Beautiful Saturday

So I finally was able to access my blogger account! That is not why I think that today is a beautiful Saturday, however, it adds to making the day a little sweeter. Like adding a extra spoon of sugar to your tea!

I cleaned out the garage today some more and hung up party lights for my nieces. We set up a table with chairs and brought out all the board games to the garage. I have been thinking a lot of when the scripture says that we are to be like one of these. Children I mean. I was always taught that it was because they were so innocent, that they accepted God so easily.

Their not so innocent.

Children are just a susceptible to the passions of adults. I watched as my two nieces went through emotions like anger, jealousy, loneliness but also being happy and laughing.

There was one thing that I noticed that separated me and them however, that maybe Jesus was talking about. If they needed a ride somewhere, I had to take them. When they were ready to eat lunch, it was Eve that made it for them. They were completely dependent on me. They had not grown to a certain age where they could do it on their own.

I think Jesus may have been saying that I need to be completely dependent on Him. It sounds simple and people might even say that it was useless writing that sentence. But here is a question. How many times do you ask God for something that is within your own power to get. We grow up. We work hard. We buy all our food from the freezer section at the grocery store and completely forget about God's bounty. God's bounty, what is that? That is the food that we eat. Yes, you did not create the cow. I did not create the chicken. These things that I think I worked for and I earned come completely from the hand of God and I find myself as a child before Him because I realize that it doesn't matter how hard I work, it is all a gift.

To become like a child maybe realizing that we still need someone to feed us and to care for us. We still need someone to put a band-aid on our cuts.

We still need someone to tell us "Everything is going to be Ok"

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose"

We still need someone to tell us that we can do this, that we are strong enough.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me"

We still need someone.

work, work and more work!

So it has been some days since I have been able to sit down and blog. That means it has been some days since I have been able to sit and think about things that matter to me. I figured I would just write down some thoughts that I have been having about certain things.

One of the "things" that I have been thinking about is the perception of the believer. Not what they perceive of themselves but what others perceive around them. One of the reasons I have been thinking about this is the blogging that my wife and her friend Jenny have been doing. If you were to look back on all the blogs that they have typed, you would see, that they were brutally honest with themselves and you could trace not only the wrongs done to them but maybe areas where they have gone wrong themselves. That is what brings me to my present thoughts of perception.

No one, from reading their posts, would have the perception that they had a perfect childhood. The past is layed out in front of you. You see what they had to go through. However, you also see the strength that they have gained from their trials and their ability to overcome, even though it was one step at a time, all of them.

This is what brings me to the perception of believers. I think that a vast majority of believers would not want their (true) lives posted on a blog. Not censored! If you would be honest with yourself, you might realize what I am talking about here. Perception of people is a huge contributor to what we do. Sometimes what we eat, wear our hair, our clothes, what music we listen to. It becons back to elementary school where we are taught about peer pressure.

My view is that the perception of the believer is taught wrong in a majority of our churches. We are taught that the Christian is to be good. That is true but it is taught in such a way that we eliminate all the bad things in our past and censor what we let people know so that we can "look good".

Looking good and being good are two different things. More on this later.

The middle child

Thank you Jenny for your post. I have been thinking this morning about what you said. I have just finished talking to Eve and decided to come out into the morning sunshine and slight breeze. I think it could be entirely possible that pretty much my whole life I have been reactionary. One who reacts to life. A person who waits for life to happen and then reacts to it. I don't know if I am saying it right. There have been some things (this is probably why they are so important to me) that I have been proactive with. I was proactive first with Jesus. I didn't wait for Him to happen to me, I took Him the first chance I had. My childhood was (in light of you and Eve) very good. I had not faced any major problems before I was 16 but something in my spirit said, jump, when he spoke to me. I was proactive with Eve (granted I was a little clueless at first) but when she confessed her love for me I couldn't help but get engaged as fast as I could and made it known to my pastor and his wife that it was going to happen no matter what they said. These are the two things that matter the most to me in the world.

To give an example of being reactive and what I mean by it. I was 12 when my parents divorced. I did nothing but tell myself that it was going to be ok and don't remember crying that much. I tried to show my dad I was tough and wise and my mom that I was sensitive. I waited for it to happen and planned how I was going to handle it afterwords. Not that I could have done much, it was deeper then a 12 year old can imagine but its what I did all the same. When I was on staff at the two churches we served at, I was always reactionary. I waited for them to say jump and then I would. I am afraid to be a failure. I am afraid to let those I love down. I am afraid that they will not think that I am wise and strong and sensitive. All things that I deem as noble qualities and ones that a man of God should have. This has in essence tamed my spirit. It has bridled this horse. Even now as I type. I feel I hesitate from typing because who would want to hear, who would want to read? The sex trafficking blog is easy because it is a noble purpose I can be sure of. I don't cause ripples in the water, I wait for the person to throw a rock and point them out, discuss why they did and what will be the results of the rock they threw.

