Every. Single. Day.

Can I be completely honest with you?

Yes?  Thanks.  Here goes...

I'm tired. Tired of the struggles of this life.  Primarily the one I fight with myself.  It's been a rough couple months internally.  I've been fighting the desires of my flesh, those needy selfish pointless things that result in nothing good.

I get angry with myself, and it just spirals and becomes a vicious circle.  Sound familiar to anyone?  I catch myself getting grumpier and more irritable.  Quickly I become very self-centered and avoid any challenge to that concept.  I stew.  And I close my ears.

And I don't listen for God to speak to me.  To remind me of things I know in my heart.

Then, like yesterday, there will be a break in the internal storm, and the light will shine through.  And humble me to my knees.  That break can take many forms.  A word from a friend, a song, a view of the mountains...and I hear what God has been constantly saying through the whole bit of self chaos.

"Get over yourself.  Love your God with all your heart.  And your neighbor.  Every.  Single.  Day."

Anyone else?  You get so caught up in daily life, yourself, your family, and you loose sight of God.  But he wants us to put him first every day.  Not Sunday.  Not Wednesday night, or when ever your group meets.  Not when you feel like it, not when you want to.

Every.  Single.  Day.

This is not me making things up.  This is straight from the mouth of Jesus.  Look up Luke 9.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

 This is something I'm saying as much to myself as I am anyone else.  Being a follower of Jesus, a student, a disciple of his, means to deny yourself daily.  This isn't meant to be some directive to punish yourself or anything like that.  It is, simply put, shifting the focus of your life from yourself to Jesus.

Easier said than done.  Trust me I know.  But this is me, and M28, encouraging you to do just that.  There is no secret.  No formula on how to do this.  All I can suggest is what has worked for me in the past, and what I'm implementing moving forward.  Spend time with Jesus.  Pray.  Read the Word.  Meditate on the scriptures.  Or find what draws you to him.

Another thing is do follow the commands he gave us.  Three huge ones are:
        1)  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and all your mind and with all your strength.
        2)  Love your neighbor as yourself.
        3)  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

That pretty much takes care of everyone on the planet.  The last two are fairly easy to figure out.  But how do you show love to God?  I know I reference this scripture often on this blog, but it seems that important to be repeated.  Matthew 25:

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

and

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

 This isn't stuff you need credentials for.  You don't even need a high school diploma for this stuff.  Feed the hungry.  Give drink to the thirsty.  Welcome strangers.  Clothe those without.  Care for the sick.  Visit those in prison.  There are people in need all around you.  Maybe on your block or in your apartment building.  Maybe it will take a bit of a drive.  But they are there.  Waiting.  Waiting for you.  Waiting for Jesus.

Every.  Single.  Day.

I say all these things because I need to hear them.  And because I want to challenge and encourage you as well.  You don't need dynamite or a backhoe to move mountains and tear down walls.  Try a smile.  Patience.  Kindness.  Put others before yourself.  Family.  Friends.  Strangers.  See what happens.

Do it today.  Do it now.

grace, peace & hope
-Jesse

The Seinfeld Opposition - by Sam

Reflections from SAM

In recovery, one of the topics that I hear over and over again is the need for change.
Change your thinking. Change your friends. Change your life. Change your attitude.
The definition of change is to make the form, nature, content, or future course of
something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

As a person in recovery, I have a good idea of what would happen if I didn’t make a
decision to change on a daily basis. If I do what I always did, I would immediately
fall back into my old habits and addictions. This is the definition of insanity—doing
the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

The hard part about change is it causes discomfort and takes work—two things that
don’t come easy to me.

When I first became sober, I knew that I had to change but didn’t know where to
begin. My best thinking got me a bed here (at Salvation Army) and if I wanted to
stay, I had to change not just some things but almost everything. I felt like George
Costanza in the Seinfeld episode “The Opposite.”

In this episode, George is lamenting that his entire life has gone wrong. He says, “My
life has gone opposite of what I would like it to be. Every instinct I have in every
aspect of life has been wrong.” He says. “I always order tuna on toast with cole slaw
and a cup of coffee but nothing has worked with tuna on toast. I should try chicken
salad on rye, untoasted with a side of potato salad and a cup of tea.”

Just then, Elaine notices a woman looking at George and suggests he do something
different and go talk to her. But George says, “Elaine, bald men with no job and
no money who live with their parents, do not go up to strange women and start a
conversation.”

