Andy Stanley: Coming To Terms

February 25th, 2010 No Comments

Here’s another batch of notes taken from a message by Andy Stanley entitled Coming to Terms. This really impacted my life in an indescribable way. Kind of long, but well worth the read (or if you prefer to listen, the sermon can be downloaded at Northpoint.org). Enjoy.

—–

Coming To Terms

Roman 8: 5-10

“Princess Diaries” (the movie) – High school girl who is a princess but doesn’t know it. As movie goes on, Julie Andrews (who is like the reigning queen) finds the girl and tells her that she is a princess. The girl only sees herself as a below average high school student and resists this new identity as the queen tries to convince her of who she is. The rest of the movie is about her accepting who she truly is. She doesn’t become a princess because she thinks she’s a princess, she’s already a princess who just didn’t know it. She learns, discovers, and eventually begins to act like a princess, not to become a princess, but because she is a princess.

When you accepted Jesus Christ and placed your faith in Him as your Savior, you really in fact became a child of God. You became a brand-new person, not because you act like a new person, but because you ARE a new person. The Christian life is simply an expression of who you already are. This is what sets Christianity apart from other religions where you act a way to become something. God says, no, I’ve made you something, now I’m calling you to live out who you truly are.

If ever God would be so gracious as to open the eyes of your heart to see yourself the way He sees you, it would change your life forever.

When you became this new you, the power of sin was broken. You, in Christ, have the authority to say no to sin, but that only happens when we quit identifying with our sinfulness and begin to identify with who we truly are as children of God. As long as mentally and emotionally we are locked into identifying with who we used to be, we continue to live the way we used to be because we don’t think we have any choice.

If there’s going to be any practical change, it begins by acknowledging that I am a child of God. Even though my experience doesn’t bear witness to that, even though what people have told me doesn’t bear witness to that, I choose to believe what God says is true of me and I’m going to begin to identify with this new man, this new woman, this new righteousness, this new relationship with God, this new holiness, this new purity – this new thing that God has made me on the inside that is the true me.

And when my sinful nature and my sinful flesh begins to taunt and tempt and dance and sing or whatever, I’m going to say, you know what? That’s not me. That’s sin in this dying body, and not only has the penalty and power of sin been taken care, but one day the presence of sin will be taken care. In that day, you will see yourself as who you truly are as you live out of the sinful body and in the presence of God. And when we begin to see sin for what sin is and flesh for what flesh is, there’s a new liberty, a new power, and a new life that translates into new marriages, new relationships, new ways of handling your money - a new way of dealing with who you are and your identity in this world. It’s life changing.

The Christian life, then, is not a relationship with God’s law (I know what God wants, I know what God likes, etc.). The Christian life is, instead, then an expression of who God has made me to be, because I’m a child of the living God. Isn’t that incredible? If there’s something inside of you that says “oh, I want that”, that’s God pulling on you saying “It’s true! It’s true!” all the while your flesh is pulling on you saying “Yeah, but you’ll never pull it off”. Which of those is you?

When approached with that conflict between right and wrong, the person who thinking correctly about who they are in Christ is the person who more closely identifies with the right desire and the right thing to do, because that’s who they truly are. It’s about learning to establish your identity with the desires of God as opposed to the desires of the flesh. It makes sense to establish your identity with the desires of God, because that’s who you truly are.

The soul can be satisfied, but human appetites can never be satisfied. When was the last time you ate something and became so full that you never had to eat again in your life? Fleshly desires can only be satisfied temporarily.

The flesh is fueled by fear of what might be while the spirit is fueled by confidence of what is. If your decision making is driven by fear of what might be or what might be, that’s the mind of the flesh. The mind of the spirit says when I begin to become afraid of what might be, I’m going to remember what is. Fear of what might be is the old me, but the new me is confident in what is. When fear of what might be crops up, you can say That’s not me. I have confidence in what is and what God has promised.

