As a Christian, I believe in a three in one, omnipresent, God who sent himself in the form of his son, He is God so he can do that, to show the world how much he loves his creations, aka us. This is the essence of the Bible. And as one who believes this, I'm often confronted by the cold hard reality of this world. I think you all know what I'm talking about.....if you are a Christian. Its hard for my to shallow the fact that God loves everyone in THE WORLD with such an intimate love that no one here on earth can match, however he allows rape, murder, starvation, etc... He allows these hideous acts in the most demonic variations one can imagine.
However, and not in a psychotic way, I find comfort in this fact that we worship a God who:
1) Gives us the freedom to do these things because he knows that total freedom breeds 100% love in return.
2) God loves the killers, rapist, demonic worshipers, etc... just as much as he loves you or I, along with biblical figures.
God's grace is sufficient for us all. However, the fact of evil does not trouble me as a Christian. I know that a fallen angel lives on this Earth, along with other defectors, and "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." John 10:10a (ESV). I will tell you what I have a hard time understanding.......Metally handicapped.
Follow my logic on this one.Why would God create someone who is mentally retarded. That person does not have the mentally capacity to comprehend God's grace, and the reason for sending Jesus Christ. If we believe that Jesus Christ is, "...the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (ESV), then acceptance of Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven. If you do not accept him or have the metal capacity to do that, then you are condemned to Hell. God has a reason for everything, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (ESV). Why would he create a being who can not fully comprehend Jesus's grandeur, henceforth them being condemned to Hell for all eternity? Why would God create a being who is destined for Hell?
This thought can be expanded beyond mentally handicapped. One can apply it to still born babies, or anyone who does not have the chance to accept the message of the gospel. However, I find comfort in knowing that this is not my question is answer. I can ponder, and think upon, but I know that I worship God that is in control, and has sovereignty over the universe. So, I ask you to be honest with me, as I have been honest with you and tell me what you struggle with as a Christian?
A regular 20 something who wants to discover Godly, and authentic beauty.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Beauty: Walking by Faith
"I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me"
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me"
"Walk by Faith" by Jeremy Camp
Oh how encouraging is it to say that " because this broken road prepares your will for me". We worship an awesome God, that regardless of what we go through he makes, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose" (Rom. 8:28). That is my life prayer. Saint Augustine said it best, "Love God and do what ever you want" God blesses his people tremendously, even in our toughest battles. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2). To be honest with all of you, I know my toughest battle, is to walk by faith.
So, I was completely encouraged, when I saw a movie, titled "The Book of Eli". Oh God, how you encourage me in the weirdest ways, is incredible. This movie is all about walking by faith, literally. I'm sorry if you want to watch the movie, because I'm about to spoil it for you. However, every Christian can take a page from this move. Its about a blind man, who literally walks by faith. He is given a great task to spread the gospel to a post-apocalyptic world. He is stopped by a gentleman, who knows the power in the Bible, and wants it for himself. Regardless of the insurmountable odds that are stacked against him, he still has one great and powerful God on his side. I'm guessing that you can imagine what happens next, if not rent the movie.
Eli encourages me. God blesses his people tremendously. I pray and fast for a renewing of my mind, and relationship with God. That he blesses me with strength to carry the gospel to a dark, and cruel world. "Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle." (Psa 43:3). Oh Lord, grant your people the boldness of Eli, that even if we do not have capability to see, hear, feel, speak, etc... that we just follow your truth, and light. Let them lead us threw trials and tribulations. That no matter the odds that are against us, we will stand fast, because we worship a MASSIVE God. Who has everything in the universe to careful, however loved us enough to sacrifice not only his son, Jesus who was/is/will be part of the holy trinity. God sacrificed himself in human form, for us! All you ask in return is that we walk by faith. Unadulterated, earth shaking, mountain moving faith. Enough faith that even if we lose our sight, we can stand fast against aggressors and, SURVIVE!
