Clueless!

Recently, I had a disagreement about the NFL’s protest of the national anthem. Perhaps, because they are living their dreams they think their perspective is best.

But, my perspective is they are ignorant of what our anthem and flag stand for. Their symbolism goes beyond American pride; the flag represents the Americans who sacrificed much for our country (John 15:13). Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It’s why I can’t wait for Christmas.

That’s why the families receive a flag at the funerals of serviceman. And why I travel to my mentor’s around Veterans Day, to help put out crosses and flags for the fallen.

It’s the least I could do for those who’ve given so much. Maybe the fame and boasting have gone to the heads of athletes or maybe they’re just clueless.

CLUELESS?
Clueless is a nice way of saying ignorant. Ignorance is, “The lack of knowledge or awareness.” Everyone is ignorant of something (1 Peter 1:14). Most people are unaware of the sacredness of Old Glory.
Then there are those who possess great knowledge, yet are unable to put things together; they spend time acquiring knowledge to be great and little time applying it.

Knowledge isn’t bad; it’s powerless if not used. The prophets wrote the Old Testament so we could learn from it (Exodus 17:14, 34:1; Deut. 27:3; Jer. 30:2). Israel’s hearts were hardened and they became stiff-necked (Exodus 32:9, Exodus 33:3-5, Deuteronomy 9:13).

The Pharisees were experts in the law; they studied the Old Testament from childhood into adulthood and cited it by memory.

The Pharisees were experts on the Messiah. They knew everything God promised David, yet understood nothing. They could quote Isaiah about God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8).

However, when Jesus was born in a lowly manger on that first noel, He wasn’t the great savior they’d dreamed. He wasn’t swass enough for them. They were knowledgeable and still clueless how God worked. No wonder Jesus said they did the works of their father (John 8:44).

Jesus left perfection to be God with us. He brought joy to the world, not just God’s people who say they adore Him.

The Pharisees believed the Messiah would conquer the world and help the Jews rule it. They had no idea God would make a way to bring us all together as one glorious family (Rev. 7:9); it denies the logic of the Pharisees.

PHARISEES?
Although the Christmas baby arrived on time on that Oh Holy night to answer the cry of Israel (Galatians 4:4,) the Pharisees rejected Him. The Pharisees added more to the law, they turned blessings into curses.

They followed in the footsteps of false prophets God spoke against in the Old Testament, they told lies about God and how He works.

Some promised earthly riches and fame, they encouraged God’s people to chase their dreams and God rebuked Israel through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:8–9).

Unfortunately, like the Pharisees, the church is following suit too. I’m not just talking about the prosperity tweakers preachers who cherry-pick scripture to deceive believers, there’s a whole generation who’ve been taught God wants to give them all of their dreams. Dream theology says you can never have enough, keep dreaming.

I hate to let you down, the truth of the gospel is God is enough. It’s not complicated; real love is loving someone for who they are, not what we can get from them. We need to remember this during the holidays—this Christmas shouldn’t be wasted on what you want.

God wants to give us a new heart, not our selfish desires (Ezekiel 36:26); because the heart of man is wicked and makes us clueless (Jeremiah 17:9)!

P.O.V.?

Recently a friend and I talked about our pasts. I explained how I had been sober for over 20 years. He said you too? Then shared how he had made it a year. We agreed we didn’t miss the alcohol or old lifestyles, like staying out until 3 a.m.

We both wished we knew then, what we know now. Getting older puts things in a new light (Job 12:12.) What we valued in our youth, seem childish as we get older.

Later I headed downtown for lunch. As I drove past my old party hangouts, my heart sank as I watched the younger crowds walk the strip of bars and clubs. When I was younger I believed the lie you had to fit in if you want love.

Hindsight is 20/20; age is a vital lens to a mature perspective.

How many times have you said, “You wish you could go back and change something?” When we mature, life gives us a different P.O.V. For that I am thankful!

P.O.V.?

P. O.V. means point of view. There are three basic types of P.O.V.: first, second and third person:

• First person is written from the (I) perspective. It is who the action is about.

• Second person is what another person sees about another (you) perspective. Like a witness, not to us.

• Third person is the view of a person not involved in the situation; it is the (he, she or they) perspective.

Everyone has a different perspective, sometimes they change over a period of time, in writing this is called a character arc and this takes place over time, it is the journey from point A to point B.

Typically, this occurs as we get older, for me it started when I died. It’s a natural result when people get saved. My life has changed since God redeemed me.

Normally, the change is involuntary. I can still remember when I wrote my first story in seventh grade and saw it printed with my doodles in a school publication.

Before then I wanted to be an astronaut. But, God had His own plans. And He is still writing my story. At this point in my life I am finally comfortable being who I’m meant to be, I was born this way. I don’t have to fit in.

