3 Facts

Fact 1. My identity is created by, founded in, and redeemed by Christ.
The very being of who I am, my body, my soul, my eye color, everything. He created it. Before He even formed my physical body in my mother’s womb, He tells me that He knew me (Jer. 1:5). My thoughts, my likes, my dislikes, my shortcomings, He knew. That didn’t make Him stop loving me. Although He knew I’d fail, His love remained. My identity is founded in Christ. It must. When my identity is shoved to the back of the bus by things I create, my Creator is left out. When my identity is grounded in things of this world, the Creator of the world questions me, I’m sure. Jobs, money, relationships, hobbies, all playing for keeps on the seat of my heart. They all want #1. We’re supposed to seek first the Kingdom of God. I shouldn’t be anxious. I shouldn’t worry. My treasures shouldn’t be in this world (Matt 6). Yet, my Lord and my Savior pulls for my heart so He can be the one true love. My identity shouldn’t have competitors. My identity should be founded in solely in Christ, and in Christ alone. Not only is my identity created by Christ, founded in Christ, but it is also redeemed by Christ. Everyone is in need of Christ’s redemption. It frees us from guilt. It gives us eternal life. It gives us peace. It leads to righteousness. It leads to us being filled with His Spirit. To be redeemed is to be forgiven, reconciled, adopted, free, justified, holy. After Jesus redeems us, we should make a move towards him.

Fact 2. I need to make decisions that reflect a love for the Creator.
Everything that I do can be an act of worship. Going to work. Listening to music. Eating with friends. Talking with co-workers. Ministering to others. Listening. Guiding. Teaching. Learning. Studying. Acting. Singing. Everything can be an act of worship. Who I have on my list of Facebook friends can be an act of worship. Each decision I make reflects my relationship with Christ. If I truly have been crucified with Christ, I should live by faith, not in the flesh (Gal 2:20). Each decision I make can show where my fidelity is entrusted. I cannot serve two masters. I will love one and hate the other (Matt 6:24). There’s no denying that fact. Micah 6:8 gives us special insight as to how we can make decisions on a daily basis to serve our true Master, Creator, and Savior. 1. Seek justice. 2. Love mercy. 3. Walk humbly with your God. 3 directions that doesn’t seem too difficult, but every day my actions will reflect my belief in those instructions. When we actively participate in sin, our actions do not reflect a love for the Creator. When I don’t make Him #1 in my life, my actions don’t reflect a love for the Creator. When my lifestyle is a lifestyle of worship that points the world back to Him, this reflects a love for the Creator.

Fact 3. I must find relationships that help me walk closely with God. If those relationships cause me to question 1 and 2, they're no good.
The people we associate ourselves with could be incredible or detrimental to our walk with God. Those we spend our time with should help us point our lives to Jesus. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, right? But, those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit (Rom 8:5). What people think about will eventually come out in their life. Jesus simply asks that we don’t forget His teaching. That we do the will of the Father. Is this too hard of a request?  But yet, we try to deceive ourselves, thinking that hanging out with certain people isn’t that big of a deal. That we can handle it. *Spoiler alert* Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals (1 Cor 15:33). The Bible tells us that iron sharpens iron. It doesn’t say that iron is sharpened by duller materials. Proverbs 13:20 also tells us that whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. This should be a wake-up call to all believers. If your group of friends is not encouraging you to grow closer to God, seek out some new friends. I’m 100% for having friends that are unbelievers. In fact, it’s essential. But those you allow to influence your life could have the possibility of determining your eternity. A boy isn’t worth it. A girl isn’t worth it. Your ultimate goal of making it to Heaven should be our priority in life, not winning the popularity contest. Most “friends” will pass away once you’re not seeing them in class every day. We must reach out to the hurting, the lost, and those that need Jesus, and point them to the Cross.

 

Jeremiah 29:11
“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 hope and a future.