-Amen.
........for we walk by faith, not by sight -2nd Cor 5:7
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Beauty: Simplicity
Ever since I can remember I have always had a adolescence fascination with the ancient Japanese culture of the Samurai. I have a collection of books focused on Samurai's thought process, culture rituals, and essentially the "Way of the Samurai". I never really looked back and understood what I found so fascinating about this culture. Yes, they were great warriors, a attribute which I find quite appealing. Along with being great artists, men loaded with wisdom, along with many other attributes which I found appealing. However, even with these great attributes, there was something else I was fascinated with Samurai. After thinking about it I think I found it. What I was so fascinated with, was the Samurai's focus, their discipline. They dedicated every waking moment for the perfection of their craft. Let me explain......
Samurai literally means "to serve", and according to Hagakure, "The way of the Samurai is found in death". Samurais dedicated their live to the mastery of their craft. They honor their craft and found life in it, and at the moment their life's work was stained or dishonored, they could not bear the shame of it. So they commit a form of suicide. Do you see the discipline in this? They lived there live focused on one thing and one thing only. They disciplined themselves to live Simplicity to achieve something beyond themselves. They were willing to give up their lives because their simplicity has just become stained, blemished. We as Christians are called to give up our lives to achieve something greater then ourselves, something Godly.
It amazes my how God has wrote the redemption story on the hearts of all men since the beginning of time. Hagakure says it all, "The way of the Samurai is found in death". Additionally the way of a Christian is found in death. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." -Luke 9:24 KJV. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.- Matthew 10:39 KJV. Just as Samurais did, Christians should dedicate every waking moment for the mastery of glory to God. We should live radically abandoned to the pursuit of Jesus Christ, that we would gladly give up our lives for it. The way of the Christian is found in death. We as Christians should live our lives as one minded people. And our one mind is become radically abandoned to Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. True life will be found in Simplicity.
Samurai literally means "to serve", and according to Hagakure, "The way of the Samurai is found in death". Samurais dedicated their live to the mastery of their craft. They honor their craft and found life in it, and at the moment their life's work was stained or dishonored, they could not bear the shame of it. So they commit a form of suicide. Do you see the discipline in this? They lived there live focused on one thing and one thing only. They disciplined themselves to live Simplicity to achieve something beyond themselves. They were willing to give up their lives because their simplicity has just become stained, blemished. We as Christians are called to give up our lives to achieve something greater then ourselves, something Godly.
It amazes my how God has wrote the redemption story on the hearts of all men since the beginning of time. Hagakure says it all, "The way of the Samurai is found in death". Additionally the way of a Christian is found in death. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." -Luke 9:24 KJV. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.- Matthew 10:39 KJV. Just as Samurais did, Christians should dedicate every waking moment for the mastery of glory to God. We should live radically abandoned to the pursuit of Jesus Christ, that we would gladly give up our lives for it. The way of the Christian is found in death. We as Christians should live our lives as one minded people. And our one mind is become radically abandoned to Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. True life will be found in Simplicity.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Embrace Beauty
One of my heroes is a man I have never and will never meet, well at least not in this world. This gentleman was a man of God, and has touched my life with just his words. I strive to live like he did. If I get even close to this walk I strive for, I will die a fulfilled life. Yes, this gentleman can be manifested and is manifested in Jesus Christ, however this is not the gentleman I referring. The gentleman I am referring to is Mr. Kyle Lake. If you know who Kyle Lake is already hold tight and I will come back in a min. For those of you who do not know who Kyle Lake is I will tell you his story.
Kyle Lake was a native of Tyler,Texas, but I won't hold that against him. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High. Soon after he attended and graduated from Baylor University. Kyle followed with a Master's of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. After which he became a pastor at University Baptist Church in Waco,Texas. He remained there until his death on October 30, 2005. Kyle was preparing for a baptism service that morning, and as he stepped into the baptismal, he adjusted his microphone which accidentally made contact with the water and, electrocuted Kyle in front of congregation of 800. Doctors in the congregation rushed to the aid of Kyle, however Kyle was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center at 11:30 am. Kyle was survived by his wife Jenifer, and their daughter and twin boys.
