One interesting evening...

So I'm rolling down the road last night windows down, music up, wearing a tank top, my hat tilted to the side, shades on...and talking into the speaker phone function of my iphone. All that to say...#1 obviously I was stylin' but that's generally the case. Okay I'm being funny...#2 I don't even think I had Christian music playing so there was nothing about me that said "This guy is a christian". Okay just had to lay that foundation. So I roll up to one of the local intersections of Eugene. There I see a guy holding a sign...I'm not sure exactly what this guy's sign said although lately I've been reading the signs of those who stand on street corners with a lot more intrigue, concern, and compassion,...but this night I was on my way to pick up my kid. I didn't have any cash on me...pretty much the last thing on my mind was the dude standing on the street corner. For no other reason than I had things going on and flooding my mind. I've seen the guy many times before...He always looks a little pissed, as I would be if I had to stand on the corner of a street in order to get some cash to live my life on.

Okay let's get to the point...if there is one. So I'm sitting at the intersection and the dude stars berating me asking me if I think I'm brown (not sure if that's a reference to the tilted hat, tan skin, shades...ignorant at any rate). He commences to begin talking about San Fransisco and Seattle and how we are all the same...(Still not sure who I'm being wrapped in with here). I'm a bit in awe at this point and my natural instinct is to be thinking..."Dude this is not a good way to get my money which I assume is what you are standing on the corner holding the sign for?" My second natural instinct was to want to just beat the crap out of this guy. Isn't this what all those hours in the gym being beat up and tapped out by fighters better than myself and eventually getting to a point where I can tap them out and get them in the stand up has been all about? Wait....to beat up a homeless guy on the side of the road...okay probably not! Anyway, this guys just keeps going and going, at this point I'm absolutely starring at him which is probably getting him more upset. This goes on for a bit eventually it gets to a point where the dude is literally talking in what sounds like "tongues" but in a very aggressive and confrontational way. In my opinion it was demonic manifestation...I've seen this happen before with people on crack and other really hard drugs, probably addicts in most cases. Oh yeah the best part of the story is that my son's mother, who I was originally talking to was on speaker phone this whole time listening to what was going on. She keeps yelling for me asking what is going on and I'm like...."Yeah you're going to have to hold on for a second, it's probably not a good idea to ignore completely the demon possessed guy who has repeatedly said he's about to attack me and is standing about 5 ft from my car." If it came down to it...I'll beat him up but fighting a dude on the side of the road for all to see probably isn't the best way to shine the light of Christ in Eugene! Plus...who knows if he's got a shank on him...or worse! But it would have taken some quick thinking and action because the guy was not a small man...and boy was he pissed! Why....? I do not know :)

The thing is that once the adrenaline stopped flooding the receptors of my body...I wasn't mad at this guy. I was more disappointed with myself that I didn't really know what to do. Jesus would have know what to do wouldn't he have? I thought of the film I had recently seen called Furious Love. The premise of the documentary was that the Love of God changes things. The Love of God can go into the darkest places on earth and affect the darkness with the light. So I'm not mad at the guy...in fact I have more compassion for him than ever. To see someone so angry and tormented makes me sad...and angry with the devil who seeks to steal, kill, an destroy people's life and hope. I pass this place all the time...this same dude is there all the time...will he remember me and my car next time I pass by? Was he out of his mind on some chemical to a point where he didn't know what he was doing? Will he see me and attack like a rabid dog? Or somehow, some way will the love of a father who is passionate about his soul reach him and affect him? I don't really know...maybe you should stay tuned to this blog to find out...maybe you have some thoughts. If so share them...The thing that's got me right now is especially in Christan circles and also in general life people who have it together or seem to have it together seem to want to pretend that evil doesn't exist. But it does and on some level or another it came and confronted me when I was minding my own business in the middle of the city I call home. So what do I do about it? That's the question on my mind at the moment...my response last night was to kinda get out of the situation. Was that the right thing? It seems like that's been what the Church has been doing for years...is that working? Is it okay for us to live our nice little lives, maybe go on a mission trip to Africa for a week and assume that the same sort of activity isn't happening all around us? I don't have the right answer...for everyone the right answer i probably a little different. One thing I know...Love conquers all at the end of the day.

