It seems to me like politics is a taboo topic amongst Christians. I try to have some good conversations with people about politics and they just clam up. Its funny. We'll sit around and gossip and whatever about people we know, but when we try and discuss politics and/or world affairs, they suddenly don't wanna have an opinion. I enjoy talking about politics and world affairs with people. My Bible says to go into all the world and the last time i checked, politics was apart of the world. I understand that not everyone is going to be gung ho about certain topics. And i understand that not many people care about really getting deep about it. but when you don't know the simplest things about a your own government, thats just scary. The American part of me thinks that this is one of the greatest if not the greatest nation, ever. I know that our government has made some policies in the past that weren't good. And those things definitely need to be fixed.
Here, i'll give everyone a quick very brief overview of our government.
3 main branches: Executive (The President), Judicial (Supreme Court, judges) and Legislative (House of Reps and Senate).
congress is House of Reps and Senate.
Whenever they say its a joint session, they mean the House of Reps and Senate are coming together. 2 senators per state and house of reps determined by the population of a state.
There are currently 16 cabinet members in the President's Cabinet. Homeland Security was created after 9/11.
Thus concludes our brief lesson on the U.S. government. I know there are issues and problems within that government. I won't turn a blind eye to that and act like we haven't botched things up in the past. but unless if you don't at least pray for our nation and our leaders, and if your able to and vote, i don't really know that i care to hear what you have to say.
at least pray. and if you can vote and you don't, thats your loss. voting doesn't solve everything. prayer does. but at least w/ voting your voicing your opinion to some degree. and even if it is the electoral college that actually votes in the president... still, voice your say.
i've dealt with people in the past who say that they don't vote b/c Earth isn't their real home, Heaven is. while i agree w/ that, i still say get out and make your voice heard. i've told those people directly to their face that since they could've voted and they simply didn't want to that i didn't wanna hear any complaints about our nation or our president and Washington b/c they didn't voice their opinion. they were a bit shocked, but they agreed.
in any case, have a great day.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
An Expression of Outreach
Well, Halloween is just around the corner. I'm looking towards the time when churches all across the country will hopefully come up with some sort of way to reach out to the local community. I'm not against handing out tracts and doing some sort of ministry outreach. I've found it funny in the past to hear that various youth groups go to these haunted trails. Kinda defeats the purpose...
In any case.... one thing i'm looking towards is the time when your talking to someone and you start to tell them their life story. When you start to dig in deep and instead of just ministering the superficial need, you get deep. You find out why they have the issues and problems that they have. You find out they have an addiction to porn or a smoking addiction or gossip like crazy (yep, gossip is a sin just like being addicted to porn... ((thats bound to stir up a hornets nest))).
I think that having some sort of outreach to the community is great. It pulls people in and gets conversation going. But when that person comes in in a wheelchair or crutches, what happens? I am personally all for eradicating the handicap spots. Get the person healed! That is the job of a 'Christian', being one who is a disciple of Christ. This bogus theology that those gifts have ceased is just that... bogus. I have found NO WHERE in scripture is says that.
I think that hopefully one day, when the church comes into maturity, that you casting a demon out of someone will be like giving them a glass of water. You won't have to sit there for hours on end figuring out what the world is happening. You'll simply be talking to them and you'll be like "oh, and by the way, that spirit of greed that is one you... out now in Jesus name. I was at the mall the other day..."
Am i out of my mind? I don't think so... i may be out of YOUR, but i think i'm thinking pretty clearly. The only reason why that idea might scare you is is because we're soo used to the idea of the church not operating in power. We're soo used to just having our nice little services w/o making much of an actual impact.
I'm personally really tired of it in my own life. It's something that the Lord has been challenging me on for some time now. I believe that the church is slowly coming into a maturity in the Spirit that healings and deliverances and other workings of the Spirit will be common place. We won't be shocked when our 5 year old is laying hands on someone in the supermarket and this person is actually healed!
I often tell people to get their little children involved in this stuff. I mean, who in their right mind is going to turn down a 5 year old when this little child asks to pray for them. Ok, so there might be a few people.... but just think of this...
Your in the store and a little child comes up to you and says "I see you have a cast on. Would u mind if i prayed for you?" and not only that but they begin to tell you your life story.
I love the fact that its about faith and not feelings. I prayed for a guy once and the only thing i felt was really tired. It was a Friday afternoon and i just got home from bible school. i wanted to go in and lay down. but no, God had a child he wanted me to minister to. and i'm personally really glad i felt nothing. because that means it wasn't me doing it... it was God reaching down and touching this person. I've prayed for countless others and absolutely nothing happened. Which bothers me at times b/c then i start to question my faith.
The bible says that these signs accompany those who come in the name of Jesus. They lay their hands on the sick and they recover. Doesn't anyone else wonder or question this stuff?
I really hope that this has gotten your thinking cap going. I mean, at times you gotta wrestle with this stuff and just get a holy frustrated with it and just really have it out with God. God likes that i think. Or He at least likes us coming to Him.
You know like the 5 fold ministry gifts aren't for us to get all puffed up with and walk around like we're someone. They're for us to train others up and see the kingdom of God come down! For me, pastor is a position, not a title. Apostle is a position, not a title. True ministry giftings are not for people to get puffed up over. They're for us to lay down our lives and see Jesus exalted. I fully believe in honoring men and women of God. but i don't like pedestals. thats why i like serving at church soo much. the job gets done and i move on. i'm not doing it for a pat on the back... i'm doing it to see others ministered to. i pray for others for them to be released into their calling and get their lives straightened out.
This past week was a beginning of training for my new job. Our trainer told us that we as the worker bees are the real workers. without us, the CEO and the people up top are out of a job.
wow, you get the ball rolling and you never know what will come out. (and for you FIRE grads/students.. i know i sound like Gladstone or Dr. Brown a lot. hehe. i try not to but you know....)
