Today in chapel, we had a gentleman that is a CEO of a 7 billion dollar company. His personal net worth was 1.2 billion dollars. As we came in chapel everyone received a copy of his latest book, and within ten minutes the entire student body received another piece of literature. Everyone was given a black pamphlet that had the Romans Road inside of it and at the end of the pamphlet there was a twenty dollar bill.
The gentleman made the comment that most people pay to come listen to a special speaker but he has to pay people to come hear him speak. Everyone got a chuckle out of his comment but then I began to ponder what he said. I began to think, "is what I say worth anything, or am I just word vomiting just for the sake of talking?"
I listened to every word the gentleman said today because he understood what was important. He understood his wealth came from the Almighty. He understood that importance of being humble, and giving the King of Kings credit for giving him a successful life. He understood that it was because of Christ, he has a story worth telling.
We all have a story worth telling because of what Christ has done in each of our lives but I think that many Christian take advantage of the gift. I have seen time and time again Christians talking down to the world and other believers, trying to make their own preferences other peoples convictions, making comments on situation that they have not educated themselves on all in the name of "Christ", and in my opinion dragging the name of Christ through the mud. Christian if this is you, SHUT UP!!!!
It is only through humility should anyone listen to what we have to say. If we do not practice humility we need to keep our mouth shut because we have nothing worth listening to. The story of Christ is worth listening to, but are we telling the story correctly?
Should Anyone Listen to You?
Keep Dreaming
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What Do You Hear?
Many of you know I have had an intense ear infection for the past ten days. And four out of the ten day both of my ears were swollen shut. I could not hear anything. I began to realize something that I will not soon forget.
When life presents itself and you are surrounded with outside voices and the contemplation of what to do next, are you looking to hear the heartbeat of God. At the core of most Christians, I would say they want to do what is right and honoring to God. But are you listening to the voice of God.
God is in the business of telling you what the next great step in your life is to be. Often times, I think Christians turn a deaf ear to the reality of what God is telling them, and try to guess what to do next based on what makes them feel good.
Each one of us has a craving to be successful in our Christian walk, but the reality is we tend to hear ourselves more then we try to hear from God. "What do you hear?"
Keep on Dreaming
When life presents itself and you are surrounded with outside voices and the contemplation of what to do next, are you looking to hear the heartbeat of God. At the core of most Christians, I would say they want to do what is right and honoring to God. But are you listening to the voice of God.
God is in the business of telling you what the next great step in your life is to be. Often times, I think Christians turn a deaf ear to the reality of what God is telling them, and try to guess what to do next based on what makes them feel good.
Each one of us has a craving to be successful in our Christian walk, but the reality is we tend to hear ourselves more then we try to hear from God. "What do you hear?"
Keep on Dreaming
Sunday, September 14, 2008
What The Heck Are You Freakin Looking At?
Most times in our churches today we have this view, "What is he or she doing here, they live like hell?". The church and Christians look at people, that look and act like the world, as an alien. We don't even give them a chance. We write them off quicker than we care to find out their name.
I am so sick of Christians acting this way towards people. We have a responsibility to the world, to show them Christ, at any cost. I am tired of people thinking that the church will not accept me because: I am gay, I am sexually active and not married, I am addicted to drugs, I am a liar, I am an alcoholic, I have children out of wedlock! Aren't these the people we are trying to reach and show the redemptive love of Christ?
I think Christians need to take a step back and understand what their purpose is, and by the way, it is loving people. I think if Christ was physically in our churches today, He would be quick to find out the name of that one that walks in the church doors, who lives like hell, and be a friend to that hurting person. Being a christian is not permission to live above anyone, but to understand that the world is whom Christ came to lift up out of a life of hopelessness.
What the heck are you freakin looking at?
Keep Dreaming
I am so sick of Christians acting this way towards people. We have a responsibility to the world, to show them Christ, at any cost. I am tired of people thinking that the church will not accept me because: I am gay, I am sexually active and not married, I am addicted to drugs, I am a liar, I am an alcoholic, I have children out of wedlock! Aren't these the people we are trying to reach and show the redemptive love of Christ?
