Help For Those Who Ask

So, last night I was thinking about how this week's Amazing Race ended. The Weavers came in last, and weren't eliminated; but, they weren't too excited about it. They've grown weary of being on the outside - while all remaining teams are getting along, the Weavers are ostracized.
But, Phil - the show's host - gave them some very encouraging words, and now they're all set to get on with the Race.

It occurred to me last night, that God had answered their prayers. We've heard them many times asking God to give them strength, and at the end of this week's leg of the Race, He did - thru Phil. Whether the Weavers or Phil realize it, God was at work at that finish line - He, who is the author and finisher of Faith - gave to the Weavers what they needed, and have cried out for since the Race began.

As I was pondering this, God began to show me that there is a spiritual law regarding those who ask. Jesus said, "Those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and to those who knock the door will be opened."
Is this a law that only works for Christians? Nope - it's a law, and laws work for everyone. We've all heard of countless stories of how athletes and other successful people have reached down inside themselves - not looking to God, but to their own will - asking their very being to make it that one step further. There are witches and others who ask for powers from dark forces to do their magic. And, so many other people, just ask out into the universe for whatever or whoever - be they angels or demons - to give them peace.
No matter who you ask, you will receive.

But, I believe there is only One source that will continue to deliver. Regardless of if you keep your end of the bargain, Jesus will continue to give. And, the best thing is that what He gives is always the best for us. His gifts are not always wrapped in what we think they should be.
The drug addict may ask for something that'll make him feel good, and expect it to be a joint; but, Christ will most likely answer that request with something that will lead him out of his dependency on drugs.
God's answer to those who ask always leads to Freedom. True Freedom. Not the "I'm free so I can do what I want and smoke/drink/sleep around" kind of freedom that really leads into the bondage of addiction. He leads us into the way that will lead us to the Life we were meant to live - a life filled with Love, Joy and Peace - and a multitude of other gifts that a circumstantial world can't take away.

Friends, God does not live in a church - I found him on TV this week! Remember, if you seek Him, you will find Him... it's a spiritual law. So, don't give up.

Blog 102

There are still a couple more songs that I'd love to share from this new album; but, I've just been too busy. Rest assured that more wonderful lyrics from Bon Jovi are on the way.

Triumphant Brokenness

Here's another great song from the Have A Nice Day album. It reminds me a lot about a friend I used to hang out with a lot - they were a living representation of the Triumphant Brokenness that is sung about here.
I like this song because it is about the victory over life that we can all have if we just keep pressing on, if we just keep trying.
Like Paul said to the people of Pillipi: "...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."(3:12) Jesus is always there with us - no matter how tough, or how ugly life is, He'll always be there to share His Light.


I Want To Be Loved

I had a roof overhead
Had shoes on my feet
Yeah, sure I was fed
But no one was there when I was in need, yeah

So, who am I now?
Who do you want me to be?
I can forgive you,
But i won't re-live you
I ain't the same scared kid I used to be

I'm gonna live
I'm gonna survive
I don't want the world to pass me by
I'm gonna dream
I ain't gonna die
Thinking my life was just a lie
I wanna be loved
I wanna be loved

I found a picture
Our so-called family tree, yeah
I broke all the branches
Looking for answers
Don't you know that ain't the way it's supposed to be?

I'm gonna live
I'm gonna survive
I don't want the world to pass me by
I'm gonna dream
I ain't gonna die
Thinking my life was just a lie
I wanna give
I'm ready to try
Willing to lay it on the line
I wanna be loved
I wanna be....

I ain't gonna cry
I don't wanna scream
But I got so much left unsaid inside of me

I'm gonna live
I'm gonna survive
Don't want the world to pass me by
I wanna dream
I ain't gonna die
Thinking my life was just a lie
I wanna give
I'm ready to try
Willing to lay it on the line
I wanna be loved
I wanna be loved
I just wanna be loved

- Bon Jovi

Racing with. the Elite

I'm taking a break from sharing about my new favorite album to write about something that got me thinking the other night.
I've been watching the latest installment of The Amazing Race with my wife. She makes me. Although, I do enjoy it. :)
There is a family on this Race who are very outspoken about their faith - they are Christians and aren't ashamed. It's actually refreshing to see people on national television speak openly about Christ and not be censored. However, they aren't liked. But, I don't think it's Jesus that others don't like about this family....

Like many Christians, the Weavers are using their faith in Christ to exalt themselves above everyone else. They know that because they know Jesus' Name, God likes them better. Often time I think we Christians don't even realize that we don't at all look like "a city on a hill"; instead, we look just like everyone else around us - which isn't bad. But, when we use our religious beliefs to puff ourselves up and put others down, we are not Christians (which means "little Christ's") - we become the religious know-it-alls that we condemn for killing Jesus.

It makes me sad when people I'd refer to as brothers or sisters in Christ can't see past the tip of their noses. Too often, we think that God loves Christians and/or Jews more than everyone else. We're all the sons and daughters of Adam - we all, regardless of religion, race or gender, have that same Breath of God in us.
John, who was arguably Jesus' best friend when He was walking the earth, got it right when he wrote to some of his friends:
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1John 2:2)
God love us all the same. Christ's death and resurrection was for us all! That's what our message is! That's the Gospel - that we can all be free! The Gospel isn't "do this, do that, and God will love you more." It's "look at Jesus - He's paved the way for everyone to be free!"

So, because I believe in Jesus, and talk to God, doesn't mean that I'm better than someone who doesn't. He wants us all equally. He needs us all equally (is that heresy??).