God uses the most impromptu situations to tell me that His plan for me is unfolding. Random conversations in unlikely, unscheduled places make me realize how blessed I am to be redeemed and how set apart the followers of Christ really are.
I guess it boils down to a bit of naivety with a mix of love for others and the belief that everyone loves other people too. When asked what I plan on doing when I graduate (or sometimes me just telling people without them asking), I share my calling to go overseas and help other people, usually it involves me putting my engineering skills to work for those that need the most help. And I really don't see it as being a big deal. Until a buddy of mine in the library today looked at me with complete shock when I unfolded this plan before him. He stared for a while, then just chuckled and remarked
"Man, Ben, I'm glad there are people like you out there. I look at people in Africa and think 'That sucks...oh well'. "
It just is something, or more specifically Someone, deep inside me that just innately calls me to serve others and to spread love to what Jesus called 'the least of these'. For me it seems only natural to have these desires and I don't think twice about it. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't feel the same way. Which just acts as a greater motivation for us to live as people of change. People of love. People who care enough about the rest of humanity and their physical, and more importantly spiritual, needs that they will give up cushy jobs and comfortable futures in order to show the world that God is the one who saves.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
I am cursed, but I am redeemed
There is such conflict in our world that is represented by every aspect of human perception. Light versus dark. An innate good verse evil.
Love or hate.
And it amazes me how much everyone is affected by this struggle. Everyone wants to be loved and yet we battle against it, so influenced by evil and hate and it rages out against others. The entire world is plagued by the war that ensues daily, every minute, against our souls and against our mind, whether we will be influenced by the angel or the demon on our shoulder.
The angel or the demon. Such a childish, silly concept; a cartoonists representation. But its screaming of the truth. C.S. Lewis wrote the demonic narrative about the planning and scheming of the demons that plague the unseen parts of this world. Led by the one who's name literally means brightness, the morning star, second in beauty only to God himself. In his jealousy of God's power, the liar and murderer venges to destroy what He has created. These lies that he spews entrap so easily and put an end to all life that has been given.
We have redemption. Christ has given us hope. Jesus literally conquered death, and not just in the literal sense, but put an end to the destruction of the father of lies. All we have to do is trust in Him.
But I forget that so often. I listen to the words of guilt whispered to me, give in to the temptation and resulting shame that is thrust upon me. The serpent is so covinous that I am lost in a fog of disillusionment, loosing sight of the Light that has been shown to me. Along with the rest of the human race, I am ensnared by the lies. I am momentarily a prisoner of the darkness.
We are so incredibly blessed to have received a grace that knows no bounds and a savior who is love. For without this love, this light, this 'good', we are without hope. We are not powerful enough to combat the hatred of creation, the one who despises every part of us.
We have been saved by grace, through faith.
We have been rescued for the depths of hell.
We have been brought into the light of salvation.
The devil’s singing over me an age old song
That I am cursed and gone astray
Singing the first verse so conveniently over me
He’s forgotten the refrain:
JESUS SAVES!!!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Used....Gone soft...
I like the Used. And i'm probably one of only a few that loves their new song Smother Me.
And for anyone who was curious about the last post, I just like the song. Me and JaKing are still good.
Let me be the one who calls you baby
All the time
Surely you can take some comfort
Knowing that you’re mine
Just hold me tight, lay by my side
and let me be the one who calls you
Baby all the time
Let me be the one who never leaves
You all alone
I hold my breath and lose the feeling
That I’m on my own
Hold me too tight stay by my side
and let me be the one who calls you
Baby all the time
When I’m alone time goes so slow
I need you here with me
and how my mistakes have made
Your heart break
Still I need you here with me
Baby I’m here
I found my place in the world
Could stare at your face for the rest of
my days
How can I breathe, turn my insides out
and Smother me
Warm and alive I’m all over you
would you smother me?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A good life.
