A lot of people are quick to say that they are a pessimist or an optimist.  Some people like to exchange pessimist for the term realist. I honestly don’t know what I am.  Towards certain things it seems that I have an never-ending positive attitude.  However, there are certain situations, experiences, and people that seem to become a black hole to me.

I will seemingly get stuck in a rut and become unable to avert my attention to anything else.  Like a black hole, the person or situation becomes a vacuum that just keeps sucking all of my attention, energy, joy, passion, and…well, even my calling.

The one thing that no person, no power, nothing on earth, or above the earth, or below the earth could ever take from me.  All of a sudden I start to give it away freely.

“Here…I will trade you my passion for the opportunity to be bitter.”

“Here…I will trade you my joy because I’d rather doubt your sincerity.”

“Here…I will trade you my attention because I’d rather not focus on what you have versus what God has given me.”

“Here…I will trade you my energy because I’d rather focus on a situation that not only do I not have any say in, but is completely irrelevant to me anyway.”

“Here…I will trade you the confidence in the knowledge of what God (the Creator of the Universe, the Giver of Life, the Alpha and Omega, the Lover of my Soul) has called me to do for the fleeting chance at appeasing my temporary emotions. “

It all comes down to what I focus on and pay attention to.  When I find my self steering towards a rut, do I allow myself to continue or do I jerk the wheel?  When I launch into space, do I try and see what’s in the black hole or do I stay clear?  Because I know what is in there.

In fact, I know what’s not in there.

Nothing true.  Nothing noble.  Nothing right.  Nothing pure.  Nothing lovely.  Nothing admirable.  Nothing praiseworthy.

So today I am faced with the task of firing up my engines and pulling out of this black hole.  It’s definitely not easy, or fun.  And it definitely won’t give me the immediate satisfaction that I desire so passionately.  But at least I know my destination.  I know that I’ve been given what it takes.

So today, Philippians 4 is my song.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I’m sitting in my old seat, located at my old Starbucks, waiting for my old wife to come get me.

That’s not completely true.  I actually have the car, but I am waiting for her to finish getting her hair did.

And as far as the old part goes, well…that’s true. She turns 27 on Thursday. Can’t believe I’m married to such an old, old woman.

