Xmas Conspiracy! Are you a part of it?

Christmas has just seem all wrong to me for so many years. It just felt like it was about what each of us was going to get or give to one another. Its not like any of us in "cupcake land" need anything that is given to us or our gifts to others is really that meaningful at least thats my take. The time factor alone it takes to think and then acquire these gifts seems like a huge waste time or missed placed energy.

Is Christmas really about giving gifts to friends, family, co-workers or is about the birth of Jesus? Yes, thats right its to celebrate the birth of a baby that change the course of life for all of us.

How can you not be some what perplexed that on December 25 some 2,000 years a child was born that so changed the world you cannot name another moment in history that even comes close to matching the magnitude of life changing event. The material feeding frenzy so ingrained in our culture that most people have no idea what they are celebrating. This way of celebrating highlights our selfish human nature, the need or greed to satisfy ourselves is so immense I doubt that anything apart for the 2nd coming of Christ will every change the direction of our culture. Please take a minute to consider this website's message http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Join the cause to reclaim Jesus's birthday. Let's give him the same birthday you would give your son or daughter.

This year I pledge to give gifts to my friends and family that not materialistic but memorable. After the New Year I will provide you a list of gifts I gave to everyone.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus

Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for each of my friends for all that you teach, share with me and give of yourselves to our relationship. A true heartfelt thanks for being a part of my life. May you find peace in knowing that being connected to each other matters more than we know.

I’m convinced being generous is a better way to live.

I’m convinced forgiving people and not carrying around bitterness is a better way to live.

I’m convinced having compassion is a better way to live.

I’m convinced pursuing peace in every situation is a better way to live.

I’m convinced listening to the wisdom of others is a better way to live.

I’m convinced being honest with people is a better way to live.

- Rob Bell from his book Velvet Elvis

Cultural Beating

This past week I had realization as to the effect that our culture has on young men. The effect I am referring too is young men's inability to be able to connect, share, and express their fears, worries, joys, pains, loses, and feelings to their friends, parents, girl friends and siblings. What is it in our culture which encourages young men and men in general to suppress these innate human feelings?

I discovered this first hand about 12 years ago when a guy friend of mine told me over the phone he loved me. My first reaction was to say nothing (for years) because no man has every told me he loves me. Further thoughts ran threw my head like only gay men say that to other men. What a sick feeling that is to take a honest communication of love and turn it into a sick feeling. After a few years of my friend telling me that I finally gave in and told him as we hung up the phone I loved him too. What a freeing experience to really know that another man can tell me he loves me and I can do the same.

No wonder most marriages are in difficulty. Culture has bread into men this inability to know how to connect to others and our spouses get the direct effect of this lack of ability to connect emotionally. Women must know this and spend time helping men learn how to connect. Teach us, hold our hands, get us to focus, and reward us for connecting to you.

When it gets down to it all we really have in this physical life is our connection to one another. Heaven is probably a place where our sole lives forever amongst the connections to others for eternity. What a joy it will be to live amongst a realm of love and emotional connection.

Black Button - Short Film

So true the temptations we face are so powerful. This video is in your face and mine. What are your temptations and can you be bought? I think we all have been bought at times. New bike, white lye, in anger, cheated a little. There is a cost and our debts will all be repaid.

Rezlife Sermon Series - Under the Influence

Great message from Jason Gant youth minister at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Jason's message talks about our influencer's in our daily lives and it doesn't stop after we are teenagers. Some of the same people have hold over our actions throughout our lives. Take a few minutes and listen to Jason's word.

Under the Influence Part 1

Under the Influence Part 2

Under the Influence Part 3

Special shout out to Jason Watson for his incredible graphics. Jason's Blog