Not Quite Good Enough

Ah, isn't it the best feeling in the world when you feel like you've had a productive day? Man, I feel so relieved after just sitting down and doing the work that I need to do for school. I kicked off the day by receiving a phone call from a guy called Nish that woke me up, reminding me that he was here to pick me up to go the Salvation Army to help serve breakfast to the homeless in Merced (this is at 5:40am, I had gotten to sleep about 3 hours earlier after watching Se7en with some housemates). Anyway, I tried to make an excuse by saying I was still in bed and I just woke up (that was the truth). But he persisted and said he would wait, in which case I was like "Great." So I sucked it up threw on some pants and a beanie (yes I had a shirt on too) and headed out the door to meet him. Anyway, served breakfast from 630 till 8 o clock since Nish had a class at 9 to go to. I actually thanked him for not giving me a excuse to flake on him, which I really am thankful for. Serving others just plain makes you feel better because you know you helped someone out.

But as I thought about these kinds of things (feeding the homeless, volunteering at a soup kitchen or a food pantry, or just holding the door open for someone), why do we do it? Is it because we want to feel better about ourselves? Because it is personally rewarding? Because we love the people? Or is it because we want to be good enough for something? Whatever that something is may be different for you but I really believe the reason we do some of things is a mix of all the questions asked above. But mainly because we are trying to get good enough so that we can be considered an all around good person. But hey, there's nothing wrong with that! These are definitely noble reasons and they are things that good people do but isn't there more to it? I believe so.

If you believe in Christ or not, at one point or another it may cross your mind that you would never be good enough for God. You screw up all the time. You do terrible things. Why would this God want anything to do with me? I've said it before and I will say it again and again; the answer is simple...love. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life believe it or not and because God loved you that much, He sent His only son to die for you (you may be familiar with the verse John 3:16). Anyway, some people believe that if they live a "good enough" life that they will make it to whatever kind of afterlife they believe in (or lack thereof) when they pass away. But regardless of who you are, you can never live a good enough life, sorry to break it to you. It is in our very nature to be imperfect. Well so what? That God that you may imagine to be crazy far away and that you can never match up to isn't that far at all. He's right here, waiting for you. You will never be good enough, but He is always good to us. Get it in your head that He loves you passionately, something you can't comprehend and probably never will. So forget about trying to be good enough and just give your life to the One who gave His for you. Living your life for Him will give every kind act you do a little more meaning. It will shape your life and you will have a reason to do the things you don't quite understand why you do. Don't think that He sees a mess when He looks at you. God loves you for who you are and that is something you almost never see from people today. People love you only if you love them back. People give to you when you give to them. There are conditions to that love. That's where God differs. He loves you regardless of the mess you may be in but He looks past all of that and sees your heart. You are beautiful in His eyes. You are worth something.

Vows?

Much has happened since the last post and I apologize for the long delay in writing another one. Anyway some of the exciting events that have occurred are as follows: saw True Grit twice (starring Jeff Bridges, Jeff Bridges, and the amazing...Jeff Bridges), seeing and hanging out with great friends, working with Vicky, but the most exciting...my brother getting engaged to his girlfriend of six years plus (I think those figures are right). Anyway, this big step signifies a beautiful thing...family. What a privilege that God has bestowed upon us. The aforementioned girlfriend is an awesome young lady who I am more than happy to call my own sister (eventually). My brother's proposal has provoked much thought as to the thought of family and how the proposal to be with one person for the rest of your life is much like that of our relationship with Christ. In fact, the bible compares our faith in Christ to that of a marriage and what an accurate description (props to you God). When my brother proposed to this girl, it is essentially telling (asking is a big part of it too) that special someone that "You are my only love, the one I pledge to be faithful to for the rest of my known life here on this earth...do you want the same?" When we trust in God for our salvation, we have made that self-same solemn pledge to Him. We made a vow to be faithful to Him and Him alone while promising to spend the rest of our lives getting to know Him more and more. That's quite the vow. How have your vows been holding up?

