Life Is Short, Don't Waste It...

Ok, so something that most people don’t know about me is that I really enjoy listening to Christian hip-hop and Christian rap. The title of this post is from one of my favorite John Reuben songs called “Life is Short”. I’ve included more of the lyrics from this song so that there is a more “well-rounded” picture of what I am trying to get at here.

This life is short, don’t waste it,

This life is what you make it,

Live a little, come on breath a little

Who wants to rhyme to close-minded people

Not I, ok good me neither

This here feature won’t follow procedure

Instead the forecast includes a brainstorm

With elastic thinking help me stretch the norm

Life’s to short for me to conform

Help me transform

Live life to the utmost, here’s a toast

To the future faith love and hope

And the things that truly remain and exist

It goes a little something like this

This life is short, don’t waste it

Life’s too short to have enemies,

I make no apologize for being friendly

Life’s too short to live in poverty,

I’m not talking money I’m talking mentally

Cause I’ve been broke and at the same time happy

I’m well aware of my history

So I approach life a little more humbly

Because being full of yourself will leave you empty

Life is short, don’t waste it

Life is what you make it

Life truly is short in relation to eternity, all you have is the “dash” on your tombstone to represent your time here. No man on this planet knows the number of his days, or can predict when he is going to either meet his maker in heaven or be sent to hell for eternity. Several days ago I had a set of lyrics from Audio Adrenaline’s song “DC-10” as my facebook status and some of you probably questioned my sanity. Here are a couple verses from that song that give a little more light hearted to the side that you don’t know how long you will be here, but do you know where you will be spending the rest of eternity?

Do ya know where you’re gonna go?

DC-10 fell on your head, you’re layin in the ground all mussy and dead

Or a Mac truck run over you, or suddenly die in your Sunday pew

Do you know where you’re gonna go?

It can happen any day it can happen any way

It can happen while you’re nappin in your easy chair

Can happen at home, can happen at school, happen while you’re starin at the sky like a fool

Do you know where you’re gonna go?

I said do you know where you’re gonna go?

Do you know where you’re gonna go?

Do you know where you’re gonna go, straight to heaven or down the hole?

747 fell outta heaven, crashed through the roof of a 7-eleven

sippin on a slurpy, things get hazy, reach for the twinkie now you’re pushin up daisies

Do you know where you’re gonna go?

In all seriousness though, we don’t know how long we have, what are we going to do with it? In Psalms 39:4-6 David puts this thought into a well worded picture of how short our lives really are: “Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am. Behold, you have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in your sight; surely every man as his best is a mere breath. Surely every man walks about as a phantom; surely they make an uproar for nothing; he amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.”

Jesus Christ came as a baby and lived on this earth as a man solely to take our sins upon himself so that we could have a renewed relationship with God. He died on the cross, but He didn’t stay dead, he raised from the dead on the 3^rd day and returned to heaven to be with the Heavenly Father. As Christians we have placed our faith and hope in Jesus Christ so that we are forgiven of our sins and can have fellowship with the Father. Being a Christian shouldn’t just mean that we have “fire-insurance” so we won’t go to hell when we die, but should change our lives as a whole. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says “For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” These verses give purpose for why, as Christians, we should do what we do. Are you working your tail off at work simply to make your boss happy, to get that promotion or maybe a pay raise, or to be a witness and glorify God?

This was a struggle for me over the past several weeks. Things at work had been a little on the stressful side and it felt that no matter what I did I couldn’t make my boss happy. I was tense at work, felt like I was always playing catch-up, and came home frustrated every day. 2 weeks ago now my boss and I were actually at each other’s throats and I was really close to not having a job anymore, but through God’s grace we talked it out and things have improved immensely. At the end of that day I had some serious thinking to do, and it all centered around my motivation for working as hard as I do. I don’t get paid much, and some days my job feels rather thankless, so why? Any non-Christian would question my sanity, but for me the answer has become more clear, and more of a challenge. I work hard to glorify God and to shine His light in a dark world.

1 Peter 3:14-16 reads “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”

In this short life we will struggle, we will be falsely accused, we will go through times of trials, just as Christ did. But as Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us so we have the ability to glorify God in everything we do, and the others around us will be put to shame. Don’t waste this life simply aiming for riches and honor and trying to please man, for they will leave you empty; but glorify God and He will give you everything else you need in this life and you will not only be filled, but the light and love of God will overflow from your heart and life into the lives of others and they will want to know why you are different. Let me clarify here also, I am not saying that “good works” are required to be a Christian or to go to heaven, I am saying that “good works” should be a result of accepting Christ. Take your life and use it to share God with others around you.

