Does Your Life Have Purpose?

*Kurt Cobain died in 1994. I remember the day I picked up the newspaper and read about it. He was the founder and lead singer of the rock group "Nirvana." His death was a suicide. He took a shotgun, pointed it to his head, and killed himself. The newspaper was filled with the words of fans and commentators in disbelief saying "Why? It makes no sense." "He had it all . . . a great career, a huge following, plenty of money, a wife and a 19 month old daughter . . . Why?" To most people it made no sense. But I remember sitting at my desk thinking. "Yes it does. It makes sense. Kurt Cobain was living out his beliefs to their logical extreme." You see, Kurt Cobain was a self professed humanist and nihilist. In other words, he believed there was no God and that there was no meaning or purpose to life. His music (poetry) could not be clearer on this matter.

Kurt Cobain’s music was grunge rock. He pioneered this type of music. The alternative rock style of today has evolved from grunge rock. Kurt had a disdain for anything mainstream or acceptable to society. He was a child of divorce. At the age of eight he began to be shifted from home to home, sometimes even being homeless. He was very vocal about his bitterness from that experience. He developed his belief that life was basically rotten and meaningless.

His music often spoke of his anger and disillusionment. One of his most famous songs was called "Nevermind." Its recurring line was "Oh well, whatever, nevermind." Another song he wrote never got released. It was too objectionable to the label company, but Kurt liked it. It was called, "I Hate Myself, And I Want To Die." In another song called "Smells Like Teen Spirit," a well known line says, "I feel stupid and contagious, here we are, now entertain us." The video of that song was voted best video of the decade of the 90’s.

Friends of Cobain say he lived up to his music. He often acted without reason. He was constantly on an emotional roller coaster. But his dips into despair got deeper and deeper. Once, a member of his road crew asked him why he was moping around so much. Cobain replied, "I’m awake, aren’t I?" Kurt Cobain was a young man fueled by nihilism. He had passion, but for nothing. He had a void in his heart that nothing he pursued could fill, and he believed that nothing could or ever would. He had no purpose, no meaning, and he simply lived out his belief in his worldview to its logical conclusion.

Some of us wake up every morning feeling like our lives have no purpose, passion or meaning. Could this be you, too? It is certainly understandable that due to the pressures and stresses of life a person could certainly feel like they are caught in a spiraling downward tailspin with no chance of pulling out. On the other hand, how about the person who has it all: the money, fame and success, yet still feels as empty as a bank building on Sunday morning? Could this be you, too?

King Solomon (son of David) also had it all. (1 Kings 9:26-28, 10:11-12, 2 Chronicles 8:17-18, 9:21) God had even chosen him to build the original temple of God; an honor that not even his own father David was given! Even so, toward the end of his life he became corrupted, perverted and eventually lost everything. He had all of the things that the world had to offer, but wrote of the despair that they brought him. Curiously, the happiest and most prosperous times of his life were when he listened to and obeyed God. It was when he strayed from this that he ran into problems. Think about it. He had all the wisdom in the world, but was not wise enough to figure out that true purpose and meaning were found in the living God. Could this be you, too?

As many people sadly discover, it is not about the things or stuff that we accumulate. Matthew 6:19 reminds us: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Is that your plan? To acquire as much as you can and hope that it brings you true happiness and peace only to perhaps lose it all in the end? Have you somehow lost sight of your true purpose? Matthew 6:20.

Maybe it’s time to rediscover your relationship with God? It doesn’t matter if it’s been a while. God is very patient. Each one of us is instilled with His purpose; it’s just that some of us are too busy trying to find it in something, or somewhere else. Isn’t that a funny sort of thing? I mean, to spend hours, days, and years looking for something that will truly fulfill you and bring meaning to your life, and here you've had the answer with you all along! Matthew 6:21

Let's pray:

Father, I know You made me on Purpose. This I AM certain. I AM here on Purpose for You, to do Your Will. My desire is to please You, to follow You and do whatever it is that You Purposed for me.
My mind is open, my heart is willing and my body is able. Ever Loving Father, I ask you to fill my spirit with Your Holy Spirit so that I may hear and see; do and speak what is pleasing to You.
Through Jesus Christ.
Amen~

*Kurt Cobain story courtesy of Pastor Scott Weber

~Eve

With the Deepest Love For Christ

Every now and then, we get asked questions about our ministry. I appreciate the interest because it tells me that people are paying attention. Our primary mission, directive, goal, or whatever you'd like to call it, is to share the Gospel with all. (Colossians 3:15) It is with a deep love for our Lord, Jesus Christ that we do all of this. We try to not to be pushy about it, or scare people away (at least I hope we don't!) This doesn't mean that we aren't passionate about our love for Christ, it's just that we believe that if you're honest and sincere with others, they will respect what you have to say. This doesn't mean they always agree with you, but at least they know you are real.

As you browse around our blog, you'll notice that we try to mix things up a little. Oh, we have the usual stuff that you'd typically find on other blogs similar to ours. But, we also offer some other items that are aimed to entertain, educate and inform, too. Nothing here is chiseled in stone. If we think something isn't working, we'll change it. Now, some people might not like our style, and that's fine. I guess if you're looking for the same 'ol, same 'ol, you won't find it here. We don't want to be a cookie-cutter ministry blog!