At this year’s Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers 'Conference, I saw it is okay to be different. I’m just being me and you be you.

I met writers with different styles and different stories than mine. I realized how unique my perspective is, because that’s how God made me. God gets the glory when we become who He wants us to be (John 14:12-13.) Not just chase our dreams.

Like when I was out partying like a rebel. His perspective lasts because He is omniscient. His perspective is supreme.

PERSPECTIVE?

Perspective is, “the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.” There are three sides (perspectives) to every story: yours, mine (I) and the truth (God). Our sin nature blurs our perspectives, we are gracefully broken.

God is sovereign; His perspective is the only one that is true—it is endless—it lasts forever (Deuteronomy 32:40, 33:27; Psalm 103:12; Revelation 1:8.) He is love and has the best P.O.V.

Frightened!

Last month I took my end of summer road trip to Atlanta for the Christian music Festival Celebrate Freedom. It’s my favorite road trip of the year and one of the scariest drives I force myself to take, it’s always worth it. The day is filled with a flood of emotions and being encouraged (1 Thessalonians 5:10–11).



Being legally blind, I have problems driving at night. This year was particularly nerve-racking as crews worked on I-75S over the weekend. All three lanes tried to merge into one to navigate the construction area; everyone was ready to go off and holla.

I didn’t help myself by driving downtown for dinner. What should’ve been an 1.5 cruise down the interstate turned into a 2 hour melee of dodging cars and 18-wheelers, facts of big city life.

Driving in Atlanta with 6 million other people is always a thriller! Fortunately for me I thrive off the adrenaline rush when I’m frightened.

FRIGHTENED?

The dictionary defines frighten as: “To make afraid or fearful, terrify or drive away by scaring." I’m not sure if it’s my faith or I’m just stupid, but I tend to be drawn to dangerous things like a moth to a flame; it makes me do crazy things.

Usually the first thing I do at the festival is take a ride on the lift over the fairgrounds; heights give me a rush like nothing else, maybe that’s why I like the mountains. This year I decided to ride at night and could see a million lights; as I passed over the food vendors the smell tempted me to take a dive into their tents.

I enjoy these moments because my faith tells me, fear not (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 56:3, 1 John 4:18, 1 Peter 5:7.) Fear isn’t the opposite of faith, but the catalyst for it.

Throughout the Bible we see stories of God’s people facing trials, emerging from the refiner’s fire with a stronger faith, even if they lose it all. When the early church was persecuted, they fled and the gospel of Jesus spread. The saints were considered faithful because they kept their faith when things got tough (Hebrews 11:1-40).

FAITHFUL?

Faith is, “Confidence or trust in a person or thing, a belief that is not based on proof.” Stronger Christians than I say faith is the substance of things hoped for, but not seen.

Faith grows stronger when we’re afraid.

The older we get, our faith grows or we wear ourselves out worrying. Jesus promised Jesus promised believers they would face trials in this world; but we can have peace, because He has overcome this world (John 16:33), He won’t let you down.

I couldn’t imagine going through life without Him. My heart broke as I watched the monster storm Irma devastate Florida. People walked through flooded streets like zombies.

However, it’s all good for believers; like King David was tested in the fields while shepherding—we know God is faithful and there is no need to be frightened!

Speedbumps?

After spending half the year pursuing my passion of writing, I got numb. I even felt physically exhausted. It’s a bittersweet truth about passion; it can be good or bad.

The apostle Paul is an example. His desire to be used by God became so strong, it blinded him to God’s will—he became somebody else. The irony is he had to become physically blind before he could see how far from God he was. You can be ready and willing and be wrong.

We get so caught up in life doing things for God; we forget Who we are doing them for. Then God has to slow us down to get us on track.
This is why scripture tells us to rest and be still (Psalm 37:7, 40:1). That is what I sensed God telling me when I got burned out. So I took a break and watched a couple of movies.

The first movie I watched affirmed what I felt Him saying. In the movie Dr. Strange, Stephen Strange is a world-renowned surgeon who gets so caught up in his craft, his passion for surgery ruins his life and God intervenes to make him to realize it.

Strange is in a car accident left unable to use his hands, he feels incomplete. After years of rehabilitation, he realizes he is on a different path in life. Strange is unable to rest and his passion leads him on a journey for a cure. He speeds over the speedbump and becomes obsessed with what he wants. His passion becomes a curse.

PASSION?

Passion is “Any powerful or compelling emotion, as love or hate, strong amorous feeling or desire, fondness, or desire for anything, sexual desire.”

Ever since seventh grade I’ve had a passion for writing. No matter what I do, whether it’s working out, biking, dancing or singing—nothing fullfills me like writing, I’m all in.

