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