Softly Now,
You owe it to the world
And everyone knows that you're my favourite girl
But there's some things in life that are not meant to be
I'm not meant for you and your not meant for me
Here's to our problems
And here's to our fights
Here's to our achings
And here's to you having a Good life
From Me
Good Life
Softer Now,
You owe it to yourself
And don't think that you will be left on the shelf
Cause there's someone for you and there's someone for me
Like me you'll meet them eventually
Here's to your lover
And here's to my wife
Here's to your children and here's to you having a good life
From Me
Good Life
Baby Baby Baby Baby
Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby
Louder Now,
You've lost all your pain
You're married with children and happy again
And now I'm regretting the move that I made
Fatal mistakes are so easily made
Enough of my problems they only cause fights
Forget that I rang you
And promise you'll have such a
Beautifully happy and painlessly romantic
Good life
From Me
Good Life
Here's to having a good life...
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The Best Defense
When it happens that a battle is upon you, you are left with two options: charge into the fight or stand your ground?
Defense or Offense?
In most battle cases, a defense means hiding behind a big brick wall and waiting to be attacked. It means constant vigil. It's a tough job. The brick wall might not hold up, you don't know how many will attack; its a risk.
Meanwhile, some would say the best defense is a good offense.
Bring the fight to the battle. Be prepared, be strong, and know full well what your getting yourself into.
Then another choice is brought into play: how will you defend yourself? what weapon will you choose? As Wes likes to discuss often, some weapons are better than others. A baseball bat never runs out of ammo. Guns can miss fire and run empty, but a sword can't fail. A strong, mighty sword can do wonders if the user is trained and can wield it well.
I want to run into battle with a weapon sharper than any double edge sword, take the fight to the battle, not hide behind a brick wall and wait for temptation to come attack. It's time to take a stand, fight the battle full on, no cowering or retreating. It's time for war, and I'm going to be ready.
Defense or Offense?
In most battle cases, a defense means hiding behind a big brick wall and waiting to be attacked. It means constant vigil. It's a tough job. The brick wall might not hold up, you don't know how many will attack; its a risk.
Meanwhile, some would say the best defense is a good offense.
Bring the fight to the battle. Be prepared, be strong, and know full well what your getting yourself into.
Then another choice is brought into play: how will you defend yourself? what weapon will you choose? As Wes likes to discuss often, some weapons are better than others. A baseball bat never runs out of ammo. Guns can miss fire and run empty, but a sword can't fail. A strong, mighty sword can do wonders if the user is trained and can wield it well.
I want to run into battle with a weapon sharper than any double edge sword, take the fight to the battle, not hide behind a brick wall and wait for temptation to come attack. It's time to take a stand, fight the battle full on, no cowering or retreating. It's time for war, and I'm going to be ready.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
No More Children. No More Pain.
Why does God speak so loudly that you cannot ignore Him?
Why does He amaze me with conviction and pain?
Why is there still fighting?
There are two girls from USC on project with me. One of them, Jessica, just happens to know two of the three guys who started Invisible Children. One of those two happened to be in her youth group growing up and is her best friends older brother.
I happened to meet a man from Ghana whilst in Korea. He told me of the spread of Islam from Northern Africa south. He told of the pain of his people, the corruption of the land, and their need for Jesus.
I met a student at Harper community college in Chicago who is a Kenyan born and raised in Uganda. His family lived in the city, so he didn't have to live in fear of being attacked nightly, but he told us that the war has affected the entire nation. They are a people living in strife, a government that is almost as corrupt and blood thirsty as the rebels they fight.
Tonight we watched Blood Diamond, a movie all about the civil war in Sierra Leone. It described the greed of men, not from Africa, but from America and Europe who lust after diamonds so much that thousands, if not millions, have been killed for the jewel. The civil war that plagued the country for years was fueled by a world desiring fancy accessories instead of peace amongst their fellow man.
God, why do you answer my prayers in such a way that you make my heart grieve for the nations in Africa?
[Isaiah 6:8]
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Why does He amaze me with conviction and pain?
Why is there still fighting?
There are two girls from USC on project with me. One of them, Jessica, just happens to know two of the three guys who started Invisible Children. One of those two happened to be in her youth group growing up and is her best friends older brother.
I happened to meet a man from Ghana whilst in Korea. He told me of the spread of Islam from Northern Africa south. He told of the pain of his people, the corruption of the land, and their need for Jesus.
