Genuine: Hope Titus 2:11-14

"For the grace of God has appeared, brining salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Titus 2:11-14

What a intense passage to be covering when you are discussing the topic of hope. We head to camp in a few weeks and were given the teach material to read over and soak in. We are discussing different areas under the umbrella of the word Genuine with the first being: Hope. I think at first glance when we think of hope we see obvious conversation piece that Christ came and died for us and that is where our hope comes from. This statement would be true but I think it is far deeper then what we first think when we read this passage from Titus.

For starters verse 11 comes straight out of the gates by stating that it was by the grace of God that salvation was given to us. Grace is such a crazy concept that I don't think we fully and understand and take for granted each and every day. In a world of entitlement we act as if things are owed to us just because we are here today, demanding salvation for compensation. I think sometimes when we just go through the motions of salvation that we think we deserve salvation for simply being created by God or going to church and serving. I think often times we forget to step back and give thanks for the grace of God and for salvation. We get all of our hope from this unmeasurable truth that although we have chosen to turn our backs from the creator his grace is so deep, so powerful that he sent his Son to die on the cross for us. And that we to spend more time on the truth of his grace and not make it just apart of our "Christian Vocabulary Words" list. 

I give thanks for this truth of grace and the hope that derives from it because we you continue to read through Titus things become very real and very honest quick. We see that because our salvation we are trained to renounce ungodliness and worldly passion and have self control and live godly lives in the present age. And as I read this my life because very open, very scary and very venerable because when I read this and how it correlates to my life now the two do line up. I have spent the last year chasing after promotions at work, creating idols out of ministry and choosing Netflix over times of scripture and prayer. I read passages like this and begin to get discouraged in my walk, and often times thinking what am I doing right, how can I lead if I can not lead myself and I allow a foot hold for the enemy. We are told that through salvation our lives change and we are trained a new and sometimes I doubt my walk and why they don't line up. But that is where the genuine hope from this passage appears because that although I am a sinner, and although I stumble and fall that God's grace is so much great that I am still and inheritance in His kingdom. 

It is in the hope of Jesus Christ, and the promise of salvation that I can continue to push on each day. To better myself, to allow the training of the Holy Spirit to shape me, to sharpen me and to assist me in my walk. Hope is a powerful thing that God has blessed us with. We have the hope and assurance that salvation is here, they we have gained eternal life and that even when we stumble our God is a great, just, and forgiving God.

John 20:19-29 Robert THOMAS Bobalik

"Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. S the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" 

  But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

A Week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 

Thomas sad to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him "Because you have believed; blessed re those who have not seen and yet have believed." 

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My full names is: Robert Thomas Brendan (Conformation name) Bobalik, and what a fitting middle name I have! This story is a reflection of life as I know it, the countless times that I just struggled to believe, struggled to push through, struggled to grasp God everlasting love even in the midst of Worship. I feel like often times we read these stories, and even teach them to our children in such a way that we use the Disciples as things NOT to do toward God...as if we were better. And yes, I agree that we should learn for our Brothers in Christ, but even more so I think it shows the reality of the situation and the honest emotion of a broken world in the midst of a loving, merciful God.  

I have said it before and I will say it again: those hours waiting for Christ to rise must have been the most agonizing, excoriating hours of their lives. The man that that had devoted years of their lives to, followed, learned from, a man who the LEFT THEIR FAMILIES for was now dead. They waited anxiously to find out if this Jesus was truly the Messiah or just a very charismatic psychopath. But in light of all of their fears, and as promised Jesus Christ, the Messiah rose from the dead defeating death! 

In just the passage before Jesus had appeared to ten of the Disciples making peace with them and breathing into them The Holy Spirit giving them the power to forgive sins. I can not even begin to imagine the excitement they had after this encounter with the risen Lord and they joy in telling Thomas the great news. When Thomas joined with the Disciples they shared the great news of Jesus Resurrection leaving Thomas skeptical of the information. Thomas with raw honesty shared that without physical proof that he would not believe that Jesus of Nazareth had truly risen from the grave. In the Gospel of Luke when he accounts this event and Jesus ask the Disciples why they have such doubtful minds. (Luke 24:38 "He said to them 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your mind?'"). We are so quick to call Thomas, "Doubting Thomas" forgetting it was all the Disciples that has doubted. I feel like sometimes we put that to easily on a "Things not to do as a Christian" learning card. We often fail to give Thomas enough credit for being honest with his own walk with the Lord. He shared with his brothers, his church, that he struggled to believe in the resurrection where the others kept it to themselves. 

