Imitation

I found this in my Notes on my phone. I thought I'd share it. I don't think I've shared it and I cannot remember where I read this, but I wanted to share it with you. This is something I think about, especially since I work with or am around many kids. My two nephews, my two second cousins, and the kids in the day Christian school I volunteer at. Here it is:

Be Worthy of Imitation

The Thessalonians were converted to Christ not only because of the words of Paul and his men but also because of the example of their lives.

It is important to remember that the world is watching us as followers of Christ. We have been called to be the salt and light of the earth.

Jesus admonished us to let our lights shine brightly before men so that they may praise God for our good works. God's intention is not to give you fame that brings no glory to His name.

A life worthy of imitation is one that is surrendered to be used as a tool in the hands of God, to display His awesome power and glory.

What do people see when they see you?If someone walked in your shoes for 24 hours, what would they learn about Christ?

Living a life worthy of imitation is to be mindful that you are representatives of Christ to those around you. You can only reflect what or who you are facing. You must focus your attention on Christ and imitate Him. Let your words, actions and behavior emulate the One who calls you His ambassador.

Your footprints on the moon should lead the world to your source, your focus and your example; Jesus Christ.

Turning point

I've been miserable. Depressed.

It's because it's been busy at work. And I've been lonely at home. 

Work is mundane. I have a whole three bedroom house to myself.

Mundane makes me irritable. Having no company makes me think no one cares.

Irritability just makes me have a bad attitude about work. And being home alone.

I bring it home and sulk alone in my house, all night, til I'm tired enough to sleep.

I then sleep all day. I've missed a lot of the summer and I'm missing the wonderful weather now. I've also wasted a lot of hours that could have been spent productively (and there's plenty to do!!) or visiting family.

Time to change things up. And get accountability.

Instead of sulking at home, I've decided to USE that time, rather than waste it watching Netflix or eating junk. I've already been going to the gym, but it isn't everyday that I go. So other things have to fill in that time. I've decided to start reading the Bible or related devotional material. I've decided to just talk to God. I've decided to rebuild my relationship with Him.

I read something in an issue of Our Daily Bread.

If being "religious" means following a set of rules so we can look good---instead of enjoying a relationship with the Savior---Jesus isn't interested.

Granted, He isn't. Nope.

He said, taken from Our Daily Bread as well, "outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside [they] are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" of the Pharisees in Matt. 23:28. They didn't have the love of God in their hearts (John 5:42). Jesus wanted a relationship with them, but they were "not willing to come to [Him]" (v. 40)

True religion is to know

The love that Christ imparts;

True religion is to show

This love to burdened hearts. 

-D. DeHaan

These things being said, and I'm saying all these things to myself, that I forget to take the time to have a relationship with Jesus. I may do many good things and I may refrain from doing bad things, but all that effort does nothing. I remind myself of the grace imparted to me from God and it is only that, that keeps us in our salvation. So I'm getting back on track. Funny that we keep falling off, but granted, we have SO MANY things that distract us. Do you text and drive? I do. I know, I know, it's dangerous. But yeah, I cross the line, I drift into the shoulder and hit the "BbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBbBb" of the rumble strip. Yeah, but my "safety net" is that I usually text when traffic is clear. So, that's going off the track because of my distraction with the phone. I think that most of you know what I mean. Modern day is so full of them. The devil loves to use them against me and I give in. A lot. And waste a lot of time.

So, in changing it up or reaching a turning point, I'm starting new and doing what I mentioned above. Also I'm starting to...blog! Yes. I like it. It's ok. Maybe I'll be a grain of salt to someone. A beacon of light. Encouragement. I dunno. We'll see.

Also, I'm learning something new too. Something productive. It doesn't hurt to at least learn about it, if not be a part of it. Forex trading. More on this later. But it's interesting! I like numbers anyway. And jargon.

Right now, I'm at work and this blogging IS the distraction from my job. Oops. Oh, well. We've been SO busy, we lab techs deserve a little bit of slow times before it gets busy again.

I want this t-shirt.

I want this too. The adrenaline rush of speed gets beat by nothing. At least for me.

Good night, ya all. 

Stanley Jr.

You need to lose your life!!

