Sunday, January 29, 2011

“God’s time for revival is the very darkest hour, when everything seems hopeless. It is always the Lord’s way to go to the very worst cases to manifest His glory.” Andrew Gih

“As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.” Leonard Ravenhill

It was nicknamed the “unsinkable ship” by admirers and the men who crafted it’s majestic formation in the year 1912. The RMS Titanic, the largest passenger steamship in the world, at that time, was a marvel to behold and boasted some of the most advanced technologies and features the world had ever seen.  For the 2,223 people on board its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to in New York City it was a trip of a lifetime. They were in the lap of luxury and the envy of their peers. But a mere four days later, 1,517 people were dead on the morning of April 15, 1912. The Titanic had hit an iceberg, split in two, and sank into the North Atlantic Ocean. Turns out the “unsinkable ship” was sinkable after all.

The results of this infamous maritime disaster is one of the most documented disasters in recorded history. It has produced countless documentaries, books, and has been a coveted area where many archeologists and treasure hunters have coveted to research and uncover it’s valuables. The media frenzy over the famous victims that were lost and the recent discovery of the wreck have only added to legend of the Titanic. The term “titanic” is now common place in reference to collapses in sports and in the media alike. In 1997 James Cameron’s movie, Titanic, captured the tragic event becoming one of the top grossing movies ever made.

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and there’s a wave of media coverage upcoming, new books to hit the shelves , and special documentaries about to hit the airwaves.  Since that tragic day, we have come a long ways in improving maritime law ensuring passenger’s safety and ensure that this type of disaster cannot happen again. But sadly, history is indeed repeating itself. No, I am not referring to a shipwreck that is about to occur; rather a nation is about to sink. A nation that is sinking into decay and despair. That nation is the United States of America in the 21st century.

America is entering its darkest days. This may seem over the top and perhaps pessimistic, but the truth is sometimes hard to hear. What I am referencing goes behind politics, government laws, or our current leaders running the nation. It’s the moral and spiritual standing of our nation. The evidence is simply overwhelming that something is wrong.  Horribly wrong. This is not new information to most people. But our downward spiral is now at an all-time high and there seems to be no end in sight. How so?  Let’s look just a broad overview of our nation as a whole. What we find is utterly distrubing….

The desegregation  of the American family is quite alarming. Every one of two marriages end in divorce and this rate is growing from year to year. The new “norm” is kids who have grown up now live in a dysfunctional family with no father or mother. Adultery is seen as exciting and a common everyday occurrence. Human life is now disregarded to personal choice ever since the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision that made abortion legal. A genocide of 50 million unborn babies has resulted in the United States alone. Homosexuality is being made legal in several states and those who speak up against the alternative lifestyle are seen as narrow-minded and judgmental. Television and popular media are flooded with messages promoting these now accepted lifestyles.

Our economy continues to and the unemployment rate is about 13.1 million people, nearly 8.5% of all Americans are without jobs. Our national debt is a whopping $15 trillion dollars and the state of welfare is exploding. Gas prices are skyrocketing causing a vast increase in food prices. Buisnesses are going under at an alarming rate and the stability of the Stock Market is all over the place.

The rise of pornography is disturbing to say the least.  As of 2007, $2.84 billion dollars was made in the industry in the United States alone. 260 new sites went online each day in the United States. And these stats was 5 years ago. Safe-sex” is now the accepted teaching in schools leading towards unwanted pregnancies, STDS, and millions of teenagers lives in shambles.  80% of new diseases are STDS and there are currently 1.2 million adults that are living with AIDS. “Living together” before marriage is an accepted practice and those who save their virginity for marriage are seen as old fashioned outcasts. 

The media of our society is extremely hostile towards Christianity. Jesus Christ’s name is only used in reference to a swear word and is common place in most movies today.  Tolerance is now the excuse for showing any lewd, dark, disguising, and mindless depravity on television and movies.  Rated “R” movies and crude sitcoms run the gambit across the nation. Music that promotes immoral behavior and hateful thinking are rampant. Magazine racks in every grocery store across the nation promote gossip and immoral sexual lifestyles. Our arts and culture have fallen in the abyss of mindless depravity and utter darkness.

Materialism is the obsession of Americans and is a self-proclaimed birthright. Americans currently have a $672 billion dollar debt in credit cards alone starting in 2012. Happiness is equated with getting more things, have the latest gadgets, and being successful in your job. The innovation of technology in cell phones, computers, cars, and televisions has raised the notion that we can’t live without the latest fads. Commercials, magazine and newspaper ads, billboards all constantly bombard us that “you deserve this…” and “you need this…” We are also a nation of waste. It is estimated that we waste 160 to 295 billion pounds of food alone each year.

Our society can’t get enough of leisure, entertainment, and pleasure. Professional athletes make millions, some even hundreds of millions of dollars in salaries. Sports athletes, music artists, and models are seen as celebrities and worshipped by millions of devout fans. Most are conceited, living immoral lifestyles, and serving as horrible role models for the next generation. Gambling addiction is a rampant  problem that is most notably seen in the highly popular “Sin City” of Las Vegas. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent in the gambling industry each year as more and more of country embraces it’s lifestyle.  Along with gambling, Americans are addicted to other leisure activities such as video games, golf, and amusement parks. We’re so accustomed  to pleasure that we’ve become numb to it and it no longer brings us what we desire.

