The Journey

When Christians Go To Jail

I've been watching this story for the last week, and my heart strings have been pulled in more than one direction.  What a predicament?  Evidently 10 members of a Baptist church in Idaho decided to go and rescue some of the orphans from the Haiti disaster. 

Seems innocent enough right?

Everyone in the Western hemisphere wants to go down there an help, so what in the world might be the problem when people of the Lord want to go and give their time, energy, and presumably financial resources to rescue children?

The other part of me knows the Haitian point of view. 

Since Jamie and I have been involved in international adoption, we've been privy to seeing a lot of governmental systems.  We've sat with Chinese regulators, Rwandan family departments, and I even took 60 kids to Guatemala to live with orphans in Guatemala city. 

What the world isn't understanding in this story is something quite vicious.  Even though it looks innocent on the outside, and it seems like these 10 Baptists had good intentions; there are rules set up for adoption and relief organizations for a reason.

Child trafficking, sex slavery, and the labor business is something we don't think about here in the U.S.  But it's a REAL deal on the international stage.  Haiti is a breeding ground for the darkest members of humanity to reer their ugly heads and take advantage of the children.  Trafficking kids is big business, and I've seen homes in southeast Asia where girls are thrown to the curb because they've contracted AIDS.  They were taking from their homes, forced into prostitution,  used as a resource to make money, and then when they got sick, they were forgotten about. 

This is the real world America. 

We can't just go and break all the rules of the international community just because our heart strings get pulled.  There are systems.  There are agencies.  There are regulators that could have set these 10 up for success.  But instead, we try to take the "great white American hope" to other countries, and we think everything is going to be O.K. if they do it our way.  WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, not just running to do whatever WE think.

Can you imagine 10 Haitians coming to New York the day after 9-11 and trying to gather the child victims of 9-11 to move them to Canada? 

Can you imagine 10 Mexicans arriving in Oklahoma city the day after the bombing, scooping up the children of tragedy to take them to Mexico City?

What would we do if 10 Cubans arrived on the coast of Louisiana after Katrina and were caught with 30 children on their way out to "rescue them?"

I'm not saying these 10 Baptists don't have the greatest heart in the world, we'll see what happens after their trial.  But Americans need to think about the rest of the world before we inject our own opinions about what we think is right in a situation like this. 

There are organizations trying to coordinate the relief.
There are people trying to make sure the airports stay open, the ports are free to dock, and the food is distributed. 
If you're heart tells you to go and give, or maybe even stronger; if you hear God tell you to go, remember He is a God of order, not of confusion.  Make sure you are above board, registered with an official agency, and give everything you feel like you need to give.  God knows they need it right now.

If the 10 are innocent, I'm so sorry they are in this situation, and I will continue to pray for them and their families.  But, this should be lesson that rings loud and clear to the people of America.  When you go to help someone, make sure they want the help before you subvert the systems in place.  Unfortunately the evil people of the world require us to be above reproach, even in our relief efforts. 

Final day at TCA

Today is my last day at TCA in Dallas, and I can't thank the administration enough.  It's been a wonderful experience to be in the school all week.  I've had the chance to meet new friends, hang out with old friends, and watch as God moves through the student body to bring teenagers closer to Him.  It's been awesome.

I'll teach a bit this morning, and then tonight I'm speaking to the parents of TCA at 7:00 pm.  I'm excited to share what I've learned, and hopefully offer some useful suggestions for families as they raise their kids through the hardest times in life. 

It's also super exciting to know there are several Dallas teenagers that will be joining us in Colorado this summer at KIVU.  The excitement continues to grow, and we're ready to help teenagers to understand what they believe, how they can incorporate their belief, and join the global movement as God leads us around the world. 

If you haven't signed up, be sure to go register online, and reserve your spot at our website, http://www.campkivu.com.  Dallas is going to represent in a big way. 

Thanks for praying this week.

If you're in the Dallas area, come on out tonight at 7:00 on the TCA campus for a relaxed, informal discussion about teenagers today. 

The KIVU family

The greatest parts about working for an international ministry are the people that I have the honor to run into everywhere I go.  KIVU has already invited people from all over the world to come be a part of a tight knit "family" type connection.  It's like visiting extended relatives wherever I go.

Last night I had dinner with a wonderful KIVU family.  What a JOY!!  To share life with people who are trying to raise their kids, look into the future, and love God with all they have.  It's a wonderful part of my job.

Today I'm off to TCA again.  I'm introducing them to the Braner clan, talking about why we are Braner Party of 7.  James 1:27.  Here we go.

And then, I'm sharing the KIVU movie with teenagers interested in coming to our place this summer.  Remember, if you're interested in seeing our program, sharing our experience, or just sign up yourself, be sure to surf over to http://www.campkivu.com, and reserve your spot today.  We have movies from last summer, photos from our outdoor experience, and videos that will help you see the value teenagers get from coming out for 2 weeks in the summer. 

God bless.

See you soon!!

Part 2. Trinity Christian Academy Dallas Texas

Today has been a full day of teaching.  I started with Sr. Bible classes, did a chapel for the whole school, and now I'm back to Sr. Bible.  I've got a little break right now, but one more to go before the day comes to an end.  What a joy!!  The kids are great.  We've had some great discussion,. a lot of laughing, and several light bulbs going off.

It's been an interesting journey so far.  I'm convinced more than ever, that Christian School kids need to be challenged to think out of bounds.  There's just such a comfortable bubble we create to protect, to promote, and to perform.  Unless you have a type A kid, there's just little time for students to discover. 

They're so busy doing homework, athletics, and extra stuff, there's little time for them to contemplate, discover, and think about how God wired them. 

I know there are teachers here who are re-enforcing the ability to grow into men and women of character, but I think the system itself, not just in this school, but all schools has driven kids to perform at all cost.  They don't have a chance to know what's going on inside.  They're focused on running the rat race to get the grade, or score the goal, or perform in the play, and sometimes, they just need to slow down a bit and reflect. 

In fact, just yesterday, one of the kids said, "I'm going so fast, I didn't even have time to identify what I was feeling. I was just on cruise control."

I wonder...

In my re-imagination....

s there a way we can create a place of development where students could not only develop physically, and mentally; but also emotionally?  Socially?  Spiritually?  Is there someone who is out there concentrating on whole growth, rather than just the academy?

Maybe it's just the context I'm in right now.  And believe me, Trinity Christian in Dallas Texas is doing a great job at trying to afford its students all the opportunities for development.  I'm guess I'm just curious....how can we allow teens to grow into men and women whereby they can know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to share it; in a comprehensive way?

Any thoughts?

This has been a wonderful experience so far.  I'm so thankful for the faculty and the administration for opening their doors and allowing me to be with the students.  It gives me hope for the future. 

Trinity Christian Academy....Great Start!!

It was a great start this morning to Trinity Christian's Spiritual Emphasis Week.  The students of the Upper School at Trinity Christian are listening, or they at least seem like they are.   Great actors anyway!!  HA!

No, it's a great time already.  I've seen a lot of old friends, meeting some new ones, and looking forward to seeing how God is going to work here throughout the week. 

It's always tough to come into a Christian School environment where you never really know where the students are coming from.  The campus pastor here is SUPER helpful, just allowing me some information that helps to know where to start from.  Sometimes the speaker guy is someone that just comes in and gives the same points in a different way. I want to make sure I'm tuned into all the variables God might be trying to communicate.  So, knowing there has been a death in the school, or that there are some athletic events going on, or that students care or don't care about issues concerning faith; these are all helpful in gageing where to begin the week. 

I'll be in Bible classes all week, teaching, listening, and hopefully giving some helpful points where students might be able to 'think' about what it is they believe in, how they behave in the world, and where they belong. 

I'm looking forward to a great week.

You can check out the schedule at http://www.trinitychristian.org/podium/default.aspx?t=29592

If you think about it, I'd love to know there are some people out there praying. 

Praying for the students.
Praying for the parents.
Praying for the faculty.
Praying for me...mainly that  God would speak His message where He needs. 

I'm in awe that we get to do something like this, and I'm thankful to spread the words of Jesus across the country. 

God bless!! And thanks for taking some time out to lift up this school down here in Dallas.  I'm expecting some great things.

Sunday School, Durango Style

So, one of the coolest parts about living in Durango full time is the access to the ski resort.  Most years, we spent spring breaks trying to get away to a place where the kids could shred down some quality snow, but now, it's a 30 minute drive and we're on the lift.  ITS CRAZY!!  This is paradise. 

I don't know if you've been listening to our radio broadcasts on Castle Rock Radio during the week, but Ryan and I have talked a lot about the snow in and around the Durango area.  I heard yesterday we're approaching 100 inches. for the season.  WOW!!  NOW That's CRAZY!

But this morning was a welcomed snow day.

I took my oldest kids up to the mountain for their weekly board lessons, and this time it was just a little different.  I decided today I was going to bring a Bible and we could have a little Sunday School on the way up. 

I opened to Matthew 5, and started the Sermon on the Mount.  Well, actually my daughter started reading, since I was driving. 

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!  Words that make my soul full everytime I read them. 

I asked, "what do you guys think Blessed means?"

