A CALL TO DIE-DAY 8

Day 8-Lies, Nothing but Lies.

The scripture that went along with this topic is Matthew 13:22-23 which says,

²²The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. ²³But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Nasser starts off talking about Adam and Eve and what happened in the garden. Eve ate of the apple. So did Adam. They were deceived by the Devil. That's what he does. So many people make comments about the apple, but the apple wasn't the problem it was the "pair" Adam and Eve on the ground. They allowed themselves to be deceived. It was all about of Satan's purpose.

Satan challenges those who challenge his dominion on the earth. His purposes follow this line.

Temptation, Accusation, Confusion, and Obstacles.

Temptation: Satan uses whatever he can to tempt us. Nasser uses the example of advertising that tempts us to try to latest product or drink the "tastiest" beer, or other such advertising. I purposely think late night advertising, especially for guys, is especially tempting.

Accusation: Satan loves to accuse us and make us feel guilty. He will see like a great friend when he tries to lead us into temptation, but the moment we give in he attacks with statements like "You call yourself a Christian?" "God can't love a screw up like you!" These kinds of statements and thought patterns lead us to be discouraged and can turn us away a lot of times from God.

Confusion: God is not a God of confusion, but the devil loves to try and confuse us, to make us believe God isn't there or doesn't care. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Obstacles: Nasser had a great example here of how in Daniel, he prayed for wisdom and nothing happened. He prayed again for a week and nothing. He continued praying and three weeks later an angel appeared to him and told him God had heard his prayer and sent an angel the very day he began praying but the angel had been delayed. Satan sent a demon to stop the angel from providing aid. The angel and the demon fought. After three weeks the Angel won the battle and came to his aid.

I love hearing stories like this! So many times we miss out on God's blessing because we give up to early and give in to the Devil's schemes. He wants us to give up, he wants us to be defeated. Maybe sometimes, that prayer hasn't been answered because the angels are battling it out with demons and we need to keep at it. Who knows! The important thing is that we know Satan is the AUTHOR of LIES, and NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, can SEPARATE us from the LOVE of GOD!!!

That is a beautiful promise giving to us by God! This is a convicting topic and something I am going to chew on for a while! I pray you take some time to chew on this! Always remember if the Devil is messing with you, that if you were not doing something to damage his kingdom, you would not be persecuted by him. Keep the faith, God is with you!

God Bless,

Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 7

DAY 7- Know the Word

The scripture that went along with this topic is Hebrews4:12-13 which says,

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

This is the end of the first week of the book, and it deals with knowing what this book is all about...the Bible. Do we really know it? At the Youth Evangelism Conference, Nasser asked how many people knew a scripture verse for every year they had been a Christian? Sad things is, very few could answer that. I have been a Christian almost 15 years, and I wasn't too sure myself that I could word for word share 15 scriptures I had memorized. This is to my shame. I have memorized literally dozens of songs, TV show themes, and oh my COUNTLESS movie quotes! This provides much fun and hours of entertainment for my friends and family, but what of it is eternal?

What of eternal value? What of scripture? I need to know it more. Most need to know it more. What if we all knew more of the scriptures and actually lived them? How do we know what God wants? It's in His word! How do we know the heart of God? It's in His word! So many people, Nasser says, make the statement that they can know God just fine without reading His word, and it's just not true. The scriptures are living and active...which means ALIVE!

So, how do we know it better? Nasser gives us some tips. First, Hear the word. Statistically we retain 10% of what we hear. Read the word. We retain 25% of what we read. If you read aloud, you retain potentially 35%. To go further, you truly study the word. This is taking time to read and think, and ponder on, and dig deeper to research the scripture. Statistically we can take in 50% of what we study. That is Half! But it gets better. Those who memorize scriptures will potentially remember 80% of what they memorize! 80%! Yet so many of us don't! We say things like it's too hard, but again it's not hard for us to learn music!

Finally, to take everything we have done and apply it, we must meditate on the word. This is when we truly seek out to understand what we heard, read, studied, and memorized. Then we must act! If we simply seek for all to hear and not act, we do them a disservice. God is an active God! His word is Active! We should be too!

I pray that you take some time this week to truly hear, read, study, and memorize scripture. Then truly spend time with God asking Him to reveal to you what He would have for you! Imagine the Eternal value this could bring!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 6

DAY 6- God's Work

The scripture passage that went with today's topic is Philippians 2:12-13 which says,

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

In this topic, Nasser speaks of how we set rules to dictate our behavior. As Christians, especially early on, setting rules is important. Otherwise, we might keep doing the same sinful things that were done before becoming a Christian. However, if rules is ALL your Christianity is about, you can become hardened. Not saying rules are bad, but if we live but these preset notions and do's and don'ts, we can certainly became legalistic or Pharisaical. Nasser brings up how Jim Elliot, know Christian who died while on missions, had a rigid set of rules for his life that worked until he went to college and realized he had lived his life by a set of don'ts. By following a set a rules and sticking with them, one can become prideful because they have followed them.

A practical illustration can be found in my life. I made a commitment when I became a Pastor to not watch any R rated movies. Now, this was something I wanted to do for me. I remember when I was younger, in youth group, hearing about being an example. What would my youth think if they saw me coming out of one of these movies? Now, not all rated R movies are rated R because they are bad. The Passion of the Christ was rated R. But regardless, I did this for me. HOWEVER, when my Christian friends, or even other pastors I know go to one, I can't help but secretly, and sometimes not so secretly think less of them. Why? Because they didn't stick to MY RULE. Is it fair for me to compare them to me? Whether a person should or shouldn't see something is between them and God, after all God is the one who convicts and the one who judges.

When the Holy Spirit works in us, he gives us a MAP as Nasser says. Mystery, Adventure, and Passion. Mystery is that no matter what we do, we could do all the right things, follow all the "rules" we have created but that doesn't make us good Christians. Only the Holy Spirit, can guide direct and make Christ's life flow through us. The Adventure is how God uses us in spite of our sin, our pride, or lack of humility. And finally Passion. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what God has done for us. How God has looked out for us, provided us grace and forgiveness, and instilled us with His strength and power. Just saying that wells up Passion in me!

On this road we call life, we must remember our role vs. God's. God is God, and our role...to FOLLOW HIM!

I pray those of you who are Christian would be welled up with the spirit of God in you! For those of you not saved, I pray you take a look into the Mystery, Adventure, and Passion that comes with a relationship with Christ!

Stay tuned for Day 7!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 5

Day 5- Excuses, Excuses

The scripture that went along with this topic is Matthew 8:19-22 which says,

¹⁹Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

²⁰Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

²¹Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

²²But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

This is an important topic that I think we ALL can relate to. Having excuses. When a choice comes our way, one that we are conflicted about or maybe even one that we know is wrong, we have a lot of excuses to justify what we choose to do.

Some of the excuses brought up in the book that I can relate to is "I'm only going to do it once," or "Well, we're not living in Biblical times," or one that I know I said all the time, "I know God will forgive me..." We all know, that anytime there is a particularly nasty sin in our lives, we never do it just once. Can we do anything or commit any sin so bad that God stops loving us? NO! But that doesn't mean we have a "license to sin," as it were either. We, as Christians, are called to be different. We have choices every day where we choose to do the right thing or the wrong thing. Nasser speaks of a situation he was in where he was faced with a choice.

There were hardly any movies on a Friday Night at a video store. A clerk comes back with a lot of movies and he just picks one up quickly. He takes a look and knows that it's not a movie as he says a "committed Christian" would watch. However, he came up with a million excuses as to why he should. He grabbed some other movies and headed to the counter. Just as he was checking out, paid and was about to be handed his movies, a student he didn't know came in and said NASSER! HEY!

Nasser said "Hey Bud" which is the A.K.A. for I don't know you. The student said you don't know but I was saved at a camp you spoke at. This kid says he was going to watch movies with friends but there probably wasn't much left. He had already seen Nasser reaching out and looked at the movies he had. When he saw the title of the movie, his smile faded. Embarrassed, Nasser whispered to the clerk I don't want this, and keep the money...and left, drove home, went to his room with the light off, because he felt better there.

This is a practical example of when bad choices find us out.

Isaiah 5:20 says "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

Life is a series of choices. While God loves us, gives us grace and forgiveness, He always prods us, and encourages us to make the right decisions. I don't know who this is for, but surely any of you reading this have been at one time, or are currently faced with tough choices. I am, and have been for some time. It can be very tough. Some things, we just know we ought to do. Some things aren't as cut and dry. I pray for all of you, as I pray for myself, serenity, grace, and above all discernment to make the choices that please and bring honor to God!

If you aren't caught up yet, check out day 1 through 4 earlier in the blog and stay tuned for Day 6!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 4

Day 4- Rewards

The scripture that went along with today's topic is 1 Samuel 2:30 which reads,
""Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained."

The main focus of this verse was Those who honor me, I will honor. That is a big deal. Those of us who do what God askes are honored by God. This day speaks of rewards that come with obedience. Some of that is here on earth, but a lot of that is in Heaven. I have heard most of my life that sometimes our rewards are on the "other side" of glory. Some people's lives don't measure up to a lot by world terms but are big to God. I'm speaking of Martyr's. Take Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer is known is Christian circles as a young german who took a stand against Hitler and the Nazi regime. This came at a cost. He was imprisoned and yet he spoke and wrote of God's grace for him in these times. There were Nazi's who gave him opportunities to turn against his beliefs, but he shared that he must hold to them and honor Christ. There were those who attempted to rescue him, but he realized that his family and friends may be in danger, so he stopped it.

The day of his execution, he went to the gallows with his head held high. His reward was what came AFTER he was killed. His reward is meeting Jesus face to face. That is the reward that is in store for all of us in Heaven.