In any case.... one thing i'm looking towards is the time when your talking to someone and you start to tell them their life story. When you start to dig in deep and instead of just ministering the superficial need, you get deep. You find out why they have the issues and problems that they have. You find out they have an addiction to porn or a smoking addiction or gossip like crazy (yep, gossip is a sin just like being addicted to porn... ((thats bound to stir up a hornets nest))).
I think that having some sort of outreach to the community is great. It pulls people in and gets conversation going. But when that person comes in in a wheelchair or crutches, what happens? I am personally all for eradicating the handicap spots. Get the person healed! That is the job of a 'Christian', being one who is a disciple of Christ. This bogus theology that those gifts have ceased is just that... bogus. I have found NO WHERE in scripture is says that.
I think that hopefully one day, when the church comes into maturity, that you casting a demon out of someone will be like giving them a glass of water. You won't have to sit there for hours on end figuring out what the world is happening. You'll simply be talking to them and you'll be like "oh, and by the way, that spirit of greed that is one you... out now in Jesus name. I was at the mall the other day..."
Am i out of my mind? I don't think so... i may be out of YOUR, but i think i'm thinking pretty clearly. The only reason why that idea might scare you is is because we're soo used to the idea of the church not operating in power. We're soo used to just having our nice little services w/o making much of an actual impact.
I'm personally really tired of it in my own life. It's something that the Lord has been challenging me on for some time now. I believe that the church is slowly coming into a maturity in the Spirit that healings and deliverances and other workings of the Spirit will be common place. We won't be shocked when our 5 year old is laying hands on someone in the supermarket and this person is actually healed!
I often tell people to get their little children involved in this stuff. I mean, who in their right mind is going to turn down a 5 year old when this little child asks to pray for them. Ok, so there might be a few people.... but just think of this...
Your in the store and a little child comes up to you and says "I see you have a cast on. Would u mind if i prayed for you?" and not only that but they begin to tell you your life story.
I love the fact that its about faith and not feelings. I prayed for a guy once and the only thing i felt was really tired. It was a Friday afternoon and i just got home from bible school. i wanted to go in and lay down. but no, God had a child he wanted me to minister to. and i'm personally really glad i felt nothing. because that means it wasn't me doing it... it was God reaching down and touching this person. I've prayed for countless others and absolutely nothing happened. Which bothers me at times b/c then i start to question my faith.
The bible says that these signs accompany those who come in the name of Jesus. They lay their hands on the sick and they recover. Doesn't anyone else wonder or question this stuff?
I really hope that this has gotten your thinking cap going. I mean, at times you gotta wrestle with this stuff and just get a holy frustrated with it and just really have it out with God. God likes that i think. Or He at least likes us coming to Him.
You know like the 5 fold ministry gifts aren't for us to get all puffed up with and walk around like we're someone. They're for us to train others up and see the kingdom of God come down! For me, pastor is a position, not a title. Apostle is a position, not a title. True ministry giftings are not for people to get puffed up over. They're for us to lay down our lives and see Jesus exalted. I fully believe in honoring men and women of God. but i don't like pedestals. thats why i like serving at church soo much. the job gets done and i move on. i'm not doing it for a pat on the back... i'm doing it to see others ministered to. i pray for others for them to be released into their calling and get their lives straightened out.
This past week was a beginning of training for my new job. Our trainer told us that we as the worker bees are the real workers. without us, the CEO and the people up top are out of a job.
wow, you get the ball rolling and you never know what will come out. (and for you FIRE grads/students.. i know i sound like Gladstone or Dr. Brown a lot. hehe. i try not to but you know....)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Dance the Night Away
The video is really self explanatory. It shows a lot of good aspects of real life w/ youth. I know i deal with this stuff all the time. I mean, this is life for some kids... unfortunately.
Last month i was able to minister at a youth retreat in PA. Now, i wanted to share a good revolution message... rally the troops, go get 'em sort of deal. But God knew better. As i shared before, i ministered the Father's Heart. These kids need a revelation of who God is as their Father. They're sick and tired of propped up religion and nice services and people getting up their and acting like they got it all together with expensive clothes. They want the presence of God. They're crying out for people to live right.
So thanks to Lakewood church for putting this human video on. Rock on guys.
Lord, teach me to be a good steward of what you've entrusted me with.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Missions/Giving
I love to travel. I love to get in a car and go somewhere and spend time with people. Or jump on a plane and fly for hours and hours and hours.... i just have a high tolerance i guess for that stuff. i'm sure its different for different people, given their circumstances. Probably if and when you get small children, its a different story.
It's kind of funny now that i love to travel because when i was younger, probably around 5 or so, my family was going to Disney World. From where we lived in Pennsylvania, its a good probably 20+ hour drive. From what my parents tell me, we get to Lancaster City, about 20 minutes out and my mom tells me that i started saying "Go home now... go home now.."
Yeah, its one of those cute little kiddie things your parents will lovingly remind you of time and time again... like the time i kissed the flower girl at a wedding where i was the ring bearer...
In other news... This week is our missions festival and alumni gathering. This is an awesome time of year where a good number of the missionaries come back to the base and meet and greet and raise money... Its a dangerous time for bank accounts. I'm the type of person where i hear a need and i'm just like i wanna give...
So of course i'm giving. ever notice how throwing out $10 bucks to go see a movie is no big deal but giving that same money to a missionary is like a stretch to us? It's because one situation is where we are spending that money on ourselves and not someone else. People can tend to be a bit selfish... myself included. Another joy that i have is when i go out to eat with people and they're not able to cover their meal, i take it for them. That's why i love to help out around here because i'm simply spending my energy and time and not necessarily getting anything in return for it. Which sometimes, i have to really check my heart because i'll do something and i'm secretly hoping to get noticed for it.
But sometimes we have to ask ourselves why we are doing something. Is it to get recognised? I have to ask myself that a lot! Are you serving in certain aspects to get something in return? Or are you truly doing it to get noticed? Would you continue to do it if you wouldn't get recognised?