Something to be Thankful For

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have had ample time to reflect on what I am thankful for and there is quite a lot. God has blessed me beyond measure over the years and, to some degree, I haven't given Him the credit He is due which = all credit. So I'm just going to share some things that I am thankful for. So here it goes
I Thank God for...
my mother Lolita, a strict but loving mother that has kept me on the straight and narrow while allowing me to grow and experience things as I grow older, my father Daniel who has faithfully provided for our family, my brother Jed that I believe God has put in my life as a test to my faith, my brother Jesse that has been a joy to be around, talk to, jam with, and observe in the way he lives out his faith, a best friend Ben who has been there for me for as long as I can remember, strengthening me when I whined and rejoicing with me as he always made me laugh (and still does), my youth pastor Joey who has served as a father figure to me and best friend, keeping me accountable to who I am and what is right in God's eyes, my senior pastor Bob, who has honestly been one of the most Godly men I have ever known showing a great deal of integrity while presenting the Word of God truthfully and understandably, my church family back home who has supported me since I was just a wee lad, the opportunity to go to a university right out of high school and providing for the expenses that come along with that, the community and church that I have found here in Merced, a great friend and accountability partner, Mike Burns who has been such an encouragement to me, my many good friends whom I love dearly back home: Ashley, Jesse's Ashley, Alex, Scott, Frank, Alyssa, Orestes, Levi and so many others, all the adult leaders in the church back home that have also set a Godly example and who have also surrounded me with a good community, the musical talents that God has given me for the sole purpose of glorifying Him through melodious songs, the sweet computer I am typing on right now (Bernie MAC Dre, given to me by my amazing parents), the car that I drive, the food that I have, and the clothes on my back.

This is just but a small list comprised off the top of my head but there is so much more out there that I am sure I am forgetting.There is always something that you can be thankful for. Realize that the computer you are reading this from is a blessing in and of itself. If you have food, hot water, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and are able to read and write (which I am sure you can, otherwise you would be incapable of reading this), then you are quite fortunate whether you think so or not. Some families wake up every day not knowing if they will even be able to eat. So how dare I ever complain about the circumstances that I am in...despite anything that happens, I am blessed and I am thankful. To Him be the glory and praise forever and ever.

Psalm 100:4-5
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Sacrifice

I recently watched the movie called "Seven Pounds" and my, was I amazed. The beginning of the film seems to have little direction or plot, just random things happening for no apparent reason. As good movies do, they begin to explain those reasons with the events that follow later on. I don't want to spoil the movie if you haven't seen it yet (I say this because I suggest you watch it when you get the chance) but it is actually the motivator that pushed me to write this (in the process of explaining myself, however, I may spoil it [as to what degree I do, decide for yourself] haha).

Basically, it starts with a fatal mistake. A screw up...something that cannot be taken back or fixed. But the remainder of that person's life is spent trying to make up for that one mistake. To redeem if you will. But can anything be done to really "fix" those things? Unfortunately, the answer is no. However, if one lived a blameless life free of wrongdoing...perhaps their sacrifice could serve as the ultimate redemption for that person's life. But why in the world would anyone do that for imperfect and blemished beings? The answer is simple...love. Love that cannot be comprehended but that CAN be seen. Love that is not based upon a conditional response from the recipient of that love but rather on the presence of that love alone. There is no condition. Just someone willing to give their life as payment for the wrongdoing of the world, including you and I. Obviously, this "someone" is Jesus Christ. All He gave was everything and all He wants is you. All of you.

Which brings me to the reason as to why I am sharing this with you. I must confess that I don't feel that I have been giving all of myself to Him. I have held back to some degree. I haven't given my all. After watching "Seven Pounds" God really convicted my heart (kinda weird ain't it?). I felt Him telling me that, "Yes, you have been spending time with Me, and yes, you do give up a lot for Me...but I want more and I know that you try, but you have not given me your life." And this is true. I have been reading my bible...but I have been watching TV and playing videogames much more. I have been praying but I need to be praying ALL OF THE TIME. The problem lies within me. I have not given all of my life to Christ as He willingly gave up His for mine. The problem is that I have been trying to find my life rather than trying to lose it for His name's sake. So now, I choose to die to self and live for Christ. I will put aside my wants and my desires for the furthering of His kingdom rather than mine.

I will love as He loved me. I will give to others when it is in my power to do so. I only know what love is because He laid down His life for me (and you) in perfect love. Jesus has revealed that love requires one thing. Sacrifice.