Sometimes, this world, the people in it, the things of it, aren't kind to us. Sometimes, we never receive the recognition we think we deserve or we never get that Job or raise we felt we should, and we feel cheated. But in the light of the great sacrifice that Christ made, giving ALL of Himself, dying for us, when he was innocent, it puts those "rewards" in perspective.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

The reward, the ONLY reward that should matter to the Christian in the long run is seeing Jesus face to face and hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Being perfectly honest, that is NOT the only reward that has mattered to me to his point, but I am praying through this, and this is part of what the book is all about, that I would go from who I am and become more like God wants me to be!

I pray the same for you today! Stay tuned for Day 5!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 3

Day 3- Ruined

The passage that goes along with this topic is Isaiah 6:5 which reads,

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

When I was at Liberty University for my undergrad, David Nasser, the author of A Call to Die, among other things, came to speak at one of our Spiritual Emphasis Weeks. His topic, which caused a lot of controversy, was God want's to ruin your life. What he was saying though, and how people took it, are two different things. Nasser was saying whatever you are doing outside of what God wants you to do, is wrong and He (God) wants to ruin those plans so that you are left with nothing but His plan. Sounds terrible, and most people don't think God does that, but look at Isaiah.

What God really did in Isaiah's life in this passage, was bring to light the darkness in his heart. His evil thoughts and plans, and hidden sins. This is why he felt ruined. See, we all have this tendency to be self-absorbed. We can be so self absorbed that we are cocky, or so self absorbed with failure that we feel shame. So many people speak of my performance, or my growth or development as Nasser says. When we compare ourselves to God, we realize we fall short.

Two often we compare ourselves to others or things which are not the standard. God is the standard and we fall short. But God doesn't leave us there. God wants to take us from where we are; from our sin that leads to death, and bring us to life doing His will. God forgives and it is great. But He then still commands us to follow Him.

Isaiah said WOE is me. An angel brought hot coal to his lips, effectively removing his sin, making him clean. Then God had a mission for him, to go out and tell others about God. Awesome!

God has that same mission for all of us. Bible tells us we are called to make disciples. You may think but I have this plan or that plan, or I've sinned to much to be effective for God. But that's not true. The truth is that when we come to the end of ourselves, when God ruins our man made plans, forgives us our sin, and redirects us to the right place; He still has big plans for us.

However, this still comes down to choice. Are we willing to let God ruin our plans? Are we willing to accept correction, forgiveness, and restoration? Sometimes restoring doesn't mean to where we were before...But He is always still in the business of restoration!

Oh, Woe to us when we know the will of God and choose not to obey!

Stay tuned for Day 4!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 2

Day 2-Hard Words

The scripture verse that goes along with this topic is John 6:60, 66

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Jesus had become fairly popular in the middle of his ministry. Thousands had come to see Him, to listen to Him, and be healed by Him. So many thousands in fact that they needed food and he fed them, 5000 men (and more women and children). He fed them with nothing more that 2 fish and five loaves of bread...and had left overs.

This made Him even more popular. However, Jesus wanted to make sure that there was no misunderstanding. He was God. When He told the people that, they were outraged. Miracles is one thing, but God? Come on!

But He was, and He is. He taught that they must eat of His body, and drink of His blood, to have eternal life. This was the hard teaching. So these thousands of people who so adamantly followed Him were no longer amazed, or entertained. The excitement of the miracles had faded, and they were left with a choice; accept His teaching or reject it. That's really the same choice all of us have now a days. Accept Him or reject Him.

Well, by the thousands, they rejected Him, and left, never to return. And then there were 12. The 12 professed they had no where else to go and believed in Him, and continued on with Jesus.

The point! God points out what He wants from us in His timing. At that time, in the height of His fame, Jesus pointed out what the people must do, and they couldn't handle it. How often does that happen with us? Jesus tells us to accept Him...and we turn away. Or maybe we are saved and he tells us to go tell someone about Him, and we turn away. God points out to us all the time things we should do, and also things we should not, and just as the thousands were, and the 12 disciples were, we are left with a choice.

Accept God's commands or His chastening. Chastening is a fancy word for punishment, because God punishes or chastens those He loves. Or, reject what He says.

Part of A call to die is accepting the hard words that come from God and changing your life accordingly! I pray you do the same! Stay tuned for Day 3!

-Brian

A CALL TO DIE-DAY 1

A few things as I start this blog.

First, as part of the A call to die 40 day study, we are supposed to fast from something time consuming. I chose to give up facebook, as it MONOPOLIZES my time. However, having started the fast yesterday, I realized I did not disconnect the feed from this blog to my FB page. So, if you see this and read it, know I am not actually on facebook, and this is not cheating as I cannot see anyone's comments. However, I would encourage you to follow me on here! www.uthpastorb.com

Alright, I am leading my youth group in this study, and we officially started yesterday. The study is from David Nasser, and A call to die has been around a long time. We went through it in my youth ministry when I was a junior in High School. I started my Junior year 9 in a half years ago...crazy!

I am going to blog once each day about this study, with today being the exception with two, because I did not post yesterday which was Day 1. Here it is now...

Day 1. Take up your cross

Day 1 deals with a call to die to our selfishness. This is a tough one for me right out of the gate. Point blank: I am a selfish person. This has become more evident to me as I have been married. It is important as a Christian, to realize selfish tendencies and work to correct them. The passage for today's study is Matthew 16:24 which says, Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

This is a verse I have heard and read many times in my life, and it takes on new meaning for me in the issue of selfishness. Really, to take up one's cross is the epitome of self-LESS-ness. It is letting go of you, and all that you hoard, or crave, and giving ALL of you to God. Does this mean we don't spend time with family because we give our ALL to God? Does this mean we should never have stuff, or hang out with friends, or go to stores, et cetera? NO! However, if those things keep you from, or replace God as number 1, then priorities need to be shifted.

Dealing with selfishness, and defeating it, is a matter of not feeding it. Like anything else, if it starves, it dies. If there are activities you watch or participate in that breed a selfish attitude, remove them! If you are doing something nice for someone(s) to get recognized...you need to check your motivation. I'm not saying stop being nice, haha, but I am saying check your heart.

There are many references in the book to avoid these traps like not listening to music that makes selfishness the norm, or not hanging out with people that drag you down and enable an intrinsic selfishness in you.

I think, being honest, there isn't going to be one topic in these 40 days that either were not a previous struggle or aren't a current one. The purpose being to challenge on convict of the sin or transgression, and to right the wrong by being proactive in putting God first.

I ask for prayer as I endure this journey, and I wonder, do you struggle with selfishness? Would you like prayer in this as well!

Day 2 later today...hope you will join me for the Journey. I promise to keep the subsequent posts a tad bit shorter.

-Brian

SNOWED IN WEEKEND

I never thought it would happen, but it did. Church was cancelled due to snow...In Portsmouth VA! This doesn't happen very often, and as I work at my church, it was really weird to not work today. While everyone was buying a TON of food on Friday before the storm, Samantha and I just went in and bought the Mario Bros. new Wii game. Fun, but I find myself restless.

We live in the downtown area so restaurants and such are about 100 feet away so that makes it nice and they were still open though hardly anyone was there, so we were able to get out a little bit!

They have already closed most places tomorrow and I am interested to see how bad the ice will be tomorrow morning. So while I sat here this morning the wife and I watched some sermons on TV and we heard an awesome one about how God used Jonathan and his armor bearer to do a MIGHTY act only GOD could do through them as it related to battling the Philistines. This reminds us that whether a big group or small, God still does mighty things!

Remember that, God can still work through one person in a MIGHTY Way! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and the last day of the first month of 2010!

God Bless,

Brian

SNOW

Wow it could very well snow this weekend...there is talk of Near Biblical proportions in Hampton Roads...I kid on the proportions but people act like it!

Anyways, I've learned a lot this week about expectations; mine and others. When you become a Christian, you hear, or at least some hear, the charge to always be careful of your audience. In other words, you are always being watched, so be who you say you are. Not so much "act" Christian, but "be" Christian. We have enough actors, and actors belong in Hollywood, not disguised as Christians.

So as a Christian, you need to remember that a lost world, a "seeking" without letting you know they are world is watching you to see if you are legit. They want to see if you are loving, and caring and "Christ" like, even if they don't understand fully what that means! Do WE even understand fully what that means? Anyways, this is a given.

When you become a "Christian leader" the stakes are higher. Now, not only are non Christians watching your every moved, but Christians are as well. Now friend or foe, is judge and jury. I am not saying this is the correct way, just simply that it is the way. People watch, and scrutinize your every move, right or wrong. When I say right or wrong, I mean their perceived right or wrong. Committee's are formed, and people tell you what you should do, what others think of what you are doing, and so on.

Where is God in all of this? Clearly, these checks and balances are needed, and sometimes are beneficial. There are many kind souls in the church that are eager to help me understand how to handle certain situations, or quite frankly how I messed up in a certain situation. This is very necessary. I may be a leader in the church by the nature of my job, but that in no way makes me an island or above correction.

I need, you need it. But again, we need it in Love, with the purpose of reconciliation. At the same time however, we as leaders need to remember that for everything we expect others to do (i.e. tithe, don't gossip/slander, evangelize, et cetera) we must make sure we are not doing the same thing.

To often, I find myself being "loosed lipped" about things with my age group, because it's my age group. But again, that is not an excuse, I MUST be above that by the nature of my position but also because God calls me and others to be above it. I can't very well preach to people to be one way and then do another. That's why people don't want to go to church or have lost faith it the church's leaders as a whole.

So I am learning to speak on certain subjects only when absolutely necessary. It's going to be interesting as this isn't like me, and if it goes as planned then people will notice and probably won't like it. You discover a lot of the people you tell "secret" things to are the very ones that leak said secret.

Loose Lips Sink Ships, haha. Sometimes, it's better to leave things left unsaid!

Thoughts?

-Brian

Treading Thoughts

Themes...themes seem to run through my head on a regular basis. I think of it as treading thoughts...think of tread like that on a tire...going back and forth on a road...

Ordination: Been a running theme lately...it finally happened Sunday Evening! It was a very sweet service! The praise band played and I got to be drum in the band (as I normally do) but wouldn't normally being the ordained. It went well, however! There was a sweet spirit in the room, my family and grandmother was there, and many friends!

