A Better Way

He came to show us a better way to live. He took upon Himself all of our garbage and turned it into riches. He left his throne in heaven so that He could come down to this sinful planet and show us another way. Another way to do this thing. A way that is better but that is also the only way. The way of life is narrow and few will find it. But the few that do will realize that it is the only way. The better way. He took our death and gave us life. He washed our feet and cleansed our hearts. He came to show us a better way. When it will hit us? When we finally die to ourselves and do things His way. The better way. The way that leads to the eternal life. The way that leads to the Father's heart. When will we quit turning away from Him? When will we realize that this is the only way. The better way.

I am.

I recently heard a sermon in which the preacher kept referring to Hebrews 13:8-Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Now, I have heard this passage on a number of occasions but never like I did on Sunday July 6, 2008. It was so powerful and timely that I begin to question why. Why are you giving me this now Lord? What are you trying to show me through this nugget of gold? And this is what I heard from the one is, and will always be, perfect.
" Ben, it wasn't the man or the day that made this real to you. It has always been there waiting for you to take hold of it. I am who I am. I am always and I am forever. I am there when you realize that you need me and I am there when you think you can do it on your own. I am there when you wake and when you sleep. I am there through the change of seasons, friendships, and emotions. I am the one who has always been right here waiting, watching,and loving you. I am the one who makes you and the one who breaks you. I am the the whisper in your ear and the beat in your heart. I am the reason you are who you are today. I never change because I am who I am. I am faithful through your doubts. I am loving you for who i made you to be. I am righteous and just. I am there in your problems and I am always the solution. I am slow to anger and quick to forgive. I am who I am can you not tell? I am the one who desires your company more than you desire mine. I am watching over you and your family. I am working out my plans for your life right now. I am who I am. I am in the oceans and in the galaxies. I am God and I am right here."

When God Moves

Is every promotion, gift, and/or oppurtunity from God? Or do we sometimes put God's name on these things to make us feel better about it. For example, lets just say I am a shaky Christain who still deals with some alcohol issues and needs a place to live. A friend of mine, owns an apartment which happens to be located directly above the bar that he also owns.He offers me a deal! He says that he will let me live in the apartment for free in exchange for bussing tables on the weekends. I get all excited, take the offer and thank God for blessing me. Afterall, I needed a place to live and job, and the man upstairs got me both.
Now, was this a gift from above or a lesson to be learned? Beings how, I (back to the example for a second) struggle with alcohol, living and working in a bar is probably not the best idea. God does not position us or set us up for failure, and if I (example again) took that offer I would more than likely fail.
So how do you know when God is truly moving? James says that we are not be deceived and that Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows(Jimmy 1:17)
It isn't just a coincidence that right before he tells us where our gifts come from that he warns us not to be decieved. When you are not close to Father, it is rather easy to mistake the devil's traps for God's treats. When God moves you know it because there is no other possible explantion. If it is good (beneficial to not only yourself but those around you) and perfect (so sweet that you know it had to come from God) and does not contradict anything the Bible says, then God is probably moving! And if your still not sure, than ask a God-fearing man or woman to pray with you on it.
So why am I even writing about this? Because I am sick and tired of seeing my friends walk in this deception and miss God's best for their lives. Just because a door is unlocked doesn't mean we got to walk through it.

I leave you with this short poem:
When God says yes, you will always know!
When God says no, wait for His best!

Personal Prayer (More of you and less of me, more of you, my majesty)

More of you and less of me, more of you, my majesty
Oh God!! I need you more today than I did yesterday and more now than ever before. May you give me the stength to make it all about you today! And may you give me the kind words that you would want me to say. Keep me from evil, lest I turn my back on you and walk the path of the prodigal. Give me a reason to stay Oh god!!! Help me to know your near. Give me a deeper passion and hunger for you because right now there is none!!Stir up a passion and an awe for you within my heart!! May what brings you tears bring me tears as well. May my life be so full of you that there is no trace of me left. More of you and less of me, more of you my majesty!! You never let me go and you never let me down!! You are so awesome and beautiful!! You ahve poured your life into mine in order to make me a vessel. I am a vessel made to hold your glory. I will not go down, I will come up!! I will not fall, I will stand!!! I can do all things in you, and nothing apart from you!! You are so good God!! What can I do to repay you!! Who am I to serve you? The Creator of everything longs for my attention. Now that, is simply amazing in itself!!
I pray that when people see me, that they would see you too. Be exalted over all my accomplishments and failures, above my humor and insensitivities, above my doubts and my fears, and above my ambition and my dreams. Everything I compare and contrast to you, wipe away!! Just give me more of you!! No matter how bad it hurts, just give me more of you!!!
More of you and less of me, more of you, my majesty

Most

Most people don't enjoy each day.
Some people actually try.
Most people just want their own way.
Some people don't and why?
Most people don't really care.
Some people search for it all.
Most people just sit and stare.
Some people strive towards the call.
Most people don't even understand.
Some people actually do.
Most people will live for their own plan.
Some people won't, will you?

