Matt Chandler & Francis Chan

Silence is Golden

Psalm 19:1-4
"The heavens tell the glory of God, and the skies announce what his hands have made. Day after day they tell the story; night after night they tell it again. They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard. But their message goes out through all the world; their words go everywhere on earth. The sky is like a home for the sun."

A huge lesson can be learned from these verses. "The skies announce what his hands have made...They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard." As children of God, we should live like that. One of the biggest creations God ever made, the sky, which covers our heads even when we forget to notice, never says anything. Yet it is recognized as a huge creation. It lets God's glory burst through it without any words to be said. It gives itself up completely to God, and because of that, He is able to paint miraculous colors in it. If we would do the same, we would be amazed by what God can do with us. But it's all about surrendering. Since we are so quick to speak from our own heart, the words become empty. We should live in such a way where people can see that something greater lives in us without saying anything, just like the skies do. In Ecclesiastes 3, verse 7 says, "...there is a time to be silent and a time to speak." I believe that if it's God's will to give us words, we will know. And if he gives us peace with silence, we will know. I want to have the lifestyle of the skies: They say nothing, but reveal everything. I look forward to the opportunities to come when he speaks through me to others. But I'm most looking forward to the opportunities when I don't have to say anything, and let God's mighty power burst through me, because it is not I who saves. Jesus led by his actions. And yes, he also shared lots of stories, but his actions lined up with those stories. Do our actions line up with the words we say? James 2:16-17 says, "If you say to that person, 'God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,' but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith that is alone--that does nothing--is dead." We're all hypocrites, and none of us are worthy. But through Jesus' ACTIONS of dying on the cross, he saved the entire world and made us worthy. And if this same man, the one who saved us, lives in us, imagine the great things that he can do through us. But we have to be willing to surrender. Let people know what you are about by the things you do, not the things you say.

"Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."

Fill it in.

I cannot see the air. But I continue to take breaths. Without thinking, my lungs are being filled up, giving me life. It quickly becomes a habit; breathing in and out without even knowing. I think back and realize how I would not be here if it weren't for breathing every second. The air is always there, it's up to me to keep breathing. I see my breath when the air gets cold, reminding me I have life. And so I carry on, already forgetting what's keeping me alive. I notice when I am in high or low places that the air is what I desire most. When I am in waters above my head, air is the only thing that will keep my heart beating, my lungs pumping. For the air is my God; and the breaths, my faith. 

Mountains

I want them to rule the earth. I want them to be in charge. For they know nothing but beauty and perfection. They do exactly what they were made to do. When they are covered in snow, they have so may opportunities to complain.  They could spend their days shivering. Instead, they rejoice and embrace the beauty that the frozen water has for them. They do no boasting when the warmer season comes. But the imperfect ones look up to them and soak in their majestic green colors, doing the boasting for them. They face each other night and day and never get tired of it. Through tough weather they stick it out together. They are often covered by the clouds but insists it is just fine. They honor their purpose, and never fail to offer amazement. They watch over their land, and provide life to all sorts and kinds. They give glory to their creator for as long as they stand. They praise their maker with all they were given. They are accepting. They are obedient. They are perfect. 

I am the Witness (Revelation 11)

I saw the violence. I felt the hopelessness.

I heard the destruction. I could taste defeat.

I am on a mission. I was put here by God.

It is the second trouble. The sixth trumpet.

I am dressed in rough cloth, yet I am so powerful.

Everybody hates me, but I am here to save them.

I can turn the waters into blood.

I can speak and fire will overcome my enemies.

I can stop the sky from raining.

But I am here for a greater purpose.

I have completed my work. I am done giving the message.

I hear an uproar coming from the ground beneath me.

It is the beast. My time is up.

I am laying on the street, waiting to be buried.

The people give each other gifts because I have been defeated.

I have caused them much suffering, so they rejoice in my death.

It has been three and a half days since I was killed.

I have been awakened. He has breathed life into me.

Everyone is very afraid. They anxiously watch for my next move.

I am told to come up to heaven. On a cloud I rise up.

My enemies watch me, as some of them die in an immediate earthquake.