The best part for me was the laying of hands by all the ordained men (deacons, pastors, respectively). I heard many great words of encouragement and great prayers were cast over me. I only pray that I may be the man worthy of the calling set forth.

Sin: Sin is a big deal and is talked about a lot. I touched on this in my last post. I realize that everyone sins. I realize God calls us to hold each other accountable. But I have also come to realize, maybe even in these last few moments, that among others, 3 considerations need to be made before confronting someone's sin.

Motive

Heart

Love

Motive: Why are you confronting this person? Is it because of this sin? Is there some other reason? Is it for their benefit, or yours?

Heart: While motive may seemingly fall into the heart category, what I mean by Heart is, are you sinning the same sin your confronting? Speaking in the last post about the thing you talk about the most is the thing you struggle with the most, what I meant by that was positive or negative.

Those who speak so highly about their lives, how humble they are, how great their marriages are, et cetera, may very well have no humility, (or very little) and have a poor marriage. But they speak it because they desire it. Think about Pastors who have failed morally. Most spoke against it, and very adamantly so! Did they not believe what they were saying? NO! They knew it was wrong, but sometimes we project guilt and call out sin to push it off of us, so we feel better about ourselves. You MUST check the heart.

Love: This is my BIGGEST struggle of the three. The Bible says we should confront others about sin, but to do so in LOVE. What kind of Love? God's Love. What does that mean? Well, basically it means that our interaction with them serves to not only call out sin, but to edify and encourage someone to turn away from it, and to restore them in the right direction.

Alot of time when we confront someone, we leave them battered and broken, spiritually, if no other way, and feeling guilty and burdened. That is NOT the purpose of confrontation. We should confront sin, but we must LOVE the sinner. Part of loving them is helping them through the issue we felt so strongly to condemn.

WinterJam: On a lighter note, WinterJam is this Sunday, and my students are stoked! I know Tony Nolan, the speaker who has already led over 11,000 THIS year through WinterJam to Christ, and I am hoping to hook up with him there, and meet some of the bands in the youth pastor sessions!

Those are my treading thoughts; any thoughts of your own?

-Brian

New Developments

Now, I have been talking about Ordination for a little while now, but it's happening this Sunday at 6PM at my church at least the ceremony anyways. There is a fellowship afterwards too! This is more of a formality, as the ordination council was the big deal, although ceremonies are often a blessing.

I remember when I was Baptized as an 11 year old. Obviously, well at least obvious to me, baptism is not required for salvation. It is simply a public declaration of the faith you have. Awesome. This is the same with the Ordination on Sunday. It isn't "Required" for me to be a reverend, but it's really more than just a title change. It is a public declaration of my commitment to the life call God has for me to be a pastor. Being a Pastor isn't just a job, its truly a calling, or at least it should be.

I am excited to celebrate with family and friends this Sunday as we celebrate God's work in my life! (That sounds very selfish, but unintentional promise).

-Brian

Worry

I'm certain I have blogged about this before. Why? Because of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. You may not buy into this, but the things people talk about the most, is the thing they struggle with the most. I heard a pastor say that the more he hears people around him talk about how great their marriages are, or their finances are, and they go on and on about how wonderful it is, the more he suspects it's not that great. In the same regard, the more people bash or speak against a particular topic or issue, the more they themselves probably struggle with it.

I struggle with worry. Maybe I shouldn't be so public about it, but I figure if I am already speaking "against" it all the time anyways, I mind as well be open about it. I know it's wrong. I know God says not to worry. I realize worrying is a faith issue. "Oh, but Brian, you're a Pastor." Yes, I am, and apparently still human. Being a Pastor, like being a Christian, does not make me immune to Sin. It doesn't make it okay, either, just an observation.

I only bring this up because most of the viewer ship of this blog is Christian, and even for the ones who are not, maybe a little bit of vulnerability will open your hearts and minds to the redemptive work of Christ. Despite my issues with worry, and tension, God continues to provide grace. I have dealt with a lot of issues dealing with worry and anxiety in my life, but through it all I know I will be a better person for having learned these life lessons. I struggle, but the more I get into the word, the more I let Christ worry on my behalf (he doesn't worry) the less I struggle. It's a DAILY, sometimes hourly battle, but a battle I know our Lord has already won.

Pray for me? I pray God gives me the victory over this. I wonder also, what do you struggle with that you pray God gives you the victory over?

Brian

YEC Reflections

So we are back and recovering after YEC and a great Sunday at church. David Nasser brought it as I expected him to do! Kids really enjoyed it! There were 32 Salvations, where as there are normally hundreds, but I believe these were more genuine. David is not into the gimmicks...the music, the lights, the emotional manipulation. He straight up just brought the gospel brought the house lights up and told them to come. I was able to lead a student named Chris to Christ! It was awesome!

We also talked about sharing our faith, part of the whole Evangelism thing, lol! The kids left there refreshed and convicted, and we did too! Then at service we talked about the health of the church. In a time when most churches if not all are struggling, it's important to talk about health. I read the blog of Rick Warren and even his church was 900,000 dollars behind with two weeks to go before the New Year, and he sent out an impassioned plea to his church to make up the difference. Everyone is struggling. Now more than over, we must draw near to God.

We also had a deacon ordination last night which is a blessed service, and this coming Sunday I am being ordained at the church. I am looking forward to what God will do even through the service as I have many friends coming who need Christ, and I hope this points them to HIM!

Happy MLK JR. Day! Hope freedom is on your mind and heart today!

God Bless,

Brian

YEC

Today is a most anticipated event in Youth-dom (much like kid-dom but their older). Today starts this years Youth Evangelism Conference. Most years, it is held in the Summer, as it was just 5 months ago, but they felt too many people were busy with Summer projects to be a part of it, so they moved it to January. Should be interesting. It is being held at London Bridge Baptist Church in Va. Beach, with musical guests Phil Wickham, and Superchick, and the speaker is David Nasser. I remember David Nasser as early as from my Liberty Baptist Youth days. We went through his book, "A Call to Die" which is a 40 day process where you give up something and devote your time to the Bible study in the book. It is really good and I will most likely run through this with my youth. David also came and spoke often at Liberty University in my time there.

He is controversial at best, and often tots that many do not invite him back. I don't personally believe it's because he is heretical, or anything like that. I think it's because he is a straight shooter about sin, and our "tolerant" world just can't tolerate that. The emergent church has taken such a foot hold in our culture and have done a good job at making the average Christian cringe when they hear the word Sin. "Be your best" they will say, or "God want's to bless you, try harder" to be encouraging.

Now by all means I think God does want to bless us, but the Bible is clear God chastens those he loves. God convicts people of SIN. We can box it up and ship it out all we want, but it will always be returned to sender, because it is our sin an we cannot escape it. So many thousands and perhaps millions of people fill churches every week they speak half truth's or outright lies.

Why do we even have personal copies of God's word. These preachers will contort, misconstrue, manipulate, and assault the very word of God, in front of many witnesses, and people will take it at face value....why? Because we'll he's a preacher so he knows better. Not true. Many of those people leading their flocks straight to hell are headed their themselves. THAT is why I like a man like David Nasser, he may tick you off, but he's preaching the TRUTH.

I am very serious about making sure that I represent the word of God in the way it was intended. Am I always going to succeed? Probably not, but never will I intentionally preach a half truth, to save the feelings of some, the very some that desperately need the Savior!

Hell is a real place, not a state a mind, and a real place people who don't accept Christ go to. Sin is a very real thing, and people need to confess sin.

The awesome thing though...God forgives. He sent Jesus for that very purpose to take on our sin we were guilty of, offer forgiveness, and a relationship with Him (Jesus) that leads to eternal life.

I recognize as a Southern Baptist, I get a bad rap for harping on sin, and other people for their hell fire and brimstone speeches, and that's fine. You can make the argument that's why so many people don't come to church, and being seeker sensitive, or watering down the Bible brings them in, and that's fine. It's wrong, but it's clearly permissible because it's happening.

My response to that and how I will end this blog post is that the very same message we are accused of harping on, is the very thing Jesus came to eradicate (Sin) and the very thing He was sent to the Cross for.

If Jesus had said "Hey guys, your doing alright, and God wants to meet you right where you are...keep it up" the Cross would have been the LAST place anyone sought to send Him!

And yes, I know Jesus said no one sends me there but I go freely...because He was doing the will of the Father, but point being is that Jesus spoke the truth, the whole truth, and He did not water down the Gospel so that people will like Him, or fill the Synagogue he was preaching at.

The truth...hurts. And yes, we need to present it in Love, but with God as my witness I say it must still BE PRESENTED.

I pray you all well this Friday...if you are a pastor and taking your youth to YEC, I hope to see you there, and if you are a pastor or a leader in general, I pray you heed to the true words of God and preach the whole Bible, not just the part that appeals to sinners who don't want to truth.

-Brian

Funny Pictures of 09

While it is 13 days into the New Year I thought I would regale you with some funny pictures of '09

This is pretty funny.

You scratch my back, i'll scratch yours?

Packing Fail

New Meaning to the Word Chain Smoker...

Hey Look! It's Timon and Pumba!!!

Haha...sorry Veggie people

There's a lesson here...don't use a small sign to call someone out...

And Finally while not a picture I thought this was hilarious...the Balloon Boy remix to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air song. (you may need to make it bigger)

Enjoy!

-Brian

Ordination

Today I had my ordination council. Boy, that is some interesting stuff. 6 Pastors some I knew, and some I did not (though I know now) grilled me on all things Bible for an hour in a half. It was tough, and challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

It is interesting when you are in a situation like that, and asked questions you have never been asked, and hearing yourself answer. God will place the knowledge that you need, and you may not even know it.

As nerve-racking as it was, it was thoroughly encouraging and educational. I will be ordained and become a reverend on January 24th, 2009 at 6PM!

God is awesome!