Anyhoo, as long as I am sitting in my old “office,” where I wrote 90% of the blogs in my life, I thought I’d write a post for old times sake.

~~~~~~

I have been reading this book called the 7 Feast of the Messiah.  A lot of you probably know that I love the Old Testament, but it just makes Jesus, His sacrifice, and the new testament writings so much more incredible when understood in the light of the Old Covenant.

The book is written to help non-Jewish people understand the backstory and meaning, and to help Jewish people understand that Christ really is the Messiah they have been waiting for.

I will probably write more on this as I continue to get deeper into this book and finish it up, but one thing I read just is really sticking out to me.

Leviticus 23:2 talks about “…the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations…”  The Hebrew word that is translated as convocations is miqra, which literally means “rehearsals.”

God gave Israel these seven “rehearsals” every year to teach them about the major events in his restoration plan.  If we want to get a deeper understanding of redemption and God’s plan, than we can study these feasts that were so specifically detailed in the Old Testament.

The first 4 festivals are in the spring, and they teach us about the first coming of Jesus, the Messiah.  The last 3 festivals are in the fall and they teach about the second coming of Jesus.

I have so much more that I want to write and get out of my head, but I need to make sure that it makes sense.

So I guess consider that your warning…

~chris

In the Old Testament God repeatedly tells Israel to separate, come out from, and not mingle with the other countries.  He wouldn’t even allow them to go through their land at times, because he knew if they started to spend time around other countries that Israel would begin to stray away from God and start worshiping the idols of others.

We haven’t changed much.

There are some places that we just shouldn’t be.

Some people we just might not need to hang out with.

Some things that we should probably just not do.

They might not be a sin, but God knows where our weaknesses are.

So does Satan.

God knew it would be better for Israel to go the long way than go through another country.  Satan, of course, wanted them to walk right through the middle of temptation.

It would be better for you to avoid some “lands”, yourself.  It might not be a bad place on it’s own…but the road that takes you there might just get you sidetracked to a place you don’t want to end up.

One of the many, many, lands that I’m always tempted to walk through is cussing.

A) I don’t think cussing is a sin.  “Cuss” words are cultural, and they change over time.  When I was a kid I would get my mouth washed out with soap for saying “that sucks,” but now my mom uses the phrase pretty regularly. (Which is awesome.)

B) I do think cussing at people, insulting people, letting anger take over your body, ridiculing people, and a long list of other things are sinful.

It’s a short road from A to B.  Just a skip and a hop.

You don’t need to comment with what “lands” you should probably stay away from – but you should definitely know each of them and be held accountable by a close friend.

Just thinkin’.

~c

Tomorrow I am doing a new song (to me, at least) at The Gateway Church.  It’s called Dance With Me, and it is a love song based out of Song of Solomon.  I hadn’t heard it until Chris Quilala (who has the absolute most awesome webpage) did a version of it on the newest Jesus Culture CD.  The song is really good.

But I have been reading through Song of Solomon again this week, just trying to get a fresh foundation for where the song is coming from.  It really is a beautiful section of scripture – so poetic, with so many depths and layers.

One of the greatest parts about the book are the things the man and woman are saying to each other.  Because they don’t translate at all to the year 2009.

So as you read through these biblical pick-up lines, picture them being used at the local bar, pub, night club, coffee shop, or on the phone as one friend fills in another friend on the latest haps.

Man: Hey baby, you remind me of one of the horses that pulls pharoah’s chariots.  (1:9)

Lady: You know what he reminds me of, girl?  Sap, stuck between my breasts, all night long!  (1:13)

Man: You are fair, my love!  You have dove’s eyes!  Woman: Well, you’re…pleasant.  And our bed is green. (1:16)

Woman: I wuz lookin’ for you in my bed, but I couldn’t find you! (3:1)

Man: Hey sweet thang, your hair looks like goats walkin’ down the mountain! (4:1)

Man: Yeah, your teeth look like a flock of sheep that just got a haircut!  And you’ve got all of ‘em, too!  Bonus! (4:2)

Man: Hey there.  Has anyone ever told you that your neck looks like the Tower of David, built for an armory, with shields hanging all over it? (4:4)

Man: Yo girl, your boobs look like bambi. (4:5)

Man: Hey.  I love you more than, uh…booze. Yeah, booze!  And I love booze a whoooole lot. (4:10)

Woman to a friend: Yeah, he’s really cute. How? Well…he’s like…white and ruddy. (5:10)

Man: Hey sexy, you are AWESOME.  Like an army.  With BANNERS! (6:4)

Man: It really turns me on when you wear flip-flops. (7:1)

Man: Your belly-button is like a cup full of mixed drinks.  And your stomach looks like a giant heap of wheat. (7:2)

Man: Your nose is like a huge tower, kinda pointing to the right. (7:4)

Man: You’re built like a palm tree, and I wanna climb right up and grab your branches!  Aaaaand your breath smells like apples. (7:8)

And people say the Bible is boring!

Tune in next week for my newest post: “King Solomon’s Pillow Talk for Dummies: ‘Come to My Garden and Eat It’s Fruits’”

~chris

This is a cartoon I found with an incredibly strong message.  At first I was offended because, lets face it, that’s what Christians do best – get offended.

And then I was floored at the truth and power this cartoon carries with it.

(click image for full size.)

I am seriously contemplating printing this out, laminating it, and showing it to every Christian I know.

I don’t think I’ve ever asked anyone to forward my blog on to anyone else, but seriously…I would love for every Christian to see this and ask themselves some tough questions.  Questions about consumerism, about how the story of the rich young ruler applies to us, and about the way we live our lives and spend out money.

Feel to give your input, response, and thoughts in the comments, and share this with anyone and everyone you know that has been called by Christ to live differently.

~chris

The book, not the hunt.

I have been reading it a lot lately.

It has been on my mind and in my heart.

And now it is in front of my eyes and feeding into my ears.

Do you have questions for God?

Watch this.

~christopher

Everyone that I talked to has told me that the first year of marriage is the hardest.  Learning to live with someone else, communication changes, personal space, in-laws, yadda yadda yadda.

If that is true, then sign me up for another couple marriages – cause my first year was the bomb.

I don’t think that line came out right, but I thought it sounded funny, so I kept it.

What I am trying to say is that my first year was amazing.  Yes, we had our share of “discussions, disagreements, and misunderstandings,” but looking back on our first year it is so clear that Es and I are truly meant for each other.

Year number two, however…

Year numero dos is shaping up to be extremely difficult.  The root of the difficulties have nothing to do with Es and I’s relationship, but the side-affects have everything to do with our relationship.

