Occupy Wall Street Movement

As I reflect on what is happening in my country on this very day my heart is grieved for hopeless individuals who seem to believe they will change our economy by blocking up streets and parks in cities all over America.

Today, November 17 2011, marks 2 months that the members of the Occupy Wall Street Movement have been protesting. This is a collective group of people from all kinds of backgrounds coming together to “stick it to the man” so to speak. They call themselves the 99%... the underprivileged....the have-nots...etc. They are dwelling in the poverty line and they see no hope. They look at the wealthy and only see all of the injustice. 

Young Adults make up a large percentage of those participating in the movement. My generation is known for being active in fights for social equality, rights of the people, and movements in general. There is something about this generation that desires, to borrow the phrase from Blake Mycoskie [founder of Toms], to “start something that matters.” They are “revivalists” in some regard. Taking a stand on injustice.

This can be a good thing....on the flip side it can also be bad. Though it is noble to stand up for what you believe in and be the voice for those silenced by injustice, one must be careful not to slip into a mindset that says-- “Life is not treating ME FAIRLY. I DESERVE better. This is not what I WAS PROMISED. I want what THEY HAVE.”

This is what is called an entitlement mindset and can be a slippery slope if it is entertained in one’s mind for too long. Once we begin to believe that we are the victims of some great injustice we begin to see the world through a lens that is constantly looking for others to treat us unfairly.

Entitlement.

That is the mindset I see over not only this particular movement but over a generation.

I’ll tell ya what we are entitled to--- DEATH, ETERNAL DAMNATION, A LIFE OF MISERY.... oh goodie! NOT! I’ll pass on what is rightfully mine and embrace the grace covering of Jesus Christ. He came so that life DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FAIR!

Grace simply put is getting what we don’t deserve.

So as for this movement I pray that individuals would experience the Love of the Heavenly Father. That they would realize life isn’t always fair, and that is actually something to be grateful for. Lastly, that they would find hope and lasting peace in the one who has a track record never to disappoint...unlike Wall Street. 

Hope.

Peace.

Grace.

Faith is action

Faith is an action word
its scary..... its not simply sitting at a distance waiting for the blessing... its more like running full speed off of a 50 ft cliff not sure how it will end... those butterflies you get when you are at the very tippy top of the roller coaster and can't see over the edge so it almost appears that there is no more track... the raw emotion of starting a task and having no idea what the outcome will be, just knowing that you are at the point of doing something you have never done to get results you have never gotten

that is faith

As I reflect on Mark 5 and the time Jesus healed a woman of a life long disease and raised a dead girl to life all in one day I come to one common factor--- faith.

The woman had exhausted all of her resources. Literally. She went broke trying to find a cure for her lifelong disease that kept her in utter seclusion. Then she heard about this man Jesus and was filled with faith--- so she went on to do what she had never done to get results she had never gotten before.

Sometimes to receive the breakthrough we must step out and do the unthinkable---
faith is an action

we must act
and Jesus will bless....

cuz he is faithful

Jesus is a Friend

Jesus and his disciples were tight! They were the inner circle of the Jesus crew-- they ate together, hung out together, traveled together, did ministry together--- basically anywhere Jesus was the disciples were sure to follow... kinda reminds me of the little lamb who hung around Mary in the nursery rhyme... wait- and Jesus is the great shepherd which makes us his sheep, hmm never thought of the connection between the two like that before....

anyway...

They were with Jesus because of his charisma and contagious personality that drew massive crowds... people just wanted to see what he would do next! He went everywhere and did miracles and caused people to think in ways they may never have been challenged to think before. And the disciples studied...

When you spend this much time with another person chances are you are going to start acting like this person--- its inevitable... and so the disciples began to act like Jesus. In Matthew 10 Jesus commissions the disciples to go and do the stuff they had been watching on the sidelines Jesus do for a while now. In verse 16 he says he is sending them out as “sheep among wolves”... that right there tells ya that he never said it would be easy.... it would be hard... but totally worth it and with God far from impossible.

We as modern disciples are commissioned with the same cause--- heal the sick, drive out impure spirits in the name of Jesus. Disciple simply means “christ follower”.. one who strives to be like Jesus and fulfill the mission he set before us.

