Quit Making Excuses. God has a Plan.

Gifts.
Talents.
Abilities.

They are all given by God to equip us for every good work that He has prepared in advance for us to complete. And yet, I have seen more and more a hesitation to complete these tasks. A complication in the process of leveraging what we have for the glory of God.

Why do we do that?
Why do we look at what God has given us and think, "Eh. I'm not sure God wants me to use this gift right now. I just don't think that I'm the person for this job."

God seems to be taking me through this process of preaching to myself. I have this innate ability to sell myself short and at the same time consider myself much more capable than I am. It's my constant struggle with Pride and Self-loathing. But, I know that I'm not the only one. And if I am, tough nuggets. I think it's everybody so I'm going to write this to everybody.


We are so darn good and making ourselves believe that the lies that Satan puts in our ears about our abilities, our gifts and the passions that God has put in our heart are illegitimate and could never be used to do anything of significance. We find ourselves unfulfilled, untested and ineffective because we stop believing in ourselves. We cripple ourselves by believing the crap that Satan sends our way and we partake in.


Two things we need to recognize:
1. God made you and I for a specific, specialized, significant purpose, we just need help seeing it sometimes.
2. When you are making excuses as to why you could never be the person to make that happen, children are dying, people are losing hope, and the rest of the Body is waiting on you to do your part.


The crazy thing is that this is all about simply following God. Pursuing Him in every way possible. If that means standing up and getting out of your seat to go help someone at the local soup kitchen, great. If that means taking a position that you may "not be ready for" then so be it. But we need to recognize that our insignificance can be significant in the Kingdom of God. So let's stop making excuses for whatever He is putting in front of you.


GC

Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, Rob Blagojevich and why I am CALLED to forgive even Tiger Woods...and so are you.

Tiger Woods.
The current definition of Dynasty and Dominance.
Also, the current definition of infidelity and utter disregard for rules, laws and overall morality.

I have had an interesting time today watching some of the reaction to the Tiger Television Event of the Year, also known as, the Press Conference to end all Press Conferences. I would venture a guess that even the Clinton Congressional Confession didn't get this much press from so many different networks. But, I'm running into a very similar conundrum each time that I look at the way that people are reacting.

America is such a forgiving country, for the most part, when it comes to just about anything short of murder. Look at different people who have been through some of the things that they have in recent memory. William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, former adulterer, philanderer and all around unfaithful husband, is now one of the most respected lobbyists when it comes to foreign aid and rallying the American people to come behind the people of different countries. First, it was the Tsunmai victims followed by the victims of Hurricane Katrina and now the Earthquake in Haiti. People of America have forgiven the guy because of his willingness to air his dirty laundry out and "come clean" of the stuff that he had involved himself with.

Rob Blagojevich was the 40th governor of Illinois who decided that he was going to basically auction off a seat of the United States Senate. He was investigated, impeached and removed from office early in 2009. The guy apologized and is now going to make a bunch of money off a reality show. And people will watch. Lots of people will watch. And they will remember but they won't hold it against him that he did those things in 2009, because they will still watch.

Now, granted those are two starkly contrasting situations, but not when you apply it to Tiger's situation, because the result will still be the same. Tiger will come back. Tiger's foundation for kids, will remain intact and raise millions for kids that need education. And you know what, America will forgive him. They will forgive him by donating to the foundation and they will forgive him by boosting the PGA ratings when he plays again because they want to watch him play.

So, Christians, why do you find it ok in your hearts to hold a grudge with him? Why do you think that you get to decide how much Grace Tiger Woods gets here on earth? The fact is, not one person who says they follow Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, the High Priest, the One Who is or calls themself Christian can call this guy out.

Jesus Christ would probably be walking beside Tiger.
Jesus Christ would tell all you Pharisees to pick up the stone if we haven't sinned.
Jesus Christ would have forgiven Tiger.

But isn't this what we do with so many other people in our lives? Those people who do unthinkable things? The ones who fly planes into Federal Buildings? The ones who are found to have played above the rules? The guy down the street who has the kid who just doesn't act right? Or the kid in school that you know is having sex with his girlfriend? Or the kid in school who had sex with his last girlfriend?

See this just messes with my mind and my heart. I am so quick to judge people when it comes to sexual sin and infidelity. I think that this is the norm with a lot of people inside of "Christendom." We make judgements about people and their situations without first reflecting on the Grace that we have been given. We don't deserve any of the things that God has given to us: Grace, Spiritual Gifts, Eternal Life. And we as Christians are called to live as if we have been given that Grace. So why do we separate that out from the people that are in our lives that have fallen or stumbled in a way that seems unthinkable or immoral?

*This post does not condone anything that Tiger Woods does with his life, however simply speaks to the situation that seems observable at this point in the discussion.

Tonight and a number of things...

Tonight we continue to venture into the depths of salvation and the aspect of GRACE. What does GRACE do in our lives? I'm really excited about tonight and the freedom that I feel God is calling us to experience.

Along the same lines, yesterday, I took a quick, informal poll of the people who happened to be in the Student Ministries Office at the time on how they would describe GRACE in one word or phrase. I was struck by one of the responses that came from a number of people; FREE. I think that it is interesting that we call it a free thing. I guess as I continue to study GRACE, I am struck by the cost that it took to make it free for me. As my former economics teacher used to say, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." Of course he was referencing the Law of Scarcity in Economics, however, I see a law of scarcity evident in the economics of grace. Grace isn't free. It's incredibly deep cost was paid for by a being that was completely and utterly perfect in character and nature. It was a debt that was covered by the One who had no debt. Have we forgotten that cost as we consider Grace? Have we forgotten the price that had to be paid, in order for us to recognize a true, redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ and God our Father that includes a connection with the Holy Spirit?

I realize that I am on a bit of a soapbox with that, but even the interchangeable words of "free" and "gift" completely change the context of Grace. Reasons for why we don't see a gift as something more profound can be explained in many ways, but I am convinced that we need to begin to see Grace as something that is given to us. Paul explained to Timothy that "the grace of our Lord was poured out on me..." and that it came from his faith and love in Jesus Christ. This grace is given to us because of a cost. I pray that I continue to see that revelation in my life.

In other news, a friend of mine just recently found out that her dad is going to be entering a battle for his life as he is going up against cancer. He went in today for biopsies to see how advanced the cancer is and where to go from here. As my mom marks one year of clean tests and no cancer, would you lift up my friend's dad? As we celebrate a year of victory over this dreaded disease, would you celebrate in prayer? Thanks.

See you tonight!

I want to be God's Masterpiece

After watching this video, I am convinced that this video fits well with where many students may be right now. More than that, it rings true for a lot of people who maybe don't understand where they are. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Does God expect me to be perfect? Absolutely, because He has made that possible. Check this out and insert your name; your stuff; yourself.

Another Great Video...

These guys are so awesome. The Skit Guys are so good at turning their talents and abilities for God's glory, they can be so funny and then yet, turn it around and get serious. It's amazing... here's one that I think is for a lot of you... so check it out...