Sunday Messages

This past sunday the messages struck some ponderings for me.

when the college pastor was preaching from Isaiah 9:6&7 most 6 and just on the words there used to describe Christ. We focused on Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God for that week. It was cool he went to different passages all of the Bible that referenced more of God's character in that way. All of it was good but the part that stuck out to me was what he said about Mighty God. We looked at 1 Peter 5:6&7. Specifically this phrase "If we say God is Mighty but don't submit to it? We do not really believe He is the Mighty God." that just really made me think how many things do we, I say about God and who He is but in my life do I show it?

then the pastor spoke from 1 timothy 3:14-16. Speaking of many different things from this portion but again the thing that stuck out to me is that Paul gives the church direction in who to conduct themselves. First point is that we are the house of God. when we meet together with 2 or more people He is present! Think about that? as individuals we are the temple of God but coming together we are the house of God. just a cool thought but then this is the part that really struck me. At the end of verse 15 it says "Which is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth." Then the pastor began to describe the the architectural purpose of pillars to uphold something and with the temple of Artemis or Diana, the goddess of fertility (i forget the reference). The pillars they used for her temple 60 feet tall. yes to up hold the ceiling but also to show off the beauty of the temple and ultimately Diana. then he went into describing the practical purposes for foundation. We are those. We are to be upholding the truth and to be showing off its beauty and if the pillars or foundations aren't good then the building suffers and in the same way if we do not uphold the truth it will suffer. I was thinking of the World now and how true it is. Christians not actually being the pillars of truth and the truth is now gray or arbitrary even among "christians."

which just makes me think again back to the college pastor's message we say one thing, "I'm a Christian" "He is a Mighty God" but is there fruit in our lives?

Set Apart

As people trying to strive for a life of holiness are there things that aren't necessarily bad that we should refrain from? The thing that I keep thinking about is music (and movies but mostly music). If artists aren't Christ Followers should we be listening to their music? For even when they don't sing about sex, drugs, or violence but sing about love their love isn't real for they don't know Christ. And therefore if the rule of thumb for music is, "are they glorifying to God?" Wouldn't a false love be dishonoring and more as an idol? Or songs that are more depressing or sad, same reasons; they are trying to fill their life with other things where God should be. dishonoring?

Moved by What?

Walked up the tiled steps to a unknown building with people i had just met but I was optimistic because it was a youth event. the place was small but packed. we found seats and waited. the MC got up and introduced the evening. the band started the night off with a few songs. the instant the song started there were hands raised, clapping for every song, and in the front row a couple of girls were twirling ribbons. After each song a couple of loud "hallelujahs" rang above the applause. a choir stood to sing a couple of songs. Again within a short period of time when the music started hands raised and eyes closed. but there was one individual that I watched. every time he went to raise his hand he looked at those around him to see if they did. There was one song they sang that on every part hands raised. they were dancing and singing so passionately. then pastor began his message. he was more like a comedian to me. not that pastors can't be funny but its seemed as though the message was more jokes. he did read the passage before speaking on it but then besides the general reference to David and Goliath he didn't refer to it again.(due to the language barrier i'm only making these as observations.) when he wasn't making jokes he would speak louder and louder into the microphone and then people would start clapping and yelling. Towards the end as the song started people began to cry. a mass of people went to the front, meaning everyone. As they continued the song they cried then the song ended and people left.


these are only my observations but the thoughts that kept running through my head the whole evening was: without the music, without the pastor speaking louder, would people just read the WORD OF GOD and shout? read the WORD OF GOD and lift up their hands? read the WORD OF GOD and bend their knees humbled? read the WORD OF GOD and be moved to tears? GOD is what the pastor (is suppose to) preache about. GOD is what the songs are written about...and the GOD gave us HIS WORD. are we, am I moved by the WORD OF GOD...or just the songs, pastors jokes and words, and everyone else?

