First off,
I am having a few problems typing this afternoon so I apologize if I spell a word and it doesn't show up as I mean it to.
It's been a little while since last I posted on here, and this last month has been good and fun. But it has also been really busy! Really busy! But I am taking a chance to tell about what I've learned a little from some time in the word and with the Lord.
I have recently been thinking a lot about Fargo - if I should be here, how much road construction there is and if it will ever be done, the area that I live. You know, some simple things. God has spoken to me a lot over that first area especially. Anyway, I love Fargo no matter what. This IS a great city! It is so much fun to be here and there is always another intersting person to meet and a story to hear. I'll take last night for instance. I was out and I went to this place called Teaberry. It's located downtown and, I have been there a few times but never heard about it got started, heard a great story of making a good city better andmore interesting to introduce different people and draw them into relationships. (Sounds a little like what Christianity is supposed to look like...)
Well, this morning, I was reading my devotional as I was making eggbake and te passage this morning was from Jeremiah 29:1-14. Most of us know this passage for its often quoted verse of God's blessings to the Israelites (Jeremiah 29:11). And that was the message of the devotional today--that God has big and wonderful plans for us all as we seek and trust Him. He reveals more of His greatness to us as we diligently pursue Him, and that turns us to glorify Him even more.
That's not exactly what I pulled out from the passage - I did pull that out, but for the purposes of this post, that isn' what I pulled out. The verse that really stuck with me is Jeremiah 29:7, which says:
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Isn't that a great passage?! When Jeremiah spoke these prophetic words from God to the Israelites, they were under captivity by the Babylonians. They could have let their situation get the best of them - they actually probably were! Nonetheless, God used Jeremiah to speak a different message to the Israelites, one that resonates to us today. We need to enjoy and invest in the city where we are - God has placed us there for a reason, and we need to best glorify Him in those situations. He calls us to pray for our city and to make it a better place for all.
This is a message for me and a message for all people. We need to be seeking ways to invest in the city where we're at and build up all Christians in the process. I have recently been looking for ways to reach into the city of Fargo with the young adult group at Atonement and recently connecte with the Salvation Army branch that is here. Our group is going to be doing a few things with them and build some greater community ties for our group. Its a start and I know God will bless our efforts - nothing done for His glory is done in vain. But there is even more that can be done in this city. There are so many needs, and we can only do so much, but that little bit that we can do might mean the world to someone. And if that draws them closer to Jesus Christ, then I will praise God for using me.
His working an Holy Spirit is profound and wonderful. I am choosing to follow after that and work toward making my surroundings the best they can be. I am praying for this city to come to know Jesus Christ and letting Him shine in my life so brightly. I will praise Him and choose to honor Christ no matter how hard the work gets or how difficult the world makes things. I will praise Him. Will you join me?
Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Lord, you are good and wonderful and so powerful! You are worthy of all praise. Father, do a work in my city. Lead the people to know you. Shape this city Lord, speak through the power of your Holy Spirit, and fill us with such great joy in your Son's working. Let Jesus shine, nd may our lives be that sweet, sweet sound in your ear that you so long to hear, and we long to play to you. Jesus, you are our Redeemer, our Righteousness, and our friend! We love you and long to serve you better and more. Guide us to your heart and let your Light shine and move us out of the way so that your will is accomplished completely. It's in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Ok, so I wasn't GOING to do THAT!
Bet you're wondering what that's about, huh?
It's not exactly that bad. I bought new furniture! I didn't NECESSARILY need it, but I was in the buyer's market and kinda wanted another sofa. What I ended up getting was a very nice, new sofa and loveseat set. And for a bargain I might add.
When I set out on Friday afternoon with my roommate and his new fiance(!), I was only LOOKING and did have a set amount to spend. To start with, actually, I was looking for an endtable. That is why I even went out with them to look at furniture. Then I saw it. And boy, was it ever beautiful, and not completely out of my price range. I knew I kinda had to act now, and so I did. It was $100 more than I originally wanted to spend, but it will come in handy. I've already had one great conversation on it, with many more hopefully to follow soon!
Well, moving from there, that conversation I had really sparked a great thought in my mind. In this conversation, we talked about the dynamics of the Christian faith. There are many differences and nuances to it, along with understanding of the faith. On a side note, I'm also finishing up a decent book called "The Faith" by Chuck Colson. One overlying theme to our conversation the other day, was how narrow-minded some Christians can be. We discussed the Catholic church the other day. Now, once again, I am NOT Catholic, but there are aspects I do appreciate about the church. And they are CHRISTIANS.
What heated our conversation is that there are so many Christians around my age, who were once in the Catholic church and have found Jesus outside of it. First off, I say "Hallelujah!" because they found Jesus! That is the most praiseworthy thing! But flowing from that, they have left the Catholic church and have even bad-mouthed it. Then there are Christians who don't understand the Catholic church and bad-mouth it anyway. Christian men and women, shame on you.
Now, as stated previously, I am not Catholic, nor ever will be. There is a lot I do not understand about the Catholic church, and I need to study up on it. And that is what each Christian is called to do too, I believe. We are supposed to know where we stand in our faith, and defend it--and if that be by being Catholic or Calvanistic, be that to the core of your being. But don't knock your brother or sister. We are called to build one another up in love, not tear one another down.
On another note, I am catholic! The word "catholic" represents the universal body of Christ, it means we are together, working for God's glory! And that is what Scripture has called us to be! That is what the body needs to be. So, let's be it! For the sake of this broken world, let's not fix our eyes on stupid denominational barriers, but let's look at what we have together, JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED AND RISEN, and let's let that be our battlecry! Let's put Him first and watch Him move through us to bring God's children to repentance and relationship with the Savior!
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)
Soli deo Gloria!
It's not exactly that bad. I bought new furniture! I didn't NECESSARILY need it, but I was in the buyer's market and kinda wanted another sofa. What I ended up getting was a very nice, new sofa and loveseat set. And for a bargain I might add.
When I set out on Friday afternoon with my roommate and his new fiance(!), I was only LOOKING and did have a set amount to spend. To start with, actually, I was looking for an endtable. That is why I even went out with them to look at furniture. Then I saw it. And boy, was it ever beautiful, and not completely out of my price range. I knew I kinda had to act now, and so I did. It was $100 more than I originally wanted to spend, but it will come in handy. I've already had one great conversation on it, with many more hopefully to follow soon!
Well, moving from there, that conversation I had really sparked a great thought in my mind. In this conversation, we talked about the dynamics of the Christian faith. There are many differences and nuances to it, along with understanding of the faith. On a side note, I'm also finishing up a decent book called "The Faith" by Chuck Colson. One overlying theme to our conversation the other day, was how narrow-minded some Christians can be. We discussed the Catholic church the other day. Now, once again, I am NOT Catholic, but there are aspects I do appreciate about the church. And they are CHRISTIANS.
What heated our conversation is that there are so many Christians around my age, who were once in the Catholic church and have found Jesus outside of it. First off, I say "Hallelujah!" because they found Jesus! That is the most praiseworthy thing! But flowing from that, they have left the Catholic church and have even bad-mouthed it. Then there are Christians who don't understand the Catholic church and bad-mouth it anyway. Christian men and women, shame on you.
Now, as stated previously, I am not Catholic, nor ever will be. There is a lot I do not understand about the Catholic church, and I need to study up on it. And that is what each Christian is called to do too, I believe. We are supposed to know where we stand in our faith, and defend it--and if that be by being Catholic or Calvanistic, be that to the core of your being. But don't knock your brother or sister. We are called to build one another up in love, not tear one another down.
On another note, I am catholic! The word "catholic" represents the universal body of Christ, it means we are together, working for God's glory! And that is what Scripture has called us to be! That is what the body needs to be. So, let's be it! For the sake of this broken world, let's not fix our eyes on stupid denominational barriers, but let's look at what we have together, JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED AND RISEN, and let's let that be our battlecry! Let's put Him first and watch Him move through us to bring God's children to repentance and relationship with the Savior!
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)
Soli deo Gloria!
Monday, August 10, 2009
F.E.E.D: Episode #4--The Battle At Hand
A new episode for you! Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:33-38
Gabcast! Mission Work #9
Gabcast! Mission Work #9
summer love
Hey all,
So, if you did not know before, I will now fill you in. I have started being in weddings this summer and a wedding is not an easy thing. It can be hard process. Believe me, I have now learned.
This past weekend, I celebrated with two friends their nuptials, and it has been an honor for me to be there. This was also the last wedding I am in this summer. I can praise God for that! :)
But more than that, I have learned so much. I have been to weddings in the past, and each of these weddings this summer were all a little different. All were focused on the union being a gift from God and something that binds the couple together and to God. And that is beautiful.
God has done a work in His children and I want to share a little about this past weekend. I was in a wedding in St. Cloud this weekend and it was in a traditional Catholic church. Now I am not Catholic, as I'm sure I've stated that before, but I was blown away by the simplicity and desire for tradition to be proclaimed. There are many things I do not understand about the Catholic tradition, but I can respect and honor that among my brothers and sisters.
One of the most beautiful parts of their ceremony was when the couple exchanged rings. They said a very simple traditional vow, but the power of what they said was breathtaking. The words they said were to the effect that each ring was a symbol of faithfulness between one another and they were making that vow to each other only by the strength of the Holy Spirit, in unison alone with the Triune God. Wow!
And the love these two have for each other was so radiant! I have seen a lot of in love couples, but these two shined so wonderfully, and I was reminded that only God can do that. Only when He is the center and author of the relationship can any couple experience a deep, profound, excellent love like that. And I praise God for showing that to me!
What a summer it has been! But through it all, I have been so reminded of the greatest love that loves me-Jesus Christ! He is the one I celebrate and know that without Him, I would never be blessed to see God working in so many ways! His great love blesses us all, and He gives us the eyes to see that magnificent love affecting us! Praise be to Him!
So, if you did not know before, I will now fill you in. I have started being in weddings this summer and a wedding is not an easy thing. It can be hard process. Believe me, I have now learned.