Giving unannounced. Giving in such a way that only God sees you doing it. That's fun to me.
It's kind of funny now that i love to travel because when i was younger, probably around 5 or so, my family was going to Disney World. From where we lived in Pennsylvania, its a good probably 20+ hour drive. From what my parents tell me, we get to Lancaster City, about 20 minutes out and my mom tells me that i started saying "Go home now... go home now.."
Yeah, its one of those cute little kiddie things your parents will lovingly remind you of time and time again... like the time i kissed the flower girl at a wedding where i was the ring bearer...
In other news... This week is our missions festival and alumni gathering. This is an awesome time of year where a good number of the missionaries come back to the base and meet and greet and raise money... Its a dangerous time for bank accounts. I'm the type of person where i hear a need and i'm just like i wanna give...
So of course i'm giving. ever notice how throwing out $10 bucks to go see a movie is no big deal but giving that same money to a missionary is like a stretch to us? It's because one situation is where we are spending that money on ourselves and not someone else. People can tend to be a bit selfish... myself included. Another joy that i have is when i go out to eat with people and they're not able to cover their meal, i take it for them. That's why i love to help out around here because i'm simply spending my energy and time and not necessarily getting anything in return for it. Which sometimes, i have to really check my heart because i'll do something and i'm secretly hoping to get noticed for it.
But sometimes we have to ask ourselves why we are doing something. Is it to get recognised? I have to ask myself that a lot! Are you serving in certain aspects to get something in return? Or are you truly doing it to get noticed? Would you continue to do it if you wouldn't get recognised?
Giving unannounced. Giving in such a way that only God sees you doing it. That's fun to me.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
People are interesting
It hasn't been til just recently that i've started looking for other peoples blog sites and their myspaces and whatnot. I just find it soo funny in that the differences between the male sites and the female sites. Despite what some people wanna believe, guys and girls are different. Our physical bodies are different (if you haven't realized this yet, you need help), our emotional lives are different and the list goes on and on.
Sometime ago in one of my classes at school, the teacher, Dr. Peters, put up a slide to summarize the difference between guys and girls. For the guys, it was an on/off switch. for the girls, there were all sorts of dials and buttons and knobs and whatever else. That sums it up. Guys and girls are different. If you want to argue this, i'm all ears.
As i was pondering this today, i was just like "God, why do you have it that two 'species' that at times can't stand one another, fall in love and come together and do all we do?" Still haven't gotten an answer for it. It's just funny.
Sometime ago in one of my classes at school, the teacher, Dr. Peters, put up a slide to summarize the difference between guys and girls. For the guys, it was an on/off switch. for the girls, there were all sorts of dials and buttons and knobs and whatever else. That sums it up. Guys and girls are different. If you want to argue this, i'm all ears.
As i was pondering this today, i was just like "God, why do you have it that two 'species' that at times can't stand one another, fall in love and come together and do all we do?" Still haven't gotten an answer for it. It's just funny.
Apostolic Strategy
Sometime ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to understand what Apostolic Strategy is. So i've been praying and praying and praying for Apostolic Strategy. To give a definition for it, i'd say its an idea or strategy on how to take a territory and claim it for God and pray into it.
I believe i shared this before, but sometime ago, i was helping a friend of mine rebuilding his uncles cabin. The job they gave me was to knock out a portion roughly 4'x5' of a cinder block wall. Now for a guy like me, it sounded great! i get to take a sledge hammer and just go to town on this thing! All the aggression i get to take out on it...
Well, you can imagine that after a very short time, i got very winded. so i just started to chip away little by little. It was during that time that the Lord started to really speak to me about strategy. And lately, he's been bringing it up again and again. Just today, while home during lunch, i quickly jotted down some notes about "how to take a public high school for Jesus." now notice that i said for Jesus. that means non violence.
I can remember a youth pastor once telling me that he always got calls from the nearby high schools because soo many of his kids went to these schools. And whenever God would break out in the high schools, they would call him to come in and minister at the schools. What an open door!
So in light of that, i've also been working on my vision for the future. What i wanna see myself getting involved in in the coming years.
Part of that is is to be involved in working with computers. And with my new job, i'm learning a lot of that stuff. The company that i work for is Logitech. so at work, i'm on the Logitech account. In the coming weeks i'll be working the phones and troubleshooting problems for people over the phone. I'm excited.
I miss the relationships that i have with people from Wal-Mart, but it was time to move on. I'll see them in the days and weeks to follow i'm sure. I still plan on shopping there.
I believe i shared this before, but sometime ago, i was helping a friend of mine rebuilding his uncles cabin. The job they gave me was to knock out a portion roughly 4'x5' of a cinder block wall. Now for a guy like me, it sounded great! i get to take a sledge hammer and just go to town on this thing! All the aggression i get to take out on it...
Well, you can imagine that after a very short time, i got very winded. so i just started to chip away little by little. It was during that time that the Lord started to really speak to me about strategy. And lately, he's been bringing it up again and again. Just today, while home during lunch, i quickly jotted down some notes about "how to take a public high school for Jesus." now notice that i said for Jesus. that means non violence.
I can remember a youth pastor once telling me that he always got calls from the nearby high schools because soo many of his kids went to these schools. And whenever God would break out in the high schools, they would call him to come in and minister at the schools. What an open door!
So in light of that, i've also been working on my vision for the future. What i wanna see myself getting involved in in the coming years.
Part of that is is to be involved in working with computers. And with my new job, i'm learning a lot of that stuff. The company that i work for is Logitech. so at work, i'm on the Logitech account. In the coming weeks i'll be working the phones and troubleshooting problems for people over the phone. I'm excited.
I miss the relationships that i have with people from Wal-Mart, but it was time to move on. I'll see them in the days and weeks to follow i'm sure. I still plan on shopping there.