Jerry intercedes, “Here’s your chance to do the opposite. Instead of tuna salad on
toast and being intimidated by a woman, order chicken salad untoasted and go right
up to her. If every instinct you have is wrong, try doing the opposite, right?”

So, he begrudgingly does. “Excuse me, my name is George, I’m unemployed and live
with my parents.” To George’s surprise the woman says, “Hi, I’m Victoria” and a
conversation ensues.

Seriously, this is how I felt.

Last year, I was five months sober and called my sponsor to say, “I thought this
change would be easier as I go along. I’m five months clean why is this getting
harder?” He simply replied, “I’ve been sober 14 years and still trying to change.
There is no finish line here. Change is a constant process and to remember you are
either moving closer to a drink or drug or you are moving farther away.

I like what Will Rogers said, “You might be on the right track but you will just get
run over if you just sit there.” This is life in recovery. In order to change our lives,
we first have to change our thinking. Sometimes, I have to think about what I’m
thinking about and do the opposite. Am I dwelling on negativity, self-pity, other
people’s opinions of me, or am I meditating on what God says about me—sober,
creative, talented, well-able, can change, will change?

I like the way the apostle Paul wrote the Ephesian believers, “…put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;…. and put on the new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The only mistake you can make today is to give up on making change.

Faith - God's GPS

And we're back from Thanksgiving break.  Hope you all had a good holiday!  Today we have some more words from Cumberland County Prison...

Inmate Insights from "Donnie"

Above all things, Jesus should be our main focus, even during the storm of life when trials come our
way. The book of Matthew chapter 14 illustrates a complete understanding of when Jesus walked on
water and one of his disciples, Peter, was bold and stepped out on faith despite the raging storms that
surrounded him. Jesus gave peter basic instructions to keep his focus on him, but as he continued he
took his eye off of Jesus and began worrying about the water under him as well as the storm and began
to sink. As he began to sink he cried out to Jesus “save me” and Jesus saved him. Jesus then asked
Peter, “Why do you doubt and have little faith?”

In clear understanding this story represents the trails of life of a believer when things try and get in the
way or distract us from following Jesus but we must endure and always remember who he is and what
he can do for us in our everyday life if we walk accordingly to his specific instructions that he gives us
through the Bible.

One thing that prevents us as believers is the temptation of Satan and his evil angels. They want to
pervert the word of God through lack of knowledge and understanding. Our flesh is attracted to things
that aren’t of God and can lead us down the wrong broad path to eternal damnation. Jesus gives us a
way out in every aspect to resist the temptation by the renewing of your mind found in Romans 12:2.
We must resist the old self once made a new creation through baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that it
becomes our guideline, or guidance to be more like Christ and to no longer be conformed to this worldly
way of living out life.

The Holy Spirit interacts as a navigational system found in motor vehicles, trucks, etc. towards God but as we veer off the pathway of righteousness, God gives us an alternate route, but it still leads us to salvation through disappointments as well as trials to eventually get the hand of it. We then began to understand what road or things will lead us to our destination (Christ) or to take another route which will get you lost, and without the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you life’s temptations will leave you lost fulfilling nothing other than things of the flesh that will eventually pass away. So put God first above all things and let the Holy Spirit direct your path.

I once heard a story of a guy, while incarcerated, who encountered negative feedback from people
2 months before his release date. He wondered why, but little did he know Satan seen that God was
about to use this man later on in life through Prison Ministry and as a ex-con, how you would listen more
to people who have endured the same pain as you behind bars. Today, let God use you through your
rough experiences in life to bring more backsliders or non believers back to Christ through being an
example of trusting Jesus to give Glory to God.


--
grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Do You Believe in Jesus? Part II

"Reflections from Recovery" written by "Sam"


Being a human I always want more proof, scientific proof that Jesus was here and he

existed.  I can't see the wind but it makes me cold when I smoke.  I can't see my brain but I know it is there and sometimes it's working.  I read countless books on the subject of Jesus.  He fascinates me.  The Bible prophecies that were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, came true.  Our whole calendar is based on one man's life.  BC- before Christ and AD-Anno Domini (not after death, Jesus died around 30 to 33 ad) translated - In the year of the Lord.  What influence.

