Redeemed Ragamuffin

Frail Grasp on the Big Picture

2009-03-08T11:19:00.002-04:00

This song the The Eagles Sums up so much of where I see America Today

"Frail Grasp On The Big Picture"

Well, ain't it a shame
That our short little memories
Never seem to learn
The message of history
We keep makin' the same mistakes
Over and over and over and over again
And then we wonder why
We're in the shape we're in

Good ol' boys down at the bar
Peanuts and politics
They think they know it all
They don't know much of nothing
Even if one of them was to read the newspaper
Cover-to-cover
That ain't what's going on
Journalism's dead and gone

Frail grasp on the big picture
Light fading and the fog is getting thicker
It's a frail grasp on the big picture
Dark ages

You my love-drunk friend
All that red wine and candlelight
Soulful conversations
That go on until the dawn
How many times can you tell your story?
How many hangovers can you endure
Just to get some snuggling done?
You're living in a hollow dream
You don't have the slightest notion
What long-term love is all about
All your romantic liasons
Don't deal with eternal questions like
Who left the cap off the freaking toothpaste?
Whose turn to take the garbage out?

Frail grasp on the big picture
You keep on rubbin' that, you're gonna get a blister
It's a frail grasp on the big picture
I've seen it all before

And we pray to our Lord
Who we know is American
He reigns from on high
He speaks to us through middlemen
And he shepherds his flock
We sing out and we praise His name
He supports us in war
He presides over football games
And the right will prevail
All our troubles shall be resolved
We have faith in the Lord
Unless there's money or sex involved

Frail grasp on the big picture
Nobody's calling them for roughing up the pitcher (?)
It's a frail grasp on the big picture
Heaven help us

Frail grasp on the big picture
All waiting for that miracle elixir
Frail grasp on the big picture
I don't wonder anymore

Frail grasp on the big picture
Somebody says, "You brought her here so go ahead and kiss her
Frail grasp on the big picture

Frail grasp on the big picture
Light fading and the fog is getting thicker
It's a frail grasp on the big picture

Frail grasp on the big picture
Frail grasp on the big picture
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Lord, Please help us to have a grasp on your "big picture" for our country and our individual lives. Please forgive us for the many times that we focus too much on the little things which are not important to your kingdom.

Relationships Done God's Way

2009-03-06T08:58:00.011-05:00

Wow! I met this awesome person, sparks are flying, now what?

These are some practical guidelines for those who are seeking to start or keep an existing relationship on a Holy path taken from 2 Corinthians 6 ( all scripture taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible)

1 Working together [a] with Him, we also appeal to you: "Don't receive God's grace in vain." 2 For He says: In an acceptable time, I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you. Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 But in everything, as God's ministers, we commend ourselves: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by pressures, 5 by beatings, by imprisonments, (D) by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity, (E) by knowledge, (F) by patience, (G) by kindness, (H) by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, (I) 7 by the message of truth, (J) by the power of God; (K) through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, 8 through glory (L) and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; 9 as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being chastened yet not killed; 10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; (M) as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken openly [b] to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. 13 Now in like response—I speak as to children—you also should be open to us.

Line by line breakdown

Verse 1: They worked together with God, trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This reminds me that we can not do it alone! In the verse below, “a cord of three strands” refers to the Holy Spirit being one of those strands bound together, in this case, with a couple, to make sure that they knew that God was always a part of it should it not be broken!
9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Verse 2: Everything was done in acceptable time, once again, meaning the believers were trusting on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead their decisions.
Verse 3: They gave no opportunity for areas of compromise in their walk, especially during the critical forming of the early church; things had to be foundationally secure!
Verse 4 -5: They did not give up, and endured, despite anything this world and its corrupted morals, ideas and pressure put on them.
Verse 6D: “By Purity” 12 No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. -- 1 Timothy 4:12
Verse 6F: “By Patience” Remember: 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
Verse 6G: “By Kindness” One of the fruits of the spirit, we constantly show kindness to each other, although at first, there were times where I had to bee kind to you in my speech, and you had to learn to be kind to me. God has been molding each of our hearts in this area as we submitted it to Him!
Verse 6H: “By the Holy Spirit” 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit; the Father will send Him in My name and He; will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. -- John 14:26
Verse 6L: “By sincere love” In everything may our motives be sincere, pure, and selfless (1 Corinthians 13)
Verse 7: God’s Word guided them!
Verse 7J: God gave them the power to do that which was impossible to their ordinary nature!
Verse 7K: God gave them the armor and the spiritual weapons to fight the temptations of Satan: See Ephesians6:11-18 for a detailed description of the armor of God
Verse 11: They spoke openly to each other, in inner circles and openly to the early church leaders to get accountability. Everyone should have at least 1 or more people, both married couples and same-sex persons they are accountable to for their actions when entering into a dating relationship.

