Awesomeness. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
~tJf~
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Story of God
A great video by one of my church's worship leaders, Matt Papa.
Awesomeness. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
~tJf~
Awesomeness. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
~tJf~
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Lego Faces
Sometimes we can get so confused.
Everyone thinks you should keep your troubles or struggles to yourself.
We hide our sin or pain from the people around us. This makes us fake. I like to think of it as Legos. We put on our little plastic Lego faces pretending like everything is okay. We have different faces for every occasion.
We don't talk to our friends about the thing we are struggling with this week. Our friendships are just skin deep. You don't tell people your problems, and they don't tell you theirs.
This isn't a picture of the Church.
I read and hear people say that they leave their 'baggage' at the doors of church.
NO!
Don't do that. You do that and you lie to yourself. You lie to everyone else around you. If you leave your troubles at the doors, how are people supposed to help you? You leave it at the door and just pretend everything is okay? Why? I can tell you why...people in some churches don't have good relationships with each other. They don't hold each other accountable. When you don't hold each other accountable, it can get bad really fast...a recent turn of events in the IFB movement has proved that.
The people in the church are supposed to build relationships, and disciple each other in their walk with Christ. They aren't supposed to hide stuff from each other and put up a fake front, changing their Lego heads. We are supposed to help each other. This is why here we do small groups. Small groups are a close-knit group of friends that worship Christ together and disciple each other. We hold each other accountable. That, is very important for everyone. If you are 'higher' in the church, it doesn't mean you are exempt from it. You need help and someone to hold you accountable too.
We need to help each other as we walk through life...not just 'smile and nod' when troubles or struggles come our way. If we talk to each other, grow together and grow closer to God, we will be able to help others better than if we put up the fake front.
So, do me a favor, don't leave your baggage at the door. Use Legos to play with your kids or siblings, not your life. Create deep relationships with Christian friends and have accountability partners.
~tJf~
Everyone thinks you should keep your troubles or struggles to yourself.
We hide our sin or pain from the people around us. This makes us fake. I like to think of it as Legos. We put on our little plastic Lego faces pretending like everything is okay. We have different faces for every occasion.
We don't talk to our friends about the thing we are struggling with this week. Our friendships are just skin deep. You don't tell people your problems, and they don't tell you theirs.
This isn't a picture of the Church.
I read and hear people say that they leave their 'baggage' at the doors of church.
NO!
Don't do that. You do that and you lie to yourself. You lie to everyone else around you. If you leave your troubles at the doors, how are people supposed to help you? You leave it at the door and just pretend everything is okay? Why? I can tell you why...people in some churches don't have good relationships with each other. They don't hold each other accountable. When you don't hold each other accountable, it can get bad really fast...a recent turn of events in the IFB movement has proved that.
The people in the church are supposed to build relationships, and disciple each other in their walk with Christ. They aren't supposed to hide stuff from each other and put up a fake front, changing their Lego heads. We are supposed to help each other. This is why here we do small groups. Small groups are a close-knit group of friends that worship Christ together and disciple each other. We hold each other accountable. That, is very important for everyone. If you are 'higher' in the church, it doesn't mean you are exempt from it. You need help and someone to hold you accountable too.
We need to help each other as we walk through life...not just 'smile and nod' when troubles or struggles come our way. If we talk to each other, grow together and grow closer to God, we will be able to help others better than if we put up the fake front.
So, do me a favor, don't leave your baggage at the door. Use Legos to play with your kids or siblings, not your life. Create deep relationships with Christian friends and have accountability partners.
~tJf~
Saturday, September 29, 2012
The Man
There's a Man sitting off to the side,
Watching you as you walk by,
Wondering what happened to the thing that mattered the most.
He watches you as you go to the parties,
Watching you as you get high,
Wondering why you can't see these things won't satisfy.
The Man watches you as you walk off with that other guy,
Wishing that you would see,
No one else will fill that void inside of you.
He stands and walks over to you,
You're sitting there on the curb,
Crying and worried about what comes next.
You look up into the Face,
The Face that's been there all the time.
The Face, even if you didn't wish it, was with you all the way.
The Man reaches down to you,
Telling you He is there,
And always will be.
I will fill that void that rips at your heart,
I will satisfy the hunger that eats at your soul,
I will show you what it means to be loved.
