The 9 Square Puzzle

This week we spent a full day rearranging our band’s music room (my living room). I had thrown the room together in an afternoon awhile back, but the way instruments and amps were placed didn’t make the room ideal for practicing. I’d been sitting on fixing it for awhile so this week I took a crack at it. I probably tried at least 3 different room arrangements – spanning the course of a few hours – and still wasn’t too fond of either the look, or the sound. So, I consulted with a close friend; telling them that “setting up this room was as difficult as one of those nine square slider puzzles we solved, growing up.” Going off of the same analogy, my friend shared with me a simple word if insight: “Ya know, those 9 square puzzles can only be solved because a piece is removed.”

Astounding.

So I moved one of the couches from the room, over to another and lo and behold – the puzzle was solved.

The acoustics are great. The room has a nice aesthetic feel. And it’s just plain cozy.

I know there’s a life application for someone in there somewhere, but I’ll let you figure this one out on your own 🙂 Take a look at your own personal 9 Square puzzles, if they seem insolvable – just find out which piece you need to take away that’s preventing you from moving forward.

(I wish I was good at taking panoramas)

Pistus

This week has been awful.
Absolutely nothing has gone right – and that’s a lot of nothing, my friends.

Every plan I’ve made – foiled.

Every task I’ve set out to do – failed.

Every task I had counted on some others to do – fooled.

3 F’s make for an awful report card – but an even more awful week.
Ranting (Whining) aside, it’s been rough, I’ve been stressed and today was almost the straw that broke the camel’s back – if camels still carry straw anyway. But I had a choice moment tonight that turned an entire week around in one hearty laugh.

My mother and I are on track to becoming credentialed ministers, so we’ve actually been classmates for almost a year – weird right? So this evening she’s studying our book for this month and she asks me a question:

“Nikk, do you know what the definition of pistus is?”

I misheard the word as ‘pistoff’ or some variation of ‘pissed off’ and so I replied:

“This week.”

We both burst into laughter.

She knew the rough week I had been going through and understood the joke I was making. However, we were laughing for different reasons. I peered around the cover of her book and found the vocabulary word she asked me about. It turns out the word pistus means faith.

I was laughing because I made a corny pun but she explained to me that she was laughing because she knew I needed faith to get through this week.

I then realized that my joke accidentally made perfect sense in the context of pistus’ true definition. I needed faith to get through this week.

Without belief in my God, my dreams, and His callings I would’ve been a complete wreck. I might’ve given up or lashed out at someone, but I kept calm and carried on because of pistus.
It brings a smile to my face that one little word could change my outlook on an entire week’s miscomings – and move from the spectrum of pissed off to pistus.

Hijacked!

Imagine yourself on a road trip; journeying to somewhere far off with hopes of rest or recreation. The journey is long, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. The skies are clear, you’ve got you’re route planned out and Siri in the passenger’s seat giving you the turn by turn. When you reach about halfway to your destination, you decide to hit a rest stop. You know you could keep driving, but that Quarter Pounder with cheese is just calling your name. You exit your car and head inside. The burger was delicious, you enjoy yourself for a bit and head outside to pick up the journey where you left off – only –

Where’s your car?

You’ve been hijacked.

Left stranded with no easy fix for your situation, only to call the authorities – and wait.

Although this is just a scenario, I feel like we’ve all been through this before – hijacked in some way or another. On our journey to our own personal dreams and goals, hitting a rest stop can be risky business. How many New Years resolutions have died within the last two months just because someone took a break from discipline? What are the things that hijack our lives and steer us away from the destination?

For me it was once pleasing other people, negative thoughts and pouring hours over my game consoles. For some it could be addictions, food or even just bogging themselves down with unnecessary work.

Hebrews 12:11-13 says: “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Find the things that have steered you off course. But choose how you treat your “hijacker”. If it be food make it ride shotgun. If it be addiction kick it to the curb. Take the driver’s seat once again and make your journey – your reality.

