My re ste vel ry ation

When I quote someone, people ask where it came from. They want to know who spoke those words. It is the source behind the mystery that they desire. I hesitate in these moments to give a name or the source of what we are talking about because to have knowledge of the source sometimes takes away the awe from the mystery. I want to understand the transfer of power from mystery to revelation. It seems, in order for revelation to be had, the awe behind the mystery must then fade. To me, that is disappointing and can be dangerous in the long run. Advancements in understanding are important and are the catalyst for change. They have a piece in the purpose for living. However, these advancements were never meant to dim the light of our intrigue. That is in part why I believe in our Creator because in Him my awe does not fade. The real scientific process is 1) Observe 2) Understand and 3) Move on. That is not how I want to process. My attention does not focus, spoil and then refocus. The source of the mysteries I see is never fully understood and yet reveals anew every day. We can ask the question of God or science or we can experience the level of awe in each.

I am never sure about the future but I am looking to it anxiously. I have been living at home for 23 years aching to rid of suburbia in order to see the world in its true color.

I don’t believe life is as easy as it has been painted for me.
I say “for me” because I have been given a great life.
I'll admit it’s been easy its been comfortable.

When I hear about the things other people go through...
or about what is going on in some other land it doesn’t make sense to me.
I am too far removed from suffering and the worry of real life things to be able to grasp it.
I don't even see it....


We all worry about problems and they may be “real life” issues but honestly most of them are not

This is the land of complain about something because we have everything.
And worry about the little things because the big things will get taken care of.
Right now I sound overly passionate but it is necessary, I am tired of the society I live in.
It makes me puke that I have nothing to get sick over.

Let me go off track for a moment, for I need this answered, is the media in place to give us the news?
Or have we empowered them to awaken even for a moment our incurable boredom?
What is today’s real news?
That the unemployment rate has changed or is it that 13,698 children just lost their lives?

Sometimes we shake a snow globe in order to stir a reaction
but for the globe we live on it is unnecessary…
The vibrations are already underfoot...
our neighbors are crying out...

Hunger for truth

Fight against complacency

Honor the one next to you

Britt Nicole - The lost get found

If you do not succeed in today, you will not succeed in tomorrow.

Worth A Thousand

I am still longing for such a life....

I think about a verse in the bible constantly
I am not sure where it is or what it says exactly
But it says something like, "bring Heaven to Earth"

There is nothing I long for more than another piece of heaven
These pieces have been scattered throughout
Like a big puzzle
We are to search and find
We are to put them together

I look at these pieces as small gifts that we can choose to find
That we can choose to open

My dad has gone great lengths to show the extent of his care
I can only help but to imagine the lengths at which my heavenly father has gone to as well

These pieces that we have been given make up quite a picture
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words

God made the world and everything in it, therefore it is all an extension of himself.
As He molded the ground, as His light tore through the blanket of darkness, as He took a breath into the lungs of a human being, He left his fingerprints
Purposefully He left his fingerprints.. His character within the framework of His creation.

Because of sin, there are only pieces, both large and small, for us to find.
These pieces consist within His word, in human interaction, and through His beauty that surrounds us every day

It is not about who has the best strategy for finding these pieces or even who has the most pieces
It is about the search, the desire to find more
It is about the show and tell when a discovery is made

No one will have all the pieces and no one will have the same ones as another
That is why we as a people being the body of Christ is so profound
We can join our pieces together and make a deeper, more detailed picture.

A picture is worth a thousand words

The pieces of this life are pieces of our Father
We cannot fully know Him
The glory is too overwhelming

When all the pieces come together it will make up quite a picture
It is a picture that is worth all of eternity

bi

I am going to go ahead and brag because it is very necessary at the moment. God has blessed my life so greatly and I need to vent it somewhere. This whole week has been an uplifting time - hugging family that has been missed - seeing how true and encouraging friends can be - seeing the smile on my brother and his wife's face through their new child - living in this cold weather and yet being comforted by the warmth of a home and plenty of food - playing football with two legs!

With all of this I wonder

What is it about this life that can get me so down? I have no questions about what can lift me up for it is surrounding me in this time.

Strongly I believe now that opportunities are given daily by the Lord.

It is hard for me to walk this life without asking what is to my left and right. I always wonder what this or that situation meant.

There has been a question sticking to the middle of my back for some time. My arms are too short to reach it and my eyes are unable to see it and therefore I have not understood. I think or... I know that this question has made me less sane because without the answer I felt like I was living wrong - living underneath the potential that has been given to me.

The question I have is about the bipolarness of life:
The ups, the down, the lefts and rights

Here is a question to understand the question:
What are the fruits of the spirit and how do they correlate to the life that I know?
It (life) is not peaceful - I am not patience - who anymore is gentle? - is it worth mentioning faithfulness? What percent of marriages end in divorce? What is that percentage among Christians??

Without these simple statements are you not thrown off anyways? Are you not stumbling sideways along this tilted Earth?

