New interns have arrived and work has become a fun house...in terms of craziness. Trying to increase the number of participants that come in since the studio needs that money to properly train these people. All thats missing is the right age group.
God has been taking me through Exodus, telling me the "season of bondage is over...this story is YOUR story." Its pretty intense.
Reading Velvet Elvis...pretty good. Can EASILY see how people can get lost on what he is saying and begin to read into what he is saying. Rob Bell is an intelligent enough of a person to write something if it was neceassry to be said or he wanted a certain point to come out...he proves that OVER and OVER in the book.
So far, he talked about "yokes" and "binding and loosening." Thinking I should save that for a special blog about the book.
He, so far, has great views. The more I read, the more I am beginning to feel where he comes from in light of Scripture. Very "historical" in context. Uses Greek a lot. Uses loads of translations, which in my (JT's) personal opinion, is so enriching to see!! Personally, there is no "best" translation. Rabbi Bell (yes, I just used that...it means "teacher" in hebrew....and a teacher of the Scriptures to be precise) has brought up challenging views. Like: If truth exists, then it is God's truth...because God is a God of truth and truth is the reality. So if something isnt true, it isnt God's truth and vice versa. Another wrestling issue has been how Scripture is like a gem, with seventy faces....what is the meaning behind seventy? A gem, isnt that precise? Isnt there a way to see different faces of the same truth? Another one...you ready? Every reads the Bible in a bias.
WHOA!
That one had me spinning. I thought about it, chewed on it, and could tell its the case. Some much goes into how you read the bible: Background, surroundings, atmosphere, experiences, lifestyle...and yet all can be right! The Holy Spirit does a great job in leading us into all truth...but as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 - "for we know and see in part". I, personally, believe there is no way we will have a FULL truth...or be able to completely wrapped our minds around the full turth. If we could, wouldnt we be able to wrap our minds completely around God?? Chewing on this.....mmmmmmmm meaty...
Again, another time, another post.
Missing home so much! Trying to get home in October for a vacation. Hoping to see my aunt and uncle...along with the cutest cousins in the world!!!!
Be praying for me...im fighting a nasty cold/allergy. Its new people. lol. This is the season at the Honor Academy where everybody gets sick...expecially the tired ones (ie the Januaries who worked their butts off on no sleep). It killed my vocals, and Im just sniffling all day.
Im also looking into staying here one more year for more Worship Leader training. Its intense stuff...but I have no clue what i am going to do...best place for God to intervene.
Love each person who is in GA, back home from the internship, or even here in Texas.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
circus fairs and the wazoo shopping market
Sal rules...Rach, Brittany, Allison, and Mere need to answer their dang phones. Good thing they cant read this. Good thing they dont know this exists....but we now know why Mere isnt answering her phone...seems that having one is a very big help. Yes.
Went to the fair. Trying to get a hold of some people...its quite frustrating....
Hahahaha...i wonder if i wrote my secret thoughts here about everyone, would the chances of them finding it increase?? hmmm...
AHHHH too much going on in my brain!!! Thinking is good, not in this amount!!!!
Went to the fair. Trying to get a hold of some people...its quite frustrating....
Hahahaha...i wonder if i wrote my secret thoughts here about everyone, would the chances of them finding it increase?? hmmm...
AHHHH too much going on in my brain!!! Thinking is good, not in this amount!!!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
One, Two...One, Two...
Hmmm...
Been reading a book called Captivating...about the heart of a woman.
Very interesting. It is written by the wife of and the author of Wild At Heart, John and Stasi Eldredge.
So far..very eye opening. Although most of it I know, it is revealing a lot. Its kind of exciting to learn more.
Looking at reading the book "Emotional Purity"...Just really into learning more about Godly women and how to porperly treat them, guard their heart, and show them what a Man of God looks like and truly is.
The adventure begins!!! (as well as a desire to read "Wild at Heart")
Been reading a book called Captivating...about the heart of a woman.
Very interesting. It is written by the wife of and the author of Wild At Heart, John and Stasi Eldredge.
