Water for the Weary

How long will it take you to read this sentence? 15 Seconds maybe? In that time 3 people will have died because of insufficient means to clean water. Do I have your attention now? Hearing this statistic (among others) really got my attention Friday March 19, 2010 when a group of friends and I went to the Sanctus Real concert at Club 3 in Minneapolis. In between the last supporting band and Sanctus Real taking the stage we watched a video with a speaker (the speaker who was supposed to be there was in Haiti adopting his daughter) telling us about Mocha Club an organization working to provide clean water for those who don't have it in Africa.

The explaination was that for $7 a month we could provide water for 7 people in Africa for a year. Suddenly thoughts were running through my head. "Seven dollars? That's nothing! I spend that on bottles of pop alone. What was my excuse for not giving seven dollars to people who really needed it?" I had none. So along with my buddy Lucas we went back to the table and signed up to start donating.

After getting home I started to think more and more about these families in Africa that have no clean water. Do you even realize how much clean water you go through in a day? And they have none? I began to think of things that I could do to get the word out about this dire need. I started to put it in my status on Facebook, signed up to apply to be a campus rep for them, and now I'm blogging about it. In scripture Jesus says : "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in" "I tell you did the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:35, 40).

When we do these things for the least of our brothers we are doing it for Christ. One day in heaven Christ will thank us for giving him something to drink when we saw him thirsty. We may be confused and ask him Lord when did we see you thirsty and give you drink. He'll tell us that when we did it for those people in Africa we were doing it for Him. We are called to serve others before ourselves "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10). Let's start by serving our brothers and sisters in Africa.

In their book Do Hard Things Brett and Alex Harris challenge teens of our generation to strive for more. To want to do bigger things and overcome the low expectations the world has for us. Who's to say that we can't rise up and make a difference in the world. This book has really spoken to me to want to do more for these people who haven't known the joys of clean water. If i get one friend to join the cause and they get one friend and that friend gets one friend and so on and so on pretty soon we'll be really making a difference and bringing clean water to thousands of people in Africa. So rise up and do hard things join the cause. Clean water is something everyone should be entitled to.

I Will Walk by Faith

Today while reflecting on things that took place earlier this week I was listening to Jeremy Camp's song Walk by Faith. I found this song to be a good reflection on what I'll be writing about next. So that plug being placed let's get into the real discussion.

Throughout the last few weeks and even into last month a lot had been floating in my mind about if I'm in the right place or not. A lot had happened at school, and suddenly I wasn't so sure that this was where I wanted to be, and if it was were I was supposed to be. I felt like God was putting these thoughts into my head for a reason, and so I started to pray about it. I prayed long and hard and even got the opportunity to talk to others about what I was going through. I found great support in the friends and community that God had surrounded me with.

After much searching in prayer I decided to look at some scripture and see what it had to say about God's plan for my life. One that I found particularily interesting stated: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11). Duh! Of course God has a plan for my life. How could I have forgotten that? Not only that but he has a plan to give me a future and to give me hope. AMAZING! The fact that this seemed to fit so perfectly towards what I needed to read seemed almost too good to be true. Then I kept reading and I came across this one and it said: "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

Once again this seemed like too perfect of a bible verse. I started to pray asking God to guide my steps to take over this process and thoughts that are running through my head. If it is your will and what you want me to do, then help me God! To side track slightly it should be noted and made perfectly clear that at this point the idea in my head was to transfer schools, and to transfer to NDSU, a place I had applied, been accepted, and declined, earlier. Suddenly it wasn't a question of whether I would transfer, but more of a how would I break it to my parents. I was scared. It would be the first time my parents would hear that one of the kids was having second thoughts or that one of the kids was suddenly changing their mind on school, but it was just that fact that it had happened that made me afraid. I kept telling myself I couldn't do it, but I knew I had to.

So at this point the time had come, and I had to let it known one way or the other. Now to make a long and emotional story short I orginally hinted at it to my mom. She got really upset at me (later telling me that it was actually her displacing other anger towards me). When I was "asleep" (half asleep) she told my dad that I wasn't sure about school anymore. This made it sound more like I wanted to quit than that I wanted to just transfer. So when it came time for someone to take me to the grocery store to get food for the next few weeks and my dad volunteered I knew that it was because he wanted to talk about this. I was nervous, but I asked God just to help me and to give me the strength just to let the facts be known.

Suddenly the time came and my dad flat out asked what was on my mind as far as school. I told him I was thinking of transferring out. At first he seemed confused asking if I was thinking of another major or just another school and I informed him that just another school and that I was set on NDSU. I then told him before anything else could be said that this wasn't just me doing something without thinking. I told him all the prayers and talks and considerations that I had had over the last few weeks. To my surprise he said "ok." Ok? Is that it? No yelling at me? No getting angry? What? Oh God I know you helped me on this one I thought. My dad gave me his full support and before I left I was able to give him a hug and tell him I loved him and thank him. If God wasn't part of this working I can't explain it.

