It’s Funny How Things Work

It’s funny how things work.  This morning I turned on my Blackberry and like every morning it started buzzing from the emails that came in the previous evening, but one of them in particular caught my attention, it was an email update from my blog. I haven’t written anything in a while now so it surprised me.  Something glitched and fired off an old post I wrote on January 1st of this year.
http://andrewneufang.wordpress.com/2009/01

My first thought was “great everyone is getting an old repost, I need to write something to clarify that is was in error”, then I realized that it was only sent to me.  Since it was in my email and I wrote it, I figured I’d read it.

In that post I stated that “If you don’t do your resolution or plan, nothing will happen…..   and, you and your situations will stay the same unless you actually do something about it.”  Turns out that something worse than nothing happening can happen, if you don’t actively pursue your plans, dreams and callings from God you can actually lose ground, and end up worse than when you started the year.

A couple weeks ago while I was on vacation it became very obvious that I had spent entirely too much time focusing on planning work, getting things done, being productive and in general turning almost every moment with my wife and kids into a business meeting.  Yeah I got a lot of things accomplished, but many of the things I didn’t address I lost ground on.  I realized that I had been so busy doing, and getting done that I wasn’t living.  For example I hadn’t spent time with any of my friends (twitter and facebook are not substitutes for relationships), and realized I wasn’t as close as I once was to them, I’d lost ground.  While I was still on vacation I told my wife, “From now on I’ll schedule work time and living time.”  As soon as I got home, I promptly started making plans in pen not pencil to see my friends and loved ones.

Fast forward to this past Sunday. I’m in church having one of those times where you’re thinking “He’s talking to me, I know it, dang, he’s right” (actually I know it wasn’t just me, that’s not his style).  The scripture was 2 Samuel 15:14 where King David was going to throw in the towel and flee the city without so much as a fight. He was willing to forgo his kingdom and the calling on his life. (I will post a link to the sermon as soon as it’s on line). This made me think about the areas of my life where I was willing to forgo the things God has called me to, and to think about the things I hadn’t done anything in and lost ground.

So Monday morning on the tail of all this I’m listening a podcast from another of my favorite preachers and for the next 2 weeks they are covering “Fulfilling God’s Vision for Your Life”.  I guess you could say that this “repost” of sorts, came at the perfect time.  We are now over half the way through the year. Are you on track to where you wanted to be? Or is nothing happening? Or worse yet, have you lost ground?  Don’t give up, remember, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

Many times I write and it turns out to only be for me. (It never gets posted.) Sometimes I send it to my wife.  Sometimes I keep it to myself. And sometimes I delete it when I’m done writing it.  Is this post for you? Maybe. Is it for me? Maybe.  The point is don’t lose ground, don’t give up and don’t get too busy to remember your dreams, your vision and God’s calling on your life.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

Remedy Drive

For the last few weeks I’ve been hearing the song “All Along” from Remedy Drive on the radio, although it’s more mellow than some of the music I listen to, I really dig the lyrics.  The song makes me think that so many of the things we do or pursue may not be for the reasons we think; often times what we are really looking for is true fellowship with our Lord Jesus.  That “something more” we are looking for is already there, Jesus.  Make sure to check out their MySpace page to listen to some of their songs, and if you like it, buy the CD (on sale at Family Christian Stores for $8.99). 

Remember supporting Christian artists it a good thing, put your money in the things of God.

The Becoming

This week per the advice of one of my friends I finally took some time to look at the band The Becoming.  Honestly I really don’t know much about these guys other then what you can read on their MySpace page wearethebecoming, but I really like their sound.  The music reminds me of some of the secular stuff I was into (but walked away from once I decided to follow God and really watch what I allow into my spirit through my ears.)  Their album Volume 1 is available in stores and online (iTunes has it for $7.99).

Also check out the video for their single “I Cry” on their MySpace page or click below to watch it.

As with most new music I took the time to look up some of the lyrics and pay attention to the message the song is trying to get across.  I try to run the things I allow in through my eyes and ears (even if it’s from Christian artists, or Christian record labels) through what my wife and I call the Philippians 4:8 filter (Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.)   Remember you were bought with a very high price, and are too special to God to pollute yourself with garbage.

You Are Always On His Mind

It’s funny how things turn out, I wrote two other posts this week, yet this is what I’m posting.  God wants you to know that you are very special to Him, and He loves you so much.

God is thinking about you.

The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. (Psalm 115:12)

When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him but a little lower than God (Elohim), and You have crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5 Amplified Bible)

God is thinking about prospering and blessing you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Now that you know what God is thinking make sure to listen to, and obey Him.

1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  2And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.  3Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.  4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.  5Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.  7The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.  8The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.  10And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.  12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.  13And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

Light Dawns for the Upright

“so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:10-11)

“Praise the LORD.  Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands his children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.  Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” (Psalm 112:1-8)

No matter what your week was like, Jesus has you covered, take it to Him, He is faithful.  Remember to make sure you’re doing your part, stay in love, kick out strife, and hold up any lie from the devil to the word of God.

Check out this video from John Reuben listen to it, be encouraged, and make it a great weekend.

Don’t forget to checkout more from John Reuben at http://www.myspace.com/johnreuben

Free Song from TFK

Who doesn’t love free legal music downloads, especially when the songs are awesome.  This week the band Thousand Foot Krutch is offering a free download off of their new upcoming album “Welcome to the Masquerade” which is due out fall 2009.  You can download the song “Bring Me to Life” at welcometothemasquerade.com

 Also don’t forget to check out their MySpace page.  myspace.com/thousandfootkrutch

Image Therapy

Repeat this three times “I am NOT a victim”  Go on!

