Posts tagged humility
I hate when pastors smell like cheese
Feb 19th
I thought this was cheesy, until I realized that was the point. If were not ourselves, then we end up being cheesy.
But if you will allow me to be cheesy, for just this once, please do…It’s harder to be cheesy.
“It ain’t easy being cheesy.” – Chester Cheetah
Forgiven in the Tune of Coldplay
Feb 16th
(PHOTO from Shannon’s Rocket Photography)
I don’t listen to K-LOVE, but every time I pass by lately, they seem to be playing “Forgiven” by Sanctus Real…
The song, overall, is great. Although I think there was just a little too much influence from Coldplay. But that’s just my opinion. I’m a Coldplay fan, I’m just saying, come on Sanctus Real that sounds just like… But the lyrics are incredible. And I probably wouldn’t have stopped and listened if it weren’t for, dare I say, the influence of Coldplay.
I’m forgiven, nothing more and nothing less. There is not a more appropriate term to describe me than, forgiven. At one point in my life, I was less than forgiven and now I have freedom to serve a faithful God. But I can never be more than forgiven, so I need to stop trying.
It’s very easy to rely on the “forgiven” part, as opposed to relying on the one who did the forgiving. Instantly when we sin, we are so quick to say, God will forgive. Or even, God has forgiven. Maybe it’s just me that does this, but I see that when I focus on being forgiven, that I tend to justify myself and my actions. For instance, I’m giving Sanctus Real a hard time for creating a song that sounds a lot like Coldplay, and this is just my opinion. If I’m wrong, it’s ok, I’m forgiven.
But instead, I believe this forgiveness should cause a relentless “Thank You” and that should then be followed with sharing the capability of this amazing forgiveness with others.
Yes I’m forgiven, but I should never see forgiveness as a “Get out of jail for free” card.
I know I’ve been hard on you, but great song Sanctus Real!
We'll get em next time…
Jul 9th
Have you ever looked deep within yourself? I mean when it happens unintentionally and it’s the last thing you expected to happen. Like when you’re watching a movie and the suspense builds and then bam, Rocky is being tormented by the loss of Apollo. Is there a better encouraging movie character than Rocky? He is always the underdog and I always root for the underdog. I have never viewed myself more than an underdog. I have demons that always seem to keep me from being more. Personally, I have dealt with depression, anxiety, and failure.
I don’t know why I allow these things to sneak up on me.
Yes, I believe these emotions can be prevented. No, I personally won’t take medication to aid myself.
For me I wonder if this happens as a reality check. Like the valley. The mountains aren’t as sweet if you have never stood at the bottom and were forced to look up. I have always likened my life to one of those air filled clowns with weight at the bottom. You know those punching bags for kids that when you punch it, it comes back. I don’t see myself as the punching bag but as the one throwing the punches. Have you ever seen a little kid hit one of those bags and then the clown pops right back up and knocks the kid over?
I always try to control everything. I can throw punches at life over and over and keep the clown at bay but eventually this lifestyle wears me down. And before I know it the bag always comes back and knocks me down. I’m being literal here. I try to control God and like a great boxer he lets me swing, knowing that he will tire me out. He’s the patient one. His patience is where I find peace because I always know he’s in my corner ready to take my mouthpiece out, wipe off my blood, and pat me on the back.
Peter or Paul
Apr 9th
I have been digging through the events that lead up to Jesus’ death. I always try to find some detail that I have never noticed before. Actually, I found 2 things that made me go hmm. I won’t talk about them though. I don’t feel like hashing through Jewish customs on this platform.
Something that I realized, while doing this, is I like Peter. Reading about Peter reminds me of myself. More so his failures than his successes. I love how Peter is revealed as a real dude. I am not sure why Jesus’ other company is not. Maybe Peter was just more vulnerable and didn’t punch people in the mouth when his purposes were questioned.
I am not a big fan of Paul. Paul was a stud. Paul changed the world. But I don’t think we would have got along. I know people thought he was an ass at times. Believe me I should be more like Paul but I just don’t think we would have jived.
Peter loved Christ. Peter loved his culture. Christ loved Peter. Jesus gave Peter a cool nickname as well. The Rock.
Some say that Peter was the rock that the church should be founded upon. Catholic priests consider themselves representatives of Peter’s position. Another thing I love about Peter is that he dared to walk on water. Ya, he sunk but at least he had the nuts to step off. He trusted Christ but then began to look else where. Who hasn’t?
Back to the Easter scene. Peter denied Christ. The rooster crowed. Peter was questioned about his companionship with Christ. The rooster crowed. He had been seen with Christ. Peter was picked out of a crowd. He must have been influential in Christ’s ministry within the region. There is a party going in the midst of Jesus’ trial, I can only imagine chaos. Yet Peter stands out. He is accused of being with the Nazarene. His actions proceed him. And we all know he denies his relationship with Christ.
It’s easy to be the armchair quarterback and say you wouldn’t have denied Christ. We deny Christ everyday. This day coming up, that is filled with peeps and little girls in flowery dresses, should be the ultimate reminder of how Christ didn’t deny us. Christ didn’t deny Peter even though He called Peter out on denying Him.
Peter went on to runamuck in Christ’s name. I think we should realize that our denial of Christ is magnified during this season. When you walk out of church Sunday, will you have realized that you deny Christ or will you just be saddened by the torture inflicted upon Jesus? Regardless, I plan on coming out with guns blazing. I plan on being a better follower. I plan on being a better husband. I plan on being a better father.
We must remember that Jesus chose to face the cross. When his boys were sleeping while they were to be on the look out He knew he would be betrayed. He didn’t call on a legion of angels. He followed through with the Father’s will but it wasn’t easy for Him. He asked the Father to give him the strength to complete this task.
He wanted to die for you. You chose Him at your convenience but do you follow Him? I guess the best person to ask that question to is Christ himself. Sunday, this is what I intend to do. I plan on asking my Savior, “Do I follow you in a manner that benefits your cause?”
I stole Los’ post!
Mar 24th
I know the infamous Los doesn’t need me sending you to his blog, because if you happen to read this, then you probably check his insight long before you check mine. However, I insist that you check his greatest post ever, now!
I have wanted to say this but I have been afraid. The church has lost touch with it’s divine purpose. I have lost touch with my ultimate intention as a believer. We have tried to be cool. And in doing this we are not ourselves. We have tried to be edgy. And in doing this we have lost our foundation. We have tried to be trendy. And in doing this have swayed from ecclesiastical ideology.
Jesus and his followers were not viewed as cool. Loving them or hating them, their community knew they were real though. Jesus and his crew were real people with real problems with a real answer. They were either accepted or rejected but they did not attempt to bring people in with making their claims relevant by trying to familiarize themselves with trends. It was quite the opposite. I am not saying that the church as a whole is doing anything wrong but that it is not being as effective as possible. Let’s break bread and offer a full meal in our dirty homes. Let’s worship him by rejecting sin. Let’s relate to them by being vulnerable with our faults. Let’s allow people to see the real us. Let’s quit making pastors famous and make Jesus famous. Heck, let’s make sure that we spend more time corporately outside the four walls than we do inside them.
But, who am I?