Sometimes our passions can be a calling, others a curse. It takes wisdom to know the difference. There are steps we can take to help get to the otherside.

At the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian writer’s conference, speaker Karen Porter shared, “Elijah had a passion for God. Elijah built an altar to God first.
• Build an altar–to be healed, to move on from pain and sin.
• Read the Bible-learn the mind of Christ.
• Pray-let God change you.

• Listen-see things from God’s point of view, learn from editors and agents.”
I’d like to think I’ve learned the art of listening after all I’ve experienced. However, like the apostle Paul, I know how knowledge and passion can blind us. It took a Damascus Road experience to teach him he was spiritually blind. God had to step in to show him his passion was driving him, not God.

From Paul I learn hardship isn’t meant to stop us, just slow us down and help us see God’s perspective—be still my soul and rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

STOP?
In college, I got caught up in pursuing the wrong things and I prayed God help me be free. My passion for writing was eclipsed by my desire to party (Romans 1:24). I was skipping class to hangout with friends. I thought I was bulletproof and resisted God.

If God hadn’t intervened, there would have been dark days and darker nights. I may have dropped out of college so the party could go on and on; I was one heartbeat away from going to hell forever on my own. Our sin nature distorts our passion as a green light to pursue worldly things; we are created to pursue God. My G.P.S. had to redirect in His perfect will.

My accident slowed me down; I knew it as soon as I woke up from my comma. Although the next 11 months of therapy were scary, they weren’t meant to stop me; only to slow me down like a heavenly speedbump.

Drive(Purpose)?

Last month I had a discussion with a friend about God’s sovereignty. We talked about how God’s purpose prevails, although we (mankind) have our plans; because God has known everything that will happen from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

He knows if we win in life, He knows our names and hears us when we pray (Psalm 1:6, John 10:11, 2 Timothy 2:19). God created everything for a purpose.

Purpose has become the desire for most people. Yet, it is as elusive as a deer. The problem with the plans of man is we can't help but serve ourselves.

This is why Rick Warren has written numerous books about purpose. Everyone is trying to find their way. Purpose drives us all.

PURPOSE?

Dictionary.com defines purpose as: “The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists.”

There’s a difference between God’s purposes and man’s, it’s not all about you. God’s purposes glorify God—the plans of man glorify himself. The prophets declared God’s ways are higher than ours (Psalm 103:11; Isaiah 14:24, 55:9) Scripture is clear, no man can comprehend the plans of God (Ecclesiastes 8:17, 1 Corinthians 2:11).

For this reason I am leery of anyone who claims God audibly talks to them. God speaks clearly through His Spirit, Word and creation. He has since the beginning. Rick Warren suggests every particle in the universe serves a purpose; big or small, God has a purpose for it.

Technology will ever help man understand everything. As summer draws to an end, swarms of flies increase. They stick to your skin like beads of sweat.
To most, flies are useless; I have learned they serve a purpose in God’s creation.

Flies are a food source for birds. Remember, Jesus’ taught His followers not to worry about their needs, because God takes care of the birds who don’t work for a paycheck (Matthew 6:25-27)!

Our needs and desires shouldn’t drive us. That’s God’s business. The Apostle Paul preached this to the church (Romans 8:28-29). Even if life doesn’t get easier, someday man will learn, life is about nothing but You, Lord—You drive everything!

DRIVE?

What we pursue drives us. Anything other than God could be considered sinful, we are free in Christ, but not free to pursue everything we want (Romans 6:19-20). I’ve experienced this myself.


On July 4th I decided to drive to a nearby town to visit some of my college hangouts and go to my favorite restaurant for lunch.

I had so much fun, I couldn't quit; I spent hours walking around town reminiscing about the good ‘ole days when the world had all my love. I got so caught up, I lost track of time and headed home late.

Forty minutes from my house, I got pulled over. Fortunately, I was given a warning and urged to slow down. When I got home I was satisfied I had learned my lesson.

But, just before I entered my house, I stepped on a bee. Two days later I was at my doctor. All because of the useless bee!

Nothing could be further from the truth. Bees serve a purpose in nature; God uses them to feed plants through pollination. Again, we see God’s purpose in Mother Nature’s drive!

The Journey?

At the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, opening keynote speaker Davis Bunn gave everyone a wake-up call about hills and valleys. He shared about his hardships as a writer.

Whether sacrifices or rejections, it was clear being a best-selling famous author isn’t easy, after all. Yet, we all have a hope (John 11:33). He shared, “By focusing on hardships you make it harder. We have a choice. Jesus said, ‘My yoke is easy.” We can trust God. God’s goals are better and more useful than our goals.”(Proverbs 19:21).