The flesh pushes you to establish your identity - the spirit encourages you to rest in your identity. In the flesh, you have to prove who you are and what you’ve done to impress people and establish yourself as someone worth knowing. That’s the flesh…and where does that end? However, the mindset of the spirit is someone who’s learned to rest in who they are and in their true identity. I’m a child of God, and sure I want to live in a nice place and drive a nice car, but that’s not who I am. Who I truly am is who God says I truly am, and when the vestiges of this world pass away and this dying body finally falls over, I want to have established my identity in who I am in God.

The flesh goes one direction, the spirit goes another direction, and we must choose which direction we associate ourselves with.

The sinful nature is hostile to God and cannot please Him. That is why we deal with struggles where we want to please God, but can’t. Where we want to do what’s right, but find it too hard. As long as you have wrapped your identity around the mindset of the flesh, you’ll never be able to please God.

If the spirit of God can raise Christ from the dead, surely the spirit that lives in us can give us power over these mortal bodies.

Imagine what it would do to your life if you began to see yourself for who you truly are.

You are not under obligation to the flesh to obey that sin nor that desire. You’re free. You’re a child of God. God lives inside of you and longs to live through you. Now live out that freedom…because you are free. Be free.

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Rev. Run Came To My School…

February 25th, 2010 No Comments

Yep, Joseph Simmons, best known as Rev. Run, paid a visit to Auburn University last week and shared his profound wisdom with hundreds of gathered students. He’s very insightful. One thing he said that really stuck to me was “Others won’t understand your dream…because they weren’t there”.

Here’s a clip that highlights his visit.

However, the best part (in my opinion), was not captured in this clip. It was towards the end of the session and Rev. Run was presented with this question: What is your favorite Bible Verse?

With careful consideration, the hip hop mogul passionately quoted Psalm 34:4 - “I Sought the Lord and He head me and delivered me from all my fears”. Rev. Run went on to explain a very true principle, stating that when you seek God, He doesn’t make it easy. Will you keep seeking when you don’t hear Him talking back? Will you keep seeking when it seems He’s not even listening? Will you commit to getting up early in the morning and seeking Him in prayer?

Because God wants a relationship, not a jump-off. A lot of people don’t become ‘desperate’ or ‘hungry’ for God until hell breaks loose in their life. Then, after God comes in and saves the day, they throw Him back into the closet until the next problem arises.

That’s a jump-off…not a relationship.

God desires a child who will seek Him with just  as much passion and desperation on the sunny days as they would on the cloudy days. Someone who’s love and hunger for Him doesn’t sway with life’s currents, but remains steadfast through life’s blessings and life’s curses. This is the reason God said “You will search for me and you will find me IF you seek me will all your heart.” The condition of seeking Him with ALL of your heart is what separates those who only want God in their life for a little while from those who want Him there permanently, not so He can follow their life-plan and attend to their every request, but so they can follow HIS and carry out HIS will on this earth.

But Rev. Run left us with good news…you will find Him. If you truly seek Him, you will find Him. He’s not in the business of playing a never-ending game of cat and mouse. Truly seek Him, and you will find Him. He said so Himself.

So…you want Him?

Thanks Rev. Run for sharing your wisdom.

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Andy Stanley: This Is Only A Test

February 25th, 2010 No Comments

Andy Stanley. This man has been one of the most effective people to ever enter my life. His wisdom is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before, and his principles for life are both biblical and practical. In an age where I can barely stand to listen to most of  the hyped-up, mystical, and unfruitful words that come from the mouths of preachers, I thank God for Andy. He has truly been a God-send.

Anyways, here are a few notes from a message of his entitled “This is Only A Test”. The sermon can be downloaded at Northpoint.org. Enjoy.

—-

This is Only A Test

James 1:1-6

When you encounter trials of many kinds, you need to consider it a time of joy. Sounds crazy, right? Some of you may even believe that your trial should be exempt…that your trial is so difficult that it should serve as an exception to the rule.

How does God view trials? As a testing of our faith. “Oh God, my world is falling apart!” God’s answer: “No, no…I’m testing your faith”.