I Go To Church

I had an interesting exchange with a young boy today. A few volunteers from church and I were helping a new church plant reach out to its community. The church plant rented out a large parking lot and invited the surrounding community to a day of family fun, free food – and of course – check out the new church. Working at the outreach was a blast! I was stationed at the balloon table – lo and behold – I made balloon animals for every child that came to my table. However, there was one child in particular that troubled me. I gave him more than a balloon, but also a bit of a reprimand. He was, I’d say about, 14 and he was wearing a bracelet with expletives on it. I wanted to say something outright, but the better half of me decided to ease into the topic. I began asking the boy questions about his background. He was from the area, and was Christian; he and his family attend a Korean/American church in Chicago. I asked the boy if the service, at his church, was delivered in english or Korean.

“The service is in English” he replied.

“So they can understand what your bracelet says, right?” I answered.

Dead silence.

“That’s not a bracelet you should be wearing.”

He hung his head for a second and then responded,
“Well – I go to church.”

He ashamedly covered the bracelet with his hoodie and left the table after receiving a balloon. I was upset yet saddened by his response. Too often, this ideology isn’t to uncommon for the modern Christian.

Watch obscene TV Tuesday; Bible Study Wednesday. Drink up and party on Saturday; Church on Sunday. Or if you’re more of a Friday partier; Saturday night service.

Did Jesus die for only half of your week? Did God give us His whole heart so that we could give Him half of ours?

Saying your sin is okay because you’re a Christian and you attend church

is like…

Saying you can drive under the influence because you have a license and a great insurance package.
It makes no logical sense.

“Go and sin no more” Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11). He didn’t say “Go and sin a little less.”

Work harder. Pray harder. Strive farther.
Let us not put to waste the grace we have been given.

Grace is the driving force that turns slump into victory. Press into Grace and press on in life.

Time Management

Of all the interesting jobs out there ranging from dog food tester to bottle cap fastener, I learned of a job that takes the cake in pointlessness:

Professional Time Management Specialist.

I can’t think of any children I know off hand that wanted to be that when they grew up. Nor can I honestly imagine the childhood of someone that did…
Forgive me, all those who work this field, but this shouldn’t be a job that exists! Are we really that bad at managing our time that we’d need to hire someone to manage it for us?

The truth is — yes. Yes we are.
No matter where you are on Earth, you’ve got the same amount of time in a day as everyone else. 24hours, 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds, no matter how you look at it, time is ticking away even as you read this. Is this post worth your time? Or am I going to need to ask the professional?

The word says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” When you seek God first above all things, everything falls into place. Some might say that there’s no time in their busy schedule sometimes to fit God in (I know I’ve said it before). But God is faithful to His promises and when you put Him first in your day He will extend your time. It makes no sense to the human mind; “set aside time and receive more time?”; a scientific impossibility. And no God won’t freeze time or slow every clock around you, but He does somehow extend it, just try it for yourself.

Putting God first in your day allows you to accomplish much more. You reap what you sew. When you sow time into God, He gives you time in return.

Don’t consult a specialist. Seek first the kingdom of God and He will show you just how much more you can accomplish in a day.

King of Kings

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

In this verse Moses actually asks two questions: Who am I that I should go to pharaoh? and Who am I that I should bring the children out of Israel out of Egypt? Let’s focus on the first question.

“Who am I that I should go before pharaoh?”

Moses. An exile, a shepherd, an alien in a foreign country with no great reputation. He was a common man. He got married and had a son but didn’t have much else to his name.

Now Pharaoh. King of Egypt, self proclaimed demi god a man of great riches and power, renowned throughout all the land and feared by many. His lifestyle was extravagant. He demanded worship and he got it.

