On November 26th, 1989, I lost my brother to Leukemia. This is traditionally a difficult month for me and my family but what may be more of a challenge is to think of this month as a time for celebration. I’ll explain…
Jonathan had a long hard fight with a disease that was, at the time, hard to treat and even diagnose. After years of pain and suffering he finally went home to an eternity of peace, yet we as family (and even friends) still grieve. Common bible verses like this, often bring back sad memories:
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, ESV)
Typically, we associate this verse with the loss of a loved-one or friend, but many of us don’t really examine its meaning. It’s a testament to faith and the strength Jesus Christ has given us in our hearts. God was with my brother at his moment of death and I am willing to bet that Jonathan was comforted by God’s presence. He was with the LORD on his final journey home! How awesome! We should stay strong in our faith and trust in the Lord because he has taken in his child, who was suffering on this earth. It is hard to understand this sometimes because the grief in our minds often overcomes what we know in our hearts. Be at peace and celebrate, because a suffering child of God is forever in peace and happiness.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7, ESV)
Posted on November 16th, 2005 by: Christopher
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Just thought I would post a short verse from Isaiah tonight. It seems many of the people I communicate with on a daily basis are in need of some faith and strength. This may be going around with others of you as well, so please read this verse. Study it and never forget that the God who created EVERYTHING in the universe, is the same God who is with YOU every breath of your life:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31, ESV)
Posted on November 15th, 2005 by: Christopher
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In an earlier post, I talked about feeling lazy and not feeling the Holy Spirit around. Tonight, as I was driving home, I had a feeling that I was “slipping” back into the old way of doing things in my life…without God. The very moment I felt that’s where I was headed, I was terrified. I knew then God was still with me and that I was in the midst of a spiritual battle/test. I desperately needed some backup. I started reading one of my many Christian books again and found these five points from a Beth Moore book entitled “Believing God“:
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God’s Word is alive and active in me.
These are great points to remember and excellent spiritual “backup” as well. I believe the key to staying strong spiritually is to continually exercise your faith. Without this, the normal day-to-day overtakes your thoughts and emotions and we often let down the guard of faith. This is when we are most tempted by lies and deceit from Satan:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1, ESV)
The point of this verse is to show the ways the devil will try to manipulate those of us who are feeling weak spiritually. It is during these times when we are most vulnerable and need to have a swift “kick in the rear” to refresh our faith. There is a sentence in Joshua 3:3-4 that I actually read incorrectly but I think it’s an ironic message of having faith in God: “…you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”
The point I’m trying to make here is to trust the LORD with all your heart. Walking the Christian path is not easy and many of us…all of us…have no idea what lays ahead. That is why we have to have faith in the Holy Spirit to take us down the “road less traveled”, the road we have not been down before:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3, ESV)
Posted on November 12th, 2005 by: Christopher
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Hello all! I apologize for neglecting this space for so long, work has been keeping me very busy.
First, I wanted to share something with everyone courtesy of my Brother’s website. Kyle is a 7 year old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and this is his site where you can follow his progress in fighting this horrible disease. Please keep him in your prayers for God is with him at all times:
“I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. (2 Kings 20:5, ESV)”
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; (James 5:15, ESV)”
On a side note, I lost a brother to Leukemia in 1989 and had it not been for St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, things could have been much worse. Please support them as they are continually trying to fight and research cancer in children.
Reading stories like little Kyle’s reminds me how important it is to keep others in your prayers. No matter how bad your life may seem, someone else always has it worse. That sounds harsh but often we get caught up in silly, material issues that we hold as important, when in reality our attention and faith could be better used elsewhere.
If there is someone or some thing you want everyone to pray for, leave it in the comments below. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Posted on November 8th, 2005 by: Christopher
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There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:6, MSG)
It has been a few days since I have posted. To be honest, I’ve felt a little lazy and had nearly reached a point where I was trying to find something to write about. Why? Probably because I realized that on average, 617 (for October) people per day read these entries! That is a lot of people, considering that I had only started this to share my personal experiences and told no one about the site. Point being, I started to feel “pressured” to find things to talk about…as if I was forcing myself to write for others, not for myself.