Grown Ups

Men. Women. Adults, they say. Travel to work each morning, hiding the small child inside of them. In reality, most are but mere adolescents or elementary students. Not in thought. Not in intelligence. Not really in actions, although some. But in heart.
The group of 3rd graders running through the hall to see who can get to the lunch line the fastest. However, a teacher standing in her doorway brings them to a brisk walk, sometimes halts them to a walk slower than the average. These people, not changed when they step into a vehicle. All trying to proceed to the next greatest challenge at work to make the most cheese. Speeding thoroughly on the highway to make it on time. To get there early. Yet, the 3rd grade teacher, now dressed in white and blue stationed in a police car snuggled into the median of the highway brings the whole hallway of trucks and cars to a steady trail of law-abiding citizens.
The student, workers, drag into their classrooms called conference rooms. Sluggishly, wishing the weekend was twice as long. They listen intently to their teachers called bosses, trying to grasp every work and annotate everything properly, so that they can pass the test where they're given a leadership role, or have their reviews. Daily, weekly, monthly, each student worker hopes to please the person above them, so they can get good grades called paychecks.
At the end of the day, at the end of the week, they return home to their place of safety. Where they can sit with the people they love most and find joy and comfort.
Yes, these students have many faces for each class they attend, each friend they talk to, each new challenge they face.
Embrace the child in your heart. Listen to your conscience, not questioning it. Let the innocence of your childhood remind you of morals that once used to abide. Realize that there are many things that have changed, yet, much has remained.

Myriad of Sentiments

It's been far too long for comfort since I've blogged. For those who care, I'm going to write a few updates in my life since I've been absent.

First of all, I'm married. Yes, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me outside of Jesus. She's amazing. Incredible. The best thing that ever happened to me. I love her. She's my best friend, and I love being with her all the time. It's amazing to KNOW that you're in God's will. He is pleased, for sure. The whole engagement process was incredible, too. Sometimes people have insane problems during this time. However, for us, it was amazing. Marriage is AWESOME. It's so much fun living with another person. Getting ready. Going running. Making dinner (aka, learning to cook together lol). It's simply a blast. To those that are dating, engaged, not yet dating, etc...it's worth it to wait for marriage. Don't rush God's plan. He has a specific time line for you. Let Him do His job. :)
Shout out to Evelyn, who rocked a 5:30am run with me this morning AND made an incredible dinner last night. Love you. :)

Secondly, I've been writing songs recently. I do plan on recording again. An acoustic album. I'm very excited for this. I feel like God has been giving me lyrics and the creative spark to form these into songs. The enemy continuously tries to fill my mind with doubts, discouragements, lies and confusion. Honestly, it's a battle to write sometimes. Thoughts of whether or not my message will be accepted. Will it be good enough? Why would I wonder if it'll be good enough? That's not God's will. He has a message that He wants to portray through me, and that's all that matters. I just have to carry this out. Encouragement is welcome.

Thirdly, I've really been thinking the idea of discipleship. A good friend of mine had a good quote. He said "If you don't set yourself up to be discipled, don't whine when you get overlooked".  At first sounding slightly harsh, I began to dwell on this. This was an incredible thought. If I set myself up to be discipled, then I will be discipled. How do I do this. Well, I must trust the person discipling me. Whether it's my pastor, my youth pastor, or my accountability partner, I must LET them disciple me. I have to put forth EFFORT to be discipled. Jesus' disciples dropped everything to follow Him. Granted, the people that mentor me aren't Jesus in the physical form, it's the person/people Jesus has placed in my life for a specific purpose. When I deny those that mentor me their right to correct me or lead me, I deny myself the opportunity to grow in Christ. What I'm understanding is that I MUST be open and transparent and allow my leaders...to lead me. That's all.

The end. Sorry for the randomness. Just had to get all that out. :)

Broken Vessel

A broken vessel. Sometimes it's cracked. Sometimes it's shattered. Sometimes it has all of the right conditions to be broken, and is just waiting. To the human eye, a broken vessel is of no worth, even useless. The more that life is lived, the more used we become as people. Shattered dreams. Broken homes. Breaking marriages. People torn away from us too short in life. Each aspect of each day is some sort of building block. When those building blocks continue to accumulate, the foundation is tested. When the pressure is added, a myriad of reactions can ensue. Take for example, ice and clay. Heat melts one and hardens the other. So we, as people, react the same at times. Whether this vessel will melt down, or become hard, we will be affected.