This past weekend, I celebrated with two friends their nuptials, and it has been an honor for me to be there. This was also the last wedding I am in this summer. I can praise God for that! :)
But more than that, I have learned so much. I have been to weddings in the past, and each of these weddings this summer were all a little different. All were focused on the union being a gift from God and something that binds the couple together and to God. And that is beautiful.
God has done a work in His children and I want to share a little about this past weekend. I was in a wedding in St. Cloud this weekend and it was in a traditional Catholic church. Now I am not Catholic, as I'm sure I've stated that before, but I was blown away by the simplicity and desire for tradition to be proclaimed. There are many things I do not understand about the Catholic tradition, but I can respect and honor that among my brothers and sisters.
One of the most beautiful parts of their ceremony was when the couple exchanged rings. They said a very simple traditional vow, but the power of what they said was breathtaking. The words they said were to the effect that each ring was a symbol of faithfulness between one another and they were making that vow to each other only by the strength of the Holy Spirit, in unison alone with the Triune God. Wow!
And the love these two have for each other was so radiant! I have seen a lot of in love couples, but these two shined so wonderfully, and I was reminded that only God can do that. Only when He is the center and author of the relationship can any couple experience a deep, profound, excellent love like that. And I praise God for showing that to me!
What a summer it has been! But through it all, I have been so reminded of the greatest love that loves me-Jesus Christ! He is the one I celebrate and know that without Him, I would never be blessed to see God working in so many ways! His great love blesses us all, and He gives us the eyes to see that magnificent love affecting us! Praise be to Him!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Jesus as King
Hey everyone,
1 Peter 3:15-16 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
I just got back from a mission trip to New York City. It was an interesting trip, but saturated by the Holy Spirit's presence. It was praiseworthy and for that I am grateful.
I learned many things on the trip and I saw God work in so many unfathomable ways in the students that went on the trip. I was so greatly blessed to see God move. I was definitely looking forward to seeing God do a work in them more than I was in seeing the sights of NYC.
AND HE DID! I was so drawn to tears for a few of those nights because all I could do was praise Him for revealing Himself. And He still is. I am now praying for those students for further shaping of their hearts by God. I pray that it wasn't momentary but lifelong. And I know that God is so faithful that it will be lifelong!
I wrote our daily devotions for the week. The Scripture above was one I had chosen for the students to think about and read. The day we discussed this Scripture, we talked about letting Christ be our all. But more than that, remembering He is our friend. One of the students in my group even pointed out (so profoundly, I might add) that we can get wrapped up in spending time worshiping Jesus, but forget spend time being relational with Him. We can spend a lot of our energy singing to Him and doing good things while forgetting that He desires a relationship with us, where we do sing to Him, but we also give our hearts and fall in love with Him.
I was moved by the way these young people really grasped that. I desire Jesus to be my King, but also my friend. And He is. But I need the reminder so often. The day we did this devotional, I saw God work in the most profound way I have in a long time in these young people. He really did a work. He brought them before His throne, where their souls were naked before Him and let Him do a work. I cried for the power of God moving. I am so thankful He brought us all to that place.
It's only by grace that I can proclaim Jesus as King. It's only by the favor that God bestows upon me. I know it is not easy to understand, but it is truth. I can only stand and move because of His Holy Spirit's empowerment.
I am a child of the most High God! I am an heir with Jesus! My Lord is my friend! What power love has to transform our hearts and lives! That power is the power that we must carry with us always to transform this world.
I pray these words move for God's victory and bring Him the most glory. To Him be all my praise.
Brandon
1 Peter 3:15-16 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
I just got back from a mission trip to New York City. It was an interesting trip, but saturated by the Holy Spirit's presence. It was praiseworthy and for that I am grateful.
I learned many things on the trip and I saw God work in so many unfathomable ways in the students that went on the trip. I was so greatly blessed to see God move. I was definitely looking forward to seeing God do a work in them more than I was in seeing the sights of NYC.
AND HE DID! I was so drawn to tears for a few of those nights because all I could do was praise Him for revealing Himself. And He still is. I am now praying for those students for further shaping of their hearts by God. I pray that it wasn't momentary but lifelong. And I know that God is so faithful that it will be lifelong!
I wrote our daily devotions for the week. The Scripture above was one I had chosen for the students to think about and read. The day we discussed this Scripture, we talked about letting Christ be our all. But more than that, remembering He is our friend. One of the students in my group even pointed out (so profoundly, I might add) that we can get wrapped up in spending time worshiping Jesus, but forget spend time being relational with Him. We can spend a lot of our energy singing to Him and doing good things while forgetting that He desires a relationship with us, where we do sing to Him, but we also give our hearts and fall in love with Him.
I was moved by the way these young people really grasped that. I desire Jesus to be my King, but also my friend. And He is. But I need the reminder so often. The day we did this devotional, I saw God work in the most profound way I have in a long time in these young people. He really did a work. He brought them before His throne, where their souls were naked before Him and let Him do a work. I cried for the power of God moving. I am so thankful He brought us all to that place.
It's only by grace that I can proclaim Jesus as King. It's only by the favor that God bestows upon me. I know it is not easy to understand, but it is truth. I can only stand and move because of His Holy Spirit's empowerment.
I am a child of the most High God! I am an heir with Jesus! My Lord is my friend! What power love has to transform our hearts and lives! That power is the power that we must carry with us always to transform this world.
I pray these words move for God's victory and bring Him the most glory. To Him be all my praise.
Brandon
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Good morning! I have been on the road for an hour and a half now on my way to New York City! We have put on our first movie of the day-"Cars."
And already I'm tired! Are we there yet?
I will celbrate though! God is good! I do love looking out the window and seeing creation. It is beautiful out right now. And I am terribly excited to be in New York City. There is so much there I have never seen or experienced. I have a message of absolute truth and power to share! And I am so blessed that I get to bless others! I am excited for the change God wants to do on my heart and I pray that God reveals more of His beautiful heart to me!
And that is my prayer for these kids and chaperones too. I pray that we really see God moving and working-and I hope that shapes us so substantially. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling...be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1-3;10-11, ESV Translation)
Please pray for us on our trip this week! Praise be to God for His rich blessings on our lives. God be with you all also!
Blessings!
And already I'm tired! Are we there yet?
I will celbrate though! God is good! I do love looking out the window and seeing creation. It is beautiful out right now. And I am terribly excited to be in New York City. There is so much there I have never seen or experienced. I have a message of absolute truth and power to share! And I am so blessed that I get to bless others! I am excited for the change God wants to do on my heart and I pray that God reveals more of His beautiful heart to me!
And that is my prayer for these kids and chaperones too. I pray that we really see God moving and working-and I hope that shapes us so substantially. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling...be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1-3;10-11, ESV Translation)
Please pray for us on our trip this week! Praise be to God for His rich blessings on our lives. God be with you all also!
Blessings!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
the faithfulness of God
Have you ever wondered where God is in so many situations? Have you ever contemplated your place in Him or had to battle against demons you didn't even recognize?
I feel I'm stuck in a battle lately, one that I do not understand. I have had so many moments lately where I feel I have forgot I am a Christian. I have forgotten God on many levels and have failed brilliantly at loving Him. I wallow in the mud of my self-pity and dross.
I have felt broken and stolen. I have been rocked and brought so dearly to my knees.
Moments in my life over the past few weeks have changed me though. God has shown up in my eyes and heart, though I was never searching for Him. He has reminded me of Himself.
Last week, I led a mission trip with jr. high youth. It was challenging on many levels. One thing we did throughout the week was called "Yay, God!"s, where the students had an opportunity to share where they had seen God working in the day. When I was drained from lack of sleep and pushed to the limits, I had a "Yay, God!" moment. My group had gone to a nursing home and I worked with this woman named Lois one afternoon. Lois and I shared some ice cream and then she asked to go outside for a little while. I pushed her into this little courtyard and we stopped and looked and smelled roses. Then Lois turned her eyes up to the sky and she said, "Sometimes you just have to look up and let the wind blow around you." She noted that she always loved turning her eyes upward for that was enough to help her through. It was a sweet and tender moment that reminded me to turn to the Lord. Her words were so profound.
After that, Lois and I headed up to the chapel. They had a service right at the end of our volunteering time, and so I wheeled her there a few moments early. Lois and I were the only ones there, except the chaplain, who came over and told Lois the songs they were to sing. She mentioned the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" was one they would sing that day. This was Lois' favorite hymn. She took extreme pleasure in singing it to the Father. At that moment, she started singing the melody to herself and began tearing up. What a searing memory that is in my mind. I had much to learn from this little moment about God and my walk with Him from Lois.
I was exhausted from the week with the kids, and this past weekend did not make catching up any easier. I continued to wrestle with some of the thoughts and questions I was having. This morning, God brought some Scripture to me. My devotional reading this morning was Lamentations 3:19-24. That Scripture says:
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my sould is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" (TNIV Translation)
I have sinned. I have transgressed. I have also confessed my iniquity to God and I have hope in the forgiveness brought into my life by Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that God is faithful, though we are not, because for Him not to be, would be against His character and being.
I praise the LORD that His is always faithful, will never part, though I wrestle in this "body of death." I am thankful that He has called me mine and will never leave or forsake His covenant with me. "How deep the Father's love for us."
Blessings.
I feel I'm stuck in a battle lately, one that I do not understand. I have had so many moments lately where I feel I have forgot I am a Christian. I have forgotten God on many levels and have failed brilliantly at loving Him. I wallow in the mud of my self-pity and dross.
I have felt broken and stolen. I have been rocked and brought so dearly to my knees.
Moments in my life over the past few weeks have changed me though. God has shown up in my eyes and heart, though I was never searching for Him. He has reminded me of Himself.
Last week, I led a mission trip with jr. high youth. It was challenging on many levels. One thing we did throughout the week was called "Yay, God!"s, where the students had an opportunity to share where they had seen God working in the day. When I was drained from lack of sleep and pushed to the limits, I had a "Yay, God!" moment. My group had gone to a nursing home and I worked with this woman named Lois one afternoon. Lois and I shared some ice cream and then she asked to go outside for a little while. I pushed her into this little courtyard and we stopped and looked and smelled roses. Then Lois turned her eyes up to the sky and she said, "Sometimes you just have to look up and let the wind blow around you." She noted that she always loved turning her eyes upward for that was enough to help her through. It was a sweet and tender moment that reminded me to turn to the Lord. Her words were so profound.
