Get Naked for Jesus

Interesting title eh?  But as I was reading through the book of Genesis and the Creation account it hit me.

Genesis 3, tells us that when Adam and Eve sinned they realized they were naked and ashamed of it.  So they hid! God looked for them (although He already knew what happened) and asked why they were hiding.  Adam, said "God we are naked and we are ashamed."  And then the blame game began.

What I realized reading through this is that God created them naked for a reason.  Because it's within the nakedness that nothing can be hidden.  I believe that being naked before God means that we are willing to be so transparent and so open that there is nothing hidden from God.  What's cool is that when Adam confessed to God what he and Eve had done, God provided for them.  He clothed them!

So are you willing to put aside yourself and be completely naked for Jesus!  What a revolution that would create!

Piercing

I've had several people over the past several years ask my about my piercing that I have through my ear.  I have a very good explanation for it and thought it was time to share with some of you.  It is very personal and very spiritual for me...so here's the reason behind my one (AND ONLY) piercing.

I've always wanted my ear pierced, don't know why, just did.  I guess because a lot of my friends growing up had theirs done and my parents would never let me get it done.  SO I turned 18 my parents were away on a mini vacation and I went to my cousins house and she pierced my cartilage.  I seriously did it to tick my parents off, but when my parents got home...my Mom looked at me and she decided that she kind of liked it!  So, I did what any good kid would do who was trying to get under their parents skin, I took it out.

That was that.

2002 rolls around and I happened to stumble across Exodus 21:5-6.  When reading this it kind of caught my attention so I started researching what in the world was going on.  At the time I had been a Christian for about 7 years.  I discovered that Slaves served for seven years and if their master had been very good to them they could choose to stay with them.  If they stayed their ear was pierced.  I decided that I wanted to make a commitment to my Master!  My Master has been real good to me so I pierced my ear.  

I actually had an allergic reaction to the type of metal that my ear was pierced with so I took it out for a couple of years. Cyndi encouraged me to get it done again around our one year anniversary so I did.  Plain and simple I like it, it means a lot to me.  My Master is still good!

Going through a Storm

Last night we were graced by the presence of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Honestly, it could have been much worse (especially here in Charleston).  I have been through a couple of Tropical Storms and this one really didn't do much.  Lots of rain, but for the most part I slept through the entire thing.

I did wake up this morning and discover that our tennis court was completely flooded but that it!

As I was preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna a few thoughts about storms in life came to mind and I was reminded that storms do come up.  Stuff happens and when there really is no end in sight, that is when we tend to call upon God.  This last year has been an interesting year for me personally, and spiritually.  I have had a few "storms" come up myself and I have really learned to lean on God through it all.  But more importantly I have been striving to put Jesus as the center of everything...not just the storms!  Hanna was a good reminder to keep striving for this!

Living a Dangerous Life

Recently I have been challenge with the thought of living a dangerous life, especially in my journey with Jesus.

This challenge was sort of centered around three main ideas. Three truth about living dangerously:
1. I was created (as were you) to live on the edge. (Yes, my immediate thoughts led me to Aerosmith's hit 90's song, "Living on the Edge.")

2. Following Jesus ought to be scary at times.
We see this in 1 Peter 4:12.

3. If you choose to live dangerously, you will have to give up some things in order to gain some other things.
A clear picture of this comes from Luke 9:23-24.

I have really seen the need in my journey to really begin living dangerously! The benefits just enhance LIFE. By living dangerous I will be open to live a LIFE of adventure, have an INTIMATE fellowship with Jesus, my FAITH will be increased, and I will be able to EXPERIENCE miracles. What an incredible return!

Through this challenge I have committed to praying some dangerous prayers (more on that to come). Will you begin living a dangerous life in your walk?

Road Trip

I love traveling! And no, I'm not being sarcastic, I really do love going to new and exciting places.

As many people know I love traveling to Jamaica...it's one of my favorite places in the world. I have been to several other places: Mexico, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belize, Canada, and I have even visited many of our 50 states (not all 50, but one day I will).

Cyndi and I are even taking off on a Road Trip next week as we head home to Fort Wayne, IN for Thanksgiving. We will be spending at least 12 hours (each way) together in a car. I really can't wait to spend that much time with her. I know she isn't looking forward to it. She hates traveling, she loves just getting there.

All that said, I have currently been in a Road Trip. You see I want my Spiritual Journey to be an Adventure, sorta like a Road Trip. So I want to share with you my Road Trip from the Book of Acts. Why the Book of Acts? Well, recently I have felt like I need to gain an idea on church growth, because our church is experiencing some major growth right now.

Acts 1-
verse 9-11: Jesus just left earth, in a not so typical fashion. (Isn't just like Jesus to do things totally different?) And the disciples are just standing there, staring up to the clouds, were Jesus just was. He isn't there anymore. Kinda like Criss Angel, there one minute gone the next. I too, would probably be in awe, standing there with my mouth wide open, totally shocked!
But there the disciples are just staring up in the sky (like many Christians, just standing there waiting for something to happen, instead of doing something). But these two angels appear and I can totally imagine them making fun of the 11 disciples, okay its not anywhere in the Bible but I can see it in my own head.
I imagine the angels telling the disciples, "Hey guys, ummmm, stop looking up there. He's gone! Remember, He told you this world isn't your home, nor is it His. Remember, He's gone to prepare a place for you. He told you all of this, so why are you so shocked? Stop staring up there, He promised you that He will return one day so go! Go spread the news about what just happened, to make other disciples! GO!"

*One thing this first chapter really points out to me is that the disciples had a strong desire and a commitment to reach everyone! They didn't care who it was they wanted to share that Jesus is the One they all had been waiting for. And then when they would reach one, they built that person up, they trained them so that they too would reach. They weren't going to stand still, so that the world will stand by. They got out there BOLDLY, COMPASSIONATELY, FAITHFULLY, and most of all LOVINGLY, and shared the grace and love of Jesus. They reach out, and then built up so that more can be brought in.