Looking at your face,
His arms wrapped around you,
The Man shows you the peace you've always craved.
Shows you that trusting in Him, you will never have to worry again.
Trust that Man, that loving Man,
That gave His life for you.
The Man that loves you...
~tJf~
Watching you as you walk by,
Wondering what happened to the thing that mattered the most.
He watches you as you go to the parties,
Watching you as you get high,
Wondering why you can't see these things won't satisfy.
The Man watches you as you walk off with that other guy,
Wishing that you would see,
No one else will fill that void inside of you.
He stands and walks over to you,
You're sitting there on the curb,
Crying and worried about what comes next.
You look up into the Face,
The Face that's been there all the time.
The Face, even if you didn't wish it, was with you all the way.
The Man reaches down to you,
Telling you He is there,
And always will be.
I will fill that void that rips at your heart,
I will satisfy the hunger that eats at your soul,
I will show you what it means to be loved.
Looking at your face,
His arms wrapped around you,
The Man shows you the peace you've always craved.
Shows you that trusting in Him, you will never have to worry again.
Trust that Man, that loving Man,
That gave His life for you.
The Man that loves you...
~tJf~
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Random Song/poem
Nails in the Hands.
Spear in the Side,
A crown on the Brow,
Of Jesus the Savior.
Blood pouring from the wounds,
A holy sacrifice,
For me, the wretched sinner.
How marvelous is the Son,
The wonderful Son of God.
The wonderful,
The saving,
The loving Son of God.
Jesus, the Savior.
My Redeemer, my God, my Sacrifice!
Tears of love run down His face,
Love for me and saving grace.
Now I am loved,
Redeemed and reconciled,
Forgiven and justified!
All because of the Man on the cross.
The Man giving His life for me!
Jesus, You are
The wonderful,
The saving,
The loving Son of God.
Jesus, the Savior.
My Redeemer, my God, my Sacrifice!
You are my Redeemer, my God!
Jesus, You are my Savior my Sacrfice!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Two small words, most amazing, and powerful verse I've read.
Everyone just talks about this being the shortest verse in the Bible, but it has so much more in it than that.
It tells us that Jesus loves us even through pain and death.
When things happen to us, things that hurt, things that bring emotional pain, you may think that God is far away from you. That He doesn't care. This verse shows that this is most definitely not true.
You may have heard about the story of Lazarus, but in case you haven't, I'll tell you.
There were these two women and their brother, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They were really good friends of Jesus. Well, one day, Lazarus became sick. Really sick. So his sisters sent for Jesus saying "Lord, he whom you love is ill" (John 11:3) Instead of going right then and there, Jesus waited a few days before He headed for the town of Bethany. The disciples were confused, so Jesus told them that He hoped for their sake, what was about to happen would help them believe, and He said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
When they got there, Lazarus had died and been in the tomb for four days already. The two sisters cried out to Jesus, asking Him why hadn't He come? He could have saved Lazarus!
When Mary came to Him weeping, Jesus wept also, and asked to be taken to the tomb. Martha told Him that Lazarus had been in there four days...he probably stinks... Jesus told her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
As they rolled the stone away, Jesus prayed this prayer, notice that it was probably awkward for the people standing around Him... "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me, I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." And then Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave. And out walked Lazarus.
So that's the story. Now, back to what I was talking about.
Look at verse 4, this was before Jesus and the disciples headed to Bethany. The one where He says that the illness is to show the glory of God. Illness, for the glory of God? And then Lazarus died. Mary and Martha were hurt. They didn't understand. They thought that Jesus loved them and that He would come and save their brother. He had the power to save Lazarus, but He didn't.
Sometimes, God allows things to happen in our life that we won't understand. Things we know He could have fixed or prevented. But here, see? Jesus had a plan. He wanted in this story to show Mary, Martha, the people around Him, and us to see His glory.
God always has a plan. Always.
Now you say, but how was Jesus showing His love in this story?? You said alot about it being for His glory, but what about His love?? How do we know that God is showing us His glory and His love, and not just punishing us for something that we have done?
First off, God isn't punishing you. That would be unjust. He already punished Someone for the things you have done. Jesus was already punished for your sins. So He is not punishing you.