God has a way to show his light, glory, and power even through tragedy. Sitting on the podium was Kyle's sermon that he planned to preach, later that day. This sermon was read during his funereal. Here is a excerpt from this sermon:
"Live. And Live Well.
BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now.
On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.
Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.
If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.
At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift."
WOW!!!!! when I read that the first time I wanted that urge, and hunger for life. This is what I loved about Kyle Lake. He did not waste life, he embraced it. Life is messy, and for most of us we want to close ourselves off to the world, and live in our own little planet. On this planet everything is fits our wants and desires. However, Kyle saw life as a God given gift, which is most certainly is, in all seriousness of the word. It is only by God's grace that we have the air in our lungs at this very second. Every time we awake in the morning, is just another way God shows his love for us. That's way Kyle Lake is my hero. He fully grasped that every day is a gift, so live it like so.
Which is why I named my blog, this tool for my ministry, "Beauty Authenticated". I strive, and search for the true beauty every day the Lord allows me to live in it. I have several hurdles I need to jump over to full achieve that desire. I hope that Lord allows me to live long enough to do so, but I know I have a finite number of days on this planet. Just today, 1/13/11, my girlfriend Heather pointed out that I shut myself off, emotionally. Which is probably why I do not have a best friend. I'm just not good at that aspect of my life. However, for me to truly understand authenticated beauty, I have to open myself up to the emotional side of life. I ask for her favor and patience on this subject. Heather is so good at emotion, which is one of the many things I love her for. We make a great team. I learn emotion from her, she receives logic from me. She is such a blessing in my life, and I hope it last for a long time.
In closing, Kyle Lake always closed his sermons in a benediction of, "Love God, Embrace Beauty, and Live Life to the Fullest" I love this phrase. I need to hear it over and over and over again. Its such a call to enjoy every ounce, every second, every aspect of life. So, I hope you all have a better understanding of what I want in my walk with Jesus Christ. Fell free to comment, disagree, agree, or just shoot the smoke. So, in the tradition of Kyle Lake,
Kyle Lake was a native of Tyler,Texas, but I won't hold that against him. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High. Soon after he attended and graduated from Baylor University. Kyle followed with a Master's of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. After which he became a pastor at University Baptist Church in Waco,Texas. He remained there until his death on October 30, 2005. Kyle was preparing for a baptism service that morning, and as he stepped into the baptismal, he adjusted his microphone which accidentally made contact with the water and, electrocuted Kyle in front of congregation of 800. Doctors in the congregation rushed to the aid of Kyle, however Kyle was pronounced dead at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center at 11:30 am. Kyle was survived by his wife Jenifer, and their daughter and twin boys.
God has a way to show his light, glory, and power even through tragedy. Sitting on the podium was Kyle's sermon that he planned to preach, later that day. This sermon was read during his funereal. Here is a excerpt from this sermon:
"Live. And Live Well.
BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now.
On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.
Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.
If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.
At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift."
WOW!!!!! when I read that the first time I wanted that urge, and hunger for life. This is what I loved about Kyle Lake. He did not waste life, he embraced it. Life is messy, and for most of us we want to close ourselves off to the world, and live in our own little planet. On this planet everything is fits our wants and desires. However, Kyle saw life as a God given gift, which is most certainly is, in all seriousness of the word. It is only by God's grace that we have the air in our lungs at this very second. Every time we awake in the morning, is just another way God shows his love for us. That's way Kyle Lake is my hero. He fully grasped that every day is a gift, so live it like so.
