What would you ask God?

Last night at LCBC City we talked with the students about how God is still speaking to us. The problem is we can’t always hear Him. The question was asked if you could ask God anything what would you ask him? Here were some of the questions that we got:

Why aren’t certain things spelled out more in the Bible?

Did you (God) really write the Bible?

Why do you allow bad things to happen?

We had other questions but they escape me at the moment. But my question, to those of you who read this, is what would you ask God? What is going on in your life that you feel is in need of explanation?

Cheers

I used to remember…

…sleep

…love

…when life made sense.

Yeah, I know. Life isn’t fair. Some of us even think that we aren’t truly living life if we aren’t sharing in the unexpected little adventures life throws us. Wow…such bull crap! I honesty could use a little less adventure. A little less teenage drama could do the world some good. Man, for crying out loud I’m 28 years old. One would think that life would start to settle down by now. Ya know, settling into the better things life has to offer. Now I know, you are going to say, “we shouldn’t love the world in fact we should be trying our hardest to fight the pleasures of this world”. Well, voice of a person I just made up, you are right! I’m not trying to get super philosophical here I’m just stating a mere opinion.

I’m rather upset with how things have turned out the past couple of weeks and I frankly am sick of keeping them bottled up. Seriously, I’m upset. But I honestly don’t really think it matters.

I mean honestly why the heck am I awake at 2am?! Why is it this way every night for the past week? Why am I really even typing this when the person who needs to hear this wont. And what would it even change if she did? Honestly. Part of me doesn’t even want this posted.

The other part of me just wants things to be right. For love to matter. For someone other than me to give till there is nothing left to give. I don’t know if love is supposed to be easy. I’m finding it hard to even know what love is. But my God, why is this here. This pit in my stomach.

Why does it feel as if my words disappear like a puff of smoke into the night air never to reach the ears of the one who needs to hear it? My best friend…where are you?

I honestly don’t want to feel this way. I can only fake so many smiles and pretend like everything is ok. If you are reading this then you probably are a friend of mine and know me fairly well. Let this be an insight to who I really am. Take this as an invitation to understanding what I’m about.

I’m not perfect, I’m not always going to have the answers. But I can tell you that putting all your cards on the table and showing everyone your hand is worth it in the end. Even it doesn’t turn out the way you thought it should.

Cheers  

Picture Frames and Time Travel

And so we sit and wait
For memories of glory days to fade
When love was more than just a song we sang.

Those years and miles,
That all got traveled
Are left behind for nights of sorrow.

What becomes of picture frames
That hold our dreams
And photographs of two in love?

Somewhere in time all things worked out,
On some distance star in some unknown world
The place where time stands still
And you will never forget.

But tonight all the leaves will change colors
And all the trees will become bare
Showing their limbs
Lifted to the sky.

For love once filled this heart of mine
And your smile could light up my room,
But now the fatigue has set in
And I can only lift my hands to the sky.

My Favorite Four Letter Word

I like to talk, mostly just to hear my own voice. I also like to use four letter words. My favorite of these words is well, it’s a complicated word. The reason is that in English there is only one word used for this term. The Greek have four words for this one each with their own special meaning.

Storge, Philia, Eros, Agape…Love

It’s difficult because we only have one word in English. One four letter word to express how we feel. Sometimes we only get one chance to use it, or, we use it without limit.

We say we love our car, we love our meal, we love our sports team, or we love our significant other.

So, what do you love?

Can A Christian…

…be a sports hero?

Yes. Tim Tebow is a name that you may or may not recognize. He is a quarterback for the Denver Broncos…well a rookie quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He had his start in Florida and made quite the impression on the field as well as off.

He is an outspoken Christian who plays in a league where gun fights at clubs and dog fights are encouraged (not literally but you have to wonder). He plays the game of professional football and is probably going to make millions of dollars. Which is fine.

Here is the problem. Anything he does, will be picked apart and scrutinized. Every comment he makes, every ball he throws, every speeding ticket he gets, every move he makes…they’ll be watching him (sorry I couldn’t help it!).

Which leads me to as this question. Shouldn’t we as Christians already hold ourselves to that same standard. If the world is going to scrutinize everything we do, should we have an even more watchful eye on our own behavior?

What do you think?   

Can A Christian…

…burn a Koran?

Yes. He can also burn a Bible, an American flag, a cigarette, or any number of things.

I say this because of one reason and one reason only. He is protected by the Constitution of The United States of America to do so.

The problem is that this go so much further than his rights. It goes to the core of who this man is and what this man stands for. I don’t personally know Terry Jones so I cannot comment directly on his character but I can comment on his actions. From his actions I can assume that Mr. Jones comes from the old school of Christian thought that everything that isn’t of Christ needs to be killed off. Now, before you go an hang me please understand that there is only one way to heaven. Christ and Christ alone.

My question is how are we to bring people towards a loving relationship with Christ if we can’t show them love and compassion. The people entangled in Islam need God’s love just as much as you and I.

What do you think?

Praise You in the Storm

Say what you will about the theology of Casting Crowns, but I like this song.

Sometimes, we just need to let it all out. We just need to shout, yell, curse (maybe not curse), grit our teeth, not hold our punches and just let it all out…before the Lord. I think if I know one thing about God (and only one thing!)  is that He respects honesty. No matter what our situation we just need to let it all go. I’m not talking about blaming God, or being angry with God. I’m talking about just falling to our knees and humbly excepting that we don’t have all the answers or resources to do it on our own.

I can tell you one thing, it’s not easy. It’s not easy to say, “I’m wrong”, or “God, I don’t have the answers but you do!”

So there you have it, praising God amidst trials. Because, trials bring perseverance, and perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be complete! (James 1:2-4)

Cheers!