Take one look around a public store, resturant, or shopping center and you’ll bound to see it. The state of obesity is found around every corner. 30.6% of Americans are overweight; by far the most of any nation in the world. The country of Mexico is next with a percentage of 24.2%. Americans today now spend $60 billion a year on weight loss programs and other health related products every year! These statistics are disturbing and keep pointing to the fact that we have lost any sense of self-control and are consumed with our wealthy state. Alcoholism is an epidemic  problem among teens and young people as well as the amount of drunk driving homicides.  Illegal drug use such as marijuana are at the highest peak since 1981 according to a recent study as 1 of every 15 students are said to have smoked pot.  We are a nation that is not only physically ill, but emotionally as well.

Our society is increasingly embracing a self-centered me-first attitude. My needs, wants, desires above everyone else. It’s the me-society. Just look at the popular icons in our nation—MySpace, ITunes and YouTube. We’re ungrateful and greedy for more never getting quite enough. Politeness is a thing of the past, now if our demands our met we complain, grow bitter, and cold towards others. Impatience is seen everywhere—on the freeway, supermarket, and our rush to the altar.

Most would admit they love technology and how easy it makes their everyday life. Everything is done with computers and high-tech gadgets these days. But with these advances in technology we’re slowly being separated from relationships, from people, and interaction with others. Self-checkout lanes, automatic teller machines(ATMS), online shopping centers, e-mail–the list is endless. Although none of these things are necessarily a bad thing; they are also making it easier and easier for Americans to carry through life by on their own terms with no dependence for others. There used to be a time when everybody knew their neighbors well and relied on each other for support. Now, it’s common place not to even know who you’re living next door to. Thus, we’ve warped into what we could call the “Isolation Nation.”

Finally, America is lost on moral values, the Christian faith, and their purpose in life. Although 80% of Americans claim to be Christian, we are far from a “Christian nation” today. Secular Humanism is crept into middle schools and high schools across the country promoting atheistic ideals and  evolutionism. The Ten commandments has been banned from schools. Prayer and Bibles in many cases too. Now, even the “In God we Trust” motto and Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is under fierce attack by our nation’s leaders. We’ve become a one nation over God. A shifting shadow of what we once were.

The current United States of America and the Titanic have much in common. Both were seen as prestigious, “one of a kind”, full of splendor, wonder, and might. The Titanic was considered by some to be “unsinkable” and America has often been viewed as “invincible” with its military might and many accomplishments throughout its history. A general sense of arrogance was the attitude aboard the Titanic–of pride in themselves and the general census of the American people believe it is their birthright to have everything handed to them. That’s it’s all about them. The arrogance of the Titanic led to a vast shortage of lifejackets and boats in their state of emergency. Today in the United States, many are without “lifejackets”,convincing themselves that everything is fine and they can save themselves. Lastly, those on the Titanic thought they had a ticket to paradise, New York City. Instead, their trip to paradise took a detour to the dark depths of the ocean; to their death. Here in America, most are convinced that they’re good enough, headed towards God’s paradise of Heaven. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re sinking fast.

We’ve hit so many icebergs as a nation over our two hundred plus years as nation and also bounced back. But this current wreckage we find ourselves in is beginning to sink our “ship” once and for all. Decay is everywhere. Despair is so easily embraced. What do we do?  Panic seems like the most reasonable option. What do we do?  There is only one answer–Jesus Christ. A revival of His love, mercy, grace, and power that only He can bring us back from the depths of the darkness, decay, and despair all around us. Throughout the history of God’s people, and in our early nation’s history, revival brought healing and restoration to our land. It can again if we choose to repent and turn from our sinful ways.  May the passage we find in Psalm 85:6-9 become the prayer for our nation:

“Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what God the LORD says;
He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly. 

Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him,
that His glory may dwell in our land.”

We are in our darkest hour as a nation. We all have a choice to make.  To ignore, contribute, and let fear take hold of us—or choose to embrace hope, change, and the God of our fathers. Our nation was built upon the Christian worldview, moral values, and Word of God. There is still time, but the eleventh hour is about to strike midnight. Our ship is still afloat, but without God there’s no way of stopping its final destination into the depths of destruction. We will look at what a revival is, how to experience one, and more in the coming weeks. First, though, there is sadly more bad news to come…

What about that state of the church? Where are we currently? We’ll take a look in the next entry.

To Be Continued….

Future Features:

This was a painful and gut wrecking blog entry to write. I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of hurt and sadness for the how lost we are here in the United States of America. The purpose of this blog was not to bash Americans, our leaders, government, or promote being unpatriotic towards our nation. It was to give a broad overview of our desperate need for a nation-wide revival here in America. Please take this to heart as you read this blog.

There will be no Radiant Reflection questions or Can You Hear Me Now? challenge until Part 3 of this series, Arising to Your Awakeing. The first 3 parts of these series are linked together as an introduction mini-series to why we need a revival in America. Next week we’re examining another tough subject that hits close to home just as much as this blog does. We’ll be looking at the state of the church here in America and throughout much of the wealthy nations of the world. The only thing I ask for you now is earnest prayer. As we will discover later on, prayer is a vital and key component of any revival throughout history. Pray for our nation, our leaders, our schools, society, and churches.

Have a great day and God Bless you.