Monday, October 22, 2007
New Beginnings... The Connextion
Well, today i started my new job! It was great! It's Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm. The next two weeks is just basically classroom training. Probably by the end of next week, we'll be taking calls and dealing with customers. But i look forward to being in a different environment and learning a specific trade more. I'm more geared toward the technological field anyways.
But in any case, i'm really excited about it all AND i'm looking towards getting more people involved w/ it. i can think of a lot of people to refer there for jobs.
Also this week is our missions festival here at FIRE. Missionaries from all over the globe are coming in and i get too see tons of old friends and make new ones! Its great to hear all the stories of all the healings and salvations and deliverances and the other assortment of stories you get from these guys. It makes me wanna just go out and get my own stories... anyone for some traveling w/ me? I only have about 50 nations i can think of right now to travel from, so it won't take that long to wittle down the list...
We're taking Jesus to the nations... come on.. lets go!
But in any case, i'm really excited about it all AND i'm looking towards getting more people involved w/ it. i can think of a lot of people to refer there for jobs.
Also this week is our missions festival here at FIRE. Missionaries from all over the globe are coming in and i get too see tons of old friends and make new ones! Its great to hear all the stories of all the healings and salvations and deliverances and the other assortment of stories you get from these guys. It makes me wanna just go out and get my own stories... anyone for some traveling w/ me? I only have about 50 nations i can think of right now to travel from, so it won't take that long to wittle down the list...
We're taking Jesus to the nations... come on.. lets go!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Prophetic Words
I've grown up in the charismatic church for the most part. I've seen a quite a bit of flakiness and/or weirdness in the church. I've also experienced quite a good bit of fruit and stability in their as well. Some say the gifts have ceased with the last of the original apostles. I would obviously largely disagree w/ that train of thought.
But just recently, i was thinking about prophetic words. To prophesy is to speak the word of the Lord. Some think this means you have to say "Thus saith the Lord.." in a King James kinda way. I would disagree w/ that. It's pretty simply to prophesy actually. I simply seek the heart of the Father and pray and worship and the Holy Ghost moves.
Some are turned off by it because of things in the past and people abusing it and saying things and things not happening. Sometimes thats because it wasn't really the Word of the Lord for you and the person was simply saying something because they wanted to look important. Or other times its simply one of those that will happen in the future.
People make mistakes at times when saying things. They shouldn't've said something perhaps. The Lord will deal with those people. They're not necessarily a false prophet just because 10 years ago they said one wrong things. Unfortunately, we are human and we do make mistakes.
Paul told us all to prophesy. 1 Cor. 14:31. Paul also told us to do things in a fitting and proper manner. So don't despise prophesy and the gifts of the spirit, just use them wisely.
One thing i can't really stand are the weak prophetic words that are floating around in the 'charismatic/non denominational' circles. Sometimes it just gets to be too much. You look at a good measure of the prophetic words in the Bible and mostly all carried a message of repentance.
Nowadays, things just seem weak and superficial. It just seems to me that its all just "Jesus loves you..." type of stuff. Which is very true. Jesus loves you and me and He wants us to be in right relationship with God through the Cross. And when you accept Him, He calls you to lay your life down. You could very well be blessed to live with lots of money and live a very nice life... perhaps you may know it as the American Dream. And that could very well happen. However, if your whole reason for 'getting saved' is so that He will give you a nice life and a pool and a nice car to drive, i'd implore you to get truly saved. Not the American gospel saved, but a Biblical Salvation.
But just recently, i was thinking about prophetic words. To prophesy is to speak the word of the Lord. Some think this means you have to say "Thus saith the Lord.." in a King James kinda way. I would disagree w/ that. It's pretty simply to prophesy actually. I simply seek the heart of the Father and pray and worship and the Holy Ghost moves.
Some are turned off by it because of things in the past and people abusing it and saying things and things not happening. Sometimes thats because it wasn't really the Word of the Lord for you and the person was simply saying something because they wanted to look important. Or other times its simply one of those that will happen in the future.
People make mistakes at times when saying things. They shouldn't've said something perhaps. The Lord will deal with those people. They're not necessarily a false prophet just because 10 years ago they said one wrong things. Unfortunately, we are human and we do make mistakes.
Paul told us all to prophesy. 1 Cor. 14:31. Paul also told us to do things in a fitting and proper manner. So don't despise prophesy and the gifts of the spirit, just use them wisely.
One thing i can't really stand are the weak prophetic words that are floating around in the 'charismatic/non denominational' circles. Sometimes it just gets to be too much. You look at a good measure of the prophetic words in the Bible and mostly all carried a message of repentance.
Nowadays, things just seem weak and superficial. It just seems to me that its all just "Jesus loves you..." type of stuff. Which is very true. Jesus loves you and me and He wants us to be in right relationship with God through the Cross. And when you accept Him, He calls you to lay your life down. You could very well be blessed to live with lots of money and live a very nice life... perhaps you may know it as the American Dream. And that could very well happen. However, if your whole reason for 'getting saved' is so that He will give you a nice life and a pool and a nice car to drive, i'd implore you to get truly saved. Not the American gospel saved, but a Biblical Salvation.
Friday, October 19, 2007
The End of an Era
Well, for everyone, there are times and seasons. One of those seasons for me what working at Wal-Mart. I'm happy to let you all know that that season has come to an end. (Somewhere, on a far away village... there are villagers on a hill... and they're rejoicing right now..) Today, 10/19/07, was my last day there. I'll miss the people, but certainly not the policies.
How did it all happen? Kind of an interesting story really...
Just like the other week, an online article caught my attention. It was talking about The End Of The Wal*Mart Era. So anyways, as you can imagine, i was very interested right away. So i book marked this particular article. It is long so as of right now, i haven't read the whole thing. But i felt almost now like MSN was 'prophesying' over me. interesting huh?
