Spiritual "Rehab"

They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no.'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know.
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine,
He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go.

Has anybody ever tried to make you do something that you didn't want to do? It's definitely not fun - and it's definitely the way Amy Winehouse was feeling a while back when she was riding a huge wave of success in her professional life, but crashing and burning in her personal life. And, as with most people, she had friends and family who truly care for and love her. When you see a good friend or relative in a downward spiral, you tend to get very concerned, which is why Amy's circle of friends advised her to check into a rehabilitation center.

Obviously things have changed since she penned those words, because she went, Amy was in rehab - and evidently made great progress at beating the drug and alcohol temptations that threatened to take her down. Here's what her brother said:

Detox was tough, but she did it. She was as bright and vivacious as she had been before her demons took over. It (the night of the Grammys) was without a doubt the greatest night our family has enjoyed in a long, long time.

In my opinion, we all need a rehab of sorts. Of course, just like Amy - we don't want anyone to make us go. But when the people who love us give us straight up talk about the deadly and destructive paths we oftentimes walk down, it's time to listen.

That's what Amy Winehouse did.

That's what we need to do.

So perhaps you're reading this, and you're thinking "Dude - I don't smoke crack cocaine and get drunk all the time. In fact, I don't do any of that stuff - so why would I need rehab?"

Great point - and I agree, if that's you - you don't need a chemical detox - probably most of us don't. But... we ALL have another kind of poison coursing through our spiritual veins - and unfortunately, we are all addicted to this deadly venom.

It's called sin. It comes in all kinds of forms, but here's a list that might help you identify your particular toxins:

Sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these (Galatians 5:19-21).

These are things that need to be taken as seriously as a drug or alcohol addiction, because left unchecked, they *will* kill you. Maybe not physical death, but for sure they will poison your life to the point where you are trapped in an emotional and spiritual death state that sucks out any hope of finding joy and meaning in life. They all stem from what the Bible calls 'the flesh' - which is really the source of all our problems.

So what's 'rehab' for the flesh? Here's God's advice:

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:24-25).

Rehab for our sinful flesh isn't a place, it's a Person. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. The power of God is at your disposal 24/7 to "crucify" the poisons and addictions that can and will destroy your life. Seek His help the next time you get the peer pressure to go to the wrong party, or feel the destructive feelings and temptations rising up inside you.

Nope, nobody can 'make you' check into spiritual rehab, but the Person who loves you most - Jesus Christ - pleads with you at this very moment to ask His help in defeating your poisonous flesh. Go to Him right now in prayer and begin the process of spiritual detox. Like Amy, I promise you will find the happiness you probably haven't enjoyed in a long, long time.

Head: What you need to know about this truth

Through the power of Jesus Christ, we can defeat the deadly power of sin and conquer the addictions that threaten to destroy our lives.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

It's easy for most to look at Amy Winehouse and feel strongly about her need for rehab - but how often do we take the same attitude with ourselves? Here's a critical verse from the Bible to reflect on this week:

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Take some time this week and list out the sin 'addictions' that seem to cause you the most trouble. Is it lust? Pride? Anger? These are not 'personality problems' or simple mistakes - these are destructive poisons that will eventually ruin the amazing life God has planned for you.

(Some resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)

Angels & Bambi

Maybe you have all heard of the movie that Forest Gump stars in... oh.. oops.. the "stranded on a beach talking to a volley ball named wilson" man stars in.. or um.. hmm.. the homeless man who lives in a terminal of an airport... oh right.. his name is Tom Hanks. Well the movie is called "Angels & Demons".. I have never watched this movie.. and I don't plan on it but I just figured that I would combine the title with the beloved childhood favorite "Bambi".. to create a supermovie... "Angels & Bambi"!

This blog post will really have nothing to do with either movie except for the fact that I'll be talking about angels.. and .. deer :)

Tonight as I was driving back home with my girlfriend, Gabrielle. We were talking along about random stuff and then BAM! A deer jumped out and hit it's head into the car... (luckily she already had a dent on that side of her car).. we assume the deer was killed but the main thing was we weren't hurt.

God created angels.. as well as humans, animals, plants.. etc. Now these angels aren't just little half naked things flying around with wings... or an annoying woman making her "man servant" cook for her while she talks about cream cheese. These are powerful angels that God sends out for different tasks.. well tonight we were protected by angels.. we couldn't see them.. but we could have been seriously hurt or killed.

