Almost Forgotten

I almost forgot that I even had this thing.  I was just reading my last post and remembered how hard it was for me to even think the last time I wrote.  There was so much going on in my life and my emotions--that I really didn't want to talk.  Thank goodness for Jesus Christ--who has set us free from bondage, to not be entangled by these emotions.  He brings peace and joy! 

Sunday, my father-in-law preached on--Not just being set free "from" but set free "to."  We have been set free from bondage, sin, snares, traps, etc. But most of us don't know that we have been set free to do something--we just sit around in this neutral area and say were free.  We have been set free to now go and be slaves to righteousness.  To do the work of the Lord.  Not that we are saved by the good works, but we are saved to do good works.  It is not religious acts but a lifestyle of devotion that leads to righteousness.

Lots of times--I see in myself and others--we say man I wish I could be set free from...

The truth is--at the cross we were set free, and when we receive salvation we receive all that was accomplished on the cross.  But for the most part we don't know it.  We still walk around in chains or in prison.

Remember in Acts, when Paul was in prison and the angel came and opened the doors and broke the chains, he stayed there.  Christians are very much the same.  God has set us free--no more chains, no more bondage, but we ignore that the door is open and set us free to go do something, and we just sit in our prison still trapped even though we are set free.  We must embrace what God has done--not just a ticket to heaven but the whole package.  I encourage you to read the word and find out what I mean by the whole thing--I could write some down but it would mean more to discover them yourself--I still find new things everyday that I already have and didn't even know it!  You are free, free indeed!

RollerCoaster!

What do I mean by this word? I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions the past week. Last week my first baby was born Thursday. I seemed to be on top of the world. During the night that night I woke up with uncontrollable fear. Fear about how to take care of him and things like that--but most of all just covered in nervous fear. I seemed to get better the next day and was doing pretty well. Just loving my new son.

Monday morning I was awakened by a phone call (that I will never forget) about my brother being in an accident. He was outside of his vehicle on I-20 and was hit by another vehicle. I have been with him the past few days at LSU-Shreveport.

My stomach feels like a bunch of knots tied up in one, nervous, scared, tired, excited about good news, sad about what happened. I've also felt torn. Torn between two places--wanting to be at home to see my new baby, but also wanting to right with my brother.

A rollercoaster is the best way to describe this feeling. Not just any kiddie rollercoaster, but a massive top of the line rollercoaster--with speeds that put you back in your seat.



I've wondered how people get through times like these without knowing God. If I did not know Him and could not experience his peace--I think I would be a crazy man! But he gives peace, rest, joy, love, healing, and so much more. He clears my mind of negative emotions and fills them with good thoughts!

I'm not going to lie. Sometimes it's hard! Sometimes I have to really fight. There's a war going on daily in our lives--a spiritual war. Whether we engage or not--it still goes on! As I look back over the past few weeks--I see so many attacks by Satan--in my mind and against my heart. The enemy's desire is for me to lose heart and give up--but we must not! We must realize that we have been given authority over the enemy and we have to see the attacks for what they are--alot of them are in our minds and things he whispers to us--and we can make no agreements with him. We must agree with God!

Heart is Central

Sometimes there are some very disappointing times in our lives. I guess we place a lot of faith in people instead of the real one (Jesus). When people fall from our expectations we feel let down—like they failed us. When in all actuality they’ve failed only one. Our faith is not in people or leaders but God.
I looked up to a very good pastor, teacher, preacher, and minister—so I thought. This man preached the word with boldness, sincerity, and passion. I thought if anyone had it together—it was him. I loved to hear him preach—because he motivated me to become a better Christian, to live it out, to be real, to be passionate, etc.
A few weeks ago I found out that this man had been cheating on his wife for years—maybe with more than one woman. I don’t know the exact details of the situation, and probably only him and God knows. But I wonder if he was purposely living a double life, or was it something he struggled with and did not overcome it. Now, I’m not taking up for him, because I know that this is serious and should not be taken lightly, but let’s look at this from a spiritual standpoint.

Obviously, the man had experienced God deeply—because of the fruit that produced from his ministry, the sermons he spoke, and the love he had for ministry. I don’t believe that this man could have just been in ministry for the fun of it. Trust me it’s hard dealing with people!
The Bible says that Satan walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus said that he came to give abundant life, but Satan came to KILL, STEAL, and DESTROY (John 10:10). Satan has been attacking from the beginning—to see man fall—especially a leader or men in ministry. If he destroys them—he can change the hearts of many.
Let’s talk about King David. This was a man after God’s own heart. He was a man that was loved by God and loved God. He was a huge leader, even a KING. What happened? There was an attack by Satan by showing him a NAKED WOMAN and then entertaining those thoughts. He became captivated by those thoughts until they became action. Those actions caused more actions—even to the point of MURDER. Surely God must have said then that he was no longer a man after His own heart. Nope! He did require that he repent but it did not change the fact that he loved God and God loved him.
To me this proves that a man can love God, be passionate about God, know the things of God, and even know God, but still be deceived and brought down by the enemy.

