I hate cats. Period. However, this morning on the way to get coffee before Caeden's baseball game, I missed my turn and took the long way. While taking this wrong way, I happened upon a black cat lying in the road with broken legs. It was wearing a leash collar, but no tags or anything, so this was someones pet. I watched as people drove by, looked at the horror that was this cat and kept going. I must tell you that it had nothing to do with feeling bad for the cat, because I didn't, but I looked at the cat and saw sad little kids missing their pet, or an old widow woman who had nothing left but this cat. So I pulled over in front of the cat so no one could hit it again and called animal control which was closed. Laura then called the police and they sent a car. We waited for 15 minutes as drivers drove up to the cat, looked at it and gave us the dirtiest looks as they passed by. We had no idea what everyone's problem was, we were trying to help. Then we realized how it looked with our car directly in front of the wounded cat: It looked like we did it. The cop showed up and proved to be worthless in the situation. I got out, and he said, "I can't touch that thing, I'm allergic." "Me too." says me. "How about her" (pointing to my wife). "Nope, she's allergic too." "Well, I'll send a cop car and if it gets run over, it gets run over."
A guy walked over and moved the cat to the side of the road and when we came back later, it was gone, so cat saved or dead, I do not know.
If you haven't had a chance yet, head over to Partofthestory.com and read an article I posted for Michael Edwards blog. While your there, check out the What Is The Trinity and Why Does It Matter series of blogs...really cool.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Broken Cat
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Appearance
Vanity is tricky. There is a fine line between vanity and confidence. I am not an expert on the issue as I have been labeled, possibly fairly, a narcissist, conceited, and cocky. I don't see it this way, but what conceited, cocky, narcissist does? I am confident. If I were choosing teams, I would choose me. I am not proud though. Most things about myself, I dislike and I see where my sin fits in to the grand scheme of things. How does this relate to appearance?
Most issues with appearance are based on vanity issues, others are based on lust issues. I will be brief with this issue.
I don't think God cares what you look like. If he did, He would not have went to crazy John in the desert to baptize Him, He would have sought out a Pharisee. He didn't mention the way some of the women who came to Him looked in their Hollister gear. He simply did not put much stock in the way people looked.
My mom used to make me wear the dumbest things to church, things that make me cringe now to look at. A tight dress shirt and pants with a tie pinned to my shirt in the middle and suspenders. She always said that God desired our best. I am sorry mom, but I do not consider the crusty suit in the back of my closet my best. My best, I wear often because it is my best, I like it most. So when I dress for church, I wear what I wear, and possibly will be wearing my kilt soon, to shake things up a bit. I haven't worn it out in some time now.
Lust is a different issue. Men, if you are wearing your tightest leather pants to show off your blessed McNuts to the world, you possibly will cause some lust. Keep your privates private and there will not be an issue with your appearance causing people to stumble. Ladies, you know what some of you do.
As a culture, we put too much on appearance. Studies show that good looking people get more money, more jobs, and more breaks than the less that good looking people. We will ignore someone who we do not find to be attractive and follow charismatic people because of their appearance. Both, I believe Jesus would disapprove of. He may have been a pretty ugly guy.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
Most issues with appearance are based on vanity issues, others are based on lust issues. I will be brief with this issue.
I don't think God cares what you look like. If he did, He would not have went to crazy John in the desert to baptize Him, He would have sought out a Pharisee. He didn't mention the way some of the women who came to Him looked in their Hollister gear. He simply did not put much stock in the way people looked.
My mom used to make me wear the dumbest things to church, things that make me cringe now to look at. A tight dress shirt and pants with a tie pinned to my shirt in the middle and suspenders. She always said that God desired our best. I am sorry mom, but I do not consider the crusty suit in the back of my closet my best. My best, I wear often because it is my best, I like it most. So when I dress for church, I wear what I wear, and possibly will be wearing my kilt soon, to shake things up a bit. I haven't worn it out in some time now.
Lust is a different issue. Men, if you are wearing your tightest leather pants to show off your blessed McNuts to the world, you possibly will cause some lust. Keep your privates private and there will not be an issue with your appearance causing people to stumble. Ladies, you know what some of you do.
As a culture, we put too much on appearance. Studies show that good looking people get more money, more jobs, and more breaks than the less that good looking people. We will ignore someone who we do not find to be attractive and follow charismatic people because of their appearance. Both, I believe Jesus would disapprove of. He may have been a pretty ugly guy.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Music
I have a theory that music can be a determining factor for the mood you are in right now, and can change your mood, depending on the emotional impact certain songs have on you, or memories cataloged in your brain and triggered by a specific song, or smell, or whatever. So that being said, I do believe that choosing your music needs some discernment. In fact this is central to everything I am going to talk about over the next few days. Use discernment. Don't be dumb. Seek God in everything.
