The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.(ESV)

It comes down to your conscience. When we are guilty, our minds are effected in an obviously negative way. We go into a state of mind that makes reactive decisions based off their present guilt. They blow up on someone or maybe slip up on a lie. We can see this on all our favorite cop and detective shows.

A modern day rapper named Lecrea picks up on this change of mind. In his song “Desperate” he says: “I leave my house and it feels like everyone knows I did it. Feel like they’re reading my mind and all the sin I committed.”

Oh how true this statement can be. But with that comes the reaction to it. So we do weird things to cover up and make sure people aren’t mind readers.

But the worst part of the guilty mind is not just that we instictively make different/bad decisions, but rather the reason WHY we do so. We are pulled further from God. We cannot come boldly to him, ask for wisdom, or help. What’s even worse is when a believer feels guilty, because they can see what they have pulled themselves away from. Notice how I did not say God pushed them.

God wants you to be holy like him, so you’ll be around him. Not so you will be him. You can’t ever be him. But when we sin, we effect our conscience. We cannot come to God and be with him because our guilt won’t let us.

Thus the verse finishes the contrast with the pure having a straight path. Why? Because they can come to God. Not in a “I am pure so you owe me” way. If we don’t understand that we cannot become pure on our own, then we should try our best to not call ourselves Christians. Even the pure in this passage, we must understand, is only pure in Christ. That’s what Christ says. And that’s where our confidence must lie. That’s how we come boldly to the throne as Hebrews says.

In which then I would cross reference this verse with Proverbs 24:16

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. (ESV)

But WHY does all their dirty laundry get put on display? It’s very very simple: Comparison.

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that… Don’t compare yourself with others.”
- Galatians 6:4 (Mess)

Comparison is wrong. But America’s obsession with celebrities hinges on it. You know why a celebrity’s laundry is everywhere? Because America needs to feel like these pretty, talented, and rich people are not as good as they seem. All of a sudden Tiger Woods has an affair and we think we are the purist of all men.

But we aren’t and we know that. But it makes us feel good when our laundry is in the washer and everyone is focused on the laundry on display.

You know what is more sad than America’s obsession with comparison? More sad than us exploiting our celebrities to make us feel good bout our own sin? It’s effecting our youth. That’s the saddest part.

I feel sorry for our celebrities, but I feel more sorry for America and how the next generation is being effected.

While we exploit and plaster the sin of our celebrities all over every magazine and tv channel, our kids are being shown it all. All their Role models are showing their sin, and because we are used to it, because the celebrities do it so much, its seen as less of a big deal than it is. What happened to NOT showing us that celebrities were human? It helped to keep the kids away a little longer.

But no. Go ahead America, keep making yourself feel better by exposing Tiger’s sin. Then weep as your son does it too.

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When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. -Prov. 19:3 (ESV)

This verse is one we can see time and time again in not only our own personal lives, but the lives of those in the bible. First, let’s begin with Israel. When God repeatedly asks them to do things his way and they don’t, He finally let’s them have what it is they want. He let’s them choose their own way. So as Israel pursues the ways of nations around them, they start to let those nations walk all over them. Apart from God Israel was not very strong. So as they begin to realize that they are coming to ruin, repeatedly they turn to God and ask for rescue. But at the same time they ask: why won’t you save us? Or why is this happening? Thinking that it was the hand of God.

Ultimately it is, but it is his hand doing nothing, because the people originally asked him not to.

See in our lives, and even in my own I have come to see the times I did not commit my ways to him like proverbs begs of me. I see the times when I do not seek him and I let whatever is right in my eyes be the way I choose. Once it goes south I wonder why God didn’t bless it, why he let that happen. But I must remember that it’s my own folly.

A fool will not realize this though. A fool is one without wisdom. He is one who does not fear the Lord (prov. 1:7), and so it is rare that a fool will reconize himself as the reason. Therefore his heart will rage against God. When ultimately his heart should rage against himself. I am reminded of a contemporary song called: “Thats what you get.” by a band called Paramore. In it is a lyric I think fits this best:

“If I ever start to think straight, this heart will start a riot in me…”

Oh how true it is when we let our hearts have their way.
Becareful that we do not blame the Lord for our own folly, but rather realize that he awaits us to own up, shut up, and wise up. (in the most gracious of ways).

