Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, 
   to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[a] his shoulder,
   and his name shall be called^[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 


This year I truly hope we will get to know Jesus as the prince of peace.  It seems to me that each year violence is becoming more prevalent, hate is showing itself in new ways, and we seem to be finding new reasons to consider war.  I pray this Christmas we can look to peace across the world.  I pray that their will be peace in each person's home, each person's family gathering, and I pray that their will be peace in each one of our hearts.  Merry Christmas.


Blessings,


Greg

Broken Past, Hopeful Future

There is a fine line between hate and love.  Unfortunately Christian history is filled with "Christians" proliferating hate in the name of love.  What seems so obvious to us today was not so simple at different points in history.  We now live in a time where everyone in the western world has access to the Bible and we each have the ability to read and understand it.  This has not been so for most of Christian history.  Imagine trying to be a follower of Christ and only getting input from a priest.  Most of the people in Christian history would not have been able to read the Bible even if it had been available to them.  There have been many times in our history where "the church" spawned more hate and murder than the most sinful of nations.  Oh how well the devil has been able to harm the world's view of Jesus through jaded followers.

I would like to believe that since we now live in an age were the Bible is readily available and accessible to all in the western world that we would no longer have the problems of our past.  Unfortunately, we all know that this is not true.  We still have people who twist the Bible and then teach their twisted perspective to willing followers who chose not to read and understand the Bible for themselves.  What is even worse is today we not only have hating, bigoted, vile people who profess Christianity, we also have many Christians today that believe Christianity is no better than any other religion and is only one way to find peace and heaven in this world.  The devil is still at work in our churches and there is still a large majority of people who have chosen not to read the Bible for themselves but to be swayed and wooed by men who intend to use the Bible for their own purposes.

Though I have to admit that I struggle greatly with both ideologies in our world today, I know that the only answer to truly battle the false teachings within the Christian realm is to truly live Christ authentically and boldly.  Hatred plus hatred does not equal love.  Vile words plus vile words does not equal peace.  judgment plus righteous anger does not equal living Jesus.  We have to live love.  We have to live truth.  We have to stand for the principles that Jesus set in place.  We have to love our enemies and let Jesus be the judge not us.  We have to be willing to humble ourselves to serve.  We have to be willing to go the second mile with the one who forced us to go the first mile. We have to be willing to lay down our lives for our brothers.  We have to be willing to sacrifice everything we are for the love Jesus lived and died for.

Jesus did not reach the world for himself by fighting the world but by dying in the place of sinners that they may have salvation available to them.  We have to learn from Jesus, Paul, and the disciples.  We have to stand up and be  different from the world.  We have to live love even when the world wants to perpetuate hate through intolerance.  We have to want to speak the truth when the world want all truth to be equal.  We have to live counter culture.  We have to authentically live Jesus daily no matter the consequences, which may include: broken relationships, lost jobs, and persecution.  Jesus intended for His followers to draw the world to Him not repel the world from Him.  It is our time to live authentically in Christ!  I challenge you to stand up and live Christ fully today.

Blessings,

Greg

Echelon

These lyrics from the song Echelon by Pillar sum up what is on my heart tonight.  Please read them closely.  


You know it's time for us to step it up
Another level now 'cause we finished warming up
So we rise up elevate to maintain fill up with octane
And fan the flame we regain all the names
The enemy took away
And like a green beret we will lead the way
Into battle so have no fear we will draw near
So that we can persevere like a gondolier
We headed straight to the top nonstop
Set shop at the top of the Rock
You'll feel the aftershock after we rock the spot
Cause you forgot these soldiers won't turn and walk
We take hard knocks come back for more
Cause we're hardcore we fight for the One who died for (you)
And like Saigon we're on the frontlines
And we carry on to the end times

[Chorus]
Now that it's on, we're out in the front of this marathon
With our armor on, stay strong we drive on (drive on)
Our echelon pressin' on 'til we reach the top
And you know we don't stop (our echelon)
Now that it's on

We're on the enemy's hit list
I'm hopin' you get this
You're takin' a risk when you resist the one who made you exist
Evolutionists we got love for you too but we're breakin' down
Walls seeking out the truth
I'm a soldier in this army of One
Like I told ya the battle's already won
So about face move outta the way I gotta pray for you
And this is how we do


Do you believe these words?  Are you ready to live like this?  We are at war folks but our war is not against our fellow humans.  Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  We have got to remember why we are on this planet.  We have to remember who our allegiance is to.  In a war you don't just walk back and forth between the enemy and the ally side without consequences.  