Sources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/033885_food_waste_America.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titantic

http://christianfaithinamerica.com/2010/05/29/what-ever-happened-to-the-christian-worldview/

http://www.avert.org/america.htm

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_obe-health-obesity

http://techcrunch.com/2007/05/12/internet-pornography-stats/

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate

http://www.worldometers.info/weight-loss/

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/43910

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/teen-ya/story/2011-12-14/Survey-Teen-pot-use-rises-alcohol-use-declines/51907984/1

http://prolifeaction.org/faq/abortion.php

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I find it hard to believe, but it’s a brand new year and SHOUT IT Ministries is entering its 3rd full year online already here at www.shoutitforlife.com! I have determined to make it a habit to write “introductory” blogs a few times a year just to keep everyone on the same page on what’s coming, what to expect, and the changes that are occurring. This ministry has come a long way since the first blog was written back on November 14, 2009. That being said, there is much hard work to do, things to learn, and new experiences yet to be discovered along the way. I’m excited for this upcoming year as I have deemed this year as the “year of the dream” for SHOUT IT Ministries. Why? Let’s take a look:

For starters, this ministry itself is dream that God has given to me that I have been blessed to build from the ground up. It’s been quite a learning process filled with trials and mistakes–but I’ve grown immensely the past few years in my walk with Christ thanks to this ministry. SHOUT IT Ministries allows me to use my God-given creativity, writing talent, and unique voice to reach thousands of people around the clock–it’s incredibly exciting!! Over the course of time, I have come to name SHOUT IT Ministries simply as “the dream” and I truly believe that I am called to minister to people around the globe through this website.  The year 2012 hopefully is another fruitful year for this ministry!

Weekly Blogs

This year the Weekly Blogs will be made up of three specific series.  First, in late January through early April we’ll be looking at the series, Arising to your Awakening, which will be on Spiritual Awakening. This series I believe is highly important to where we are currently today as a nation (here in the United States) and as a body of Christ as a whole. A sense of urgency is an absolute must and the time to take action is NOW! As a result of going through this series I hope we feel inspired to dream of a brighter future of the world and begin to make it a reality in the present day.

In mid-to-late April we’ll begin a EPIC series on Hell, Heaven, the afterlife, and eternity in the series, Eternity Matters.  Why do I call this series epic? Because unlike any series we’ll gone through before there will be multiple blogs written on a week-to-week basis. We’re going to cover the topic of Hell, Heaven, and eternity from every angle with incredible detail. This is not a series that will scratch the surface, but give you a clear picture of the life to come; so we can dream in wonder of the hope we find in our future with Christ.  

Finally, in the shorter series, The Eternal Perspective, we’ll discover how to take what we just learned and apply it to our lives in early November up to the holiday season. Basically, this is a follow-up series that ties in directly to what you learned from mid-April through October. All in all, expect anywhere from 40-50 weekly blogs combined for these two series! The blogs will be much more condense and focused in on one particular subject matter instead of a broad overview.

Profiles

Many changes are being implemented to the Profiles ministry starting in 2012 that can be read about here: Profiles Blueprint. Also starting this year the previous Profiles written will be re-edited with current information/content, new photos, and videos. A new one will be reedited each month. They will be called: Progressing Portraits.  As for this year’s Profiles, we’ll be looking many unique individuals that fit in the theme of dreams. For example, we’ll start with Tim Tebow, who had a dream to play in the NFL, and is currently living out his dream. Also we’ll look at Matthew Barnett who founded the Dream Center in Los Angeles and Eric and Leslie Ludy’s dream of getting married.  Finally, we’ll take a closer look at the “dreams/visions” of Heaven that pastor Don Piper and 4-year Colton Burpo had as well. Here is the official list for 2012:

• Tim Tebow (Late January)
• Eric and Leslie Ludy (February)
• Beth Moore (March)
• Akiane Kramarik/Colton Burpo (April)
• Hillsong Music (May)
• Kirk Cameron (June)
• Don Piper (July)
• Matthew Barnett (August)
• Drew Brees (September)
• Rebecca St. James (October)
• JRR Tolkein (November)
• Mother Teresa (December)

Shout Out to the Silver Screen

From January through mid-May this ministry will be in work behind the scenes. This ministry will have a new location, it’s own webpage, separate from www.shoutitforlife.com.  This is to organize the information better, present the material in a more appealing manner, and not clutter the many ministries together on one site. As time goes along more ministries will be moved to their own sites but for now, Shout Out to the Silver Screen, will be the only seperate ministry. Expect the lanuch of this site around mid-May.

What will we be looking at as a case study over the late spring-fall season? The epic and highly popular Harry Potter movies. There is a ton of material to cover (8 movies) so unlike the Toy Story movies, it is impossible to cover everything in detail. This being said there is a wealth of fascinating allegories from these stories that directly relate to the Christian worldview. We’ll first go over why Harry Potter is not promoting witchcraft or evil practices and worthy of our time. Then we’ll discover the legacy, characters, music score, quotes, DVD features, and most importantly the Real of the Reel.

In mid-November through mid-December we’ll do our first case study of a theme–dreams! The movies we’ll look at include: Dead Poets Society, Up, It’s a Wonderful Life,  and The Rookie. Each movie will be covered in a Real of the Reel blog as we uncover different spiritual truths about dreams.  

Truth’s Transformation

This ministry was finally re-launched and is entering its first full year that it’s up and running. Although we wouldn’t be addressing dreams in this particular ministry, we’ll still be addressing major foundational truths that every Christian needs to be equipped with. From late January through April our focus will continue to be on Fight for What’s Right which addresses the Christian worldview. We’ll then progress to learning about discovering our identity in the principle, Find Your Fit, and conclude the year with how to overcome and conquer your fears in the principle, Face Your Fears. For more information read the recently revised Blueprint.

SPECIAL

Similar to Truth’s Transformation, this ministry was re-launched in mid-November and is entering its first full year.  We’ll continue to look at Establishing your Identity from late January through the month of April. Then we’ll being a broad overview of calling in Embracing Your Calling with Enthusiasm from May to August. Then starting in September a new  section will  be launched called, Dream Journey, that will help you discover and fulfill your dreams. In our main course study we’ll look at the fundamental role of vision in carrying out your dreams, in Enlarge your Vision to Excellence. For more information read the recently revised Blueprint.