One week after Jesus had first appeared to the Disciples he joined them once again. The doors were locked, the Disciples were all gathered and Jesus appeared to the bunch and spoke to Thomas. -SIDE NOTE-Reread the passage...we learn about Thomas putting his hands in the side of Christ....thats not in there! Granted we were not there but it does not say it ;-) -END SIDE NOTE.  The first words out of Jesus mouth were: "Peace be with you"...Jesus...wishing peace on his Disciples...crazy. I dont know if they would bring them peace or more anxiety in their minds like "Holy cows! Its Jesus!!". He then proceeds to invite Thomas to do the exact thing that he said would be his only proof in the matter. The Bible does not state wether or not Thomas took him up on his offer but I don't think he has to anymore. I think a week prior he was shookin up, hurt, distrait and trying to be a "big tough guy." I wont believe you until I have MY PROOF!  And then Jesus standing there, directly in front of him was enough. He had the chance to look Christ directly in the eyes and feel that peace that he has wished upon him. My guess...there might have been some tears, hugging...maybe a cool handshake. (Insert Big Hero 6 noise here). And then he uttered the words...."My Lord"...."And My God!". Could there be a two fold meaning in his exclamation, more depth then just the praises of his name? What a glorious thing that Christ was in his midst but it possible be that his words "My Lord and My God" were a confession of his doubt, an apology, a reconciliation with his Messiah, his Lord, his Savior? In saying those few words Thomas allowed Jesus to enter into him and give him the peace that he truly needed from the inside out.  The next part probably his Thomas pretty hard, leaving him a little messed up. Jesus told Thomas that because he saw Christ be believed...but blessed are those who do not see yet believe. What a powerful statement to hear from Christ, right after doubting him. I bet Thomas left that room with a few things on his mind. 

What an amazing God we serve that even in the midst of our doubt, our struggles, our fears he entered into those locked parts of our hearts, wishes peace on us and helps make Himself real to us. Just as Jesus appeared to the Disciples in locked rooms, hiding away fearful of what the world might do to them, Christ to enters into our locked hearts to rescue us. I like to teach that the people we learn about are not heroes or celebrities, they are not these all mighty people we put on pedestals...but instead THEY ARE PEOPLE! They are simply people that were on the timeline before us, who all walked the walk of faith we do today. Their walk may have looked a little different depending where it history they were but at one time God called them and they had the choice to run to or away from him. Thomas was not the first doubter of God ability, nor would he be the last. We love telling the story of Moses parting the Red Sea but don't like to talk about his death right outside the Promise Land because he doubted God's power after everything he had done. Doubt is a very real thing in our lives that if you have not yet struggled with you will. 

I struggle with life a lot, where I should be, what I should be doing, am I doing the right things? I have doubts about staying in on place, or moving. I have doubts in God's plan for my life often. I will be faithful to His call but I will also be very honest with you...sometimes I doubt God's plan and think it sucks. I do not necessarily need to put my fingers into his side but I ask that if transitions are to be made, make them easy, show me people I can connect with. I ask that my heart would be easy and that I can drift away unnoticed. Am I proud of my request no...not the slightest. Am I ashamed of being a teacher and fearing God's plan...a little. But I am also coming to find that the more I let Christ and others into the locked parts of my house and stop fearing the world and God's call on my life the more I can experience the peace He wishes upon us. We will all face the day when we doubt, when we do not want to be obedient to his call...but Christ tells us that "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe." We have an amazing, all powerful, ever forgiving God that although in the midst of our struggles, our doubts and our mistrust...in our begging for proof he appears with a smile and a blessing of peace. He offers that proof...but he also ask...."Robert...should I be enough proof for you. Trust and believing in me...I will never leave or forsake you.(Deuteronomy 31:6) ." 

Matthew 14:22-33 Peter Walks On Water. (The end of one chapter thestart of a brand new adventure!)