 

The beauty of this is that in each broken vessel, worn down piece of work, nick or scratch, God sees a masterpiece. Each day, He is shaping us, molding us, and designing us. What we may see as a broken dream, the God sees as an uprage for a better future. When we see ourselves as a lost cause, the Designer sees us as being right on schedule for construction. When we feel pressured and in unbearable 'heat', the Potter sees a work of art in progress.

Live each day as an opportunity to grow.

A talented ice sculptor was once asked "How do you know how to scuplt the eagle?". He responded, "I just carve out everything that's not an eagle."

Take on change with a vision of the possibilities.

Jesus, the ultimate designer, has a plan.

  

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

-Romans 8:28



  

The Master and His Plan

This is a time of my life that has presented opportunities that are exceedingly challenging. These opportunities consist of growing pains and learning curves. When God desires to teach me to trust Him, it, ironically enough, takes time. As a human being, I want answers now, in my timing. God's will consists of His timing, His plan, and His answers. Too often, what I want doesn't align up with what God has to offer.

Have you ever tried to teach a four year old something? They get frustrated, want to quit, but you want to show them the benefit of learning. You see the outcome, but they don't. This is how God views our situations sometimes. He calls us to rest in Him. He wants us to put our faith and our failures in Him. During this waiting, trusting, understanding, He is still there. Regardless of our human abilities, His supernatural powers undermine what is humanly possible.

God's love doesn't make sense. Sometimes, His plan doesn't either.
In those times, I truly believe God is teaching me. I act like a small child frustrated with having to learn something. I want answers now. I want this, and I know exactly why I want it. Yet, God is holding something for me in my future, saying  I have something better. He denies our misguided prayers, and we get frustrated at Him. Why? Is He not in control of everything? Why do I get mad when He denies me something that will hurt me? When he has something better. Something more fruitful.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows us how nature doesn't really work, they rely on God. The birds, the lilies, they rely on God. So if I am a child of the Living God, why do I worry? When God is faithful and just. He will protect and provide. He will.

Trusting God is difficult. Sometimes, it's uncomfortable.
The deeper the difficulty, the deeper the trust.
The deeper the pain, the deeper the relationship with God is.

We must believe that God's word is true.





Thank You for the rain
Thank You for the pain
I may not understand the things You do,
But I know that Your Word is true
You don't have to show me why
There were clouds in the sky
But because of the storm I went through, 
I'm close to You

Relationship Growth

Let me begin this by saying that I have no authority to talk about this. I'm not experienced, nor do I have special insight. I just believe God has showed me this to write down for specific reasons.

This blog is going out to everyone, however, I'm going to dedicate it to singles, engaged people, or new married couples.

This crazy world is filled with people that don't get along. In America, half of marriages fail. That's such a sad fact to me. In Proverbs 18, it claims that he who finds a wife, finds a good thing. Matthew 19:4-6 reads "Haven't you read, that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female', and said 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So that they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." It's clear that relationships between male and female are important to God. Marriage is important. All throughout the New Testament we see scripture on human relationships.

What I've been seeing in the last few years is this.
What God considers extremely important, the devil attacks.
Marriages are important to God, so the enemy attacks it.

Because we're human, we don't get along with everyone. That's human nature.
Sometimes the best and most important relationship besides God is your husband or wife. This also can be your most difficult relationship. Know why? Because the devil sees how much it could improve your walk with God.

Difficult, yes. But I also see it as the most sanctified relationship a person can have in their life. So yes, there is pain and difficulties associated with marriage. You gotta live with that person every day. Yet, I'm reminded of how the Lord uses marriage to build character in one's life. It's amazing that God can takes something that is so awesome, yet, so difficult, and use it for a Christian's growth in their character. Marriage builds character.

