HeTV: a story about the cross

“MeTV: the story of our lives. Our story is broken and God’s love changes everything.”

My story is not broken, it is beyond broken. My story is that I am a sinner separated from God, I am dead, not sick or struggling; just dead. My story, apart from the cross, is lies, murder, sexual immorality, slander, debauchery, pride, deceit, hate, jealousy, selfish ambitions, and death. My story is of no significance except to reveal my need for a savior. My story can not be fixed, so God has given me a new one.

“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin…For the death He died He died to sin, once and for all, but the life He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:6-11

My new story, the story of the cross, is the only story that matters. Everything about who I was apart from Christ, apart from salvation, and aside from the fact that I am a sinner, is no longer part of my story. My new story is that Christ lived a perfect life, died on the cross in my place, and was resurrected in victory over satan, sin, and death. My self-security comes not just from God’s love, but from the incarnation and accomplishment of His love. What was accomplished on the cross is the story that should be lived out for the world to watch. If the world looks at me, and God forbid, sees my story they will never come to salvation. But, if the world looks at me and sees His story then they will see the truth, and the only thing that saves. It is easy to have a conversation about love and ourselves, but is also futile. It is offensive to proclaim a bloody man on a cross and self-sacrifice, but it is imperative. The story of our lives is that we are dead, and the cross changes everything.

Tumble on over to my Tumblr please.

I have a very tiny hope that someone out there actually reads this blog. And if my hope is true than I am asking you to follow me on tumbler instead. Its easier than this and there are more options for creativity, etc. Im not deleting my blogspot, just focusing my posts on tumblr. Thank you :)

ShadesOfGrace

....

Abba, Abba! I weep for you
Broken, I quiver and scream for you
I have descended the forbidden path
And flames burn me for not speaking on your behalf

The kiss of the word is still sweet on my lips
And her passion soaks my tongue, consumes my veins
I drank from her pleasure deeply
She intoxicated and seduced me

A tantalizing beauty she held indeed
I wrapped my soul in all she offered
Hung her diamonds from my ears and jewels form my neck
Over time they slowly began to cut off my breath

But even then i did not seek your name
I held fast to my deadly treasures
Embraced the toxins that choked my soul
And stood before your cross unashamed

Oh how I enjoyed my little game
Until it caused irreversible pain
And what once was a few earthly treasures
Turned rancid, my death wish forever

Abaa, Abaa! im reaching for you
Dying, i quiver, searching for you
I am a vapor that is fading fast
Save me before i take my last

The Battle Wages On

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" Romans 7:15

I’ve fought and I’ve tried
Marched ahead in these cryptic times
With each new wound tempted
To raise a white flag, my faith forfeited

I know what is right and I know what is wrong
But my flesh craves depravity
While my soul longs for your glory
The battle wages on

My strength is devastated and gone
Resolution no longer urges me on
God why must I wage war everyday
Pressed to relinquish and walk away

I know what is right and I know what is wrong
With my feet scarcely in the flames
And my hands grasping the clouds
The battle wages on

Shots ring out in the sky over head
The ground trembles as soldiers begin to flank
I hear cries of victory and righteousness
And see your glorious army rise

I know what is right and I know what is wrong
Your strength in me compels me on
A new ardor for your glory pounding in my veins
The triumph has begun, and your battle wages on

Endless Chatter and Idle Hearts

Love as christ has loved. Live humbly and obediently. Give up the world and gain everlasting life. Put faith in Christ, He is the only way. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought, instead esteem others above yourself. Give to the poor. Feed the starving. Love the fatherless. Care for the elderly. Honor your parents. Love your wife. Respect your husband. Live humbly. Do nothing out of selfish ambition. Live not in vain conceit. Be a living sacrifice. We are ambassadors of Christ. Do not gossip. Do not boast. Do not lie. Do not murder. Above all, bring glory to God.

