Friday, May 20, 2011

[Insert creative name here]

An alluring field, carpeted with the engaging rich purple, which deceives the eye to believe it, is starlight blue. Which is a travesty of scenery since it is of course noonday. The smell is irrepressible, a mix of floret and Blitheness. Laying against a venerable oak, deep into the planet and disposition of the publication in hand. The light breeze floats across the pages with such fragile force the world having just been in shifted into the nonfictional earth in which life truly dwells. Ah! That burst back into reality that thrust into the dismal actuality no matter how beautiful still jeopardizes the joy from the world you were once in, the one without obstruction, without desolation. 
Hello! Since I’ve distracted you from the previous scene we might as well have a chat. Lets ask a question; mind you this is a heavy question. Since I have forewarned you from continuing this read as it may stir up emotions you’ve hidden away in the dark chasm you call your "heart". Full of secret hallways and doors you have only begun to realize are there. Then, as every good boy and girl finds, right when you think you've given you're whole self up to be an open book to the creator of all. You find another door and once again become lost in this great abyss, stumbling upon more and more locked, barricaded portals. 
So what is this question that would evoke such emotions? Simple. What is your true motivation? This is a broad question and there are hundreds of directions to travel, the primary focus being 'why do you want to be successful?' Is it to get earthly praise, get a position of high authority, be recognized by the kingdom of Gods finest, and be recognized by the world? I'll let you think on this one while I continue where I left off, in the field. 
If you are wondering why we stopped in the middle of this detailed prologue, to ask such somber question? I happen to be slightly ADD. Answer is simple enough! 
Sitting in the field blah blah blah, big words, the use of a thesaurus, adjectives, and 30 minutes later we're again under the tree out of the book and into reality. Looking around the beauty is cloaked by the creative power behind the book and true beauty and perfection isn't good enough anymore. So seeking for that perfection, that minds eye appeal, a stroll seems to be the best retort for such a sudden jolt into nonfiction life dwelt in. 
On a side note, describing the scene for you I have decided I wouldn't mind sitting under a tree with a book. Seems to me like a fantastic place to be, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (as cliché as that phrase is it fits just right) and the worries of tomorrow are light-years away. This person is a bit unsettled if you ask me. But that is not for me to judge so we're back to the story. 
Dawdling along the path, worn by habitual travel from innumerable subjects trudging along as this barren being. Plagued with thoughts and emotions even the loveliest scene can't distract. What will please this burdened soul? What happiness is missing from the heart, what hole is bellowing out 'I need something more! I need the next step!' Discontent with ones surroundings, searching for the next adventure, the next mountain to climb. 
Oh! but then once reached, discontent turns to "mal", Malcontent. Yearning for peace, now knows what was and the realization of the marvelous life before. Alas the mountain is here, there is nothing to do but climb it. The next question is were their preparations made for this adventure? What supplies are there to draw from? I hope you brought your bear repellent. 
Squirrel! Another distraction, still the question posed before is up for another examination. ' Hey batta batta batta swang swang' and a miss. I don't think you've even given the question a thought! Thank God that he gave me grace so I can give you grace and I'll finish the story where I left off. Just promise you'll think about the question don't fret I'll digress again. 
