The Truth in Love

I encourage you to speak the truth in love!

As a believer in Christ, there should be absolutely NO fear to speak the Gospel (or Good News of Christ's redemption) to the world. And yet, we struggle with this daily. Is it because we have a fear of rejection? Are we concerned that our friends will look down upon us? No matter what the reason, I think that if we weighed it against the soul of our friend, their soul would win every time.

Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). His understanding of the Gospel is that it has the power to transform lives - to literally save people from their sin. I hold this same understanding, because I believe that it very clearly outlines the predicament that we were in as we lived in our sin. Our sin separated us from God, but Jesus reconnects us to God.

Many of our friends don’t understand this message. For that reason, I believe that Paul wrote, “First to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” The Church (or the people who have been a part of the community of God for some time) understands the need for salvation, and also understands the method for salvation. We are the “Jews” in Paul’s message. We understand that a Messiah (or Christ, or Savior) is necessary for us to obtain eternal life; but, we have friends that do NOT understand this (the “Gentiles”), and who better to tell them of the method for salvation than the Church?

Very simply, there are people that do not know the power of Christ’s salvation, and we may be the only people that can/will tell them. So what is holding you back? Are you still afraid? Why should your fear keep them from salvation?

Are you still nervous? God has taken all of our excuses away, as evidenced by His repeated message to Moses, Jonah, and many others.

They are lost and need the message. Go and tell them!

On Relationships

Have you ever wondered about the way in which we treat our relationships? I'm not just talking about boy/girl relationships, but just those in general. We wonder why people don't understand us. Or we wonder why we're so different. Or at times we just simply fail. I have some thoughts...feel free to take them or leave them.

Relationships are Important
I don't think that enough of us consider the true importance of relationships. We were created to have a relationship first, and foremost, with God - so obviously this is a big deal in the life of a human. It's part of our internal structure, and yet we place so little value on it that it almost seems meaningless.

If we are to see a visible change in our relationships, then we have to put a priority on those people that we truly value. What are you doing to show them that you care? In what ways have you stretched yourself to be the bigger person? Think about the top five relationships that you own - yes I said own - and take some time to consider how you can step up to make them better.

You Get What You Pay For

This is true with computers, cars, and filters. We know, from vast experience, that we are only going to get value out of something, if we spend resources developing it. No one else is going to make your relationship work for you. You do it!

One way that you can pour into a relationship is to give trust. The saying, "You have to give trust to earn it," really applies in this situation. If you expect a relationship to work and be a two-way street, then you have to show the person that you are willing to trust them and their actions.

This is very telling in our non-verbal communication. We can "say" that we trust someone, but if our face belies that fact, then we have worsened the trust more substantially that we could've realized. Not only have we lost an opportunity to gain trust, but also we have proven that we will take trust back at a moment's notice, and people pick up on that really quickly.

Not Everything is as It Seems

Just because you are feeling uncomfortable, doesn't mean that the other person is. There are times, when one half of the relationship is struggling with something, but doesn't know how to relate it to the other half. This is where trust and communication play a huge role. If the person is to tell you what is going on in their life, then they have to believe that you will still love them when everything has been aired out.

An understanding of the person's mannerisms and communication style can only come with time. Sometimes you don't get it right on the first try, but that doesn't give you license to stop trying. If you think enough of the relationship to start it, then you should care enough to see it through to success, no matter what the obstacle or situation.

Build with a Foundation of Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). This is such a poignant verse! I can have all of the communication skills in the world, but if I don't have love, I'm just flailing my arms and shouting, "Look at me! Look at me!" Our relationships are not always about us. If they were, there would be a lot of empty people in the world...oh wait, there already are.

Be the love for that person, even if you don't think they deserve it. It could be the difference that they need. The reality is that they will be there to uphold you in the future, so you take care of them now. Love unconditionally, because Christ first modeled that for us.

Chapter 1A - Suzy, Age 5

Hey Guys -

I just released the first part of chapter 1 for the book "Silence in the Shadows". If you have a chance, please check it out!

I'll also be creating a Facebook page soon, because I'd like to hear some thoughts from the readers about the issues that the kids in the book will face.

The link is: http://silence-shadows.blogspot.com/2011/05/chapter-1a-suzy-age-5.html

Selah: Take a Moment to Pause

During your busy day, remember to think back to the One who gave you life...

