There are some things in life that we will never understand. So it's better to just let things be and not ask the question, "Why?" But is that really always the case? I completely understand the belief behind this line of thinking and I certainly see why people believe there's harm in asking, "Why did this happen?" (or something along those lines). Some people would say that this is one of the "most dangerous" questions we can ask, especially as Christians. That's right; a lot of Christians believe asking "why?" will lead you to a road of doubt in God. They'll "quote" (see what I did there?) verses like, "We hear only in part and see only in part." or "Gods ways are higher than ours. That's why this [blank] happened." or "You can't please God without faith. So don't ask why." Sure you can find all these thoughts/verses in the bible but is "why?" a question we can't handle? Is "why?" a question God can't handle?
First of all, God is a "big boy" I think He can handle anything thrown at Him. Second, I think a lot of us have been looking at this all wrong. Many times to not ask "why?" means to bottle it up inside and not deal with the issue. When is that ever healthy in life personally? When is that ever healthy in a relationship? When we bottle things up, they tend to eventually explode causing more damage than they should have.
To the people who vehemently adhere to the life motto of "Never ask God 'Why' because it's not faith. That's not what a healthy relationship looks like" I would like to point out the following:
"WHY do You stand afar off, O LORD? WHY do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?" Psalm 10:1
"My God, my God, WHY have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning." Psalm 22:1
"WHY do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression?" Psalm 44:24
"O LORD, WHY do You reject my soul? WHY do You hide Your face from me?" Psalm 88:14 In my opinion, I don't think we can always get to the, "I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.'" (Psalm 16:2) without first allowing ourselves the "why", the grief. I'm not foolish enough to believe that every single "why" in life will be answered. Believe me, I have plenty of "why's" about things that just seem so unjust, so terrible. But I think God can handle them. And I and my relationship with God will come out on the other side better for not bottling things up. I hope this helped you even a little bit. Life is really difficult at times and unanswered questions don't help. But I believe life WILL get better! Life WILL get good! We WILL see it!
Monday, November 10, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Confession Time
For those of you who don't like to do the archaic activity called reading, you may click here and watch the video version of Confession Time on my YouTube channel.
And for those of you who insist on doing something that even the Neanderthal was smart enough to avoid, READ ON!
I thought it would be fun to do posts like this from time to time: Confess a few things about myself that may or may not be embarrassing. I mean it's supposed to feel good when you get things off your chest right?
Confession #1
Oh whovians... I must confess and apologize but I do NOT like Dr. Who. So many people I know hyped this show up and I was so excited when I sat down in front of my TV, waiting patiently for Netflix to load. And then... I never made it beyond the first two episodes. I just didn't get why so many people were obsessed with it. It was so... Boring? I really, really wanted to like this show but I wasn't going to force myself to enjoy something I didn't find entertaining. In fairness most whovians later told me that the entire first season is something you have to force yourself to watch but... Yeah that's not going to happen with me. Again I'm sorry!
Confession #2
Now for some... embarrassment. I saw the Hannah Montana movie in the theater... TWICE. I know what you're thinking, "Well he has three daughters so that's really not surprising that he 'had' to see it..." and yes it's true my girls did beg me to take them to see the movie. But the second time I saw it I was... by myself... Yup I was alone. Oh the looks I got. I was the only guy in the theater of course. Just me, a tattooed, pierced, large man, and a bunch of little girls with their moms. The stares I got were so funny to me. Why did I go see the Hannah Montana movie a second time? I don't know... it's not like I've seen every single episode and owned it on DVD and have all the Hannah Montana albums..................................