So what was the point of this story? Just for me to vent and write? No, of course not I've always got a reason to my works. See I wanted to share a story in my life that really represents and shows that we can always go to God for help in our problems. That God has plans for our life (as stated earlier) and that He is able to give us hope for our future. I know that I am stoked for what God has ahead of me at NDSU and the new challenges that await. I also know that I have support up there in my friends Lucas and Kelly. I know that God has a reason for bringing me to this new community and I look forward to it. I wanted to leave you with one last verse that really sums up my reason for writing and what God really wants us all to know and be able to do: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:4,7) Blessings on your week and your journey ahead. Put your trust in God and go to him in times of need. One love, one heart, one God.

Valley of the Shadows

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

Today I got the unfortunate news that somebody I had graduated with, been comfirmed with, and served on a mission trip to Mississippi with died. Not only was his life ended, but it was at his own hands. Now I wasn't super close to this person, but I felt that I knew him on a deeper level than most by witnessing the growth of his faith in Jesus Christ.

What compels somebody to take their own life is a hard question, usually one that goes unanswered. Unfortunately this world is full of a lot of pain. Some people deal with it decently, and some are unable to handle it. It seems like its always the kids that you would least suspect. In the case of this friend not only was he a joyful smiling young man, but he always showed compassion and love towards others, much like the love Christ showed us. He always seemed so happy and full of life. A lot of questions arise when it comes to taking one's life. One of the biggest questions is does a Christian who commits suicide go to heaven? The bible has the answer for us.

First off it is my belief that Christians who commit suicide do have a place in heaven. Many argue that suicide is a sin too powerful to forgive going against the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). We are saved by the grace of God and not by works. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says and I quote: "8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast." Another verse that clarifies the assurance of salvation for a believer states that: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24). Reading these verses has truly helped bring me comfort today. It's been hard and I miss the guy bunches. I know that he's in heaven with God and Jesus our savior. I look forward to the day that I can meet him again and that he welcomes me to paradise and everlasting life.

It's hard for people to understand why one would ever commit suicide. This is something I strugle to understand anytime the conversation comes up. In the bible it is said that "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). God has a plan for all of us. This plan has nothing to do with harming us. The harm and pain we experience comes from our sins and our disobedience to God, but salvation is for those who receive it. Suicide is not the answer, and never will be. We all have pain and problems, but Jesus told us "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He will give us rest from our problems and our worry. Suicide and depression are a big problem in this world. We need to be able to reach out to those who need it most. More than anything though we need to reach out to each other.

It seems that death has an unfortunate effect to bring people together. Why does it have to be in death of someone we all loved and who loved us all that my high school class (Class of 09) comes together. Why does it take something so tragic to bring people together? If we all show each other the love and compassion that this young man, whose life ended too soon and too young, showed to us and to everyone he met it wouldn't have taken his death for us all to be so close. Unfortunately we are stuck with the mentality that we have to pick on others, look down on the less popular, look down on the more popular, and treat others like crap to feel good about our own insecurities. Life is too short to hold grudges, to treat other poorly, and to live your life like a jerk. Find the compassion and love that Christ and our young friend showed to everyone they met. Wear a smile on your face and be friendly. Walk with that extra spring in your step, and know that you're making a difference in the lives of others. Blessings on faith journey and on your journey to a better place. Love you all. One love, one heart, one God.

Carrying our Cross

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

-Matthew 16:24

What does it mean for one to "pick up his cross" and follow Christ. This evening I had the unique opportunity to go on a Stations of the Cross "pilgrimage" around Menomonie, WI. Now this was no ordinary stations. The leaders of the Newman Catholic Students decided that rather than showing us the same stations we all know they would show us modern day things that represents the stages Christ went through in his Crucifixion.

As we walked from such sights as the vocational rehab building to the alley M&I Bank, to Buck's Bar we learned what each station continues to mean in the world today. The other unique opportunity we had was to actually carry the cross from station to station. Various members of the group were given a station to read for. After they read their station they were given the cross to carry to the next station. One of the most touching stations was station 12 "Jesus Dies on the Cross." At this point we looked over a looked over a basin to the land below and around us as the reader read. As we stood there in awe and prayer Father Tom sang "Were You There" to really put us in the mood. The whole scene was a very emotional one for me and others.

So does Christ really want us to pick up a physical cross and carry it? Short answer, no. Metaphorically Christ wants us to pick up the burdens in our life. To take responsibility for our action and words. Now there is something to be said about carrying a physical cross itself. In Jesus' day (and still many today) a cross of the size is not a light thing. It is heavy and weighs the carrier down. Not only does it take a toll on the body, but combine that with an already weakened Jesus and you can understand why he used this metaphor. The burdens we carry in life are not easy to carry. If they were carrying them wouldn't be such a hard task. God wants us to carry them in order to realize follow him, but he doesn't want us to do it alone.