Secondly, in the text, after Mary comes up to Him weeping, verse 35 'Jesus wept.' Remember? Shortest verse but very powerful? Jesus wept. What can that mean?
Why was Jesus weeping? Because He felt Mary's pain.
Just like He felt her pain, He feels ours. He knows when we are hurting. That is what this verse is showing us. Jesus knows and feels the pain with us. He cries with us. Why? Because He loves us. That is how Jesus' love is also shown in this story.
Even if we feel like He has gone away from us, He hasn't. God is by our side loving us. He has a plan, even if we can't see why or what is going on, He has a plan.
So...I don't know if this post actually has a set idea in it, more like several thrown in one...but hey, this is Random Thoughts of a Teen Follower of Jesus. So...its just kinda random!
~tJf~
Two small words, most amazing, and powerful verse I've read.
Everyone just talks about this being the shortest verse in the Bible, but it has so much more in it than that.
It tells us that Jesus loves us even through pain and death.
When things happen to us, things that hurt, things that bring emotional pain, you may think that God is far away from you. That He doesn't care. This verse shows that this is most definitely not true.
You may have heard about the story of Lazarus, but in case you haven't, I'll tell you.
There were these two women and their brother, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They were really good friends of Jesus. Well, one day, Lazarus became sick. Really sick. So his sisters sent for Jesus saying "Lord, he whom you love is ill" (John 11:3) Instead of going right then and there, Jesus waited a few days before He headed for the town of Bethany. The disciples were confused, so Jesus told them that He hoped for their sake, what was about to happen would help them believe, and He said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
When they got there, Lazarus had died and been in the tomb for four days already. The two sisters cried out to Jesus, asking Him why hadn't He come? He could have saved Lazarus!
When Mary came to Him weeping, Jesus wept also, and asked to be taken to the tomb. Martha told Him that Lazarus had been in there four days...he probably stinks... Jesus told her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
As they rolled the stone away, Jesus prayed this prayer, notice that it was probably awkward for the people standing around Him... "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me, I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." And then Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave. And out walked Lazarus.
So that's the story. Now, back to what I was talking about.
Look at verse 4, this was before Jesus and the disciples headed to Bethany. The one where He says that the illness is to show the glory of God. Illness, for the glory of God? And then Lazarus died. Mary and Martha were hurt. They didn't understand. They thought that Jesus loved them and that He would come and save their brother. He had the power to save Lazarus, but He didn't.
Sometimes, God allows things to happen in our life that we won't understand. Things we know He could have fixed or prevented. But here, see? Jesus had a plan. He wanted in this story to show Mary, Martha, the people around Him, and us to see His glory.
God always has a plan. Always.
Now you say, but how was Jesus showing His love in this story?? You said alot about it being for His glory, but what about His love?? How do we know that God is showing us His glory and His love, and not just punishing us for something that we have done?
First off, God isn't punishing you. That would be unjust. He already punished Someone for the things you have done. Jesus was already punished for your sins. So He is not punishing you.
Secondly, in the text, after Mary comes up to Him weeping, verse 35 'Jesus wept.' Remember? Shortest verse but very powerful? Jesus wept. What can that mean?
Why was Jesus weeping? Because He felt Mary's pain.
Just like He felt her pain, He feels ours. He knows when we are hurting. That is what this verse is showing us. Jesus knows and feels the pain with us. He cries with us. Why? Because He loves us. That is how Jesus' love is also shown in this story.
Even if we feel like He has gone away from us, He hasn't. God is by our side loving us. He has a plan, even if we can't see why or what is going on, He has a plan.
So...I don't know if this post actually has a set idea in it, more like several thrown in one...but hey, this is Random Thoughts of a Teen Follower of Jesus. So...its just kinda random!
~tJf~
Friday, April 6, 2012
It is finished.
Three words wrapped in tears.
It is finished.
Three words said in pain.
It is finished.
Three words said with a dying breath, a dying breath that was saving me.
It is finished!
Said by a Man upon a tree.
It is finished.
These three words bring me hope and peace.
It is finished.
Jesus, Son of God, looked down on the people cursing and mocking His name, saying 'Father, forgive them.'
It is finished.
Three words, said in love.