We have been given a Bible with 4 whole books that follow and track the life of Christ giving us the tools to study who he is and what he was all about.... then as if that wasn’t enough we have been given an open connection with him through prayer....

in order to be a disciple we must first know him as friend....

then live like he lived on the planet...

spread the good news to all mankind!

God Knows

Day 6

Job 6-9

so yesterday i skipped ahead on accident so now im going back to the one that shoulda been yesterday today so we are up to date

all things happen for a reason-- even though it makes no sense to us sometimes

this sounds like a simple, emo, my cat died type revelation

but i guarantee its not

simple message

God knows what he is doing

Yep--- shoulda seen that one comin'

Day 5

Job 10-13

Funny how reading about Job and the warning against getting into a spirit of self pity- I find myself more tempted to have a pity party in this moment more than in a good while. Things were going well, and still are in all actuality. But the reality of life just hit me and worry came rushing in. I read a twitter update from one of my friends earlier today that said something along the lines of-- if God worked according to our time schedule than we would be his employer, but instead he is Emmanuel and his timing is perfect... basically, his plans don't go according to our time frame, but rather we must strive to trust his perfect timing.

I think Job and I have a wee bit in common there... getting to a point where it seems a bit crazy-- well, lets not get carried away, of course his situation was more intense than what I am facing, but the realization that God is in control is the same.

The same God that allowed Job to be tested because He had great faith in him, is the same God that sees the situation you or I might be in. He sees the story on all sides, as a masterpiece that fits together perfectly and only He knows what the finished project will look like!

trusting in a master plan orchestrated by my Master God

poor me

Day 4

Job 1-5

my life sucks!

why me???

why does growing up hurt so much??

blah blah blah--- these are common complaints I could read on the news feed of facebook on a daily basis. One thing in our day goes differently than planned and all of a sudden we question the purpose and meaning of life and fall into a slump of self- pity.

It is easy to lose sight of the big picture, especially when in all actuality we have never even seen the whole thing. Imagine trying to do a puzzle without the box-- no frame of reference what the end outcome should look like just hundreds of tiny pieces that fit together if you keep working at it. This is the view we have of our lives. God gives us the pieces we need at the times we need.... no more no less, just what is necessary for the next step in the journey.

This can either totally frustrate you or build your faith like never before.

The picture of trusting God with the future and not getting held up by current situations would have to be our man Job. He was tested beyond what the average man could bear- but trusted God that He was still in control. That is the picture of a life that is fully surrendered to the power and control of the heavenly father. A mentality that says-- all this stuff isn't due me anyway- I deserve death, but God had a better plan to empower and use the life that He has created for His glory.

So when thoughts of- "this sucks" begin to infiltrate your mind, remind yourself- it could totally be worse, Thank you God for your provision in all areas!

Restoration Allowance

Day 3

Genesis 8-11

Genesis 8:21 "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done."

We are all sinners.... born that way... since the fall of mankind in the garden of evil where we were opened up and made aware of the knowledge of good and evil it is part of our DNA to sin.

Thankfully there is a God who totally understands-- in fact he created us that way and has a plan even though we have this human instinct to disappoint Him.

The promise that He gave Noah was plain and simple that he would never agin destroy mankind through a flood again because of their sin. This verse leaps up off the page to me as a reminder that He knows the human nature of man and allows a way for restoration-- it is never deserved ... but it is simply part of God's gift to his children whom he loves with a love greater than we could ever imagine.

We can breathe a little easier knowing that we don't have to walk on egg shells so to speak trying to live a perfect life-- cuz really, thats quite impossible (unless you are the son of God that is). THe great news is that God understands that and acknowledges it.

But lets get that straight--- this does not give us an allowance to do whatever we want because, hey, we are sinners its just what we do--- no, we must strive to live in such a way that is pleasing to our heavenly father once we have made the commitment to serve him with our lives and have relationship with him.

We are not perfect---- we never will be--- But God has made the way for restoration daily

"....and he was not..."