But Thursday i had an interview scheduled for internet sales. I was going to be selling cars on the Internet i guess. That just didn't work out. So i just came home and tried to apply for another job w/ Samaritan's Purse. right during the time i'm on the phone with the people from Samaritan's Purse, another local business called me. a business the i had applied for sometime ago, Connextions. I have a lot of respect for Samaritan's Purse. I read at least one of Franklin Graham's books, "The Name" and it was really good (i highly recommend it).
In any case, i was talking with Connextions and mentioned that i wanted to be able to give Wal-Mart a 2 week notice, as that is the customary thing to do. But then Brian came and gave some of his perspective. He's worked in personell and has experience in these things. He recommended i just go talk to the management at work and see if they can't let me go. So i went and talked with them and they said that would be fine! So i called Connextions back and we worked it all out.
So yesterday, 10/19/07 was the end of the Wal-Mart era. I'll certainly miss the relationships i've had their. I certainly made a number of good quality friends. But its time for me to move on. And i'm sure i'll be back to go shopping. it'll just feel weird to not have a discount anymore. oh well, they were getting stingy with that anyways.
On 10/22 i start at Connextions. From what i gather of this business, it's a 3rd party technical support group. I'll be working with the Logitech Account. I guess all that means i'll be on the phone troubleshooting with customers. But i have a full 2 weeks of training first. So needless to say i'm excited.
How did it all happen? Kind of an interesting story really...
Just like the other week, an online article caught my attention. It was talking about The End Of The Wal*Mart Era. So anyways, as you can imagine, i was very interested right away. So i book marked this particular article. It is long so as of right now, i haven't read the whole thing. But i felt almost now like MSN was 'prophesying' over me. interesting huh?
But Thursday i had an interview scheduled for internet sales. I was going to be selling cars on the Internet i guess. That just didn't work out. So i just came home and tried to apply for another job w/ Samaritan's Purse. right during the time i'm on the phone with the people from Samaritan's Purse, another local business called me. a business the i had applied for sometime ago, Connextions. I have a lot of respect for Samaritan's Purse. I read at least one of Franklin Graham's books, "The Name" and it was really good (i highly recommend it).
In any case, i was talking with Connextions and mentioned that i wanted to be able to give Wal-Mart a 2 week notice, as that is the customary thing to do. But then Brian came and gave some of his perspective. He's worked in personell and has experience in these things. He recommended i just go talk to the management at work and see if they can't let me go. So i went and talked with them and they said that would be fine! So i called Connextions back and we worked it all out.
So yesterday, 10/19/07 was the end of the Wal-Mart era. I'll certainly miss the relationships i've had their. I certainly made a number of good quality friends. But its time for me to move on. And i'm sure i'll be back to go shopping. it'll just feel weird to not have a discount anymore. oh well, they were getting stingy with that anyways.
On 10/22 i start at Connextions. From what i gather of this business, it's a 3rd party technical support group. I'll be working with the Logitech Account. I guess all that means i'll be on the phone troubleshooting with customers. But i have a full 2 weeks of training first. So needless to say i'm excited.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wal-Mart Activity
This evening at work was quite interesting. About 7pm we had to evacuate the building. Customers and all. To this moment, I don't know what happened exactly. From the looks of things, I might say it was a bomb threat. That's judging from the looks of it.
"Now why would someone want to bomb a Wal-Mart?" Why do people bomb places period? Perhaps they're mad at the people and/or society. I can imagine we might have a few customers mad at us for various reasons. I've dealt in the past w/ customers who were irrate for whatever reason. We have people come in their and try to take advantage of the system for whatever reason. That reason being that they need Jesus.
What would you do if we didn't have a place like Wal-Mart? I'm amazed at the amount of people who don't know that we close down every Christmas day. Of course, i'm amazed at a lot of things that people do. They are some interesting people out there... and i'm one of them at times.
At this point, there are a lot of questions and i don't have the answers. I don't know why someone would bomb the place or make threats or act weirdly or walk right through a water puddle when i'm clearly trying to clean it up.... people do weird things when they think the world revolves around them.
Some of these people need to go visit a third world country and see how good they've got it. Friend, at times, life isn't going to make sense to you. Doesn't mean you have to come up w/ some stupid remark about it. yes, i know that rule is stupid. thanks for pointing out the obvious to me. yes, i know you don't like that policy... what would you like me to do about it (b/c i know you aren't going to do anything about it except for go home and talk about how much you don't like it). i just know things about people and their behavior....
kinda like mob mentality... i dont know if you've ever experienced a mob mentality situation before, but this is when the "never-underestimate-the-power-of-stupid-people-in-large-groups" saying comes into place. like 5 people out of like 2,000 actually know whats going on. the rest of them are just getting onto the wagon b/c it seems like the fun thing to do.
so, thus ends my discourse on the events of this evening. I just thought i would fill you in on some various aspects of my life.
"Now why would someone want to bomb a Wal-Mart?" Why do people bomb places period? Perhaps they're mad at the people and/or society. I can imagine we might have a few customers mad at us for various reasons. I've dealt in the past w/ customers who were irrate for whatever reason. We have people come in their and try to take advantage of the system for whatever reason. That reason being that they need Jesus.
What would you do if we didn't have a place like Wal-Mart? I'm amazed at the amount of people who don't know that we close down every Christmas day. Of course, i'm amazed at a lot of things that people do. They are some interesting people out there... and i'm one of them at times.
At this point, there are a lot of questions and i don't have the answers. I don't know why someone would bomb the place or make threats or act weirdly or walk right through a water puddle when i'm clearly trying to clean it up.... people do weird things when they think the world revolves around them.