"It means you get something?" 
"Maybe it means someone is giving you something?"

I should have taken a picture.  I was smiling from ear to ear.  What a blessing to be able to teach your kids about the importance of Jesus' words. 

We talked about how Blessed actually can be translated "God is with you!"  Isn't that cool?

I had my son read the whole of Chapter 5 with those words, God is with you poor in spirit, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.

In other words, no matter what you've done, no matter what your history tells about you, no matter how bankrupt your spirit is; GOD IS WITH YOU, and Jesus came that you might have the ability to enter the Kingdom. 

COME ON!!  Now that'll preach people. 

Blessed are you today, that God is with you.  No matter who you are.  No matter where you came from.  "God sent His Only Son that whoever believes should not perish, BUT HAVE LIFE!!!" 

My heart is full.
My kid meter is off the charts.
I'm loving Sunday School, Durango style!

Coming to Dallas Next Week

Hey KIVU Texas fans.  I'm coming to Dallas next week, and I'll be speaking at TCA all week at their spiritual emphasis week. 

Every time I travel, I tell the hosts, I really don't like just sitting in a hotel room, so we try to plan evening events for folks to find out more about the ministry happening out here at KIVU. 

So, if you're in the Dallas area, and would like to see what's going on.
Or, you have friends that might want to see what's going on.
Come on by Monday night, and let's talk about the future of Camp KIVU. 

Can't wait to see you there.

KIVU News!

Hey Guys, if you're interested in coming out to our place this summer in Colorado, we've got a special program running right now. 

If you've signed up already, and you'd like to invite a friend, just contact our registration department (970)-884-1100 and let them know who your friend is.  When your friend applies their deposit, we'll refund you're deposit, a total value of $300.00.  How exciting is that!! 

It's called BRING A FRIEND FEBRUARY, and we'd love to offer some help to you as you tell your friends and family what a great place Camp KIVU is. 

So be sure to visit http://www.campkivu.com, make sure you're registered, and then have your friend do the same.  

In the meantime, if you'd like to participate in our latest PARTY POLL, cruise over to http://www.campkivu.com, scroll down on the right hand side, and place your vote.  This year we're having the students pick the party.  It's gonna be AWESOME.  Here's a sneak peak.

Testing LIVE RADIO FEED

I've been testing our radio show that feeds LIVE at 4:00 CST.  It's called the KORKAST, and it broadcasts LIVE at CastleRock Radio over the web. 

Today, we're launching the live stream here at andybraner.com.  So be sure to mark your calendar, and stop by andybraner.com at 4:00 CST.  We hope to have LIVE video, audio, and chat room RIGHT HERE!! 

And what a better day to start than Entertainment Friday. 

Tune in and join Ryan Dobson and I talk about everything that gives us joy in life.  We'll talk movies, music, and stuff that's just plain fun!! 

See you then.

I'm Tired of Fear

On the daily news cruise this morning there's a lot of commenting on the State of the Union last night.  I realize even by just mentioning the President's speech to the country may cause defensive feelings to the surface for some, and a roar of applause from others. 

It's an interesting study as I read FoxNews, CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, and the BBC.  The analysts couldn't disagree more.  From network to network there are some praising the President's policy, and some who are calling for the end of the world as we know it. 

Some people are galvanizing their support and calling for opposition, while other people are literally becoming paralyzed with fear.  They're listening to these media pundits, listening to the naysayers, and there is a bottoming out of consumer confidence in our country. 

Sure there's 10% unemployment, and we should be concerned.
Sure the economy slid more in the last two years than in the last 25.
Sure there's physical reason to run for the hills, but what is our response as Jesus followers?

Jesus mentioned a bit about fear in Matthew 6.  

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

We must not become a people that continually fear the economy. For, doesn't God own the cattle on a thousand hills?  Didn't He create all things, and in Him all things hold together?

We can't continue to fear the policies of a government. Doesn't God allow some to govern, and others not?  Hasn't he called us all to pray for and be obedient to the authority over us?

We must not allow those with a platform to vocalize their fear mongering opinion to dictate our daily decisions.  Aren't we suppose to focus on the Kingdom of God?  Shouldn't we know His voice clearer than those on the television or the radio?

I'm not saying we just sit by and allow things to happen without discussion and debate.  But seriously...We must become a people who are more about God's mission than lining the pockets of the fear givers with insurmountable amounts of cash. 

Greater is HE who is in ME than HE that is in the World. 

Let's not fear.
Let's face tough issues with a quiet confidence.
We serve a Mighty God!

LOVE THIS! the Kindle Edition

With all the talk of the new iPad released by Apple today, I checked with our publisher about electronic distribution.  And guess what??  You can now get LOVE THIS! and DUPLICATE THIS! electronically. 

You can download it straight to your kindle you got for Christmas, or you can even get a Kindle app for your iPhone and download it that way. 

In any event, just wanted you guys to know LOVE THIS is available electronically, and you can pass it on to your friends a WHOLE LOT easier now.

Happy Reading!!

Jesus is Who He Said He Was

I find it crazy.  There are still people who are calling Jesus a "good teacher," all the while ignoring the fact He claimed He was God. It's C.S. Lewis' oldest argument for Liar, Lunatic, or Lord, but let's be honest.  He either was who He said He was, or He's not.

Matthew gives us another good look into the identity of this Jesus figure.  He writes,

"Finally two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ,the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:60-64

Look, I'm not trying to invent something here.  I'm just reading what Matthew wrote about Jesus' trial.  Jesus admitted that He was the Christ, the Son of God.  

So our conversation must go to either...

A.  Jesus was a liar
B.  Jesus didn't say this
C.  Matthew wrote it wrong
D.  Jesus was actually the Son of God

My life is one that will always come to an option D conclusion.  His life, His teachings, and His sacrifice have changed the course of all humanity.  The beauty His life and subsequent Resurrection brings to the whole of the story of the Kingdom of God are unmatched by any other time.  It is beyond my comprehension why there are those who continue to try and mingle Jesus' teachings and disregard His own claims of Himself.

As for me and my house, we are committed to understanding God's message through His Son Jesus. 

Thank you God for such a clear picture of your revelation.  May we approach you with all humility of heart to worship you in all manner of truth. 

Why KIVU??

As we travel around the country telling people about Camp KIVU, an honest question always comes to the surface.  Why?  Why would I send my teenager out to Colorado for two weeks in the summertime?

It's a fair question?  After all, summertime is becoming more precious as each year rolls by.  Schools are ending later and starting earlier.  Sports programs are demanding time in the summer.  And lets not forget that valuable family vacation time.  Parents are wondering, is this going to be valuable for my student as he or she goes off to college?

I've been thinking a lot about value as it relates to KIVU, and I think I can offer a few bullet points that identify the reason why.

1.) Teenagers are climbing a long road to spiritual understanding.  The current stats point out that 70-80% of teenagers who are raised in Christian homes reject their faith by their first year in college.  It's an astounding almost unbelievable statement, but it's true.  Teenagers today aren't able to articulate the reason why they believe what they believe, and so when they go off to a place where they are the primary decision makers, the crisis of belief systems often throw them into a tailspin.

At KIVU we have developed a curriculum to help teenagers begin to own their faith.  We want teenagers to be able to ask hard questions about what they believe, and ultimately set them on their own faith discovery.  We want them to look for answers.  We want them to search for the truth and ultimately find it. (John 14:6) Our premise is a total understanding of God's working on the earth, and we challenge teens to know what they believe, how it affects everyday behavior, and how they can go out into the world and be agents of change within the context of the gospel.

2.) Teenagers need adventure.  KIVU is poised to offer teenagers events they've probably never experienced before.  We invite teenagers from around the world to explore different activities with other teenagers.  We want them to know there is more to life than television and video games, and we encourage them to find the adventure they have the most excitement for.  We don't force anyone to do anything, so every activity is by invitation only.    

It's a great day when a teenager returns to camp KIVU and tells stories of the life adventures they've done with other friends back home, all because they learned the skills at camp.  Our hope is we can set teenagers on a track full of ideas, clear of vision, in an effort to codify valuable memories that shape them as people.

3.)  Teenagers need encouragement.  KIVU has developed a rich tradition of relationships around the globe, and it's ESSENTIAL teenagers have other teens and mentors they can look to.  We don't just instruct, we live life with teenagers.  We backpack together.  We Mountain Bike together.  We ski together.  But most of all, we live this spiritual discovery together. 

Everyone who has tried to walk the road Jesus asked us to walk knows it's not easy.  I believe teenagers can do it, but not alone.  KIVU provides real life relationships whereby they can be encouraged to walk their faith in hard times.  They can call on new friends and mentors to pray for them during the rocky times. 

So Why send your kids to KIVU?

I believe it's crucial for the emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of teenagers. 

And we LOVE providing a resource where you can know your kids will be treated with respect, given life values to grow, and yea, We're going to have a GREAT TIME doing it.

Feel free to share this with anyone you think might value knowing about our place.  We're always hoping to meet new faces when the summer starts.  And it won't be long.  So if you haven't registered yet, be sure to click over to http://www.campkivu.com, and reserve your spot today.

The Book of Eli...WOW!!