Oh if I could count the times I have heard these words from pastors, parents, sister, brothers, elders, wives, teachers, and saints! In my solitude I have thought a great deal, and my conclusion is this; the church is filled with endless chatter and idle hearts. We know what is required, and how we are to live. Most christians have have repeatedly heard the commands and been taught what is righteous and just. We can all recite the scriptures, and decipher meaning, application. The body of Christ has been educated in the way to live as a light.

However, often when surrounded by those proclaiming faith I am slapped in the face with the harsh reality that the abundance of conversations centers around gossip or slander, or the empty proclamations of how suzy should have acted, or what tommy might have done instead. Tell me what good does it do judge the deeds of another when in their face you see your own sins staring back at you? It is a side-effect of human nature indeed, and its cold prideful desire for self-esteem.

Humanity is dead and lost, fallen and crushed by their own depravity. We have been given life, and in the first few months of birth, like a young child, are enamored by the novelty of it all. We burn with passion to "go and do!" Share our faith without shame and evangelize the lost! But like the child, in a short time new life has lost its splendor, and we are reluctant to have anything to do with it. Our day-to-day lives, and slovenly ways begin to overpower the passions that once drove us forward, unbending and unswerving for so short a time. But what now? Is it acceptable to pardon off our offenses for "this" or "that"? Or declare what we know to be true and right, but then fail an attempt to work it out in our own lives, and yet point out the shortcomming of others? I pray we have not come to that! Then I am reminded of our despicable condition, and offer thanks that I, and others, are not as vile as we could be.

This summer, life has allowed me ample time for reflecting on myself, and humanity. As a result, I find myself appalled by the general contentment of Christians, myself included, to remain in the state in which we were saved. The Spirit did not petrify us, so please do not sit so still and unaltered! Our Father has promised to make us new, sanctify us by fire, and by His power and will He shall. Praise God that we will not remain in the state in which He called us, and it is only by His refining fire that we can hope to shed our sinful nature, though uncomfortable and extremely painful at times. Yet, I find it hard to consider that this absolves us from daily pursuing our thoughts, actions and motives. I came across this quote the other day: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself"- Leo Tolstoy. I find in it a challenge, especially for Christians. At times we can be so overcome with a passion to change the world, and spread the gospel, but often fail to do a bit of introspection. What good is it if we can share so eloquently the Word of God, if our hearts are not constantly being sanctified? What benefit comes from noticing the faults of the world, yet being blind to those same faults which dwell in us?

I realize that from this quote, and my reflections after, that I seem to be implying that we are in control of how "good" we are, or that we foster a change in ourselves. That is simply not true. My design in writing this is not to demean Christians and then tell you to pluck up, and find the will power to be better! Because we would fail miserably as we have all along when we forget to look to God, and come humbly to his feet. It is not about strength and pride, but brokenness and a contrite heart. God will mold us and make us, and continually sanctify us, that he has promised. Although, I believe that with each new day should come our renewed sentiments of an adamant desire to change. With every breath we should pray, "Father, break me, change me, do whatever it takes. Cut away my sin and any part of me that clings to this world. Open my eyes to my own depravity, sanctify me and make me a child who brings honor and glory to your name." God will have His way in us, but that does not mean we need not willingly prostrate ourselves at His feet.

The Complacent Christian

At what point does a belief become a command, an action and eventually a lifestyle?  It seems that often times those who commit their lives to the highest standards are those who find contentment in their solitude.  The christian, for example, claims to hold the sole reason and purpose for life.  But why not share that reason?  Why not live out that purpose?   To know something so valuable and vital and yet abstain from proclaiming it is a tragedy.  But that is not to say that the very passionate proclamation of the thing is sufficient.  In Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, he makes this convicting statement in reference to a prominent business man who gave up everything to become a pastor:

"When people make changes in their lives like this, it carries greater impact than when they merely make impassioned declarations. The world needs christians who don't tolerate the complacency of their own lives."