There is a Christian culture out there, started mainly in youth group subcultures and perpetuated by their youth pastors, that seeks to separate everything Christian from everything secular. Some take these to extremes such as having a secular cd bonfire, and others are a little more mild like hanging those cheesy posters up that tell you what Christian artist to buy if you like a particular secular artist. Kind of like a Christian designer impostor guide to music. There are a few problems with this attitude. 1. The impostors suck really bad. 2. Music cannot be Christian. I will repeat on the next line for dramatic effect.
Music cannot be Christian.
Music is barren and soulless. It has not confessed sin or been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. A G chord played by Jars of Clay is the same G chord played by Gwar. No more holy, no more inspired, no more angelic. Music is music.
Where discernment comes into play is in the lyrical content of the music. Some guys sing about joy, some pain, some everyday life, some sex, some hate. Just like anything else you allow into your body, if it poisons you personally, do away with it, not by fire though please, we are not called to be book burners. It is simple common sense that you should get rid of the things that hurt you and bring you down. But we are not to be everyone's judge of what they can or can't listen to. I enjoy listening to Tupac. After a while, I realized that listening to the violence and hatred in some of his lyrics sometimes changed my demeanor, sometimes not. I stopped listening so much. There is an obvious difference in the result of our own demeanor if we listen to David Crowder than if we listen to Tupac.
Worship music is also not Christian.
The lyrics insight worship and personal reflection and have positive results on our faith. I think this is unique to Christianity. Worship music is not trying to rip off some secular band, it is insighting reflection on God. But it cannot be Christian. Nothing mystical happens when you here it. It does not bring transformation, but is a tool of God to deepen your faith.
I say listen to the music you like unless it hurts you or is overtly blasphemous.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
There is a Christian culture out there, started mainly in youth group subcultures and perpetuated by their youth pastors, that seeks to separate everything Christian from everything secular. Some take these to extremes such as having a secular cd bonfire, and others are a little more mild like hanging those cheesy posters up that tell you what Christian artist to buy if you like a particular secular artist. Kind of like a Christian designer impostor guide to music. There are a few problems with this attitude. 1. The impostors suck really bad. 2. Music cannot be Christian. I will repeat on the next line for dramatic effect.
Music cannot be Christian.
Music is barren and soulless. It has not confessed sin or been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. A G chord played by Jars of Clay is the same G chord played by Gwar. No more holy, no more inspired, no more angelic. Music is music.
Where discernment comes into play is in the lyrical content of the music. Some guys sing about joy, some pain, some everyday life, some sex, some hate. Just like anything else you allow into your body, if it poisons you personally, do away with it, not by fire though please, we are not called to be book burners. It is simple common sense that you should get rid of the things that hurt you and bring you down. But we are not to be everyone's judge of what they can or can't listen to. I enjoy listening to Tupac. After a while, I realized that listening to the violence and hatred in some of his lyrics sometimes changed my demeanor, sometimes not. I stopped listening so much. There is an obvious difference in the result of our own demeanor if we listen to David Crowder than if we listen to Tupac.
Worship music is also not Christian.
The lyrics insight worship and personal reflection and have positive results on our faith. I think this is unique to Christianity. Worship music is not trying to rip off some secular band, it is insighting reflection on God. But it cannot be Christian. Nothing mystical happens when you here it. It does not bring transformation, but is a tool of God to deepen your faith.
I say listen to the music you like unless it hurts you or is overtly blasphemous.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Entertainment
I have been compared to the Roman empire. (Which is kinda flattering given it's dominance) (But sucks given it's evils)
I have been called a Philistine.
I have been told I may be headed to the hell, by some other youth pastors.
All because of my disdain for legalism. I will spend a few blogs explaining my views on different topics that Christian circles debate about. Before I begin, remember I am an idiot sometimes. I am not always right. I do have feelings. I do not desire pointless debates, which is why I am taking the time to explain my views now. I will keep them brief for the readers sake.
Today, I will talk about entertainment.
I think entertainment is great. Some Christians think it is sin and Jesus never would condone spending time doing something other than what your mission to the world requires. I have sympathy for this view in that there is not a whole lot of Biblical evidence for Jesus at play time. But I believe given a limited amount of space to write down the life of Jesus, what He did for enjoyment or to unwind was not important enough to note. I hardly think the God that stretched out a horses head to make a giraffe or put duck feet on a platypus was against entertainment and fun.