We must realize there is a war going on all around us. A war that we are in—whether we choose to fight in it or not—we are in a battle. We can’t see it maybe, but if we are sensitive to the situations around us we will begin to see it.
I don’t know the heart of this man—but I do know that neither does the countless Christians who rip him apart with their slandering words. Wow, a great Christian perspective—to tear people down when they’ve already fallen by an attack by Satan. We should see it as an opportunity to restore a brother in Christ, but instead we act surprised that someone in leadership would allow Satan to have a stronghold in their lives. We live in a state of being thinking that Christianity is like living in fairytale land where we have no problems, no struggles, and that preachers are the Christ. They are not. They are humans who are in the same battle as everyone else.
I would hate to know who would stand by me if I were to fall. All it takes is one time to allow Satan to come in and get a stronghold in your life.
We have put Christianity in a box of principles and feelings. No longer do we hold true to what Jesus taught. Oh, we say that we are not like the religious leaders—“it’s about Grace not law,” we say. But in reality—we are just like the Pharisees, the religious leaders—with our rules, regulations, principles, and fitting in a box. If someone does not fit in our TINY box—they must be of the devil.
Our hearts are central. Proverbs 4:23 says,"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Satan knows that and our hearts are constantly under attack from the time we are born.
We should be about the business of restoring hearts—not just telling people how to live. The captives are to be set free and hearts restored, not judging and tearing down. Our war is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and rulers of darkness (Eph. 6:12).

Yes I was disappointed in this man—and actually felt like a wound to my own heart. Satan is probably having a field day over this situation—people doubting their salvation, doubting Christianity, giving up hope, and tearing up other Christians—which is allowing him in to their lives for a stronghold. See how he works—so deceptive. But the problem with deception is that you don’t know you’re being deceived.

We must remember we are at war, not put our faith in man but Christ, and come back to the heart of the matter—restoring hearts.

Prosperity Gospel

Many things go through my mind during the day. One thing lately is the term “prosperity gospel.” What is “prosperity gospel?” When I think about this phrase—I think about a woman with thick makeup and a man with a fancy suit trying to sell Jesus with flashy things and money. Of course, this would make any sane person shake their head in disgust.
Although, I do believe God wants us to prosper. Am I being a hypocrite or two-face? No. Let me tell you what I mean.
I do not believe that God wants my marriage to fail. One reason is because marriage represents Christ and the church. I believe God wants my marriage to be the best marriage and represent a true example of Him. I believe that he wants his kingdom work to be successful and prosper. To make as many disciples of Him that I can and lead people in the right direction. Do you think God wants more or less people to be saved, restored, and brought back to Him? Common sense will tell you more. I hear many people say that God does not desire that we become prosperous, but yet when they receive great things they give credit to God, such as a new house, car, clothes, new job, etc. Also, the other thing that bothers me is the people who preach against prosperity--that God does not want them to prosper, and tell everyone to sell everything they have and give to the poor (which is what Jesus teaches)--they preach in a suit and tie (which by the way costs them at least $250-$1000 a piece), using tv, internet, and driving a nice car—(compared to the rest of the world, who have NO cars). They give to causes and missions and want someone to give them a pat on the back for doing the right thing—when in all actualality they’ve done nothing really. It’s kind of out of sight, out of mind. There is no real “hands on” to what Jesus taught. Then they preach against prosperity and that no one should have it and what they are doing is just as wrong. I can give you numerous scriptures of God telling his people they will be blessed and prosperous—in the land—not just heaven (Deut. 5:33 and alot more in Deut., 1Kings 2:3, Psalm 1, etc--just search it yourself--so far I've found over 80 times it states it). I can also give you scriptures about selling everything you have and giving to the needy (Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22, etc.).
What am I saying? I’m saying that there is a balance. God does want us to prosper—because he tells us in His word, but he also wants us to give to the needy and seek the Giver and not the gifts. He blesses us to be a blessing to others—not to hoard it all for ourselves. It works hand in hand. It’s a PROMISE, not a maybe, in Malachi that we will be blessed by giving. There are spiritual laws set up just like the laws of gravity. The law of reaping and sowing is one of them. Do we bless only so we can be blessed then? By no means! Remember when Jesus appeared on the scene he said it’s all about the heart. I see the religious people of His time very much like the church people of today. They give their money, tell people how to live, to give everything, act like they’re doing everything right—when in their heart it’s the wrong motive.
I believe that we are to prosper, even as our soul prospers--3 John 1:2. But I do believe that we are to seek the giver—not the gift.
I think too often people choose one extreme or the other of a spectrum. For instance, the phrases do not drink or smoke because your body is a temple. But yet they don’t hold it to the fact of filling their body of junk food, watching bad shows, music, or any other thing. Then there are those that say we’ll if that’s the way it is—I’ll do all of it. Some say not to have non-Christian friends because they will influence you—to not be of the world. Yet Jesus was IN the world and not of it—and hung out with very non-Christian like people. The list goes on and on and you see what I’m saying. People always want to be on one side of the extreme and keep going and going. There are denominations that are very charismatic—then there are those that believe it’s all fake.
We work in balance. All throughout the word there is a balance. God’s character works in a balance—He is love and mercy, yet he is also just and punishable. In Ecclesiastes—there is a time for this and a time for that…