Matthew 14:22-33New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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    What an amazing passage we see here. I find myself much like Peter more and more every day. We ask for Christ to prove himself to us but then when we does we get scared and begin to sink. We have been in the year 2015 for a little over four months and it has been the most trying year that I have every had. With storms raging all around us, to often each of us jump out our boat, pushing Christ out of the way claiming that we can walk on the water all our on own. Having to deal more and more with self assessment , friends and family picking apart my every life choice, being a "yes" man at work and church I began to watch my tank quickly empty never being able to afford to get my gage off of the red "E" near the bottom.
There is a song out right now by Scantus Real with some pretty powerful, hard hitting lyrics, read through them and let those lines sink in:
"Remember when you couldn't wait
to show up early and find your place.
Cause you didn't want to miss a thing.
And your heart was open and ready for change.
Oh, those days.
You were never afraid to sing,
never afraid to lift your hands.
Didn't care what people would think.
You were on fire,
and church was more than a place,
and people were more than faces,
and Jesus was more than a name.
Remember when you weren't ashamed.
To tell your friends about your faith.
A time when you felt the pain
of just one lost soul that was slipping away.
Your heart was soft, you had radiant eyes,
but slowly the pressures and burdens of life
pulled you into the dark of the night.
But when did you lose your sight?
Cause you were on fire,
and church was more than a place,
and people were more than faces,
and Jesus was more than a name.
Oh you were on fire,
you let life put out the flame.
But he's still calling out for you
cause he wants to light your heart again.
And set it on fire
Set it on fire.
Turn your eyes, turn your eyes
and don't forget what it was like
Set me on fire, set me on fire
I wanna hold God's people close
wanna feel the power of Jesus' name
Set me on fire
Set me on fire"
    I remember a time not to long ago that I had such a fire and burning passion inside myself to go where ever Christ called me. Showing up to church early every Friday, coming up with new and exciting ways to share my love with Christ to the children that He so faithfully blessed me with. I was so honored when I was asked to come along side the children's ministry program at my church and then eventually take over. I was ecstatic to learn the ins-and-outs of Vacation Bible School and Camp. I had such a urning to connect with the parents and help them be the spiritual leaders in their children's lives. I had an amazing patients for the little things, I researched "learning disorders" and implemented new things into my lessons to help those kids learn more. I tried to come together with my congregation more and start a mid-week worship service. I served at the homeless ministry and loved connecting with those who showed up each week. I loved taking care of the church, helping to clean and organize, got excited to tell others about the building and excited about reaching others around my community. All these things altough very positive and "God honoring" would be my spiritual and emotional down fall leaving my empty and exhausted.
     With out realize what was happening around me and not realizing it until just recently I have began to see that the more I did, the more I was taking Christ out of it. From as far back I have always been an idea guy, a planner, an organizer, and a doer. I was blessed with this gift to take ideas and blow them into huge events and that stuff gets my brain racing and creative juices flowing. I did not realize that all while I was doing these events, activities, and even ministries that I was trying to do it all on my own, never stopping to refuel, to ask for guidance or to walk away from something. As the last four years have progressed I made excuses for my "exhaustion" chalking it up to work, depression, or my diet; never once stepping back to address the bigger issue at hand. And it wasn't until this year that God said enough, and started bring things to light.
     I am not going to lie, it is hard to be in the spiritual spot light and heading up a ministry, there is the feeling that you have to have it all together. I was once told not be open and share my struggle in such a public forum because it makes you look "weak", and coming from a "spiritual advisor" you begin to agree with such notations taking them to heart and suppressing emotions and thoughts. I have felt so convicted teaching the children to trust in the Lord and give it all to him, yet being to spiritually drained that I give what little I have to them and go home unable to go on, often feeling defeated.
    All while these spiritual issues were going on life does not stop to let you "figure things out". For the last year I have been working around the clock to try and get promoted, dealing with the ups and downs of the job. Following a carrot in front of my face doing the next thing just to try and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Butting heads with my boss, getting to the point of an emotional breakdown not sure where else to go. Eventually progression on the promotion has come, resulting in more work on a shorter deadline, resulting in gray hairs and exhaustion.
     To add to the stresses of life money slides in and begins to become a darker and darker secret. Pretending to have it all together and that I am finically doing fine, and living comfortably tires a person out. It's hard to be open about having screwed up all these different aspects in your life and eventually you need to family to intervene and call you out. It's funny because one of my mothers favorite quotes is "Because I am the mom and I know everything" and that saying goes for my aunt just as much as my mom. My aunt knew my struggles and hoped I would come for help but I never did, I continued to lie to the world about how I was doing, until it all came crashing down and forced me to get help.