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Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. -Prov. 18:1 (ESV)

Typically, sin isolates. I can’t think of a time it doesn’t. Even when it is corporate sin, the individuals involved have to isolate themselves away from those who would oppose such a thing. We see this in “lifestyles” these days. People Will attach their sin to a way of life that others don’t have to agree with.

Even in a righteous man, isolation can bring a measure of temptation. So we see two sides to the relationship of sin and temptation: the first being what was ascribed above, sin producing isolation; and the second being that isolation produces sin.

Which we can link to Jas. 1:14-15 with the “sin cycle”. We are dragged off by our evil desire, to isolation, creating more desire or opportunity to sin.

The other side of this verse we an look at is a “non-sin” view. Obviously I do not mean completely void from sin, but rather that one who is not in the “Spirit of unity” with his leaders or peers seeks only what he wants. Obviously this is not what God wants since he died to reconcile us to himself and each other, so his hopes are that we could live in unity; but a fool, one who is divisive and cares for his pride and/or his ambition (what he sees and wants) will isolate themself, go against all sound judgement, and fight for whatever it is they want.

In this case, no matter how righteous the want or desire or cause may be, it is being fulfilled unrighteously. Which would be sin boiled down in simplicity.

I myself have found myself here. Disobedient to my leaders because they are not on the “same page” as me. Friends unable to tell me what they need to say because I have isolated my thinking and shut them off.

I remember what that feels like (as it wasn’t too long ago) and I felt alone. Like the whole world was against me. When really, it was me against the world. Isolating myself.

Therefore, the moment you feel like everyone is against you, make sure you’re not against them.

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I wish with everything inside of me, that I could stay so busy doing my “Youth work” that I could forget about Human Trafficking. Unfortunately, as I am called to be a Youth Pastor, I cannot. Especially since I work in Lloyd Center, and that is supposed to be the “mecca” of it all. I see so many young girls there, and so many creepy guys. My heart breaks. Before, when I had a car, I could drive by…but now, I am walking right in it. (I have already settled in my heart to attack any one who attacks a young girl there. No, I do not think it to be “un-christian” of me. I think it to be “Un-evil” of me.) I like what Albert Einstien said: “Evil does not exist because of those who do evil, but those who see it and do nothing.”

If I am called to be a youth pastor, then I am called to protect the kids I oversee and teach. If I am called to be a youth pastor, I am called to keep wolves away from my sheep. If I am called to be a youth pastor, then I am called to go against the spiritual and physical darkness of our day.

If I am called to be a youth pastor, I am called to go against sex slavery in my city.

Why? Because if we don’t begin to expose the darkness in our city, then it will have a constant grip. Prayer, yes…. but Prayer should lead us to more action as well. I Love what City Bible Church is doing. I love that the Church is beginning to answer the call. Cause I could never do it alone. But It’s like Pastor Frank said today: “You will live out your passion. You can be sure about that.” He said that while teaching us to gaurd and make sure our passions are right. But I want to take it and apply it to prayer. If you take the time to REALLY pray about something, you most likely have some level of passion for it. If that’s the case, and what Frank said is true, then Prayer should lead us to action. Now…

If I am called to be a youth pastor, I am called to keep all the PETTY, LOSER, “I CANT GET A JOB”, I CAN’T COME UNDER AUTHORITY, ARROGANT, COCKY, LUST LED, LITTLE BOYS WHO ARE USED BY SATAN away from any girl in my youth. With Sex slavery, you never know who it will effect, when, and where. That’s why we have to bring the whole thing down. I can keep my arms wrapped as tight as I want around my youth, or I can go after the youth who are already gone.

You want a big youth ministry? Here’s your chance. SET THE CAPTIVES FREE. {Is.61}

With the church stepping up to fight something so evil in our age, we will grow….but not in the “Yeah we have more people!” way. No…it’s in a “the church is doing the work and ministry of Christ, who came down and set captives free and exposed the dark places” kind of way. If I am called, If you are called, then we are all called to do what we can to end Sex Slavery. We will go after them. We will hunt them. We will stop them. “If Our God is for us, then who can be against us?” Such a nice line to sing when nothing is on the line. Time to put it all on the line now. That line is not just for us to pray and expect God to do it all. It’s for us to go and do what we can, expecting he will do more.

