My mom once asked the elders of her church to come and pray over her (Js 5:14) when her MS was starting to get bad. She told them she needed a miracle. One well ...]]> “I have a word from the Lord.” Those seven words always make me cringe. Maybe its my conservative upbringing or that when that phrase is uttered it generally seems to be self-serving. Perhaps its easier to just say “God doesn’t work like that anymore” because 1) I might have to face the reality that I don’t hear him like I want to or 2) if I do hear him I might misunderstand him, like a cosmic game of telephone where I’m next to a Jr. High student who’s goal is to mess up the message.

My mom once asked the elders of her church to come and pray over her (Js 5:14) when her MS was starting to get bad. She told them she needed a miracle. One well intentioned Elder responded, “God doesn’t do miracles anymore.” To which my ever snarky mother responded, “Then I guess I need a new God.”

Are you in need of a “new” God?

Maybe that’s offensive so let me say it a different way. Do you need  a “new-to-you-God” like a used car is “new”. Do you need a God who works in the unexplainable, a God who does miracles, a God who speaks directly to you? Because that’s the kind of God I need.

When I read the scriptures I see the amazing things that happened for the early church  and when compared to my own life I see little similarity. Am I alone in this? We say we want to hear from God but do we really? If we really heard God clearly then we would have to face a third reality, we may not like what we hear.

For the most part we live life without the need for a God who speaks to us directly, we live life within our own power. We don’t need miracles because we can just make a doctors appointment. We don’t have to worry about God providing our daily bread (Matt 6:11) because we know where are next meal is coming from. Sadly we can’t hear God not because “he doesn’t work like that anymore” but because we don’t need him to work like that.

I find however its in the heat of the moment, in my desperation, when I’m at the end of me that God shows up, its in my pain and suffering when God speaks the clearest.

Do you hear what I hear?

Take a look at Luke 9:28-36. Peter, James, and John see Jesus radically transfigured and in their confusion they clearly hear God speaking saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

So are you listening? When was the last time you took the time to listen to Jesus?When was the last time you needed to hear from God? Are you living a safe and comfortable life or one that desperately needs Jesus’ voice?

The U.S. Department of State makes estimates that more that 150,000 people are trafficked in the United States every year, mostly women and children. 70% of these are forced into the sex trade industry. There are some estimates that worldwide there are between 12-27 million human trafficking victims.

In 2011 the Super Bowl was held in Arlington Texas. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said, The Super Bowl is one of the largest human ...]]> Today millions of people will gather to watch the championship America’s sport, Football. American’s are expected to spend over 10 Billion in Super Bowl related good’s. So when you think of the Super Bowl I bet your mind goes to wings, pizza, and the commercials but there is another side to the Super Bowl, a darker side.

The U.S. Department of State makes estimates that more that 150,000 people are trafficked in the United States every year, mostly women and children. 70% of these are forced into the sex trade industry. There are some estimates that worldwide there are between 12-27 million human trafficking victims.

In 2011 the Super Bowl was held in Arlington Texas. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said, The Super Bowl is one of the largest human trafficking events in the United States.” In Florida the commission Against Human Trafficking said they believe tens of thousands of women and minors were trafficked in the miami area while the Super Bowl was in their town. In a shocking story, a man was arrested for offering a “Super Bowl Special” during the 2009 game in Tampa. Under cover agents were offered two girls ages 14 and 18 for the price of $300. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for this “special.”

So this past week one can guess that New Orleans has attacked all sorts of criminal activity. Large sporting events, draw crowds, and crowds sadly demand sex, cheap sex, illigal sex. Be aware that not all prostitution is by choice and that even in the united States Human trafficking in rampant.

10 Things you can do?

1. 1. Pray
2. 2. Write a letter
3. 3. Use Social Media to raise awareness
4. 4. Learn more (Links at the bottom of this page)
5. 5. Report suspicious activity In the United States, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888 (24/7)
6. 6. Join or start a grassroots anti-trafficking coalition.
7. 7. Donate funds or needed items to an anti-trafficking organization in your area.
8. 8. Demand No Demand
9. 9. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about human trafficking in your community.
10. 10. Students: Take action on your campus. Join or establish a university or secondary school club to raise awareness about human trafficking and initiate action throughout your local community. Consider doing one of your research papers on a topic concerning human trafficking.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING

RED FLAGS TO LOOK OUT FOR A TRAFFICKING VICTIM:

• Living with Employer
• Poor Living Conditions
• Multiple People in Cramped Space
• Inability to Speak to an Individual Alone
• Employer Holding Identity Documents
• Signs of Physical Abuse
• Submissive or Fearful
• Unpaid or Paid Very Little
• Under 18 and in Prostitution
• Heavy security at the commercial establishment including barred windows, locked doors, isolated location, electronic surveillance. Women are never seen leaving the premises unless escorted.
• Victims live at the same premises as the brothel or work site or are driven between quarters and “work” by a guard. For labor trafficking, victims are often prohibited from leaving the work site, which may look like a guarded compound from the outside.
• Victims are kept under surveillance when taken to a doctor, hospital or clinic for treatment; trafficker may act as a translator.
• High foot traffic especially for brothels where there may be trafficked women indicated often by a stream of men arriving and leaving the premises.

