ninjas. And as we sat through the corny jokes and children acting, a deep sense of appreciation fell upon me. It was my parents' love for us. They would sit through the dumbest movies and shows time and time again, just because it made us happy.
But it wasn't always this easy. We definitely had our fair share of fights and struggles, particularly due to a house full of boys. I don't know how my mother did it. But in the end we are all better from it. I can't speak for them but I certainly wouldn't change a thing.
I write this because family is something that I had taken for granted up until a few weeks ago. I've learned to live in the moment, and appreciate the small things. For we are not promised a tomorrow. So it's my goal to make the best of each and every day, because each one has its own purpose.
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. --James 4:14
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Cross
While being criticized, a good friend was accused of being too Christian. He was then reminded of something his dad had told him; "Was Jesus too Christian?" This answer is easily overlooked because of its simplicity, but it also carries huge significance.
If the very person sent to show us what life should be like wasn't too Christian, then how in the world can we be? His name is the root for the word Christian! It is, however, possible to become over-zealous and lose sight of what we we are called to do. And it's easy to miss the true reason Jesus lived and died. It's not hard to overlook many things. That's what I will focus on.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many." Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death . . ." Wages? Ransom? What? To understand this, we first must get a grasp of our sin. Sin can be defined as a transgression against divine law; so anything that goes against God's will for us. We have been separated from Christ because of this sin, we have all tried to do life on our own.
But the beauty of it all, is that we have the privilege of coming back. Coming back to the One who died for us. The wages of sin is death, someone has to die because of this disease we call sin. Someone had to take the blame. Someone had to die the death that we all deserved.
You see, Jesus was without sin. Which means he was perfect. He was the only one free of blame. The only one to live a blameless life. Jesus was sent specifically for me. He was sent specifically for you. He was sent to take upon our sins, and die the death that we deserve. Jesus died a terrible death upon the Cross of Calvary. And He did it for one reason, you and me.
He loved us so much that He was willing to be sacrificed so that we may live. And we rest assured because Jesus was raised from the dead three days later. He rose again to show us that He was exactly who He said He was. These are the things we have taken for granted making it easy for us not to think about them very often.
But what baffles me is how we have belittled the Cross. A while ago my family received a heart-swelling e-mail from my cousin, Mike Inman. The e-mail is titled The beauty and essence that is from the Cross of Jesus Christ, and these lines stuck out to me. He says, "My sins should break me, and make me realize my need for Jesus, but through indulging in the world I have drank, like water, the cheap joys that this world has to offer. To where the most costly joy, which is salvation, is numb and dulled down to being another cheap joy." This spoke to my heart so much that I put it on my bulletin board so I can see it every morning.
I'm in awe every time I think about how powerful the Lord is. I used to hear the good news of Jesus, and push it aside like it was just another story. But now, I weep. I've had the opportunity to be around numerous people hearing the Gospel for the first time, and I remember thinking that this was huge for them. They are hearing the greatest news in man's history. But at the end, I wasn't crying for them, I was crying for me. I couldn't help it.
Time again this news wrecks me. And I am ever so thankful that Jesus loved me so much to do all this just for me. There is a second part to Romans 6:23. It says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Thanks Mike.
If the very person sent to show us what life should be like wasn't too Christian, then how in the world can we be? His name is the root for the word Christian! It is, however, possible to become over-zealous and lose sight of what we we are called to do. And it's easy to miss the true reason Jesus lived and died. It's not hard to overlook many things. That's what I will focus on.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many." Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death . . ." Wages? Ransom? What? To understand this, we first must get a grasp of our sin. Sin can be defined as a transgression against divine law; so anything that goes against God's will for us. We have been separated from Christ because of this sin, we have all tried to do life on our own.
But the beauty of it all, is that we have the privilege of coming back. Coming back to the One who died for us. The wages of sin is death, someone has to die because of this disease we call sin. Someone had to take the blame. Someone had to die the death that we all deserved.
You see, Jesus was without sin. Which means he was perfect. He was the only one free of blame. The only one to live a blameless life. Jesus was sent specifically for me. He was sent specifically for you. He was sent to take upon our sins, and die the death that we deserve. Jesus died a terrible death upon the Cross of Calvary. And He did it for one reason, you and me.
He loved us so much that He was willing to be sacrificed so that we may live. And we rest assured because Jesus was raised from the dead three days later. He rose again to show us that He was exactly who He said He was. These are the things we have taken for granted making it easy for us not to think about them very often.
But what baffles me is how we have belittled the Cross. A while ago my family received a heart-swelling e-mail from my cousin, Mike Inman. The e-mail is titled The beauty and essence that is from the Cross of Jesus Christ, and these lines stuck out to me. He says, "My sins should break me, and make me realize my need for Jesus, but through indulging in the world I have drank, like water, the cheap joys that this world has to offer. To where the most costly joy, which is salvation, is numb and dulled down to being another cheap joy." This spoke to my heart so much that I put it on my bulletin board so I can see it every morning.
I'm in awe every time I think about how powerful the Lord is. I used to hear the good news of Jesus, and push it aside like it was just another story. But now, I weep. I've had the opportunity to be around numerous people hearing the Gospel for the first time, and I remember thinking that this was huge for them. They are hearing the greatest news in man's history. But at the end, I wasn't crying for them, I was crying for me. I couldn't help it.
Time again this news wrecks me. And I am ever so thankful that Jesus loved me so much to do all this just for me. There is a second part to Romans 6:23. It says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Thanks Mike.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Love is All
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
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 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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