The Sad Truth

The message of American Christianity has become complacency. Health and wealth. It has become "ho-hum" so to speak. The true biblical worldview has become inverted. God is no longer holy. The trivialization,  the watering down of the gospel has made it less effective. The "health-and-wealth" gospel has successfully distorted the beautiful suffering and horrible privilege that Christians are promised by Jesus. He is no longer the Savior of the world but merely a good teacher and an exemplary human. Now, more than ever, to be a Christian has less to do with what you believe, Who you believe in, and more to do with what you have and who you hang out with. There are more Christians-in-name-only because of the fact that the Bible has not been faithfully preached. If it cost something to be a Christian, the line between black and white would no longer be a muddled gray but a solid separation between those who are and those who aren't. The fence of indifference would be empty. Oh for the day when that is the case. A dangerous thing to say, I know, but I would rather be persecuted than accepted if it meant that Jesus would be glorified. And that is exactly what would happen. 

He Is Risen... And This Means?

Today is Easter. Resurrection Sunday. Pretty much everyone knows that this is the day that Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. Conquering sin. Redeeming the world. All that stuff that so many people consider the stuff of myth and legend. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Anyways, you may ask, "You think Jesus is alive, wow... and this means what exactly?" I just want to explain what I think it means... I could be wrong. But whatever. This is what I believe.
A lot of men have claimed to be God, but I worship a God who was willing to be a man.

Ok, for a moment, I'll assume that Jesus wasn't God. For a brief instant, I'll entertain the thought that he was just a carpenter. That he was "just a good man."
He claimed to be God. In fact, they killed Him because He would not stop saying that He was God. If He wasn't God, then He wouldn't be a good man. He would be one of the worst men in the history of the world. On top of conning thousands of people while He was here on earth, He would also be a sick liar. Would you do that? Would you claim that you were something you weren't if it meant you would be killed for saying so?

This is why I believe Jesus is who He said He was: because of what it cost Him. Plain and simple. He didn't die to bring glory to Himself. He died to bring glory to His Father, and yes, they are the same, three in one, yes. But Jesus was human. Separated from His Father for a time, yet still connected. He claimed He died for humanity. So that humanity could live forever in peace and happiness. That is why I worship Jesus. He died for me. He paid a debt that I have absolutely NO chance of paying, let alone even putting a dent into it. And the only thing He asks is that I live for the glory of God? It may seem like quite a bit, but in reality, it's nothing when compared to the astounding work He accomplished on the cross.

Yeah, there are a ton of Christians who shove there rules and "holier-than-thouism" on others. But it's those people who are forgetting that Jesus died for their sins just as much as He died for the people that they're judging. Don't let these bad examples distract and repel you from accepting the saving grace of Jesus.

Please, accept Him today. He has always, always, ALWAYS accepted and forgiven you.

The Answer to Why I Think the Way I Do About Homosexuality...

Lately, there has been an undeclared, but very harsh, war between those who believe that homosexuality is fine and those who don’t. Carefully, very carefully, I want to say what I think about this, but not just this issue, rather, sexual immorality as a whole. 
The gay-supporting side of this verbal (rarely physical) war labels those who oppose their lifestyle (or views) “homophobic” or “gay haters”. 
Although I know there are some people (a LOT of them actually) who fit the bill, I guarantee that most of the people who oppose “equal rights for gays” (which aren’t equal rights, by the way, but that is a totally different, though related, conversation/post/comment) are similar to me, and hopefully, by the end of this, you will understand my point of view. 
I am a Christian. Plain and simple. I know that probably takes me down to the gutter in some people’s minds, but I don’t care. I believe that sexual promiscuity of any sort is a sin, so I’m not “against” just gays. Now, many times I have heard the following said (in some way, shape or form) “A man and a woman who find great joy in being married to each other should want that same happiness for everyone. Not just heterosexuals.” At first, those who say “No” to this seem like wicked people, but think about it. I believe that anyone who practices sexual immorality will GO TO HELL if they continue living how they are living and do not repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. If I were to help people do what I believe is sin, I would pretty much be saying, “Go to hell, (insert insult)!” But I love people and I don’t want them to go to hell, so I don’t. 
The way I see it, saying “I want the same happiness that I have in my heterosexual marriage for those two guys in their homosexual marriage” is like saying, “That guy experiences the same happiness drinking cyanide, that I get from eating ice cream, and who am I to withhold that happiness from him. We should let him drink it. As long as he’s happy.” That wouldn’t be very loving at all. That’s basically it. I don’t want sexual immorality on any level to become lawfully okay simply because people say it should be. Just like I wouldn't like homicide to be legal just because people say it's okay. How is that hating someone?! I love people. I have worked with several gay men and, although I don't agree with them, I don't hate. I want them to spend forever being happy, and sometimes, doing what you want will kill you and doing what you don’t want will save you. Like it or not, Jesus is the only One that can save you. Remember, He didn't WANT to die on the cross. But, because He loves us (and because His Father wanted it), He did it. Accepting that you need a Savior is the most humbling thing you can do. Or ever will do. Please, friend, please, understand that I don’t hate sinners. Otherwise, I would have to hate myself.