All of this being said, our main focus is always on Jesus Christ and his message. We believe that He has His hand in every aspect of our lives. (Job 41:9-11) I hope that this comes through in what we do and say here. So, please take your time and look around. We hope you like what you see. Thank you! (Psalm 89:5)

~Eve

Can You Hear Me Now?

According to Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, “attention” is defined as: The act or state of attending or heeding; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed.

Students are asked to “pay attention” in school. The driver is reminded to “pay attention” while driving. An announcer on television invites us to “pay attention” to an incredible offer! In a court of law the jury is urged to “pay attention” to the facts of the case. You get the idea. Our attention is constantly being required throughout our daily life.

Yet, many of us are NOT paying attention when Christ speaks to us. We in essence tune Him out intentionally, or unintentionally. Either way, it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is, we just don’t give Christ the attention he deserves. We live as if Christ should follow OUR rules instead of the other way around.

Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the pattern of my hurry-up style. It was become unbearable.
"I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.' "Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'"

Does this sound familiar? Too busy with what is going on around you to slow down or stop and listen when Christ is trying to speak to you? The Greek word for attention is: προσέχω; or prosechó. This literally means: to hold to, turn to, attend to. Do you turn your attention to Christ when he tries to get your attention? Or do you try to hurry Him up so that you can get on with your life, giving Him only a small token of your attention, if any at all?

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.” Hebrews 2:1-3 (NIV)

Regarding this particular passage, Clark's Commentary on the Bible has this to say: “Therefore - Because God has spoken to us by his Son; and because that Son is so great and glorious a personage; and because the subject which is addressed to us is of such infinite importance to our welfare. We ought to give the more earnest heed - We should hear the doctrine of Christ with care, candor, and deep concern.”

How foolish can we be to think that Christ deserves nothing more than a fleeting glance, or a rushed passing moment of attention in our daily lives! It has been said that the average adult attention span is 6 minutes, so I suppose that all of this should not be that surprising.

We live in a world that is moving a mile a minute. The speed of change is rapid and our entire way of life reflects this. This is precisely why it is even more crucial that we allow ourselves the chance to slow down and listen when Christ speaks to us; we ought to give the more earnest heed and pay attention to His voice.

Are YOU paying to attention to Christ? Do any of us give Him the attention He truly deserves? “For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” Hebrews 2:2 (NIV) When He talks, do you listen?

~Eve

God's GPS Is Standard Equipment!

Two British retirees traveling in southern Germany drove into a church after their car's global positioning system (GPS) directed them to. While driving their Renault in the evening on a back road near the Austrian border, the navigation system instructed the couple to turn right where there was no road. "They were confused and didn't notice that the navigation system was faulty," a police spokeswoman said. The 76-year-old driver then plowed into the side of the village church, totaling the car and damaging the church's foundation. The couple spent the evening in hospital recuperating from minor injuries.

When we place our faith in things that are man-made we can end up with similar results. Acts 5:29 God’s instructions are simple and precise. His Word is never faulty or unclear. 2 Samuel 22:31 The nice thing about following God’s directions is that He will never steer us wrong. He always points us in the right direction, but sometimes we drive ourselves off course. We have all been there at one time or another. We start to incorrectly believe that our GPS is better than God’s. And, we all know where that usually leads us!

Listen to God when he speaks to you. He wants to guide you, but not control you. If our final destination is to be with Him, we need to be able to get there. He has already given us a roadmap of life. You only need to open your heart and have total faith in Him. Romans 3:22 The funny thing is that we sometimes forget that we have God’s GPS inside of us all. He installed it as standard equipment inside each one of us. We just need to use it! James 1:22

~Eve

Believe It or Not?

Hi!

Recently, I came across this interesting news story that I thought was sadly typical of the times we are living in now. I'd like to share it here with you:

"Authorities say they had to block vehicles from entering a gas station Santa Rosa after a computer problem had gas there on sale for 39 cents a gallon. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies and the California Highway Patrol responded to a traffic jam at the 76 station in Roseland around 8 p.m. Thursday.

Law officers described the scene as a "blockade" as drivers tried to get in on the cheap gas. Gas in Santa Rosa is averaging about $3.36 a gallon. They told the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa the station planned to close for the night, so the computer problem could be fixed. A station employee declined to comment on how much gas was sold at the 39-cent price." -(Associated Press)

I can’t imagine what a chaotic scene that must have been! In these days of rising fuel costs it sure seemed like a sweet deal. It appears that this was all caused by a computer glitch that somehow posted the incorrect price. Good deal for the customers, not so good for the station owner!

It reminded me of how Jesus drew crowds of potential believers by performing miracles as he traveled spreading the Word. In fact, many of the people who came to see Jesus didn’t really come to hear him speak; they wanted to see the show. Afterwards, when they were told what the “real” price of following Christ would be, many moved on. Acts 4: 12 Similarly, I wonder how many of the customers that rushed the gas station during the above episode would ever come back again after the “real” cost was revealed.

Many of us want what amounts to a good religious deal, too. We want it, but the “price” has to fit within our parameters. If the cost seems too high, then we will walk. Romans 3: 23, 24 Let me tell you here and now that Jesus does not make deals or have specials. His message is straight and crystal clear. There are no errors in His Word because He Is! In fact, you can bet your eternal life on it. John 3:16

And what is the “price” you ask? It’s simply this; Believe. That’s it! Romans 10: 9-10 Now THAT is a sweet deal that is too good to pass up. Check it out! Acts 16: 30-31

~Eve