10 of the 12 disciples were crucified or stoned or executed for there belief as well.  Why would they do that?  I look at people who are living a Christian life then and now and that helps me believe.

The tact for me is it’s not a matter of further evidence. I have all the evidence I need.  It's a matter of the heart. Do I want to trust God and humbly receive the gifts he offers, or do I insist on proving myself good enough and doing it my way?

I also came to this conclusion.  I didn't half step my drinking or drugging.  I was all in or I wasn't.  So, I'm not going to be half a Christian either.

When I read the Bible, the thing that stands out to me is when Jesus shows his human side the most because I can relate to it.  I can't relate to turning water into wine or raising people from the dead or healing the blind.  But I can relate when He is tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  Or, like when he cries out to God in John Chapter 12, “My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray Father, save me from this hour but this is the very reason I came. Father bring glory to your name.”  I have felt a similar anguish though for different reasons.

If you don't agree with anything I said - that's ok - nobody gets God by having a Bible crammed down there throat.

In my first month here I probably never even really mentioned the name JESUS besides in prayer. I found that if I just believe and act upon that belief that my spirituality grows.

I know for me it was hard to sing Christian songs out loud at first because I guess I wanted people to think that I'm tough which is funny because everyone knows I'm soft.

All I'm saying here is open your mind and try something different.

Believe it or not - this works.  Really, what do you have to lose?



grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Do You Believe in Jesus?

Reflections from Recovery
-written by "Sam"

"Do You Believe in Jesus" Part I

This devotion is from my perspective and my experience.  It is based on a devotion I did at a Christian based recovery program at a Salvation Army Rehab Center.  My job was not to preach but to inspire others to go deeper in their recovery and identify that higher power.  Here are my words of encouragement.

When we first come into the program, it's hard even to believe in God or that AA/NA can help us. If we did believe God, we cursed him for the life we were given. Life wasn't fair. It's hard to do what the 12 step programs teach us - meeting makers make it, call your sponsor, get a support network. Let Go and Let God.

With all of this AA/NA and Higher Power stuff thrown at us, we come in here and they throw another element into our already complicated recovery: JESUS.

We come to a rehab like no other that I've been in and a whole other program is

introduced to us - The program is part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

From my own experience -I believe in God and some of the bible. But why is it so hard to make a small step from believing in God to believing in Jesus as well.

I remember I was out at the smoke shack and it was just me and another resident.  I wanted to ask him, “Do you believe in Jesus?”

A part of me stopped and said, "No Sam don't open up that can of worms"

Why is it so hard for me to talk about it?   We are in a Christian rehab.  Is it because I made fun of Christians growing up?  Is it because Jesus is specific, he was human but had the power of God in Him.  Is that so unusual?  I guess so. 

Asking someone if they believe in Jesus is like asking them what color underwear they have on.  It is odd.

God is vast, super-natural. The Creator of all things.

When I was having trouble believing in this whole thing, I told my counselor that I am 80% of the way there. He told me when you pray.  Do YOU pray to 80% of God?  Well, no.  When God answers a prayer, is it 80%?
Well, no.

-to be continued tomorrow-

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

You Gotta Have Faith

Inmate Insights - The View Looking Out

Written by "Aaron"

I once heard a quote from an older wiser man, in prison during times of trial and efficient amount of disappointments, “It gets greater later.”  I meditated on something that stood out to me about this saying, and the revelation from God came upon me to better understand what this wise man had spoken to me. 

The book of Hebrews in chapter 11 verse 1 was the answer to all my trials, one word, Faith.  It states in this passage,

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Being in prison was a term of confinement but it would create a double standard of being confined in my mind as well.  I began to whole heartedly put my trust in Jesus to get me through my trials and believe me he didn’t just give me peace he gave me deliverance from the mental prison as well as the physical prison.

Trust in the Lord our God with all thy mind heart and soul and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Which is exactly what I began to do and then continued to do and the Lord gave me peace and deliverance from my enemies and my present circumstances.  Give God the Glory and have faith my brothers and sisters that you too may get the revelation of God’s wisdom for deliverance from any trials and tribulations that this world brings.


grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

Struck, but not Shaken

Living where I do in PA, there is a lot of people worried about the approach of this so-called, "Frankenstorm."  I almost feel cheesy using it as a reference here, but it's what led me to think and read on what I'm about share.

A house built on a firm foundation doesn't fear the flood waters.

