Battle of the Heart

Day 29, September 6, 2011

As a maintenance technician, I spend a lot of time on a mower, weed eater, or tractor.  I get plenty of time to think while doing these jobs and today was no different.  I spent my whole day on the mower and during that time I was able to pray for family and friends in my life, think about my own walk and life in Christ, and what I needed to do to accomplish all my tasks this week.  Occasionally throughout my time on the mower though, my mind would float to things that were not true and honorable.  This is a struggle for me because I know that it is important for my mind to be focused on what is right  as seen in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

I felt like the Lord was showing me how important it is for me to guard my heart and mind daily.  In America, we encounter so many media advertisements, marketing devices, and people that try and divert our attention to them.  If you watch TV, listen to the radio, browse the Internet, drive down the road, or eat food outside your house, you will encounter things that are trying to gain your attention, time, and money.  I have always found it incredible that people will argue that these things in no way affect their daily walk in Christ. Matthew 15:17-20 helps to accentuate the need to keep our minds pure saying, “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”  Things that come out of our heart are directly proportional to the things we put in our heart.

Psalm 19:12-14 says, “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.  Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. 
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.  May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  This is my prayer daily that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart would be pleasing to the Lord.  Is that yours also?  So many times we can excuse our thoughts as being something that we can’t control.  This is why I believe that the songs we listen to, the shows and movies we watch, the people we hang out with, the things we look at on the Internet, and the passions we focus on do indeed influence our hearts.  We have to be so careful to guard our hearts.  Psalm 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”  From our hearts, flow the springs of life.   Just like America, and much of the world, has polluted most of their fresh water systems by not protecting the waters from pollution, we pollute our hearts by not guarding them from the garbage we allow to enter them. 

The problem is that our hearts are so easily polluted and many times we miss that there is even anything wrong.  The only way we can purify our hearts is to bring them, filled with all our trash, to the Father and let him completely clean them and fill them with His pure living water.  I don’t know about you but I don’t like to bring my polluted heart to the Lord because I only want to bring Him my best.  The thing is that we can never clean our hearts on our own because purity comes from Christ and it is only through Him we can find purity and healing.  As Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”  This verse means that we must come before God humble and penitent.  Through seeking forgiveness and laying our burdened, polluted hearts before Jesus, we will gain freedom and purity from our sins. 

In your daily walk, I hope you will seek to live the advice Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, “man of God, flee from all this [unrighteousness, false witness, and love of material possessions], pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 

Blessings,

Greg 

Are you Called?

Day 28, September 5, 2011

My wife and I are young adult ministers at a church plant in our town.  As we grow in our ministry at the church, we contemplate the idea of calling.  Our church plant has decided to train up each of its new members with the belief that every member of the church should have or be a part of a ministry.  In thinking about this concept, my wife and I have had a lot of discussion about what it means to be called to ministry.  Are only select people called or are we all called.  Is a calling a special assignment given to you by God or can it be a general way of life and ministry expected of us all.  So in thinking about how callings affect our life I wrote the following piece.  

What is a calling?  Most people think of a calling as something that a minister, pastor, or missionary receives.  In fact our society for the most part perpetuate the idea that there is the called and then the rest of us.  There are many examples in the Bible that people could use to back up the idea of a calling being of a specific and special nature.  Look at Abraham, Paul, the 12 Disciples, Moses, and so many more.  Each one fulfilled a special calling on their life from God. 

What I want to talk about tonight though is the view of a calling to each and every one of us.  When you look at the passage we know today as the Great Commission you can begin to see what I mean.  In Matthew 28:18-20 it says,  “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”  In this passage Jesus makes it clear that the disciples are to go out and make more disciples for Jesus.  If we look at this example in the fullness of what Jesus intended we can began to see the brilliance of Jesus’ plan for this world. 

Jesus took 12 men and spent three and a half years pouring His heart and soul into them.  He was preparing them for the moment of the Great Commission.  When He told them to go out to all the nations and make disciples they should’ve instantly understood the magnitude of what he was asking.  I was reading a book once that posited the idea of each of us just raising up five disciples and perpetuating them to do the same.  If we figure the same amount of time that Jesus poured into the disciples one person using this model would be able to evangelize the whole world in just 45 years.  Please do not read that last sentence lightly or just disregard it as an impossible concept.  I mean really truly dwell on those figures.

Around the time of Jesus there were only about 800,000 to 1.4 million people on the planet.  If the disciples had only ministered to and discipled 5 people each and admonished those five to do the same and on and on then the whole world would have been reached for Jesus in less than 30 years.  Can you imagine the implications of this?  The population of the planet today is 5,000 times larger than what it was in Jesus time.  If you don’t believe that it is possible for Christianity to spread like wildfire, just look at the example of Paul.  He changed the gentile world for Christ in his own lifetime.  This is not to say that he didn’t have help but he did preach Christ boldly and raised up men to do likewise and look at all that was accomplished through his example.