Kyle’s Kaleidoscope/RAW/Wending the Way

Both RAW and Wending the Way will be entering their first full year as part of SHOUT IT Ministries. As I mentioned before these ministries are the “perspective” ministries each carrying a unique voice on the Christian worldview. Inspiration and revelation will continue to be the driving force behind them. On average expect one to two new entries for each ministry every month.

Weekly Content

This year marks the first year for many weekly features including the Sound Bites ministry, the Enduring Echoes entries, and the Loud and Hear/Surround Sound updates. Continue to expect these features to be updated on a weekly basis and for a new Sound Bite each and every day.

The Re-Launch!

On Monday, January 23rd this site will be re-launched with a brand new look along with new navigation and features!  And this is just the beginning of many new features and exciting additions coming to www.shoutitforlife.com! Another noteworthy addition is that starting very soon (date yet to be determined) you’ll be able to sign up and receive a weekly newsletter!  All of these features and additions will be slowly be inserted in the next few months as time goes along. You will be notified beforehand of all these changes, so you don’t become overwhelmed or confused with your time spend with SHOUT IT Ministries. Stay tuned!!

In Summary

I realize that I just gave you a ton of new information to take in. If you didn’t quite understand something or feel a tad bit overwhelmed–don’t worry. After each new blog in the Future Features section, in the Loud and Hear section, and through the  social media of Facebook and Twitter you’ll be notified what’s upcoming each and every week.  I look forward to spending time with you throughout this year and the many years to come! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or proposals please contact us on our Contact Page.   Inspire to dream big in 2012! God Bless.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” John Keating, Dead Poets Society

In the 1989 classic movie, Dead Poets Society, we are introduced to an English teacher who is unorthodox teaching methods compared to the norm at the school of Weldon Academy. This English teacher John Keating, who is played by Robin Williams, teaches the boys a new phrase. This phrase is, “Carpe diem,” a Latin term that refers to seizing the day. Living life to the fullest. The boys are inspired and they secretly revive a school literary club, the “Dead Poets Society.” As time goes along the boys are faced with the expectations of who others expect them to be instead of trying to pursue their dreams. Simply living for the status quo instead. The main character, Neil Perry, has incredible pressure to become a doctor like his father, but wants to become an actor. There is a much tension between the two and turmoil begins to mount.

The results of this conflict are tragic, but the movie carries many important messages of life. (We’ll get a full look at this movie in the ministry, Shout Out to the Silver Screen, as we cover the “theme of dreams” in the holiday season of 2012.) Be Yourself. Dare to be different. Don’t be afraid to dream. Make the most of your life. Leave a lasting legacy. Above all, the phrase that stands out and makes the movie most memorable is, “Carpe Diem. Seize the day.” This is also the message of the season of summer for our souls. This is life–make the most the time you’ve been given. We get a glimpse of what life is meant to be. Free from the burdens of yesterday, full of laughter, joy, play, wonder, warmth, and love. Summer is a shadow of things to come, of the promise of what is yet to be–Heaven. Spring is like an appetizer, but the main course, the full feast of the never-ending holiday is summer. In summer, night and mourning flee away. Death is a feeble opponent that poses no threat. We see this clearly in the calendar season we call summer as well.

Summer is celebrated more than any other season. It marks the end of a long school year and of unbridled joy. The days are long and full of brilliant sunlight. We’re at our healthiest and strongest in summer. It’s easier to rise in the morning. Life is all around us in full harmony echoing the heart of our Creator. Plants and trees are at full bloom thriving in the environment. Our senses are at their highest peak. We feel the soft cut grass as we run through a park. Hear the chirping of birds. See the bright yellow dandelions and fireflies glow ever so gracefully at night. Taste the sweet sugar of watermelon and rich barbecue pork. Smell the fresh scent of strawberries and the aroma of freshly cut grass. We want summer to last forever. We never grow tired of it. When we’re caught in another season, we can’t help but long for it, crave it, thirst for another chance to embrace it fully and grab hold of its endless wonders.

The season of the soul of summer mirrors these traits. We feel most alive in this season, closer to God, and enjoy the company of loved ones more than ever. We thrive at what we are meant to do and who we are meant to be. Joy, contentment, and love overflow daily from our cup of life. We keep receiving more and more. It’s easy to nourish ourselves, warm ourselves, and refresh ourselves. The main characteristic of summer is–flow. It’s effortless. Everything comes easier, is easier to enjoy, the problems are few and far between, and there are few sacrifices demanded from us. Energy is easy to find. What’s not to like? There are many beneficial activities to partake in summer, but more than any other season there are precautions that must be put into practice. Lastly, there is also work to be done. Let’s first take a look at the activities.

The first activity seems obvious and it’s hard to guess–enjoy. It seems like a natural response and no doubt should be. It’s a time pursue your wildest dreams at full force. Use your imagination and pursue the possibilities. Play with a childlike wonder. Savoring every moment God has given you. A time of no worries where we simply need not be guilty about being carefree. Summer is a time when God delights in our joy. We all have a choice, though, to sit back and do nothing or enjoy it. But there are times when we do need to sit back and relax in summer as well.

Just like the activities of summer on our calendar, summer of the soul needs to invoke leisure. This is a time to rest and take delight in God’s presence. Slow down and spend time with your family, friends, and people you haven’t seen in awhile. As A.W. Tozer describes: “Those who are in Christ share with [God] all the riches of limitless time and endless years. God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves. For those outside of Christ, time is a devouring beast; before the sons of the New creations, time crouches and purrs and licks their hands.” By being still we are reawakened to the wonder and beauty of the world around us and to the One who created it all. We can draw closer to God and are able to hear Him more clearly.  In Psalm 46:10 we read: “Be still and know that I am God.” Summer is a time during the calendar year we’re most likely to take a vacation and get away from it all. This needs to be our response when we are in the spiritual season of summer too–to get away from it all, rest in His presence, and take delight in who He is.

