When I see Christ

I was watching "Amy Goodman: Occupy the Airwaves". Amy Goodman is the most respected journalist in the world (in my book). She gives the news as honest and detailed everytime I see her on Democracy Now or giving a speech.

I was completely ignorant of the her stories of massacres in Cambodia, conflict in Indonesia, etc. For example, Ken Saro-Wiwa, was an environmental activist from Ogoniland in Nigeria who spoke out against corporations like Chevron and Shell who work with the Nigerian government and cause extreme environmental damage to the land. He was arrested and executed by the Nigerian government in November 10, 1995, causing the nation to be removed from the Commonwealth of Nations for three years.

So inspiring.
So how come I am first learning about this man?

So what does this have to do with seeing Christ?

I believe Christianity in this nation is becoming something overly spiritual. Christ does not call us to live as though we have already crossed over into the next realm, exuberantly high and ignorant of issues around us. He called us to be right here on planet Earth.

His prayer was,
"¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by^[d] the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. "

(-John 17)

So Christ wants us to be right here, right now and experiencing life, with all of it's pain and discomforts. The worldly numb themselves of reality with "reality" television, alcohol and stimulants. We are to actively look conflict in the face and do something about it.

There is a world full of political instability, war, genocide, disease, and destruction to which nature is not to blame. My luxuries make it impossible to relate or even care. I run to my riches and gadgets for comfort when life gets hard and every night ask "Where is Christ?"

Here's the kicker: he is in the middle of conflict, never too far from it.

I'd be a fool to think I know everything. In my few years, I am beginning to realize I am just beginning to understand very little. There is a giant world with giant sufferings that needs hope, perseverance, to be heard...that needs Christ. And I want to be there.

Thanks to Link tv and Democracy Now that is giving news around the world that is making simple folks like me aware of most things.

Verses on addiction

After watching Celebrity Rehab, my heart wanted to reach out to the addicts and give them words of hope. I felt their pain. We've all been addicts to something at one point or another so we have no right to judge. We're fools to think we can only overcome it in our strength. It is only through Him all things are possible.

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (KJV)
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:9a
“But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT)
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJV)
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” ~ KJV Ad.


Hebrews 10:25a
“Let us not give up meeting together, …but let us encourage one another.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.” (NCV)
Isaiah 43:2
“When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.” (NLT)
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (KJV)
Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (NIV)
Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (KJV)
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (KJV)
John 5:14b
“See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (KJV)

**jollynotes.com**

I have always loved this analogy that Christ uses. (His wisdom is awesome!)

Matthew 12:43-45
43  "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44  Then it says, "I will return to the house I left." When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put inorder
45  Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

The Gospel

The simplicity of the gospel is what always gets me...ALWAYS! Not some intellectual deductions surrounding the crucifixion of Christ and the transaction that occurred. Just the sheer gospel with nothing fancy. Raw.