So far..very eye opening. Although most of it I know, it is revealing a lot. Its kind of exciting to learn more.
Looking at reading the book "Emotional Purity"...Just really into learning more about Godly women and how to porperly treat them, guard their heart, and show them what a Man of God looks like and truly is.
The adventure begins!!! (as well as a desire to read "Wild at Heart")
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Return!!
Hello all!
Sorry i havent blogged in a long time.
I have been BUSY out the wazoo...whatever a wazoo is. Haha.
The internship is going well. Learning much and retaining good portions of it. I am also running out of thinking space to write...so much has happened that a single post cannot contain it.
So I will be short and sweet and try to continue from here on!!
Sorry i havent blogged in a long time.
I have been BUSY out the wazoo...whatever a wazoo is. Haha.
The internship is going well. Learning much and retaining good portions of it. I am also running out of thinking space to write...so much has happened that a single post cannot contain it.
So I will be short and sweet and try to continue from here on!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
as I chew the food, it turns into the body.
WOW! Been a long time since I updated this.
Here...its incredible. Life has been kicking me in the teeth, which is always exciting...and good news I have been working on developing sarcasm. Haha.
Stress. Its fairly addictive and must have a magnetic power to people who want everything calm and chill. It has been flying around like an annoying fly. Even saying, "shoo fly! dont bother me" is not cutting it. Best way to cope...ugh let me know. The only way I know how is to just deal with it. It wont last forever.
I am about to embark on a journey on the connections of the Old Testiment to the New Testiment. The visuals God used in the Old Testiment, and how Jesus (or whatever Jesus did or what he did casues) ties in together. Its fascinating so far. Im starting by reading the Tenahk (first five books of the Old Testiment) Im reading it in three translations: Messgae//Remix, New Living Trans., and the Complete Jewish Bible. Its pretty interesting.
My little corner of what God is showing me!
Faith. Hope. Love. why these three remain.
I have been reading in Isaiah, and I have found that God loves us. I have been reading Isaiah as if its me speaking to people who I care about. Like I was speaking to the interns of the Honor Academy, the people of my town, the people in my work place and where i worked, to my youth group, etc. To people i thoroughly cared about. Now...this gives me a tiny glimpse of how Isaiah felt, but an even tinier glimpse of how God felt.
In Isaiah 42:18-25, Isaiah is speaking the Words of God to Israel. He just spoke about a "new salvation" in verses 5-9. God is prophesying through Isaiah about salvation through Christ! Now, God is pleading with Israel! Check this out: at verse 18:
Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind? You're my servant, and your not looking! You're my messenger, and you're not listening.
God's love is so extreme here, He is making sure Isaiah is pay attention. He is spekaing of something so new and revolutionary, he wants Isaiah to be tracking. God continues,
The very people I have depeneded upon, servants of God, blind as a bat - willfully blind! You've seen a lot, but looked at nothing. You've heard everything, but listened to nothing.
Wow...this shows how you can "see" what God is doing, and miss it. Later on, it tells of how God wanted to be lavish in His revelation! He wanted the people to come back whole-heartedly. And the more He is doing this, the more He is conjuring up a "new salvation" for Israel to truly bring people back. He desired so much more!! A few verses on:
But is anyone out there listening? Is anyone paying attention to what's coming?
I always thought it meant the impeding doom. Always. But lets think about this...God is asking if the people have paid attention to what just happened. What did just happen? The impeding judgments!! Doom came and destoryed them. But i am beginning to feel Isaiah wasnt implying the people to look to the doom that is coming. He asked them to lok at the "servant" who will be bathed in the Spirit. The "new salvation". WHOA! God gave hope to the people, and He is asking if theyjust heard what God said. They were too busy about what happened and so concerned with that...they are about to miss the hope that is promised!! God is desperately trying to get there attention!
It continues:
Who do you think turned Jacob over to the thugs, let loose the robbers on Israel? Wasn't it God Himself, this God against whom we've sinned - not doing what he commanded, not listening to what He said? Isn't God's anger that's behind all this...Their whole world collapsed but they still didn't get it; their life is in ruins but they don't take it to heart.