Look at these passages out of Luke 6

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

It doesn't say the flood waters missed the house, or that the house was not affected by the torrent.  It simply says that the house was struck, but not shaken.

How's your foundation today?  Dig down deep.  Build it on the rock.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Location. Location. Location.

What is Jesus telling us in his conversation with the woman at the well?

There are a lot things to be discussed and said about this portion of scripture, found in John 4.  Read for yourself below, and then I'll share my thoughts.

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Deep stuff right?

Now I can't break down all the original language and things, but I believe the main idea translates.  What I read here is that location doesn't matter.  She is discussing a mountain that her people have worshiped at for generations.  While the Jews worship at the temple in  Jerusalem.

Jesus says there will be a time, and it's here now, when you won't worship on the mountain or in Jerusalem. 

What does that mean for us?

I mean, I've never been to Jerusalem, or this mountain.  But I have worshiped God.  So, if it's not in either of these once ascribed holy places...where is it?  Jesus says God will be worshiped in spirit and truth.  Because these are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

So he seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.  How do we do that?  Well, this isn't a step by step.  You have to work out your own faith.  However the Church, the body of believes, can help encourage and challenge each other on in their faith.

So let me offer this simple challenge:  follow where the Spirit leads.

Imagine you've been praying for a co-worker.  Is that all you do for them?  Or do you open your heart, your ears, and listen to them.  See what they are and are not saying.  Pay attention and learn to discern.  God will guide you.

Let him.

Worshiping God is spirit and truth is not restricted to sacred music and cathedrals.  Worshiping can happen in a club to rock music, if a person's spirit is open to God.  It can happen in the middle of a forest, an office cubicle, or executive board room.  It can happen on the dock of a grocery store, the parking lot of a movie theater, or a tattoo parlor under neon lights.

Be open to the Spirit moving in your life.  It won't always be a miraculous sign.  It can be in a smile.  A kind word or time spent with someone hurting.  Discipleship isn't about scoring conversions.  It's about teaching others to be like Jesus.  I think the best teaching is observed, not heard.

So keep your heart and mind open for the Spirit to move in you!  Look for the little things, the compassionate things, and just serve God with all your heart, soul and strength.  He'll fill in the rest.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

You Don't Fix Faith

If you've been reading these posts, one thing you know about me is that I am a huge movie/tv fan.  Mainly for the stories and characters and what they can teach us.  One of my all time favorite shows is Firefly, which was canceled after the first season, but managed to get enough fan support that a feature length movie was made out of it.

That never happens.

At least had not happened before that.  A show that the network canceled, after poor promotion, horrible time slot, and was aired out of sequence and not even all the episodes saw the air.  So with a track record like that, why on earth would a major studio shell out millions to make a movie?

Faith.

Someone had faith in the writer, the actors, all the crew, and the fans.  (The writer/director is a certain Joss Whedon, who now is becoming a household name instead of just a geekdom known name, thanks to the success of the Avengers.)

If you're wondering what in the world this has to do with being a follower of Christ...I'm getting there.  One of the best scenes from the show involves a young girl named River who was tested on by the government, but was already beyond genius intelligence.  She is very logical and scientific.  Kind of like Spock, but with no filter.  She was kinda crazy.  The other character in the scene is a man named Book.  He is a "shepherd," in the world of this story he's a missionary of sorts.  A man of faith.

The scene plays out when Book walks into the dinning room and begins speaking to River.  He isn't looking at her so he doesn't see her leaning over a book at the table.

Book: What are we up to, sweetheart?

River Tam: Fixing your Bible.

Book: I, um...[alarmed]  What?

River Tam: Bible's broken. Contradictions, false logistics - doesn't make sense.
[she's marked up the bible, crossed out passages and torn out pages]

Book: No, no. You-you-you can't...

(next portion skipped for time...feel free to read it all or watch the episode: Jaynestown.)

Book: River, you don't fix the Bible.

River: It's broken. It doesn't make sense.

Book: It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something, and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.

This isn't about River tearing up a Bible.  I was shocked a bit when I saw it the first time.  But the way the rest of that conversation play out just took my breath away.  Now, I believe without a doubt that the Bible is the Word of God and is true.

What really gets me is how Book responds.  Instead of getting all angry he remains calm, and deals with grace, wisdom and discernment.   "You don't fix faith, it fixes you."