In a war, you must choose sides or die.   In Revelation 3:16, Jesus says this to the church at Laodicea, "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."  There are spiritual consequences to trying to ride the fence.  The absolute worse place you can be in life is indifferent, apathetic, and passionless.  Jesus says that being these things is even worse than being cold, which means hostile to Him and the Gospel!  So are you ready to stand up and live out your love for Jesus so people can see it?  Does Jesus burn in your heart tonight?  Is He truly the center, the passion, and the desire of your heart?  If not, please take the time to seek out why.  There is nothing in this life that matters more than passionately following Jesus.  


I hope you believe this is true tonight.  I hope you life will display this truth daily.  I hope you will talk to me if you struggle with believing this.  I would love to pray for you if you are struggling with Jesus being the center of your life.  We, as humans, are driven by our passions.  We will be passionate about something whether it is family, work, politics, money, hobbies, the environment, technology, Jesus, etc.  I hope Jesus is at the top of your passion list.  If he is not, maybe it is time to reorganize your passion portfolio.  Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  What is your treasure and your passion tonight?  Who's side are you on?  


Blessings,


Greg

Remembrance of 9/11 and Christ

Day 34, September 11, 2011

Today is the 10^th anniversary of one of the most tragic event to ever happen on American soil.  I still remember sitting in my W100 English class on the second floor of the Knobview building on the Indiana University Southeast campus.  There was a TV in the media center that was directly next to us and we could see the news running of the 1^st tower of the World Trade Center building smoking.  I remember walking in and everyone talking about how some plane had crashed into one of the two towers.  I also remember all of us watching the TV and talking about what was going on as the second plane hit.  That was truly the point that I, and the rest of America, knew that something was catastrophically wrong. 

About 10-15 minutes after the second plane hit the towers; our teacher decided to cancel our class and I remember skipping all the other classes I had because I went home and was glued to the news coverage of the event for the rest of the day.  I remember walking through the campus on my way to my car and seeing everyone glued to the TVs.  I remember thinking that this was so weird like in a dream.  I asked myself, “Could this be really happening?  Are we at war?  Will I be drafted?”  I remember calling my family and talking with them about it.  I remember crying for our nation and crying for fear of what was to come. 

When I woke up this morning, I went to the kitchen and made breakfast then I went into the den to watch the morning news like I do every other morning.  As the TV picture and sound came on I instantly remembered 9/11 as they began reading the names of the WTC victims.  I believe it is the first time I truly got to hear each name read and to see pictures of each person.  My heart was instantly broken again to see the family reading names and giving personal tributes.  The death and loss of 9/11 became more real to me today than I believe it had on the actual day.  Even seeing former President George W Bush speak brought me back to 9/11 again.  I never truly thought I would be so affected by 9/11 the way I was this morning but I am so glad that I woke up when I did and had the opportunity to see the tribute.

 I wonder what it must have been like for the disciples and followers of Jesus 10 years after His crucifixion.  Though they knew he is resurrected and now at the right hand of the father, they must have been brought back to the tragedy and sorrow of that day.  Jesus had come into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with His disciples.  He had been ushered into Jerusalem with praises and yet in about a 24-hour period he went from celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, to praying in the garden of Gethsemane, being accused, prosecuted, and crucified. 

Can you imagine the trauma His disciples and followers must have sustained from such events?  Jesus was supposed to be the Jewish messiah and the one to deliver them from the heathens and bring the Jewish people back to a place of authority and prosperity.  They didn’t understand the many warnings Jesus had given them that He would have to die.  They didn’t know what to do now that their Savior was gone.  Their anguish must have been infinitely more than ours for 9/11.  They must’ve felt hopeless.  On top of all this many of them would have to look back and remember the cowardly position they took upon hearing that Jesus was to be crucified.  All of these memories must have flooded back into the minds of those disciples and followers who were still alive and had witnessed in the flesh the horrible day we now know as Good Friday. 

Though 9/11 fills many of us with pain and sorrow for the many Americans we lost that day and through the wars of the last ten years, we are also filled with pride at the many heroic and wonderful stories of perseverance, hope, and patriotism that was born out of that day.  We truly learned that day what our country is made of.  We all felt the pain of those who died no matter their age, race, or religion.  We all united in a cause to defend our country and to uplift the values we hold dear.  Though we can’t be proud of every decision birthed from 9/11, there was a time after 9/11 happened that we remembered who we are as Americans and as one nation under God.

The disciples and followers of Jesus also would’ve been able to see the great strides they had accomplished for the Kingdom.  Christianity grew exponentially during those ten years after Jesus’ death.  There also would have been the sobering memories of the many fallen brothers and sisters for the cause of Jesus as Christianity faced much adversity in those first ten years.  As you remember the many victims of 9/11 today and in the next few weeks, remember those who have come before us and given their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ.  Remember the precious truth we hold and are to share with the many around us who do not have Jesus today.  Today is definitely a day of mourning and celebrating for our nation but also remember our heritage in Christ and the sacrifice He made so many years ago.  May it inspire you, as 9/11 inspired many, to live life in a new way, with a new purpose, and fire for why you are on this Earth. 