So my challenge is this:

If you are a Christian then you know the hope that you have for the end of your life, but what are you doing before then?

If you aren’t a Christian what are you hoping in? Do you know where you will be spending the rest of eternity? We, as humans, can’t save ourselves. Being a “good person” won’t get us to heaven, won’t fulfill the ache in our hearts, or make you complete, only Christ can do that for you. You can have a scarred past, you don’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t matter where you have been, or what you have done, you are still welcome in the family of God. Our Heavenly Father loves you, He made you and created you on this earth for a purpose and He wants to have a relationship with you. He sent His only Son to die for you so that your sin will no longer keep you from His presence. To accept Christ is easy. Romans 10:9-10 says “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”I recommend you check out this resource that has been put together by the church I attend, it gives an excellent outline for what it means to become a Christian. http://alpinechurch.org/foundations/101-2/

You'll Find Out Who Your Friends Are...

    All of us know people who are the "popular ones", the "in crowd", "nerds", "losers", "cast outs", "weirdos", "jocks", "blonds" etc. and all of us have been in different categories during our lives. Usually the ones in the "popular" and "in crowd" categories had more friends, hence the category title, but do they really have real friends? We've all watched it happen... the popular cheerleader gains weight and gets abandoned, or the football jock that gets injured and can't play anymore etc. I am getting to a point here, so stick with me.

    A mentor of mine once told me that there are 5 levels of friends. 1- Friends that you know you can get in trouble with. 2- Friends who don't take much convincing to do something you shouldn't. 3- Friends who are average, they won't encourage bad behavior, but they won't really challenge it either. (The majority of friends usually fit in this category). 4- Friends who will challenge you, but aren't "grandma". 5- Friends you know will always shoot straight truth with you and slap you upside the head when you need it most. Now, I do have friends that fit into all of these categories, and you know who you are, and I'm not condemning anybody in categories 1 and 2, but this blog is gonna focus on categories 3 and up.
    Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.". I never realized how many real friends I do have until the trials arose. The injuries, the family trials, the moves, loneliness, unemployment, and just plain every day struggles. Each time friends that I thought I had (categories 1, 2 and occasionally 3) would disappear, and friends that I didn't realize I had would appear out of the woodwork.
    But a friend's love doesn't just come in the form of encouragement, hugs and chicken soup, there is also tough love. Now, call me weird, but I am a fan of tough love. Proverbs 27:5-6 says "Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.". I'm not saying that I only feel loved when I'm rebuked, that would be REALLY weird, but that I have come to discover who has the guts to stand up to my strong will when I am in the wrong, even when I don't ask.
    All of this said to say that sometimes it takes friends from the first 2 or 3 categories burning you to realize how valuable the others are. This hit home for me when I was recently severely burned by a relatively new relationship. The hurt, pain, and realization of it all proved beneficial in clearing my head as to who my real friends are, and the ones who's relationships I can always stand on without fear of being ditched or dropped. So "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

That's The Good Stuff...

   "The good stuff" takes different forms for each of life's stages, but those things are what carry us through. The little reminder's that God really is faithful, and that it really is okay to have "tough skin and a soft heart", and not just be tough all the way through like an over-cooked steak. So, I bet you are wondering where I am going with this... over the past couple of weeks a lot of random "good stuff" has been drifting through the abyss of my mind, and not just random good stuff, but good stuff that happened in rough times. Moments like my dorm mom bringing me breakfast in bed when I was injured... different people being there for me only when God could have brought them across my path... a chocolate milk on my car the morning we moved from NY... unexpected notes from friends far away... midnight talks in the bathroom with roommates... the hours spent in vehicles where I could ask any questions and get honest answers... learning how to drive stick... quotes, songs, and scriptures in random places... and pages of journal entries.
    These are all special moments, sometimes very brief periods in time, where God's faithfulness, compassion, and unconditional love shown through those around me. Points in time where I realized who really was close to my heart, and who I could really trust. God works in mysterious ways, and a lot of times the biggest blessings and most special moments come amidst the greatest trials. Just as the Israelites were to erect the memorials as they headed into the promised land and tell their children the stories, so am I to do the same. Remembering is what strengthens me in current trials, what gives me perseverance and patience when I don't see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I heard this song on the radio while I was riding this past week and it put to words what I was thinking.