Psalm 91:11 says "For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go" God sent His angels to protect us tonight and I just want to encourage whoever is on the other side of the computer, that you are not alone. You may feel like you are, you may not have a person in the world that cares about you.. but you have God.. and you can be sure that He loves you. He cares about you so much that He will send His angels to protect you... that's better than the prime minister's bodyguards. You may be thinking.. "well I don't see God protecting me".. well I have an answer for that... seriously sit down and think of all the things in this life that could be wrong with you.. and even then you will be able to see that you are protected.

So remember to always trust in God to protect you.. He won't let you down.

What if Jesus had never been born?

"NO! Not the buttons! Not my gumdrop buttons!
Alright then! Who's hiding them?
Ok. I'll tell you. Do you know... the muffin man?
The muffin man?
The muffin man. Yes, I know the muffin man. W-who lives on Drewery Lane?
Well, she's married to the muffin man.
The muffin man?
THE MUFFIN MAN! She's married to the muffin man..."

I'm pretty sure if you saw the first Shrek movie, you'll remember this classic reference. That's because the first Shrek movie is a classic - as in something that seems to just get better with time.

I don't know if you are a fan, but by all appearances this is the last installment of adventures in Far Far Away...so good, bad, or ugly, I'll probably watch it.

Shrek Forever After borrows heavily from another classic movie often seen at Christmas called It's a Wonderful Life. In that film, the main character is given the gift of seeing how life would have turned out if he had he never been born, it was pretty much a mess. In Shrek's case, the world is also pretty much a mess. Puss-n-Boots is fat and lazy, Fiona is kind of a gang member, and a creepy little dude named Rumpelstiltskin is on the throne instead of Sir Justin Timberlake with his strawberry lip gloss. (haha)

Well maybe that Rumpelstiltskin vs. Justin Timberlake part is sort of in sync, but overall the Shrek parallel world is a darker and crueler place to be, because Shrek is trying to be a hero on many levels. It's up to him to save his friends, restore his world and reclaim his one True Love.

This alternate reality stuff can really mess with your mind, but have you ever considered what the world would be like if Jesus had never been born? At first glance, you might shrug and think about a couple implications like the need for a different way to measure time and not having to go to church, but I would like to paint a deeper picture that should fill you with appreciation for the immeasurable gift given to us on that first Christmas.

If Jesus had never been born, the world would be a much more primitive place where women are slaves of free men, children are sacrificed to idols, and the concepts of charity and love are all but missing from society.

If Jesus had never been born, education and science would look very different and much more primitive,* and most likely the United States of America and Canada would have just been an unrealized historical dream.

But worst of all, if Jesus had never been born, there would exist only one spiritual destination for our eternal souls; a dark and tormenting place where we would be eternally separated from God. Jesus Christ came to earth as a man to live a perfect life, die a horrible death, and rise from the grave so that the penalty for the world's sins would be paid in full...and eternal life made available to anyone who puts their faith in Him for salvation.

Here's the way the Apostle Paul describes it:

If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ weren't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries (1 Corinthians 15:16-20).

In other words, a world without the birth, life, death, and resurrection from the dead is a world that is "always winter...never Christmas."**

But we can happily wake up from that nightmare, because 2000 years ago in a dark and dirty cave near Bethlehem, the cry of a baby started a shockwave of change that is felt just as strongly today as ever. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and God with us.

So the question I have for you is...

Has Jesus Christ entered into your world? If not, I can tell you that the darkness will remain and your destiny is not a pleasant picture by any stretch of the imagination.

If He has, then how much have you let Him change your world? He is the single most influential figure in all of history, but is He the centerpiece of your soul?

Let Jesus Christ set off a chain reaction of change in your life. Let that chain reaction include living out THE Cause of Christ – making disciples who make disciples. Start by telling your friends the Good News about Jesus' free gift of salvation to those who trust in Him. I promise you'll have an amazing forever after!

*http://suzyred.com/jesus.html
** C.S. Lewis: Chronicles of Narnia

(resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)

Live like they're dying

Did you hear the one about the three buddies who were talking about death and dying? One asked, "When you're in your casket and friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"

The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time and a great family man."

The second man says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."

The last guy says, "I would like to hear them say...LOOK, HE'S MOVING!!!"

Maybe you've also heard the song by Kris Allen called Live Like We're Dying . It's a powerful reminder to, well, live like we're dying.

For example:

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying.

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying.

In a serious way, I would like to remind you that life is fatal because no one gets out alive. The statistics on death are very impressive - 10 out of every 10 people living on earth will eventually die.

Unless Jesus comes back, of course, but since we can't control that, what we should control is how we approach each and every one of the 86,400 seconds that God grants us in a day.