I think Christians need to take a step back and understand what their purpose is, and by the way, it is loving people. I think if Christ was physically in our churches today, He would be quick to find out the name of that one that walks in the church doors, who lives like hell, and be a friend to that hurting person. Being a christian is not permission to live above anyone, but to understand that the world is whom Christ came to lift up out of a life of hopelessness.
What the heck are you freakin looking at?
Keep Dreaming
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Remembrance of Greatness
As I write this blog, it is the first Wednesday night service in Jacksonville that I have missed. And it is starting now! And all I can say is, "Thank You God !" I am truly thankful and humbled for the opportunity I had to serve the youth at PL. I am sitting here in a puddle of my own tears knowing the "Greatness" that is going to arise from the students and adults in the youth.
I am confident in who God is and am confident in the character of the people I have met at PL, that they are going to turn the world upside for Christ. It is not a wonder to me that there is Legendary things happening right now in that trailer.
The question I pose to you is this; Are you involved in something that is producing greatness? I can search deep in my soul and know that God put me at PL, when He did to be apart of Greatness. Thank You Promise Land! Keep doing the dang thing!
Where is you Remembrance of Greatness?
Keep Dreaming
I am confident in who God is and am confident in the character of the people I have met at PL, that they are going to turn the world upside for Christ. It is not a wonder to me that there is Legendary things happening right now in that trailer.
The question I pose to you is this; Are you involved in something that is producing greatness? I can search deep in my soul and know that God put me at PL, when He did to be apart of Greatness. Thank You Promise Land! Keep doing the dang thing!
Where is you Remembrance of Greatness?
Keep Dreaming
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Dare to be Different
In our journey of life we are going to come to many crossroads in which we have to decide if we dare to be different. We are going to be face with tough situations where we are going to have to ask ourselves are going to settle for mediocrity. Today I had the opportunity to go to a church that is set apart.
Today I went to Lifechurch.TV, which is pastored by Craig Groeschel. The first thing I noticed as soon as I stepped out of the door of the car was music. The thing that caught my ear is that it was secular music. As I began to get closer to the entrance I noticed an excitement about what was going on inside. This place wanted to see the lost come inside and see what was going to happen. This place was different.
As the service began and just as all my hopes and dream became reality, this church truly was different. I knew this body of believers understands what it is to be a true Christ follower. I felt they had grasped the concept of understanding the very breath of God, which is loving people.
Are you going to go, embrace the lost world for the cause of Christ. The world is searching for a place to be accepted and a place to call their own. I dare you to be different. I dare you to be who God called you to be, not what others are asking you to do. I dare you to allow God guide your mind and not let tradition consume who you are. I dare you to be Different.
Keep Dreaming
Today I went to Lifechurch.TV, which is pastored by Craig Groeschel. The first thing I noticed as soon as I stepped out of the door of the car was music. The thing that caught my ear is that it was secular music. As I began to get closer to the entrance I noticed an excitement about what was going on inside. This place wanted to see the lost come inside and see what was going to happen. This place was different.
As the service began and just as all my hopes and dream became reality, this church truly was different. I knew this body of believers understands what it is to be a true Christ follower. I felt they had grasped the concept of understanding the very breath of God, which is loving people.
Are you going to go, embrace the lost world for the cause of Christ. The world is searching for a place to be accepted and a place to call their own. I dare you to be different. I dare you to be who God called you to be, not what others are asking you to do. I dare you to allow God guide your mind and not let tradition consume who you are. I dare you to be Different.
Keep Dreaming
Monday, August 18, 2008
Church Done With A Smile
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a dynamic churche in the Dallas area, and this church is all about the weekend. On Saturday night we headed out to Fellowship Church in Grapevine, where Ed Young is the senior pastor. If you have know me for any length of time, you know I follow Ed Young and admire his creative thought.
