Busy Living

Anyone who knows me well knows that my favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. To me, it is as close to a perfect movie that one could watch. It has that rare ability to draw the viewer in emotionally and intellectually. For me at least it puts a lot of perspectives on the way I view life into visual depictions. The movie is full of quotable that apply to the everyday grind that life can some times be. The tag-line for the movie is: Fear Can Keep You Prisoner, Hope Can Set You Free. The whole movie is built on hope. As Andy states to Red (Morgan Freeman) “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best, and no good thing ever dies.” We're all hopeful of so many things in life. Some of them may be tangible things that we can physically admire and appreciate, while others are more internal accomplishments that can only be measured by our own mind and will. There is one thing that I hope for I make the right choice of everyday, and it happens to be another quote that is synonymous with me and the movie. That choice happens to be whether or not I “Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying”

What does it mean to live? Shoot I could go on forever about the physiological and psychological theories that are attributed to living. What does is mean to be dying? Once again I could answer that in a physical sense or a mental sense. Currently I am taking a course on Therapy for individuals and families dealing with death, loss, and grief. Definitely a heavy topic to be discussed and read about week in and week out. The first week of class we were all handed a piece of paper and art supplies to draw out what our concept of death was. We each had the opportunity to share what we drew, and how it is attributed to our own perception of death. My drawing was quite simple. I drew a headstone that stated “Andrew Joseph Quesnelle November 13^th, 1991 -” My explanation for it was that in life we only have one guarantee, and that guarantee is that we are all going to die one day. It is the only certainty that exists, yet it is the most uncertain reality in the world for most of us. Death to me isn't highlighted by the date that will one day conclude that headstone, but the dash that exists in between. Our lives will all one day be measured by the dash. One simple character defines a life we carried out, the things we've accomplished, and the people we loved. All of that lies behind a single dash.

Is “getting busy living” a measurable thing? I don't know, because each one of us hold a different perspective on what it means to live a successful life. Is it achieved through financial and educational triumphs? Is a life that has been “lived” measured by the minutes and breaths that are taken? To me, it's a conscious decision to build upon what you've already written, and watching the seeds sprout to fruition. Perhaps that is a tad too poetic, but in actuality that’s how I feel I accomplish living life. Learning from what I've already done. Never being content in one spot, and always being willing to challenge myself to grow and watch the leaves of life sprout out from the ground. 

All that being said, does that answer why I chose to become a social worker when I undoubtedly have the mental capacity to pursue much more lavish careers? Does it answer why I am in the relationships with friends and family the way I am today? Maybe. What I can answer though is that I am glad I have the life I do, and I'm glad I am surrounded by the people who are in my life. One promise that I can make is that I believe I am living my life in a way that I am meant to. No matter what short comings or downfalls come at me, I've got an awful lot to live for. In the end, that “dash” is a good of reason as any to get busy living, because in the end death is a certainty; so make life a priority.

Paul Takes a Selfie

Scripture:  Romans 7: 15-25

Congratulations! You are a part of the most photographed generation in history. With every store you waltz into, every ATM you access and every family party you attend with Aunt Barbara and her new camera slung around her neck, more and more pics of you are being snapped, saved and uploaded to some off-shore server than ever!

But truth be told, the greatest culprit in our photo-obsessed society isn't Aunt Barbara. It's us. If you're like most people, then the "selfie" has become a regular part of your everyday existence. You know what a "selfie" is, right? It's a self-portrait photograph taken by a handheld digital camera or a smartphone, usually for the purpose of sharing on social media. And we do it all the time.

Does anyone want to fess up to taking a selfie? Okay, now who in here HASN’T taken one?

Even President Obama was even caught snapping a selfie with Denmark's Prime Minister at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

In today's text, what we have from Paul is nothing less than a "selfie". It's a snapshot in writing, of how the apostle sees himself. And he's not showing off a new haircut with pride or posing with friends at a party. Paul instead has given us a snapshot of himself that is raw, unfiltered and -- at least according to Paul--deeply unflattering.

It's as if Paul is looking at himself and saying, "Dude. I'm a mess."

Paul's snapshot reveals a man who feels tossed back and forth between what he sees as two forces at work within his heart and mind. Paul knows that he is "in Christ," and as such, a new creation, no longer defined by that which is corrupt in him. But, as seen by God, he is dressed up in the goodness and rightness of Jesus Christ. And yet, deeply rooted within him, remains the power of sin. It remains in his flesh and bones, rearing its ugly head.

Keep in mind that Paul is no newbie to the Christian faith. According to most estimates, he's been following Jesus for some 25 years. Paul's selfie reveals that he is, despite the grey hair on his head and lines of wisdom on his face, still simultaneously a saint and sinner. He is righteous in the eyes of God because of Christ, yet broken to the core because of his sin.

The honesty of Paul's self-portrait is jarring, isn't it? Especially when held in contrast to the selfies in which we so often indulge. If we're honest, we have to admit that when we snap a picture of ourselves, we do so in the most flattering light possible. And we may even take and retake photos to get just the perfect shot, showing off our best features.

For most of us, our cameras are with us wherever we go. They allow an infinite number of do-overs and they come with a plethora of editing options like cropping and filters, all in the palm of our hands. This has empowered us not only to shift the focus to ourselves, but to pose and present a particular self to the rest of the world.

If we want to be seen as the girl with pouty "duck-lips" or the buff guy who's always flexing at the gym or the fun friend who's always doing something adventurous and having lots of fun, then we can. By a simple photo, we can be anyone we want to be. We can pick and choose the faucets of our life that we want others to see. And no one will ever see anything else -- at least not on social media.

But Paul knew that there's power in the unfiltered assessment of life. There's power for the follower of Jesus, in the no-makeup, harshly-lit selfie that shows every wrinkle. The power, of course, is that the more honestly we assess ourselves, admitting our deep, continuing brokenness, then the more heroic, the more grace-filled and generous Jesus begins to look. One cannot understand the true heights of God's love until we come to grasp the radical depths of our sin.

