Happy New Year! (Surrendering Time)

My First VLog!  Enjoy it!  Happy a GREAT 2013.

--MJA

it vs. HE

Stop it!

I'm tired of it.  I'm tired of it trying to take over my life.  I'm tired of it actually suceeding in me.  I want to do right, but there's this urge in me to do wrong.  I want to proclaim victory over it, but defeat keeps ringing.  It just has so much control over me.  I...I just can't take it.

Thank you Adam and Eve for this.  Thank you Adam and Eve for exhibiting a lack of self-control.  A lack of reverence, a lack of humility.  Why did you have to listen to that serpant.  Why did you have to have the yearning to be more knowledgable...more greater than you needed to be? Are you happy now?  Are you happy that you thrusted future generations into turnmoil because of your decision.  Are you happy that you let it win.  Are you happy now?

Was it worth it? Is it worth gaining the whole world, yet losing my soul?  The answer to the question is obvious, but yet, the answer is never reality.  I think with my dream, yet my limbs do otherwise.  I think things with my mind, yet my tongue speaks otherwise.  Is there any hope for me?  Will I ever be able to conquer it? Will it continue to rule over my life?  Dictate my thoughts, my actions, my words, my dreams, my everything.  This control over my life..it's just...not good.

I hear the statements running over my head.  You will fail.  It's too deep inside of you.  Stop trying. It's futile.  What do I do?  Who do I turn to?  No one can really understand what I'm going through.  IT...IT...IT is just to strong.

I can't be like the faithful servants in the Bible.  I can't be like Moses who saved the nations of Israel by standing up to Pharaoh   I can't be like the prophets Micah or Elijah, or Amos, or Nathan who stood up to kings who had the power to kill them at a snap.  I can't be like the Apostle Paul who endured various beatings and imprisonment.  I'm not strong enough.  I'm just little ol' Michael.  It has it's grasp on me.

I just need to release the vices that the serpent has on my soul.  I need to be emptied.  I need to be filled with something greater than myself.  They say that we are yearning for something greater than we.  Well I'm looking...I'm looking..and I think I found him.  But now that I found him, what do I do?  What should I do?

This thing...this person inside of me wants to do wrong.  This person inside of me is nasty.  This person inside of me is cantankerous and vile and just wrong.

But I, I've heard about this man.  This man that came into the world and conquered It.  It thought that this man was dead.  Victory was obtained by it.  But just merely 72 hours later, this man rose with all power in his hand.  This man was the only man that lived a perfect sinless life.  All others before him sinned and fell at one point, but he failed to fail.

He wants to tell me that I can conquer it.  That my mind, my soul, my heart is not greater than he.  All I have to do is ask, trust, and believe.

But Lord, it's just too strong.  I'm a young man.  I have thoughts, pressures, doubts, fears..What the heck am I supposed to do when it comes like a thief in the night and wakes me, and shakes me, and just drives me up the wall.  How am I supposed to control it.

I am weak.  But he are strong.  He conquered it and he promised to keep me close.  Help me believe that he is strong than me; stronger than it.  Even when times are rough, even when my nights are long, Help me believe.  Lord, help my unbelief!  I know that he went into Sheol, knocked it in its place but how is that power transferred to me?  Where can I get his boxing gloves?

Sometimes I think I'm going crazy.  Sometimes I think I'm going to lose my mind.  Often times I think...I know that it is going to win.  But it's those moments where he causes my foundations to quake (like when he was crucified) and give me a slap on the face.  He gives me that wake up call.  The cockadoodledoo of the rooster.

Wow.  I am in awe of his might.  Great is Your Mercy.  Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.  I'm Not Afraid like Eminem.  I'll Trust You like Donnie McClurkin.  I know that he'll Roll Up like Wiz Khalifa whenever I need him.  He loves me.  He Wraps me in his arms.  And I just want to say Thank You.

it wants me to believe that it has the final say.  The devil wants me to believe that its over.  That there's no hope in me.  But "faith is substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1).  I KNOW that he will suceed.  I just know that JESUS will win.  I believe it.  I recieve it.  

So you know what I'll do?  I'm going to do like David does and bless the Lord at ALL times.  His praise shall continually be in mine mouth.

That...That is what I'm banking on.  it will NOT defeat he.

Do You Know Who You IZ?

Yo. Yo. Yo. Do you know who you IZ??

You are a son of the most high God!

You are a daughter of the most high God!

So why are you hanging out there with your head down?

Why are you letting your haters tear you down?

I mean seriously, do you realize that you are an heir?

You daddy has a throne.  Your daddy is a king.  Your father which art in heaven loves you.  Doesn't want you to hurt.  But sometimes, sometimes, his kids get into trouble.  But guess what??? "God sent his Son, they called him Jesus, he came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died, to by my pardon."  (Because He Lives) To by your pardon.

I mean when you look at it, you should already know what haters are gonna do....

