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Contrasting Forces: Living Bold And Broken On The Same Day :)

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 By 5 Comments

Good Morning Friends,

Instead of listening to worship music for prayer today… I’m just enjoying the concert of all the HAPPY birds in my yard. These guys have been going crazy since an hour and a half before sunrise… and it’s so beautiful! Maybe I woke them up. Maybe the light from my family room comes off like the rising sun. Or maybe God just woke them up so they could sing their song while I prayed and worshiped him today! What’s strange is how they have stopped singing just as soon as transitioned out of prayer. Thank you God for the song of the birds today… that was fun!

This morning I feel moved with humility. Even though I have recently come into a place of trusting God with my future… and even though I feel the peace of knowing that God is for me and that God loves me like crazy… I still feel humble about the things in my life that I cannot figure out how to fix.

Sometimes, there are situations that arise… and they turn out so differently than we wish for them to turn out. Yeah, God promises to walk through them with us and God assures us that our future in him is still BRIGHT. God assures us that he works out his plans perfectly even in the imperfections of the people in those plans. And knowing this, still isn’t enough to wipe away the tears that come from living out the reality of what is happening right in front of our eyes.

What I’m saying is that having a vision that sees beyond right now is crucial concerning ones ability to keep walking FORWARD. Yes, it is important to keep on looking ahead and not become overwhelmed with the results of one short phase. But this does not mean that we are to live numb and uncaring. It doesn’t mean that we lay aside compassion and humility.

Some situations cannot be fixed RIGHT AWAY… no matter what we do or do not do. In fact, in these rare situations, EVERYTHING we do or do not do only seems to make the matter much worse instead of even slightly better. And that is painful… it’s very humbling. It always leaves me broken and wondering over the thousand things I COULD HAVE done to prevent things from getting so crazy. 

Today, I feel very humbled about a few recent personal situations. I find myself praying so earnestly for God to show me how to fix things that I haven’t been able to fix yet. I’ve pleaded with God for mighty miracles. And the brokenness I feel over watching the situation play out is driving me to a place of significant spiritual transformation. I want God to fix so many flaws in my own life.

As I run into the next great adventure of my life and lead my church into her next great adventure… I want to run with a new and more substantial degree of LOVE for people! I want God to make me far less self absorbed… far less arrogant… far less bitter and unforgiving… far less focused on the flaws of others… and far more appreciative of Gods grace and mercy for us all. I want to be the biggest fan to every person God brings into my space. This has always been my aim, and now more than ever, this is the man I desire to become!

What I’m suggesting today is this: While holding on to the promise that God is always working all things out for YOUR good… run with the highest degree of humility you can get your hands on at this point of your life!

I hope todays blog adds tremendous value to your amazing lives! My love and prayers are with you… thanks for being such an amazing blog family! Tootalooooo everyone…

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Our Stomachs Turn While Our Grateful Hearts Burn

Friday, April 10th, 2009 By 2 Comments

Happy GOOD Friday Everyone!

Oh, did I mention today is GOOD Friday? Yes, it is Good Friday everyone… the holy day that we Christ followers remember Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. It’s a VERY big deal… and a very awesome day! 

Think about the following Old Testament prophecy given through the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus came into the earth. 

Isaiah 52:13-14 MSG

“Just watch my servant blossom! 
   Exalted, tall, head and shoulders above the crowd!
But he didn’t begin that way. 
   At first everyone was appalled.
He didn’t even look human— 
   a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.“

I think about how amazing Jesus is to so many millions of us throughout the earth today. I think about how we esteem him and love him… and attribute our beautiful lives to his awesome sacrifice. Jesus BLOSSOMS in this age of grace… EXALTED, TALL, HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE CROWD! 

But HE DID NOT START THAT WAY.

At first… everyone was appalled… they could not stomach the gore of his passion! Isaiah predicted: He didn’t even look human… a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.