Despite what our social media feed shows, we are more than that perfectly lit, posed “selfie” that the world sees. We are more than the 5x7 or 8x10 photo in the picture frame hanging on your wall. We are more than what a single picture can encapsulate.

You see, when a picture is taken, it only captures exactly what everything looks like inside the rectangular frame at that exact second the button is pushed. It never captures the before, the after, the thoughts, the emotions, or anything beyond that rectangle. 

A single picture on a specific day doesn't adequately capture us as a person. Similarly, one day or one step in our faith journey doesn't adequately describe us as a Christian.

We are all broken people living in a broken world. We've all messed up. Sometimes those mess-ups seem too big or too bad for us to be loved. We label ourselves as unlovable or unworthy. We give up hope that we can ever be loved or forgiven. Our mistakes begin to define us, change us, and keep us from God. 

The thing is, God's grace is soooo much bigger than any failure of ours. One of my favorite songs, How He Loves by David Crowder has a verse that says, "If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking" No matter the depth of our mistakes, God's grace is deeper. Because when God looks at us, He doesn't see that one mistake or that one failure. He sees US. He sees a broken and beautiful individual. 

Our past is only one chapter in our life, not the whole book.

It’s only when we truly examine ourselves that we can accurately see the beauty and fullness of God’s grace.

I have a friend, Bethany Haley, that grew up in Murray and is now a psychologist living in Nashville. She traveled to the Congo in 2008, encountered a darkness she had never seen before. She later founded a nonprofit organization, Exile International, and she spends most of her year in Africa, helping former child soldiers. What happens is soldiers come and capture children from their homes and turn them into soldiers, being forced to murder innocent people. These 7, 8, and 9 year old children that escape, return home scared and broken. They feel unlovable. Bethany works to transition them back into a somewhat normal life and help them see that God still loves them, they are more than those awful things they were made to do. One of the ways she works with them is through art therapy. One of the art forms, she has the children get scraps of paper, and magazine and rip them in strips. They then roll up the strips to make beads, then use the beads to make bracelets and necklaces to sell. I had the honor of selling some of those beautiful creations a few years back. She tells the children that they are like those creations. They were once ripped and broken, but they became beautiful. That they too can be beautiful, that God can take our broken, tattered pieces and make something beautiful. 

Thanks to grace we are not defined by our shortcomings. We must learn to have grace on ourselves, and understand that we are so much more than our darkest, deepest regrets and failures. We have so much more worth and value than our mistakes suggest. Likewise, we must learn to have grace on others. They too should not be defined by a past mistake, but be forgiven and loved.

Well-known author Bob Goff tweeted, "Grace means our failures don't define who we are anymore; they just shape who we are becoming."

In 2013, the Oxford Dictionary announced that "selfie" was its "word of the year." The act and the idea are here to stay. And if you don't quite buy it yet, or are one of the six remaining people yet to take one, just wait. It won't be long before someone throws their arm around your shoulder, dangles a smartphone in front of your face and says, "Cheese!" And when it happens, congratulate yourself. You will have just become one of the countless masses who've taken a selfie.

It's time to forget about where you've been, what you've done, and who you used to be. God doesn't care about your failures, mistakes, or even your mishaps. God is focused on where you're going, what you're going to do, and who you're becoming through Him. 

Yesterday Has Passed Away

It's hard when you wake up and you can't do enough to impress yourself

Because the world you see on the outside makes you feel down about yourself

So you stand looking out the window with ambivalence and distress

But is it our duty to look good and always be the one to impress?

So I take a second to look back, and remember all that has set me back

Then move forward towards the sky on a fast track

Although I may fall to the ground because my knees ail me

And feel emotional because of the times that my heart has failed me

Those falters might break my exterior but can never derail me

They might injure my pride but will never ever stop me

To everyone who said I wouldn't make it to where I am

Thank you, your doubts have helped build me into a man

Although I now have a degree, there is much more to me

The perimeters of a paper won't define or change me

The faith and the heart is what is going to guide me

My mind pours strength into my hands to serve you see

Hope is so radiant

It's powers takes a grip on every brain and wrist it gets

The water in the river of Detroit is still beautiful and blue

I just hope the world can see its fruitfulness and truth

I was told to leave this world a better place than when I first saw light

It's a challenge that is well worth the fight

Why look out the windows waiting for change from the inside

When we all know that the true work is done on the outside

Looking out the glass waiting for the rain pass won't make the sun shine

Yesterday has passed away

Tomorrow is on its the way

Neglect

First off, I cannot apologize enough for my absence. These last 6 months have FLOWN by.

In November I got a precious little puppy, Yadi.

That is now a 7 month old cute monster. ..

Also, I started in January on getting my insurance license and I am now licensed to sell property and casualty insurance for Kentucky!

A new puppy coupled with the added stress and work of getting my insurance license on top of working roughly 40 hours per week and being a full time student, I have sadly neglected my blog. BUT, during my absence I have been brainstorming ideas for upcoming blog posts that I cannot wait to share with you all!

Again, I apologize for the neglect, but I promise there are goodies to come!

One more thing...Andrew graduated to college!! Whoo! So excited for him!

Keep checking back for new posts!


Blessings,

Faith

When Being A Servant is Wrong

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

On my second trip to Nicaragua, I befriended a man by the name of Julio who was a Nicaraguan mason helping my team build a house for a family in need. In order to be in community with the Nicaraguans, we built this house without use of a single power tool. We relied on Julio and the other mason’s to teach us how to build a house by hand. My job for the week was bending steel, the station that was manned by Julio. With time on my hands and me itching to speak some Spanish, I struck up a conversation with him. We chatted while bending steel for hours. While I consider myself a proficient Spanish speaker, my knowledge of tools is slim…even in English. So, Julio began teaching me the Spanish name of various tools we used. Then, he would ask me how to say them in English. I’m pretty sure by the end of day two he had asked me how to say everything around us in English. I could sense his thirst for knowledge. Due to the heat and amount of physical labor we were doing, we were encouraged to take short breaks every hour. Julio and I began using those breaks to learn more. We would sit under a tree with my notebook and I would teach him new words. His face would light up in excitement and he began using those English words with others from my group, and even teaching some words to the other Nicaraguan masons.