     It's hard trying to please everyone...and it makes you tired. I know I am told that I shouldn't do things just to please people but its easier said then done. One of my biggest struggles has been figuring out wether or not to go to school. There are some who put up a very convincing argument on going and then others about not going. Being told I need to go to support my family, to "get a job in the church", to better myself, to gain information to be better at my ministry...all great things. But then nooner ever stops to ask if I was ready, what I wanted to do, if school was the right choice. Eventually I took the leap and applied to Moody (on my own free will) only to get rejected. I made poor decisions in my education in the past and now I have to own up to them. Although I am bummed about Moody, I knew it was a long shot and am ok with that.
     What does all this have to do with Matthew 14? Alot...a little...some of it I just needed to get out and be honest about. I find this passage amazing there is so much in it that we can learn from. Just before this passage Jesus had fed 5000 people! That is far better then any event any of us can plan and instead of figuring out how we can top that event, get more butts in a seat or His numbers up, Jesus broke away from the crowds to pray and reconnect with his father. Jesus knew that without meeting regularly with the Lord in prayer that there was no way he can go on and do his Fathers calling on his life. Often prayer is one of the things that get chopped off the list first when we do all of these events. We never once step back to pray about how it went, to give thanks for the blessing he has provided with us, or if we should even continue with what we have done in the past. We need to learn from Christ that the first thing and the last thing we need to do is come before the Lord in genuine  prayer and not create a list and plan for the next event.
     The next part of the passage are where things get interesting and where I feel like I fail every day lately. For starters even as we walk with Christ, when He shows himself to us we are quick to dismiss it and think the worst. The disciples saw Christ walk toward them on the water and instead of believing that it was Him they dismissed the idea and feared that it was a Ghost. We pray for God to move in big ways in our lives, to break our heart for what breaks his, and to make clear our path but when he does we create a pro's and con's list instead of trusting in God's call for lives. We then require that God prove himself to us: "Lord if its really you....then show yourself" but when he does we are not truly ready for it. Jesus told Peter to walk out on the water....thats a pretty crazy statement and I can't say I would not be like Paul. I feel like to often we are quick to judge the disciples as if they were not real people....lying to ourselves that if we were them we would do whatever Christ said to us, forgetting that Christ is here and we do not do what he says daily. Then Peter did it, he actually walked on water...then just as quickly as he stepped out of the boat he got over taken by the fear of the storm and began to sink. How true is this action in our own lives. We ask for help, guidance, proof, we call upon Christ to lead us but then when begin step out of our comfort zone we get scared, the voice in the back of our head starts to take our eyes off of Christ and onto our own insecurities, but then Jesus does something astonishing...he reaches out his hand and saves Peter.
     This passage has really stood out to me and been on my heart lately. I have to often over the past four years tried walking on the water by myself. I continuously sank, only to supplement floatation devices to keep me a float for a few more waves only to stink in the storm crashing around me. I was to busy holding on to my own floaties to reach out my hand to grab Christ and have faith that he would help me walk on the water. I would call out asking for help and direction, I would step out of the boat and but then listen to the voices of those around me. I got busy serving the building that was the church. My passions and spiritual leading were silenced but numbers, and budgets. My heart began to be over taken by the lack of a college degree. Discouraged about giving to others because my own church body suffering. My  burn out began to over take my spirit and I was no longer to staying a float in the storms crashing around me. The enemy took over my mind, and kept me distract with the act of serving God and I was slowly getting further and further away from Him. I need to reconnect with Christ, I need to begin to reclaim my walk, my faith, my spiritual journey with the Lord.
     Not to long ago I emailed the Pastor, Elders and staff at my church informing them that I was taking a summer sabbatical from all of the ministries and activities I had my hands in except for camp. I told them that I needed to recalibrate my walk with the Lord. I have the energy, ideas, and the drive to keep cranking out events but I needed to come along side Christ again. I have been wrestling with where God wants me during this next upcoming season in my life and I feel like He is ending on chapter in my life and start a brand new exciting path for me. I am feeling called to visit and attend a new church in Edgewater. This church plant is three years old, takes place in a multi-cultural neighborhood, and holds it's service in Swift Middle School. They have a younger demographic in the congregation which will be better equipped in helping refuel my fiancee and myself. We long to connect with more young adults around us who share a passion and longing to serve the Lord and those around them. To be open and honest, to walk with those who share a joy for the Lord and who come to the Lord in pray often and always. I am not making this decision lightly or on bad terms. I am so very blessed that Mt Olive was the first church that I was at when I came to Christ. I learned so many amazing life experiences, lasting friendships...heck I met my fiancee there! I feel like this was how God was calling me home to him and he began his work with me...and now its time that lizzie and myself got our own church. We must spread our wings, and find a church apart from our parents with people our own ages. I am exciting about his new chapter, love the children and families that God has placed in my life thus far and look forward to the new brothers and sister I will meet in the near future!

