Tag Archives: Life

Jun 16 2009

The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley

“The Principle of the Path” How to get from where you are to where you want to be. by Andy Stanley is a very practical and innovative book on how to choose certain paths that will lead you to your desired destination.  By understanding the principles within this book you will be able to make better decisions in your life that will lead to greater personal success.  “It is direction-not intention-that determines our destination.” (pg.14) 

I personally am a huge fan of Andy Stanley, so right from the beginning I had high expectations of this book, but Andy has outdone himself again.  With attention grabbing stories of his personal life to Biblical accurate stories from scripture you will find yourself captivated chapter by chapter.  I was completly amazed at how simple, practical, and apparent these principles were.  Everything within this book is right before our eyes, but the average person is too busy to recognize it.  I was definately encouraged and inspired to look at my life and future in a whole new light.  I felt pretty confident of where I was going in life before I picked up this book, but even now I am even more certain that if I apply what I have learned from this book I am destined to achieve my destination.  In order to begin the journey of the “Principle of the Path” we must first break the cycle of self-deception, and then begin to apply these principles in our decision making process. 

One last thought to think about is that a lot of times we allow our desires to determine our direction-so what our your desires?  Are they healthy? Are they going to lead you where you want to be 20 years from now?  If not be intentional on changing your desires so that they fall in line with your destination.

Jun 10 2009

Revolution: Home Hurts 1 “Expressing Hurt in a Hurting Home”

“Expressing Hurt in a Hurting Home”              

Romans 8:16-18

>>>CLICK HERE for PowerPoint Presentation

What do you like most about living in your home?

What do you like least about living in your home?

HomeHurtsAll of us at one point in time will experience home hurts, and it is important that we express those hurts properly so that relationships and even lives are not destroyed in the process.  It is also important that we understand that we are not alone in these hard times.  I want you to be equipped on how to handle the struggles in our hurting homes by taking note of these 3 very important Revolutions to expressing hurt in your hurting home.

1.     Realize life is unfair

You are not the only one dealing with these problems.  Everyone struggles with family in some aspects.

2.     Resolve not to be a victim

What does it mean to be a victim?

A victim allows others to decide the future.  The victim focuses on the way he or she has been mistreated and accepts the idea that this victimization ruins everything.  The victim blames the victimizers for stealing their future.  Don’t become a victim.

  • Ask for Help

Who would you ask for help if your home life is becoming unbearable?

Are there relatives, neighbors, friends of the family, or church people who could provide some outside assistance?  You don’t want to go blabbing your family issues to the whole world – parents are touchy about that – but you might want to think about some trusted advisors who could help all of you through a tough time.  Also remember that your close friends may not be the best source for help in this situation.

  • Communicate

I am talking about communicating with your parents.  That can be hard, but it is important that they know how you feel.  You know, if you do some journaling, that might help you find the right words to say.  In fact, if you find it hard to discuss things without yelling or crying, you might even try writing a letter to your parents.  Then hand it to them personally. Don’t just drop it on the table and run.

  • Remember that you are loved by God

Even if your home situation is horrible, you have a heavenly Father who is always there for you.

When you resolve not to be a victim, you reclaim your life.  You take back your future.

 3.     Reconstruct a New Identity

What does it mean to reconstruct a new identity?

“Home Hurts” are especially painful because they strike at the core of who we are.  If Mom and Dad abandon you or abuse you or disappoint you, well, they’re your mom and dad.  You have their DNA. Most everything you know or do or have comes from them.  When they victimize you, it’s hard to shake that off.

But even your parents can’t determine the kind of person God wants you to be.  That’s between you and God.  If you have good parents, God will work through them to shape you.  If you have bad parents, He will work in spite of them, but He will shape you.  If, like most people, your parents are a mixture of good and bad, god will do both.  In spite of your parents God will shape you – if you let him.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

What happens to us when we’re “in Christ?”  (We become new creations)

What does it mean to be “in Christ?” (To be Christ Like/Christian/ to let God do what He wants with us.)

Read Romans 8:16-18

Whose child are we? (God’s)

How do we know this? (God’s Spirit)

How does it make you feel that our present sufferings cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us?

Read James 1:2-4

How should we respond to the trials we face? (With joy)

Why joy?  What happens when we face trials? (We grow mature and complete.)

So remember no matter what you are going through at home God will see you through if you realize, resolve, reconstruct.

Feb 16 2009

In Pursuit of Greatness

I came across this story, and it astounded me that someone would do something this crazy to fulfill a dream or to reach greatness.  I myself have longed for greatness and fame at one point in time only to realize that what I was truly seeking was to have a closer relationship with God. 

lawnchairman

In the summer of 1982, Larry Walters a 33 year old truck driver attempted this crazy feat.  He was unsatisfied with his life, and only hoped to live out his dream.  “I only did that because it was my lifelong dream of flight.” – Walters 

Afterwards he was immediately arrested by the Long Beach Police Department and fined $1,500.  Unfortunately, Larry’s short lived fame led to depression and eventually suicide eleven years later in 1993.  From a dream to fame to death.  You can read the entire story by visiting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Walters or watch the news video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5ZLFHTwLc.

I think life is all about living out your dreams, but it is vital that they are in God’s will.  It is also important to determine the purpose and goal of your dreams before pursuing them.  If they are for mere glory and self edification then I would consider seeking out new ones.  My heart is burdened over the fact that there are millions of teenagers just like Larry.  They desire greatness no matter what the cost. 

The bitterness at the end of the pursuit for greatness can sometimes be overwhelming and devastating, but for those who find themselves in the midst of God’s greatness discover that the sweetest thing in life is a relationship with the Heavenly Father.

Jan 21 2009

Awareness Test

This video is an eye opener.  It is very true in many different aspects of our lives, especially ministry.  We fail to recognize those around us in need, because of our lack of awareness.  See the world around you as Jesus saw it. See the people in need.  Make a difference.  LOST, SEARCH, RESCUE!  1 Changed Life.

 

(I do not support these sponsors, or any of the related videos.)

Jan 5 2009

What is the Meaning of Life?

I figured since this is the first of the New Year I am going to hit my students with one of the most important questions known to man.  What is the Meaning of Life? 

LIVE ABUNDANTLY!

life“I (Jesus) have come that they (you and I) may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10b

First we need to determine what the two words truly mean.

The first word is to live, Greek word zaõ (dzah’-o) which means to exist in entirety.

The second word is abundantly, Greek word perissos’ (per-is-sos’) which means exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure.

So our purpose or meaning should be to entirely exist beyond measure.  Our lives should consist of things that cannot be measured by human standards.  We should be consumed with things above our comprehension.

Listed below are six things that I believe we should live abundantly for.  There are plenty of others, however I want to focus on these six.

6 things to live abundantly for:

  1. Abundant Joy – Ps. 36:8
  2. Abundant Grace – 2 Cor. 9:8
  3. Abundant Power – Eph. 3:20
  4. Abundant Supplies – Phil. 4:19
  5. Abundant Entrance/Reward – 2 Peter 1:11
  6. Abundant Love – Matt. 22:37-39 (Most Important)

This is merely an exegete view, however if you wanted a simplistic exigent view I believe the meaning of life is to know God and to love Him, and the purpose of life is to experience God and His abundant blessings for all of eternity.  Only then will you find absolute fulfillment.