In the Heart of the Fire

2009-03-05T08:30:00.004-05:00

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." -- Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

We are here for you. Please share your stories of how God is refining you in extraordinary circumstances and you might just be featured on the project419 website~!
To email your story or your confidential prayer requests, please send an email to brandon@project419.org

A Reponce to Current Times, Part II

2009-01-25T07:01:00.009-05:00

As we all look around at the current state of our nation and world, your heart might too be burdened. I have been praying diligently, asking the Lord how we should respond as Christians to the world in the current economic and social conditions that are presenting themselves to us on an almost hourly basis.

The blogs that I will be writing over the next few weeks are specific verses and areas the Lord has shown me as He works in my life to clean me up and purify (sanctification) it for His purposes.
All of these have spoken to the core of my life, causing me to careful examine my attitudes, purposes, motive, actions, and ultimately, my core character as a Christian.

Persistence In the Midst of Trials

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition form sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” -- Hebrews 12:1-3

Unemployment, financial loss, cancers of various kinds, brain tumors, death of a family member, anxiety and life-stresses, chaos and a loss of organization, a bad relationship causing stress, temptations from worldly sources, losing your home, etc!

The list of the things we face on in this world goes on, and on, if the issue your facing is not in above list, know that these are just a few of the requests that friends have presented to me this week!

Lord, what do we do in such a turbulent time?

“Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you!” -- 1 Peter 5:7

I cannot tell you the peace that now permeates my life, even in the midst of uncertainty. Well, Brandon, have you been there, experience what I am experiencing? I may not have walked down the particular mile, and might not have worn you shoes, but, I do know the one who has! In the midst of what at that time seems to be your darkest hour, where can you turn?

The verse from Hebrews reminds us that if we "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross" so that through him our salvation, peace, health, security, and certainty of the future lies. If He was able to create the world in 6 days, breathing it into existence with His very breath, how then is not able to take care of that which we will face? Christ has already covered the penalty for sin when he willingly took that cross in our place. The power of that cross, the power of a risen Lord, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” -- Matthew 28:18b. If he holds all authority of heaven, telling the very stars how long they can exist, how much more does he hold his child! Rest in Him today! As you lay those burdens down at the feet of Jesus, I promise, it will get better. Remember, it takes one day at a time, but you have to fix your eyes on Jesus and him alone.

We are being watched by an ungodly world... they have their magnifying glass of focus on us. They want to know what causes that ridiculous joy that we have inside us, they want to know what drives us, motivates us to keep going when times really get hard. In my next blog, I will touch upon how we can shine like stars for God's Glory!

For more information on persistence, some of my favorite verses are:James 1:2-12 Philippians 3: 12-21

This blog was inspired by the song "All Ye" By Coffey Anderson. You can view his daily video and music blog on Tangle

If you would like to know how you can begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or if you need prayer, encouragement, or simply like to leave a comment? Please email me, "brandon @ Project419 Dot Org" All email correspondence is kept strictly confidential unless you ask me to share your requests with others.

A Response to Current Times, Part I

2009-01-22T13:42:00.006-05:00

My last blog was one that told of a rather bothersome dream I had. As we all look around at the current state of our nation and world, your heart might too be burdened. I have been praying diligently, asking the Lord how we should respond as Christians to the world in the current economic and social conditions that are presenting themselves to us on an almost hourly basis.