Some think that there should be rules and restrictions to the forms of entertainment we choose. Such as no rated R movies, no violence or sex, no secular music, no swearing etc. Surely Jesus would not be caught dead in places that had bad language or alcohol, except that He went there first. Jesus was called a drunkard and a glutton, and a friend to sinners if I recall. Jesus allowed loose women to wash His feet, hung with a zealot revolutionist, turned water into wine...good wine, and yes it was real wine with real alcohol, not some O'Doulls non alcoholic brew He cooked up to keep people from sinning. Do I think Jesus likes vulgarity? No. Do I think he shrinks away and judges those that use it? Even more no. While we have the responsibility to use discernment when choosing our entertainment, being sure to cut off the things that cause us to sin as the Bible is clear about, there are no rules as Paul notes when he says everything is permissible, but not everything beneficial. It is a matter of the heart, which gives no one the right to judge anyone by their own standards outside of what the Bible actually says. If there is a sin issue that is clearly interpreted from the Bible, approach the person and correct them in love, not in self righteousness, and don't go to the lead pastor first before you talk to the person, this is gossip and slander. On the all other things, discernment must be used, this is the job of the Holy Spirit who convicts, encourages, and restores the sinner. Righteousness and holiness is achieved through faith, not through our merits. If you burn with lust, don't watch something with situations that will fuel that issue. If you play a violent video game and it makes you beat up and steal peoples cars, don't play the game. If you are an alcoholic, don't drink even one drop of alcohol, or be around it at all.
Amputate the things that cause sin, but don't assume you are the judge of what is sin outside of clear Biblical reference. This is self-righteousness which can ruin the Christians testimony faster and more effectively than any beverage, movie, or cd you could ever listen to.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I have been called a Philistine.
I have been told I may be headed to the hell, by some other youth pastors.
All because of my disdain for legalism. I will spend a few blogs explaining my views on different topics that Christian circles debate about. Before I begin, remember I am an idiot sometimes. I am not always right. I do have feelings. I do not desire pointless debates, which is why I am taking the time to explain my views now. I will keep them brief for the readers sake.
Today, I will talk about entertainment.
I think entertainment is great. Some Christians think it is sin and Jesus never would condone spending time doing something other than what your mission to the world requires. I have sympathy for this view in that there is not a whole lot of Biblical evidence for Jesus at play time. But I believe given a limited amount of space to write down the life of Jesus, what He did for enjoyment or to unwind was not important enough to note. I hardly think the God that stretched out a horses head to make a giraffe or put duck feet on a platypus was against entertainment and fun.
Some think that there should be rules and restrictions to the forms of entertainment we choose. Such as no rated R movies, no violence or sex, no secular music, no swearing etc. Surely Jesus would not be caught dead in places that had bad language or alcohol, except that He went there first. Jesus was called a drunkard and a glutton, and a friend to sinners if I recall. Jesus allowed loose women to wash His feet, hung with a zealot revolutionist, turned water into wine...good wine, and yes it was real wine with real alcohol, not some O'Doulls non alcoholic brew He cooked up to keep people from sinning. Do I think Jesus likes vulgarity? No. Do I think he shrinks away and judges those that use it? Even more no. While we have the responsibility to use discernment when choosing our entertainment, being sure to cut off the things that cause us to sin as the Bible is clear about, there are no rules as Paul notes when he says everything is permissible, but not everything beneficial. It is a matter of the heart, which gives no one the right to judge anyone by their own standards outside of what the Bible actually says. If there is a sin issue that is clearly interpreted from the Bible, approach the person and correct them in love, not in self righteousness, and don't go to the lead pastor first before you talk to the person, this is gossip and slander. On the all other things, discernment must be used, this is the job of the Holy Spirit who convicts, encourages, and restores the sinner. Righteousness and holiness is achieved through faith, not through our merits. If you burn with lust, don't watch something with situations that will fuel that issue. If you play a violent video game and it makes you beat up and steal peoples cars, don't play the game. If you are an alcoholic, don't drink even one drop of alcohol, or be around it at all.