It is not enough to simply claim Christianity.  Everyday the christian is faced with the decision to tell others about their God or live quarantined, cut off and removed from society with no chance of interaction.  Sadly, many today do not attempt to reach beyond the scope of the comfortable, the familiar.  I am guilty.  I am a christian who has been more than content, I regrettably say even happily chosen, to remain comfortable.  That is not what God has asked of me.  As my friend Traci Ferguson said tonight "I am a Christian because I am a sinner and Jesus Christ is my Savior."  That is what I am called to share and called to live out everyday, not my pride in this gift of life, or a hoarding selfish attitude.  Because that is what I am if I do not tell others His name; a selfish, spoiled child who refused to share what has been given to me, undeservingly, at no cost of my own.  That is where my belief becomes a command, and that command fosters an action that develops into a lifestyle.  I have life because one man dared to do what no other could, because God gave up His only son to die a sinners death, to be torn, beaten, broken, bruised, and nailed to a cross baring my transgressions, and those of His people.  It is because of this that I have been commanded to "go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19)."  That command does not leave room for me or any other Christian to settle into our lives, easy and comfortable, unwilling to tell others the name of our Father.  Instead it requires that we go beyond the familiar and share, in love, the life we have been given, and make God known through all  the earth.  The lifestyle of a christian should not be self-seeking, introverted, empty and complacent, but instead laced with humility as we proclaim the power, majesty, mercy, grace, and love of God.  

If left to merely preaching the good news I would fall short.  I would find myself once again fervently proclaiming Christ with my words, but if my actions do not also fervently proclaim Him as well than it is an empty zeal indeed.  By the grace of God, and his Spirit working in me, every step that I take and every gesture I make must reaffirm what the movement of my lips teach.  I can only do this by kneeling before my God every day, humbled by my sin and His sacrifice, willing to live obediently, and constantly relying on His strength alone to accomplish what He has commanded. 

Empty Faith

My soul may cry out to you, and my lips be brimming with words of praise

But what is that without feet willing to spread your name

Or hands weathered and worn from serving the weak

And arms wrapped around those with dampened cheeks

It is an empty and weightless faith indeed

If actions of love and obedience do not proceed

It is not the power, knowledge, or beauty of the rhetoric I boast

But the humbled services whispered that speak the most

You have not called me to a life of condescending pride

But promised as your child I’ll have to take up my cross with every stride

My happiness and satisfaction is not derived from this earth

But instead you have given joy and contentment in a new birth

So with every morning light I vow to live for your name

God I pray I would not let the sun set on another day

That I failed to live for your glory and ceaseless praise

To Love...

I preach love and kindness, a compassionate heart and willing hands.  My mouth and pen declares a character I find my hands often do not commend.  Everyday I am faced with the realities of sin, I see how people tear each other down, seeking their own well being.  I open my eyes to depravity and a lust for what this world has labeled life.  An empty smile, a self-seeking gesture, ulterior motives, a bitter stance, a jealous heart, a condescending glance.  Although I am mortified and ashamed of what I see the christian faith portray, I am even more distressed that everyday I am met with my reflection.  I attempt to justify my harsh words and loose tongue with the wrongs of those whose names are on my lips.  Often I am angered by selfishness of another, and realize by doing so I am no better.  It is in the moments when I find others in need, that my heart can turn suddenly hard, angered at times, that my will has not been heed.  It is also in those same moments that I hear the faint whisper, "love is patient, it is kind..."  or when I feel justice has not been done, and anger grows, the gentle voice persists, "it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong..." Daily I struggle to live as I have claimed.  Daily I struggle to follow my convictions.  But though I fail, God prevails.  Despite my futility, God works His will.  His power is beyond my humanity.  So I will not rest upon my own strength or manner.  But instead daily I will trust the Spirit working in me, daily I will submit to my Heavenly Father who is changing me.  I cannot truly love as I am called, as Christ has loved, on my own.

