life

September 3, 2013

Having a Revelation Up in Here

While working yesterday as most people were off having barbecues and pool parties for Labor Day, I had a revelation of Spirit which i would not have learned had I been anywhere else. Cool how God uses where we are to teach.
All my life I’ve tried to be a good guy for ladies I’ve dated and people I have interacted with in general. Respectful, in control of my temper, in control of my body, trying not to focus on sexuality or have relationships based on that and I look around now and feel like I have no one about me that cares. Of course I have good friends and family I can talk to and laugh with and share many great memories and adventures with, which is in itself an incredible blessing, but it is not the same. Any of you who have true love know this to be true and my truest love pushed away and obliterated me from her life. I have been thinking, if this is what happens from fighting my sinful nature, (and often have i lost that battle, but each time I learn more about winning and have begun to avoid some traps altogether), why on earth should I continue battling to be a decent guy? Why not just give in and go looking for a different girl at every club and bar? Why would I continue fighting urges and not allow myself to be a womanizer or drunkard or stoner or layabout and just focus on getting mine? I asked myself, why? God asked me why I do what I do also. I am at this junction so I can answer Him. Will I strive to be a better quality of man for an incredible woman, or will I do it for Him when there is no woman to love, protect and uplift? I am stronger because of this and because God put me here to learn of my true motivation and to show me what that is and why it is worth it. I have been brought here because God wanted me to know my real reasons. Thank you my friends for showing me who I do not want to become, for being with me through my heartbreak and for talking openly with me and helping me to realize why exactly I want to be more than the world’s standard of guy, more than my own standard of what a man should be. Love of a woman isn’t enough to keep any man on the straight and narrow. No one person should be responsible for all that. People act rashly and run away when afraid or hurt, and sometimes for no reason at all. We all have let people down. I cannot think of anyone I have ever not disappointed in some small way or other. Can you? Because we are not perfect. That is why life and love are about forgiveness. It does not matter  how many times or how badly someone has “let me down.” People will let me down, I will let others down and if they are my only motivator, even a strong love with a beautiful girl like her can become fruitless and the sand will shift and fall away. I want to be more because God loves me more. I let her down and perhaps she thought she let me down too, i do not know but given the chance, I would prove my love for God through Christ to her and be the best for Him. Without that chance for her, I will put my goals in God’s hands anyway and not be consumed by lust or pain or sorrow or lethargy.

That old cliche “If you truly love something set it free” is true. When you really love someone you care about their happiness and joy. When two people in a relationship love each other they put their partner’s desires first and in doing so, they each get what they wanted after all, their love to be fruitful, passionate, happy and working to achieve goals. So, let your love be free. Whatever their definition of freedom. Let them have fun and live and make new friends. Do not let jealousy or fear of losing them get the best of you. Love them for their Style, their faith, their courage, their personality. Love all of these things when they change, because we all change. You arent the same person you were 3 years ago and in another 5 you wont be the same you are today. If they want to dress differently than youre used to, don’t freak out, grow and appreciate their style. Its just clothes. Its the inside that counts 😉

Let them grow in their own life as they choose. You can grow together while separate and separately while together. If you are protecting their heart, trust they will protect yours. Thats love. Two ropes intertwined to create a stronger rope woven of respect, trust, forgiveness, loyalty, freedom, and so much more beauty than words can express. When one strand is frayed or worn, the other supports and strengthens it until it can be mended. As long as God is holding that rope, it can bear any weight.
God is the mender, the great healer and your rope will not snap so long as you look to Him to keep it strong.