I met a student at Harper community college in Chicago who is a Kenyan born and raised in Uganda. His family lived in the city, so he didn't have to live in fear of being attacked nightly, but he told us that the war has affected the entire nation. They are a people living in strife, a government that is almost as corrupt and blood thirsty as the rebels they fight.
Tonight we watched Blood Diamond, a movie all about the civil war in Sierra Leone. It described the greed of men, not from Africa, but from America and Europe who lust after diamonds so much that thousands, if not millions, have been killed for the jewel. The civil war that plagued the country for years was fueled by a world desiring fancy accessories instead of peace amongst their fellow man.
God, why do you answer my prayers in such a way that you make my heart grieve for the nations in Africa?
[Isaiah 6:8]
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Friday, July 13, 2007
Real World: Chicago
This is the true story, of twelve strangers, picked to live in a house, work together,and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite, and start getting real. The Real World.
Basically, that's how it feels. Except we don't have a confessional and instead of working, we evangelize. And rather than stop being polite, we have been showing nothing but love and God's been getting real with us. (But Damon is working on setting up that confessional)
So I'm living with two blonds from SoCal (the real USC), a couple Yanks, a crazy white boy from Toledo, a Texan and a Haitian from Miami. 8 girls, 3 guys, and lots of Jesus. Its crazy. I've yet to get to bed before one, most nights staying up talking till 3-4 in the am. I normally have trouble opening up to people and getting deep, but lets just say that God said I didn't have a choice. It's only been 2 weeks since I've met my new friends, but it really feels like their family that I've had for a long time. There's my new adopted older sister, Lyndsey, who is quite like my existing sister Lindsey, except this one has a nose piercing instead of a tattoo and is a track star. Then there's my sister Chisomo, who's from Zambia and praises God with an amazing passion. We've got 2 Jessica's, one from Chi-Town and the other a blond ball of spaztic energy who has a boldness for Christ I've never witnessed. My two new brothers, Damon and Wes, are more fun that I know how to handle and constantly are making me think, both about God and my life and also about zombies and body hair. The house is basically one big party.
Since getting back from Korea (which is a whole 'nother story), God has just rocked my world one day after the next. Some firsts that have occurred: beginning a conversation with the phrase "Can I talk to you about Jesus?", espionage for the Lord, public rebuking , Kim-chi, Date night with Jesus, standing in the Spit, and parque on the EL (visit here)
More or less, its been an amazing ride so far. Tune in next episode to hear about Chicago Jazz clubs, clown fish, and Wes the Korean Celebrity. And a little bit of what God's doing too.
Basically, that's how it feels. Except we don't have a confessional and instead of working, we evangelize. And rather than stop being polite, we have been showing nothing but love and God's been getting real with us. (But Damon is working on setting up that confessional)
So I'm living with two blonds from SoCal (the real USC), a couple Yanks, a crazy white boy from Toledo, a Texan and a Haitian from Miami. 8 girls, 3 guys, and lots of Jesus. Its crazy. I've yet to get to bed before one, most nights staying up talking till 3-4 in the am. I normally have trouble opening up to people and getting deep, but lets just say that God said I didn't have a choice. It's only been 2 weeks since I've met my new friends, but it really feels like their family that I've had for a long time. There's my new adopted older sister, Lyndsey, who is quite like my existing sister Lindsey, except this one has a nose piercing instead of a tattoo and is a track star. Then there's my sister Chisomo, who's from Zambia and praises God with an amazing passion. We've got 2 Jessica's, one from Chi-Town and the other a blond ball of spaztic energy who has a boldness for Christ I've never witnessed. My two new brothers, Damon and Wes, are more fun that I know how to handle and constantly are making me think, both about God and my life and also about zombies and body hair. The house is basically one big party.
Since getting back from Korea (which is a whole 'nother story), God has just rocked my world one day after the next. Some firsts that have occurred: beginning a conversation with the phrase "Can I talk to you about Jesus?", espionage for the Lord, public rebuking , Kim-chi, Date night with Jesus, standing in the Spit, and parque on the EL (visit here)
More or less, its been an amazing ride so far. Tune in next episode to hear about Chicago Jazz clubs, clown fish, and Wes the Korean Celebrity. And a little bit of what God's doing too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