After that, Lois and I headed up to the chapel. They had a service right at the end of our volunteering time, and so I wheeled her there a few moments early. Lois and I were the only ones there, except the chaplain, who came over and told Lois the songs they were to sing. She mentioned the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" was one they would sing that day. This was Lois' favorite hymn. She took extreme pleasure in singing it to the Father. At that moment, she started singing the melody to herself and began tearing up. What a searing memory that is in my mind. I had much to learn from this little moment about God and my walk with Him from Lois.
I was exhausted from the week with the kids, and this past weekend did not make catching up any easier. I continued to wrestle with some of the thoughts and questions I was having. This morning, God brought some Scripture to me. My devotional reading this morning was Lamentations 3:19-24. That Scripture says:
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my sould is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" (TNIV Translation)
I have sinned. I have transgressed. I have also confessed my iniquity to God and I have hope in the forgiveness brought into my life by Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that God is faithful, though we are not, because for Him not to be, would be against His character and being.
I praise the LORD that His is always faithful, will never part, though I wrestle in this "body of death." I am thankful that He has called me mine and will never leave or forsake His covenant with me. "How deep the Father's love for us."
Blessings.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Dependency on Grace...and MJ
Hey all,
I'm writing this morning from my hotel room in Eagan, MN. I have found it to be nice to have nothing more to do than read and hang out. It is a gorgeous bedroom, in fact my bed is a king-size. It's huge! This is also the first time I, as an adult, have stayed at a hotel by myself and paid for it all. It's exciting for me, albeit only me.
I finished a book called "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey this morning, and it was very moving. Parts of it I didn't grasp the direction he was going, but it was good. One thing he did write on that really spoke to me was about legalism. Taking in John 7, when Jesus talks about people coming to Him and saying they did all these things for Him, yet He answers "I never knew you" was so grappling. The point Yancey really makes is it is not knowing Jesus, but Jesus knowing you.
How do we do that? I believe it is what grace is all about. It is taking away from our self-dependency and relying on a gift that only Jesus Christ can give us. When we do not try to do all these things for Jesus, but we do things through Him, we depend on Him and allow His power to do all the work. But I do not know the answer. I'm left in a state of doubt. I just have to depend on Jesus and what He has already accomplished for me.
One thing I do know--Romans 8:33-39 says "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then can condemn? No one. Christ Jese who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' (Psalm 44:22)
No, in all things we are more than conquerors throuhg him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (TNIV translation)
Trusting in Jesus Christ has to be (and is) my hope. His grace needs to be my addiction. But I need help with that dependency. I need to seek that fix. I have to believe that God does hold me. He does know me, I have to be sure. God grant me your strength and your let your grace shine so very radiantly in my soul, for I need that now.
On a side note, I have been a little sad that Michael Jackson passed. (I know the whole world has been talking about this...I'm not traipsing new ground.) I am blown away by the enormous amount of people that have "bevied" to his memorial. And with good reason, he was phenomenal. I'm not even upset that people would rather go to this than to church or to hear about Jesus Christ.
What bothers me, is the message that so many are preaching about him and his family. They are Jehovah's Witnesses. THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN. The message that will be translated will be a message from this church--and that is not cool with me. I pray that God would speak a different message to the people through it--that the devil will not use his evil schemes to turn people away from God.
I don't know where Michael Jackson stood with God. I know he was raised as JW, but if he turned when he was older, or if he left God completely, I don't know. I would love it if he did, but I don't know.
I pray that Jesus Christ would be glorified through this event, and throughout this day. God's blessings to you all.
Brandon
I'm writing this morning from my hotel room in Eagan, MN. I have found it to be nice to have nothing more to do than read and hang out. It is a gorgeous bedroom, in fact my bed is a king-size. It's huge! This is also the first time I, as an adult, have stayed at a hotel by myself and paid for it all. It's exciting for me, albeit only me.
I finished a book called "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey this morning, and it was very moving. Parts of it I didn't grasp the direction he was going, but it was good. One thing he did write on that really spoke to me was about legalism. Taking in John 7, when Jesus talks about people coming to Him and saying they did all these things for Him, yet He answers "I never knew you" was so grappling. The point Yancey really makes is it is not knowing Jesus, but Jesus knowing you.
How do we do that? I believe it is what grace is all about. It is taking away from our self-dependency and relying on a gift that only Jesus Christ can give us. When we do not try to do all these things for Jesus, but we do things through Him, we depend on Him and allow His power to do all the work. But I do not know the answer. I'm left in a state of doubt. I just have to depend on Jesus and what He has already accomplished for me.
One thing I do know--Romans 8:33-39 says "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then can condemn? No one. Christ Jese who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' (Psalm 44:22)
No, in all things we are more than conquerors throuhg him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (TNIV translation)
Trusting in Jesus Christ has to be (and is) my hope. His grace needs to be my addiction. But I need help with that dependency. I need to seek that fix. I have to believe that God does hold me. He does know me, I have to be sure. God grant me your strength and your let your grace shine so very radiantly in my soul, for I need that now.
On a side note, I have been a little sad that Michael Jackson passed. (I know the whole world has been talking about this...I'm not traipsing new ground.) I am blown away by the enormous amount of people that have "bevied" to his memorial. And with good reason, he was phenomenal. I'm not even upset that people would rather go to this than to church or to hear about Jesus Christ.
What bothers me, is the message that so many are preaching about him and his family. They are Jehovah's Witnesses. THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN. The message that will be translated will be a message from this church--and that is not cool with me. I pray that God would speak a different message to the people through it--that the devil will not use his evil schemes to turn people away from God.
I don't know where Michael Jackson stood with God. I know he was raised as JW, but if he turned when he was older, or if he left God completely, I don't know. I would love it if he did, but I don't know.
I pray that Jesus Christ would be glorified through this event, and throughout this day. God's blessings to you all.
Brandon
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Love on restriction
Good morning!
I have been reading this really intriguing book called "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller and he explains the thoughts and patterns of the current post-modern society. He writes on their skepticism and doubts toward God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The chapter I read last night was very moving and piqued by curiosity. The name of the chapter was titled "Christianity is a Straightjacket." Talk about a title first of all! Uffda! The chapter deals with the exclusivity associated with Christianity and how there are certain standards that we adhere to and not everyone fits into them--primarily because they choose not to fit into them. (I want to be clear, as did Dr. Keller, that the message of Christianity is for everyone and is meant to be available for all. However, some choose to reject the claims of Jesus Christ, remain unregenerate, and then persecute the church for being "narrow-minded." These are the skeptics addressed in this chapter.)
Out of Dr. Keller's argument, he argued that love, which is infinitely found in Jesus Christ Himself, must contain discipline. In fact, Dr. Keller states that any freedom is only found when there are restrictions applied to that freedom. To make his case, Keller gives an illustration of a fish. A fish is only free when it is restricted to water. If you were to put this fish on the grass it would not be free for it would die. Hence, restrictions lead to freedom.
With a love relationship, persons must also adjust to one another for their love to grow. (This makes sense.) So in order for that love to grow, there must be other restrictions placed the relationship so that freedom with your significant other can develop. Keller states this is the same with Jesus Christ. We are asked to restrict and conform ourselves, but we can wonder, what about God? Well, He has already done it. He came as Jesus, restricted Himself to a human body, and took on our sins to give us life and freedom in Him.
I finished reading this and was blown away. It has been awhile since I have been absolutely floored by a message, but this one did. In order for us to be free and attain the freedom we so desperately need, we have to restrict ourselves because it is for our good! Otherwise, God would have found another way. God is His infinite wisdom once again strives to set us right with Him, and He did in the only way that would completely renew us, and that is through Jesus Christ.
Friends, if you haven't accepted that great message of Jesus Christ, please do so now! In Him you will find all the strength and freedom you could ever desire. I promise this life won't be easier, but following Jesus never has been. BUT the sacrifice of yourself will give NEW life to you and bring you to the utmost joy and experience this life can even offer. Let the restrictions take hold of you--You will know the unsurpassing love that contains us all so completely.
Heavenly Father, I am grateful that you have spoken. Speak now and reveal your glorious heart to this world, that they may know you and honor you. Father, you have restricted us so that we could find absolute freedom. Thank you. Father, turn this world upside down with your ridiculous, crazy, unfathomable love. Great is the power of the Cross, and I thank you for it everyday, Jesus. Renew me in your promises and strengthen me by your truths. Great are you, Holy Spirit, who I long to be under your complete control. You are amazing Great God! Amen.
I have been reading this really intriguing book called "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller and he explains the thoughts and patterns of the current post-modern society. He writes on their skepticism and doubts toward God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The chapter I read last night was very moving and piqued by curiosity. The name of the chapter was titled "Christianity is a Straightjacket." Talk about a title first of all! Uffda! The chapter deals with the exclusivity associated with Christianity and how there are certain standards that we adhere to and not everyone fits into them--primarily because they choose not to fit into them. (I want to be clear, as did Dr. Keller, that the message of Christianity is for everyone and is meant to be available for all. However, some choose to reject the claims of Jesus Christ, remain unregenerate, and then persecute the church for being "narrow-minded." These are the skeptics addressed in this chapter.)
Out of Dr. Keller's argument, he argued that love, which is infinitely found in Jesus Christ Himself, must contain discipline. In fact, Dr. Keller states that any freedom is only found when there are restrictions applied to that freedom. To make his case, Keller gives an illustration of a fish. A fish is only free when it is restricted to water. If you were to put this fish on the grass it would not be free for it would die. Hence, restrictions lead to freedom.
With a love relationship, persons must also adjust to one another for their love to grow. (This makes sense.) So in order for that love to grow, there must be other restrictions placed the relationship so that freedom with your significant other can develop. Keller states this is the same with Jesus Christ. We are asked to restrict and conform ourselves, but we can wonder, what about God? Well, He has already done it. He came as Jesus, restricted Himself to a human body, and took on our sins to give us life and freedom in Him.
