For the Broken Hearted

God, you work in us and through us in ways beyond our small, self perceived definitions of you. No platform or scenario is beyond your working. To the contrary, it seems to be these shattered environments where you work most effectively. You find us in the valleys of brokenness and while the shadows are covering us with a blanket of heavy burden, you whisper to us in our disparity and tell us to "Be still and know...know that Im WITH you. Be still and know that i will call you out of darkness. And i will call you by name. I know you. I love you. I want to pour myself on you and take these burdens from you. I have every hair counted on your head. I knitted you together in the womb of your mother. I have drawn you to myself that you may know life and know it abundantly. I will never leave you nor forsake you for i am the Lord your God. Creator of the mighty and wondrous universe. Giver of all things good and lovely. For apart from me no one experiences joy or true love. For I AM love. Im the author of life. Im the one who breathed life into the valley of death...your valley. Im jealous for you and oh I love you. My affections run deep. A depth marked by grace and mercy. Grace and Mercy because I have no condemnation against you. I have no judgment on you. I have made you clean and my Father only sees me residing in you. I see your flesh. I see your sin. Only that i might pierce it with my gaze and burn off the hardness that would cause you to be distant from me. Im drawing you to myself. Im pursuing you. I love you individually and pursue you my son. Dont get wrapped up in the vast number of my children. I love YOU and am pursuing YOU. I have been since the day I finished a good work in you. The day of your salvation. Rejoice and be glad in it! I will restore to you the joy of your salvation. And not through times of comfort. But in times of darkness I will restore this joy. Your need for me will be made known in a way that has never been felt. Its a joy you've always prayed for but didnt know how to accept. Your need for my saving grace had not yet been realized. Dont fear the adversity of your failings. Im not shocked by your afflictions. I use them according to my will and purposes. The enemy has no hold over me. He isnt BEING defeated he has already BEEN defeated. I use his petty attempts to destroy you for MY glory. So fear not. Im with you and will never forsake you. The plans i have for you are great my son, because im the God of Jacob, David, and Abraham. Im the God of prostitutes, murderers and thieves. I am the God of the real. Im the God of the needy. I came for the sick not the ones who think they're healthy. I use the ones that want to be used. Their sin and failings are only a platform by which i can more passionately express my love to a world that needs my touch. Im broken for their sin, not embarrassed by it. I say to "go and sin no more" that they might taste more fully the goodness and love I have authored for their lives. Sin is my enemy because it pulls my beloved from me. You are not my enemy. You are my child and I love you."

Embracing the Darkness

Though exhausting and riddled with fear, there is power in times of darkness. Humble, broken moments such as these can be necessary in order to make that tiny flicker of natural light visible in a crowded world of unnatural light. When hope is lost and Nights suffocating walls feel as though they're imploding around us, it's that shimmer of light that will direct us, and the darkness that makes an otherwise dim light seem all the more real and clear. Isn't the wandering vessel never more dependent on the distant twinkle of light than when it's in the midst of a night's stormy seas? And so it is as we wander in the darkness looking for direction and guidance; something to give us a course as we seek hope when hopelessness is all that can be felt.

We walk down rocky paths that were once marked by familiarity and the feel of soft, comfortable ground beneath our feet. Never realizing it was this perceived comfort that led to the darkness in the first place. Or was the darkness always there and we finally opened our eyes to the reality of our surroundings? Somehow believing the comfort below our feet was the soft, green pasture we had hoped it was. Only looking down to find it was just the slimy moss of a jagged rock being crashed upon by an endless number of waves by the stormy sea. 

And so with eyes open, the journey begins. Seeking that flicker of light that seems so far off in the distance. Stumbling along once familiar paths towards a destination that is not yet known. Following the dim light in a moonless night and believing that light will lead towards greener pastures; not because it is assumed to be comfortable but because that is the place the light has made luscious and new.

Come All You Weary

Salvation: How can I help but offer prayers of praise as one who has been saved? One who realizes this free gift that overflows my heart with grace (my only weapon against the glutinous urge to consume the cheap and easy self-righteous, moralistic lie of religion. THEE single thing Christ came to destroy)

It's THIS reason I have joy. THIS is why I have hope. THIS is why I put that hope in a God that claims his purpose is to bring rest to the weary, provision to the needy, guidance to the lost, and freedom to the burdened.

So come all you weary, and find rest for your soul. Not so you can become like us who have already accepted this gift, but that you might also taste and see the freedom that is in Christ.

The simplicity of the gospel goes beyond comprehension but it's in this simplicity that we begin to realize the key difference between those that have been saved and those that have not. For those that have, it's the simple recognition of our own brokenness (sin). The simple recognition that we alone can't DO enough and must therefore accept the free gift of Christs grace; grace that transforms us by means of his overwhelming presence in our lives.

