Jaron

Love

2010-04-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

What the heck is true love??

I love watching middle schoolers and even high school students turning to their boyfriend/girlfriend at the time and saying "Baby I love you. And always will" and not 6 months later they don't even talk anymore and broke up. It really makes me laugh.

You hear adults talking all the time to their kids or relatives "Oh don't worry about relationships right now. You're young. You don't know what true love is"

And why is it that love has become a word we just toss around? "Oh I LOVED that movie" or "I LOVE your shoes"

It doesn't mean what it used to anymore.

But let me explain REAL love to you...

We have a God. And while we were full of pride, lust, anger, and hate, he sent his ONLY SON to DIE FOR YOU.

Think about that for a second. We are liars, thieves, haters.. some even deny God's existence and throw the middle finger to him! But even while we are full of this sin, he sends his son to DIE for you. To take the bullet. To pay YOUR price. So you can have the opportunity to live FOREVER.

Now I don't know who my family is right now. I don't know who my wife will be. And I don't know my child yet. But I know that I will love my child more than anything in this world. And the thought of sending MY SON to die for a THIEF. Or die for a man filled with LUST. Or a LIAR. A SINNER. It's unbelievable. There's no way I would ever give my child's life for someone like that.

But HE did! Because he LOVES us. OH HOW HE LOVES US!! And I can't even begin to try to explain how much of an impact he has made in my life!! And the life of some of my friends!!

All because of his mercy. His grace. And his LOVE

UGH!

2010-03-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Why are you still here?

Why is it that I can fail so many times, but you continue to love me?

I guess I don't understand how anyone can put up with my garbage for so long. How anyone can WATCH ME FAIL again, and again, and again... and still have the patience to try to help me.

Why is it that lately, all sermons have been directed right at me... but yet I fail to see what you're saying. This isn't what I want anymore... and I know it's nothing you EVER wanted...

YOU HAVE EVERY REASON TO GIVE UP ON ME. Why haven't you?!

Not Enough...

2010-03-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

To some people.. what I am and what I've done just isn't enough!

Is it not enough that I've spent the past 2 weeks doing 36 total missing assignments? Turning EVERY ONE OF THEM IN?!

Is it not enough that I raised my grade in one class from a 7% to a 68%? In 4 weeks?

Is it not enough that I've been doing everything in my power to not fight with my parents? To not be disrespectful?

Is it not enough that I've been clean from that FILTH for almost 3 months? And that I know in 10 years I will still be clean?

Is it not enough that I promised you? Does my word mean nothing now?

.. Is it not enough that I did all of this... for you?

...

2010-03-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

You hypocrite!

You claim to be a man of God! But your actions clearly contradict your words!

No wonder the people you speak to fear Christianity or God. Because they see YOU as their example! If that's what Christianity is then why would they want to be a part of that?

Christianity isn't going to church every Sunday, not cussing, doing good works, etc. It's having a relationship with Christ. It's throwing your old self away, emptying your heart, and letting him come in. Filling you to your fullest.

Am I saying that Christians shouldn't go to church every sunday? Christians should cuss? Or NOT do good works?

No. If you are filled with Christ wouldn't those be things that you WANT to do? Not because you HAVE to but because you want to share the love of Christ to the world?! Going to church to be around other Christians that can help you grow in your relationship? Keeping your mouth free of language that defiles the tongue?

I don't know about you but I want to stand on top of a mountain and scream the name of Jesus! I want the world to know that I have a savior. And that I am free of my sins and past.

I am not perfect. And I do not claim to be. But I am redeemed. Bought with his blood, my sins are gone. Thrown as far as the east is from the west.

-----------------

Striving to be Christ-like,
Jaron

Abandonment

2010-02-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt alone? Like no one else could possibly know what you're going through?!

Felt like you couldn't be helped. Felt like the only thing left were some tears and a fake smile?

A lot of times we hide what we're dealing with. We feel that no one knows, so no one can help. So instead of reaching out of the water for someone to save us, we drown. We drown in our own thoughts. Our own sin.

That feeling. Is Satan.

He wants you to feel alone! He wants you to be vulnerable so that you will be more receptive to his ideas!

Can I let you in on a secret? YOU'RE NOT ALONE!!!! No matter what it is, what you've done, what you're going through... GOD knows! And he's waiting for you to turn to him and ask for help!

You can try to swim your way through. But you won't get very far. Look to the Lord through your troubles and I GUARANTEE that things will work out. GUARANTEE IT!!

Death of a Brother

2010-02-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

Last night, a classmate of mine had a seizure and passed away. They announced this at school today.

Whether you knew them or not, they still have an impact on you.

You could have been best friends, barely knew each other, or even worst enemies. Either way, there's still going to be a hole there.

The pain you feel when someone dies is like none other. And I don't know that it's necessarily because they are gone.... I know for me it was more of regret. Regret that I didn't get to know that person better. Regret for the last thing I said to or ABOUT that person. Regret that I didn't know if they knew the Lord as their personal savior... and if I could help with that.

I didn't know him well.... but my friends all did. And they were completely crushed by his death. And what sucks about that is that I have no idea what to say about it.

There's nothing really you CAN say to someone who's mourning someone's death. All you can really do is be there.

It's difficult to watch your friends crumble because of someone's death... It's harder to not be able to do anything.

So with that said, Mt. Vernon lost a great guy. Who, had I taken the time, could have been a good friend of mine.

Someone once said that you come into this world crying, while everyone else is smiling. When you leave, everyone else is crying, as you look down smiling.