Face it, from the moment we’re born, everyone is crying–babies and parents. We know the journey of life is a difficult and something is broken. When I was young, I was taught that the journey is more important than the destination. The journey God has for us isn’t always that obvious.


JOURNEY?

Dictionary.com defines a journey as: a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; a distance, passage or progress from one stage to another.”

Speaker Todd Starnes shared, “The journey of 1000 miles starts with one step. Faith and freedom go hand in hand. We must tell our stories!” Our journeys are different, but hopefully our destination is the same, heaven, to be with God. I left the conference knowing we don’t have to wonder what God is doing—often the journey says—I’ll find you.

I was thrilled to be with other creative Christians, they are beautiful people. Like a writer from Nigeria or funnyman Torry Martin; two different stories, two different journeys, one purpose—to glorify God, so let your light shine bright.

Growing up as an Army brat, I’ve always been comfortable being myself and not fitting in. I learned as a child, hardships are part of life’s journey and are often more interesting than the destination.

When we lived in Colorado my family took trips to Georgia to visit my grandparents. My father enjoyed driving cross-country. One time, my siblings and I took a bus with our mother to visit my grandparents. While traveling through Texas, the bus encountered a flood; I’ll never forget how scared I was.

Then we stopped at a bus station where the stalls required change in the doors to use them. All those storms had a little boy doing a rain dance. Oh, the childhood memories. When we made it, I remember going to the field and picking vegetables, not a fun for a seven-year-old boy who hated vegetables! It wasn’t the summer that I had hoped for, but it was memorable (psalm 17:23)!

PLANS?


Before I left for the conference, I planned which classes I would take and who I would pitch my book to. But, the first day God said no and changed everything. God’s plans are better than ours (Isaiah 55:9).

God put me on the path He had planned long before the conference (Ephesians 2:10). He also put people on the path with me whom I never dreamed of meeting.

Like a veteran filmmaker who shared my passion for Christian film making. Then there was a beautiful young girl who also was given a scholarship. I was amazed that we shared the same convictions.

After the conference, I had planned a getaway to North Georgia for some relaxation. I had so much fun hiking gorgeous waterfalls that I ended up eating dinner at 9 o’clock.

I ate so fast that I didn’t chew my food and choked on it. Nothing would clear my throat and God had my attention. When I looked in the mirror I could see the color leaving my face.

I heard a car door shut and ran outside and tried to scream, but nothing came out. I knew I was about to die. I tried one more time while leaning over a railing and finally that dead holy bird came back from the dead and flew out of my mouth.

The tears ran down my face as I lay across my bed. I asked God what’s the purpose He keeps leaving me here for when I am broken? In that moment, He said, “I am your banner, I am with you, enjoy the journey!

Always An Adventure!

Last month I cut my finger pretty bad. At one point as I was watching the doctor put stitches in, I was overcome with fear and anxiety. I kept thinking, great God, I thought you loved me. Now I am on my way to the conference with a brain injury and a messed up finger, I tried to be fearless.

To make matters worse, it was time for me to flip my mattress; you don’t know how difficult it is to flip a bed mattress with stitches in your finger. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

But, once I got it flipped and my bedding back on, I just fell across my bed and rolled onto my back thanking God that had made it through the humbling task. And for the second time in as many months, I began remembering God’s faithfulness. And I realized that whenever things aren’t going how I want, I begin to grumble and blame God, instead of praying.

Then I remembered what the apostle Paul said about trials (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). This is the man whom God sent on many dangerous adventures. Deep in the heart of man is a great quest for adventure!

ADVENTURE?

A great adventure is fun and sometimes bloodcurdling, they thrill us because we are not used to them. They get us out of our comfort zones. They make us feel alive. But the best adventures in life are the dangerous ones. Every soldier knows the action is on the frontline. But you can’t get comfortable or lazy there or the enemy will attack.

One of my favorite things about the apostle Paul is his honesty about all the trials and hard times he faced for the sake of Christ. Moreover his perspective sheds light on why Christians should welcome suffering and heartache.

Some of the best writings of Paul read like scenes out of an Indiana Jones film. The Apostle shares gruesome stories of going all out for Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:16-32).

Throughout the Bible and history there are stories of God’s people not living easy or comfortable lives. God often takes us down the long hard road to make us grow in our faith and spice up our lives, the trials won’t last forever.

Adventures are unexpected and the opposite of what we want or plan. I am persuaded more than ever, trials and hard times aren’t from the devil or God’s wrath—but a means to an end. They are God’s way of getting us out of our comfort zones and into His will. It’s the hard stuff in life that causes us to rely on God more, not the easy feel-good things or fancy houses and cars. Israel’s journey to the Promised Land is proof, what an adventure of hardship!

