Posts Tagged ‘christianity’
03/11/2009
I read an article from Rethink Monthly today called “Dirty Girls” that really shocked me. In the article Anne Jackson, a young author, talks about her struggle with pornography. It was shocking in many ways — not just becuase it was a woman talking about porn, but it shocked me to see how open she was about her sin.
I frequented erotic chat rooms, watched movies and browsed through hundreds and hundreds of pictures. Soon my porn binges started affecting my performance at work and my relationships.
Of course I never mentioned my struggle to anyone. Looking at porn was typical, even expected, for guys but a girl? A girl who likes porn? I often questioned my sexual orientation.
Why did I like looking at naked women? Was I gay? Bisexual? A pervert? I hated what I was doing so much. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t stop.
Read the Full Article
Kesha read the article earlier today too, and we talked a little bit about it this evening. Both of us were encouraged by the article to embrace the openness that Anne Jackson shared in her story. This kind of genuine life is what honors God after all. But it sure is easier to pretend we have it all together isn’t it?
What do you think of this kind of openness?
Tags: christianity, honesty, porn, sin, struggle
Posted in christianity, struggle | 2 Comments »
03/11/2009
Kesha and I were just about to go to bed last night when we saw something that touched us both on TV. It was a show called “What Would You Do?“. It is a hidden camera show that records how people respond to certain situations. In this episode they went through a few awkward situations like a teen getting birth-control and college students being hazed. But none hit as hard as a segment they call “Aiding the Fallen”.
In this clip, they show a well dressed woman who falls down in the street. Immediately people came to her aid. They bend down and make sure she ok. There was not one time it took longer than 6 seconds to have someone come to her help. But then they changed the well dressed woman to a scruffy homeless man. Eighty-eight people walked past this man who could have been dead without even a second thought. Eventually a crippled woman stopped to help him. All she could do was to ask others to call an ambulance.
I sat on the couch and cried my eyes out. I saw in that one crippled woman the heart of God. She was incredible. She sat with him for quite a while talking gently to him and even gave him a name — “Billy”. She was a shining and sharp example of Christ to me. Even though the man wasn’t really hurt, she demonstrated an incredible amount of love and compassion. That is the heart I want to have. That is the kind of person I want to be.
I really hope you will stop by the ABC website and watch the video entitled “Aiding the Fallen“.
How do you respond to the homeless?
Tags: christianity, homeless
Posted in christianity | 1 Comment »
02/15/2009
I struggle somtimes to be a graceful person. I feel that it is easy for me to be very judgmental, mean-spririted, and frustrated. That is not the person I want to be. Sometimes even in my sarcastic joking I feel conviction. Especially when it comes to my wife. I know that is not the way she deserves to be treated. Even if it is all in jest, it does not build her up or make her feel good when I harass her jokingly. I want to learn to be a more graceful person. I envy some people who seem to have such a kind way about them. I envy that trait. I am not sure if that is inherent to them, or if it was something that they had to learn. All I know is that I need Christ to change my heart attitude sometimes. I often find myself several steps across the line. I don’t want to be that person.
God help.
Tags: christianity, grace, life
Posted in christianity | 1 Comment »
01/07/2009
I have been working with a great new Magazine in the Willamette Valley called “Rethink Monthly”. It is run by a good friend of mine who really has a heart to encourage Christians to take a second look at all the things that may seem so axiomatic to them, yet so bizarre to those who may not have been raised in the church. We have been recording a screencast bi-monthly for the last month, and we are recording our third podcast tonight. We actually broadcast the podcast live on ustream.tv for those who want to watch the discussion live. The format is awesome. Basically, there are 5 of us guys who have put together a very loose outline of the night. Then we just discuss. The cool thing about ustream though, is that if you are watching the discussion live, you can comment and add your thoughts. It is a great way to interact with other people who are thinking through some of the issues of their faith and culture.
To watch live, tune in at the Rethink Ustream Page at 8pm PST tonight (Wednesday, January 7th, 2009). It should be great!
If you dont’ have the time to watch live, be sure to subscribe to the Rethink Podcast on iTunes, and check out the Rethink Monthly Website.
Hope you enjoy!
Tags: christianity, ministry, podcast, rethink, video, web
Posted in christianity, podcasts | 1 Comment »
11/24/2008
The last few weeks have been a huge struggle for me. There has been so much bouncing around in my mind. I feel God is stirring me up in all sorts of new ways, but still I remain confused and struggling. I was reminded this weekend at Church of a great verse in Revelation:
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” – Revelation 2:4-5
What a reflection of my own heart! I long for the genuine and simple love for God that I once had. I pray that this season in my life will be one of repentance, revival, and renewal. Here is another great verse that has been in my heart during the last few weeks:
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for your sins have brought you down.
