I got off work at 5am and begun to think man i would love some Krispy Kreme donuts. I flashed back to the Time that Brady, Moody and I went to get some fresh Krispy Kreme donuts. I instantly thought geeze this is going to be awesome. Donuts hot and fresh and I get to explore Austin cause I have somewhat of an idea as to where the store is. I began to drive and filled with excitment listening to Black Mirror by Arcade Fire I went the wrong way and wound up in the domain when it hit me. This is where i would have been working if I got the job at apple.
I thought man God you are so Good. I have an awesome job that pays well and no worries in my life, I am completely content. I have the ability to chase a craving for Krispy Kreme in a car that God provided. His faithfulness and goodness is beyond my own. I look back and see that I have not been very faithful in my tithing or giving I have not been faithful in my relationships, or in ministry as I should have been. I thought about all these things that moment and knew that there is nothing I can do to ever earn or deserve God's goodness and blessings on my life to compare to God's goodness and faithfulness. Sure there are things that we do and are faithful in that reap benefits. But when you look at your goodness in comparison it is but filthy rags. To know that God is so in love with us that our failures and mistakes are always covered by how good he is put a smile on my face.
I know that it is all not about how good I am but how good he is. It is my responsibility to share Gods goodness and what he has done in my life with others. Driving to Krispy Kreme with a stupid smile on my face and an even bigger one when I discovered I was up before they were even open :). Finding joy in hardships and difficulties is all about perspective and God gives us a good perspective.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Living it
I was just being challenge this week to be more like Christ in the way i think about situation and the way I focus my efforts toward others. I often ask myself is what I do going to draw people closer to God or is it going to draw them further from God. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-4 Paul says "We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault in our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind."
The next part Paul talks about all the different hardships he had faced. I look at them in conparison and realize I think that maybe one or two of the things he had to endure daily I have had to endure once or twice in my whole life. Yet I think we today have a harder time especially in America living a life that would not cause anyone to stumble. I know that when ever i say something that could be offensive or I say something that might be out of character I always feel like dang that is ground loss. My ministry at work is completely relational I am just trying to represent Christ in me through my life. Sometimes I don't let him shine. I sometimes would rather put in my headphones and work. But Paul continues after the list of hardships and says 1 Cor 6:6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love." I think for me the patience is the hardest one for me. When you are working and just want to get through your shift it is easy to isolate yourself and not pay attention to the others around you. I have tried to make it a point to get to know everyone in my work place. I ask them questions and I try not to stay away from sensitive Christian topics like relationships and lifestyle.
So I know that we don't have to endure persecution in the U.S. anywhere close to what Christ and the apostles faced but we still have to stand and live a life that will help people walk with Christ in love. For me its laying down my comforts and my rights so that God can have his way. Easy is often not the best and is almost least rewarding. So try something hard.
The next part Paul talks about all the different hardships he had faced. I look at them in conparison and realize I think that maybe one or two of the things he had to endure daily I have had to endure once or twice in my whole life. Yet I think we today have a harder time especially in America living a life that would not cause anyone to stumble. I know that when ever i say something that could be offensive or I say something that might be out of character I always feel like dang that is ground loss. My ministry at work is completely relational I am just trying to represent Christ in me through my life. Sometimes I don't let him shine. I sometimes would rather put in my headphones and work. But Paul continues after the list of hardships and says 1 Cor 6:6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love." I think for me the patience is the hardest one for me. When you are working and just want to get through your shift it is easy to isolate yourself and not pay attention to the others around you. I have tried to make it a point to get to know everyone in my work place. I ask them questions and I try not to stay away from sensitive Christian topics like relationships and lifestyle.
So I know that we don't have to endure persecution in the U.S. anywhere close to what Christ and the apostles faced but we still have to stand and live a life that will help people walk with Christ in love. For me its laying down my comforts and my rights so that God can have his way. Easy is often not the best and is almost least rewarding. So try something hard.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Veil
Well I started this on Twitter with a really vague start. I started reading 2 Corinthians not knowing really much about it. I have found myself getting a greater understanding for it as I live my life in the world but set apart from it.
Recently I got an awesome job for an awesome company but soon felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am very open about my faith and what I believe. I dont try to hide it or pretend to be someone I am not. All of the people I work with know I am a christian and I went to some sort of bible school and I am a credentialed minister. What I found was if you say you are a christian people brush it off as just what ever like he goes to church and stuff, but when you tell them that you are real and it is not just something you say you are but it is who you are peoples attitudes change. At work I have experience different responses to this one guy a loving father remembers being a kid and growing up in the church and credits God for not having getting into alot of trouble as a kid. One guy is into existentialist thought and we have had some very interesting talks concerning morals, God, spirituality and the supernatural. None the less we have these talks and have agreed to disagree. The third co-worker is a different story I watched his attitude change when he found out I was a christian. We were pretty cool before and he joked with me because I dont cuss or drink. But when he found out I was a christian and went to school for it; it was as if he shifted. He would be like God isnt real Aaron wake up. He would yell things like the Christ is a story Jesus wasn't real...etc.