Ladies: BECAREFUL. Please. Nothing angers me more than knowing I cannot protect you. (But I have to know that you are in God’s hand) Don’t fight less because of fear of getting attacked, just fight smart. ALSO, STOP LETTING YOUR SISTERS (and maybe you too…Depending on who is reading this) WEAR STUFF TO ATTRACT THE ATTACKERS.

Gentlemen: RISE UP. Protect your sisters around you. AND STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM IN A MANNER UNWORTHY. The same lust that fuels YOUR faint fantasies is the same lust that fuels the Sex Slavery.

Here’s practical ways to help:

Call City Bible Church: (503) 255-2224 Ask them how you can get connected. Donate to the cause if you feel like you are up to it. If you see or suspect the slave trade around you, call it out. (make sure people are around.) Don’t let a creepy dude follow a 15 year old girl.

Also, Check your city and see what organizations are set up right now going after it.

Appeal to your mayor or governor, asking them to put more focus on it. 6 police officers is not enough. This can end quicker. Their priority they put on this might tell us something. Don’t rebel against government, but use it. Tell them what we want. And we want this to end.

Parents: Do not let your girls date boys you don’t know. In our day and age people just date whoever. Try to encourage them to date their friends. That you do know.

Kids: Talk to your pastors before DATING! Let’s do it. What are we waiting for? I ask that all of us would truly get it in our spirits to expose this evil in or world. It’s too close for comfort.

I, Freedom, Write this in my own hand and Plead that this slavery will end.

Lord, may we not grow apathetic. May we not forget. May it not be a fleeting thought in our minds, but bind your children to our hearts, let us not sleep. Lord, “Break my heart for what breaks yours”. If you are for us, who can be against us? Lord, send me, I will go.

Also please read a very real testimony of a Believer who is stepping out as well: http://aharpham.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/i-dont-want-to-stand-by-and-do-nothing/

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Hello friends and followers (on twitter…or in life too.) I have a fun little activity for all of you to participate in.

I want to start a new Hashtag that says: #Graceisadudesname

Why? Because I want to put forth a tiny challenge for us all, at least the next week or month, or however long you go for, to think of Grace as a man. Something we relate to, work with (or against), and in the flesh. Obviously it should force us to think of Jesus, but I think often we (me too) can talk about grace as a thought, idea, or concept, but it takes us to a different level to think of the personhood of Grace in Jesus.

Anything you feel the Holy Spirit speak to you about Grace, or you observe about grace, I want you to tweet and think about it as if you were talking about a real person…(Jesus)

I’m gonna do it too….anything that has to do with this, use our new Hashtag: #Graceisadudesname

I wanna see what you guys have to say, what the Spirit is speaking to you about Grace, and as well, maybe get us all further dwelling in the knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ!

So what do you say? I know that I will be retweeting my favorites that I see… I can’t wait to see what you have to say about Grace!

Don’t have a twitter? Get one! Don’t follow me? It’s ok. But if you want to, Click the bird!

Follow Me On Twitter!

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This is my first publication of a more scholarly article. Unlike my blog post which are more thoughts and ideas off scripture, I wanted to write something with more depth in it. (not that I was extraordinarily shallow, but rather that I wanted to go deeper.) I typically discuss life, and issues, as well as feelings and the mental life of the believer, typically based off my own experience. In this article we are discussing the topic of God’s word/work. I wanted to lay Scripture upon scripture and have it interpret itself. This study will also show a little bit of how my brain works, (just in case you ever wondered.)

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

-Is. 55:10-11 (NIV)

I remember the day I first laid my eyes upon this text. I also can still feel the peace that washed over me. To put it into context should add more peace, but this passage is what solidifies it. It was two years ago when I put this word in my heart. It is now that I see it truly coming to fruition in my faith.

The imagery here helps the most imaginative person, to the most literal person understand the work of God’s word. How it falls upon us. I want to begin here. I do not think I am needed to explain how the rain and the snow fall. I would love to look these up in the Hebrew, but I feel it would be for much ado about nothing. The point is to see and feel in our minds all the times we have seen the rain or snow come forth, and water the earth…then to remember that the seasons changed because of it’s fall. Do you see it? Are you reminded of the seasons you have been through where you saw leaves and flowers bud after the first rains of spring? Do you remember that it doesn’t happen overnight, but only through time does the water nourish the earth to growth? If so, then we can begin. We can continue on to what God is saying through our prophet.