I can see why you and Eve do this! It really helps you to understand yourself. Thank you both.

#5 of 10

5. Get involved in local organizations fighting the sex trade. While money is a great help for non-profit organizations, hands and feet are better. Get together with your family and friends and work out a time budget. How much time are you willing and able to donate to your local organization. Unless you have worked with a non-profit before you might not understand how hard it is to fill a position with another volunteer if you were to cancel. Be realistic in the time frames you commit too and your local organization will be grateful. (see Mission 21's website for a comprehensive list of organizations)

The time thing is big! It can cause alot of stress for those who are putting together things to have someone commit and then back out. Really pray about how much time you can give and always be honest with those heading the project up, they will appreciate that much more then false promises.

#4 of 10 (things to do to stop Sex Trafficking)

4. Support new or better state and local anti-trafficking laws. Many states already have anti-trafficking laws, but some don't. Check to see if there are anti-trafficking laws in your state. Help strengthen state and local laws in your area by contacting your Governor, Senator or Representative. As a voter (or soon-to-be voter), you have the power to demand your representatives follow an abolitionist agenda. And remember, many voices asking for the same changes are powerful- consider a letter-writing campaign.

This is becoming more and more talked about in our government. We need to be involved in grass root of this. To just pass some laws does nothing but to be continually involved in the abolishment of sex trafficking does!

#3 of 10 (things to do to Stop Sex Trafficking)

3. Oppose the commercial sex industry, including prostitution, escort services, strip clubs, pornography and the "pimp n ho" culture. Sex trafficking victims can be found in all areas of the commercial sex industry, and demand for commercial sex makes the business lucrative for traffickers and motivates them to enslave more victims. Have bachelor and bachelorette parties at non-traditional (commercial sex-free) venues. Refuse to watch pornography and encourage friends to do the same. When fewer people buy commercial sex, traffickers have less incentive to force women and children to meet the demand.

Sex trafficking is a business. In order for a business to stay "in business", they need customers. In other words, if there are no customers then they won't have a business. Basic Capitalism 101. I wonder how many people involved in bachelor or bachelorette parties really understand what they are doing. Where did this tradition come from anyways? I would really like to know. It makes no logical sense what so ever. Tell me if this make sense. 2 people get engaged and because of that very fact it warrants them to have a party where they oogle someone of the opposite sex strip in celebration of soon making a vow to be faithful to one another for the rest of their lives. I am not judging you if thought this was ok before, but now you know the truth and I hope you won't do it again. Thanks

Matthew 5:27

You have heard the commandment that says "You must not commit adultery." But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Strong words - Strong message - Strong God!

#2 out of 10 you can do to stop Sex Trafficking

2. Host a fundraiser for a local anti-trafficking nonprofit. While donating individually to the causes you support is great, there are many ways to take a small amount of money and turn it into a much larger amount for bigger impact. Instead of making a direct donation, try buying supplies for a bake sale or car wash and donate the proceeds, or recruit your friends to match your donation amount. Don't be afraid to think outside the box.

This is no. 2 of 10. I want to stress to not be afraid to think outside of the Box. Sex Trafficking is only second to drugs as an organized crime. This is something that is not talked about and should be. Having fundraisers gets the word out and makes people talk. That's what we want!

A Poem

If I was a born again as an animal

It would be a Horse.

A Wild Horse

Untamed

built to endure and

Overcome the odds.

STRONG

and stubborn

about that which is good and wholesome.

Not

meant to be

CAGED

but FREE!

Graceful and Strong

A Horse I

Would BE!

I wrote this the night of my vision from the Lord. As I was sitting in the pew.

When I got home that very night, I read this......

Job 39:19

"Have you given the horse its strength

or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?

Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust?

Its majestic snorting is terrifying!

It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength

when it charges out to battle.

It laughs at fear and is unafraid.

It does not run from the sword.

The arrows rattle against it,

and the spear and javelin flash.

It paws the ground fiercely

and rushes forward into battle when

the ram's horn blows.

It snorts at the sound of the horn.

It senses the battle in the distance.

