_________What is Justice...a primer in what I hope to be a series of thoughts and submissions_________

What is Justice? from The Justice Conference on Vimeo.

___________MEANING____________

I've been MEANING to post more. I've been contemplating some LARGE and some small things in life...all of significant significance...I just don't have the words yet to express what I am wrestling/grappling/ learning/ deconstructing/ experiencing....I'm working on it though. All I know is that sometimes God is so big...you can barely see HIM....because we are blinded by our own vision. I've been practicing being quiet...like last week I sat for an hour without moving, reading, writing, looking around...etc....that might have been the longest I've ever been awake and quiet....I want God to know I want to hear His voice. I want Him to know I'm serious....and along with that....I want to show myself I am serious, so when I go to tell the world about this God that speaks, this God that listens, this God that came down and lived among us and then decided to send His Spirit to dwell within us...that I know that, that I experience that, that I live the truth of that on a daily basis. You are all such an inspiration and blessing to our family. Your prayers are coveted...

Ryan

_____Don't Forget I'm Helpless_____

Arise O Lord

Lift up your eyes

Don't forget I'm helpless.

Oh you lead me to waters and pastures so green

Oh you pour out your oil and choose goodness and mercy for me.

No, I will not be in want.

You're with me

I will not fear.

You comfort me

I will not fear.

Humility is something I forget.

What are we without God?

Whether it's a lack of finances, an abundance, a mediocrity.

Whether it's a lack of faith, an abundance, or a lukewarm amount.

What does it mean for me to really want...or to not be in want?

He sends the rain for all. The righteous and unrighteous alike.

His mercy is great. We are consumed by it. And thank God for that.

_________Culture's Sickness__________

It's time we reject the culture of success.

Let's embrace a culture of faith.

After all, Jesus called us to be faithful, not successful.

At first I thought, "Well that's great news! It's hard to be successful!"

And then I thought about what it meant to really be faithful.

Then I understood why we as humanity and the church have such a hard time with faith.

It's easier (in a way) to do our own thing, work hard, and try to make it on our own.

This isn't aimed at those who are successful, only those of us who chase success.

Often times it takes us in the opposite direction of faith.

That's my experience with it at least.

Let's redefine success.

Let's call it what it is.

If we live a life of faith, Jesus defines our lives as successful.

If we live a life of success and are void of faith in God, we isolate ourselves, and are working for nothing. All of our success can't buy us happiness, hasn't bought us happiness, it can't get us love, and it won't make us content. So let's be faithful. I'm ready to jump right in after those who have discipled me and showed me. So let's go together! Faithful is the new successful.

If you don't believe me:

Check out how short Jesus ministry was, but the impact it created because of his faithfulness to God. (not to mention it ended up getting him killed)

Check out the apostles and how they were martyred, considered heretics and fools, and the legacy and faith they have left behind.

Extremely unsuccessful lives in the eyes of the empire mark the most faithful and successful lives in the Kingdom of God.