But as soon as we forget what we have been saved from, we lose all joy and become like the Pharisees; thinking more highly of ourselves and our supposed "righteous deeds" than the free gift of Gods eternal grace.

But we must also remember what Paul said; "do I go on sinning that grace may abound? No!" Rather, we pursue Christ and turn from sin that those weary amongst us will see (not me, but Christ in me) as a refreshing drink in a hot, desolate desert.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound," that saved wretches like you and I 

The Gradual Fall Into Spiritual Self-Righteousness

1. Recognition of Sin - The individual, moved and called by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the darkness and brokenness within that seeks to destroy every piece of them
2. Salvation - Upon recognizing this brokenness, the individual comes to a crossroad; receive the eternal gift of adoption into the kingdom of Christ, or deny this inheritance and move forward in carnal pursuits with no desire for a relationship with the Creator
3. Restoration - The individual that chooses salvation begins to exemplify the fruits and restorative power seen in one whom has graciously been given this priceless inheritance    
4. Pursuit of Righteousness - And so we enter into the body of Christ (i.e. the Church) and spur each other on towards the things of Him; seeking to live the high standard he has set before us as we utilize the gifts he has instilled within us
5. Righteous Expectations - The more we are able to distinguish darkness from light (good from evil), the more we feel an obligation to live this righteousness in front of our fellow Christians.  Often times with these righteous expectations come less grace from our fellow brothers and sisters and less pursuit of inward accountability.  Therefore, walls are built creating dark shadows of "the heart" (i.e. our spirit). 
6. Self-Righteousness - Instead of restarting the cycle of recognizing sin and pursuing restoration, we allow our spiritual pride to grow, thus killing the Godly fruit that had once defined us.  This not only immobilizes our spiritual growth and effectiveness but creates a different kind of fruit; one that looks shiny and polished but tastes bitter and rotten

Unfortunately, this "fall" into self-righteousness is all too common in the modern church.  We're all guilty of it to some degree, but how do we continue the cycle of spiritual restoration while we still pursue the Christ-like example of one who has been set free from the bondage of sin; including that of spiritual pride? 

The Gospel According to Mumford - Timshel

The world can be a paralyzing place that freezes us in a state of stagnation founded upon fears; fears of success, fears of failure, fears of growth, fears of change, and ultimately a deeply rooted fear of death (i.e. the great unknown). Cold and enslaving it is to live in such a world.

The harsh reality is this: death is daily knocking at your door and is seeking to gradually rob you of your innocence and your youth. The other harsh reality is that death is succeeding. "For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the grass; it's flowers fall and it's beauty perishes." And so it is with us.

But our substance, OUR LEGACY! Now THAT is something death can't rob you of. Freeze you from creating valuable substance, yes, but once that substance is established there is no power in death to rob you of your legacy.

So take heart and know "you are not alone in this."  Again, "you are not alone in this."  As brothers and sisters you will stand, holding fast against this cold world. And so you surround yourself with those that might warm your hearts towards the things that make death irrelevant; spurring you on towards a life that is free from it's enslaving and paralyzing power. Pushing you towards the eternal nature of a life well-lived and well-served.

But be cautious of who you surround yourself with. These people will define you. They will be the roots by which your choices stem from. Choices that can "make you great" and give you "a ladder to the stars"...or, choices that freeze you in a state of nothingness. Choose wisely.

How blessed I am to have friends that would "move mountains" for me. As iron sharpens iron, so a true friend sharpens another friend. Thank you to those that invest in me and push me towards great things; eternal things.

Head in the Clouds?

I think often of those that have come and gone since the beginning of time. They had their beliefs and all wondered what, if anything exists beyond the grave. Generation after generation we populate the earth and generation after generation death swallows us up.

And so it's our turn to fill these vacated seats as living, breathing beings; nearly all of which fearfully anticipate the fate we all face. Is it from dust to dust or is it dust to dust to spirit? As Christ followers we believe in the spiritual and anticipate, that like Christ, we too will be resurrected to dwell with the Creator God; a hope that gives us peace as we believe loving characteristics are what defines Him.  But one of the most difficult fears for people to process is the certainty of our expiration and therefore the fearful anticipation of whether or not all things become final and complete in that moment; a fear that often paralyzes its host.

I don't know about you, but when I think back to those that have come and gone, I actually feel a sense of encouragement. You see, we all want to feel a part of something; a community of sorts.  It's a common human trait to purge loneliness and seek communion and commonality with others. Ultimately, this is likely the reason death draws such great fear because it's a moment we must journey alone and we're scared that we may end up alone; separate from those we may leave behind.  So here's my point: YOU'RE NOT ALONE. We've had multiple generations come and go before us, all taking this same journey and walking the same path. Look around, we're all in the same boat! We're all working to preserve life and extend our expiration date. We all wonder the same things. While some of us have hope that we will continue to live beyond the grave in relation with a loving Creator, some believe they're laid to rest in an eternal sleep. My faith pushes me to believe the spiritual, but even if we fall into an "eternal sleep," I'd personally be content with that. We can't control the unknown and it becomes a futile and paralyzing process when we try.  