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. (Mark 8:34, 35 NLT)

If you want to follow Jesus, you must lose your life. Not physically, no. But the life you've made for yourself. That life does not matter. It will most likely not be fulfilling, or joyful. Only that joy will come from losing your life you've made for yourself and picking up the cross and following Jesus. He will tell you what your life is and what you will do in it. He will form your complete identity which is totally different from the identity we mold for ourselves through the life we make for ourselves. Yes, we have our personalities and an unique makeup that make us who we are but it is not our complete identity. Our identity is complete only in Jesus and the life we make by following His commands. Guess what? The life we make for ourselves ends. Ends at physical death, so we have really lived for nothing and for eternity in hell. If we live in Jesus and have our complete identity in Him, our life begins anew when we die to the world and it's offerings and that life continues for eternity in heaven after physical death. We will have then lived for everything!! Totally different packages. Both expensive. One requires you to pay the price upfront, the other doesn't require payment until later. Pick the right one. You will know if you picked the right one because you will not be sorry and it will never be "It was a mistake." ~SLashleyJr

We must decrease ourselves in order to have Jesus to increase in us.

I posted this from my phone. It is short and sweet. A reminder to myself and to all who read this. Also a message to those who need it and want something more in their lives. Enjoy.

Been busy...

To those who enjoy reading my blog,

Sorry for not posting in a while. I having done most of my blogging while at work when things were slow or in bits of free time that I get.

New processes have been developed and new chemicals are being made. More samples have been coming to the lab and it gets busier. Problems arise with new processes and chemicals, so problems are not few. When I'm alone in the lab, this is difficult and busier.

So, I hope to be blogging again soon on a regular basis. I would love to get a new laptop someday soon so I can blog while at home. I have tried blogging on my iPad, but many things and functions on Blogger app are askew, so I can't. And my iPhone, obviously, is way too small to blog a long post.

Bear with me and pray for me!! I have been asking for grace and patience at work, so pray that I have both of these!

Love you all.

Stanley

The Passionate Christian

What Makes A Passionate Christian?

An excellent sermon read by Stanley Lashley Jr and is mostly for his application to his life. You may do likewise. Only if you are willing to be on fire for God. The sermon isn't word for word, but a rewriting with additions.

Taken from Philippians 1:21-30

Apostle Paul says "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." These are words to literally live and die by. It is a personal expression, a very vulnerable expression of the heart of Paul as he spent his time in prison. While living his lowliest life, he was most passionate.

In effect, he was saying "My life only has meaning in that I am in Christ Jesus!"

The very essence of EXISTENCE itself is Jesus Christ. It is not a concept. It is not a doctrine. It is not a philosophical axiom. It is but a person.

This is what it truly means to live a passionate Christian life, completely defined by Christ to the point that even death becomes a means of greater intimacy with the One who loved us and gave himself up for us. The passionate Christian life is a life lived with a holy obsession with Jesus Christ.

The Wesleyan doctrine. This is the doctrine of my church--the holiness, conservative church. We base our beliefs on many writings and sermons of John Wesley and we live by them. From them come standards and rules that we live by in the name of conservatism. While there isn't anything wrong with being conservative, we must remember that it is not what makes one a Christian. This does not give an excuse, though, to live loosely, on the edge, playing with the fires of hell. What I'm saying here is that we should not live for a doctrine, but rather Jesus and Jesus only. No one person or one written doctrine can save us, only Jesus. We give ourselves up to Him and the Holy Spirit and let Him guide our lives. It is the only way we exist and we only exist to die so that we may gain--intimacy with Jesus and a home in Heaven! 

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

As much as I believe in and love the Wesleyan doctrine and other writings that expose the truth of the Word, I would not die for a doctrine. I would not die for a concept. But I would die for the person who gave up his life for me and loves me so much that I can be free from sin, past, present, and future.

The Western culture's Christians, by a large number, do not experience the Christian life as a passion, but rather a life not defined by passion. It is a myriad of competing appetites, desires, and drives.

People are floating in a miscellany of different desires and drives to amass wealth or material goods, to experience some titillating excitement, or indulge in some fleeting pleasure. They float in a stew of stresses, anxieties, and demands: work, family life, health issues, so that when it becomes unbearable, God becomes the last resort to be used for help with problems.  

Many people attend the local church, but do not join it because they have no passion for Jesus Christ.