-Brian

Sabbath Rest

I think the concept of Sabbath Rest, or rest in general is foreign in our culture. Sure, we all like being "off" work and chillin' out with friends and family, but how many of us truly take that time to rest. I mean really rest. Not go and fix the sink, or run the lawnmower, or go into town. I mean rest. I realize you are probably thinking "Well, I only get so much time off to go do stuff." I understand that I am the same way.

In the Bible, God rested on the 7th day. Though it is technically the first day of the week, many of us view Sunday as the 7th day, and a lot of people do rest on that day. They rest so much they don't even go to church. But for people who are pastors like myself, Sunday is potentially our biggest "work" day. I do realize we are serving the Lord and really just living out our calling on that day, but it is still work none the less. That makes Sunday's out for us.

Saturdays are a rare commodity, especially in ministry, and I am sure for a lot of you too. So what is the answer?

While I don't know what you can do to truly have a full day off to rest, I do know what the Bible says. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 This is such a blessed verse and a verse that brings much comfort. We all have a lot of things going on, it's hard to just sit, relax and let God take on our burdens. It doesn't seem fair to God, but you see, He offered. Come to me...Jesus says.

I wonder, do you come to Jesus? What will it take for you to come? I pray you take some time today, whatever you may be doing, and rest in the arms of Jesus!

-Brian

Cold

I am not a fan of the cold? I'm not a fan of how people drive in the cold...the wind in the cold...cold drafts...I am however a fan of cold beverages (non alcoholic of course) some cold foods and a cold shoulder every now and then haha along with COLD HARD CASH...

But it being Winter and all, it makes sense for it to be cold. I still, however am not a fan of cold. I recognize that God made all of the seasons in the beginning and He has a purpose for all of it, but it's not my favorite.

I love, however, to see what God does in each season. Not just in the four seasons of the year, but in every season of our lives. There is always something new that God reveals to us or teaches us. A lot of times that comes out of adversity or out of the dark and cold seasons of our lives.

So, that brings me to the double question. What's your favorite season (of the four) and what is God teaching you in whatever season of your life you find yourself in?

-Brian

Goings on

I wonder sometimes, what is going on in your life? I don't necessarily just mean the regular, but spiritually and emotionally. It is important as people, especially as Christians that we connect on a Spiritual level. So many are content with connecting on purely surface, external levels and miss the most important part of a person: the soul.

I am working through commitment and contentment as this new year has rolled around. As in, I make a commitment and then I am content to follow it. Also, God has made His commitments to me, and I need to be content to trust in Him to provide.

Trust is a big factor in commitment and contentment. If you are in a committed relationship with a boy/girl friend or Spouse and there is no trust, then there is no contentment. And if you content chiding responsibility and discipline in being consistent in your quiet time lets say, then there is no trust in that and no commitment.

I think all of these aspects are important. What do YOU think?

-Brian

Struggle

Life, is a struggle sometimes. Maybe you have heard from a Pastor, and I have even said it as one; that it is easy to trust God when everything is good. When the bank account is full, when the car is running smooth, when the job is working out just fine. But when any of those come into question, is the trust still in God? It should be, but is it?

It's funny and really ironic that I ask those questions, because I struggle with that myself. Can I trust God when things look grim? Can I trust God if I was destitute?

Sometimes, I lose heart, and get greatly concerned about how things are going to work out, and I realize I am not trusting God. It is such an EASY thing to do when life is "good." Very much a hard thing to do when it is not. While that is obvious, I think this is where true Christianity comes into play. This is when Character comes into play. This is when head knowledge vs. heart knowledge comes into play.

Do you believe in Christ, or do you just have head knowledge. Is Jesus your Lord TODAY, or only when it's convenient for you? If you truly Love God and you are truly Saved, then the answer is Yes You believe in Christ and He is your Lord TODAY.

If that's correct, then we (you and me both) need to start living like it. Most would say "acting" like it, but that's the problem, too many ACTORS. LIVING like Christ starts with Faith IN Christ. That's how salvation started. We had faith that God is who He says He is, and He sent His Son to die on the Cross for OUR sins, so that we could be forgiven, accept Him as Lord and Savior and live in eternity with Him!

That is all well and good, but for now, here we are. Living this life. What are we going to do with it? So I challenge you as I challenge myself to put your faith and trust in the Lord and Love of your life! He will provide! He will take care of our problems. Sufficient for today is it's own trouble.

Trust in Him now, I beg of you. Trust in Him now, he begs of you and me! Let's put the trust where in belongs (Christ) and the worry where it belongs (garbage) and sit back and watch God work!

Amen! and Amen!

-Brian

Today

All we have is today. Maybe less. We aren't guaranteed our next breath. All we have is NOW, whenever that is for you. Every next moment is NOW and the ones, even a second ago, no longer exist. As crazy as that it, it has me humbled here on the second day of the New Year. How much time each day, each hour, each minute is wasted with useless worry and concern or contempt or simply wasted?

If we were honest with ourselves, the answer is probably most of it. How much time is spent in the word of God? How much time in Prayer? How much time investing in the lives of others?

So many things that could be done aren't or at least have not been done because opportunities are wasted.

I don't want my last breath to be wasted. I want to be "caught dead" doing what God called me to do. While I realize we can't spend every waking moment in ministry, we CAN have the attitude of Jesus in all that we say and do and even think and that's a start.

A resolution perhaps? Sure! I want the youth ministry to grow at my church and that starts with me not wasting opportunities...after all my next breath could be my last!

Viva New Year,

Brian

Hello,

So I need to blog more and I will in 2010. I'm sure I said that for 2009 as well, but it was a busy year. As we get ever closer, I am currently residing at the Bed and Breakfast that Sam and I went to on our Honeymoon, with Sam! We are having a great time celebrating the New Year out in a place where the Nearest Walmart is at least 25 minutes away, NO ONE is doing fireworks, and everything closes by 9. It's quaint, it's somewhat boring, and I am loving every moment of it. The Inn itself is beautiful and the people here are fantastic.

I hope that you and yours had a blessed Christmas and are having a happy New Years Eve and that you have a blessed New Years!

Here is to a New Year full of God's Blessings!

In Jesus Name,

Brian

Videos that are funny

This is a compilations of videos that are funny!

Enjoy!







God Bless,

Brian

Good tidings

Life is interesting. Life is a vapor. I find that statement to be so true. When you work in the profession that I do (pastoring) you deal with a lot more death than most people (save the medical field and morgue type people). You either officiate or attend various funerals of church members and church members families, and you are reminded of the fragility of life. It really does go by fast. November 23rd, It will be 6 months of marriage for me. 6 months! Really?!?! I remember the craziness leading up to it. The anticipating. The wondering whether it would EVER happen, and then it does, and then time just moves.

I liken it only to being a child, and all of the anticipation for Christmas. It take FOREVER to get here, but then it's here, and just like that, it's over. Crazy.

The difference with marriage of course is that the wedding comes and then it's over, but then the biproduct is you are still wonderfully (hopefully) married.

I am overjoyed to be with Samantha. I often wonder why she wanted to be with someone like me, but it's so nice to know I'm with the person God made me to be with.

So, while time goes fast, I am trying desperately to enjoy the moments. I pray the same for you. Wherever you are today, I pray you live in the moment, and enjoy what life God has given.

God Bless,

Brian

FEE

A current fave of mine is the band Fee. Pretty much every single song they have put out not only sounds awesome, but is incredible powerful! They have a new one called We Crown You, which nearly brought me to tears and I wanted to share the youtube video here...and the lyrics so you could hear it for yourself and see how powerful the words are!

The words are as follows and then the video!

All hail the power of Jesus' name
The wonders of his grace, our saviour
All bow before the king of love
Our treasure and our God, Redeemer

[Pre-Chorus]
There is none more holy, great, and mighty
No one like our god

[Chorus]
King of Kings and God of grace (We crown you, we crown you)
Our Redeemer strong to save (We crown you, we crown you)
High and holy lifted up
There is none more worthy Lord
We crown You Lord of all

[Verse 1]
All sing a melody of praise
Our grateful hearts we raise to you, our treasure
All rise an shout of entry cry
Cause Jesus is alive
And we have been forgiven

[Bridge]
For the life that you've restored
For the hope that's been reborn
Every prodical called home (we crown you, we crown you)
Grace and mercy you have shown (we crown you, we crown you)

For the blood that washed me pure (we crown you, we crown you)
For my sin and shame no more (we crown you, we crown you)
Son of God our greatest prize (we crown you, we crown you)
King of Glory, Jesus Christ (we crown you, we crown you)




May you be encouraged today!

God Bless!

-Brian

Current

Today is Wednesday, October 7th, 2009. It is 8:53 A.M. (EST) as I am writing this. I am not sure where you are today (geographically/physically but more over spiritually) but God has a word for you as he has for me. We each deal with different things in different ways. Sometimes we deal with the exact same thing in different ways. But no matter what you go through, Jesus is there for you.

Here the words of the Lord.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about ANYTHING! We all are anxious about something. Then it says when we pray to remember to give thanks to God first, then present our requests. How often do we come to God as a sounding board, not waiting to hear what He has to say to us, and then expecting Him to just answer. Sometimes, we need to LISTEN. There is a sure fire way to not be Anxious as well. Instead of worrying about what to do, we can wait on the Lord to give us the Answer!

Easier said than done, obviously, but where ever you may be today, I hope you take comfort in this verse, and will ultimately rest in the comforting arms of the Savior and allow Him to be the Hero of your circumstance. This is for me as much as it is for you!

God Bless,

Brian

Seeking Clarity

I am overcome with racing thoughts sometimes. I struggle to see where I am going to be in the future. I think about being married as I am, and eventually having a family, and I find myself always looking forward, but not with anticipation, rather with worry. I worry about the future, and allow the present to just kind of pass me by. This is no way to Live.

In Matthew 6:34 Jesus says "Therefore, Do not Worry about Tomorrow, for Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I see that. I get that. I've read that many many times in my life. It makes sense, but how to I make it practical in my life? I often wonder this, and all the time I spend thinking, I miss spending time in Prayer. I know that God will take care of me, He always has.