By Doubt I Learn, By Conviction I Live

Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley, is prefaced by the author's brilliant portrayal of his own beliefs and thoughts about society and humanities ability to doubt and why we do so.  The play is Shanley's picture of that doubt through a real life scenario.  Although, before diving into the story you must spend time on the preface, acknowledging his statements and deciphering them. I find it very interesting when he says that society has found comfort in the "chatter" of everyday life and in someways hidden behind it.  People are so busy arguing their points, that they ignore the fact, that just maybe, they could be wrong.  They ignore the feeling they get in their stomach when they have argued a point that it's logical end and begin to question how accurate it was to begin with.  That is doubt.  In the preface it almost seems at some point that Shanley is claiming that conviction and passion are weakness.  The act of doubting "requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place, and doubt is infinite-"  He also comments that the church is weak because they have huddled together under a common belief to simply believe.  They all found the common ground and lifestyle, which brought them together, but by doing so they made themselves vulnerable to the outside world and "predators".  The trust believers have built up, according to Shanley, is what in reality will make them crumble.  The church in some instances maybe weak, by some standards, because of their convictions, but those same convictions also make them strong.  What sets the church apart from the world is that they do have a set of beliefs, and those beliefs in some cases can help them through circumstances and sufferings; the God that they believe in also brings them comfort.  When they world around them falls apart for lack of truth or direction, those with conviction have strength and directions.  Strength because their convictions are truth. Direction because by truth they are guided.  It also seems that Shanley expects people to doubt constantly, and that to do otherwise would be wrong.  I disagree.  I think that what he so strongly communicates is the idea that not doubting will only cripple you.  He shows the faults in naively living life without questioning; to hold onto a certain belief to the point of losing sight.  He may say that doubt takes more courage than conviction because it is infinite, but the process of reaching conviction is the same.  It is seeing the faults in your beliefs and working through them so that your convictions only gain strength.  To be filled with conviction is no fault.  In fact, to live everyday, I believe convictions hold us together, but what enables us to live out those convictions with passion is acknowledging our doubts, while letting them shape the beliefs that control our lives.

A Revelation: Hypocrisy to Humility

The powerful luminance pierced the darkness, and came flooding into the room, echoing off the walls.  She could barely open her eyes, as she lay on the icy concrete.  She had been there for so long, had become numb to the realities of her lifestyle.  Day after day she lived in this place by choice.  Finding herself superior to the rest of humanity, she removed herself form everyone and everything, for what could they possibly offer a girl who stood above them all.  When looking down her nose at them it became impossible to see her own flaws and faults.  Instead she was filled with unmatchable pride that grew with every step.  Until the day she fell.  When she fell, she fell far down into the black pit, becoming blinded to everything and filled with bitterness.  Remaining there, the girl began to adjust and slowly regained a minimal amount of sight, but only enough to distinguish form.  She learned to live by this sight and learned to live alone.  Questions began to make their way through her mind, and she questioned why this had occurred.  She began to search for a reason.  It was not until she had reached her limit of frustration and collapsed in exhaustion that it happened.  The door was opened and she received a light to powerful to ignore.  At first its strength blinded her, but in time she saw the truth and beauty of her revelation.

Sovereign

"We may ask for anything and hope for anything our heart desires, but we do so always with the understanding that our heavenly Father knows what is best and can see beyond what we see.  When we hope it is always with the fine print in which we acknowledge that we at times don't know what to ask for, don't know if what we hope for is right or good.  So we leave the decision to Him, knowing He will do whatever is truly best for us."

