Two weeks

Wow, a lot happens in two weeks. I will spare the reader (if of course there are any) the mundane details, but suffice it to say, Thanksgiving was cool, my trip to Kansas City was, well, a trip to KC. The old cliche of it's the people that make a place special is definitely true, because if it weren't for my aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents living there, I don't think that I would have a genuinely good reason for visiting that place. Anycrikey, sorry if I offended anyone from Kansas or Misery, er, Missouri, but hey, just remember, I live in the paradise of Colorado. :)

It's been amazing to see the effects that prayer has. The old adage of "be careful what you pray for" has been proven itself time and time again in my life. It seems that I should just not pray for anything, and thus avoid the testing and the pain that is involved in the "knowing" of who Christ is. But hey, without pain, there is no growth. Without the pain of lifting weights that were previously thought to be too big to budge, there can be no process. Without pressing in deeper in Christ and experiencing the pain of the flesh being decreased, there can be not real intimacy with Him. Without discussing weighty issues with those important in one's life, there can be no growth of that relationship, nor will it progress to a point of true intimacy. What is the key to getting through these times of growth? Wow, I wish I knew that. But I do know that there is this promise of grace that Christ gives to all that find their rest in Him. In order to be at rest or at peace with him, there cannot be those things that come in between us and Him, so therefore, our rest during these times are intrisically linked to the amount of obedience and yielding that is taking place in our life in conformity to God's spirit. Hmm, circular I know, but hey, God knows best, I just wish that I knew God's best for me all the time.

Tensile Strength

Do you ever have days where you feel like the whole world is collapsing around you? Where you feel that the weight of the pressures of this life are dragging you down to a level where you begin to doubt the promises of God for your life? I would almost liken those times to being in "God's Gym." Enormous burdens are put on you that you can either choose to bear in the name of Christ, or shrug off and say in your mind, "hey, it's not big deal."

I truly believe that it is during these times that the "tensile strength" of our souls are being tried by the very hand of God. You see, God would do anything and everything possible to make sure that we stay in right relationship to Him. I also believe that He will cause us to go through pain and suffering in order to bring us once again to that place where we have nothing else to do but cry out to our Abba Father: the one that promises that His burden is easy, and his load is light. But what does that really mean? Does it mean that we get to slack off and enjoy the easy life? I would hazard the statement that His burdens are not easy, and they are not light, but instead, he gives us the strength to lift those burdens, no matter how heavy they may be. His promise is never to leave us or forsake us, not for a life of ease and frivolity. I guess the thing that I'm learning right now is that if one would be close to God, he accepts that which is thrown his way and not only that, but embraces the love and the grace that Christ promises those that abide in Him.

"Oh Lord, I pray that you would continue to supernaturally reveal yourself to your children and that we could honor you with our lives in all that we do. That all that is in us and flows out of us would be a result of your life changing love and not our man pleasing tendencies. God, gives us your power and the intimate knowledge of your Son as we seek Your face. Amen."

Cheeky?

Call me cheeky, but hey, if there's free stuff to be had, then I'm all for it. My previous post described how I got my free ipod, which is evidenced by the included picture. Now, I'm going after a free 27" Flat Screen TV or the 17" Flat Screen Monitor. If you all would like to start your journey to get a free TV or monitor, click here and apply for one of the credit cards. Not only is applying for these cards free, but they also build up your credit rating, something that the Institute doesn't teach. Make your first purchase with the card, send on your referral link to your friends, and walla! you will be the owner of a totally free TV.

You might say, man, he's quite cheeky for posting this, but hey, I got a free ipod, why not get a free tv as well? I'd definitely appreciate ya'lls help in this and will be eternally indebted to you!

iPod's so rock!! I had a first generation 'pod for the last three years and I've loved it to death. I just got a new one from www.freeipods.com and it is so cool! In comparing it to my old one, I'd say it's like comparing a hippo to a gazelle. Seriously, all of you 4th generation pod owners know what I'm talking about. It so sleek and powerful that I have a hard time remembering that it also carries 5000 songs. Anyway, I'll get off of my Apple bandwagon, even though I do like to take a ride on it ever so often.  

