New Years Resolution

So when the clock strikes midnight tonight, it is official, we are in 2009. I don't know about you, but I seriously don't know where the year went. New Years Eve seems to be the only time we sit back and reflect, we look back, and at the same time forward to a new start. I truly hope we all take the time to look back, and get ready because 2009 is going to be one hell of a roller coaster ride.

While many people are making there New Years Resolutions, the typical "I'm going to eat right in 09" or "I'm going to lose 10 pounds"...I pray we dive a bit deeper then that. I pray we really take the time, and we look at all that happened in 08. That we take the time to set others above ourselves. Times are hard right now for everyone, and they are not going to get any better because the digits change. Although we are in a time of struggle with our economy around the world, and we are coming upon a time where "CHANGE" is promised. I just pray we use this time to look back, and see Gods hands in motion, to see what he has orchestrated in our individual lives. A lot of us may have had a devastating year, and understandably...we can't see the work God has done. Believe me, God is with us all, and maybe we can't see it now, and we can't see just what he is setting in motion...but one day we will. With each passing second we are closer to our saviors return, and that is what is important, that is what should give us happiness, and hope.

Lets also remember, just what really gives us hope. That no matter what we have done, no matter how many times we have screwed up. We have already been forgiven. If I were to sit here, and list how many times I have screwed up in 08, I'd probably need a new keyboard because the keys would wear out.

O you who hear prayer,

to you all men will come.

When we were overwhelmed by sins,

you forgave our transgressions.

Psalms 65:2-3

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

but with you there is forgiveness;

therefore you are feared.

Psalms 130:3-4

Who could stand? Praise be to our Lord and savior. I know I'd be flat on the ground not able to stand at all. This should give us hope, this is what should make us shout for joy! This is what should make us strive to be that better person, to be what Christ was for all of us. Don't stand there, and hold grudges against others, against your brothers and sisters in Christ. For if we don't forgive, why should we be forgiven? The economy can go so far down the drain, that here in the states our money is worth ZERO and we are fighting... just for food and water, but guess what? all we need is Jesus Christ, that is all you and me really need. People need to wake up, and look around the world. Look at third world countries who have been starving, and fighting for food and water long before you were even born. Look at places in the world, where there are true Christians who are being persecuted. Places where you can't even have the word of God unless you would like a bullet through your head. If they were able to see just how good we have it, they would probably be disgusted.

So...at the eve of a new year, let us remember what is important.

Merry CHRISTmas to all..

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David
a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope everyone has a wonderful time with friends and family during this time of "get together". This week is probably the biggest shopping week of the year, and it is through these times we must strive to show the love of Christ. It is very easy to get frustrated with people, when you are waiting in 30 minute lines at a grocery store or you're just trying to get home from work and traffic is backed up, and you know you are going to be there for a long while. My advice to you is.... take the high road, meaning be patient in those long lines, let people go ahead of you, and if you are living in an area with extremely cold and snowy weather..help those who are in need.

I know most people know this, Christmas really isn't about Jesus Christ at all. The fact of the matter is...Jesus wasn't born during the winter season. It's just another example of the church deciding something on there own account, and making everyone follow it. Which is why I found it somewhat funny last year when Walmart and other stores, just decided to not say "Merry Christmas" but "Happy Holidays" as not to "offend" anyone. That of course just made me say "Merry CHRISTmas all the more.." and like I said I know my savior wasn't born during this time, but I'm pretty stubborn, and I am not going to change how I say something as not to "offend" someone. We as followers of Christ can't be scared of "offending" someone because of what we believe. We are to stand up and defend our savior, not hide it inside. For we see the truth, we feel the love, how can we hide it from the world?

So what should we do during Christmas? if after all our savior Jesus Christ has nothing to do with it? not celebrate it? I would say don't get all caught up in it. Just use it as another day to thank God for coming down and saving all of us from our sins. Christmas is a depressing holiday for a lot of people. It is the perfect time to reach out and help someone, to put other people before ourselves, which is how we should be daily anyways. Christmas however is a time where we probably see family we haven't seen for awhile, people are out and about more then usual, and since it is so commercialized that Christmas is all about buy buy buy, those who can't "buy buy buy" or don't have a family to see... become very depressed, and the suicide rate sky rockets. Which is why I keep stressing we have to be there for people, to show the love of Christ. Sometimes all a person needs to hear is "hey how are you doing?" or sometimes, it's just a smile that can turn someone's day around...as cheesy as that sounds it's true.

So be safe everyone..
Peace,Love and joy to you and yours...