I finished reading this and was blown away. It has been awhile since I have been absolutely floored by a message, but this one did. In order for us to be free and attain the freedom we so desperately need, we have to restrict ourselves because it is for our good! Otherwise, God would have found another way. God is His infinite wisdom once again strives to set us right with Him, and He did in the only way that would completely renew us, and that is through Jesus Christ.
Friends, if you haven't accepted that great message of Jesus Christ, please do so now! In Him you will find all the strength and freedom you could ever desire. I promise this life won't be easier, but following Jesus never has been. BUT the sacrifice of yourself will give NEW life to you and bring you to the utmost joy and experience this life can even offer. Let the restrictions take hold of you--You will know the unsurpassing love that contains us all so completely.
Heavenly Father, I am grateful that you have spoken. Speak now and reveal your glorious heart to this world, that they may know you and honor you. Father, you have restricted us so that we could find absolute freedom. Thank you. Father, turn this world upside down with your ridiculous, crazy, unfathomable love. Great is the power of the Cross, and I thank you for it everyday, Jesus. Renew me in your promises and strengthen me by your truths. Great are you, Holy Spirit, who I long to be under your complete control. You are amazing Great God! Amen.
Monday, June 29, 2009
one minute apologist
Hey everyone!
After a wonderful, awesome weekend of sunshine (minus the rain on Saturday night), we are once again seeing the dreariness of the clouds. And it's Monday.
But instead, it's a great day for celebration! We are alive, God's grace and mercy are flowing in unsubstantiated amounts, and I am crippled by the power of His love. How wondrous the Father's love truly is toward us!
Over the past few days I have been reading up on apologetics. It is great stuff, but articulating it has not always been my strong point. Out of this reading, I continue to have great comfort in knowing about the character of our great God. And I love Him more knowing that I see Him anew. But a piece of my heart hurts too. I see all this great information, and yet I feel a dichotomy between knowing about God and knowing Him. When I personally get on my knees and bow before the Creator, I know His character in such a new light. I am not displacing apologetics, because I have learned so much more about God and fallen in love because of some works. But I am calling out to be personal with God and seek Him in quiet time.
Sorry about that little rant. Anyway, the reason I was reading up on apologetics is because I shared with my youth group going to NYC answers to questions they had about God. What I did was have them write out any question they had, then answer it as best I could. One thing I really hate (yes, hate) about the culture shift that is going on is that EVERYTHING is so fast paced. I had to be a one minute apologist last night and that was hard. I had to be very concise with what I said and I couldn't develop these points in a deeper fashion. It was hard, but I know some did benefit from my sharing.
Paul encouraged Timothy about this issue and being open to always sharing the truth, and I take great comfort in these words: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teacher to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:2-3) I know the truth and I have God's word written on my heart. While these verses very much reflect American society, they also are a call for us to remain steadfast to our message of Jesus, the truth and the only way!
One last Scripture that's been burning in my mind lately is 2 Peter 1:16: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." I love how Peter lays out how true the Word is--it is not a fairy tale, but actual documents of real life situations! It is for our power that we get to read these words, to encourage us and lead us in the ways of a life that reflects Jesus!
Get to know your Bible, spend time with God, and don't forsake that. How can we ever be a witness if we don't take the time to seek to know the One we are proclaiming?
God's blessings to you on this day!
After a wonderful, awesome weekend of sunshine (minus the rain on Saturday night), we are once again seeing the dreariness of the clouds. And it's Monday.
But instead, it's a great day for celebration! We are alive, God's grace and mercy are flowing in unsubstantiated amounts, and I am crippled by the power of His love. How wondrous the Father's love truly is toward us!
Over the past few days I have been reading up on apologetics. It is great stuff, but articulating it has not always been my strong point. Out of this reading, I continue to have great comfort in knowing about the character of our great God. And I love Him more knowing that I see Him anew. But a piece of my heart hurts too. I see all this great information, and yet I feel a dichotomy between knowing about God and knowing Him. When I personally get on my knees and bow before the Creator, I know His character in such a new light. I am not displacing apologetics, because I have learned so much more about God and fallen in love because of some works. But I am calling out to be personal with God and seek Him in quiet time.
Sorry about that little rant. Anyway, the reason I was reading up on apologetics is because I shared with my youth group going to NYC answers to questions they had about God. What I did was have them write out any question they had, then answer it as best I could. One thing I really hate (yes, hate) about the culture shift that is going on is that EVERYTHING is so fast paced. I had to be a one minute apologist last night and that was hard. I had to be very concise with what I said and I couldn't develop these points in a deeper fashion. It was hard, but I know some did benefit from my sharing.
Paul encouraged Timothy about this issue and being open to always sharing the truth, and I take great comfort in these words: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teacher to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:2-3) I know the truth and I have God's word written on my heart. While these verses very much reflect American society, they also are a call for us to remain steadfast to our message of Jesus, the truth and the only way!
One last Scripture that's been burning in my mind lately is 2 Peter 1:16: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." I love how Peter lays out how true the Word is--it is not a fairy tale, but actual documents of real life situations! It is for our power that we get to read these words, to encourage us and lead us in the ways of a life that reflects Jesus!
Get to know your Bible, spend time with God, and don't forsake that. How can we ever be a witness if we don't take the time to seek to know the One we are proclaiming?
God's blessings to you on this day!
Monday, June 22, 2009
created anew
"Beauty for ashes
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
You're the richest of fair"
The stings of this life can be brutal sometimes. I've experienced a few in my little 23 years. But I have a hope. Jesus has given us new life in Him.
In John 3, Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee, comes to Jesus in the middle of the night and asks Him about the eternal kingdom. He questions how this life is entered into and Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus declares that nothing begins or can be made new without the Holy Spirit's working. The water represents baptism and the cleansing of our sins.
How interesting these verses are, but how profound also! I am continually amazed at how things spoken are so profound to me, but I constantly need the reminding of God's amazing power at work in my life.
I've gone through issues that I don't know how to settle and yet the Lord stands by me because I have been born again in Him. He has exchanged my rubble and brought an offering out of that for His glory. I am far from perfect and I still need to be reminded of His grace. I stumble so often it just amazes me and how disgusting I really can be. God is wonderful! How amazing His grace is!
The song above is called "Beauty for Ashes" by Shane & Shane. It has been playing on my iPod consistently for about a month and I cannot get over the utter simplicity of the melody and the weight it puts on my heart as it pounds God's truth over me.
I was also reminded of another song this morning, as I have been pondering about my inconsistency and God's utter satisfaction and perfection, and that is "Sea of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor. God has taken my sin as He has made me new in Him and placed those sins in the sea of forgetfulness. In the song, Helen relates that it is "me who keeps reminding you over and over again." God has forgotten our sins. He has completely forgotten it because He sees His Son instead-His perfect and holy Son! And how my mind and heart need that reminder so much. I praise God that He has made me new. And I praise Him for the struggles because they make me more like Jesus. That's who I want to be like. I need Him.
Be blessed that He is making all things new-including you. He will transform each and every situation to bring Him glory. There is nothing that He does not know or see, and for that, He is good. (Hebrews 4:13).
Thank you, Lord, for your unending grace-your grace that is so sufficient beyond my finite mind. Thank you Lord that you work beyond my limitations to do the unimaginable in my life and surpass all I could ever understand. I thank you for being a BIG God, but never too far to reach in and speak to me. Thank you for your faithfulness Jesus. Guide me, sustain me, lead me to the eternal victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
A garment of praise for my heaviness
Beauty for ashes
Take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours
I delight myself in the Richest of Fair
Trading all that I've had for all that is better
A garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
You're the richest of fair"
The stings of this life can be brutal sometimes. I've experienced a few in my little 23 years. But I have a hope. Jesus has given us new life in Him.
In John 3, Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee, comes to Jesus in the middle of the night and asks Him about the eternal kingdom. He questions how this life is entered into and Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus declares that nothing begins or can be made new without the Holy Spirit's working. The water represents baptism and the cleansing of our sins.
How interesting these verses are, but how profound also! I am continually amazed at how things spoken are so profound to me, but I constantly need the reminding of God's amazing power at work in my life.
I've gone through issues that I don't know how to settle and yet the Lord stands by me because I have been born again in Him. He has exchanged my rubble and brought an offering out of that for His glory. I am far from perfect and I still need to be reminded of His grace. I stumble so often it just amazes me and how disgusting I really can be. God is wonderful! How amazing His grace is!
The song above is called "Beauty for Ashes" by Shane & Shane. It has been playing on my iPod consistently for about a month and I cannot get over the utter simplicity of the melody and the weight it puts on my heart as it pounds God's truth over me.
I was also reminded of another song this morning, as I have been pondering about my inconsistency and God's utter satisfaction and perfection, and that is "Sea of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor. God has taken my sin as He has made me new in Him and placed those sins in the sea of forgetfulness. In the song, Helen relates that it is "me who keeps reminding you over and over again." God has forgotten our sins. He has completely forgotten it because He sees His Son instead-His perfect and holy Son! And how my mind and heart need that reminder so much. I praise God that He has made me new. And I praise Him for the struggles because they make me more like Jesus. That's who I want to be like. I need Him.
Be blessed that He is making all things new-including you. He will transform each and every situation to bring Him glory. There is nothing that He does not know or see, and for that, He is good. (Hebrews 4:13).
Thank you, Lord, for your unending grace-your grace that is so sufficient beyond my finite mind. Thank you Lord that you work beyond my limitations to do the unimaginable in my life and surpass all I could ever understand. I thank you for being a BIG God, but never too far to reach in and speak to me. Thank you for your faithfulness Jesus. Guide me, sustain me, lead me to the eternal victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tradition
Hello all on this rainy evening. Hope everyone is great!
I just got off the road and back home from a long car ride to Rolla, ND. It is there that I buried my great aunt today in a very beautiful service. It was great celebrating her life and I am so glad I went.
The sermon the pastor gave today was on John 14:1-6. Jesus' words in this tell of what He has prepared for us in heaven if we believe and trust only in Him. Then He reminds us "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What powerful words these are!