Seriously though, why are you letting fear run your life?  Why are you letting your past dictate your future.  The Word says that when we are in Christ, we are a NEW creation, old things have passed away. (2 Cor. 5:17)  And for that reason, we shall move forward with our lives.  For that reason we shouldn't let fear hold us back.  For that reason we should do what God has placed on our hearts to do.

Don't let the doubts the Enemy puts in front of you tamper you.  Don't let it hamper you.  Don't let it...ummm...samper you? Maybe? Nah...

I guess when it comes down to it, we all have things on our minds.  A wise person once told me that when you survey your environment  the thing that you are the most annoyed with, the thing that you have the strongest feelings and desires for are usually the ones you should be interacting with.  Take me as a example.  When I go to a concert I used to be enamored with the Bass Guitar.  So, I eventually went out and bough it anddd I haven't been happier.

Ok...maybe that wasn't the strongest example.  But...Do You Know Who You Are??  By the end of this post, I want you to recite who you are.  Recite that you have a father that calls you his own.  Believe that you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.  Believe that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly  ABOVE all you can ask or think.  (Eph 3:20)

You were made in the image of God. Wow.  Amazing. The Image of God. (Gen 1:27)

You are a child of God. Never ever lose grip of that. Young or old, bald or mullet-fied, dark or light, short or tall, 2-eyed or 4-eyed.  You are beautiful.  Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

--MJA

I Disagree...(2012 Election)

So, the election is finally over and we now have a victor.  Congratulations President Barack Obama.  But also, congratulations to Republican Candidate Mitt Romney for a well fought campaign that literally came down to the wire.  It was the prime example of how a great election could be numbers wise.

I now have to write an obligatory "political" blog about the election and how elated and/or disappointed I am in the results (I'll let you choose which one if any).  However, I've seen enough hate out of my Facebook friends, Twitter follows and talk within my ear that I don't feel the need to gloat/vent about the turnout of the election because everyone is doing it for me!

There isn't anything wrong with being passionate one way or another.  But it is wrong to put down someone else's view, to try to take someone else's joy just because you are upset with the outcome.  It is wrong to just be downright disrespectful to the victor or the loser.  It's dehumanizing as well as un-Christ like.  And that's what's bothering me about the outcome.

I can handle all the mudslinging for the politicians because that's what we've come to in todays life.  But when I hear, just like I did in '08 that the world is going to end, that everyone that's against the election is gonna move to Canada, my heart aches.  In life, there are winners and losers, in sports there are winners and loser, in politics there are winners and loser.  It's just the way things go.

Disagreeing with ones policies is one thing and if people were to say, that they don't think the economy, the deficit, education, etc etc is gonna improve then thats fine with me.  It's those extra extremities that is too much.  Whatever happened to civil disagreement.  That's how We are supposed to act.  We, Christians especially, are supposed to love one another despite differences, so why is there hate?  I just don't understand. And it reallllly frustrates me as I look through my feeds.  Aren't we supposed to do everything ina loving Christian manner as Paul continuously says through his letter?  Aren't people supposed to feel the love of Jesus through us?  Aren't we supposed to be the Salt and Light of the world??? (Matthew 5:13-16)

Mitt Romney put his heart out on this election.  He was sooo into it that he didn't write a concession speech. He didn't even wanna let the idea of losing creep into his head which is the sign of a great competitor   But when he lost, he went out with grace, respect, honesty, and love.  One of the (if not THE) most disappointed man in the nation, had to get out in front of his peeps, and tell them that its over.  I can't imagine all the thoughts that ran through his head...disappointment, anger, fear...But he knew what he had to do and did an absolutely amazing job at it.  He stated that we need to pray for this nation and the President.  And I get the feeling he wasn't just saying that if you know what I mean. He put it all out on the line, no remorse, just moving forward.

And that's what we all should do.  We should respond to the results with love and grace.  You can be disappointed, but don't become disrespectful ESPECIALLY in public my friends.  Join Mitt and pray for our nation, pray for our President, pray for each other.  There are plenty of issues in our daily lives that stress us out, sooo lets not let politics become divisions from friendships, spouses, or even the church!  You can disagree, you can be sad, you can be a little upset, but remember, in alll things do it with love. (1 Corinthians 16:1)  Let's chill with all this hate ya'll.

--MJA

Who Am I?

Today in church my spirit was revived, it was lifted because after over a month layoff I got to direct.  Granted it was only one song, it was however one of my favorite songs: He Reigns (Our God Is an Awesome God).  And lemme just say, I LET EM UZE ME!  And at that point I was at my spiritual heightness.  I was floating on my Spiriutal cloud-9 of sorts.

Then the sermon came.  And it was an atypcial sermon were Pastor Woody did an exercise.  He taught the church the Spiritual Disciple of the Lectio Devina.  This is just a fancy way to teach us to how read the scripture.  How to read the scriptutre prayerfully.  This discipline has 4 steps:

1. Read the scripture slowly and prayerfully a couple times through.
2. Mediatie on it, focus on what God is trying to tell you about the scripture.  Realize where it hurts, brings you joy, etc.
3.  Talk to God about it.  Tell Him specifically what was on your heart.
4. Be still. And just listen to what God has spoken to you.