Looking down from the midst of this mountain in this lofty position it is easy to give up and go back to the oak, lost in the world dissembled by another. Simulating the paragon fooling oneself that, this is in fact the adequate way that we should strive to achieve. Alas, being half way there looking forward towards the goal it seems as though going this far has to be worth something so finishing the task is the only option. 
Climbing a mountain is no small task, you can't just grab a rock and go. You must make sure you plan ahead. asking the question ' will this step be theta best path to the top' or 'how sturdy is this ledge, can i rest on it for a stretch?' In reality the process of climbing a mountain is an excellent juxtaposition of life. Asking the same questions in respect to the path of life has the potential to prevent conscious self torment and mutilation. 
Such words are so fervent, is this such a necessary commentary. No, not really but the words, when used correctly, identify analogously to the story. I feel as my native tongue being english that it is only proper to use the language to my advantage in describing a scene. The words are there for a reason, most feeling left out due to lack of use by the common Englishmen. Again, I digress. 
The hardest part of climbing a mountain is lifting up to the safety of the top. Seems simple enough, but keep in mind the distance just traveled climbing, not to mention the wear and tear on the body. In pure exhaustion gathering the strength to finally complete the task is a stimulating position. Deep breath one. Deep breath two. Deep breath three. Deep breath four. Deep breath, slight pause, five! 
Oh the pain! The worn muscles giving their last effort, the mental excitement being too much to bear! Fingers callused and blistered from the rugged terrain. Breathless and panting from the adrenaline rush a moment ago, you breath a huge sigh of relief. Finite! How that revelation is fulfilling, the emotional roller coaster that just slowed is a peaceful feeling. From potential death at one wrong move to safety is a relief and the breath taken breaths out all fears and tension. 
But, I know this sounds cliche, this story has been told one million times. The road of restless, struggle, accomplished, tragedy, ending unknown being either or joyous or glum. But is a huge word. the word itself is a conjunction, connecting two sentences or ideas giving somewhat of a condition to the previously stated emotion, event, idea or plan. Making this word a very bothersome word. In the words of Winnie the pooh himself, "oh, bother." 
As sad as it is this quest does have a "but" in it. You see once the initial facade fades and all there is left to do is stand up and continue the journey. Standing on top is a magnificent sight. The tree line has a ravishing, alluring, soporific affect on the eyes. The hardships were worth it for this scenery, What is next? Where is shelter? Food? Companionship? But. it took a while to get back to this "but" (no pun intended) alas we have to detour once again. 
What is your true motivation. Got ya, You have to answer yourself this time. Take a few moments and think about what your true motivation is. Are you trying to become someone? Are you trying to teach people something? Have you tasted leadership and yearn for more? Remember that the whole purpose of this life is "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (NIV 1984) Love people. That is how you become a leader. Be servant leader and you will be fulfilled. It is not about a position, it is not about numbers, it is not about quantity. It is about Serving people out of love and devotion to seeing personal growth in yourself and individuals you influence. .. [TBC]