I love you

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

July 2, 2013

Contact

Human contact is rapidly taking the forefront as one of the most essential pieces of life being lost in ‘1st-world’ societies all over the planet. In countries where technology soars, true conversations are being lost to words on a screen. We are losing an essential factor in maintaining our health and happiness. We abandon real people and the relationships that take time and commitment to culture into lasting bonds for electrical impulses saying we have more ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ than ever before. The potential for people to interact and stay in communication is greater now than this Earth has ever known, and what do we do? We hide behind our walls and TV screens, our computers and cellphones. Many of us fear authentic intimacy, or more often, we fear the possibility of rejection from our kind so much we do not even try to initiate conversation in person. We drive in our fiberglass and steel boxes watching so many around us do the same day in, day out, over and over again, mere feet away from us, yet they may as well be on the other end of the planet. I cannot begin to count how many times I have attempted to greet someone walking down the street or standing in a line only to be ignored completely. A great many of us avoid eye contact at all costs and even take a different route than we may have originally intended to prevent another from attempting to reach out to us. I have no idea why that is. We have become foreigners, aliens among friends.

Human contact, especially touch, reduces stress levels and even helps prevent chronic stress and fatigue. I have a laptop in front of me at this moment, writing to you, and I can honestly say I would throw this hunk of hardware out the window in a moment for a hug from a real person before I tuck in for bed tonight. I know life is hard, but it is easier and by far more beautiful when lived connected to those around you. The warmth we feel from a compassionate touch goes much further than the nerves in our bodies. A touch can stir a soul to sing, to dance, to write, to run, to go to any length to protect, to serve, and to love.

Touch is communication. Holding her hand, massaging his shoulders, tickling, caressing, poking, pushing, punching, shoving, pulling, and carrying all convey a different message at different times. We lose much when we put aside contact for blinking lights and buzzing bricks in our pockets that only make us desire true contact more than ever. So many lonely people, so many who cry at home while staring at their ‘friend’ list, my heart breaks for all of those who have no one and who think they have no one while being surrounded by many. 7 billion people walking the lands and we do not even know who lives next door.

Do not take your family for granted, do not betray your friends and other loved ones. If they are gone, you will feel it. Appreciate the love others share with you, and if you believe you are unloved, open your eyes, open your heart, and look at how you love. Do you love? Do you communicate when you have a problem, or do you lock it away and perhaps speak to every person you see except the one with which you take issue? That needs to be remedied. Gossiping makes trouble where there may be none and staying silent allows the space between grow. When the world gets too heavy, try sharing the weight. It may surprise you how much lighter it feels when your shoulders are not the only set under the burden.

Reach out, relate, communicate, conversate, hug, kiss, love, disconnect from your electronics and reconnect with flesh and bone. Create new friendships, new relationships, revive old ones where you are able and never let them go. Go to a concert, watch a sunrise or set, go for a hike, a walk, a ride, hold hands, show people you care and open their hearts, as well as your own, to what it means to experience contact.

Much love, so very much love rolling out to you

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June 16, 2013

The Heart of a Servant

During my brief time here on Earth I have learned this if nothing else, how valuable and sought after are people who are willing to help without hesitation at a moment’s notice. The ones who go the extra mile. The heart of a servant is one of the most cherished qualities among people when we look for friends or spouses. We all want people in our life we know without a doubt we can trust to be there when we need them just as we too should strive to be that person who gives without expecting a return and who loves unconditionally, always, especially when what we really want to do is freak out or get angry or hurt. Showing kindness and compassion is not only commanded of us by God, but is appreciated by our fellow humans.

Being humble and gracious are clear indicators of a servant’s heart. Watch people, see how others react to certain situations and pay close attention to how you react also. I know I have much to learn and even farther to grow to get where God wants me to be.

Trying to serve, trying to be gracious, trying to love without condition or be a friend without expectation is frustrating and at times very painful, people take advantage of tender-hearts, do these things anyway. Even if you never receive recognition here the Lord watches you and knows of your faithfulness. Above all else be faithful to the Master and keep his commandments. “But remembering to do all that stuff is hard!” It really is not, when you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these commandments hinge all of the law and the prophets.”