I am liar but I hate to lie and even more I hate to lie to myself.
There are questions and I will not settle for the unanswered
Where is the fruit? I do not see many trees.

I have gotten a little off course - but then again that is the point

The other day I drove about 300 miles on what seemed to be a very straight road.
In the midst of that drive I had forgotten that I was driving. I was very tired at this point and I had zoned out into thought. I was no longer watching out for cops, or safely being aware of other drivers. I am not even sure how fast I was going.

Then something clicked
What happened on that road completely explains life

I have spent so much time trying to get on course to "how God wants life to be."
Basically I was trying to make every aspect of my life fit into the fruits of the spirit. And when that didn't happen (which was all the time) I would be thrown off. I go into a tail spin not knowing what is up, what is down or even what my mission was anymore. I remember one question that I have asked myself over and over, "I am trying to follow you Lord and do your will, why is it not working out? Why do I not feel the peace or the patience? And why do I not feel like being so kind right now?"

One answer is because I have been on a mission of my own for some time now. It was originally planned unknowingly but has progressed into quite an evil machine. I have been trying to shape this world to fit into my lifestyle and into my wants (While so many search for food I search for spice).
The hard part is that there is no abort button for this mission. I have lived for myself so long that it has taken me over and wrapped me in chains. (God you are a jealous god and I know you do not want to share my heart - break the chains of my sin and bind me to you).

The other answer is a bit brighter
Like I said before I believe that the Lord gives opportunities around every corner (why wouldn't He? There are only so many corners).
When I was trying to make a check mark next to every fruit of the spirit I was nudging God out of the way. I was not giving Him any opportunity to work in my life. I was taking everything and making it peaceful and good. In those times was when I was the most complacent. I had no desire to work hard, or find out more about life, or even do my homework. Why should I? I'm at peace. It was like being on that road driving straight with nothing to worry about - And falling asleep.

The roller coaster of life is an opportunity - one given by God
When we are on top of the hill we have the opportunity to bless others who are not. We have the opportunity to be humble and confident (not prideful). We have the opportunity to say, "hey thank you Father."
When we are at the bottom it is also an opportunity. It is a chance to hand your life over and say, "God take what is already yours, and make with it what you will."

I would never pay for a ride that did not have its ups and downs. Why was I longing for such a life?

Kateeee in Tennesseee

Erica and I flew in early yesterday morning and why not do it again tomorrow? I guess we're leaving at 6 in the morning. Today was a good time hanging out with Erica, Keith, Becca and Kate! The coolest part is seeing the joy Kate brings to them both, even when all she does is sleep and eat.

I made a trip up to Milwaukee today to meet with an agent from InventHelp. I am hoping they can help me get some of my ideas off the ground. Apparently they are extremely thorough in their "help." Not only do they help create the product but also make a prototype, patent the idea, and introduce them to interested companies who may want to buy the idea or take part in a licensing agreement. I'm not sure why I enjoy business so much but today was pretty interesting and helpful.
The next step is saving some moola for a patent attorney. He will look through and file a patent for the idea so we can move forward in introducing it. It's a huge risk and I'll probably be throwing a couple grand out the window but I am stoked for the slightest chance of something working out. Michael Jordan said "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Although I plan to succeed I realize there will be failure. It is my hope that I accept my failures and realize they are my steps to success. Starting my own business is a risk, especially in the recession we're in right now but it also has the most reward. Entrepreneurship enables the pride of providing for yourself, but more then that, it is an open door towards influencing the people, businesses and environment around you.

And I can't get away can't get away can't get away can't get away I keep running into you

Last Night

“There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
He’s ordinary.”
-Foo Fighters

I was about to say God isn’t above and beyond but He obviously is way above and beyond. I was about to say this because I was in a thought, so intrigued and moved by how He is also right here.
Last night an old friend called me and she was really itching to talk so we met at Togos and talked for a couple hours.
God has felt so far away recently – so above but mostly beyond

Last night I saw God in a young girl
Last night I saw God
Last night He came to me through an old friend - an old friend who has been a mystery to me for a long time. We have talked only a few times in the past couple years and I have had no idea what she believed.
Last night I looked in her eyes and saw God.
Last night I listened to her voice and heard the Lord.

I wonder when I am going to give myself up. I wonder when I am going to stop being number one. I have been number one all my life and over and over again I have found in those times to be racing alone. Maybe thats why those who are first shall be last because they are first and last - alone racing towards their own goal.

She

One of the central metaphors for God and his people throughout the Bible is that of a groom and his bride. God is the groom; his people are the bride. I like this because it makes the church a “she”. We need to reclaim this image.

The church is a she.