Jesus sent his disciples out to make more disciples.  Not to debate with people until they convert.  Faith isn't an argument to win.  We can share it, show it, live it.  When was the last time you won someone over to the love of Jesus by arguing Creation vs. Evolution?  I know I haven't.

Faith isn't just a program to install.  It's not about 'knowing,' or having empirical evidence.  That's why it is called faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11 is commonly called the "Faith Chapter."  It describes stories and people who were known for their faith.  Able.  Enoch.  Noah.  Abraham.  Isaac.  Jacob.  Joseph.  Moses.  Rahab.  The writer of Hebrews lists more that they don't have the time to describe.

They also write this:  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  It is by faith we understand this.  By faith we understand the sacrifice that Jesus made, and who he is.

It's faith that allows us to believe in Jesus.  Faith is what fixes us.  You have to let it in.  As you let it transform you, let Him transform you, you'll be able to share that with others.  And seeing your faith, can learn what faith is, and eventually have faith themselves.

You can't fix faith.  It doesn't need fixed.  Read those stories mentioned in Hebrews 11.  Learn about what faith fixed in them, and how it can fix you...and let it.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Bad Romance

No, I'm not advocating for Lady Gaga.  But that is what I've often found myself in regarding my walk with Jesus. 

Yeah, I just went there.

I've heard it said (and said it many times myself) that it's not about religion, it is about a relationship with Jesus.  And I believe that with all my heart.  It's easy to apply the concept of a dating romance to our relationship with Jesus.

It is super exciting at first.  All praise services and alter calls.  Tears and joy and excitement.  Then it progresses into the deeper stuff.  Worship CD's or playlists.  Dim lights, maybe candles.  Quite time set aside just for that special someone.

Eventually the newness wears off.  The excitement isn't there.  God just isn't moving in me the way he used to (cause it's never my fault!)  The special music just doesn't work anymore.  Gone are the candles and dim lights.  We really don't spend time together like we used to.  Reality sets in.

It's bad romance.

I mean think about it.  In a dating/marriage situation, if you only show your love in settings like that, settings geared to produce those emotions...what do you do the rest of the time?  Do you not love that person when you're not at the candle lit dinner for two?  Do you not desire to be around them when the excitement and newness wears off?

Of course not!  (Hopefully!)

I don't know about you, but that is often how my walk with Jesus goes.  I get all pumped and excited after some event (and I'm not criticizing events here!) but it fades.  Normal, every day life gets in the way.  I'm afraid to let Jesus see me with my make up off (allegorically speaking.)

No.  The real love stories are the ones that come from couples that are celebrating 60+ years of marriage.  I got to video tape a party for such a couple last Autumn.  It was incredible.  All the people that were friends because of these two people.  Even now, this very post exists because of them.  63 years of marriage.  I asked them what the secret was.  The husband looked at me and said without hesitation,

"You make your choice, and you stick to it."

While that might not sound romantic, his bride smiled and nodded.

Every day life is the biggest obstacle in any relationship.  It really is in our walk with Jesus, because not only do we have that, but we have an enemy who doesn't want us to progress in that relationship.  So he will do anything he can to distract us from even wanting to be with Jesus.  The best way to kill a relationship is to turn it into a boring routine.

But Jesus didn't asked to be romanced by us.  He doesn't want the mood music, special lighting, gifts and 'quiet times.'  Let me rephrase that, he doesn't just want the mood music etc. 

He wants it all.

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

-Jesus (Luke 10:27)

 Don't just give God bits and pieces of your heart, soul, strength and mind.  Love him with ALL of it!  Turn that bad romance into the love story of the ages!  Show your love in all things to all people.  Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 25:31-46 about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, bringing a drink to the thirsty, visiting those in prison...anything we do for the least of these, we do for him.

Give him everything you've got.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Reflections on Resurrection

"But your iniquities have separated you from God.  For your hands are stained with blood, and your tongue mutters wicked things.  No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity.

We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.  Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.  He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."

(selections from Isaiah 59)

 I took portions of scripture and fitted them together here.  I don't think I've changed the meaning of the overall passage.  Please, follow the link to Isaiah 59 or open your own Bible to read the whole thing.  I'm not discussing the finer points of the composition or the deep theological issues of this.  Just think of what today represents.

It's the Resurrection of Jesus.