In my mind i was think dude just let me talk and there was another voice being Aaron dont say anything. Slightly irritated I kept my mouth shut. I thought to myself Aaron you know Christ died for him and what Christ suffered in ridicule and torture was far greater then anything you will ever have to face. This was probably a daily occurrence for the early followers of Christ and i am getting bent out of shape about it.
Well this brings me to 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:12 Paul is talking about the veil of the glory of God and when you are saved the veil is removed. (2 Cor 3:7-15)This veil that blocks people from fully understanding truth and the new covenant that Christ has made with us. But when we accept Christ the veil is removed and we have freedom and we can now reflect the glory of the Lord and we become more and more like Christ (2 Cor 3:16-18). It goes on to say because of this mercy we have been given we then now give up the shameful deeds we did in the past. This is the transformation and sanctification of followers of Christ. the veil still exists on those who are perishing. The truth is hidden behind it, so those who are still behind the veil can not see or understand the word and its truths if they have not excepted Christ and let his glory and light into their life. The rest talks about how we do not do not harbor this glory by our own strength beacuse we are like fragile clay pots but by the strength of God. We are pressed persecuted struck down but not destroyed.
To sum this up. I didn't stop being a light or a witness because I was quiet or people dont understand why I am a Christian so I fight to make them understand. No I live my life as an example of Christ. I later found out a couple days later that the guy that had been rude and mean to me was raised in the Baptist Church. I am still in the process of finding out more about him as I continue to develope a friendship. But I know that I have to live what I say I have set myself up to be a light in a dark place and my hope is that my life will shine a light and help those remove their veil and step into freedom. Sorry if this is confusing or really vague. But I am learning still and Gods word has great advice to strengthen you when you are stuck in a hard place. I guess my challenge and what I hope any Christ followers get out of this is dont hide. Let people know who you are. You dont have to have all the answers or all the right words. Just live your life and think that if you never tell someone about Jesus with words you are telling them with your life.
Thank you for taking the time to read that AMO haha
Recently I got an awesome job for an awesome company but soon felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am very open about my faith and what I believe. I dont try to hide it or pretend to be someone I am not. All of the people I work with know I am a christian and I went to some sort of bible school and I am a credentialed minister. What I found was if you say you are a christian people brush it off as just what ever like he goes to church and stuff, but when you tell them that you are real and it is not just something you say you are but it is who you are peoples attitudes change. At work I have experience different responses to this one guy a loving father remembers being a kid and growing up in the church and credits God for not having getting into alot of trouble as a kid. One guy is into existentialist thought and we have had some very interesting talks concerning morals, God, spirituality and the supernatural. None the less we have these talks and have agreed to disagree. The third co-worker is a different story I watched his attitude change when he found out I was a christian. We were pretty cool before and he joked with me because I dont cuss or drink. But when he found out I was a christian and went to school for it; it was as if he shifted. He would be like God isnt real Aaron wake up. He would yell things like the Christ is a story Jesus wasn't real...etc.
In my mind i was think dude just let me talk and there was another voice being Aaron dont say anything. Slightly irritated I kept my mouth shut. I thought to myself Aaron you know Christ died for him and what Christ suffered in ridicule and torture was far greater then anything you will ever have to face. This was probably a daily occurrence for the early followers of Christ and i am getting bent out of shape about it.
Well this brings me to 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:12 Paul is talking about the veil of the glory of God and when you are saved the veil is removed. (2 Cor 3:7-15)This veil that blocks people from fully understanding truth and the new covenant that Christ has made with us. But when we accept Christ the veil is removed and we have freedom and we can now reflect the glory of the Lord and we become more and more like Christ (2 Cor 3:16-18). It goes on to say because of this mercy we have been given we then now give up the shameful deeds we did in the past. This is the transformation and sanctification of followers of Christ. the veil still exists on those who are perishing. The truth is hidden behind it, so those who are still behind the veil can not see or understand the word and its truths if they have not excepted Christ and let his glory and light into their life. The rest talks about how we do not do not harbor this glory by our own strength beacuse we are like fragile clay pots but by the strength of God. We are pressed persecuted struck down but not destroyed.
To sum this up. I didn't stop being a light or a witness because I was quiet or people dont understand why I am a Christian so I fight to make them understand. No I live my life as an example of Christ. I later found out a couple days later that the guy that had been rude and mean to me was raised in the Baptist Church. I am still in the process of finding out more about him as I continue to develope a friendship. But I know that I have to live what I say I have set myself up to be a light in a dark place and my hope is that my life will shine a light and help those remove their veil and step into freedom. Sorry if this is confusing or really vague. But I am learning still and Gods word has great advice to strengthen you when you are stuck in a hard place. I guess my challenge and what I hope any Christ followers get out of this is dont hide. Let people know who you are. You dont have to have all the answers or all the right words. Just live your life and think that if you never tell someone about Jesus with words you are telling them with your life.
