Crazy vs. Sold Out

In the generation we live in there is a driving force behind our fellow peers to either be sold out or crazy, and there is a difference. I don't know if you have ever seen a "crazy" person perhaps speaking out on certain subject or cause, but the moment you stop and ask them what their cause is they turn into professional tongue twister champs. They try to explain or even justify their doings, and you walk away feeling even more confused.  Then you have the "sold out" person who maybe doing the same outward expressions of the "crazy", but the difference with them is when you stop to inquire their cause they, without a seconds hesitation, begin to share with with you and directly make it obvious their belief, cause, issue or whatever it may be. This is the main difference, but it also shows in their eyes. You can tell just by the look in their eyes and body language if they truly know what they are saying. What am I trying to say?  simple. What do people see when your living your day to day life, Monday thru Saturday? Do they see a crazy person who is unbalanced  & really doesn't know or understand what they believe or what their purpose is? or do they see a young adult who is not perfect, but has an understanding of his or her purpose , and in what they believe.  I ask God to help me become radically sold out to His cause. So you may ask; Is there a balance between Crazy and Sold Out? I think that we as young adult christians we should first and foremost be sold out to the cause of Jesus Christ, but there needs to be a sense of crazy or radical to the point there ain't (not really a word) nothing or anyone that can stop us from being RADICALLY.....SOLD OUT.

What's in your bag?

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a pattern of the same thought/concept going through your mind daily, weekly, monthly or maybe yearly??  Well I wanted to share something that has been on my mind as of late.

Within my generation (generation Y and even generation X for that matter)  there seems to be an a lack of stability through out the lives of peers, friends, co-workers and even family within the 20 somethings age bracket. Unfortunately, this instability shows itself through most areas of our lives.There are many facets that are greatly affected, but the following 4 areas are the most common and are on the surface.

1. Career: Business' shutting down, budget cuts, downsizing, out sourcing...these are terms that the unemployed folk can relate to. With unemployment setting records every month it doesn't seem to be getting better. I have noticed that the trend for job seekers is using job agencies that filter the jobs for applicants and resumes for employers.  If your a job seeker try to find stability in possibly having to work some temporary jobs, even if it's a new job every week. Why?  because the last thing you want is to find yourself in a slump and pass up opportunities.
2. Finances:  Due to the unemployment rate and people losing jobs this has drastically hindered the pocket book. Even with a job money is tight because things are so expensive, and that's exactly it..  "THINGS"....what happened to being frugal and only going with the necessities? Of course we see advertisements everywhere and with the "swipe the card" approach we can find ourselves in too deep. Budgeting is one practical approach to handling your finances and being able to discipline when it comes to "needs" or "wants".  
3. Relationships: When we feel like we are failing as young adults in the career and financial arena the trickle down is that it also hinders not only our relationship with family, friends, significant other but our spiritual walk as well. If you find yourself becoming unstable or maybe been stuck on pause for a while....take this time to pursue and invest your time wisely into relationships, because that is one thing you can control yourself - how you spend your time and with who you spend it with. 
4. Beliefs System: There is a swirling black hole  that is in a downward spiral that has cause some young adults to question what they believe and even challenges those who "know".  A recent study shows that  in the YGeneration 48% believe in God, 20%  say there is no God and 32% are unsure what to believe. Through media, education and entertainment a person can get caught up in the whirlwind.  The sad part is there are many followers and not enough leaders.....more and more young adults associate with a certain organization or cause because a friend or a group of friends do. We tend to put more value on what someone is doing rather than why they are doing it. Don't be a grain of wheat the shifts with the wind, rather be a palm tree that feels the wind but doesn't shift...it stays grounded!  

Whatever the case may be in your life today -I have no job, my bank account is showing a big fat $0.00,  All of the stress of the unknown is hindering my relationships, What do I truly believe? is there a God? All of these things are very important, but it's  the mindset associated with each that we must be cautious of.  Just like the disciples in Matthew  14:17 when Jesus fed over five-thousand people that day....he asked his disciples to gather what food was in the crowd and this what they said ¹⁷"All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said.   Jesus simply replied.....  ^{18 -21}Jesus said, "Bring them here."..... we all know the rest of the story as Jesus blessed the bread & fish it was multiplied to feed all the hungry people.   So no matter what you have to give or maybe you "only" have a little to hold onto you.....listen to Jesus' words BRING THEM HERE...see that's the first step...giving it to Jesus, taking it out of our hands and placing it in the hands of the one who can multiply. 

I know this was like a shotgun going off scattering all over.. but hopefully you can take something from what you read and be motivated to act upon and bring stability into back into our lives. Growing up the popular asked question was "what kind of tie is that?"  and if you didn't know what the value of that tie was or why the brand was popular people would sit back and say "they don't know the true value of what they have".  This hasn't changed much, but now it has moved on to different areas of our lives. As young adults we need to shake ourselves from the mundane and realize our value and potential.  Wake Up!   and look and what's in your bag!

"Love & Respect" Dr. Emerson Eggerichs book review

My girlfriend and I read this book together from beginning to end, and what a strength it gave us. Dr. Eggerichs really dives in and deals with the issues that relationships/marriages are dealing with. I have read relationship books before, but 'Love & Respect" is my favorite and highly recommended book to couples - married or as a pre-marital counseling resource. To love unconditionally & respect unconditionally is a task that most relationships get caught at, but this book is a catalyst to obtaining that God designed level in a relationship or marriage. 

Time to go to Church

So it's a Monday and I had such a great weekend. Sunday I woke up and thought to myself, like many Christians around the world, time to "go" to church. For some reason when the thought came across my mind this particular time it hit me in a different angle than ever before. Why do we say that phrase every single time we go to "church"? When it hit me I posted it on the famous social networking site, Twitter. Not to my suprise I got feedback and the truth lies within this particular Student Pastor's response. He began by stating the obvious. He said, "probably because we put signs on or outside the building that says Church, but what if our lives were as noticeable as a building?" The last part of his response is what gripped me. We are the living represntation of God, just as Jesus was, here on earth. With that being said I encourage and challenge all to become and understand that your life you live day to day is of utmost importance. Once we grasp that concept and revelation we won't be saying " I'm going to church" rather " I am the church".


-- Post From My iPhone

3 Days Before

It's Easter weekend, and I was hit with a thought that may not be original, but sure enough put things in perspective for me: We, as Christians, celebrate the Death (cross), Burial (tomb) and Resurrection of Jesus, but I have always focused on the Resurrection. The 3 days later slogan is loosely used, but what about the 3 days before?? Jesus was nailed to a cross for the sins of the world, the same people who put Him on the cross would 3 days later realize that He was also their Savior. So as we go through the motions of Easter and egg hunts with the bunny let us not forget theses three words "3Days Before".

-Father I am thankful and full of gratitude for the Love that was shown some 2 thousand years ago, but help us to never forget what you did, why you did and for who. We are all recipients of your Grace and are forever grateful. Be with us as we remember You and Your Son. Help us to love the way You love and forgive the way You forgave. - in the name of Jesus - Amen

First

Good Friday? I thought all Friday's were good! ok I admit a poor attempt at humor. Anyways, my first blog, and being new to this whole "blogging" thing I'm still getting adjusted. The first quarter of 2009 has been very interesting, very unlike many other years. January was full of stuff. February was GREAT and of course V-day. March was getting a better understanding as well as more clear on life. April so far has been a wonderful ride - being Easter and all - I am excited for City Church to venture out and display Christ's Resurrection in a non-traditional way. This year the drama is called "The Bridge". Looking forward to it.

_bottomline I am excited and ready for 2009



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