Genesis 1:27: Identity: When The Puzzle Pieces Do Not Fit

   So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

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Before you continue read, watch this video first!

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"...So, stop saying that you’re dirt, stop saying you’re scum of the earth. You ought to be careful about, how you talk about someone else’s work. Because if you have trusted in Jesus man, you can stop saying you are filthy. All that is anyways is just pride, clothed, and false humility. I mean if only we believe that we truthfully are created in his likeness, then we’d stop saying we are messed up, guilty, wretched, filthy, but instead knowing if we trusted Jesus we are righteous.
I mean, don’t you know you are drawn to repentance because of his kindness, so how dare you call yourself worthless when he says you are priceless. But see the best part about God, is that since God is ultimately for God, he’ll get glory out of you, whether you like it or not, because even temple ruins point to you an architect even if the temple is shot. And, all I am saying is that he is behind it all, so why do we insist on giving him no glory at all...."[Jefferson Bethke]

     I love, love, LOVE this video! Jefferson Bethke is an amazing spoken word poet and has a way with words that is unmatchable. I decided that I was going to doing a series on blogs on the topic of Identity, it is something that we all struggle with and is a universal topic that cover all ages, genders and social classes. At one time of another we have or do struggle with who we are, how do we identify ourselves and make ourselves stand out in this great big world. Who we are not only affects ourselves but those around us. As we go out into the world we are bombarded with images from the media about how we should look, dress, the ideal weight, how attractive we should be. We struggle with making enough money, having enough popularity, even being "the perfect Christian". We go through life preaching brokenness and redemption yet have troubles confessing sins to each other that we have sinned and read repentance. How we were created plays a huge role in how we identity ourselves and Genesis 1:27 points us to an amazing, wonderful and powerful truth: we were not formed in the image or the world!
     How often have we struggled with trying to fit in? Always trying to buy the newest clothes, get the latest fan pop cultures, tried to fit the image that the world tells us we should have? As hard as we try we are never happy with the image that we come up with, sure we may "look good" right there but deeper down something is missing. Its like trying to fit a puzzle piece into a spot where it doesn't belong, sure are first glances it looks like it fits there but upon closer inspection it reveals to forced into a spot that dose not fit the rest of the plan. Genesis tells us one of the most important truths in the old testament: "God created man in his own image...". Let me repeat that: GOD created YOU...ME...in HIS own image! The reason that we do not beautiful in the image that the world created for us is that its not the image we were created in! The image that the world has created is based of a world sin and lies, tell us that we will never be enough and we always need to strive to change who we are to fit a certain ideal. Yet we see time and time again throughout the Bible where God tells us that we are more then enough for Him! We are His children, children that he hand created in his own image and likeness.
      As we read through the Creation story we see that God spoke everything into existence except one thing: Us. Genesis 2:7 states: "Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being". Can you image how crazy that would have been to watch! God formed man with His own hands, in His image and breathed life into Him! We miss something here somethings, we just read through the creation story so quickly and pass up the second most important truth in the creation of man! Genesis 2:7 says that he breathed life into Man. Gods presences entered into man when he created him! When sin entered the world he created a separation between us and God but helps explain to us why deep down we all have that longing to either know more about "A God" or fight the existences of one. When we give our lives to Christ the Holy Spirits enters into us and lives inside of us giving us that connection that we once shared when God created man.
     These two truths: We are created in Gods image and God breathed life into Man help us to show where we gain our true identity. We as individuals are created in God own image and have the spirit of God rooted inside of us. When we give our lives to Christ the Holy Spirit enters into us and we have that re-connection with God. I love what Jefferson Bethke has to say about this topic in the video posted up top. Its an amazing reminder just how special and unique we truly are. One of my favorite lines from the poem is: Watch "what you say about somebody else work" and "All that is anyways is just pride, clothed, and false humility" . God created each and everyone specifically to his plan. When we stand in front of the mirror and belittle ourselves we are saying that God's creations are flawed. When we say that we are not as "spiritual" as the next person that Gods spirit has weak points. When we begin to claim that Gods creation is flawed then it stats that the Creator is flawed and that is far from the truth! Exodus 15:11 reads: "Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you-- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
    We need to stop trying to change the image we were created in to please the images of the world. We need to lay aside the selfish ambitions of pleasing man and begin to live freely in the image that God created us in. You were created in God's own image, formed in his likeness and God has breathed life into you. When we begin to realize that our identity is not that of the world and that of God it will begin to free you up from and allow you to live happily in the world that tells you that you are not good enough, attractive enough. We have the truth in our lives that we are Created in God's own image and likeness and that is the identity we need to present to the world.     