Ok...God said this happened to them because they didn't obey them. He is now trying to console them. He is saying, "You know what did this?...your sin!" He is trying to get them to turn back faithfully and look towards the hope that is coming! The hope...its about the hope isnt it? God asked his people to have faith in this prediction, because the other ones came true! Haha, God is trying to grab there attention. He is giving reasons to believe what He says will happen!! He said "If you do not follow me, such and such will happen" and sure enough...they did not follow and such and such happened! He now is saying, "Ok...I told you it will happen, now why wont you fully believe me when I say HOPE IS COMING!?" I can imagine God shaking their bodies, slapping them in the face (to wake up slap), waving a hand in front of their eyes, checking to see if somebody is home or if they are just comatose.
Funny huh? God is more personified if we thnk about it. Emotions are great, because they bring things to life! God has emotions. He has anger, love, sadness...he has them...why do we imagine Him speaking monotone, or always angry, or just...uninteresting? He is saying, in his Old Testiment "visual" way, FAITH HOPE AND LOVE WILL REMAIN! THESE THREE REMAIN!!!! THESE THREE!
Now...if we believe that Jesus is who He says He is, did what He said He did, and lived how its told He loved...Why dont we believe the rest of the book?
May you come to see that God gives us hope. May you come to find that God wants our faith because He does what He says. May you come to discover the Love that He has, which ultimately drives Him to bring hope and give us reason for faith.
Here...its incredible. Life has been kicking me in the teeth, which is always exciting...and good news I have been working on developing sarcasm. Haha.
Stress. Its fairly addictive and must have a magnetic power to people who want everything calm and chill. It has been flying around like an annoying fly. Even saying, "shoo fly! dont bother me" is not cutting it. Best way to cope...ugh let me know. The only way I know how is to just deal with it. It wont last forever.
I am about to embark on a journey on the connections of the Old Testiment to the New Testiment. The visuals God used in the Old Testiment, and how Jesus (or whatever Jesus did or what he did casues) ties in together. Its fascinating so far. Im starting by reading the Tenahk (first five books of the Old Testiment) Im reading it in three translations: Messgae//Remix, New Living Trans., and the Complete Jewish Bible. Its pretty interesting.
My little corner of what God is showing me!
Faith. Hope. Love. why these three remain.
I have been reading in Isaiah, and I have found that God loves us. I have been reading Isaiah as if its me speaking to people who I care about. Like I was speaking to the interns of the Honor Academy, the people of my town, the people in my work place and where i worked, to my youth group, etc. To people i thoroughly cared about. Now...this gives me a tiny glimpse of how Isaiah felt, but an even tinier glimpse of how God felt.
In Isaiah 42:18-25, Isaiah is speaking the Words of God to Israel. He just spoke about a "new salvation" in verses 5-9. God is prophesying through Isaiah about salvation through Christ! Now, God is pleading with Israel! Check this out: at verse 18:
Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind? You're my servant, and your not looking! You're my messenger, and you're not listening.
God's love is so extreme here, He is making sure Isaiah is pay attention. He is spekaing of something so new and revolutionary, he wants Isaiah to be tracking. God continues,
The very people I have depeneded upon, servants of God, blind as a bat - willfully blind! You've seen a lot, but looked at nothing. You've heard everything, but listened to nothing.
Wow...this shows how you can "see" what God is doing, and miss it. Later on, it tells of how God wanted to be lavish in His revelation! He wanted the people to come back whole-heartedly. And the more He is doing this, the more He is conjuring up a "new salvation" for Israel to truly bring people back. He desired so much more!! A few verses on:
But is anyone out there listening? Is anyone paying attention to what's coming?
I always thought it meant the impeding doom. Always. But lets think about this...God is asking if the people have paid attention to what just happened. What did just happen? The impeding judgments!! Doom came and destoryed them. But i am beginning to feel Isaiah wasnt implying the people to look to the doom that is coming. He asked them to lok at the "servant" who will be bathed in the Spirit. The "new salvation". WHOA! God gave hope to the people, and He is asking if theyjust heard what God said. They were too busy about what happened and so concerned with that...they are about to miss the hope that is promised!! God is desperately trying to get there attention!