People have a passion for "tomorrow." They worry or have a drive for what will happen in the future, when the kids are grown and gone, when they graduate, when they retire, where they will build dream homes. These are fantasies promulgated by Satan to distract us from the present moment which is all we are truly given. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but today.  

A reason many people do not join the local church is their passion for material possessions. Nothing wrong with these possessions, but when the passion or drive to accumulate them is greater than the passion to live for Christ, something is wrong. They know they have to commit to the church and they have to invest their money and time. They just don't want to give and instead want to have the benefits of being in the body of Christ, but don't have to invest in it--live the Christian life on someone else's quarter. My note: tithing is great, but I believe we need to do A LOT more. Give until it hurts. If it hurts to not drive a vehicle with chrome wheels, to not carry a Coach purse, to indulge in eating out, to have collection to show off, then so be it. Let it hurt and get rid of those things if you feel convicted to do so. If a base model vehicle can get you from here to there the same as a top of the line model, then go for the base model. If a plastic bag can carry your necessities as a Coach can, then get a plastic bag. Women, just kidding. You know what I mean, though. I own a Coach portfolio bag (the only one, rather than a collection of empty bags as some do) with a retail price of $498, but paid only $119 for it and have used it well for four years. But now it is just sitting empty. I should probably get rid of it in the garage sale and give that money to the church.

For what reason would we be Christians if we do not want to be passionate Christians? What's the point? I've mentioned several times before the lukewarmness of many Christians, including myself, today. The passionate Christian life is an adventure!! Daring and risky! We have the means to get around and cover a lot of ground with the Bible in our hands and speaking the Gospel to those who need it. The marginal Christian life is a pile of embers. Here are the words of Teddy Roosevelt:

The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the devotions, and spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. 

Presented in the passage above, the passionate Christian life is known by obvious characteristics.

Confidence. Remember Paul wrote while in prison. There was prospect of death by execution. Death was a reality, but he faced the moment of death with confidence because to die was to fulfill his greatest pleasure and passion:

"I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far..." Philippians 1:23

Purpose. TO LIVE IS CHRIST. Jesus is the only thing that gives real purpose. The Book of Ecclesiastes is a wonderful one because it reveals the futility of life without Christ at is center. The book reflects the life of King Solomon and reveals the logical end of so many of the things that people are heedlessly pursuing. In Solomon's words, the following will show you what it is like without Christ at the center:

I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good. " But that also proved to be meaningless. "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for me to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

 Service. Paul says:

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith. Philippians 1:22-25.

 A passionate Christian knows well that a life lived is a life lived for the benefit of others! The greatest desire of a passionate Christian is to be in the presence of the Lord, but he is willing to deny himself that because of a motivation to serve. (I have at times wished that I could just go home to Heaven and get out of this chaotic and sinful world, but I know I have a purpose to fulfill...and so I must, willingly.) Service to the world is not drudgery, it is sheer joy! Christians work together so that we can reach the community with the Gospel. The fact that service is joy leads to...

Joy. "If you have no joy in your religion, you have a leak in your Christianity somewhere." ~Billy Sunday

Note how many times Paul mentions joy in this passage and in a prison cell, no less! He was facing execution and he is still joyful!

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Philippians 1:25-26.

E. Stanley Jones said: "The Stoic bears, the Epicurean seeks to enjoy, the Buddhist and Hindu stand apart disillusioned, the Muslim submits, but only the Christian exults."

Holiness. Paul says, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." The reason so many fall into sin is because at that moment, some other desire that taken precedence of our desire for God. Soren Kirkegaard said it best: "Purity of heart is to WILL ONE THING!"

Suffering."For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him" Philippians 1:29 The world will not admire you for your passionate Christian living and the conflict this creates will be the source of your suffering. We all suffer. It is much more bearable if it is for a great cause...more than that, though, God uses our brokenness to create beautiful lives!

In conclusion, there's a short story.