The spontaneity of change

I watched a movie this past weekend that reminded me once again of the unpredictability and suddenness of actions that have the potential to change who we are and what our life looks like in the end.

I'd say that this movie has given me a deeper appreciation for the life that I lead and for all that God has allowed in my life. If it wasn't for a woman talking to my grandma about Christ about 50 years ago, I don't know where'd I be. My father may not have been led to the Lord and would not have gone to a Christian university where He would not have met my mom. As a result, I, right now, would be living a life devoid of purpose and of cause. Not understanding Christ's love for mankind and His desire to draw near to us.

Just as bad things can happen to change the course of one's life for the worse, so can the news of Christ's saving love be used to transform a life from misery to victory. I hope that this encourages you to be open to the opportunities that are brought into your life and use them to impact this world in a big way through the things that we consider little.

Props

Just want to give props to a great guy, Jason Fedelem. If you know him, you know what I'm talking about, if you don't know him, you're missing out. I've had heaps of great convo's with him regarding all of the important things in life and I feel that we're on the same journey and are learning and experiencing the same things.

This past weekend at the Guy awards, he picked up my award and is going to makes sure that I get it. How cool is that? A guy that I only know from school and online is going the extra mile for me. Jason, thanks so much, you're a great guy.

Bush Country

Here's some very interesting statistics on the 2004 election, as well as the 2000 election.

Bad souvenirs

Think that you got a lousy souvenir from someone else, trythis on for size.

Pain

Painful site of the day. What was that guy thinking?

President Bush!!!!!

I just want to congratulate President Bush on his reelection and want to praise God for the way that He orchestrated this election. I believe that if this election was as close as the last one and with as much drama, our nation would be divided to a point that I don't believe that many of us have experienced in our lifetime. Praise the Lord for His wisdom and faithfulness and for giving us assurance of His continual control and workings in the lives of men in this day and age.

I was particularly encouraged by the Christian Evangelical turnout this year. Many of the news networks, notably CNN and FOX remarked on how in many areas of Ohio, evangelical really made the difference in getting out and voting for their convictions. Also, it appears that more and more people in this nation are taking a stand against same-sex unions and are voting as a state to not recognize them.

Colorado didn't do the best in the elections. We voted Bush, but lost a seat in the Senate to a democrat, and democrats regained control of the senate, so now control both houses. I believe though that there are Christians that are democrats and still make a difference in the positions that they are placed in. One democratic representative that won had previously addressed a National Day of Prayer breakfast and outlined how she was able to impact those in her party for Christ, and how Dems need our prayers just as much. Very convicting, and something that I haven't been as faithful on as I should. Romans 13, baby.

Pressure

Ah pressure, that great molder and shaper of a person in insane times. Pressure, the force that you dread the most and am most thankful at the end when it is relieved. But, without pressure, there would be no desire to push the limits, to explore those boundaries that we've set up in our own mind. For Christ to open up our lives and to engraft Himself in as we let Him. Without the workings of circumstances in our life to "open" us up, our relationship with God would dim and flicker as our relative ease lulls us into a slumber of security in how we are now.

With that said, it's been an incredibly trying past week. Dealing with shortened deadlines on loans, unresponsive people, late night meetings to get things worked out, and on top of that, having other responsibilities outside of work. Not fun, but I can honestly say that these times have opened up my life to the healing balm of Christ's sufferings. I'm not saying that I'm suffering right now, I find that I'm more open to the grace and peace that emanates from our Savior. I pray that all that read this blog will come to truly know Christ on the level of practical and personal experience. That we can give, at a moments notice how Christ is working in our life, and use it to glorify the One who indwells us. Oh, what a sweet salvation and inheritance we have in intimacy with Christ.