I have been in a Christian book reading kick lately, and have found out that there are authors out there that really get it. Those Christians that are actively looking for words of encouragement, only have to go as far as the bible to get it. But, we also know that the Spirit can work through the words of fellow Christians, and God can use that median to bring his message to us in a way that feels Good. As I am reading these books, God speaks to me in ways that feel like I am at a protesting rally. For the longest time, I just have not felt right in how I was approaching my Spirituality, and it has been because of how fake I have sounded in trying to talk about Christ. I spent more time trying to explain what my faith was to people and why it is right instead of living it out, and speaking from my soul. I've decided that in this hectic world, God gives us tidbits of Truth that we tend to forget. Wisdom, that if remembered, could change decisions we make that do not reflect our Christian Spirituality. It is time to capture your thoughts...share them if you feel they are coming from your heart in conversation with God.
Theology for the Day: When I try to control my happiness in regards to driving our my human "destiny," I run the risk of playing the "keep up with the Jones's" game. This leads to a type of Selfishness that satisfies the hunger for my earthly wants and desires, but leaves a gaping hole in the hunger built in my soul.
God,
Help me to leave my destiny in your hands. Help me to always look at my actions and ask the question, "Am I doing this for the glory of You?" or "Am I doing this for the glory of myself." I open my heart to your touch. I open my heart to your truth. Speak your words to me, and I will listen.
Through thought, word, and deed I will be You Lord Jesus Christ...AMEN!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
My Own Psalms
To all -
Have you ever read Psalms, and felt moved to write your own? I have found writing poetry about God our Father and His son Jesus Christ to help open avenues to helping me explain why I believe what I believe. The words add color to a black and white world that is in my head and lends appreciation to the relationship I have with God. Below are a few of my latest spiritual poems. Glory, Power, and Love to our God.
Have you ever read Psalms, and felt moved to write your own? I have found writing poetry about God our Father and His son Jesus Christ to help open avenues to helping me explain why I believe what I believe. The words add color to a black and white world that is in my head and lends appreciation to the relationship I have with God. Below are a few of my latest spiritual poems. Glory, Power, and Love to our God.
I'm Awake I'm Alive by Joshua Gamradt
I look up and cry with no sound
My soul arises from the cold ground
The new life I'll lead I'm homeward bound
The lights I've sought I've finally found
-
With arms wide and our hearts near
No longer dead inside, nothing to fear
My life is His I no longer steer
No longer blind, but one of His seers
-
I'm Awake, I'm Awake, I'm Alive
The years have passed, but finally Alive
Death does not linger, My birthday with Christ
I'm Awake, I'm Awake, I'm Alive
-
My life has past, my family has grown
Death has finally reached, but I'm now born
Future not bleak and no longer forlorn
An aura of light are the cloths I adorn
-
The knowledge is real, no longer a door
I do not eat with the rich, but those who were poor
Money...possessions, no longer a need for
My heart has stopped, but my soul now soars
-
I finally see you, My God...My Christ, Your hug is endearing, the tears in Your Eyes, My friend my father, Your infinity is now shared, I'm Awake, I'm Awake, I'm Alive
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Walk with God by Joshua Gamradt
Grace is close...It finds me
Chains are gone...that bound me
My prayers are real...they're for You
My mind is clear...I love You
-
My crown not gold, My story foretold, My love unfolds, My passion behold, your souls not sold, your freedom I stowed
-
I ask this time...my eyes closed
I'm by myself...You and me
My body falls...prostrate before You
My mind made up...to follow You
-
My clothes are cast, the time has past, My life won't last, it's coming on fast, My body harassed, My love is steadfast
-
It is faith and fear...it binds me
Forgive me my sins...I plead You
Grab my hand...and guide me
I'm wholly yours...please take me
-
My life for you, Gentile and Jew, the road is for few, just follow My clues, arms spread out for you, your life now anew
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray of Hope by Joshua Gamradt
Don't cry and you will see, don't doubt His love
It sprouts like a spring, He guides you faithfully
-
Don't cry out loud, "What's in it for me?"