Another main activity of summer is living without worries. Winter is when we walk by faith and not by sight. Summer our faith is right before our eyes and becomes a living testimony because it is deeply felt within us. We’re walking in the light, we can see, and bask in His glory. It is a time to rejoice! “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Joy is all around us and it’s a time where thanksgiving needs to be plentiful. And more than in any other season–it should be almost a natural inclination  to do so. Everything is at its best now—we are full healthy, our marriage is thriving, our job is fruitful and invigorating, our dreams are passionately being pursued, and every bite of life is delicious. Thank God daily, often, and with everything you do. Never forget that this season is a gift from the Giver of life: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

The final activity of summer of note here is abounding in fruit. In summer, we are given more than most of us have the capacity to hold. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT) A danger of this is to take it all for granted and keep demanding more,  thus taking on the mindset of a consumer. Becoming addicted to pleasure but never pleased. It’s what Mark Buchanan describes as the “cult of the next thing.” To truly abound in the fruit that God freely provides we must learn contentment. It is not a time to hoard our wealth and stock our barns with blessings. Instead it’s a time of thanks and of giving out of those rich blessings. To share the fruit. The great irony of it all–the more you give away, the richer you become.

Just like in the summer time where we take precautions not to get burnt or dehydrated– there is a strong warning that come with the spiritual season of summer. Beware of droughts. Summers can become hot and dry for our souls. We need to soak things down more than this season than any other. Mark Buchanan writes, “You and I hold the glory of God in clay jars. We hold it, but thinly. We dry out quickly. We need a continues inpouring of the Spirit and a deep saturation in the Word.”  We cannot neglect spiritual disciplines such as spending time in the Word and prayer. So heed this warning–happy times are both a gift and a curse. In the summer the sun shines all the time. And nothing is hidden from its heat. The only remedy for the incoming drought is water. Water that provides life to our souls is the Word. By spending time with God. Drink Him in and soak in the life that only He can provide.

Although summer is full of fun and laughter–there is work to be done too. Summer is a time to gather firstfruits. “A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”  (Proverbs 10:5, NLT) Just as summer produces the first crops of the season and farmers gather them for the harvest;  we should do so spiritually. We need to be wise and harvest God’s best for us. By giving God your best it means not holding anything back from Him. Ask questions such as: “Do I enjoy my time with God? Are my attitudes, actions, and thoughts shaped by His Word?, Do I seek God’s kingdom first and trust Him for my needs? ”  Simply learn to give God your best and watch as you reap God’s best for you in return.

The other main activity of work is being fruitful, but bears a warning. Don’t mistake busyness with production. Have you ever gone on a vacation and when you got home needed a vacation from that vacation you just were on?  We often confuse leafiness with fruitfulness. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? (Matthew 21:19) To illustrate that the nation of Israel was confusing their spiritually busyness with production and in the process tainting their worship of God. It is also a strong visual reminder to us that an abundance of leafiness means nothing. It’s by our fruit that we’re known. In summer we are often so full of energy with so much vibrancy that we lose our focus. We say yes to anything that peaks our interest and lose sight what’s truly important among the branches of all the stuff in our life. The answer–learn to say that simple word–”no.” Choose wisely on what you do and how you spend your time. Choose God’s best and what will benefit you the most in your walk with Christ.

When summer comes–seize the day.  There is no better time than now to live life with a reckless abandon with no regrets, no fear, no worries. Enjoy and savor every moment. Be thankful and worship God, the giver of all the perfect gifts you receive.  Take delight in His presence. Take heed of being burnt, though, from the heat summer brings. Gather fristfruits and bear much fruit. Choose God’s best always.

Summer is a foretaste of the brilliance and beauty of Heaven. A shadow of the perfection that awaits all of creation. It is what Heaven will be like in its final form. If you’re currently experiencing summer, know that it will come to an end at some point here on earth. All summers do. But not to fret. Soon we’ll all take part in the great adventure where “The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning” as C.S. Lewis wrote in the closing chapter of The Last Battle. But why wait for the term to end when it’s right before you? Right here, right now. Let us not forget these words: “Carpe diem. Seize the day.”

Radiant Reflection: This week we learned about the season of Summer. Answer these questions to help you apply the practices and principles we just covered:

1) What to you like most about the calendar season of summer? What activities and events to you enjoy?

2) How does the calendar season of summer mirror that of our souls? What’s different?

3) What are some of the activities we need to partake in during the summer? What are some of the practical ways you can place these activities into our spiritual walk with Christ?

4) What are the precautions that must be taken in consideration with summer? Why is this the case?

5) What type of work should be take part in when being in the spiritual season of summer? What is the warning that comes with being fruitful?

Can You Hear Me Now?: If you want a more complete picture of the spiritual season of Summer–pick up a copy of the book, Spiritual Rhythm, by Mark Buchanan. As our calendar year turns to winter–remember that the spiritual season of summer is possible at any point of the year. Seize the day and this holiday season for all it’s worth. Take delight and bask in the wonder and joy that Christmas brings. Make sure to find time for rest and reflection. Lastly, resolve to make 2012 a year where each day you give your all. Choose God’s best for your life. And make the phrase, “Carpe diem” your battle cry!

Future Features: We’ve reached the end of this series and the calendar year. There is only one more piece of new content yet to be added–the final Real of the Reel blog on the Toy Story trilogy set to be added tomorrow. After tomorrow, the next month will be used to celebrate the holidays, rest, and prepare for the upcoming year for SHOUT IT Ministries. There will be a brand new Weekly Blog series on Spiritual Awakening, along with all the other ministries starting up again in mid-to-late January. Also there will be a complete overhaul of design and navigation of this site that will take place in the re-launch of this site! The official date has yet to be determined. Stay tuned for further updates and a blog entry that will highlight all the information you need as we embark on the upcoming new year. I want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless you and your family! See you back here in January of 2012!

