I know I’m gonna step on a few toes by writing this but I felt it was something that needed to be addressed. I have noticed that people treat facebook like its Las Vegas .. its almost like “what happens on facebook stays on facebook”, but we all know thats not true. Now, I am a self confessed social networking addict and facebook is my main drug of choice. What I’ve noticed is that people tend to unintentionally reveal more about themselves then they realize. I love to browse through my friends photos to see what’s going in there lives .. its like a window into ones life. One thing I have noticed is that every now and then I see photos of someone at a party with a beer in there hand looking a like they have had more then two or three. These are people I know as Christians and while I have many friends in the church with many different views on drinking alcohol I tend to take the stance that getting drunk is a bad thing. So I pose these questions: What do your facebook photos say about you? If Jesus came back today and decided we would all be judged based on our facebook photos would you be nervous?
I am by no means a perfect Christian or someone who thinks he’s got this salvation thing locked down, but one thing I have noticed is that a lot of Christians do not have a clear concept of who they are in Christ. Now I’m not underestimating the devils capability to take ones fears and use them against them to cause that person to fall or question there faith because its happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to countless friends. For me, one of the key elements of faith is understanding who you are in Christ.
The more I begin to understand who I am in Christ, the more I find myself doing things and saying things that I would have never imagined. Now, I’ve always been the kind of Christian who would rather be a casual witness then one who preaches on the street corner. My mission field of choice is the local espresso bar and to those of you know me that comes as no surprise all. Talking is a natural gift of mine.. my wife says I love the sound of my own voice .. I don’t know .. maybe I do or maybe its just the evangelist in me. Either way my gift of the gab seems to pay off when it comes to chatting to complete strangers about God. My point to all of this is that when you begin to understand who you are in Christ your faith begins to grow and your confidence grows alongside it. God gave his Authority to Jesus and since Jesus is in us we are also given that authority. But for the skeptics here’s a few key verses ..
Matthew 11:27 “My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Psalm 8:6 “You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things”
Zechariah 10:12 “I will make my people strong in my power, and they will go wherever they wish by my authority. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Colossians 2:10 “and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.”
.. And here’s my favorite ..
Revelation 2:26 “”To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.
With any position of authority comes great responsibility. The Authority we have as Christians in the name of Jesus is not to be taken lightly. If I try to claim authority over a place or situation that is outside of the will of God things are going to go wrong. 2 Corinthians 10:13 is pretty clear on this .. “But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you.” In other words you can’t go out to the clubs and have a few beers and expect to be covered under the Authority of God. His hand of protection may be on you but unless God has clearly spoken to you then its highly likely God doesn’t want you hanging out in clubs drinking. When we step outside of the will of God we open ourselves up to a wide variety of drama in our lives. As for me I’m all about having as little drama in my life as possible and I think overall a little bit of common sense applies here as well. In other words if you go to a club and get punched in the face don’t go blaming God for it, there’s a good chance he didn’t want you there in the first place.
To unlock the freedom found in understanding who we are in Christ Jesus is what leads us to the understanding of true freedom. Freedom is irrelevant if it is found in temporary situations. The only true freedom is the eternal freedom that can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Everything else is temporary. The banks, the automotive industry, the oil industry, the economic recession. It is all a pathetic spec of nothingness in comparison to the grace of my God. My whole life God has been teaching me a never ending lesson on trust. And so far what I’ve learned is that the more I trust in Him, the more I put my faith in Him, the more I understand the Authority I have in Christ. Ten years ago I knelt on the floor of my bedroom in total despair and confusion. I got on my knees with the determination that I was not going to get up until I was healed of the pain I was going through. I was healed that night and after I got up I made a deal with God to always put my trust in Him. That next morning a phone call changed my life and since then I’ve been to places I never would’ve imagined, and I am without a doubt a very blessed man, and its all because I trusted in the Authority of the name of Jesus.