As a believer, whenever trials enter our life, it’s not that you’ve necessarily fallen out of favor with God or because you’ve sinned or because the devil is attacking you, but instead a testing of your faith.

Faith = confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.

A faith-filled person’s response to trials looks like this: “Even though things aren’t the way I want them to be…even though it seems like, on the surface, you’ve abandoned me, God…I trust you, I trust you, I trust you”.

Spiritual maturity is not found in knowing everything, but is found in your ability to endure and persevere in your faith and your faithfulness when there is nothing to hang your faith and faithfulness on but the character and person of God. When a person is no longer depending on anything but their faith and who God is, scripture says that person is complete and lacks nothing. That’s where our heavenly father wants to take us.

Adversity isn’t a signal that God is absent, but a signal that God is active. When the bottom falls out, take joy…God’s at work!

Why does God do this?

The greatest compliment that can be paid a person is when we maintain faith in them when there’s nothing to put our faith on other then simply their character. We express love and worship in it’s purest form when we say to God, despite what it seems like you’ve made happen, and despite how it appears you have treated me, I will believe in you and maintain confidence and faith in you because of who you are and what you’ve done at the cross in spite of everything else around me. That’s what honors God and that is where He wants to take us.

God wants us to love Him for who He is and what He’s done in Christ rather than for who we want Him to be and what He’s done for us lately.

He’s perfecting your faith.

So what do we do in the meantime?

James says that we are to ask God for wisdom. Wisdom to see as God sees so that we can respond appropriately. So that we can see the situation as it truly is and not as we interpret it to be (because our interpretation often is that God has failed us).

God promises to grant this request for wisdom IF we ask and believe. When we go to God for wisdom, we should go with the vantage point of God, I trust you, but I need some input on what’s going on. We can’t approach God with a “I used to believe but now I’m not so sure” mentality.

What is God up to? He’s up to testing your faith. What are you to do? You’re to remain faithful, and ask for wisdom along the way.

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Be Stupid.

February 24th, 2010 No Comments

I was reading GQ the other day and came across an ad by a company called “Diesel” which contained a pretty interesting quote. It said “Smart has the brains, Stupid has the Balls”. Following it was the tag Be Stupid. Pretty clever, huh?

Anyways, I found this video of the ad-campaign as well. There’s some serious creativity going on here.


Hate to say it, but I’m a fan. Be Stupid! :)

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What Do Eternity and the Energizer Bunny Have in Common?

February 22nd, 2010 No Comments

This may be one of the most confusing, difficult, and mind-boggling posts I’ve ever written, but I’m gonna give it a shot anyways.

One of the things that keeps us from dedicating our lives wholly to Christ is the fact that we don’t realize just how long ETERNITY is.

We, as humans, reside in a vacuum called “Time”. We’re accustomed to everything in life having a ‘beginning’ and an ‘end’. A ‘start’ and a ‘stop’. No matter how bad life is – dying with cancer, lost all friends, no money, homeless on the street – we realize that sooner or later we’re going to die and it’s all going to ‘stop’. Everything has a beginning and an end.

But eternity isn’t like that. Eternity never ends, nor does it ever truly begin…it just ‘is’. That’s why, at the burning bush, when Moses asked God who he should tell the people He is, God told him to tell them that he’s “I Am”. Eternity just “is”. In Revelations, God explained it like this:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” –Revelations 1:8

He’s the present (is), past (was), and the future (is to come). The Alpha (beginning) and the ending (Omega). And He’s all of these things at the same time (the Almighty).

I know it can probably be a bit confusing, but it’s really quite simple.