Sources:

Mark Buchanan, Spiritual Rhythm, Zondervan. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Pages 112-114, 124-127, 128, 130-132, 134-136, 139-140

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Poets_Society 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

“When Aslan bares his teeth, winter meets its death.
When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”  C.S. Lewis

One of the most beloved children’s stories of all time is C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The book became a blockbuster movie in December of 2005 and has gone on to sell millions of copies since its publication in 1950. The story is set in the year of 1940 during World War II as four children are sent away to the country to professor Kirke’s home. The youngest child, Lucy Penvensie, discovers a magical wardrobe in a spare  room and enters the wondrous land of Narnia. There she meets a faun named Mr. Tunmus and discovers a horrible truth. Narnia has been caught in a 100 year curse of winter. Always winter, never Christmas. The whole land is in a ice grip by the evil White Witch. Later on when all hope is lost and the four children are in the beavers’ home by the dam. Then the children discover some earth-shattering news: Aslan is on the move. The Great Lion (an allegory figure of Jesus Christ) is about to change everything. As time moves along the sign and symbol of that promise begins to weaken the power of the Witch and winter begins to melt away. Ice breaks, the cold lifts, and trees blossom. Out of the dreary, dull, and bleakness–spring.

Spring is a time of hope. Just like how the spring symbolized a new beginning in Narnia, spring is the start of new things, new activities, a fresh slate. It pulses with joy. It is a glimpse of the “all things new” we’ll find in Heaven one day. It is a season of colors—where green, yellow, red, blue, violet flood into our eyes. Trees and plants bloom, animals sing, and the sweet fragrance of  flowers is in the air. Creation itself delights in the newness from the depths of deadness. When God moves, creation responds.

Just as the season of spring is a time of and new beginnings for creation, so it is in our spiritual walk with Christ. The spiritual season of spring begins with renewal. It is marked by a renewal emotionally, physically, and morally. Let’s take a deeper look at each kind of renewal.

Emotions that the winter brought us through the depths of darkness are resorted and renewed in the spring. In the winter we are wary and spend from days of sorrow, but spring awakens our dead senses. Words of cheer are the only ones that make sense. We resonate with joy and optimism. We’re full of energy and a new found strength for life. This doesn’t mean that troubles wouldn’t be found. But they don’t seem so menacing as they once did and we stand tall. Our souls are revived and restored. Which leads into another form of renewal:

The season of spring brings a physical renewal. Jesus’  miracles were a glimpse into the season of spring as Mark Buchanan writes, “Jesus reserves His deepest intimacy for winter. But He displays His greatest handiwork in spring. He brings living water into thirsty lands, emotional strength to faltering hearts, physical wellness to the sick and the lame.” Sometimes, we too, experience this renewal in the most literal way: God heals us on a lingering illness, a deep depression, or a chronic pain. Not from doctors, medicine, or therapy—from God. Physical restoration is a direct overflowing of emotional renewal. “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” (Psalm 23:3 NLT)  As our heart our healed, so is our physical health. We get an extra spring in our step (pun intended) and can’t wait to begin a new day. But the best part of spring is another kind of renewal–one where our hearts are washed clean.

Sanctification is the cleansing of our moral filth. From the bitter roots and weeds that have choked out the life from us. Bad habits, sinful thoughts, sour attitudes are washed by the blood of Jesus. We are redeemed and made whole again. Cynicism gives way to hope. We can see clearly again of our purpose and who we are in Christ and who God is.  Our walk with God is unhindered by hidden faults and failures. We are free to be ourselves as we were made to be. Emotional renewal, physical renewal, and moral renewal: The hallmarks and heart of spring. How then do we seize the spring season, savor it for all its worth, and steward it well?   There are three activities that define the spring season: plowing, planting, cleaning.

Plowing is a farming term and is reference to cutting, lifting, and turning over soil. It ensures that the field is free from weeds and unwanted plants from last year’s harvest. Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that plowing is hard work. The promise of a reward is plowing is distant and tentative. What does this mean for us spiritually?

First it means to listen. As Mark Buchanan says, “The plowing of springtime is the disciple of deeper attentiveness.” We need to taking the time to be quiet and still in the presence of God. Spending time in prayer and the Word eagerly anticipating God’s direction.  It is also a time to establish these spiritual disciplines firmly rooting them into our life. Perhaps you’ll fallen away from attending church and need to find a new church family. This is the season to take action. Or your devotion time is dry and dull. Now is the time to instill new life in your time spent with God. Or you’ve been holding back your income from the offering plate. Spring is a time of reestablishing healthy habits and rooting in new ones. The results may not be instant, the work is often hard, but the reward for plowing will pay dividends as we enter the season of summer.  

Another related discipline to farming in spring is planting. Spring is the best season for launching new things. Similar to a new year where we strive to reach new goals, achieve new ambitions, and dream of the infinite possibilities ; the season of springs beacons new beginnings. Perhaps it’s losing weight and eating healthier. Or spending more wisely. Maintaining a more positive, upbeat attitude. Founding a new ministry at your church. Starting a new friendship with a co-worker. Going back to school and finishing your education. If we don’t take the time to plant and prepare, we’ll waste a wide-open opportunity. It would be like leaving a field untended in a vain hope that it will be ready when the harvest comes each fall. Recognize when the time is right to plant and make sure it is properly tended for, nourished, and as a result flourishes. And with plowing and planting comes the discipline of cleaning.