The funeral for my great aunt was held in this quaint, small town Lutheran church. The outside of the church was nothing to behold, but the inside--WOW! Absolutely breathtaking! I felt in the presence of God there! I can't say I felt that ultimate presence from walking in a rural church in a long time, but it was nice.
I stood back and thought of the amazing years of tradition that this church is built upon. We Finns know what we're doing! =) (Just sneaking that one in there...hehe) But more than that, the words of Jesus were proclaimed. These words are what we base our entirity as Christians upon! We come only to know God through Jesus Christ and that is what we must to stand upon!
Tradition on the Bible must be our proclamation! Let's let it be so.
I just got off the road and back home from a long car ride to Rolla, ND. It is there that I buried my great aunt today in a very beautiful service. It was great celebrating her life and I am so glad I went.
The sermon the pastor gave today was on John 14:1-6. Jesus' words in this tell of what He has prepared for us in heaven if we believe and trust only in Him. Then He reminds us "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." What powerful words these are!
The funeral for my great aunt was held in this quaint, small town Lutheran church. The outside of the church was nothing to behold, but the inside--WOW! Absolutely breathtaking! I felt in the presence of God there! I can't say I felt that ultimate presence from walking in a rural church in a long time, but it was nice.
I stood back and thought of the amazing years of tradition that this church is built upon. We Finns know what we're doing! =) (Just sneaking that one in there...hehe) But more than that, the words of Jesus were proclaimed. These words are what we base our entirity as Christians upon! We come only to know God through Jesus Christ and that is what we must to stand upon!
Tradition on the Bible must be our proclamation! Let's let it be so.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Quietness
Why must we maintain busyness?
I have pondered this question in the past few days and inoculated it's grandness and depth. What is the point of being busy? How it ever disturbs us from desiring and seeking God!
A few days ago I read from "The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen. A section of this book deals with prayer. In the book, Nouwen looks at our common notions toward prayer. Often seen as time of talking to God, we forget to listen. Delving into this, Nouwen writes of the Desert Fathers desire for more contemplative time with God, allowing communion with Him to be time of communication rather than speaking at God with all we have to say and letting that be the end of it. As I have heard from other authors as well, we finish with saying "In Jesus' name" and it's like we're casting a spell on God and it must be done because we said those magic words.
What a shame it is that some believe that.
I have been challenged in reading this though. I know that what I pray, when I close with those words, is my trust completely relies on Jesus, no one else. He is my hope and my light and it is only because of Him THAT I CAN come to God and communicate.
Obviously God is bigger than we are and we can share everything on our mind to Him in prayer! Yes He is! But where is the rest in between of waiting on Him, not only wanting Him to speak, but expecting Him to?
These thoughts have been burning in my mind and are taking effect in my life. I desire for God to lead--not pushing all my "prayer needs" on Him and expecting Him to just do. I want God to have total effect on all those I name before Him, but I desire to hear Him.
Maybe I don't pray right. Maybe I don't seek God correctly.
Or maybe this is how we need to.
I am choosing quietness. I am choosing to serve Him and wait for Him. I am choosing to shut off my mind so that He maybe have my full attention. The new prayer I scream from my heart is that my eyes would be fixed on Him and I would keep abiding in Him so that I may bring Him fruit. (Thanks for your help on that Jeremy Riddle!)
May the blessing of the Lord surround you this day! Soli deo gloria!
Brandon
I have pondered this question in the past few days and inoculated it's grandness and depth. What is the point of being busy? How it ever disturbs us from desiring and seeking God!
A few days ago I read from "The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen. A section of this book deals with prayer. In the book, Nouwen looks at our common notions toward prayer. Often seen as time of talking to God, we forget to listen. Delving into this, Nouwen writes of the Desert Fathers desire for more contemplative time with God, allowing communion with Him to be time of communication rather than speaking at God with all we have to say and letting that be the end of it. As I have heard from other authors as well, we finish with saying "In Jesus' name" and it's like we're casting a spell on God and it must be done because we said those magic words.
What a shame it is that some believe that.
I have been challenged in reading this though. I know that what I pray, when I close with those words, is my trust completely relies on Jesus, no one else. He is my hope and my light and it is only because of Him THAT I CAN come to God and communicate.
Obviously God is bigger than we are and we can share everything on our mind to Him in prayer! Yes He is! But where is the rest in between of waiting on Him, not only wanting Him to speak, but expecting Him to?
These thoughts have been burning in my mind and are taking effect in my life. I desire for God to lead--not pushing all my "prayer needs" on Him and expecting Him to just do. I want God to have total effect on all those I name before Him, but I desire to hear Him.
Maybe I don't pray right. Maybe I don't seek God correctly.
Or maybe this is how we need to.
I am choosing quietness. I am choosing to serve Him and wait for Him. I am choosing to shut off my mind so that He maybe have my full attention. The new prayer I scream from my heart is that my eyes would be fixed on Him and I would keep abiding in Him so that I may bring Him fruit. (Thanks for your help on that Jeremy Riddle!)
May the blessing of the Lord surround you this day! Soli deo gloria!
Brandon
Monday, June 8, 2009
Okay so it's been a little while...
"Jesus/King of Salvation/...King of the Broken"
Hey all,
Hope you are well! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! Aah!!! Sorry! I've been a little busy moving this past week and felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Uffda!
I just bought two cd's last week that are so excellent. The first is "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels. I have been a fan of Christy's for a few years, back when she was a part of Watermark, with her husband Nathan. Her new album in great! I love all the songs. I have been challenging myself to really spend time with each song on the record. I have this horrible habit of skipping through songs if I'm not necessarily in the mood for them. But all the songs on this album, even if I want to skip the beginning part, have such great melodies and lines deeper in the song. And they are excellent and I love praising God with the music.
The line above and the one below both come from some new songs off the the "CompassionArt" cd. It has a various number of artists and the songs are powerful! I have been listening to in the office and I am so blessed and challenged to love God more thoroughly and to love His children more completely. Highly recommended tunes!
I have been reading Romans lately, and I love all that I am learning. I am leading a Bible Study too on Sundays in between services and we last studied Romans 3. When I was preparing for Bible Study, there was a componet that really struck my fancy. Paul is countering an argument made by the Jews about God's righteousness. Read it here--Romans 3:5-8:
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrat on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?' Why not say--as we are slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved."
When I was reading a commentary, one author brought up this would be the case Judas Iscariot would bring up against God, believing that what he did was part of God's plan anyway and that should earn him eternal rest with God because he fulfilled what God had in store for him. However, Paul is also looking at our motives toward God. Were Judas' motives toward Jesus pure? We all know they were self-seeking, giving him sin. And God does not tolerate sin at all.
I found this to be very interesting! God is wise. Later on, Paul also continues to tell of the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ! This is the gospel and it is so powerful! We are saved by His blood! I am reminded that I can never question God because of my sin and His own purposes. His ways are higher, and I am glad they are.
Be blessed all! Soli deo Gloria!
"So great/So great/And your love endures forever/To the end/of the age/Oh, your love endures forevermore"
Hey all,
Hope you are well! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! Aah!!! Sorry! I've been a little busy moving this past week and felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off! Uffda!
I just bought two cd's last week that are so excellent. The first is "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels. I have been a fan of Christy's for a few years, back when she was a part of Watermark, with her husband Nathan. Her new album in great! I love all the songs. I have been challenging myself to really spend time with each song on the record. I have this horrible habit of skipping through songs if I'm not necessarily in the mood for them. But all the songs on this album, even if I want to skip the beginning part, have such great melodies and lines deeper in the song. And they are excellent and I love praising God with the music.
The line above and the one below both come from some new songs off the the "CompassionArt" cd. It has a various number of artists and the songs are powerful! I have been listening to in the office and I am so blessed and challenged to love God more thoroughly and to love His children more completely. Highly recommended tunes!
I have been reading Romans lately, and I love all that I am learning. I am leading a Bible Study too on Sundays in between services and we last studied Romans 3. When I was preparing for Bible Study, there was a componet that really struck my fancy. Paul is countering an argument made by the Jews about God's righteousness. Read it here--Romans 3:5-8:
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrat on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?' Why not say--as we are slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved."
When I was reading a commentary, one author brought up this would be the case Judas Iscariot would bring up against God, believing that what he did was part of God's plan anyway and that should earn him eternal rest with God because he fulfilled what God had in store for him. However, Paul is also looking at our motives toward God. Were Judas' motives toward Jesus pure? We all know they were self-seeking, giving him sin. And God does not tolerate sin at all.
I found this to be very interesting! God is wise. Later on, Paul also continues to tell of the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ! This is the gospel and it is so powerful! We are saved by His blood! I am reminded that I can never question God because of my sin and His own purposes. His ways are higher, and I am glad they are.
Be blessed all! Soli deo Gloria!
"So great/So great/And your love endures forever/To the end/of the age/Oh, your love endures forevermore"
Monday, May 25, 2009
a moment of weakness...
Hosea 1 is the account of God's call to Hosea to take a wife, who would later be unfaithful, have children, and be an example to the Jewish nation of their unfaithfulness to God. It is a powerful statement in the Bible, not only to the people of that culture, but also to us now.
This was the reading for my daily devotional this morning. In my devotional, the writer, author Chris Tiegreen, wrote about how God had to use such graphic examples of His love and His pure jealousy for us in order for us to understand it. Later, he also brings into view our satisfaction in God. When we transgress against our most Holy Father, we are not satisfied in Him.
When Tiegreen stated this truth, I immediately wept in grief over how I dishonor God when I let other things get in the way of Him. I was bereaved over my transgressions, knowing that His perfection is enough to satisfy me, yet I still let my eyes wander. Why does He not seem to be enough for me sometimes? Why has sin had it's way over my heart and led me astray? I am a sinner, transgressor, and broken.
I do not understand God. I wrestle with those doubts of how He orchestrates things and why the path is so different from what I assume it to be. I am self-centered and secretly strive for my own will. How foolish of me.
Jesus Christ brought about a perfect redemption. Not only to the glory of God did He die to satisfy God's perfect and just wrath, His blood cleansed me, and washed my sins and transgressions away. Then He gave me the promise of eternal life. To add further to this, God saw Jesus' sacrifice as the perfect satisfaction and raised Him. That is Gospel! And it's good news I need to remind myself of more.