So you basically have two options. You can go about doing things your way and trusting in your own ideas, or you can take a risk, let go and let God. Put your trust completely and utterly in Him and everything else .. and I do mean everything else will work out. Maybe not the way you thought it would, but I can tell you from experience that Gods way is the best way.
Find yourself wanting more.. ?
I don’t know what disturbs me more, the state of the world or the state of Christian music. Why do we have to water down the message of Christ? Why do we have to water down the songs we write so that we don’t pigeon hole ourselves as “Christian artists” If you’re reading this and thinking that this is all starting to sound like a rant well you’d probably be correct. If you don’t want to be challenged spiritually then this is right about the time where you can go and update your facebook status because I am about to get brutally honest about an issue that’s been on my heart for a few years now. This issue resurfaced for me a few weeks ago when I decided to start putting pen to paper for a long overdue solo hip hop project I’ve been talking about doing for ages. More and more I find myself only listening to music that really challenges me in my faith walk. I’ve simply had enough of watered down Christianity.
Two years ago I was in my local Christian music store searching for something new and fresh and I found the cd of a new rapper from Tennessee named Lecrae. I listened to the cd in the store and was blown away by the boldness of his lyrics. I was blown away by his passion for Jesus and even more by the fact that he made sure his music was all about Jesus and not about him. When I got home I jumped online and checked out his label and to my amazement I found even more rappers that were just as good and just as bold for Christ. I discovered the “116 movement”. It’s based on the scripture Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” What an awesome example to set for a generation of youth that are being torn in so many different directions. There’s never been a better time than now to bring a clear and concise message of hope, a hope that can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That really is the bottom line here, so why is it that we can represent Jesus at Church on Sunday but when we hit the stage the next night were more concerned about selling records then speaking the truth and speaking it clearly. We are too concerned that we might offend someone with the message of Christ. Have we become so politically correct that we’ve forgotten who our God is? Have we forgotten His promise that if we stay focused on Him everything else we be taken care of?
I’ve seen the “what is Christian music” argument battled out on Christian forums for years and for me there is no excuse for luke warm Christianity. If you’re a believer and Gods given you musical gifts I believe you should be using those gifts to glorify God. Right now there are more than a few Christian bands on the secular scene that have thousands of fans that aren’t even aware that the band members are Christians. They spout watered down “positive” lyrics so they can “appeal to a wider audience” And then the bands that are speaking the bold truth get trashed by fellow believers for playing at secular venues? Would you prefer they only present the gospel in church? That doesn’t even make sense! Newsflash! The unsaved don’t go to church.
I hate ranting all the way through a blog without offering a solution. So if your into hip hop and you want to be seriously challenged in your faith then check out a few of these artist links.
Lecrae: Http://myspace.com/lecrae
Trip Lee: http://www.myspace.com/triplee116
The Ambassador: http://www.myspace.com/ambassador215
Shobaraka: http://www.myspace.com/shobaraka
Flame: http://www.myspace.com/flame314
Step bold or don’t step at all.
Peter Graham.
This is a copy of a note from my facebook profile.
1. I believe there is nothing greater then my Gods grace.
2. I thank God for my wife everyday.
3. My ultimate home is where my family is .. but God might have other ideas.
4. Unlike my sister I would rather have a dishwasher then do the dishes.
5. I believe country music is of the devil
6. I’m a good friend because I tell it like it is.
7. I am a member of the facebook group “I secretly want to punch slow walking people in the back of the head” – Dont hate .. is has over a million members!
8. American Idol auditions are the funniest thing on tv hands down.
9. My favorite ice cream is peanut butter and chocolate.
10. I think instant coffee should be outlawed.
11. I believe gambling is really just a tax for stupid people.
12. People who are anti (insert country name here) are racist.
13. You cannot set limitations on a God who knows no limits.
14. I hate it when people ask me .. is that an accent you have? No! its just the way I talk!
15. Thanks to my wife I have seen every single episode of sex and the city.
16. My breakfast of choice is a double shot latte.
17. I believe 911 was a terrorist conspiracy not a government consipracy.
18. 3 people tagged in this note have changed my life with positive words.
