Not your typical post about politics

So I watched the Republican National Convention tonight. Well, some of it anyways. I caught the end of Giuliani's speech, and watched a good bit of Palin's until I fell asleep (tired teacher + speeches = nap time).

And while the election seems to be all anyone talks about anymore, my mind turned to different matters than the sign-waving, mud-slinging, promise-making, fame-game we call politics.

Before we gripe and complain about what our government is (or isn't) doing for us now, before we start criticizing candidates for past mistakes or questionable choices, let's step back and take a look at our own lives - and ask ourselves similar questions we're asking our candidates. Some of the biggest issues in this presidential election include social justice, economic spending, and the value of human life.

Social Justice: Social justice is a key issue within the democrat party. The big question is, "What is the government doing to care for the poor?" But I think the bigger question should be, "What am I doing to care for the poor?" What are we doing right now to seek justice for all people? Am I willing to speak out on behalf of or befriend those who are treated unjustly? Am I actively seeking an end to poverty? To racism? To oppression? Isn't a large part of real religion, real worship feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the homeless?

Economic Spending: I know we all want our government to spend our tax money wisely...but am I spending my own money with care? Or am I thoughtlessly tossing money away to fast food restaurants, cheap entertainment, and frivolous possessions that clutter my shelves? Where should I be putting my money? Why set aside thousands of dollars in savings for sometime in my future when people are dying of hunger today? Am I using the blessing (or curse, depending on how you look at it) of my wealth to bless those in need? Or am I foolishly wasting it away on myself?

Human Life: I'd say the majority of Republicans place a big emphasis on the sanctity of human life - especially in laws regarding abortion and marriage. And for the most part, all people would say that human life is sacred. But is that how we act? Do I treat my annoying co-worker as someone who was carefully designed and deeply loved by God? Do I treat the hostess who brings me the wrong order with patience and forgiveness? Do I take extra time out of my day to listen and care for someone I know is hurting deeply? Do I show kindness, compassion, and love to my own family members?

Don't get me wrong - I believe that it is important to be informed about decisions our government is making, and I also believe we should make the most of our freedom to elect our political leaders. But before we get all caught up in the conventions, debates, and campaigns, let's evaluate our own lives. Who knows? Maybe we can change the world after all...regardless of who our next president may be.

Shoes of Iron

I read this yesterday from Elisabeth Elliot's book, Secure in the Everlasting Arms, and it really gripped me.  It is so good to trust in our God, whatever life may bring!  How can we not share this goodness with others?

"There is something marvelously sustaining about the knowledge that Thomas a Kempis and Samuel Rutherford and Amy Carmichael and Moses and the people of Israel and Mary and Joseph and countless hosts of others have suffered and feared and trusted and been carried through in the same Everlasting Arms that hold us.

Ours is the same God.  There is in Him no variableness or even a shadow caused by turning.  If it's iron shoes we need, they will be provided.  If it's a touch, a word, a gift from a friend, it will be given.  If God sees that the mountain should be filled with horses and chariots, He'll fill it.  Ask Him to open your eyes to His lovingkindness and tender mercies.  Ask Him to help you to trust Him for tomorrow."

How has God been faithful to you?

Do you care?

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Unlit Candles: Part 3

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”  - Habakkuk 2:14

Lord, what can I do…what can we do to fill the whole earth with the knowledge of your glory? 

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  Go!  I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”  - Luke 10:2-3

May we be faithful to pray for workers to go out and win people for You.  May we be faithful to go when you send us!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.”   - Matthew 28:18-19

Jesus, you are my king.  You have all authority over me.  When you say, “Go” I will obey without question or hesitation.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.”   - Isaiah 9:2-3

Jesus, help us to take your light to dark places.  Break our hearts for the lost.  May we weep over them as you wept over Jerusalem.  Let all the nations of the earth rejoice in the hope and joy you bring. When can the entire table of candles shine brightly for you without any darkness?

Unlit Candles: Part 2

I have been challenged to think about the people in this world that are still living in darkness. People who have never heard the message of hope Jesus brings. People whose difficult and bitter lives we will never begin to comprehend until we live among them. But maybe we don’t want to. The American Dream seems easier. Happier. Safer. Why give up my nice things when I can be an active member of church right where I’m at? That country, that city is unsafe. Unsanitary. Unfriendly.

One night as Amy Carmichael, a missionary in India, lay awake and listened to drums beating to tell of someone’s death, she saw this:*

“That I stood on a grassy sward, and at my feet a precipice broke sheer down into infinite space. I looked, but saw not bottom; only cloud shapes, black and furiously coiled, and great shadow-shrouded hollows, and unfathomable depths. Back I drew, dizzy at the depth.

