Something to Believe In

We all want something to believe in.
We want something to hope for and work towards.
Do you have a go-to CD or song that always lifts your spirits?

I do. Mine is FM Static's first album. I always pop it in when I need to scream out a couple of songs and just feel better. But the song that is my go-to is Something to Believe In. It's the third song on the album.


Something To Believe In
by FM Static

you've been trying to get me open
caught out in the open
everyone is hoping you'd give
anything to take this
everything that breaks this
everyone is faceless
give me
something to believe in
quick or else i'm leaving
need a better reason
i know
things get complicated
so miseducated
it's a wonder that we made it

situation
a little speculation
what are we facing
too much complications
looking for a name
in a new generation
a new focus
new destination

i don't wanna look
i just wanna find
can you give me something to believe in
keep your religion, don't need your lies
i'm just looking for one good reason
feel like it's teenage hunting season
but nothing out there sounds half decent
who's out there? who's going to save us
before we all fall through the cracks in the pavement

you've been trying to get me open
caught out in the open
everyone is hoping
give me
something to believe in
quick or else i'm leaving
need a better reason
i know

i'm never gonna fall in line
so don't even bother wasting your time
i'm a breed of a different kind
stand back just to invade your mind

situation
under speculation
what are we facing?
too much complications
looking for a name
in a new generation
a new focus
new destination

i don't wanna look
i just wanna find
can you give me something to believe in
keep your religion, don't need your lies
i'm just looking for one good reason
feel like it's teenage hunting season
but nothing out there sounds half decent
who's out there? who's going to save us
before we all fall through the cracks in the pavement

and if you don't know what i'm talking about
it's probably better cause i'm working out
don't wanna spend my lifetime figuring out
that i coulda just said one prayer

and if you know what i'm talking about
then together were both working it out
don't wanna spend my lifetime figuring out
i missed the point now it's over
i missed the point now it's over
i missed the point now it's over
i missed the point now it's over
i missed the point now it's over
i missed the point now it's over


If you've never heard it, listen to it.

As people, we long to believe in something. We want to know that life is worth living; that at the end of all of this...there is something more. There is. It's heaven.

We live for something greater than we can ever imagine. We forget that there is something greater than ourselves. It's Christ. He came to give us life so we could live it to the full. THAT is what we believe in. We're not just waiting for the next big thing. We're walking day to day knowing that this is the beginning of forever. Don't fall through the cracks. Stand up and live differently. Know that you are unique and made perfectly. God intended you to do great things in this life on earth. Don't doubt yourself. Believe in Christ. He is bigger and better. Don't live for yourself. You will feel empty. It's not worth it. Just cling to Him.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 
John 10:10

"Follow Me"

If you remember a few posts ago, I talked about Safe Haven. They have a song called Blind that I really like. One of the lines is "give me the means to be the difference." For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to make a difference in this world. I want to make an impact. Not for myself, but for Christ. We are here on this earth to serve Him. We are here to show the world that there is something worth living for. As I think about those desires, I remember that the God that I serve is a big God. He can do the impossible. He can bring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, healing to the broken, rest to the weary. He can provide food for thousands, he can move mountains, he can raise men from the dead, he can do all things. He is a big God. He is my God. And that same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead, lives in me...lives in you.

It's one thing to want to be remembered and to want to make an impact. It's whole other thing to live in such a way that leaves the mark of Christ on the world.

You, as a human, have an impact on people. You choose how you are going to live. You have a choice of what words to say, how you're going to react and interact with people, and how you view others. Whether you believe it or not, you make an impact. It's your choice what kind of impact you are making, but you are definitely MAKING AN IMPACT.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
Ephesians 2:10

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Matthew 16:24

The Exodus Road

Location: Thailand.
Mission: Rescuing trafficked victims. 
Detail: Covert operations scout the brothels, massage parlors, beer bars, karoke bars, etc., in search of underage victims. The tip has come from a credible source. Now we must gather intelligence and evidence to not only rescue the victim, but to prosecute the pimp.

The Exodus Road is a non-profit organization that is committed to fighting human trafficking. But they have a humble beginning. This week is Serve the World week at the Grove. For months, Paul has been talking about Matt Parker and his organization. FINALLY, he is here. As I sat and listened to him speak, I was shocked by the humility this man possessed. The Exodus Road was started because of God. If you had asked Parker four years ago if he would be doing this, he would've answered no. He began as a young pastor in the states. He was offered a director position at an orphanage in Thailand. Gladly, he accepted and moved with his wife to live there. He tells his story better than I do, so be sure to ask him if you ever get the chance to meet him.

As I've learned about sex trafficking, I have never seen an organization like The Exodus Road. They do covert ops throughout Thailand, rescuing as many victims as they can. It was amazing to listen to the stories of these kids who have been rescued. Read all of their stories! Right now, they have 15 different undercover operatives who are sent out on missions. Generally, the missions take between one and two weeks. The goal is to rescue as many as possible. On their website, they have a count of how many prosecutions to date, how many victims rescued, and undercover operatives. Support and encourage this group of people fighting the injustice in this world!


If you want to be a part of The Exodus Road, whether it is giving financially, or lifting them up in prayer, check out their website at www.theexodusroad.com.

Chaos. Pain. And Hope.

All I see is chaos and turmoil around me. At every turn, there is hurt and pain. On each side, there is sadness and hopelessness.

But there is hope. 

His name is Jesus. 

I want to write about something happy, because I haven't been lately. I'd like to write about how great things are for whoever or anything that isn't drowning in the vastness of life.

