Thoughts of a Servant

I wanted to share a concern that I have.   I ran across this video today on youtube which started out as a joke from a friend because the guy has the same name as me…  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAuA7Vz2Gm8) But I began to think about it and research, this stuff is real– It is scary to think that there are those who think they can cast Demons and there are those who think they have a higher authority than God–  There are stories in the Bible about casting demons, but I have never been more scared to see such an extreme action similar to that in the video.

I have been told that we are to expect miracles and amazing things to happen, because when we open our hearts to hear the Word, nothing is impossible– but I have been concerned because that fine line between miracle and temptation can sometimes be borderline evil.  I remember the first time I heard speaking in tongue– I was blown away by it, but I was also skepticle of the fact that someone could just be composing some random collection of words– as if it were a scripted religious show.  As I believe in Matthew it says that speaking in tongue should not be done unless an interpreter is there. But this was under their breath as though it was a prayer between God and that individual.  Of course we must remember, there are so many other religions that have the same foundation of Christianity that present the information differently because of a different audience– which is amazing in itself that we all have our own learning styles.

I think I am at the point where frustration hinders my heart because I cannot understand the cultural backings of these religious teachings, and all I want to do is Love.  These cultures are completely immersed in many thousands of years of traditional references and teachings that I cannot simply understand.

I also have pure frustration that our society is so relaxed in its practices.  My friend recently got back from Egypt and other countries–  They have the call to prayer chant daily that echos throughout the cities– He boldly heard this call through his hotel window:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/coopergriggs/3528913808/

*Where we can’t even say the word God in our national anthem, or read a Bible in public, without being criticized.

This past week has been dififcult, not enough Word and too much life as a sinner–  But I am a sinner that has a mission.  I assure you, I have fallen, I will still continually fall– but I have never felt a larger call to action that that of living my life in persuit of lost souls.  I never felt more urged in mission before I got to this very line of this very email.  I never recognized the need until I began to write this email.  This message in itself is me accepting the challenge.

Right now I am sitting in front of a memorial frame I received when I went off to college that is full of meaningful notes and letters; it has pictures and notes of loved ones, friends, family, and everyone from my past.  For me to say that not all of them know Jesus hurts me deeply– But for me to say that there is still time, creates great Joy.

There have been lots of things going through my head.  I have been questioning my passion and motivation and wondering how I can direct it in positive ways to further my relationship with God.  I recently came across this book called Reflections of a Peacemaker.  I just through I would skim through the book and see what looked good.  Maybe look at the pictures–

What blew me away was his conceptual grasp on the idea of death.  He doesn’t downplay the effects of death, and he recognizes that it comes, but rather than living your life dying, you can live your life by living.

Little did I realize the effect thatthis book would have on my life.  This boy was not even 13 when he died, and he wrote the most simple, real, and most profound poetry I have ever read.  His story is amazing, his cause is truthful, and his purpose was in Love– love of life, love of existing, love of appreciation, and love of sharing.  I opened the first page of the book and could not put it down.  I can admit that it was getting harder and harder to read the poems as my eyes were becoming pools by realizing  the things that I take for granted.  Take a look at a few of his poems–

About Living (Part III) — Mattie J.T. Stepanek — 10 years old when he wrote this poem.

I wanted to live
To be
One hundred and one
Years old.
But that is no
Longer my goal.
When I die,
I die.
I cannot predict.
I cannot control.
I cannot change
What is to be,
What is what it is
And will be
What it will be.
I wanted to live
To be,
And not die.
But,
While I’m alive,
I live
To the fullest.
I treasure each sunrise.
I remember each sunset.
I dance every dance and
I sing every song and
I celebrate every moment.
I wanted to live
To be.
And,
i am spending my time
On earth before death
Living,
Rather than dying,
And not wasting a moment
Of the precious gifts
Of time and
Of life and
Of being, for now.

On Growing Up

The Gift of a Name

We have two routines that we will be performing at the 2009 LA Salsa Congress. Working fast and hard on these has been fun! Its go time!

There is nothing like a good visit with friends and doing a little salsa!  The 2009 LA Salsa Congress is where its at!  Everyone there is just an amazing at Salsa.