Saturday, April 26, 2008

The American Dream.

The American Dream is starting to really irritate me. Now, I'm really not talking about success or doing everything we can to achieve certain goals. Think of it more as a metaphor, and more so along the lines of materialism. Maybe I'm just being unreasonable, but I think it's ridiculous to live being aware of the situations going on around the world , the injustices throughout, and responding with a deaf ear and a blind eye.

Especially as Christians, how ashamed we should feel to be so ignorant and careless about this. I know there are MANY MANY organizations focusing on these very things, also to educate and raise awareness about these things. But do we really need to be more aware? Or do we just need to take action? I'm disappointed in myself even to think of the apathy I've displayed towards these things I'm speaking of. These are God's children facing persecution, torture, blackmail, pain, slavery, broken families, and the list goes on.

Why are we not doing more? Why aren't we sacrificing more? Why have I done nothing for just one person? One beautiful soul that my God loves like a mother loves her child, that my God died for. I'm no better than them though I'm blessed, and what for? I believe we are blessed to bless others, but beyond blessing this is our duty. Right now, thousands of people are homeless, hurting, being mistreated, being used, being beaten, and dying; millions even! Are we not the hands and feet of Jesus? Then my God let's be them! Sometimes we need to leave the security, the freedom, and the comfortable lives we live to really see what other people are going through to fully realize how great of a need there is.

This irks me, it takes me back to materialism. Honestly, I have no intention of making anyone feel bad for having things or wanting things, but do we really NEED it all? I believe materialism to be the equivalent of sin, because in my eyes it shows a blatant disregard life; for other lives who could be benefiting from what I'm squandering away on something I don't need. I don't need more shoes, shirts, a new car, fast food... whatever it may be. It's our duty to love and care for people who are less fortunate than us, I guess what I'm trying to say is, do your part. So, do your part Aaron.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

We Sang All Night

Could it be that I dont like hearin you sing
You carefully, precisely, have mistaken me for everything
You wanted
Life it seems to hand you material dreams
But your heart knew all along the melodies
So you'd sing and I grew to love it

You'd persuade me, to sing along in key
I'd be lost but you'd keep singin on, just to sing
The notes would come by ear and they all listened and they'd cheer
We finally found it, now let's sound it out

We sang all night and we never missed a tune
We all got everyone from me to you
We had it all figured out so then we sang along

Friday, April 18, 2008

I say...

"I say the future needs artists who are called to the church who love the church and who are in churches who know how to love and lead them."

I say, we appreciate people in the church that give their time to serve, and stop treating them like it's their obligation; as if, life and limb are on the line. Jesus was a man of grace, and I know that volunteering/serving in the church is a commitment, but don't you think that showing how much you appreciate them rather than chastising them and ruling over them with an iron fist would benefit not only you but your services and proactivity?

It does not create an enviroment that can be enjoyed, or spirit-filled. The heart of a servant is something to be sought after, yes you may be getting paid to "minister" in your church, but that does not give you the right to rule rather than to serve. To lead is literally defined "to go before or with to show the way; conduct or escort." We are to be like Jesus, it is the very root of what a christian is, and we should humble ourselves enough to show grace to those who make mistakes, or may seem unwilling at times.

YOU are to SERVE, a paycheck doesn't change that; and no title can change that. MATTHEW says "34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"

No longer should we use our tounges as a sword, rather, be like Jesus and let the abundance of our heart speak grace and love. A man can have many things, faith, wisdom, obedience; but if a man does not love, he has nothing.

- Most Sincerely