Forgive.

It's harder than you think. And it might have to be done more than once.

But I find that it's easier when you take a step away from yourself. When I think of the horrible things I have done, it's easier to forgive others. And when I think of the Love that God pours out upon me each day... how can I refrain from forgiving those who wrong me?

Easier said than done, you say? Yes. But if you are a believer, it can be done.

Life is too beautiful and fragile to let bitterness eat around the seams of your heart.

How He Loves

"Death In His Grave"- John Mark McMillan

We are all swept up in a this beautiful story... this great Love pursues us relentlessly.




Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

Culture is Everything!

Culture is Everything, and this can be so frustrating when trying to communicate. I was rummaging through some old text books (I have a lot of free time) and I found myself reading a passage on culture and language and communication. Most of what I read was in the context of communicating the Gospel of Christ to cultures other than the Western world. Immediately I thought that sharing the message of Christ sounded like an impossible task. How do you break down such cultural barriers in order to communicate truth in a way that is properly understood?

But immediately after that thought, the author put me in my place. [The context of the following excerpt rests in "Christianizing" non-Christian terms (usually terms in languages or cultures other than our own). This indefinitely causes a confusion due to the differences in cultural meanings.]

It said:
"The missionary who takes the Fall seriously, then, must stop to define his terms. Which terms? Those terms indicated by the distance between divine truth and cultural error. The definitional process must proceed by compassion and contrast. If this process seems too painstaking for the Western missionary who is used to instant everything-- from instant cake to instant coffee-- so be it. But he should know that to build Christian conversion on non-Christian foundations is like building skyscrapers on sand."

Fruit from the labor is not instantaneously produced. And to conquer a cultural mountain will ultimately take time and effort whether it be across the Atlantic or across the Mason-Dixon.

Culture is Everything!

The Simple Pleasures in Life.

My nephews spent the weekend with me. Although it was a rainy weekend, we still made the best of it. They found the simple pleasure of playing in the rain. It was a good day.

The breath in my Lungs.

I've been staring at my computer screen for about 10 minutes wondering how to pour out refurbished words regarding Jesus, the cross, His waking, and His ascension.

My fear, ultimately, is that I will sound cliché and fanatic. I'm always concerned at how the majority of the western world views a Christ believer... mostly, the view they hold is what they draw from very misguided people who only imitate hate and/or diluted Christianity. I refuse to be associated with these extremists who delegate aversion and half-truths. They are (if they are lucky) the embarrassing family member of the body.

Jesus.

That name has been tainted throughout the years. Many have never heard the name, but for some, the name only conveys intolerance, condemnation, scorn, guilt, hopelessness, hurt, frustration, scandal, shame, ect. Humanity to blame.

When the story, in its complexity and wholeness, is consumed and stirred and savored, the theme of love, forgiveness, hope, suspense, perseverance, endurance, adventure, sorrow yet coaxed by sustaining joy, imperfection cured by the incarnation, cursed but finally redeemed, heartache remedied in the final hope.... all of this is the remnants of the story. This is the gospel. The "good news". The feet of Jesus delivered this message, and He required us to continue carrying it, living it, and embracing it. It remained, it remains, and it will remain. Forever.

Easter is tomorrow. For the skeptics, I am well learned in the history of Easter and where it derived from and why we celebrate it when we do.... and I count it irrelevant to the issue at hand, so I will save you the time and inform you that I am not ignorant and I am not naive in my faith or belief. (I once heard it said that it is in our human nature to be religious. Such holidays fall under that category... whether it derives from a pagan holiday, tradition, and/or practice, it is almost natural for us to want some type of ceremonial ritual, remembrance, and/or celebration, ect.)

And because it is Easter, I can't help but recall Jesus and my debt He paid for me. In all humility I remember and I am thankful to no end.

My Christ, I love you very much. Thank you for sacrificing your life for me and everyone you knew would believe in You. I rest in the Hope that I will see you one day because life is so tiny and short. But I also rest in Your promises. I only hope that while I am here I make you smile. May my life be a sweet fragrance to You. Be as close as the blood in my veins and the breath in my lungs.
Amen.

Overtake me.

To be quite honest, I'm overly exhausted and writing a blog is the last thing I really desire to do right now. However, I feel like I'm over due, and there are a few fresh thoughts napping on my heart.

A year ago yesterday, a friend of mine touched the hand of Jesus after a fatal car accident. An anniversary like that is always difficult to endure. Even more difficult for those extremely close to the one who's gone. He left this earth at the age of potential. As a college student, junior year, he held the potential to move mountains and conquer all obstacles with the brawn of youth and the wisdom of Scholar. The brink of aspiration.... and it is not fair to leave at such a stage in life.

This past weekend I attended a wedding and a funeral. On Saturday, I celebrated two good friends dedicating their lives to one another and to God. A day on which what you feel can't be described because you can't describe what you have never felt (the words of Dan). The day of solid vows, promises that are etched to the bone. And every heart and hand can't help but congratulate in ecstasy on such an occasion.
On Sunday, I stood at a graveside as two dear friends buried their first born child. Too tender a subject to even find the words. My spirit grieves with my friends. It is the beauty and the hag of the Body... to bare the burdens of one another. Who wants to bare such a tragic burden? But. The beauty... the beauty in the oneness of the Body of Christ. Designed to edify the other. Lifting each other from the depths of despair and decay. Brotherhood. Sisterhood. Under Christ. With Christ. Through Christ. In Christ.

A stew of emotions overtake me.
And I don't understand the purpose of what happens.
But I trust. I hope in Hope.
I know that one day, I will be Home. I will belong.

And even if everything in my life never makes sense... one day, I will be with my Father. With Jesus. With my family in Christ. The Body, the Bride.
And there will be an End to this mist of a life.
As for now, I will cling to the promise of Eternity.
I will cling to the promise of Hope.
Overtake me.