Just Brian

But are you REALLY excited?

2008-09-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

I read this verse: "Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming" (1 John 2:28). As I read it, I asked myself, "Am I really excited about Jesus coming back or am I still embarrassed about the ways that I've messed up?" Shame and guilt are powerful weapons. A lot of times, we are the ones smacking ourselves with them. But Jesus wants us free. He wants us to be EXCITED about his return. It truly is going to be an amazing reunion. No shame. No guilt. So I say: COME!

To be able to say this one day...

2008-07-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." - John 17:4

Jesus said these words to the Father before he would be arrested and crucified. Oh that I could say these same words with all confidence that I too had done everything that the Father called me to do. To finish his work and to bring him glory in the process is my heart's cry.

Wow - What a Perspective to Have!!

2008-03-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God does not protect His own Son .. . He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process." - Elisabeth Elliot

The Beauty of CHOICE

2008-01-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - Galatians 1:3-5

I don't pretend to know Greek, but I can read the writings of others who do. So tonight, I decided to do that. The Greek word for will here is thelema. "So what?", you might be thinking. But then I read this: "equivalent of CHOICE."

CHOICE: "an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. (a). the right or ability to make, or possibility of making, such a selection. (b). a range of possibilities from which one or more may be selected. (c). a course of action, thing, or person that is selected or decided upon."

You know what that means? It was God's CHOICE to rescue us. He didn't have to. He was not forced. Rather, he had a desire/will and acted upon that. With choice comes yearning/longing. In other words, whether or not you are a Christian, God's desire for you began with him choosing. If you are reading this without a relationship with Christ, I pray that this moves you closer to receiving his gift of rescuing. If you do know Christ, I pray this both humbles and ignites you once again.

I'm not sure if this does anything for you, but it has caught fire within me once again.

Still Struggling with Martha

2008-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Read the following from my journal from this morning: "I thought that I would have this amazing quiet time this morning because of how much I need [God]. However, I've read your word and nothing. I've even read out of Psalms to get away from just doing Acts, and nothing." Did you see that word right before "Acts"? Doing. I have preached on the difference between Mary and Martha. I have shared with others how important it is to be like Mary, just willing to sit at Jesus' feet. And the problem that I'm realizing is this: I don't like to sit still — not even with Jesus. I am so about producing that I am not resting. I am so about doing that I am not being with Jesus.

Kind of humbling to be shown the same thing once again.

Wrestling with my kids...

2007-09-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

My boys are so much fun. Wrestling with my three-year-old and my one-year-old is becoming a true joy for me. Why? Because I kick butt. Of course I hold back a lot and let them start to win (even letting them "win" other times) so that have some fun beating up on dad. But when I've had enough, I just up and move them out of my way.

I recently looked at Jacob and his wrestling match with God. The passage says this: "And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him" (Genesis 32.24b-25).

I picture God holding back as he wrestles with me. I have fun during those matches, at times, while other times they frustrate me. And when we've gone long enough, he just does what he has to do to remind me that he's the one in charge. And honestly: I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Little A.W. Tozer

2007-09-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

"When I think of the angels in heaven who veil their faces before the holy God who is totally truthful, I wonder why every preacher does not begin preaching about God—who He is, His attributes, His perfection, His being and why we love Him and why we should trust Him!" (Jesus, Author of Our Faith).

Would You Be As Excited?

2007-08-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

If Jesus wasn't in heaven, would you still be just as excited to go there?

When It Seems To Never End...

2007-08-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him,... (5.1-2; NASB)
Think about how the disciples of Jesus had to have been feeling at that moment. They just crossed the sea of Galilee where they were almost swept under by the storm, only to sea Jesus command the wind and the waves and seeing the wind and waves obey. So they had to be pretty shaken. You would think that they would get a little alone time to think about the events of the night. But no. They are met by a naked demon possessed man right when they got off the boat.

This is an absolutely exhausting "season" for his followers. And honestly: I shouldn't expect anything different. There are times when Jesus gets me away to be alone and to recover. But he gets me alone to recover because I'm going to have to face seasons just like this. I'm not almost dying in a boat and then being met by naked demon-possessed men. But I am running on empty right now, and that's exactly where God wants me to be. I'm convinced that Jesus will take you to your limit so that he can create a new limit in you.

Here's a question...

2007-04-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Taken from something that I heard Tony Campolo is known to ask:

If there was no heaven or hell. If there was no afterlife, are you still so in love with Jesus and so convinced of the difference that he makes in this life that you would still follow him?

Think about it. It will open your eyes. Enjoy.

