can I have your story...

All last week I was speaking at a Camp called Suncrest. It was a great time and I totally enjoyed hanging out with some awesome high schoolers! On thursday night I shared a message based on the importance of sharing our stories. Our life stories have power and regardless of where we've been and what mess we've been through, God still wants to use us to redeem this world and partner with us to bring all things back to the way they were created to be. 

There is something powerful in sitting back and hearing people share their stories. Something deep and spiritual happens when you look an individual in the eye and they show you their soul. I don't know if you've ever experienced this, but when I take time to hear someone share their story, I get glimpses of the Spirit. When you take time to really listen when someone bares it all, with no strings attached, it reveals a holy authenticity founded only in the image of our flawless Creator. You sense the masterful work of His blueprint for their life. God takes the mess and makes something beautiful. I love that. 

Our stories are undeniable affirmation that God is at work in this world and everyone around you can be a captive audience. You just need to be willing and ready to be a storyteller. Our stories have power and they breed hope. People will look at what you've endured and come to the conclusion that if you've been there and you keep going, then maybe they can keep going too! We need your stories.

So this is what I want to do, I want to make this a place where others can read your stories and be inspired by what God has brought you out of. I want this to be a place where people will get glimpses of a holy authenticity that can only come from our Creator. I want to share your stories. So this is my plan... I need you to email me your stories and I will regularly post them on this blog. They can be short, they can be long, they can be whatever you want. They just have to be your story. Your story must also include a picture to represent you or your story. Let God use your story to inspire others. Let your story breed hope in a world that is desperate for it. You can email your story to me at:  rgage4@yahoo.com 

You vs. Ya'll

I have recently been listening to some incredible messages from a great teacher named Francis Chan. Francis has captured my attention on a reality of scripture that I couldn't help but share with my friends. Francis is doing a series right now on what it means to be part of the church. Living in America has really narrowed my understanding of the church. Think about it, how often do you hear the term "church shopping" or how often do you hear people complaining about a church because it doesn't do anything for them or doesn't meet their "needs." We are all guilty of becoming a part of a Christian community for selfish reasons. This mindset has permeated the way western culture Christians interact with God. We begin to act like what God has to say is all about us. We read scripture and put an individualistic angle on it. 

Think about Matthew 5:14-16 when it says, You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven. 

How many times have you read that scripture and only wrestled with it's perspective as pertaining to the way you live your life? Francis pointed out that this passage was written in a plural context. When it says You... it actually translates to You plural, like... Ya'll!  The verse should be understood to mean that the church, as a whole is the light of Christ in the world, the world will see OUR good deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven. The Bible points over and over again to God creating a people group working for one purpose and that is to glorify the one true God. 

We are a part of something bigger... it's not about you. That is such a simple principle but how often do you see the people of God constantly working to outdo each other. When Paul says we are the body of Christ he literally means we are the body of Christ... we are the flesh and blood of our Creator in this world... the hands, the feet, the ears... we are the physical representation of God at work by the power of the Spirit. It's not figurative. Shane Claiborne put it like this in his book Irresistible Revolution, "If you ask the average person how Christians live, they are struck silent. We have to show the world another way of doing life. Christians pretty much live like everybody else; they just sprinkle a little Jesus along the way... Jesus came not just to prepare us to die, but to teach us how to live!" 

The problem is that Christians don't look different because we are so focused on our own agenda's and our own journey's that we lose the importance of playing on the same team. Instead of focusing on a common goal and working together to make an impact we all build our own little teams. It's like having the abilities to dominate in the Major League but being satisfied with dominating at the club league level. Imagine how different this world would look if it became about something bigger than ourselves. It would be heck of a lot different than it is. That's for sure! How do you contribute to working toward the common goal of glorifying God as the body of Christ? Or are you more concerned with having a people group that meets your needs? This life here on earth is about more than just making you a better person... it's bigger than you. 

playlists...

I have recently been purchasing a lot of new music on itunes. I absolutely love music. Deep down in the depths of my soul, I truly believe that if this world were without music... it would be a sad and lonely place. One thing I love looking at on itunes is when they come out with Celebrity Playlists. It is so interesting to hear what some of the famous people listen to. A lot of them listen to some really weird stuff! Reading all of these playlists got me thinking. I begin to figure out what my top ten itunes list would look like. So, I thought it would be fun to show you my top ten. I'd love to see what your top ten are. Comment your top ten and maybe I will discover some new music that will bring even more joy to my soul! 

Here's my list in no particular order:

1. Stranglehold - Ted Nuget

2. All Along the Watchtower - Dave Matthews Band

3. Sweet Child of Mine - Guns & Roses

4. To Whom it May Concern - Underoath

5. Show Me How to Live - Audioslave

6. For the Widows in Paridise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens

7. Please Come Home - Dustin Kensrue

8. Renegade - Styx

9. Marvelous Light - Kristian Stanfill

10. Best of You - Foo Fighters

Honerable Mentions:

1. Vindicated - Dashboard Confessional

2. Is There A Ghost - Band of Horses

3. The First Single - The Format

4. Thank You - Glen Phillips

5. What Goes Around Comes Around - Justin Timberlake