For Nicaraguans, having English as a second language is almost essential. If you know English, you can getter better jobs with better pay, and possibly remove yourself from poverty. But the sad truth is many are unable to learn English because they are unable to pay for the $200 per semester classes because they have to work to be able to put food in their bellies. Also for Julio, he wanted to learn English because of the American groups he worked with on a daily basis that he currently could not communicate with.

In the middle of each work day, after lunch, we would have about an hour and a half of “siesta” or quiet free time. If you know me, you know my love for staying busy. I have 3 jobs totaling between 30-40 hours per week plus my school work. I don’t know what to do with myself if I have free time. I constantly feel the need to stay busy. So this awkward hour-and-a-half of free time really bothered me. On day three I sat in a hammock pondering what to do over my free time when I was approached by Julio. He asked me if I would be willing to teach him more. I jumped at the opportunity and spent the rest of my free time teaching and learning.

It was only when I stopped for a moment in my free time and l sat in that hammock and listened did I get a calling. Instead of doing something I considered productive, I finally sat and relaxed and listened. By doing that, I got to be a servant. I got to be the hands and feet of God.

The story of Mary and Martha takes place on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem as told in the beginning of Luke 9. Jesus and his disciples set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news.

Martha, being the wonderful woman she is, welcomed Jesus into her home.

I don’t know about your house, but at my house, when someone is coming over, it’s time to clean. Make sure everything is nice and tidy and even do some dusting so people think your house normally looks like that…you even make your bed for that one time a year. I can imagine this is much like Martha…except, greater.

She probably had this planned out for days, maybe even weeks. And she more than likely planned out the meal, and cleaned every inch of the house in preparation.

Now, the day had finally arrived. Jesus was coming to her home. 

Martha was doing what she had been taught…she was doing what she thought she was supposed to be doing…she was being a host. She was in the kitchen slaving away at a meal for Jesus.

While Martha is in the kitchen doing all the work, Mary comes along and just hangs out with Jesus. By doing this, she is completely going against her role in society, she is neglecting her duty in the kitchen and taking on a masculine role. She clearly violates every social boundary set forth in this time and thoroughly disappoints her sister.

Martha is clearly upset and goes to talk to Jesus about the situation. Martha doesn’t understand why Jesus hasn’t made Mary help her in the kitchen. She’s mad. She’s doing all the work while her sister is doing nothing to help!!

While I would have predicted that Jesus told Mary to go help her sister in the kitchen, the story went very differently.

Instead, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen what was better.

We, as Christians, are so uncomfortable with the fact that Jesus scolded Martha. We wouldn’t be uncomfortable at all if Jesus had responded to Martha’s concerns by saying, “Hey Mary, why don’t you go help Martha, and we can talk during dinner.”

But Jesus didn’t do that—instead, he praised Mary:  the one that instead of helping her sister prepare for feeding Jesus, was sitting and chatting with him, leaving Martha to do all the work.

How is this fair? Why does Jesus praise Mary over the hardworking, worn out Martha who is slaving in the kitchen to provide a meal for Him?

Why does he say that Mary, who simply sits and listens, has chosen a better part than Martha, that’s doing the work?

Martha was being a servant. She was doing ministry. She was meeting the needs of Jesus and His disciples.

To some degree we all know how Martha feels. There have been times when we have all felt as if we are the only ones doing the work, and that no one seems to notice or care all that we sacrifice. We feel unappreciated.

The problem with Martha is not that she is busy serving and providing hospitality, because Jesus commends this kind of service. The Parable of the Good Samaritan immediately precedes the story of Mary and Martha, talking about service to the neighbor. Exactly what Martha is doing. But Martha’s distraction and worry leave no room for the most important aspect of hospitality—attention to the guest. Her worry and distraction prevent her from truly being present with Jesus. Martha was so consumed with her to-do list that she forgot WHO she was doing this all for.

I think so often we are like Martha. We do all these Christian things but we forget WHO we are doing them for! We are so busy doing things for Jesus that we forget to pause and be present with him.  It’s only when we are truly present with him that we can listen to what He wants us to do. We ARE called to be a servant, but we are called to be HIS servant.

We have to have time to be present with God. Being present with God and listening is how we find our passions. It’s how we know where He wants us to be a servant.

Being a servant is great, but being a servant where we are called to serve is even better.

Also, Mary is stepping over some pretty giant boundaries for her time. She isn’t following the social norm. Instead of taking on the feminine role like Martha, she is committing a social taboo. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this is about women’s rights, but I think that Jesus praised her because she was stepping out of her comfort zone.

Mary didn’t just dream of sitting with Jesus, she didn’t just want to sit with Jesus, she DID sit with Jesus.

Mary isn’t “simply listening” …she is breaking boundaries and seeking justice.

She could have easily gone along with Martha and slaved away in the kitchen. That would have been the easy choice. That would have been the expected choice.

Mary knew she wasn’t really supposed to be sitting with Jesus. She knew socially, she was supposed to be helping Martha in the kitchen. So Mary did something about it. She sought justice.

I believe that there is nothing wrong with being a Martha…and neither did Jesus. Jesus never said she was doing the wrong thing, He simply said that Mary was doing the better thing. 

If Martha weren’t there, Jesus probably wouldn’t have had any dinner. So, Martha’s aren’t so bad after all. If there weren’t any Martha’s in this world, things like cooking and cleaning would never get done. We all need to be a Martha in some sense. Let’s face it, Martha was doing the service, she was doing the ministry in this story.