In His house of grace, we are all one family
-
Raise your voices, hold your hands up high
For in belief you live forever, and you never will die
-
The true god lies in our heart, He shines in the palest sky
In our tears He's in every drop, with His feet He wipes our eyes
-
Don't fail to jump on, it is a maginficent ride
He guides us with passion, into the never ending starry sky
-
Read his words, look to others to live them too
Although ancient, meant for young and old, know they were meant for you
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Heavenly Father,
Open our hearts and voices to sing our praises to you. Help us to look deep inside our hearts to find the passion that exists with inside of us. Guide us in our lives to express our feelings about You to those who don't know You. Help us to keep the faith on this long/short road we call life, so that we can stick to this path for few and enjoy our new birth with you, once the time has come.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be you Lord Jesus Christ...AMEN!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Something New in Cain and Abel
Ok, like everyone else, I have read the Cain and Abel story a million times. Maybe not a million times, but you get the picture. The story holds some significance, being that it is the first murder recorded in the bible. It shows the continuation of sin and man. It shows that one must be willing to give his best to God. You can pull most of these messages out of the story of Cain and Able, but to get them out, you pretty much have to juice it out just like you would a lemon or orange. They are not messages that when looking at the story are in black and white, so the story of Cain and Abel never had an incredible influence on me.....until now.
Like I said, I have read this story a million times, but Genesis 4:6-7 were words that struck my soul cord and inspired me to write yet another blog today, 2 in one day, can you believe it? Cain and Abel had just presented God with their offerings and God had pretty much shown Cain he was not to happy with what he had to give. Pouting in the corner, God comes in and says the following to Cain;
Genesis 4:6-7 6 The the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
In this truly Old Testament style story, there exists a few lines that strike a true resemblance to words spoken by God's son Jesus Christ in the New Testament. When some compare Old vs. New, they do not see the shared identities of both Father and Son. Check out a few of these versus from the New Testament that speak to doing right and you will be accepted.
- Matthew 5:19 19 Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but who ever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Romans 2:6 - 10 6 God "will repay everyone according to what they have done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
- 2 John 1:6 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
The words of Father and Son are just as relevant when spoken by God in the Old Testament or spoken by Jesus Christ in the new. Keep your eyes pealed, and you too will see the likeness of God and His son Jesus Christ written down in our most Holy Bible.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your words extend through the ages. Relevancy can be found in whatever we read in Your words. I asked that you fill my heart and soul with your love. That you make Your words transparent for me. That you can present to me a connection like this shows that you can be found everywhere in this Holy text. Truly, truly, truly...thanks to You oh' God.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be You Lord Jesus Christ - AMEN!
Like I said, I have read this story a million times, but Genesis 4:6-7 were words that struck my soul cord and inspired me to write yet another blog today, 2 in one day, can you believe it? Cain and Abel had just presented God with their offerings and God had pretty much shown Cain he was not to happy with what he had to give. Pouting in the corner, God comes in and says the following to Cain;
Genesis 4:6-7 6 The the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
In this truly Old Testament style story, there exists a few lines that strike a true resemblance to words spoken by God's son Jesus Christ in the New Testament. When some compare Old vs. New, they do not see the shared identities of both Father and Son. Check out a few of these versus from the New Testament that speak to doing right and you will be accepted.
- Matthew 5:19 19 Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but who ever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Romans 2:6 - 10 6 God "will repay everyone according to what they have done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
- 2 John 1:6 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
The words of Father and Son are just as relevant when spoken by God in the Old Testament or spoken by Jesus Christ in the new. Keep your eyes pealed, and you too will see the likeness of God and His son Jesus Christ written down in our most Holy Bible.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your words extend through the ages. Relevancy can be found in whatever we read in Your words. I asked that you fill my heart and soul with your love. That you make Your words transparent for me. That you can present to me a connection like this shows that you can be found everywhere in this Holy text. Truly, truly, truly...thanks to You oh' God.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be You Lord Jesus Christ - AMEN!
The Power of a Small Group
There are times in my life where I have felt like the lonely soul that questions God in the poem called Footprints In the Sand, "...but I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints when I needed you most."
I have also come to realize that it is not only the feeling of God's Spirit we miss in times of need, but the physical companionship of a person who shares that same friendship and relationship with God. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a small group that was formed approximately 4 months ago. I think the term small group doesn't really encompass the deeper relationships that have formed between this group. It may be a small group in numbers, but a large group in Spiritual Growth.