It quivers at the captain's commands and

the noise of battle."

Sex Trafficking!

So my wife and I have been involved with a group called Mission 21. Their goal (which has now become one of ours) is to stop the sex trade. I have put together a list of the Top 10 things you can do to stop the sex trade and I will post them one at a time, so as not to overwhelm you.

1. Throw a Viewing Party. Educate yourself others about human trafficking by inviting your family and friends to watch a film on human trafficking and discuss the issue. A film, either a documentary or fictional story, is a great way to introduce people to the issue because it helps them connect visually and emotionally to the victims. A film will also provide some topics for discussion.

Awhile ago, Eve and I, watched "Amazing Grace" with our nieces and opened it up to discussion afterwords. It was wonderful and they were only 9. Obviously you want to keep it G rated with the younger crowd but anything you can do to help awareness. The average age of girls forced into the sex trade is 13!

nephews!

Isaac - (leans over and licks Logan's cheek)

Logan - Ewww! That's gross Isaac. You're going to make me sick.

Isaac - I just wanted to play with you

Logan - You can't just lick my cheek, you're going to make me sick and if I'm sick you can't play with me.

That was for my sister. She mentioned yesterday that she should blog about her kids.

Matthew 19:14

"But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

Isn't it funny how we think it belongs to adults.

....anxiety....

The scriptures tell us not to be anxious about anything.....

I know we know what that means. Why is it so hard to apply?

I am in a situation in my life right now where I don't know where I am going to live in the near future. What I am going to do. I have been feeling very anxious about this. However, this morning, I was thinking about how at any time in my life, no matter what is happening, I still don't know where I am going to live, work or do. There has never been a moment in my life where I knew the future. Each moment is as unstable as the next.

Naturally, with that kind of revelation, it should highten my anxiety, but it soothes me. It soothes me because I can see the hand of God in every situation.

Have we fooled ourselves to think that if we have a full time job, house, and a nice car that we have rid ourselves of anxiety. That we have rid ourselves of problems. Ironically, I feel better in my spiritual walk now then I did when I had these things. There is something to say about losing everything, about losing the unhealthy attachment to things.

........but in everything in prayers and petitions let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The simple things in life

Lets not complicate life...............Here are some simple things

Coffee with a friend

the sunshine

a good dog

2 good dogs

a conversation on the porch

fishing

a picnic

a campfire

picking weeds in the garden

walking on the train tracks

skipping rocks

a nature hike with your nieces

a Sherlock Holmes story

I tried to keep this list as accessible to anyone, however, I would like to add spending time with my wife:)

Meaning of a Vision

Some time ago my wife and I were worshiping with other believers and I was just standing still with my eyes closed. My desire was for the Lord to show me how to worship, I had been part of church for so long that I wanted to renew what it was like to be church. I had been part of worship for so long that I wanted to renew what it was like "to worship".

During this time of waiting on the Lord, I received this vision. My eyes were closed and I was concentrating on the Lord and I saw when I tipped my head down that my chest was the chest of a Horse. Sweat was moving down over the muscles as they were twitching. I was not standing, but running as fast as I can. I could feel the air flowing through my mane and every step with the earth was like I was part of it. The earth was moving by at a pace so fast I could only see the blur of the tall grass that I was running through.

I felt so free! I was just starting to enjoy that freedom when I suddenly came upon a big cliff. I stopped dead in my tracks. For a moment I hesitated. Then, almost not even knowing why I did it, it was almost like something drove me to turn around, ride back for a couple hundred yards and take another shot. THIS TIME I JUMPED! I could feel myself in the air for what seemed like eternity and then I felt a sharp thud. The sound of a hoof meeting dirt hit my ears and at the time I felt that I made it to the other side.

For weeks after I felt that this vision had to do with me. This morning when I woke up, I realized that I was pursuing something and compassion was that uncontrollable desire that turned me around and pushed me to jump.

Getting Ripe

When my wife and I had left organized religion, I have to admit that I was a very bitter person. My middle child came out among those that I knew and my desire to please everyone kept a smile on my face when their was only anger in my heart. I had become bitter and restless, not knowing what God had wanted of me, just what he didn't.

I just was thinking of how fruit ripens......what it tastes like in the early stages.....that it has to go through those stages......before it gets just right. I don't know if I am just right yet but I am happy to say that the bitterness is going away slowly but surely. I know in my heart that the day will come that I will be "Just Right" but I can take comfort that it wasn't wrong for me to be bitter and angry, it was NEEDED!