We, as Christians, and as human beings, are not meant to live a sequestered life. In fact, that is at the heart of the Christian life. You cannot do life alone. Apart from the atoning gift of Jesus, we are forever condemned, remaining in our sin. We are meant to experience life with others, bind our hearts together, and rely on God and encouragement of our confidants.

With this in mind, I feel the LORD positioning me for something different. Something that I need to be ready for. Something that I need to work for. Something bigger than a Bible study, per se. So, today I drafted an email to the men who are a part of this morning group to make them aware that i’m going to take some time off from our regular prayer breakfasts.

With text messages, twitters, status updates, and the like I find myself writing much less. So, when what was supposed to be a simple, curt email turned into several paragraphs, and when tears started to well up under my eyes, I knew that this message was one worth saving.

I recall writing a letter to my parents for Christmas as a kid. I read it aloud to my older brother, Matthew, to practice before I read it in front of family at gift-time. As I read it to Matt, and when it was read to the family, tears flowed uncontrollably. I had no idea why. But, at the time, my big brother said something that has always stuck with me. He said “That’s when you know your feelings are heart-felt.” As a young, insecure kid – this was just the validation that I needed.

For a guy who constantly sticks his foot in his mouth all the time, I find my thoughts are fully satisfied when I write them down. This is how I felt this morning as I drafted this email to my friends. There’s a mission embedded in this letter – a calling not just meant for me, but one for us all. It is my prayer that this year is one of transformation in us all. It’s a calling to believe fully in a God who will make himself known to you, and to live courageously daring to be great.

Gents,

What a great year it has been. And what a great year 2011 is poised to be. I can’t wait to see what God has in store. If I had to summarize 2010, it would be the year that God wouldn’t let go of me. Even though I didn’t have a full-time job, he provided. Even though, I struggled with relationships he protected me. Even though at the start of the year I wanted nothing to do with Jesus, he knit me into forming this morning group and spoke to my heart throughout the year. As much as I try, I can no longer doubt his presence.

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the commitment we all made to meet and to start our days talking about our LORD and our lives.

As I look forward to 2011, I am going to be taking a few months off from our breakfasts to pray about what the LORD has next for me. I feel God preparing me for a transition, something big. I’ve been praying that the LORD moves in ways that there would be absolutely no doubt that my actions are in line with His will.

I feel God’s big moves will go well and beyond the normal. It’s not another Bible study, not another book to read, but a path that only God can open. I’ve had these feelings for a while, and know that it’s not something limited to me, but a generational calling. Please join me in praying that this vision be fully transparent for each of us in our own ways.

Our God is big, good, and is He is calling. With this common prayer and common desire, we are bound together as brothers in Christ as we pursue greatness for His glory. As Shakespeare once said…

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother…”

I pray that those wanting to continue the morning meeting, do. I leave this up to you, and hope that you don’t mind me joining you from time to time. Most importantly, I pray that we not just pray big prayers but LIVE with BIG FAITH, confident in the promise that is Jesus Christ.

You are my brother,
Andy

Ps. For you LOST fans… these videos are great summations that hit home for me.

Jacob (God) explains why He speaks to us in different ways.

Jacob (God) asks us to have faith to be a leader for His kingdom.

Jack, through faith, realizes his purpose and encourages Hurley to lead.

I just wrote this email to a good friend of mine and Biblical genius, James-Michael Smith. It seemed well thought out enough (and I rarely have these moments) that I figured I would repost this as a blog to open discussion for everyone.

This is an idea for a really conceptual, in-depth blog piece. If anyone can pull it together, you could.

I went to Forest Hill yesterday and David Chadwick recited several statistics about marriage and divorce, and morality. Some of it sounded right, and the audience was mostly amazed and nodded. But, some of the stats were hard to believe for me.

• 53% of Promise Keepers visit porn sites weekly
• 33% of Promise Keeper pastors visit porn sites monthly
• 1/3 of committed Christians don’t believe Satan exists
• 1/3 of Christians believe Jesus sinned while on Earth
• 40% believe they have no responsibility to share their faith
• 41% believe that the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same God
• Committed Christians give away 2% of their income.

It reminded me of the below page of charts (Divine Law Rejected) I received in Sunday school while in high school. As I have always been a numbers guy, these charts always stayed with me, and I’ve kept this piece of paper for now nearly 20 years. The charts basically try to depict how horrible the world has gotten since abortion was legalized in the US.

A few weeks ago I watched “Freakonomics, the movie”. In the movie there was a section on how abortion is a key factor in the reduction of crime in the last decade. This made me think of my chart again. Ok, crime is down, but at what cost? Where are we today? Where are we in respect to the rest of the world? Where are we morally in respect to our ancestors?

Are we getting dumber? Has divorce increased? Are we a less religious society?

I’m not doubting the rise/fall of these moral indicators. I just wonder where we as a society in 2010 stack up against world history morally. I recall your stories of the pagan worshipers having to have sex in the temples to appease the rain gods, or something to that affect. That seemed really bad to me.