Last night, a few of us decided to hit the theaters.  I haven't been to the movie theater in a while, and I knew this Book Of ELI sparked my interest a few months ago.  So we decided to go and see what was new up Denzel's sleeve.

Oh My...

First of all, it's Rated R for a reason.  There's a ton of violence, sexual innuendos, and overall adult themes, but the core of this film is unlike anything we've seen before. 

The premise, Eli (Denzel Washington) is walking west.  He eats off the land, protects himself from hijackers with a vicious blade, and is on a mission.  He explains it in the movie, "After the blast he heard a voice tell him to walk west where he could take the book (The King James Bible) to a place where it would be kept safe."

The movie is set in some sort of apocalyptic time where everyone was in survival mode.  Much like Mad Max back in the 80's, this time is one of scarce resources where only the tough survive.  If you can stomach the battle scenes, the message will blow you away.

Eli takes the book through a town where Carnegie (Gary Oldman) is looking for "The book." Several times they refer to the power of the words in the book, and it's power to transform and lead people.  So Carnegie is on the hunt for the book for his own personal power game. 

One of the most powerful points in the movie is when Carnegie and his thugs have Eli cornered, and they ask for the book.  Mind you, Eli has been protecting the book with his very life, but for some reason, he gives it over to the motley crew.  Eli's walking partner asks, "I never thought you'd ever give up that book."  And Eli replies, "I took for granted just reading it.  I better live my life and do what it says."

I won't ruin it for you any more.  This is an interesting look at how to present the gospel in a vehicle our culture can hear and will understand.  I haven't read any secular reviews on the film, but there is no subtlety here.  The Gospel of Jesus is CLEAR.  The message of the Bible is CLEAR.  The power of God's Word is CLEAR.  It's just driven by some pretty gross violent scenes. 

Denzel Washington an Gary Oldman are brilliant actors and carried the movie with poise and style.  This may go down as a classic once the culture figures out what do to with the message. 

I can't Even Imagine

I can't even imagine what this must be like.  Two weeks after the most devastating natural disaster to hit the small island country of Haiti, and people are still clamoring to find hope.  Hope on the sea.  Hope of another town.  Hope that someone, anyone will reach out and help.

I've held off posting about Haiti for the last two weeks for a reason.  Aid groups galvanized the social media platform, and I believe the Red Cross alone raised over $10 million pleading for text donations and twitter awareness.  To be honest, I don't have any connections in Haiti, and it looked like the NGO's in the area were rocking on it.  Worldvisions Richard Stearns is on site.  Compassion International is there.  The Red Cross, and a host of individual disaster relief groups have ramped up their support, so I thought I'd just pray. 

But even though Aid and logistical help is at the forefront right now, it won't be long when we start asking questions...

Why did this happen?
Can we prevent it from happening other places?
Are there better ways to help in times of natural disasters?
And probably the question that continues to rattle around in my head, What about all the spiritual implications of this event?

I realize this probably isn't the time to start asking questions. 
There are still mothers trying to feed children, fathers trying to find shelter, and the basic needs of human survival are on the front burner.  But there will come a time when the dialog must begin.  People will begin asking questions, and surely there must be answers. 

Why would God allow this to happen? 

Some will answer, "That's just the way the world turns." and for those, there is an answer.
Others will cry out, "There is no God." and again, there is an answer.
One prominant Evangelical figure blamed the whole thing on a 'pact with the devil.'  O.K, there's another.
But I wonder if there's an answer we can find in scripture.  It's the age old question, "If God is so good, and so powerful, and has the ability to stop evil things from happening, why doesn't He?  If that God exists, I call your God cruel and unusual." 

Ever hear that argument?

As of today the death toll in Haiti has surpassed 110K people.  Why?  Why did those people have to die in something God could have foreseen and stopped?

I think we can start the journey by seeing Paul describe the state of nature in Romans 8.  He writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:18-22)

Again, I understand this answer is of an academic theological nature, and it surely doesn't help the groaning of a little child's hunger pain.  But for those of us who live 10,000 miles away there is a desire to understand why?

This is where I believe the Christian Worldview becomes pivotal. 

For if you don't believe in God, or the revealing of His ultimate Kingdom, then when you try to answer the question why, you come up with answers of science, geology, and 'that's just the way it is.'

But if you believe in God, and know that He exists as the ruler of the Universe, you can understand Paul's hope that the creation is in a state of exile.  It's almost like the bondage creation lives in, is just waiting for the time when liberation can come.  Like the groaning of birth pains a mother endures just before she gives birth. 

One might conclude the birth pains of the earthquake are nature's way of telling us she's under bondage.  It may be the answer to the question 'why' lies in the state of the earth as it relates to God's ultimate plan.  But without a framework where you can filter the natural disasters we see around us, then it's really just all for naught. 

My heart is full of compassion as I want to do whatever I can to help those in desperate need.
My mind is searching for answers as I ask why.
My soul is confident, there will come a day when there will be no more crying, no more pain, and certainly, NO MORE QUAKES! All because of my faith in God's plan. (Romans 9:19-21)

How are you dealing with the earthquake? Are you supporting financially?  Who are you giving to?
How do you think something like this relates to our spiritual journey?

As we develop an online community of people willing to take a look at the hardest questions of faith, we must be available to cross this hard bridge.  What do you think?

Strength in the Shadows of Giants

Sometimes when I need a little encouragement, I go back to the power houses of the faith.  I read the stories of Martin Luther, Jim Elliot, or Mother Teresa.  I'm certainly no Martin Luther, but sometimes knowing God's great orchestral plan is going to play loud and clear gives me comfort in the fear of the unknown. 

I stumbled across this song the other day, and thought...."This is one of those people need to hear."  I'm a huge Sarah Groves fan.  Check this out.  It's a good one.

Anything Can Be an Idol...an online discussion

It was a little over two weeks ago when we announced Timothy Keller's book Counterfeit Gods as our KIVU book of the month.

I've been reading diligently on this work, and I believe Mr. Keller has tapped into something so crucial to the heart of every believer.  Throughout the book he challenges the reader to ask "Who is your God?" 

With all the worldview work I do out here at Camp KIVU, it's a welcomed breath of fresh air to see someone like Mr. Keller put those ideas into a context for the masses. 

The introduction charges ahead and grabs your attention, and begins probing the reality of whatever god is in your life.  And to be honest, one of the lines that jumped off the page for me is when he very bluntly said, "Anything can be a god."

And he's right.  Anything can be a god.

I've been seeking the Lord with fervor this last week, with that concept in mind.  Do I have any other gods taking your place in my heart?  Do I have any idols that need to be knocked down?

What about you? 

Do you have any idols you need to get rid of?

Let's start an online discussion centered around stories that you have.  Tell us here at andybraner.com, what are the idols in your life?

You don't have to leave your name, your e-mail, or any identifiers.  You can write anonymous right below here when you click on comments.  Let's share together the idols in our life, and see where the Lord will take us. 

It's OFFICIAL...KIVU is a FAN....PANTS ON THE GROUND.

Get ready, this is AWESOME!!  If you haven't seen this yet, it's worth the time.  PANTS ON THE GROUND, PANTS ON THE GROUND...LOOKING LIKE A FOOL WITH YOUR PANTS ON THE GROUND!!

These are Two of My Favorite Things

A friend of mine just sent me this picture from his iPhone.  Can you believe it??  Coffee and KIVU, what could be better??

Just another affirmation....HA!!!

But Seriously, we here at KIVU want to invite you, or any teenager you know between the ages of 13-18 to come out to Durango Colorado and have the summer experience of a lifetime.

We here at KIVU are committed to providing top level outdoor adventures in the San Juan mountains.

We're committed to providing a loving staff from all over the world to love your students and walk with them through life's hardest time.

We're committed to teaching and training your students to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how they can make their faith their own.  

We're committed to walking with students in a "life on life" manner as they navigate the teenage years and move on into college.

So what are you waiting for?

Come visit us at http://www.campkivu.com, and register you're student today for two of the most incredible weeks of their lives.

See you there.

I'm Still Dreaming...

I join today with the words of Dr. King.  "Free at Last, Free at Last thank God almighty, I'm free at last."

Have you ever watched the whole "I have a dream" speech?

It's incredible. 

It's unbelievably visionary.

Dr. King saw the way the world should turn, and he wasn't afraid to differentiate himself from the tides of culture to declare the truth.  He saw a world where discrimination didn't have a place at the table of human existence.  He saw a world where all people can see people for being people, void of thoughts conjuring animosity for whatever the color their skin.  What an incredible example of someone with true conviction willing to risk everything for His call. 

Our country has come so far from the days of Dr. King and the racism expressed through the civil rights movement. The days of "whites" only drinking fountains, "whites" only bathrooms, "whites" only public meeting places might be over;  but don't be fooled, Racism is alive and well in our country today. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go.

I thought for sure, since it's 2010 the prejudices of the old world would have faded away with our education, our technological advances, and our social awareness.

Don't be fooled. 

Don't let the gentle swells of passivity lull you to sleep. 

Racial reconciliation is still necessary in America today. 

When I walk with my little daughter Gabby down the road I feel the starring glares of people who are wondering.  

They wonder, "How did that happen?"
"Where is her mother?"
"That's just not natural."