I know God knows what is best for me, and wants the best for me, and yet I still worry. Why? Because I take my eyes off the prize. Peter very well would have walked all the way to Jesus on the ocean surface had he not taken his eyes off the prize (Jesus) and started focusing on the worries of this world.

That's the key. The world is here, yes, but it is temporal. Though, as far as we are concerned it is what we have to deal with day to day, one day, "DAY" won't exist. And all we will be left with is what we did while we were here.

I for one don't want to look back on my life and realize I wasted it worrying about what might happen, and not living in what was happening. I wonder how much happier, and healthier, we all would be if we set our eyes firmly upon Jesus, and just be what was.

I closing, I am reminded of a quote by my Pastor who says to me, "I refuse to worry about something that doesn't yet exist..."

Eady day has enough trouble on its own. Live in the day. Set your eyes upon Jesus.


-Brian

The Calm AFTER the Storm

It's Monday. Monday is hard, especially for Pastor's. I really, truly, understand that now. I'm not just saying this. It is very true. The amount of work, energy, adrenaline, stress, emotion, et cetera put into a full day of preaching on Sunday takes it's toll. And of course, we top it off by scheduling all of our big meetings and decision making time on Monday. Not the best idea. For more on this, See Clayton King's Blog.

As I had mentioned on Thursday, I had the privilege of preaching the entire day while my Pastor is off on vacation. It was, in a word, fulfilling/fun/exhausting/hard (That's four words). If that wasn't enough, I just started a new college aged singles class that I lead during the SS hour, and we moved Youth group to Sunday Nights. Put your math cap on...and that's....carry the two...yes...5 teaching/preaching times in a 12 hour period. Nice. I did learn a lot yesterday though, about God, about myself, and about the gifts and the talents he has blessed me with.

Anyone who knows me, knows I enjoy talking. I think talking should be a sport...or at least a pastime, complete with trading cards, superlativeness even...but I digress. Being a Pastor, I get a lot of opportunity to speak...but now...I can use that opportunity to not just idly speak, but rather speak the truth of God to the masses. To me, there really is nothing better.

So, even though it's exhaustion Monday...I am very thrilled for how well all day Sunday went and I continue to trust God for the results from yesterday, and the days to come!

When you think of it, please lift up Western Branch Baptist Church as we are transitioning and growing...that we would continue to not only grow numerically but in Favor with the Lord.

God Bless,

Brian

MORE

I do believe I have had this desire before, But I really desire to get more into this blog. Not a lot of people read it, though, in all honesty, I don't give much to be read, so I want to change that.

This whole week and the next, my Pastor is out of town on Vacation, and I by default am "running the church," which is really cool and I am excited for the opportunity. I know that this is just one of the many things that will help me grow. I've got a lot done this week, earlier than most weeks when I am here. Part of that could be that I knew I needed to be open and available for more than usual since I'm the only pastor here, but another part of it was the motivation to do better with my time, and to honor God will my availability.

This is something I do hope will carry over into the weeks and months and years when the Pastor is here, and I am back to being the lowly youth guy. I really think sometimes God gives us opportunities to not only help us to own our faith or our abilities and let them shine for Him, but also to teach us how we ought to be, even when the "responsibility" isn't there.

All that to say, I am learning, I am growing, and I hope you are too! So do me a favor, visit the site, comment, let me know what you are thinking about and even a topic you would like for me to speak on.

God Bless,

Brian

LEAVING A LEGACY

There are times in this life where in the midst of tragedy, comes hope. There are people, who even in their death, inspire the LIVING to LIVE BETTER! Such a person, was the man, Jim English. In his words, he was kind and wise, in his service, he was meek and humble, in his walk, he was solid and bold for Christ, and in his life, Christ reigned.

In this video, a tribute to the man Jim English, the prayer is that God is glorified!

Wow

I find myself sitting here, late, oftentimes wanting to be good at more than I either have time to be good at, or that I have the skills needed to be good at. For instance, I am a Youth Pastor, and I hold firmly to the fact that this is where God has me, but I also have other aspirations. I play drums, and I'd love to be a part of a band that did gigs and traveled and presented the Gospel of Jesus through music. I make goofy videos and devotional videos as well, and I love to do it, but I am not good with editing, though I wish I was. I'd love to be good at graphics too, as I think that, along with video editing would be good for my youth group.

While I'm sure if I spent some time, I could become better at these things, I know that in the course of life, it is better to do one thing well, than a lot of things mediocre. I must first and foremost work in the calling God gave me, trust Him in that, and the rest will come.

May that be an encouragement to all of you as well!

Christ First, Love Always

Brian

Great Commision

The next few days are very interesting for those of the Southern Baptist Denomination. The Annual SBC meeting is happpening in the next few days through Tuesday. This is when churches apart of the convention come together for a common purpose.

Now, there are distinct differences from most denominations unique to the SBC. You see, all Southern Baptist Churches are what's called "Autonomous." You may be familiar with that word if you ever watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when King Arthur is talking to some peasants and he tells them he is King, to which one responds, "...I thought we were an Autonomous Collective." What Autonomous means is that we are all seperate. Most denominations have a governing body that is over a bunch of churches, but Southern Baptist Churches don't have a governing body. They can be apart of conventions, such as the SBC which is the Southern Baptist Conservatives of VA which most conservative Southern Baptist churches are apart of, and of course the national convention, SBC. Now, there are many advantages to being stand alone. What happens at my church has nothing to do with what happpens at say, Liberty Baptist in Hampton. Both of these churches are conservative, and have the same basic beliefs, but one is not responsible for the other. This is a good thing, especially since there are quite a bit of churches that are Southern Baptist in name, but liberal in practice.

The downside to all of this, is that it's not public knowledge that we are in fact autonomous and so when in the news, churches like Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas (who I will NOT link to as they get money for every web click) the church that protests military funerals and says things like "God hates Gays" and other derogatory words, give Southern Baptists a bad name. Now, they are in fact an Independant Baptist church (and there are numerous types of Baptists) but still people look at that, and may think I believe the same. This is the downside.

But, the point to all this, is the SBC meeting this year is rought with contraversy as it is most years, but this year I believe they are really on to something. Though we are the largest protestant denomination with 16.5 + million members, we are suffering a decline in membership and baptistm's as most denominations. There are many reasons for this, but instead of pointing fingers, this year an initiative has been started. Just as the conservatives won a LONG battle against the moderates and liberals that "tried" to take over the SBC in the 60's, they again are mounting up for a new cause. This cause, simply put, is the GOSPEL.

retooled, this new initiative is called the Great Commission Resurgence and it's purpose is to redirect us from the petty fights, and political attacks, and refocus us to our First calling, which is to go and make DISCIPLES of all nations. The great emphasis is that we would continue to pool together resources, and "monies" into one of the most ingenious funds ever created, simply the Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program simply put is where ALL the churches in the commision send on average 10 percent, or equivelent to a tithe of their budget to the SBC. The monies, are used to help seminaries and other SBC organizations, though primarily they are used to fund missionary efforts in North America and INTERNATIONALLY for the purpose of disseminating the gospel and training people in the knowledge of Christ. It is quite awesome, and it is one of the many reasons I am proud to be a Southern Baptist.

But really, above all, I'm proud, and Ironically humbled, to be HIS, a Child of God, Saved and called according to HIS purposes! I am praying for the CONVENTION this weekend into Tuesday, and I know God is going to do GREAT things and inspire a great work to be done for Him, because of Him, and it's in His name I'll end here, Amen.

-Brian

ZACH MORRIS

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Yes

Its Friday and I present to You...the BIBLE...in a minute..

3 Days

I am 3 days from my Wedding Day (at 1 P.M.) and I am sitting here in a reflective state. I have heard it said, "What would it be like to get everything you've ever wanted?" That comment I have heard in movies and the like, and it has never really applied to me...until now. Two things I have wanted since I was young. 1. To be a Youth Pastor and 2. To be married. In 3 days, I'll have both at the SAME TIME! I'm really not sure how to process it all. It is really all kind of surreal. I'm not out of my mind excited like I thought I might be, but of course I am looking forward to it. For the first time in a long time in my life, I can actually say that I am pretty "chill" about it. 

I have heard that it is different for the guy than it is for the girl, especially on the emotional side. Most guys who are married I have talked to said it didn't really hit them until the day of, or right as they were up on stage, or even the day after. I don't know when it will "hit" me, but all I do know is that I am a man blessed with more than I deserve and I look forward to how God will use both myself and Samantha in our new life together! 

All you married folks out there, any last minute thoughts? 

God Bless,

Brian

This isn't Jugement, this is Love

As a Baptist (Southern Baptist to be exact) the subject of Judgement tends to bring tears of joy to my eyes. That's more of a joke, but sort of true. It has been and probably is being said even as we speak that Baptist's are all about Hell, Fire and Brimstone. "Turn or Burn." They say this to contrast with most denominations emphasis on Grace. Well, I have two thoughts on this subject. 

First of all, why on earth would we preach (as we are so specifically pointed out as doing) a TURN or burn philosophy if we didn't believe in grace? I mean, seriously. If all we talked about was Hell, then we wouldn't ask people to turn, we would just point them in the direction they are already going. Truth be told, and the Bible is my witness on this, the punishment for sin is death, and we are all sinners. 

In archery, when an archer misses the target, it's called a "sin." Simply put, we all miss the target, God's target. So the punishment of sin is death, not just physical, as we are all apointed once to die, but spiritually death, an eternity seperated from the Father and Jesus (and the Holy Spirit for that matter). BUT, the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE with Him in Heaven upon your profession of faith, and confession of belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. This is the TURN part. We do very VERY much emphasize grace! 

Secondly, I read an article today that asked if the judgment of the ungodly was good news, and that we shouldn't talk about that, but rather replace that negativity with grace. Really?