The blogs that I will be writing over the next few weeks are specific verses and areas the Lord has shown me as He works in my life to clean me up and purify (sanctification) it for His purposes.
All of these have spoken to the core of my life, causing me to careful examine my attitudes, purposes, motive, actions, and ultimately, my core character as a Christian.

"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should so it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." -- 1 Peter 3:15

For those who have known me for a number of years, they understand that I have adult attention deficit disorder and often have a hard time being clear minded and self-controlled in my speech and sometimes my actions. This is who I am apart from the power of the Holy Spirit working within me. Always quick witted, prideful and sarcastic with responses, I can be downright ugly in my relations to others. For many months last year I was unhappy, complaining, and venting my life-frustrations on any ear that would listen to my pity-party of events. God humbled me around November 12th when I lost my job and a well orchestrated series of trials, tests, and opportunities was placed before me. I call them opportunities, because that is what they were; opportunities for God to show His glory as he began to refine and work in my life.
The first thing on the chopping block was my attitudes. I was told once, "control what you can control, the rest I promise will work itself out in time." I had failed to control a simply thing like my attitudes, which were then reflected in my speech. When I did serve God, I did so with very selfish motives, often to advance my own agenda, or propel myself forward into the direction that I felt I was supposed to go. Are you hearing a word a lot in the last paragraph? I, I, I. As the Holy Spirit began to do His work, the words of the scriptures cut through my heart like a knife.

It was time for a change, a different way of living. The transition did not happen overnight; I am still in the middle of it. That strength that is promises us in verse 11, I have learned to tap into that daily. I have to ask for that strength by relinquishing control of everything. I can only receive that after I admitted that I was helpless to control my life on my own.

It all started when I placed my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, then trusted Him daily with my life. I can barely put into words the peace that I now have in the midst of this on-going trial. I will attempt to write about it over the next few blogs.

If you find yourself lost in a sea of uncertainty today and need to know where to turn, my friend it is just a prayer away. I would love to talk more with you! Please email me, brandon at project419 dot org 0r message me on skype anytime you see my status as "online" from this blog.

Bless you today!

Hope Still Remains

2008-12-04T10:48:00.005-05:00

Unemployment Week 3, Day 22
Phone turned off today by ATT, still no unemployment check, rent past due, financial stores very low.

I do not understand why God has chosen to walk me through this fire, but I praise Him for it. I thank Him that I am being refined and prepared for something divinely greater that I could ever imagine.

Today God reminded me that most trials and periods of testing or mass transition lasted for 40 days this is only day 22.

This wonderful video put everything back in perspective for me.
(If you are viewing this from facebook, please click the link below to see the original post)

What it means to walk by faith and “Wait”

2008-12-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

What it means to walk by faith and “Wait”
Wait
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

Thanks Lisa Lambert for the Reminder

For those who do not know, on November 12th I lost my job of 5 years.
Now, in my third week of unemployment, things are getting a bit tight.

Through all the ups and downs of this roller coaster ride, God has been faithful.
I can tell you many stories of how money has simply appeared in my checking account, checks were mailed to me from things put in place months ago, or friends called needing computer repair work. I have not gone hungry one day, and have too much food right now! All of this and I have yet to draw a single dime of Florida Unemployment Benefits.

No matter what your particular circumstances are today, know that God loves you very much. He will honor the promises of His word. He will hold you in His arms when you have fears and doubts.
Consider this: God must allow His children to go through extraordinary circumstances in order to prove His extraordinary power through them.

Going through a tough time? Be blessed! Your being setup by God for something amazing. Hold on, wait, trust, pray, and most of all keep moving! You are being used as God's chosen instrument to reveal His glory and love to a hurting dying world. We have the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ! Nothing can take that away from us!

Be blessed today. Email me anytime if you need to speak to a friend.
brandon@project419.org

Lord, Give Me Your Eyes

2008-09-30T09:04:00.002-04:00

I have a new favorite song in which the Lord has really changed my thinking, by Brandon Heath

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?
Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

In his song, Brandon challenges our daily perspectives of the world around us and makes a radical call requesting the very eyes of Abba. Christ, fully God and fully man, was the only human (I use the term loosely) to walk the earth that had the unique gift to be able to see right into the hearts and souls of Men. As I read the scriptures, I am humbled to think how Christ would speak to me if He could see directly into my heart... wait...He can, and does through the Holy Spirit.