But as Christians, we need to also be a Mary. We need stop wanting things to be done, and actually do them. We need to listen to our calling and go do it.

It’s not about just being a Mary or just being a Martha, but finding that balance. It’s about being present with God like Mary, then being a servant like Martha.

Someone once said, “Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it….but I’m afraid He might ask me the same question.”

As Christians, we should break the social norm.

We should do the unexpected.

We should seek justice.

We should change the world.

When I was still in youth group in Murray, my youth leader had a series of video lessons we watched over seeking justice. And I remember talking about getting mad. The video kept saying that we should “get mad about it.” Get mad that there are starving children and get mad that clean water is not readily available to 780 million people. I kept wondering why we should get “mad” about it. But think about it, the more you get mad about something, the more you want to do something about it, right?

Recently, my Facebook has been filled with comments on the Duck Dynasty fiasco, A&E banning Phil Robertson after his comments toward homosexuals during an interview. Matthew Paul Turner said on his blog,

“Remember this is about a reality TV show, a meaningless TV show about a family of outspoken rich hunters. It’s just entertainment, people! Some Christians seem to believe this is a really important thing to be angry about. But it’s not. Did you know that 500 people were killed in Sudan yesterday? Did you voice your grievance about that? Because that’s something that’s actually important. Whether or not Phil ever appears on Duck Dynasty is completely meaningless in comparison. So let’s get our priorities in order here. There are much more important events happening in the world.”

He is so right. We get so mad about the meaningless things in this world. Facebook status’ were filled with outrage. Yet, how many statuses do you see of people that are outraged about something that matters? We get angry at the refs in a little league baseball game or at someone on the road that can’t drive, but we don’t get mad that there are starving children, or people dying from AIDS or HIV.

This past June, a YouTube user uploaded an amazing video using Jelly Beans that focuses on our time left on earth. It uses data from the American Time Use Survey and United States Department of Labor to estimate how many days we really have to do the things we are passionate about or that we are called to do.

The video begins with 28,835 Jelly Beans, one for each day the average American lives. After the first 15 years, we have left 23,360 Jelly Beans.

The video goes on to say, “We will be asleep for a total of 8,477 days, and if we are lucky, some of that time will be sleeping next to someone we love. We will be in the process of eating, drinking or preparing food for 1,635 days. We’ll be at work, hopefully doing something satisfying for the equivalent of 3,202 days. 1,099 days will be spent commuting or traveling from one place to another. On average, we will watch television, in one form or another, for a total of 2,676 days. Household activities like chores, tending to our pets and shopping will take another 1,576 days. And we will care for the needs and well-being of others for 546 days. We’ll spend 671 days bathing, grooming and doing all other bathroom-related activities and another 720 days will go to community activities like religious and civic duties, charities, and taking classes.”

So after removing all of that, we are left with 2,740 beans or 2,740 days.

We have 2,740 days to do what we love, to change the world, to make a difference. We are approaching on 365 days…what will you chose to do with them? How will you follow your calling? How many of those days will you sit and listen? How many will you be serving?

Blessings, 

Faith

Anything to Everything

Remember how it all seemed bright and nothing could stop the shine

You didn't think that it all would end in such quick time

The flowers were beautiful but it's a shame that he didn't get to smell them

Hopefully everyone who loved him was able to tell 'em.

It's been a hard ten months but you don't seem so far

Because although you're in the ground you are still seen in the stars

I can't deny that nothing has really been the same

Since I've lost the chance to see you and say your name

          This year has sure been something. I remember last Christmas getting the chance to spend it with my family, and it was great (like always). At the end of the night I was asked to drive my Grandma and Grandpa home. Little did I know that it would be the last time I'd see my Grandfather before he passed in February. I always wanted him to know how much I loved him, because he helped teach me what it means to be a man. I wasn't expecting this year to go the way it has. I have been extremely busy with just about everything, but I realize that is part of growing up. There are a few things I'm looking forward to in this coming year. I'm graduating college, I'm beginning graduate school, and I'll be effectively transitioning to a new chapter in my life. Amongst all that, there are other things I'd like to do this year. I want to be able to fully realize the blessings I have in my life, and to show my thanks to those people. So I came up with a little bit of something that I can look back on in a year, and hopefully I'll feel like I've fulfilled them:

If you find someone who you feel is the best at anything

Don't be afraid to ask for everything

Remember to just keep the faith

Because where this might take you may not feel safe

But you gotta keep the faith

I'm gonna keep the faith

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving in my family is bigger than Christmas. I see more family on Thanksgiving Day than I do throughout all of Christmas. Thanksgiving at my house is huge and it's important. Friends, neighbors, family, and acquaintances pile into my house for a feast. All are welcome. It's wonderful. It makes me happy.

As we are approaching this holiday, I would like to express my thanks. I didn't want it filling up my Facebook, so I thought I would post it here. I'll be honest...I hate when people every day post something they are "thankful" for, yet don't believe in anyone to thank, and are not thankful for that thing the other 364 days of the year. So, here I am, posting out-of-the-ordinary things I am truly grateful for.

Friends--I have some absolutely amazing friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. I've rekindled some old relationships and made new friendships this year that I am truly grateful for. Friends are worth millions.

My passions--I am so thankful that God has given me a passion for Spanish and international missions. I know my passions will be used for wonderful things. I love my passions...they are what keeps me going in life.

My jobs--Yes, I have 3 jobs. Yes, I am thankful for each one of them. These days, I am so thankful that I have a job. Not only do I have a job, I have 2 that I LOVE. My job at the insurance office is such a blessing...they are wonderful to me and are giving me great opportunities. And of course, my job at the church is where I love to be.