Yes, that's a GREAT IDEA! That's worked so well for this country so far, what with Teen Pregnancy and the ECONOMY! Let's just tell them all the good things that can happen, and never inform or remind them of the consequences for their actions. "No, go ahead and borrow 400,000 dollars even though you make 30,000; it will be fine!" "No condom? No problem! Go for it, if you get pregnant, there are plenty of shelters you can go to for help, or to rid yourself of the problem!" 

That is where we are as a country. We are so KNEE DEEP in what we think "grace" is that we don't even want to touch the judgment aspect because that's negative; especially from Christians because God is a Loving God. Correction; God IS LOVE. He is! This is a wonderful and blessed thing, but He is Also just. Meaning, sin does not, and cannot go unpunished. 

But where Sin increases, Grace increases, for those who know Christ. This is a wonderful and blessed gift of God. And I agree that we should not judge, but calling out sin is not judgement, it's quite frankly accountability. All the Apostles, and church leaders called out sin. Not because they were any less sinners in need of a Savior, but because that is what Jesus did. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin. 

Turning from sin, is turning from eternally burning in Hell, when you Turn to Christ. This is the message of the Bible, I didn't write it, but I'm commanded to go and make disciples, and part of disciple making is growing in the knowledge of the truth, and turning from the life of corruption and sin. It's not just about making a one time decision for Christ; that is but a starting point. 

It's about a life-long, ETERNAL relationship with Jesus Christ! So, when I, a Southern Baptist, say Turn or Burn, and you cry "JUDGEMENT" remember first that Christ died, so that you could live, that He Loved You, ALL OF YOU, He still does, and because of that Love, now in Me, I Love you all too, and want you to know Him as I do. 

This isn't Judgement, this is Love.

Brian 

Rest

I feel like I never have enough rest! Anyone else out there feel that way? I know part of it is my fault, as I stay up late, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I'm finishing up my masters, have work, and of course, prepping for marriage. This takes a toll on every part of you; from physically to socially, emotionally, and so forth. I sometimes wonder how I am going to make it through. 

Then I remember, Jesus gave me, and gave all of us the solution. In the Bible, Matthew 11:28 says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

This is such a comforting verse in times of stress and strain. Really, I think it's comforting in most all situations. I have heard it said, if your not going through a struggle, or a valley, you soon will be. You're either coming out of a struggle, or heading into one. This doesn't sound fun, but it is life afterall.

But Jesus tells us that we can come to Him, weary and burdened and He WILL give us rest! When's the last time you've rested in Jesus?

-Brian

EXCITMENT

I am really stinking excited for what God is doing in the Youth Ministry here at WBBC! We are currently going through an 8 week training program on witnessing to give the youth not just the resources they need to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ, but really to motivate them and create excitment. No one does well when they are not prepared, and the G-O-S-P-E-L way of witnessing created by Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share, is about the best their is for youth. This training program not only helps them learn scriptures needed to communicate, but also how to communicate to those who would be adverse to the Gospel (which unfortunately, now a days, is almost everyone). 

The coolest thing about it, is we are creating some open and honest discussion about what the youth think of things. They get to really share their hearts, their burdens, and concerns, and their knowledge. My goal in all this is that they would OWN their faith. This should be the goal of every Christian, but it is one of my goals set for the Youth Ministry. Some of these youth will be graduating this year, and going off to college, and it is VERY important that they not just be able to tell someone they have a relationship with Jesus, but that they can tell them WHY and HOW. 

It's not enough anymore to simply say your a christian. You have to live it out and be able to defend what it is you believe (I believe that's in the Bible; 1 Peter 3:15)

So, any and all of you out there reading this who are saved, please lift up the Youth Ministry in prayer and we dig deep in the Word to reveal it's truths and motivate these young people to win their lost friends for Jesus. 

For those of you reading this who aren't saved, but want to know more, please message me...Brian.Mitch.Norris@gmail.com

God Bless,

Brian

The story Part 6: The end of the beginning

Much time has been spent in preparation for the final part of "The story" We have gone many places in this journey, and now we reach a type of end. As with all stories, once the climax happens, the story kind of settles down and maybe a resolution to previous issues comes about. 

Think of the story where the prince and princess are in love, and some big battle comes, in which the prince wins, and then at the end, they come back together, and live happily ever after. This is a type of end. But as it relates to "The story" we have to understand that the end is really the end of the beginning. You see, as long as we have breath in us, we have a chance to change. We have a chance for resolution. We have a chance for opportunity. When it comes to Christ, as long as we are alive, we have a chance to accept Him as Lord and Savior. You have this chance! Just like myself, and others who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you too can have one!

Yes, there is a lot of mess in this world. Yes, we do a lot of things to mess up our personal lives. Yes, we have sinned, and done wrong in the eyes of God. But, there is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING that can keep you from the LOVE OF GOD!!! As a matter of fact, the only Sin God can and WILL not forgive is that you die never having accepted Christ. That's the "unpardonable sin" rejection of the Holy Spirit...which is the counselor sent by God in Jesus absence, that came and comes upon people upon their confession of faith and trust in Jesus. 

So, no matter how far away you believe you are from God, or how many times you have sinned, please know GOD LOVE YOU and wants you to have a relationship with His son, JESUS CHRIST! HE Died on the Cross for our sins! People put Him there but ultimately OUR SIN was WHY He was there. He gave His life freely for us. But that's not enough. It's not enough that Jesus gave His life, so our sin COULD be forgiven, we have to then accept Him asking for forgiveness of Sin and relationship with Him. Then, not only is Sin forgiven and a relationship with God created/restored, but the ultimate reward is ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM!!!

I encourage you to know Christ! Romans 10:9 says "If we confess with our mouths 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the grave, WE WILL BE SAVED." 

That's what it's all about. It's not enough to SAY we know Christ, but we must truly BELIEVE what we say!!! No Matter where you are at in your life, or what is going on within it, God is there for you. He wants desperately to restore that relationship with you, Humanity, that He had from the beginning before we rebelled against Him!

The beautiful thing about this life, no matter how messed up it gets, is that it's life! As long as it's life, even when we reach the end of "The story" we know that the end is really JUST the beginning!

I pray the old Life ends for you today, and that the NEW LIFE IN CHRIST begins for you Today!

God Bless,

Brian

P.S. If there is anything you ever need, please let me know! If you want to talk more about Christ, or what have you, God is here for you and I am as well! 

The story Part 5: Climax

Now, every good story has a climax. You combine the setting and plot, with the characters and you reach a point; a moment of absolute tension just before resolution. We are faced with a setting that is in our backyard, USA, or anywhere in the WORLD. We are faced with the Character of Jesus Christ and his Lordship, and the 6 Billion + Humans who are the villian. Never has their been complete and totally villiany against one Individual. This however, is where it gets interesting. 

Jesus may in fact be one individual, but He is the definition of Transcendent! It's like the Visa card, "He's EVERYWHERE you want to be!" Literally. Everywhere. God is what we call outside of time. Therefore He is currently at our birth, our death, our 50th birthday, this precise moment in time and so forth. Everywhere at once because it's an open timeline before Him. He is the embodyment of perfection, and we are the instruments of evil, when it comes to this world. We are but vessels, and we either give into the world, and Satan (which is most often the case) or we give into Christ. 

Point being: There is no "control." We are either slaves to sin, or to Christ. We don't control either. Not that we are "Made" to do one or the other, but if we do not ALLOW Christ to work in our lives, the world will overcome us. 

Now, we may be the villians, but something amazing took place, takes place, and is TAKING place even now. Jesus perfection, laid down his life for the villian(s) (us). He laid down his life so we could be like him, a CO-HEIR in Heaven. Jesus is the Son of God, but when we accept Him, we become essentially a son (or daughter) of God and a co heir with Christ. We still have faults, and we still do wrong. We still disappoint, break God's heart, but we have forgiveness and mercy and direction from Him when we accept His Son and believe God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

This takes us essentially from villian to Jesus calling us friend. It's not that we are a perfect friend as He is, but that His sacrifice made up for all of our faults. Ever. Period.

This is the climax of "the story": At the moment of ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION and evil, Jesus laid it all on the line. Though we point fingers and blame, He made it clear. No one took His life from Him, but He gave it freely. This was the cup He had to bear. This was the cup He chose to bear out of obedience. This was the most defining moment in History, and it defines us even now. 

This climax is different than most as the resolution is not so cut and dry. This climax leaves you with many questions but only one answer. Will you join me for part 6; the final part of "the story"? 

I hope you will, and feel free to comment!!! I would love to know your reading!

Brian

The story Part 4: Hero

Clearly you know by now, that this story is coming from a Christian perspective. This may bring a mix of emotion, and may have even curbed some of the enthusiasm for this blog series as comments and viewership have somewhat declined, but still here it is.

Knowing that this is coming from the Christian perspective you more than likely have already assumed the hero to be Jesus, and you would be correct. Every good story has a hero, and most often a stereotypical hero. But this isn't any old hero. This is Jesus. But this isn't My Jesus or Your Jesus, or at least what We make of Him. You see, as Christians, we believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior for eternal life. This is all well and good, but do we make of Jesus what we ought to. NO! We do not. And to be honest, nothing we could ever do, would give Him his due.

So this isn't about the Jesus that we have created in our minds, or on our movie screens, but this is about the true Jesus, the authentic Jesus, the son of the living GOD. He is the hero of "the story," and no matter where you are, He is there to rescue.

So many would cite the seeming inconsistency of what I just wrote because of the current issues in Gaza, the pestilence and disease in Africa and other parts of the world, the senseless killings of a terrorist, or babysitter, and the evil that so plagues the world. How can I say that God is there to rescue when He clearly sees what is going on and does nothing.

So often, we are quick to point out the negative without seeing the glorious positive. What God gives us that we sometimes distain, and we don't quite understand, but we would be upset if we didn't have is free will. He gives all of us the ability to do right and the ability to do wrong. Yes, He sees what is going on, but we are not marianettes to be controlled. He always it. But He also allows us the forgiveness of that sin, and a place in eternity with Him if we Believe upon His son Jesus Christ, the Hero of "the story". That is what we don't deserve.