Luke 5:12-16: The Beginning of a New Identity

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[b] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

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      I love what I do, and sometimes can go over the top. I have never been one to just take the basic way out of doing things. If its not crazy Family Fun Nights, its re-inventing the wheel at work. As time progresses I am starting to realize the places and activties that we spend the most time at in our lives begin to form who are are as individuals. These life events begin to change our personalitiies, our views of life, our morals and our manorisims. As much as you try to mend the two lifes together it is quite the feat to try to be the same person you are at Church that you are at work, school or wherever life may be taking you. The individuals we surround ourselves begin to slowly over time change how was act, wether fo the postive or the negative. Not only that but older we get the more that we put on our plates, we get families, bills, aspirations and dreams and our time slowly begins to deplete.  And as I get older I am growing into ME...Robert Thomas Brenden (Conformation name haha) Bobalik. I am a: 24, 6'1, brown hairs, causcian male, Starbucks Shift Supervisor, Children's Ministry Leader, and now Game Stop Game Advisor, Cousin, Brother, Son, Montor, Boyfriend, Best Friend, Stranger. I am broken, falling, defeated, sinful, unworthy, hurt, crushed, depresssed, hopeless wreck. And you might be thinking...well that took a huge left turn...and most would respond "No, No Robert you are a great guy, dont beat yourself up." and many would have the courage to actually agree with my. But I wont life, I am not sure I would have the courage to agree with you either. But there is a bright side...that is who I once was, it is a old life that was laid down at the ground of cross four short years ago. I once was broken but now I am made new. I once was falling but am now being help in the palm of the almighty God. I was once defeated but I am made new in Christ Jesus who is the ultimate victor. All the things I once dead and I am born a new and SHOULD have a new identity in Christ. And that is where the issue of identity comes into play...     

     Ministry and work are not evil, they are not un-godly, and they are not sinful yet at times without even realize it become our spirutal demise. Often times be get so wrapped up in life that we begin to minimize our time more and more to a few minutes at the begining or the end of the day. For myself over the last year I can honestly confess that my time with work and ministry has taken away from God. I have began to place these activities on a alter in my life. They without realization have become idols in my own life. I have stopped running after God and starting running toward a promotion and toward new and fresh ideas to get the kids to fall in love with a Savior that I myself struggle with spending time with. I belong to a Children's Ministry forum online and a Brother in Christ posted that nobody showed up to youth group the other night and then went on to post a joke but serious from a popular movie about forcing him to have alone time with God. It took nobody showing up to pat him on the back and say "Now its time for YOU to spend some time with me". This post really hit home, it was a big wake up call....what is God going to have to do for my to realize he's saying: "Robert, I love you....why do you spend so much time with these idols when I long to spend time with you." And that is when have stopped to look at life and realized that I have let the fire grow weak, and that I have stopped pursuing the Almighty God that took this broken individual and made him alive and new! 