Then I saw forms of people moving single file along the grass. They were making for the edge. There was a woman with a baby in her arms and another little child holding on to her dress. She was on the very verge. Then I saw that she was blind. She lifted her foot for the next step…it trod air. She was over, and the children over with her. Oh, the cry as they went over!

Then I saw more streams of people flowing from all quarters.  All were blind, stone blind; all made straight for the precipice edge. There were shrieks, as they suddenly knew themselves falling, and a tossing up of helpless arms, catching, clutching at empty air. But some went over quietly, and fell without a sound…

Then I saw, like a little picture of peace, a group of people under some trees with their backs turned toward the gulf. They were making daisy chains. Sometimes when a piercing shriek cut the quiet air and reached them, it disturbed them, and they thought it a rather vulgar noise. And if one of their number started up and wanted to go and do something to help, then all the others would pull that one down…

What does it matter, after all? It has gone on for years; it will go on for years. Why make such a fuss about it? God forgive us! God arouse us! Shame us out of our callousness! Shame us out of our sin!”

*Taken from Amy Carmichael's book "Things as They Are: Mission Work in Southern India"

Unlit Candles: Part 1

Tonight at my church’s Good Friday service, we experienced different aspects of Jesus’ death on the cross. We tasted vinegar and asked Jesus to be with us in the bitter times of our lives. We held a branch of thorns and reflected on the crown of thorns Jesus wore. We torn a piece of cloth and remembered that through Jesus’ death, we no longer had to be separated from God.

But the final station is where God spoke to my heart. Each person lit a votive candle and placed the candles on a table. I sat and watched the room begin to glow with light. But that’s not what I really noticed. As I sat, listening to the people around me sing the lines, “Amazing love, how can it be? That you my King would die for me?” I looked at the candles on the table that had not been lit. And I thought about the places on earth that still have not seen the light Jesus brings. There are people who don’t celebrate Good Friday. Not because they choose not to, but because they’ve never heard the Good News. And my heart broke for them.

Perhaps I got to experience just a little of what Jesus felt as he stood on the hill overlooking Jerusalem for the last time before his crucifixion. Jesus didn’t see the magnificent temple or hundreds of people and animals busily milling around the streets. He saw the hearts of people who were hurting, people who were empty; hearts covered by darkness. And he wept over the city.

How often do our hearts break for people living in darkness? People who have no hope? How often do we weep for the lost and the least of this world? Too often I am content to sing about how Jesus died for me, but I fail to bring that wonderful message to others who desperately need it.

Things I Like

Sometimes, when you've had a really bad week, its good to focus on things that make you happy. And here are a few of mine:

Books:
The NIV Study Bible
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beacher Stowe
The Jesus of Suburbia by Mike Erre
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Pretense by Lori Wick
Too Small to Ignore by Dr. Wes Stafford

Music:
Caedmon's Call, Christy Nockels, Lifehouse, Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Counting Crows, Dashboard Confessional, Everyday Sunday, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, Jennifer Knapp, Jimmy Eat World, Rascal Flatts, Shane & Shane, Shawn McDonald, The Fray

Pictures:


Authors:
A.W. Tozer
Elisabeth Elliot
Erwin McManus
C.S. Lewis

Places:
My house
New Life Ranch
Tabor College
London, England
Thailand

Hobbies:
Playing guitar
Hanging out w/friends
Reading
Traveling to new places
Talking with Chris
Writing
Photography
Attending Rodeos
Singing
Hanging out with high school kids
Camping

Books of the Bible:
Colossians
Psalms
Lamentations
Jeremiah
John

Organizations:
World Impact
Compassion International
Voice of the Martyrs

Videos I've Made:
Escape: Project Jen


Mr. Brightside


Quotes:
I never walk alone, Christ walks beside me, He is the dearest friend I’ve ever known; with such a friend to comfort and to guide me, I never, no, I never walk alone.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"
- Marianne Williamson

"There is only one relationship that matters, and that is your personal relationship to a personal Redeemer and Lord. Let everything else go, but maintain that at all costs, and God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God's purposes, and yours may be that life."
- Oswald Chambers

“There is no ongoing spiritual life without this process of letting go. At the precise point where we refuse, growth stops. If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul…The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to lose, ours to let go of – if we want to find our true selves, if we want real Life, if our hearts are set on glory.”
- Elisabeth Elliot

"I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts."
- Elisabeth Elliot

Songs:
Mighty To Save by Hillsong


Hey Ya Cover by Matt Weddle


Anna Begins by Counting Crows


Wedding Dress by Derek Webb


February Song by Josh Groban


The Heart of Life by John Mayer


Grey Street by Dave Matthews Band