Yet, misery desires to blanket my every thought. That can only mean one thing. The enemy is trying his very best to distract me from The Light. It seems that the enemy is on the prowl in so many people's lives. Which means there is great good coming. For now though, it will rain and then pour.

How will YOU react? 

There is a crushing weight of the world that you can choose to be under, or you can choose to give Him the burden. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

Matthew 11:28-30

Some of us will wish for the past to come back, those were the good old days. Some will put their hope in the future, that things will get better. While others see the present as a gift. Look at this time as an opportunity for growth. When we give our lives to Jesus, he promises to take care of us. He won't give us any more than we can handle with Him. 

You are not alone. There are other people going through hard stuff. Don't forget that Jesus is your rock and your salvation. 

You have nothing to fear.  

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;  

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10 

 

Crap Happens

You can't predict anything in life.
You may have a plan, but that plan always changes.
You don't see the big picture, only God does.
It's not enough to just live for him.
To do all the right things.
The only thing that makes this life worth living through is the relationship that God wants us to have with him.
If that were the only thing I had in this life, I would be good.
It is the most fulfilling relationship I have ever had.

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"As soon as things are okay, something terrible happens."
This was said to me by a beautiful, young lady that has gone through so many things in her life. This statement breaks my heart. One of the hardest things in life is watching people you love go through painful situations. But you have to know, that crap happens to everybody. No matter where you are, or who you are, there is always going to be SOMETHING that happens. You can't control it. God is in control. Are you willing to trust him?

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Nobody is perfect. You can't expect people to be perfect. God states very clearly in the Bible that no one is perfect, except for Jesus. I don't want to be a perfect person. But I do want to be the best person that I can be. I can only be that with Jesus. Honestly, that is what I want for everyone. I want every person to be the best person that they possibly can be. It is heartbreaking to watch people make poor decisions about their lives. It's inevitable. The question is, how will you respond to it?

Present

As I sit down to start writing my paper, I listen to the conversations buzzing around me. I'm sitting at a large table with two other groups of people. They are having two separate conversations, because they don't know each other. I sit down and realize I can't focus on writing if I'm listening to the stories being told. So, what do all college students do? Pop in the earphones.

Then it hits me.

I can drown out the world if I want to. Simply by putting my earphones in my ears and turning on music.

God has been showing me how significant the little things in life are. Generally speaking, I pay attention to those things. But it has been hitting me differently lately.

The other day...I realized what a crazy concept cell phones are. Yeah, call me crazy. But we can connect over the phone with people that live across the country or the WORLD!

In some respects, cell phones give us the option to not connect with people that are around us. They give us the opportunity to be in relationship with people that we love but live in a different place.



The technology of this world is amazing. And I am all for using it the right way. But if it is an excuse, then maybe you shouldn't. There are times when I want to drown out the world, but I know that is not what I need. There are times that I choose to connect with people across the country, when someone is sitting right next to me. It is important to remember that we are here for a reason. We need to present in the present. It's a gift that God has given us. You could miss opportunities if you're not present.

POWER

I want to help.
I want to be someone who gives hope to people who have none.
I want to be a shoulder to cry on.
I want to be a light for Jesus.
I want to be an encouragement.
I just want to be a friend that is trustworthy and loving.

All of these things that I want are fine. But my constant is my Jesus. He is my strength. I was listening to this song the other day. It's called Please Be My Strength by Gungor.

I’ve tried to stand my ground
I’ve tried to understand
but I can’t seem to find my faith again

like water on the sand
or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

please be my strength
please be my strength
Cause I don’t have anymore
I don’t have anymore

I’m looking for a place
that I can plant my faith
one thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
I cannot sustain it
It’s Your love that’s keeping (captured) me

Please be my strength…

at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I’ve fought the good fight of faith

I pray your glory shines
through this doubting heart of mine
so my world would know that You

You are my strength
You and You alone
You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home


I don't have strength on my own. And neither do you. This song for me is a cry to God. But he gives us the strength we need. He gave us a spirit of POWER. He gives us courage.


For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7


Now the question is...

how we will use that Spirit of power to impact the world?

It Just Is

There are some days that you can't quite put into words what you're feeling.

There are other days where you know exactly what is going on.

And still, there are others that just happen.

You can't stop time from passing. You can't turn back the clock and change the way you're living. Honestly, I wish I could sometimes. I have days that I just don't want to be a real functioning adult...because it is too hard. There are days that I don't want to be in relationship with people, because relationship is hard. Every kind of relationship is hard...with your parents, siblings, friends, relatives, coworkers, students and every other possible one you could think of.

Life isn't supposed to be easy. Jesus never, ever said that it would be. He also never said that ten million things would try to hit you at once.

But those days that we spend trying to hide from everything, doesn't make it go away. In fact, we usually just end up thinking of everything more. Nothing changes when we come out of our hole. We just have to face the world.



I have this image in my head. It's this picture of a person standing on top of a hill, looking out over a valley. It's dusk, so you can't really see their face or expression. But right next to that person is Jesus. He is a taller figure, wearing jeans and t-shirt. Jesus simply has his hand on one shoulder of the person standing next to him. He is looking out over the valley as well. This image is the way I see me and Jesus. The valley represents my life. The hill that we stand on is the place in Jesus has brought me. He's trying to show me the bigger picture. But I just can't seem to see it. So, instead of giving up, he just puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me everything is gonna be okay. Then we start walking down the hill to live life together.



On those days that you want to hide, just remember that Jesus is by your side. He came to this world to help us understand better how much he loves us. Nothing can ever change that fact. You can only face the world and have joy with Him. He is the only one that is capable to lifting you up off of the ground and giving you hope.

So trust Him.
Lean on Him.
And everything will be okay.