God wants to help us carry our crosses. He sent Christ to forgive us of our sins and to give us everlasting life. He just wants us to be able to admit them and ask for help. When we ask for help with our crosses God is there to help us carry them. Nobody should go through life alone carrying that cross by themselves. We have friends and family that will help us carry them just as Jesus did. Friends to pick us up when we fall, and friends to wipe our faces. This life isn't meant to be lived looking out for only number one. We need each other, so don't close the door on those relationships. Welcome them and embrace them, just as you embrace the love and relationship with God and his son Jesus Christ. Say no to yourself and these Earthly ways. Embrace the way of Jesus, and ask him to help you carry that cross.

I Need a Hero

One of the worst kept secrets in my life is that I LOVE music. If you ever see me out and about it is almost a guarantee that I will have my iPod on me. Whether I'm walking to class or driving in the car I am always using it. Now don't worry I'm not listening to the earbuds in the car while driving, I use an FM tuner. One of the greatest things about listening to music is the fact that there is a song for everything. I've found this to be especially true with Christian music. When I've been in my lowest moments, or on an emotional high, God seems to have a song on my iPod for every occassion.

Recently I've been listening to a lot of different Christian bands, specifically hitting up the heavier music a lot. I've been going through a time in my life where I'm confused, and just lost walking through the everyday life day by day going through the routine. I put on this mask that everything is fine, but in reality, its not. I've been failing at staying true to myself and keeping my values true to me. I put on the heavy music thinking that it will be dark and the kind of thing that fits me well.

On the contrary God put the right kind of heavy music for me to hear. A few days ago I was shuffling through music on a playlist and Skillet's "Hero" came on from their new CD Awake. As I listened to the music I felt I finally was understanding God's message for me. At one point the song reads:

I need a hero to save me now

I need a hero to save my life

A hero will save me just in time

I've gotta fight today

To live another day

Speaking my mind today

My voice will be heard today

Suddenly this hit me like a ton of bricks. I needed a hero to save my life a hero to save me now. That hero is Christ. I wasn't living my life for him and staying true to him. I didn't need some superficial person to tell me what to do and I didn't need to be pretending to be someone I wasn't. I'm a follower of Christ. I'm in love with God and Jesus my Lord and Savior. I have to fight for my faith to live another day at the end of my life on Earth with God and Jesus in Heaven. My voice will be heard, but I have to be willing to speak my mind and let the world know where I stand.

Suddenly I was rejuvinated. Christ is my savior. There had to be other messages in my music. Suddenly I started paying attention to my music more closely. What was it telling me? This Beautiful Republic "My God" from their album Perceptions:

My God, oh, my God – what have I become?
The self-addicted one
My God, oh, my God – You never failed me
You're what I need

Of course! God has never failed me. He's been there all along. He is what I need always and forever. A life without God is just a life that is never lived. I'd become so centered around my life adn what I wanted that I forget that it isn't about me and what I want. It is about God and his plan for my life. In their song "You and Me" from their album To Die as Kings the Ascendicate writes:

It's you and me, (it's you)
It's you and me. I wanna tell you
everything, I wanna tell you everything
'cause I am so in love with you,
I wanna fall in love with you.
There's no where else I'd rather be,
there's no one here but you and me.

Tonight let it be just you and God. Tell him how in love you are with him. Let him know that he is everything to you and that you don't need anything but him. Offer up your life to Christ and tell him to use your life for his will. Tell him all your pains, all the things that keep you up at night, and all your personal demons and struggles. Let him know that you want him to take all of that and give it all up for him. We only have one life to live here on Earth. Let us use that life serving God in whatever way he sees fit. Tonight it is only you and God. God is so in love with you and you are so beautiful in his eyes. Jesus I love you and God I love you. My life is forever yours. I need a hero, and I found one in God.

Hebrews 6:9-20

Hebrews 6:9-20 (New International Version)

9Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The Certainty of God's Promise
13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Questions:
Verses 9-12. What gives the writer confidence concerning his readers' final salvation? In what ways does he desire to see improvement in their Christian living? Examine yourself to see in which of these characteristics you are strong or weak.

Verses 13-20. If we have made Christ our refuge, what three unshakable grounds of assurance have we that our confidence and hope will not disappoint us? In what ways is Jesus himself like an anchor? What benefits does he guarantee?

Blessings on your journey,

Discovering God's Beauty in the World

Today I wanted to discuss traveling and the reasons that I find it is important to find the hidden gems that God has placed in this world.



Feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to know what you think is beautiful in traveling and seeing God's Earth. Also what is a favorite place that you know of to go?