Wasting Life

   Some times in the chorus class that I am a part of, we will have days where we spend ninety full minutes singing, and feel as if we got almost no progress done. We will come into class, get all of our music out, sit in a chair, and start class. But instead of focusing, paying attention, and making something of our time, we make just and play around, and the result is nothing being learned in class for that day.
   Wasted time. You see, it did not matter that we had an entire ninety minute period of being in that class, we still wasted our time and did not learn hardly anything.
   It does not matter how much time we get in life, because that it something that we just do not know for sure anyways, if we do not do anything with it. We learn all of these great Christian principles and ways to live our lives that would glorify Christ, and yet some do absolutely nothing with it, they waste it by not letting these teachings take root in their lives and they just sit there and do nothing in a sense. We should live what we learn, that is the Love of Christ, letting our light shine in different ways to where our lives show the reflection of the face and Love of God! Do not let your life seem like a wasted one, but instead, live out Christ!

Expectations

   When my mother was single, and had to raise me on her own, she unfortunately had to play the role of the mother and the father. She cooked, cleaned, played with me, and let me play with others to try to make sure that I had what I needed to develop correctly.
   However, this was impossible, for her to perfectly fulfill both jobs as a mother and a father. Although she did all that she could, it was just not possible for her to do this perfectly, and I can not blame her for it.
   Yet, as a child, I did not know nor fully understand this, so to me, she was expected to be super woman. She would always help with my homework and such things like that, but she never wanted to play things like football and soccer with me because she was a woman and she worked all day to make sure we had necessities.
   Therefore, she could not do all of the things that I expected of her, for it was humanly impossible. Do you ever think that you may put too many expectations is humans, to where they either can not or wont fulfill them all, and therefore, you feel let down by people? I urge you to watch your expectations in humans and put your faith and expectations into the promises of God, for they will always be fulfilled!

The Best Supporter

   As in common in all adolescent sports, I am sure that most people have seen or heard of the little league football game where someone's child gets the ball and tries to run down the field, and successfully does scoring a touchdown. The touchdown was great for the child, but I bet that what they really remember is their parents cheering them on from the bleachers.
   The child remember his crazy mom or her crazy dad waving their hands in the air frantically cheering their little champ on. They remember the foam fingers, and the "go Billy go!!" that they hear. In fact, when they hear those types of things, they even may feel empowered to take the ball and run down the field again for another touchdown, or obtain another home run, or score another goal depending on the activity.
   However, does it ever occur to us Christians that God wants us to succeed? He did not give us life so that we may fail and suffer through it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Where does this strength come from? Seeking Him. In this we realize that God is for us, in our bleachers cheering us on, EMPOWERING us because He is our Father, so that we may go through our challenges and run the touchdowns and home runs of life, because He, the God of the Heavens and the Earth, is on our side, in our bleachers, cheering us on!

Words

   When I attended elementary school, the school was literally around five to seven minutes away, and therefore my mother drove me to school every morning. However, many miles away lied the middle school that I would go to, around fifteen to twenty minutes away, which compared to five, seemed like an eternity.
   Since my mother had to be at work at a time that made it impossible for her to take me to school and be at work on time, I rode the bus for all three years of middle school, and around two and a half years of my high school career.
   Now on the bus, there was not much to do, other than text, talk, and ride. So for most of the time, we chatted. Unfortunately, most of it was, as the Apostle Paul warns us of, mindless chatter. Some would sadly pick on others, and discriminate, which really had more impact than they knew.
   You see, the power of life and death is in our tongue. What we say has the power to move mountains. God did not create the world with a book on theology. He created the world with His Words! As we established earlier, faith comes by hearing, and we hear words. You see, our words should speak life and spread faith! Always!

What More Then

   The first semester of my senior year in high school, I was assigned to take a cluster of advanced classes at my high school, one of them being a Physics Class. It just so happened that my Physics teacher was also my Chemistry teacher the year before. Quite an adventure.
   However, because I had never studied the subject of Physics before, the first day I staggered in with some intimidation. Of course, one must factor in the fact that I was meeting who would be in my class for the first time on that day, however, most of my intimidation came from the fact that Physics sounded so abstract that it would be seemingly impossible for me to effectively learn it. But my teacher made me a promise. My teacher promised me that by the end of the class, I would have learned all of the basics and more of the subject of Physics, and pass the class.
   I had to use blind faith, faith by only what I heard, for I could not see the future. At the end of the semester when the class had concluded, I understood and still understand physics and I passed the class with an A.
   Whats the point? If a teacher can make me a promise and I follow it blindly and it follow through, WHAT MORE DOES THE PROMISE OF THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS promise mean to you?? His promises are EVERYTHING! So trust in the Lord blindly that He will guide your path and be the lord of all of your ways, that you may abide in Him and He in you! Trust in the Lord!!