Later this morning, I read Romans 4. Abraham lived out a perfect example of being tested so explicitly, yet his faith endure as he hoped more on the God who blessed beyond our imagination. God gave me a vivid expression of His love (a quote I would stumble on even later in the morning.) Verses 24b-25 sum up so wonderfully the hope I do have in Jesus, albeit, still imperfect in my body. "It wil be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." His goodness surpasses my weakness. The Holy Spirit has convicted me. I have recently prayed for a new, deeper knowledge of the Lord, and He has shown me Himself. I pray that I will take that on and not let His revelation remain idle in my life. I long to be sanctified and perfected only in Him, and with my hope secure on Him, I know His promise will not fail.
I end with two quotes I read today that were uniquely profound to me. May you be blessed by them as well.
"The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return." -Charles Spurgeon
"A single vivid experience of love will advance us much farther, will far more surely protect our souls from evil, than the most arduous struggle against sin." -Alexander Elchaninov
To Jesus be all the glory.
Brandon
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Coming back to it
Hey everyone,
What a gorgeous day it is in Fargo! And here I am, sitting on the computer again...something must be wrong with me!?! =)
So, just a little thought (by the way, I say 'so' A LOT; it's a little ridiculous. Please bear with me.). Today in church, my pastor talked on the importance of being good stewards with what God has blessed us with. The sermon focused mainly around monetary, but it applies to a number of areas. The main teaching Scripture Dale (my pastor) used today was Proverbs 30: 7-9. A little funny for me, 1) because I blogged on it about a month ago after reading it and 2) I have been praying this exact Scripture over my life for the past few weeks.
I think it is so interesting how God is working! And so I'm bring you all back to this Scripture as well. Proverbs 30:7-9 says: "Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say 'Who is the LORD?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God." (ESV)
Once again, I reiterate what I have said before, in that I love what Agur asks of God. He does not ask for a comfortable, pleasant life. He asks God to keep him steadfast in his pursuit of Him; he begs God to help him be a man of integrity; and he prays that God would only fill him with what is necessary, that in all he does, he may bring praise and glory to the Father. What a prayer! And that is why I am praying it for myself. That is what I beg of God to do--to pour His strength in me so that I would stand tall in Him! So that I would be a man on fire and living to bless His name alone. These are hard words to put into practice, but they are definitely full of meaning and a worthy pursuit (I believe THE only worthy pursuit) to push after.
Another thing happened today that reminded me of this prayer and, very ironically, tied very well to Dale's message. If anyone was wondering, I am not the most stable financial person. I will be very clear on that. I am 22, and just out of college, and working on some debt. But today, I wrote out some checks to pay my bills. After I finished that this morning, I looked at what would be in my bank account after those bills went through. I found I had a substantial amount of money left over. As I was driving to church this morning, I very much felt God telling me to be wise with these funds. I will say that when I have an abundance of money, I tend to spend it very easily. I believe that the responsibility I have for the rest of this month is to be wise with those funds in how I use them, so that I honor God. After reflecting a little more, I posed the question to myself if this was God, in a way, honoring/answering this prayer by providing for me now, that I might be responsible during this season of my life, and prepared for one to come. Just a little food for thought.
Okay, that turned into a very long post! Feel free to comment in anyway! I love seeing comments on here!
Be blessed by His amazing grace!
What a gorgeous day it is in Fargo! And here I am, sitting on the computer again...something must be wrong with me!?! =)
So, just a little thought (by the way, I say 'so' A LOT; it's a little ridiculous. Please bear with me.). Today in church, my pastor talked on the importance of being good stewards with what God has blessed us with. The sermon focused mainly around monetary, but it applies to a number of areas. The main teaching Scripture Dale (my pastor) used today was Proverbs 30: 7-9. A little funny for me, 1) because I blogged on it about a month ago after reading it and 2) I have been praying this exact Scripture over my life for the past few weeks.
I think it is so interesting how God is working! And so I'm bring you all back to this Scripture as well. Proverbs 30:7-9 says: "Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say 'Who is the LORD?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God." (ESV)
Once again, I reiterate what I have said before, in that I love what Agur asks of God. He does not ask for a comfortable, pleasant life. He asks God to keep him steadfast in his pursuit of Him; he begs God to help him be a man of integrity; and he prays that God would only fill him with what is necessary, that in all he does, he may bring praise and glory to the Father. What a prayer! And that is why I am praying it for myself. That is what I beg of God to do--to pour His strength in me so that I would stand tall in Him! So that I would be a man on fire and living to bless His name alone. These are hard words to put into practice, but they are definitely full of meaning and a worthy pursuit (I believe THE only worthy pursuit) to push after.
Another thing happened today that reminded me of this prayer and, very ironically, tied very well to Dale's message. If anyone was wondering, I am not the most stable financial person. I will be very clear on that. I am 22, and just out of college, and working on some debt. But today, I wrote out some checks to pay my bills. After I finished that this morning, I looked at what would be in my bank account after those bills went through. I found I had a substantial amount of money left over. As I was driving to church this morning, I very much felt God telling me to be wise with these funds. I will say that when I have an abundance of money, I tend to spend it very easily. I believe that the responsibility I have for the rest of this month is to be wise with those funds in how I use them, so that I honor God. After reflecting a little more, I posed the question to myself if this was God, in a way, honoring/answering this prayer by providing for me now, that I might be responsible during this season of my life, and prepared for one to come. Just a little food for thought.
Okay, that turned into a very long post! Feel free to comment in anyway! I love seeing comments on here!
Be blessed by His amazing grace!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Well, hello on this beautiful day in Fargo! It's nice to see the sun again, even if it is only for a few more hours...
So, to say the least, I have had a really good week. It has been enjoyable but all the busyness that is ahead is soon to be here. And I don't quite know if I'm prepared! :S
Yesterday, I undertook another endeavor. Along with writing a vision statement and coming up with a plan for the young adult program here at Atonement, I also volunteered myself to direct a Bible Study on Sunday mornings over the book of Romans. Romans is an excellent book and we are studying it all over the summer at our church. There is so much to explore and I'm excited were offering an opportunity for depth and growth in our church like this. I am way excited. And at the same time, I have to rely on God to lead me through this.
God is doing some great things too here at Atonement! I am really excited for how He is stirring up revival in the hearts of the members of our congregation and it will be awesome to see how that plays out.
I was reading in Genesis this morning about Jacob and Esau's reunion, and I still am flabbergasted at Esau's answer to his estranged brother. He runs to him, embraces him, and loves him so completely. I can believe Esau went through terrible ordeals to get over his pain at his blessing (or the blessing he thought was his, but not God) being stolen, and yet he is full of mercy and forgiveness. I love the picture it paints of our Heavenly Father doing the same for us. Though we have bashed Him, lied to Him, flat-out denied Him, He still covers us in His grace and out of what His Righteous Son did on our behalf on the cross, we too are overwhelmed in His mercy. He can run to us and allow us pardon for all our sins! What a gracious God we serve. Love Him! =)
Hope you all have a very blessed day! God's peace.
So, to say the least, I have had a really good week. It has been enjoyable but all the busyness that is ahead is soon to be here. And I don't quite know if I'm prepared! :S
Yesterday, I undertook another endeavor. Along with writing a vision statement and coming up with a plan for the young adult program here at Atonement, I also volunteered myself to direct a Bible Study on Sunday mornings over the book of Romans. Romans is an excellent book and we are studying it all over the summer at our church. There is so much to explore and I'm excited were offering an opportunity for depth and growth in our church like this. I am way excited. And at the same time, I have to rely on God to lead me through this.
God is doing some great things too here at Atonement! I am really excited for how He is stirring up revival in the hearts of the members of our congregation and it will be awesome to see how that plays out.
I was reading in Genesis this morning about Jacob and Esau's reunion, and I still am flabbergasted at Esau's answer to his estranged brother. He runs to him, embraces him, and loves him so completely. I can believe Esau went through terrible ordeals to get over his pain at his blessing (or the blessing he thought was his, but not God) being stolen, and yet he is full of mercy and forgiveness. I love the picture it paints of our Heavenly Father doing the same for us. Though we have bashed Him, lied to Him, flat-out denied Him, He still covers us in His grace and out of what His Righteous Son did on our behalf on the cross, we too are overwhelmed in His mercy. He can run to us and allow us pardon for all our sins! What a gracious God we serve. Love Him! =)
Hope you all have a very blessed day! God's peace.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
THE 7TH of MAY!!!
Hey all,
So the 7th of May, huh?! [That's totally just so I can snicker at how corny I am! (please laugh, it'll make me feel better!) ] =)
Well, today is absolutely gorgeous (again!) and as typical, I'm stuck inside working! Ugh! I tell ya! But God is still good! Very good indeed!
So today, I started going to a new small group. In this group, we're going to read the book "Axiom" by Bill Hybels, and I am really excited. The one thing that is interesting though is I'm the only one under 25. Oh, how I've missed being the young one in a group (can't you tell I drip with sarcasm...sorry). But I have heard many things about this book, all good. And that really gets me pumped! Some of the men in the group I've recently gotten to know very well, and one of the biggest things I am overjoyed about is learning some of the leadership developments these men have put into place in their lives. I love intergenerational learning and it energizes me to get the opportunity to "pick" these guys' brains. I'm weird, I know.
I want to share a little piece of Scripture I've been praying the past few weeks and this one has really sharpened me. It has been my benediction every day, and I love it. Ephesians 3: 20-21 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (NIV, italicis mine) That little piece dramatically spoke to me this morning, as I was reminded that while I pray (and I believe I pray boldly), I want God to do immeasureably more than I even ask in the lives I lay before Him! I want Him not only to meet that which I pray for, but to exceed it beyond all I could even understand, all according to His will. And I know He can! I know He can! He is that big of a God in my eyes and my heart, and I long for that to be so in the lives of those I pray for and those I meet and know!
To Him be the glory! In Jesus we live!!!