When these are forefront in our lives, God recreates us and we seek to do good and our heart is turned from a heart of stone into a heart of flesh as it is written in Ezekiel 36:26-27

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

“Move you”, notice the Lord did not say “Control” you or “Force” you. His Spirit dwelling within us speaks to and pushes us to do these things, but it is still our conscious decision to live as such. Following these commands brings glory to God. It is a better way to live, bringing peace to your world even amidst hardships. Bring joy to your friends and love to those who hate you, especially when no one else sees you.
A true servant’s heart does for others more than for ourselves. I must share because the love of God within me prompts me to do so. I must love because the light of Christ at work within pours out of me, flows through me. If I stopper it up, it bursts forth anyway, until is free I am not myself nor do I feel at home. I cannot squelch my passion nor mask my face. We are called to be a city on a hill, we are lamps set on a stand, giving light, bringing hope to all who see us. We are servants of the most high and when we live as such, our servant’s heart rejoices and I myself, am content. What does that mean? Do unto others as you really want them to do to you and let not your heart be troubled. Pick up your slack, carry your weight along with those around you, and never weaken others in their faith. Instead be a strong link fastened to God in Christ and perpetually focus your heart and mind on Him. Whichever direction you are looking is the way you end up traveling. Pray for me that I not let my eyes wander again. I pray the same over you. I do not like the results I get when living for myself.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 NIV

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and OURSELVES AS YOUR SERVANTS for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ”

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

June 5, 2013

War

Do you ever get tired of fighting? Maybe someone hurt you or you hurt someone else and everyday after that is turmoil in your heart and mind. You pray for reconciliation and cry for the pain caused and felt, but seemingly nothing changes and may even get worse. Whatever your reason for fighting, do what is necessary for reconciliation. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

When someone wrongs you forgive them and move past it. It is written, love your neighbor as yourself. When we hold grudges against the ones we are called to love and be a light for, we erect barriers in our heart against God. Matthew 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” We are not even in the right place to offer our gifts to God when we are angry or we know someone else is angry with us. If you have the opportunity, reconcile whenever possible, as quickly as you are able and then head back to the altar to praise God for the chances He gives you to glorify Him.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.” Matthew 5:25

Turn the other cheek, reconcile, if they sue for your shirt, give them your cloak as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two. Do not take an eye for an eye. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?…” Matthew 5:43-47

Do not try to impose salvation on others. Present the truth and let them do with it what they will. You are not responsible for being someone’s savior. You cannot do it. Trying to save them from themselves or from others, especially when they do not want you to will only bring you more pain and frustration and maybe even other consequences. It is good to defend the helpless and the weak, but do not stay where you are not wanted. “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14 When we continue to chase after people or constantly throw scripture at them, even with the best of intentions, we begin to push them away and build barriers around them instead of tear down walls that were already there. Let them run, pray for them and never give up. No matter what. God is waaaay better at bringing people home than you or I will ever be.

Oh, and remember when you pray that God is in control. Do not pray selfishly, but pray for His will to be done. Pray for the person you chase. Pray for the person who runs. Pray for all the people who like living in darkness because it is what they have grown used to. Those who have tasted the light will return to it because God is sweeter than any earthly high. Those who do not know it will hear it.

We are not saviors, we are presenters of Truth. Let people make their decisions. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Spread the gospel and let God handle the rest. For those I have tried to save from poor decisions or from themselves or from going places I thought would hurt them, I am sorry. I forget my place as a servant sometimes and think I know best. I pray your forgiveness and God’s redemption.

If you know someone has something against you, or you have a burden you carry in your heart for someone else, go today and fix it. Go while you have the opportunity or it may be taken from you. Live like there is no tomorrow. Live like you will never have the chance to speak with people in your life again. Live like you will never have the choice to love and reconcile again. Live for the satisfaction of tomorrow, not in the temporary fake joys of a fallen world. You will be hurt by them. Even those who seem to have everything feel regret and wish for chances to do things over. If you want to live with no regret, live your life to the glory of God, and do not make choices you will regret. War is a terrible thing. War of the heart is equally terrible and people get hurt either way. Love to the best of your ability and let the real Savior handle the rest.

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

Reconcile

Reconcile

April 5, 2013

Thoughts (chapter 3)

Someone once told me ‘being a great guy is not enough’. That got me thinking, “What makes a great guy?” More specifically, what makes ME a great guy? I obviously could not have been a great guy if it was not enough, right?