It’s also the reason why it’s quite foolish to attempt to force the hand of God. God lives in Eternity. So when we make our petition known to Him, that which we ask for is already done, even if we haven’t seen it yet. Remember, God is He who is, was, and is to come. He lives in the past, present, and the future. We only live in the present. So even if the blessing we’ve asked for hasn’t reached our ‘Present’, it has manifested in God’s ‘Future’.  Now, this is assuming that what we ask for is in his will. If you ask for $2 million dollars to miraculously appear in your bank account by tomorrow, ummm…yeah…that probably won’t be happening AT ALL. :)

This is such a difficult post for me because I know what I’m trying to say, but it’s a very complicated idea to express in words. I guess that’s why they say ‘Great is the mystery of Godliness’, huh? :)

But what it boils down to this. In life, you die. No matter how bad life is for you, it’ll all end when you die. Eternity, however, never ends. NEVER. You don’t die, you can’t take a timeout…it’s like the energizer bunny, it keeps going and going and going. That’s why it’s so important to survey our lives and make sure that our Eternity (you know…the thing that NEVER ends…like, NEVER…) will be spent in a place where the streets are paved with gold and not a place that’s paved with a lake of fire.

I make posts like this, not to preach, but to bring awareness. All of these worldly pleasures that we spend time pursuing are all slaves to time…sooner or later, they’ll all stop. Sooner or later, WE will all stop – and at that point, it won’t matter how popular you were, how many parties you hit up, how many times you got drunk, or the record amount of profanity you used – at that point, only what you’ve done for Christ will stand. God is not dumb and blind, and neither are we  – we know there are some things in our life that need to STOP before we cross over into the life that NEVER (like, ever….) stops.

Hell is a mighty hot place to end up spending eternity in…you know eternity, right? The thing that NEVER ends…like, NEVER…?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” –Matthew 7:21-23

Lets not fool ourselves. Instead, let’s get it right before our time STOPS. Because time does that…unlike eternity. Get it?

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Imagine Me…Imagine You.

February 22nd, 2010 No Comments

When I was a kid, I was a power ranger.

I was also a superhero, a professional wrestler, and a preacher, but not all in that order.

Imagination is one of the most powerful tools accessible to human beings, yet one that is often left in the trenches of childhood. Dreams are built on the grounds of imagination. The ability to “see” yourself as that doctor, that entertainer, or that _________ (insert your dream profession here) is what empowers the diligence and determination required to obtain that goal.

Imagination is the father of creativity. Every great feat and every great production had to first be imagined before it could be manifested.

Imagination is a free ticket to wherever you want to go whenever you want to go – no plane delays, cancelled flights, nor mid-flight stops.

Imagination can turn a room full of strangers into a room full of your best friends.

Imagination can change a situation. Two people can be presented with the same situation, yet the one with a disfigured and unproductive imagination will see the situation as an “issue”, while the other will see the same situation as an “opportunity”.

Most importantly, imagination can change you. Imagination is the source that digs deep into our souls and not only tells us, but shows us what we can do and can be. Most people, however, have polluted their minds with so much fear and worldly values that the very things they imagine suddenly appear too far out of reach.

Picasso said “Everything you can imagine is real”…but in reality, most people would rather believe a lie than that which is real. They imagine themselves as a confident, fearless individual, but the oh so familiar fear of ‘what others may think’ comes in and strangles that imagination. They imagine themselves as a world changer, but the fear of ‘not fitting in’ violently trumps that imagination.

But fear is a lie…False Evidence Appearing Real. God said, “I have not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”

A sound Mind. Get it? Mind? Imagination?

Kirk Franklin, my spiritual mentor, wrote a song called “Imagine Me”. Here are some of the lyrics:

Imagine me
Loving what I see when the mirror looks at me cause I
I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I’m finally happy cause

I imagine me
Being strong
And not letting people break me down
You won’t get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me?
In a world (in a world) where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Can you imagine me?

Imagine me, being free, trusting you totally finally I can…
Imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can…
Imagine me

The lesson is simple: Knowledge and reality are limited, but imagination is unlimited. As cheesy as it sounds, if you can see it, you truly can be it. Don’t let fear and who others “think” you should be rape that fact.

Be whoever you want to be. Who says you can’t?

Imagine me.

Imagine you.

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Follow Me on Twitter!