Some of these people need to go visit a third world country and see how good they've got it. Friend, at times, life isn't going to make sense to you. Doesn't mean you have to come up w/ some stupid remark about it. yes, i know that rule is stupid. thanks for pointing out the obvious to me. yes, i know you don't like that policy... what would you like me to do about it (b/c i know you aren't going to do anything about it except for go home and talk about how much you don't like it). i just know things about people and their behavior....
kinda like mob mentality... i dont know if you've ever experienced a mob mentality situation before, but this is when the "never-underestimate-the-power-of-stupid-people-in-large-groups" saying comes into place. like 5 people out of like 2,000 actually know whats going on. the rest of them are just getting onto the wagon b/c it seems like the fun thing to do.
so, thus ends my discourse on the events of this evening. I just thought i would fill you in on some various aspects of my life.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Arm chair critics
Today while at work, i began to meditate some on 1 Cor 2:1-5. To summarize, the Apostle Paul is talking to the church of Corinth and he tells them that when He came there, he didn't want to come with wise and persuasive words. But with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power!
to give a little cultural background... the people of Corinth in that time were a very intellectual people. They would pay famous speakers to come in and just teach/talk to them about whatever various topics. Now, i'm not saying that its not a God thing to be wise and intellectual. I know many awesome powerful men and women of God who are brilliant and are using that effectively to the glory of God.
But what i am saying is is that i know of countless people who go to church week after week and probably have never had an encounter with the manifest presence of God! They go to church, thinking they're doing God a favor and doing the right thing by doing the church thing, but its really nothing. It's just ritual. Put their two hours in sunday morning to do the nice song and dance routine and walk out. I personally am annoyed at that. I can remember growing up that we would have family get togethers sunday afternoon. and in order to provide lunch for people at their homes, my relatives would just go to early service at church so as to get home and have the food ready by lunch time.
Isn't that cute... they think they're doing God a favor and doing the nice little church thing.... exscuse me while i run to the bathroom and puke....
Ok, i feel better now.... somewhat. honestly, if thats your idea, just stay home and forget about it. your not doing anyone a favor, least of all God. He doesn't want your lips, He wants your heart.
what would happen today if God were to come down in your church? i mean, how prepared would our hearts be for him? how many lies do we sing in church on sunday morning... "oh, i surrender all..." whatever...
You don't have to tell someone who's had an encounter with the Living God to go out and evangelize. through their lives it happens for the most part. i mean, just their stories get people doing. Take someone who's never had an encounter with Jesus and they might know good theology. And they might be able to take someone through the 4 Spiritual Laws or something. And thats fine. But take someone who's been a witness of God's love, and their witnessing takes on a whole new dimension. People they're talking with can feel a difference. It's not just a nice discussion, but the people they're talking with can probably tell they're doing it out of more love and a heart that says "I want you to experience what i've experienced."
When you've experienced God's love and in a certain manner, your life will change. I'm living proof of it. yeah, people can challenge things about your past, but give them your testimony. Watch them challenge that. God doesn't really need defended. I don't really do a whole lot of debating with people b/c i'm not a good debater. I'll share my point and they can share their's. But God can't really be defined to a point. He's not in our little box.
whats my point here? my point is is that we need the manifest presence of God again! i'm soo tired of boring services where we lack healings and salvations... give someone the presence and they're changed forever more. I was sitting talking w/ a group of people once and they were basically slamming a move of God on a few small points. Some of the points may have been a bit legit. But overall, they were talking out of ignorance. I sat and listened for a while. It was just funny to me to see how we think we know everything about everything.
Lately, God's been dealing with me about stewarding His presence. People were killed in the Old Testament for not stewarding God's Presense (The Ark of the Covenant) properly.
to give a little cultural background... the people of Corinth in that time were a very intellectual people. They would pay famous speakers to come in and just teach/talk to them about whatever various topics. Now, i'm not saying that its not a God thing to be wise and intellectual. I know many awesome powerful men and women of God who are brilliant and are using that effectively to the glory of God.
But what i am saying is is that i know of countless people who go to church week after week and probably have never had an encounter with the manifest presence of God! They go to church, thinking they're doing God a favor and doing the right thing by doing the church thing, but its really nothing. It's just ritual. Put their two hours in sunday morning to do the nice song and dance routine and walk out. I personally am annoyed at that. I can remember growing up that we would have family get togethers sunday afternoon. and in order to provide lunch for people at their homes, my relatives would just go to early service at church so as to get home and have the food ready by lunch time.
Isn't that cute... they think they're doing God a favor and doing the nice little church thing.... exscuse me while i run to the bathroom and puke....
Ok, i feel better now.... somewhat. honestly, if thats your idea, just stay home and forget about it. your not doing anyone a favor, least of all God. He doesn't want your lips, He wants your heart.
what would happen today if God were to come down in your church? i mean, how prepared would our hearts be for him? how many lies do we sing in church on sunday morning... "oh, i surrender all..." whatever...
You don't have to tell someone who's had an encounter with the Living God to go out and evangelize. through their lives it happens for the most part. i mean, just their stories get people doing. Take someone who's never had an encounter with Jesus and they might know good theology. And they might be able to take someone through the 4 Spiritual Laws or something. And thats fine. But take someone who's been a witness of God's love, and their witnessing takes on a whole new dimension. People they're talking with can feel a difference. It's not just a nice discussion, but the people they're talking with can probably tell they're doing it out of more love and a heart that says "I want you to experience what i've experienced."
When you've experienced God's love and in a certain manner, your life will change. I'm living proof of it. yeah, people can challenge things about your past, but give them your testimony. Watch them challenge that. God doesn't really need defended. I don't really do a whole lot of debating with people b/c i'm not a good debater. I'll share my point and they can share their's. But God can't really be defined to a point. He's not in our little box.
whats my point here? my point is is that we need the manifest presence of God again! i'm soo tired of boring services where we lack healings and salvations... give someone the presence and they're changed forever more. I was sitting talking w/ a group of people once and they were basically slamming a move of God on a few small points. Some of the points may have been a bit legit. But overall, they were talking out of ignorance. I sat and listened for a while. It was just funny to me to see how we think we know everything about everything.
Lately, God's been dealing with me about stewarding His presence. People were killed in the Old Testament for not stewarding God's Presense (The Ark of the Covenant) properly.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Where's the Depth?