Brandon
So the 7th of May, huh?! [That's totally just so I can snicker at how corny I am! (please laugh, it'll make me feel better!) ] =)
Well, today is absolutely gorgeous (again!) and as typical, I'm stuck inside working! Ugh! I tell ya! But God is still good! Very good indeed!
So today, I started going to a new small group. In this group, we're going to read the book "Axiom" by Bill Hybels, and I am really excited. The one thing that is interesting though is I'm the only one under 25. Oh, how I've missed being the young one in a group (can't you tell I drip with sarcasm...sorry). But I have heard many things about this book, all good. And that really gets me pumped! Some of the men in the group I've recently gotten to know very well, and one of the biggest things I am overjoyed about is learning some of the leadership developments these men have put into place in their lives. I love intergenerational learning and it energizes me to get the opportunity to "pick" these guys' brains. I'm weird, I know.
I want to share a little piece of Scripture I've been praying the past few weeks and this one has really sharpened me. It has been my benediction every day, and I love it. Ephesians 3: 20-21 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (NIV, italicis mine) That little piece dramatically spoke to me this morning, as I was reminded that while I pray (and I believe I pray boldly), I want God to do immeasureably more than I even ask in the lives I lay before Him! I want Him not only to meet that which I pray for, but to exceed it beyond all I could even understand, all according to His will. And I know He can! I know He can! He is that big of a God in my eyes and my heart, and I long for that to be so in the lives of those I pray for and those I meet and know!
To Him be the glory! In Jesus we live!!!
Brandon
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
CINCO DE MAYO!
Hey all,
Hope you again are having a beautiful day! God sure is good and His grace anoints each and every moment of our being. What a wonderful, merciful God we serve!
So, this past weekend I went to Sioux Falls to see my cousin give her profession of faith! That was so cool and I am so proud of her! However, on the way down, I didn't know if I was going to even live! My dad drove us in my grandma's new car, and I really wonder if he just wanted to see how good the brakes were. But boy, did they work well! All 9 times he used them!
And the funny thing about that is the things he was braking to were little, indifferent things, such as someone using their turning signal and then pulling into his lane...while being 20 feet ahead of him! I've decided I'm not letting my dad drive in a big city with me as a passenger for a long while! Bless his heart, I love him, but he cannot drive in big cities to save his life! Woo.
On to other things, (you all are probably wondering me true affections toward my dad now...), God really opened my eyes to a very cool verse. I'm just going to share the verse here as I don't want to ruin the surprise for the kids I'm teaching Bible study to this week over this verse. But be ready to learn what God spoke to me in these verses. Ephesians 2: 8-10 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
It is by God's grace that we are alive! It is solely by that alone that we know this new life in Christ and what He desires more from us! So, until next time, I'm just going to leave you with that! Hope you all have a very blessed evening and enjoy God's provision!
In Jesus,
Brandon
Hope you again are having a beautiful day! God sure is good and His grace anoints each and every moment of our being. What a wonderful, merciful God we serve!
So, this past weekend I went to Sioux Falls to see my cousin give her profession of faith! That was so cool and I am so proud of her! However, on the way down, I didn't know if I was going to even live! My dad drove us in my grandma's new car, and I really wonder if he just wanted to see how good the brakes were. But boy, did they work well! All 9 times he used them!
And the funny thing about that is the things he was braking to were little, indifferent things, such as someone using their turning signal and then pulling into his lane...while being 20 feet ahead of him! I've decided I'm not letting my dad drive in a big city with me as a passenger for a long while! Bless his heart, I love him, but he cannot drive in big cities to save his life! Woo.
On to other things, (you all are probably wondering me true affections toward my dad now...), God really opened my eyes to a very cool verse. I'm just going to share the verse here as I don't want to ruin the surprise for the kids I'm teaching Bible study to this week over this verse. But be ready to learn what God spoke to me in these verses. Ephesians 2: 8-10 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
It is by God's grace that we are alive! It is solely by that alone that we know this new life in Christ and what He desires more from us! So, until next time, I'm just going to leave you with that! Hope you all have a very blessed evening and enjoy God's provision!
In Jesus,
Brandon
Friday, May 1, 2009
MAY DAY!!!
Hey everyone! It's May Day--and it is GORGEOUS here in Fargo! Woo! Always exciting when the weather is beautiful out! =)
Well, it has been a long week, but it has definitely been a lot of fun! And the weekend will be here shortly!!! There are two things I am definitely REALLY looking forward to--hanging out with my roommates (a little roommate date) and going to Sioux Falls to attend my cousin's profession of faith!!! A little bonding time with the family is always good! =)
So, as I enter into the month of May, yesterday I really contemplated my life over the past year and over the past few months. The one exceedingly great thought that was drawn to the forefront was God's passionate love for me and His complete provision! Almost a year ago, I was looking for a job and couldn't find one. And then, I got two! I worked for half a year at a Christian bookstore and as a server in a restaurant. Then God opened another door for me to have the job I currently work at. It has been so awesome and I love this job!
Another way God provided was giving my roommate Scott and I another awesome brother and roommate--James. It was a year ago that a friend of ours came to us and told us he and his brother would like to live with us. Then, that guy got another sweet job and moved out, but we had his brother. And what a fun roommate James is! God is good!
I've seen Him work in so many fantastic ways over the past few months and I am just perplexed and in awe of how wonderful He is. I look at the challenge Paul poses in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 which says, "Finally brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." (NIV) I am blown away by my call to persevere, yet I know and can testify that God has and will continue to protect me in His care. He has never abandoned me, nor will He ever. And that, indeed, is amazing grace.
So today, I just praise God for His blessings and look forward to the next year to come. What a wonderful God we serve. Be encouraged and be blessed by Him!
Well, it has been a long week, but it has definitely been a lot of fun! And the weekend will be here shortly!!! There are two things I am definitely REALLY looking forward to--hanging out with my roommates (a little roommate date) and going to Sioux Falls to attend my cousin's profession of faith!!! A little bonding time with the family is always good! =)
So, as I enter into the month of May, yesterday I really contemplated my life over the past year and over the past few months. The one exceedingly great thought that was drawn to the forefront was God's passionate love for me and His complete provision! Almost a year ago, I was looking for a job and couldn't find one. And then, I got two! I worked for half a year at a Christian bookstore and as a server in a restaurant. Then God opened another door for me to have the job I currently work at. It has been so awesome and I love this job!
Another way God provided was giving my roommate Scott and I another awesome brother and roommate--James. It was a year ago that a friend of ours came to us and told us he and his brother would like to live with us. Then, that guy got another sweet job and moved out, but we had his brother. And what a fun roommate James is! God is good!
I've seen Him work in so many fantastic ways over the past few months and I am just perplexed and in awe of how wonderful He is. I look at the challenge Paul poses in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 which says, "Finally brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." (NIV) I am blown away by my call to persevere, yet I know and can testify that God has and will continue to protect me in His care. He has never abandoned me, nor will He ever. And that, indeed, is amazing grace.
So today, I just praise God for His blessings and look forward to the next year to come. What a wonderful God we serve. Be encouraged and be blessed by Him!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hey everyone!
What a blessing it was to go the conference in Chicago! I had an excellent time and I just wanted to share some thoughts from the speakers I heard.
God has a relentless passion for us. This is evident in Scripture. We look at it and know that His love has infused each and every part of us, never letting us go, but ALWAYS sustaining us. We know that He has kept us and draws us to Him by His own goodness and mercy. And through that we can know that even though passion and fire may wane toward Him, we are never put out!
When at the conference, I heard two very important speakers address the Holy Spirit in their sermons. The first man, Francis Chan, talked about the difference between the church in Acts and the church now. I was so blown away but his candid revelation of the church today. In Acts, that church was unstoppable because they allowed the work of the Holy Spirit to do what It wanted to do and accomplish. In comparison, the church today is stoppable, utterly and totally. And what a sad, sad thing that is. Where is the fire? Where is our desire to be activated by the Holy Spirit? Francis Chan is right in saying that we've forgotten it.
Another preacher delved deeper into this topic. Harvey Kerry is a pastor in the poorest area code in the nation, Detroit, MI. Pastor Kerry said that the reason the church is so stoppable is because we don't know who we are, we've forgotten the power we have, and when that has happened, we've lost the power. "Changed people change people" is a quote he left us with, nothing that when the power of God encounters us, we are never the same, and that is what we cannot forget. Even further, he said (and I love this) "You can't change others until the change has happened in you."
So, church of America, have we forgotten to encounter God in our daily lives? Since when did He only become available on Sunday? We, the called and faithful, need a new declaration! We need to be witnesses, no matter how much we love our comfort. Get out of that complacency! If we want a world to change, we must remember the power of God dwelling in us to relate that change to the world. We need to seek God, we need to fast, we must continue casting vision, and rely on His strength and provision! Where have our hearts forgotten this?
I am filled with passion to transform the faith of our generation and the ones to come! Who will join me? Ask God to give you that passion! Future generations need our passion for the Gospel! And it indeed is good news!
Be blessed y'all.
What a blessing it was to go the conference in Chicago! I had an excellent time and I just wanted to share some thoughts from the speakers I heard.
God has a relentless passion for us. This is evident in Scripture. We look at it and know that His love has infused each and every part of us, never letting us go, but ALWAYS sustaining us. We know that He has kept us and draws us to Him by His own goodness and mercy. And through that we can know that even though passion and fire may wane toward Him, we are never put out!
When at the conference, I heard two very important speakers address the Holy Spirit in their sermons. The first man, Francis Chan, talked about the difference between the church in Acts and the church now. I was so blown away but his candid revelation of the church today. In Acts, that church was unstoppable because they allowed the work of the Holy Spirit to do what It wanted to do and accomplish. In comparison, the church today is stoppable, utterly and totally. And what a sad, sad thing that is. Where is the fire? Where is our desire to be activated by the Holy Spirit? Francis Chan is right in saying that we've forgotten it.
Another preacher delved deeper into this topic. Harvey Kerry is a pastor in the poorest area code in the nation, Detroit, MI. Pastor Kerry said that the reason the church is so stoppable is because we don't know who we are, we've forgotten the power we have, and when that has happened, we've lost the power. "Changed people change people" is a quote he left us with, nothing that when the power of God encounters us, we are never the same, and that is what we cannot forget. Even further, he said (and I love this) "You can't change others until the change has happened in you."