Moses had nothing in common with this man. Moses, meeting with Pharaoh is the equivalent of a homeless man trying to go out to dinner with the president – not gonna happen. The root word of the word “am” used in the verse is the word “be” and, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word “be” means “to have identity with”. Moses didn’t have an identity that was worth the presence of a king – and yet – Moses spoke face to face with God.

It’s almost humorous. While speaking to God – c’mon King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator of the universe, Alpha and Omega, Lord over all – Moses didn’t feel worthy enough to speak with Pharaoh… I mean HELLO! You’re talking with God here. There is no one greater, none more magnificent, none comparable! Moses may have been a God fearing Jew, but his priorities of authority were out of whack. He may have even done it unintentionally, but by what was spoken, it’s as if He feared pharaoh more than God. Of course Moses went and did as he was commanded, but fear of man – even if only for a second – overstepped his fear of God.

Who ranks first in your life? Your significant other? The leader of your country? Your parents? Your boss? Your friends? Nothing any of these groups can say or do can effect your eternal future. When God calls you to something, whether it be salvation or service, remember the priority of His authority.

For any part of your life to be a success, God has to be #1.

911 Psalms 91:1

911 (Psalms 91:1)

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

“I probably shouldn’t do that.. but maybe just once. ”
“What’s the big deal anyway?”
“Man. I should have listened to my gut.”
“I’m stuck. What now?”

Sound familiar? It’s a scenario we’ve all experienced at least once at least once in our lives. We’ve all felt that feeling of discernment, that gut check – that intuition – when we catch our friends or even ourselves, involved in something that is clearly wrong – yet our flesh dares to tell us otherwise.

We’ve all fallen to the enemy’s temptations and have made mistakes along the way, but surely “He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler.” ( Psalms 91:3 ) Satan is a clever one. The prince of darkness. King of temptation. A fallen being that has given royalty to himself even though God is the only true King. And the most persistent of all thorns. If he can’t get you to disobey God one way, boy will he try everything else. He’ll use whatever he can against you. He’ll pervert something innocent, destroy something precious or make a new concoction for you to get that “buzz” whether spiritually or physically.

“Yeah yeah, I get I
shouldn’t do this and that and I’ll be just fine” Is what a majority of the world thinks – however serving God is more than what you do and don’t do. The enemy is ever vigilant, and if your faith is based on works there is still room for him to attack. During church this morning, something stood out to me. Even if we are born again Christians and wash our sins away in the blood, Satan will still use the past against us. He enjoys placing those curses into your mind, breaking you down til the point of even trembling at the thought – “is he right? Will God stay mad at me?” Satan is relentless for wrong, but God is relentless for right and according the Bible, we read that the battle has already been won. None of us are perfect, and He knows that, but crying out to Him for support keeps us on the winning team – closer to the one who sets the captive free.

“He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in You I will trust.” (Psalms 91:2) call unto Him, allow him to protect you, let Him guide you – and He will! Let him be #1 on speed dial, your 911. Like a superhero He waits ever vigilantly to come in to save the day, but like the true Savior that He is, He also seeks to save your eternal life.

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (Psalms 91:15-16)

God’s Voice

God’s Voice

Unlike the accounts in the Old Testament – where God spoke to men on the mountain tops or shouted from the skies – we don’t hear anything in the weather forecast about a chance of God’s voice billowing from the clouds or stories of mountain climbers talking with God face to face after scaling a summit. In today’s world it almost seems as if God is silent. There are many that claim they would whole heartedly come to repentance if they just heard even a whisper from above. Much of the world refuses to follow God because they can’t see God. They want a sign – and He seems to just keep silent. Why is that? Why doesn’t God speak to us the way He once did before?

Well, in all honesty, did it make a difference? When God was speaking to Moses face to face on Mt. Sinai, weren’t the Israelites turning away from God just a stones throw down away from where Moses was standing? They were right down the mountain! They could see a great pillar of smoke and they knew that God was right there in their midst, and yet they still turned to something else.