Links

Cracking Down on the Super Bowl Sex Trade

Super Bowl And The Sex Trade

Who Can Help in the United States

Recognizing Human Trafficking

The A21 Campaign

Basically this couple sees the praise that others are receiving for selling goods and donating them to the church so they decide they should get in on the action, so they sell a field and give the proceeds to the church, however they decide to lie about how much they received from the real estate transaction and lie saying they gave it all to the church.

Because of their lies the Holy Spirit kills them (not exactly the best bed time story for the kiddies). It would be real easy to miss ...]]> One of the scariest stories in the whole Bible is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. If you’re not familiar watch this video because Dan Stevers is amazing or read the whole story here 

Basically this couple sees the praise that others are receiving for selling goods and donating them to the church so they decide they should get in on the action, so they sell a field and give the proceeds to the church, however they decide to lie about how much they received from the real estate transaction and lie saying they gave it all to the church.

Because of their lies the Holy Spirit kills them (not exactly the best bed time story for the kiddies). It would be real easy to miss the forest for the trees here so don’t miss the point. This isn’t about the money. No one was requiring them to give up anything. The lie they told and the property they sold was for their glory. It would have been fine to just give half, or give nothing, just be upfront about it.

This begs the question for us. What lies are you telling in your life? What image are you trying to make people see? Where have we fudged the truth a little to make ourselves look good.

See the problem is that we can lie to ourselves like Ananias and Sapphira did. We can try to convince ourselves that what we are doing isn’t hurting anyone and we will look like the heroes. But we serve a God who knows and sees everything and when we align ourselves with Christ we are now lying to him as well. John tells us that Jesus came in grace and truth. Jesus is the embodiment of truth, so shouldn’t the truth be something worth telling? Shouldn’t we be defined by truth?

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:21-25

When we do things for our glory rather than the glory of God we deceive ourselves. We miss the true reason for living. We miss the cross. We miss Jesus. When we lie we are saying that the truth is not enough, and we are  telling Jesus that he is not enough.

What do you need to throw off and fess up to? Where do you need to invite the Spirit in to renew your thoughts and attitudes. What lies do you need to STOP telling today?

Check out Colossians 1. Paul is building a case for who Jesus is and what he’s done for us, so in verse 22-23 he lays down this,

So some highlights of these two verses.

So think back on your New Years resolutions. What have you resolved to do this year. Is one of your resolutions to grow in your faith? I hope so. Cause according to Paul our continuing in the faith is one of the reasons we will be able to stand before God.

But ...]]> Did you make any New Years resolution this year? How are you doing on those? I read somewhere (and everything you read on the internet is true) that its takes three weeks to make or break a habit. So… how are you doing?

Check out Colossians 1. Paul is building a case for who Jesus is and what he’s done for us, so in verse 22-23 he lays down this,

So some highlights of these two verses.

• Jesus reconciled us back to God
• So now you are set apart and can stand without shame in front of him
• But only if you resolve to continue in the faith

So think back on your New Years resolutions. What have you resolved to do this year. Is one of your resolutions to grow in your faith? I hope so. Cause according to Paul our continuing in the faith is one of the reasons we will be able to stand before God.

But lets be honest for a moment. We can make all the resolutions in the world and still nothing will change. Resolutions aren’t the problem, we are the problem. We make resolutions to stop and start all sorts of activities. But despite our good intentions we fail miserably. Life stops us from losing those few pounds, stops us from putting down those cigarettes, it keeps us from being romantic with our spouse, spending time with our kids. Life is hard. It’s not easy. But the good news is that we serve a King who not only has the power to help but wants too.

I love what Jesus says in Matthew 19,

Jesus didn’t condescend and say all things are easy with God, you just need more God, so do it already, rather He said with God all things are possible.

So what do you need to stop or start this year which seems impossible? What mountains need to be climbed in your life that won’t be easy? What mountains need to be moved that without God would be impossible?

The famous Civil war General Stonewall Jackson once said, “You may be whatever you resolve to be.” Don’t just make an abstract choice, make a deliberate resolution. Because normal resolution fail, but Jesus doesn’t.

Take some time now (before life gets in the way) to pray that Jesus would be your strength to climb that mountain.