Which is why I named my blog, this tool for my ministry, "Beauty Authenticated". I strive, and search for the true beauty every day the Lord allows me to live in it. I have several hurdles I need to jump over to full achieve that desire. I hope that Lord allows me to live long enough to do so, but I know I have a finite number of days on this planet. Just today, 1/13/11, my girlfriend Heather pointed out that I shut myself off, emotionally. Which is probably why I do not have a best friend. I'm just not good at that aspect of my life. However, for me to truly understand authenticated beauty, I have to open myself up to the emotional side of life. I ask for her favor and patience on this subject. Heather is so good at emotion, which is one of the many things I love her for. We make a great team. I learn emotion from her, she receives logic from me. She is such a blessing in my life, and I hope it last for a long time.
In closing, Kyle Lake always closed his sermons in a benediction of, "Love God, Embrace Beauty, and Live Life to the Fullest" I love this phrase. I need to hear it over and over and over again. Its such a call to enjoy every ounce, every second, every aspect of life. So, I hope you all have a better understanding of what I want in my walk with Jesus Christ. Fell free to comment, disagree, agree, or just shoot the smoke. So, in the tradition of Kyle Lake,
Love God, Embrace Beauty, and Live Life to the Fullest
-The Nashvillian
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Beauty: Masculinity
If you know me personally, meaning if I'm not just some words on a computer, you know or at least heard something about my trip to Kansas City for New Years. I drove 9 hours to be apart of an amazing time of prayer, worship, and teaching. This event was held by the International House Of Prayer, and they called it "onething". 29,000+ attended this event, and probably millions more streamed it over the internet. I would love to take more about my experiences there, but I have to stay on track. However, the reason I bring "onething" up is because of what I heard there.
Corey Russell, is on the Senior Leadership Team at IHOP, kicked off "onething" with a message named "Declaration of Dependence" (Video: http://bit.ly/hL4tRM). The message was powerful, and I think the best message out of the four days. What I took away from this message was a unprecedented rising up of this generation must and will occur. However, the Devil has placed several destructive stumbling blocks for this generation. These include materialism, selfishness, idleness, etc... Once again, I would love to keep going on this awesome message, but watch the video because Corey Russell explains it better then I can.
As I strive for authentication in my life, I must start to things I know as FACTS! One of those facts is that I am a male. I bring this us because I feel Godly urge in what Russell said that we live in a world of " extended adolescence". Children strive to obtain adulthood, however somewhere in the middle we settle for the middle ground. I fell this is because of the absence of true masculinity. If we look at the society's view of masculinity we see a dumb down, weak, feminine and passive men. GOD has step up men, husbands to become head of the household. (Eph. 5:24). If a revival is on the verge, then We, MEN!!!! need to wake up and step up to the plate, and be men; become the head of the household, and head of the church. Find beauty in masculinity.
AHH!!!!! Men step out of artificiality, and into authenticity. Get out of the "I will's" and step into the "I did". Take your proper role as a male. God has placed tons of responsibility into the male gender, and it must start with us. However, we must first submit ourselves to the husband of all, Jesus. The Bible describes the church, in the book of Revelation, as the bride of Christ. We must learn from him on how to become a true man.
My brain is so scattered right now, I want to go into 1,000 different directions all at once. I wish I can explain the vital roll of the male. Satan knows this so, he attacks the masculinity image. Let me tell you something he has overwhelming became the victor. Men must become men of knowledge,valor,honor but, at last show humbleness. I'm working at it myself, I'm speaking to the choir. However, God has filled my soul with the spirit of a mighty warrior, a true masculine spirit. A spirit that will fight to capture the won that he loves. One that battles day in and day out. A restless spirit who will not settle for mediocrity but, strive for greatness.
-The Nashvillian
Corey Russell, is on the Senior Leadership Team at IHOP, kicked off "onething" with a message named "Declaration of Dependence" (Video: http://bit.ly/hL4tRM). The message was powerful, and I think the best message out of the four days. What I took away from this message was a unprecedented rising up of this generation must and will occur. However, the Devil has placed several destructive stumbling blocks for this generation. These include materialism, selfishness, idleness, etc... Once again, I would love to keep going on this awesome message, but watch the video because Corey Russell explains it better then I can.