God has given us all kinds of chance, all kinds of proof to His existence. He spoke, He blessed, He healed, He performed great miracles, He gave signs – He sent His only Son – yet somehow to the human heart that still isn’t enough. They want to hear the voice of God, even when He’s already spoken through so many things.

I tell you that the voice of God is still being spoken. He has never stopped speaking, only we don’t know how to hear. God speaks through His followers. What used to be a 3 week journey up the mountaintop is now a 3 minute (or less) prayer away. Thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit dwells within each and every follower that comes to know Him. (1Corinthians 6:19-20) God is speaking through your heart. His voice resides within your very being. He speaks to you, He comforts you, He hears you – only if you’d love Him and believe Him in return. Not only that, but He wishes for the rest of the world to hear His voice as well.

How can anyone hear His voice if they don’t believe – but by Christians amplifying the voice that speaks inside of them. On most music devices there is a headphone jack and there is an internal speaker. You have the option of listening to your music quietly and personally, or you have the option of sharing your music with everyone around you. Are we going to pop in the headphones to our faith and enjoy it independently or are we going to unplug those headphones and let the rest of the world hear.

The voice of God can be heard today. He speaks through those that would be His megaphone.

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Bearing Good Fruit

While sitting back on my bed, reading the first few chapters of Matthew, a couple of verses strongly stood out to me. Matthew 3:9-10. Basically interpreting that these end times are serious. Deathly serious. Many of us Christians try and get by with “hey, I’ve been baptized, allowed Jesus into my heart as Lord and Savior. I’m good for Heaven? Right?”
Yes…and no.
Matthew 3:9 says “Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’..” Don’t assume you have security just because you wear Jesus on your bumper sticker. The verse goes on to say: “That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.” God can make Christians if He really wanted to, but that isn’t true love. He desires for us to seek Him.
Not only that but He also desires those that seek Him to truly follow Him. For those that wear the bumper sticker but not the lifestyle “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10)
That is what truly decides where you’ll spend the rest of your life. Scared yet? Good. It should be to some extent. How do we produce fruit but by spreading seed. All He asks for is for us to spread His good word, bring His people whom have fallen from Him, back into His arms.

I’ll end with an illustration. Today me and a few others went to our church for our weekly prayer group. The front door was jammed for some reason and we couldn’t get into the church. We had the key but it was of no use. That is what it’s like to give only half your heart to Christ. You have salvation, you have the key for the door, but a key is useless if it can’t let you into God’s house. The door to your destiny becomes jammed “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Let your light shine and come alive.

The Image of God

Scripture states in Colossians 1:15 that “Jesus is the image of the invisible God.” Pictures have become a staple for both creating and recording memories. Through the help of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, we’ve made it a point to document, by picture, every significant (or insignificant) event in our lives. Now friends may look at these photos and share in our joy and reminisce in these memories with us – yet by looking at a photo alone, have they experienced what was depicted? When a couple is with child and they send pictures of their ultra sound to parents in Florida, have the parents yet experienced their grandchild? Or picture this: A friend sends you a post card from their amazing vacation in Hawaii. The picture depicts the beautiful seashore, the sandy beaches, serene palm trees and crisp island sun – can you hear the ocean? Can you feel the sun’s heat – or listen to the palm trees sway to the gentle breeze flowing through the air? Absolutely not (unfortunately). The word “image” used in the verse comes from the Greek word εἰκών (i-kone’), meaning “something that bears an exact likeness, manner and appearance as another”. When Jesus was sent from Heaven, He wasn’t sent as a postcard – He was sent as an experience! Not just that we might experience absolute joy but also freedom from sin and redemption from the things that hold us down. The “image” of Christ isn’t just a 2D representation, it’s a full on Son of Man, it’s an image with depth, breadth and full of love. When we look at that post card we see Hawaii, but when we look at Jesus we see, feel and live the Father. Christ’s image is embedded into every book in the Bible. Look for that Image that you may see a clearer view of God.