Jesus, teach me how to be a person of depth.
Isolation is a tool that is used a lot by satan. Looking past all the fake smiles and the superficiality of life, you realize a lot of things. This world is full of hurting people. People who lack vision and direction. People who are just living from one day to the next. They've been hurt by someone and therefore have a wall built up. I know from personal experience that when you've been hurt, your immediate response is to put a wall up. That way, you won't be hurt again. You won't be vulnerable again so as to not get injured again. The hardest thing to do is to say "Jesus, I love this person as You and I know that they're heart was not to harm me. I forgive them for the wrong thats been done and I give that hurt to you. Bless them beyond all measure."
Because our immediate thing is is to maybe start rumors and gossip about it. Start to drag that person down. We've been hurt, and we wanna see others hurt. (Misery loves company.) All the while, those demons are egging you on.
I was just recently talking w/ a friend and we were both like "yeah, i feel really isolated..." So how do you go about and fix that? Well, i don't know. It sounds mean, but when someone asks me how i'm doing, i'm honest w/ them. I get asked constantly "you doing alright today?" and sometimes i say no. if i'm not doing ok, i tell them. hey, they asked. if the situation merits it and if i'm not betraying someone, i'll be like "nope, today really stinks." if you don't wanna know... don't ask.
I'm trying to think of the right words to say here. I've just taken notice the superficiality runs rampant nowadays alot. And i thought i'd blog about it. Maybe get discussion going or at least expose it. We all seem very busy. I know a lot of times i'm busy w/ nothingness. which is really annoying. i'm like "come on over, we'll eat something and fellowship... grab a guitar and love on Jesus and each other.."
so anyways...
Isolation is a tool that is used a lot by satan. Looking past all the fake smiles and the superficiality of life, you realize a lot of things. This world is full of hurting people. People who lack vision and direction. People who are just living from one day to the next. They've been hurt by someone and therefore have a wall built up. I know from personal experience that when you've been hurt, your immediate response is to put a wall up. That way, you won't be hurt again. You won't be vulnerable again so as to not get injured again. The hardest thing to do is to say "Jesus, I love this person as You and I know that they're heart was not to harm me. I forgive them for the wrong thats been done and I give that hurt to you. Bless them beyond all measure."
Because our immediate thing is is to maybe start rumors and gossip about it. Start to drag that person down. We've been hurt, and we wanna see others hurt. (Misery loves company.) All the while, those demons are egging you on.
I was just recently talking w/ a friend and we were both like "yeah, i feel really isolated..." So how do you go about and fix that? Well, i don't know. It sounds mean, but when someone asks me how i'm doing, i'm honest w/ them. I get asked constantly "you doing alright today?" and sometimes i say no. if i'm not doing ok, i tell them. hey, they asked. if the situation merits it and if i'm not betraying someone, i'll be like "nope, today really stinks." if you don't wanna know... don't ask.
I'm trying to think of the right words to say here. I've just taken notice the superficiality runs rampant nowadays alot. And i thought i'd blog about it. Maybe get discussion going or at least expose it. We all seem very busy. I know a lot of times i'm busy w/ nothingness. which is really annoying. i'm like "come on over, we'll eat something and fellowship... grab a guitar and love on Jesus and each other.."
so anyways...
Friday, October 5, 2007
Saving the World...
One fake travelers check at a time. Today i had a bit of an experience at work. Near the end of the day, a lady came through my line with a fake travelers check. How do i know it was a fake check? Well, it was a $500 traveler check and they don't make them.
So anyways, this lady was trying to make small talk and told me she was a district supervisor or something and that she was a secret shopper. Too bad Wal-Mart doesn't actually do that... but i rang her through and she spent about $100.85. Then she gave me the travelers check. But remembering that they don't make them, i tried to stall and call the proper people (who by the way, never came). But she eventually walked out and nothing really happened. My managers were really grateful.
As i was driving home, i was like should i be mad or what? I mean, i feel bad for these people who wanna steal from the store. I mean, they must be really struggling to make ends meet and/or just need a touch of God that their hearts would want to do this. I wish i could help people like this. they need Jesus just like anyone else.
so i'm not angry, but i wanna pray for these people that Jesus would meet their needs.
So anyways, this lady was trying to make small talk and told me she was a district supervisor or something and that she was a secret shopper. Too bad Wal-Mart doesn't actually do that... but i rang her through and she spent about $100.85. Then she gave me the travelers check. But remembering that they don't make them, i tried to stall and call the proper people (who by the way, never came). But she eventually walked out and nothing really happened. My managers were really grateful.
As i was driving home, i was like should i be mad or what? I mean, i feel bad for these people who wanna steal from the store. I mean, they must be really struggling to make ends meet and/or just need a touch of God that their hearts would want to do this. I wish i could help people like this. they need Jesus just like anyone else.
so i'm not angry, but i wanna pray for these people that Jesus would meet their needs.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Love of God
I realized and i keep realizing how much people need to simply know they're loved. When it comes to my preaching style, i like it best when the preacher is direct, presents the true gospel and gets to the point. Thats MY preferred method. I don't like it when speakers take 30 minutes to say something i can say in 2 minutes. I know i'm loved by God and i'm His son and so i don't need to hear that. Well, that's great... for me.
But there are a lot of hurting people out there. Many who have been hurt by neglect and/or careless words said to them. And while sometimes a simple direct word is needed (which is where i come in to play at), sometimes an arm around a shoulder does the trick as well. Sometimes, someone just needs you to listen to them and actually give them the time of day.
I also want to bring up another case in point: the idea of what's known as 'greasy grace'. Where you can basically do whatever your little heart desires and still be a Christian. I don't like the idea of people in general getting tattooes, or excessive piercings. I think it makes you look hideous. Can you get in to heaven w/ a tattoo and piercings... sure. Salvation is a free gift of grace by faith. It's not done by works. But soo many people have the idea of that you can go get hammered in a bar and still get into heaven.