Philippians 2:5-11 NLT

 “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 Though he was God,
      he did not think of equality with God
      as something to cling to.
 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
      he took the humble position of a slave
      and was born as a human being.
 When he appeared in human form,
      he humbled himself in obedience to God
      and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
      and gave him the name above all other names,
      that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
      and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.”

So then, when we look at the passion of Christ we witness something that turns our stomach. Beholding our savior disfigured beyond human recognition… bleeding out for you and me… it’s almost more than we can bear.

Yet, this passion is the greatest LOVE STORY ever told! And while our stomachs turn… our grateful HEARTS BURN with appreciation and we melt at the foot of his cross.

On Good Friday each and every year we visit the cross… we bow in silence before that holy place that Jesus ransomed his life for ours! We consider the humility of GOD ALMIGHTY, reaching down to serve us and suffer for us! We are reminded that WE MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE that Christ Jesus had… and that humility is the surest way for God to LIFT US UP and make us great!

Let me end with the verse I began with: “Just watch my servant blossom! Exalted, tall, head and shoulders above the crowd… BUT HE DIDN’T BEGIN THAT WAY!”   

Maybe on this Good Friday, we can thank God for our own CROSSES as we remember the results of our saviors obedience! God is a righteous judge… and he still says to us, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and he will RAISE YOU UP!”

We have a Good Friday service from 12-1pm at Destiny Family Center today… come if you can… and have a most outstanding day!

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Emergency Rescue: Who Will Risk It All?

Thursday, March 12th, 2009 By 1 Comment

Happy Thursday Everyone!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qSakxWt54

Galatians 6:1-3 NLT “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

Jude 23 NLT ”Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.“

Humility

Compassion

Sacrifice

Faith

Let’s do it!

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Rescuing Hettie: She’s Still Alive! :)

Thursday, March 5th, 2009 By 13 Comments

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Hettie has returned to us! She sent a reply to yesterday’s blog… and I feel compelled to make this the topic of today’s discussion. First, I’m pasting her comments… then I will write my reply. I hope this blesses Hettie… and I hope it helps anyone that may be in a similar situation! 

Hey Chuck… I know it has been awhile. I began to sort of fall of the path that God had me on. This Blog was really a coincidence. I have been trying to force a relationship that I believe God didn’t want for me anymore, maybe not at all.

I feel so lost sometimes. I let everyone down and I made myself look like such a hypocrite. I talked so bad about the person that was hurting me and I went right back to him, WOW how dumb huh. Sometimes I feel so alone and I need someone there and it doesn’t feel like God is, which I know he is, so I go running back to this person and I think I love him but when I am with him I just don’t feel happy and that I am following what God wants for me.

I feel like my life is spinning out of control sometimes and no one will stop it, I really need some guidance I am so lost and have no clue were to begin to find my way to were I need to be.

I’m sorry Chuck… and to everyone that I let down. I was doing so good and then Satan drew me back to something I was running from. I dearly apologize to everyone. I’m just so young and sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself.

Chuck, keep me in your prayers. I am trying with all of my might to do what is right and what God has in store for me. I guess I don’t know how to look for what God is trying to tell me. I don’t know what he wants from me so then I feel lost and alone.

Even though I haven’t been attending church I still pray alot and read my bible everyday. I just hope God will show me something soon so I know where to start my life with him, and I also hope that I can interpret what he wants and that it’s him wanting it for me. I hope that I can begin to build trust with the ones that matter the most to me, I have let everyone down that cares.

Hettie 

Good morning Hettie… your comments bring me GREAT joy! I have been praying for you and I have not lost hope that you would someday rise again! There is a tiny little seed inside of your heart… the seed of a history maker! You’re never going to be able to enjoy going in the wrong direction again. God started that fire you’re carrying… he began a very real work in your life… and HE will be faithful to complete it!

