I’m gonna jump on this bandwagon. I know a lot of people are going to have their own opinions on what happened with the Taylor Swift and the Kanye West incident- and since it’s my blog…I’m going to give you mine.
Ready, here it is……………………….”So what”.
Let it sink in……………..
Speak/yell/scoff at your screen………….
Give your opinion…………………………….now keep reading.
I’m not surprised he did it- and neither should anyone else be. Here’s why- He’s not saved!! He’s not a born-again disciple of Jesus -“well yeah Noah, but come on- that was still wrong what he did”- you’re missing the point entirely. First off- it’s an award show dedicated to (for the most part) promoting- immorality, carnality, sex, drinking (hum hum…Kanye was drinking from a bottle of Hennessey!!) , foul language, and idolizing people that have no real reason to be idolized………………..from a Christian perspective.
The bible’s pretty clear that we operate from 2 places- the spirit or the flesh. If you aren’t saved…….the flesh it is. Remember Jesus saying “you’re of you father the devil” – All I’m trying to say is as the church- the world operates like the world does- was it messed up what he did? YES – Do I feel bad for Taylor Swift? I guess- Is Beyonce now the greatest person in the world? NO (but I give her props for what she did)- but that’s where they’re at. It shouldn’t surprise us- it should challenge us even more to get the word out there about Jesus, Love, Forgiveness, and Grace.
This is what I think- we don’t want to practice strict holiness in our lives.
What I mean is- “Well, you can’t say Kanye isn’t saved- he has a song called ‘Jesus Walks’- so he knows about Jesus- he might be……” “Well this movie start thanked God and their parents were Pentecostals- so they know the truth” “Yeah but her song says “God” in it and they all started their band in a church”……..we try to validate why we like, listen to , and watch what we watch……because hey….”they might be saved.” I’m preaching to myself and convicting myself right now just as much as it is you…. .
At the end of the day…..the world is the world and we are the church. Let’s help turn the tide in a culture that is operating from the only nature and place they know to operate from- let’s not justify it and be part of the gossip- Kanye did what he did because that’s what he knows to do- sorry Taylor- praying that God rocks Hollywood and LA and the whole industry- I mean, Kanye wrote a song called “Jesus Walks”- he’s gotta know a little something right……….
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Mosquito Bites
Mosquito Bites
A few weeks ago we had some couples over to our house to cookout and roast marshmallows—we love our friends!! We have a “fire pit” on our back patio that we use and I had to clean it out before everyone came over because it was full of water from the rain and old burnt wood. When I went out to clean it I noticed it was a cesspool of mosquitoes and swimming creatures I’ve never seen before. While cleaning it out I was viciously attacked by mosquitoes in the worst place for bites (in my opinion)….all over my ankles. Seriously between my two ankles I had 12-15 bites….ahhhhhhh!!!!
The thing about the bites is during the day they didn’t bother me as much—it was when I tried to sleep. I tried the craziest things to get the itch to go away—if you google “how to stop the itch from mosquito bites,” you’ll get some crazy results. Anyways, I couldn’t handle it—it ruined my sleep for about 3-4 nights. It was miserable.
So I’m running the other day thinking about these mosquito bites, questioning God’s intelligence for making such an annoying, evil creature, and it hit me. I need those bites in my life. Seriously, we all need them. Those bites wouldn’t let me sleep—they agitated me to action! I put toothpaste all over my feet because a website told me to!!!!! (It actually works, by the way.) I started thinking about this, and my prayer started to become, “God, let my dreams, the plans You have for my life, and my desires be like those mosquito bites: never let them go away, let them always push me to action, and let them agitate me out of my comfort zone!!”
So today, get bit and let it annoy the crap out of you! May it push you to start doing things you’ve always wanted to do but you’ve been too passive and too non-aggressive… ITCH THOSE SUCKERS!!!!!!
A few weeks ago we had some couples over to our house to cookout and roast marshmallows—we love our friends!! We have a “fire pit” on our back patio that we use and I had to clean it out before everyone came over because it was full of water from the rain and old burnt wood. When I went out to clean it I noticed it was a cesspool of mosquitoes and swimming creatures I’ve never seen before. While cleaning it out I was viciously attacked by mosquitoes in the worst place for bites (in my opinion)….all over my ankles. Seriously between my two ankles I had 12-15 bites….ahhhhhhh!!!!