-Unknown

Father's Hands

It crossed my mind to quite tonight, lay down and give up the fight

But then your spirit fills my soul and now I kneel so contrite

Forgive me God for living and Walking on my own

For it is you that give me breath and you alone

With my back to the past and my face turned forward

I stand here Lord wondering what you will lead me toward

You break me down and show me I am nothing but weak

So humbly I come and lay my life and heart at your feet

Take everything Father, take all the aspects of me

Mold them and make them whatever you will me to be

Let Go

She walks around with her head held high

and a smile so big and eyes taking everything in

Arms spread wide to embrace life

But you don't see the tears that fall at night

Her trembling heart and shaking hands

You can't see the weakness in her knees

Or hear her screaming please, please

Don't walk away from me

Can't you see what we could be

If you would just let down your wall

And give me a chance I could be your everything, your all

Her shoulders are back and her hair is curled 

Admitting she knows its all for the best

She says all you can do is laugh at this world

But you can't hear her silent cry

Or feel the sharp pain in her gut

How her soul is growing cold

Or hear her screaming no, no

Don't walk away from me

Can't you see all that we could be

If you would just let down your wall

And give me a chance I could be your everything, your all

She closes the door and drops her bag

Crawling into bed and pressing her palm to her forehead

Slowly a tear falls to her pillow

She says...

You won't ever see what you did to me

Or feel my trembling body

Cause i have to tell myself no, no

I'm screaming to myself you have to let go, have to let go

Baby you've gotta let go, let go, just let go

November 19

heartbreak

I am amazed at the power of heart break

Its a poisonous sickness my weak body can hardly take

The sharp pain in my stomach I can't shake

It begins so small and wells so fast

Slowly moving through my body, form

My gut to my throat, causing me to choke

I'd give up the world to feel again

To make you see what we could have been

But an ocean of tears wont rewind the clock

And every sleepless night won't muffle the shock

My trembling heart urges me to fight

Do what ever it takes to keep you tonight

But you made the choice to let it go

Allowing your hesitations to plainly show

I shrugged my shoulders and put up a wall

Promising to never let a single tear fall

But as the sun sets and rises again

I find myself stumbling through the same trend

Buried deep, my covers are a comfort as I lay in bed

Lonely and tired with thoughts racing in my mind

I don't want to miss you, I don't want to care

But the absence of your voice is sometimes to much to bear

Now the gentle brush of your hand is gone

And my days seem to drag on so long

All my hasty dreams being lost

I knew i would inevitably pay the cost

blessings

im starting to realize that the blessing god promises arent always "good" things or our idea of blessings.
i always assume that a blessing would be God making things easy or the way i want.
but sometimes true blessings, the ones God promises, are just knowing that you can get through. knowing that even though life sucks right now, that you can come out on the other side. sometimes blessings is just knowing that even though everythign around you is falling apart, god is there. he will give strength and comfort.. that you can lean on him and trust that his plan will prevail.
maybe the blessing is just taking comfort in that and holding on to the fact that we are not alone.

rock bottom...

Once you hit rock bottom you realize why you are there.. im just now understanding that when we try to do everything on our own and handle everything and try and make everything perfect all by ourselvess, that eventually we will fail, and everything will come crashing down.
When we place all of ourselves into other people and put them before God we will always end up alone or hurt at one point or another...because people arnt perfect, they make mistakes and failures. So if we live our lives only relying on them, they they will fail us, the same as we will fail them. But if underlying all of those relationships is a relationship with God we will always have constant, we will never hit rock botom because when all else fails he will catch us before we get there. When we look around and dont see anyone to rely on and feel alone he is there.
sometimes it doesn't seem like it because what we want isnt always what he wants but that doesn't mean he isnt there. our idea of perfect isnt always the same as God's. so there are guna be times when life sucks. hearts are broken. life long friendships end. things change. people hurt you. you hurt people. those who are supposed to be there arnt. your exhausted emotionally and physically. everything is falling to pieces. the life you once knew is gone. but i would rather go through all of that with one thing; God. then completely alone. cause thats when we break, sooner or later we cant hold it all together anymore, as much as we want to. God does not promise a perfect and easy life but he does promise comfort and support and strength. its having faith in the one thing that will last and still be when all this other crap in life is long gone. thats what keeps us from hitting rock bottom alone and completely drained...