Question: What is Love (part two)

So my last post was about answering the question, “What is love?” After talking about it a lot, I finally brought you to a list of what love is, along with one of what love is not.  This list came from breaking down the Apostle Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13.  If you haven’t read that post I suggest checking it out here.  

Today we’ll continue that subject and look at how a person can love.  Looking at all of those traits it seems like an extremely daunting task to obtain all of them.  In actuality, when I first made the list I didn’t think that I possessed any of those traits.  I fit in better with the Hate side than the Love side.  So how did I change myself?  Well, honestly I didn’t, God did.  I know cheesy answer but I’m going to take you through the practical things I found.  

First thing to do is to make sure that you know God.  Here’s what I mean.  To love like God loves, which is described in part in 1 Corinthians 13, we must know God because God is love.  I’m getting this from a letter the Apostle John wrote to several churches in the late 1^st century.  It states; 

“7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

What this says is that love comes from God.  If we have been born of God, meaning we have a relationship with Him through the salvation of his son Jesus Christ, then we can love fully like God because God is in us.  Well, that was a mouthful.  Maybe it’s better said like this - Because God is love, and we are in him through his Son Jesus, you/I can learn to love like God.  

This is really the only way to love fully, is to be in him.  Yes, we can argue that those of you who don’t believe in God can love as well and a semblance of that might be true, however, I’m under the firm belief that it is through God that we can obtain a love that is immensely greater than our own.  

The second thing I had to do was transform my mind.  Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  What this means is that for anything to change in my life, I must first change the way I think about it.  For me to view myself as a loving person, I had to change my mindset and in doing so, God transformed my heart.  

Now don’t get me wrong here, this is not easy and it is a process.  It took us nearly a year of me working at Starbucks dealing with all kinds of difficult, demanding people to come to the realization that the entire purpose of me being there had been fulfilled.  I’m not done either.  The process is continuing to this day and will continue on, but the transformation is one of the essential steps in learning to love.  

So, time for a self-assessment.  Are you loving like God is calling you to love? Are you being honest with yourself? 

Book Review: Greater

I recently finished reading the book Greater by Steven Furtick. He is well known as the writer of Sun Stand Still and the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Greater: dream bigger, start smaller, ignite God’s vision for your life is a book about just that, igniting God’s vision for our lives. Throughout this entire book he shows us that God is ready to give us more, if we are willing to go for it. Furtick says, “The thing is, most believers aren’t in imminent danger of ruining their lives. They’re facing a danger that’s far greater: wasting them.”  His desire is for every Christian to find the full potential God has for them. 

Overall this book was really great to read.  Furtick bases his entire work on the life of Elisha, and how he came to be one of the greatest prophets we know of in Scripture. He is saying that God has more for each and everyone of us, just like he had for Elisha. This book sure has challenged me to look at my own faith and walk with God and see that there is much more to Christianity than living a mundane life. My kindle version is now full of highlights and notes! 

I received this e-book for free to review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. If you would like your own copy I suggest Amazon. 

David

Immanuel

It’s Christmas Eve!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Streets, businesses, and houses are all decorated in lights, snow, blow-up figures, trees, and so much more. People are typically nicer than they are the rest of the year. Families make time in their busy schedules to spend with each other. Overall it’s just a pleasant time of year. 

This year has been different for me. I’ve been super busy lately and haven’t made too much time to reflect on what Christmas means. But in the short time I have reflected on the meaning of Christmas, the term Immanuel stuck out to me greatly. 

Right before Thanksgiving, I strongly believe that God put this word on my heart to reflect on.  The term itself comes from the book of Matthew and means “God with us.” I did some research on the meaning of this name of Jesus and found that it is significant because God chose to be with us instead of being against us, or opposed to us. 

Think about that. Humanity was full of unholiness, sin, and was far from God. Because of his vast love for us, he chose to be with his creation. He chose to bring salvation to humanity because he loves us. That salvation is still available to humanity today. 

God still loves humanity. He loves me. He loves you. He chose to be with me and he chose to be with you. 

So that’s what I’m reflecting on this Christmas season. God’s love for me. Every time I hear the name Immanuel in sermons, talking, or songs I’m reminded of his ultimate act of love, shown for me, and for you. 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

-DS

Summer recap from a different perspective

Hello there readers!