Others have witnessed His great power, and they rejoice in Him. 

A Step Ahead

When I fell in love with him, he was already in love with me. When I chose to think about him, he is already thinking about me. When I asked to dance with him, he was already twirling me. When I cried out to him, he was already wiping the tears for me. When I felt distant to him, he was already making his way towards me. When I saw him bloom in the Spring, he had already sent flowers to me. When I thanked him each morning, he had already risen the sun for me. When I lived in this fallen world, he was already taking care of me. When I asked to be forgiven by him, he had already died for me. When I arrived to finally be with him, he already prepared a place for me. When he said he loved me, I had already knew that about him.

*A Poem that Rhymes*

One of those days where I'm feeling more unworthy than usual
I'm feeling like a failure
I take my bike and head to a field because I'm desperate for that fire.
I choose a hay bale and begin to read Your Word
I see Your glory all around me with the chirping of the birds.
I scream out "Let Your Holy Spirit guide me as I take on this day"
The wide road is easier but Father show me the narrow way.
As I begin to close my eyes and feel the wind hit my face
I hear footsteps in the field and I get a rush of pure grace.
I look over my shoulder and I see Your Son shining
As he gets closer to me I just can't stop smiling.
So many questions start consuming my mind
The only worry of mine was not having enough time.
He simply placed his hand out and showed me his wound
He said "Go ahead. You are not longer doomed. You've been set free."
So I put my thumb in his wrist to get the doubting Thomas out of me.
I asked him why it was so hard to keep a strong, steady faith
The world I live in gives me so many troubles.
All he said was "Take heart, I have overcome the world and pulled you out of the rubble."
I began to cry, I was struck with infinite mercy.
I couldn't understand the forgiveness he had for me
Even through all my controversies.
Then he said "I must go, but I will see you soon."
In the open field he began walking towards a gleaming red door.
I yelled "Jesus, I love you!"
He turned around, smiled, and said "I love you more."

Mind Blown

Today I had to wake up earlier than usual. I had my college class final at 7am. I woke up at 5:45 to take a shower. I got a total of 5 hours of sleep, not my best idea before a final. Needless to say I felt like a zombie. I stood in the shower and just thought. I thought about how I'm here, in this shower, in my house, in this country, on this earth; only for God. He made ALL THINGS for HIS GLORY. Including me. Do you guys get that? If you talk to most people then they'll say how it's their life and they're living for themselves. Even if they don't realize it, they couldn't be more wrong. The only reason you and me are here is to glorify God. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around that. We are here because God wanted us to be. He chose us, before time even existed, and placed us here on earth to glorify Him. That's why we are here, right now. For him to be glorified. Nothing more. I hope more and more people can realize what I am slowly trying to unravel here. My heart aches and is upset for those who aren't on the right path, like Kind David in Psalm 119. What are you doing right now? Is it glorifying God? It is just you, and Him. Make Him proud.

Honesty

This past week You have really humbled me. You have opened my eyes so much. One realization that You brought me to was to fix my prayers. When I prayed to You, I made myself seem perfect. I wasn't honest with You. Which was dumb because You know everything about me. I didn't put it all on the table before You. Over and over I have read the verses that talk about presenting all my problems to You. Yet, for some reason I avoided doing that. I wasn't really doing it on purpose, I just never thought You would take care of all my problems. I came across this in the book Crazy Love (Francis Chan speaking): "Often, when I pray, I will phrase my sentences in a way that makes me sound better. I will try to soften my sins, or touch up my true feelings before laying them before God...God wants us to be open with Him." Wow. That's just like me, God. Forgive me! You didn't deserve my dishonesty! But now, I am being completely honest with You, even if I tell you that I don't feel close to You as I should. Also, I have began most of my prayers lately with something like this: "God, I am weak. I am nothing. You are my everything. Everything I am comes from You. Without You, I am nothing. You are my strength. I can do nothing on my own." Saying this over and over really shows me how vulnerable I am without You. It humbles me. You humble me. Please continue to humble me. I want to praise You, not myself. You do all things through me. I have accomplished nothing on my own. Don't let me forget that.

I love you.