The End [more commonly known as the beginning]

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning . . ." (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Sorry it took me so long to write this. For now I am stepping away from the bloggersphere. I may come back to blogging -- but I doubt it (at least from my present perspective). Maybe you just ran into this blog. I suggest you look it over. It was delightful to put my passion for words on this blog. I pray God uses it to impact others to live with their whole heart. To pursue their passions. To live with a reckless abandon. Life is too short to live without an all-consuming passion for God. God loves to use the unlikely and impossible to bring about His perfect plan. Our generation is pretty pathetic. But it is a glorious chance to give God all the glory when spectacular things are brought about. You only get one shot at living. Make it count by giving it all to God. "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). We were made to seek God. Let's not squander our existence on finding pleasure and security. But be made strong so that we may be poured out. God is asking . . . what's your answer?

~By for now
. . .
  Redeemed

Burn The Bandwagon

I believe that we put too much stock into what other people think of us. Wait. I know as Christians we need to always represent our God well, but that's not what I'm talking about. We look to others to see if we're "cool enough." We try to be in the world and slightly "of" the world--enough that we are different. We think in our heads "If I'm just ever so different, then they'll be attracted to Jesus." We think we need to represent Jesus with a "good face." We say, "well, God, Your plan to preach the gospel is just, I don't know, counterculture." And we forget what attracted us to Christianity in the first place. That is, its defiance of worldly reliance and emphasis on God's power. We forget that all we do is lead others to Christ. We show them the straight and narrow but they must walk it themselves. If we give the entrance a snazzy banner to "attract" others we're just blocking the view of the cross. We need to burn the bandwagon and just stand up, and stand out. The gospel is good news! The cross has saved us. God Himself lives inside of us. It is what this world needs. . . . Not another bandwagon.

~TDH

Form > Function

Have you seen those paracord bracelets? Those ones that look kind of like rope and are suposed to be somewhere like twelve feet long. I've realized something about them . . . they are not for function. Most people that have one might brag about how they are some twelve feet long and can hold about 550 pounds without breaking. But then never have the intention of ever taking it off and undoing the bracelet to actually use that paracord. It reminds me of myself. Often I have a tool on my very wrist but I just ignore its potential. I just think how sweet it looks but when I need that rope to actually tie something down I go and look elsewhere. Maybe we all do that with something? Perhaps with our family? Or even with our Bibles . . . just a thought.

~TDH

The Point (part 2)

(I'm almost sorry that this post is so long but my heart must sing and it is singing a long song this time) What I believe is necessary is for the gospel to be redefined in this generation. The gospel is powerful. Yet we have a tendency to water it down. I believe this is because we have a hard time rejecting the world. That's right, I just said rejecting the world. From what I've observed, we would prefer to embrace the filthy world. We go out and watch the latest movie that glorifies evil things like overwhelming lust and raw hate. Sometimes we know pop culture better than we know our Bibles! This aught not be . . . but we have a powerful God Who can redeem us. But we need a greater perspective. That's where the redefined gospel comes in. The gospel is more than just a ticket to Heaven, it's a ticket to a fearless life. Just read along . . . The gospel is Christ crucified. We accept that, and believe it with all our heart. But it's more than that. The cross is the picture of Yahweh overcoming sin--the old man who rules/ruled us. Then Christ rose, conquering death (starting to get exciting, isn't it?). But it doesn't end there. The Bible goes on to tell us that now God wants to adopt us. Yes, us. Those filthy beggars who can never become pure. God comes to us and says "I want to adopt you." Of coures we oblige! He brings us into his very near presence. Then, oh then, He asks us to do something for Him. He, the God of the universe, asks us to go into the world for Him. But that's not all. (Are you seeing a pattern yet?) He tells us that it is impossible to change the world, on our own. So you know what He does? He will work through us, and not only that: He will come and live inside us. God is not just giving us strength He is our strength. God tells us that we will bare the name of the Alpha and Omega. How will we do that? Well, the Alpha and Omega is pretty good at representing Himself isn't He? That's just what He does. So the gospel is; Christ crucified, death and sin conquered, becoming God's heirs and children, being God's image barers, and having the One and Only God living inside of us working His good pleasure! Why would we ever want to still be in the world?!?!? We have all we could ever imagine . . . and more. I hope you think about what I just said. Because it is the crux of your whole existence. Maybe I've sparked something in you . . . maybe it's new life.

~TDH

Check out this video by Ellerslie: http://www.ellerslie.com/The_Gospel.html

The Point

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ever feel like we miss the point? Like all we want to be is to be happy or entertained. It reminds me of the quote of this generation saying, "Here we are, entertain us!" I hate that quote with every fiber in my bones. I want to break that "mold" and change it to: "Here we are, THIS is the gospel!" I want the Christians to rise up of their sofas, turn off their TVs, and make a difference. Why can't we wake up and realize that we have the chance of a lifetime. Why! Oh, if we would humble ourselves and seek the very face of Yahweh (A name for God). I believe the point is Yahweh has blessed America so that we may bless others. Instead we "bless" ourselves. . . I despise it. Oh . . . that's why I stopped watching TV and movies. (Just a thought) I know Yahweh loves us and wants us to live our whole lives for Him. Will you join me with the power of the off button and show the world "THIS is what the gospel looks like." Maybe we will find the point. . . and when we do we will never feel out of place ever again. Because the point is our very purpose. Let's come alive.

~TDH

Ragged Time

Time. Yeah I figured I'd write about it because it has been a rare thing for me this week. Honestly, aren't most of us running out of time? (No I don't mean that the grave is creeping up) I mean we just "get busy." We decide that school is important, and food, and music lessons . . . pretty soon we are lost inside our things that we "need." But we don't need all that do we? Sure we need to prepare for our future but "overkill" is a word that should be in our vocabulary. Because we are very well aquatinted with it. Maybe--nah totally--we should take note from great men in the Bible. Like Jesus . . . he would take time and just get away for a few hours. And this was a common occurrence . . . check it out. So all that to say: take a hour or so this week to step back and maybe make a "to-don't list." Just ask God for direction. He's waiting for you to stop making your own. Because our "direction" looks a little ragged.

~TDH

Wild At Life

     I once read a book called Wild at Heart. In it the author John Eldridge quoted another book that said: "Do not ask yourself what this world needs. But ask yourself what makes you alive and do it. Because what this world needs is people who are alive."*  That truth just struck me with a clarity and simplicity. It set my jaw with a new determination to "fan my flame," so to speak. It also reminded me of another quote from William Wallace, "Every man dies. Not every man really lives."
     I think the biggest reason no one ever "really lives" is because they don't know how. They are just lost are feel forgotten by the world. No one ever told them to ask themselves what makes them alive. But, more tragically, is those that glimpse their "life" and don't pursue it with reckless abandon. See, if you want to awaken your life you have to accept it is far from easy. Most likely others will laugh at your plans. I.e. I want to change the world but I have told maybe two of my friends. Because I know that if I want to keep my dream alive I'll keep it to myself. I'll just rest in the fact that with God nothing is ever impossible. Remember that. Nothing. Is. Impossible.
     So go find out what makes you alive. Go and live with all your heart. . . the world is waiting.

~TDH

*Not an exact quote