meanderings of a restless wanderer

So here I sit watching “Idol Gives Back” and I am dealing with a barrage of thoughts. I struggle. Not because of the awareness being brought to the forefront or the millions of dollars being raised to make a difference in lives around the globe…but because I can’t help but ask..where is the church?

I am so glad that God is doing such amazing things through the generosity and creativity of people around the world. I am inspired by those individuals, organizations, and churches that are leading the charge in meeting the needs of those around them. At the same time…I still ask the question…where is the church as a whole?

Now I know there are those Christians, there are those churches that are actively involved with changing the world. I know there are those Christians those churches that are in the mud - cleaning wounds - touching the untouchable - providing for those in need - sharing love and encouragement - and serving in whatever way that they can. However, the reality is - in the fallen world in which we live the need is overwhelming and instead of leading the charge in taking care of those in need…we somehow focus our attention on us. On our stuff, on our needs, on filling our buildings, and starting programs that benefit us.

The sad reality is that most Christians watching “Idol Gives Back” will be more moved and excited that they closed the evening with “Shout to the Lord”, then the need and opportunity that the show was bringing to light.

It’s as if we are blinded.

I hope that those that watched or will watch “Idol Gives Back” will give and give generously…But I also hope that people will be willing to not only give money but they would be willing to step up and go.

In the next 12 months what will you do to make a difference?

Don’t know where to start…well let me be a resource. Here are just a few of the things I am connected to;

Long Beach Rescue Mission

Trips to India

A new orphanage and ministry in Kenya

Missions in Russia

Wrapped in Love

Adopt a Block

Rebuild New Orleans

Metro State Hospital

Long Beach AIDS walk and awareness

Home building in Mexico

Christian Outreach in Action

Tutoring

TESOL

Local Home Renovation

Medical Missions in Haiti

Bellflower Convalescent Home

Royal Family Kids Camp

and several others…

The time is now. The opportunities are everywhere. The people are waiting. What will you do?

It’s time to take off the blindfold.

How do we describe it?
Something that is so universal, yet so incredibly personal.
A concept, an action, an emotion…
But it is so much more.

Impossible to fully grasp,
Yet when one accepts it, their life is forever altered.
When one tries to explain it,
They become lost in their own words.

An incredible gift that is so overwhelming that one can’t help but be stunned.
A love that is so personal that when separated, the self aches for its return.
An unparalleled consistency that none has ever seen before.
A faithful assurance, that we are loved in spite of ourselves.

How do we describe it?
A joy so eternal it flows forth in all that we do.
A peace so comforting that life becomes still even in the storms.
An ever present, steadfast knowledge of who we really are.

The strength in the weaknesses.
The guidance in the confusion.
The answer to the question.
The light in the darkness.

How do we describe grace?

Who knows…
Sometimes the best way to explain something is just to be…

Speechless

And let your life do the explaining.

I’m still tired.

As I sit here in my office listening to music I can’t escape the odd silence that surrounds me. It’s a contradiction really. Music playing, but I here nothing…time standing still as I sit and ponder the realities I am involved in. As I look back at what has transpired these past few days my brain fumbles…Friday seems like it was weeks ago. Sunday came and never in my life did I think that I would have to stand in front of people and share the kind of news that was given. They don’t really teach you about how to handle things like that in Bible College.

As I watched the shock give way to confusion, the confusion give way to anger, and the anger give way to sadness - I realized something…God is still God. It seems like a simple statement, but the truth is it’s a deeper concept than any of us can fully grasp. The reality is, what has happened does not change who God is. What has happened does not change who Jesus is. What it does change is us…and what that change entails is determined by how we handle this painful time.

It would be easy to rest in anger, pain, guilt, hate, irritation, hopelessness, and sadness…and believe me it is OK to feel all of those things…but when we rest in those things…when we give in to the negative we slowly become hardened. We become mere memories of our former selves…and we loose sight of the truth that is right before our eyes.

Romans 5:4-5 says, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because We know that suffering produces endurance; endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.”

I believe in hope. I believe it does not disappoint us. I believe it is a gift from God. I believe that in this time we have a unique opportunity to be honest with our spouses and friends about our feelings, thoughts, struggles, and weaknesses. I believe we have an opportunity to bless particular families in ways they could have never expected. I believe we have a chance to learn from the mistakes of others. I believe we have a chance to rise above and show how beautiful the bride of Christ really is. I believe that it is in this hope that we are able to see the church at it’s best.