Challenges--I have overcome challenges in my life that many of you don't know. I believe challenges are blessings in disguise. I honestly would not be the person I am today without having to overcome those challenges in my life. For the challenges that made me who I am today, I am truly thankful.

Soldiers--I may have a desire to move out of this country, but it does not stop me from being thankful for our troops that are protecting our freedom.

Nicaragua/Misael--I am so thankful for my time in Nicaragua and the pleasure of meeting Misael. Nicaragua is a place that I hold near and dear to my heart and I absolutely cannot wait until I make it my home. I am thankful that God sent me there and showed me my passion. I'm thankful for Misael who forever changed my life.

Food--Something so simple, yet people are starving every day. I am thankful for a pantry full of food to eat at my leisure. I am thankful that I have a full belly when I go to sleep at night.

Housing--I've seen the slums of Nicaragua. I am beyond thankful for a roof over my head, my own room, a thermostat, and a bathroom inside. No one should have to endure the living conditions in Nicaragua and my mission is to change that one family at a time.

Family--I've truly learned that family is not based on marriage or by blood, it's the people that love you and you love the most. I'm thankful for friends that are family to me. It means more than you know.

New beginnings--This year has been a year of change for me. So many new beginnings...a new job, beginning my college career, etc. I'm so thankful for these new beginnings and the change and opportunity they bring.

Animals--Simple, yes...but I am truly thankful for "puppy therapy" and my own doggies at home. No matter what kind of day I have had, my animals always seem to put a smile on my face.

Hope--Hope is what gets me through every day. So so thankful that I have hope for what is ahead.

Future--Simply put, the future scares the crap out of me. Despite that, I'm thankful I have a future and one of endless possibilities.

Safety--I'm thankful for safety...for the fact that I am not injured or sick.

New opportunities--I'm thankful for new opportunities in my life. This December, I have the honor to preach at my church...something I never thought I'd be doing at 18. I'm thankful for these opportunities to explore my passions and my strengths.

Redemption--I am so thankful to live for a God that redeems. I'm a failure, but God forgives me. His grace is unreal.

A vehicle--It's dumb, but being without a vehicle for a while makes you truly thankful for what you have. These days, in this city, a vehicle is practically necessary.

Adventure--I'm a thrill-seeker. I love just about anything that will get my adrenaline pumping. I'm thankful for opportunities of adventure that keep my enthusiasm for life going.

Coffee--I am thankful for this little burst of energy that often gets me through my hectic days.

Role Models--God has placed some pretty amazing role models in my life that I am so thankful for. I don't know where I'd be without them!

Ashamed

I have recently found myself in situations that I have been ashamed to call myself a Christian. Sounds ridiculous, right?

I personally believe there are three types of Christians in this world. Only one of those three I want to be associated with. 

Type 1: The "Bible Buster"... This Christian is one that lives out their faith "too well". They believe that each possible sin or wrongdoing results in a condemnation to hell. When others sin, these Christians tend to shun them, shove their wrongdoings in their face, and constantly remind them of their future life in hell. They tend to stretch the sayings of the Bible to fit what they want it to say, and continually push the Bible onto others. If  they are not bringing up salvation in common chat, they are Facebooking, Tweeting, and Instagramming how to be saved. How many people they got saved is more than just a number to them, and they can't help but trying to bring more people into this rule-abiding life. 

Type 1 Christian is overbearing and is often overrun with rules, instead of love and mercy. As a person looking for the love and mercy of Christ, this life of rules and condemnation seems less than desirable. Personally, I feel that this Christian is a turn-off to others looking to follow God. I often feel myself ashamed of being associated with Type 1 Christians based on their actions toward others.

If you read one of my previous posts titled, "The Remedy," I feel that the Christians identified in that post relate to the Type 1 Christian. 

Type 2: The "Convenient Christian"... This Christian normally falls into the 16-25 year old range. They casually come to church, when its convenient, and when they do, they may or may not be hungover from the previous nights party. The label "Christian" is just that:  a social label. These Christians feel the need to label themselves as "Christians" to be a part of the group. They don't talk Jesus besides the "#blessed" on Instagram or the typical, "I'm so blessed to have ______ in my life!" or the, "I'm so thankful for all that God has placed in my life #blessedwiththebest" on Facebook/Twitter. Religion is just a label, and parties and social status are way more important...but they'll make it to church if they manage to sober-up by morning. 

Yet again, Type 2 is not a person I wish to be. I feel that Type 2 Christians just want something to believe in, not something to live out. No rules to follow, and just a few Christian outings a month to be sure others see the "good Christian person." Not much of a commitment, but also not much of a reward. Others looking to follow God often see the behavior of Type 2 Christian behind the scenes and is turned off by the idea of a two-faced Christian altogether. Type 2 is also a Christian I am sometimes ashamed to be associated with.

Type 3: The "Honest Christian"...This Christian is a sinner, troubled, and has a bad past. This Christian knows they have done things wrong, but knows of God's grace and forgiveness. This Christian makes mistakes daily, but works to change despite that. They feel that Christianity isn't just a belief, but a way of life. They don't condemn others, but instead show grace and mercy through their actions. They continue to be a shining example of God's love despite not being perfect. They aren't at every single service, posting daily about salvation, but they live out the gospel in their daily lives. 

Type 3 is the Christian I strive to be. My goal as a Christian isn't to punish, judge, or persecute others wrongdoings, but to be an example to others by the way I live. I am far from being a perfect Type 3 Christian, but I can say I try. 

Sadly, I estimate that only 15% of Christians are Type 3 Christians (yeah, so, that percent is truthfully made up from what I see in my daily life...take it as you please)

So, who are you? Who do you strive to be? Who does God want you to be?

Blessings,

Faith

Fall

What is mean to stay patient?

Does it mean continue to sleep from couch to couch and wait for a statement?

Being told that we'll shine and I need to stay a man?

How can I shine when the rain block the sun like 99 cent ray bands.

