Trebellion at its Best

Lately I have been reading books like "The Jesus Style" from Gayle Erwin and "Crazy Love" from Francis Chan. I want to be more like Jesus and know Him more. Not just know about Him or talk about Him, but know Him. To look at His life in the gospels and truly believe that I can have that same power that He had....to love, serve, resist temptations, pray, etc.
I hope that I can share with you any great things that God shows and teaches me on this journey of faith. At the same time ...I don't want to always just be in the state of learning... I want these things to totally change the way I think and live.

For now...here's an article from Francis Chan. He raises some challenging questions that confront our "Christian" life.


I think it’s time we stop asking ourselves the question: “Am I a good Christian?” We live in a time when the term “Christian” has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves “good Christians.” We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly. Others will label you a good Christian even though your life has no semblance to the way Christ spent His days on earth. Perhaps we should start asking the question: “Am I a good Christ?” In other words, do I look anything like Jesus? This question never even entered my mind until a friend of mine made a passing comment to me one day.

Dan is a long time friend of mine. In fact, he’s the pastor who performed my wedding. He was talking to me about a pastor named Von. Von has been working with youth in the San Diego area for decades. Many of his students have gone on to become amazing missionaries and powerful servants of God. Dan described a trip to Tijuana, Mexico with Pastor Von. (Von has been ministering to the poor in the dumps of Tijuana for years). Dan didn’t speak of the awful living conditions of those who made their homes amidst the rubbish. What impacted Dan the most was the relationship he saw between Von and the people of this community. He spoke of the compassion, sacrifice, and love that he witnessed in Von’s words and actions as he held these malnourished and un-bathed children. Then he made the statement that sent me reeling:

“The day I spent with Von was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.”

Dan explained that the whole experience was so eerie because he kept thinking to himself: “If Jesus were still walking on earth in the flesh, this is what it would feel like to walk alongside of Him!” After that discussion, I kept wondering if anyone had ever said that about me: “The day I spent with Francis was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.” The answer was an obvious “no.” Would any honest person say that about you?

What bothered me was not that I hadn’t “arrived,” but that I wasn’t even heading in the right direction. I hadn’t made it my goal to resemble Christ. I wasn’t striving to become the kind of person who could be mistaken for Jesus Christ. Isn’t it ironic that a man can be known as a successful pastor, speaker, and CHRISTian even if his life doesn’t resemble Christ’s?

The answers to all life's questions right here. Haha...not even! But I hope you get something out of my ramblings......


As Christians, we say we want to give our all to God…for God. And maybe we do. At least I do. But it's hard to know what that looks like in this country. The Bible says to be ready to suffer, and to be honest, I don't think I really suffer at all. I look at Christians in some countries who go through hunger, beatings, prison, and horrific situations, and I wonder why my faith doesn't cost me as much as it does them.

Anyhow, I read a little booklet tonight from Watchman Nee called, "Have a Mind To Suffer." All 4 chapters are based on 1 Peter 4:1, which says, "Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind…." All who serve God must have a mind to suffer.

The biggest revelation I got from this book (and maybe you have already had this revelation) is that, "it is not about how much you suffer but how much you are willing to suffer." I have to ask myself, "When I am in the most favourable position, do I still possess the mind to suffer?
And then there's the opposite. Isn't it true that there are people who suffer greatly yet don't have the mind to suffer? I think I have been guilty of both of these situations. When I go through something tough sometimes all I do is complain and wine about it. And when life is good, I don't have a mind or heart prepared to suffer.
"Having the mind to suffer speaks of my readiness before God to suffer. I am willing to go through trials, and I choose the path of hardship. It is up to the Lord whether or not to put suffering in my path, but on my part I am always prepared to suffer. Thus when His providential changes comes and trials fall upon me, I will not be surprised but rather feel that this is what I should go through in the first place."