Day 2

Genesis 4-7

two brothers... one a sheep keeper... the other a grounds keeper-- both were skilled at what they did and brought offerings to the Lord. The grounds keeper, Cain, brought a decent selection of fruits a veggies- definitely not his best, but he thought it was pretty good-- but the sheep keeper, Abel went above and beyond that and offered God his very best cattle! So of course God was greatly pleased with this offering from Abel, and not so much with Cain's half-hearted attempt- this made Cain very angry, so he killed his brother Abel--- thats right, got mad, so decided to go ahead and off his brother just like that--- and you thought the Bible was boring?? wrongo!!

So Cain had a kind of shady beginning- but he gets to a point where he is pretty hated--- wonder why--- and is talking to God about his concerns and basically gives up hope and has come to terms that he will be killed by pretty much the next person who finds him, cuz everyone is not too happy with ole Cain.

This is where God steps in and does something totally unexpected- He put a protective covering over Cain so that if anyone came to attack him they would be given the punishment 7x's over!! Wait wait wait-- the very same Cain that gave a less than pleasing offering to God??the VERY SAME Cain who killed his own brother out of jealousy?? Wow... didn't see that one coming

This goes to show that God really doesn't see us in the same way that we might see others, or ourselves for that matter. We tend to see all the ways he went wrong and yet God was able to see past the current situation to the destiny he had in store for this man's life.

As we read on in the passage we see that Cain had a son, his name was Enoch--- then fast forward a bit we find a bit of a genealogy that goes through each of the family trees from Adam to Noah and we find Enoch to stand out in a seemingly boring stretch of this guy had a son, lived this amount of time, then died..... each one tends to look the same--- that is until we get to Enoch. Scripture makes a point to say that he walked with God... and I am thinking this is somewhat of an understatement when we see what happens next..."Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."---- come again??? He goes from being to not in an instant. This man walked with God to the point that he is one of the few in history to not actually die--- just went on to be with God!!!! How amazing is that?!?! to have such a relationship with God!

God always knows what he is doing. When we are quit to discount the character of others because the fruit (or lack thereof) that we see in their lives we are walking on dangerous territory. Man looks on the outward, but God looks on the heart-- and also knows the next steps in the journey we are on.

We must learn to not be so obsessed with what is going on right now- and focus on where God is leading us on this incredible journey of life.

Talking Snakes

Day 1

Reading: Genesis 1-3

This is the classic-- the original if you will, the full on new beginning text in scripture in my opinion. It talks about the very beginning of a story that continues to live on even today- the story of the beginning of creation. This one I have to admit I often overlook as if to say, "yeah yeah-- 7 days, God made everything- I know this one pretty well". Thats the amazing thing about scripture, no matter how many times you read it God can in one instant reveal something brand new as if you were reading it for the very first time! In the beginning there was absolutely anything- no time, no space, no ground- just God! And he has the great plan to create a world full of humans and all kinds of other amazing creatures to bring him glory. As I look at the way He created all creation and then how humans were made I marvel at his ultimate plan and wisdom. You see, we are the only ones on the planet who have been given the capacity to reason, to think rational thoughts, to make decisions, and think for ourselves (not that we always do that, but it is an option) and we see this in full swing in Genesis chapter 3 when the woman is asked the first question--- this is the first opportunity mankind was given to think for themselves as God has designed us to do- a freedom that He gives so that we are able to make a choice whom we follow and serve--- getting ahead of myself--- the first question came as a seemingly innocent one the serpent simply asks- "soo--- did God really say that you can't eat any of the fruit from any of the trees in this great big ginormous garden??" (becky translation of course) To which she answered no, and explained that it was only one tree in the whole great big place that she couldn't eat off of- and there is where he got her- hook line and sinker! He proposed that it was the selfish ambition of God that told her she could not- but really he didn't want her to know all that he knows because that would run the risk of her being as great as he was.....uhh seriously? but yeah thats basically how that went down- and the thought of wanting something she could not have was introduced

like the child who is warned not to touch the hot stove because it will burn them- she fell right into the trap of needed to test the waters for herself. And from here on out we as humans constantly struggle with the oh so tricky sinful man- because mama Eve and papa Adam opened themselves to the knowledge of good and evil--- I wonder what it might have been like if that never happened? and since it did it was God's will right? so all along God knew that would happen?? My mind could wonder for days with these theological questions that scholars have yet to solve fully but here is my opinion on the matter