It continues:
Who do you think turned Jacob over to the thugs, let loose the robbers on Israel? Wasn't it God Himself, this God against whom we've sinned - not doing what he commanded, not listening to what He said? Isn't God's anger that's behind all this...Their whole world collapsed but they still didn't get it; their life is in ruins but they don't take it to heart.
Ok...God said this happened to them because they didn't obey them. He is now trying to console them. He is saying, "You know what did this?...your sin!" He is trying to get them to turn back faithfully and look towards the hope that is coming! The hope...its about the hope isnt it? God asked his people to have faith in this prediction, because the other ones came true! Haha, God is trying to grab there attention. He is giving reasons to believe what He says will happen!! He said "If you do not follow me, such and such will happen" and sure enough...they did not follow and such and such happened! He now is saying, "Ok...I told you it will happen, now why wont you fully believe me when I say HOPE IS COMING!?" I can imagine God shaking their bodies, slapping them in the face (to wake up slap), waving a hand in front of their eyes, checking to see if somebody is home or if they are just comatose.
Funny huh? God is more personified if we thnk about it. Emotions are great, because they bring things to life! God has emotions. He has anger, love, sadness...he has them...why do we imagine Him speaking monotone, or always angry, or just...uninteresting? He is saying, in his Old Testiment "visual" way, FAITH HOPE AND LOVE WILL REMAIN! THESE THREE REMAIN!!!! THESE THREE!
Now...if we believe that Jesus is who He says He is, did what He said He did, and lived how its told He loved...Why dont we believe the rest of the book?
May you come to see that God gives us hope. May you come to find that God wants our faith because He does what He says. May you come to discover the Love that He has, which ultimately drives Him to bring hope and give us reason for faith.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The pressure has built, and the volcano erupts with all its contents...only showing a glorious spectical to those who look
"Heretics!"
The name has weight. The name is never to be used lightly from a Christian's mouth. In fact, from my research (and until further evidence is brought it will remain) the name heretic in the New Testiment is used by one...Jesus.
So where do we get the authority to call someone a heretic? Is it because they do not agree with the norm? Who are we to judge, like we know the very heart of the person? And wasn't the accepted "evangelical" movement called the same when it came about? ENOUGH! If you cannot stand as to say, "I know the truth" without calling the so-called "false doctrine" heresy...something is off. Shouldn't the truth stand and be able to handle this so called problem? Truth is constant, and I believe thus...it will handle itself when we allow it to work, not us work it.
Defending and attacking are different things. We are to defend the faith, not attack our own! If they are "deceived" then shouldn't we win them with the truth instead of labeling with names? We are not accountable for the choices of others, but we can influence their decision by showing the truth and our integrity by weighing what is said for ourselves. Otherwise, it's no different than gossip. Instead of calling something a name...point out what is said(accurately and in context) and show IN LOVE where it is wrong and pray the person gets the Holy Spirit to convict them...not YOU convicting them! Otherwise its comes across like an attack.
Yes our faith isnt passive and you may be concerned for the ones you love. GREAT! But attacking our own is dividing us! Shouldnt we be careful to take things out of context?
And on another issue....What pastor hasn't said something that may seem a little off to what our revelation of God has shown us? I do not fully agree with a baptist pastor who believes miracles do not happen anymore. I do not agree with the catholics that many traditions that haoppen repeatedly (ie almost ritualistic) are necessary. I do not agree with the people who think tongues are for everyone. So please...just don't.
And Paul says, "let each servant answer to his own mastrer"...that applies to us as well. We are solely responsible for what we allow. Yes...we can show something we believe is wrong, but there are WAYS better to do it than call it "heresy" or "you're wrong". "I disagree because I came across this in the truth of God..." is many times better. Im not saying to not speak up if something is wrong, but Im saying your approach is the difference. And we cannot change a person...that's the Holy Spirit's job, right?