In the song, Allen encourages us to tell people we love them and live with no regrets - which is good advice - but to truly live like you were dying involves much more than that.

Ironically, to truly live like we're dying means that you should live like they're dying...

Who are they? Everyone! They are your friends and your enemies, your family and the foreigners, your teachers and coaches and delivery people and cashiers where you shop.

They are anyone and everyone that God puts in your path...and you need to remember that they are dying.

Not just physically, but spiritually as well. Everyone on the planet has a terminal spiritual disease called sin that has separated us from God. It not only destroys our lives now, but separates us from the God who made us.

But the amazing news is that we carry the cure! We who have trusted in Jesus Christ know the most powerful message of salvation in the universe, because it has saved us from the penalty and power of sin.

The question is...what are you going to do with the cure? Let me challenge you with the words of someone who absolutely and totally lived like everyone around him was dying:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, NLT).

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, NLT).

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News! If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust (1 Corinthians 9:16-17, NLT).

And God has given you this sacred trust as well. So each day remember that you

Only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying.

Trust me, the best way to tell someone that you love them is to tell them about the Someone who loved them so much that He died on a cross to pay the penalty for their sin, and now offers the free gift of eternal life and love to anyone who believes. Living a life for THE Cause of Christ is a guaranteed life of no regrets.

We gotta live like they're dying!

(Resources from Dare2Share and Soulfuel)

We are Iron Men....... and Women!

Sometimes a movie just knows that it is off the chain in its total awesomeness...

Enter Iron Man 2 - easily one of the most anticipated sequels of all time. I know I was ready for it during the closing credits of the first one, and now Tony Stark is way back and way badder than ever.

Yes, cool gadgets - sarcastic banter -megaexplosions and effects abound and create a Wal-Mart of eye candy, and just like the first time, I would just about give my right arm to suit up and dominate the evil dudes in Iron Man fashion.

Obviously that is not going to happen, but there is an armored suit available to Christians that in many ways provides the same protection and weaponry, one that lights up the spiritual world like Stark in a village full of terrorists. Here is the description of the conflict we face and the incredible "suit" you have hanging up in the closet of your soul:

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The war that Paul describes here is not against earthly terrorists, communists, or anything that is flesh and blood. This conflict is in the spiritual arena - and it is definitely not for the weak or the wimpy. Every day the unseen forces of Satan and his army are arrayed against you. They are firing off the missiles of deception, discouragement, temptation, and opposition, so you'll give up the battle and your calling from the Captain of our Salvation: Jesus Christ.

But let me tell you as one who is stationed on the field of battle in Denver, Colorado, that suiting up and engaging the enemy is more exciting than any movie I've ever seen.

Don't believe me? Then I triple dog dare you to take your armor for a test run this week. And to make sure that you are properly fitted, let me walk you through the steps that Paul gave us:

First, put on the belt of truth - which means speaking/ living truthfully and with integrity.

Next, position the breastplate of righteousness - which is living in obedience to God's will and Word because He has completely forgiven you.

Don't forget the boots of readiness - which is a willingness to share the gospel message with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Raise up the shield of faith - which is hiding behind the promises of God when Satan sends a onslaught of lies and temptations your way.

Protect your mind with the helmet of salvation - which is a constant remembrance that the penalty and power of sin is broken in your life , so don't believe the negative messages from the Devil that you are guilty and worthless.

Finally, be sure and draw the sword of the Spirit - which is God's Word. Along with prayer, this is your offensive weapon to strike the heart of the enemy with incredible force. So powerful in fact, that this is the result:

We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Picture an army of believers who are protected with the very armor of God and armed with His living Word. God uses this mighty force to stop spiritual terrorism and start a revolution for His Cause – making disciples who make disciples!

(Some Resources from Dare2Share & Soulfuel)

I am an Alien!