So, church of America, have we forgotten to encounter God in our daily lives? Since when did He only become available on Sunday? We, the called and faithful, need a new declaration! We need to be witnesses, no matter how much we love our comfort. Get out of that complacency! If we want a world to change, we must remember the power of God dwelling in us to relate that change to the world. We need to seek God, we need to fast, we must continue casting vision, and rely on His strength and provision! Where have our hearts forgotten this?
I am filled with passion to transform the faith of our generation and the ones to come! Who will join me? Ask God to give you that passion! Future generations need our passion for the Gospel! And it indeed is good news!
Be blessed y'all.
Monday, April 20, 2009
"Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV)
Hello again! Just wanted to say a quick word--plus I hope you all had a blessed Easter!
I read this prayer this morning and it really spoke to my heart. It talks about being a truthful person, always subservient to God. I love what is written about being neither rich nor poor. I long for this prayer to be the one that I pray continually.
I am so excited for this week! I am going to a conference in Chicago and I think it will be phenomenal. The teachings I am going to look exceptional and they should be great.
But that's all I got for now! Sorry it's not much!
God bless!
Brandon
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hey everyone!
Uffda! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! I hope everyone is doing great!
Today, I've been working on curriculum for an awesome opportunity for the youth and young adults of Fargo/Moorhead for this summer. It's called FEED and I believe it will be awesome! I'm so excited that we're going to do something like this in Fargo! I hope people come and are really stretched in their faith!
Also, today, I've been listening to country music...I have to say that I believe there is nothing better! :)
Well, along with fighting a flood over the past few weeks, I've been catching up on some reading. I guess catching up isn't the right phrase to use; more like getting into some deeper reading. I have recently finished a wonderful book called "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It's an excellent read, and I highly recommend it. I also started a new book by John Piper called "Finally Alive." It's very interesting so far, but I really am enjoying it too.
And, of course, I'm still running and training for the marathon. This weekend I'm set to run 20 miles--Woo! But I'm excited! I love running!
Well, I hope everyone is doing well and you all had a blessed Easter! Christ is risen indeed! God bless you all!
Romans 7: 4-6
Brandon
Uffda! It's been awhile since I've posted on here! I hope everyone is doing great!
Today, I've been working on curriculum for an awesome opportunity for the youth and young adults of Fargo/Moorhead for this summer. It's called FEED and I believe it will be awesome! I'm so excited that we're going to do something like this in Fargo! I hope people come and are really stretched in their faith!
Also, today, I've been listening to country music...I have to say that I believe there is nothing better! :)
Well, along with fighting a flood over the past few weeks, I've been catching up on some reading. I guess catching up isn't the right phrase to use; more like getting into some deeper reading. I have recently finished a wonderful book called "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It's an excellent read, and I highly recommend it. I also started a new book by John Piper called "Finally Alive." It's very interesting so far, but I really am enjoying it too.
And, of course, I'm still running and training for the marathon. This weekend I'm set to run 20 miles--Woo! But I'm excited! I love running!
Well, I hope everyone is doing well and you all had a blessed Easter! Christ is risen indeed! God bless you all!
Romans 7: 4-6
Brandon
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hey All!
It is another gorgeous day in Fargo--I'm so loving the weather and am getting used to it sticking around! :)
But on a sad note, my Bison lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament. :( They played a great game, but just were unable to overcome the national champs!
Other than that, I am NOT looking forward to this pending flood. We are already in a warning stage and UGH! I'd just rather not. The one bad thing about living next to a river and having no hills on an entire half of a state.
So I was reading one of my devotionals this morning and it was about our distractions. The reading was from Isaiah 44:3-8, where God was telling Isaiah about the idolatry of the people. They denied God His ability to work in them. Then in brought up how we become distracted and failed to put God always first. It struck a nerve in me. There are many things I feel I need and want, yet they stop me from completely pursuing the Father.
I quickly ran to the grocery store after reading this, and I did the usual thing I do, start turning on the music and pumping the jams. In the mornings, I'm almost always listening to contemporary worship or music of that sort. This morning I turned it on, and thought, "why do I need this? Shouldn't I be talking with God?" I quickly turned off the music and started pouring my heart out to the King. I know I am a work in progress, and prayer is what I need--that constant communication with my Savior. I was glad that I took the time to open up to God, even if it was just a few moments.
I am trying to contemplate more what drags me away from God. Though these things are not inherently bad, they do draw me away, when God created them to draw me near.
But God is faithful. He knows my weaknesses and downfalls, and still He loves me. He sees only His Son when He looks at me. And that is power.
Have a wonderful weekend! God bless!
It is another gorgeous day in Fargo--I'm so loving the weather and am getting used to it sticking around! :)
But on a sad note, my Bison lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament. :( They played a great game, but just were unable to overcome the national champs!
Other than that, I am NOT looking forward to this pending flood. We are already in a warning stage and UGH! I'd just rather not. The one bad thing about living next to a river and having no hills on an entire half of a state.
So I was reading one of my devotionals this morning and it was about our distractions. The reading was from Isaiah 44:3-8, where God was telling Isaiah about the idolatry of the people. They denied God His ability to work in them. Then in brought up how we become distracted and failed to put God always first. It struck a nerve in me. There are many things I feel I need and want, yet they stop me from completely pursuing the Father.
I quickly ran to the grocery store after reading this, and I did the usual thing I do, start turning on the music and pumping the jams. In the mornings, I'm almost always listening to contemporary worship or music of that sort. This morning I turned it on, and thought, "why do I need this? Shouldn't I be talking with God?" I quickly turned off the music and started pouring my heart out to the King. I know I am a work in progress, and prayer is what I need--that constant communication with my Savior. I was glad that I took the time to open up to God, even if it was just a few moments.
I am trying to contemplate more what drags me away from God. Though these things are not inherently bad, they do draw me away, when God created them to draw me near.
But God is faithful. He knows my weaknesses and downfalls, and still He loves me. He sees only His Son when He looks at me. And that is power.
Have a wonderful weekend! God bless!
Monday, March 16, 2009
First off, can I say that today was an absolutely gorgeous day!?! Wow! It was beautiful!
God is so wonderful, and my heart has definitely been receiving a lot from Him.
I'm still reading the book "One Month To Live" and in it there was a question a few weeks ago about the area in our life that we're at. I was thinking this over and today with the beautiful weather, I noticed a heart change from when I first read this.
Yesterday was a bummer day for me, at first. I was just in the mood to be with people, but God needed me with Him. I started to get down that I was by myself, but God set me straight. I was listening to some worship music and I felt a deep sense to just praise Jesus. And so I did. I spent an hour just worshiping Him. I let the tears flow, even though I did wonder where they came from, and felt such sweet release. After that, I opened the gospels up and felt such a fire for them. What wonderful words are written in the Bible!
And today it seemed to be true as well. I was just excited! I bought a new cd today full of country gospel and I cranked it up and had the windows down (it was 40 degree weather, so not bitter cold) and just sang praise. Never so recently have I experienced such freedom, and its all stemming from my love of my Savior. "I just keep falling in love with you over and over, all things pass, all things brand new, my lips shall praise thee, joyfully give you glory, while lifting my hands in your due, I just keep falling, falling in love with You!" (Check out CeCe Winans "Falling in Love")
Man our Saviour is great! I keep falling in love with Him. Wow! Thanks be to Jesus for this wonderful weather--a new spring is here!
God is so wonderful, and my heart has definitely been receiving a lot from Him.
I'm still reading the book "One Month To Live" and in it there was a question a few weeks ago about the area in our life that we're at. I was thinking this over and today with the beautiful weather, I noticed a heart change from when I first read this.
Yesterday was a bummer day for me, at first. I was just in the mood to be with people, but God needed me with Him. I started to get down that I was by myself, but God set me straight. I was listening to some worship music and I felt a deep sense to just praise Jesus. And so I did. I spent an hour just worshiping Him. I let the tears flow, even though I did wonder where they came from, and felt such sweet release. After that, I opened the gospels up and felt such a fire for them. What wonderful words are written in the Bible!
And today it seemed to be true as well. I was just excited! I bought a new cd today full of country gospel and I cranked it up and had the windows down (it was 40 degree weather, so not bitter cold) and just sang praise. Never so recently have I experienced such freedom, and its all stemming from my love of my Savior. "I just keep falling in love with you over and over, all things pass, all things brand new, my lips shall praise thee, joyfully give you glory, while lifting my hands in your due, I just keep falling, falling in love with You!" (Check out CeCe Winans "Falling in Love")
Man our Saviour is great! I keep falling in love with Him. Wow! Thanks be to Jesus for this wonderful weather--a new spring is here!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hi everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to say how much I am loving reading the book "One Month To Live." It has been challenging to me, but very rewarding.
I wanted to share the experience I had yesterday after following the calling and challenge from day 7 of the book. In that day it talked about actually kick-starting our lives into gear and really living passionately for God. One of the challenges at the end of the chapter asked us what would we be doing if we knew we couldn't fail for God and we didn't have any barriers stopping us. I immediately thought of preaching! I wanted to do that and I knew that was what God had been putting on my heart.
Well, as you all know here in Fargo, the weather was beyond terrible--it was downright nasty! So, I knew we would not be having drama practice that evening. However, I was wondering what or if there would be a service that night. So I took a chance. I had written a sermon a while ago and I decide to ask Dale, our senior pastor, if I could give that message. He let me.
So last night, for the first official time, I gave a sermon to a congregation about our need to feel younger, to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ as children, and to walk boldly in faith with confidence in God and His plan. And I feel it went well. It felt very cool engaging the audience and getting them following along. I planted some seeds last night. I don't know if I'll ever see them come to fruition, but I did it.
While I would have gotten the place of where that first time would come, I know God wanted me submitted to Him and listening to Him in order to let that chance come. I'm really glad He humbled me into reading this book and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I hope all of you get the chance to be challenged and be rewarded for your faith! We are meant to humbly trust Christ and know that what is beyond is the better. "So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
God bless!
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