Confession #3
This one is a big one. It goes all the way back to the days of summer-camp. There was this extremely cute girl there and the moment I saw her I was like this! The only problem was I could never work up the courage to actually say "Hi" to this girl. By the end of summer-camp it seemed like everyone had a new boyfriend or girlfriend so I was like, "Well.... I met a girl too." Yup I totally told people that me and the cute girl of my dreams were now together. To make it even sadder, I never knew her name so I totally made one up. I got pretty deep into this lie too. I would even fake phone calls with her so people would think we were dating. Oh my goodness, so, so, so sad! Fast forward to a year later and I'm once again back at summer-camp. I've had a entire year to work up the courage to talk to this beauty. I see her from a distance and then make my way to her. In my mind I'm thinking, "We'll talk and she'll fall in love instantly!" When I finally got over to her she was talking to a friend. Let's just say that after I overheard how she was gossiping and judging other people, she came across extremely stuck up and I was no longer interested in her one bit. So because of this and because I had lied to such an extent, I then created a tragic break up story of how she broke my poor heart! So... I'm sorry to any family members that still thought Audry was real! LOL HA!
So I'm supposed to feel better now, right? Right? Hope this gave you a laugh!
And for those of you who insist on doing something that even the Neanderthal was smart enough to avoid, READ ON!
I thought it would be fun to do posts like this from time to time: Confess a few things about myself that may or may not be embarrassing. I mean it's supposed to feel good when you get things off your chest right?
Confession #1
 |
| Stand in awe of my photoshop skillz |
Confession #2
 |
| I'm sooo boooooootiffuull! |
Confession #3
 |
| I'm feeling the love for sure. |
So I'm supposed to feel better now, right? Right? Hope this gave you a laugh!
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Decade
One decade (10 years) ago I was an 18 year kid about to see my life and world change forever. It was the most beautiful fall day; not too cold and not too warm. The sun was shining bright and the ground was covered in yellow, orange, and red leaves. You couldn't of asked for a more perfect day to be wedded on. I was nervous but completely excited. Today was the day I marry the most perfect woman.
I couldn't stop smiling. By mid-morning my cheeks began to hurt because I was smiling so big, so much. As I got dressed in the restroom my mind couldn't believe I was actually getting married. I had never wanted to wait until I was older to get married. Ever since I was a little kid I had wanted to get married. I would joke that I wanted to get married as soon as I turned 18. Who knew that it would come true just a few months after my 18th birthday.
As the ceremony got underway the nervousness increased. This is actually happening. It's no longer a wishful thought. Soon you will see your bride walk towards you ready to make her vows to you. This is real. I hear the music begin. Here comes my bride. She's wearing the most beautiful wedding dress. Que biggest smile ever! You see, we didn't have any money. I had only just started my job one week before the wedding. My wife told me she was just going to wear a nice sundress for our wedding. So when she came walking down in that gorgeous wedding gown I was shocked and floored.
We began to exchange our vows and the thoughts of this is actually happening once again came. As we stood there pledging our love to each other we hear this. Sweet Home Alabama. Someones ringtone. I can't help but laugh. Some people might be horrified by having their wedding interrupted by an obnoxious ringtone but to this day every time I hear that song I'm taken back to one of the best days of my life. The moment I hear one of the most recognized guitar intros in all of music I'm flooded with happy memories of that day.
We finish our vows. You may now kiss your bride. Here's some advice to all those guys about to get married: don't eat pizza for breakfast on the day of your wedding LOL. As we kiss that garlicy kiss, it's official. Daniel and Joy are husband and wife! Sorry about the pizza hun...
Looking back it's so hard to believe that was 10 years ago. That was a DECADE ago!! It doesn't feel like it has been that long at all. We now have five children. We're still not rich ;) but we make it work. We still argue and get annoyed with each other yet still want no one else lying next to us at night. We aren't marriage experts but have learned more than we could've imagined. Looking back, I've truly hit the jackpot when it comes to wives. A wife who is an incredible mother, teacher, and business owner. A wife who can look past my times of "being a guy" i.e. moron. A wife who supports my dreams with as much passion as if they were hers. A wife who is a bigger stargate nerd than I am! Here's to the next 10 years; the next 20; the next 50. I love you so much!
I couldn't stop smiling. By mid-morning my cheeks began to hurt because I was smiling so big, so much. As I got dressed in the restroom my mind couldn't believe I was actually getting married. I had never wanted to wait until I was older to get married. Ever since I was a little kid I had wanted to get married. I would joke that I wanted to get married as soon as I turned 18. Who knew that it would come true just a few months after my 18th birthday.