February 22nd, 2010 No Comments

Follow me on Twitter @ Twitter.com/SirTJ

I can’t tell you what to expect, cause I don’t even know what to expect out of myself half of the times. It’ll be a fun ride, though…so hop on, will ya? :)

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The Most Important Message You Should Hear Before Entering 2010.

December 31st, 2009 No Comments

I try not to link very many videos, but this message will literally change the way you enter into this new year. The worst thing you can do is enter into a new year with an old mindset, and I can tell just by the plans that I’m watching many of my peers make for tonight’s celebration that 2010 is going to just be another 2009 for most, if not worse, because their mind has yet to change with the year. New wine in old wineskins will not work. You don’t need a new year to change – you need a new mind.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

This message changed so much for me. If you really want to change in this new year, give it a shot. A lifetime of change is worth 30-40 minutes of your time, isn’t it?

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Christmas Music!

December 22nd, 2009 No Comments

So, what’s in your Christmas music collection this year TJ?

I’m glad you asked.

Topping things off is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Christmas albums by one of my favorite singers. It’s called “It’s Christmas” by Ledisi. This project simply hits on all cylinders. The sound, the vocals, the instruments, the arrangements – it’s all done with pure elegance, style, and soul. In fact, to be honest, this is a project that I play year round! It really is banging. Some of my favorite tracks include: “Thank You”, “Be There For Christmas”, “This Christmas (Could be the One)”, “Children Go Where I Send Thee”, “Give Love on Christmas Day”, and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”. Love it!

My collection also sees rotation from the likes of Israel and the New Breed and their newly repackaged holiday album, “A Timeless Christmas”. This is another one that receives year round treatment. The arrangements and mix on this project are bananas, and it’s a collection I quickly fell in love with. Speaking of Israel, his colleague, Aaron Lindsey, also has a new Christmas album out that receives major rotation. It’s called “Coming Home For the Holidays” and it oozes with the pure mastery and excellence that we’ve come to expect from the infamous producer.

The Clark Sisters join the party with their own Christmas album entitled “Family Christmas”, which has been one of the stand out projects of the entire 2009 year. Also included in my list is “New Msg: The Christ-Must Album” by one of my favorite talents, YPJ & FVC. If you haven’t heard a project from these guys, you seriously need to do yourself the favor. This album is not only musically enjoyable, but fun and entertaining. I love it.

Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Norman Hutchins, The Pace Family, and a host of others also help round out my Christmas music collection this year. It’s great to have good holiday music that you can bundle into a playlist, hit shuffle, and enjoy. If you’re still looking for some good music to heighten your holiday spirits, check out some of these. They receive TJ’s stamp of approval, so you won’t be dissapointed :) .


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Like You Own The Place

December 21st, 2009 No Comments

Had some last minute christmas shopping to do today.

For some reason, as I was shopping, I was reminded of an episode of Run’s House where Run was shopping for something totally random. What stuck out to me was his demeanor as he browsed the store. His walk and talk gave off the impression that he owned the store (He didn’t, BTW). He shopped with confidence and style and the employees yielded to that impression.

Must be one of the perks of being a celebrity.

But wait…I’m the son of a celebrity even bigger than Rev. Run!

The King of Kings…The Lord of Lords…The one who holds this entire galaxy in the palm of His hands…the one whose voice even the winds and seas obey.

There wouldn’t even be a “Reverend” Run without Him. :)

Ask around…everyone knows who He is.

Walked this earth over 2000 years ago, and people are STILL talking about Him.

…and He calls me son.

With that thought in mind, I stuck out my chest and waltzed into that (expensive) store like I owned the place. Told the clerk what I wanted and she pointed me to the best they had…even gift-wrapped it for free!

That’s a confidence we as children of God have a right to take with us, not just in the shopping store, but in Life. Our father is the greatest power and He has not given a spirit of fear, but one of…you guessed it…Power. Also one of love and a sound mind.

Know who you are and walk like you know it. That’s all I’m saying.

“So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” -Hebrews 13:6

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