HARD STUFF?
The Apostle Paul’s Damascus Road experience was some pretty hard stuff. Not just because he was physically blinded. But because he learned that he had been spiritually blind all of his life. He learned that he wanted all of the wrong things (Philippians 3:7).

What is interesting is that once Paul lost what he valued, his life became more adventurous. A full life is going all out for Jesus. Yes it will be hard and yes we will get hurt. Sometimes by friends are really just backstabbers, but that is part of life.

Besides, everyone enjoys when the hero has the comeback. Conflict is what drives every story, even fairytales. The best love stories happen naturally. They aren’t arranged by man (but God) and they aren’t always easy. Because a man’s got to have something to fight for!

The strongest relationships are formed from the toughest battles; they keep you on your toes and always guessing. Expectations limit relationships. But if we learn to let go, adventure awaits us. And the journey often brings two people closer together.

This is a tried and true idea millennials need to learn. The cure for a dying relationship and a boring life is just a little adversity. Because what comes out on the other side is often stronger than what goes in. It’s the same way in life.

No matter what comes my way, I know that I am not alone and God is just trying to make me stronger. God’s will is to give us a full life, which is more than we can comprehend (Ephesians 3:20). Let God write your story, He is the author of history and more creative than any of us. Only He can make the impossible, possible.

My writing coach for the past five years DiAnn Mills says it best in her theme, expect an adventure! So dive in, you won’t be disappointed. Trials and hardships come because with God, life is always an adventure!

For Your Life! Blog

Last month after I posted my blog my washing machine died on me, just as I was preparing to go to a writers’ conference. I’d been saving up for the trip and then I had to use the money to get my washer fixed. You know, I thought it just wasn’t God’s will.

One night I knelt down in my bedroom and cried out oh Lord, why now? What do you want from me? I didn’t know if a writing career was God’s will for me, so I put my fleece before the Lord and prayed (Judges 6:1-40).

Before my knees hit the floor, that still small voice reminded me of 20 years ago when I thought I was invincible before my accident, I literally walked out of the club scene and found myself sitting in silence crying out to God for a second chance; I told God to take my life before I did. I was chained to sin.

I needed grace, I wanted a new start. I knew I had walked away from everything I learned about Jesus as a child. For six years I tried to live it up like the world. I was dead in my sin; I needed to live again (Ephesians 2:1-5.)

LIFE?

Life means different things to different people. Webster’s dictionary defines it as, “The sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual, the ability to grow, change, etc.”

Face it, life isn’t about having things or lots of money and a big mansion. Jesus told His followers to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21.) Because this world is not our home, we are misfits in a world of temporary things (1 Peter 2:11-12.) The gospel gets us to heaven, not the best life here!

Life is made up of many diverse experiences. Growth and change occur when we apply what we learn from our experiences to our lives. Life is not always a bed of roses—a full life is made up of positive and negative things (Romans 8:28-30). Trials and tough times build our character and faith.

Don’t tell me what you believe, show me. There are many things I’d like to share with millennials, but here are my top 5 words of wisdom (Phil. 4:9.)

• Get your heart broken often, it’ll teach you what real love is.
• It’s okay to give up on a dream; it will give God room to work and expand your horizon.
• If you want to change the world, be the change.
• There is life outside of momma's house.
• Hard times and suffering aren’t all that bad; they let you know you’re still alive.

If you’re a millennial, there’s still hope, 25 years ago no one thought my generation (Generation X) would amount to anything either. But we had an epiphany and learned the hard way about hard love.

One of my favorite pastimes is cooking, especially old family recipes or culture specialties, I cook a lot of German dishes. The first step in cooking German cuisine with meat is make sure the meat as tender.

This requires using a tenderizing mallet. The meat is pounded until it is about a quarter of an inch thin. This allows the meat to be cooked thoroughly through without drying it out.

My favorite is chicken schnitzel; I learned how to cook it in Colorado a few years ago. Actually, I learned a lot in Colorado. I took a trip to the top of Pikes Peak with some friends.

As beautiful as it was up there, ironically nothing can grow, once you’re above the timberline the air is too thin for life to grow. The mountaintop has some majestic views, but no life.

MOUNTAINTOPS?

Everyone wants to be on top of the mountain, but growth comes in the hills and valleys. Jesus told a parable about the kind of soil that gives life (Matthew 13:1-23).

Most of Jesus’ followers were commoners and farmers, almost Bohemian—not big leaders or the elite. They knew to listen to the Master; they understood what kind of soil would yield life.

They saw how weeds and pestilence could choke out life. They knew rough seasons come, but if they waited life would return.

