Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. Every year we gather around a table with our families and sometimes friends for a time of food, football, and fellowship. We term the holiday Thanksgiving, but what are we really thankful for? At the table each year we have a huge turkey, tons and tons of different nick nacks in the form of sweet potato pie, dressing, and all the other mouth watering delicacies. My family always takes a run around the table, discussing one thing that we are thankful for, and mockingly we give my mother a hard time about it. It has annoyed me, I will be honest, but why? Don't I have so much to be thankful for? So this one's for everyone I need to thank. There may be mundane things, but sometimes they may mean the most.
First off, all thanks has to be given to Jesus. Let's get real here for a quick second, without Him there would be nothing to be thankful for. Every day I take advantage of His grace and love, and every new day He's there with arms open wide welcoming me home to be loved even more! There's a word for that: AMAZING! I know we all come to this point but lately I've really been in awe of Jesus. Trust me, I have failed lately at my relationship. But every time I think of Jesus, all I can think of is love, sacrifice, and an overwhelming sense of peace.
Next goes out to my friends. There are times I'm an awful friend. Period. I can be selfish, abrasive, and idiotic. But no matter how I act, I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Ryan Black, Jake Omey, Brad Green, Jordan Reilly, Andy Adams, Caleb Moore, just to name a few. Always there, always keeping me on my feet and in line, always looking out, and always keeping it light! Thank you guys for being such great friends!
Next and last I have to thank my family. I have the greatest family in the world. You can argue, but you will lose! My dad is the greatest guy that I know. He works harder than anyone I've witnessed, and never gives up. Always there to give advice, and show that he cares, he is a source of great encouragement to me. I get to serve with him at church starting in two weeks, and I cannot wait, very humble and thankful! My mom is next, and she is sweet. Goofy at times, but who isn't? She works super hard and has the biggest heart of anyone I know! They have raised us as best they could, and I cannot express how thankful I am for them!
One of the biggest things I'm so thankful for are the little things in life. My brother Jordan said at a testimony time Wednesday night that we are blessed with so much. He went on a missions trip to the Dominican and told a story of a girl who was thankful for a piece of paper to write the alphabet on. At this point in time, we are making list for gifts, which is fine, but are we thankful?
This is a quick little thank you from life. Look around and see the little moments, the little insignificant things around and just smile saying THANKS!!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Real Men, Please stand up?
So you think you’re a man?
The tone of this will be harsh, because men need to be dealt with harshly. This is something that I desire to see change the most. We need good, sharp, God-fearing men, something that is a rarity. I speak from a heart of concern, a heart of love, a heart that longs to see lives transformed and men stand up for what’s right. My prayer is that God will work on the lives of those that read this. I speak harshly because I know no other way to say this, but it is from a heart of compassion and love.
Today’s “man” is a joke. That term is used loosely by the way. It seems that more often guys are becoming bigger and bigger idiots. We have fallen down a slippery slope, and unless things change we’re in for some big problems. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the story of creation. After six days of creation, God made His most intimate creation, man. He did not create the woman first, but the man, giving the example that men are to be LEADERS. A concept lost on most “men” today because we have sinned and are fallen (Genesis 3). To redeem manhood and to love and lead women we should keep in mind what has been said numerous times in wedding ceremonies:
“the woman was not taken from the head of the man, so that she could rule over him; nor was she taken from his foot, so that he could walk all over her, but she was taken from his side, next to his heart, so she could be loved and cared for by him.”
There are three types of guys in today’s world. Two of them are complete losers and one is truly a man. There is no assumption that this is completely dogmatic, just merely characteristics. One could be a combination of the first two, but there are dominate characteristics that will define every male as a coward, child, or cowboy.
The coward is the biggest wimp of all. He usually is a pretty nice guy, can be caring, but will not speak up, will shy away from confrontation and doesn’t know how to lead a woman in a loving God-honoring relationship. And, thus fails in his God-given responsibility. Usually he’s the one wearing the skirt, she wears the pants. This is the guy that can’t or doesn’t talk to girls. If he does become interested, he wouldn’t know how to approach a women and instead will go through a friend. Coward! At the core of this guys problems is insecurity. His insecurity surfaces in one of two ways; a complete disconnect or abusive chauvinism.