After a trying week, a week where God has fallen from your mind, which makes snapping back to your Christian reality a little difficult, meeting with people who share in the same faith is both an uplifting and helpful experience in getting back on track. I was reading Romans 1:11-12, and these versus encompass what I believe each person feels about in our small group, and why we keep getting together every week to talk about God and His son Jesus Christ. Romans 1:11-12 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some Spritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Each one of us is gifted in how we interpret God's word and can speak about our relationship with Christ. Each of us can bring a different point of view on how to apply God's word to our everyday life and missgivings. Reach out to each of your friends and create this relationship. Hold dear those people that you can meet with everyday to encourage you in your life. You may go through hardships, but remember, "...the times when you have only seen one set of footprints, is when I [Jesus Christ] carried you." It is also those relationships that God puts in your life to lift you when you look for His physical companionship too.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to thank you for the relationships that you put in my life. Thank you for the friendships you have helped me establish, and the sharing in faith that is common among all of us. I ask that you continue to foster in me a bright light. That you compel our small group to uplift each other in times of need and be honest in our faith, that we may grow to know you better and encourage each other through our faith.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be you Lord Jesus Christ - Amen
I have also come to realize that it is not only the feeling of God's Spirit we miss in times of need, but the physical companionship of a person who shares that same friendship and relationship with God. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a small group that was formed approximately 4 months ago. I think the term small group doesn't really encompass the deeper relationships that have formed between this group. It may be a small group in numbers, but a large group in Spiritual Growth.
After a trying week, a week where God has fallen from your mind, which makes snapping back to your Christian reality a little difficult, meeting with people who share in the same faith is both an uplifting and helpful experience in getting back on track. I was reading Romans 1:11-12, and these versus encompass what I believe each person feels about in our small group, and why we keep getting together every week to talk about God and His son Jesus Christ. Romans 1:11-12 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some Spritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Each one of us is gifted in how we interpret God's word and can speak about our relationship with Christ. Each of us can bring a different point of view on how to apply God's word to our everyday life and missgivings. Reach out to each of your friends and create this relationship. Hold dear those people that you can meet with everyday to encourage you in your life. You may go through hardships, but remember, "...the times when you have only seen one set of footprints, is when I [Jesus Christ] carried you." It is also those relationships that God puts in your life to lift you when you look for His physical companionship too.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to thank you for the relationships that you put in my life. Thank you for the friendships you have helped me establish, and the sharing in faith that is common among all of us. I ask that you continue to foster in me a bright light. That you compel our small group to uplift each other in times of need and be honest in our faith, that we may grow to know you better and encourage each other through our faith.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be you Lord Jesus Christ - Amen
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Parenting Influence
I am reminded everyday of the influence, I have on my child. Oliver is only two, and the amount of characteristics and mannerisms he has picked up from just watching me is unbelievable. He truly is a child in the likeness of me. A key word in all that I have said is character. As parents, we must ask ourselves, what type of character do we hope of our children. And, as Christian parents, we have an even larger role in making sure our children develop Christ Like character.
As Christians, we must model our lives through the life image of our God and His son Jesus Christ. One night after meeting with our Freshwater small group, I read Matthew 12: 33-35 and God inspired me as a parent. Through Jesus Christ's words, we are reminded as Christian parents just how much of an influence we will have on our children. Matthew 12:33-35 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit..." Good people bring good things out of the good stored up in them, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in them. I am reminded of something James, my homeless friend, told me one lunch time. He said that his grandma told him once, "You live wicked, you die wicked." Although striking, it is very simple and true. We should model ourselves as Jesus Christ, and we will influence our children into making good fruit of themselves, but also influence them to influence good fruit of their children, neighbors, friends, and even their "enemies."
Dear heavenly Father,
Your love and image is special among us as Christians. You have provided a perfect model in Your son Jesus Christ. Fill our spirit with Your sons image, and that we are excited to live out that image in our daily lives. Help us to drive towards influencing our Children to provide good fruit. Help us to look beyond the fact that doing good should not be for selfish reasons to earn a spot in heaven, but influence others in their daily lives.
Through thought, word, and deed I will be You Lord God and Your son Jesus Christ
As Christians, we must model our lives through the life image of our God and His son Jesus Christ. One night after meeting with our Freshwater small group, I read Matthew 12: 33-35 and God inspired me as a parent. Through Jesus Christ's words, we are reminded as Christian parents just how much of an influence we will have on our children. Matthew 12:33-35 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit..." Good people bring good things out of the good stored up in them, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in them. I am reminded of something James, my homeless friend, told me one lunch time. He said that his grandma told him once, "You live wicked, you die wicked." Although striking, it is very simple and true. We should model ourselves as Jesus Christ, and we will influence our children into making good fruit of themselves, but also influence them to influence good fruit of their children, neighbors, friends, and even their "enemies."