Slow Down

It was supposed to be a fun way to burn some calories but instead it turned into a nightmare. I juked myself out so bad playing basketball that I rolled my left ankle. Basketball is definetely not my calling and it seems like everytime I play, I hurt my ankle. Is God trying to tell me not to play basketball or maybe He just wants me to slow down in general.
"Be Still, and know that I am God!!" is what He says in the book of Psalms. I usually and unstill, and try to figure things out without God! But God wants us just to STOP what were doing and aknowledge Him. After all, hasn't He earned it?
"Don't fit God into your schedule, fit your schedule into God!"

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or does everyone cry?
As I sit,watch and wonder why.
Is it just me, or is it sometimes hard to stay?
As I fail, fall, and slip day after day.
Is it just me, or does everyone have something they fear?
As I write this, mine happens to be this upcoming year.
Is it just me, or is it about time?
If it is you, then find comfort in this ryme.
Is it just me, or does He really care?
His thoughts of me exceed the numbers of my hair.
Is it just me, or does everyday have its season?
His purpose continues despite the reason.
Is it just me, or do you still frown?
His gentle heart has never let us down.
Is it just me, or have we reasched a conclusion.
His love remains in the midst of all our confusion.

Are you satisfied yet?

The past 7 months of my life have felt like a slow rollercoaster that I just couldn't wait to get off of. I have had more downs thans ups, more failures than accomplishments, and more groans than praises. Somedays I have been my joyful self but for the most part I have been in a spiritual funk, so to speak. I couldn't figure out why or how I got there, but one thing I did know, I had to get free!
I recently got a new (well, new to me, 1998 Taurus) car because the one I was driving (1992 smahed up Bonneville)was declared totalled by the adjuster. My new car is much better than my old car and considering the circumstances of how I got it, a blessing! But I still wasn't satisifed, I wanted something better, something newer, and something stronger. Why wasn't I content with the car I had? Afterall, it is much better than my previous ride and there is nothing majorily wrong with it. Somewhere between September and April, I lost my contentment and didn't even realize it.I have more than enough to get by and nothing to complain about yet I whine about everything! What is wrong with me? I have became content with God himself!
Paul says to be content in all circumstances(Philippians), whether you have much or little. But He never says be content with God. As soon as we become content with where were at with God we lose our sense of contentment. We thing we got thsi God thing down and that we deserve better cards than what we are delt.
Take the Exodus for example, these people were all slaves, who were beaten and given mush to eat. God set them free and gave them a promise of a new life and a new land! They praised God for a quick second and then started to complain again. They wanted something better to eat and somewhere other than Motel 6 to lay their head at night. Why? Why weren't they content with what they had? After all, it had to have been better than being a slave Right? They weren't content with what they had because they became content with God. They only wante to serve God until he got them out of the trouble they were in and then just stick Him on the backburner.How many times have we done just that? Got close to God in the storms but went away in the sunshine. When we become content with God, we stop seeking him as much and thus lose are gratitude for what we have. The secret to staying content is to never be satsified with our relationship with God.

Don't Stop Believing

"Yet He did not waver in unbelief regarding the promises of God, But was fully strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He would also perform." Romans 4-20ish

I don't know how I managed to forget about this verse as of late but I sure am glad I found it again. I love this verse because it reassures me that God does what he says he is going to do. I try to keep my promises, but i fail at times. I try to complete everything In start, but I lose focus and leave somethings unfinished. BUT GOD! But God does exceedingly and abundantly beyond what I expect him to do, each and every time. Has God ever let you down? Go ahead....think about it some more because you will never find one incident where God has ever let anyone down. Yet we still waver in unbelief when the unpaid bills start to stack or when things don't go as we planned. We fret, fear, and run to everyone but God! We push our sorrows on our friends and expect the world to feel our pain. Why? Why is so hard for us to trust that God has our best interests in mind? We still want to believe that we know what to do and how to do it and in all reality we know nothing! If we knew anything about planning our own lives and making ourselves right, then Jesus would never have had to die for us. We would have had no need for a saviour. But I got news for you, we are nothing without him. And his ways and plans are higher than our ways. He knows what he is doing and will do what he says he will do.