And when my wife walks through town, people look at her with those eyes of mis-understanding, and to be fair, maybe it's just a strange spectacle to watch a white woman walk through Wal-Mart with two black children.

So when they find out, our two kids are adopted...
Or they spend some time playing with Gabby or Tiki...
The critical attitude subsides, and they rest easy...it's ok...they're just people.

They're a family.
They're a picture of what heaven is probably going to look like someday.
When "all God's Children" are gathered underneath the umbrella of his grace, and we can finally put this primitive mode of indemnification behind us. 

We've come a long way since the days of Dr. King, but we still have a lot of work to do.

Don't Be fooled.

It's not a Black thing.
It's not a White thing.
It's not a Yellow thing, a Red thing, or a Brown thing.

It's a human thing.

But I have a dream.  A dream that One day the world will spin the way it should. 

A dream where the KING of KINGS comes to restore the world.

A dream where Sin and Death are finally put to rest.

A dream when the culmination of the power of the creator of the universe clashes with the evil existing on the planet, and good finally wins out. 

No more crying.
No more Pain.
No more injustice.

Much like Dr. King must have thought...

This dream isn't probably for today.
And might not be for tomorrow.

But when Jesus returns...the Kingdom will be restored.

I join today with the vision of Dr. King...And I'm Still Dreaming.

 

Betrayal, the Ultimate Loneliness

I read Don Richardson's book Peace Child a while ago, and when I was reading Matthew 26 today I was once again reminded of the deep effects of Betrayal.

Richardson tells the story of his family who moved to New Guinea for mission work.  He is a part of this movement of unreached people groups who try and tell the gospel message to people who have never seen, heard, or experienced anything western.  It's a great story of a families commitment to the gospel. 

One of the sections Don elaborates on the intrigue the natives felt about Judas.  For whatever reason, in their culture it was supreme admiration to deceive someone to the point they would think you are they're friend, but you could stab them in the back when you needed.

So you can imagine, when Richardson tells the story of Judas, the people became Judas worshipers.  After all, how admirable it would be if you could be good enough to even deceive God?

Matthew 26 tells the story like this, "While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.  Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." (Matthew 26:47-50)

Can you imagine?

Of course we know Jesus was aware of everything going on, but how bad does it feel when someone so close to you turns you in? 

I've had several people in my life come off like their my friends, but come to find out they were in a relationship simply to get something.  It hurts like nothing else, right?  Betrayal is the worst form of rejection, and it often chips away at our feelings of trust for others. 

But Jesus let it all happen.

Surely He could have called down the angels of vengeance.
He could have prevented it from happening.
But Jesus allowed the method of betrayal to be the vehicle to take Him to the cross.

It's another example of how God can take something so bad, so hurtful, so unbelievable into something good.

Today, I'm more convinced than ever, God is in the business of turning pain into something beautiful.  Even in the pain of betrayal, the Son of God walked to the cross and began the reconciliation of the old world to the new one.  He took the evil provided and made it into something good. 

God come and take the times of pain
Come and begin the restoration
Help us as we look toward the hope we have in You. 

Even in the middle of betrayal.

Thanks

Never thought I'd be in Florida in January

Today, I'm in Melbourne Florida on the east coast of the Sunny State.  It took all day yesterday to fly out here, and I got in super late.  This morning I opened my window, and low and behold I'm sitting right on the coast.  CRAZY, I had no idea.  

It's not the usual time of year down here, and the cold from the rest of the country must have seeped down the state, but I'm thankful for the sound of the wind and the waves. 

I'm helping a Student Venture/Campus Crusade annual retreat down here.  Staff and students from Orlando and Jacksonville are coming down this afternoon to take some time out to focus on the Lord, start the new year out right, and hopefully come away with a great sense of who God is. 

I'm thankful for what God is doing. 
I'm excited to see how He shows up today.
My heart is still a little heavy for some things going on back home. 

So if you think about it today, or have some free time to pray, I sure would appreciate your prayers for this retreat, for my family back home, and the stuff going on with our house in Branson. 

May God be glorified through my life today.
May I represent His love, His forgiveness, and His mercy today.

Spiritual Warfare...It's a Real Deal

I saw this picture this morning, and it was exactly what I was feeling.  

There is no doubt spiritual warfare is a real thing.  It's the story of Job, the wrestling of Jacob, the demoniac Jesus healed, and even the void of His heavenly Father while Jesus stretched His arms wide open for the reconciliation of the world.  

I've seen it in people I work with.
I've watched it plague the hearts and minds of teenagers.
I've seen families plagued with hardship after hardship.

And all the while I wonder...."What are you up to God?"

For sure we know that God isn't the source of hardship.  The God of the Bible isn't some maniacal sadist that enjoys the pain and heartache of mankind.  But there is a component of suffering that happens in this life to draw you closer to Him. 

Look at the lives of every major saint in history. The common theme:  Suffering. 
Watch the "beautiful" stories of success, and often you'll discover a home where suffering took place before success. 

It's almost like in order to have a relationship with the creator, there are certain pain filled circumstances that bring you to your knees. 
He requires total commitment.
He desires no other idol be put before Him.
He wants that you are cognizant of His grace, His mercy, and His judgment.

During the Holiday break I read through Mother Theresa's most recent memoirs, and I'm convinced there is a separation from the physical, a separation from the emotional, and a separation from the spiritual, that must occur for a follower of Jesus to truly understand Him in ALL his glory. 

I write all this today, because there are a dozen things going on in my world right now that are really causing some rub with me.  It's not like I'm sitting in the corner throwing a pity party or anything, it's just life just gets hard sometimes; you know?  Things don't turn out like we plan.  Expectations aren't met.  Even when I turn on the television and see a natural disaster in Haiti while some of my friends are down there...the feelings of "It's ALL GOOD" turn quickly to "Man this world is BROKEN!"  It all culminates into a the harsh reality the world is what it is, and there is a war going on. 

Good v. Evil. 
Right v. wrong.
The age old story.
The place where God's love comes to fruition in your life, versus the place where circumstances take you into a whirlwind of depression.

I want to commune with God.
I want to rely on Him solely during my darkest hour.
I want the world to know, He's all I got, and He's all I'm clinging on to. 

And with the help of a few friends who are praying, I hope to Love God with All my heart, all my soul, and all my mind, and Love them back with feverish abundance.

Maybe you're feeling the pressure, the after the holidays blues.  Maybe you're sitting in a place where you feel all alone.  Let me come alongside and say, There's no better place than reaching up, knowing the God of the Universe loves you, and with the some of the greatest people He's put in your life, its important that you know..."the sun will come up tomorrow."  

Pray for me today, as I go to a Campus Crusade retreat for some students in Florida.  I know the warfare I'm experiencing in other parts of my life only serve as distractions for what God is up to. 

May we glorify Him in all we do.
May we reach the point where He is the centerpiece of our salvation.
May our world view reflect that even in the hard times, God is near!

Thanks for your support.  It's a humbling thing to know so many of you are praying. 

Fell free to spread this to your friends, invite others to pray, and keep the fellowship growing.  For it's only when we ALL become honest bearers of truth that true community can be glued together.  

I'm with you!

When Your Heart Is Heavy

It must have been an scene of extreme agony.  Jesus and the disciples left the upper room to go to the garden called Gethsemane.  Jesus praying to The Father, while the disciples were supposed to be there in support.  The scene as reported in Matthew goes something like this...

 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (Matthew 26:36-46)

I can't imagine. 

There are times in my life when my heart is heavy and burdened with specific events, but I can't even begin to understand the psychological trauma going on in His being. Can you?

You know the times when you feel like you get punched in the gut, and there's nothing you can do for relief. 
You might be worrying about something. 
You might be recovering from a bad relationship. 
Maybe even a natural disaster happens like what happened in Haiti yesterday, and you have a loved one down there, and you're waiting to hear from them. 

You don't know what to do.
You feel like you're going to be sick.
The world turns in slow motion.
And all you need is someone to be there for you.
All you need is someone to reach out and support.

I can't imagine Jesus' anguish as He knew the cross was in the near future.
I CAN relate to the disciples, as they had no idea.
Jesus' humanity was certainly crying out for support, just a little touch of human encouragement.
The disciples didn't understand the end was coming near.

And all Jesus was asking for...to stay awake and pray.

There are so many times in life when we're hurting, and we just need someone to show support. 
There are so many times in life when others are hurting, and they need us.
Relationships are built on these kids of interactions, people who hurt, and people who comfort.

It's a basic rule of knowing and being known.

We must be a people free to walk through the dark times in life.
But we must also be people who recognized when the dark times come in those around us.
We must be free to grieve and explore the hard times.
But we must also be a people able to pray, stay awake, reach out to comfort, and support those we love. 

May we reach out to others in our grief.
May we support those who are suffering.
May we see the God of the Universe as even He was able to walk through dark times with friends.
May we be a people who can stay awake during those dark times.

A Great Denial

It's one of the scenes in the Bible most intriguing to scholars and lay people.  The idea one of your closest friends would turn his back on you to save his own skin, it's not exactly what we call honorable.  And that's exactly what Peter did to the Son of  God.