Amputate the things that cause sin, but don't assume you are the judge of what is sin outside of clear Biblical reference. This is self-righteousness which can ruin the Christians testimony faster and more effectively than any beverage, movie, or cd you could ever listen to.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Remember This Day
Last night in my small group, the topic of Jewish festivals came up. One of the greatest things about Judaism is their religious holidays, most of them that is, some are fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah. So many times in the Old Testament, the Jews were told by God to remember this day because...Whatever the reason, God wanted them to remember what He had done for them on that day. Why? Because we easily forget. False religions have been started and grown to enormity because someone forgot what God had done, both for them and their ancestors. So we go from Adam and Eve, the first human creations, who walked with God, to parts of the world who have never heard of the True God, to areas dominated by Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Because someone forgot to tell their kids that God cares.
Why have we stopped celebrating in Christianity? What God did for the Jews, He did for us too because it is the story of God. If God loved the Jews so much to give manna from Heaven, and pillars of light to follow, and separating of large bodies of water, He loves us enough to repeat, He did those things for us too.
My church came up with the idea of Spiritual birthday parties. At first I thought it was cheesy, at least the name is, but given some thought, shouldn't we celebrate and remember what Jesus did for you personally? I think we owe it to God to remember and celebrate, not just on Easter and Christmas that have become something different, but personally celebrate. Why don't we celebrate?
If you can't remember any actual dates, make them up and celebrate the sign posts of God in your life.
Mine are:
October 15, 1997- The day God pulled me off a set of train tracks
October 18, 1997- The day I surrendered, and was resurrected.
December 20, 2000- The day God called me to lead through servitude of the church
Make your list. Celebrate these things and never forget what God has done for you and how you have been transformed by His Spirit. Every time I think about lying down on cold train tracks hopeless and scared, and alone, I shiver. I talk non stop most days and have no problem expressing myself, but when I try to talk about what God did that day, I struggle to find words. The day my heart was broken was the best day of my life and the transformation that followed put me face first to the floor. How could I forget? God's hand personally saving me, and over the years, I have forgotten so many times just how amazing God's love is. I think we have to practice to keep our memories in tact, we have to celebrate and revisit the places God has been in our lives, at least the ones we noticed Him in.
If you feel comfortable, post your dates.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
Why have we stopped celebrating in Christianity? What God did for the Jews, He did for us too because it is the story of God. If God loved the Jews so much to give manna from Heaven, and pillars of light to follow, and separating of large bodies of water, He loves us enough to repeat, He did those things for us too.
My church came up with the idea of Spiritual birthday parties. At first I thought it was cheesy, at least the name is, but given some thought, shouldn't we celebrate and remember what Jesus did for you personally? I think we owe it to God to remember and celebrate, not just on Easter and Christmas that have become something different, but personally celebrate. Why don't we celebrate?
If you can't remember any actual dates, make them up and celebrate the sign posts of God in your life.
Mine are:
October 15, 1997- The day God pulled me off a set of train tracks
October 18, 1997- The day I surrendered, and was resurrected.
December 20, 2000- The day God called me to lead through servitude of the church
Make your list. Celebrate these things and never forget what God has done for you and how you have been transformed by His Spirit. Every time I think about lying down on cold train tracks hopeless and scared, and alone, I shiver. I talk non stop most days and have no problem expressing myself, but when I try to talk about what God did that day, I struggle to find words. The day my heart was broken was the best day of my life and the transformation that followed put me face first to the floor. How could I forget? God's hand personally saving me, and over the years, I have forgotten so many times just how amazing God's love is. I think we have to practice to keep our memories in tact, we have to celebrate and revisit the places God has been in our lives, at least the ones we noticed Him in.
If you feel comfortable, post your dates.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Kid Next Door
This little guy lives next door to us. He has come from a sorted background and we will just say, he has been forced to be raised by his extremely old grandparents. They are great, but don't really have the energy required to fulfill all of the needs of a 6 year old.
The kid is bored. All the time. So bored that he has taken to standing outside our front window as the above picture denotes, asking for Caeden to come out and play. All day long, he stands here. If Caeden tells him, he is not allowed, he tells Caeden to come anyway, and if we have anything to say about it, he will punch us in the faces, or shake us to and fro. He does bad things. He takes his grandpas trash and throws it on our lawn. When we make him remove it, we wake up the next morning to find it right back where he had thrown it, or hidden somewhere else in our yard. He tries our patience. Last month he hit Caeden in the face with a toy sword just for fun, so we banned Caeden from playing with him for 2 days. The kid came to the window and begged Caeden to forgive him for betraying him. It was cute, but frustrating.