         I have considered this often since then, what qualities make someone “great”. Is it looks, study habits, work ethic, talents, money, morals, etc…After writing Be the One You Seek I thought on this even more often which inspired me to write Work, My Turn, Thoughts and Thoughts (Chapter 2) . In all my pondering (which is still whirring on incessantly) I have come to some semblance of a vague speculation which may be just one possible conclusion. True faith in Christ and sincere, passionate thirst for wisdom and truth in Him is what makes any one of us great and is the most desirable quality I have ever seen in people. Men and women may have great deeds and actions but they fade and blow away. Faith without action is dead so to be truly great, faith and love must be seen and heard. It is not enough to say you believe something. Prove it! It is not enough to think yourself compassionate, courageous or strong. Prove it! I cannot be great without great deeds and having no deeds at all makes me even less. It makes me a liar. So they were absolutely right in telling me that I am a great guy but it is not enough, because in truth, I have been allowing greatness to pass me by while thinking I was doing alright. The glorious truth is, it is never to late 🙂 Sure some decisions and chosen paths take us away from opportunities, but there will always be new chances, great deeds that need to be done. Why not start now? Someone has to stand up, what happens if it is me, or you? What will happen if it is not? The only way to know for sure is to do everything you do to the absolute best of your ability and give the rest to the Master. Watch what God does with your skills and abilities He gave you. I see now that we can pray all we want for guidance and opportunities, but if I do not start moving in the direction He points, I will just be stuck in the same spot forever.

Now, it is time to get to work.

 

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

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April 3, 2013

New Day

Today I interview with the Art Director’s club of Denver for Student board member Chair. Thing is, I am not sure if I will continue being a student for much longer. With all the changes and surprises lately, God may have a whole other road for me to travel. I am very excited about the possibilities and opportunities before me  and cannot wait to see what comes next.
What do you do when faced with tough decisions? I am so ready for a new phase of life to spread out before me. Have you ever felt that way? Something I just realized, though, is that every single second is an entirely new phase. Writing this instead of sleeping in or playing a video game could lead to something amazing but is, in itself, a new time where instead of doing the same thing over and over again, I chose to do something great. Make every decision count and if something scares you, that is even more reason to do it, IF the option is a righteous one or is not sinful nor will it cause another to sin. Get me? Writing on a blog may not be a world changing event, but then again, maybe it will be…

Grace and Peace

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March 7, 2013

Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 promises; “Walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

There you have it. True freedom from desires of the flesh. I do not know about you, but for me, wrestling with my fleshly desires is a daily struggle. Attempting to act like nothing is wrong or fight them off myself always causes me to lose. When Temptation comes banging at the door and I hide, it breaks in anyway and there I am, cowering while my flesh wrecks my life and pulls me away from the path God wants me to walk. If I answer the door in all my shiny armor thinking, “Not this time, I got this,” BAM! Down I go as my flesh pierces through that thin facade of strength in mere moments and I lie bleeding on the cold ground wondering how in the world I ever thought I could handle the pressure alone.

In my experience, it is only when I stop the internal struggle and ask Jesus to get the door that I find peace and discover where my real strength lies.

Ephesians 2:8 By grace through faith are we saved. It is not from ourselves, but the gift of God. 

While this verse is referring to the salvation of our souls, we can take solace that because of this salvation, we no longer have to live in fear and shame and pain and be slaves to the sinful desires of the flesh! Nothing is more exciting than not having to stand alone! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Psalm 3:5-6

For so very long, most of us keep running headlong at sin thinking to tackle it ourselves, always crawling away in defeat. Even a temporary victory accomplished on our own is no victory at all because, guess what, all we did was postpone our defeat which will most likely be worse now because our pride was inflated thinking we just p’owned that temptation. After all, “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 It is our nature to seek instant-gratification and short-term happiness. Thinking we know best and doing whatever makes us happy in the moment, giving no thought to consequences. Sometimes, we even do things we do not really want to, and do not understand why we could not stop ourselves when that desire never even occurred to us in the first place. It just happened and we were powerless to stop it. Paul said in Romans 7:15 “I do not understand my own actions; For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” This dude, knew what he was talking about. He could not understand why he did what he hated, but he did understand where to go to get help. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to mankind. God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation He will provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Stand firm on that promise and call on His escape when the need arises, and run!