Thank you for taking the time to read that AMO haha
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Choices
For now in my life God is shaping the world around me and the call and destiny for my life. The direction and the plan and purpose for that seems to be forever like water continually changing. There are basic elements in water such as H hydrogen and O Oxygen. My passions remain the same but it seems the the direction and shape of them seem to change even more. All though I am water right now the environment I am entering into I feel like I am going to be more like Ice. The circumstances and things that I once knew were certain are very different now. My call is solid but it takes time to learn how to walk on Ice and move on it. This might all seem very vague and for good reason. I need to vent so I turned to something that is a little more private and more imediate. I know that God has a plan and a purpose but when change comes you grab on to what ever hope you can. Sometimes it is nothing like you expected and sometimes it is but all I know is I am waiting for the date that I will fully under stand my call and what I am in right now. I know that my goal is completely different then what I am doing and about to do in the near future. I just pray that God remains my focus and soul desire and everything is going to be ok. don't worry I am not quitting just at a crossroad and the decision are tough and I am not sure what the will of God is cause everything looks so different.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
How Twitter Took Over My Life
So about 4 days ago Pastor Dan the director of Master's Commission Austin introduced me to this little bird named Twitter. If you don't know about Twitter you should ask someone. Twitter allows you to blog about your day as it is happening. It is like updating your facebook status but more frequently. I now only being 4 days into my twitter experience stopping through out the day to plug into my phone my latest emotions or events or thoughts of the that moment in time. I also find myself checking my texts to see if some one has anything awesome going on. Well you all should check out my twitter it is www.twitter.com/agreear check it out get one and follow me online as I live my life.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
How Swine Flu Changed My Life
Well It all started with a text message that read "It was once said that a black man would be President when pigs fly...well 100 days into his presidency swine flu!!!" well I looked at this text and thought is this suppose to be funny? So I read the text message to Michael to see if it made any sense to him. He just gave it a quiet chuckle and I asked what was so funny I don't get it. Well Michael looked at me as if I had been locked in a box for the past 50 years and have no idea what is happening in the world. Rightly so I had no idea what was happening cause the last time I watched the news had to be over 2 months ago. So he filled me in and told me that I need to watch the news more. This text I got on April 30th so I am still not sure what the fuss is all about but I know it is contagious and I do not want it.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lost in Master :)
Well this is the first post in a long time and there is a lot that has happened I have been to Seattle, Africa, Dallas for NYLC, had my brother come to Uncut, and Now am in LA for Event Force.
There has been a lot God has been doing in my life the past 3 months. I have been challenged in so many areas of my life that have gone under the radar, mainly in the way I talk and handle my relationships. I haven't got it all figured out but you learn that when you decide to head on a change it is hard but when you see progress others watch it happen and stand in awe of God.
I have learned the importance and rewards of diligently seeking God even when you don't have to God has blessed me so much. I have gone to Africa and I have seen my brother whom I have prayed for over the past 3 years to get a hold of God make a decision to come to Master's next year. I stand knowing and leaving this program that you continue to change if you desire to change and desire to see God's will in your life. It has been an awesome journey in Master's commission and I can't wait to see the next step God has for Me. I also passed my credentialing test to become a pastor which I didn't think that I would finish it or even pass the final in this Master's year.
I Got to attend an August Burns Red Concert which fueled my passion for scene kids. I really got to see how lost and the darkness over that group of people and that part of the City I want to see it changed and lives changed.
So life is cool ready for summer and the next step.
There has been a lot God has been doing in my life the past 3 months. I have been challenged in so many areas of my life that have gone under the radar, mainly in the way I talk and handle my relationships. I haven't got it all figured out but you learn that when you decide to head on a change it is hard but when you see progress others watch it happen and stand in awe of God.
I have learned the importance and rewards of diligently seeking God even when you don't have to God has blessed me so much. I have gone to Africa and I have seen my brother whom I have prayed for over the past 3 years to get a hold of God make a decision to come to Master's next year. I stand knowing and leaving this program that you continue to change if you desire to change and desire to see God's will in your life. It has been an awesome journey in Master's commission and I can't wait to see the next step God has for Me. I also passed my credentialing test to become a pastor which I didn't think that I would finish it or even pass the final in this Master's year.
I Got to attend an August Burns Red Concert which fueled my passion for scene kids. I really got to see how lost and the darkness over that group of people and that part of the City I want to see it changed and lives changed.
So life is cool ready for summer and the next step.
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