Just some things to think about and I'd love some feedback on this one!

Be Blessed Ya'll

Chad

Being the light...

In the text of Matthew 5 beginning in verse 14 Jesus tells his followers they are the light of the world. A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. I was thinking about this topic a great deal in recent weeks and in considering this I thought of the children's song....."This little light of mine...I'm going to let it shine..." I considered the fact that I grew up thinking that I had a little bitty light inside me and my goal in life was to not let Satan "Phew" it out. You know what...? That's a lot of pressure for a little kid. And honestly whoever wrote the song has a misconception of God, the light of God, the power of Satan, and theology in general.

The reality is that John 1 states "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (ie Jesus is both the Word and God) and then in verse 4 the Bible states "In Him ans life and life was the light of men". So you see...the light of God lives in us because Jesus himself lives in us. And I don't have a little bitty light I have a bright, strong, powerful light. The devil absolutely cannot "phew" it out he can only have it if I give it to him, and I won't do that so rather than walking around with fear of the devil and teaching our children to do likewise the Christan should walk around with the knowledge and revelation that "Greater is he whose in me than he who is in the world" and "As God is so are we in this world". God is big and powerful and the devil is small and weak and the Christan who has the true light of Christ on the inside of them need not ever be scared that the devil is going to "phew" out their light. It cannot happen!


So the real point of the text isn't to tell us not to hide our light...it's to tell us we are light and we cannot be hidden. The analogy to the "City on a hill" got me thinking as well. What's notable about a City set on a hill? Well for one it's visible...and for two it draws the weary, lost, hungry travelers that go by it. You see, we try to push the gospel down the thoughts of people who are not hungry so often. But it's funny that Jesus never did that. Sure he rebuked people at times but guess who he rebuked? Religious people, or in other words the days "Church People" generally for doing the right thing on the outside but having hearts that were far from God, and caught up in everything else that seemed "Churchy or religious" but didn't really matter. Ultimately the light attracts people! There are always going to be people who reject God, but there are always going to be people who are lost, broken, hungry, and weary walking this life in search of a City set on a Hill where they can go to get help, get fed, get restored, and have their life saved. These people may be in three piece suits, or rags out on the street. The light of God is for everyone.....

IS YOUR LIGHT SHINING TODAY? stay connected to the source of light...Jesus Christ and I believe that your life will shine today. Like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden! People are watching you weather you know it or not...one day they are going to be hungry or tired or broken. Will they come to you?

Hope this little insight into my thought life helps someone...Shine Today!

Chad

Enduring Praise

Psalm 111:10 - A Legit scripture and one I've known the beginning of by memory for a long time but I've been pondering the end of the text this morning. Here's what the whole thing says in the NKJ: The fear (honor and respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do his commandments (Good stuff but here's the part I've been thinking about)..........His praise endures forever!

If you are passionate about the life that God gave you like I am then you are a person who wants to make your mark, make a difference on the Earth while you are here, do something lasting. Well, the Bible says that when we praise God it endures forever. Praise isn't just the fast songs we sing to get everyone's blood flowing so we can get into the slow ("worshipful" I hate when people make that distinction between fast and slow songs) songs. Dictionary.com defines praise this way: The offering of grateful homage in words or song. Homage simply means respect...

When we give God true praise, not just go through the motions of a song what we have just done endures, lasts, sticks....FOREVER! You have made a mark on eternity when you choose to show respect for God in word or song! And that doesn't have to be just in a church service you can do it anytime. God loves a cheerful giver...that goes for more than just cold hard cash. Give him your praise today, it blesses the heart of your Heavenly Father when it comes from your heart. It remains forever!


These things remain faith hope and love...and the greatest is love.

Chad

Overcoming with God and man...