And what I find so awesome is that the devil has NO HOLD on us if we have this mindset. If you have a mind to suffer and you stand up and declare to the devil that you will keep serving no matter what trial comes your way, then when Satan threatens you with suffering, you stand firm and the devil flees. Check it out! Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." To that Watchman Nee asks, "What can the Enemy do if your conscience is void of offence, you have the word of the testimony of Christ's victory, and you love not your life even unto death? The Enemy has NO WAY in the slightest to deal with those who love not their lives." Wow!!
When this attitude is lacking (willing to suffer even to death) I find I am tempted with the very things of which I am afraid. Without a mind to suffer we are subject to Satan's attacks at the very point of our fears. And I think it can be true what Watchman Nee says here. "The failure of God's workmen can be plainly perceived right here - that they love their lives too much. "

I think it's important to state that God does not desire to see His people suffer, but still, that is not to say that He does not test His children. He gives grace to teach and discipline us through trails.
I don't think we should go searching for suffering. God likes to bless His children and we shouldn't say no to these blessings just because we think we need to put ourselves through more suffering. Does that makes sense? Does any of this make sense?

Closing quote: "According to God's providence, we may not have to suffer many pains; yet because we desire to serve Him, we gladly choose a path which differs from the common one. And this is what is meant by having a mind to suffer.'

i was thinking about how things change. sometimes life changes so quickly, and sometimes painfully. other times, it's such a gradual change that you hardly notice until you look back. that's the change i have been thinking of today. i miss a lot of things; a lot of people. i miss certain feelings and atmospheres that i wouldn't even know how to describe. i miss long summers at the beach. i miss playing sports late into the night with friends, camping trips...being active. i miss elizabeth. i miss danielle. i miss jessica...and all of my good friends who live so far away.
im not saying my life is horrible where it's at...just different now. most of the time i don't even realize it. but there are many times that i do. and it's funny because i look back with such fondness and yet, it's not like those days were care-free or really any easier, harder, funner (yeah i know that's not grammatically correct ;), or whatever else. i think it's something everyone does now and then...they long for "the way things used to be"...whatever that is. haha. :)
BUT, i can look back and praise God for all of it and everything. i wouldn't trade any of the changes for anything, because He used them to make me who i am today. and really, once i'm in heaven, i'm sure i'll look back. and when i do, this whole life will seem so short, it will be just like a dream...

(you like my photo? yeah, that's me thinking. :)

So here's my thoughts on the rebellious part of my name. But first, here's a secret…I'm a bit of a rebel. Or at least I would like to be. And Now that I have your attention…let me explain. XD

When I say the word "rebel," what do you think of? Most likely someone doing something they shouldn't, something against the rules. Or maybe it's more like someone who just goes against the grain and doesn't do what everyone else is doing. Maybe being a rebel means doing sinful things that you shouldn't do…but, that seems to be what almost everyone is doing. So wouldn't you be more of a rebel to say,"no" to all that? It's just food for thought. And I'm speaking very general, too.
We could focus in on some things…like the church in this country. Most Christians aren't too worried about making their life count. They go to church and give their tithe and think it's ok. Well, it's not! I don't think there is much time left here on this planet and there are millions, even billions who do not know Christ yet! Everything is not ok!
It's easy to just…exist, and not worry about what's going on around the world. Oblivion is bliss. But God has been challenging me. I don't think we'll be in Heaven wishing we hadn't gone out of our way to speak to a certain person. Or wishing we hadn't sacrificed something we like, to see the lost reached. We're not going to be sitting in heaven thinking…"Darn, I wish I had of lived more for myself…"

Anyway, these are some things that I am learning and I'm trying to figure out what it all looks like…hence the name. So please….join me! Be a rebel, live every day like it is your last and do whatever is in your power to reach the lost! Be a rebel…someone who can be used by God and not worry about what others are doing! Be a rebel and pray!

This may be the greatest rebellion we have. Maybe the only one left.

Til next time,
Treble

P.S. Not all of my posts are going to be this serious…I promise!