19. After nine years living overseas I still get home sick about once a month.
20. My two nephews are the coolest kids on the planet.
21. My favorite food is anything Italian
22. I believe retail is the best form of training for going into full time ministry.
23. I have a moderate road rage issue.
24. I find it sad that good customer service is becoming a lost art.
25. The customer is NOT always right.
Out of all the things I love about living in Australia one of the things I can’t stand is the stranglehold that Coles and Woolworths have on this country. They are both insanely over priced and depending on where you live you may pay more or less.
American retail giant Costco is opening its doors in Australia and already has its first location under construction in the docklands district of Melbourne. A lot of Australians have no idea what Costco is. I’ve even seen it compared to the German grocery store “Aldi’s”. Well, I can tell you that Costco is nothing like Aldi’s .. in fact I’d go as far as to say that Costco makes Aldi’s look like a second rate market stall. Costco isn’t just a grocery store, it sells everything from car parts to big screen tv’s and everything in between. What I am the most curious about is how Costco will effect the grocery market here in Australia. Some doubt that Australians will warm to the bulk buying style of shopping experience that Costco brings to the table. But I think the money saved from buying bulk will have them lining up around the block.
If its done right and the Australian government doesn’t get in the way, Costco will revolutionize the way Australians buy consumer goods. For far to long Australians have been getting royally screwed on the price of groceries, electrical goods and many other household items. Coles and Woolies had better be prepared to lower there prices and scrap there 1950’s model of what they call a grocery store. We can only hope that there plans to expand into Sydney and Brisbane happen quickly. Rumours have been circulating that Costco are looking at a site near the logan hyperdome as the home for the Brisbane Costco superstore. Other then a few pics from locals on the skyscrapercity.com forums there has been little news from Costco regarding its new stores. You can be sure I will report any news I hear about future locations and the much anticipated opening of Costco Melbourne.
Even though I am not an American I cant help but feel a bit of the pride America is feeling right now. To be honest I wasn’t sure I was ever going to see a black person in the Whitehouse but now its a reality. And although racism is still a big problem in western countries this day brings a new sense of hope and a new sense of faith in humanity. As a right wing Christian this is the first time I have ever supported a democrat in the US election because I honestly believe Barack Obama was the better man for the job. America badly needed to take a bold step in a different direction and how better to do that then with Barack Obama. That’s not to say that President Obama doesn’t have a massive job ahead of him but I don’t think that there has been this much optimism for an incoming president since JFK.
I am amazed at how many Christians I know that have gotten caught up in the conspiracy theories about this man. I hate to say it but most of these theories are coming from the far right of the republican party. The part of the republican party that can’t stand to lose let alone be forced to come to the realization that the republican party as it stands now is in desperate need of an overhaul.
On a separate note can I just say how cool the new custom made presidential Cadillac limo that has been dubbed “the beast” is. This massive bullet proof limo is a one of a kind and is actually sitting on the chassis of a Chevy truck, pretty impressive stuff.
It is a great time in history to be alive and I can almost picture Dr. Martin Luther King looking down on all of this with tears of Joy in his eyes. What a great day in modern history, we really have come a long way.
Ok so I’m four days into 2009 and getting ready for some big changes. At the moment I am looking at a few different on-line Bible colleges so I can study and still work full time. So as I sat down to write this I felt God telling me to read James chapter 3. It turned out to be an interesting read considering all the changes going on in my life at the moment.
I don’t usually do new years resolutions but this year I am going to make a serious effort to be less negative. I’m supposed to be a light to this world .. not just another complaining pessimistic babbler. So it was interesting for God to direct me to sciptures about controlling the tongue right off the bat. Gods sense of humor never ever fails to amuze me. I think its hilarious when God shows you something in His Word that so obviously applies to your life you just find yourself saying “duh” I know this .. I should know this! Why doe’s God have to continually remind me of these things. Well, I am just a sinner saved by grace and its not like at some point I am going to not need God anymore. After all .. faith is ALL about trusting Him.