The thing about the bites is during the day they didn’t bother me as much—it was when I tried to sleep. I tried the craziest things to get the itch to go away—if you google “how to stop the itch from mosquito bites,” you’ll get some crazy results. Anyways, I couldn’t handle it—it ruined my sleep for about 3-4 nights. It was miserable.
So I’m running the other day thinking about these mosquito bites, questioning God’s intelligence for making such an annoying, evil creature, and it hit me. I need those bites in my life. Seriously, we all need them. Those bites wouldn’t let me sleep—they agitated me to action! I put toothpaste all over my feet because a website told me to!!!!! (It actually works, by the way.) I started thinking about this, and my prayer started to become, “God, let my dreams, the plans You have for my life, and my desires be like those mosquito bites: never let them go away, let them always push me to action, and let them agitate me out of my comfort zone!!”
So today, get bit and let it annoy the crap out of you! May it push you to start doing things you’ve always wanted to do but you’ve been too passive and too non-aggressive… ITCH THOSE SUCKERS!!!!!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Grace
We've been doing a series on Grace in youth and every week we start out with reading this "overview of grace" in the bible- since i read fast and not everyone can write this down- we'll post it for your reading enjoyment (as promised Mr. Keys :) )
Grace
The lord is gracious- he is the giver of grace and is the God of all grace-his throne is a throne of grace- the prophets of old prophesied of the grace that should come to us -this grace came by Jesus- He was full of grace and it is from his fullness that we receive one grace after another- the grace of God was upon him- gracious words preceded out of his mouth- it was by grace that he tasted death for every man- the holy spirit is called the spirit of grace- our message is called the gospel of the grace of God-and the word of his grace. Grace can be seen and perceived , grace brings salvation to us- it is through the grace of God we believe- we are saved by grace. We are justified freely by his grace; we are called by grace into grace. It is grace we are under and it is grace in which we stand. We are partakers of grace, grace teaches us to resist ungodliness and to live righteously. Grace establishes our hearts, grace builds us up and gives us an inheritance- graces gives us everlasting consolation and good hope- grace helps in the time of need- His grace is sufficient to cause us to rise above all difficulties and to reign in life. Grace enables us to serve God acceptably and preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Our words can give grace to others, we can sing with grace in our hearts- and our words are to be seasoned with grace. Grace makes us what we are as it works in us and through us – it is the Grace of God that makes us rich and meets our needs- Grace is given to every believer- grace causes us to be enriched by him in all utterance and knowledge- we are told to grow in grace, be strong in grace, to continue in grace, and abound in grace. The word speaks of great grace, the abundance of grace, the grace of life, the dispensation of grace, his exceeding grace, the glory of his grace, the riches of his grace, the gift of grace, the true grace of God and the election of grace. An individual can come short of grace, receive grace in vain, fall from grace, and frustrate the grace of God. Grace can be abused as a tool for immorality- God gives more grace to the humble and to the sincere- grace is multiplied unto us through the knowledge of God and Jesus our lord and is obtained by coming boldly to his throne, a throne of grace.