So why do I write about this? As Christians, we have a selfish tendency to invest ourselves in the eternal because it gives us an intoxicating sense of peace and comfort, temporarily defending against the reality that our lives are short. Herein lies the problem.  This comfort keeps us focusing on the "peaceful eternal" (as though we were already there) and hinders us from vigorously pursuing the mission of the "here and now."  This comfort is completely contrary to the message of the gospel. The fruits of our eternal investment (i.e. salvation) are what should be lived out here and now.  Doing so achieves our hope for living eternal life beyond the grave but MORE IMPORTANTLY empowers us to leave a living legacy that lasts far beyond our death. How? Through our daily, Christ-like actions. Why? Because true salvation is the life changing process that draws us away from the ego-centric self and towards the outward expression of love for our fellow-man. Especially towards those that are still enslaved by sin with no direction on how to break free from it's bondage. 

The sooner you come to grips with the fact that this life is a mist, the sooner you will pick up your cross and do the will of God TODAY.  Don't get to the end of your life and realize it never truly began.

So spend life as though today's actions are all that will live beyond the grave but continue to hope for eternal life through the salvation of Christ.

Depressing thought or simply reality smacking us in the face?

Wasting Away in Jesus-ritaville



There are too many already vacationing on heaven’s shore;
All the while many near you are unintentionally knocking on death’s door.

The taste of your “forever” is so sweet you become drunk with comfort;
Refusing to get on your feet because doing so might actually take effort.

Back off me, I said I’m pretty sure I believe;
Continuing to defend until you once more achieve your cozy reprieve.

Parts of the Bible make sense and I really appreciate the morals;
Never realizing its purpose isn’t to create nifty catch-phrases like “never rest on your laurels.”

You may have even wrongfully thought that phrase was straight outta’ the Good Book,
But you wouldn’t know either way because you never took the time to look.

Out of this ignorance the competing philosophies of "knowing them by their fruits" and "salvation by works" have become intertwined;
Causing some to think the tree of the philanthropic atheist
bares juicy peaches and plums combined.

The line between righteousness and sin is made out to be so hazy and skewed,
You wouldn't dare take a stand on either for fear of appearing rude.

So you continue to play church, munching on spiritual tea and crumpets;
Just hangin’ out while you wait for Christ and his angels to blow their trumpets

For too many it's the end you long to see;
Meanwhile you miss out on everything you were created to be:

Leading a horse to water and watching it drink;
Watching truth and light expand as sin and darkness shrink.

Witnessing lives align more closely to the original intentions of the Creator;
The opportunity to live the adventurous life of an instigator...

Instigator of truth, hope, mercy, change and fulfillment in life;
But too many pass up that “front-line” role because they don’t want the strife.

So you say you were called to be a “behind the scenes kinda guy;”
Try explaining that to Peter who hung upside-down on a cross to die.

Pretty sure he didn’t want to go out that way,
But he LIVED his principles ‘til the end; unwilling to sway

Instead, donations to the local shelter become the extent of your outstretched hands;
As if you could build a ladder to heaven from unused soup cans.

So what is it you are asking me to do?

Choose a side and stop going through life so comfortably in the middle,
So others might know where you stand without it being such a riddle.

Until then, I’ll respect the atheist far more than you,
At least they come to battle armed with a well thought-out point-of-view.

And please be smarter than what you hear on TV:
"You too can taste this heavenly goodness for a small fee

Donate $300 to the number flashing across your set,
And get ready to see God do amazing things when I buy this private jet!"

Yea, this is more than your typical case of “buyer-beware;”
Those money hungry people are no better than the pigs in your local county fair.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand,
It’s time to get off the beach and out of the sand.

Start living a front-liner kind of life;
And newsflash: “It doesn’t have to cut everyone like a knife”

Just keep the message simple as was the intention,
The supernatural simplicity of the gospel still goes beyond comprehension.

Focus less and less on the endless religious rhetoric,
And more and more on the principles that made Jesus historic.

This is where the teaching must end,
and where your journey must begin.

You’ll have to seek and find it on your own;
asking that the living wisdom of the Holy Spirit be made known.

You must be willing to leave the comfort of your Christian bubble,
In fact, blast that motha’ and leave it in the rubble.

PS: Don’t let your fear of death be the weak engine that keeps your faith in-line;
It’ll keep you frozen until that final day when you’re out of time.

The reality is that one day you will be washed and buried,
And in those final moments don’t regret turning down the workload you could have carried.

Do you want to continue wasting away in Jesus-ritaville, or start living a fulfilled life here and now?