Fight for it. Don't give up just because it's difficult.

To those of us that aren't married:  We need to be prepared and get ready to be attacked from the enemy in ways we've never been attacked once we do get married. The enemy sees how great a marriage can be for our Christian walk, so he wants to attack it from the inside out. It's all around us. Open your eyes and begin to make decisions. Decide WHO you want to be in a husband or a wife. Make a declaration to the positive additions to your life you're going to make in order to be a better man or woman.

To everyone else: Work to better your marriage. Don't stop working. Ever.

The Dangers of Fasting

Wait….there are dangers to fasting?

Aren’t there only blessings that come with fasting? Nope.

As in any progressing relationship with God, there are positive and negative aspects that one must be aware of. There are indeed, dangers to fasting.

Danger #1: Work for Love

I think we can all agree that we cannot do anything to make God not love us. No matter how deep the sin, no matter how deep the hurt, God still loves us. It’s true to be said that Jesus loves the murderer just as much as He loves the person that was murdered. That’s hard to fathom because we don’t love people like that. We love with conditions, on performance. God’s love, however, us unconditional. It never fades or fails.

With this in context, you we cannot do anything to make God love us more. No matter how much we pray, fast, read, attend church, mentor others, pay our tithes, etc., God will not love us any more. We can’t DO things to bid for God’s love.

This is why there is a danger to fasting.

Fasting sometimes gives us the notion that “Yeah, I’m doing this for God, He will answer my prayer now”. We can allow our works to determine how we view God’s love. Newsflash: fasting is an obedience to scripture and out of a pure heart to draw closer to God. It starts to eliminate our flesh in our walk with God. It’s not an action one can take to buy God’s love; He doesn’t work that way.

Danger #2: Self-Righteousness

Fasting takes a lot of self-effort sometimes. Not eating. Not listening to music. Not going on social media. Only eating certain things. Not eating certain things.

It’s an aspect of the Christian walk that requires our action.

However, the reason that it’s a danger sometimes is for the simple fact that WE’RE the ones fasting. We are giving up this. We are giving up that. We’re SO spiritual, that WE are doing this for God.

At that moment, we have totally missed the point.

This is why Jesus wasn’t a fan of the Pharisees. They made an effort for people to see them fasting and doing good works for God’s Kingdom.

Posting a Facebook status or tweeting about your fast isn’t drawing you closer to God, it’s begging for man’s attention and acceptance.

By the grace of God can we not only ‘get through’ a fast, but come out the victor in to a deeper committed walk with God that subdues our flesh and earthly desires.

It's better to have a walk with God that includes fasting without having to think we are more spiritual for doing something, or having to require attention of others. 

Danger #3: Attack from the Enemy

Once a Christian understands and knows the benefits of fasting, it develops a deeper understanding and appreciation for it. Newsflash: this scares the devil. The third danger in fasting is a heightened attack from the enemy. It’s the bulls-eye on your head that grows twice its size during said time of fasting. The enemy is aware of how much fasting eliminates flesh. Are you?

When fasting, it’s imperative to be aware that in a weak state of mind and body, the devil will begin his festivities. He will begin to lie. He will begin to persuade. He will begin to show how fasting isn’t worth it.

This hurts Christians a lot. When fasting, be vigilant. Be aware. Be on your A-game, because the devil is on his the moment you decide to fast. Know that he will try to tell lies.

Remove flesh from the equation. Stand firm on the Word of God. Fight the devil with the very foundation you stand on.

And win battles through fasting. 

Encouragement

During my 11 mile run on Friday, I had plenty of time for thinking. As I run, I tend to think. I never run without music, so there’s a constant feed of musical notes and words into my brain. Yet, somehow, my brain shifts around those words, and begins to create its own thought patterns not related to the music. As I run, I began to think. School, church, girlfriend, family, friends, Bible stories, moments with God, etc. All kinds of random thoughts come to mind. One thing leads to another.

During my run on Friday, one word kept traveling through my brain.