I read the passage in Isaiah and I think of me.  Of us today.  That those descriptions fit us.  Our iniquities have separated us from God.  Our hands are stained with blood.  (maybe not literally, but remember what Jesus said about just being angry with a brother...)  Our tongues mutter wicked things.  We walk in deep shadows because we cannot find the light.  Truth is nowhere and anyone who rejects evil...is prey!

I'm tired of being that person.  I'm tired of being separated from God.

We do not have to be separated from him.  He already fixed everything.  "So his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."

God made the way back through the darkness.  Back to the Truth.  We can come out from beneath our iniquities, our wicked tongues, and blood stained hands and be with Him in the light.

Jesus is that salvation worked out, the sustaining righteousness.

The coolest thing is that it is done.  We just have to embrace him.  To acknowledge who he is.  Then we live life changed, different, out of darkness.  We follow the lessons and commands he left for us.  We live life according to the salvation Jesus provided through his resurrection.

Enjoy the flowers and eggs and candy today, but remember there is so much more to it than that.  "Easter" is a holiday.  The Resurrection is a way of life.  Live it.

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

Flight 815 - The Good Soil

In preparing this post my mind jumped at the scripture reference of Luke 8:15 and the infamous flight number Oceanic 815 from Lost.  The passage in Luke is a description of the good soil.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

Pretend with me that I know what I'm talking about.  I know there are many wiser men and women who have examined this passage in depth and know oh so much more about it than I do.  But surely a standard blue-collar bloke like myself should be able to pull something from it.  I mean, what's the point of having a Bible if God can't reveal things to us with out a degree in it?

Look at the four actions listed:  Hear.  Retain.  Persevere.  Produce.

Everyone is capable of doing those things.  Right?  I surely hope so.  Okay, so what does this have to do with Lost?  Well, in truth, not a whole lot.  I mean I could pull all sorts of comparisons to the people on the plane and what kind of soil they were and all that, and maybe one day I will...but not today.

I will say that many of them were capable of being good soil.  Having noble and good hearts, with the ability to hear, retain, persevere (which they surely did) and produce.  But I want this to be about you and me. The couple sitting across from me at Panera who prayed over their meal.  The lady across the restaurant who didn't.  Jesus' teachings were meant for the people around him.  Including us.  We might not have been there, but he is here with us now.


The soil is about us as much as it is not.  Jesus had already called the disciples.  If you're reading this chances are he's already called you.  If you're thinking about how to disciple others and spread the seed that is the word of God, You've already been the soil.  It's time to move on to being the farmer planting the seed.


Good soil will Hear.  If you are out there scattering seed the good soil will hear it.  And trust me, there is plenty of good soil out there.  I've read descriptions of this parable that the good soil is a 1/4 of the types of soil...but let's think about that for a moment.  What kind of farmer scatters seed across all his land knowing that only 25% will accept it?  No.  The path is a narrow, small portion of land.  The rocky ground is going to spots and here and there.  The weeds...well, hopefully the farmer has done a good job of weeding before planting.  But weeds are weeds and will creep in at places.  A majority of the land is then good soil.


The good soil will also Retain.  That means it will keep it.  It will hold the seed, the word, and let it grow.  The word of God will grow in them.  Not because of what we the farmer have done, but because it's the Word of God!


Persevere.  This is probably the most difficult of the four actions.  Other words like; endure, faith, hope, cling to, hold on, push through...you get the idea.  It makes me think of the verse in Ephesians that challenges us to put on the whole armor and after everything...to stand.  Persevere.


The last one is Produce.  Jesus talks several times about bearing fruit.  It's a common theme.  I mean he even curses a fig tree because it should have been producing fruit and it wasn't.  That's like a Christian who looks like a follower of Jesus but isn't really doing anything about it."

I've been that guy.  Would you admit to yourself that you have too? 

Okay now that we've admitted that...let's do something about it!  Jesus tells us that if we remain in him, the true vine, he will remain in us, the branches.  And what do branches produce?  Fruit.  In that fruit is seed.  So once we mature enough to produce fruit, fruit with seed, that fruit needs to grow and scatter the seed.  We move on and start over again.  And so do they.  It's a simple, difficult, beautiful process that Jesus hardwired into the very creation of the world.  Genesis 1:11 

"Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

Find the good soil.  Scatter the Word.  And watch God work.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse