When I am Smart I Let Someone Else Do the Talking

I can remember a time when I was afraid to go home because home wasn’t “home”. I can remember times when all I wanted to do was hide all day because I was afraid of being found. While some laugh at me because they do not feel it, fear can be a very defining feeling. It can define what you will and will not do on any given day. For a very long time I hid my faith. I talked about in poetry and songs. I would scream about it at the top of my lungs on a stage but it was masked by so many smilies and metaphors that I began to realize that no one knew what I was talking about. I would be surrounded by people who lamented that they were not accepted (people in the music scene) and where angry at the world about it. I knew thought that if I shared my faith with them I would be ridiculed, laughed at and that what few friends I had never speak to me again, even if I only wanted to share with them a place where I felt love. I wanted to tell them that they could have that too. I can remember how around my christian community (the people that were to love me and accept me) abandoned me. They would sit in the pews and praise Jesus and his teachings which I agreed with, only to hear moments later about how certain people were unchristian and just down right disgusting. For years I felt alone in a crowded room. All I felt was hate and I retreated further and further. When left on my own my faith and myself became weak. I fell hard in very cold and dark place. My head down I didn’t want to look at anything or anybody sober. As my life both spiritually and health-wise began to unravel at an ever quickening rate, I looked up. In that cold, dark and lonely corner I looked up. I began to ask questions, and for the first time more importantly, I began to listen and look for the answers. I had some really long conversations with God. He welcomed me and invited me in for a closer look. I started reading his son’s teachings, learning and I let go. I thought I might fall but I only flew. The only thing that holds me back is me. I know we all here that, “You should never care what anyone thinks”. I trump that idea. You should only care about what God thinks. Have “friends” left me? Yeah, I have lost many that were once by my side, but they were never actually there. I haven’t felt alone though in quite a long time. I don’t do anything now but get up and say good morning to God and give him the reins. I still make mistakes, but I confess them and learn from them. Each day I try to be better, smarter and stronger though none of it is from me. 

Luke 21:12-19

12But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17you will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Do you want to be a part of a family?

Being a musician I am also a collector. I have collected many guitars and other instruments over the years. Many think that I have e done this with great folly but in pursuit of the music in my head I have amassed quite an arsenal. I have no favorite though. They can each do different things and help me create different moods. My children are the same. They are each different and therefore each is special. I love no one more than the other, no matter how hard any of them seem to try drive me crazy. God is the same way. He has no favorites, he loves us all. We are all made different to do different thing for him, with him. Like our own children we have free will given to us and it is our decision wether or not we want to follow Gods commandments, Jesus's teachings the urgings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants us all in or all out. He doesn't care for fair-weather followers, and so he is the same. He put it all on the line. He taught and loved with all his being. He called out those in power, and those hypocritical. He challenged the power structure of the Jews at the time (Sadducees and Pharisees). He taught till he was arrested, beat, spit upon, and mocked. He was given many chances to defend himself, but he remained dedicated to his mission. Finally he was forced to carry the instrument of his death across town while mocked all the more, and where he was nailed to the cross and left to hang until he died. He did this for you, I and every single soul that would ever be. He died for me just as I would surely die for my children if need be. To God we are all family. The question is, do you want to be a part of a family?

Matthew 12:46-50

46While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Do You Want to be Alone in the Dark?

Having children is an amazing thing. I learn things every week by being around them. God shows me so much in such a little amount of time. I feel like I have lived 5 lifetimes already. One thing that always catches me though is their fear. From the day they are born my wife and I tend to them. we cloth, feed and provide shelter. We keep them warm on cold dark mornings and keep them cool in the hot summer afternoons. One speed bump that always arises though is their fear of the dark. The fear of that unknown room. With all the lights on it’s okay and a safe place, but they think that there just has to be something bad lurking in the dark. I tell them over and over again, “You are in my house and I will protect you. Do you think that I will let anything bad happen to you?” “No”, they reply but they are still scared. I walk the the room with them over and over again until their fear subsides and they learn that, really, there is nothing in that dark to harm them. It seems like so many I meet are like that. They are afraid of the unknown. God is there with them everyday to help take care of them but they refuse him. God lays out rules to help keep us safe and to have a happy life, but so many refuse to follow. God loves you. He even sent his only son to tell you and to teach you. Jesus taught us how to love each other and to love God so that no one would ever have to feel alone or fear danger. Striking though how many turn away. They want things their way. They despise God and use one of the most beautiful gifts he has give us. They use the gift of free will and turn away from God. God wants to give to you because he loves you and after that he only wants to give more but you have to accept him. Many take the gifts and talents that God has given and even use them against God himself. They believe that everything is chance and circumstance. Some believe that everything that they are is because of their making. Through all the chaos that man puts into the world God’s natural order still works rather well. Over and over God asks us to wait, consider, believe. He sent his son. He comes as the Holy Spirit every day, but are our hearts too cold, too angry, too self-absorbed to let him in? One day your life will be over. One day this world will end. God loves you and is waiting, but he will only take you into his home if you accept the invitation that he has already sent to you. Do you want to be alone in the dark?

Luke 19:11-28

11As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, `Trade with these till I come.' 14But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16The first came before him, saying, `Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 17And he said to him, `Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18And the second came, saying, `Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19And he said to him, `And you are to be over five cities.' 20Then another came, saying, `Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22He said to him, `I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 24And he said to those who stood by, `Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25(And they said to him, `Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26`I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'" 28And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Are You Missing Out On The Party?

Life can be so hectic. I am the father of 4 and with 2 of them now in sports it can be very taxing. My wife does a wonderful job working the schedule so that when I come home everything is organized and we can all get to everything that needs to be done. Work, practices, school work, projects and today making sure that she, my mother and I can all get to the voting polls to vote. We are called everyday to do so much and it seems sometimes that no matter what we do we never accomplish everything that we want to. Sadly the most important call of all seems to go unnoticed. God calls us everyday. Some right now maybe rolling their eyes and thinking, “Oh yeah that God thing. I really need to get to that.” But somehow God always gets bumped to the bottom of the list. What is the most important thing is left for last. Many will say, “God great and all but he really has no effect on my day to day life. I save that for Sunday.” Perhaps the reason God has no effect on your life is because you only let him in on Sunday, if at all. I was once guilty of this. God was at the bottom of my list. I called him when I needed something or when I was worried cause I really messed something up. It usually went something like this, “OH GOD SERIOUSLY THIS TIME IF YOU GET ME OUT OF THE BIND I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! HELP!” And then when the coast was clear I would forget immediately if not over a short period of time about my vow. After falling apart completely I slowly gave more and more of my life to God. Why? Cause doing it my way clearly didn’t work. I find that the more I devote my time and ways to God the more fulfilled I am. I am happier with peace and the rough times I handle with a lot more ease. I pray to God everyday. I read the teachings of Jesus and try to learn the lessons. I ask for help from the Holy Spirit to help guide me righteously through my days. Everyday God invites us to his home, his ways so that we can partake of his banquet. He loves you and wants to share. He wants to see you happy and share in your life. You are invited everyday, but will you go?

Luke 14:15-24

15When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; 17and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' 19And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' 20And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, `Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' 22And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

How Many Balls Can You Hold?

There are times when we have all been in need and asked for a friends help. I know some of us have great friends, family and neighbors who have helped you in your time of need. I know some have felt the lonely feeling of being rejected. God calls us to virtue of charity, which is when we love God above all things for ourselves and to love our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. God wants us to love one another and to take care of one another. It’s not enough that we don’t steal, lie, covet property and spouses, that’s important but God wants us to go beyond that. God wants us to love and that means giving our time, talents and money if need be. God is not asking anything that he doesn’t already do. He has the sun rise and I have another day. He gave me that ability to do a hard days work so I can provide for my family. He has given me good health so I and work as well and bear, raise and take care of my children. I have a home filled with what I need and so much more. I live in America where I have the freedom to worship God without having to worry about having my head chopped off. At each and every turn I see blessings from God. He gives so much. My Lord sent his son who was God himself and taught how to love. Jesus taught so much in such a little time. He even established the Church so that we have somewhere worship, learn, give back and have community with one another. Jesus willingly let men of his day arrest, spit on him, beat, whip, mock and eventually kill him. Jesus to the blame for all of our sins. He was the perfect sacrifice from the perfect priest of God to God and was accepted by God. How much more can God give? I know many will say, “I prayed and asked for this or that and I didn’t get what I want.” God will give you want you need, but not always what you want. My children want to play video games and eat candy 24/7, but I don’t let them because I know they need discipline so that they can learn to be healthy and provide for themselves. Do you allow room for God? A wise man once said, “If you are so busy holding all this stuff (material possessions and things other than God that take up your free time) how do you have the ability to receive any blessings from God? Sometimes we have to learn to let go of earthly things to have the ability to receive blessings from God. Trust me, God wants to give. He lives to give and in abundance, but your heart need be prepared. You need to have a relationship with God. He loves you and wants to bless you and spend time with you. He is open to you but are you open to him?

Luke 11:5-13

5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; 6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Worse Than Being Stuffed Right In the Face

Rejection is an ugly thing. In general we want to be accepted. We want to grow and do more and be more than we where yesterday. Being rejected can leave a feeling of a hollow hole in your heart and scorn. It can be the root seed of anger, hate and rage. I have never met anyone who was rejected and naturally felt pleasant. It takes a fair amount of grace to be rejected with peace and happiness. Nothing hurts more than when I see one of my children full of tears because someone doesn’t want to share or play a game with them. They want to love and share and instead they get shut out. How many times have we seen people in need and turn a blind eye? People hungry, homeless, lost and tattered have their backs turned on them. They must feel thrown away, unworthy of love. They must feel completely rejected. Spend 5 minutes in any packed store and if with each person you pass make eye contact and smile watch the reaction. Then spend another 5 and walk around looking people in they eye and have a blank face or frown. The differences in reaction are astonishing. With that look we can make our neighbors feel accepted or rejected. With that split second we can foster love, indifference or anger which then multiplies. Love is a wonderful thing, a gift that can heal so much. I watch the news and see all the anger, hate and rage and wonder. I wonder, did we forget who are neighbors are? Did we forget that they are each person we pass? As a father I do all to protect my children. I reach out with love and do my best to make them feel loved, accepted and wanted. Being an artist I am very familiar with rejection, however rejection from one of my children hurts most of all. I loved so much that I created them. I made them and put them into this world cause I could not hold all that love in me, and then to be rejected, it hurts the most of all. God must feel that way. He loves and loves and waits. All he needs to hear is, “I’m sorry” and he will scoop you up into his arms more happy than the acceptance you feel. He sent his son even to teach us how to love and why to love him. Jesus was treated badly but he endured it all to take the blame for our sins because he loved. He loved and wanted and accepted us. He forgave us of our mistakes and did all he could to love and teach us a better way. God is waiting for you right now. When was the last time you spoke to him? It’s never too early or too late in the day. He is always ready. For if we choose to reject God though what can we expect in return. No one likes rejection, and as a father to all God can be hurt just as any one of us. If we accept him we can find our way to heaven. If we reject him we will find ourselves void of him completely. Many take for granted all the love God puts into the world. Living without God completely is Hell. 

Luke 10:13-16

13"Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But it shall be more tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. 16"He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

A Thought: How We Are All Loved

I love all my children with the same passion even thought they are all different. God loves all his people despite race, creed or color. The more I love my children with respect and discipline the more likely they are to grow and love properly. The more we let God into our lives and follow his ways and his teachings the more love will blossom inside us. We will find peace on earth by accepting and taking him and his son Jesus as our savior will find us passage into heaven.

Just a thought.

John 4: 5 - 42
5	So he came to a city of Samar'ia, called Sy'char, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6	Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7	There came a woman of Samar'ia to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
8	For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9	The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar'ia?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
10	Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."
11	The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water?
12	Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?"
13	Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again,
14	but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15	The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
16	Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."
17	The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, `I have no husband';
18	for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly."
19	The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20	Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."
21	Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22	You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23	But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him.
24	God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
25	The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things."
26	Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."
27	Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?"
28	So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people,
29	"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"