Galatians 2:20- ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Proverbs 3:27-²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

Matthew 10:39-³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

John 15:12-13- ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

1 John 3:16- ¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

John 13:34-35- ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Introduction

Well, going to Trilogy (college conference for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) was definitely a great experience for me. We were challenged in so many ways and there was quite a bit to chew on after the weekend. However, the most impacting challenge that I encountered involved a talk on witnessing and the limitations that we, as believers, place on ourselves. I know for me, that witnessing can be a very scary thing (maybe for you too). But anyway there was a point made by the speaker that hit me pretty hard and it was this, "If Jesus is your best friend, like we all claim, then why aren't you introducing Him to the people you know." Now, to some people that does not apply but for a lot of us, I think, we are scared of it. I know I have been and have made several excuses to make up for it. These excuses include but are not limited to: just living the gospel (I'll talk about if and only if they ask about it), I am afraid of the rejection that can easily come with sharing the gospel, I assume someone else will do it if it's really God's will, I am afraid that I wont have the answers to their questions and that I am not ready for it yet. As far as the first listed item is concerned, it was quite eye opening for me to hear. Yes, of course Jesus lived the gospel and He showed that in the ways He talked, acted, and presented Himself. But more importantly, Christ openly talked about it. If we are truly trying to be imitators of Christ we need to be doing the same. Jesus did not wait for the opportunity to present itself, but rather He created the opportunity without hesitation. He had a mission and a gameplan that He did not falter from. Don't wait for the opportunity to introduce Christ, create it.

The Mountaintop Experience

So, I've been thinking about this topic for quite some time now and it has come up continually over the years of attending countless Christian camps, retreats, concerts or even mission trips. The idea that we are going to have an awesome time at yet another life-changing Christian event and will get closer to God as He meets us there. Last Friday, I went to a worship team meeting and practice for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and we talked about the upcoming retreat which I am attending called Trilogy. Anyways, when it got around to prayer requests many of the people there were asking that God will show up at Trilogy and that His presence will be felt throughout the entire place and that people's lives will be changed. Now, I'm all for that don't get me wrong. But I couldn't help but think, God always shows up ALL the time. We just have to be willing and moldable vessels for Him to shape. And why is it that we look forward to growing closer to God at these retreats anyway? Why aren't we trying to do that daily? I'll tell you why....we're lazy. We expect the "mountaintop experience" to come to us. We are complacent. We want God to cater to our needs, think about it...it's truer than you want to believe. What needs to happen is the realization that no change occurs unless a heart change occurs first. Stop expecting the "mountain" to come and rescue you. Instead, make it a point to draw closer to Him daily rather than waiting for your next "Retreat Re-Charge." Stop praying for God to show up and start praying that you show up for God.

What's Your Story?

Awhile ago, a man named Dan gave a message about what a real story consists of. First of all, you have your characters (we will just focus on the main characters for time's sake, whether protagonist or antagonist) . You grow to either love or hate these characters depending on the description of events that they have undergone and how they have handled those situations. For example, enter John, a father of three children (we'll say 2 boys and a girl) and whose wife just recently passed away in a terrible accident. [Already, you begin to feel sympathy towards this character but need to know more about him before you form your opinion.] John struggles with the tough loss of his wife while also trying to provide for his children whom he loves dearly (this is where you begin to see his character unfold). He fights to put food on the table for his children by boxing in the ring every Friday night. John risks everything every time he steps into the ring, always facing opponents much bigger and stronger than he was. But his motivation fueled him to conquer his giants. Anyways, I think you get the point about the whole description thing. But the main point is that John isn't one dimensional, he has feelings and convictions that govern his life. A good story contains characters that take risks.

Secondly, a good story has a good plot. This plot contains conflicts, turning points, and resolutions which build upon the characters while captivating your interest. But your interest is only sparked if the plot is interesting, no one reads a boring story (unless you must for school).

So think about it. What if your life were a book? Would people want to read your story? Do you take risks? Do you face conflicts and overcome them for the better? Or are you a boring read who hides behind the scenes, only wanting to meet the bare minimum? I encourage you to look within yourself and realize that Christ's life was the best book of all (DUH!), He gave His life as the biggest risk just for you and He wants to be the resolution to the conflicts you face. If you want to be the #1 Best Seller, you need to be Best Seller material. So...let's hear it.