“I am NOT a victim, I am NOT a victim, I am NOT a victim”

That’s what I do when I start feeling sorry for myself, and what I tell my kids to do when I see that they are starting to let pressures and lies of the enemy get through to them.  Allowing yourself to, even for a moment, think you’re a victim is dangerous.  Once you start entertaining these thoughts you become dissatisfied with your situation or current place in life. You’ll start to look at what others are doing or have, and soon many of the things you were once longing for and were so thankful and grateful for become garbage in your mind. You may even perceive them as a curse.  Think I’m wrong?  How many people that were once happy with their jobs, now grumble every morning when they get to go to work.  How many people who scrimped and saved and worked hard to get into a nice house, now complain and say their mortgage is a curse.  Do I even need to touch upon marriages?  No, you see my point.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-40

Are conquerors victims? No, the Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 4:37).  Are many of us going through trying times right now? Yes, but the Word gives us comfort and hope when He says “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8

You see, every day we are presented with many opportunities to take offense, feel pressures and be exposed to lies and attacks of the enemy.  It is in these times we need to hold our thoughts and feelings up to the truth of God’s Word (as 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 instructs us to.)  Sure it may not be easy; you may not even really want to.  It will take work.  Remember, you are in a fight for your thoughts, your happiness, and your prosperity.  Your enemy, the devil, hates you and wants you wallowing in self pity, so you will be miserable, ineffective in sharing God’s love and, if you really get feeling sorry for yourself, eventually you’ll do something stupid to screw up your life (or even end it).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

When you really compare your thoughts to what the Bible says about you then you will see that, through Christ, you are a winner, you are a conqueror and you are already victorious no matter what it may look like.  Remember a conqueror is not a victim, a conqueror is victorious, (But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)) and an overcomer. (For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.   Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5))  If you are in Christ that is you, because God says so.

1 John 4:1-4 tells us that “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

If you would like additional encouragement in the area of seeing yourself the way God sees you you can click on the link below. Have a great week.  Go forth, conqueror.

Who you are in Christ

Free Song from Everyday Sunday

The band Everyday Sunday has a new album titled “Best Night of Our Lives”, available in stores and online June 16, 2009, so for a limited time they are giving away a free download of the title track “Best Night of Our Lives” at  inpop.com.

If you like the sound you may want to consider picking up the album when it comes out, I found it at musichristian.com  for $8.47, yeah that’s under 10 bucks for a CD, think about it.

 

Be sure to check out the Everyday Sunday MySpace page to listen to other songs, and get more information and tour dates.

25 Years of Metal

It seems like there is a ton of new great Christian music coming out these days, much of it by new up-and-coming bands and artists.  But sometimes you just can’t ignore the guys who have been around for a while, quite a while, and are still kicking out new stuff and going on tour.

 Last week the band Stryper announced a 50 city 25th anniversary tour (should have posted this last week, but, honestly I was having fun with my family).  You can get more information by checking out jesusfreakhideout.com
 
 Along with their tour this summer the band is also coming out with another CD Murder By Pride with a release date  of 7-21-09. 

 

You can check out samples of the songs on the upcoming album at strypedforever.com/.  Also check out their website for more tour information and such at stryper.com.

Be sure to check back later this week, for more stuff, and not just music either.

A New Direction

Three months ago I finished my post saying “Whatever it is that you want different in your life, pray. Determine what actions you need to take.  Then take them.  Otherwise, you can expect to look January 1, 2010 in the face with nothing changed.” You see that is what the last three months have been about for me.  There were things that needed to be fixed, and things I wanted to reevaluate. Have I gotten everything dialed 100%? No, have a gotten a lot of things fixed and sorted? You bet.  Face it we are all works in progress.

After rethinking many things in my life, and the how and why I was doing them, I have determined my writing goals and projects, including this Blog need to change.  So over the next who knows how long (I say that because I don’t want to rush anything) you’ll see many changes in format and content coming.  My hope is that by moving this blog to more of an online journal I’ll be able to share more of the good things I find , learn and get revelation on covering a wider range of topics.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”(Philippians 4:8)

Like many people music to me can set the tone for what I’m doing, it gets me amped up when I’m Skateboarding or riding BMX, it helps me unwind to relax, if I’m feeling sad it can cheer me up and most importantly it’s an awesome medium for us to enter into worship.  Now just because a band or singer is Christian it doesn’t necessarily mean their doctrine isn’t just a bit off from the Bible. So, don’t just mindlessly listen to someone say “He gives and takes away” (which is in the Bible but taken out of context) or “He makes the mountains we can’t climb.”  We serve the John 10:10 God (The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.)

With that all said.  One change I am making is to touch upon whatever Christian music is working for me that week (it may be old or new).  I like a pretty broad spectrum of music so you’ll see information and links on everything from rock to alternative rock to metal to rap, sorry if you want county music you’ll need to step up and contribute (seriously, email me), because I’m just not into it.

For the last few weeks I’ve been hearing a new song from FM Static titled Take Me as I Am, and I really like it.  So this week I’m really excited about their new album “Dear Dairy”.

You can check out the band’s MySpace profile at:
http://www.myspace.com/fmstatic
You can also hear a full stream of of the entire Dear Diary album on imeem.com
http://www.imeem.com/fmstaticmusic/playlist/J9hMWa_h/dear-diary-music-playlist/
And if you like the album go ahead and buy it iTunes has it (just $9.90), you can also buy it at the Tooth & Nail Store, for $10. Or just stop in at your local music store. This should go without saying, but please don’t pirate music, lets sow into the Christian artists (buy their work) and let the world know we want more good Christian music. Our wallets will say this loudest.