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:31-34

Jesus predicted it.
Peter denied Him.
The disciples scattered, just like Jesus predicted.  

They stood before Him and committed their undying devotion, but in the end, it wasn't enough.

And you've got to ask the question, "WHY?"

Why would these men who were great witnesses of miracles just run?
Why would the same guys who claimed Jesus was the Son of God, turn their backs?
What in the world?  These guys must have been just stupid, right?

Or were they really that different from us?

When the going gets tough, do you stay close?
When life gets hard, who do you turn to?

When it doesn't make sense to do the right thing, what's your first action?

You see, I don't believe we're really all that different from the disciples.  We still live with parts of our lives in the world while we try and live Godly.  When pressure mounts, and things get tough, to resist the easy denial takes great strength of character, a character developed by a solid history of devotion. 

When you read the story of Peter, who is it you identify with?  Can you see Jesus feeling betrayed as He's led to the cross?  Or is it Peter you feel most connection to?  Can you sense the pressure mounting, and the need to cry out, "I don't know Him!!" 

What do you think?

A Little Slice of Paradise for Teenagers at KIVU

When January rolls around, I start getting that summer feeling.  You know what I mean?

I know it's cold around the country, but it won't be long. The snow will melt.  The sun will come out.  The wildflowers will wake up from their long winter's slumber, and I can almost hear the sounds of teenagers running through our place here in Durango.

I can feel it in my soul.  Summer's coming.

I've got various ministry events all spring long, and don't get me wrong, I love being with youth leaders all over the world, but I know summer's Coming. 

It won't be long when the buses will roll in the gates, the music will start thumping, and teenagers from all over the world will begin enjoying two wonderful weeks in the Colorado Mountains.

We've got some great initiatives planned for the spring.  Our book of the month club, our online party voting, the website starts getting more and more traffic all because Summer's coming!!

Our staff here at KIVU is so blessed to have families around the world who believe in what we're doing, and we'd like to invite you and your friends to come join us.  Our mission is simple, we want to facilitate an outdoor adventure for teenagers while we help them build a solid faith foundation.  We want to help teenagers be strong in the faith, and all while they're having a BLAST!!

So if you or someone you know is interested in experiencing a little paradise on earth, come on out to visit us at KIVU.  The summer's coming, and you won't want to miss it!  Come on out!! Bring a friend, and you'll be a part of the most incredible family of people I've ever known.

Just click on the logo above, it will take you to our website where you can watch videos of our program, read about our core values, and get pumped because you know SUMMERS COMING!!

It won't be long now!

KIVU Book of the Month Club

People are always asking me "Are there any resources you know of that can help me get closer to God?"  And every e-mail I get, I sigh and try to point them to a place where they can grow in their relationship with the Lord.

I'm don't sigh out of disgust.  But mostly, I sigh just because a relationship with God is something that takes a lifetime.  There's no silver bullet that will automatically cure months or years of sin.  There's no fast track pass that can replace years of dedication, commitment, pain, suffering, and the joyful mountaintops God has for us. 

So Today, I'm announcing to the KIVU family, we're going to read Timothy Keller's book Counterfeit Gods. 

We'll have discussions here.
I'll try new ways to include others.
And we'll see if there's a way we can create a "book of the month" club where we can read some of the greatest ideas of our time, and grow together in our relationships with one another.

So, go to amazon.com, purchase counterfeit Gods, and Jan. 18th we'll start our discussion on Chapter 1. 

God bless, and I hope this is something that can help kick off your 2010 in your quest to gain closer access to the creator of the Universe. 

OH, and here's a little excerpt from Tim Keller about what's in the book.

Short Term Spring Break, With A Purpose

It was the spring of 2007 when I sat in the middle of a large Youth Convention, listening to one of the "leader" of youth ministry in America; "Short term Mission Trips are the Biggest Waste of Money EVER!!"

I couldn't believe my ears.  

Here was a guy interested in spreading the gospel around the world, and he was trying to make the case for quantifying the overall benefits of short term mission work.  "If you take all the money spent, and then compare that to a long term spiritual growth model...blah...blah...blah."  He actually had charts and graphs for this stuff.

Now, I'm not usually a total critic of colleagues, but this hit a nerve.  I've been taking teenagers around the world for the last 5 years, and I'm telling you, NOTHING has more significant impact on the comprehensive world view development of a student than some short term mission work. 

There is NO COMPARISON!!

The life change that happens as teenagers are willing to serve others from around the world is priceless. 

All this to say, I know it's cold outside, but spring break is right around the corner. 

As high school and college students begin their trek to starting a new semester, the thoughts of warm summer sun have already crossed more than one mind.

Instead of Cancun or Cozumel.
Instead of Breckenridge or Beaver Creek.

Come join KIVU on our annual trip to serve.

We're heading to El Nido resorts in the Philippines where there is a poor community of farmers who need our help.  They live in an area only accessible by boat or small plane, and their main form of income is "Bird Nesting."

We'll be staying at http://www.elnidoresorts.com, and if all goes well, we'll be starting a new tradition that will be an annual trip.

The Cost: $3000 which you can raise and is totally tax deductible.
The Dates: March 13-21.
Who can come: Anyone that wants to take a Spring Break with a Purpose.
Contact:  If you want more information, feel free to contact our office at 970-884-1100, or e-mail info@campkivu.com.

Can't wait for you to join us!!

Can One Man Really Change The World?

It was Christmas Day and the alleged terror plot was on.  Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, allegedly tried to ignite some form of liquid smuggled on a Northwestern airliner from Amsterdam to Detroit.  With the courageous actions of a few, and a little draw of luck, Abdulmutaliab was unable to accomplish the plot of death and destruction planned for 300 innocent people.  

When I first hear the report I was relieved that once again airport security coupled with the brevity of a few courageous people were able to thwart another terror plot, but Oh was I wrong.

For the next 5 days, all I heard from Fox and CNN was the fact that some "almost" terror plot "almost" blew up a plane and could have "almost" killed 300 people. 

Who would have let that happen?
How did that guy get through the security line?
What was Barack Obama doing letting this guy on a plane?
Why was the European Union so lax in their security?
Who was going to loose their job at the TSA for such a failure?
Where was the religious fanatic telling this guy to blow up innocent people? 

Oh! it was Nigeria!! (which by the way is the 3rd largest importer of American oil, while 70% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.  just a thought!!)

And the armchair quarterbacks took to the American news waves to try and sell sensational news. And to be honest...

I understand the need to make sure dangerous things don't make it on airplanes, but our political correctness, coupled with our innate love of fear, have given us impotent procedures.   

They want to blame the TSA.
They want to blame the government.
They want to blame other countries.
They want to blame religion.
Why can't they just blame the guy who did it?

Why is it so hard to see that there are bad people in the world that do bad things.  It's not anyone else's responsibility to take the blame.  But in our culture today, someone bigger has to be behind the conspiracy. 

And what comes of it?

Another hour at the airport.
Another pat down at security.
A typical forfeiture of privacy.
And all for what?  So the TSA can screen everyone equally without profiling?

Come on guys.  This guy Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was on a watch list.  If they can't screen for this guy, what's another pat down going to do?  They're screening 300 million people a day, and not being able to focus on the people that are really dangerous. 

I traveled through international security last week, and just kept shaking my head. 

This is the power of one man. 
This is the power that fear has over our population. 
People die in car wrecks everyday and no one talks about drunk driving on the news, but for 2 weeks, the news is obsessed with an "almost" terror plot.

Maybe it's time to change course. 

Maybe it's time to figure out why? 
Why would someone want to blow up an airplane of innocent people? 
I think you'd be surprised. 

I'm not an everyone is innocent kind of guy.
Sure there are bad people in the world.
And, we need to have security in place for the innocent that are "would be" victims.

But, enough is enough.  Let's start using our intelligence, our understanding, our ability to live as humans to understand, reason, and help to mitigate such grievances of people around the world. 

Unless of course the fear mongers are right.  If every Muslim is out to kill an American, I guess we have our work cut out for us.  But if not....

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Maybe it's time to think about our world view. 

Does one man have the power to change the world?

Just take a trip somewhere on a major airline.  You'll see.

It's Time To Start Thinking about Summertime...

I know it the midst of snow and cold it's hard to pull your mind away for a bit and think about the warm season to come, but don't be deceived, it's on the way!!  The snow will melt, the cold will blow away, the grass will come out, and Spring will be here before you know it. 

We've had an unbelievable last 10 years out in Durango Colorado during the summertime.  We open the gates June 1 for six two week sessions where teenagers from around the world come to enjoy the beautiful San Juan Mountains.  White water rafting, fly fishing, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and even our own spot on the cool waters of the Vallacito Reservoir make KIVU a teenager's paradise during the summer. 

And if that wasn't enough, our skilled team prepares to help teenagers think through their place in the world.  We count it a wonderful privilege to lead teenagers through a time tested curriculum that allows them to think about the world around them, examine their belief system, and walk away from our place grounded in their faith.  It's a great joy to watch as a student comes to us wandering aimlessly through their life, and then find direction, purpose, and reasons to reach out to the people they interact with. 

