Pray Like A Man (Or Woman)!

As I've grown closer to God, I've discovered the difference between true, faith-driven, heartfelt prayer and fluffy, froo-froo religious babble.  In the former, you are honestly opening yourself up to God and allowing Him to do His will in your life.  In the latter, you are just mindlessly reciting a vague and empty monologue so that you can put a check on your "Fred the Pharisee To-Do List", pat yourself on the back, and go to sleep and dream about what you really care about.  You know, things like members of the opposite sex, money, cars, clothing, etc.  Which kind of prayer do you think God answers?  The first one!  Duh!  However, this is not for the faint of heart.  It requires honestly looking at your heart and your true motives for what you are praying about.  It requires leaving the outcome in God's hands and relinquishing control.  It requires putting others ahead of you and your list of wants that you think you can't live without (but know deep down in your heart that you can).  In other words, it's not for sissies.  However, if you are a Christian who is tired of having a spiritual life as lively as a college student at an 8:00 a.m. lecture (zzzzzzzzzzzz), then man up (or woman up, if you're a lady), and pray like you mean it!

Bring On The Blessings!

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

Many people don't tithe because they think that they don't have enough money.  Yet, many of these same people are able to afford Iphones, Ipads, Xbox 360s, and still have enough left over to drive a Mercedes.  My friend Richard once told me that people always have money for the things that they want to buy and do, and that is correct.  I dare anyone  who thinks that they can't tithe to show their pastor their latest blu-ray player (or their shoe collection, if they are ladies) and then claim that they can't even scrounge together two pennies to put in the offering plate.  At any rate, people who short-change God only hurt themselves in the long run.  Instead of using their money to make a difference in their communities and in the world, they wind up with a bunch of e-books which they don't read, a bunch of clothes which they don't wear, and a DVD set which they don't watch.  To paraphrase Tyler Durden from "Fight Club", they waste their lives at jobs which they hate to buy crap that they don't need.  Now obviously, becoming an underground anarchist is not the answer.  However, radical, positive change is needed.  That's why I always tithe ten-percent.  Not when I feel like it.  Not to impress my pastor with my righteousness or the cute college girl with my "bling."  I do it to honor God, and God has blessed me back.  It's not always immediate, and it's not always a monetary blessing.  That being said, sometimes it is.  I got a sweet freelance gig over the weekend which I am very thankful for, and know that God arranged it as part of the blessings downpour.  He may not bless you in the exact same way if you tithe, but He will open the doors of heaven for you in one area of your life or another, for God keeps His promises. 

Good Samaritan Skit Goes Awry, Lol!

The Good Samaritan is perhaps the most famous of Jesus' parables.  For that reason, it's not a surprise that the youth of my church chose to act it out at a nursing home during their trip to M-Fuge.  Unfortunately, our youth minister did such a good job as a bandit that one of the residents thought that he was really hitting the kid who was playing the victim.  You can see the hilarious outcome here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLahThF9oOA

Blessed Are The Persecuted...Seriously

As I continue to have my daily quiet times, I have noticed that life gets more difficult.  Not just running into more difficult people, but more difficult situations as well.  The fact is that often, God allows these things to happen in your life to test your faithfulness.  Just like a UFC match reveals how skilled a fighter truly is, so do trials reveal how strong a believer's faith is.  Matthew 5:10 says the following:

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This clearly states that those who are persecuted for following Christ will receive an eternal inheritance.  However, there is one important caveat: it has to be for His sake.  Being ridiculed for walking around in neon boas and singing Justin Bieber songs at the top of your lungs does not count.  Neither are you being persecuted for His sake if your boss fires you for always being late, if your spouse files for divorce because she caught you in bed with a stripper, or if you are arrested for "borrowing" your neighbor's Mustang for a joy ride.  It only counts if you are living for Christ and behaving in an ethical manner.  Regarding things such as wearing boas and music tastes, it's okay to be yourself.  Just be aware that having someone snicker at your eccentricities doesn't guarantee you a larger mansion beyond the pearly gates.

Satan Is A Challenge, Not A Problem

Tonight is the third time that I have volunteered at "Night of Freedom."  The more I go, the more I like it.  It was a little different this time, because two people got up and sang to kick off the worship service.  In particular, this young brother named Jimmy stood out.  He pumped us up by saying that Satan is not a problem; he is a challenge.  He was absolutely right.  The fact is, Satan's power was broken forever once Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again from the dead.  Don't get me wrong: Satan is not someone to take lightly.  He and his demons are extremely crafty, resourceful, and dangerous.  However, once we put our faith in Christ, God basically just uses them as a tool to purify us, as He did with Job.  When we encounter trials in our Christian walk, we should heed the words that Elihu spoke in reference to the calamities in Job's life:

"Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living" (Job 33:29-30).

The Power Of Music

I absolutely love music.  However, it was only within the past few years that I found Christian music which I really love.  Before I left for Peace Corps, most of the Christian music which I heard was a bunch of superficial fluff sung by eunuchs.  On the surface, it had lyrics which praised God.  However, none of it really had a deep meaning.  In particular, I strongly disliked "Awesome God" and "It Is Good", the latter being played by one church I went to a horrendously fake Carribean beat.  It was like listening to Christian versions of Katy Perry songs.  So I dealt with it in the same way that I normally deal with superficial things: I walked away.  I would turn off the radio when they came on and would zone out in that church when they played those songs.