The Beauty that is Les Miserables

So, if you haven't heard, I have the fantastic privilege of playing Marius in Les Miserables and... Yeah. Okay, fantastic is an understatement and I am thrilled to be a part of this. You may wonder why... Well, besides the fact that the music is totally boss and the people I get to work with are fabulous, it's the story that really gets me. The story is about the grace of God's second covenant overcoming the law of His first covenant. It's about forgiveness and the love of Jesus, shown through His people, changing the world. And the musical is one of the most popular musicals... EVER! So I get to be part of sharing the gospel of Jesus... Without being preachy. That is awesome. The story is heartbreaking, wonderful and absolutely powerful.

Simeon.

If you haven't seen the movie, do so. If you live in or near Gig Harbor, come see it. It will run the 17th, 18th, and 19th of May. 

Stand in the Rain

In life, I have found that the worst times
Tend to be the best... as long as we go through them with friends.
Not because we enjoy suffering, but because we see how much we've grown
In spite of said suffering. If we didn't experience the pain, we wouldn't have experienced the maturity. It's been said that life isn't about avoiding the storms, but learning to dance in the rain. I believe, of some, merely standing in the rain is a triumph. Jesus said that we will never be tested beyond what we can handle. Even still, He, and only He, is the power that helps us to stand, dance, or rejoice in the rain of these storms. Life is a struggle. A beautiful struggle. If you are in Christ, there are only three times of life, and they cycle until death. 1) You are in a storm, 2) you are coming out of one, and 3) you are about to go into one. Some may say that God is cruel for allowing us to go through such pain, but I have learned that without the fire, silver would be flawed; without the heat, clay vessels would be unusable; and without storms, Christians would be back in the ways of death. Our faith and conviction is so precious to our Father, that He will increase the pressure to increase our faith. He only wants what's best for us. He will see us through.

Flight of Time

So, time flies fast. Like really, really fast. It seems like yesterday was my last post, but it's been about a month. What's happened in between? Well, I took a trip to Nevada with my father (strictly for work) and while driving back up, we hit black ice and rolled his work rig. Yeah, that's about the closest to death that I've come. But we are fine, no injuries. Like, at all. God has been very good to us. We celebrated a wonderful Christmas as well as ringing in the New Year. The most recent news, however,  is that I will be auditioning for an acting agent on Saturday. This Saturday. Needless to say, I am very excited. Very, very, VERY excited.

Happy New Year, everyone!
Remember in all things, no matter how far we fall,
Jesus never, ever, ever gives up on us.
Be true to Him because, most assuredly, He is always true to us.
In fact, He is truth.

Simeon.

See Mother. Funny, funny Mother

Since I rarely write anymore, I thought I'd make this next post worth while.
In lieu of the season, I give you:

See Mother. Funny, funny Mother
Author Unknown

See Mother. See Mother laugh.

Mother is happy.

Mother is happy about Christmas.

Mother has many plans.

Mother has many plans for Christmas.

Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother smile. Mother is happy.

The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.

Watch, children, watch.

See the children change their minds.

See them ask Santa for different toys.

Look. Look. Mother is not smiling. Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother sew.

Mother will make dresses. Mother will make robes.

Mother will make shirts.

See Mother put the zipper in wrong.

See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.

See Mother cut the skirt too short.

See Mother put the material away until January.

Look. Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother buy raisins and nuts.

See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar

See Mother buy flour and dates and pecans and brown sugar and bananas and spices and vanilla.

Look. Look. Mother is mixing everything together.

See the children press out their cookies.

See the flour on their elbows.

See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.

See the children pull taffy. See Mother pull her hair.

See Mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents.

See Mother look for the end of the Scotch tape roll.

See Mother bite her fingernails. See Mother go.

See Mother go to the store 10 times in one hour.

Go, Mother, go.

See Mother go faster. Run, Mother, run.

See Mother trim the tree. See Mother have a party.

See Mother make popcorn.

See Mother wash the walls. See Mother scrub the rug.

See Mother tear up the organized plan.

See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold.

See Mother get the hives.

Go, Mother, go. See the faraway look in Mother’s eyes.

Mother has become disorganized.

Mother has become disoriented.

Funny, funny Mother.

It is finally Christmas morning. See the happy family.

See Father smile. Father is happy. Smile, Father, smile.