Paul wrote in Colossians 3 saying,

You catch that? “Seek the things that are above…set your minds on things that are above.” He goes on to say that we need to the things of this world and focus on Jesus. I love the next part don’t miss it.

I’m fairly certain that Saturday morning the internet will no longer exist and you will not be able to see what I am eating since the Government will have called for a state of Marshal Law and will have commandeered all internet computer servers, phone lines, satellites, and power plants to run the tattered states in order to consolidate power.

I have been watching every Apocalypse movie I can in order to glean tips. Because of this ...]]> I regret to say that this will be my last blog post. The Earth is being destroyed tomorrow though I’m not sure if it ends right at midnight or if we have to wait till Saturday to see the devastation of the Mayans. But seriously check out this weather forecast!

I’m fairly certain that Saturday morning the internet will no longer exist and you will not be able to see what I am eating since the Government will have called for a state of Marshal Law and will have commandeered all internet computer servers, phone lines, satellites, and power plants to run the tattered states in order to consolidate power.

I have been watching every Apocalypse movie I can in order to glean tips. Because of this I called for my own state of Marshal Law. I think you should follow suit and take some of the precautions I have.

1. As of Thanksgiving I have stopped showering. My hope is that the toxic level of my body odor will serve as a protective cocoon to the harsh Mayan destruction at hand.

2. I have begun selling everything I own. See Craigslist for more details. Anybody need a bumper pool table?…seriously!

3. I’ve been stockpiling non-perishable food items, the likes so which haven’t been seen since Y2K. And that’s saying a lot you should’ve seen my parent’s stockpile. It was EPIC!

4. If the stockpile fails, I have been working on making elaborate traps to catch wild boar, like they did in Lost.

5. I have been practicing making fire from household objects. Though I will probably be able to use a smoldering piece of Mayan meteor to cook the boar I have trapped, I don’t want to take any chances.

6. I have been attempting to barter goods and service at local stores. People apparently aren’t taking this whole “end of the world” thing seriously…yet.

7. I have concluded that while food and clean water will be vastly important for survival, the item that will hold the most value and thus serve as currency is toilet paper. I will be a rich man in the next life.

8. I have developed an unhealthy obsession with abstract art and Jackson Pollock.

9. Take it from me don’t stockpile gasoline… yet. After the world ends you can just pump it out of the reservoirs like Will Smith did in I am Legend.

10. Guns… they might help you for a little while, but what happens when you run out of ammo. So I have stockpiled swords and have been working on some sweet sword moves. If you are set on still exercising your 2nd amendment right to bear arms, then may I suggest a muzzle loader, in which case you can pull a Mel Gibson and use your deceased son’s toy soldiers to make musket balls like he did in the patriot. If that fails following Gibson’s lead, you can simply use an American flag as a weapon.

What steps have you taken?

Or is it? Your family is coming over. Your kids want the most expensive toy which nobody seems to carry. And you somehow got volunteered to be the angel in the Christmas play at the senior center since Gabriel’s vertigo took out two shepherds and a wise man last year. The most wonderful time of year? Hardly, more like the most stressful time of the year.

Check out and check out verses for good measure too.

Like our world today, anxiety in Paul’s day was a way of life. Many attempted to please the countless pagan gods, never knowing when offence might occur, never knowing when they had been ...]]> Well Thanksgiving is over; take a moment to relax… It’s now the Christmas season the most wonderful time of the year.

Or is it? Your family is coming over. Your kids want the most expensive toy which nobody seems to carry. And you somehow got volunteered to be the angel in the Christmas play at the senior center since Gabriel’s vertigo took out two shepherds and a wise man last year. The most wonderful time of year? Hardly, more like the most stressful time of the year.

Check out Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. and check out verses 8-9 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. for good measure too.

Like our world today, anxiety in Paul’s day was a way of life. Many attempted to please the countless pagan gods, never knowing when offence might occur, never knowing when they had been appeased. While we might not worship different gods, anxiety can still cripple us.
With Christmas coming down the line, bringing with is all the season’s anxiety, it may seem strange to read something like “rejoice, again I say rejoice.” We tend to think of rejoice today as something that happens inside you. It wells up over time and makes them happy from within. Paul definitely means this but in his world rejoicing would have been a call to celebrate! I like the way one scholar translates rejoice “Celebrate!”

The pagans surrounding the Philippian Christians would hold elaborate festivals for their gods, which included the new cult to worship Caesar. So why shouldn’t Christians celebrate too? Just turn on the evening news and you might think this world is going the toilet. But Paul says “celebrate!” This flies in the face of the modern media. Do you watch the news and feel your blood pressure rise? They want to push anything that is unjust, unholy, impure, or blameworthy. Is this a true representation of God’s creation?