We’ve all heard of the term, “spring cleaning” before and most of us take part in this annual activity each year. We clean out our old junk in our garages, our houses, and our yards. The smells of bleach, lemon cleaner, and sanitizer fill the air. Spring is the best time to clean. It is a time to evaluate where you’ve been and we’re you’re headed. To take a personal inventory similar to when we go through all our possessions in our spring cleaning. A time to reflect upon our routines, distractions, and how our time is spent. Then ask two questions: “When was I most alive and most fulfilled today?” and “When was I stressed, depleted, and depressed? ” Or simply “When did I feel closest to God and when was the farthest?”  We need to get rid of the clutter and chaos that we at times clutch closest to us. Write it down, spend time in prayer, and reflect. Fix your focus on your purpose. Ensure that you purpose is full of clarity and God’s calling for your life.

Spring is a glimpse into Heaven’s opening scenes. A place where all things are made new again. Our bodies, our minds, creation, and all of life begins anew. Where sin, sorrow, and selfishness are no more. Where the original design of what was once was in the garden is now restored. Spring leads into the  highway and heart of Heaven. So if you’re currently experiencing the spring season of the soul, enjoy it! Awaken your dreams and deepest desires. Take delight the promise that is fulfilled in new beginnings, redemption, restoration, and renewal. Make the most of the opportunities as you take part in the practices of  plowing, planting, and cleaning. Because when God is on the move everything changes. The things of old that marked the passage of winter are dead and long gone. Hope is here and the haven rests in Him! “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:5) The earth shakes and the mountains tremble as His roar erupts through the early sunrise. Spring is finally here!

Radiant Reflection: This week we learned about the season of Spring. Answer these questions to help you apply the practices and principles we just covered:

1) Have you ever read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” or seen the movie? What are some of the ways that this book/movie illustrate the deadness of winter and hope of spring?

2) What are the hallmarks of spring? Have you experienced any of these renewals in your life? What was your response? What was a result of this renewal?

3) What does it mean to spiritually plow in our lives? How can you practice the discipline of plowing in your life today?

4) What does it meant to spiritually plant seeds in our lives? What is one thing area of your life you would like to plant a seed today?

5) What is involved in the action of spiritually cleaning? Have you ever practiced this discipline? Why or why not?

Can You Hear Me Now?: If you want a more complete picture of the spiritual season of Spring–pick up a copy of the book, Spiritual Rhythm, by Mark Buchanan. As you read this blog take note of ways you can start off the new year of 2012 in launching a spiritually season of spring. Then take part of the process of plowing, planting, and cleaning. Just because it’s winter outside doesn’t mean you can’t experience spring inside your soul!

Future Features: We are now at the tail end of the year and the start of the holiday season of Christmas and New Years. This week marks the last few days of new content for the next couple of weeks. The last two Real of the Reel blogs will be posted later this week along with the final part of this series on the season of Summer. This blog is set to be posted this Thursday on the 22nd. The Sound Bites ministry will run through this Saturday and then it’ll kick back up again around the second week of January. God Bless.

Sources: Mark Buchanan, Spiritual Rhythm, Zondervan. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Pages 73-77, 81-82, 85-87, 96-98, 100-102, 106

Thursday, December 15, 2011

“This is my prayer in the desert
And all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship” Hillsong lyrics

The phrase, “dark night of the soul” is used as a term signifying a spiritual crisis in our journey towards union with God. This phrase was first brought into light by the 16th century Roman Catholic Spanish poet, Saint John of the Cross, who wrote a poem by the same name. He also wrote a treatise that explains the meaning of the stanza. Today “dark night of the soul” is indentified as a time when all spiritual disciplines seem dry, difficult, and meaningless. We carry with us the feelings of abandonment, loneliness, and depression. Most crisis periods have temporary staying power and last for just a season’s time. But others have endured decades of the dreaded “dark night of the soul”; most notably Mother Teresa who revealed that hers lasted from 1948 to her death in 1997, with only brief interludes of relief in-between. Only shortly towards the end of her life did “the darkness leave” as revealed by Father Benedict Groeschel, a friend of hers.  

The spiritual season of winter is a glimpse of the dreaded “dark night of the soul.” The days are dark, dreary, and dry. We feel abandoned by God. It seems like He is nowhere to be found. Our spiritual walk is barren with no fruit.   We feel lost, alone, and depressed. Everything becomes meaningless as is stated in Ecclesiastes 12:8: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!” And most of all–winter is death. A living death. Just as life seems to be disappear in the cold, gloomy days of winter in the physical world; in our spiritual season of winter we walk through the shadow of death. Where the life we once knew is a fading distant memory. It is full of fear and sorrow. We’re desperate for a ray of hope, for a new beginning, and the long wait to finally come to pass. It can last for a few days, weeks, months, or even a long stretch of years. It is like walking in a desert with no relief in sight and our only sight is a world clouded in darkness.

The physical realm in which we live here on earth annually endures a season of winter too. From the Christmas holiday until the St. Patrick’s Day celebration we are faced with the woes of winter. Sunlight seems to never come. There are few, if any signs of life from nature. Our bodies battle with the cold temperatures and our hearts often follow suit. It many ways it mirrors what the spiritual season of winter is like. Although the annually season of winter may have features of our liking, the season of darkness in our souls is a different story. No one willingly wants to endure the woes of winter. To become broken and bruised. To become intimate with darkness and death. But we all have to come face to face with it at some point in our lives.