Father loves fruitcake. Father loves Christmas pudding.

Father loves all his new neckties.

Look. Look. See the happy children. See the children’s toys.

Santa was very good to the children. The children will remember this Christmas.

See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrollaby.

Mother does not look well.

Mother has ugly dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.

Everyone helps Mother to her bed.

See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.

See Mother smile.

Funny, funny Mother.

Vow

Another year has come and gone, nothing's changed.
I've wasted another year doing the same old things.
I want to break out of this and turn my life around. 
I'm going to make a vow to repent and turn to You!

Yesterday was my birthday. Wow. Another year older. But what's changed? "I've wasted another year doing the same old things." Every year I promise myself that I'll improve. But I just don't. Simple as that. Recently, someone asked me, "Ten years from now where do you see yourself?" and, although the question was about acting, it stands true for life. I think to myself, Do I really want a good change, a good improvement on my life? Do you? God has given me this time, this one chance to utilize my talents, to gain interest on them so that, when I enter the gates of Heaven, I can say, "Here, Lord, you gave me these, and I used them to do this." I don't want to waste another year doing the "...same old things..." I want to love the Lord with ALL my heart, ALL my mind, and ALL of my strength. It's definitely going to be a struggle, but with Christ, all things are possible.

Photos from the Lodge...

Love vs. Commandment

For discussion: (and seriously people, comment)

Does love (SUPPOSED true love) trump what God says? As in, if you really love someone, is it all right to break a commandment of Christ? I  mean, really, when it comes down to it, what do we believe? If we don't have it set in stone now, when (not if) we are presented with a situation, there is a higher likely-hood of falling into sin.

Thoughts?

Skin

          What would you do if you were in an oppressive cult that would beat you if you touched an outsider? I’ll tell you what Wendy Davidson did… She escaped. It’s been seven years since she broke free from the bonds of domination and she’s trying to make a new life. When the thriller/horror called Skin opens, this is where we find her. She’s headed east across the country to meet her mother, the rain is pouring and she just wants to reach the next town so she can bed down for the night. But there’s more to Summerville than meets the eye.

            Colt Jackson is a member of the Summerville Police Department, answering a 911 call about a gunman on the loose in the middle of town. Carey Schultz is trying to get his sister Nicole to the Summerville Hospital to get her snake bite treated. And Jerry Pinkus? Well, Jerry Pinkus hasn’t come into the story…yet. A triple-tornado is about to touchdown in Summerville and everyone is trying to get to safety. Through a series of fortunately unfortunate events, Colt, Wendy, Carey, and Nicole find themselves in a house above the city, trying to outlast the storm. But, in the morning, when they come outside, they find that something disastrous has happened… the town, all of it, is gone. The only thing that can be seen for miles is desert, plain desert. Well, that and the house and adjoining library. A fallen electric line stops them from going towards where the town was and there isn’t much point going anywhere else. Suddenly, the library door flings open and out runs a twenty-something year-old gamer, one called Jerry Pinkus. Jerry is missing his right index finger at the second knuckle. So, now they are a group of five strangers, stranded in the middle of nowhere, when, to add to the mix, the gunman shows up. Turns out he’s a sadistic killer bent on ridding the world of ugliness. Soon, they are faced with the decision of killing one in their number or all dying. Neither choice is picked. Next thing they know, the town is back. The story begins to quicken as the town continues to vanish, and then reappear as if on a whim. And, to make matters worse, the killer knows who they are… like really knows. The quintet begins to balk and accuse one another of being the killer, wondering how this psycho, this Sterling Red can know so much about all of them, when none of them know him. Or do they?

            Skin, written by Ted Dekker, is a page turner for sure, and, although there many unexpected turns, the craziest plot twist is saved for the very end… the very, very end. I would recommend this book to the older crowd as it deals with a sadistic killer. The point is, beauty is not skin deep, and everyone is ugly. Ugly with sin… but there is a cure for ugliness. 

Unbroken

             The inflatable raft, holding three starving airmen, is barely afloat in the Pacific. Sharks circle the boat. Death is very near. One of these men is former Olympic runner, Louis Zamperini. How did he get here?

            Unbroken, written by Lauren Hillenbrand, is the gripping biography of this man, this Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini. During his childhood, Louie discovered that he could run, that is, as an athlete runs. Soon, he was smashing records all over the country, trying to run a four-minute mile. He got into the 1936 Olympics, which were held in Germany, and, although he finished eighth line in the 5000 meter, caught the attention of none other than Adolph Hitler, who demanded a meeting with “the boy with the fast finish.”