Stand By It

   When I was in elementary school, there was never a time when I made anything less than an A. At that time, classes were quite easy and I dont know how much we actually "learned," but nevertheless, I always brought home A's. So in middle school, as the classes got slightly more interesting, my mother made me a promise. She said that for every A I brought in, I would earn one dollar. So every report card period, there was the possibility of making up to six dollars.
   And so that is what happened. For every A that I brought home, I earned one dollar. The excitement at first was the payment, and then as I got older, the prize was the principle behind the payment. I was proud of my effort to earn this money with my grades, and, the point, I was glad that I knew my mom was a woman of her word.
   As Christians, we are watched intensely daily, and what we do is representative of our life with Christ. Therefore, when it comes to us giving our word, thats why we should always keep our word when possible, for what if God said that no one may come to Him through Jesus, even though thats the way His Word says to come to Him? Its just not something that can happen for God can not lie, and we were made in His image, so what should that say about us?

Full Calendar

   As the economy gets worse, I am sure that you have heard of people who have to take on a second job or something of those sorts. They must continue to add work onto what they are doing just to continue making enough to get by.
   In another instance, you may hear of someone applying for college or grad school or some type of higher education. The economy has also affected them because of fearsome competition with others who also want to get into that institution with competitive statistics. So applicants combat this by doing more in their schedule to make their applications seem more resilient and have a better chance for admission.
   But with a second job or more items on our weekly schedule, it can be a challenge to manage our time wisely, yet manage it in Christ like wisdom. So what must you remember?
   Your priorities. Your priorities are what dictate your time. What you prioritize, you may time for. The question is, what do you prioritize? God, your family, your job, your church/ fellowship with believers should all be priorities as a Christian. That means that they should all receive your time! So do all of these areas get your time? If not, something needs to change! Prioritize your time, for it is not guaranteed!!
   

Compress or Stop?

   If you have ever professionally engineered sound, or know someone who has, you should ask them about the concept of compression to sound. Its a pretty broad topic that engineers pour hundreds of dollars worth of equipment to invest into.
   The object of sound compression is basically this: say that you have a pretty powerful, wonderful sounding vocalist singing into a microphone. When they sing by themselves, into a microphone going through a sound reinforcement system, it sounds ok, as there is nothing else to mix with their voice. However, with a full band, their voice can sometimes spike to high over the mix, as if they were yelling into the microphone and getting away from the sound engineer's control. So a compressor actually only lets the volume of one's microphone get to a specific level, before not letting any more sound come through the system from that microphone.
   Is that what we do with our sins? Do we plan to let them happen until it gets to a certain level and then try not to do it anymore? Do we accept the loss of patience and understanding with certain people to a point, but always encourage select others? Or can we as Christians rise up and say absolutely no to sin altogether? Can we not say that any sin is ok or acceptable, but instead plan to battle against all sin in all of its forms and seek Christ? I beg you brothers, let us seek Christ and only Christ, together as the Fellowship of Believers!

Forever Connected

   I remember when I was around eleven years of age, and I would see my mom and most of my family talking on these devices from anywhere, in the house, on the road, etc., to absolutely anyone they wanted to. There were no cords or external wires involved. It seemed as their conversations were transferred in mid- air and whatever they said was heard by whoever they were talking to.
   There are not really a big deal, but back then, cellular phones were a really big deal. No matter where you went, you could simply call up any of your friends and communicate just as you would with a land line phone. Around this age of eleven is when I got my first cellular phone. It was a little pre- paid Tracphone, but to me, at that time, it was the best thing in the world.
   However, when I was fourteen years old in middle school, I received an AT&T phone on a monthly plan. I was quite fascinated and used that phone all of the time. The thing that really fascinated me was that, whether I was at school, or home, or riding in the car, I was always connected to the world via my phone.
   Guess what, for those in Christ, whether your at school, or home, or driving your care, YOU AND GOD ARE FOREVER CONNECTED! There is no where you can go to hide from the Lord. Abide in Him because He will ALWAYS be there!!