Below you will find a link to the official Clear Camps blog. One of our leaders has written some about the summer, and also a challenge to all who attended a Clear Camp this summer. It's a great read from a different perspective than mine so I figured I'd share it with you here, so take a look. 

http://www.clearcamps.com/yourmove/

David

Clear 2012 - Week 7

Week 7 - Conroe, TX

Week 7 of our Clear summer consisted of our team heading down to Conroe, TX to work with a church called Under Over Fellowship.  The church, less than two years old, is pastored by Jerry Vineyard.  Due to a passion to serve the homeless community in Conroe, their vision is to be a literal “come as you are” church family.  

What's really amazing, is that Under Over genuinely wants to help people get back on their feet.  Vineyard and his team take a few people at a time, teach them how to restore old furniture in their shop Under Over Mission, and then sell it in the store called All Things New.  After time, the guys working in the shop make enough money selling furniture to have a secure sustainable income.  

This week we also had the chance to visit the Conroe House of Prayer, or CHOP as it’s commonly referred to.  This is a ministry that opens its doors for the homeless community every weekday from about 5:00 to 9:00am.  Food is provided along with daily worship and preaching.  

While at the CHOP on Monday, we were able to further connect with many of the same people we had met at Under Over Fellowship on Sunday.  Through the week many of the team had the opportunity to listen to stories and pray with many of the people.  We even had one guy tell us that he would give God another try after hearing one of our team members talk about the week.  What’s amazing is that God was showing His vast love for people through every individual on our team.  

I really think that was one of the big things God wanted to show me this summer, what His love really looks like.  I spent the whole week in 1 Corinthians 13, which most of you know as the Love chapter.  I really think that being in the middle of a bunch of people I’ve never cared about before, and spending time in this chapter, God expedited my learning of the subject.  I’m no expert on God’s love yet, but I have a better understanding.  I would encourage you to go read 1 Corinthians 13 and take some time to understand what love is, and what love is not.  I believe this will help you get a better understand of God’s love for people.  

So anyway, back to Conroe.  There is so much more I could tell you about our week in Conroe.  We put on a VBS for a parent center located in an old school and saw three or four kids come to know Jesus as their savior.  We walked around in some sketchy neighborhoods with known drug houses passing out flyers and making connections for Under Over Fellowship.  We had the opportunity to lead a Wednesday night service where many of our team had a part through music, preaching, testimony, dance, or serving.  But through all of what we did, God’s love was shown and that’s the only thing that really mattered.  

Thanks for reading!

David

Clear 2012 - Week 3

Week 3 - Chicago, IL


Well, this week our team has traveled up to the grand ole city of Chicago.  Most of our team was surprised to learn that the entire east side of Illinois is mostly flat, and is nothing more than corn and a few windmills.   


And to say that coming up here has been a culture shock would be an understatement.  You could probably call it ignorance but I had no idea Chicago contains a large Hispanic population.  In conversation I have learned that the majority of the neighborhood is of Puerto Rican heritage.  I am now intrigued to do a little historical research about the city when I find the adequate time.  


Anyway, we have been working with Salem Christian School which is a ministry of New Life Covenant Church here in the city of Chicago.  The school is located in an old Lutheran church that was built in the 1890’s.  History tells us that the church closed in the early 1980’s and the school bought, and moved into the building.  So from an architectural and historical point, this is a pretty cool building.  Looking at it from a modern day comfort standpoint … not so much, but we are happy to be here serving the Lord, which I will tell you about next.


Ok, so this week we have helping do some renovation/maintenance work (cleaning, electrical, painting, cleaning bird poop from a bell tower, etc).  Yes, you read that right, quite a few members of our team were given the task of cleaning piles of old pigeon poop from the top of the school’s bell tower.  This was a nasty, but rewarding job for those involved.  Once it was cleaned, some of us went up that night and enjoyed a beautiful sunset along with a great view of the city of Chicago.  