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him,
“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.
Assyria cannot save us,
nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made,
‘You are our gods.’
No, in you alone
do the orphans find mercy.” The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever.” – Hosea 14:1-4
That is all I have for now…
Tags: christianity, struggle
Posted in life | 4 Comments »
10/16/2008
I have become very aware of a particular struggle of mine this last week. What I notice is that I compartmentalize my life SO much. If my life were represented in circles, I feel like I have one circle for friends, one for family, one for music, one for work, one for my faith, one for etc etc etc. I really don’t like that. Especially since when life gets busy (which it ALWAYS does) my faith is the one that always gets put on the back burner. I want my life to be encompassed with my faith whether it be in my work, family, church, or any other aspect of my life.
I really don’t think God wants people who will devote an hour or two to him and then put him aside for the rest of the day.
Just a thought…
Tags: christianity, faith, struggle
Posted in christianity | 2 Comments »
06/27/2008
Man O Man! Things have been crazy as heck for us lately. I feel like there are so many changes happening in our lives. Kesha and I both are being stretched and challenged in so many areas of our life: as husband and wife, as parents, and as Christians. I feel like this is a season of growth in our lives – and it usually hurts to grow! But I am already seeing the good from it.
Here is a verse that has stuck with me lately. I find myself reading it over and over in my head all day:
“A soft answer turns away wrath
But a harsh word stirs up anger”
- Proverbs 15:1
Wise words for sure. Convicting too!
Tags: christianity, marriage, struggle
Posted in marriage | No Comments »
05/10/2008
I feel like the prodigal son. I have wandered so far away from home. I need my Father. I have betrayed the love of my life and I feel helpless to ever know that intimacy again. This is a sad place to be. Today I was listening to a CD that I haven’t listened to in way too long: Shane Barnard // Rocks Won’t Cry. One song in particular just made me start balling in the car today. I can’t even believe how this song progresses. I feel like I am somewhere in the middle of the second verse, but my heart aches to reach the other side…
Listen Now
[audio:prodigal_me.mp3]
Prodigal Me
What have I done to get me here?
Unraveled and undone, I need my Father
What have I done? I’ve followed my feet to nowhere
Now I’m here! As I ran, I can run no more
Prodigal me
The mountains to the west, I hear they laugh at me
They know I’mm scared to cross and leave this life I lead
Oh my pride! I give you up a barter for my freedom
What will they think as I come stumbling down to join their lives?
I need to cross this mountain and find my way home
I seek no greater fortune, rescue me
Oh unmerciful divide be merciful tonight
Show me the other side
Prodigal me
The mountains to the east, they’ve swallowed my beloved
This house completely incomplete, where is my mortar?
Where did he go? He followed his feet to nowhere
Please come home! You’ve done me no wrong
Each evening I look down that road
I hope and I wait for you
And my servants they look down that road
We watch and we pray for you
Master, Master, who’s that man stumbling down that road?
Could it be the one? Could it be? Could it be?
Master, Master, it’s Your son
Coming home to join our lives!
I’m looking down this mountain, I see my way home
There is no greater fortune, I believe!
Oh unmerciful divide you laugh at me no more
Oh I’ve reached the other side!
Prodigal me
Could I be the one? Could I be? Could I be?
Father, Father, we’re Your sons
Coming home to join Your life
We’ve finally crossed this mountain, and found our way home
There is no greater fortune than Jesus
Oh how merciful is our God who gave His only Son!
Oh we worship You tonight
Prodigal Me…
Tags: christianity, music
Posted in christianity, music | 1 Comment »
11/14/2007
Here are a few pictures from the trip to Seattle last weekend. Click on the thumbnail for a better view.
Me & Tommy Walker
Song He Wrote: He Knows My Name
Lincoln Brewster
Song He Wrote: Love the Lord
Tim Hughes
Songs He Wrote: Here I Am to Worship, Beautiful One
Tags: christianity, music, pics, travel, worship
Posted in pics | 1 Comment »
11/09/2007
It is 3:04am and I am just about to leave the house to go pick up my friend Tim to drive to Seattle, WA. We are heading up for the “Christian Musician Summit” at Overlake Church. It is going to be an awesome Conference. I am pumped to see some of the speakers and artists such as: Lincoln Brewster, Robbie Seay, and Tim Hughes. There are also going to be tons of workshops on things like songwriting and post-modern worship. It is going to be a great trip. Pray that we get there safe (by 8am).
I am going to miss my little ladies very much. But Kesha promised to send me picture mail on my phone so I don’t have to go too long without seeing their cute little faces.
I probably won’t write again until I am back – but look out for the update.
peace.
Tags: christianity, friends, music, travel, worship
Posted in ministry | 1 Comment »
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