She’s a mystery, isn’t she? Still going after all this time. After the Crusades and the Inquisition and Christian cable television. Still going. And there continue to be people like me who believe she is one of the best ideas ever. In spite of all the ways she has veered off track. In spite of all the people who have actually turned away from God because of what they experienced in church. I am starting to realize why: The church is like a double-edged sword. When it’s good, when it’s on, when it’s right, it’s like nothing on earth. A group of people committed to selflessly serving and loving the world around them? Great. But when it’s bad, all that potential gets turned the other way. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, sometimes in the same week, sometimes in the same day.

But she will live on. She’s indestructible. When she dies in one part of the world, she explodes in another. She’s global. She’s universal. She’s everywhere. And while she’s fragile, she’s going to endure. In every generation there will be those who see her beauty and give their lives to see her shine. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against her. That’s strong language. And it’s true. She will continue to roll across the ages, serving and giving and connecting people with God and each other. And people will abuse her and manipulate her and try to control her, but they’ll pass on. And she will keep going.” – Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell

“Call if you will, but who will answer you?
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 Resentment kills a fool,
and envy slays the simple.
3 I myself have seen a fool taking root,
but suddenly his house was cursed.
4 His children are far from safety,
crushed in court without a defender.
5 The hungry consume his harvest,
taking it even from among thorns,
and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
6 For hardship does not spring from the soil,
nor does trouble sprout from the ground.
7 Yet man is born to trouble
as surely as sparks fly upward.

8 “But if it were I, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before him.
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
10 He bestows rain on the earth;
he sends water upon the countryside.
11 The lowly he sets on high,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He catches the wise in their craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
14 Darkness comes upon them in the daytime;
at noon they grope as in the night.
15 He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth;
he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.
16 So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts its mouth.

17 “Blessed is the man whom God corrects;
so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [fn1]
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;
he injures, but his hands also heal.
19 From six calamities he will rescue you;
in seven no harm will befall you.
20 In famine he will ransom you from death,
and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,
and need not fear when destruction comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine,
and need not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field,
and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your tent is secure;
you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.
25 You will know that your children will be many,
and your descendants like the grass of the earth.
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,
like sheaves gathered in season.

27 “We have examined this, and it is true.
So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Job 5

I can not begin to explain the moment when this song came on last night. There have been a couple songs that have defined this season of life for me and my friend mike. A couple have been from this movie Never Back Down. We went to a concert last night having no idea that 12 Stones was going to be there. When they played this song it felt like there were 20,000 people singing and screaming along. All I have to say is theres nothing like moshing with one leg. Also 3 of the songs they played were sung to Christ, I'm not sure anyone knew it though - one of them being The Way I feel (favorite song from sophomore year of highschool) .

Relentless

I received a letter from someone last week but i didn't bother to pick it up until now. Im glad because something she wrote just hit me really hard. I feel a little embarrassed saying this cause it's pretty girly - "sometimes the one strong wind that catches us off guard is all we need to discover the power of our wings."
This year I have never received so much of what I did not expect (and it's only half over). And in a way it has been good. I am not going to try to lie and say I am happier then ever, the last couple months could never surpass the smiles brought to my face in the last few years. But now I would say I have a contentment like never before. I wasn't uncontent because of the people in my life, but more because of the one who wasn't.
I told my girlfriend before we faded away that I was a fool for trying to be her man when I was still a little boy. It was true and I still am just a boy. There are places in my heart that have not been cleared away yet. And it's boyish behavior to think I can do without making full way for the Lord when it is His already (plus how many times do I continue to fail without?) So Lord..for the ache in my heart and the bruise on my body I am thankful. You have faithfully pursued my heart and pushed me unexpectedly. Honestly when I asked you to mold my heart I didn't know you were really gonna go at it. I know there is a lot more to do

"Your Job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be."
-Velvet Elvis

Got inspired









Here's what was used, well plus the random dude in a t shirt (I need to thank lisa for dafont.com)

I need to take this time to thank you Lord. I dont understand how I can be feeling the way I am now after an awful yesterday. But maybe that is ok, maybe i don't need to understand, or maybe it is simply because I can't understand. I read somewhere that we don't see miracles because most of the time we don't need them, usually putting our hope in something else. When we're sick we go to the doctor, when we're hungry we take a ride to the nearest grocer or better yet take a couple steps to the frig. It seems that you do wonders when I take a step back from myself, this world and rely on you.
Now I can't say my mind set was in the best place yesterday, I wouldn't presume i was handling it in the best way but this isn't first time you have shown me grace. I am not very sure what is going to happen with my work situation and I am definitely feeling my leg more then I wish to be. My spirit is high though and I know it is all from you (gracefully sovereign..i dont get it).
Just so I dont forget I want to write about this thing I keep thinking about: "Simply Profound." I have tried using those two words to describe anything but you and I can't. Everything profound seems to involve complexity, superiority or mystery. Maybe I'll just keep thinking about it and elaborate another night when it's not 1 am. Thank you that I can wonder like it was the first time.

Everytime I try to put God in a box, I remember He's the one who made it.

im skippin town, im skippin stones