Our vision for the future is bright. 
Opportunities to connect teenagers to places around the world are abundant. 
We see a bright heralding for tomorrow as we believe in today's next generation.

If you're interested in coming out, don't hesitate.  Click here to go to the KIVU website.  Set a deposit up for the summer, and reserve your spot.  It looks like we'll have waiting lists beginning in February, so you don't want to wait too long. 

God bless, and see you THIS SUMMER!!

Last Day In Paradise

It's been a great Vacation for the Braner Crew!!  We started this relaxing vacation right before Christmas, but now it's time to get back to the real world. 

We've played till our hearts are content.  
We surfed till we couldn't stand anymore.
We jumped in more pools, swam in more waves, and totally immersed in the waves. 

But now it's time to head back to Colorado.

It's always an important time for us to slow down a bit.  As most of you know, our lives run at Mach - 10.  So to take some time away from it all, and just re-focus, is always a welcomed time of the year. 

But 2010 awaits. 

We're set to get school underway, start our snowboarding teams, pick up music lessons, and get ready for KIVU 2010. 

Enjoying once last day in the sun, and then homeward bound!!  See you soon.

The Last Supper.

It's that time of Matthew when Jesus and the disciples gathered together in the upper room to have the last supper.  This is one of the most sacred times of the faith, as congregations all over the world take the sacrament of Jesus' last meal. 

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:26-30)

As an ordained minister, I have the sacred privilege of leading others into this beautiful time of commitment and reflection. 

There are a few times in the faith where all believers "do" the faith. 

Baptism, the process of publicly displaying one's decision to follow Jesus, and Communion.  Both, equally awesome as followers show their commitment to the world. 

A few years ago, my pastor challenged the congregation concerning the last supper.  He told us the dinner Jesus and the disciples took was probably a bit more solemn, as Judas just announced his betrayal.  But the communion we celebrate together should be just that, a celebration.

Think about it.

It's one of a few events ALL believers take together. 
The meaning of the dinner is not one of disgrace, rather; it's a celebration of new life.
For Jesus came into the world to save the world. 
He came to stamp a new world into the old one.
He came to change everything we know to be true, and develop a new life where the world can reconcile back to God's intended purpose. 

It was as though I was seeing life in a new light. 

Communion was more about celebration than mourning.
It was a time where the "body" of Christ can come together, and celebrate all the good that comes from Jesus' life here on earth.

From that time forward, every time I'm in charge of the communion meal, we strive to make it a celebration. 

A celebration of new life.
A celebration of sacrifice.
A celebration of family.
A way we can all rally around our common cause.

May you celebrate the life of Jesus in this New Year!

Happy 2010

Well, we're not driving in flying cars just yet, but the iPhone has changed our lives to date. 
We don't have a viable solution to Global Poverty, but we do have hope that things are beginning to change in a direction that looks brighter today than yesterday.
War still plagues the world, but the Peace Giver stands by watchful, hopeful, that one day we'll all find the true meaning of peace through His Son Jesus.

Welcome to 2010. 

My prayer is that this year will bring more to the table of God's bountiful grace.
My hope is there will be many who find His way the true way.
My fervent work will be to help teenagers, college students, and leaders of both, to find an amazing spectacle where God's work will be done in great grandeur!

I've already got some amazing plans cooking for 2010, and I can't wait to share them with you.

Thanks for continuing to make this site a fun project in 2009.  Without you, the readers, this site wouldn't be worth doing. 

May God bless you as you embark on a New Year!!

Setting Goals...

The hardest part of setting goals, for this generation, is the feeling like you're "boxed in."  It's almost as if setting goals is like setting up bars in prison cells to keep you from moving or changing in real time.  It's scary, sometimes, to set goals and try to keep with them.

What if I fail?
What if I change directions?
What if I don't like where I end up?
What if I want to set new goals?  What then?

Let me release you from that feeling.  Goals are not concrete.  It's just like setting guidelines. 

Let's say you want to learn how to speak a new language.  The goal doesn't bind you to speaking something fluently, it just allows you to set a framework whereby you can start learning new words, new culture, and making new friends. 

If halfway through the goal, you find that you don't have the affinity for learning a language, it's not the end of the world. 

So, as you take a long hard look at where you want to go, what you want to do in 2010, think big.  Set some cool goals.  You might indeed have a wonderful time learning something new, visiting a new place, or just making cool new friends. 

God bless. 

Knowing What you Don't Know

I love the phrase, "Knowing What you Don't Know." It's the epitome of honesty, don't you think?   Being someone able to look at your life, and know you don't have all the answers, you don't have all the right angles, and in fact; sometimes you're just plain wrong, these are essential ingredients to beginning new and fresh in the New Year. 

The Mistake most people make in analyzing last year's successes and failures is just that, they don't have the fortitude to look at the broken branches.  We love new growth.  We love strong limbs.   But sometimes we just don't take the well deserved time to notice, mend, or just plain cut off the branches that aren't working. 

As you took some time yesterday to look at the successes of 2009, take the same look at the failures.  Look at the times when you intended good, but it worked out a different way than you expected. 

I've worked on several relationships I thought would have worked out a different way.
I've tried to mend my marriage in ways I thought would be beneficial, but for some reason, they didn't tend to translate to Jamie.
I had grand visions of 2009 being a new year to connect with my kids in various ways, but they turned out either not to have the right time, or they weren't exactly the needs my kids were looking for.

Ok, so my plans didn't work out.

No big deal.

We just mend the plan, and try again next time. 

I remember reading of Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb.  Did you know Edison tested over 1,500 different materials to find the right filament to burn inside the glass bulb?  1500 times?  I'm sure Edison was discouraged at some point in the experiments, but think about what a revolution the light bulb has caused over the world today.  You'd be hard pressed to find a civilization alive on the planet today still using candles and flame as the source of light.  1500 tries, and 1 changed the world.

So, as you're looking at 2010, trying to decide what you want this new year to be, don't be afraid of the 1500, keep looking for the 1.  Keep trying to hit the one thing that God created you for. 

Paul said it like this, "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." (Phil. 3:13-14)

Are you ready to forget about the personal failures of the past?
Can you look forward to the future?

The beauty of new life lies in the hope we have for the future. 

Be brave.
Be courageous.
Look deep into the heart of what you don't know, and let it go. 
For it is the hope of the new that gives us a fresh new start. 

A New Beginning

As you take a little while to analyze all that happened in 2009, it would benefit just exploring the good stuff that happened this year. 

For the Braners:

We moved to Colorado!!
We've made some wonderful friends in Durango. 
We're hooked into the Spiritual scene.
We're reaching out to the community.
We're exploring new family adventures.
We had a wonderful succession in our business from K-Colorado to KIVU.
We've invited a new member into our family (Tiki was adopted from Rwanda right before Thanksgiving)
We continue to count on God as the source of all that is good and right.

Overall, the joys of this year have been really really good.

If you take some time and just think about all the good stuff, you'll find an entire day dedicate to the memory of good.

It's easy to look at New Year's resolutions as "out with the old, and in with the new" but what about all the good stuff that you want to continue.  There's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater right from the get-go.  Let's take some time today to focus on the good.

Interestingly enough, if you read through the Old Testament, Every time God performed a great miracle, He asked the Israelites to build an alter.  The alter wasn't built for a place to worship, as much as it was a place of remembrance. 

It's good to remember the good times.
It's good to take time and be thankful for all the gifts God has given.

May we be a people who build alters to remember.  Maybe not physically, but wouldn't it be a great way to relish the beautiful parts of life as we remember the good?

Let's take time here.  If you feel comfortable, just leave a few of the good things 2009 brought you here in the comment section. 

Tomorrow, we'll work on the other side of the leger. 

A Reflection on New Life

As the last little bit of 2009 winds down, and the first decade of this millennium comes to an end, it's the time of year to reflect on the old, dream of the new, and commit to a re-alignment of life.  It's the reason New Year's resolutions are so popular this week.  

Most of the U.S. is under a blanket of winter weather, which gives us a great visual of what's to come.  The temporary death of the trees, the grass, and the crops, gives us hope the newness will emerge with even greater fervency. 

So as the last week draws to an end, I just wanted to take some time (all week) to spend on reflecting on the beauty of newness.  The Braner family has experienced A LOT of newness this year.  Some good.  Some not so good.  But one thing will remain, the beauty of the hope all things will be made more vibrant in the new year. 

As you read the posts for the week, feel free to join in the reflections.  Add new ideas, re-think your own positions, and together we can re-imagine life the way it was intended to be. 

Look forward to hearing from you this week.

Back at the Writing Desk

I've spent the last year talking to teenagers all over the country about relationships.  It's been a while since a dating book has hit the shelves discussing what's really going on in the world at school. 

I'm almost finished with the 1st draft of a new book helping parents and teen leaders understand exactly what's going on in the dark shadows of the dating world.  And I'd love your help.

If you've got a story about what's going on in your sphere of influence concerning dating, or you've got some new ideas about how we can help a new generation of teens navigate the dating world, please send your story. 

You can comment here, or send me a private e-mail at andy@campkivu.com. 

If you're story makes the book, I'll send you a signed copy of the 1st printed addition. 

Looking forward to seeing if your story matches up with some of the stories I've collected after a year of travels. 