As I pulled into the campus and then proceeded to walk in the main meeting space, all I could see were smiles. All I could see is people excited about being a Christ follower. All I could see was the greeters, the parking attendants, and the ushers all smiles to know they are serving something far greater than what is seen. And as the drones of people began to flood the 5000 seat room, once again I saw people united with a smile.
As the service began, I was overtaken with emotion. Just to have to opportunity to be in this place, with all these smile, serving the One and Only Jehovah, took me to a place I will soon never forget. The thought I pose to myself is " Am I all smiles about Jesus Christ?"
Church and Christian I think it is time that we take a deeper examination of who we are in Christ, and understand that we must show off Christ the best we can, at whatever cost.
What makes you smile?
Keep Dreaming
As I pulled into the campus and then proceeded to walk in the main meeting space, all I could see were smiles. All I could see is people excited about being a Christ follower. All I could see was the greeters, the parking attendants, and the ushers all smiles to know they are serving something far greater than what is seen. And as the drones of people began to flood the 5000 seat room, once again I saw people united with a smile.
As the service began, I was overtaken with emotion. Just to have to opportunity to be in this place, with all these smile, serving the One and Only Jehovah, took me to a place I will soon never forget. The thought I pose to myself is " Am I all smiles about Jesus Christ?"
Church and Christian I think it is time that we take a deeper examination of who we are in Christ, and understand that we must show off Christ the best we can, at whatever cost.
What makes you smile?
Keep Dreaming
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Alpha of my Blogging Experience
Well here it goes world,
As I begin to think about what should come of my first blog, all I can do is think of beginnings. To begin something is to take a risk, put yourself out there, and to expose yourself for whom you may truly be or not.
Today was one of those times where I had to look back at the beginning. Twelve years ago today I began my journey as a Christ follower. I have examined where I have been and where I am going, and am truly thankful for that moment where I realized that Christ must be the center of my life. Its not always been the right relationship where I was following God, but because of His loving grace, Christ always accepts me were I was. And for that, all I can do is give my life.
Beginnings also take you to a place of uncertainty and puts in a place to solely trust Christ for your every need. For now, I am in Ft. Worth, Texas at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am truly humbled by the opportunity to be here and to be under such a blanket of greatness. I have been in complete amazement of what God is doing in my life. Don't ever forget that Christ thrives on your uncertainty because He knows what is certain.
The ugly side of beginnings is there almost always is an end. For me last Sunday night was ugly. When I left my family and the students at PL I have grown to love, I never thought it would be this hard. It was a tough time and for me it still is but I know one thing, as time progresses the students I have grown to love will go out start their own beginnings.
We all have to start somewhere, so what do you need to begin?
Keep Dreaming
As I begin to think about what should come of my first blog, all I can do is think of beginnings. To begin something is to take a risk, put yourself out there, and to expose yourself for whom you may truly be or not.
Today was one of those times where I had to look back at the beginning. Twelve years ago today I began my journey as a Christ follower. I have examined where I have been and where I am going, and am truly thankful for that moment where I realized that Christ must be the center of my life. Its not always been the right relationship where I was following God, but because of His loving grace, Christ always accepts me were I was. And for that, all I can do is give my life.
Beginnings also take you to a place of uncertainty and puts in a place to solely trust Christ for your every need. For now, I am in Ft. Worth, Texas at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am truly humbled by the opportunity to be here and to be under such a blanket of greatness. I have been in complete amazement of what God is doing in my life. Don't ever forget that Christ thrives on your uncertainty because He knows what is certain.
The ugly side of beginnings is there almost always is an end. For me last Sunday night was ugly. When I left my family and the students at PL I have grown to love, I never thought it would be this hard. It was a tough time and for me it still is but I know one thing, as time progresses the students I have grown to love will go out start their own beginnings.
We all have to start somewhere, so what do you need to begin?
Keep Dreaming
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