We shall go to the gates of Hell.

What's your number one goal in life? Do you have one? Or like a phrase or sentence that you live by? This is probably not something we all think about often, but if you had to break it down, could you put into one sentence your ultimate goal in life?
I've heard things like; 'To have the most fun', or 'to enjoy every moment', or 'try everything once'. We know, these aren't good enough to use as a life goal, but often its a good starting point.

Let me tell you mine, "To proclaim the name of Jesus Christ in everything I say and do, even when its awkward or hard."
Now, this might seem like a slightly immature sentence, and it really is, mostly because this is something that has been on my heart since High School (which is why I needed to have the "awkward" part in there), but its a nice reminder to be able to look back on daily.

Well, all that to say, if my goal is to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ above all else, it stands to reason that I should want to bring glory and honor to his name and make His name known. That's the key today that I'm realizing, make His name known.

We, as Christ followers, need to go after people. After their hearts, and souls, and minds. Look an essential part of being a Christian is to constantly care for and love God's people. So, together, We shall go down into the gates of Hell in order to save a lost soul who needs to hear about Jesus, will you join me?

My best bud Matt and I use to talk about these things a lot a few years back. I remember just turning 21 and sitting in my Jeep at a park late at night with him (sounds like a awkward first date), and we came up with the metaphor used from the movie 300.

If you remember, in that movie, its a group of 300 well trained men who go against thousands and thousands in the Persian army. Each soldier was required to be able to hold a heavy shield in such a way that if would cover the left half of their own body, but also, the right half of the person next to you. This was how they were able to be so strong. The shield wasn't simply used to save themselves, but the person next to them. The shield wasn't a selfish piece of equipment, but used to help a fellow brother.

Will you come on this journey with me? As we head into spiritual warfare, can we stand together and protect each other? Let us stand together in order to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ in everything we say and do, no matter if it is awkward or hard.


Jeremy

Habakkuk 1:5

*Denver Chalk Art Festival. 

I Love this because it shows that something plain and boring, like cement, can turn into something beautiful. *

When was the last time you even opened your bible to this little book?  I mean, it barely fills out 3 pages in my bible, and is only 3 chapters long, but this is where the Lord guided me just last week.

He's a prophet, we call him one of the minor prophets, and he is begging and pleading with the Lord to convict and condemn the wicked because he feels as though God is not just and that God is ignoring him.
Stop right there.  Have you ever felt this? That God was ignoring you? I know I have, countless times.
So after Habakkuk's first complaint, this is what the Lord says in response;

"Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it." (NLT)

Well, we know how the story goes with the rise of Babylon who takes over the Israelites. Which isn't anything like Habakkuk was expecting, but theres a huge lesson here that we can learn from.

First and foremost, even in moments that we think God is silent or not with us, we must remember that He is here and He is moving in a way that will glorify and protect His name. God hears your cries and responds to them; which is where I learned my second lesson:

Is it possible that A) God is talking in a way that I don't understand, or see, so I miss it entirely? and B) Does God constantly surprise you with what his plans are?

You see, I've been there. Many times actually, crying out to the Lord, yelling at him, asking, begging, "Lord, where are you?!" He showed himself to me in such a way that I wouldn't have believed was possible, even if someone told me. The Lord spoke in such a loud an audible voice and said: "I've been here the whole time, you just haven't been listening."

Isn't this just the truth sometimes? Maybe because we are looking for a specific answer to a specific question, or maybe because we don't slow down enough to recognize how the Lord is speaking to us, but truth be told, He is moving in ways that I wouldn't believe, even if someone told me.

This time last year (2013) I was in India for my YWAM Outreach. If someone had told me that in a year I would be where I am now (Grad school at Denver Seminary, serious girlfriend who just moved to be closer to me, Job in Youth Ministry, Morning person, etc.) I wouldn't even believe it.  The Lord had a plan this whole time, and I'm just now seeing it revealed.

All this to say, if you are sitting at a computer, or on an iPhone, or iPad, or something else that connected you to this blog, and you are wondering about big life questions, just know, that God has a huge plan in your life, or your community, or in your church, or in your job, whatever it might be. If you trust in him, He will do amazing things, so crazy and so big, you wouldn't even believe it was possible if someone told you. Much like Habakkuk, it might not be what you think, or what you see as positive, but I can guarantee one thing, it is for His glory.