Maire Brennan changed my mind.  My friend Shrew let me play this woman's music while I created my class' graduation mural and she was so good that I decided to give Christian music another shot.  Later, I discovered the song "We Are One" by 12 Stones and really came to enjoy it.  Then a man named Patrick recommended Skillet to me and then, on a lark, I borrowed a Newsboys CD from the library and was blown away.  Other favorites include "As For Me And My House" by John Waller and "Remind Me Who I am" by Jason Gray.  Finally, I found Christian music which actually had meaning and substance.  It also taught me a valuable lesson: never judge a whole genre based on a few screw-ups. 

Pride Goeth Before A Fall

In my Wednesday night bible study, we covered Psalm 119.  What stood out to me in particular was verse 21, which is as follows:

"Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments."

This is a stern warning to those who are arrogant and conceited.  No matter how great you think you are, God is greater still, and He can easily knock you off your pedestal.  However, this is not an admonition simply to unbelievers.  Christians can fall victim to this mentality, too.  When things go well, they assume that they can handle things on their own and start to drift away from God.  I compare this to being held up in the palm of God's hand, and shouting, "Hey God!  You can take a break!  I got this one covered!"  This is what happens:

God: All right, then.  Have it your way.

(Removes His hand)

You (falling): Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

To prevent this from happening, stay close to God, be humble, and rely on Him for support.  Psalm 119: 10-16 puts it this way:

"With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."

Staying Faithful

In spite of all of the distractions and trials entering my life now, I've remained faithful in my commitment to get my prayer life back in order.  Ephesians 6:12 says the following:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Satan is very real, and so are his demons.  Anytime that you try to get right with God, you can expect opposition from them.  Now, obviously, this does not mean that a bunch of men in red leotards with pitch forks will start chasing you around outside your house.  However, they will find ways to make your schedule more hectic, your relationships with people more difficult, and your vices more appealing.  In spite of this, you need to remain firm, for Christ is stronger than the whole demonic kingdom put together and will give you victory.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:12-14)

God Works Out All Things For Good

So far, I have been praying consistently for two days.  I start off with praise, then I pray for someone else's salvation, then I pray for myself and my needs.  If I still have time left, I just vent.  Respectfully, of course.  Since Jesus is the creator of the universe, it's best not to be rude and use expletives and insults.  Acts 5:1-11 chronicles how Ananias and Sapphira were struck down for disrespecting God by lying to Him.  Unlike the "smiting by lightning bolt" stereotype (which actually comes from Greek mythology and is not biblical), God didn't bother with anything flashy.  He just made them drop dead.  So you have to be careful. 

That being said, God knows what is on your heart and wants to hear how you really feel.  The Psalms is evidence for that, where its authors pour out every fear and grievance that they have at God's feet.  Then, after they do that, they come to a deeper faith with God and understand that, although not everything will go their way, God will work it all out for their good.  As I follow their example, I am rediscovering that, in my trials, God will do the same.    

Head Like A Hole!

Today, I am making a really tough decision.  I decided to stop listening to my favorite musician: Trent Reznor.  I first heard his songs in college and fell in love with his gritty, dark style immediately.  I tried listening to other industrial rock bands, but they all sound like cheap knockoffs of him.  He was blessed with an enormous amount of talent and is a musical genius.  However, after listening to "Terrible Lie" and "Heresy", I knew I had an issue.  Both songs attack the Christian faith, in particular the latter.  I struggled, wondering if I could simply listen to my favorite song of all time, "Head Like A Hole", as well as "Hurt", and ignore the blasphemous songs.  I did that for a long time, however, a question kept nagging me at the back of my mind.  I was being asked who my God was: Jesus Christ, or Trent Reznor?

Tonight, I finally made the decision to stop worshipping my musical idol.  I will continue to pray for Trent's salvation.  However, in an act of faith and repentance, I will bow down before the One I serve and stop listening to anything by NIN. 

Getting Off My Blessed Assurance!

As I pondered about what I was going to write next on this blog, the following passage from the Bible came to mind:

"Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built.  Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?  Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.  Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.  Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.  Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." (Haggai 1:2-8)

Now, in context, God was rebuking the Israelites for being slackers.  They were putting off rebuilding His temple and were focusing on pampering themselves with luxurious homes.  However, in my situation, He was reprimanding me for not paying enough attention to this blog.  I was off having fun with my other one, talking about my novels, stories, and UFC, while completely ignoring my spiritual blog.  So now I am back, and am going to update this blog every day to describe how I am putting my spiritual life back together and getting right with God.  The number one thing I will fix is my prayer life.  Right now, it's nonexistent, except for the occasional outburst which I have when I get into a bind.  Making it a daily activity is now my top priority and I will do it every single morning.  The second thing I will fix is getting back into God's Word.  Yep, I said it.  The Bible is God's Word.  It's not a myth, a fable, or a highly exaggerated historical account.  It was written by God.  That's the only way that can explain why all of its books have the same message, even though it was written over a 2,000 year period, on three different continents, by about 40 different authors from every caste and way of life.  It has changed my life and I need to start using it more frequently so that it continues to change my life.  The third thing to fix is putting it into practice.  To read the Bible and not to obey what it says is like going to war and leaving your sword in its scabbard.  I'm tired of being a spiritual slacker and am getting back to work.  This blog will chronicle my transformation from the spiritual version of Marty McFly to a warrior of Christ.