I have really pondered about the verses of this song, wondering, would I really want to have what I am asking for as I sing it? Would my heart be strong enough to handle all the raw hurt, rage, pain, shame, unforgiveness, fear, regrets that I would see in the hearts of those around me?
What about those who were depressed, lonely, about ready to give up on life, would I be able to handle starting straight into the black hole eating away at their hearts?

Would I be able to speak and offer hope. This amazing gift of salvation and freedom, could I express it?

Lord, I want your eyes, but then again, I don't! Lord thank you for the Holy Spirit. He is our eyes. He will speak the words through us. He will lead. He will comfort. He will encourage.

Lord help me to listen to the hurting world around me, give me your ears, give me your heart to feel your Spirit tug, then give me your eyes.

You Said Ask...

2008-06-01T13:43:00.001-04:00

Abba Father

I kneel humbled in your presence, filled with your grace and awe struck by your unyielding love. O Lord I am without words to express how wonderful you are mountain maker, soul creator. You set the Earth on its axis, taught it to spin and numbered its days. You spoke life into existence, your very words composing the building blocks of all things. Your alone are eternal and worthy to be praised for all of time!

Lord you said ask and I'll give the nations to you...
Allowing us to be your workers in foreign lands that our mind's eye could never conceive. Using our dirty feet to go and calling them beautiful, using our vial lips to speak and calling them anointed, filling our impure minds with dreams and desires for your kingdom and calling them renewed. Lord purify our hearts and set them apart, holy vessels to be filled with your Spirit. Lord guide our paths that they might be straight and follow that perfect and narrow path blazed by your one pure Son. Lord take our lives and clothe them in the righteousness of your Son, that we may reflect Him alone to a world in longing.

Lord you said ask and I'll give the nations to you...
But do we know what we ask?
Foxes have holes but the Son of Man had no place to lay His precious head; O Lord that we might be blessed to be homeless for your sake!
O Lord all who followed you, the first twelve, all lost their lives for your message. O Lord who are we to want to hold on to that which is but a vapor here today and gone tomorrow; may our existence be only for you! A gift of the nations cost your Son His only life, may we be ever so humbly honored to give ourselves to Him in return.

Lord you said ask and I'll give the nations to you...
May we understand what it is that we ask for! Lord remove the scales from our eyes that we may see a hurt and perishing world all around us! O Lord that we could be used to reflect even the tiniest measure of your never-ending grace! Lord crush our hearts with the burdens of the world, for only a broken and contrite heart can you use. Lord give us ears to hear the cries of those all around us! Lord pour us out and make us like clean and empty earthen vessels ready to be filled only with you! Use these vessels, O Lord only as you direct them, for your Holy Spirit is the hands guiding the pot. Pour us out Lord, a holy drink offering for you!
O Lord, we ask you for the Nations.

How do you Feed the King of Kings?

2008-04-14T09:06:00.000-04:00

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." --Matthew 25:35-40

You and I see them everyday, if you don't, you either need a new pair of spiritual glasses or perhaps to just look in the right places.

The homeless, the poor, the starving. Those living on the streets all around us. It is the man on the corner with the sign proclaiming that he is a starving Vet in need of a hand, the woman and children selling water illegally out of ice chests on the side of US 19 on a hot summer's day, the man in line ahead of you at Wendy's through tears bartering his childhood baseball for a hamburger.

You see them, and you feel sorry for them, perhaps passing them a few dollars, but otherwise ignoring them.

-You want to help, but how? If you give them cash you are afraid they will simply spend it on booze or drugs, feeding a habit or maybe just trying to escape the life that has become the scary reality all around them.
-You want to help, but how? If you take them home and offer them an overnight rest on your couch, what if you wake up to an empty house, your stuff cleaned out and sold in a pawn shop.
-You want to help, but how? If you don't pay this bill they will turn off your electricity!