As I strive for authentication in my life, I must start to things I know as FACTS! One of those facts is that I am a male. I bring this us because I feel Godly urge in what Russell said that we live in a world of " extended adolescence". Children strive to obtain adulthood, however somewhere in the middle we settle for the middle ground. I fell this is because of the absence of true masculinity. If we look at the society's view of masculinity we see a dumb down, weak, feminine and passive men. GOD has step up men, husbands to become head of the household. (Eph. 5:24). If a revival is on the verge, then We, MEN!!!! need to wake up and step up to the plate, and be men; become the head of the household, and head of the church. Find beauty in masculinity.
AHH!!!!! Men step out of artificiality, and into authenticity. Get out of the "I will's" and step into the "I did". Take your proper role as a male. God has placed tons of responsibility into the male gender, and it must start with us. However, we must first submit ourselves to the husband of all, Jesus. The Bible describes the church, in the book of Revelation, as the bride of Christ. We must learn from him on how to become a true man.
My brain is so scattered right now, I want to go into 1,000 different directions all at once. I wish I can explain the vital roll of the male. Satan knows this so, he attacks the masculinity image. Let me tell you something he has overwhelming became the victor. Men must become men of knowledge,valor,honor but, at last show humbleness. I'm working at it myself, I'm speaking to the choir. However, God has filled my soul with the spirit of a mighty warrior, a true masculine spirit. A spirit that will fight to capture the won that he loves. One that battles day in and day out. A restless spirit who will not settle for mediocrity but, strive for greatness.
-The Nashvillian
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Beauty Authenticated
Hello,
Due to the time elapsed, I would like to re-launch, and re-introduce myself. As I grow as a Christian, and read more into the daily application of this walk, and not alone I might add, I come to the realization that I'm tired of the invalidating, and contradicting Americanized Christianity. America has come to a point of artificiality. We eat, drink, and enjoy artificiality. When it comes authentication, Americans has pushed it away. We want the easy, nice, orderly, etc... and authentication is messy, ugly, and chaos. Let me illustrate this for you. I would say that most Americans would prefer driving in their car, then to walk outside in the regardless of weather. We drive to some fast food place to buy a burger and fries, even if we have the ingredients in our fridges. We return in our cars to our nice, warm houses to recline in our large comfortable chairs to watch some artificial television show.
We live in our artificial little worlds, and American's find this acceptable. Well, the reason for this re-launch is to allow me to have a instrument in this experiment of Authentication. I want to pull the veil of Americanism off my head, and strive for Godly authentication. I want to experience the fullness of the life God planned originally when God created Adam and Eve. This urge of mine is all consuming fire. This urge is a God given urge. I want authentication not for my own knowledge, but for the knowledge of God. I want to encounter him more, and more. I know that God is not in the nice, neat, and orderly category. HE IS GOD!!!! he makes up is own category. God did not make us for the orderly. According to Genesis, "The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed" (Gen 2:8) God placed us into the nice and neat, so we can better understand his grace but, after the fall of man, we returned to the world. Adam and Eve became comfortable in the garden. So, God cast them out to obtain to authentication of his love once more.
What I said might not have made sense, and its not my goal for it to become clear and defined right now. It probably never will become clear, and consist of orderly thought. But, if you just hold on to what I have to say, you might at lest understand. Much like our Christian walk, We don't know where God is leading us to, we don't know if it will be pain or pleasure involved, but what we do know is that we have faith that GOD IS GOD!!!!!! So, as I pour our my soul and my thoughts onto this blog, which trust me is messier, then Jersey Shore, I ask you to open up and become involved in my experiment. Let us not grow comfortable in our couches watching artificial television, while we eat out processed food, let us engaged in one of the greatest creations by God, Authentication.