Dear heavenly Father,
Your love and image is special among us as Christians. You have provided a perfect model in Your son Jesus Christ. Fill our spirit with Your sons image, and that we are excited to live out that image in our daily lives. Help us to drive towards influencing our Children to provide good fruit. Help us to look beyond the fact that doing good should not be for selfish reasons to earn a spot in heaven, but influence others in their daily lives.
Through thought, word, and deed I will be You Lord God and Your son Jesus Christ
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Enlightenment for Myself
Matthew 4:4 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
I have spent a greater part of my life wondering how my words, my faith journey, and my positive actions were perceived by others. When I received praise, it was for me in my heart. Like I was providing words of wisdom from my life. Like I hold all of the answers. I know God has blessed me to be a faithful servent and deciple, the problem is, I have been trying to take all the credit for the words and deeds I do on God's behalf. All my thoughts, all my words, and all my deeds should be reflective of how Jesus Christ lived. That when something should happen that God has done through me that warrants a celebration, it is not I who receive the praise by name, but Jesus Christ and God our Father alone.
Dear heavenly Father, You have opened up new doors for me and established relationships that have helped me to look deep within myself. I ask that you continue to walk with me in Spirit, drive my heart to make passion filled bridges, and spread the word and good deeds of You Lord Jesus Christ.
Through thought, word, and deed I will be You Lord God and Your son Jesus Christ. AMEN!
I have spent a greater part of my life wondering how my words, my faith journey, and my positive actions were perceived by others. When I received praise, it was for me in my heart. Like I was providing words of wisdom from my life. Like I hold all of the answers. I know God has blessed me to be a faithful servent and deciple, the problem is, I have been trying to take all the credit for the words and deeds I do on God's behalf. All my thoughts, all my words, and all my deeds should be reflective of how Jesus Christ lived. That when something should happen that God has done through me that warrants a celebration, it is not I who receive the praise by name, but Jesus Christ and God our Father alone.
Dear heavenly Father, You have opened up new doors for me and established relationships that have helped me to look deep within myself. I ask that you continue to walk with me in Spirit, drive my heart to make passion filled bridges, and spread the word and good deeds of You Lord Jesus Christ.
Through thought, word, and deed I will be You Lord God and Your son Jesus Christ. AMEN!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Just Do It; Living Out Your Faith
Nike has a saying, Just Do It. As Christians, when it comes to living out our Faith, we should use this way of thinking. The following is my story of taking a week to Just Do It.
Chuck, James, and Doug, seemingly uninteresting names. What makes these people special is, they are now people that live in my heart and memory, because God compelled me to meet with them. Chuck, James, and Doug are all homeless people. All of them have homelessness in common, but have very different stories.
My wife, child, and I were attending church a little over two weeks ago, and the message at Freshwater has been about Living Out Your Faith. Do not just give God your lip service, get out and LIVE your faith. When listening to this message, I had a unique experience with the Holy Spirit. God spoke a message to my heart that morning, telling me it is time to live out my faith in a different way.
I work in downtown Minneapolis. Everyday I walk past the homeless people holding up their signs, and everyday I walk past them just like everybody else. But, God told me it was time to reach out, it was time to move beyond lip service. God spoke to my heart saying, take My children out for lunch. God was speaking in my heart, "These people are not distractions I set out on the side of the road, these are My children just as you are.
Now, I may have a little bit of courage and outgoing personality, but this message from God was taking me out of my comfort zone. "God, you seriously want me to take these people out to lunch?" I set out Monday at noon with a little apprehension and fear, but after I closed my eyes and prayed to God to give me comfort, to open up my heart and give me strength, I was able to walk right up to Chuck and ask him,
"Have you had lunch yet?"
"No", said Chuck
"Do you want to have some lunch"
"...OK!"
"Let's go..."
And my Just Do It journey began...
The rest of the week was a whirlwind of God filling my heart with compassion and I brought one homeless person out to lunch everyday of the week. Besides Chuck, I also had the privilege to meet James and Doug. I will not get into the lives of these men, their stories and our relationship is now a bond between us.