REMEMBER, we are the villians. We are the bad guys. We deserve all this mess (whether you believe so or not) and Jesus deserves nothing but praise and YET came and took on this very same flesh and DIED in your place and in mine so that we could sit here and either a. accept Him and live for Him or b. complain about the horrible world we live in.

A plane crash yesterday where 155 passengers were on board, and 155 passengers survived. Some say that was some good flying, and it was, some say that was a lucky break, and it was, but if ever a miracle could be classified, this would be it. Do you not think God played a part in this?

Either way you look at it, the Christ figure of the Bible is reveared in most all cultures and religions as at the least, a great teacher, or prophet who did many miracles. This is not refuted. But that's as far as it goes in most placed. A prophet a teacher. What makes Him Lord? Is it that you believe He is Lord? That you accept Him as Lord?

No! What makes Him Lord, and default hero of "the story" is that He is Who He says He is. God is God whether you believe He is God or not. Fact. But such a loving and caring God, that He sent His son Jesus to be one of us, and to die for us, all the while Jesus being fully God, didn't set his place as royal or high, but became a servant for us. This is the definition of a hero and the manifestation of Holiness.

Jesus IS, and therefore we are!

Stay tuned for part 5 as we look at the "climax" of "the story" and let me know your thoughts.

-Brian

The story Part 3: The Villain(s)

Every good story has a good villian, or in some cases (like in the case of "the story" villians). In movies, the villian(s) is usually portrayed as someone who is "pure evil" or "without a soul". Sometimes, they are the kind who seem nice but have a dark side or who talk a good game but at the end of the day they are vindictive and criminal. In the world and popular media, we "villianize" whole countries like Iraq and Iran, China, and world wide favorite baddie, Israel.

In the end though, the villian(s) in this story may surprise you. The villian(s) are us. Humanity. The entire population past, present, and future. You may find this harsh, but follow me here. The world is corrupt and everyone of us falls short of perfection. We may try and live our lives as good as we can, but we all slip up and make mistakes. In varying degrees we lie or we have lied, cheat, steal, manipulate, gossip, manuver, have favorites, make alliances against others, think ill and even wish ill upon others, and so on. Just because you haven't physically hurt someone doesn't mean your above reproach in this area.

If you've been following "the story" then you know this is taken from a Christian worldview. While we are on that subject, the Bible tells us, "There is no one righteous, no even one." (Romans 3:10b, NIV). There is no one righteous. It goes onto say there is no one that understands, no one that seeks God. When you look at the world and the way it is at large, you almost have to agree. The villians in this story are us. We are the bad guys.

One of my favorite quotes from the Lord of the rings is "There's some good in this world and it's worth fighting for." Amongst all the fighting and the hate and mistrust and abuse, there is good in this world. But if Humanity is the villian, then where does the good come from?

I'm glad you asked. That good comes from outside ourselves, outside of and yet from humanity. That good comes from the main character of Part 4 of "the story" and I pray you'll join me there!

God Bless,

Brian

The story Part 2: Setting

Every good story has a setting. Most would say that this is the backbone to every story. You can't get a good grasp on what is going on, without knowing where the action is taking place. This story is different than other stories. The setting for "The story" is life. it's Baghdad, Iraq; it's 101 Long Green Blvd. Yorktown, VA. It's 4710 High Street West, Portsmouth, VA. It's your backyard anywhere in the world. Whereever you may be, life is taking place. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but everytime, it's life.

As was mentioned in the previous post, what happens in this life shapes our worldview. Not just current happenings mind you, but your past; where you came from, when you were there, and what took place during your stay. What were you taught? What did you learn? What guides you? What decieves you?

All these questions, and the answers to them shape the setting for "the story" and a story within a story is born. Each of us, you, me, all of us, has a history. We all have a background, some public, and some not so, and we all have a present. It's been said, "It's the moments that define us." Some of us take that to heart and try to capture every moment, while others of us try to erase such moments from memory.

Some of our stories intersect with our knowledge of Christ. Some of them intersect with that knowledge turning into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While still some of our stories do not intersect with either the knowledge of or relationship with Christ. This could be because of geographical area (I.e. the middle east) and lack of exposure to the Christian faith, or maybe other countries, where to be a christian is to be a dead man/woman. Or, maybe it's the United States; land of the free and home of the brave, where choices abound and the american dream and Christianity don't mesh for you. Maybe it's not that at all. Maybe you look at Christianity (I.e. the people who claim to be Christians) and you decide that Christian is just another word for hypocrit, and you turn away. Or maybe, just maybe, you waiting, hoping, wondering, when someone will come to you with the truth of the Gospel of Christ, so that you might know him.

Again, whereever you are, life is happening. What is happening and what has happened in your world, effect who you are. It effects what you do, and what you believe. But thankfully, it's not the end of the story.

Will you join me as we continue on this story? Part 3 is coming soon, and I hope as the story unfolds, it will resonate with your life, and help you to search your soul for the answers found in "the story"

-Brian

The story Part 1: Intro

I am starting a series if you will of blogs on the same subject. I'm calling it "The Story." It sounds completely unoriginal, and it may be, but it deals with not so common applications to common words. I plan to look at the different parts of a story...from the setting, to the hero, and the villian, the climax, and the conclusion.

We all have a story, a history if you will, that sets the stage for either who we are today, what we are becoming, or where we are going. There are "benchmarks," life moments that can define us and shape not only our worldview, but our comings and goings in this world.

I pray you'll join me as we look at "The story" that truly defines us all.

God Bless,

Brian

NEW YEAR NEW ME?

I think every year a lot of people set out to change something about themselves as I have mentioned in previous posts! We look at the new year as another chance, a fresh opportunity. For some reason the "I'll start on Monday" with a fresh start is trumped by the turning of the clock to midnight on New Year's Day. In some ways, it's just another Thursday, but as we look at the calendar's, we see that the date has changed to 2009. 

I remember when I was a kid and all the things I thought I would be doing in 2009. I thought about flying cars and other such vehicles and being a wealthy business owner; two things very different from the current reality. I look back on these memories though fondly however, as when I became older, and gave my life to Christ, the dreams and aspirations changed as he led, and they focused on youth ministry, which is where I am now! This was providential in my life, and continues to be the case. 

But here we are in a new year and a new opportunity, and I wonder what I will do with it. Will I let time slip like so many years before? Will I make the most of opportunities God give me to...witness to others about Christ? To help someone in need? To grow in my own faith? These are questions that circle my mind every day, but especially when given a "clean slate" with the changing of the year. I try not to do resolutions but I have goals for this year as I have MAJOR changes on the horizon.

This year, I turn 25, graduate with my master's degree, and get married; all in the same month (Should the Lord tarry). This is HUGE! This will be the most significantly life changing year of my life (besides the year I accepted Christ). Those are great things, but those are slated to take place until May. There's a lot of time between now and May. What will I do with it? 

I want to first make it my goal to update this more. I wanted more viewership and followers as I mentioned many weeks ago, but a sure fire way to do that, is to update often. I want to not take myself to seriously in the new year but also be serious enough to handle the responsibilities God has given me. 

I tend to take things way to personal, and I am working toward letting more roll off my shoulder, so that I may focus on God's many blessings, and resist the curses and temptations. It's so easy to look around at the world right now, and think negatively, but God is alive and well and working in this world. I want my focus to be on that, on HIM. 

Those are just some of the many goals I have, not to be outdone by truly preparing my mind, body, and heart to be the best husband I can be. I am slated to marry not only the most beautiful woman I've ever been graced to know from an external and internal perspective, but a VERY biblical solid, deeply caring individual who is fulfilled by helping others be fulfilled. Full of grace, wonder, and a joy to be around, I do ever so look forward to marrying her. 

I look forward to a lot of things, as I am sure you do. But first and foremost we must remember, that as of now, TODAY, this moment, is all we have. Make the most of it! 

God Bless and Happy New Year!!!

-Brian

P.S. What are your goals and aspirations for this year? Comment away!

CHEEZED

"Hi, I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC." This is a familiar phrase many of us have heard from the various commercials on TV.  PC. That is a very familiar word in our culture nowadays and it doesn't stand for Personal Computer. It stands for Politically Correct. Every you go, you see it. Especially around this time of year. Merry Christmas gets subverted by Happy Holidays. Now sure, it's just words, and some would even say it's just a greeting, and not much thought is put into it, but I beg to differ. 

It doesn't bother me so much when it's said on TV, or done at a store, as I realize the management of these various places are doing what they can to not "offend" clientel. However, when a Christian comes on and says, "Happy Holidays" well that just cheezes me. What is the reason for saying Merry Christmas? Why as Christians do we say it? Hint: IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SEASON!!! CHRISTmas. CHRIST. That is what it is about, Christ. But we don't make it about Christ. We make it about everything but. "Oh, I can't say Merry Christmas because someone might get offended." Well, you know what, as a Christian, you're offensive. You are, hands down, no butts about it. 

The Gospel of Christ, is offensive. The Gospel of Christ makes it clear that what we do is NOT ok, and that we are NOT all going in the same direction, and that withOUT CHRIST we are going to Hell. This is offensive to the culture at large, that believes it's ok to do anything they want. This has become the case so much that now it's almost illegal to have a stand against sin, or to call things like Homosexuality, or adultury, gluttony, sloth and other such things "wrong." 

"Who are you to Judge," they quip. They call us names like biggoted or intolerant. Funny how, they are ALL intolerant of those who don't "tolerate" them. The old adage, "Hate the sin, LOVE the sinner" means very little to people. The common understanding seems to be that if you Love me then you support what I do. When has love EVER been about agreeing with and supporting everything you do? 

Love is a parent who punishes their child for doing something wrong and shows them the error of their ways. Love is helping someone in a time of need or to get out of a bad habit or addiction. Ultimately, LOVE came down some 2000 years ago, as a baby, who's SOLE purpose was to DIE on a CROSS because of all the "SIN" that we feel Entitled to commit without any obstruction or ACCOUNTABILITY.