While I was able to enjoy a piece of our teams hard work, most of my days were spent working on all things electrical.  Ron, the school’s maintenance guy, was extremely happy to have someone with an electrical background on the team as he has had a long list of items that needed to be fixed.  He’s probably been exploiting my limited skills as an electrician, but I don’t mind that because I’m one of those weird people that enjoys playing with wires.  


I’ve also had the chance to use this time to teach these skills to one of the other guys on my team.  God is definitely stretching me here as He’s basically given me someone to teach and mentor all day long.  


So while this week we are working, next week kids are coming!  Kids are one of the reasons Clear exists so we are extremely excited about that.  


Anyway, time for me to go. Try and see you all next week!

Video - Stars

For now this is the last in my video collection from Riverside.  This was a bittersweet moment as it was the last I would play here as God was calling me to a new ministry opportunity.  I am thankful that I got to share it with my friend Jeremy Mohr.  Here is our cover of "Stars" by the David Crowder Band.

Stars Lyrics



you should see the stars tonight
how they shimmer shine so bright
against the black they look so white
comin down from such a height
to reach me now, reach me now


you should see the moon in the flight
cuttin cross the misty night
softly dancin in sunshine
reflections of this light
reach me now, you reach me now


and how could such a thing
shine its light on me
and make everything beautiful again


and you should feel the sun in the spring
comin out after a rain
suddenly all is green
sunshine on everything
i can feel it now, i feel you now


and how could such a thing
shine its light on me
and make everything beautiful


and you should hear the angels sing
all gathered round their king
more beautiful than you could dream
i've been quietly listening
you can hear 'em now, i hear em now


and how could such a king
shine His light on me
and make everything beautiful
and i wanna shine
i wanna be light
i wanna tell you it'll be alright
and i wanna shine and i wanna fly
just to tell you now
it'll be alright, it'll be alright
it'll be alright.


cus i got nothing of my own to give to you
but this light that shines on me shines on you
and makes everything beautiful, again.
it'll be alright, it'll be alright.

Video - Happy Day

In continuing with posting some videos of mine, here is one of me and the Riverside Band leading worship with Tim Hughes' "Happy Day." This really is a great song with some amazing lyrics.  Hope you enjoy.

Happy Day Lyrics

Verse 1:
The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive
He's alive


Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed


Verse 2:
When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate Jesus is alive
He's alive


Bridge:
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious name

Video - All I Can Say

I've been going through my computer this week, cleaning out old files and such, and ran across some videos that I had shot while down at Riverside Church in the New Orleans area.  So over the next few days I'll be putting them up here for your enjoyment.
This first video is a solo of me playing David Crowder's "All I Can Say"

Here are the lyrics to this wonderful song

Verse 1:
Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

Verse 2:
And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

Verse 3:

I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

Passion: White Flag

As most of you know, I’m a big supporter of the Passion Movement.  So it will be no surprise to you that I think you should all go get the new album recorded at Passion 2012 titled “White Flag.” 

It’s got a great lineup of songs that range from fast and energetic, to amazingly written ballads.  And if you know me at all, you’ll definitely not be surprised that my favorite is the loud, rockin’ song titled “Not Ashamed” by Kristian Stanfill who is becoming one of my favorite worship leaders. 

You can get White Flag here.  

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/white-flag-deluxe-edition/id505907026

I highly recommend it!

1. Not Ashamed - Kristian Stanfill
2. White Flag - Chris Tomlin
3. Jesus, Son of God - Chris Tomlin & Christy Nockels
4. How I Love You - Christy Nockels
5. All This Glory - David Crowder* Band
6. Lay Me Down - Chris Tomlin
7. You Revive Me - Christy Nockels
8. One Thing Remains - Kristian Stanfill
9. Yahweh - Chris Tomlin
10. Sing Along - Christy Nockels
11. The Only One - Chris Tomlin
12. Mystery - Charlie Hall
13. 10,000 Reasons - Matt Redman
14. No Turning Back - Chris Tomlin

Saying "Yes"

This past week I had to opportunity to take a couple of great guys to Passion 2012.  To be honest I really just wanted to take them because I absolutely love the Passion Conferences.  From the music to the messages from people like Francis Chan, Beth Moore, John Piper and Louie Giglio, the Passion Conferences have become a movement for the younger generations.  Over the years I have learned many great things from Louie Giglio and his team, this year was no different and I hope I can share some of that with you.