Paul urges us to be a gentle and gracious community. So how can celebration be both joyful and gentle? Paul says there are three things that will be made evident when we are joyful and gracious.

• Prayer which overcomes anxiety v.6-7

• Thoughts which celebrate God’s goodness which we can see throughout creation. v.8

• A life which embodies the gospel. v.9

This Christmas season perhaps we need to celebrate a little more and worry little less. Only then will we ever know peace. But where does this peace come from? It comes from the God of peace. Seems rather simple but you want to know peace this year? Get to know the Jesus who brings peace and joy not just for the holidays but for all time. This is what it means to live a life which embodies the gospel.

What’s your favorite part about the holiday season?

Perhaps it’s the cutting wit or the nostalgic characters or the larger than life villain turned good guy but apparently something about Disney’s latest release, Wreck-it Ralph resonates with people young and old. After only two weeks in the theaters Wreck-it Ralph has rakes in almost $120 Million in ticket sales.

In Wreck-it Ralph, we find Ralph, the main villain for a thirty year old arcade game called Fix-it Felix. Ralph lives alone in the dump next to the apartment where Felix is the resident fix-it man. Ralph scales the apartment building wrecking things in his path and Felix comes behind him cleaning up his mess. Ultimately the tenants from the apartment building ...]]> (This post contains spoilers. If you want to check out the spoiler-free post CLICK HERE)

Perhaps it’s the cutting wit or the nostalgic characters or the larger than life villain turned good guy but apparently something about Disney’s latest release, Wreck-it Ralph resonates with people young and old. After only two weeks in the theaters Wreck-it Ralph has rakes in almost $120 Million in ticket sales.

In Wreck-it Ralph, we find Ralph, the main villain for a thirty year old arcade game called Fix-it Felix. Ralph lives alone in the dump next to the apartment where Felix is the resident fix-it man. Ralph scales the apartment building wrecking things in his path and Felix comes behind him cleaning up his mess. Ultimately the tenants from the apartment building gather together and throw Ralph off the building and into a puddle of mud.

Convinced that there must be something more than this, and grieved that he never receives a medal for his job like Felix, he attempts to join the party in the apartment only to be snubbed by the snooty tenants.

This is where Ralph’s quest begins. In his search he finds himself in a game called Heroes Duty where he basically steals a medal, claiming it as his own. As he “game jumps” around the arcade, Ralph finally finds himself in a racing game called, “Sugar Rush.” His medal is stolen by a little girl named Vanellope von Schweetz which she promptly uses as her entry fee to enter the big race.

The problem is however that Vanellope is a glitch; a character who was never supposes to exist. We are told by the ruler of the game, King Candy that for her to race would be the end of her life.

As the story develops Ralph learns that in fact Vanellope is not a glitch but the main character of the game, King Candy is the actual impostor and for Vanellope to race and cross the finish line would cause the whole game to be reset and made right again.

In the climax of the movie, Vanellope is revealed to be a princess appearing in a poofy gown, which she rejects saying she would rule as a president. While this decision has stirred some controversy, let’s take a look at this story against the backdrop of scripture.

What does this movie say about us?

Whether they know it or not Disney has tapped into an ancient story line. We all long for more. To make a difference and lead a life that matters.

Near the end of the film, Ralph has an epiphany when he looks onto the arcade floor and sees Vanellope’s face on the side of the game console. Everything that he had been led to believe was a lie, Vanellope wasn’t a glitch; rather the entire game is about her. In the same way we have bought into a lie about what life is about. The prophet Isaiah reflects on this, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We’ve bought into a lie that says life is all about us, and our happiness when in fact for a Christian life is about Jesus and his glory. Now this isn’t to say that God doesn’t want you to be happy, he does. He just wants your giving him glory to result in happiness.  We, like Ralph, must look outside of our own reality to see something bigger. Life is all about Jesus.

What does this movie say about Jesus?

Vanellope is among her own people but under the control of King Candy, they don’t remember her and in fact reject her. Does this sound familiar? John writes in his gospel, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:11, 14).” Jesus came to his own people, his creations but they didn’t get him and in fact sought to destroy him. Its only upon reaching the finish line that all eyes are opened.  John writes, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30).”

Now we have the opportunity to believe in what Jesus finished (John 20:31). Jesus has crossed the finish line and has set the world to rights.  ^“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

It’s only when we see that this life is all about Jesus, which will lead to the next life, that we find our purpose. Jesus gives us new life. It’s with this in mind that we press on towards our prize like Ralph, as Paul says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).”

Perhaps we are more like Ralph than we care to admit. Have you made wreck of your life? Jesus can and does offer healing and forgiveness. He gives wrecked lives purpose.