And then, on top of that, we deep it appropriate as Christians to completely overlook the significance of this event in our history and say "Happy Holidays" What a slap in the face to Christ. 

Whether or not he was actually born on December 25th is not the issue here. The issue is not just celebrating a day for Christ. The issue is, as Christians, are we LIVING sacrifices because of the sacrifice of LIFE that Jesus made for us? Or, are we more concerned with not offending everyone? Everytime we take that approach, we appease them right to Hell. I don't care if someone gets offended by my saying Merry Christmas, but I do care enough to tell them why we are Merry at Christmas, why Jesus came, why he died, and how they can know him, and have Eternal Life in Heaven with Him.

I know that Christmas didn't start as a "christian" holiday as some will be quick to point out, but again, you are missing my point. When it's your birthday, you make that clear, don't you? And sometimes, maybe your birthday comes in the middle of the week, and so you have to celebrate it either before or the weekend after. It doesn't matter that it isn't the "actual" day of your birth, it's the day set aside to celebrate your birth. This is a time honored tradition, especially among the younger of us. 

Yet, the day we set aside, regardless of the historical accuracy of it, for Christ, it gets completely overlooked or overshadowed by either the commercialism of the day, or the potential of offense to someone who isn't a Christian or doesn't believe!

You have every right to not believe in Christ. God was so wonderful, he not only gave us life but free will to do with this life what we want. You can live an alternate lifestyle, and that is your choice. I however, do not have to agree with that, to still validate your humanity. It's funny, you can slander ALMIGHTY GOD, and say whatever about Him that you want, but the first time, I as a Christian, go on the defensive or call out an issue in your life, oh that's off limits. Everyone is "tolerant" of everyone except to the Christians. Regardless of how I feel about it, imagine the mind and heart of Christ. He came and DIED for you, so you could turn around as act and live as if He doesn't even exist. What a Happy Holiday! or Merry Christmas to Him, huh?

Well, regardless, I want to make it clear that when you strip away all of it, all that remains is you and a choice, to accept or not accept Christ. So when I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, I don't say it to "offend" you because again I could care less, but I do so, because my JESUS died for me, and it's not YOUR day its HIS day, and in truth, EVERYDAY is HIS, the EARTH and ALL THAT IS IN IT!! I for one, am going to celebrate that!

It IS something to CELEBRATE indeed!!!

-Brian

Wanderings

 I am up doing various things, and among them I am thinking. We all have opinions and convictions. We all have belief systems that guide us and thought processes that we follow. This is nothing new, but is certainly something common among us. If you know me at all, you know that I am a very opinionated person. This is not a new revelation, simply a factual one, which I admit is odd, that it's a fact that I am OPINIONated, but I digress. 

I am a believer in Jesus Christ. This shapes my worldview. This shapes how I view actions and attitudes, events and social interactions, people, and all that is inbetween. Also, I am a people watcher. This isn't necessarily tied into my Christianity, but more into my curiosity of the human condition. I like to watch people, their body language, and mannerisms. These are fascinating to me. 

You can tell a lot about a person by the faces they make, or their body movements. You can tell a lot by what they say also. The Bible tells us "Of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." This means what you talk about the most tends to tell a lot about what is important to you. WHO you talk about is also very telling. 

We have this tendency within the church to call things by certain words. This may be done by tradition, because it was always called this, or it may be done by ignorance. Case in point; gossip. If you talk about someone to someone else, especially within the church, this has always been labeled as gossip. Merriam Webster defines gossip as : a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. Some say someone who says exaggerated of fabricated facts about someone. 

Now, there is some schism there. Is gossip simply talking about someone, or is it fabricated facts about someone. Whether you think it is or isn't, what's important is to ask yourself the question, "is it helpful?" "is it encouraging?" 

Some of you reading may not care if what you say to or about someone is encouraging, but going back to the Bible, and what shapes my worldview, I think we have to stop and take a look at this subject. I will be the first to admit, I am bad about ragging on people. If I have a problem with someone, I am quick to let people know about it. People, by the way, who are not the person in question, and typically people I am aware have a problem with this person as well. I think we all find it easier to talk to someone who shares either a common interest in or distain for a person. Some people enjoy confrontation, but most do not. This manifests itself in interesting  ways, especially within the four wall of the church. We preach a message of Christ, of peace on earth and good will to men, especially around this time of year. Do we mean it? Do we want peace for that person we aren't getting along with, or did us wrong? 

We come to Christmas Eve services, and we light the candles, have quiet reflection, maybe even take of the elements (communion) knowing full well we need to be in good standing with God (not having unconfessed sin) and with our fellow man before partaking. A lot of people over look the warnings that go along with taking communion. Some even take communion openly in a group that have never been saved. This is not what communion is about. It's not just the bread or the cup, its the rememberence and communing with God.

But how can we do so if we don't forgive and reconcile with one another? If we took the time to look at the positives of an individual over magnifying the negative, I wonder what kind of world this place would be?

If anything, this past year, and this time right now, the conviction is clear, that I need to make the best of every situation, I need to make sure like Ephesians 4:29 says that I, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." 

Am I building others up? Am I encouraging? Am I being a benifit to those who listen to what I am saying? If not, and I know some cases it IS not, then I need to change some things. Thankfully we have Christ, and forgiveness, and as we celebrate his TRIUMPHANT escape from the VIRGIN womb, I pray we remember His sacrifice, and live our lives accordingly!

With forgiveness and love,

Brian

GOD WILL PROVIDE

Since I have been a Christian, or at least as long as I can remember in church, I have heard the phrase, "God will provide." It was usually in reference to some necessity a group of people, like say a church, or an individual had. I used to hear the stories about people who were on their last dollar, and at just the right moment, God provided. Stories about people who gave above their means to honor God, and not having enough to make it, and then, God provided. I heard these stories, and I thought to myself how awesome that God provided, but if I was honest, I was also thinking, "Glad that isn't me."

I have never been more vunerable in my life than I am now. I am 5 months and 4 days 16 hours from being married. I've been doing my best to save with what I make, as has my fiancee, and then today, My transmission went out and it's gonna cost me a cool $2000.00. I was just devestated. Ive been working so hard to save and to scronge, to have enough to pay rent, somewhere, anywhere, and this happens. It makes you want to just scream. I hear so many people tell me, these things happen, or "Welcome to adulthood." While there are many thoughts that go through my head, the biggest of these is on trust. 

Do I trust that "God will provide?" I find myself in a situation not unlike those people who spoke on how God blessed so many times in my life. I've always had mom and dad. I've always had every need met, and most wants fulfilled. Always. I thank God for that, but now, I find myself in need, with not a lot of opportunity for provision, or so it seems. 

I've not known what it's like to be in this kind of situation before, and it scares me, more than I can express. Yet, I know I serve a BIG BIG GOD, Jehovah Jireh, a God who CAN and WILL provide. I know this, but I find in all honesty that I'm not internalizing it. I'm working on it though. I ask you all for prayer, and want to challenge everyone, that if you aren't there now, you will be at some point, and its NEVER to early to place your trust in God. 

We all have doubts and concerns, whether you've been a christian a few months, or many years. At some point however, we truly have to walk by faith and Trust that GOD has us in His very capable hands, and he will provide! Pastor or not, I'm a man, wanting to be able to provide for his soon to be wife and family, and needing more faith than ever! 

I give thanks to God, who is STRONG in the midst of my weakness, and I thank Him for already paving a way I yet have not seen. I pray I have the faith to see it through! I pray you all have the faith to trust in God, and maybe...we can make it through this Journey we call life together!

God Bless,

Brian

Help

Dear Blog reader,

I need your help. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but I am rather curious to how this will all play out. I created this blog, primarily, to be an encouraging and exhorting type of site. I am a youth pastor, and I want to fill this blog with real life stories and situations in which Christ is at work, and hopefully challenge you, the avid reader of this blog, to live your life as if Christ exists. 

However, I don't know how many of you are actually reading this blog. I would love to know. So many others have comments galore, alerting them to the fact that people are reading their site, and mostly enjoy doing so. I would love to know that you are reading this, even if you don't like reading it. 

You do not have to have a google account in order to leave a comment, but leaving your name would be nice. If you do perhaps have a google account, then on the top left of this site you can become a "follower" of this blog. That would mean a lot to me. 

All I want for Christmas is blog readers and subscribers, and...a few comments. Thanks!

Now, on to the reason for this blog today, Business. I'm busy. This may not seem to be the case as I sit here rather aimlessly hoping to grab some attention, but I am. I'm busy. Whereever you are, I am certain you are busy as well. We are all busy, with something, in some shape or form. This is nothing new, but with it come the same drawbacks. 

I find myself so busy, that I neglect important things sometimes, like praying (more than a few minutes) and getting into the word. The real reason I neglect these things I find, however, is in the times I'm not busy, im "wasting" time being "busy." Facebook, IM, TV, et cetera. These are all great gifts, but can be and many times are a deterent from me reaching for my spiritual food for the day.

Now, I do not say this to blame these social networking sites, or network television, but simply to say as much as I am busy, truly I am distracted. 

I'm missing the mark. I'm missing the point. It's 16 days until Christmas, and is Jesus really on my priority list? Of all times of the year, shouldn't He be? These are tough questions that lead to many more questions and fewer answers. All I know, is I need Jesus, more and more everyday, and yet I find "time" to add more and more everyday to my life that doesn't give me Jesus. Ridiculous. 

I know what I have to do, but I feel so much like Paul, where, in Romans 6, he talks about what he does he does not want to do, and what he does not want to do, that ends up being what he does. It's a vicious cycle. I know however, that where this cycle ends, Christ IS. That while this cycle is in play, Christ IS, and that no matter what, no matter how hard we fall, or distracted we get, Christ IS, and because He IS, we ARE!!!

I am thankful for that, and this is one of the many motivating factors at digging into his word, praying hard, and trusting harder. I love Christ because Christ is Love, and He first Loved Me!

Comments Welcome!!!

God Bless,

Brian