The complete disconnect pins this guy down in his room, or strictly to his guy friends. There is no social life, or if there is one its completely awkward. He knows more about computers and the current t.v. shows than women. Put in a room full of good women he’d have a mental breakdown and severe panic attack. This culmination of insecurity is really crippling and will not allow one to live a full and abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10.10). If this is you there is hope, just keep reading!
The next aspect of the coward, the complete opposite of the shut in is the abusive chauvinist. These guys are disgusting. They intimidate, scold, hit, and abuse women, because they aren’t man enough to deal with their own insecurities. In a fight a woman doesn’t stand a chance, but these men pick on them, because its the only battle they’re “man” enough to fight. Hitting and/or intimidating a woman, what a coward! These men dishonor, break down, disrespect and disregard God’s daughters, just so they can feel better about themselves. If this is you, there’s hope, and you need help, keep reading.
The next dude is the biggest loser of all. This is the child, little boy or any other synonym you would like to insert. These guys are the biggest joke and sorry excuse for what they think is a man. These little boys can be anywhere from 20 to 60+ years old and still be in the adolescent phase of life. There’s no excuse for these type of guys, and they sicken me. They are a good time, but a joke of a life. They have a belt loop notched a mile long, but don’t have any clue as to what a true man is. Their idea of a “manly man” is someone who has slept with everything that moves, who can drink the most beer, and has reached the highest level on Call of Duty. These little boys think that marriage will make them a man, but to quote a respected preacher, Mark Driscoll, “they marry to be men, but what happens is they end up ruining good women.”
These guys are complete idiots. They have a mommy complex and end up with women that will care for them, not women that want to be led by them. That’s on the girl as much as the guy, but Paul wrote this this to Timothy, “but if anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5.8). These guys are a complete joke, a complete disgrace and a waste of time for any girl. If you’re this guy, its time to put on your big boy pants and grow up, there’s still hope. Keep reading.
Lastly we come to the actual men, the cowboys. When you think of a cowboy you think of a John Wayne type man. I’m not talking bad boy, black hatted cowboy, I’m talking about the good guy, the white hat, knight in shinning armor cowboy. These guys don’t waste their time with “little boy things”, they are men. They don’t live with their parents, they have a job, a bible, and know how to treat a woman. It is all about respect with these guys. Nothing is about them, they live to serve, live to love, and live like Jesus. When it comes time to fight for what’s right, they man the front line, without backing down. When a girl he cares about needs him, he’s there for her, not with his friends, she matters because he loves her and is not afraid of that. His shoulder is there if she needs it, his hands are there to protect, and his goal is her purity. He doesn’t need to sleep with her, he doesn’t need to disrespect her, he loves her cares for her, and worries about her best interest over his selfish gratification.
This is a real man. He provides, protects, and purposes in his heart to maintain her purity. This guy takes the reins and leads a loving God-honoring relationship, drawing her and him closer to Christ. This is the type of guy you want you sons to grow up like, and daughters to marry. We need more men like this.
So where do we go from here? You are one of these three guys. The first two, cannot live fulfilled. They are empty shells of a life. Sure the child seems to have a good time, but what do you have to show for a good time? Nothing. The goal is to leave a good legacy, not just have a good time, and neither of the first two can do that. Only real men strive to impact generations to come, not just have a good time for what feels good now. True men cannot live for themselves, there’s no selfishness, but this is how the child and coward live, completely selfish, its all about them.
So is all hope lost if you’re a coward or child? NO!! The hope always has been and always will be Jesus. Jesus died to forgive you of those sins, and allow you to live a life after his example, as a real man! You’re actions as a coward or child are sinful, and Jesus humbly gave up his life to forgive you of that sin. What it takes is for you to man up, repent, and live for Jesus. Live to love, live to serve, live to protect, live for a legacy. Because this life is meaningless if its all about you. When you have Jesus there’s something to live for. It’s time little boys and cowards stepped up to the plate of manhood, and swing for the fences.
The tone of this will be harsh, because men need to be dealt with harshly. This is something that I desire to see change the most. We need good, sharp, God-fearing men, something that is a rarity. I speak from a heart of concern, a heart of love, a heart that longs to see lives transformed and men stand up for what’s right. My prayer is that God will work on the lives of those that read this. I speak harshly because I know no other way to say this, but it is from a heart of compassion and love.