The raindrops from the sky make it hard to not struggle

Especially when you can't even find an umbrella

Hope is a dangerous thing asking Morgan Free

But it is fear that keeps you prisoner, not set you free

I heard that tomorrow is always brighter they say

I look outside and all I see is the grass get browner by the day

As the warmth subsides and the frost begins to linger

What is going to brighten up the soul that is being thrown through the wringer?

Fall is a four letter word that means coming down

But it could in fact be a glimmer of hope to flip our frowns

Take that orange leaf or the red one

As it symbolizes change for what is about to come

The beauty in change in the outside that God sends us all

Can be seen greatly looking outside in the fall

So wake up and roll over, The rain will soon be over

The fall is putting a period on the summer

All with hope and change like the leaves; with no bummer

So wake up and roll over, find purpose and love all over

Tell someone you care, and show some love every where

Autumn, fall or whatever you want to call it

It's a time to grow, in who you and in spirit.

Make this change in seasons a positive one. School, work, and life in general I know can be crazy. Maybe all it will take is a look outside and see how beautiful things still can be; and things can be just as beautiful in your lives, if you let it.

God Bless,

Andrew

BE the Change

Both myself and Andrew have blogged about "being the change." But what does that mean? It means DOING SOMETHING! Doing something to fix something else. This world is filled with injustice. The only way to fix that injustice is to BE the change. Although we can't actually stop hunger by ourselves, WE CAN do something about it.

I've compiled a list of legitimate organizations that change the world. By donating to or buying from these organizations, YOU are changing the world. Click the link and you should be taken directly to the website.

1.) World Vision--Adopt a Child 
http://www.worldvision.org/sponsor-child

This organization allows you to "adopt" a child in a third world country. It costs $35 per month and you get to pick a child. You can correspond with your adopted child and send them small gifts. For about a dollar a day, you provide that child with clean water, food, healthcare and more. This organization is close to my heart. I got to SEE World Vision in action in Nicaragua. I knew their work was legitimate, but actually seeing in action was remarkable.

2) World Vision Gifts
http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?go=gift&&section=10389

Have a friend or in-law that is SO difficult to shop for? World Vision has the perfect solution. You can donate in honor of someone.
You can donate:
-an animal: you can donate chickens, goats, cows, etc. to families so that they can create a sustainable farm      and have a constant food supply
-clean water: you can provide a well, water pump, or water filter to a family or community to provide them      with clean water.
-clothing and shelter: you can provide clothing or shelter for a family in need
-education: you can provide education for a child
-emergency aid: help provide aid in the food crisis or disaster relief all over the world
-food: help provide MEANS to get food:  fishing tools, farming kits and tools, and fruit trees for families in      need
AND MORE... like job training, sewing machine, small business loan, bicycle, new mother starter kit

These gifts are WONDERFUL!

3) Sevenly
http://www.sevenly.org/

Each week, they choose a different organization to donate to. Each week, they have new clothing to support that organization. Their clothing is fashionable and at a good cost. Each item you buy, they donate $7 to that week's campaign. This week, they are partnering with Invisible Children, helping children in Africa that have been forced to be soldiers for Kony's army. Previously, they have donated to an autism awareness group, to stop bullying, help the clean water crisis, fight against abuse and the china sex trade, etc.
I personally purchase from this company and love it!

4) Blood: Water Mission
https://secure3.convio.net/bwm/site/Donation2?df_id=2240&2240.donation=form1

Blood: Water Mission empowers HIV-affected communities in Zambia. With your donation, you can donate HIV testing, mosquito nets, or even a water filter for a community.

5) Exile International
http://exileinternational.org/

Oh, goodness! This is another cause so so so close to my heart. The girl that founded this organization is from Murray, and I've worked with her some over the years. If you click on "store" you will see the jewelry that I helped sell because my heart was so much into this organization. Bethany is a psychologist that works with previous child soldiers. Some of these kids were stolen from their home to fight for Kony. Bethany told me that sometimes the people make the children kill and eat their own parents in order to be "brainwashed" by the army. The bracelets and necklaces they make are made from recycled magazines cut up and rolled---she uses this in therapy, teaching the children that even though they are cut up and ugly, they can be made beautiful  (just like the beads that those magazine papers make). Each time Bethany goes to Africa, she returns with drawings from the kids that can be purchased. Her whole presentation is beautiful. I recommend this organization 120%.

What are YOU going to do to be the change? Consider making one donation a month to one of these wonderful organizations. Change the world one donation/purchase at a time. It all starts with you.

Blessings,

Faith

Changework

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The Remedy

Boy Scouts….The Boy Scouts were founded in February of 1910. Recently 60% of the groups’ 1400-member national council voted at an annual meeting in Texas to allow gay children/teenagers to be involved with the Boy Scouts. This to me was an awesome, radical change. It was said, “We’re going to focus on sexual purity, not sexual orientation.”

I’m not sure how it is around the rest of the country, but in my city, the Boy Scout troops find “homes” in churches or other places that can host their meetings and such. My old church is one that hosts them.  There is another church in the community, that I’ll call Church XYZ (to keep the politics out), that hosted a troop as well.

Sadly, almost immediately after the national council decision was made, Church XYZ decided not to allow the Boy Scout troop to use their church any more. And to my knowledge, the troop had no gays in attendance. Therefore, the church decided to stop hosting them due to the NATIONAL decision/opinion of the group as a whole. They truthfully punished the boys (that had nothing to do with this decision) by not allowing them to use their facility. I was outraged! What did that say about the Christian faith?