Due to the time elapsed, I would like to re-launch, and re-introduce myself. As I grow as a Christian, and read more into the daily application of this walk, and not alone I might add, I come to the realization that I'm tired of the invalidating, and contradicting Americanized Christianity. America has come to a point of artificiality. We eat, drink, and enjoy artificiality. When it comes authentication, Americans has pushed it away. We want the easy, nice, orderly, etc... and authentication is messy, ugly, and chaos. Let me illustrate this for you. I would say that most Americans would prefer driving in their car, then to walk outside in the regardless of weather. We drive to some fast food place to buy a burger and fries, even if we have the ingredients in our fridges. We return in our cars to our nice, warm houses to recline in our large comfortable chairs to watch some artificial television show.
We live in our artificial little worlds, and American's find this acceptable. Well, the reason for this re-launch is to allow me to have a instrument in this experiment of Authentication. I want to pull the veil of Americanism off my head, and strive for Godly authentication. I want to experience the fullness of the life God planned originally when God created Adam and Eve. This urge of mine is all consuming fire. This urge is a God given urge. I want authentication not for my own knowledge, but for the knowledge of God. I want to encounter him more, and more. I know that God is not in the nice, neat, and orderly category. HE IS GOD!!!! he makes up is own category. God did not make us for the orderly. According to Genesis, "The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed" (Gen 2:8) God placed us into the nice and neat, so we can better understand his grace but, after the fall of man, we returned to the world. Adam and Eve became comfortable in the garden. So, God cast them out to obtain to authentication of his love once more.
What I said might not have made sense, and its not my goal for it to become clear and defined right now. It probably never will become clear, and consist of orderly thought. But, if you just hold on to what I have to say, you might at lest understand. Much like our Christian walk, We don't know where God is leading us to, we don't know if it will be pain or pleasure involved, but what we do know is that we have faith that GOD IS GOD!!!!!! So, as I pour our my soul and my thoughts onto this blog, which trust me is messier, then Jersey Shore, I ask you to open up and become involved in my experiment. Let us not grow comfortable in our couches watching artificial television, while we eat out processed food, let us engaged in one of the greatest creations by God, Authentication.
Monday, August 30, 2010
You have to be broken before, God can build you up.
Hello to all my readers out there,
I know I said that I would do a study on Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and, in due time I will, I promise. However, since then A LOT of things have happened in my life since then that shook, turned, and flipped my life and, it has left me totally broken. I'm not perfect, neither do I want to be, however I strive for it. I know the Jesus was, is, and will always be the only perfect human to have, is, and will ever walk this wonderful place called Earth. I have made mistakes, just like everyone has. I crossed lines I never should have crossed. I have stray away from the path.
Lets just start with it.....For those who do not know I moved back to Music City USA, good ol' Nashville,TN. I'll be truly honest here, I moved down to Florida for the wrong reasons. I moved down there for a girl......Yes, I moved for love and, moved in with her. Well, through the months I was down there, I paid for pretty much everything. I paid for all the times we went out for dinner, she wanted to attend a friends wedding in Mississippi, I paid for the plane ticket. She needed new tires, so guess what else I paid for.....You guessed it. Since, I was living with her, I paid for half of the utilities, on top of my own bills. So, needless to say, the money eventually ran dry, and once that happen, I was blindsided when she became upset, broke up with me and kicked me out. So, thats how I found my way back to Nashville.
Well, this experience of mine, has left me heart broken and literally broke financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Through my long trip home, I thought to myself, "How did I wind up like this?". I always thought I had a good head on my shoulders and, I did not think that anything of this sorts will ever come close to me. God, in all of his grace and glory, has his way in the end. I try to look at it in the positive light, even though the negative keeps showing its ugly head. For God to truly work in your life, you must be broken, and when I say broken, I'm not talking about chips in the armor, I'm talking about completely broken. On the floor, face down, just asking him to build you back up to what he has planned in your life. Because only a maker knows the true aspect of his creation.