Blindfold Obstacle

a group of people, including yourself, stand in a semi-circle listening to directions. the instructions are given and you all take the spots. the color that you once saw drowned out by the blindfold tied around your eyes. You stand on a small platform big enough for your feet to be standing on and that's it. "Alright begin!" a single voice resounds then within a matter of seconds your ears are bombarded with a multitude of voices telling you what step to take next. there is an obstacle course that you are suppose finish without touching the ground,everyone else around is to give you directions, and there is one person in the middle on the obstacle course who once you meet you can grab their hand and they can guide you with their hand and voice but until then they can only vocally direct you. you decipher a few directions that seem to be coming from a couple of different people, your friends, and choose to follow them. first step, complete. so you listen again...a resounding group of voices again. so you take the step again. second step complete. again...listen, go. left foot out with a slight height increase...your foot misses completely and you fall to the grassy ground. unable to remove the blindfold the leaders of the obstacle come and help you up, taking you back to the beginning. as you are led back you wonder what went wrong? why would they led me in a wrong direction? Again you try the course, fail. Again fail. what is going on? at this point so fed up with the blindfold and just want to give up on this stupid obstacle course. And to your fortune this time the leaders remove the blind fold but put on special goggles that won't allow you to look down. You are able to look at those around you and the person in front of you. Your eyes slowly adjust to the light to see that everyone on the sides are blindfolded too. They had a chance to look through the obstacle course but then they were all blindfold. the only person who isn't is the person in the middle. this time you try hard to to focus on the person in the middle but you can't hear them everyone else is too loud. So you try on your own. it worked. alright again. fail. Again and again you try listening to others trying yourself but never being able to accomplish the task. You wearily step up onto the small platform once again. people start barking orders again...you yell above everyone else and ask them to stop talking. The middle person's voice comes clear and you step by step still a little unsteady go father and farther until you reach them. their hand now guide yours allow with their reaffirming voice and within moments you finishing the obstacle course.

This past week there was one these obstacle courses that I've done before at high school and leadership building retreats were brought to my mind, but not in that task so much as the metaphor to life. So often we are like the blindfolded person aimlessly wandering trying to follow the right path. We turn to friends, to family, to people we don't know, to things, but we miss the one person who knows and sees the path that is before us. And all we need to do is listening and lift our eyes to that one being, Jesus Christ.

"If only we took the time to turn our eyes and hearts away from this world, even from the faces of family and friends that surround us, the joys that attract us and distract us, and fix them steadfastly on the face of Jesus, He would manifest himself to our hearts and we would be filled with the consciousness that He is with us."
Absolute Surrender by, Andrew Murray


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

fire cracker growth

I had to write an essay recently describing how I want my faith to grow in the next couple of years. rough thoughts:



I want my faith to more than just a word in which I speak but for it to be, vibrant and on fire. Pastor Von is one of the legends here at Caravan Ministries, where I am currently an intern, and he recent spoke to here of a dynamic faith. He told the story of when he was a youth pastor and he asked them if they were believers. They responded with yawns in between their words, “Yeah we’re believers.” Von shook his head at their response. He then took out a fir cracker; the powder already removed, lit it and threw it into the crowd of thirty youth. Instantly they all scattered, some out the doors and others to the edges of the room to see what would happen. When they resumed after the realization of it being a dud, von told them that the reaction they had toward the fire crackers is the reaction they need to have about their faith. Not a half yawned faith but a dynamic faith, one that moves! A faith that can not be contained. A vibrant, dynamic faith. James also speaks on a moving faith, a faith to be lived out not simply a statement.

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” (James 2:14 NLT)

“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:17-18 NLT)

I wish to grow in a dynamic moving faith, on that is more than just words. Also knowing that good and bad times will come but to continue to persevere, “…when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT) Knowing of course that I will not be complete until Christ’s return (Philippians 1:6) but to be continually striving, despite circumstances, to be more and more like Christ. That is my ultimate hope that during my life that my faith would be like Jesus Christ and looking in every opportunity to conform to Christ Jesus.

Lyrics and Quotes to ponder

You were bought, at a price you are owned by another...and the only rightful thing to do is to find out His dream, His passion, His desire and spend every last breath you have living it out.
_Brad Bruser

And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
(from the inside out, hillsong united)



Why should anyone hear the gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?
_J. Oswald Sanders


Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
(Then I shall Live, William Gaither)


Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man… Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions. It’s the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory.
_John Piper (Let the Nations be Glad)

Tijuana Roof

Blankly starring at the city lights tonight
Trying to comprehend these spiraling thoughts
Explain to me how this works
Being aware of all I've done
and loving despite?

There's no comparison for me to look to
For understanding
Your love is beyond all

Explain to me how this works

It doesn't fit into the world's mentality
Looking beyond self and pride
Explain to me how this works
Being the All Powerful, Sovereign God
Who deserves it yet gave it all and came to serve.

You've known from teh beginning
What I've done
And to the future of what will be
I am not in my rightful place
Destitute alone on the streets

Cursed by all my life
For its wages are death
And even my life is not enough
I am unworthy

Only the greatness of your love is enough
No longer a slave, these shackles broken
For you love knows my faults
Yet forgets all I've done
No records kept but washed clean

Explain to me how this works

So I may never understand the depths of your love Lord
But one thing I know
That by your love,
I am free

Your love is beyond all

For it is all I'll ever need, its all I'll ever need
You are all I'll ever need