Chained to him,
Jeremy

Being a 20-something is hard, here's what I'm learning.

I mean really, most of us didn't actually listen to our parents, or our school counselors, or our mentors, or people who are smarter then you and I. So now we come to this place, am maybe you can relate to where I have been over the last year or so.

I'll avoid using the trendy saying "the real-world" because guess what, we've been in the "real-world" since birth, it just begins to look different and responsibilities start to kick in. The world is just as real now as it was while I was obtaining my undergrad. I mean, I could continue to just work at the local Pizza Hut and squeeze by financially, some of me wants to do this because it is probably one of the best mission fields I have ever been on. So, the few of you reading this that are doing something like that, be encouraged, your job might seem useless and unsatisfying, but you are in the best opportunity to show Christ.  But now the question is, what do I want to do with my life, and how do I want to do it?

Well, obviously the easy answer is the one that I have given many times and will continue to spit out in small talk and locker room chit-chat: "Follow God's call and bring Glory to His name."

What does that really mean? Does it mean we ALL should be in full-time ministry? Well that one is easy to answer, no.  Heck no.  Full-time ministry is hard, and demanding, and if you don't truly have a call for it, you will quit after only a few short years. 50% of MDiv graduates leave full-time ministry in the first 5 years. Remember, these are guys who are specifically studying to be in a church setting, and trust me, it is no easy task.

Instead, I keep being hit by an older worship song that we use to play in my Youth Group all the time. Come Away by Jesus Culture.

You see, once we let go and let God, well, "Its gonna be wild, its gonna be great, and its gonna be full of Him." I'm not really sure what the next 5 years are going to look like, I have a general idea, but I fully understand that things can change in only a few short weeks. I will not live my life in fear. A mentor of mine once said; "Often we sit and wait for the Lord, and though that is good, what exactly are you waiting for? Just do something and do it with every ounce of passion you have."

Well said Audrey, well said.

Once again, random rant of the Day and/or things that the Lord is teaching me. I only hope what I say can encourage you in some way.


Jeremy

Denominational Differences: Are they THAT terrible?

It's rather confusing, and I don't pretend to know it all, but here's some thoughts that might help, things that I've been dealing with over the last year or so.

 Any time this topic is brought up I usually hear 1 of two things. 1) People often point fingers saying, "We are right, they are wrong," especially when it comes to worship by music.  or 2) "Denominations don't matter and only create separation in the Body of Christ"

My response:
1)"We are right, they are wrong."
    For the most part, this is a terrible thought to have.  Just because one church decides to do thing differently such as, worship or communion or baptism, does not mean their wrong.  Lets get one thing straight here my friends.  Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), if a church believes this to their core, great! Then we are all apart of the same Body of Christ.  So, lets stop pointing fingers and start to recognize each other as brother and sister.

2) "Denominations don't matter and only create separation in the Body of Christ"
     Okay, so, there is a little more validity to this point, but if we can see past the first point I brought up, then denominations can be good and serve a purpose.  Something that I've noticed in my personal walk is that the Lord speaks to all of us in different ways.  That's the beauty of the Holy Spirit.  He knows that we are all wired differently and need to meet Jesus in a different way.  For example, during YWAM one of my teachers always had the lights off and made the room very dark, when someone asked him why, he said that God met him in the dark like the Israelites in the Tabernacle (this was a tent they carried around that would 'hold' the presence of God).  Some people like loud music, to make a joyful noise (Psalms 98:4), while others prefer traditional styles of worship that date back to the early church reciting prayers together. One is not better than the other, just a different style.

Now there is, of course, a lot of differences in Theology, but that's a study for another day. :)

    So do not be so afraid of the difference in denominations, just know, that we are all here for the Glory of the Lord and to further his Kingdom.  To be honest, I have grown so much in my faith jumping into different styles of worship and being part of different churches.  God is so much bigger then the box I continue to put him in.  If you've never been to a different type of church, consider trying it out, you might just like it.