Confession: I once last week told him I was going to call the cops if he didn't leave, because he had been out there so long shouting for Caeden. I even grabbed my phone and pretended to call as he ran away. Horrible, I know. He watches television through our front window and talks all through the show. It takes all the patience in the world for us to remind him that we like him and he is worth so much, but has got to stop doing these things.
He reminds me much of a kid I grew up next door to named Joey Drum. He used to come over every day and bang on the door asking for me, and I didn't play with him too often. He would shout through our windows for me and we would just ignore him.
My mother ran a day care and had nap time everyday which she took advantage of and slept as well. Joey Drum came over on the wrong day and she opened the door and stuck a gun in his face. Yes, a real live gun my brothers ex-father used to start races. Joey never returned to my house. I was glad. But let's just say my mom is colorful. Sorry Joey, if you ever Google your own name and see this. My mom should have never pull that gun on you.
The kid next door may drive us insane or teach us patience. Either way, I am not going to buy a handgun until the problem has resolved itself.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Divorcing The Church
I have the tendency to give up on people and things that are a source of frustration for me. One of these things that cause such frustration is the church. What you get when you mix imperfect people with the perfect Church is an imperfect church community. Being imperfect, the community makes a lot of imperfect decisions, some that just make me want to scratch my head and divorce myself from it.
But let's consider the consequences of negative actions toward your body of believers:
1. Will giving up build up or break down the church?
2. Will giving up help your hurt your own spirit?
3. Is God not in the organized church just as he is in our hearts?
4. If God is present in the organized church, is it fair to say, He governs that church, whether flawed or disobedient?
5. What comes from all negative things?
But what if, we fall in love with righteousness, and justice and realize that people are people wherever you find them in their walk with God and become contagiously involved in a furious attempt at reforming the church?
If we weren't self-righteous and arrogant, could we get some things done? I struggle constantly with cynicism about the Church, how it functions and it's downfalls. But focusing on the downfalls of anyone or anything is wrong, it is tearing down, not building up. God says:
Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I catch myself constantly ranting about how things should be, but really have no idea of how things should be or how to get there. It is far more productive for me to, with discernment, think positive, act positive, and try to build up the broken things lying around me. Much like Christ does. It will never end, just as the repairs God does in our lives never end. Accept the imperfection of people, otherwise, we will fail to see our own imperfections, and love the church as Christ does.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
But let's consider the consequences of negative actions toward your body of believers:
1. Will giving up build up or break down the church?
2. Will giving up help your hurt your own spirit?
3. Is God not in the organized church just as he is in our hearts?
4. If God is present in the organized church, is it fair to say, He governs that church, whether flawed or disobedient?
5. What comes from all negative things?
But what if, we fall in love with righteousness, and justice and realize that people are people wherever you find them in their walk with God and become contagiously involved in a furious attempt at reforming the church?
If we weren't self-righteous and arrogant, could we get some things done? I struggle constantly with cynicism about the Church, how it functions and it's downfalls. But focusing on the downfalls of anyone or anything is wrong, it is tearing down, not building up. God says:
Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I catch myself constantly ranting about how things should be, but really have no idea of how things should be or how to get there. It is far more productive for me to, with discernment, think positive, act positive, and try to build up the broken things lying around me. Much like Christ does. It will never end, just as the repairs God does in our lives never end. Accept the imperfection of people, otherwise, we will fail to see our own imperfections, and love the church as Christ does.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Reannimation
Eph. 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I used to walk around this world with this attitude that it was everyone against me. That to get anywhere, you had to fight, but I had no desire to fight. I had nothing in me. I was emptied out and dead. I just didn't know it yet. I hadn't yet been opened to the state of my being, the fact that inside, I was killed the day I emerged from the womb. The sin of the entire world had saturated me like it does every breathing individual. I guess the anger stemmed from the frustration one gets when they can't see in the dark, but are forced to walk in it. I ran into a lot of things. I fill myself with all that medicates us, going from one substance to another, from one infatuation to another on an endless search for something better. I didn't find it. I never recovered. I died more everyday.
I think that is what makes God so amazing. I was dead in my sin, and he made me alive for the first time on this earth. He gave me some light, not full out spotlights on where to go, but enough light to see in what direction He was. Sin still has it's way of dimming that light until we are perfected.
I was bitten, then reanimated. In reverse Zombie order. A zombie is a person who is alive, then bitten, then dead, then undead. I was dead, then alive. This is all that matters to me. God's power to resurrect the dead. To repair what needs to be repaired, not just what I want to be repaired.