If we give an arbitrary weight to moral corruption (sleeping with prostitutes to appease the rain gods would probably be a 6.5), would it be possible to take these graphs and extrapolate backwards of where we stand against the sexual deviants of 1000 BC? Would the graph show that we are much more morally sound as a society today? Or would it show that we really haven’t changed much?

Are there any indicators in history that we can say “Ah, see after Moses/David/Jonah/Jesus/Paul/Martin Luther/Billy Graham there was a severe drop in crime, sexual immorality, etc.” ?? I understand it would be completely arbitrary, but I think it’s a good exercise to stake claim of where we stand in society.

It seems painting the world in a dark light is a very good way for pastors to make a point, and give the congregation a reason why they should repent. But, I’m curious if in the grand scheme of all time, is the world all that bad?

More importantly, are we (humans) becoming more righteous? Or less righteous? I think this is a very important question to ask. …Did God’s plan of sending Christ to Earth work?

To me, it seems that politics and old habits of fire-and-brimstone styled sermons skew the goodness of what God has done. I mean, aren’t there millions more of faithful believers today than there were in the time of Noah, Moses, Paul? Since the death of Christ, hasn’t the population of “heaven” (or those awaiting the new Jerusalem) exponentially grown? Has not Earth become more righteous?

A bunch of questions, I know. But, was wondering if you thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to quantify.

[Blowing dust away from the keyboard!] Does this thing still work?

So, I will try to scribe some of the back story later. For now, I just want to get these thoughts out there, and will come back to follow up with some more complete thoughts on LOST and how it has affected my lost in future posts. HINT: God is SHAKING MY WORLD UP by this TV series, like only God can do. If you want to know a little more about LOST and it’s Biblical ties, I suggest you watch all of Chris Seay‘s Video Blog Series on Youtube. He’s a pastor in Houston, TX and has written a great book called “The Gospel According to LOST”. Check it out!

So now to this week’s episode…

A friend asked the question: What was the significance of Sawyer offering an apple to Kate? Was this Biblical? Symbolic?

My response:
I think the analogy you can make of the apple, is that it is proof of Sawyer making an unwise decision.

As I’ve always said, LOST is genius with its Biblical references… but they are never a 1:1 ratio. When a character seems to fit a certain Biblical role, you always get confused when they do something else. Which is ok, because the Biblical narratives are used in a hodge-podge manner. Which gives us a great opportunity to fuse them together in conversation to find the over arching theme.

So, in case of the apple in the garden of Eden… When Eve tries to convince Adam to eat the apple, she has already made an unwise decision… and it ultimately results in her (and Adam’s) exile from Eden.

Likewise with Sawyer. It’s clear he’s made a selfish decision to leave the island. I think Kate not taking the apple foreshadows that she has yet to be all-in on Sawyer’s plan – and ultimately will chose to go back to the island.

This is key… because ultimately this is a story of redemption. Eventually, all those bad decisions can be absolved when each character finally reaches the right one – being obedient to God’s (Jacob’s) calling for their lives.

So, Kate not taking the apple provides her an opportunity to witness to the crowd on the boat, whom we hope ultimately will all be redeemed.

Seacrest. Out.
AD

Bonus: Listen to this song, and see if it applies to LOST and to us all…

In this reel of endless skateboarding pods, one caught my attention (embedded below). It was a highlight on Christian Hosoi, skateboarding’s first real super star.

This clip got me interested in his documentary, and I found it on Youtube. It’s a great story of redemption. This man was on top of his world, tempted by drugs and women, and eventually fell so low that he was arrested and sent to federal prison for a 10 year sentence.

“I don’t need God, I need a lawyer.”

It’s amazing how God made himself known to Christian Hosoi at the moment he breathed these words. Watch the movie below to see how.

“It’s a movie about second chances. It’s a movie of hope.”

In this sermon JM paints the picture of how John 19:28 is actually a “fulfilled Scripture” as the text calls it. It’s a beautiful imagery of Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

John 19:28 reads…

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

JM’s sermon takes us through this story and tells us of what this meant to the people who were actually there witnessing the death of Christ. When Christ uttered these words, someone in the area must have known his Scripture and knew what Christ was asking for…

Looking back at Psalm 22, we see David paint a horrific, yet prophetic, story.

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.

19 But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.

When John states that “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled…” John is referencing Psalm 22. This is powerful! This is God fulfilling his promises right in front of peoples eyes. This fulfillment had to be what Christ was talking about when he last uttered “It is finished.”

If you are interested in hearing JM’s full sermon, I have included the sermon below.

[See post to listen to audio]

Below is the proclamation from George Washington as printed in The Massachusetts Centinel on October 14, 1789.

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

The below video is titled “Today”. I love the questions Rob asks, and the pictures he paints.

“If you need to celebrate how good it was, then celebrate. …then do it. But then, move on. There is a certain kind of despair that sets in when we believe that things were better back then, when we’re stuck back there, when we’re not fully present. When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today.“

“Is Jesus saying to you right now about anything, about anybody, about anytime, ‘Let go, and receive a new spirit!’? So you may accept the past for what it is. May you celebrate what needs to be celebrated. And grieve what needs to be grieved. And then may you receive from God a new spirit. One for HERE, NOW, TODAY.”