The past week has been difficult, as I haven’t felt the Holy Spirit working, nor have I felt God around. Not to say I’m depressed or anything, I just went from a spiritual high to…nothingness. Then, last night I decided to pick up one of the many books I have started reading and came across a chapter about how God develops your character over time:
These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! (2 Corinthians 3:18, LB)
Talk about a wake up call! I was beginning to feel like I was failing God again…which isn’t a good feeling. It’s like having recurring dreams of being in class, without your homework and knowing you didn’t study for that test! HA! I realized that we as a society are too adept at having everything as fast as possible. We are mentally and physically geared to expect things to happen now, rather than later. Working with computers, I know exactly how this thought process goes. I expect things to happen immediately, always looking for faster, bigger, better.
This way of thinking has spilled over into my spiritual life and I am now having to slowww down, and let God transform my life. For those of you in the same boat, we have to remember what we have learned. “Don’t forget in the dark, what God has told you in the light.”
It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off. (Hebrews 2:1, MSG)
It’s not easy, by any means. Talk to each other about what you are going through. Read scripture. Most importantly, keep your faith strong and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide you and keep you steady.
Posted on October 31st, 2005 by: Christopher
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Growing up, we moved quite a bit. My parents, especially my Dad, was and still is the “master” mover. When I have moved, all my friends gather and wait for Dad to organize the move, or we pack up my stuff while he’s not looking and haul-butt to unload it before he realizes what’s happened. It’s a strategic effort on our part that usually ends in disaster.
Anyways, we finally settled down in west Knoxville and became very close with the neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. “D” became like family and are treated as such. They have been through many life changing events with my family, most notably the death of my brother to leukemia. Over the past few months, Mr. D has developed cancer and his health is failing rapidly. God is calling him home and I pray that it is peaceful:
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3, ESV)
I went to visit Mr. D tonight in the hospital, making sure he wasn’t flirting with the nurses too much. It really hit me after my visit that time here on Earth is short…very short. It seems like yesterday Mr. and Mrs. D were traveling around and very active, only now to have their lives changed permanently. I realized that as the holiday season begins, I hope that everyone changes their focus this year, not on presents and “what I need to buy someone for Christmas,” rather give thanks to Jesus Christ for the time you are able to spend with your family and friends.
This Christmas especially, remember what the meaning of this holiday is about. It’s not about how many gifts you have to buy someone or how much you have to spend, or even what you hope to receive. Christmas is about your family and friends, and the celebration of love and peace. Focus on the people you love in your life and make a true effort to give back to others. Try not to get caught up in society’s holiday; rather make this the season you change your routine…make this the holiday season you focus on God, family, friends, and those less fortunate.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27, ESV)
Posted on October 27th, 2005 by: Christopher
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How terrible it will be for the world because it causes people to sin! Temptations to sin are bound to happen, but how terrible it will be for that person who causes someone to sin! (Matthew 18:7, ISV)
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. (Jeremiah 33:8, ESV)
There are many times during the day or night that we feel tempted to do something wrong. Maybe it’s nothing big. You may think “Ahhh, it won’t hurt anyone” or you try and talk yourself out of knowing it’s wrong. Do you ever battle with yourself over whether or not you’re going to do something that you feel is not Christ like? We all do! That’s because those thoughts of temptation actually come from within you, not something the Devil sends your way! Temptation is a choice, that’s it. It’s a choice between doing what is right (living like Jesus) and what is wrong (giving in to Satan’s lies).
The Devil will spare no expense to try and convince you to do his bidding. When you are tempted to do something, you already know what is right and wrong, because you debate with yourself over the issue. The mere fact that you have to decide means the Devil is working on you…trying to turn you against the Lord.
Watch Out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12, CEV)
Almost everyone will feel a since of guilt associated with being tempted. This is normal!!! Everyone, Christian or not, is tempted everyday. There is no shame in it, as people often associate temptation with guilt. Remember, temptation is just a choice…not a sin. It only becomes a sin once you act upon it and give in to Satan’s lies. What people often fail to realize or remember is that God is RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! Just ask for his help! He wants you to! Whatever it is you are debating over, focus your attention on God and ask what to do. Ask for his help to dispel the thoughts of wrong doing and he will. Satan hates it when you pray to God and ask for his help on anything, much less to help fight back at evil doings.
And call for help when you’re in trouble– I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me. (Psalms 50:15, MSG)
If there is anything you take away from this post, remember that God is always with you, even when you are faced with evil. Also, don’t forget that even though you are tempted to do something, you still have a choice! Try and imagine what you may feel like after the fact…will God be happy?
Posted on October 24th, 2005 by: Christopher
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It’s been a few days since I’ve posted but I had good reason! Thursday afternoon I received a flu shot and according to my Grandmother, I “got the flu.” Plus I had a huge project due for school and my final to deal with on Saturday, but all is well now.