Keep It Simple

2007-04-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I spent a week in Mexico speaking to a bunch of students from the US and Canada who went down there for a week-long mission trip. And you know what we spent our time doing? Worshipping through singing, studying God's word, and going out to serve others. We worshipped and studied in the dirt. They served in the dirt. And you know what: it was absolutely beautiful. Students received Christ after every chapel time. A few here. A few there. And as they stood, they were welcomed into God's family by their youth group. They were hugged and cried over. A true celebration: one that I know made all of heaven celebrate—especially the Creator of celebration.

Simple is good. When there's too much glitter, no one notices anything else. I would rather see God in the simple rather than the performance in the glitter. How about you?

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself...

2007-02-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

My office at home is now in the garage. And honestly: it's a sweet setup. I have a huge window that faces the San Bernardino mountains (at least I have that window when the garage door is up). Today I watched two of my neighbors across the street. Both of them were collecting their garbage cans from the street. I noticed: they didn't even acknowledge that each other were there. I thought, "How sad." We have become so individualistic that even just saying hi to our neighbors has become something of a difficulty. And then I was convicted: I don't remember their names. I guess it's time to start loving my neighbors enough to remember their names. How about you?

Lesson from Solomon's Song

2007-02-07T23:34:00.000-08:00

I started teaching from the book of Song of Solomon tonight at our high school worship service. I have to admit: intimidation was definitely alive and well within me as I prepared my first message out of this book. But you know what: the topic came alive. In a nutshell: think of how things could be different if each person understood and accepted their true value not based on popular media or according to "superstar" celebrity standards. Our value is based on what the Creator thinks about us. What is that? HE CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF US! If you're reading this and struggle with "who you are", remember that you were created by a God who said, "a masterpiece" when he finally finished you. You are perfectly made. Physically, you are beautiful. Now he's just got to keep working on the inside.

It's Just Fun To Hang

2007-02-04T23:21:00.000-08:00

The InsideOut Superbowl party was just fun. If someone were to ask me, "How was the Superbowl party," I would say, "It was just fun." That's not a bad thing. It's a great thing. You see: it's just fun to just hang out. No "purpose" except to be together. Why is that so great? Because that's what family does. Just hanging out and being together. So much fun. Christians could really benefit from just hanging out with each other. Why? Because that's what family is supposed to do.

And oh yeah: Go Colts! I'm not a Colts fan but am so thankful that Peyton Manning has a Superbowl ring so that sports "analysts" can pick a new topic other than how Peyton can't win the big game. There has to be something else just as interesting to talk about.

Parents are good people!

2007-01-31T16:25:00.000-08:00

I just had a meeting with a parent. Being a newer parent I could totally relate with her more than I could have before having kids. It was a great CONVERSATION. She shared. I shared. Such a great time. And then it hit me again; a great reminder was given to me today. Parents really do care about their kids. I understand that in this world there are those who call themselves parents while acting nothing like it. But for the most part, parents care so deeply for their kids. So if you're a teenager reading this, don't forget that your parents care about you. If you're a parent, keep telling your kids how much you love them. If you're a youth worker, just a reminder: parents are on your team, not fighting against you. The ultimate goal is to see these teenagers become fully devoted and passionate followers of Christ. So whether you're a parent, youth worker, or student, keep the main goal in mind. It was great to be reminded of that today.

Slander anyone?

2007-01-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

SLANDER - I looked through a thesaurus and saw this synonym for slander: character assassination. I listened to a message this morning on the way to the church from Francis Chan dealing with slander. Very convicting as I thought about how often I demean others in order to feel better about myself. You may say, "I don't slander. I may tell someone something about someone else that is true, but that's different." I'm sorry, but it isn't. Slander is when I demean anyone, whether the information is true or false, with the ultimate goal of making them seem less than me. Are you guilty? This cannot be the case. If I want to see true unity in my ministry, slander cannot be a part of it. And while we're on the topic, did you hear about...?

Just thinking outloud (or at least on the keyboard)

2007-01-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

That's right. I've entered the world of blogging. I have to be really honest here: I don't understand it. It seems like I'm writing in a journal for all the world to see. Kind of takes away the anonymity out of a diary. But, the bonus is that if you so choose, you can follow me as I walk on this journey through life with Christ. I'm not looking for debates and arguments. I'm merely wanting a place to write what comes to mind while hopefully encouraging others who may be on the same road in their journey. Some will silly and fun. Other parts may be serious. But whatever part I come to, it's life. "What a ride" it truly is!

Check out the website for InsideOut High School Ministries.