a l i v e & a w a k e - the_good_life

The Giver of Life

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:36:26 -0500

"God is not a sedative that keeps you calm and under control by dulling your senses. He does quite the opposite. He awakens your spirit to be truly alive." Erwin McManus

I am a follower of Jesus, the Messiah. I am becoming more and more hesitant to use the word Christian, not because I don't understand the original meaning of the word, but because most other people don't.

It has become synonymous with boring, fundamentalism, irrelevance, hypocracy and uselessness. Many people view following Christ a selling of one's life to a creed that gives them a list of do's and don't's.

I like this quote, because it captures my thoughts exactly. I found that when I met Jesus (the real Jesus - not some institutionalized version found in a church building) my life changed. Aside from my hyper tendencies, I found an internal well of life that became the new driving force in my life. Suddenly, every fibre of my being was invigorated by energy, meaning and an optimism that far surpassed any of the modern-day positive thinking programs. I just found myself to be such a happy person.

It's sad to think that people are turned off finding a life-giving spiritual connection to their Creator because of the institutionization of the Church. If you have found yourself dulled by traditions and religiosity, it's time you personally met the Jesus I know. You find him, you will find life.

Jon

Society's Bankruptcy

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 16:10:00 -0500

When I was living in Bancroft, we used to feed the birds. My favourite ones were chickadees. The more time they spend at the feeders, the more bold they became. They soon learned to trust us (the hand that fed them) so much so that at times they would feed from our hands (for a little guy -that's power!)

The most accessible "bird-food" we had in the house at the time was bread. I remember taking entire loaves of bread at a time to distribute to the hungry flocks. I felt very proud that I was helping these poor creatures to survive the freezing Canadian winter.

Then one day I heard some disturbing news. Apparently our wonderful bread doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals that birds need to live. In fact, all is really does is fill them up with "empty calories". They fly away feeling full, but nutritionally deficient.

That's how I would describe our society at large. We have been fed many humanistic philosophies and social programs and recreational events and scientific theories and governmental laws that have kept our lives packed full, but have failed to provide the moral, social, physical, economical and spiritual "nutrients" to really bring life.

The result is bankrupt lives producing broken marriages, disfunctional families, economic polarization of the rich and poor, disconnected and directionless young people, insolvable homelessness and unemployment as well as corruption in many levels of government. We are busy, but not happy. Moving, but going nowhere. Engaged in thinking, but not connected to truth. Our government's attempt to deal with the issues have largely been temporary, and usually have caused more complications than cured situations. It's sad, but I think it is time people heard this news. It may be disturbing, but if accepted it will begin the process of saving lives.

What is it going to take to being to restore people in our country to a place of wholeness and complete health? New programs to feed poor people? Another philosophical theory on how to better ourselves? A new law? No. These attempts are simply symptomatic solutions (see article on Inside-Out Change) I believe the answer is one that reaches to the very root of all the problems: the human heart. We need to change the human heart to change everything else.

From our hearts come our thoughts and actions. From our hearts come our ideas and theories. The human heart is the engine that runs all programs and events. It is also the heart that is the centre of morality and spirituality. It is the human heart that makes decisions to love our neighbour, or to give to the poor, or to oppress the helpless or to ignore injustice.

If we could somehow experience change at this level, imagine what the world would be like. What would your life look like? If you had a chance to get rid of the negative and evil desires within you, would you do it? If you could receive a new heart, become a new person, would you?

Jon

Life as a Car Wreck

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 22:30:00 -0500

I once owned a Geo Metro. It was given to me by my parents when I was in university. I have so many good memories of that car. There was the time when my brother and I got it stuck in mud up to the doors, only to be freed after 3 hours of digging, prying and basically lifting it out (if you know my brother, you can probably picture the lifting). There were the many times when the hatchback feature was in use at volleyball courts, around campfires and at the beach. There are all the memories of that time of my life; the people, the places and the significant events. In fact I can still remember the smell of the car.

I met my wife when I was driving the car (it was in this car she learned to drive standard). And it was with my wife when my car drove its final journey. We were returning from Bancroft (visiting my parents) and were almost at Janie's parents' house, travelling on a highway with a speed limit of 80 km/h. We were heading into an intersection, loving life, when a brand new Ford van decided to pull out in front of us. Although I stood on the brakes, when you're doing 80 and are about 20 feet away, it really does very little. Our little baby of a car ever so gracefully skid into the intersection and plowed effortlessly into the side of the vehicle. I think we moved him a good 3 inches, as our blue recycling-box-on-wheels crumpled like a pop can. Miraculously my fiance and I were unhurt (she had a bit of a sore neck, but nothing permanent). However, our car didn't fare so well.

It was a sad moment. My driving life in that car as I knew it was over. Whatever dreams GM had for my car, they were now crushed. The purpose and original intention for the Geo Metro were now lost.

