The two dates of an epitaph are merely the beginning and the end. Yet, that dash in the middle is the sum total of our existence… When all of this life was started, God had a plan.
There are so many cliche’ responses to the “meaning of life”, but the truth is, life is not about what we do as much as it is who we are. God is about taking our hearts and weaving in the realities of His Kingdom into our every day… bringing practical, relevant and tangible difference to our lives.
Meaning is found, not in our conditioned responses, but in our experiences and expressions of God’s character and nature. We are invited to come alive within Christ-like influence, not obligation, performance or expectation. It’s about our “BEING”, no our doing.
Meaning comes when purpose is found.
Purpose comes at the feet of Jesus – not church membership or attendance; not good works; and not in saying all the right lingo… The simplicity of Christ’s Gospel is found in a personal, intimate connection to the one who is there for you, accepts you as you are, releases you of all your junk, believes in you for all He placed in you… God has a plan to make you prosper and not to harm you.
God is enamored at all that you are… will you let Him love you like that?
If you ask someone about what their strengths are, many times you’ll get a couple of answers.
If you ask that same person what their weaknesses are, they’ll share a whole bunch of them… Why is that?
We seem to focus on our weaknesses far more than our strengths. In fact, we expend alot of effort trying to hide our weaknesses from those around us. But yet, God doesn’t even focus on our weakness… He’s focused on our incredible power, strength and potential.
Bruce pulled apart the story of Peter and walking on water- if you missed it, watch the video or listen to the podcast at the website.
I challenge you to take some time, look into yourself, and respond to the questions posed at the end…
This month’s conversation has been about “Going Deep”, the things we want to talk about, deal with, but often times find ourselves avoiding. Dealing with your junk, this week’s topic, is especially challenging because none of us want to even think about it, much less talk about it.
Yet, the reality is, our junk, our failures, mistakes and sin, is chewing us up on the inside. It effects our perception, decision making and ultimately determines what part we allow God to play in our lives… there is an answer.
Just like our predecessors, Adam & Eve, we run and hide when confronted with our junk. Yet, the one who cares for us the most, the one who desires to calm your heart and love you no matter what, is the one we’re turning away from.
In this conversation, we connect with our own need to be transparent, honest and vulnerable. Without it, we experience pain emotionally, spiritually and even physically.
1 John 1:9 says that if you confess your junk, He is faithful to forgive us and purify us from all of it.
Lay it all out there, get it off your chest and conscious. Find a person you trust and unload your heaviness.
In Matthew 11:28-30 of the Message translation reads ”Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Listen to this podcast and tell me what you think.
The Olympics are upon us… FINALLY!I love the competition, the drama and the adventure of everything Olympic. It goes back to 1980 and the victory of the US hockey team in the winter games. We were a hockey family and therefore, glued to every victory of the Lake Placid journey towards gold. That’s where it all started for me, my love for the olympic flame.
Years later, Mary Lou Retton charmed the world. Our family watched every night even though we were on a family vacation at the time. Each night, at whatever hotel we were at, the television turned on to get the update on how the US team performed.
Over the years, there were Flo Jo, Greg Louganis, the Dream Team, Kari Strug, Michael Phelps, Jamaican Bobsledding, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Michael Phelps again… all of the stories, all of the glory and all of the training that surrounds these games are astounding.
Yet, in and amongst all of the anthem and cheering, someone’s going home having not achieved their hopes. Someone’s going to lose their stride. Someone’s going to feel like a failure. Someone’s going to test positive to enhancements. Someone’s going to remember this time for the rest of their lives… but with regret.
Life is like this.
We don’t always make the best choices or maintain the endurance we must. So many times people get sidetracked or experience loss only to resolve themselves in quitting.
However, there are those of the heart of Derek Redmond in the 92′ Barcelona Games. Derek popped a hamstring only 175 meters from the finish line. You might remember him refusing to quit and hobbled on only one leg to finish his race… along side him, his father assisted him holding the weight of his pain, disappointment and shame.
This week, Renown continues the quest of “Going Deep” as we’ll discuss our own shortcomings, our own failures. Whether it be a missed opportunity, a bad decision or a failed relationship, we will uncover how to deal with your past. We’re going to deal with your junk.
And perhaps, like Derek, there may be times when you too will have to lean on your father to help you finish your race.
How many of you have ever been really angry with God?
I’ve known people to get mad at God for everything from not winning the Lottery, to losing a loved one.
Have you ever asked yourself: Why do I cringe so often on the inside when I hear another talk about how faithful God is? Why do I feel like throwing up when I hear another so joyfully say that ALL things are possible with God? Could it perhaps be because I feel like He has failed me? that He has not protected me and made anything possible? my parents? that are my hopes and dreams like a vapor to him? and that He does not see the depths of my inner struggle? does He take things away from me?
A fella that God said was “after His own heart” had many complaints. In the book of Psalms, we read about David unleashing his frustrations with God over and over. Yet, despite his frustrations, he kept coming back to the fact that God was his good.
That’s encouraging. Yet, how does that apply to us?
David knew his God. Many of us do not. It’s the difference between setting your foundation on sand vs. stone as Rob Bell points out in his video, “Rain”.
Foundation of Sand – we cry out to God because we HOPE He’ll hear us.
Foundation of Stone – we cry out to God because we KNOW He hears us.
So the real question is, “what do you know about God?” I mean, his character, nature and way is so vitally important to us translating the circumstances around us accurately. If you think that God is an angry and judgmental being, then you will have reason to cast blame because life is based on your PERFORMANCE… However, if you know Him as one that is loving, forgiving and empowering you when life gets challenging, then anger cannot be pointed His direction.
God doesn’t want our perfection or our performance… He is seeking our heart. And in the middle of your greatest tragedies, your heart is revealed.
Go ahead and be mad at God but we cannot twist and turn God and make him do things our way. God loves honesty. Getting angry is a an honest emotion.
Abraham argued with God over Sodom; Jacob wrestled with God; Jonah ran away from God; and even Jesus said “Take this cup away from me”
Look, if you harbor questions and complaints for too long, they turn into irritation. Irritation turns into bitterness. Bitterness turns into rage. At that point, your heart will shut out anything God tries to say or do for you… or you may become like some who even think they will “get even” with God if they stop putting their faith in Him, not talk to Him or pretend He’s not there.
Why crummy things happen to people?
I don’t know. Sometimes, stuff happens.
The truth is, we don’t have all the answers as to why anything happens. And trying to blame God is not going to fix anything.
Our westernized minds can’t seem to get wrapped around the fact that there are just some things we may never understand.
Our enemy is not God… nor is it the devil… our greatest enemy is ignorance.
In the midst of your trial or difficulty, it is the time to run TOWARDS God, not away. He DOES care and He DOES want to help. Will you let Him?
Angus Nelson lives in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife and three children. His desire to develop others has led him to travel to five continents and twelve countries, a life that has been anything but boring. He’s served as youth leader, worship leader, counselor, speaker, and now, writer. In addition, he’s been a waiter, ski resort ticket checker, carpenter, telemarketer, and landscaper. He’s hosed chili vats, stuffed wood chips in bags, sold health club memberships, told off Jean-Claude Van Damme, and even helped Bruce Willis call his bookie once. As a motivational speaker, Angus has ranked in the top 5% of Monster.com’s “Make It Count” high school program and is currently available for college, corporate, and conference speaking events.
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