These three words, It Is Finished, are the words this Man said on that cross. He said them with me on His heart. Then they took Him down, and buried Him in a tomb.
That day, though a sad one, brings hope and joy to many.
Why?
Cause on the third day after He said these words? My Savior rose up from that grave, rolled the stone away. He defeated death for me and for you.
It is finished.
Happy Easter!
~tJf~
Three words wrapped in tears.
It is finished.
Three words said in pain.
It is finished.
Three words said with a dying breath, a dying breath that was saving me.
It is finished!
Said by a Man upon a tree.
It is finished.
These three words bring me hope and peace.
It is finished.
Jesus, Son of God, looked down on the people cursing and mocking His name, saying 'Father, forgive them.'
It is finished.
Three words, said in love.
These three words, It Is Finished, are the words this Man said on that cross. He said them with me on His heart. Then they took Him down, and buried Him in a tomb.
That day, though a sad one, brings hope and joy to many.
Why?
Cause on the third day after He said these words? My Savior rose up from that grave, rolled the stone away. He defeated death for me and for you.
It is finished.
Happy Easter!
~tJf~
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
For This
For this, for this, I worship You!
My sins are forgiven,
My soul is made whole.
My heart's hole is filled,
With Your love and mercy.
And it's for this!
For this, Christ Jesus!
For this I worship You!
Oh my King, for this I worship You.
Your blood was spilled.
Your body was beaten.
The Father turned His face away.
You felt pain, You felt anguish,
All this, because You loved me, yeah You loved me!
And it's for this!
For this, Christ Jesus!
For this I worship you!
Oh my King, for this I worship You.
My soul cries out,
My heart sings.
I lift my hands and worship,
Worship You, my King!
You have made me new again,
You have made a sinner clean.
Your righteousness surrounds me,
Your love and mercy help me through!
And for this, for this.
It's for this my God I worship You!
My sins are forgiven,
My soul is made whole.
My heart's hole is filled,
With Your love and mercy.
And it's for this!
For this, Christ Jesus!
For this I worship You!
Oh my King, for this I worship You.
Your blood was spilled.
Your body was beaten.
The Father turned His face away.
You felt pain, You felt anguish,
All this, because You loved me, yeah You loved me!
And it's for this!
For this, Christ Jesus!
For this I worship you!
Oh my King, for this I worship You.
My soul cries out,
My heart sings.
I lift my hands and worship,
Worship You, my King!
You have made me new again,
You have made a sinner clean.
Your righteousness surrounds me,
Your love and mercy help me through!
And for this, for this.
It's for this my God I worship You!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Do and Done
Do and Done?
What up with that you ask? And why am I posting about it?
I'm glad you asked.
Let's get the definitions for these words.
What up with that you ask? And why am I posting about it?
I'm glad you asked.
Let's get the definitions for these words.
Do: to perform (to act)
Done: past participle of do(in other words, performed)
People think that they have to do all this stuff.
Churches tend to tell their people 'you must do this in order for Jesus to like you.' So you follow this long list of rules, do good things, and hope that Jesus will see you as a good person. You fill out your checklist and boom, you're a good Christian. Much better than so-and-so who only did this or forgot to read their Bible for 5 hours today. You are the poster-perfect Christian.
You may think that all this stuff you do makes you this. Makes Jesus love you more and so you become buddy-buddy with Him. You are higher up on the scale.
Nope.
Now don't get me wrong, this stuff is good. reading your Bible will help your relationship with God and doing good things opens doors to share the Gospel, but they won't help Jesus love you more.
Like this guy, my pastor, said in a sermon series he did on the gospel, "In Christ, there is nothing I could do to make You[Jesus] love me more; nothing I have done that makes You love me less."
There is nothing, nothing, that you and I can do to make Jesus love us more. He already loves us so much. So much, He died on the Cross for our sins, for our wretched souls. He loves us that much.
Jesus DID so we DON'T.
Religion, that checklist? Yeah, that says DO. Do this, do that, you'll earn Jesus' approval.
Jesus, the Son of God Who died on a tree, He says DONE.
'Jesus + Nothing = Everything' - Tullian Tchividjian
Not Jesus plus this or that. Jesus is it. He is everything.
Religion says do.
The gospel says done.
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."' John 14:6a
~tJf~
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