Understanding

   What does it mean to say you love something or someone? What does it mean to actually love something or someone? After you have figured that out, when it comes to loving people like Jesus did, what does that mean for you?
   You see, if anyone of you have ever had children, you will understand this story much better than I can explain it. When I was a newborn, I used to cry, a lot. As of any baby did. Normal correct? Yes. But lets remember something, as a newborn, I could not speak English, or Spanish, or any language, I could not speak at all.
   So guess what that meant, whether I was hungry, thirsty, or needed a diaper change, the same means of communication was used, crying. Every time I needed something, my mouth would open and my small vocal chords would vibrate until a high pitched sound came out in the form of a cry.
   My mom loved me, and she still does for the record. So instead of waiting to change my diaper until I spoke English, she would have to check me and figure out whether I needed a meal or a diaper change or whether I was just sleepy. I did not really know how to talk, but she had to figure it out and have understanding to help because she loved me.
   We are called to love others in the pattern that Jesus loves us. That means in everything, we give others our time, understanding, patience, and encouragement, showing them the Love of Jesus in our speech and actions. So love others, by taking the time to show understanding. It may go farther than you think.

More

   When I was a little boy, I was quite adventurous and I loved it! I used to try to either play in or figure out everything. If there was a radio, I would try to take it apart and put it back together again to see if I could get it to continue operation. If there was a play pin full of balls, I would want to be the first one to want to jump in it. If there was a computer, I would want to be the first to hop on it and figure out the operating system.
   However, this curiosity was not always the best thing for my health. Sometimes it got me into some trouble, yet growing up, it taught me common sense. For example, one time, my mother was preparing dinner and the stove top was hot with misty steam arising from the punishing metallic pot. My hand, small in stature, and my mind, full of curiosity, cut not resist the temptation of the sensation of coming in contact with such mystery, so I gave in and touched the blazing pot.
   As anyone who has ever touched something painfully hot can tell you, it is not one of those things that you would willingly do again. Whats the point you ask? Today, even though temptation of being tough and manly if you will still may temp some to touch the pot, they know that the reward of NOT having first degree burns is more than not having fingers.
   When it comes to our sin, and we look at the Cross, we have to see the eternal reward of following and obeying Christ as much larger than the temporary pleasure of our sin. We HAVE to see Jesus as SO much more or we will fail everytime! Jesus is MORE!

Always

   I think that I've recently mentioned the story of the acquisition of my current iPhone 3gs. Just in case, here is a quick recap of the story.
   In exchange for six weeks of babysitting, I received a slightly used, but greatly maintained iPhone 3GS. After a weekly activity that I participate in, I would ride with the person in charge of the Bible study that this was a part of and go watch and maybe even disciple the children weekly.
   The reason that this iPhone was for sale, however, is because two updates of the iPhone had already been released. the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4s. What people flocked to because they were newer and faster.
   You see, in this modern world, with things like technology, there are constantly updates and new things coming out to improve, change the way we operate our devices. So much so, that it gets increasingly hard to keep up with all of the updates.
   But one thing of great value should go through the mind of the Christian, the imitator and follower of Christ, and that is that GOD WILL NEVER CHANGE, HE IS THE SAME, ALWAYS! He shall always reign and always love us infinitely, and we can always come to Him through Christ Jesus! So no matter how much this world changes, GOD WILL BE THE SAME, ALWAYS!
   

Here for You

   For five years now, I have played and learned piano at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, the city of this ministry. At first I was quite apathetic and apprehensive to start learning piano, for I could not think of many reasons to learn such an instrument.
   However, it turned out to be one of the greatest things to happen to me. Yet, every week, when I go to learn my weeks lesson in piano, it is a professional assembly in a professional setting. I dress for the occasion and make sure that i am properly presentable.
   There is no oral dress code, yet it is very understood that there is an underlying and non negotiable sense of class every time I attend my piano class.
   I say that to say this, now when I go to piano, I go there for a reason, a very understood one, to learn piano. I come there for a specific reason, not to joke around with time, but to fulfill a purpose.
   When we attend church, our goal is not to be popular, or so that people think we are Christians, or to pick up those of the opposite sex, but to Worship Christ as Savior and King, and to fellowship with fellow believers, and to be built on the Word of God shared at that time so that you may grow and help others to grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Do not just go to church to go, but go and tell God, "Lord, I'm here for You!"

Defeated the Grave

   I am sure that most of the people who read this blog have probably had something like a goldfish or another fish or small pet die when they were a child. If you havent, go buy a goldfish! That was just a joke, but if you have, you remember the feeling when you had to flush that fish down the toilet.
   You probably picked the best looking toilet in the house, said a prayer for the fish, and let is flush free down to the great beyond of the sewage system. however, no matter how close you were, there was a limit to the amount of grief you had because there was neither equality between you and the fish, nor any real hope or trust that you had in the fish.
   Yet, if any of you have ever had a loved one laid  to rest, there is a different feeling. A lot more intensity and seriousness, and if they had been saved, hopefully joy in the fact that they will get to meet the Savior, King, and Creator!
   That "limit" mentioned before is changed dramatically because the loved one did have the capacity for equality, hope, and trust to a level much higher than the fish.
   But the good news to those that belong to Christ is, Christ was risen from the dead three days later, and just as He was risen, there is no doubt for those that are in Him that we will not stay in the ground! Neither will we stay in Heaven. For the Bible says that there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth as our final place, being with our King and Savior forever, now THAT is something to rejoice about! For Jesus has defeated the grave!

Nothing is Impossible

   I recently attended Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was truly a mountaintop experience. Various worship leaders from around the nation all assembled in one plays to lead worship, while various speakers of the same assembled to presents lessons.
   There were many things learned, and with the aspect of little responsibility and virtually no distraction, it was very easy to feel the connection between oneself and the Spirit of the One and Only Living God.
   However, on Earth, such an atmosphere does not happen forever. So the return home had to be made and it was. Now when it comes to Passion, we have memories of what God was and is speaking to us to advance us in His Kingdom, so that we may likewise have the mind of Christ.
   Yet some return home after God speaks to them and think, wow, what the Lord was telling me to do was very easy during the mountaintop experience, but now that ive returned to everyday life, it seems impossible.
   Thats when we are to remember that the Lord never gives us more than we can bear, and absolutely NOTHING is impossible for Christ, and that you can do all things through Christ whom strengthens you! Remember, no matter where you are, when it comes to what God has laid on your heart, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Torch

   My mother wears glasses. I get she passed on the need for corrective lenses to me when she had me as to this day, I wear contact lenses. When I was a child, I had no idea that my vision was really going bad, I thought deterioration of vision was the normal. However, my teachers and mother noticed it and I then got glasses.
   The years later, in the seventh grade to be exact, I received contacts after much persuasion to my mother. Because of the fact that when she had them, they were glass permeable, she did not fall in love with the idea of me having them.
   But now that I have gotten used to my contacts, when I take them out at night, it still shocks me to this day. When I take them out, my vision again needs correcting. It did not change just because Id worn contacts that day. And the real joy comes when I put them on in the morning. Every morning, I again realize how much I need my contacts to correct my vision.
   When I received Christ, of course there was an initial flame. It was fantastic! But just because I had that flame does not mean that I don't still need Christ on a daily basis going through life. He is still my Rock, as He should be! Lets keep the torch lit daily as we realize that we need Jesus daily and we seek Him daily!