Rob Bell has been the biggest issue lately. People say he believes in "no virgin birth" and no "sola scriptura"(the doctrine that the Bible is the only infallible or inerrant authority for Christian faith, and that it contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness)...according to my research...this is misrepresented. In the same book these are quoted from...He CONFIRMS the virgin birth. And he AFFIRMS the sola scriptura! So...according to this...they misquoted him, thus their claims wrong. Has he made some claims I do not agree with, of course! His intellect is UP THERE! Thus he thinks on such a level I cannot quite comprehend, but I know where his heart stands...and its for Jesus.
So...I honestly say we need to stop calling names. We need to stop and look at the other in love. Is name calling love? THe only person who saw the hearts of man called the "religious/holier than thou" as heretics...and I believe only Jesus alone can make that claim. We can show truth, pray, and show it in LOVE. So can we please...please quit the name calling at least? If you do not like the guy, say that...no further. If someone asks why...remember you are accountable for your words. Do you really want to accuse someone of heresy, only to discover that the Holy Spirit used that to bring about a revival for the Kingdom? I implore you...search for yourself, and do not do something you will regret with your words.
The name has weight. The name is never to be used lightly from a Christian's mouth. In fact, from my research (and until further evidence is brought it will remain) the name heretic in the New Testiment is used by one...Jesus.
So where do we get the authority to call someone a heretic? Is it because they do not agree with the norm? Who are we to judge, like we know the very heart of the person? And wasn't the accepted "evangelical" movement called the same when it came about? ENOUGH! If you cannot stand as to say, "I know the truth" without calling the so-called "false doctrine" heresy...something is off. Shouldn't the truth stand and be able to handle this so called problem? Truth is constant, and I believe thus...it will handle itself when we allow it to work, not us work it.
Defending and attacking are different things. We are to defend the faith, not attack our own! If they are "deceived" then shouldn't we win them with the truth instead of labeling with names? We are not accountable for the choices of others, but we can influence their decision by showing the truth and our integrity by weighing what is said for ourselves. Otherwise, it's no different than gossip. Instead of calling something a name...point out what is said(accurately and in context) and show IN LOVE where it is wrong and pray the person gets the Holy Spirit to convict them...not YOU convicting them! Otherwise its comes across like an attack.
Yes our faith isnt passive and you may be concerned for the ones you love. GREAT! But attacking our own is dividing us! Shouldnt we be careful to take things out of context?
And on another issue....What pastor hasn't said something that may seem a little off to what our revelation of God has shown us? I do not fully agree with a baptist pastor who believes miracles do not happen anymore. I do not agree with the catholics that many traditions that haoppen repeatedly (ie almost ritualistic) are necessary. I do not agree with the people who think tongues are for everyone. So please...just don't.
And Paul says, "let each servant answer to his own mastrer"...that applies to us as well. We are solely responsible for what we allow. Yes...we can show something we believe is wrong, but there are WAYS better to do it than call it "heresy" or "you're wrong". "I disagree because I came across this in the truth of God..." is many times better. Im not saying to not speak up if something is wrong, but Im saying your approach is the difference. And we cannot change a person...that's the Holy Spirit's job, right?
Rob Bell has been the biggest issue lately. People say he believes in "no virgin birth" and no "sola scriptura"(the doctrine that the Bible is the only infallible or inerrant authority for Christian faith, and that it contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness)...according to my research...this is misrepresented. In the same book these are quoted from...He CONFIRMS the virgin birth. And he AFFIRMS the sola scriptura! So...according to this...they misquoted him, thus their claims wrong. Has he made some claims I do not agree with, of course! His intellect is UP THERE! Thus he thinks on such a level I cannot quite comprehend, but I know where his heart stands...and its for Jesus.
