Going to be a slowing of posts...

While I'm not going to delete this blog entirely, my posting will be even less.  After some prayer and deliberation, I have decided to focus my attention on other priorities.  However, occasionally, as the mood strikes, I will post on here.  But for now, for awhile, there won't be much new stuff coming.

Thanks for reading.

Our job is NOT...

To condemn.
To judge.
To hate.
To fear monger.
To point fingers.
To value us before others.
To look down upon.

Thankfully, we can relieve ourselves of all these burdens that we take upon ourselves.  These jobs are not, were not, meant for us.  And it is wrong for us to assume these tasks AS our jobs.

Again, thankfully, Jesus gave us our "instructions" our REAL jobs, and they are three, but one in the same. OUR job is:

1) To Love God.
2) To Love our neighbor.
3) To Love our enemy.

In short: Love.

That's all we need to do, that's all Jesus WANTS and EXPECTS us to do.

I wrote a book!

It's a horror action/adventure novel. I wrote it during Nov. for NaNoWriMo.org.  I published it "as is." Meaning, I didn't edited it. Check it out here:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HEQHQSM/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1387395079&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

New Podcast: Jesus Ain't A Pansy

Here's the new podcast: Jesus Ain't a Pansy

But what am I doing?

There are times when I wonder if I make a difference in this world at all.

Sure, I work with a group of people and do a monthly serving to those in need.  We provide food, clothing, care kits, etc...

When I remember to do so, I hand out McDonald's gift cards to those on the corner flying the sign.  Or 20 bucks, which I was called to do recently.

But is that all I can do?

Short answer is: no.

But there's a difference of what we can/should and are called to do.  We can all do the SAME thing, but that doesn't mean we are supposed to.  We are all called to something, and not always is that "something" the same as what others are doing.

The group of people that I work with that do a monthly serving to those in need - that's what we are currently called to do. Maybe this is all we will be called to do, I don't know.  Maybe we will expand or grow in ways I can't foresee right now, but we know what we can do RIGHT NOW.

So what are we doing?

A couple things.

While we aren't "religious," that is while most of us are Christian that has never been criteria for what we do or people to help what we do, we are Christian.  We are trying to love as Jesus loves.  All who come to us get help, that we can provide.

We aren't the best at what we do, there are other organizations that do what we do better...but that's okay and that should spur others on.  Anyone can share God's love in any number of ways.  If we can, you can.

And sure, some days, you'll think "what am I doing?" because you won't see what you have done or know that you have really made a difference.  But when you need it most, God will show you what exactly you are doing.

And no, not everyone you meet will be on the same page as you.  And that's fine.  God will find a way to use them too, if they are willing.

Honestly, I just want people to know - if you feel a passion toward something that you want to do: do it.  God is with you in it.  It might not be big or get noticed.  We aren't and haven't and we have served for over three years!

But God notices and those whom we help notice too!

Some servings go better than others...but we never regret doing it.

So what are we doing?

We are loving...as best we can.

Can we do better?  Of course!  But that's part of why we keep doing what we do...to learn to love how Jesus loves.

No, we won't always see or know if we have made any impact...but when we truly need to know we will.  Trust me.

So what can you do?  You know it already.  God's told you.  Just trust him and follow it.  It might not be World Vision (we aren't!) but it will impact someone and that is the truth.

Take care,

Chris

Blessings vs. Misfortunes

A thought popped into my head the other day: what does it mean to be "less fortunate" vs. what does it mean to be "blessed?"

Perhaps it's a bit unclear what this thought is about, but it was profound to me at the time.

People, myself included, have used the phrase: I have been blessed with/to/for ___(fill in the blank here)_____.

And, no doubt, we have said (I know I have said this) there are "those less fortunate than us."

Funny, we don't call them less blessed.

With The Juniper Project, I'm sure I've said something to the effect that we are "helping those less fortunate."

Though now, I simply say: those in need.

But we don't call them less blessed.

Why not?

If we consider being in a better financial position (where we are able to help others in addition to providing for ourselves) a blessing, why is it only "misfortune" and not a "lack of blessings" that is the opposite?

I've heard it taught that God blesses people with money so that they can do great things with it.  And not just money, but talent, fame, skill, etc...

So those less fortunate...did they miss out?  Were they not blessed with something, anything? Or did misfortune TRUMP God's blessings to them?

Or (and this is what I think) is it that we have a skewed vision of what a blessing truly is.

Am I blessed to have my house?

Well, when I am elbow deep in sewer back up in my basement it doesn't feel so, but others would say I was.

Am I blessed to have other "things" in my life?

Depends on our view and vision.

Did God really mean for me to have such "things" as a blessing to me?

I'm having a harder time recently thinking so.

Back when I gave that guy on the corner $20.00 it was about detaching...not about hoping or a promise that I would be blessed with MORE money.  It was about not putting money so high in my life - not that I chased the almighty dollar my entire life.  Not many people get rich in my field of work.

So what really is a blessing?

I'm not sure I know anymore, if I even thought I knew at some time.  However, just off the top of my head, I'm reminded that in the Bible PEOPLE were blessings and did bless - sometimes through THINGS, yes, but it was PEOPLE doing it to other people.

God did his fair share, and still does, but are we recognizing true blessings from just accumulation and purchase power?

I bought my iPhone...was I really blessed with it?  I don't think so, but I CAN bless people with it in numerous ways.

That isn't to say that iPhones are blessings.

But as we know from experience and from the Bible, God can make good out of anything.  And that TRULY is a blessing.

What I'm trying to say is this: BECAUSE we have more (things, money, etc.) than someone else doesn't mean we are necessarily BLESSED with those things or to have them.  In most cases I would say were aren't.  Especially if we aren't willing to say that someone who doesn't posses them isn't "less blessed."

Certainly sin didn't keep them from such blessings, as I am "blessed" with things and have sinned much in my life - and will til the day I die! We all will!  If sin was the issue, why did I fare better with my sins vs. their sins?

I'm not saying that having what we do is bad - it's not.  God doesn't say we can't have things.  However, if we put those things first and foremost in our life and actually think we DESERVE them...then that's where we are crossing a line.

We can be thankful and grateful for what we have and we should be BECAUSE we don't deserve ANY of it.

In the end, I'm not sure I still have a great notion of what a blessing is - but I know it's not something we physically have...it's what we spiritually give and receive from each other.  And maybe that's what a blessing is: something that "blesses" our souls...not our physical needs...but our spiritual needs.

That makes more sense to me...and thus someone with LESS than me, can have far more BLESSINGS...certainly they might be open for it more than I am...

Beer and Hymns

Craft beer and classic hymns, sounds like a winner to me!

Check it out here!