Its a struggle everyday, cause I was so comfortable with her, I can truly say I was in love with her but, now I have nothing, literally nothing to show for it. However, God has his ways to comfort me enough to get over it. My community group, Stretch, had a series of services a while back, dealing with being a Christian and, single. Our group leader Wes, said, and this is a paraphrase, Our relationship with God should be so sufficient that, we really do not need any other. God, being so loving, and kind, created a man-woman relationship to show us a small picture of how his great his love is for all of us. That is something I truly struggle with, everyday, allowing God to be that sufficient. I bought into society's view of relationships. How the Guy and Girl fall in love and they complete each other. Please do not get me wrong, thats great, and one day I hope to find a godly woman that would eventually become my wife, but she will not complete me. God completes me, she will just complement me and, I her.
I just realized how long this is, and I will hopefully add some more insight to you guys later. I would like to thank you guys for reading, and allowing me to get some weight off my heart. I appreciate your time. I just hope that you guys take something from this. Be sure to comment, and what not........And as always may God bless......
I know I said that I would do a study on Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and, in due time I will, I promise. However, since then A LOT of things have happened in my life since then that shook, turned, and flipped my life and, it has left me totally broken. I'm not perfect, neither do I want to be, however I strive for it. I know the Jesus was, is, and will always be the only perfect human to have, is, and will ever walk this wonderful place called Earth. I have made mistakes, just like everyone has. I crossed lines I never should have crossed. I have stray away from the path.
Lets just start with it.....For those who do not know I moved back to Music City USA, good ol' Nashville,TN. I'll be truly honest here, I moved down to Florida for the wrong reasons. I moved down there for a girl......Yes, I moved for love and, moved in with her. Well, through the months I was down there, I paid for pretty much everything. I paid for all the times we went out for dinner, she wanted to attend a friends wedding in Mississippi, I paid for the plane ticket. She needed new tires, so guess what else I paid for.....You guessed it. Since, I was living with her, I paid for half of the utilities, on top of my own bills. So, needless to say, the money eventually ran dry, and once that happen, I was blindsided when she became upset, broke up with me and kicked me out. So, thats how I found my way back to Nashville.
Well, this experience of mine, has left me heart broken and literally broke financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Through my long trip home, I thought to myself, "How did I wind up like this?". I always thought I had a good head on my shoulders and, I did not think that anything of this sorts will ever come close to me. God, in all of his grace and glory, has his way in the end. I try to look at it in the positive light, even though the negative keeps showing its ugly head. For God to truly work in your life, you must be broken, and when I say broken, I'm not talking about chips in the armor, I'm talking about completely broken. On the floor, face down, just asking him to build you back up to what he has planned in your life. Because only a maker knows the true aspect of his creation.
Its a struggle everyday, cause I was so comfortable with her, I can truly say I was in love with her but, now I have nothing, literally nothing to show for it. However, God has his ways to comfort me enough to get over it. My community group, Stretch, had a series of services a while back, dealing with being a Christian and, single. Our group leader Wes, said, and this is a paraphrase, Our relationship with God should be so sufficient that, we really do not need any other. God, being so loving, and kind, created a man-woman relationship to show us a small picture of how his great his love is for all of us. That is something I truly struggle with, everyday, allowing God to be that sufficient. I bought into society's view of relationships. How the Guy and Girl fall in love and they complete each other. Please do not get me wrong, thats great, and one day I hope to find a godly woman that would eventually become my wife, but she will not complete me. God completes me, she will just complement me and, I her.
I just realized how long this is, and I will hopefully add some more insight to you guys later. I would like to thank you guys for reading, and allowing me to get some weight off my heart. I appreciate your time. I just hope that you guys take something from this. Be sure to comment, and what not........And as always may God bless......
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor 10:13
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