In conclusion, my advice, I guess, would be to not hear one scripture and go to the extreme—know the word. All of it. There is balance in the word.

Not knowing what to expect we went to the doctor Tuesday, anxiously waiting to see what the sex of the baby was going to be. Deep down we both kind of thought that it was going to be a boy but not totally sure. We walked in with a VHS tape because that's what the doctor told us to bring. I was a little disappointed about that and thought that the ultrasound would probably suck. When we walked in they informed us that they had just gotten a brand new machine last week. We had been to the doctor a month ago and thought they were going to determine the sex then, but did not do the ultrasound at all and we were confused to why. Now I know that God was working it together for us to have the best! If we follow Him, He promises to give us the desires of our heart.

Anyway, as we began to look at the ultrasound the doctor asked us if we wanted to guess what it was going to be--and we both said, "A boy." He said--yes! Wow--a million thoughts began to race through my mind: the responsibility of raising a Godly Man, playing ball, playing guitar (of course), treating ladies right, and on and on and on... Yes those thoughts raced through my mind as I watched the screen of a little boy that could not be still for anything. He moved around like an acrobat. Julie had already said that he moves around allot, but I could to actually see it first hand. At one point, it even looked like he throws a mean punch--to which Julie said she will keep on record to hold over his head one day--you know always be prepared!

I wanted to share with everyone the details of "Brian Junior." No, that's not going to be his name but I told Julie he looks just like his daddy! It was amazing to watch the baby inside and how much he had grown since the last time we got to see him. I plan to put some more of the pictures up when I get a chance.

How do I love thee...

You know it's weird--I've never looked at a pregnant woman and thought, "Wow, she's beautiful." But now that my wife is 5 and half months pregnant, I see things a whole new way. I fall more in love with her everyday. She grows more beautiful everyday, just as the baby grows more everyday. The amazing thought of what's taking place inside is absolutely mind boggling. To know that an actual human being is forming and taking shape to come into this earth. I guess you think about it sometime during your life, but not really the depth of it until it's happening before your very eyes day by day. My wife is a remarkable woman, whom I believe was created to be with me forever. A perfect match. It scares me to think about the way things could have been but are not. God works things together for the good for those who love Him! I pray that you find the same joy in a mate as I have!
How do I love thee, Let me count the ways...
From the depth, to the height,
As your face shines so bright,
Your beauty, your presence,
Your character, your patience,
On and on I will count for days,
How wonderful--you and your ways!

I have to do what?

Alot has happened since the last post, but I can't find the time to write it down. It seems like everyday I push myself til midnight to wake up in the morning to do it all over again. I'm in the middle of internship, Latapp (bull crap--for those of you who don't know what that is and for those who do), teaching, coaching, youth ministry, and oh did I mention being a husband that is preparing to be a dad.
As I came home tonight from ULM, I prayed for a while just reminding myself how great it is to be restored to the father. That he restored my relationship with Him to be able to walk and talk with him in the cool of the day as Adam did from the very beginning. I desire to be intimate with God, and to spend time with my family. God reminded me during our conversation that we allow all these things to come in to take up our time away from Him and family. During this stressful time I MUST make priorities. HIM, Family, Ministry and Job. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33. We must first seek HIM! If we don't--then nothing else will be as it should be.
Family is definitely second. Lately I've been reading the Old Testament in the Message version of the Bible (which is very good by the way), and I've noticed how important family is to God. Even in the new testament--Ephesians talks about the importance of marriage--representing Christ and the Church. No wonder Satan has a field day on marriage--if he can mess up a marriage, it will mess up the view the world has on Christ and the Church. Family is the first mission field. If we are not good stewards of our own home, then what makes us think we can minister to others?
Then take care of the rest.
I know this is simple basic teaching that we learn from an early age--but we so often and easily forget.

Wow. All I was going to sit down and type was that I don't have anything to say--but there it is for now!