I’ve started a “reading” program in regards to the bible. I’m going to read certain passages over the next 40 days, then hopefully start the “read the bible in a year” schedule. There are many things about the bible that intrigue me, which is probably the reason I own six copies (4 of which are different translations) and have a e-version of the bible (available free) on my computer, that houses six different versions as well. It seems that every time I randomly open the pages of this Book, I often learn something. It’s the source for life and the truth:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8, ESV)
Anyways, I wrote this post to make sure that you are finding the truth and source for your life in the bible. You should have one that really works for you, especially the translation. I prefer the NIV and ESV versions, but those may not be for you. Find one that you can read often and don’t be afraid to mark in it. Should a verse really make an impact with you, highlight it, write it down, remember it, and by all means, live by it.
Tomorrow, I’m going to post on Temptation and Guilt. Stay tuned…
Posted on October 23rd, 2005 by: Christopher
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Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (1 Peter 4:12-13, MSG)
In one of my earlier posts, I talked about God’s plan for us to become like Christ. There are many facets to this plan but one aspect that many people have a problem grasping is the amount of suffering we seem to go through in our lives. I often see questions like “If God is so loving, why does he allow suffering?” There are many different opinions on the answer to this, but I’m going to throw mine into the “hat” anyways, which is based on personal experience.
Your character is one of the single most important life lessons to learn and develop, in order to live like Christ. It’s the one thing that you will take with you after you leave this Earthly world and God wants to make sure that you develop into someone “like his Son.” What does this mean exactly? It means that when we suffer, we often are able to reach to God in the purest form possible. We aren’t cluttered by feelings of “my life is good, so I’ll half-hearted pray to God.” There have been a few times in my life where I was literally so heartbroken over a relationship, that the only one I could turn to for help was God.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalms 34:18, ESV)
Author Rick Warren says, “You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.” When your life is facing hard times, you must remember that everything (even the bad) is part of God’s master plan for your life. The Lord is capable of producing good from bad! This is where character building comes in. God uses these difficult times in your life to test you and even bless you, should you ask for it. Having faith and believing in Jesus Christ in the face of adversity and troubles, will allow the Holy Spirit to not only fill your heart, but to show on the outside for others to see.
Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT)
Stay strong in your faith and focus on what is waiting for you at the outcome of your troubles. This will help you build character and will please Jesus Christ…your ultimate goal. When you need help, try asking God not for a resolution to your problem but ask what it is God is wanting you to learn from this experience.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)
Posted on October 20th, 2005 by: Christopher
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The other night, I was at a Christian book store browsing for some new reading material and I picked up a book (I have forgotten what it was called), opened it up to a random page, and read a quote that hit me like 2 tons of bricks and my dad’s barn stacked on top (with the lawn mower still inside). I had been meaning to share this with everyone and tonight I finally remembered!
Unbeknown to anyone, I used to visit a Catholic church here late at night. The doors are always open and it’s one of the most peaceful and quiet places at night. The church itself is huge and holds mass for many people every week, including the school it’s attached too.
Anyways, many nights I would go there to chit-chat with God…see how things were going and to make sure he hadn’t forgotten who I was. My parents used to joke that my lack of attending church caused them to re-introduce me to God on certain holiday masses. I always laughed, thinking in the back of my mind that God was fully aware of who I was and that it was actually ironic how I had been to “church” more than they had.
My visits weren’t long, maybe about 30 minutes each. Sometimes I would talk to God aloud, other times I would light candles (yes, I put quarters in the box thingy…ha!) and pray. Many times though, I would sit and not say a word. I loved it…I knew that even though nothing was “happening” from me, God was still talking to me. I felt Him and let me tell you, it’s one of the most powerful feelings I have ever felt.
All of this brings me to that quote I read the other day in the book store. I always wondered if I was crazy for just sitting in total silence, staring at a 100 foot tall painting of Jesus (okay, not THAT tall, but it’s huge), and knowing that I had just been filled with the Holy Spirit in a tremendous way! I couldn’t explain it…until now. The book I had randomly picked up and randomly opened to a page in the middle, talked about a man who once asked a Chinese Monk why he would go into temple and just sit there, for many hours without saying anything to God. The monk replied:
“I look at Him, He looks at me, we are happy.” My thoughts exactly.
Posted on October 19th, 2005 by: Christopher
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