Just $5...

I have picked up a new read. For a few months I have been reading different books on how to develop and sustain a healthy marriage, after the last one I realized that it might be good to start the process of healing personally. Not that it's not important to learn and grow in the knowledge of how to live life together as a couple, rather coming to a deeper understanding of how important it is to be as emotionally healthy as you can be before you enter into such a covenant. There are plenty of ways that the enemy will try to destroy such a relationship.  In fact it is very likely, that if both people are not fully aware of their own feelings, insecurities, weaknesses and wounds, he will attack there first.

Take for instance my fear of being irresponsible financially. For the past 4 years I have been facing head on the challenge to get out of debt. It has not been easy, but by the grace of God I have managed to make a lot of progress. It is still a work in progress and I am grateful that God is still providing every cent to pay off my debt. How does this example carry over to marriage? Finances are one of the leading causes of divorce. People can't don't take seriously the scriptures talking about finances and instead of opening up to their spouse, they hide the shame that comes with debt. I have read over and over again chapters talking about how important it is to be open and clear about financial expectations. Shining a light into the darkness of debt is huge in every marriage and as I have fought so hard to get this area of my life under control, it's scary to add in a new variable. 

For me it's not a matter of actually acquiring more money but rather being a good steward of what God has given me. My expectations on how too spend money have morphed over the years and are now at a point where I feel like I have a grasp on it. In the natural it seems like by adding in a second persons expectation it could only opens the door for the enemy to cause strife and frustration. Not because either person wants it to be there, but it is life and lets face it, the money aspect is tough to handle. We are faced everyday with tough decisions on how to spend what we have. We each have wants, desires, and even needs that need to be met by the finances that we acquire. However, I am coming to a deeper understanding of how important it is too continually run, scratch that I mean sprint, to the foot of the cross asking God to give you wisdom. 

What we have been given financially is not our own to spend. It should never have felt like it was my money to begin with. God has graciously given me much and as I learn to thinking biblically about money I pray that you too would sprint to the cross. For me walking will only leave room for the enemy to bring doubts and temptations, running doesn't seem quick enough, sprinting brings a clear understanding that you recognize with urgency the need to have God's perspective. 

Here is a website that I found that gives plenty of biblical references on finances. If you want, spend some time praying and meditating on just a few of them. Who knows, maybe God has something to say to you this morning. :)

B

Making the top 10 Superheroes list

Do you ever wonder what kind of super hero outfit Christ would wear if Hollywood tried to portray Him? Up until I sat down to write this post, I had not ever thought of this. However, now that I have, I am laughing at how ridiculous it sounds. Why is it that in my mind any super hero that truly deserves respect has a kick ass costume too come along with him. Sure, Superman could fly and lift massive amounts of weight over his head, but heck, he was nothing until he put on that red cape and tight blue leotard. :) What about Spiderman, he would have been a creepy guy if he wasn't disguised in this black spidery outfit. How gross would it have been to just see junk coming from his wrists?

Okay I think you get my point, the way that super heros are portrayed change our perspective on how awesome they are. What if I told you that I could portray Christ even more awesome than Superman and Spiderman without having to run to the fabric store and learn how to sew? What if I could prove to you that the power that Christ has is far more than those that we have imagined in comic books. He is beyond anything you could ever conquer up and the best way to see Him is not through costumes and special effects but instead through the New Testament stories. These stories scream greatness and from my perspective move Jesus Christ to the top of any top ten superhero lists out there.

I don't recall any superhero on the current list having turned water into wine. (Now I'm not saying this one first just because I truly enjoy my spirits, but of course from a strictly scientific perspective.) What about the fact that he just had to touch people and they were healed, blind men were able to see, and umm HELLLOOOO dead men were raised! What about the fact that he made food appear from thin air, enough to feed the crowds of people that were following Him around. Or even the fact that he calmed the seas with His voice, walked on water and through walls? How about the fact that he endured tremendous pain and agony, could have got out of being put to death simply by calling out to the gigantic angelic army standing by waiting for His call, or even that after three days He opened his eyes, stood up and walked to the highest seat of honor.

Now that's a superhero that I am excited to spend the next year discovering. That's right, for those that don't know, each year I pray about a word or theme that God may use to mold me and shape me into the follower that he desires us all to be. This next year's word is discovery. With that I have decided that it also means getting back into the mindset of a 4th grader. My goal is to read as many books as possible that will stimulate my adventurous side at a 4th graders level. This is all with the hope to create within me a since of imagination, so that I can see Christ for the true superhero that He. I don't know what will come from this coming year, but I do have a strong sense of expectation and excitement that it is the start of something great. Almost as if this feeling could be the same as the one that C.S. Lewis felt as he sat down to pen the first words of the Chronicle of Narnia? Who knows maybe I too will write a childrens book that will capture the minds of people all over the world, pointing them to the awesome power and might of our great King and Saviour.

Thanks for walking through life with me and reading my blog. It is my prayer that you too will be encouraged to  walk into the adventure God has been longing to take you on. Don't be afraid to step out of the boat and walk on the water. It will only lead to much joy and excitement.

May He be lifted up higher and higher as we look at Him through the eyes of faith.

B

Chapter 4 verse 20

A few years back I started reading through the New Testament twice a year. I am not sure why, but it is humors and even surprising to me how after so many times of reading through the same words, I am still blown away by passages that I read. Although, this isn’t an everyday occurrence, it happens enough to remind me that the book I hold in my hand is not just another book on my list of books to read. It’s living and breathing and the more I read it, the more it grows and deepens my understanding of what life truly is about, Jesus Christ.

Today’s chapters were from Ephesians. I once heard a pastor reference this book, he spoke on how the concepts found throughout the book of Ephesians were all centered on relationships. So of course now every time I read it, I too come to the same conclusion. For example, three years ago I was going through a rough time with a friend. These verses drew me back to the unity and need to put prayer first in all of my relationships. There was nothing I could do to “save” my friend from the path they were heading down and through Paul’s gentle reminders to bring it back to God, I was able to bring perspective into what my role was in the friendship.

And then another read through revealed to me the importance of remembering the unity amongst the body of Christ. We all have gifts and talents that have been given to us by God, these are to be used to build the body up. As we allow the unity of Christ’s grace and mercy to take root in our hearts, we can accomplish much.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

As each person comes into the family of Christ with unspoken expectations there is a strong chance that we will disappoint each other. We aren’t perfect and although we strive to be, we wont get there in this life. Sorry to disappoint you, but I will probably screw up and give you plenty of opportunity to be pissed at me at some point in time. However, it’s through these passages that my heart is turned towards forgiveness and commitment to walking life with you.

I am sure that I could continue to look through my journals and find more examples to prove my point that God has used this book tremendously in my life, but that’s not why I am writing today. Today I am writing to encourage you to get back into the arena. Put on those socks and pull out those running shoes, because it’s time to pick up where you left off. Don’t stop here and allow the “knowledge” that you acquired in your youth or even yesterday to sustain you. Get a fresh word from God from the only true source we have, His word. Use it to learn how to live, how to love, and how to learn what it means to be more like Him. Ephesians 4:20 points about that we did not learn Christ by walking as children with hearts set on evil and dark things.

 “But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the Spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

Praying that your eyes will be opened to the truths found in His word and that you too would fall madly in love with our Mighty King, Savior, and Groom. 

B