Blessings,

Greg

My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 10

Day 10, August 18, 2011

Have you ever wrestled with marrying your passion with making money?  Sure you have.  We all have but what if your passion is Jesus?  Is it then wrong to do so?  I pose these questions because today I signed up for Google adsense and the Amazon affiliate program to be able to put ads on my blog that would have a monetary return if the ads were clicked.  I want to serve Jesus with all my heart and soul and yet I feel so imprisoned by the debt I still have latched around my neck.  Though I have rid myself of all my bad debt, the “good debt,” as financial gurus refer to it, feels completely suffocating.  As long as I owe money to creditors, I feel as though I will never truly be free to serve Jesus because I will be thinking about how to increase my income to erase the hole I am in.  So I decided not to continue either one of the programs on my blog at this time because I do not want to take away from Jesus as the sole purpose of my blog. 

Did you know that one-third of the parables Jesus told were about money and that 15% of everything Jesus said referred to money[1].  We in America are suffering from a great money crisis.  We can’t stop spending it.  Our government is in up to their eyeballs in debt, a financial site I found said the average American has $7800 of debt, and nearly 1 in seven people file for bankruptcy in the United States[2].  We wonder why we are having so many problems and why our nation can’t seem to get back on track.  It is so easy to blame the lawmakers, the war, the oil companies, and our neighbor but have you considered that our nation is this way because of you, me, and everyone else in this nation.  The United State at one time was the greatest Christian nation in the world and maybe we still are but look at how much we have tarnished our effective witness by how deep we have sunk ourselves in the quagmire of debt, materialism, Hollywood movies, music, tv shows, sports, and so many other utterly useless and damaging things to our walks. 

Please don’t get me wrong.  I do not believe that money is the root of all evil and that is not what the Bible proposes either.  1 Timothy 6:10 makes it extremely clear that, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”   I think most of us can agree that this statement hits close to home in America today.  It is time for us to stand up for what is right, to show fiscal responsibility, and to demand the same for our nation.   As long as we are entangled in debt we are allowing the enemy to keep us from fully serving our Lord and Savior.  We are hampering our ability to affect the world for the kingdom of God.  Do you choose freedom today?  I

 would love to see a news report talking about all the many Christians in the world who chose to get out of debt and succeeded.  Then I would love to hear the many stories of all the ways they are now able to contribute to the kingdom of God through this financial freedom.  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing.  Well it can start with you and me.  

The reason I believe this issue was on my heart today is because I believe Jesus was showing me that the many idols in my life keep me from worshipping Him alone.  It is time for me to clean house, to claim freedom in Christ, and to cast off the heavy burdens I carry.  Through this I will be better able to truly know Jesus. 

Lord,

Give me the strength and courage to stand up for financial freedom.  Help me to focus on things of kingdom worth instead of the many things that battle for my money each day.  May I remember that knowing you and sharing you with others should always be the primary goal and purpose of my life.  I love you Lord and I want my heart to fully know you and serve you without any other masters.  I lay this at your feet.

Amen

Blessings,

Greg  

P.S.  If you have stories of financial freedom or know people who do, I would love to hear them and also hear how much more you have been able to do for the kingdom of Christ because of this freedom.  It would be so wonderful and uplifting to share stories of success for those still wading through the swamp of debt on the road to freedom.  Also if you have advice that may help those still struggling with debt to find freedom faster or any methods that helped you achieve success that would also be great.  Sharing encouragement and wisdom to other believers is such a wonderful and essential part of the Christian walk!

My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 6.5

Day 6.5, August 15, 2011

Some of you may be wondering what I mean by 6.5.  My coworker and I were cutting down trees at work this morning when I remembered something about yesterday that I forgot to put in my day 6 blog.  Yesterday afternoon Mel and I watched a movie called Home of the Brave.  The movie takes a candid look into the life of soldiers serving in Iraq and the struggles they have after coming home.  With two loved ones away in Afghanistan, this movie really hit home for my wife and I.  It helped us to see some of the things that our loved ones might be experiencing, especially my friend in the front line infantry, and helped us gain perspective of how to better love on the soldiers when they come home. 

This movie really helped me to gain a larger amount of respect for what our service men do and how they are working to protect our country.  I miss both my friend and brother very much but trust that the Lord is protecting and uplifting them in this difficult time.  The movie also dealt with the strain that deployments can put on spouse and kids as well as parents.  So many people are hurting and worrying behind the scenes when a service member is deployed and we need to pray for peace and comfort for each of them.  Whether you support this war or not please remember to respect and honor our troops who are working hard to protect our country.  I am so thankful for the men and women who are in the service and hope that our Lord will continue to protect them in these difficult times. 

Blessings,