For the sake of this thought, let’s say that being gay is a sin. (Remember that through this next paragraph…)

So, Church XYZ essentially got rid of the Boy Scout troop because they allowed gays, which was a sin. Simple, right? Wait, but isn’t church “a hospital for the sinners, not a meeting place for the saints”? So, by kicking them out, they are saying that their sin is okay, but the sin of being gay isn’t? Wait, but aren’t “all sins created equal”? Oh, perfect sense…NOT! Even if your/their belief is that being gay is a sin, the concept of kicking gays out of church is ridiculous. Church is a place to love and repent…exactly what gays need to do if it’s a sin, right? They need to accept Christ and change their sexual orientation? How can they do that if they are not allowed/welcomed into the church? By not welcoming them, you are literally saying, “My sins are cool with God, but yours aren’t.” which LITERALLY goes against what the Bible says. The Bible says that ALL SINS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Oh, so you judge those that are gay? Then your sin is EQUAL to person that is gay. End of story. The Bible couldn’t be any more clear.

If you can’t tell, Church XYZ really pushes my buttons by their decision. Their logic is all wrong. The basis of the Christian religion is LOVE. Simple as that. By pushing them away, they are killing the basis of the Christian religion and putting themselves on a pedestal, saying that their sins are okay and God forgives them (everyone sins, let’s just admit it), but that a gay person’s sins are worse and unforgivable. HOW IS THAT LOGICAL? THE BIBLE CLEARLY SAYS TO LOVE…AND CLEARLY SAYS ALL SINS ARE CREATED EQUAL.

This past semester I had to write a research paper for my ENG 105 class and had to have a couple of interviews as sources. I talked to Jennifer, my previous church’s leader of college ministry. This is what she had to say about homosexuality in the church:

“Let’s say homosexuality is a sin. How can we reach sinners if we turn them away? It makes no sense to me when churches turn homosexuals away. If the church is in the business of turning away sinners, we might as well lock the doors and go home.” She went on to say, “My college ministry has had several gay men as a part of the group over the years. Are they sinners? Sure they are. Everyone in the group is. I’m thankful for a loving God who knows us, knows our hearts and offers grace and forgiveness.”

Love. Love can solve all the world’s problems, I truly believe. If everyone loved, I honestly believe there wouldn’t be suffering in this world. If everyone had unselfish love, everyone in this world would have sufficient housing, clean water, and adequate food. Love is something I have learned so much about since moving to my new church. Love can cure all. So, my theory is love. Even if your belief is that being gay is a sin, LOVE. Love them. Why? Because that is what the bible says to do…”Love your neighbor”

As my dear friend said, “Jesus said love thy neighbor, not love thy neighbor unless they’re gay.” I couldn’t have said it better.

But, this isn’t just a post about gays/being gay. Not at all. This goes for anything. No matter what your views on anything are, just love.

Years ago, I remember a young lady that came to my church. She came in a few minutes late and sat in the back. She was covered in tattoos and had a bright red Mohawk. She wasn’t like the normal person that I would see in this church. After church, many members of my church family walked up to her and welcomed her. I remember her saying that she had never been to a church that welcomed her because of the way she looked. How terrible. Love…it fixes everything, right? Right!

I couldn’t be more proud of the Disciples as they have created an “All means All” campaign, meaning that all REALLY DOES mean all! ALL are accepted and loved! The disciples have even tried to get gender neutral restrooms in order to make transgenders (and anyone else) feel more comfortable! Learn more about it here:  http://www.gladalliance.org/

And, I’m going to leave you with a video to get your brain thinking about all this… (just clicked the underlined word “video” and it should pop up in another window)

My rant for today is over. Thanks for reading and remember…no matter your opinions or belief, LOVE is the remedy.

Blessings,

Faith

A Thousand Words

Previously I talked about how I could write a book on the criticism I've received throughout my life. A lot of that criticism has come from other people in my life telling me that I am doing things that do not portray the Christian image they believe I should go after. Here is a little bit about me, that some of you might not know:

Some of my best friends are not Christians. I have friends in my inner-circle who have battled issues with drugs and alcohol. Some of them still are fighting those demons. I have friends who have been affiliated with gangs and selling drugs. My favorite genre of music is hip-hop. I've experimented with different chemicals in the past. Does that make me who I am? I am a bad Christian for hanging around with drug using, misogynistic music listening people? You may have your opinions on that, but my answer is no. Whether you are or aren't a believer, it doesn't determine whether or not I will talk to them or try to build a relationship. Because you want the truth? I've learned lessons on how to be a better man, a better follower of Christ, and a better overall friend from some of my friends who have no faith backbone. Imagine that?

Now I am not celebrating the fact that they are not believers, but what I am saying is that we as a society need to stop looking at the cover and start reading the pages. There are so many layers to every single individual in this world. Also, I gotta tell you all that I don't necessarily have a heroic plan to try and convert all my friends to Christ. It definitely is a priority to discuss Jesus with my friends whenever I feel the time is right, but if they don't become believers, that's on them; and it will not make or break our friendship. So while I always seem to get some flack for what I say or what I do, I'm okay with that. I feel called to go out and be friends and build relationships with people from all walks of life. Even the people that the general society seems to villainize. So the guy who wears the un-turned baseball hat and listens to Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West is the same person who attends Church every Sunday, part of his student ministry team at school, writes poem's, and serves the community. Oh yeah, and he happens to have some pretty amazing friends. I know I'll get judged, but that's okay. Remember, I'm just a broken lamp trying letting God's light shine the way.

They say a picture is worth 1000 words, but I say those 1000 words are more important than one picture. Look past the cover, you often times will be amazed by what you'll find.

God Bless,

Andrew

Comments/Feedback

First off I just want to thank everyone who has been reading our blog recently. We've noticed significantly more traffic these past several weeks, so we both thank you all for that. Also, I encourage all of you to write in our comment section and give your feedback on our postings. I love discussion, and I love being challenged. However, we ask that you refrain from personal attacks, and comments that will not create beneficial discourse. Last week I came across a posting that was not appropriate to display on this blog, so I removed it before Faith, and hopefullly anyone else saw it. We encourage and appreciate comments and feedback, and we look forward to having discussions with those of you who read our blog. We just ask that you keep the comments constructive, and leave any personal attacks or feelings absent. Thanks, again for reading, and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Andrew

Gold

For all the people that never feel like they are good enough...this is for you. For all the teenage girls that are so insecure...this is for you. And for all of the people that are unsure of their worth...this is for you.