It is so easy to believe that a calling is for the few, the special, the elite but the reality is that all of us as Christ followers are called to live as Paul.  Jesus demanded nothing less than our all.  He declared that each one of us is to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them, and teach them about Jesus.  This command or calling was delivered as a never-ending command.  We were to be taught to do this by those who discipled us in Christ as we are to teach those we discipline in Christ.  I don’t know about you but I think that many Christians today missed the importance of what Jesus was trying to tell the 12 disciples to do. 

Christianity is not to be a safe and comfy get out of Hell religion.  There are very few people in the Bible that lived comfortable and laid back lives for Jesus.  To follow Jesus meant the possibility of death and certainly demanded commitment and passionate beliefs.  We have forgotten the importance and the implications of being a Christian today.  Western culture has slowly and completely deflated the importance and immediacy of the Gospel message.  We have been lulled into a trance of believing that everything is okay and that the world isn’t that bad.  Wake up dear children of God.  Remember who you are.  Remember why Jesus had to come and what he chose to die for.  Until the day that Jesus comes back for those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior of their lives, we are to spend every moment trying to proclaim and minister to those around us the good news. 

We live in a world today that is slowly and silently squelching our freedom of religion and free speech.  Businesses are now including religious harassment as a way of being fired.  The media is bombarding us with eastern religious beliefs and the idea that we can all get along and live happily together because there is no devil, no hell, and no judgment.  We have been taught to apologize for the possible offensive nature of the gospel and have even come to the point of apologizing for inconveniencing anyone on the celebration of Christian holidays.  It is time we stand up for truth again.  It is time we proclaim it at all cost even in America.  It is time that we wake up and come alive beloved.  Jesus desires us to live passionate sold out lives for Him like Paul.  Will you stand up and proudly live and proclaim Jesus today?  Accept your calling today to live, proclaim, and teach Christ, yes, even to the end of the earth.

Blessings,

Greg

Rekindling Passion

Day 27, September 4, 2011

I have to admit that one of my biggest struggles in knowing Jesus is consistency.  It is hard for me to focus on a daily task such as this blog.  It feels easy just to blame this struggle on my ADD and inability to do so but I really feel like that is a cop out.  I have no problem dwelling on the many things I am passionate about daily.  I have never once forgot a meal.  I am always on time for my favorite TV shows.  I have no problem dwelling on a song I am writing, a computer problem I am fixing, or a date I am planning for my wife.  Why is it then that I struggle so much to consistently do devotion, prayer, and this blog? 

I was listening to a song on K-Love earlier today by Jason Grey called, More Like Falling in Love.  The Lyrics are as follows:

Give me rules 


I will break them 


Give me lines 


I will cross them 


I need more than a truth to believe 


I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes 


To sweep me off my feet 


It ought to be 



[Chorus]

More like falling in love 


Than something to believe in 


More like losing my heart 


Than giving my allegiance 


Caught up, called out 


Come take a look at me now 


It's like I'm falling, oh 


It's like I'm falling in love 



Give me words 


I'll misuse them 


Obligations 


I'll misplace them 


'Cause all religion ever made of me 


Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet 


It never set me free 


It's gotta be 



CHORUS 



...It's like I'm falling in love, love, love 


Deeper and deeper 


It was love that made 
Me a believer 


In more than a name, a faith, a creed 


Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me

The two most incredible lines in this song are, “'Cause all religion ever made of me 
was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet. 
It never set me free” and “It was love that made 
Me a believer.”   There is such truth in these lines.  I have never been compelled to develop a relationship with Jesus out of more than a sense of guilt by religion.  It was the love of my Savior that compelled me to want to become a believer in Jesus.  At times I forget this love and get caught up in all the other things that I love or are vying for my attention. 

In this struggle, I intend to rekindle that flame of love I had for my Savior.  This was the flame where I would do anything for my Lord.  Do you remember it?  The flame where you would’ve went and proclaimed Christ to any country or people.  This is the flame where you were willing to do any service project, ministry, or event for Christ.  Do you remember when all your thoughts were on your Lord, His word, and His will for your life?  Do you remember when your only answer to Him was, “Here am I, send me Lord?” 