Monday, May 9, 2011

Washing Machine

You are not my friend. 
You are broken.
You Sell yourself for money.
You steal my money.
People use you as they please.
You have no self respect. 
You decide how long to take regardless of my time. 
You are loud and obnoxious. 
People steal you from me and then you laugh.

You have sold your soul to the dryer to:
Take as long as possible
only half work
maintain a constant batch of clothes when i need to borrow your time
take turns working and breaking
setting me on fire. 

ok so the last one i made up but i pretty much want to constantly set you on fire. 
so..

Dear Washing Machine, 

You're fired, i'm going to a laundry mat. sure it is more expensive and potentially dangerous. But they work, my clothes get clean. and i do it all much faster. thank you for your time. but you need to go. 

sincerely, 

your friendly CFNI student. :) 

P.S. I wouldn't put me down for a reference. You wouldn't like the results. 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Flies, stoves and the Holy Ghost


“Flies can only sit on a cold stove, and on a cold stove they can sit very long! Get the fire of the Holy Spirit into your life and that dirty demon will not be able to touch you lest he burn his filthy fingers” This quote stood out to me like a huge neon sign in the middle of a barren desert. This is such a fantastic metaphorical picture, lets look at this for a moment, imagine we are flies! (Although I do not normally compare myself to a fly, they seem to be short lived with no purpose, but for a moment imagine) Flying through life and then the worries of life wear down on the fly and it need to take a breather, so it sits down on a nearby stove. Now this is when they fly (us) is in its most vulnerable state. When it is tired, needs a break, takes its guard down and just sits. Since we are sticking with this quote the fly has just landed on the top of a cold stove.
Due to its current location it has no means of protection for the fly, and in its exhaustion there is no prepared defense, the evil demon fly swatter can easily attack at any moment squishing the remaining life right out of this fly sending it to an early unfulfilled passionless death. 
Alas if the fly would prepare itself before its initial lift off it would have been able to sustain itself for a much longer time living off good things. (for flies that is, for us it is normally filth, but just go with me on this) The fly can be alert, dodge the enemy fly swatter, bug spray, and any webbed traps the enemy throws in it’s way. He has the tools to defeat the enemy if he is alert and prepared.
Instead of taking a breather on the stove, the fly knows the enemies plan, he has paid attention to the works of the devil and can counter attack. The fly hovers over the burning stove pulling the attention of the enemy. As the enemy attack the fly (through the holy spirit of course) dodges the swatter sending the enemy into the hot stove and forever melting the plans of the enemy.
Oh if we could be the second fly!! If we could be prepared, start everyday on the Holy Ghost and we would stomp out the enemy before he attacks! The potential of a prepared on fire Holy Ghost believer can shake a nation! The key is waking up every morning and starting off the day killing the flesh and entering into the holy of holies, speaking in tongues, and relighting the fire for the day ahead.
The plans of the enemy are not new, he hasn’t changed for 6,000 years! Same old things, temptation, guilt, hidden sin, lies, and they all lead to death. But if we can get a generation to grasp the concept of being on fire, “oh the things… [we] …can think” (Dr. Seuss) oh the  things we could do, oh the things they could say! The burden for the lost would be quenched the lost would come to know the Lord, the denominational boundaries would cease and life would be good.  Bu then what would life be about if we weren’t trying to win souls to the kingdom of heaven? Yes! I remember, that is called heaven.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

El fuego del Dios

Oh the fire of God is a fantastic thing.  The people in the bible the famous ones and the ones not so famous, all had a call of God on their lives. but until they had an encounter with the fire of God they did not have the strength to do it. They had the passion (some did not) they had the urging. but until they stood face to face with the power of God they could not complete the calling on their lives. For example, Moses, he felt that the Egyptian guard beating the israelite was wrong and in his own strength he tried to stop it. The result of which, was fleeing from the land to the far side of the desert. When he encountered the burning bush, he had an encounter with God and was forever changed. He had the strength to tell pharaoh that his gods are not the one true God and that he was to release the israelites from their years of captivity. He had the intimate sensitivity to the spirit of God to hear where to go, what to do, what to say and how to lead the people. A huge responsibility, imagine all of a sudden over one million people looking to you for their safety and provision and you being responsible for them. That is a massive responsibility that he had to endure in the split of a second.

The fire is the fuel we need to complete the call on our lives. The fire is the strength we need to stay in the race (along with discipline) of if we would catch the fire and never sop seeking for it and asking for it. Sometimes I think God, I want to feel your fire, I want to see great things. Guess how you get fire? You get up and make it! Goodness Gracious! You mean to tell me, Adrienne, that you actually have to do something FIRST and then the FIRE is a result? YES! "Verb it's what you do" Do you want a ministry saving souls and preaching the gospel, go to the homeless give them a sandwich and ask them what they need you to pray for. Do you want a healing ministry? Go to the closest hospital and minister to the people in ICU, go to a nursing home and pray for the infirmities there. You want to be a worship leader? Go to the park and start playing worship music, if you can't lead worship like David did then you only want to lead worship for the glory of you NOT the glory of God.


How many times do we want an encounter with God? after a while if you aren't longing to share with others the encounters of God that have never experienced true freedom then you are only addicted to the feeling of Gods power and have no relationship with him. Or maybe you do but you lack fruit, which is a huge lacking in the "christians" of today. You can live in Gods orchard, and he will walk by you and see you sure. But if you are in His Orchard and you bear no fruit, how are you blessing the Lord? You want Him to water you and feed you and take care of your dead branches but if you don't bear fruit for Him then why are you in his orchard. Gods Orchard is supposed to be beautiful isn't it? How can a fruit tree be beautiful without it's highest gift. Fruit.


How do you bear fruit? By going out and telling others the freedom they can live in, and discipling them. Show them what the bible says about the issues life brings along, what the bibles morals are and how the bible says to live. Can we not just tell people about God. That there are absolute truths and that he can save and set them free.


Goal for this semester: witness to 3 people who do not believe in Jesus Christ. I know that isn't very many but hey! it's more than I've done in the last 10 years.