Sometimes God doesn’t help or give us what we want because He is shaping us into who His masterpiece, full of life and faith.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the directors of the conference informing me I had received a scholarship to attend.

We don’t always get second chances in life or understand why; all I know is a God is amazing! So grab the reins of life and hold on to God when trials come, they aren’t to harm you, but for your life!

F.Y.I.?

Recently I had a discussion with an old friend about the movie The Shack. After stating my stance on the film, she disagreed with me. She explained how the book pretty much followed everything she learned about God while growing up.

She said she knew the Bible and everyone she knew liked the book. If you know me, you know I’m not a fan of hype Christianity—I’m not one to just go along with the crowd.

I believe believers are called to be different from the world. We aren’t defined by what we know or say, but what we do with it. Hello, this is why Jesus became so frustrated with the religious elite (Matthew 23:2-7). What we know about God is useless if we do nothing with it, the Pharisees are proof.

They learned the Old Testament since childhood and failed to apply it to their lives. Our identity is in Jesus, not what we know about Him—God is our banner!

They missed the Savior, the answer isn’t gaining knowledge, it is applying the knowledge to our lives. Jesus is proof of that and why we are forgiven. And that is what this blog is about.

KNOWLEDGE?

Knowledge is, “the sum of what is known, the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind.”

Since we are human and want to be somebody we each try to acquire different types of knowledge. Unfortunately, knowledge is useless if it is not applied.

While in men’s ministry, I was approached by an older brother who shared he struggled to get into the word. He said he really wanted to, but just didn’t have the time.

He was a friend; I kindly told him getting into the Bible was the easy part. But getting the Bible into our lives was the hard part. A successful Christian life isn’t about memorizing as many verses as possible, it is letting the word change us and what we DO—how we live.

I use love and grace as examples. I can read every romance novel or expository on grace and never fully understand either until I experience them. Most things in life are best learned through experience, sometimes even bad experiences.

This is why most of Jesus’ teachings fell on deaf ears, until He used parables for illustrations. Unfortunately, most of us only learn the hard way, even though we have all the answers.What do I know; I thought I could save myself too

I knew better than to live how I did when I was younger. But I failed to apply what I knew to my life and it killed me. I am just as stubborn as my mother, today would’ve been her 67th birthday.

Years before my parents were diagnosed with cancer, the doctor told them about the effect smoking was having. But they chose to do nothing with the information and it cost them their lives. I will never forget watching them waste away, especially my father when he couldn’t walk to the bathroom without me helping.

My mother had fear in her eyes when she couldn’t hold down water without coughing up a lung. This is why I pray for anyone who smokes any kind of cigarette, it is not worth it and you should be afraid, it’s not okay!

King Solomon said the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7), because fools don’t want to do anything with what they learn. The Pharisees had all the knowledge of God and scripture, but did nothing with it.

JUST DO IT?

The Christian life isn’t about being happy all the time because of what we know. It’s about using what we know to show others the love of God. We can’t spend Sunday in church and love less.

Mondays are the hardest time to practice what we learn in church. Every moment is an opportunity to let your little light shine for Jesus. Matthew shares a story about Jesus and a young expert in the law who wanted to have eternal life. He knew the commandments and knew they couldn’t save him. Jesus told him to go and do something and he would be perfect(Matthew 19:16-22).

Religion is an example of how we can get so much information and fail to use it —it is pointless. Like the Pharisees, many Christians go on a powertrip and neglect to do anything. Sometimes church can be like a bunch of rednecks boasting about themselves at a good ole’ hoedown or therapy session.

IMAGINE spending your entire life learning things and never using it in life. Life isn’t some happy-go-lucky vacation. Next month when I go to a writers' conference, it will be to further my career, not just FYI!

Worth It All!

Last month I shared about my parents’ marriage. Ready or not, here is the rest of the story. The last twenty years of their marriage was full of heartache and even a split between them. I remember watching my father fight for his marriage.

At one point I even left with him. I watched him cry himself to sleep every night. Anyone who knew my father knew he would do anything for my mother. Before he died he told me that he knew it would be hard being married to my mother, but didn’t know it would be worth it in the end. All the years of sacrifice, suffering and fighting only strengthened their love; which made their marriage something beautiful.

If they hadn’t died in 2004, today would’ve been there 52nd wedding anniversary. They weren’t the most educated, wealthy or popular. But, they taught me what real love and grace are and pride can hinder grace. This is why I’m a helpless romantic, willing to fight and wait for someone I care about. As a Christian I cannot withhold grace (Hebrews 12:14-15).We can’t live without grace.

Most of us sacrifice, fight and wait for what we want. I’ll wait forever, but I’m not patient. Patience is how you handle waiting (I’m more like a two-year-old child waiting for a toy. I cry and throw a temper tantrum until I get when I want.)