The most magnificent diamond was discovered in an African mine. Presented to the king of England, it was determined that it will shine in his crown. The king sent it to Amsterdam into the hands of an expert lapidary. The lapidary cut a notch in the gem and struck a violent blow with his instrument and--lo!--the superb jewel lay in his hand cleft in two. This was not done out of recklessness and carelessness. He spent days and weeks examining the gem looking for quality, defects, lines of cleavage with minutest care. Was the blow a mistake? No! It was the ultimatum of the lapidary's skill and he brought the gem to its most perfect radiance, shapeliness, and jeweled splendor. The blow was perfect redemption when it seemed to ruin the gem, from which two perfect gems was cleft. The eyes of the lapidary saw these two perfect gems in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine. 

The Hope Diamond

So, sometimes God lets a stinging blow fall upon our lives. The blood spurts; the nerves wince. It hurts and the soul cries in agony. It seems to be an appalling mistake, but it is not. You are the most precious jewel in the world to God and He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe. Live your life like the most precious jewel that you are to God. Nobody wants a marred jewel. Be a PASSIONATE CHRISTIAN!!

Passion. Are you and I passionate?

A few weeks ago we celebrated Passion Week, or the passion of Christ when He gave His life for us. We celebrate the pain and blood of Jesus and we thank Him for saving us from sin. We thank God for the relationship we now can have with Him through His Son. United.

Passion of the Christ

Now, what about your passion? My passion? Our passion? Do we have passion to live for Jesus? Do we have passion to give love to others? Do we have passion to serve others? Do we have passion to care for others? Do we have passion to pray for ourselves? For our sanctification? For others? For the saving of precious souls? Do we have the passion for commitment to the life Jesus asks us to live? To fulfill our purpose? To spread God's love to others? How can we revive or get the passion we need? 

There are people GOING TO HELL. DAMNATION is going to happen. There is no gray area about this. We need revival of souls and we have a harvest of souls to reap. We are we doing about it? 

Are we still sitting in apathy? Are we getting up from our butts? Are we going out about our daily errands and routines and showing or telling others of God's love for them? Still don't understand what passion is or what a passionate person would do?

pas·sion [pash-uhn], noun

1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.

2. strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.

This kid is sure to show the world what he is passionate about. In his
imagination, he saves the world!

This is passion for pleasure-seeking thrills of homosexuality

This is passion for convenient murder of fetuses

This is passion for PETA (save the animals but kill babies??)

This is passion for our freedoms. Sadly, many may not recognize
 the main character in this picture.

So, you've seen examples of passion for causes and there are many more. The world has a passion for indulgences in sin. We must have a passion for the opposite. We must have a passion to be HOT, to be ON FIRE for God. Remember, in a previous post, I mentioned that Jesus will spit out the LUKEWARM. He wants nothing to do with you if you are lukewarm.

I don't want to be spat out. I want to be on fire for God. I want to show people God's love. I'm struggling with this. One reason is that I'm a little shy about approaching strangers in public. I talk to people behind counters and at cash registers only about the customer service. I have trouble sometimes having people understand me because of my slight or not so slight speech impediment, thus I keep silent unless I absolutely have to speak. Sometimes I just get enough courage to just speak to someone and it fails and I feel stupid and just quietly leave. It would be nice to have some tracts I can personally give to people. I want to set up a Prayer Station. My church, Bluffton Wesleyan Chapel, has a kit and we have used it a few times, but I have not done it with them yet.

I want passion. To be passionate. I need to ask the Lord to spark the desire for passion of reaping a ripe harvest of sinners. To reach out to others with the Gospel. To get my hands dirty helping others in need. To be exhausted because I cared for someone. I want to not be lukewarm. I want more humility.

Lukewarm doesn't do anything. Lukewarmness doesn't enhance, detract, or change. Lukewarm water doesn't refresh and lukewarm food isn't appetizing. Lukewarm lovers don't last in a relationship.

We would still be stuck in sin and tiring practices of sacrifices if God wasn't passionate in His love for us. He repeatedly answered Israel's cry and saved them from His enemies although Israel also repeatedly disobeyed God's admonition to obey His commandments. This admonition is mentioned at least 69 times in the Old and New Testaments. Obey His commandments! God sacrificially gave His Son to die on a tree for our sin. Imagine sacrificing your child. Would you do it? Would you have a passion enough for a cause to sacrifice your own child?

You see, we must be passionate as God is passionate. Think about it while I work on another post. What is it to be a passionate Christian? Only if you want to be a passionate Christian, you may look forward to and  return to read the next post.