     In Luke we see Jesus doing ministry in one of the towns. We get an amazing image of a broken and sick individual who threw himself at the feet of the Savior and asked if willing if he would heal him. How amazing that his response is: " I am willing." HE IS WILLING!! This is a side tangent to the point I wanted to discuss in this passage but Jesus tells us that he is willing to heal us and that this mans faith in the Christ saved him and made his life new! In this passage we see Jesus doing ministry and his popularity and ministry begins to grow and yet one simple sentence is hugely important that often times get looked over: "But Jesus often withdrew to a lonely place and prayed,".  He didn't join a Bible Study, he didn't pray with his accountability partner, and he didn't pray where he could be interrupted...he went to a lonely place and prayed. Often times an action I over look and pass up. Jesus shows us that even in the busy of life wether it be the ups in life or the downs we need to step away from the creations and meet back up with the Creator. But understood that for him to be able to do ministry properly even though he was the Son of God that he needed to connect with the Father and spend time in pray away form the busy of life. A few years ago I preached on prayer but then forgot to apply what God spoke to me to my own life. If Jesus...the Son of God...spent time in Prayer then how much more do we need to follow his example. 

    I decided that I wanted to start writing about identity and that this is where I was going to start. I began talking about how our identities were formed from the people and places we surround ourselves. Since I was spending less and less time outside of God's presence I was become less Christ like and more Robert life. My identity was no longer: disciple, chosen, redeemed it was Shift Supervisor and Kids Klub leader. It is time to regain my identity as the Child of the One true King! My prayer is that The Lord would start a fire in my soul. I have the assurance that even when I fall I have a great great God to help me get back up and carry my through the storm! My challenge for you is to look at your life and the time you spend with God, have you placed idols in your life? And where is your identity? Is your identity in Christ or "Insert Name Here". Pray for me...its going to be a rough journey. 

  

The Easter Season: Clear The Stage

Clear The Stage

By: Jimmy Needham 

"Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too
Until the congregations few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social
Then seek the lord & wait for what he has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

'cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for god to whisper
Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

We must not worship something that's not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it

'cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to
I can sing all I want to
And still get it wrong
And you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols"

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As lent comes to a end its forces me to realize that I did not use those 40 days to prepare for the coming of Christ. To me lent is supposed to be used for a time of preparation to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is supposed to help refocus our lives back to Christ and reposition out lives to the call we were given. It is supposed to help us weed out the idols in our lives, those things that are pulling away from God and becoming first in our lives. And as lent comes to and end I am realize that I did not use this time wisely, I was like the foolish virgins who did not prepare for Christ coming and were found without enough oil. I was so focused on trying to get promoted at work, organize events for church, leading youth group and spending time with family that I have caused even the best of intentions to become idols in my own life and am now forced to step back and ask myself the tough questions of am I living for myself or for Christ? Sometimes I think that we confuse our church work with our call and do not realize that even those actions can become idols as well. I really like the song "Clear the Stage" by Jimmy Needham, I think it gives us something to think about in each and every one of our lives. It is a powerful statement to say that you can sing all you want to and get it wrong. It is a tough realization that no matter how much "good" work you are doing that is not all that God is asking of your life and this Easter its a challenge I am giving to myself and you. 

These upcoming days are the three most important days in all of our existences. These are the day that Christ died, was buried, and defeated death and thus giving us the ability to have eternal life. Growing up in the church I think we often over look the magnitude of this powerful truth. We are able to quote the important scriptures, give our friends a uplifting verse, tell a friend what Jesus did, but then our lives do not reflect this truth that we have be given. Our knowledge has becoming simply facts we have memorized in Sunday School that are placed away in our barrel for the time when we need to fire. We begin to go through the motions of life and our lives get caught in the currents and conform to the ways of the world. We get caught up in the programs, the potlucks, the youth groups, the long work hours, the soccer games, the fast food and the time we give to God is lessened and lessened. I think that this Easter Season we need to reflect on our walk with Christ and how genuine it really is. I know that for myself that there are red flags that stand out between things like my language at work and my language at church. Is my life every where I go worth of being called a ambassador of Christ? 