When we think of the Psalms, we often think of songs of praise, thanksgiving, and joy. But there are also psalms of pain, grief, confusion, anger, and bitterness too. Psalms 13, 22, and 44 are written by King David and a full of a confusion and anguish with God. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 88 described the agony and grief that this season brings:

You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief.” (Psalm 88:6-9)   

As Mark Buchanan writes: “This psalm is no cool, clinical, dispassionate, detaching listing of symptoms; it erupts, wild and raw. It’s a diary of disappointment, a soliloquy of compliant, a testimony of anguish. It’s the howl of a main in the grip of a heartache.” This psalm is a window into what the winter welcomes. What worth, if any, can possibly come of the season of winter? There are  few important spiritual activities we need to partake in to steward this season well. 

Prayer is the ongoing work on winter. Winter is a season in which the life of prayer can be poisoned completely or awakened. It’s a time of testing in our belief of who we know God is compared to what we see of God in the moment. In other words it is praying in God’s revelation of Himself in His Word compared to what we’re experiencing in our daily walk during the winter season. This is a time that our faith grows like no other. It combines the unique conditions that nurture the certainty of things hoped for and the assurance of things unseen. When we walk by faith not by sight. As wonderful and delightful as the seasons of spring and summer are, they are virtually useless for growing faith. Winter produces a deep faith that is rooted solid and strengthens our character and spiritual growth like no other.  

Another spiritual activity of winter is pruning. Jesus told His disciples that a loving, aiding relationship with Him means that there will be times of pruning. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesso that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2) When we’re in winter, we need to prune hard. This basically means to looking at all our commitments and activities and choose what’s really important. It puts a microscope on how we spent our time and gives us an opportunity to evaluate. Often times, we find many tangled branches of our life—the hobbies, the projects, the traveling, the television programs–that have become burdens, trivial pursuits, and diversions in growing spiritually. It is only through pruning that we’ll be able to bear much fruit in the spring.  

Winter forces us to wait. And waiting forces faith to grow. If you’re like most people, you don’t like the idea of waiting. Patience is not a trait that is often practiced in today’s society. Whether it be on the freeway, the checkout line, or for our birthday gift–we hate to wait. In winter we pray, call out, cry out to God and long for answers. Things remain unchanged or worse and we wonder: Where is God in all of this? Waiting builds faith similar to praying. It cultivates a faith to die for and live for. Waiting forces us to rely solely on God and trust in His promises. There are no other alternatives and instead of living carelessly in the control of comfort, we’re left solely dependent on our Creator. It’s not easy, it often brings pain, heartbreak, and sorrow. But winter makes us realize that the wait is worth it because He is worth it.   

Winter also provides gifts. It seems strange and improbable, but they are ours for the taking. First is the gift of gratitude.  It’s easy to be grateful when all is going well in the midst of summer where we’re walking hand in hand with God. It’s when we’re in the desert of darkness that we struggle with finding one thing–anything to be thankful for. But as time goes along, we remember. We remember how God was there, His faithfulness through thick and thin, and how His promises were fulfilled. And through these hard times, we receive the greatest gift of winter. Our longing for Heaven. We realize that we are not made for this world. Through suffering comes anticipation. Anticipation of life without pain, sorrow, and death. Knowing that one day we will be with the One who conquered the wrath of winter–Jesus Christ. 

Jesus, the Man for All Seasons, is with us always. He is familiar with the sorrows and suffering that the season of winter brings and comes closest to us in winter. If you’re currently enduring a winter where you feel like it’s your “dark night of the soul”, take hold of these truths. But most importantly take hold of the Truth Himself. Our prayer needs to be to praise Him in all seasons and all moments of our life no matter how we’re feeling. Because He is still God who is unchanging and never leaves our side. We have a reason to worship and a  reason for hope. The “dark night of the soul” is a dry and dark desert we all must travel through at certain points in our lives. No matter how many times we trip, fall, and crawl God will be there to carry us into the dawn of a new day. Where the scene begins to change, the colors begin to come, and winter becomes undone! Take heart friend, spring is on its way! 

Radiant Reflection: This week we learned about the season of winter. Answer these questions to help you apply the practices and principles we just covered:

1) Have you ever experienced what you would call a ”dark night of the soul”? A time where you felt abandoned, lonely, depressed, and broken?

2) What were some of the factors that caused it? How long did it last? How do you endure through this difficult time?

3) What are some of the ways that the physical season of winter mirrors that of what we experience spiritually? How does it differ?

4) What are some of the activities we can partake in during winter? What are the gifts that winter provides us?

5) Spend time in prayer. Thank God for his faithfulness and for always being there for you. Ask Him for strength, courage, and resolve when you are currently faced with a season of winter.

Can You Hear Me Now?: If you want a more complete picture of the spiritual season of winter–pick up a copy of the book, Spiritual Rhythm, by Mark Buchanan. If you’re currently in the season of winter talk to a close friend or mentor and tell them about what you’re currently going through. Seek counseling if you become clinically depressed. If you know someone who is enduring a hard time, encourage them and lift them up in your prayers. Follow through with the above mentioned spiritual practices. And cling closely to Christ always.

Future Features: This may have been a difficult read for you depending on where you are in your currently in your spiritually walk. If you are currently in the depths of winter, I’m sorry. I hope that this blog was encouraging and gives you hope in moving forward. Take a listen to the songs provided below, too, and may they offer comfort in these trying times. My prayers are with you. Never forget that God will never leave you or forsake you no matter how bad things get.  Next week we’ll be finishing up on this series with the seasons of the soul by looking at both Spring and Summer. Also we’ll finishing up on our case study of Toy Story in Shout Out to the Silver Screen with the final two Real of the Reel blogs in the coming week. God Bless.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Night_of_the_Soul

Mark Buchanan, Spiritual Rhythm, Zondervan. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Pages 31-33, 36, 44, 47-50, 51-55