Deuteronomy 1:30, 31 “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will FIGHT FOR YOU, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries His son, all the way until you reached this place.”

Run to the Lord your God when you are under attack from temptation. Flee into the arms of your savior in Jesus when you are afraid. My mother always told me growing up, that if ever I was scared for any reason, to say “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” which is Psalm 56:3. That sticks out in my mind to this day whenever I fear. I say it, I pray it, and I let Jesus get the door. Because of His sacrifice, we are no longer subject to the will of our flesh. Take the easy way out, seek sanctuary in His arms. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 Whatever arises, let Him deal with it for you. Anger, greed, lust, fear, pride, biting your nails, other nervous habits you dislike or that may physically hurt you, even having class tomorrow and not being finished with your homework while you stay up blogging and wondering how on earth you will finish that project in time…Just believe He will get you through no matter what. 🙂

So, how does one “Walk in the Spirit”? It starts in the surrendering of your will to His will. Then open your heart to the Holy Spirit and let the reading of God’s Word pour out his glory and wisdom and power into your soul where it takes root and begins to grow. Nourish the seed with water from the wellspring of life now flowing within you (John 4:14) and keep feeding yourself not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Soon, sprinting to the solace and comfort of the Prince of Peace will be a natural response when temptation strikes at you with fangs bared, dripping their acrid poison. Sin is all around us, especially on this internet machine, tempting and luring us to lower our guard. Stay ever vigilant, brothers and sisters, you are never alone in your fights.

If you are struggling with a sin or temptation in your life, I would like to pray with you. You may send me a message, leave a comment or just pray this with me, “Master, you alone hold the power to stand against the tyranny of the enemy inside. I give you my fears, my burdens, my prideful belief that I don’t need you to beat this. I do need you. I do need your strength. I cannot do it myself and I am tired of losing. I am more than a conqueror because of You who loves me. I surrender my flesh and my spirit. Your will be done, Father, not my own. Praise be to you, oh Lord. Jesus, get the door.”

I pray this with you and “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them.” Matthew 18:20 Lay down your burdens and pick up the cross. It is far lighter to carry.

A couple more verses of encouragement and guidance for us 🙂

Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Psalm 40:4 “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false Gods.”

Friends, Walk by the spirit!Image

February 26, 2013

No Regrets

What does it mean to have no regrets? To really not regret anything? What is in the past, is in the past. There is nothing you or I can do to change it. People say the past does not matter, they must be trippin’. The past matters a great deal. My past has shaped the man I am today. Accept your past, good or bad. Make decisions in this moment you will not hate yourself for in the next moment. Dwelling will only bring bitterness and clouded judgement. Let wounds heal. The best way I see to live with no regrets, is make decisions today I know I will not hate myself for tomorrow. I am a flame setting the world on fya til the day I die. Mistakes happen, learn from them and move forward. Avoid similar mistakes now. I believe in you. Be true to yourself. Listen to that still, small voice deep inside when you have a choice before you.

“Live life like there is no tomorrow”, right? Why? Chances are, you will wake up tomorrow. Even if you do not, why make decisions you know hurt your tomorrow, tonight? Live life like you will not have another chance to share real love with anyone again. Live like you want your tomorrow to be amazing. Live life like you want to make those you care about know you care about them and want them to be proud of you. Like you want to be proud of yourself. Live life like everyone is watching. I am not living for today, I am living for my future. Keep the end goal in sight and you may truly have no regrets. One of my favorite artists, Lecrae says it pretty well in his song, “No Regrets” from his album, Gravity. Here’s a link to the vid on YouTube…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9AFKQaW3Jc
Go check it out, maybe buy the song or album on itunes here…https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-regrets-feat.-suzy-rock/id555647726?i=555647952…after listening, answer this question in the comments below and share this post to see what your friends think about living with no regrets

What does living with no regrets mean to you?

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