Complacency in the Kingdom

A dear brother, an accountability partner, sent me an email a few weeks ago, it was a simple email, written straight forward and to the point, and closed as simply, "Don't get complacent" I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 16:13

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

This paints a vivid picture to me of a man who is keeping guard, who is completely vigilant in his defense, and unwilling to drop his shield for anything. It reminds me of someone that I'd love to be, but far too often fall short of.

The danger in becoming complacent in our faith is that it breeds even more complacency. It isn't something that happens over night. It starts small, simple. A second glance, a late night, sleeping through the alarm clock. It allows the snowball to begin rolling and before you know it, is causing destruction. It causes an embarrassment about your faith. It makes you question your own standing with the Cross, which allows for further destruction. It causes you to believe little about your faith, and to share an even smaller amount. It causes your witness to falter.
JC Ryle wrote in The Danger Of Christian Complacency,

"If you believe little, those to whom you try to do good will believe nothing. The victories of Christianity, wherever they have been won, have been won by distinct doctrinal theology; by telling men roundly of Christ's vicarious death and sacrifice; by showing them Christ's substitution on the cross, and His precious blood; by teaching them justification by faith, and bidding them believe on a crucified Savior; by preaching ruin by sin, redemption by Christ, regeneration by the Spirit; by lifting up the brazen serpent; by telling them to look and live—to believe, repent, and be converted"

We CANNOT allow complacency in our walk. When we do we allow a breeding ground for complacency, which can lead to our destruction. Brothers and Sisters, don't skip that devotion, don't hold back that scripture, don't squander a chance to share the gospel! It is your opportunity to fling the seed with wreckless abandon, that some seed may hit the good soil(Matthew 13)and to hold strong to the hope and knowledge that some seed WILL hit the good soil.
It truly is a slow fade when you give yourself away. Avoid becoming a lukewarm Christian, and don't blur the lines that establish your salvation. Don't let the distinct doctrine of our Sovereign Lord fade to gray.

Praising Him through the storm

While generally I don't enjoy topical Biblical study, and lean more toward an expository approach, the first message in Pastor Adam's topical series, "What about _______?" hit home. Very hard.

My earthly life has been a whirlwind over the past year+. A trying time that has brought temptation, pain, "depression", anger, tears, brokenness, and worship. Yes, you read that correctly, worship. Long before Adam's sermon on suffering I had decided that I would attempt to, No, I would, worship God through this stormy season. What his sermon offered for me was a sober reality check.

Am I worshiping God through this storm? What is my response to Him? What could be my response to Him? In good times, bad, strong, weak, horrible, painful, aching, suffering times?

Worship. Period. Worship is the only acceptable response.

This isn't to be taken lightly. It is hard, terribly, horribly hard. But terribly, horribly wonderful. It has been the greatest struggle I've faced, to worship Him at all times, but the peace, OH THE JOY!!!!

I know there is one Sovereign Christ. My sin, my wretched, ugly, disgraceful sin, was placed upon Him. My sin drove the nails into His hands. Pierced his feet. My sin ripped at His flesh, spat on Him, stabbed Him. My sin put him on the cross, and screamed at the top of my lungs, "Crucify", and it did.

But that third day. That wonderful, beautiful third day. That day when my Sovereign Lord conquered death. Destroying my sin, and clearing the wrath that was mine. The wrath that I absolutely deserved, and He willingly bore.

That third day. That is the source of my worship. What condemnation? What penalty? What guilt?

WHAT REASON DO WE HAVE NOT TO WORSHIP!!!!

closer than a brother

I'm not alright

I have this conversation 50 times a day.
"How you doing?"
"Good, good, and you?"
"Doing good"
The answers never change. Despite the different people, situations, struggles. Everyone is always doing good, great, perfect...Because that's what we want to hear, it's what we expect to hear, and socially, what is acceptable to say.
Sometimes, often, it's a lie. An open, flat out, bold faced lie.
Sometimes, often, I'm not alright. Sometimes I'm hurting, down, questioning. Sometimes I need someone to call me on it. Sometimes I need someone to say, "Really? Are you really doing good?"
I am proud to tears to know that I have friends closer than a brother (two of who are my brothers) who are willing to hear the truth, and to ask for the truth. (Proverbs 18:24) They are my Jonathan's, my Eli's, my Barnabas's. They are willing to jump in the furnace with me.
Am I that kind of friend? Am I a friend, brother, to call out the truth, and to be there for my brothers? Are you being that friend?
Romans 12:10 calls us to "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love."
Devotion to fellow citizens of the Kingdom, what joy in obedience!
Be that brother today. Be willing to hear and hold your brother. Be willing to let your brother know if you're not alright. Because sometimes, often, we're not. That's where we can show ourselves as being closer than an earthly brother.

Tour of California

Been a while, so lets catch up.

September-
Mt Whitney
Mountaineer's route.

October
Joint Training. Sequoia Mountain Rescue and Altadena Mountain Rescue

SkyWatch

My sister-in-law could be one of the coolest girls ever. For my brother's birthday she arranged for he and I to go up in the Fresno PD Skywatch helicopter. (how's that for pulling strings)

We circled Fresno on patrol with Jack and Jay for around 1:15 on Saturday night.

Seriously cool birthday present.

SMR

Last night I got a phone call from one of the members of Sequoia Mountain Rescue. I had contacted them some time back and have been awaiting some information that was needed on the application. Last night I was told to just send it in and they'd get me on the list.
I decided to pursue the Search and Rescue area a while back, and was put in touch with them by the Sherrif's dept. I figure with as much time as I spend up in the mountains I may as well spend some of it helping. I'm a little aprehensive about my skill level as I feel I may be a little short on the skill side compared to the rest of the people, but am looking forward to learning. I'm going to do my best to be up at their next training trip in August.