The end of Genesis 32 is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible. When you think about it, other than possibly Cain and Abel which I think was more of a "kill you when you ain't got no idea it's coming" sort of thing. This could possibly be the first recorded MMA match in the history of mankind! And frankly...that's exciting to me. I can imagine Bruce or Michael buffer making the fight announcment "In this corner fighting out of nowhere really on his way to Edom...Jacob! And in this corner fighting out of Heaven.....The LORD!" And it's obvious that the Lord let Jacob hang in there because he knows everything and is perfect therefore he obviously knew Brazilian Ju Jitzu before the Gracies invented it and all he had to do was touch Jacob in the hip and he was wrecked for life! All for everybody's benefit of course....

This story along with being the most impactful moment in the life of Jacob, and initiating the country if Israel, has so many things we can extract, learn from, and apply to our life. I just want to focus on one statement the Lord makes which is in verse 28 the Lord says "Your name shall no longer be Jacob but Israel" which I don't have time to get into this right now but in a nut shell by this name change the Lord brings Jacob from nothing into his ultimate purpose and destiny. He goes on to say "Because you have struggled (or wrestled) with God and man and overcome."

At times life is a struggle...a wrestling match. But when you are walking with the Lord you can always find purpose in the challenge. Jacob had to be thinking "Why is the dude attacking me?!?" but at the end of the fight destiny was released. I think it's important that we understand the Lord says "Because you have struggled (wrestled) with GOD and MAN and overcome...destiny is being released. Because when all we do is struggle and fight in the natural we are never going to make it to our ultimate purpose. At the same time if all we ever do is fight spiritual battles and don't walk things out in a natural practical way...we will never fulfill our destiny. We live a life and function in a time and space that is both natural and supernatural and we MUST understand that it's when I overcome in the spiritual and the natural that I can see my life's purpose fulfilled! Also notice the order "because you have struggled with God (1st) and Man (2nd)...." The spiritual battle is the most important! Here is the reason: Because in the spiritual wrestling match you find the place of faith. It may take a moment. It may take years...but if you don't loose heart, if you keep fighting...information will become revelation and you will hear and understand the voice of God and the path he is guiding your feet down. It is at the moment you can release true faith (not hope, wishful thinking, or an I'm gonna do this even though I don't believe it attitude...real faith) that results in the natural are guaranteed! FAITH is the spiritual results producer, and sometimes it takes going through a spiritual wrestling match and overcoming to get to that place.

Ok you got this...? What's the issue in your life today? What is the next step? What is the hump you can't quite get over to make it to the next level of destiny in your life. Maybe it's trusting the Lord, maybe it's a confidence issue, possibly and obedience issue. Whatever it may be, have a willingness to fight for it. Both in the spiritual realm, and then in the natural realm while you walk out your spiritual victory.

Hope this helps you guys...Nice weather is around the corner i promise, so hang in there on that. Be an overcomer today!

Progress

"Progress"...Definition: A movement toward a goal, or to a further or higher stage. I have been pondering the topic of progress lately. I am the type of guy who expects greatness from myself. There are times that I settle for less when I shouldn't, there are times when I fail at things, but overall I expect and achieve a high standard in most of what I set out to do. While this is a good thing, there are times that it can be a detriment. When things aren't going my way, when I'm not getting the results I desire there is a tendency in my life and in my own mind to feel like I am failing. While I may "feel" like I am failing at something weather it be a business venture, a relationship, or what have you I have to keep in mind the thought of progress, and ask myself am I moving towards the goal, the dream, the aspiration I have set out to achieve. If the answer is "No" then I definitely should make some adjustments to what I'm doing. If I don't feel like I'm moving at a good pace there is usually something I can do about that as well. But if I'm giving it my best, and I have not yet accomplished my goal, I can have a sense of peace in that I am making progress toward the goal and to a further and higher stage of life.

I was thinking about the reality of progress when it comes to our walk with the Lord. I believe in a miracle working God. However I also believe that God is progressive in his relationships with his children (You and I). I believe God has plans and purposes for each one of our lives but the only way to fulfill these plans and purposes of God is to consistently progress in your relationship with him. You could call it growth, maturity, whatever you want to term it, but to be consistently moving forward it what I believe God is after from us. He's not looking for perfection although his standard is perfection...the blood of Jesus makes us perfect in his sight. He's looking for a people who will constantly move forward in their relationship with him so he can take them to higher levels if influence, effectiveness, empowerment, and purpose in life.