I remember those days and somewhere in the process of becoming an adult my flame dwindled down to a small flickering candle.  When I was younger just out of High School and entering college, I remember that flame was like a mighty bonfire.  I was ready to conquer the world for Christ.  Some would say that those dreams and ambitions of ministering like Paul were immature and unrealistic but I would say that they were spot on.  Why do many of us view Paul as a little goofy?  Maybe it is because he was totally and completely sold out for Jesus even to the point of dying.  Today that is perceived as weird but you know what?  I guarantee Paul received a well done good and faithful servant upon entering heaven. 

I honestly have no interest in just making it into heaven by the skin of my teeth.  I want to be able to be welcomed into heaven knowing that I served my Lord well.  I want to make it clear that I in no way believe I can earn my way into heaven or believe that there is any way to heaven but through Jesus’ perfect and saving grace.  I am not talking about earning my way to heaven.  I am talking about serving my Lord with all my being.  I’m talking about living a life that is completely sold out for my Lord even to the possibility of dying for Him like Paul.  I don’t know about you but when I am really honest with myself I highly respect and wish I could live like Paul.  I respect Paul because when Jesus asked him to do something there was nothing that was going to keep him from accomplishing the task that Jesus called him to.  He lived a passionate life for Christ.

If you want to live a passionate life for Christ then join with me today as I continue on the journey to know and live more passionately for Jesus daily.  I am sorry that I had three days without writing a blog.  I will be working to continue a daily blog update as I did when I first started.  I ask that you please pray for me as I continue growing closer to Christ and learning to walk as He did and hopefully living as passionately as Paul did.  I hope you all have a wonderful Labor day. 

Blessings,

Greg    


My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 24

Day 24, September 1, 2011

Today I am really feeling the absence of my coworker.  Yesterday the guy who was our summer help at my work left for Colorado on his way to a school out west.  I was truly blessed to have his help, friendship, and fellowship throughout this summer.  The moment that you truly feel the loss is the day after when you no longer have a helpmate with you.  It is so strange to back to doing everything by myself.  Though I do like being able to count on a schedule and do things on my timetable, I will thoroughly miss the great conversations and the added muscle power my coworker brought to the job. 

I have had many times in life that I have felt alone in the task before me.  It is hard for me to rely on others for help and to depend on someone to accomplish the task the way I want it to be done.  A lot of the times I would rather take care of the task myself so that I know that it will be done right and in the amount of time I planned for.  Jesus has been working in my heart and life to teach me how to open my heart and let someone partner with me in the many tasks I do from: housework, my job, ministry, my walk, and so much more.

I am also learning daily that even in the times I feel alone, God is always with me working to help me have all I need to accomplish my task.  I have never been alone in my life because He has always been with me.  Isn’t there peace knowing that you are never alone.  It is so wonderful to know that you always have someone to depend on.   Will you open yourself up to depend on someone else today?  Will you trust our Lord to lead you and guide you through this life.  Remember you are never alone. 

Blessings,

Greg

My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 23

Day 23, August 31, 2011

It was so wonderful to begin to watch our young adults group take shape today.  There is nothing more rewarding than to see the passion and excitement in our young adult group as we discuss new topics, purpose statements, and group names.  I am always delightfully surprised by the many awesome comments and insights our group interjects during each Wednesday night.  I love them and am so blessed to be able to lead the group with my wife. 

In the past couple weeks we began a weekly get together with our pastor to assess where we are with the student groups we lead, form new goals we hope to accomplish, and discuss new ways to overcome roadblocks we face.  These weekly meetings have really blessed us, as we have been able to better understand what the pastor expects of us along with being able to hone our own goals and purposes within the group.  It is so important to have a bearing in life and to know what you want to do and how you want to get there.  This is not to say that you will have it all figured out but it is definitely helpful to at least have a line of sight to where you want to go.

This is true in all areas of our life.  Without a bearing we are literally going nowhere.  I definitely do not subscribe to the, “let’s see where life takes us” mantra.  Though I am not always clear on what I am to be doing in my life, I am always clear that God is the captain and commander of my life.  My bearing is constantly set on Him and I trust even the glimpse of direction that he gives me.  Even if my bearing is no larger than walking from one side of the room to the other, I at least know that I need to walk to the other side of the room and that my Lord will provide more details as he sees fit. 

One of my previous boss’s, who was a wise mentor and Godly follower of God, gave me this wisdom, “take time to figure out what the last thing God said to you or the last thing God led you to do was and dwell there till He leads you to move or think on something else.”  At first, I did not understand what she meant because I was having enough trouble identifying what the last thing God had lead me in was but slowly as I began to pay attention to God’s leading on my heart I began to see the wisdom of staying exactly where God has me.  I am to seek first my Father’s will in all aspects of my life.  If I am not doing this, than I need to reorient myself and find my bearing in Him.  There is no life or purpose outside of God because He is the originator of life and our purpose. 