I’ve been diggin on some David Crowder lately. He’s such a great Christian artist, if you don’t know him already. Here’s a video that hits home

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

Dear God,
My greatest need, Oh Lord, is love.
Without love, life is not worth living.

And, yet, as a part of You, the core of me is Love.
I have run from love, O God, because the price of love seems to be grief.
Here on Earth, we often lose who and what we love.
Awaken within me the courage to love, Glorious Father.

As deeply and profoundly as Your Son loves us, as He loves You, as You love me.
Bring to me those who would love me truest and best.
For I am Your Beloved and deserve no less.
Awaken me to this immense truth. Enter me, now, Lord and reclaim me for all time.

The power of my mind and Yours, together, is now joined with all who read and speak this prayer.
Together, WE claim love as our true nature and open our collective heart.
We are worthy. We are goodness incarnate. We love with all our hearts and are loved in return.
Each of us, together and apart, is now renewed in Your love.

I accept this gift.
I choose love over fear, always.
By Your Grace, we—and I—rise out of the attractor fields of fear and separation and enter the attractor fields of love and connection.
The love within me is made new.

I love myself. I love the earth. I love my life.
I love my heritage, my people, my world—indeed, all nations and peoples—deeply and profoundly.
I love You always and forever.
My actions reflect this love.

Filled with awareness of my true identity, I thank You for this miracle.
I share my life with Beloveds who demonstrate Your love for me.
My love returns to me a thousand fold from every direction in kindness and care.
I am adored for who I really am. And I see the lovable in everyone.

The energy of Love now expands exponentially in my world, empowering me as never before.
I empower others with the strength of my love.
I love my life deeply. Thank You for showing me the way home to myself.

And so it is.
Amen.

h/t: PrayerForce

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

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
[See post to listen to audio]

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

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 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.

- 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

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.

Set aside about 50 minutes, then take a listen to this. Yes, the pastor may start yelling. But, give it a chance. And take heart to the message he’s trying to deliver. In his next sermon below, he admits he “went thru several rabbit holes” in this message, but I believe the message is still so important. But, I love how he opens the sermon…

Haleluijua! Thank God for Jesus.
Stand please, and let’s ask God right now to give us open ears and hearts.
I don’t think there’s any need to come to church, unless we hear from God, and God can do something in us. Don’t you believe that?

But, what I feel is so powerful about this sermon is that the first 4 minutes is directed to other pastors.

This morning, …at the end of the 10:30 service, I said I believe the Lord is giving me a word for young pastors who may be discouraged. …I want to say to those young pastors, who for years have been excited about Sunday coming. …When you feel dead inside, that’s God’s work too! Life comes out of deadness. That’s why Jesus walked out of a tomb. …You do need to have fresh food. It is spiritual warefare. …You are in the perfect place to speak words that give life like never before! Your favorite sermon that you’ve memorized and enjoy teaching does not give life. Life only comes out of deadness to self…You are in the greatest place of ministry right now than you’ve ever been. And you’re going to see spiritual growth and life in your congregation. Because what your saying is not from somebody’s book. It’s from your own deadness.

…Jesus wanted me to tell you that.

The church I have been attending the last several months is about to start a six week series on “Identity”. I can only feel that these sermons above by my home pastor is God reaching out to set the benchmark. It’s God calling to remind the leaders to shephard the flock and guide them in a Godly fashion. We (the congregation) should not be figuring out who we are, but desire to figure out who God is, what His will is, and what he desires for us.

Click here if you are interested to hearing more sermons from Central Church of God.

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.”

This is a bold statement for someone who made his living in a very secular punk rock scene. Even during the concert last Saturday, Tom said to the crowd that when he and his friends decided to form AVA, they wanted to make a conscience decision to play positive music, and that this band would be about “love”. That too, I found bold. This is a man that I see searching for God, wanting to play those spiritual thoughts out. But, there is clearly some reservation in his dialogue with the crowd -as he’s careful to ensure he doesn’t lose that common edge the young crowds seem to connect with.

Over time, I pray he’ll lose that fear and step out even further. I pray that he’ll grow closer to God, and use his stage for His glory.

But regardles of that background, I love AVA’s song “Secret Crowds”. It says a lot. It’s motivating, it’s captivating, and it’s encourages people who listen to stand up, come together on this common message of a good world, and together we’ll make a difference. I love the inspirational undertones…

Here’s the song: Angels & Airwaves – Secret Crowds
[See post to listen to audio]

If I had my own world
I’d build you an empire
From here to the far lands
To spread love like violence

Let me feel you, carry you higher
Watch your words spread hope like fire
Secret crowds rise up and gather
Hear your voices sing back louder

If you have God in you heart, and a message to share, I think the Lord wants you to speak it boldly. (Acts 4:29-31). This song connects with me. And it’s a message I would love to be portrayed in churches everywhere.

WATCH YOUR WORDS SPREAD HOPE LIKE FIRE!!
RISE UP AND GATHER!!
HEAR YOUR VOICES SING BACK LOUDER!!