So, the pastor read a familiar passage taken from Luke 18:9-14 which is the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  It reads:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable.

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 
'God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildowers, adulteres-or even like this tax collector. 
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 
'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

I tell you that his man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.  
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those how humble themselves will be exalted."

And after the Pastor took us through those steps, he gave the congregation a chance to say what God was speaking to them.  A couple of people spoke and talked about God's love and another person talked about Humility.  And these are all great great things.

What hit me personally however, was the fact that for far too much in my life, I've been the Pharisee.  The Holy Spirit had convicted my soul.  Troubled my Spirit.  Made me feel soo...dirty.  And it was right at that moment where I realized that I needed to confess.  I needed to apologize, and I needed to repent.

People tend to come to me to talk about various things. And one thing I pride myself about is that I don't judge them.  I try my hardest not to judge them.  And I get the feeling that they sincerely believe that, and its true.  I'm not a judger.  However, there are those times when I pray where I thank the Lord for not putting me in certain positions.  Certain situations.  And it is in those moments where I unconsciously start to feel like I'm better than them.  I start to gather the "Holier than Thou mentality."  The scary part is that I don't even realize it.  And to that I say: Who am I?

Who am I?  Who am I to say that your sin is worse than mine?  Who am I to thank God for not doing A,B,C when I'm sitting there doing X, Y, & Z.  In God's eyes, no sin is worst than the other.  Because when it all comes down to it, sin kills.  For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is everlasting.  I thank God (literally) that Jesus came down to be my penal substitute.  He took the blame that I should've.  I should be on my way to Hell in a hand-basket!  Like seriously....WHO THE HECK AM I?

So, I just need to repent for my wrong thoughts.  For my Holier Than Thou Mentality.  I pray for everyone that has done ABC but I also need prayer for my sins XYZ.  And you know the weird thing, some people may feel like XYZ is worst than ABC.  So really...WHO AM I?

I am a sinner.  But Jesus saved me.  I am lost.  But, Jesus found me.  I am a screw-up.  But, Jesus redeemed me.  "Amazing Love, how can it be, that you my king would die for me!"

If you are out there and you can relate.  I challenge you to be still.  To talk to God.  To ask the great Forgiverer for forgiveness.  To ask Him to change your hearts.  Because we all have skeletons in our closets.  I wil not cast the first stone! (John 8:2-11)

Complacency

Complacency.  What are the words that comes to mind when that word is uttered?  Is it being comfortable? Or maybe its being predictable.

Brother and Sisters, complacency is one of the worst things that can happen to us as Christians.  We should never feel comfortable.  Something should always be bothering us.  There's a world going to Hell in a handbasket and we are the only ones that can stop it.  And what are we doing, just talking about it.  What am I doing? Just talking about it.

Here me out, I'm not trying to be an "Evangelical" but I think we are all called to be evangelicals in some sense.  It's our job, our duty, as followers of Christ to allow God's love and grace to permeate through our lives.    Ooh grace.  Grace is such an amazing thing because unlike any other thing, it has a rider: undeserved.  We did nothing to earn God's s grace, the Lord gave it to us.  He gave it to us by doing the one thing that I'm almost positively sure no man or woman in their right mind would every willing do: he gave his ONLY begotten son to die.  Not just any death, but death on the cross.

And what do we do?  Get comfortable in our situations, our lifestyles and get into a cycle.  Cycles are very dangerous because its in our comfort zones that the enemy loves to hide...and lurk.  It's those times were we are on cloud nine, when all of a sudden something ridiculous happens and it knocks us off our pedestal.  And if you don't believe me ask around.  I know that there are some witnesses out there!

We are at a constant war.  Unfortunately this war is never going to end until the Son comes back and creates a new heaven and earth.  With that being said, the last thing we need to do is get comfortable.  Literally our hearts should ache everyday if we really want a heart like God.

I don't mean to be a debbie downer, but I was just listening to Matthew West's The Motions (if you've never heard it just youtube it, it's worth your time!) and I felt bad...like reallly reallly bad.  What would happen to the world if we didn't just go through the motions of being a Christian and actually lived it out? I mean, what really is a Christian?  What does it look like? (That's for another day!)  What would happen if we gave EVERYTHING. My..my...my...it would be an amazing thing.

I am going to be the first to admit that it's hard.  It's hard living, and even more, the pressure of being a Christian is ridiculous!  But somebody has to do it...why not you...why not me.  Whatever to the gung-ho Christian...the Christian that, when asked the question: "Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us." He or she replies: "Here I am. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

That's something we all need to work on.  I challenge myself to break beyond the barriers of complacency.  I don't want to give the devil ANY place to rest in my soul, in my heart.  Cuz I know what can and will happen if that takes place.  Complacency. It just sounds sooo calm and good. But is it really good??