God bless!

Can't wait to share this new work with you.

Merry Christmas To All...

The Significance of Timing

I love reading the stories of the Old Testament, knowing the implications the past has on future events.  I love diving in the richness of Hebrew heritage, and comparing it to the way we can understand the world as we know it today.

One of the longest told stories of Hebrew culture is called Passover.

It stems from the time of Moses in Egypt.  Most of you know the story.

God told Moses to go and free the people of Israel from the Egyptian slave drivers.
Moses stood before Pharaoh and told him of the plagues to come.
Locusts, Nile to blood, boils on the skin of people, it all had poignant meaning as each plague picked on the Egyptian gods of the time showing Yahweh being the God of all Gods

In any event, the final plague was one where the first born of every household would die, unless the blood of a lamb was used over the doorway to the home.  The angel of death would pass by all homes without the blood, but the one's with blood would remain untouched by this lethal plague.

Can you imagine?

What an unbelievable day it must have been?

I can't even dream the horror I would feel.

But those who lived life the way God intended, were saved from experiencing this death.  

Pharaoh and the Egyptians were in such shock, they had little to do other than let The Israelites  go free, and the event of passover is celebrated even to this day. 

Isn't it interested that Jesus began His passion week just at this time of year.  

I was reading Matthew 26 this morning, "On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' " So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover." (Matthew 26:17-19)

It was the beginning of Celebration when Jesus began preparing His own death.
He knew the events unfolding were going to bring much pain.
But, He also knew there would be those set free because of His death.
He knew sin and disease were keeping humanity slaves, and it was going to be His responsibility to create a cornerstone of beginning. 

Jesus would set all things into motion.
He would begin the reconciliation from death to life.
He would set free the slaves of this world to know the life God intended.
He would come to give life, and life more abundant.
He would set captives free. 

And that's why we celebrate this time of year. 

It's not about presents, trees, Santa, lights, or any of the sort.  We are free!!!  And just as the Jewish people celebrate passover in light of their freedom from Egypt, we celebrate freedom from the chains and bondage of sin.  

May we celebrate freely, not for the next few days, but for a lifetime!

What's Your Price?

I remember when Jamie and I were working on naming our children.  We'd go back and forth for the Nine Months, often deciding right before one of our kids were born.  But one name that never made the list, JUDAS!!  You just don't meet any Judas' in the world today.  It's one of those blacklist names that just won't fly.

Everyone knows the story.  Jesus, the son of God, twelve disciples, one betrays him in the end, JUDAS!

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew 26:14-16)

Although I realize the historicity of this verse centralizes around Judas and his work with the chief priests, and ultimately Jesus, I think the lesson is pretty clear.  For sure,  I think at this time of the year, it's worth just sitting back and asking, What are you willing to sell Jesus for?  What's your price?

Christians are often concerned with Power.
Prestige.
Money.
The right to be popular and not embarrassed in front of peers. 
"Right" behavior.
"Right" worldview.
"Right" belief (which is often times more about tradition than true understanding.)

What's your price?

Can those of us who follow Jesus commit to the honest message He came to bring? 
Can we stay true to being disciples, as we follow to the end of the age?

Or, are we full of compromises reflecting the centrality of a culture that is so different than the one Jesus lived?

I'm committed to trying to figure out the truth of Jesus' message.
I want my life to be about the news He came to give us, mainly; I want to view the world like Jesus viewed the world. 

A world where the God of the Universe came to make all things new. 
A world where the creator of all things cared enough to interrupt the 'normal' course of sin and death to offer forgiveness through His son.
A world where hope is the central theme, rather than desperation and despair.  

I think if we are willing to see Jesus for what He came to do and who He came to be, there wouldn't be enough silver coins in the world for me to trade Him. For, if the creator of the Universe was willing to come and live WITH us, we must live it out, and watch the world spin a different direction.  

Are you willing to follow Him? Or, Do you have a Price?

An Honoring Gift from an Unlikely Source

This is one of my favorite stories a the end of Matthew.  Jesus is teaching in Bethany, probably reclining at a meal, when all of the sudden a woman bursts in.  She breaks an alabaster jar of perfume near His feet.  Well..just read it for yourself.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matthew 26:6-13)

The interesting part of this story is the woman's perfume was expensive!!  Some scholars have speculated it may have been worth almost a year's pay.  Can you believe that?  This woman understood the importance of who she was sitting with, and she was willing to give all she had. 

It's a common theme in Jesus' ministry.  The rich young ruler was required to give up all his possessions to follow Jesus.  The widow that gave her two mites, gave all she had.  Some of the disciples gave up their livelihoods to follow Him. 

It's almost like a continued requirement. 

If you are going to follow Jesus, you have to sacrifice the things of this world.  You have to look at the world and understand at the core of your worldview, it's going to cost.  It's going to cost you pride.  It's going to cost your significance.  It's going to cost something of you.

The days of pastors saying, "it's a free gift" are over.  Sure, salvation is free, and Jesus came to set you free from sin, death, and the ills of the world.  But it's imperative that we understand, there will be a cost. 

We need to tell people, and be honest, Following Jesus will cost you. So before you buy into this life, a life more abundant I might add, you need to count the cost.  Are you willing to follow Him and freely give up some things that impair your understanding of His Way?

I'm convinced, no matter the cost, it's worth it. 

To make Jesus name great.
To follow Jesus with all i have.
To implement His teachings to watch the world become a better place.
To see the ultimate greatness come to fruition.

I've counted the cost, and I can't wait to give all I have for beauty of Jesus to come. 

May you recognize those things that might cost you, and give.
May we see the value of Jesus in the world.
May we set aside all things that might hinder our following. 

May God bless you today!

From Birth To Death, Is This Really Christmas?

It's easy to forget the reason for Christmas isn't really about the manger, the wise men, the shepherds, or the star.  The real reason we celebrate this time of year is the fact that God is With us.  He isn't just AT us, rather; He came to earth to walk with us. 

I was reading Matthew 26 today, and found the beginning of the passion week. 

 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people." (Matthew 26:1-5)

Of course Jesus was on a mission to make it to the cross, but in real time, often we forget it was the religious leaders that plotted His death.

They wanted to take Him out.
He was stirring up too much controversy.
He was allowing the faith to be back in the hands of the people, and that threatened the religious rank and file.
He turned the law on its ear.
He made the truth known to the poor.
He took the prideful authority away from the priests, pharisees, and sadducees. 
He was giving the faith to all who would believe and be brave enough to accept the gift.

Jesus' faith isn't dangerous, except for those who hold power. 
The central theme of Jesus' message is to love the creator, and love those around you.

And...when we dilute the competition from one group over another, it's a controversial concept for those in power. 

God with us...I keep thinking...Emanuel.  How wonderful He is!!

A Timely Christmas Message

We're coming to the end of our eschatology section in Matthew 25.  And once again, It's the part where Fear, has become the lexicon of spiritual advisors in our western culture.  You see, I've heard so many sermons talk about the separation of the sheep and the goats as it relates to those who are "in the club" and those who are "out."  But is this really what Jesus refers to in Matthew?

It's written, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

Can you see it?
Do you see the way this can be interpreted to those who are "in" versus those who are "out?"
We may read this and identify ourselves with the ones who are "in" but take a closer look.  Who are the one's the king invites to the Kingdom?   

You see, when Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) He was saying to the 1st century Jew, 'you have ways, but you must come and follow my way.'  And this is why the first century Jew referred to Jesus' movement as "THE WAY."

When He tells the disciples, "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) He wasn't necessarily asking the disciples to recruit men, but rather; if you come and follow me, people will come to this way, just like the fish just came to the boat in Peter's first encounter with Jesus. (Luke 5:4-11)

And...then idea where the two greatest commandments are "To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it, 'To Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:37-40)

If we begin to add all these commands in a logical conclusion, isn't it interesting when Jesus says, "If you've done this to the least of these my brothers, you've also done it to me" AND, there's a welcoming to the kingdom for the care for others? 

What a timely Christmas message, If you reach out to take care of others, you can enter in the kingdom of heaven.  The king will welcome you for your thoughtfulness for other people.  Much like the King of the Universe came to give us an example through the birth of a son, we can embody that kind of self sacrifice for others, and thus be a part of the inheritance, the kingdom that was built before the creation of the world.  

May we be a people who Love God with all that is within us.
May we see the beauty of the Christmas season as we give ourselves to others.
May the world see that we are a group of people who care for their whole being. 
May you, NOT FEAR the world today, and go out with strength and confidence to give.

God bless you.

What are you doing with the gifts God gave YOU?

When we decided to move to Colorado to operate Camp KIVU, it was a huge leap of faith.  We'd been in Branson Missouri for ten years.  We developed some WONDERFUL friendships.  My wife's family was 100 yards down the road.  And...our church was, and still is, AWESOME!!  There's a lot to staying that made sense.

But when the opportunity came to move out to Durango and invest everything we have in the future of raising up strong, spiritually confident, honest teenagers; we couldn't pass it up.  It's the gift God gave us. 

Much like Matthew 25, when Jesus says, "It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

 "After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

 "The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

 "The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'

 "The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.