Have a read of this segment of James chapter 3 .. even if you’ve read it before just read it again…
James 3
Controlling the Tongue
1 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.[b]
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
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Intereseting word! Oh yeah .. you have to apply it to your life now .. I am going to give it my all. Why? Because I am making the choice to speak life into people .. the life found in Jesus.
Back soon.. peace.
Ok .. I was an iphone sceptic for a long time. When the 3g iphone came out I started to read up on it and even watched the big Steve Jobs iphone
Video. Now that I own one I am seriously loving this phone. I am very impressed!
Some awesome in your face Christian hip hop.
First Gen. Colin Powell a prominent republican announces hes backing Obama and then today the republican party gets some backing they probably werent interested in getting .. read article below ..
.. thats right good old Osama would much rather Obama then McCain in the oval office .. now .. I dont know what that says about the current state of the republican party .. but to me its the funniest bit of news to come out of this election.
Somehow I don’t think we’ll see Bin Laden on the campaign trail with McCain anytime soon .. but you know what they say .. “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” Just not sure this is what the republicans had in mind ROFL.
What are you looking for in your church? If you go to a large church like I do it wont take you long to find someone who isnt happy with the way things are going in the church .. They feel left out and neglected .. They feel like outcasts. They are seeking the love of the people in the church they attend. But are they putting that love and acceptance of the people above there relationship with Jesus? A friend of mine asked me a serious question today .. “how do we keep people satisfied in church, to take their mind off them being fed, and to reach a hand out to those who need help themselves.” .. It was that question that inspired me to write this blog.
The question is not so much how to keep people satisfied in church so much as it is about how to get people to the point in there faith walks where they realize the following .. Salvation is not found in the church or its people. Salvation is ONLY found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Once people begin to understand that and walk in it then church becomes less of a place of stress and acceptance and more of a place where they can relax and connect with God. Once they are relaxed and focusing on Him they are more likely to be able to walk in the flow of the Holy Spirit and then they will automatically start building the relationships they were previously to distracted from building.
The Bible does not say seek first the church and the acceptance of its people .. it says this .. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – matt 6:33. God allowed me to place my faith in people and in return those people failed me time and time again .. but it wasn’t so much the people at fault .. it was more that I was looking for the perfect friendship when really .. that can only be found in Jesus. Once I realized that I should’ve been relying on Jesus first he then sent me people that I could rely on. Gods got a funny sense of humour like that. Sometimes he has to sit back and wait for us to be obedient before he can move. I’ve always told people how vitally important it is to maintain a solid personal and devoted relationship with Jesus but I wasnt applying it to one of the key areas of my life .. fellowship. If I am in true fellowship with Jesus everything else flows .. if we’re not in true fellowship with Jesus we tend to displace those deep inner desires for fellowship, love and salvation on people and not Jesus and it always leads to heart ache and bitter disappointment. But for some reason ever since I set foot in Australia I had been diverting my need for salvation onto people instead of Jesus.
I even dragged my wife out of the church we were called to be at in the desperate search for what was right in front of me the whole time.. JESUS! Rather then go into the ugly details I’ll skip to the chase and let you know that were back where we’re supposed to be and quite content.
So .. feeling invisable in your church? feeling unwanted or unloved? maybe they are legitimate feelings or maybe your displacing your need for salvation on people who are just trying to keep themselves a float much less be your saviour. Maybe just maybe Salvation is meant to be between you and Jesus and once you realize that you begin to develop and grow in your relationship with Jesus .. and in turn you begin to walk in the natural flow of the Holy Spirit and suddenly you start making friends and church becomes something you look forward to again. More to come! stay tuned.