Grace
The lord is gracious- he is the giver of grace and is the God of all grace-his throne is a throne of grace- the prophets of old prophesied of the grace that should come to us -this grace came by Jesus- He was full of grace and it is from his fullness that we receive one grace after another- the grace of God was upon him- gracious words preceded out of his mouth- it was by grace that he tasted death for every man- the holy spirit is called the spirit of grace- our message is called the gospel of the grace of God-and the word of his grace. Grace can be seen and perceived , grace brings salvation to us- it is through the grace of God we believe- we are saved by grace. We are justified freely by his grace; we are called by grace into grace. It is grace we are under and it is grace in which we stand. We are partakers of grace, grace teaches us to resist ungodliness and to live righteously. Grace establishes our hearts, grace builds us up and gives us an inheritance- graces gives us everlasting consolation and good hope- grace helps in the time of need- His grace is sufficient to cause us to rise above all difficulties and to reign in life. Grace enables us to serve God acceptably and preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Our words can give grace to others, we can sing with grace in our hearts- and our words are to be seasoned with grace. Grace makes us what we are as it works in us and through us – it is the Grace of God that makes us rich and meets our needs- Grace is given to every believer- grace causes us to be enriched by him in all utterance and knowledge- we are told to grow in grace, be strong in grace, to continue in grace, and abound in grace. The word speaks of great grace, the abundance of grace, the grace of life, the dispensation of grace, his exceeding grace, the glory of his grace, the riches of his grace, the gift of grace, the true grace of God and the election of grace. An individual can come short of grace, receive grace in vain, fall from grace, and frustrate the grace of God. Grace can be abused as a tool for immorality- God gives more grace to the humble and to the sincere- grace is multiplied unto us through the knowledge of God and Jesus our lord and is obtained by coming boldly to his throne, a throne of grace.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Waiting
I'm writing this while I wait in the doctor’s office waiting for our routine baby visit… and waiting, and waiting...
This is a reoccurrence for us—we wait a good 25 to 45 minutes before they actually get to us. (We're at 40 minutes right now.)
Sometimes waiting is a necessity in life—it teaches you things—but in this case, it's bad business. I want you to look at your life as the owner. Are you committed to consistency? Are you a person of your word? Are you dependable?
Faithfulness and consistency are the beginning steps to living a dream God can trust you with. Don't leave your commitments in the waiting room.
(45 min right now… might be a new record!)
This is a reoccurrence for us—we wait a good 25 to 45 minutes before they actually get to us. (We're at 40 minutes right now.)
Sometimes waiting is a necessity in life—it teaches you things—but in this case, it's bad business. I want you to look at your life as the owner. Are you committed to consistency? Are you a person of your word? Are you dependable?
Faithfulness and consistency are the beginning steps to living a dream God can trust you with. Don't leave your commitments in the waiting room.
(45 min right now… might be a new record!)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Image- anation
“So I had this wild dream last night…”, “I was thinking of this crazy idea…”, “So I had this thought-it’s pretty weird…”
What’s the purpose of our minds? Why do we think in images? Why do we randomly have “crazy,weird,wild” thoughts?
I’m convinced God is a smart God- he’s purposeful and very systematic. I think this brain we have with this thing called an “imagination” is necessary to us fulfilling a life he’s called us to. You don’t just think random thoughts ALL THE TIME- I mean granted- there’s those dreams you don’t want to tell anyone about, and I’m sure there’s thoughts of you transforming into a 6’3” 190lb softball playing machine- that are just crazy thoughts (maybe that’s just mine). But there’s got to be a purpose to some of the dreams and thoughts we come up with. And I think they’re summed up in this statement by an individual who’s book I’m reading- it hit me pretty strong today….think about it…..
“Your life will never become what you do not dare to imagine.”
What’s the purpose of our minds? Why do we think in images? Why do we randomly have “crazy,weird,wild” thoughts?
I’m convinced God is a smart God- he’s purposeful and very systematic. I think this brain we have with this thing called an “imagination” is necessary to us fulfilling a life he’s called us to. You don’t just think random thoughts ALL THE TIME- I mean granted- there’s those dreams you don’t want to tell anyone about, and I’m sure there’s thoughts of you transforming into a 6’3” 190lb softball playing machine- that are just crazy thoughts (maybe that’s just mine). But there’s got to be a purpose to some of the dreams and thoughts we come up with. And I think they’re summed up in this statement by an individual who’s book I’m reading- it hit me pretty strong today….think about it…..
“Your life will never become what you do not dare to imagine.”
Friday, July 31, 2009
Untangling the Necklace
I know I know it’s frustrating…..a tangled necklace. If you’ve been around jewelry or women for any amount of time- you’ve probably come across one. A necklace that’s tangled and bunched up so bad it looks to be hopeless.
I’ve come in contact with a few of these necklaces before that people have asked me to untangle- and after so many minutes of trying- you just want to give up…..and there’s been often times that I have….possibly every time.