Chained to him,
Jeremy

"You Know Me"

     God does.  He knows you.
     From where I stand, I would say, its something that becomes more and more obvious the longer you have been a Christian, and here's why:
         For some reason.  Things tend to work out.  Big or Small.  They work out all for the better and glory of God.  Now before I get any further, let me make myself very clear in saying, that doesn't mean life is easy, or that there aren't going to be hardships, there always will be.  But God knows me.  He knows what I can handle and how much, and when.  These are two very big statements.  Putting together the business of everyday life, and the ever important thing called timing which truly effects everything.

I truly wish I understood more of God's reasoning behind why he does certain things, but I'm coming to realize that there always is reason, sometimes, its just not for us to see.
As you know, I've started dating this beautiful girl.  We have been open and honest from our very first conversation in how we view the world and what our intentions are for each other, as well as in trying to follow God's call.  I look back to only two years ago today, things were so different. So much of how I view the world has changed.  Life has gotten so much more complex, yet, so much more simple.  I've come to live and learn and realize that nothing else matters, but bringing glory to God.  So when I'm faced with a decision its simple, I just ask myself  "Does this bring Glory to God?"  I've come to find that the answer can almost always be yes, when I have the correct mindset.

How He Loves

     Its a song.  That you all have heard before I'm sure.  And by itself, its a beautiful song that can open your heart to just How much the Lord loves us, loves you, loves everyone around.  A concept that always seems so simple, but gets deeper and deeper the longer you follow Christ.

    Anyway, I was sitting in my office today at Faith Lutheran Church, just getting ready for the next few weeks with the youth group, going over lessons and what not.  This song came on Pandora, and I was reminded of the origins of this song.   I you don't know it, take 5 minutes to listen to this video.  Trust me, its worth it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1noag-BWqHc.

   The Holy Spirit hit me.  In a big way.  I say the Holy Spirit did, because I'm much too selfish to have these thoughts on my own:   I started crying in my office like a weirdo, I mean, I've only been here 2 weeks, and already I'm having a break down in my office!  But God moves, I'm there, I'm ready.  I am praying that same prayer, "God, I would give my life today if it would shake the youth of the nation."  I want to stand up and proclaim that.  I've always been called to youth and wanted to help them, but its such a different process to say, I give my life today if it would shake the youth of the nation.

   Just like John says though, don't let it be my song, don't let it be about me, some how some way, All Glory To God.   I will start with the 12 kids I have here, how easily can we spread a revival with 12 kids that are on fire for Christ.  

I don't know much...

Do you ever feel like your best just isn't good enough? Well I know I have.  Many times. Especially in school, I have never been good at school.  Or in relationships, that comes up all too often. Or maybe while playing Call Of Duty (a first person shooter), I can never seem to win on that 'life wasting' game.    But I've come to realize, it's all on the perception that will define what "good enough" is. 

Who was it that said, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." I believe our good buddy Albby Einstein.  I've learned a lot of things in 2013, and this one has just come up many times.  I'm never going to be the next Hank Manning, or LeBron Sackic, but if someone wants their car fixed, give me a shout.  Or if someone's needs to talk about their life, I can drink a warm cup of coffee and 'listen' realllllllly well. Remember this in 2013...

And on that topic, another thing I've come too see is just how important communication is.  I'm actually a comm minor, so as far as being able to communicate, I know HOW to do it, but actually doing it is  a whole 'nother story.  I often have the attention span of a gold fish and explain things about as well as a parrot who only knows 8 words. But when it comes down to it, especially in interpersonal communication, I find myself being more and more open and honest.  Not trying to get my opinion out, or have a 'schedule', or showing off what I know, but be open and honest in everything.  I have come to find that it's amazing how many disputes can be fixed, or even avoided completely, by clear communication. 

My last thought: perception is reality.  

Look if I think something to be true, then it's true.  Even if it's not. This is especially the case for those who don't understand the importance of communication.  More then anything else, this has made me more aware of body language. Which in turn, makes me more aware of my own body language.   What signals are you sending out?  

How do you sit? 

How do you stand? 

How do you walk? 

Where do you look?

Do you cross your arms? 

Are you engaged in whatever activity? 

Etc. 

 It's amazing how far a smile can go. 

Till next time, 

J

Jjjj.  Jcrob33@gmail.com

     Bringin in the New Year