My story is about living out your faith and seeing where it may take you. It has taken me into the lives of three very different homeless men.
When we were at the tail end of our lunch, Doug, who was a paraplegic and a heroin addict for 30 years, jerkily rolled his wheel chair backwards and looked at me. With a voice plagued with the shakes of years of doing drugs, Doug asked me, "Why the hell did you talk to me today?" I looked into his eyes and told him that God led me to him that day. The sad part for me is, Doug asked a question that speaks volumes about what is missing in our "American Christian" lives. He was genuinely surprised that I showed interest in him as a person. I, who was suppost to have been living out my faith by showing love, grace and forgiveness to all of God's children, had finally reached out to Doug after actually living out my faith. Until I spent time to sit down with a few people downtown, I didn't realize how much, as Christians, we are not doing a great job as a whole doing what we speak. We talk the talk of showing love, grace and forgiveness, but we rarely walk the walk, or contradict ourselves based on personal comfort and wealth.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you speak through my heart daily. I ask that Your Spirit helps me to live out my Christian faith and values. Help me to live out my lip services. I no longer want to just talk the talk, but walk the walk of a deciple of Jesus Christ. Help mt to love, forgive, and show grace to ALL of Your children.
Through thought word and deed, I will be You Lord God and Your Son Jesus Christ...AMEN!
Chuck, James, and Doug, seemingly uninteresting names. What makes these people special is, they are now people that live in my heart and memory, because God compelled me to meet with them. Chuck, James, and Doug are all homeless people. All of them have homelessness in common, but have very different stories.
My wife, child, and I were attending church a little over two weeks ago, and the message at Freshwater has been about Living Out Your Faith. Do not just give God your lip service, get out and LIVE your faith. When listening to this message, I had a unique experience with the Holy Spirit. God spoke a message to my heart that morning, telling me it is time to live out my faith in a different way.
I work in downtown Minneapolis. Everyday I walk past the homeless people holding up their signs, and everyday I walk past them just like everybody else. But, God told me it was time to reach out, it was time to move beyond lip service. God spoke to my heart saying, take My children out for lunch. God was speaking in my heart, "These people are not distractions I set out on the side of the road, these are My children just as you are.
Now, I may have a little bit of courage and outgoing personality, but this message from God was taking me out of my comfort zone. "God, you seriously want me to take these people out to lunch?" I set out Monday at noon with a little apprehension and fear, but after I closed my eyes and prayed to God to give me comfort, to open up my heart and give me strength, I was able to walk right up to Chuck and ask him,
"Have you had lunch yet?"
"No", said Chuck
"Do you want to have some lunch"
"...OK!"
"Let's go..."
And my Just Do It journey began...
The rest of the week was a whirlwind of God filling my heart with compassion and I brought one homeless person out to lunch everyday of the week. Besides Chuck, I also had the privilege to meet James and Doug. I will not get into the lives of these men, their stories and our relationship is now a bond between us.
My story is about living out your faith and seeing where it may take you. It has taken me into the lives of three very different homeless men.
When we were at the tail end of our lunch, Doug, who was a paraplegic and a heroin addict for 30 years, jerkily rolled his wheel chair backwards and looked at me. With a voice plagued with the shakes of years of doing drugs, Doug asked me, "Why the hell did you talk to me today?" I looked into his eyes and told him that God led me to him that day. The sad part for me is, Doug asked a question that speaks volumes about what is missing in our "American Christian" lives. He was genuinely surprised that I showed interest in him as a person. I, who was suppost to have been living out my faith by showing love, grace and forgiveness to all of God's children, had finally reached out to Doug after actually living out my faith. Until I spent time to sit down with a few people downtown, I didn't realize how much, as Christians, we are not doing a great job as a whole doing what we speak. We talk the talk of showing love, grace and forgiveness, but we rarely walk the walk, or contradict ourselves based on personal comfort and wealth.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you speak through my heart daily. I ask that Your Spirit helps me to live out my Christian faith and values. Help me to live out my lip services. I no longer want to just talk the talk, but walk the walk of a deciple of Jesus Christ. Help mt to love, forgive, and show grace to ALL of Your children.
Through thought word and deed, I will be You Lord God and Your Son Jesus Christ...AMEN!
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