 "'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness." (Matthew 25) MSG

What are you doing with the gift God gave YOU?

Are you hiding them away in the dark corners of the world because you're frightened to let anyone see them?
Are you investing them for the Kingdom to come?
Are you tucking them away so no one knows how good you are?

I saw this last year at the British "American Idol," and it blew me away.  What a great example of someone who finally had a chance to showcase a talent.  Hope you enjoy!!

No One Knows the Time

One thing we are all so concerned about, at least here in America, is Time.  What time is it?  When are we going to ....?  Time is money! You only have so much time on the planet. 

You've heard all the cliche's before. 

But the more I read Jesus, the less I'm concerned with Time as it relates to the gospel. 

I don't think Jesus set the hourglass and wanted us to watch in urgency as time simply drifted away.  I don't sense, at least through Matthew, that the message of the gospel is "Get it done Cause Time is running out."

Rather, I sense even in the eschatology (big word for 'end times' study) Jesus simply uses time to show us how we should be living every day. 

In other words, the whole of the gospel has little to do with when the earth is going to end and Jesus would come back, but maybe the more important facet to look at is the idea it could end any second. 

It makes my soul smile when I hear end times teachers try to predict the end of the world, as if to instill fear into the listeners to hurry up, get it done, because you never know.

Well, the fact is, you NEVER KNOW!  But the response shouldn't be a fearful one. 
We shouldn't be concerned with seeing the gospel like a race.

I think the faith living should be an every second deal, not weighed by looking at the clock ticking, but more like it's just the right thing to do.  It's the transformation occurring on the planet that causes us to live every second, every minute, every hour, and every day as if Jesus has come to make things right. 

That's the Peace which dwells in the heart of those in pain.
It's the key to facing death with an attitude of resolve.
It's not the fear which brings about satisfaction.
It's the daily understanding of God's plan for the world.

Jesus told a story of virgins waiting on a bridegroom.  (Matthew 25)  Some of them took oil for their lanterns, and others left the oil and let their candles burn out. The former knew they needed to prepare for a wait, the later were so excited they forgot it might take a while. 

While they were waiting, the ladies who ran out of oil asked those who had prepared, "Can we borrow some of your oil while we wait?"

The whole of the parable is about the coming of the Son of man. 

Some people will prepare and see LIFE comprehensively, while others will see it as a rush to the end. 

Jesus follows the parable up by saying, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."  And we don't. 

We don't know the day or hour when Jesus returns.
We don't know the day or hour when the earth exhibits tragedy.
We don't know when violence will strike.
We don't even control the successful celebrations. 

It's almost as if Jesus is saying, "CHILL OUT! Live Like I told you to live, and keep watch.  I'm coming.  Don't worry.  Don't fear.  RELAX!"

So for you today, let this be a reminder.

Following Jesus shouldn't be wrapped in anxious fear.
We shouldn't be scared of what is coming, or what might come.
For, "Greater is He who is in Me, than He that is in the world."

I know that doesn't raise much money, or gain a great audience of fear mongers.  But it will bring peace to you when you focus on the main parts of the faith.  How are you loving God TODAY?  How have you loved others TODAY? And let the end times be just that....then end. 

May God grant you the Peace that Passes all understanding this holiday season.
May He give you a vision of living life to the fullest, without fear.
May He comfort you in time of pain and need. 

For the God we follow is the only hope for a broken world. 

SCC on Good Morning America on ABC News - ABC News

He's one of the most real Christian Artists in the world today.  Check out Steven Curtis Chapman on Good Morning America, his talk of Maria, and the new album in stores for the Christmas season. 

Be sure to scroll down In the video section of the webpage, the spot is on the second row.  Enjoy!!  Thanks SCC for continuing to inspire.

Good Morning America on ABC News - ABC News.

Eschatology 101

Enough on climate change.  We need to get back to listening to what God has in store for us, had in store for us, or is having in store for us.  (depending on which theological system you want to cling to.)

Matthew 24:30-35 says, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

The biggest problem with a passage like Matthew 24 is it's Jesus' apocalypto.  This is the section matching Daniel and Revelation.  It's awesome that Jesus' teachings continue to re-affirm the rest of scripture, but the base line is so hard to interpret. 

If you take it 100% for face value, then you have to look at "this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."  That would mean that the disciples who were listening to Jesus' discourse would infer all these things were to happen soon.

If you say it's symbolic, then you have to deal with the issues concerning which passages are symbolism and which one's are literal. 

It's quite a conundrum since there are SO many different theological systems built to interpret this kind of teaching. 

I think maybe the layman's version of looking at this passage is to say...

1.) Jesus is coming back with great power and glory
2.) We don't really know when
3.) We know He's in control of the end.
4.) We know if we line up on His side of the story, they'll be much praise and thankfulness

Other than that, trying to pinpoint the date of Jesus' return, the timing historically when some of these things are going to happen, or trying to conjure up apocalyptic fear in the masses of people who get caught up in that stuff, is just a waste of time. 

How are you living today as if Jesus was going to come back this afternoon?
How are you living today, knowing that some of this might have already happened?
How are you living today as an ambassador for the king of the Universe?

It shouldn't really be all that different.

Unless of course, you're one of those people who think you can do something about the nature of space and time as it relates to One Supreme God.  And then, well, you've got some more reading to do. 

Probably the most important verse in chapter 24 of Matthew is verse 44, "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Let us be a people who live life to the fullest expecting the beauty and glory of the Lord to arrive at any minute. 
May we see God, not as a get out of jail card, but rather; as the giver of life, the author of grace, and the master artist of forgiveness. 
For He alone is worthy of all our praise!!

For those of you in the Nashville Area, I'll be there for the next three days. 

Mon.  7:00 P.M. I'll be at 549 Grand Oaks Dr. in the Brentwood area.
Tues. I have morning meetings
Tues. Night I have a private dinner
But I'd love to get together if you have time.  I'm off on Wed., back to Durango, and then a MUCH NEEDED break from traveling. 

God bless.  Hope to see you in Ten!

Highest Read Post of All Time-Climate Change

Yesterday I must have hit a hard nerve, because it was the highest viewed blog in one day that I've posted in three years.  Thanks for everybody who came by to check out what's going on.  Thanks for the comments here on the blog, on twitter, and via e-mail.  You guys make this thing worth doing. 

For a bit of clarification

I agree we need to pay attention to global climate events. 
I believe we need to make sure we're using our resources responsibly.
I do study CO2 issues quite a bit, I'm just not a Ph.D in Climate issues.

So you can understand my outrage when I hear absurd agendas masked as climate change, such as is this population growth argument.

Some of you twittered and were pretty upset I was calling China out on this argument.  Believe me...I've been to China, on numerous occasions.  I love the country.  I love the economic growth, the history, the beauty of the countryside, but don't be mistaken; China is the largest dirty coal burning country in the World. 

When they try and make the climate change issue about population growth, instead of the real issues of carbon emissions, it's just plain offensive.  It's as if China wants to validate it's one child policy without giving the obvious consequences to its current civilization.

It's a worldview some adopted in the mid-70's when the one child policy was introduced.  The culture demanded that the child be a boy, as the only retirement policy for parents lies in the hope of their children, and women weren't as valuable.  So you had mass killings of baby girls.  Orphanages are chalked full of girls, not to mention; now China has a bigger problem with gender imbalance. 

Again, let me repeat...Climate Change is a debate that needs to happen, but not at the risk of human life. 

This planet can sustain a lot of people.  Maybe not at the same level of convenience as we live here in America.  But like I posted yesterday, travel 500 miles in any direction of where I'm sitting right now, and life can be lived. 

We can grow food.  Maybe it's not like going to the local grocery store, but farming might not be all that bad.
We can drink clean water.  Maybe not out of a Desani plastic bottle, but rivers are flowing, and there's no shortage of water. 
We can build shelter. Maybe not like going to Home Depot and using all the supplies made from fossil fuels, but there are plenty of environmental friendly ways to re-cycle materials to build high efficiency homes. 
We can live life. Maybe not like we're living it hear.  But who's to say our way of life is the only way of life?

Like I said yesterday...if population control becomes the solution, I propose all those who vote for that direction to volunteer their lives first.  It's somewhat hypocritical to ask for the life of someone without displaying a willingness to fall on your own sword. 

You see, I believe in a worldview that allows for us to come up with solutions to the problems without compromising our own species. 

We can think through auto emissions.  What would the world look like with high efficiency automobiles that emitted water instead of the by-products of fossil fuels?

We can think through industry, and continue to clamp down on clean air policies (which, by the way, America is the leader in the world. just travel to a third world country and try to breath in the cities.)

We can fight the use of energy wastefully, and conserve our resources.

We can find different ways to produce those energies, in order that we can sustain life. 

What we can't afford, is a government policy that decides who gets to have children, who gets to live, and who has to die for the planet to survive.  That's a worldview of limitation, and I don't believe we have to stoop to this absurdity.

We may not be able to continue our use of fossil fuel, but that doesn't mean we have to institute policies of abortion, infanticide, or euthanasia. 

May we be a people who take this VERY SERIOUS.
May we be careful before we buy into a limited worldview.
May God direct our decisions before we dive into a problem without proper care for life at all angles.