Whether in the Desert, or the Pacific Northwest, The Rain or Snow do not return unfulfilled, but rather accomplish whatever it’s purpose is in that season. To nourish and sustain life in the desert, or to make lush the trees of the evergreen state. To say the rain does not effect the desert based on our observation of its dry way of life would be asinine. To say that the Evergreens get too much rain would be the same.

So now we translate this imagery over to the faithfulness of God’s word. Verse 11 says: “So Shall my word be….”

He continues to say his word will not return void, but “it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (NKJV) In which we will need to acknowledge at some point just what it is that God says pleases him, and as well, we can begin to look for the purpose he would send his word. If this part of the discussion has not already began to pull out memory verses in your heart, I assure you that there is much to say about this. We will get to what pleases God, to what words he has sent, and ultimately the state of us who dwell in this so called “rain”.

At this, we shall turn to Philippians chapter one, verses 3-6, but especially verse 6: (Bold Emphasis mine.)

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Although Philippians was “not a theological treatise, Philippians does have a great deal to say about God and his ways with people, about Christ Jesus and about Christians and how they should live in this world.”1

The apostle here is writing quite a personable letter to his first church in Europe, and is reminding them of his constant prayer and confidence in God about them. given the birth of the church here, it seems that they would share affection toward one another, as Paul does not feel compelled to remind them of his authority, but rather lavishes his love upon them, his proud father’s heart for their growth and acceptance of the word he had shared with them, the word being the gospel, Christ in person. To read of the birth of the church, and understand how the word Paul had for them effected this region, is to shed light as to what it is we are speaking of here. The story can be seen in Acts 16. The open invites from both Lydia the Pagan and The Roman Guard show us the affection the church would have for Paul, no matter what condition he may return to see them in. In which case, from the reminder of the work of God, we can assume that there was still work needed to be done in the lives of the citizens of Philippi.

And this is the very reason Paul writes to the Church of Philippi. To discuss Growing in who Christ is, the work of God and the believer in Sanctification, and the Joy that comes from it. (For more depth and personal knowledge you can reference the article on Philippians in “Dictionary of Paul and his Letters.”)

The Theme of Joy is what brings many Christians back to this epistle again and again. Even close friends of ours have derived their life verses from this affectionate letter of growth, in which they rightly do so, for it becomes a constant reminder of how to live in this state of grace in our lives. Grace being the work of God in our lives.

It is of no coincidence that the theme of Joy, the work of Salvation/sanctification, and the person of Christ in our lives (being the Charge to live in a “manner worthy”)  is all found in such a short letter. Going backward in my mention of the three themes shows us a natural logical progression of fruitition in a believers life: Christ in us –> Salvation/Sanctification–> Joy. Paul lays this out in other letters as well, but here he does so in a less formal way, which we can assume that the audience have no problem with the understanding of their call, their state of being, but rather needed such an encouraging reminder from their spiritual father.

To sum it up best, the Word that flowed from God’s mouth upon this region, was Christ. (We can say this because plainly, the Apostle John says at the beginning of his Gospel that Christ was God’s word in flesh. [1:14] and That word was the same word that did the work of creating the world.)  Acts 16 shows us how it directly effected the region to receive such rain (as in the rain seen in Is. 55 now being understood as Christ) and the encouragement at the beginning of Philippians is to remind them that the Word/Christ will fulfill it’s purpose in them, and that they are still growing, still budding, still able to bear more fruit. Whether the Greek and Hebrew meaning of “Word” in John and in Isaiah line up is not at question here. I think to try and argue against the correlation of the two would be fruitless, and unnecessary. John makes clear that Christ is that word, and Isaiah makes Clear in his Prophecies that his word has been pointing to Christ (and is Christ)  all along.

It is true that John, Paul and Isaiah are all three different men and writers, but it is still the same Spirit that has inspired them to write. (2 Tim 3:16)

With that being said, Let us continue in our examination of both Philippians and Isaiah overlapping each other.

Lets go back to Isaiah 55. If we look at the chapter in it entireity, I do not believe it is a long stretch to realize the Word as being Christ…. Obviously we can take the word to be ANY word given to the people, but we also have to have the understanding that all words given, prophecy and the like, are all found in Christ. But Christ seen here especially with Phrases like: “I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” in verse 3, and the entirety of verse 7, which drips of His redeeming plan. Which leads into verses 8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NIV)

Which lead us right up to our beginning passage. Given the idea that most Jews did not understand that Christ had to come and die for them, I would have to say that I see the gospel plainly in this word given.