I recall as a young child, around 5th grade, when I was cleaning out my closet with my mother and my father came into the room. He saw the pile of clothes that no longer fit (you grow when you're young, if you didn't know...) and immediately blurted out, "If you'd lose some weight, you might could fit into some of your clothes." I began to cry, and he REFUSED to apologize.  Any male in his right mind knows that you never comment on a girl's weight...much less if it is a young girl. Those words he said continued to haunt me for many years. As a young girl, I felt my body was less than perfect and I felt that I was never good enough. This comment led to struggles with eating disorders throughout most of my middle school years. 

Let's fast forward to my freshman year in high school, when my parents divorced. For all of my life, my grandfather meant everything to me. He was the most important person in my life, no doubt. Freshman year, things went downhill. One week into the school year (freshman year), my grandfather made an unexpected phone call. Out of nowhere, he called. I put it on speakerphone as he asked, and me and my mother sat and listened to him tell me I was worthless, that I needed to "get off my pedestal," and that I was going nowhere in my life. [Wait, what? This phone call seriously came out of nowhere and still to this day I don't know why he would even think about doing that.] Needless to say, a man so important in my life saying that crushed me. I felt like my heart was gone. I felt worthless. I remember running to my bed and crying. He hung up, but my mother called him back, put the phone on speakerphone, and let him listen to me wail. My mom said, "See! See what you have done to your granddaughter?!" and he replied, "Good, I'm glad." 
This phone call was a great way to spend the first week of my freshman year. I could not shake it. I began to go into a deep depression...feeling so incredibly useless. It was a conversation I could never forgive. Through that rough time after the phone call, I was continually told, "They're missing out." As a child, you are always told not to brag. But, after thinking about that comment, I began to think of all the wonderful things about myself. Truth be told...they ARE missing out...cause I'm pretty freakin' awesome. Although this isn't something you need to go around saying, each of us need to know our worth...and after that, I began seeing my true worth.

Three years later (December 2012), I decided to give him another chance at a relationship with me. [...with him refusing to apologize for that phone call.] I went and saw him in the hospital, went over for a few random visits and such...I thought everything was going great. I even had Christmas with them. Maybe this was the beginning of a decent relationship. [It's never that simple, guys] A few days after Christmas gathering, I got another of those dreaded phone calls. This time, I was at my best friend Jordan's house, and let him listen. This time, I got told I was a bad Christian, worthless, and he continually stated I was "immature." I remember telling him what I had been told for years..."You're missing out cause I'm pretty freaking awesome!" Although I shed many tears over this conversation, it didn't bother me as much because I saw my worth even when he didn't. 

With the help of my relationship with God, I realized my true worth...my worth in God's eyes. My worth isn't decided by my grandfather's opinion.

Gold is one of the most precious metals on this earth, and each one of us are a piece of Gold in God's eyes. 

Britt Nicole's song, "Gold" sums it up perfectly:

You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low
What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful
Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling
Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)

Well everybody keeps score, afraid you're gonna lose
Just ignore they don't know the real you
All the rain in the sky can't put out your fire
Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you're gold)

So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved
And don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough
Yeah there are days that we all feel like we're messed up
But the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out
You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars
This is for you, wherever you are

Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, oh, oh,
You're gold

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
(So hold your head) So hold your head up high,
It's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold
(gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(gold gold you're gold)

So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out

Never feel like you're not good enough. Because you are. 

Blessings,

Faith

Bright Lights

Watching the bright lights from and seeing the street lights glimmer

Are kind of like moments and memories that pass in an instant

In a second that bright light has passed and another is coming from the distance

While days clock seem to be getting slimmer and slimmer

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

Whether it be a hug, a smile, a laugh, or a cry

A moment where you had to stop and ask yourself why

Like the first love kisses, or the broken heart wishes

Have all come and passed and are no longer with us

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

As you come to a stop and the lights seem to stall

Remember to take in the moment all in all

The smile you see, the love that you feel, the joy of it all

Because the light will change from red to green

And that one instant is all that you would've seen

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

Wake up like every is day new to you

Enjoy the lights within each day, no matter where or with whom

And cherish the memories of the past that come to us

Because the bright lights are there for us not to relive them but remind us

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry.

Remember the memoreis and lessons from yesterday. Cherish and grow in the moments of today, and have faith in what God has for tomorrow.

God Bless,

Andrew

Broken Lamp

I'm can be very critical of myself. I'm very good at finding things I can't do well. Also, I think I could write several pages of criticism I've received from others on how I pursue and act upon different areas of my life. I often times just want to ignore all of the criticism I receive from others. I do that I feel because I think I know myself better than they do, so who are they to tell me how I should be living my life as a follower of Jesus? If my goal is to be the best Christian I can be, and doing to it not for the praise I receive from others; I must say I am not doing the best job. The truth of the matter is, that if I am ignoring the criticism, I must also ignore the praise I receive from others as well. I can't lie, it makes me feel good when I hear people tell me that I give them inspiration, or that I am someone they look up to. Without a doubt I find myself feeling pretty good after hearing all that. “You the man Andrew”, I seem to tell myself that a lot.

That is is an area that I am really trying to work on. I say that because I should not feel like I am someone's inspiration. Jesus should be, and there are times where I get the credit, and do not pass it along to its rightful place. Truth be told I'm just a 21 year old kid trying to do right in this world. I'm just a broken lamp that shines no light. One thing I can always rely and trust on is that the sun will rise up and give me light. I need to remember its the Son that brings brightness, not my broken bulb. All the glory should go to the creator of the light, because in the end, what's a broken lamp without any light?

God Bless,

Andrew