Satan has not won…and I will not stop fighting.

Although the future is unclear, I believe more than ever that God is calling me to be a person of hope, compassion, truth, and love. And I know it is in those things that I am able to surrender and trust God to lead me through the battles. Let our attention not be on those that have caused the pain, but on those that are wounded by it. We have to keep singing. Let us crawl into the lap of God and weep…let his compassion wash over us and give us strength…allow him to sing over us…as he prepares us for the celebration of victory that is Easter. I refuse to let Satan steal that from us.

My friends…my hope and prayer is that we find time to rest, that we are honest with how we feel and wise in how we share it, that we are realistic in that all of this can’t be fixed in a week, month, or even a year…my hope and prayer is that those that have been affected by all that has happened will be willing to show patience to each other, that we can love one another and serve one another, that we can wash each others feet, that we can help one another up out of the mud and allow God to lead us forward…together as one body…united…broken but beautiful.

I don’t know when this silence will break…or when confusion will give way to clarity…or even when anger will give way to peace…What I do know is that there will come a day when we will begin to hear something faintly around us…it will be a sweet sound, one of celebration…one of victory…until that time comes however, know that I will keep fighting…I will keep pursuing…I will rest in hope and trust God to lead me through the battles…and I hope you will join me in the journey.

When men fall we weep…but never forget that hope endures.

Freaky, creepy, bold…and I am oddly intrigued. Below is the new video put out in the war against Scientology.

When it rains it pours. Not only is Scientology getting immensely bad press, but now a group named Anonymous has waged war. This is like some crazy V for Vendetta type stuff. Below you will find the mass viral video that is playing literally throughout the world. You will also find the transcription of the video.

-Project Chanology

“Hello, Scientology. We are Anonymous.

Over the years, we have been watching you. Your campaigns of misinformation; suppression of dissent; your litigious nature, all of these things have caught our eye. With the leakage of your latest propaganda video into mainstream circulation, the extent of your malign influence over those who trust you, who call you leader, has been made clear to us. Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind–for the laughs–we shall expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form. We acknowledge you as a serious opponent, and we are prepared for a long, long campaign. You will not prevail forever against the angry masses of the body politic. Your methods, hypocrisy, and the artlessness of your organization have sounded its death knell.

You cannot hide; we are everywhere.

We cannot die; we are forever. We’re getting bigger every day–and solely by the force of our ideas, malicious and hostile as they often are. If you want another name for your opponent, then call us Legion, for we are many.

Yet for all that we are not as monstrous as you are; still our methods are a parallel to your own. Doubtless you will use the Anon’s actions as an example of the persecution you have so long warned your followers would come; this is acceptable. In fact, it is encouraged. We are your SPs.

Gradually as we merge our pulse with that of your “Church”, the suppression of your followers will become increasingly difficult to maintain. Believers will wake, and see that salvation has no price. They will know that the stress, the frustration that they feel is not something that may be blamed upon Anonymous. No–they will see that it stems from a source far closer to each. Yes, we are SPs. But the sum of suppression we could ever muster is eclipsed by that of the RTC.

Knowledge is free.

We are Anonymous.

We are Legion.

We do not forgive.

WE DO NOT FORGET.

Expect us.”

Well, I thought I would never blog about Scientology again….however….I could not pass this up. If you wanted to know a bit more about Scientology look no further. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tom Cruise….Mr.Scientology.

I have had a couple of people ask for some extra info regarding some people in pop culture who are Scientologists…well have no fear “Cracked” is here! Follow this link and it will take you to a fairly entertaining and slightly adult top ten secret Scientologists….Enjoy.

Lately, I have had several people ask me about Scientology…I am not sure why…It’s not like I hang out with Tom Cruise or John Travolta…they won’t return my calls.

Anyway, for those that have been interested in understanding (if that is possible) the basics of Scientology just follow this link…8 Levels.

Their goal is to make the world a better place…which is a great goal…and I wish I could be friends with Tom so I could understand it from his perspective…but they loose me with the whole pay to get to the next level thing. So like anything you are going to have to make up your own mind.

Now run along and learn all about the aliens that live inside of you….toodles.

For further info go to these sites…

Church of Scientology Official Site

Operation Clambake - A critical look

Scientology Lies

Religious Tolerance