How can you ever hope to take what little you have been blessed with an help others?
How do you feed the hungry, provide drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick, visit the prisoner?

From the Broken Pieces Comes a New Creation

2008-04-14T05:26:00.005-04:00

Its 5:30am. I have been wanting for weeks to wake up this early and have a morning quite time; today, God granted my wish. Yesterday some of you might have read my blog, and got a bit concerned for me. Although I the last thing I wanted to was a raise up the pity flag, I had to have an arena for the frustrations that have been building within me for the last several months...

I lost my focus, my purpose, my drive. I took my eyes off what mattered most, my Savior, and put them on myself; of course, this led to the current state of affairs.

Last summer I was challenged in Romania, when I was encountered with the fact that outside my small world of an 8-5 job and soaking up sunny Florida, there was a hurting world all around me.

But in the last 8 months, what have I done about it... nothing.

Time for a change. Far too long my focus has been inward. As of today, I no longer exist. I want to become a transparent vestal, a pot, created and formed for a purpose. I want to be filled, overflow, and pour out in service all that He blesses me with.
Its all on the line. My time, money, focus, thoughts. I want them all laid on the alter of sacrifice for His Kingdom and His service.

Lord, break me, make me new again, fill me up, pour me out, break me again, then use me to be a healing hand in a hurting world.

"I'm here again, a thousand miles away from you,
A broken man, the scattered pieces of who I am,
I tried so hard, thought I could do this on my own,
I have lost so much along the way.

Then I see your face,
I know I'm finaly yours.
I find everything I though I lost before.
You call my name.
I come to you in pieces, so you can make me whole."
--Pieces, by RED

We've Lost the Funk...can you feel that funk?

2008-04-13T13:43:00.004-04:00

Okay, not to be one of those emo type that dumps random emotions into a blog.. but this is your warning, do not read further.

The opening line of the book I am writing states "Some time ago the hamster fell off the wheel…and frankly, I cannot remember when, but it has been a few years. I have grown tired, lax, and lazy. My zeal and pizazz are zapped by the daily gridlock and grind some of us in the city call “life.” Like a ship with mighty sails and no rudder, I aim to travel far, but find myself looping the bay in circles following the shoreline afraid of what deeper waters might hold..."

Frankly, I cannot think of a better way to express how I see my life right now. Yesterday I missed yet another friend's wedding; this being the third such even I was invited to in the last 6 month and was MIA despite my RSVP. I have been missing church, social events, and have become a reclusive homebody. I hate it.

I don't know what caused this, but I have lost the Funk, or rather gotten a bad case of it. If you are reading this, chances are you know me. I am a fun loving energetic person with a zest for life. I enjoy new things, road trips, and weekend adventures. I love to bike, having lost over 50lbs in 6 months doing said biking. However, in the last 6 months I have given up most activities that used to bring me joy, and began to live at home. At first it was due to the horrible migraine headaches that plagued me on a daily basis, but even those have subsided with the last one appearing over 2 months ago. During that time of extreme pain and frequent dizziness I was advised not to drive and became the homebody that I have slumped into today. Blockbuster employees see me more often that some of my friends. I drown myself in my work, and future dreams, often forgetting to live in the present and cease today for all the magnificance that it might potentially hold.

I just want my life back, but have no clue where to get it back from. I have changed, I fear for the worst.

Is there a way to go back? I know the lost time cannot be reclaimed, but where has my joy and pizazz gone?

I guess in short, I am simply asking for your prayers, and understanding as to the lack of my general presence in the social circles we all frequent.

24,528,000 Minutes

2007-09-18T23:00:00.001-04:00

From the day you were born, you were destined to die. I mean, not to be negative, but the one absolute certainty that we can all count on(besides paying US Government taxes) is death.
24,528,000 Minutes, if you are lucky, to do with your life whatever you please. 24,528,000 Minutes to make friends, build relationships, and live your life to the fullest. 24,528,000 Minutes that starting counting down the minute you were born, each passing moment, another chance to make a choice or a decision that could affect the next 1o years or more of your life.