No  job (for me), dwindling savings, no home of our own, one car, Es trying to finish student teaching and work at the same time, family tensions and challenges, the list goes on.

All of these things cause stress, which then finds every nook and cranny of our marriage and wedges itsself in there.

We are very aware of this and, THANKFULLY, I have an amazingly Godly wife who is willing to be proactive and continue to rely on God through these struggles.

As a man (note: I didn’t say I was “manly,” just a “man.”), it’s pretty rough not being able to provide for my family.  I have been learning a lot about the difference between humility and humiliation.  Humility is a chosen way to approach life.  Humiliation is something forced on you or brought about by external causes.  (Side note: the song “The Streets Don’t Lie” by Sleeping Giant has ministered to me more than any other song during this time.)

After weeks and months of these emotions and feelings piling up on the inside, I have come to points where I literally feel like I am going to burst at the seems.

A few weeks ago I started writing a list.  At the top it simply said “Things I’m Pissed At God About.”

I started scribbling words down like a mad man.  In no time at all I had a colorful list of all the things that have been weighing on my heart.  I quickly learned that all these “things” that I was so incredibly upset about really were more questions than anything.  And questions exist because we are unsure of something.  Because we don’t know something.

I was…and am…terrified of all the unknowns that are in my life right now.  But after writing down my list, I began to realize that my anger was misplaced.

In fact, it wasn’t even titled right. My list should’ve been called “Fears I haven’t Given Over To God Yet.”

That would have been more accurate.

This is something I am working on right now.  Because God is love.

Perfect love.

And I’m told that perfect love casts out all fear.

I want to be filled with that love.  I want to be fearless.  And I want people to sense that love in me when they are around me.  I want people to feel safe when I am around…because I have God’s love in me.

This has become quite longer than I originally intended.

I have been and will continue to be hanging out in the book of Job a lot.  If you feel similar, maybe you should read it too.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Taking me to the streets
I’m losing everything, society deemed important to me
Where do I turn?
Kicking me in the teeth
Why’s my wife and daughter sleeping in some strange building their whole life taped in boxes
How can my marriage survive?
How will my wife respect me at night if she don’t think ill provide
What goes through my child’s mind, her fragile heart, this tears me apart
Oh Jesus am I alone in this fight?

Only vagabonds can know
Only the homeless ones can comprehend what it means to lose everything you know, just to come home again
Only the pilgrims go from strength to strength, and the son of man has nowhere to lay his head
So now he helps me find my way in this world, I’m home again.

And he sings over me
His voice washes my wounds clean
He says my sons and daughters, exempt from fear this is Jubilee

You are one, you are my child
Child of mine who is unseen, Oh nation, listen to Me
Don’t you worry about a thing
Night will fall, though the darkness is real, sun will rise, though the enemy lies
The awakening, your home is nearer than it seems, Come waste away with me

How many sunny days have I passed men and women taken to poverty within this nation
In passing I mumble a prayer, Oh God just get them out of this jungle, let me show them salvation
My Christian vanity, all my possessions links and chains to this all powerful nothing
We’re choking on American Dreams, and this whole nation falling down at the feet of the meek.

Maybe those homeless ones are free
Maybe those vagabonds can comprehend, what it means to have absolutely nothing, while coming home again
And as those pilgrims go from strength to strength
Like the son of man, nowhere to lay his head
And I’ve experienced losing everything I thought was home, on my way home again

And he sings over me
His voice washes my wounds clean
He says my sons and daughters, exempt from fear this is Jubilee
You are one, you are my children, child of mine, you can see me, who is unseen, I know you all, I know and I see
Night will fall, though the darkness is real, but the sun will rise, I’ll lift your head up, the true awakening, I’ll never leave, come waste away with me

Give up every thing
I hold truth and resurrection life
Kid stay vigilant
You watch and wait for my imminent return

And every generation sings
Every generation that lifts up its head, it lifts up its hands
As the people sing…

We are those
And we declare to every broken heart
Children of One
And every wounded soul
Who is unseen
All who’ve been cast away
Worlds will Fall
Every last one who’s been turned away
We may die, in the awakening
We declare over your heart this is your destiny
Come Waste Away!
Maranatha!

Jesus Come!
Kingdom Come!
Your Will!

- Sleeping Giant, “The Streets Don’t Lie”

I stumbled across this picture today.

I’ll be honest: at first it kind of creeped me out.  But I just sat and stared for a minute – as I’m sure you did too – and some things really started to stir in my soul.

This kid has an obvious disability.

He has no legs.

Judging by the prosthetics, he has clearly had this issue since he was a toddler, if not since he as born.  But somehow this little boy has found the strength to move past this problem and learn to walk.

And not only that, but look at his face: he’s smiling.

I think that’s because he saw all of the old prosthetic legs beside him and realized he as kicked the…tail…of an enemy that has been staring him in the face since he was born.

If this child can overcome this challenge – with a smile on his face – then how come we lay down and give up so easily?

Please don’t hear me wrong on this: I am not discounting whatever is you are going through or dealing with.  Whether it’s cancer, addiction, death, doubt, loneliness, or whatever it might be – I know that each of those are such powerful forces in the world.

But what I do want to remind each of us of (myself included), is that we don’t operate within the forces of this world.

[youversion]Revelation 12[/youversion] is an amazing chapter as a whole, but verses 10 and 11 say this:

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.

Freaking rad.

They didn’t lay down when the challenge came.  They didn’t stop trying after the first, second, or 100th attempt.  They didn’t wave the white flag when deaths face was staring them down.  And they didn’t give up when they had some sort of major handicap or disability like the boy in that picture.

So what thought or memory is haunting you today?

What enemy is staring you in the face?

What struggle is taunting you?

What problem is looming in front of you?

What disability or handicap do you need to overcome?

We have got to stop living our lives in fear as if defeat is right around the next bend.

Don’t your remember that we know the end of the story?

Spoiler Alert:

Smile: we have overcome.

By the blood of the Lamb.

~c

(Desperation Band wrote an amazingly powerful song called “Overcome” based on the same passage. You can see the incredible 2 part live video on YouTube. Part 1 HERE, and part 2 HERE.  Make sure you watch both!)