In a lot of ways that was my life story. As a human being I was created with purpose and meaning. But I was born with a bad heart. What I mean is that no one had to teach me how to choose bad over good. I had natural ability to be selfish; to always want my way. Morally and spiritually I was a car wreck. In my condition, I was destined for a life of causing problems because I was the problem. Some people in religious circles use the word "sin" to describe this condition. Literally it means "missing the mark", as in archery when the arrow you shoot misses the target. I constantly missed the standard of what it means to live a full life. I completely fell short of ever being a morally upright person. How did I know? I was a mean, bitter, envious, greedy, lying, cheating, and manipulative person. I actually would plan ways of making sure I was the centre of the universe, even at the expense of others (and mostly my family).

Of course I did my best to cover it all up. I went to Sunday school you know and even read the Bible. I put on my best behaviour to impress others. I made sure people could see all the "good things" I did on the outside, so no one would ever know that I could be a hideous little monster on the inside. That's how it is with so many people. They play a glossy, shiny part on the exterior to hide the real corruption. But that kind of acting will never change the human heart.

It would be as effective as me crawling out of my smashed Geo and using a hammer, begin to bang out the dents, in hopes of restoring the car to it's original intention. Imagine me trying to patch up the broken pieces using tape or glue, splashing all the spilled liquids back into the engine, and giving it a good paint job. I may be able to make it look almost like a car again, but we all know it would never drive again. You can further imagine the stupidity of my attempts if I insisted that I could still use the car by pushing it around town. People would think that I had absolutely gone off my rocker.

As ridiculous as it sounds, that is what I was trying to do with my life. Rather than embracing the reality of my situation and dealing with it, I spent the better part of 20 years wearing a religious "goodie-goodie" mask, while on the inside, I was dying.

You know, deep down I knew I was meant for more. Something inside me kept reminding me that there was a profound purpose to my life. I wanted to be make a positive difference in the lives of others. I wanted to be known as someone who was good. I wanted be a solution in the world, rather than the problem.

It was when I began to face up to the fact that my life was like a car wreck that I received the hope of a different life. It had to do with something I call "The Great Exchange".

The Great Exchange

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:45:00 -0500

There is good news for the person who faces the reality of their deficient life. No hiding. No covering. No deception - just an honest embrace of the truth. To that person, there is the hope of something completely and amazing happening to them.

We were all born with a root problem: We were designed to be God-like in nature, but found out upon arrival that we resembled (in our nature) something akin to the devil. We were selfish, greedy, proud, and liars. Although people have developed fantastic behaviour modification programs to help us deal with the consequential bad decisions, guilty feelings, negative reactions and frustration, they offer little use in restoring us to our full potential as humans. They can only mask our problems for a while.

Imagine that when you were born, you came as a wrecked car. Pretend further, that the built-in computer still worked and every day it reminded you of what you were supposed to be: a completely functional car who lived everyday in the fullness of your design and purpose. Can you imagine the frustration and emptiness one would feel as a result? But there's more. Imagine even further that as wrecked cars, we are no use to our Maker (not "no value", just not useable). Without function we live in "anti-life" state.

That's what so many people are acutely aware of - their own frustrations, their lack of function and the fact that there is more to life that what they're experiencing. Well there is.

You see, although you were born that way, you don't have to stay that way. There is a way to find newness in life, and it's the same for all people. The universal problem has a universal answer. He name is Jesus.

Many people have their own opinion as to who He was or what He did, or what relevence He has today. And since you have to believe someone's idea, I will let Him speak for Himself.

"I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." - Jesus-

Could it be true? After all you've heard about this guy - could it be true, that He indeed is the source of life? He is to those who will give their lives to Him. And herein lies the main problem. We were born wrecked cars (something we can't change) and we stay wrecked cars (something we can change) because we don't want to have anything to do with Jesus. To some people, just the mention of His name is enough to make their blood boil. That response only reveals an already rebellious heart. If somehow we could simply deal with this heart issue (the inside), we would find a lot of life's issue (the outside) would be dealt with instantly.

How does this happen? How does someone "receive a new heart"? I call it the Great Exchange. You give up your life, and accept the life Jesus has to offer. It's a simple as that. Going back to the car illustration, imagine you are pushing your wrecked-car life around. As you head down the street a man suddenly approaches you. As you stop to talk he introduces himself as the owner of a Lamborghini dealership. And then he does the incredible: he offers to give you a brand new Lamborghini, as long as you give up your "car". Sound ridiculous? That's exactly what Jesus said when He walked the earth, Give me your life and I will give you mine.

Now that's good news. Why do people balk at such an offer? Why do people not believe this? I believe it's basically one of 2 reasons:

1. People don't believe Jesus is telling the truth, or

2. People don't believe that they can really change.

It's true. To accept this means you have to have a lot of faith. What is faith? Look for the next article called "Leap of Faith" for some answers.

Jon