So...I honestly say we need to stop calling names. We need to stop and look at the other in love. Is name calling love? THe only person who saw the hearts of man called the "religious/holier than thou" as heretics...and I believe only Jesus alone can make that claim. We can show truth, pray, and show it in LOVE. So can we please...please quit the name calling at least? If you do not like the guy, say that...no further. If someone asks why...remember you are accountable for your words. Do you really want to accuse someone of heresy, only to discover that the Holy Spirit used that to bring about a revival for the Kingdom? I implore you...search for yourself, and do not do something you will regret with your words.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
untitled posts leave many wondering the subject
So I have way too much fun with the titles of my blog! Sorry I havent been very active. I have been busy.
Hmmm...I can say things here have gotten exciting. I have been able to grow yet closer to God. The realization of "why" I do and desire certain things has been very humbling. So if you're lost, I will recap. I am a Musician. I enjoy being on stage, in fact when I worship, there are times I wish I just had my guitar with me, because its how I would praise Him...through my guitar. And I wanted to play on stage. REALLY BADLY! We had a Band Fusion at the class. This is where we throw in different musicians at one time and play songs, then change out some position switch new instruments. Pretty cool. Well the first time we had it, I almost got to play. I had to go back to work right as I was about to play. Total sinker! Like "You sunk my battleship!" sinker. As I was walking back to work, I asked God why I couldn't play. That I wanted to play. Then he subtly asked, "why". When God asks why, most likely it means your motives are wrong. My case: Im always wrong when He asks why.
Well, regardless to say...I discovered why. And God kept working that aspect of me. He wants me to be a worshipper, not some performer. It's like what makes a Rock-Star a rock star. Is it the fact they play guitar and look cool, or is it that and they act, live, breathe the fact of being a Rock-Star. In fact to them, they never become a Rock-Star, they just do. They do it, not think about how to do it. CONNECTION! Im a Worshipper. I not only need to live, breathe, and sleep worship for God, but I need to do it. And do it through awe and love for Him, not because I am asked to. Do you like someone giving you "forced" approval? Or "forced" love? Why is God any different?
Ok, now that thats done...Work. We wont go there. Work stays at work.
I miss a lot of people back home. you guys are on my heart! And I pray you all go on an adventure of your own with God!
SOW today was intense!!! It was about what we, as worshippers, need to be and realize. Very good. Halfway through it, me and a buddy of mine had inspiration moments...so we wrote some intense songs. Songs about deliverence, remembrance, and thankfulness. Im pumped to get music to them.
Hmmm...I can say things here have gotten exciting. I have been able to grow yet closer to God. The realization of "why" I do and desire certain things has been very humbling. So if you're lost, I will recap. I am a Musician. I enjoy being on stage, in fact when I worship, there are times I wish I just had my guitar with me, because its how I would praise Him...through my guitar. And I wanted to play on stage. REALLY BADLY! We had a Band Fusion at the class. This is where we throw in different musicians at one time and play songs, then change out some position switch new instruments. Pretty cool. Well the first time we had it, I almost got to play. I had to go back to work right as I was about to play. Total sinker! Like "You sunk my battleship!" sinker. As I was walking back to work, I asked God why I couldn't play. That I wanted to play. Then he subtly asked, "why". When God asks why, most likely it means your motives are wrong. My case: Im always wrong when He asks why.
Well, regardless to say...I discovered why. And God kept working that aspect of me. He wants me to be a worshipper, not some performer. It's like what makes a Rock-Star a rock star. Is it the fact they play guitar and look cool, or is it that and they act, live, breathe the fact of being a Rock-Star. In fact to them, they never become a Rock-Star, they just do. They do it, not think about how to do it. CONNECTION! Im a Worshipper. I not only need to live, breathe, and sleep worship for God, but I need to do it. And do it through awe and love for Him, not because I am asked to. Do you like someone giving you "forced" approval? Or "forced" love? Why is God any different?
Ok, now that thats done...Work. We wont go there. Work stays at work.
I miss a lot of people back home. you guys are on my heart! And I pray you all go on an adventure of your own with God!
SOW today was intense!!! It was about what we, as worshippers, need to be and realize. Very good. Halfway through it, me and a buddy of mine had inspiration moments...so we wrote some intense songs. Songs about deliverence, remembrance, and thankfulness. Im pumped to get music to them.
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