That was beautiful of you to apologize… and it’s a very rare thing for someone, especially your age, to have that kind of humility! It’s even further evidence that God is working in your life! Way to go on reading your bible and praying… whenever we put Gods word in our heart, it will NOT RETURN TO HIM WITHOUT PRODUCING FRUIT! It wakes us up at night like the whispering winds… it wrestles down wrong thinking and gives us disgust for wrong actions… it leads us home!

You already know the path that leads to that amazing future you know God has for you! You already know that it calls for the burning of every bridge… for you to RUN YOUR RACE and NEVER LOOK BACK! You’re only a few steps away from being right where you were… and setting yourself up for some CRAZY HAPPY DAYS!

I’m not promising that this will be easy… in fact it will not be easy. There will be times of intense persecution! The hell you are coming out of will hunt for you! The flames will grab for your ankles often… dark forces will circle you and taunt you like devouring vultures! But I know so well, the MIGHTY LOVE AND POWER of God! He will send his ANGELS… he will make you strong… he will be MORE RELENTLESS! Hettie, I am confident that you CAN make it, and you will make it! And you will not have to make it ALONE!  

When you were at church, there were some women that REALLY caught a heart for you… they are ready to TEACH you the ways of the FORCE just as soon as you are ready to LEARN the ways of the FORCE! So… get your container of gasoline and a box of matches… and BURN THE BRIDGES OF YOUR PAST. Get rid of EVERYTHING that carries the potential of enticing you back into misery. Be polite and humble… and be firm! Let your friends know that you are going away so you can get well… and you will come back for them in something like 5 years from today… once you are healthy and well able to rescue them!

As far as needing to know what God has for your future and how you are going to get there… don’t stress out! For now… just know that God LOVES you like crazy and these next few years are supposed to become the best days of your life!

Hope this helps Hettie… and I pray this blog adds great value to all our amazing blogger friends! Please send your comments… chat with you all later!

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Happy Christmas Eve :)

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 By 6 Comments
Lillian Balsamo

"Lillian Balsamo"

Happy Christmas Eve Friends!!

Announcement: The pig has decided she doesnt want to be called Cinderella… so we have changed her name to “Lillian!”

Sorry for the very late post today. My computer was almost broken beyond repair… and thanks to my new friend Ibrahim from india, it is in recovery!

Wow… you guys are really loving Lillian huh? Thanks for all the comments. The pig jokes are rolling in! I must admit that yesterday morning was a very stressful time here at the Balsamo residence! We actually got on the phone and started searching for someone to take her off our hands. We even worked out a deal with Heaven that we would get her a puppy if she would let us sell the pig. She agreed, but only for a few hours.

As the day went on, Lillian proved just how badly she wanted to be in this family! She’s has not gone to the bathroom in the house… not even once! After she figured out that we were going to take her outside at potty time, she hasnt even gone in her pig palace. I know its hard to believe, but this gal is already potty trained!

Emily and I gave Lillian a bath yesterday to help her smell better. Since she came out of a barn, she stunk like a pig! The bathing task was a memorable experience… Lillian jumping straight up in the air and doing backflips… and squeeling like we were turning her into little sausage links! But after day one, Lillian is going potty outside and she smells like a rose… maybe she can stay. I did say maybe! :)

On a Chrismas note… the Balsamo’s wanted to wish all you guys a very Merry Christmas Eve! We hope you have the time of your lives hanging with all your special people! Whatever it takes, express your love as passionately and creatively as you ever have before. All over the world, people need love this year much more than ussual!

I read the book of Matthew this morning and came away with a beautiful FEELING. It’s the desire for more HUMILTY in my life! I realized while reading, just how humble Jesus is… and all I can think about since then is how much I want to be like Jesus this Christmas! When this came over me, I rolled over onto my knees and prayed, “Please God, help me not to be self absorbed over the next few days. Please help me to make a very big difference in someones life… by all means possible.” Pray this prayer and aim for the best Christmas of your life!

Thats it for today… we will chat tomorrow!

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