Friday, September 25, 2009

Status Quo

We all want more. We are never content with what we have. We allow ourselves to covet after things we don't have. How can the status quo, not be so hindering to us?

Well, there's several answers to that questions. I believe most know what they must do. To stop the selfishness and jealously. It may not be, easy to do, but the concept isn't hard to comprehend.

In high school I was saving up for a car. That's what my focus was on. I made a deal with my dad. That when and if I got $2,000. My dad would get me a car and pay the rest. So I set off, on my mission to be cruising, by my junior year in high school.

In this season of my life. I wasn't very close to God at all. He had no real importance in my life. I knew that he should. But I ignored that idea all together. Nevertheless, I knew what was up. My dad knowing that I was struggling with my walk. Invited me, to promise keepers. He bugged me so much about it. I had no choice but go, just to shut the man up!

So I went with a bitter heart, and wounded soul. I began to listen to this man preaching about being a Christian. Everything he was saying, I was not. He started talking about how me entrap ourselves, of the ways of this world. He said a couple of scriptures.

But he got me thinking. I began to realize my pursuit of getting a set of wheels was out of selfish ambition. I want a car because everyone else had one. Not to mention I went to a pretty wealth school. So if I didn''t have wheels, I felt I would fall under the poor Hispanic category. I thought a car would give me popularity, girls, and friends. The status quo.

God jacked me up that day. I will never forget how His love was shown. I got the $2,000, but at promise keepers. I made a promise. My dad was going to Brazil and he really wanted me to go. I knew God wanted me to go. But I wanted a car more. But instead I used the $2,000 to go to Brazil. Which meant, no car, no superficial friends or indulging myself in selfish ambition.

Man! God you are so good. The trip to Brazil was the tipping point for me. The trip not only peaked my interest in missions, but my interest in God. The trip jacked me up.

So how many of you are concerned with status quo? I was, and times still am. But I now know. There is so much more to put your mind and efforts towards. I guarantee it, had I not gone to Brazil and got a car instead. I would been emptier with all that I thought I wanted.

Jesus is my status quo now. The only word I can think of to describe it, is ......

Fulfillment

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Scattered Thoughts

Scattered thoughts ........

How many of us, find ourselves asking what if? Or play out a day dream in our head. That we wish would come true. Or we can't go to sleep, because of all the thinking we are doing.

Thinking is a beautiful thing. But at times it can be a drag for your morale. When we start over thinking, doubting ourselves. That's when thinking to hard and long is bad. No to mention when your are thinking. It's usually more than one thing.

I like to call this scattered thoughts. Jumping from one thought to next one, worrying, over analyzing, or be angry over the outcome. We all think about something or someone. Thinking is human nature. Thinking is what allows us, to push ourselves to be better.

Thinking opens the door to new ideas. It allows us, to do a lot things. But there is always a limit. There are some things, we can't comprehend. We can't undo the past. But only learn from it. Thinking in moderation.

This quote sums it up.

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same. - Carlos Castaneda (in reference to thinking)

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Come And Go

I've been in college for a while now. I've have met a lot of people over my college time. But one thing about college is people come and go. In high school, even middle school , you surrounded by the same people for a good portion of your academic career. In college you may just have one semester with a person. Then there gone. There's nothing wrong with that.

Over my time in college. I've either bettered some relationships, or gained new ones. The reality is college is a fast moving machine. People eagered to be on their own. But have a degree and future in mind. That's a lot to take in. Some follow their path from the get go. Some stumble and get back on. Then there are some who get off completely.

So what to make of all this. Well I have interacted with a lot of people. I have the chance to talk and get to know them. Which gives me, the opportunity to tell them about whats important to me. Jesus. I may have one conversation with someone. That conversation could be a life changer, a wake up call, or a reminder.

We are all placed somewhere particular for a reason. I happen to be in my college life phase. So I've bee able to meet people from all over the place. I'm approachable and not a bit timid.

So the goal, challenge is to be intentional in sharing the awesomeness of Jesus. To everyone I meet, especially on campus. This could translate for people in the workplace, at home.

Where do you spend the bulk of your time? Wherever it is, speak, interact and engage.

For our story of His glory. Should not be a thing that comes and goes.

Let it shine.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Heart To Heart

The tears were streaming down her face. She was frustrated, wanting to know, why she wasn't enough? Tired of being put down, for her rather small shortcomings.

Encouragement was needed and lurking. He enters the room to lift his sister up. This was not a sister in Christ, but a sister of blood, family. For the longest time they ignored each other. But has she was in distress. He told her, you will amount to something, you will be and are a amazing woman.

Feeling the hurt, he could only look at her in pain. As he finished with his words. He looked at her and said "I love you , I want you to know that." They each embraced each other with a huge bear hug. Both parties departed, with a new sense of understanding.

Were all in need of a heart to heart with a love one. Don't miss that chance to express, what needs to be said. Sometimes its something simple, like I love you.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Movies

Movies: A form of art, expression, ideas. Right?

What is it about movies? That get us to the box office to pay for them? Is it the marquee actors/ actresses, or the genre, it might be the director. There are plenty of reasons, as to why, we watch movies.

Movies can challenge a person's thinking, inspire us, or simply entertain. Regardless,we still watch them. Movies allow the audience to enter another world. For 2 hours are so, we are taken on an adventure.

The point that I'm getting at, is movies have a huge impact. Movies are not just a form of entertainment. In a movie you hear, see, and feel. Yes! Movies do make people cry, laugh, and most importantly think.

Sure not all are meant to challenge the mind. Some are just plain stupid. But we all have our own particular taste in movies.

Since entering college I have really picked up reading. I won't consider myself a book worm. But I do enjoy, reading a lot more, than before. But movies to me, are to a certain extent more helpful than books. Not always, but movies at times are better than books. I'm a visual learning. Movies like books give us, a picture. Movies give us an picture and well decide for ourselves. I'm saying, completley ditch books. I feel that movies at times, show and tell, what a book can't.

Either way, I'm sure we will go to the movies. Whether that's on a date, or your fan of a movie coming out. Movies will be watched. It's not bad to take time and sail off to another world, escape, if you will.

It's what movies do and will continue to do.