Audacious church sermon #2

The pastor talked about expectations and limitations. Here are some little take-aways I wanted to write down so I wouldn't forget them forever.

-He talked about God qualifying the called, not calling the qualified

-So when we second guess what God may be telling us to do, we are limiting him

-Our limitations bock us from God's expectations

-Don't tell God how big ur problems are, tell ur problems how big God is

Corey, don't ever forget how big your God is. When you feel he is calling you to something, never say you can't do it. It is because of your downfalls that God can use you. Through your weakness He will be seen. Dream Big, and then remember your God is bigger. And when a day comes that he answers with a No, or a Not Yet, just remember that He is God and you are not. When Job lost all he had and then saw God, he realized that God was enough for him. Amen.

Becoming a Christian doesn't mean you have to change. Becoming a Christian means that you will be changed.

So I read that "Sexy Christianity" article thats going around FB and it was pretty good. It was written extremely well and I ideas the author conveyed were spot on. Being a Christian in America is kind of popular now. It fits in with the whole minimalist lifestyle that is our skinny jeans, slouched beanies and thrift shopping binges. We love the idea of being best friends with God but we don't wholeheartedly and unconditionally love him. Being a Christian doesn't mean all that much when there is no sacrifice in choosing Christ. So is reading our Bible and supporting good causes just a fad along with our Mustaches? I pray it means more to us than that, and that we will continue to carry our cross when the road gets tough.

What happens when you pour your heart out to God about one thing for several years and see no kind of response? Where do those prayers go? Do they reach him, do they not? I don't know about you but my idea of perfect timing sounds right. Faith withers and doubt sets in but we are told to keep walking with our eyes closed and our hands tied behind our backs. I like control, especially when faith seems to fail me. I know I'm wrong but that's just how it feels sometimes. And then people try to reason with me and explain why I shouldn't feel this way...shut up!...just walk with me. I long for the day when I can 100% mean it when I say "God's timing is perfect. And I am happy with that."

All Sons & Daughters

I am a sinner, if it's not one thing it's another
Caught up in words tangled in lies
But you are our savior, and you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful.
Beautiful.

How do you Worship Grow and Serve?

This is one of the many questions I had to answer when I was filling out my application for being an intern at ccob. This one in particular stuck out to me because I didn't know how to answer it. I feel like I'm usually pretty good at selling myself and showing my good side but this question bypasses the assuring smile I've grown fond of and asks you if you are who you say you are. Dang. Worship: I go to church. Grow: I do a bible study and commit to pray for all my friends. Serve: um.....well.....that one time I picked up this persons book...That answer doesn't cut it and it really showed me that I am doing relatively nothing to share Gods love beyond being nice to people every once in a while.
SO, this year I am changing that. I am helping lead a high school small group with a church up here, and I am volunteering at a few places so that I can get a feel for where God can use me best. Today I helped middle school boys in the city do their homework because no one else will help them. This friday I am handing out towels at a homeless shelter downtown to the homeless that need to take a shower. I feel the need to serve this year, and I hope that doesn't go away.

Coach made cuts today. I'm really happy my friend Matt made the team, but not being part of that brotherhood this year was and is saddening. This fall will be difficult for me but I know I needed to stop playing so that I could pursue God the way I wanted and the way I needed to. I feel like I didn't word that very well. Anyways, my point is that God is calling me to look for him in new ways right now. Through this uncomfortable time, he is reminding me of the parable of the man who sold everything to buy the field. I needed to give up soccer to because I found something better.