Today’s “man” is a joke. That term is used loosely by the way. It seems that more often guys are becoming bigger and bigger idiots. We have fallen down a slippery slope, and unless things change we’re in for some big problems. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the story of creation. After six days of creation, God made His most intimate creation, man. He did not create the woman first, but the man, giving the example that men are to be LEADERS. A concept lost on most “men” today because we have sinned and are fallen (Genesis 3). To redeem manhood and to love and lead women we should keep in mind what has been said numerous times in wedding ceremonies:
“the woman was not taken from the head of the man, so that she could rule over him; nor was she taken from his foot, so that he could walk all over her, but she was taken from his side, next to his heart, so she could be loved and cared for by him.”
There are three types of guys in today’s world. Two of them are complete losers and one is truly a man. There is no assumption that this is completely dogmatic, just merely characteristics. One could be a combination of the first two, but there are dominate characteristics that will define every male as a coward, child, or cowboy.
The coward is the biggest wimp of all. He usually is a pretty nice guy, can be caring, but will not speak up, will shy away from confrontation and doesn’t know how to lead a woman in a loving God-honoring relationship. And, thus fails in his God-given responsibility. Usually he’s the one wearing the skirt, she wears the pants. This is the guy that can’t or doesn’t talk to girls. If he does become interested, he wouldn’t know how to approach a women and instead will go through a friend. Coward! At the core of this guys problems is insecurity. His insecurity surfaces in one of two ways; a complete disconnect or abusive chauvinism.
The complete disconnect pins this guy down in his room, or strictly to his guy friends. There is no social life, or if there is one its completely awkward. He knows more about computers and the current t.v. shows than women. Put in a room full of good women he’d have a mental breakdown and severe panic attack. This culmination of insecurity is really crippling and will not allow one to live a full and abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10.10). If this is you there is hope, just keep reading!
The next aspect of the coward, the complete opposite of the shut in is the abusive chauvinist. These guys are disgusting. They intimidate, scold, hit, and abuse women, because they aren’t man enough to deal with their own insecurities. In a fight a woman doesn’t stand a chance, but these men pick on them, because its the only battle they’re “man” enough to fight. Hitting and/or intimidating a woman, what a coward! These men dishonor, break down, disrespect and disregard God’s daughters, just so they can feel better about themselves. If this is you, there’s hope, and you need help, keep reading.
The next dude is the biggest loser of all. This is the child, little boy or any other synonym you would like to insert. These guys are the biggest joke and sorry excuse for what they think is a man. These little boys can be anywhere from 20 to 60+ years old and still be in the adolescent phase of life. There’s no excuse for these type of guys, and they sicken me. They are a good time, but a joke of a life. They have a belt loop notched a mile long, but don’t have any clue as to what a true man is. Their idea of a “manly man” is someone who has slept with everything that moves, who can drink the most beer, and has reached the highest level on Call of Duty. These little boys think that marriage will make them a man, but to quote a respected preacher, Mark Driscoll, “they marry to be men, but what happens is they end up ruining good women.”
These guys are complete idiots. They have a mommy complex and end up with women that will care for them, not women that want to be led by them. That’s on the girl as much as the guy, but Paul wrote this this to Timothy, “but if anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5.8). These guys are a complete joke, a complete disgrace and a waste of time for any girl. If you’re this guy, its time to put on your big boy pants and grow up, there’s still hope. Keep reading.
Lastly we come to the actual men, the cowboys. When you think of a cowboy you think of a John Wayne type man. I’m not talking bad boy, black hatted cowboy, I’m talking about the good guy, the white hat, knight in shinning armor cowboy. These guys don’t waste their time with “little boy things”, they are men. They don’t live with their parents, they have a job, a bible, and know how to treat a woman. It is all about respect with these guys. Nothing is about them, they live to serve, live to love, and live like Jesus. When it comes time to fight for what’s right, they man the front line, without backing down. When a girl he cares about needs him, he’s there for her, not with his friends, she matters because he loves her and is not afraid of that. His shoulder is there if she needs it, his hands are there to protect, and his goal is her purity. He doesn’t need to sleep with her, he doesn’t need to disrespect her, he loves her cares for her, and worries about her best interest over his selfish gratification.