Do you believe in aliens? Surveys show that more and more folks are open to the idea that we are not alone in this ginormous universe...that lurking out there - or maybe even here - are beings that are definitely different in nature and not at home on this planet. Like Teletubbies - right? I mean, if Tinky Winky and Dipsy who annoyingly repeat the phrase "Bibberly cheese!" aren't aliens, I'm not sure what would qualify... Then there's the new Sci-Fi series that has a lot of people talking called V . The V stands for "visitor" - as in aliens who are "visiting" Earth, but it seems pretty clear that they are not here to chill out and try and figure out great mysteries like why so many humans get into arguments over Edward and Jacob. The visitors are on a mission to conquer the planet, and this just might be... The end of humanity! Nooooooooo!!! (Cue the epic music.) Personally, I like being an alien. Not that its always easy, but having a "stranger in a strange land" mentality helps me get why life on planet Earth just seems so messed up at times. Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind - not yet anyway. I call myself an alien because that's what God calls Christians: Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 1:10-12). The day that I trusted in Jesus Christ as my only hope of salvation, something incredible happened. I ceased being just a person and became a child God. I was freed from the chains of humanity that would have you believe that joy and contentment can come from anything in this world. My true citizenship and home is in heaven, so my life is now an alien journey on planet Earth. On the show V , the aliens are there to distract, deceive, and ultimately destroy the native folks, and that is obviously why the Christian kind of "visitor" is on a completely different mission. Our task is to: Live an exemplary life among the natives so that our actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives (1 Peter 2:12, The Message). Isn't that incredible? As believers in Jesus Christ, we get to show our "alien-ness" by loving the unloved, forgiving our offenders, and passing along the greatest message in all the universe: Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died (1 Corinthians 16:3-6). This gospel message is also alien, because it wasn't invented by any human mind. The gospel is from the mind of God and is the power of God. It is capable of transforming any guilt-ridden, hopeless life into unbelievable meaning, purpose, and value. Are you feeling a bit alienated and alone at times? Unfortunately, that's a part of following Christ. To feel not at home and rejected by a culture that cares only about selfish personal happiness and limitless pleasure is natural when you dare 2 share a Christ-like life and the gospel message. But remember that no matter how dark and lonely the path, there is an amazing end to the journey - then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. The end for us aliens is actually just the beginning! Jesus Christ is returning to gather all His followers, and there is going to be a homecoming party that is beyond your wildest imagination. I'm sure you're familiar with the common alien phrase: "Take me to your leader." Well, fellow alien...let's turn that around and ask our friends and family this: "Would you like to meet my Leader?"

You are a Letter from God

Have you ever wanted to write a letter to God? If you sat down right now to compose a message to the Creator of the universe, what would you say?

I think most would go with the whole series of "why?" questions...why me God? Why did my parents divorce? Why am I depressed a lot? Why did you make me this way? Why are things turning out like this?

Valid questions to be sure - and also ones that God is not threatened or angered by. Life is sometimes plain and simple awful, and it is human nature to point our finger at the sky and blame the One in charge - right?

That is certainly something this guy could have done, and no one would have blamed him.

This is a true story, this is a about real 8 year old boy who went from an easy going, soccer playing childhood to the darkest journey anyone could ever face when one simple word entered his world:

Cancer

In the process of his battle with this deadly disease, he had to quit his beloved sport, lose his hair and eyebrows, and face a daily battle with a reality that could crush the spirit of anyone on the planet.

But he had an unshakeable relationship with God...a childlike faith that turned his pain and discouragement into a community transformation. That's why the letters he writes to God are not about the "why," or even about him. He writes to God about other people and their problems, and in turn becomes a living letter from God to everyone around him.

And now his story has the chance to transform - not hundreds - but literally millions of lives through the movie Letters to God.

I can't say if I would have the faith that he had when facing a giant of that size, but one thing I have in common with him is that I, too, am a living letter from God to the people around me.

And if you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, this statement is true about you:

Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts (2 Corinthians 2:2-3).

This truth formed the foundation of his outlook on life. He wrote pen and ink letters toGod on behalf of others, and in turn God used him to be a beating heart letter from Jesus Christ. His deepest wish was that the sad, hurting, and broken people in his world would come to know God.

We've been granted an unbelievable opportunity - haven't we? Every day God is texting the world through our eyes, our words, our attitudes, and our actions. The ink from our hearts bleeds onto the paper of our world, painting a picture of Jesus Christ.

So what kind of living letter are you? The answer to this question can be found in another question-

What kind of letters are you writing to God?

Your prayers are your letters, so if they are generally composed of complaints, questions, and self-focused requests, then that is the kind of God the people around you will see.

How about we all start a new letter writing campaign? One that asks God to touch lives and heal the pain in our corner of the world. One that begs God for the salvation of our friends who don't know Him because they haven't trusted in Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation.

Let me start this campaign with a letter from God that changed me to the core of my being:

He was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God's paths to follow our own.
Yet the L ord laid on him
the sins of us all (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Remember, the ink that God is using to write His message to the world through you was paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Don't waste this precious gift with selfish and self-centered prayers and living, rather make each day a magnificent composition to your Savior, then watch Him write His message of unconditional love and salvation to everyone around you!