Not many people will know the name Curtis Whitley. After seeing his name in the paper recently, I barely recognized it as well. But, the story about this man’s death was about a football player of which I was familiar. Curtis, in his prime, played for both of my favorite football teams - the Clemson Tigers, and the Carolina Panthers.

As the Charlotte Observer reported on his passing this past week, I couldn’t help but be drawn to his story. It’s a story that those with family members battling demons and drug and/or alcoholic addictions fear the most. After years riddled with extreme highs and frustrating lows, Curtis finally lost everything, moved to the desert in near isolation away from friends and family, and then ultimately died alone.

The story is really heartbreaking.

I wish I could accurately articulate all of my thoughts, and say something worthwhile. But, in the end, I believe the news story published today by the Observer says it all. It’s amazing the grip that addictions and emotions have on people. Personally, I don’t think anybody really knows the pains that the addict is going thru and must overcome. I’m sure it’s deep, it’s personal, and I’m convinced that it’s only something that the love of God can cure.

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
– Psalm 121:1-2

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope.
– Romans 5:3-4

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My buddy Jonathan Grubbs helped create this video. A great video made by a great guy, produced by a great organization, all for the purpose of publicizing a great message.

“…you either accept it, or reject it.”

I’ve been playing this song a lot lately.
Lifehouse - Easier To Be

You make it easier to be
Easier to be me
It’s hard to believe
You make it easy

I went to see Lifehouse in concert earlier this month, and really enjoyed the show. Before the concert, I never really got into Lifehouse much. I do like the song they have out now, “Whatever It Takes”. But, before that song, a few of their songs have been overplayed in my mind, and thus I kinda tuned them out.

But, I gotta say, after the concert I went out and purchased both their old and new album. The new album is really great, and substantially better than the first IMHO.

But Lifehouse is not really the point of this post. The other night at CharlotteOne Dave turned on the house lights and asked people in attendance to stand up and speak about what CharlotteOne has meant to them. I’m not a good public speaker, and I’m definitely not good at speaking on my feet, so I didn’t volunteer to speak. But, after thinking about it for a moment, I realize what this year has done for me.

About 9 months ago I was introduced to a group of Christian friends. Christian friends are ones that I never had much of in the past. I always seemed to have one foot in church life and one foot out. But, these past 9 months have been different. I now have more christian friends than I know what to do with. At first I found this so overwhelming. Being the new kid in the group, I was constantly getting questions about myself, my personal life, my friends, my struggles, and daily life issues. I didn’t know how to adjust to all of this genuine interest. But, over time I did, thankfully.

Looking back over the past years of my life and comparing them to the past few months, I must say that living a better christian life is an EASIER life than before. The support group, the community, the friendships, the mutual desires and aspirations, and the diversity among my new friends are all things that really make a life full. Never having this, you really are unaware of what you are missing. But, now having it, I can’t imagine living without it. It truly is an easier life. The stress is less. The frustrations are less. Your friends, your community, and your confidants are there to support you and most importanly are there to reinforce the great promises and blessing of our God. Thanks be to Him!

Lifehouse - Storm

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
water’s getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I’d see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

I’m finding great comfort in this audio clip today.

My King. He’s the key of knowledge, wellspring of wisdom, doorway of deliverance, pathway of peace, roadway of righteousness, highway of holiness, gateway of glory, master of the mighty, captain of the conquerers, head of the heros, leader of the legislators, overseer of the overcomers, governor of governors, prince or princes, king of kings, and the Lord of lords!

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This is the first sentence proclaimed on a local church’s website. “We are a community of ordinary, flawed people who are pursuing our purpose on this planet.”

This does not characterize me. I’m more than this. I am a new creation! I don’t want to pursue my purpose, for it is the Lord’s purpose which prevails.

This goes back to my Rise up and Gather post. But, this is what I want from my church…

- Pastor prays to God: Let me feel you, carry you higher
- God says to Pastor: Watch your words spread hope like fire
- What happens when God inspires: Secret crowds rise up and gather
- What the Pastor should hope for his congregation: Hear your voices sing back louder

A friend sent me this link. Too funny, and just what I needed. The unoffensive pastor hits home way too close.

We’ve all seen the commercials. But, what does it really mean to “act like men”? I think that it has something to do with fulfilling your biblical duties. Not many people enjoy hearing what they are doing wrong, or being called out, or being told that they need to step up. But, I really feel God is calling on Godly men to step up, be manly, be unashamed, and to be bold. Speak the truth, and live life abundantly.

Many people will not like this sermon. But, if you put your personal feelings aside, this sermon speaks to the heart of the issues me and my friends are going thru. For us, the message of God is not being spoken, the leaders are not speaking the whole truth (or at least we are all desiring for more), and in return nobody is empassioned about anything. It’s time to start taking the challenge of listening to the whole truth. The FULLNESS of the Gospel. Not just the parts that make you feel comfortable. (Continue reading…)

I went to see the band Angels & Airwaves play last week at a local club. If you don’t know anything about them, it’s a band led by the former front man of Blink 182, Tom Delong. I’m not saying Angels & Airwaves (AVA, for short) is a christian band by any means. But, if you know anything about the roots of Blink or Tom Delong, you know he has a Christian background and is clearly trying to let this good influence rub off in his AVA music.

In fact, Tom says this specifically in a few of his interviews.

“I was born and raised Christian. My mom was an extremely conservative Christian and I very much have those roots in my life. “I’m extremely spiritual and I have my own ideas of what happens when you die and how we’re all connected. “I think that will play some part in what this band’s about.”

(Continue reading…)

Our best works on earth are filthy rags before Christ. We are saved by His grace. We can not earn our way into heaven. Our salvation is a gift that we accept. And if we truly believe in Christ and accept him as our saving grace, then our lives will be transformed because of it.