The same gospel that Paul is encouraging the Philippians to expand in their understanding, and live worthy of their call in. The same gospel that is at work in them, and they are to be sure of its completion within them.

With the same ignorance they had of Christ’s work on earth, the Philippians were sure to have of Christ’s work in Heaven, and of course, of Christ’s work in them. This is not a negative ignorance, but rather a natural one, in need of constant reminding and trust in the believer’s heart and mind.

The reality we find in verses 8-9 is that we do not, nor will we ever fully understand the work of God, his ways, or why he does them they way he does. (at least not with out the Spirit…given later.) Even with the Spirit, we typically will be left in the dark, shown only enough for us to explain why its ok to not understand. This article in itself is an explanation of the mystery that we are to live in. It is simply saying: “we will never know fully till Christ returns….but Keep believing.” In essence, this article is a longwinded way of saying what is said in just a matter of four verses. And how longwinded we shall remain!

With the idea of God’s ways being an ultimate mystery, something we need to seek, we come back to the encouragement given in Philippians one, verse six. No matter whether we understand the good work or not, we must understand that it is GOOD, and that it will be completed.

In understanding completely the ways and work of God, we would have no need for faith, which we can strongly say that “without faith it is impossible to please God,” (Heb. 11:6) and that because of our faith, we are to earnestly seek him. (Continued in Heb. 11:6) None of the believers listed in Chapter 11, and namely Abraham who has seemingly dominated the text, could say in the moment, that they knew exactly what God was doing. Even as Abraham being our example, we see that God has to pull him out of his tent in Gen. 15 and promise to him what he plans to do. Paul in Philippians is Pulling them out of their tents again, for it seems that in the church there have been divisiveness derived out of mainly a focus on self… Being in our own tent (to put it figuratively.) Abraham could only see his deadness in that tent, that he could not have children, and could not focus on the promise of God. Paul is telling the church in Philippi that if needed, they should sleep outside beneath the stars and remember the word given to them, and the God is the one who will complete his work in them.

So as we look at Is. 55:11: “it shall accomplish what I please…” which is ultimately faith in Him, the work that he is doing that we cannot fully understand, and naturally from that faith, our pursuit of him.

But it cannot end there. Our pursuit of God must be found in Jesus christ, as he is “the way” (Jn. 14) and through the knowledge of Christ is how we come to God. Which explains the second Chapter of Philippians taking us through a summary of Christ. Paul wants us to grow in our knowledge of the person and work of Christ in our lives, which then naturally will push us to peace (as well as the knowledge of peace) and in that peace shall flow one response: Joy. Which brings into light the focus on the believer’s joy, especially in Chapter 4 of Philippians, Which most beautifully states in sepcifically vereses 4-9: (bold emphasis mine)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The two things we need to point out in our study here is that:

A. “The Lord is Near” could easily bring to mind Isaiah’s demand: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” in verse 6 of chapter 55…

B. “And the PEACE of God WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING” is also related to God’s reality in Is. 55:8-9 which says: “My ways are not your ways…”

Therefore, it must be through our faith, not our understanding that this peace comes, and in that peace, it guards our hearts and mind in Jesus, which would keep us sure of the “good work he began in us he will bring to completion.”

Now that we have reached peace, and we understand obviously that faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God… The word after being heard produces faith, then peace, then JOY. And ultimately that joy will find it’s complete fulfillment in the day of our Lord, when he returns for us. Hence, “will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” in Verse 1:6 of Philippians.

It is to be noted, that Paul charges the Church to REJOICE! in the Lord, He even said it twice so they would remember it. In continued reading of the rest of the book, we see Paul has used this word quite frequently, all to say that we are to rejoice, to have joy in who he is, what he has done, and the fact that we are at peace. Even Paul, who reminds us of his trials and sufferings in verses 4:11-12, says that because of this peace, and this joy, he can do “all things in Christ who strengthens me.” (v.13) Without this peace or joy, we are unable to do so. Which wold be why Jesus (again to John’s gospel) says in Jn. 15 to abide in him, for apart from him we can do nothing. His person, his work, and the knowledge of him, is the very reason we have peace…and is what will spur us to completion.

This idea of joy is then seen back in Isaiah 55, Verses 12-13, which is where I will leave you in faith, hoping it will be an encouraging last word on our study: (Bold emphasis, once again mine.)

