Kicking My Butt

I recently started reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan.



I know what you are thinking. "JJ this book came out like 2 years ago, why are you just now reading it?" Well, I'm sorry I have had other books to read and other things going on in my life! ha ha, but serious, started reading this book and I am maybe a 1/4 of the way through and already it is "kicking my butt" as this post is apply named.

Francis starts the book by just going through some simple reminders of who God is in this universe. Just simple (when I say simple here I mean common knowledge, learned this in VBS as a kid, not that God is simple and easily understood) but huge things that are so great about God and remind me of what I should be doing and that is worshiping an almighty God and glorifying him with every breath.

We question God so much when that is not our place. If we really believe that God is All Powerful, All Knowing, in all things, and of all things, why do we question Him on everything? If He is all of those things and you truly believe that then why when something like what happened in Japan happens to we immediately start questioning Him about it instead of praising Him? That sounds morbid doesn't it? but stick with me here. If God is all knowing, complete love, and complete justice, then do we not think He has a plan or purpose for that event or those people? The truth here is this, God is not a reactionary God. He has a plan and purpose. We continue to try to understand him by our view of justice and love when He is so far above us it is silly. So, in all things, praise Him. In life, death, tragedy, blessing, wealth, PRAISE HIM.

until next time,

JJ

I'm Back

So...

After a long "sabbatical" I am back and ready to blog again. :)

Things that have changed since the last post? WOW, where to start? nope, to much. why don't I just make this post a short and sweet one for now and just let you know what I have been up too lately. I have been learning how to be a good husband, a lot harder than you think. I love my wife and, God helper, she loves me too despite my absolute ridiculousness. The Lord is so good and faithful. He has been guiding us and opening up so many doors for us lately. I will clue you into all of that as we go. Other things, I have been gaming, playing disc golf with the Joe, playing bocce ball with the Joe, trying to spend time with the Cirlot, work 60ish hours a week, etc. Busy but unto the Lord so all is well. Let me leave you with this...

"I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." Galations 4:1-7 (ESV)

May we live our lives as heirs through God as we are called too!

until next time,

JJ

Childrens Stories?

Noah and at least 2 of every animal floated around on water for 40 days when the world was flooded...

Moses parted the Red Sea and then Israel walked across to the other side...

David threw a little rock at a big man and he fell down...

Jesus was born in a manger and was given gifts by three wise men and there were little sheep and cows around (we should do a yearly skit about that)...

It upsets me when I see what we have done to huge moments in history and more specifically what we have done to the mighty works of God.

Noah didnt just float around for 40 days. God poured out His wrath and killed EVERYONE and EVERYTHING except who and what was on the ark. That is NOT a cute little kids story and shouldnt be painted on nursery walls!

Moses didnt just part the red sea, for one God did and secondly God set them free from slavery. Trust me in that they didnt just walk to the other side. They were running from Pharaoh and his army, they were running for their LIVES.

David did sling a rock at a big man, and then cut off the mans head. how often do we tell that part of the story to the kids? God allowed David to stand up for an entire nation!!

Dont even really get me started on this one. Jesus was born in a manger but it was nothing like our stupid Christmas pageants!

Im sorry but why do we tell these stories the way we do? mainly tradition at this point i suppose, but i mean who first thought it was a good idea to put the worlds destruction (flood) on a nursery wall and to make it a cute kids story? dont get me wrong, i dont think we should scare children with bible stories but lets not make them something they are not, that is all im saying.

Instead of a Show BY: Jon Foreman

I hate all your show and pretense
The hypocrisy of your praise
The hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stomp on my ears when you're singing 'em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show

Your eyes are closed when you're praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There's blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don't fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There's blood on your hands

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show

Let's argue this out
If your sins are blood red
Let's argue this out
You'll be one of the clouds
Let's argue this out
Quit fooling around
Give love to the ones who can't love at all
Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can't stand at all, all
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show

Hated Words

Ok, sorry it has been forever since I have written anything. my life has been crazy busy lately running between two jobs and moving into a house. so, I ask your forgiveness!

Alright, as many of you know I am a part time Youth Pastor now. It has already had its ups and downs, moments of frustration and excitement. Well, this week we are at Mission Fuge in Mobile, AL and the worship has been absolutely GREAT for me! something I have needed for a while.

The down side is this, I have discovered words that set me off faster than anything. Words that make me more angry than a lot of things. Twice this week we have been in Church group time and I'll be trying to get them quiet to listen to something I have to say and one of my kids will say, "hey guys quiet down and listen so we can get this over with!" I respond in a way I probably shouldnt, with sarcasm/anger, my response has been "YEAH guys, shut up and listen so we can get out of here because you are just going to forget what I have to say anyways because you dont want to be here!"

I am trying and trying my hardest to get these guys to understand what it is all about and it comes up void everytime it seems like. I understand that I havent been here long and I understand that they are young but something just feels wrong here. Most of them just openly sin like it doesnt mean anything at all and I just dont understand that. I brought them here to camp hoping that something might sink in and they just sit in worship and bible study staring at a wall barely listening.

Ok, God is good!! to you guys this will seem weird but the last paragraph was going to be the last one. I stepped away because a couple of my kids wanted to talk, they are thinking and praying seriously about going to Canada for the entire summer next year to do mission work. maybe the Lord is doing something here. I just needed to vent. sorry this blog is so random, haha. The Lord is Good! Psalm 67, Let ALL the peoples Praise HIM!!