I'll see you in heaven Randall.

Praying For Answers

2010-01-30T16:01:00.001-08:00

Well... today I was praying for answers on what to do about a particular problem I've been having lately.

And not too long later I get a message on Facebook from a friend of mine. In the message was the answer to my problem. Exactly about my problem. It was pretty much saying here's why this happened and here's how to fix it.

I was so blown away by this! But unfortunately... it wasn't what I wanted to hear. I wanted the answer to be something like "you're not doing anything wrong. And everything is going to work out fine." But instead I got "man you really screwed up. You might not be able to fix it"

It was a real eye opener. And I think that's what I needed. I have been praying to God about this for a while now... and he definitely answered.

Hmm....

2010-01-29T12:48:00.000-08:00

I could sit and tell you that I know exactly where I'm going. Exactly what will happen in this journey I call life. I could plan everything to the very last detail. I could try to convince the world that I know what I'm doing. I could try to be in control...

I have come to the realization that I am wrong. That's not the way it works. I know now that without you, I am nothing.

So if I told you that I could handle life on my own, I'd be lying through my teeth. I've realized that without the solid foundation of his teachings, my life will surely crumble.

So instead of telling you I can do this on an unstable surface, I will say that the foundation of my life has been layed down. And now I can build upon it. and know that by seeking first the kingdom of God, I will find true happiness beyond what this crummy world has to offer.

What's Your Battle Cry?

2010-01-29T12:04:00.000-08:00

You've invaded.

Firing at will! I alone stand no chance against your false accusations and hate. Sirens scream through the silence. The war is upon us. Constantly convincing us that we're alone.. that there is no hope. Tearing us down until we find surrender our only option.

Through the chaos, comes a new voice. Wiping out your accusative rampage, reminding us that we are not alone. You think you've won. And many times you have. But we, as soldiers of the Lord, stand against you. YOU WILL NOT CONTROL US ANY LONGER. His name has become our battle cry. Our voices drown out the sound of the sirens. You will NOT be heard. Many battles have yet to come... but through the Lord, you will not win.

The Chosen Path

2010-01-27T04:39:00.001-08:00

Why is it that it's so easy to fall into the temptations of this world? I long to get the peace I once had back. That feeling that no matter what, you would be there. I know that with every mistake, every screw up, I bring shame to your name. And I know it breaks your heart.

But yet I continue on this path that I have created. This view of life where I am nothing unless accepted by those around me.

I am lost.

This path I've traveled has lead me no where but deeper into the woods of wickedness and sin. My friends tell me, to be "cool" I must do this and that. I have every opportunity to witness to them, and tell them of your marvelous glory! But instead I follow. I don't step up to lead them out of the woods we are so hopelessly lost in. I let others lead.

And because of the life I lived and the things I did, even if I did step up to lead, they wouldn't listen. They would have mocked me and asked how I could expect to lead, when I too seem to have had no sense of direction. We each split our different ways. There are plenty of other paths to take. Each one labeled with awful things. Lust, Hatred, Violence. Every path is linked together like a webbed maze of terror.

Then from the corner of my eye, I saw a man. He looked to be about middle-aged. A rugged looking man who, despite being torn down and beaten, had this peace about him. He was dripping in blood. I could see through the holes in his hands, then noticed that he also had them in his feet. I walked toward him. The expression on his face had not changed. He wore a smile.

"Are you lost too?", I asked.

"I am here to lead you out of here", he replied.

"How do you know the way out? There is no other path!"

"I am the way", he said. And with those four words, he turned and began to walk through the thickness of the woods. Leaving a blood stained path behind.

"Wait!", I yelled "What about the others? They are lost!"

The man stopped and turned to me. "Show them your map. Teach them to follow."

"My map?" I thought to myself. What could the man meant? And right at that moment, I looked down toward the ground around me. Laying at my feet, was a Bible. I always had one but never really read it. I picked it up and a note fell out of the inside cover.

"You are new. Everything that has been done before, has been washed away. You are pure. This book is your map. Read from it. Learn from it. Teach from it. The others are lost. And they need your help. I love you. And always will" It said. And at the bottom of the page, signed in blood, was the name "Jesus"

That peace I once had was here. I will follow the blood stained path wherever it may lead. There will be other paths I could take. Many temptations ahead. But with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can do all things.

It is now my job as a brother of Christ to lead those who are lost to the path I had found and the happiness it brings.

Is this your plan to witness??

2009-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Why is it that Christians sit back and talk about other's behind their backs? Why do we avoid some people at all costs because of the way they look or act?

We show rejection instead of love! We want them to know Christ but we won't talk to them until they do? Is it not OUR job to show them who Christ is?! Is it not OUR job to teach them about Christ's love for them and about what he did for their sins?

Instead of witnessing we hide in fear!

What does the term "Christian" mean to you? Does it describe someone who does good deeds and goes to church every Sunday?

"Oh it's ok God. I helped that man across the street last week! And I go to church every Sunday!"

Being a Christian does not mean you are perfect. It means that you have accepted Christ into your heart and have left your old life behind you.

As Christians, sometimes we lose sight of what we are supposed to live for. We think that because we are Christians we are better than those who are not.

It's our job to lead them to Christ.

But you can't do that if you keep your distance from them. If you mock them for their lifestyle.

You have to SHOW them Christ's love. You have to LIVE LIKE CHRIST.

After all, isn't that what the term "Christian" means? Christ-Like?