I’m thinking about this because this morning my wife tells me she found a necklace that she had thought she had lost, it was in the dryer. She said it was really bunched up in big knots- (my assumed response she was going to give me was)-“ but it was a lost cause- I had to toss it”, but she didn’t say that. She said “it took me about 10 minutes but I got it out”. Wow I thought- I’m impressed. It’s this bird necklace that she has that she REALLY REALLY likes- and she took the time to untangle it.
I think we give up on things too easily in our lives- things that are actually valuable to us- we become impatient, frustrated, and hopeless. I think that’s one of the reasons Paul wrote about not giving up- staying persistent- keep on pursuing. Because he knew the value of the dreams, visions, and passions that we’d have in our lives that aren’t always going to come easy- but are definitely worth working on.
So do you have some necklaces that need to be untangled in your life? Take the time-don’t give up- they’re worth it.
Gal. 6:9- “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
I’ve come in contact with a few of these necklaces before that people have asked me to untangle- and after so many minutes of trying- you just want to give up…..and there’s been often times that I have….possibly every time.
I’m thinking about this because this morning my wife tells me she found a necklace that she had thought she had lost, it was in the dryer. She said it was really bunched up in big knots- (my assumed response she was going to give me was)-“ but it was a lost cause- I had to toss it”, but she didn’t say that. She said “it took me about 10 minutes but I got it out”. Wow I thought- I’m impressed. It’s this bird necklace that she has that she REALLY REALLY likes- and she took the time to untangle it.
I think we give up on things too easily in our lives- things that are actually valuable to us- we become impatient, frustrated, and hopeless. I think that’s one of the reasons Paul wrote about not giving up- staying persistent- keep on pursuing. Because he knew the value of the dreams, visions, and passions that we’d have in our lives that aren’t always going to come easy- but are definitely worth working on.
So do you have some necklaces that need to be untangled in your life? Take the time-don’t give up- they’re worth it.
Gal. 6:9- “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Why Brett Favre is a value to life...
I can't really finish writing that title without smiling and laughing at the thought of people reading this and throwing vocally out there comments about Brett Favre. But let me explain....
"Jesus love's you", "God has a plan for your life"- we have these statements we make in church and amongst our christian friends- and after a while I think we lose the intensity and power those statements carry. If "God has a plan for my life", and it's in accordance with all the verses in the bible that we know- it must be a pretty good plan.
So I'm a Packer fan thru and thru- and despite what's going on with him- I'm still a Brett Favre fan. The thing about this guy is that everyone wants him to just retire-but why, the guy loves to play football. There is no one in the NFL that's played as long as he does with as much enthusiasm. Every touchdown he throws- hands are up and a smile on his face. So my thought is most people can't wait to retire- but this guy loves what he does so much he can't stay retired. What if we felt that way about the plan of God for our lives? What if every morning we woke up with both arms raised, enthused about the life we get to live. What if God really has a plan for us and it's exciting, inspiring, adventurous, fulfilling.
If you aren't excited about your life- if you only look forward to the weekends and not the Monday and Tuesdays- you only look forward to a couple "events" in your life every year, you aren't inspired, excited, or fulfilled- if you're none of these things- you probably aren't living the plan that God has for you.
"Jesus love's you", "God has a plan for your life"- we have these statements we make in church and amongst our christian friends- and after a while I think we lose the intensity and power those statements carry. If "God has a plan for my life", and it's in accordance with all the verses in the bible that we know- it must be a pretty good plan.
So I'm a Packer fan thru and thru- and despite what's going on with him- I'm still a Brett Favre fan. The thing about this guy is that everyone wants him to just retire-but why, the guy loves to play football. There is no one in the NFL that's played as long as he does with as much enthusiasm. Every touchdown he throws- hands are up and a smile on his face. So my thought is most people can't wait to retire- but this guy loves what he does so much he can't stay retired. What if we felt that way about the plan of God for our lives? What if every morning we woke up with both arms raised, enthused about the life we get to live. What if God really has a plan for us and it's exciting, inspiring, adventurous, fulfilling.
If you aren't excited about your life- if you only look forward to the weekends and not the Monday and Tuesdays- you only look forward to a couple "events" in your life every year, you aren't inspired, excited, or fulfilled- if you're none of these things- you probably aren't living the plan that God has for you.
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