Soldier 4 Christ

One can conquer all things through
Jesus Christ,
Forgive as we are forgiven,
Love as we are loved.
respect the laws of Moses
turn from corruption, and hate.
argue not amongst yourselves
but stand firm together in God.

We're sinners of the flesh,
corrupt and filthy
deceitful by nature.
We're forgiven by grace,
and his sacrifice.
So sacrifice yourselves for others
as he did for all of us.

Leave judgement to God,
for every iniquity...he knows,
and
every thought...
you've built on jealousy and wickedness
was for told before it came to pass.

Do not look for the faults of others,
but pray that your own faults
do not rip you to pieces.
For every judgemental stare,
and every judgement of life
you provide..
will only drive his voice to silence inside.
For his voice is like the water of life
on wich your soul thirsts..
so drink, soak in his majesty

or thy soul will wither to nothing.

The book of Job

"He is not a man like me that I might answer to him,

that we might confront each other in court.

If only there were someone to arbitrate between us,

to lay his hand upon us both,

someone to remove God's rod from me,

so that his terror would frighten me no more."

                                                             Job 9:32-34

That man, that someone Job is hoping for is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is our mediator, God is more then just in his punishment. I'm sure everyone knows the story of Job; righteous man praised God, rich not only in heaven but on earth. Then everything is taken from him, seemingly out of nowhere. The bible says Satan tells God, 'Job will curse you to your face if you take everything from him'
So God gives Satan the power to do so.

Now I know that seems cruel..right? I mean why would God let Satan take everything from Job? what did Job do to deserve it? God knows all and sees all correct? God knew Job wasn't going to curse him, he knew exactly what Satan was going to do, and he knew what the outcome was going to be. He also knew Job was a strong enough person to be able to handle all that Satan could throw at him. God gives us only what we can handle, what we can get through, even if it doesn't seem like it at first. Lets not roll passed a key point here either. The book of Job is about so many things, more then just some guy named Job who didn't curse God. One example of that is Satan himself, and his power. The fact is he doesn't have any power against us, he can not harm us, unless God allows him to. Sure he can tempt us, but we have a choice to give in to that temptation or not.

The book of Job obviously is also about faith and trust. We should put our full trust in God, and know that everything happens for a reason, even if our little self absorbed brains can't understand that reason. I'm sure we have all been where Job was "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING GOD?! WHY?!" this is where that good old saying comes into play "Bad things happen to good people". We try so hard to control every aspect of our lives that when one thing doesn't go right we freak. A good example of that would be our economy right now, something we are all freaking out about, and the fact is we need to take a lesson from the book of Job...

When things are not going right, when you are at the breaking point, and life itself just seems pointless and meaningless. Instead of falling further in our depression and cursing God....we need to take a step back, take a breather, and say
"let your will be done God, I know everything happens for a reason, and you have a plan. I pray for your love,wisdom, and guidance to get me through this"

How to live..

"Blood drips from my lip,

last words hypocrite..

this world awaits my last breathe

can't wait until I give in

following there lead instead..

won't stop until I'm broken..

point laugh, and push away

I don't care what they say..

Speak, I pray, for I can't find the words to say.

Make me a vessel to scream your name..

I won't give in, and I won't shut up

until I show them all your love 

I don't need this world at all

full of selfishness and greed

I'll stand by awaiting the call

to bow down and worship at Gods feet.

For no matter what you do

I'll never give in to you.."

Criticism is most found when you stand alone. 

When you are shut out of this world,
when people ridicule you because of your faith in Christ.
Rejoice, for we are 'Not Of this World', 

so the world is not going to accept you.
Jesus was not accepted, why on earth would we as followers be?
It will always be difficult for a person of faith, 

for we will never be allowed to just coexist. 

We are called to be vessels of Christ, to show his love and his grace.
We can not be for Christ, and for this world. 

We can not walk the tight rope, and expect not to fall.

Stand up and show your love of Christ. 

Don't stand by and let blasphemers disgrace your Lord and savior. 

We are to pray and be close to our Lord daily,

so we can be that vessel he can speak through.

Please...do not point and condemn anyone! 

For who are we to judge a person?
Christians are labeled hypocrites, and rightfully so, 

because of there judgmental nature. 

We are not called to judge, but rather to show Christ's forgiveness and love.
Christ did not come to save the righteous but the sinner...

You who judge...
You who condemn, are not of Christ at all
You're Pharisees...
You're the true hypocrites...
Time to turn over the tables and watch you run...