But when we do get it, when we breakthrough all the suffering and waiting, it’s normally worth it. It gives what we want more worth. The patriarchs of the faith didn’t receive what they waited for, but something more valuable (Hebrews 11:32-39.)

WORTH?

Worth means, “Good or important enough to value or justify.” Everyone values different things. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. I appreciate a good rainy day.

Being creative, there is nothing like a rainy day to sit inside and think. Stormy days also help us appreciate the sunny days more. When we finally get outside and enjoy the sunshine, we appreciate it more.

Sometimes God makes us wait and work for His best while He continues to shape us. During this season He equips us, I’m learning to grow during this season of waiting.

I’m trying to save money up to attend a christian writers' conference in May, so I can pursue my writing goals. Sacrifice and pain can get our attention like nothing else. I’ve learned when trials come, it’s not necessarily a bad thing—it can be the purest form of grace.

Grace doesn’t always feel good. God chastens those He loves (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6). I learned it the hard way when I had my accident. I knew what God was doing because I knew what the Bible says about discipline. His kind of love doesn’t always feel good and isn’t easy.

I KNOW?

Before my accident, God sent friends to talk to me about how I was living, but I wouldn’t listen. I would just say I know what I‘m doing. God knew He had to get my attention, because I am stubborn as a child; which is why He had to use pain to refine me. By the grace of God the old me is dead and gone!

He knew some of the people I dated or spent time with weren’t good for me and had to get me away from them. Like the young woman who got me doing drugs. The ones who were my real friends I am still friends with and talk to today, some are Hindu and some Muslim. But they care enough about me to tell me the truth. The ones I lost never really my friends in the first place. It hurt at first, but time has healed those wounds, love broke through.

The 31st of this month is twenty years since I had my head cracked and I am in awe of the changes in me since (Hebrews 12:28.) I have a much higher tolerance for physical and emotional pain. Nothing hurts worse than letting your back decompress or watching doctors pull 65 Staples out that hold your face to your head.

It’s obvious it was a season for God to prepare me for the pain and heartache I’ve suffered recently and I’m closer to who He wants me to be. I know I have to give grace, even when I don’t want to. It would be much easier to get revenge or runaway. But the miracle is God has changed my heart. Because of grace, the past can't hold us.

I’ve seen countless miracles in my life over the last twnenty years. To be honest I’m rady and waiting for one more. I know it won’t be easy, but it just may be worth it all!

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Mistakes?

My name is Martin Johnson and I’m a Christian. I’m also a sinner. I have been hurt by other Christians and I have hurt other Christians. Nothing hurts worse than hurting someone you care about, I know about it.

Last month I made a big mistake and hurt a friend I care about. Once I realized it, it tore me to pieces; it feels like the biggest mistake of my life. I was reminded how broken I am and how much we all want to be loved unconditionally. Yes, Christians make mistakes too. It’s not a mental problem, it is a sin problem.

If you’re not a Christian, don’t judge Christianity on the actions of Christians but those of Christ; He lived without sin and loved everyone unconditionally. God doesn’t make mistakes—we do. That is what this Valentines blog will be about; yes it’s time 4 that again. The Bible is clear we all make mistakes (Romans 3:23). Sometimes I feel like I have the art of making them on lock down.

MISTAKES?

Mistakes are defined as: “an error in action, opinion or judgment caused by poor reasoning or carelessness. " Most mistakes are accidents. In my case, I was selfish and curious about someone I care about. I never intended to hurt them.

Other mistakes are intentional with the sole purpose of hurting others. I’ve experienced this throughout my life and more recently when trusted friends betrayed my friendship.

They think because I have a brain injury I’m too slow to figure things out, nah bruh. The church has a history of making mistakes. The apostle Paul consistently reprimanded the church about how they acted (Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8).

We won’t just make mistakes when we are young. Some of us make more mistakes the older we get, it’s part of being human (1 John 1:6-8). Even Pres. Trump will make mistakes. The Pharisees were too educated to understand this.

I was reminded of this when I saw the movie The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. In a particular scene a church reenacts the story of the woman caught in an act of adultery. The Pharisees proudly pointed out her mistake, but failed to see their own. who else has done that?

It’s easy to throw stones, but it is a mother to catch them. The character playing Jesus kneels down and writes the word grace in the sand as he looks the woman. On what should have been the worst day of her life, Jesus made it her best day ever!

He Who made no mistakes, chose to show grace to His beloved. I learned years ago that if I can’t learn to show grace while I’m single, I have no business getting married, because we are all make mistakes. It’s scary to take a chance after you’ve been hurt, but there is no room in love for fear (1 John 4:18). If you woke up this morning, hold on, it’s going to hurt. But, it is well with me.