Have you found your bearings?  Do you know where God has you today or what the last word he laid on your heart was?  I hope you will take the time to ponder our Lord’s movement on your heart.  I love that the Lord is constantly working in us, growing and preparing us for each step in this life.  We are so blessed to have such a lovely creator who is intimately involved in our lives. 

Blessings,

Greg

My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 22

Day 22, August 30, 2011

This day, 29 years ago, I was born in Cookeville Tennessee.  A birthday is a lot like New Years Eve for me except instead of a year-end review it is a life review.  On my birthday, I take a review of my life.  I take a look at what I have accomplished, what I still want to accomplish, how many people I have in my life who are important to me, and if I am in a better place this year than last.  Sometimes my birthdays have been quite depressing and others wonderfully uplifting. 

This year I turned twenty-nine and I think the reality that I am only one year away from thirty really took it’s toll.  There is something about changing decades that is sobering in all stages of life.  Thirty, for me, is that transition from being a young adult to just an adult.  It makes this year feel all the more important because it will be the last one I have in my twenties.  

I know many of you out there who are older and wiser than me know that the transition to thirty is not that big a deal and I am sure I will one day agree but today I plot what I want to accomplish by thirty.  In order to know what I want to accomplish this year, I have to look back and see where I am today.  I have come so far in my life and am so blessed to have a wife who loves me, a house, a job I love, a ministry position at my church, friends and family who love and support me, and the best friend a guy could ever have.  As I take stock in the things I still want to accomplish, Some things I think of are: to write a song worth recording, to write a book worth reading, to become a paid minister, to grow a garden with enough produce to last the winter, and to do something truly extraordinary for Christ’s kingdom.   

In the past year I have met and had the privilege of getting to know some wonderful people who have blessed and enriched my life.  I have discovered who my true friends are through their desires to continue a relationship whether we are in direct contact all the time or not.  My life has been one of many geographic transitions and throughout those many moves I have watched hundreds of people drop out of my life forever.  Some of those people were people that I dearly loved and others were just acquaintances. 

I do not expect people to stay in my life when I am no longer in close proximity to their lives be it through work, church, programs, activities, or otherwise because of the many people who have disappeared in the past.  This model has not held true in the past year though.   To my delight, people from jobs I used to work and churches I used to attend have kept up contact with me.  It is so foreign and yet delightful to have friends that don’t just disappear as life changes. 

My wife and I went out for a birthday dinner tonight and I invited a special group of friends from the church we used to attend and they all came to celebrate my birthday.  It was such a blessing to have them all around me and to know I was loved no matter what church I attended or where I was in my life.  Last year I worked for the census bureau and met many wonderful people.  They too have kept up contact lunch invitations and facebook chats.  I also have rekindled contact with some friends who were dear to me when I was younger, which helped me to see that sometimes friendships do continue to matter.  I have been more connected with past friends this year than ever before. 

 

The greatest example to me of love despite location has been my best friend who has kept constant contact with me despite being across the world in Spain.  He has been such a blessing to me in my walk, my day to day, and as an encourager and prayer warrior when I struggle.  I have complete confidence that he is there for me when I need him.  I have also learned the joy of caring for his daily struggles, joys, and accomplishments.  He had a baby girl last Christmas and I even think and pray about her each day.  You see my friend, his wife, and their child are like my blood family.  They mean a great deal to me and I am thankful for the blessing of our Lord introducing them to me. 

We have a great God who blesses us each day.  He is constantly teaching and growing us.  He is working to continually make us more like himself and surrounding us with those who will uplift and encourage us in our walks.  As I get older, I know the Lord will continue to shape and prepare me for each stage of life I am about to enter.  All in all I am blessed by the many people in my life who love me and whom I love also.  I am thankful for each of them and proud to know them.  The great outpouring of well wishes on facebook alone was a great example of the blessed life the Lord has given me.  I praise Him and thank him that he gave me this day and I look forward to all He is going to accomplish through me in the next year!

Blessings,

Greg

My 365 Day Struggle to Know Christ; Day 21

Day 21, August 29, 2011

You know it is an interesting thing when you allow the Lord to work through your life.  You never know what he can do in your life.  In the past four days I have written four songs.  I have been trying to write songs for many years and now all of a sudden the words and music are overflowing.  I was singing and writing songs as I rode the zero turn mower today.  The words and music were just flowing from my heart. 

I truly understand where David was coming from when he wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” in Psalm 23:5.   When our Lord is at the head of your heart, he truly does fill the cup to overflowing.  Let Him bless you also to overflowing today.

Blessings,

Greg