Kenny Chesney - Good Stuff

Well me and my lady had our first big fight
So I drove around till I saw the neon lights
At the corner bar it just seemed right so I pulled up

Not a soul around but the old barkeep
Down at the end and looking half asleep
And he walked over and said what'll it be I said the good stuff

He didn't reach around for the wisky
He didn't pour me a beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said you can't find that here

Casue its the first long kiss on the second date
Mama's all worried when ou get home late
And droping the ring in the spiggetti plate
Cause you hand are shaking so much
And its the way she lookes with rice in her hair
Eating burnt suppers the whole first year
And asking for seconds just to keep her from tearing up
Yeah man thats the good stuff

He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
I smiled and said I'll have some of that
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old friends
I saw a black and white picture and it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with beuphant hair
He said thats my bonnie takin bought a year after we were wed

He said I spent five years at the bottom
When the cancer took her from me
And I've been sober 3 years now
Cause the one thing stronger then the wisky

Was the sight of her holding my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy earl
Married his hight school love
And its a new tee shirt sayin im a grandpa
Being right there as her time got small
And holding her hand as the good lord called her up
Yeah man thats the good stuff

When you get home she'll start to cry
When she says sorry say so am I
And look in to those eyes so deep in love
And drink it up

Cause that's the good stuff

I know this song is about romantic relationships, but the concept applies to other things as well. Anyway, I know this post hasn't been incredibly "deep", but it is what has been on my heart this week.

It's A Great Day To Be Alive, I Know The Sun's Still Shining When I Close My Eyes

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

     This was definitely the tune running through my head almost 2 weeks ago. A lot of pent up anger from dealing with a particularly difficult horse at work to handling some touchy relationships had me completely on the edge of blowing my top or falling apart in tears.It felt like the people close to me had pushed me away, and I was all alone to just "buck up" and deal with things. Just stuff my emotions like I am such a professional at, tell the world to go to hell and do my own thing, like I tend to when I get depressed and angry. I didn't want to talk to anybody about it anymore, was afraid to make myself vulnerable to anyone, and was letting my fear, and therefore not my faith, rule my actions. If you ask anyone that spends any amount of time with me I was not the most pleasant person to be around. Nights were spent crying myself to sleep, days were spent in a "throw myself into work to bury the hurt" haze. The scary part was that, at first, I didn't care. I was sick of the crap, sick of my emotions being played on, sick of feeling manipulated, sick of feeling like any of my efforts were hopeless. I couldn't do anything to fix the relationship, I felt like I was just going in reverse with the horse I was working... just utterly useless.
    That Wednesday night I went to Bible study and we did a review of the entire book of James, which started to get me thinking, but thinking isn't always good for me. I get home, go to my room, want to scream but can't, and end up crying myself to sleep.
    Thursday, my boss and the crew leave for a show in southern Utah. I just want the day to end, to go home and hide from the world, but I stick to my task. Friday doesn't vary much from Thursday until Friday night. Friday night was special because we were having a worship night at our church. The one hour service started with a couple of more upbeat style worship songs, but in the middle it slowed to some very sincere hymns and songs that began to crack, and finally crush my self-focused strong will. As I cried and sang with the joined voices of over 600 people it brought back memories of being an apprentice, being surrounded by friends and family that loved me, and worshiping together. My heart changed from focusing on me, to focusing on the One who is all powerful, the One who loves me no matter what, and the One who was simply waiting for me to say "ok, I can't do this, I need your help."
   As this week progressed the first 8 verses of James chapter 1 were floating through my head... and in New King James version from memorizing it as an apprentice. James 1:1-8 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My bretheren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye make be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.
   So, the trying of my faith worketh patience... I am not good at being patient, which is what a lot of the trials the week before had to deal with. Then patience can have her perfect work so that I can be complete... ok, taking a step back and not getting frustrated with that mare proved productive as she rode much better this past week, learning to be patient in this relationship is going to be a much longer process. Anyway, beyond that, the asking for wisdom was what I was needing to do the most, but my pride had been getting in the way. Once my pride got put in its place my journal pages and my heart started to fill with wisdom that only my Heavenly Father could provide from the pages of my Bible and the words of others. Here are some of them:

Proverbs 4:11-12 - I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; if you run you will not stumble.

I cross referenced this to Isaiah 40:31 - Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Proverbs 4:25-27 - Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.

So, to put it all together I'm going to sum up what I've been challenged with in the past 2 weeks in one simple phrase that my first year adviser told me "Don't fear. Don't control.". As long as I keep that wisdom at the forefront of my mind then it is a "great day to be alive".

And it's a great day to be alive,

I know the sun's still shining when I close my eyes,

There's some hard times in the neighborhood,

But why can't every day be just this good?

If I'm Not The Arrow To The Heart Of You... Consider Me Gone...

