Would I die?

Am I brave?   Do I have what it takes to die for what I believe in.  Look at the movements in the middle east.  People dying for the right to eat bread.  Dying to work.  I can't even fathom that.  Here I am in my home feeling cozy and safe, while the rest of the world is dying for various things. 

Here is my question to myself.  Do I have what it takes to die for what I believe in?  I know I would die for my kids or my wife, but am I willing to die for Christ?  Every disciple died some type of death for the gospel, so am I to be any different?   I would love to say I can do it. 

Right now in Afghanistan, there is a christian believer that is to be hung just for being a christian.  If you could would you take his place?  I want to say yes, but what is stopping me?  The fact that I have a family?  I am sure that this guy has a family too.  I am sure that there are people worried about him.  I am sure that he is somewhat scared. 

I am sure of lot of things, but what do I know?  I know that Jesus came to the Earth, nearly 2000 years ago and he died for us so that we can spend an eternity with our creator.  I know that he sacrificed Himself for us, so should I not sacrifice my life for him?  Perhaps this does not mean death,  but perhaps it just means my existence on this earth.  Always giving as He would.  Perhaps it means giving every dollar I make to go towards expanding the gospel.  I don't really know, just some thoughts. 

Chew on it!!!!!!

The new espionage

I have always loved James Bond films. The action,intrigue,and yes the girls. However, my focus was always on the intrigue part of the films. I always wanted that in my life as a little boy, and still to this day, I crave that intrigue.

Some of the most successful films are based on characters who are searching for the truth. Take for instance, the Jason Bourne series of films. He is always searching for his real identity. Who is he? Sometimes that's the question I ask myself. Who am I? What am I on this planet for? Does it really make a difference what I do?

The answer is a resounding yes! It does matter. I matter. Now, how do I find this intrigue I am looking for?

Step 1: open the bible
Step 2: pray
Step 3: pray specifically
Step 4: act upon what I have learned

I now realize that the ultimate spy is the one working for the Kingdom. Not a specific country, but for God's kingdom. The ultimate spy is the one who is surrounded by enemies and still pressing on to do the work of the Kingdom. What greater of a cause is there, than to reach the unknown with the gospel of Truth?

This is the type of intrigue I want. To be unafraid of sharing the Truth with all who need to hear. To go, as well as support those who need to hear the good news of Christ. I know that this will cause trouble for my life, but if this is how it has to be, then let the intrigue begin.

Where is your intrigue? What do you need to get to it?

Happy Valentines Day

Wow,  it is here again.  I just finished walking through the aisle of cards, and was amazed by the cost of a Valentines Day card.  Five dollars for a card that sums up I love you seems rather pricey.  I know, there are people out there who don't know how to say I love you.  I have a suggestion, just say, "I love you!!!!"

I don't know how much money is spent on this day, but I am guessing that it could feed a majority of the kids who are starving in the world for a few days or so.  I do know that it is great to celebrate the love of your life, but does it have to be with flowers and cards.  What if I love you meant you watched the kids for a night while, your spouse spent the evening out with friends or just had a bubble bath to relax?  What if you made dinner for the one who does all of the cooking?  Perhaps you can't cook, there is always take out. 

What I am saying, is that we spend so much time on the celebrations, but spend so little time on the day to day things, that really the celebration means nothing.  I would really love to see people do everyday tthings and mean it, rather than put all of their time and effort into just one day.  Maybe we would have much happier marriages and relationships. 

I hope that Valentines Day goes well for you, but I also hope that you really begin to look at how to celebrate the day to day with your loved one. 

Happy Valenties Day. 

God's Will

Did you watch the Super Bowl?  I did with a great group of friends.  I honestly did not care about the game, but it was the friendship that I went for.  I wonder how many out there believe that it was God's will that the Packers won?  I saw so many players raising their fingers toward heaven, as though God had something to do with a big hit, or a solid catch.  I really have to ask if He cared at all?

It's interesting how we take our own biased beliefs and turn them into His.  When the earth shakes and floods, we call it an act of God.  When tragedy happens in someones life, it may be called the will of God.  I question, is it His will that we suffer enduring tragedy and pain, or is it something else?  God's will!  What a big question to tackle, but I believe that it is spelled out in the bible very clearly. 

Let's look at the life of Peter.  Peter grew up to be a fisherman, but was eventually called to a greater purpose.  That eventual purpose was to give his own life for the very God he denied.  Peter used his circumstances of his life and turned them into something that was much greater than he.  He used his life for God's will.  Why was it God's will that he denied Christ?  We don't necessarily know if he would have been tried just as Jesus, was, but we do know that God used this as a point to help Peter grow.  To become fuller in Christ than ever before. 

Jesus says in John 10:10 that He has come so that we may have a fuller life.  If we are talking God's will, then I now realize what God's will is.  It is to have a much deeper relationship with God through Jesus.  I can presuppose to know what His will is for my life, but I can also guess that I will get it wrong 100 percent of the time.  So, how does this play out in my life? 

When something goes wrong, do I say "oh that is God's will, I will just accept it?"  Or do we look at the situation and ask, what would God have me get from this?  Perhaps His will is something that we will never truly know until we stand before Him, but I do know that within the pain and suffering in my own life, can come renewal for others. 

It now becomes a change of perspective.  I stop attempting to know everything, and I begin to accept things the way He would have me to.  Sometimes things happen for no rhyme or reason to us, but He is aware all that is taking place, and He is the only one that can bring us to a point of understanding.  Let His will flow through your life and you will find yourself in new places, both literally and emotionally.