To start, I have to tell you that I absolutely love all of the new music that comes from a Passion event.  Tomlin, Redman, and the whole team write some amazing lyrics, Christ-Centered lyrics that connect with people.  I also love the rock based musical style but this year we were also able to have Christian hip-hop artist, Lecrae, lead in one of the main sessions.  Now I’m not really a big fan of hip-hop music, but if it helps connect the Gospel to somebody, then I’m all for it!  (And on a side note, the Passion 2012 album coming out in March is going to be amazing!)

The first night, or kick-off session, was different then any I had ever been a part of before.  I’ve been to quite a few, 7 Passion events to be exact, but this one had a completely different vibe from the beginning.  As always, there was a big buildup into the first song, but the focus this time was on the Scripture, the Living Breathing Word of God.  Now the Word is always the most important thing at a Passion event but this year it was purposefully the biggest thing. Not the music, not the speakers, but the Word.  One of the main morning sessions included a full reading of the book of Ephesians for the message.  We were asked to read along and at each chapter break, just to simply allow Jesus to speak to us through His Word.  

Ok, so now back to the first night.  The buildup into the first song, “Here for You” was amazing.  I think I’ve said that already but thought I’d say it again.  After the music set, Louie came up to set the tone for the conference.  Louie was saying that Jesus is here to bring us back to life.  There would be no funerals coming from Passion 2012. Ephesians 2 says that without Christ, we are dead.  Not unchurched.  Not unclean.  But fully dead.  And it is time for us to rise up and spread the news of Jesus throughout the country.  

As the conference continued, we learned of the 27 Million people captured in modern day slavery.  This was the focus of the Do Something Now campaign (DSN), which seeks to empower students to do something now by giving money towards certain causes or ministries that have the desire to physically be the hands and feet of Jesus.  This year the goal was to raise 1 Million dollars.  Here I’ll say that it’s not often you see students wait in hour long lines to give away money.  Well, the wait paid off as the students raised over 2.5 Million dollars toward DSN by the end of the conference.  We were also told by Louie that they let a few “adults” into the event, and one was so inspired by the students giving by giving $500,000 themselves, we were able to raise a little over 3 Million dollars toward ending modern day slavery, or human trafficking.  

Now if hearing that there are 27 Million people enslaved in our world today kind of throws you back, don’t worry, I was there too before this conference.  We thought slavery was over.  It turns out that we haven’t been paying attention.  Now the church has a huge opportunity to step up and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  (On this subject I hope to do some research and find out about local stats on human trafficking and blog about them soon.)

By now you’re probably wondering why I titled this post Saying “Yes.”  Well, during the conference, Louie was talking to 44,000+ college students about taking part in what God is doing now.  Not tomorrow.  Not next month.  Not in another season of life, but NOW.  During this, I was compelled to simply say, “Yes.” I have no idea what God has in store for me and my wife, Bethany, but we both just want to say YES to God.  

We are finally taking [god] out of the box.  As my friend Kevin says, we believe in the Big G god, and it’s this god that sent His son to die for the world.  Jesus came to give life and the whole world needs to hear about it!  So, we are saying, “Yes” to Jesus.  Wherever He leads we will go.  Because if we don’t, then we are living outside of God’s plan for our lives and subsequently, in sin and that’s a place I don’t want to be.  

So that’s just a little taste of my Passion 2012 experience.  I hope the guys I took allowed God to speak to them through this time also.  If I get a chance, I’ll tell you more later.  

See you next time.

Mark

so i've successfully read through Mark this week for my New Testament class.  for this class we are required to write an outline for each book so i thought i would share it with you.


here goes my extremely simple outline for the book of Mark:

• Jesus' Ministry up the mountain to the Transfiguration: Mark 1:1-9:13
• Jesus' Ministry down the mountain to the Cross: Mark 9:14 - the end. 

i know this is just a simple outline and most anybody could make a longer one, but i like simple. Mark is a simple, short book, but has a lot of good stuff in it. here's a quote from Mark that i absolutely love...


"It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." 2:17


david