This is a real man. He provides, protects, and purposes in his heart to maintain her purity. This guy takes the reins and leads a loving God-honoring relationship, drawing her and him closer to Christ. This is the type of guy you want you sons to grow up like, and daughters to marry. We need more men like this.
So where do we go from here? You are one of these three guys. The first two, cannot live fulfilled. They are empty shells of a life. Sure the child seems to have a good time, but what do you have to show for a good time? Nothing. The goal is to leave a good legacy, not just have a good time, and neither of the first two can do that. Only real men strive to impact generations to come, not just have a good time for what feels good now. True men cannot live for themselves, there’s no selfishness, but this is how the child and coward live, completely selfish, its all about them.
So is all hope lost if you’re a coward or child? NO!! The hope always has been and always will be Jesus. Jesus died to forgive you of those sins, and allow you to live a life after his example, as a real man! You’re actions as a coward or child are sinful, and Jesus humbly gave up his life to forgive you of that sin. What it takes is for you to man up, repent, and live for Jesus. Live to love, live to serve, live to protect, live for a legacy. Because this life is meaningless if its all about you. When you have Jesus there’s something to live for. It’s time little boys and cowards stepped up to the plate of manhood, and swing for the fences.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Humility: made possible by death
I've been reading a book Humility by C.J. Mahaney (definitely recommend to anyone). And as I was finishing up a chapter just now he ended the chapter with this paragraph:
"What a powerful death! The cross ransoms, the cross liberates, the cross transforms! So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone who's serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for apart from His sacrifice there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example-and made possible only by the saviors sacrifice."
He was talking about John and James and how in Mark 10 they were self promoting and vying for "the greatest" credential to add to the resume. In John 13 we see Jesus Christ take a wash basin and towel, and get down and wash these two arrogant men's feet, also he washed the feet of Judas his betrayer. Jesus served!! Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ washed feet. Here's the question: how's your service? Mine hasn't been too good. I am working on it. Mahaney reminds us that we can be transformed, literally changed by the death of Jesus Christ, to live a new life and serve each other with love and humility. What a good example to follow.
Humility comes through sacrifice. Jesus said if we are to follow him, we have to deny ourselves, literally die to self. What we want isn't as important as what He wants. Period. If Jesus is the center of our lives, and our aim is to glorify Him, then we do not matter. Humility is possible by death, first and foremost the death of Christ, and then the death of our selfish motives in order that we may serve others and serve Christ with every ounce of who we are.
Humility comes through sacrifice. Jesus said if we are to follow him, we have to deny ourselves, literally die to self. What we want isn't as important as what He wants. Period. If Jesus is the center of our lives, and our aim is to glorify Him, then we do not matter. Humility is possible by death, first and foremost the death of Christ, and then the death of our selfish motives in order that we may serve others and serve Christ with every ounce of who we are.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
First one
I was encouraged to write a blog, so I am going to. I was told it would be a good way to get thoughts out, and maybe just maybe encourage someone. Not that I have anything to say anyone would want to hear, but who knows, if I talk about Jesus enough, or whats going on with me maybe someone will take something away from it.
I am exactly one month away from finishing college, and starting my "real life" and my ministry at my home church. These last couple of weeks I have been really itching to get home, and to start, but there's still things here at school that need to be done. "Finish Strong" is the motto for the next month!! Being one month away, now is the perfect time to blog, to "get my feet wet"
The title of my blog II Corinthians 3.17- "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Freedom" has become a very prevalent verse in my life. The last three days have been a very strong wake up call for me, and the Spirit of the Lord has set me Free!!! He offers this to anyone, and its great!!
This blog is in no way meant to be about Adam. Everything in this life is about Jesus, and that's going to be the focus of these writings
until next time...
Adam
I am exactly one month away from finishing college, and starting my "real life" and my ministry at my home church. These last couple of weeks I have been really itching to get home, and to start, but there's still things here at school that need to be done. "Finish Strong" is the motto for the next month!! Being one month away, now is the perfect time to blog, to "get my feet wet"
The title of my blog II Corinthians 3.17- "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Freedom" has become a very prevalent verse in my life. The last three days have been a very strong wake up call for me, and the Spirit of the Lord has set me Free!!! He offers this to anyone, and its great!!
This blog is in no way meant to be about Adam. Everything in this life is about Jesus, and that's going to be the focus of these writings
until next time...
Adam
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