God wanted us from the beginning to be free thinkers able to choose-- good vs evil, white bread vs wheat bread, pepsi vs coke--- so many choices in this world and we are given the privilege to choose- in some things there really is no right and wrong, like the whole coke vs pepsi thing... I don't think in the view of eternity it really matters that much, but some choices we are faced with there is a definite right and wrong and when wrong is the choice we make there are many things we must go through because of a bad choice-- for instance, you decide to dye your hair blue--- you end up hating it--- try to dye it back--- end up with this funny purple tint--- try again, it looks green--- you dye it so many times that it all falls out and you start over in a few years

one bad choice takes you on a crazy rabbit trail

with that freedom to make choices we are now able to make the choice either to have relationship with God-- or not to.... but when we make that choice how much sweeter is our love for him than if we had been forced to love and serve him

so in a round about way that was in the heart of God- of course it hurt his heart to see his creation fall into temptation and sin-- but how much greater is our relationship with our heavenly father who chose us and gave us the ability to choose Him!!!

Amazing how a choice to listen to a snake brought us to the relationship of choosing our Heavenly Father daily!

2011 Challenge--- Lets go on a journey!

this year i feel compelled to embark on a new journey. This is the first year in my entire life (that which I remember that is) where I am not in school. Up until now my yearly goals have always had something to do with excelling -- or if we are being honest to at least make it through- the courses in which I was a part of at the different ages and stages of my life. In 2010 I completed my undergrad which is an accomplishment I would have never expected to complete. This goes to show that anyone can finish if they simply have the drive to do something with their life! Anyway, going on a bit of a tangent- but as I reflect on goals and new years resolutions I realize that I have gotten farther than I have planned and no longer have unfulfilled goals that I have thought of. Basically I have vision for the future-- like when I’m 30 or something, but as far as where do i want to be in 5 years? or even by this time next year? It has raised some deep pondering and soul searching on my part, which has brought me to the resolutions of sorts for 2011. As I type this I am in the air traveling back to my new grown up home--- recap of 2010- I graduated college, received credentials as a liscenced minister of the Assemblies of God, nailed my first ministry position, moved across the country, got my first place on my own--- that about sums it up--- basically have become a “grown up” at age 22--- why did it have to come so stinkin fast?!?!?

In the past when asked my goals for upcoming years I would simple answer-- finish school, become a pastor, from there let God lead. Welp...Im there and I believe it is crucial that I never stop dreaming and setting God given goals and ambition for life. Growth is a constant process in which you must cultivate at every milestone in life. In this year God has really been revealing to me what it looks like to grow-- continually going somewhere- trees grow up, vines grow out, you get my drift.

So as I ponder what my “resolutions” would be for the upcoming year I have come up with a challenge more or less. A spiritual journey that I feel will bring me to a level of wonderment and love for God’s word like never before and will have some serious aftermath in the way i live my daily life. I am going on a journey chronologically through scripture- but wait-- thats not all- I will also be blogging each day the different revelations God brings. I say it all the time that I believe that God’s word is living and active and yet so often I don’t treat it that way. It is an exciting guide of what the Christian life can and should look like- full of ups and downs, trials and victories- and as a messenger of this Gospel I want to fall even more in love with it in this year than i have in all my life! So get ready for a new journey that will I believe elevate the excitement of scripture all over- whether your a new believer or have called Him yours for 30 some odd years!! The reason I will be blogging as opposed to journaling is simply for the personal accountability of posting each day. So whether or not anyone really reads this-- it doesn’t make a difference, it simply gives me a different sense of urgency hoping to inspire even one to follow me on this radical journey through the living scripture in 2011!! This is going to be exciting! So stay tuned- cuz my “ponderings” have just been elevated for the better- I dare you to join me and just see what God reveals! I betcha He’s gonna blow your mind with crazy revelation-- thats what I’m believing for, and knowing my God He will go ABOVE and BEYOND IN 2011!!! its go time!!