Well, that’s a random number, where did you come up with that. . .
60 Minutes in an hour
16 Hours awake a day (giving you 8 generous hours of sleep daily)
365 Days a year (I am not figuring in the extra day for leap year)
70 Years (assuming that you are cognitive around age 7, and live till 77)

24,528,000 Minutes in one life

So, what are we here for? What is the meaning of this short brief life that we are given?
It is like asking someone what is important in their lives. Then ask them how much time they spend pursing things these things.
By most accounts, Solomon was the wealthiest man of his time, with the most wisdom, and the most lovers. He spent his entire life living what most of the us would consider to be "the good life" but at the end of his life, he was found crying out before God.

"Meaningless! Meaningless! . . . Everything is meaningless . . . wisdom is meaningless . . . pleasures are meaningless . . . toils are meaningless . . . a chasing after the wind" --Ecclesiastes ch. 1-3 (select excerpts)

Solomon came to the ultimate conclusion in at the end of his life that whole some of man was to keep a right relationship with God:
"Now hear is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." --Ecc. 12:13

Jesus Christ later further elaborated on the whole duty of man when teaching his disciples .
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." --Math 22:37-39
Then, He gave his final commandment to us after His death and resurrection, just before he ascended into heaven.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." --Math 28:19

So, here is my challenge to you:

What will you do with your 24,528,000 Minutes?

How many of your minutes will be spent "chasing after the sun" and pursing "vanities of all vanities?'
How many of your minutes will be spend in selfless devotion and pursuit of Jesus, chasing after Him like a marathon runner striving to reach the goal of the prize of completing the race. How many minutes will you use to have an impact on the Kingdom of God? What will you tell God when He hold you accountable for how you used your minutes?

Each one is important, and the clock is ticking . . .

Opportunistic Man-Eating Lions

2007-09-17T14:21:00.000-04:00

"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
--Jeremiah 29:11-14b

Verse eleven of the twenty ninth chapter of Jeremiah is one of the most popular verses that Christians hold onto, right next to John 3:16. We hold onto it like precious gold, pegging all of our dreams of prosperity in verse eleven, stating believing that will only allow the best of things to come into our lives. The entire context of the verses around and the book of Jeremiah is missed.

The Penalty For Sin
Judah has been ransacked, the temple of the Lord has been destroyed, the people of the Lord are in Babylonian captivity, working as slaves to a tyrannical dictator, torn from their homes, security, and all sense of normality. They had forgotten their first love, turned from the worship of the one true God and for generations, sought other gods, disobeyed his commands, and rebelled against Him in their hearts. After years of gentle discipline our just and loving God could no longer allow the patterns of sin to continue, and used the ungodly force of king Nebuchadnezzar and his armies to disciple Israel. Now, why did this happen? I thought "God is Love" (1 John 4:8b)? Well, but God is also just and "yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished." (Exodus 34:7b).

Blessings and Hope Despite the Circumstances
In verses 4 - 10 in chapter 29 the Lord instructs the people of Israel to "build houses and settle down; plant gardens. . . Marry and have sons and daughters . . . seek peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile." He continues to admonish and exhort Israel to seek Him and prosper while in the midst of a foreign land and to work towards the day they will be returned back to the land of their forefathers. He promises to bless them, restore them, and protect them.

Relevant Then, Relevant Today
Maybe today you are facing a situation in your life that seems impossible. You, like myself, might have made a few poor choices that have put you in a state of captivity to your lifestyle. Financial uncertainties, addictions, poor health, an unsatisfying career, loneliness, fear, past hurts, future worries, a lack of security in your heart, lacking a sense of purpose. . . I could go on.

The Lord promised the people of Israel that in what could appear to be their darkest hour, that if they would seek Him, they would find Him. He would hear their prayer, and restore them. God never promised it would be easy; sin always has its consequences, but He promised that he would never leave nor forsake them. Never forget the promises of restoration.

"God is in the resume building business he is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. But those God-given opportunities often come disguised as man-eating lions. And how we react when we encounter these lions will determine our destiny. We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges, or we can chase our God ordained destiny by chasing our God ordained opportunity." [ Quote taken from In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day]