Encouragement.

I am currently training for a full marathon this spring. I have done two half marathons. One in Sheboygan, one in Oshkosh. The last one I did was in Oshkosh. The weather was horrible. Cold, rainy/snowy, etc. The one thing that got me through the run was encouragement. Had it not been for the hundreds of people lining the streets throughout the course cheering us on, I probably wouldn’t have made it. Complete strangers looking me in the eye and yelling “Come on!” “You can do it!” “Great job!” “You’re almost there!” It was the cheers and support that gave my weak legs the motivation to keep moving.

When training for a full marathon, I often think about that encouragement. The feeling of crossing the finish line and having people cheering for me is unexplainable. They didn’t know me, but they applauded my efforts and accomplishments. When I’m running by myself for training, at times I think of those people cheering, and it gives me encouragement to keep running.

As I was reflecting on this, I began to think of the church. How common is it for me to give some encouragement for new believers? How often to I compliment a new saint in their walk with God? Do I give support to youth members that have been raised in church? It’s so necessary to give encouragement to the people in the body of Christ. That compliment might give them motivation to keep running the race they’re on. At times, they (we) get weak. A compliment just might do the trick to keep running in that weakness. Even a simple “Hey, how are you doing? Can I do anything to help you out?” or a “I just want to encourage you, you’re doing a great job with _____. Keep it up” is an easy way to make somebody’s day. Days later, that compliment might be the gasoline needed to keep moving with the tank feels weak. 


Give some encouragement. It may carry that person through their next battle. 

1 Corinthians 9:24

2 Timothy 4:7

Hebrews 12:1

Battle

Ever had a goal that you made and didn't accomplish? 
Maybe you decided to get really good grades, and a bad test ruined your drive to study. Maybe you had a goal weight you wanted to be at and a bad weekend pushed you in the opposite direction.
 
I am currently training for a marathon. I had a bad week. Little running, and the running I did do wasn't really productive. It's easy in my mind for me to thing "well, I didn't do well on this week, so there's no point in trying now." This mentality is  more common than we realize. Dropped goals because of unmet benchmarks. Failed exams because of bad homework grades. It's everywhere. 
In that moment, I must reel back from everything my brain is telling me to do: stop. I must jolt my body into a realization that it's possible to keep going. I have to prove to myself that I CAN do it. When I have a bad week running, I can't quit. I'm committed. I will be running this marathon. I will complete it. 

You see, it's easy to take this mentality into my spiritual man. Maybe I have a goal to read more or pray more, then don't meet that goal, so I stop altogether thinking its not worth it. I somehow have concluded that by reading God's word or praying, I can be more spiritual; therefore God's love being conditional. Brake check. Wrong. 
I actually can't do anything or not do anything to change God's love. So, I cannot believe the lie that once I have made a mistake or had a bad week, it's pointless to try anymore. 
I have to look the enemy square in the eye and say I WILL continue. I will be victorious.
When failure comes to my life, I cannot say "well, I might as well keep sinning". 
It's easy to say "well, I am 10 minutes late to class, so might as well not show up". 
But when it comes to our spiritual man, we must be VIGILANT about attacking that mentality, and waking up accepting grace, mercy and love. 
The enemy may have won a battle, but I have the opportunity to win the war. 

Friends.

It was at a Clintonville valley rally.
I met this girl at the after event. This girl would become my best friend.
For years, we never once talked about dating; never once read into our friendship.
We were just....friends.
People asked. Commented. Suggested. Joked.
But we never were more.

Until we were.

This girl is not only my girlfriend, but my best friend.
My favorite part of our relationship is how close we are as friends.
I genuinely like spending time with her.
I know her. She knows me.
There's so much to learn when you're dating somebody.
It creates complications if you're learning about them as a person that you don't really know.

I highly suggest that before you ever start to date somebody, become a great friend.
Get to know them. No strings attached. Don't be so into yourself that you have to have titles.
It's ok to be friends. I love my best friend. And I'd do anything for her :)

<3