“You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.”

1. Dictionary of Paul and his Letters , Art. “Philippinas, Letter to The” pg. 707

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Grace Abounds. Oh how Grace abounds.

Grace can be resisted. Yet it will always abound, hoping you’ll take it’s hand. You can resist for the rest of your life. But yet it will always be there when you turn around.

Grace abounds.

Paul was asked by the Church of Corinth, “Should we keep sinning so that Grace may abound?” This concept and Idea of grace is so profound. I enjoy how Judah Smith says it: “If people are not asking questions, you are not preaching Grace.” The idea that Grace abounds raises a controversy.

Paul says “Heavens No!” We should not keep sinning…. but we might sin again.

There was once a saint who prayed: “Lord help me to never offend you again…” and God just laughed.

It’s like a little Child that Says: “Daddy, help me to stay clean forever…” The Dad just laughs. Knowing his son or daughter will be dirty again. That’s when we cry “Abba father” ….Cause we don’t want mommy to know it was in our new clothes.

What makes Grace so sweet, is that the cream filling of it, is patience. As mortal man we do not fully grasp patience. Our lives are fleeting. We are aware of our death. Our “eyes have been opened….” We do not have enough time. But Grace comes from God… completely outside of time.

We don’t understand Grace, partly because we cannot truly grasp patience.

So the first day we go outside to play, we straight up roll in mud. We get nasty with it. We eat it. And Dad has to come and clean us off. Give us new clothes that he has paid for, because being the little babes we are, we do not have Jobs to earn our clothes.

He then lets us out to play again, hoping we’ll learn. So we go out, and this time we stomp in a mud puddle. WE DIDN’T ROLL IT IT THOUGH! That’s an improvement!

And Daddy comes, changes us, and lets us out again.

This time we find a cool dumpster. Oh yes…we get in that thing! We got a new toy car from it! And again Daddy comes to clean us off. Because no good father could leave his son dirty like that.

The father will not ruin the kid’s sense of adventure and fun…but he wants the kid to learn how to use it.

It is a brittle analogy to say this:

Every one of us have a process to go through. No matter who you are. And it will be different for each one of us. Whether he is trying to save us from past pain effecting our future, or we are too strong in some areas for our own good….(take passion for instance. Or ambition.) Either way, He has us in a process.

I once heard a preacher say: “God will take you through the same test again and again until you pass with flying colors.” That was Joel Stockstill March of 2008.

That test, that process… is God’s grace. Abounding even more. With each try, hoping we get a better score.

To be blunt, I am in a process. And I have recognized that it is God’s patient Grace on my life. Recognizing it, and accepting it as Grace is the first step for it to invade me.

The process I am in has been ongoing for years, and each time I go through it, I excel further. However his patient grace still abounds, and asks me to learn more. I go out into a dumpster instead of a mud pit, and yet my father can not let me stay that dirty.

The process I am in you ask? Well the day after I heard the quote from Joel Stockstill above, I proclaimed it to 2000+ people: That I could see a Generation who learned true Freedom through OBEDIENCE.

Which means I need to learn it.

With obedience comes trust. You will not obey someone fully if you do not trust them fully.

Now I can sit here and blame my childhood for why I have trust issues… OR I could take the opportunity Grace is giving me, to learn to trust. So that I can obey. So that I can see others do so too. Especially in a fatherless nation, trust/obedience is the biggest key to freedom.

We have a nation that does not know what to do with it’s “freedom”, mainly because it doesn’t know how to trust and obey.

So my process looks a little different than yours might. I have to lay down different things, and have funny rules that you don’t need to have. But its MY process. This Process is God patiently working with me. It is his Grace upon my life. Is it unfair at times? Yes. But we must remember that the beauty of Grace is that it makes life unfair. It was unfair that I did not die on the cross. So compared to that, my present “suffering” (If I can even use that word here.) does not compare.

I can either resist this Grace, or I can embrace it. The moment I embrace it, is the moment I begin to pass the test. Will I mess up again? I try not to…But If I do, Grace still abounds. Should I keep doing what I shouldn’t? No! But If I slip, Grace still abounds. He will cleanse me. He will test me again.

Thank you Lord for your Sweet Grace. Your Patience with me. It is your Grace that transforms me. Thank you that I do not understand your Grace, so I can resist it less. Thank you for this process, that I may Pass it by your grace. Because of your grace I live a life that is grateful.