Every time I turn the conversation

To something deeper, than the weather

I can feel you, all but shuttin down

And when I need an explanation for the silence

You just tell me you don't wanna talk about it now

What you're not saying

Is coming in loud and clear

We're at a crossroads here

If I'm not the one thing you can't stand to lose

If I'm not that arrow to the heart of you

If you don't get drunk on my kiss

If you think you can do better than this

Then I guess we're done

Let's not drag this on

Consider me gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_L8HdoYgo&feature=player_embedded

 Baby, what are we becoming

It feels like we're always running

Rolling through the motions every day

I can lean in to hold you, or act like I don't even know you

Seems like you could care less either way

What happened to that guy I used to know

I just want us back to the way we were before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5GVa1yWYZM

 

 I had some profound insight for where I was going with this... but at the moment it escapes me.

I Want To Leave A Legacy, How Will They Remember Me?

I pledge my head to clearer thinking,

My heart to greater knowledge,

My hands to larger service,

And my health to better living,

For my club,

My community,

My country,

And my world.

The 4-H pledge. A pledge that anyone who has been to any 4-H event has recited along with thousands of other people across this country. But what does it really stand for? How many of us that were active participants in 4-H actually did something with it to affect others?

These have been some questions at the back of my mind these past 2 days. I've been at home fighting off a cold and working on putting together a presentation that I am giving for a local 4-H group next week. What does it really mean to dedicate yourself to clearer thinking, greater knowledge, larger service and better living for the betterment of your club, community, country and world? Does it mean you spend your whole life working for charity? Start your own non-profit organization? Dedicate your future to overseas missions? Enlist in the armed forces? Or can you go to college, get a nice high paying job, and live the stereotypical "American dream"? I believe all of the above and more qualify as good answers, if done for the correct reasons.

No matter where you are called, or what you decide to do with your life, the "4 Hs" still apply to yourself, and those you interact with, even though it isn't your fellow club members anymore.

I pledge my head to clearer thinking: Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

My heart to greater knowledge: Proverbs 2:1-6 - My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom, and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

My hands to larger service: Matthew 25:37-40 - Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

My health to better living: Matthew 6:23 - The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.

No matter where you are, what your job is, or who you interact with these still apply. They make you who you are, how people know you, and how you will be remembered. What are you going to do about it?

Somewhere Over The Rainbow... Dreams Come True

    There's a storm raging on one side, yet somewhere the sun is out and happens to be in just the right spot for the rays that are shining through the storm to create a rainbow. A beautiful arc of every color in the spectrum appears in the sky, in the midst of what appears to just be another rain storm. People everywhere stop what they are doing to look at it, cameras appear, but no camera can capture a rainbow in it's true vibrancy, you have to really see it to appreciate it.
    The same thing happens in our own lives. The storms of trials and plans not going as we wish tend to "rain on our parades" as we like to put it. But behind those clouds the sun is shining and when it pokes through, you see only the blessings that the 2 put together can bring.
    As a lot of you know the past 6 months have been a storm for me. I don't see the need to repeat things in the entry, but feel free to browse the older posts. Through this storm I have always known that the Son of God has been on the other side of the clouds, and when I have taken the time to stop looking at the rain and thunder I have seen the rays poke through here and there. Over the past two days the rainbow has appeared. A big bright rainbow full of hope.
    On Wednesday I had the pleasure of going over to Heritage Ranch and Stallion Station to spend a couple hours riding with Marty Simper of Marty Simper Show Horses. After 3 and a half years of re-schooling lesson horses it felt so good to be on a horse that I could "just let jog" around the arena. The people at the farm were all very pleasant and I really enjoyed my time there. Before I left Marty asked me about the possibility of working for him riding horses and doing showmanship training. He asked me "What do you want to be when you grow up?" as we were un-tacking our last horses and I wasn't sure if it was a trick question. I told him about my wanting to merge training and vet tech work, I'm just not sure how.
    Yesterday I had an all day working interview at Mountain Horse Medical Center. The majority of the day was spent with their head technician learning my way around, how things are done, where things are, who everybody is, and treating a surgical colic patient. All of the veterinarians were great to work with, and I enjoyed my time there, but I'm not yet sure if it is where I am supposed to be.
    Put it all together and there is a lot on my mind today. I am going back to the clinic on Monday to be present for a surgical procedure and to spend more time with the veterinarians, Marty is waiting to hear back from me about scheduling, and I have to make some serious decisions.
    Most people just ask me "who pays more?" and thinks it is the answer to everything. If it was that simple I would have gone back to Mississippi to work for Tom McBeath a long time ago.
    My dream has always been to be able to ride and show, but also tech. So over the rainbow dreams do come true.
 
Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.

Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.