It is time that we step outside of our lives, turn the music off, shut off the "inspirational videos", pause the sermons, and enter into the presences of God. It is a scare thought to be quite with the Lord. I think it is in those times that the demons begin to be rooted out and the things that we foolishly hide from God come to light and those moments scare us. It is a time to dive into scripture once again and read truly what our lives should look like. It is a time to confess our sins to God and to our brothers and sister. It is a time to be made whole again. It is a time to recommit our lives to Christ and walk with his once again. I know for me who is responsible for leading small children that I want the best for them and that practice what they see and would I be proud of my children if they copied some of my own steps and practices?

What better time is it then the Easter Season, the time that we celebrate the death and resurrection to lay our own lives down at the cross, to die once again and be born again a new. To recommit our lives to Him! I know I rambled a lot in this post but I hope I got my point across. Clear the stage: And sit at home alone and wait for god to whisper Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak And pray for real upon your knees until they blister Shine the light on every corner of your life Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broke! That is my challenge to you. To truly meet with the Lord and pray to be broken down and join me this Easter Season in recommitting our lives to Him and his Kingdom! 

Happy Easter! 

Luke 15:11-32

"Jesus continued:"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Now long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that while country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to hill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses,, he said 'How many of my fathers hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!' I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son sad to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was once dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. Your brother has come, he replied and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sounds. The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father. 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my fiends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' My son, the father said,'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and found!"

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It is funny the side of this parable you see when you have not fully accepted Christ into your life and understand mercy and grace! For many years I played the part of the first brother, I followed the rules, did well in school and thought that I was doing what was expected of me to get the praise all while my bother lived a very different life style. For the majority of the people in my life now they are not aware the history that come with my bother and most may not even know that I have a brother at all. For many years I was mad at my bother for decisions that he made that had effected my family greatly and hurt my parents. Without know, God was starting to work in my heart toward a greater understanding of what this parable went and the story of forgiveness and redemption that it told for all of our lives. When I was younger and still living in Colorado I would become upset with my parents when my brother would return home and they would be so happy he had returned with the hopes that his apologizes were sincere and that he was willing to change his life. I would grow up set, arguing with my parents about how they could just welcome him back and would call him: The Prodigal Son! At the time I did not realize how wrong I was behind the meaning of this parable and only saw the side of the first brother.
It was not until I moved to Chicago and God really started changing my life and drawing me closer and more in love with him that I was able to forgive my brother for all that has happened in the past and from there this parable became more and more real to what really happens in all of your lives. I can almost guarantee we all have those people in our lives that need our forgiveness and we all need God to be able to do so. But even more then out humanly forgiveness how much more do these people need Christ in their own lives! Imagine the day when we can say "For this son (daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, husband, wife, friend, boss, friend) was DEAD and is ALIVE again! They were LOST! And now they are FOUND! What a glorious day when we can celebrate having our blood family join the kingdom and become one in the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Chris Tomlin released a song called: God's Great Dance Floor! It is the story of the redemption of God's unending love! It tells the story of the lost son and the party that is thrown! The parable of the Lost Son is one that is about each and every one of us! We were all dead and when we came to Christ and gave our lives to Him....HE THREW A PARTY! We have come home! We are God's once again! This is a story that each and every one of us and put a page into, and if you have not given your life to Christ yet I invite you to join the party! Chris Tomlin's song shows just a small glimpse of the party we have waiting for us in Heaven! Imagine the joy in the heart of this father when his son came home. Now imagine how much greater God's joy is when we come home! Join the party today! Give your life to Christ! If you gave your life to Christ pray for those who have not! Forgive those who have hurt you! And watch the video below! Turn it up loud! Worship God openly! Celebrate being apart of the party that is Christ unending love!

"I feel alive! I come alive! I am alive on God's great dance floor!! You never stop loving us! No matter how far we run! You never give up on us! All of heaven shouts: LET THE FUTURE BEGIN!"

Chris Tomlin: "God's Great Dance Floor"