“The greatest honor we can give almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of His love.”

I am made Glad by your Grace. That you would Love me enough to not abandon me, but to see me through. Thank you for Sweet Grace.

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I recently read an excerpt of a book called: Bitter Sweet, thoughts on Change, Grace and Learning the Hard Way. By Shauna Niequist on Donald Millers Blog site: http://donmilleris.com/

In it, The author of the book describes a “No Princess Zone” That she thinks is a good way to raise a girl. No Tiara’s, No crowns, No princes to save her because she’s helpless. Being a girl, she explains that she doesn’t think girls should become men, but she doesn’t want them to be fragile and stupid either. I think her point is a great one. Because these days, too many dudes are disguised as princes. However, Where I agree with the point of the argument, I would like to add my perspective (if it even counts) as a single 22 year old man who one day hopes to raise a little girl of his own.

When I sit back and dream about what kind of father I will be, I have to think about how I will raise my kids. As I wonder how I would raise my daughter, (or daughters if I am that blessed,) then I would have to say she WILL be a princess. She is valuable, and men will treat her with the respect due to her. However, I do not think she should be helpless, fragile or dumb either. If that is the case, she is a princess to be pitied.

Once a Princess is married to a Prince, does she not take a position of leadership and authority, of strength and honor, right next to her prince? In this season, their names change from prince and princess to King and Queen. If we have a weak princess, we have a weak Queen. If the King dies, can the Queen lead? Can the Queen help lead with the King?

I am encouraged by the Movie Aladdin. (That’s funny to say, but follow along.) In the movie, we see a princess who is not going for any joe shmoe that comes into the palace. She definitly is not helpless, (as she does run away) and she does help fight Ja’far at the end. This is the kind of princess we’re talking about!!! (Not to mention the very interesting comparison that the two are fighting back to back against Ja’far who is a giant Serpent. Cool insight…)

I hope my daughter loves THAT princess if any. But if not, that’s ok. I don’t rely on Disney to raise my kids.

I will teach my daughter how to protect herself, but that she should have men walk her out in dark streets. There is a balance, see? She is still able to ask for protection, but she also knows how to protect herself. I am a smaller dude myself, and I think I can take some guys on if they attack, but it would be nice to have my boys around me for back up.

I think we just need to raise strong princesses. Let them see what daddy does, and how he and mommy make decisions. If a King and Queen can show the princess how to make decisions, and how to fight, and everything they know about being a King and Queen so that their daughter can carry the kingdom.

So where I agree with the main point of what the author is saying, I have to add my idealistic, wide-eyed, bushy tailed perspective to it. My Daughter WILL be a Princess. But with her Tiara, she will Reign. With her wand, she will beat any guy who runs up on her the wrong way. And there will be a prince one day, one who she can lead with, one who will strengthen her, and she will strengthen him. Who CAN save her, if she needs to be saved from something, as she would save him if he needs it too. (Like in Aladdin!)

I can’t wait to read my Princesses’ Diary (If she’ll let me.) I hope it recounts how she became a strong and Beautiful Queen.

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I was thinking about a particular relationship I have with someone. In this relationship I would go to one extreme, and they would go to the other. But isn’t that how a lot of relationships go? No. some relationships follow each other down the same extreme, or one is more balanced than the other. there are different types of friends we have.

What popped into my head however, is the idea that relationships require extremes. We all have them. None of them are perfectly balanced in everything. thats why we need each other.

So what if the relationship’s strength is shown in how far each person was willing to get into the other’s extreme?

Let’s say there are two friends. One is rash and makes quick decisions, while the other takes forever, and is always unsure. One talks about it with people before hand (often too much) and the other doesn’t (when they should.) So here we have a funny friendship. The more they try to understand and dive into the other person’s extreme is the more the relationship gets closer, stronger, what have you.

Let’s use another example, and maybe this is a better one.

Christ came to our extreme of wickedness to give us his extreme of purity. The more we pursue each other, the more that relationship is strengthened.
I think we all want to be balanced,  but the bible says that iron sharpens iron. It also says we won’t be perfected till Christ comes.

Maybe the extremes in people is not necessarily the worst thing….maybe it’s how WE respond to them. Don’t let your extreme get you down. we all have them. Use it to help someone else, and hopefully you’ll learn from them too.

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