God is teaching me as much is I need grace from those I’ve hurt, I have to give grace to those who hurt me. Believe me I don’t want to, there’s one I’d like to punch in the face. But, I am a Christian. I know what empowers unconditional love. I call it grace and it is crazy. Pastor Mike Foster says it best, “Tell me every terrible thing you did, and let me love you anyway!”

GRACE

Everyone loves the idea of grace, but few are willing to give it. It can heal the broken heart of a love addict. Mistakes don’t mean you’re not a Christian, only human. The Apostles were notorious for making mistakes. Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62)?

But they experienced something called grace, especially Peter. They were given a second chance. Peter went on to say that love covers an abundance of sins (mistakes) (1 Peter 4:8). All believers are saved by grace and can rest in the love for God (Ephesians 2:8).Grace says, more of you and less of me.

Real love isn’t easy, because to love 4 real is to show grace and forgive even when it hurts. I saw this in my parents’ marriage with its hills and valleys. Before his death my father shared how much something my mother did hurt him and I watched her do it the week before he died.

He shared with me and a neighbor; he knew how my mother was before he married her nearly 40 years earlier. My parents didn’t have a perfect marriage, but they had love and grace in it until they died.

Every relationship and friendship has its problems, but not every relationship ends over them. With the grace and love in our lives, there really aren’t any mistakes.

Puzzled?

This past Thanksgiving I spent some time with my mentor and his family. There were some difficult situations in my life and I needed to get away and get some godly advice from him. I didn’t understand what was happening with me.

Hobbies I’ve enjoyed for years didn’t appeal to me anymore. Even my favorite pastime of biking seemed more like a chore than relaxation. It seemed like things were changing so fast in my life, the year was a blur.

He told me we all go through seasons in life when things change. He told me not to worry about it and take it to God. So I went for a hike in the countryside by a mountain reservoir.

It was there that I cried out to God for clarity... for healing from the heartache and disappointments of 2016. Last year was pretty stressful for me and I’m so ready for the new year and all it will bring, I’m amazed that I’m still breathing. 2016 get on outta here! If it was tough on you, this blog is for you.

Personally, I’m hoping for a breakthrough in 2017. And I’m crazy enough to dare to believe that God will do something different and great in the new year, because the sun is rising on a new year.

In those quiet moments by the water, while the sun shined and the fall leaves fell, God reminded me that He takes the good and bad in life and makes it work for my good (Romans 8:28-30). Just like with the seasons, God has a way of putting things together like a puzzle to paint a more beautiful picture.

Puzzles?

Growing up as an Army brat, my family traveled a lot. So I spent a lot of time playing board games and putting together puzzles. Not the ones with the big pieces that seem to fit together perfectly. The ones with what seemed like a billion small puzzle pieces.

I remember one time I was struggling with one and got so frustrated that I pushed it off the table and began crying. My father came to me and told me to calm down and breathe.

He told me to step back, wait, focus and look at the picture on the box. He told me not to rush and it would be easier to see the bigger picture.

And that’s how God works in life. He has spent eternity putting things together. The creation story (Genesis 1:1-31) is all about how God takes different things and puts them together to make something new and the Holy Spirit is there anointing it (1:2). Man, I wanna go back.

Some theologians believe it only took a thousand years, while scientists believe it was longer, a billion years. God took His time to get it just right and He took it to the next level.

His expertise isn’t limited to nature. Moses explains God made humans different (27) and later brought them together in a holy marriage (Genesis 2:24-25). I know it’s not politically correct, but Scripkture is clear marriage was created for two different beings, not the same.

Evolution even supports this. Yes, it takes time to get things right in a relationship. That’s why I continue to wait for the right woman. You can’t get something right out of the wrong person no matter how hard you try, Lord have mercy.

Wrong?

History has a way of repeating itself. And this is the biggest lesson I’ve learned from 2016, it’s okay to be different from the person you’re dating. It’s alright if you don’t always see eye to eye. It’s even okay if you fight more than you talk.

Because arguing is a form of communication, it’s honesty at its rawest. While I’m being honest, I have to admit I really don’t want to date somebody just like me. I’d be bored to death. Variety makes life more interesting, sameness makes it bland, although comfortable. I’ve spent most of my life looking for the wrong things in my relationships. But, now I’m learning to let God put the pieces of the puzzle together, because IDK the big picture.

Besides, the older I get the more I seem to change. Yet, I’m learning to be content with what God is doing in my life (Hebrews 13:5). I’m learning to let God take the good and bad parts of my life and do what I keep getting wrong, that’s amazing Grace. If we really trust Him, we won’t be so puzzled.