            Immediately after returning home, he began training for the 1940 Olympics, but all was about to change. The Olympics were scheduled to be in Tokyo, Japan, but, due to the outbreak of World War II, they were canceled and moved to Helsinki, Finland. Then, as WWII began to ravage Scandinavia, the Olympics were suspended indefinitely. Louie joined the Army and became a crewmember on a bomber. Several times, Death missed him, thanks to the expert pilot. But, on a fateful day, a plane went down in the Pacific. Louie’s team was called to go scour the ocean with another crew and look for the missing plane, or at least the survivors. Somewhere in the middle of the ‘Big Blue’, an accident happened that would change Louie’s life forever. The rust-bucket plane his crew was ordered to fly on this mission had four engines. One went out. The pilot told the engineer to stop the propeller from turning, which was a normal procedure when an engine went out. The real problem began when the engineer stopped the wrong prop. Now two engines were out and the plane plummeted to the depths. Only three men survived. Now, they were afloat in the Pacific, literally warding off death with paddles. After weeks of floating, with little more than raw bird meat and rain water to survive on, only two men remained. Louie and the pilot. A ship came into view and they became elated with joy that maybe, just maybe, it would be an American vessel. The happiness quickly turned to horror when they saw the flag. It wasn’t the Stars and Stripes, but the Rising Sun of the Japanese Empire.

            Unbroken is a story of survival, courage, and, most importantly, forgiveness. Find out the whole story by reading this amazing book. I would recommend this work to a more mature audience due to some language scattered in the pages.

Forbidden

                Forbidden, by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, is an intense, futuristic thriller about a man named Rom, his three friends and a dead world. Dekker and Lee do a fantastic job of keeping the reader’s fingers busy… meaning; this book is quite a page turner. Although set over five hundred years in the future, they paint the world as not having changed much. It almost seems more Victorian then modern.

            Rom is a young, handsome funeral singer. He has never known love, hate, or any other emotion because he is emotionless. But then so is everyone else on planet earth. The story goes that, in 2005, scientists found the DNA chemical that creates the emotion of fear. Over the next few years, they similarly found the chemicals that made up every other emotion that a human feels. A nuclear war broke out and thousands were killed, so the scientists realized the only way to save the human race from annihilation was to rid it of emotion. They released an airborne virus into the atmosphere that stripped humanity of all emotion… except for fear.

            On a certain overcast day, Rom is making his way home from a funeral when he finds an old man, or rather, an old man finds him. He gives Rom a package and tells him to take it and find a man called the Book. Before Rom can ask any questions, the man is killed by some police officers. Horrified, he runs for his life, not thinking that all will be well if he just gave the package up. When he arrives home, his mother asks why he has blood on him so he tells her what happened. She becomes equally scared and tells him to take it in, but he counters that, because he ran, they will still kill him. The argument is cut short when the police show up at the house. He runs, but not before he sees them but his mother’s throat. Running out of options for safety, he goes to his friend, Avra’s, house. He asks her to help him and she agrees. They run and in a church where Avra asks him what is in the package. Realizing that he doesn’t yet know, they open it and find a vial of blood wrapped in leather, which is covered in writing. The writing tells them that in drinking the blood, they will find life. Rom takes the vial, seeing that there is nothing left to lose, and drinks a portion of it. The energy that courses through him is so powerful that he passes out. While he is unconscious, Avra also drinks a portion of the blood and she collapses under the force of life. When they wake, they realize that they really never were alive and that the whole world is dead. Two more of their friends drink some of the blood and the foursome begin to uncover the past… in order to save the present and restore life to a dead race.

            With many twists and turns along the way, this book is virtually impossible to put down. Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee have written this in such a wonderful way that it is gripping yet not just entertaining. Smoothly woven into this novel is biblical imagery and beautiful description. The most interesting part is describing what emotion is like from the perspective of one who has just found it. I would recommend this book to a more mature audience because of the graphic nature of the murders and a detailed (rather bloody) fight sequence.

The Screwtape Letters

Have you ever wanted to know what the demons think? Have you ever wondered how they go about tempting you every day? Well, many years ago, C.S. Lewis penned a book that might give you a little glimpse into the other side.

            The Screwtape Letters is a fictitious assortment of letters written by Undersecretary Screwtape, a retired tempter, to his nephew, Wormwood, a beginning tempter. These letters are filled with tidbits of advice that are supposed to help Wormwood “secure” the soul of his “patient.” Although the reader never hears what Wormwood says or does, the attitude of Screwtape’s letters convey what is evidently happening. He is a blundering, clumsy idiot of a demon and Screwtape has much fun in telling him so. Whether or not the soul is captured I will leave up to you to find out…

         Although it is, as said before, a fictitious writing, C.S. Lewis brings up many good points throughout these letters. The wisdom written here should be heeded and spread so that less and less of Christians will fall into the devil’s clever, imperceptible traps.