Ultimately, God is our judge. And soo often people wanna say "well, you can't judge them.." oh yeah? Then why did the Apostle Paul tell us to expel the immoral brother? And why do we have people called 'judges' in the land? I can remember one time doing an outreach at a Charlotte Pride (a homosexual gathering) and these ladies came up to our group, handed us a pamphlet of some kind and point at our group leader and point their finger at him and yell "Don't judge me!" i found it highly ironic b/c she was judging us in the process of telling us not to judge... anywho...
We are to judge. We all do it anyways. We are to make wise decisions as far as whats going on and how we are to handle it. I can't think of how to explain it at the minute.
One instance where i can think of in the Bible where we can't judge is with the lady caught in adultery and Jesus said "let him who has never sinned throw the first stone... everyone eventually left without stoning here... and Jesus eventually told the lady to go and SIN NO MORE."
Perhaps your wondering how i went from the love of God to judging. Well, perhaps its because people have this distorted view of the love of God. Some think that how could an all loving God send someone to Hell? Perhaps its because He loves you enough to maintain a standard. Hell wasn't created for you. It was created for satan and his minions (demons... fallen angels). But you ever hear the phrase "misery loves company"? Well, satan basically wants company there. Too bad there won't be any partying going on in hell. Just a whole lot of weaping and torture. How many times do you hear THAT from the pulpit? (I'm not going there right now... although i'm really tempted to). But God loves you enough as a Father to maintain discipline. He wants you to want Him. He wants you to choose Him. Which is one reason why we are all not just saved right now. He's not going to force you to choose Him. He wants you to want to choose Him. He's a relational God.
I've found that one of my favorite ways to evangelize people is to simply spend time with them. Go out to eat or go and do something with the person. Perhaps thats because i'm one of those people who can't sit still in church. And people would most likely get bored there or it just feels very nonrelational. (I'm not AGAINST taking an unsaved person to church, i'm just saying its not one of my favorite ways of going about the process) Sometimes, i'm running around doing stuff behind the scenes. Or at times i just find church extremely boring.
The other day i was working here on my computer, and my little 'sister' Alyssa comes and sits down next to me. She goes "can i type something on this really quickly?" i said sure and gave her the computer for a minute. she does "don't look!" so i looked away and she types "can you play with me tomorrow after school?" My heart broke. i was like here i am w/ a chance to invest in someones life and i'm too busy. i hate that. i love to get chances to play here w/ the girls. they teach me soo much about the Father's heart. It's soo precious.
Anyways, that's it for now. I'm sure i'll think of stuff later on. g'nite.
But there are a lot of hurting people out there. Many who have been hurt by neglect and/or careless words said to them. And while sometimes a simple direct word is needed (which is where i come in to play at), sometimes an arm around a shoulder does the trick as well. Sometimes, someone just needs you to listen to them and actually give them the time of day.
I also want to bring up another case in point: the idea of what's known as 'greasy grace'. Where you can basically do whatever your little heart desires and still be a Christian. I don't like the idea of people in general getting tattooes, or excessive piercings. I think it makes you look hideous. Can you get in to heaven w/ a tattoo and piercings... sure. Salvation is a free gift of grace by faith. It's not done by works. But soo many people have the idea of that you can go get hammered in a bar and still get into heaven.
Ultimately, God is our judge. And soo often people wanna say "well, you can't judge them.." oh yeah? Then why did the Apostle Paul tell us to expel the immoral brother? And why do we have people called 'judges' in the land? I can remember one time doing an outreach at a Charlotte Pride (a homosexual gathering) and these ladies came up to our group, handed us a pamphlet of some kind and point at our group leader and point their finger at him and yell "Don't judge me!" i found it highly ironic b/c she was judging us in the process of telling us not to judge... anywho...
We are to judge. We all do it anyways. We are to make wise decisions as far as whats going on and how we are to handle it. I can't think of how to explain it at the minute.
One instance where i can think of in the Bible where we can't judge is with the lady caught in adultery and Jesus said "let him who has never sinned throw the first stone... everyone eventually left without stoning here... and Jesus eventually told the lady to go and SIN NO MORE."
Perhaps your wondering how i went from the love of God to judging. Well, perhaps its because people have this distorted view of the love of God. Some think that how could an all loving God send someone to Hell? Perhaps its because He loves you enough to maintain a standard. Hell wasn't created for you. It was created for satan and his minions (demons... fallen angels). But you ever hear the phrase "misery loves company"? Well, satan basically wants company there. Too bad there won't be any partying going on in hell. Just a whole lot of weaping and torture. How many times do you hear THAT from the pulpit? (I'm not going there right now... although i'm really tempted to). But God loves you enough as a Father to maintain discipline. He wants you to want Him. He wants you to choose Him. Which is one reason why we are all not just saved right now. He's not going to force you to choose Him. He wants you to want to choose Him. He's a relational God.
I've found that one of my favorite ways to evangelize people is to simply spend time with them. Go out to eat or go and do something with the person. Perhaps thats because i'm one of those people who can't sit still in church. And people would most likely get bored there or it just feels very nonrelational. (I'm not AGAINST taking an unsaved person to church, i'm just saying its not one of my favorite ways of going about the process) Sometimes, i'm running around doing stuff behind the scenes. Or at times i just find church extremely boring.
The other day i was working here on my computer, and my little 'sister' Alyssa comes and sits down next to me. She goes "can i type something on this really quickly?" i said sure and gave her the computer for a minute. she does "don't look!" so i looked away and she types "can you play with me tomorrow after school?" My heart broke. i was like here i am w/ a chance to invest in someones life and i'm too busy. i hate that. i love to get chances to play here w/ the girls. they teach me soo much about the Father's heart. It's soo precious.
Anyways, that's it for now. I'm sure i'll think of stuff later on. g'nite.
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