Are you making progress today? It just takes one step today, one step tomorrow, one step each day toward the goal and you'll be there before you know it. Fretting and worrying and complaining does nothing. Empowerment comes through progress!

Cheers,

Chad

So many of you may have heard here or there that the national day of prayer has been canceled. While it isn't a good direction for our country to trend, that statement is not entirely true either. Judge Barbara Crabb declared that the government sponsorship of a recognized day of prayer was unconstitutional based on the first amendment due to a lawsuit brought against the government by a group called the freedom from religion foundation (they should call it the freedom from Jesus foundation, but whatever). Here are Crabb's comments regarding the government sponsored day of prayer "It goes beyond mere 'acknowledgment' of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context," However Crabb also had these comments "I understand that many may disagree with that conclusion and some may even view it as a criticism of prayer or those who pray. That is unfortunate. A determination that the government may not endorse a religious message is not a determination that the message itself is harmful, unimportant or undeserving of dissemination." and "it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual's decision whether and when to pray."

Listen...like I said I don't believe it's a good direction that things are tending in government but the ruling is actually somewhat legit based on the letter of the law. The spirit of the law...maybe a different story. But here is the main question for you and I if we are Christians...what are we going to do about it? Complain about Obama? Obama didn't make the ruling nor did he cancel the day of prayer. He did cancel a service that President Bush routinely engaged in which of course I'm not stoked about but was his decision. But he indicated that he would in spite of the ruling recognize the day of prayer himself. So sorry all you super political people who don't like Obama you don't really have anything (else) to complain about on this one. Which brings me back to my question as Christians what are we going to do about this? We could complain, which seems to be what Christians are best at these days. We could make a bunch of signs and picket...just another way of complaining. We could do nothing...let our own personal issues of life be more important...we're all too busy to actually take the time to do anything but complain anyway right? Or we could actually pray on the national day of prayer! Pray for our government, pray for our cities, pray for people, bless them! Instead of curse them...You see the question is how are you looking at and responding to the situation? If you aren't going to do anything about it, just keep your mouth shut is my opinion. I'm actually really tired of Christians complaining about what the deem as wrong, yet being too lazy or feeling too small to actually do anything about it. Isn't faith without action dead anyway? But if someone will stand up and do something about what they feel...I will definitely give them my ear, even if I don't agree with them because I respect the fact that they are people who DO not just complain and whine...are you sensing my theme yet?

Don't be a complainer, don't be a whiner, be a doer! You may get what you personally want by whining and complaining here and there...but you'll never change the world, and you'll never be remembered for your whines! Complaining isn't faith...faith releases grace and changes things...whatever it is you are passionate about step out in faith today! If you have something to SAY about the national day of prayer issue....then hopefully you can come up with something to DO about the national day of prayer issue. My dream is that more people will pray blessings over our communities, citizens, leaders, government, ec cetera than ever before in history because the issue has been brought to the forefront. When you are a doer God will take the things that were meant for harm and use them for good!

Have a good one all!

Chad

I've had this what I guess you would call a "speech" in my heart for the last little while, basically themed after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech regarding the reformation of the church, and the raising up to the fullness love influence and power of Christ's Bride on the earth that is God's intention. (is that like a horrible sentence or what...hopefully you get the point)

Anyway...God used mixed martial arts (something I love) to speak to me regarding this concept or theme in my heart today. Basically he said this "the best fighters on the planet are not those who specialize in one art, or who try to prove their art is better than another, but who embrace all the arts learn them, implement them, and focus on there personal strengths to obtain victory. Maybe the church should be like that." Would God use the UFC as a model for the reformation of the church? WOW the more I think about it the more I see it! The UFC used to be about styles fighting styles ie, Karate against Ju-Jujitsu, or wrestling against kung fu. However as fighters realized "I don't have everything I need focusing on this one little sector of fighting to be the best I can be" they got better and better. The fights became better, the athletes became better. What ultimately happened? The WORLD took notice! Just some things to think about...and as I read on the back of some dude's shirt the other night at a local cage fight "Jesus Loves MMA" haha.

Later y'all,

Chad