In a Fox Hole

I wonder what it is like to be in a fox hole? If you have seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan" or the HBO series "Band of Brothers", we get a glimpse of what it must be like.

When you are in an exposed spot, bullets flying, bombs exploding, getting bomb-barded from every which-way, how would I react? Would I scream and run? Press myself close to the earth? Protect my brothers? Fire back?

Pray?

I am sure I would do that. And if I did, what would be the result? Would I live? I mean, what would I ask for? Protection? Quick death?

Peace?

A sense of calm in the midst of anti-calm...is that what I would ask for? I'm not sure.

This week, I have felt under attack. Pressures from jobs and responsibilities. Dealing with failures and expectations. Staring at deadlines and undone stacks'o'stuff. And that's before breakfast!

Normally, my response in these type situations is to hunker down. Press harder. Make lists. Organize. Shuffle. Stress.

Pray?

That usually lands farther down the list for me.

But this week I have been praying, and despite the bombardment of life, I have had peace. Mind you, I am not shirking my responsibilities. But I have found an amazing calm in showing God my To-do list. It is crazy how much lighter it feels!

I am finding Christ's statement true, that when I take what I think is so important and trade it for what Jesus deems important, I find his "rest is easy, and (his) burden is light."

What do you do when you are in that fox hole? Take a chance. Pray for peace. Bring your junk to Jesus. He's got some cool stuff to trade with you!! Wanna find out more? indianayouthguy@hotmail.com. Mention the blog and let me know you want to find out more about what Jesus wants to give you in exchange for your junk!

See ya.

You chose...

I am a teacher as well as a youth pastor. I work with Jr. High students, whom I love. But I recently had an, well, let's just say, conversation, with a couple of students.

I had given instructions to a student, which they completely ignored and disregarded. However, they ended up following my request.

Another student informed me that he would do what I asked, very politely. This student, however, failed to complete the task.

Which of the two students would you want? I can tell you, my answer would be neither, or both with better attitudes. But to reality, seriously!

The first student, though rude, followed through. While the second just ignored me, despite their pleasant reply. One did what I requested while the other played lip service.

Which type of person would you want to be friends with? I can tell you, I would endure a little edginess if I knew I could count on them. Wouldn't you eventually stop calling that friend that said, "Sure, I'll do it!", then never showed up?

I read something today that got me thinking, "What kind of person am I to other people? The one who may resist but follows through, or the one who talks nice but does squat!

Which type are you? What would your parents say? Teachers? Co-workers? Wife and kids? Do you make empty promises wrapped in pretty words, or do you exhibit integrity, even if it takes a bit to get there?

Chances are, what you would choose for yourself and the friends you have, God also chooses. He doesn't give a rip about your promises if they are empty. Ever done this? "God, get me out of this and I'll never speed again." "Lord, help me pass this test, and I will be more responsible." "God, help me get out of this and I'll never do it again."

A broken promise is no promise at all. God wants us, not our pledges. How do I know He thinks this way? Well, His Son, J.C., says as much. And He and His Father are PRETTY tight! Check out Matthew 21:28-32. If you don't have a Bible or have difficulty navigating the Book, go to www.biblegateway.com and enter in the above Book Chapter:Verse.

Life Lessons from Decaf...

I met a good friend of mine for coffee today. We get together to chat about life and pray for each other. Recently, my friend has switched to decaf, in an effort to curve the "caffine shakes", that I find rather enjoyable. But that is another story.

The coffee house had our favorite flavor of java, but only in decaf. At this point I should explain that I NEED THE CAFFINE! Gotta have the shake juice! So I gave up my favorite flavor for coffee with caffine - the way God intended!

Anyway, I had a thought as we sat there. My friend went for the coffee with the flavor, but the coffee was missing that energy that comes with caffine. NOw I am not ripping on my friend. It is probably healthy to forego the caffine.

But his coffee was missing something that makes coffee, well, coffee. People drink to wake up, to stay awake, to get that extra boost. His decaf was fake coffee - it was java in disguise!

How many time in our life do we settle for the "decaf". We engage in things that appear good, but are missing something. We involve ourselves in stuff that leaves us just as empty. Decaf coffee will do nothing to wake you up, because it is missing that key ingredient.

So much of our life is missing that key Ingredient - the thing that fills the void in our lives and souls. We all feel it. That is why we get involved in so many things and do so much.

Many of us are living a decaf life - nothing more than great taste and empty effect on the world around us. Don't settle for a life that does little to impact eternity. What would you rather do - impress someone for a short period of time, or leave a lasting impression long after you are gone?

When God asks, "What kind of life do you want?",

will you say regular or decaf?

Something to sip on...

Be Safe

Have you ever found yourself saying those words as someone was leaving? I have. I didn't even think about it..."Be safe!" Where did that come from? Whatever happened to LATER, or, SEE YA, or, hmmmm...BYE!! I even used a PEACE OUT once - I don't want to talk about it...

But anywho.

Being safe is like the totally opposite of what Jesus calls us to. He wants me to live dangerously. If not, why would we need the Full Armor of God. If Jesus wanted us to be safe, He would have told us to pull up the Plush Barka Lounger of Love, or something.

Christ also wants us to "go". It is usually not safe to go out, unless the danger is coming to you, but I am getting off subject.

I think of all the people who have given their lives to share and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't think they would call the Christian life safe. I wonder if I would give up that which is important to me for the cause of Christ. My possesions, my life...what about my family? That would be difficult for me. I think I would rather die.

I want to be dangerous. I want to be a threat. I want Satan to feel threatened by my involvement in God's plan. I say I want that, but am I ready?

Peace out, dudes!

(see, I just can't pull it off!)

Be dangerous!

Reminder to a life of adventure

I was reminded yesterday that the life of a Christian is not supposed to be dull and mundane. So why are so many Christians holed up in their little God-shack with the windows drawn and K-LOVE pumping out of the stereo 24/7? Why do pastors, youth pastors, etc., find it more comfortable to stay confined in the church and working with church people, avoiding the community as all costs? Does this mean we have to go to Mongolia to find that adveturous life? There are so many opportunities right here! Why am I such a coward when it comes to living and serving the One who trailblazed the path to Death and came out the other side? What keeps me from living a dangerous life?