Sorry if this post is a little jumbled. This is me jotting my thoughts down...I don't write in a book before posting. I don't like to write. I like to type, so, basically, you're reading my journal. Just not the very personal stuff. You want to know? No? I didn't think so. Til next post, very soon...

My next greatest de-stressor

You want to know what my greatest de-stressor (outside of letting God have all your problems and your whole life) is? It's no secret.

Kids. Yup. I spent five hours with these kids. They are adorable. They are playful. They climb on me. They punch me. They demand attention. They pull me in all directions. They want their turn. They cry in front of me. They want my affection. I try to help with their hurts. I don't know what they see in me, but they love me and I LOVE them. They get downright dirty. They spend hours outside. No video games. No movies. Just nature. They have goats. They have rabbits. They have cows. They have dirt in their fingernails and toenails. They take care of themselves. They use their imagination. They entertain themselves. They have wonderful parents who love them to no end.

 

Five kids or I should say, monkeys, on a trampoline

Excuse the video changing from landscape to portrait, one of the kids videoed us. If kids mean a lot to you, you wouldn't mind putting a crick in your neck to view this video.

 
These kids from the Reinhard family are in addition to other kids I enjoy having around. My nephews, my little cousins, and the students from school I volunteer at. Ever since vacation Bible school in Lesoto, Africa and my pastor shoved me out of my comfort zone, I've spent time with kids and I've learned that I can work and play with them well. Communication is hard sometimes, but the kids don't care. I have one student that will write to me so I can understand him.

I cannot help but be thankful that none of these kids I've played and worked with were not aborted. If they had been, they would never have been a part of my life and they are a HUGE part of my life. I would not have had a chance to love them. I would not have had a chance to de-stress with them, to re-prioritize, and to see life from their perspective. Their perspective is simple and honest and they have the simple faith that we so much desire as adults.

Vincent and Uncle Stanley in Gulf Shores, AL.

Easter 2012

They aren't haunted by the grim reality we adults face or the extensive knowledge that we amass in our minds. You tell children about Jesus and they simply believe. They don't question Him. They just believe and they are awed by the miracles that He did. They are easily influenced or easily forced into reality all too soon, unfortunately, in some cases. I hate that. I want to keep their minds free to imagine and free to learn at their own pace. Who cares if they can add when they are four and can do cursive when they are five? Let them be creative and imagine all they want. They'll come to you with questions, indeed, and you should always think a little bit before answering them. What they are asking may be completely opposite of what you think they are asking.

Raise them to be good men and good women. Teach them about God. Teach them the stories of the Bible. They love stories! Talk to them about everything they are doing and seeing and put God into the equation. Surely they will bind everything about their necks that you teach them about God's Word and His creation. What you teach them, they will always remember and always go by it or apply it. Let's just pray that they, when they become teenagers and then young adults, they will choose God. Let them choose. We cannot do that for them. They must do it themselves. Also, we can pray that we are doing our best. We are just mere mortals and we think we know best for them, but God is the only one. But, remember, God entrusted us with the duty of teaching our children the way they should go. We will make mistakes, we will fail them, but the children forgive. They are so forgiving. It doesn't stop there though; we must go to them and fix whatever hurt we've caused them or let them know that we have failed them at one time or another. They must know that we didn't mean to hurt them or fail them. They must know that they will someday have the same duty of teaching their children and will go through the same thing we went through raising them up. They MUST know about humility and generosity. These two are the basics of living for others and living simply and for God.

This is what I said to the kids' mother in the first photo. "I can't wait to have eight children!" She exclaimed, "Eight?!"

What? She's short only one. Surely one more couldn't be much worse.

Well, well, we'll just see about that. This mother had just been trying to create order in her seven children and trying to get them in the vehicle to make an errand and it took five minutes to do that. Such the life. But it's so rewarding. Am I willing to wear myself out raising my children or spending time with children who always need attention and to be taught? Yes.

Ok. I've said enough now. I'm ready to see some kiddos, but I will need some sleep first when I get home from work. I'm anxious to see my nephews later today.

Look for the next post. We speak of the Passion of the Christ during Passion Week, but what about the passion of the Christian? The Muslims are passionate about killing anyone who is not a Christian. Are we passionate about showing our love to others, winning souls to Christ, and being persecuted for His sake?