Argue all you want about the things that don't matter about God. I will stand on the resurrecting power of Christ, which incidentally is what Paul did when he came preaching the Good News of Jesus. He spoke of what he knew. That Jesus was God: Dead, now alive, and offers life. That is what he knew. That is all I really know. I have studied the Bible diligently for the last 12 years. I have studied Greek, I have attended Christian college, I have heard most theologies and arguments. I still know only what God has done for me. The rest is great to show us more about God, but doesn't the fact that God repairs mean more than any argument or dogma?
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I used to walk around this world with this attitude that it was everyone against me. That to get anywhere, you had to fight, but I had no desire to fight. I had nothing in me. I was emptied out and dead. I just didn't know it yet. I hadn't yet been opened to the state of my being, the fact that inside, I was killed the day I emerged from the womb. The sin of the entire world had saturated me like it does every breathing individual. I guess the anger stemmed from the frustration one gets when they can't see in the dark, but are forced to walk in it. I ran into a lot of things. I fill myself with all that medicates us, going from one substance to another, from one infatuation to another on an endless search for something better. I didn't find it. I never recovered. I died more everyday.
I think that is what makes God so amazing. I was dead in my sin, and he made me alive for the first time on this earth. He gave me some light, not full out spotlights on where to go, but enough light to see in what direction He was. Sin still has it's way of dimming that light until we are perfected.
I was bitten, then reanimated. In reverse Zombie order. A zombie is a person who is alive, then bitten, then dead, then undead. I was dead, then alive. This is all that matters to me. God's power to resurrect the dead. To repair what needs to be repaired, not just what I want to be repaired.
Argue all you want about the things that don't matter about God. I will stand on the resurrecting power of Christ, which incidentally is what Paul did when he came preaching the Good News of Jesus. He spoke of what he knew. That Jesus was God: Dead, now alive, and offers life. That is what he knew. That is all I really know. I have studied the Bible diligently for the last 12 years. I have studied Greek, I have attended Christian college, I have heard most theologies and arguments. I still know only what God has done for me. The rest is great to show us more about God, but doesn't the fact that God repairs mean more than any argument or dogma?
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Chicken Still Rules
I'm not in love with Talapia. Wanted to like it, I really did. Bought some preseasoned and marinaded Talapia from Trader Joe's, which may be the best grocery store in the history of. They sell all organic and inflate the prices only slightly. I got the fish, put it on the grill, even read up on the best way to cook it. Got is off the grill and took a couple bites. I got that weird feeling you get when you are chewing on something that is not terrible in taste, but for some reason really grosses you out and you may puke if you swallow what you are chewing. My family liked it a lot, but me not so much. Such a bummer because I do not eat much red meat, mostly chicken.
Chicken soup
Chicken breast ( ;-) I said breast)
Chicken ice cream
Chicken fried rice
Chicken salad
Chicken smoothies
Chicken cake
You get the picture. Although a versatile meat, chicken can only be enjoyed so many times a day, and in so many ways.
Fish is just so trendy to like. I wish I could be trendy in that way.
Anyway for no reason at all, here is what I have eaten so far today:
2 packets of organic oat meal-Blueberry
1 tablespoon of raisins
a small turkey and roast beef sandwich w/lite ranch
1 half a cup of fresh fruit
1 half a cup of pasta salad
32 ounces of water
12 ounces of extremely unhealthy diet cola
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
Chicken soup
Chicken breast ( ;-) I said breast)
Chicken ice cream
Chicken fried rice
Chicken salad
Chicken smoothies
Chicken cake
You get the picture. Although a versatile meat, chicken can only be enjoyed so many times a day, and in so many ways.
Fish is just so trendy to like. I wish I could be trendy in that way.
Anyway for no reason at all, here is what I have eaten so far today:
2 packets of organic oat meal-Blueberry
1 tablespoon of raisins
a small turkey and roast beef sandwich w/lite ranch
1 half a cup of fresh fruit
1 half a cup of pasta salad
32 ounces of water
12 ounces of extremely unhealthy diet cola
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Still Awake
I fell asleep after a long day at 6:15 PM. I woke up at about 8 PM different. This is so annoying. :-(
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
Sing.
Migrate.
™Zombiehaven 2008. All ideas and photos are copyrighted under Zombiehaven. Anything used from this site, must have written permission.
I'm a simple person to figure out. I usually write it all down here. I try not to pretend to be anything. I am what I am and that's good enough until it's not anymore. I want my kids to remember me smiling when I'm gone. Integrity is the very basis of a good life. I love my God, my wife, my kids, my friends, and I try to love all of the rest of you.
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