As the ceremony got underway the nervousness increased. This is actually happening. It's no longer a wishful thought. Soon you will see your bride walk towards you ready to make her vows to you. This is real. I hear the music begin. Here comes my bride. She's wearing the most beautiful wedding dress. Que biggest smile ever! You see, we didn't have any money. I had only just started my job one week before the wedding. My wife told me she was just going to wear a nice sundress for our wedding. So when she came walking down in that gorgeous wedding gown I was shocked and floored.
We began to exchange our vows and the thoughts of this is actually happening once again came. As we stood there pledging our love to each other we hear this. Sweet Home Alabama. Someones ringtone. I can't help but laugh. Some people might be horrified by having their wedding interrupted by an obnoxious ringtone but to this day every time I hear that song I'm taken back to one of the best days of my life. The moment I hear one of the most recognized guitar intros in all of music I'm flooded with happy memories of that day.
We finish our vows. You may now kiss your bride. Here's some advice to all those guys about to get married: don't eat pizza for breakfast on the day of your wedding LOL. As we kiss that garlicy kiss, it's official. Daniel and Joy are husband and wife! Sorry about the pizza hun...
Looking back it's so hard to believe that was 10 years ago. That was a DECADE ago!! It doesn't feel like it has been that long at all. We now have five children. We're still not rich ;) but we make it work. We still argue and get annoyed with each other yet still want no one else lying next to us at night. We aren't marriage experts but have learned more than we could've imagined. Looking back, I've truly hit the jackpot when it comes to wives. A wife who is an incredible mother, teacher, and business owner. A wife who can look past my times of "being a guy" i.e. moron. A wife who supports my dreams with as much passion as if they were hers. A wife who is a bigger stargate nerd than I am! Here's to the next 10 years; the next 20; the next 50. I love you so much!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
No Weakness Allowed
Seek. Search. Look. Ask. Question. Just don't do any of these things while you're at church. Unfortunately that's how a lot of Christians view it. They look down on the people who are still trying to figure things out. It's as if they expect an imperfect person to suddenly and instantly become perfect the moment they make a decision to follow Jesus Christ. And if they start showing signs of weakness and/or doubt, ATTACK! JUDGE! WRITE IN ALL CAPS WITH LOTS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But seriously, "Christians are the only army that kill their wounded..." I hate that quote... and not just because it's one of those silly sermon quotes that will be passed around on twitter under the hashtag #convicting or #truth or #boom (or some other hashtag Christian's seem to overuse). No, I hate that quote because it seems to be very true. Christians come across as a people who despise their weak. Instead of picking up someone who is depressed and doubting, a lot of Christians hop on the gossip wagon. They start to defame. They start to slander. They start to destroy. And they justify all this by ending said gossip with the statement, "Well, be praying for them now..." Come on... You know you're not praying for them. I know this because in the past I myself have done it. And unfortunately I've had it done to me far too many times.
It should be safe to ask. It should be safe to search. It should be safe to be weak. It should be but it's not. At least not in my experience. Instead of accepting "the one who is weak in faith" (Romans 14:1), too many Christians jump right to 1 Corinthians 5:5 instead of trying 1 Thessalonians 5:14. We live in a world where we can get nearly everything in an instant and unfortunately many want the same results when dealing with people. But the reality of this life in regards to following Christ is that almost no one gets "it" overnight. Until we learn not only patience for the weak but learn also how to meet them where they're at, we'll more than likely continue to see a revolving door of strangers come in and out of the walls of some building dubbed "the church". They come hurting with questions. They leave hurting worse with even more questions. There is hope but people need to wake up. You have the reputation you have because you've earned it. So lets try to earn something else...
P.S. If you are going to read this blog you're going to see some things that you may not like including weakness. If you can't handle that... well there's a back button for a reason.
