Words VS. Actions

Words and actions are two very powerful forces that humans posses.

But which one is more effective, stronger? Are they on the same level?

There are plenty of polarizing figures who have been full of words and actions. There are a plethora of people ordinary and famous who have displayed these two forces at work, for good and bad.

You have people who have good rhetoric, they just have a way with words. But in the action department they are lacking, afraid to move. They love to move the lips, may have great tactics when debating a point. Also they may have pretty good writing skills.

Then you got people who are all about actions. Some may be very timid and soft spoken, but their actions speak louder. They love to be useful in anyway possible way. Usually, they will listen and not dominate the conversation.

Those are my perceptions on people who display actions and words. People tend to lean one way, or the other. The point I'm trying to get to is that I see a lot people, who excel in words, have great knowledge, yet are scared to be active. Then the other side you have people, who move, move, but never take time to gain knowledge, sit down and absorb things. My perceptions maybe wrong.

But as I think out loud. I see some of the most humble, yet eloquent people have a healthy medium between the two. These people were, are of great intelligence, know what to do, and have a huge heart.

Do the two forces go hand in hand?
Chime in, if you like.

Patience Pays Off

Patience is hard, really hard. To wait for something, someone and never know when it may come. That's against human nature.

When I think of examples of patience of greater magnitude. I think of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr and Paul. Their are other great examples, but those three stick out to me.

All three had to suffer great persecution spent a lot of time in jail. But these guys were mere men. They stood up, for they believed in and it came true. But they had to show patience. I'm sure they had their bad days. But they knew that patience pays off.

MLK never saw his dream come to fruition. But deep down inside, I think he knew his life would be taken for the dream he was patience for. Paul died, in the name of Jesus, but has inspired so many to leave the comforts of their home, to share the Gospel, even if that means death. Nelson Mandela is still alive and has seen change in South Africa, even though there's still a lot of work to be done.

Those examples of patience inspire me to be patient. All three displayed patience, but what makes it even more powerful was their selflessness. They had dreams they were waiting for, but with those dreams didn't just effect them, it effected the whole world. They were patient for others, and their dreams. Because of their patience, people are able to experience their dreams.

I'm sure they had their own individual dreams. But they had bigger dreams. As I examine my own patience. I have a lot of work, to do. I must be patient for the ending of my college career, when I will met the one, or when I move to the next chapter of my life. It will take patience, but I now realize. That all the desires I'm waiting for, God will provide. I'm starting to practice patience on something bigger than my own desires.

Patience pays off, it comes with a price. The investment is worth it.
History is on our side.

Accountability

Accountability .....

We either run from it, or avoid it at all cost. It requires us, to shed our facade, to be broken and completely transparent with someone else. Accountability its necessary.

Accountability allows us, to see the power of God through people. It shows us, that people care deeply about us. They will listen, and love us regardless of the sin. That they are willing to stand in the gap for us, walk in the dark places we enter.

We can't do it alone. On Tuesday I will embark on a journey of accountability with 10 career and college age men. As I told these guys what we will be doing, some stood in horror, while others look ready to open up.

In many ways, accountability comes with maturity. A yearning to to get near to God. A realization of the constant battle between good and evil. Accountability is imperative.

For me personally, it has been a life saver. Without opening up, to people I wouldn't be where I am right now. I would be alive, but I would be surround with so much doubt and anger.

So, now to ask the question. Do you have accountability in your life?

If not, what are you waiting for?

Go and be broken, it will change your life.

Think You Got It Bad

The other day I was wallowing in my own self pity. Formulating a me against the world mentality, or better yet asking, why me?

So I turned on the T.V. to distract my mind. As I was flipping through the channels I came across a documentary about South Africa. I started to watch and automatically became humbled about my suppose demise. I started realize, that often times people want attention when they feel bad, cheated. But sometimes, its a cry for help, a cry for attention. The documentary was over the alerting rate of rape in South Africa. Now that is real!

Its funny how, people who have the blessings of a fruitful life, find room to complain, and have pity parties. I know, that I'm guilty of this. I've seen my share of tragic things, kids with no home, Brazilians living in the slums dodging bullets, or the homeless guy downtown. Yet I find time and energy to complain and wallow over my problems.

I've felt very convicted by this to see and embrace my blessings. But to realize that hope can be produced from any situation. That I have a lot to be thankful for, there's a lot of people who have real problems. I'm blessed to not have, but those people who stand against the afflictions. Their inspirational.

I'm humbled once again, by stories and faces I may never meet.

Creativity

Imagine if you, could be creative like Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan that you and creativity are synonymous.

I have wondered for some time how to be creative in a way, that matters. Creative not just for me, but for others.

Being a christian calls for major creativity in every aspect. Pastors must be creative, so that are able to keep the attention of the congregation, or get it. Youth pastors must find a way to preach the gospel to teenagers, from different backgrounds and ages, they must find a way to make it fun. Missionaries must find a way to, help people in dire need food, water, or health. It takes a lot of thinking and prayer.

But for every creative thought needed. The Holy Spirit provides a wave of creativity. Like anything else, creativity takes work! Its really mind of over matter. We must think of new creative ways to glorify God. New ways, to reach the far ends of the world.

So now, comes the challenge. How can we be creative? How can we muster another thoughts to, think of something worth wild, unique. We all want to be creative towards something, but for what?

Think long and hard, it will come. Just like a Bob Dylan song, the answer is blowing in the wind .....

Sometimes, I think He wants, us to work and think hard about it. When it comes, its all that more satisfying...

Put your thinking caps on.