Lift it High

   Ever heard of the loving dog owner who goes to the store, lets say Walmart, and buys some dog food for their dog, and some chocolate for themselves? This loving dog owner comes home from the store one day, and him and his dog are just having the best time in the world. He feeds his dog the dog food, and then eats half of his chocolate bar because before he could finish it, the silky brown coat of his dog starting rubbing on his leg because he wanted to play.
   So what did the emotion driven owner do? Not knowing that it may cause harm, he gladly gave his dog some of the Hershey's Chocolate Bar. The dog kindly ate the bar, and the dog and the owner continued to play happily along.
   However, a few weeks later, the dog turned out to be very sick, so much so that the dog lost it's life. The owner had no clue that when he fed the dog chocolate, he had good intentions, but what he did was offensive, enough to take the dog's life.
   When we carry on conversations and interactions in our every day lives, we need to realize that good intentions are great, but are only half of the battle. Do not commit murder of someone's soul out of good intentions. Monitor you WORDS and ACTIONS so that people may see you lift up the Cross of Jesus in your speech and actions, because the image of Jesus goes MUCH farther than good intentions!

A Book and Its Cover

   One of the most interesting, sometimes mind boggling, historical books in existence is the Bible, a great work of literature and more importantly, the Word of God. But for tonight's purposes, I will focus on the Bible as a great work of Literature from the Ultimate Arthur, the Holy Spirit, using humans to write this great work.
   I have three Bibles, one being a Study Bible, and the others are traditional Bibles. One has a black, genuine leather cover, one has a sunset colored paperback cover, and the Study Bible has a blue hardback for a cover.
   Now, for the purpose of my English class at school, I am also reading a mythology book. This book has a dark blue paperback cover with a picture of zeus, the supreme god in greek mythology. This cover honestly looks amazing to gaze at. The artwork is quite stunning. But which book do you think that I would want to base my life off of? Exactly, the Bible.
   This is the same concept for people. Do not judge people by anything but who they really are, their spirit. As humans, we are so quick to judge people by what they do, how they look, how they talk, what car they drive, etc., but that only leads to confusion and sometimes deception. Instead, let us see people for their spirit, for God knows our hearts, not the cars we drive. Dont be quick to judge, and dont judge a book by its cover!

In Sync

   Have you ever been to a football game? Or how about a Super Bowl? Or at least seen one on television? Most of you can probably say that you have. So when you look at a game, say the Super Bowl, and a quarterback is getting ready to take the snap (the process of the Center giving the ball to the quarterback), you may hear the opposing team's fans screaming at the top of their lungs.
   This is not ALL because they are excited about the game. This is actually a very strategic thing to do. They do this so the center and the linemen and the entire team cannot hear when the quarterback is ready for the ball, somewhat distracting the team by making it hard for the teammates to hear when the ball is snapped.
   This distraction can cause various penalties if it works and the team does not hear the snap count correctly. Huge distraction.
   With all of the things that go on in this world on a daily basis, it is very easy to become distraction in the cares of the world, even to the point where it is hard to hear the Lord. That's when it is time to refocus. In football terms, know the play call if you will. Take out time to spend with the Lord on a daily basis and STUDY HIS WORD!! Make sure that at every chance you get, stay in sync with the Father and say goodbye to the daily distractions of the world!

Ultimate Grace

   I remember when I was around 13 years of age in Fairforest Middle School. That was the age where I knew the world front and back and there was absolutely nothing else that I could learn. At that time, there was no such thing as a quest for knowledge or wisdom, because I swore that I knew it all!
   Unfortunately, this was even true when it came to the counsel, and even the commands, of my mother. For example, my mother would tell me a command, even in the nicest ways possible, and I would consider whether or not to do it based on what I knew and how I felt, because I thought that my way would always be better. I thought that my way was always correct, and the commands that I was given were only suggestions.
   It was sort of like one getting pulled over for running through a stop sign. The sign clearly only commands one thing, to stop, and that is the one thing that you did not do at the sign, therefore the cop pulled you over.
   BUT, for all of those in Christ, it is like the officer takes the ticket and rips it up in your face and says, "Forgiven." According to the Law, we should not be given the opportunity to enter into Heaven with God because of our sins, unless someone is perfect with the Law, which I do not know anyone living today who is. Yet God gave Grace, ripped the ticket if you will, for all of those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This does not mean a free pass to sin, but it does mean forgiven.

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!