Came across a picture on a friends FB page today.

I firmly believe my walk with Jesus is grace-based.  However, I also understand that hearing from Him is sometimes comes in silence (prayer, meditation, on a walk, quietness/stillness)… but more often than not, it comes in Hearing His Word.

Does this picture hit too close to your heart?

I’m going to “listen” right now, as I jump into Colossians.

How are you “hearing” Him right now?

Grace,

Brian

Nearly 16 years ago on MLK Day (January 17, 1994), I was awakened in the most unusual way.  CD’s, books and pictures rattled off my overhead shelf and pummeled my body.  I quickly balled up into the fetal position and began praying that this was not the the time. I was experiencing the 6.8 earthquake centered 10 miles away in Northridge.  That was then.

This is now.  A 7.0 earthquake has struck the impoverished country of Haiti.  It is feared that thousands of lives have been lost. Even as I read of the news here in Seattle at my comfy coffee-shop, sipping on my nice warm sugar-free hazelnut flavored coffee; I hear the TV blaring in the background.  Want to know what they’re saying?

Was Simon off his rocker?  What will happen to Conan or Jay?  Was Sarah Palin good on O’Reilly? This is here.

What about there? It is easy to dismiss.  It is simple for me to read the news and then move on with my day. What are they (Haitians) doing today?  They are picking up the pieces (literally), mourning the losses; searching for and confirming even more loss.  Wishing it never happened.

I don’t remember going to bed on January 16, 1994, but I certainly can remember my feelings mid-morning on January 17, 1994.  Reports were coming in about all the damage and death.  We, in California, were all desperately trying to get in touch with our loved ones to let them know that we were alive.  I remember thinking, “it could have easily been a lot worse.”  The reality is, it could have.  Fortunately the fact that it was a holiday (and the freeways were not busy) and modern architecture in Southern California probably spared millions of lives.  Architecture they don’t have in Haiti.  That was then.

rescue workers preparing to help in the recovery... how are we rescue workers?

What about tomorrow? We don’t know it is coming.  I know that for the next few weeks we will hear about how to help the Haitians by giving to the Red Cross, World Concern, World Vision and our friends at Samaritan’s Purse.  You should really consider giving.  However, a greater emergency is looming that needs your attention as well.  We don’t know when the “big one” is going to hit your neighborhood.  Whether it is an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, flood, cancer, car accident or the return of Christ, we simply don’t know about tomorrow.  But one thing we do know… eternity is on the horizon.  Scripture says, “every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”  The issue, however, is will every person proclaiming that phrase be ushered into an eternity with Jesus?  This is coming.

This is now. Christians, we don’t know when the “big one” (or the big “ONE”) is coming.  However, we can help the emergency not seem as frantic by preparing our neighbors now.  Christ-followers, we are called “ambassadors” (one who speaks for his/her sovereign).  We are called to “make disciples,” (a follower of his/her teacher, in our case, Christ)  and we are called his “witness” (one who testifies for his/her Lord). As the dust begins to clear in Haiti, surviving neighbors and loved ones will begin to contemplate where the fallen are for eternity.  Many will assume that because he or she was “a good person” that they are in Heaven. The Bible teaches this is simply not true. However, scores of Christians are going to wish they really knew for sure that his or her neighbor is in Heaven.  They are going to wish they had one more opportunity to share about Jesus.

We have that opportunity RIGHT NOW with our neighbors, co-workers, friends and loved ones.  This is right now!

Praying for the relief work, follow-up and evangelism that is to take place in Haiti (please do this as well), but I am sensing even a greater call to pray for my work and your work and our follow-up here and now!  If you do not know Jesus and would like to know for sure that you will have an eternity with Him, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me (brian[at]youthmark[dot]com).

Grace,
Brian

The iPod.

The iPhone.

iTunes.

iEtc.  (okay, made that one up)…

We live in a high-paced, selfish society.  A culture that typically puts “i” first.   Well, tomorrow “i” have the opportunity to present a message entitled, “Engaging the iCulture.”  My hope is to put Christ first in everything that is said.  The passage is 2 Cor. 5:17-21.

If you live in the greater “East Hill” area (Kent/Renton/Maple Valley/Auburn) and don’t have a church you call “home,” I’d love to have you come check out Faith tomorrow.  Services at 9 and 10:45.

Regardless of your attendance… if you are in Christ, you are new Creation called to be an ambassador of/for Christ, called to reach this iCulture!  Let’s do it! Amen?

Grace,
Brian

The ear buds are in place.

Venti drip with sugar-free Hazelnut on my right.

Hillsong United leading me in praise.

I’m ready to get back to the final few days on this major project (only a few days behind).

Mondays can be a downer for some, not for me.  I’m excited about today.  I’m starting it by talking to my friend, Jesus.  I’ll end it the same way and I hope to spend the majority of the day with Him as well.  In fact, I’m going to spend most of the day writing about Him. Yesterday I was afforded the opportunity to chat about Him and what He is doing in my life and the lives of others around me.  Our new Lead Pastor, John, asked me to help him with the teaching time at church by telling three stories to help illustrate three of his four points in the sermon (if you want to hear it, click here). After Church the Aaby family got to go out with some other good friends who love Jesus too (do you think Jesus loves Mexican food as much as we do?  I think Si!).  In the evening our family got together for our Sunday night Advent time… know who we talked about and to?  Yep, Jesus! Sunday was fantastic.

Perhaps your Mundane Monday can be traded for a Marvelous Monday with Jesus.  Give the day to Him, ask Him to do wonderful things in, to and through you. I’m praying right now for you…

“Jesus, each person that comes across these words today, if they know You and have a relationship with You I pray that they would experience Your love and grace in marvelous ways today.  I pray they’d be bold for You as well.  Praying that they will encounter many people who do not know about You yet.  Perhaps you’ve placed these Christians in the lives of the unbelieving for a reason?  Jesus, cause them to enter relationship with those who do not know you.  Cause them to WANT to say something in a loving way.  Cause them to be like You…

“And Jesus, if there happens to be some friends who come across this blog who do not know the freedom and forgiveness that you grant, I pray for these friends. I pray they would ask me or another Christian about your grace.  I pray they would experience the forgiveness of their sins.  I pray they would come to know you as Lord and Savior… Amen.”

Have a marvelous Monday!  Spend it with Jesus and you will!

Grace,
Brian

Okay, so I just found something funny online… it is my first recorded sermon…

I believe it is only my second or third sermon ever to big people (I believe I had preached once or twice at my church, but they weren’t recording sermons yet).

So, if you have 39 minutes to hear me as a 22 year-old college senior speaking at Chapel, have at it.  In my own opinion, it’s not bad, certainly not great, but overall, decent.

Here it is.

The MP3 was taken off a tape… so it has a bit of a “Chipmunk” sound too it (I talk a little higher and faster than I really sound).

Grace,
Brian