Failure:Fearlessness

I have a fear: failing. I've often wondered about how I even got this far in life; because, there have been many times that I've desired to quit. Quitting seemed natural - easy - desirous. But, it's nothing that will help me in the long run.

I'm not sure that anyone is as conscious of my failures as myself (with the exception of God). While others may notice the mistakes or the inconsistencies in my life, they don't understand the true depth of my own depravity. They may understand their own lowliness, but not mine. Mine is reserved for me.

And I've wallowed in it.

Not wanting to make a change.

Because change is too hard.

But then I read 1 Corinthians 10:13..."No temptation has overtaken you except what iscommon to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

And I'm reminded that there is no second life to try again. No reincarnation that allows me to make up for past mistakes. In fact, nothing that I can do that will save myself. Nothing to right so many wrongs.

This on the day after Easter - the day after we celebrate the Resurrection. Nothing that I, a sinful man, can do. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Nothing that I can do.

My failure is a reminder of Christ's salvation, His ability to rid my life of sin. There should be no attempt to hide the wrongs committed over a lifetime; but instead, there should be celebration in His resurrection. He is the King, and my life is just a simple remembrance or offering at His feet. I no longer quake at my inadequacies - I fear leaving His presence.

Silence in the Shadows

Hi Friends,

Many of you already know that I’m writing a book about cross-cultural experiences in the lives of American teenagers. This is a fictional piece that represents two stories that we quite frequently see in ministry: a teen who grows up through the foster care system and a teen who is raised in a gang. If you are already aware of the book, then this might be a repeat; but, I wanted to let everyone know that the new blog is up! Thanks to some beautiful friends here at FPU, I was able to get help with the graphics and coding to adjust the blog. If you would be so kind, please share this with your friends and family to help generate support for, what I consider to be, a great ministry opportunity. Also, if you have a youth pastor or ministry leaders in your church that might benefit from something like this, I would encourage you to share it with them as well. Thank you all SO much and God bless!

Silence in the Shadows
at http://silence-shadows.blogspot.com/

Prologue

“Ya, he’ll be a dawg fo sho.” The gruff voice was the only one heard in the silent ICU nursery in the infant ward. As Carlos stood there watching his newborn son breathe through a ventilator, he determined that his son would soon grow to take his place within the gang.

The hospital was in his territory and the thought of insurance or payments never occurred to him. His lieutenant would take care of everything through their security guard contact. His baby would be able to stay until his condition was stable enough to return to the mother and he would begin instruction at the age of five. Carlos had plenty of children through various women, but this child came from the woman he loved.

“What’s his name?” A nurse said, walking in from behind him.

“Dunno, and it doesn’t matter. He’ll be known by his marks.” Despite knowing the nurse, personally, what was left unsaid was for her protection. He would be known by his distinguishing features - tattoos of identification - and he would be known by his actions left on the city.

To do anything besides leave a mark would make him weak. Carlos didn’t have weak children. Each of them was bred and raised to continue the tradition and mission of the gang. If not, they were cut from the group without so much as proper last rites. His family would be strong - his family was born strong.

One nameless baby born into the world.

--------------------

Across the city, in a reputable hospital, screaming could be heard throughout the birthing center. A mother was in the final throws of childbirth and the pain would soon be over.

“Breathe!” A nurse said. “It’s almost over, just stick with it!”

“I can’t!” Screamed Amy. She had had enough. Thirty-eight hours of labor had ended in one long, agonizing delivery process, and she had nothing left to give. “It’s no use, I have nothing left!”

“You can do it,” the nurse exclaimed, “the head is almost out!”

After another five, seemingly-endless seconds, there was a cry that sounded different than all the others. Her baby boy, wet and dirty, had just shouted his first words to the world. As he was fully delivered, the nurse quickly cleaned him and brought him around so Amy could see him.

“He’s beautiful,” panted Amy.

“What will you call him?” the nurse asked.

“If I knew who his father was, I’d give him that name. But I don’t, and it all just seems a waste now.” Amy had gone back to ask each of the guys that she knew she had slept with, but none would say anything to give her much hope. As she sat silently in despair, she contemplated any reason for continuing on.

“She’s losing a lot of blood!” the nurse shouted into the hallway, trying to attract more attention into the room. They were so busy and short-staffed, so any help that she could find would be distracted. She quickly ran into the hall to get a doctor, but as she returned, there the baby lay, silently on his mother’s still chest.

Another nameless one.