Peace
But seriously, "Christians are the only army that kill their wounded..." I hate that quote... and not just because it's one of those silly sermon quotes that will be passed around on twitter under the hashtag #convicting or #truth or #boom (or some other hashtag Christian's seem to overuse). No, I hate that quote because it seems to be very true. Christians come across as a people who despise their weak. Instead of picking up someone who is depressed and doubting, a lot of Christians hop on the gossip wagon. They start to defame. They start to slander. They start to destroy. And they justify all this by ending said gossip with the statement, "Well, be praying for them now..." Come on... You know you're not praying for them. I know this because in the past I myself have done it. And unfortunately I've had it done to me far too many times.
It should be safe to ask. It should be safe to search. It should be safe to be weak. It should be but it's not. At least not in my experience. Instead of accepting "the one who is weak in faith" (Romans 14:1), too many Christians jump right to 1 Corinthians 5:5 instead of trying 1 Thessalonians 5:14. We live in a world where we can get nearly everything in an instant and unfortunately many want the same results when dealing with people. But the reality of this life in regards to following Christ is that almost no one gets "it" overnight. Until we learn not only patience for the weak but learn also how to meet them where they're at, we'll more than likely continue to see a revolving door of strangers come in and out of the walls of some building dubbed "the church". They come hurting with questions. They leave hurting worse with even more questions. There is hope but people need to wake up. You have the reputation you have because you've earned it. So lets try to earn something else...
P.S. If you are going to read this blog you're going to see some things that you may not like including weakness. If you can't handle that... well there's a back button for a reason.
Peace
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Pumpkin Spice Nonsense
We're near the end of October and unless you live under a rock you know what that means: We've all gotten a little fatter due to pumpkin spice EVERYTHING! Pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin spice muffins. Pumpkins spice apple pie?! With all the crazy pumpkin spice fan-girls posting daily about their love and lust for all things pumpkin flavored, it's easy to see why so many different companies make a pumpkin spice something. But some of these items have become a pumpkin spice life-sucking monstrosity that never should have been created let alone sold to consumers. Here's a small list of the pumpkin spice things I've seen that I think are just..... too much!
Pumpkin Spice Oreo's
Like... really? Come on Oreo's... Not you too. These just don't at all look appetizing. They look like orange diarrhea in between two cookies. No thank you!
Pumpkin Spice Gum
Now you want your breath to permanently smell of pumpkins? Hmmm... I have pumpkin coffee breath from that pumpkin spice latte I had earlier. I know what will cure it! More pumpkin flavor!!!!!!
Pumpkin Spice Milk
Do pumpkins and coconuts go together? Well they do now! One, an island native. The other, a native of North America. Together you can enjoy this forbidding marriage poured over your daily bowl of grapenuts. Eww.
Pumpkin Spice Salsa
When I first saw this at Aldi, I took a double take. In what world am I eating a delicious plate of nacho's, slathered in cheese, thinking, "You know what this is missing? Pumpkins!" Yeah... no.
Pumpkin Spice Pasta Sauce
Oh my goodness NO! Never in a million meals would I ever want to try spaghetti and pumpkin sauce. This sounds like something that Buddy the Elf would make. Just no.
Pumpkin Spice.... WHAT?!?!??!
Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake.
Pumpkin Spice Oreo's
Like... really? Come on Oreo's... Not you too. These just don't at all look appetizing. They look like orange diarrhea in between two cookies. No thank you!
Pumpkin Spice Gum
Now you want your breath to permanently smell of pumpkins? Hmmm... I have pumpkin coffee breath from that pumpkin spice latte I had earlier. I know what will cure it! More pumpkin flavor!!!!!!
Pumpkin Spice Milk
Do pumpkins and coconuts go together? Well they do now! One, an island native. The other, a native of North America. Together you can enjoy this forbidding marriage poured over your daily bowl of grapenuts. Eww.
Pumpkin Spice Salsa
When I first saw this at Aldi, I took a double take. In what world am I eating a delicious plate of nacho's, slathered in cheese, thinking, "You know what this is missing? Pumpkins!" Yeah... no.
Pumpkin Spice Pasta Sauce
Oh my goodness NO! Never in a million meals would I ever want to try spaghetti and pumpkin sauce. This sounds like something that Buddy the Elf would make. Just no.
Pumpkin Spice.... WHAT?!?!??!
Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake.
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