The evilness of Greed

"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern"
Proverbs 29:7

A vulture waits patiently as its next "meal" clings to life, using every ounce of strength just to breath. This is one of the most disturbing images my eyes have ever seen. When was the last time an image like this appeared on the news? When was the last time we heard of thousands of people dying daily because they didnt have so much as a clean glass of water to drink?

Instead we hear of millionaires and billionaires fighting to keep their wealth. The evilness of greed is all around us. I know very little about politics, and I couldnt begin to describe how the stock market works, but I do know that well over half the worlds population lives in extreme poverty. When did it become ok for people to people to be so consumed with their own wealth that they completely turn their backs to fellow human beings in desperate need.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
Mark 8:36

It was recently reported that an astounding 700 people applied for a janitorial position at a local school in Ohio. There was another story of a CEO who made $750,000 a year that is now delivering pizzas for less than $8 an hr. I sit here with barely enough money in my account to pay my bills for the next month, but am still more wealthy than half of the world.

There is no arguing that times are tough right now, but what if we decided that instead of hoarding our money, we gave it away to those who are truly in need? The SECOND GREATEST COMMANDMENT that the Lord God gave us was to "Love your neighbor as yourself". What if we were obedient and lived this out? Living this way would heap coals of fire on the head of the enemy. The devil wants us to live in fear, he wants us to forget about everyone else and worry about ourselves. How incredible would it be to step out in faith, giving freely, and trusting God to supply our every needs.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11

I know that everything I am and everything I own are gifts from my Father in Heaven. He will do with them whatever He so chooses.

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job 1:21

I am a Lighthouse

I spent just under 6 years of my life serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the course of time I heard many sea stories, myths, and legends. One of those stories in particular has stuck with me over time. It is the story of a mighty naval aircraft carrier and its radio communication with that of a lighthouse. The story goes something like this......

Lighthouse: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid collision.

Naval ACC: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

Lighthouse: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Naval ACC: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Lighthouse: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Naval ACC: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES' ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH--I SAY AGAIN, THAT'S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH--OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

Lighthouse: This is a lighthouse.

It's common for us to choose our destination, get underway, and set the course, just to have God tell us that if we don't change our heading we will most assuredly sink. I know this has been the case in my life recently. I have had to submit some things to God that I really didn't want to let go of, and trust the course He wants me to steer will keep me afloat. Although this process has been difficult in the end it will all be worth it.

Not my will, but Yours be done

This is so much easier to say than to live out. It's so common for us to plan out our futures, to assume that our wants and desires are the same as God's. This is simply not true. There are points in our lives when we think we have it all figured out, we get comfortable and start assuming we know what is better for our lives than our Father does. It is usually times like these that God takes us down a few pegs and reminds us that He is in charge, that His plan is better, and that plan always amazes us.

I can only imagine where I would be right now had God not stepped in and brought me back on course time and time again. I have been finding myself in that position more often than not lately. Maybe its just a refining process, maybe I'm nowhere near where I thought I was in my relationship with Him. Whatever the case may be, I am growing weary of making plans and decisions that don't line up with what God has in store for me.

God, I want to be clay in the potters hands. Mold me, shape me, make me into whatever it is that YOU want. I am only here for the blink of an eye, and I want this time to be the most Christ exalting life I can live. I surrender my will and my pride and I confess that YOU are God, and that Your plan is nothing less than perfect. I will trust you and be not afraid.

Also, wanted to add the link to an artist named Daniel Bashta. He is incredible.

check him out

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago.

This picture was taken a couple of minutes ago.

Why after 3 1/2 months would I just decide to shave it all off? The answer is, I'm not really sure. I was sitting here at my computer getting some work done, and the next minute I was in the bathroom shaving it off. No reason, no thought, just action, much like this post.

Starting Anew

It is with exceeding joy that I write this letter. As most of you know, I have spent the past four or so years touring around the world with different bands, which have been some of the greatest times of my life. Through these opportunities I have seen a world desperately needing the love of God. For the past several weeks I felt the Lord calling me to walk away from touring, and to follow Him in a new direction

Over the past few months I have been working with some friends on starting up a non-profit record label called Come&Live! Our goal is to raise up artists as missionaries, and to send them out into the world with the truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ, using their music as their ministry. We believe that the message of Jesus Christ is for everyone, and that it is a gift, therefore all of our artists’ music will be available for free via digital downloads on our website. We as a label, along with our artists, will be teaming up with other non-profits and charities to work for social justice and to bring the Love of Christ to a broken world. 100% of our profits will be redistributed back into the global community. We believe that through living simple lives we are able to give more generously to those who are truly in need.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what God has called me to do. At this time I am seeking two things: 1) Prayer support. Prayer for wisdom, diligence and fruitfulness. “Pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send laborers into the fields” 2) Financial support. “A laborer is worthy of his hire”. I would like to share more of the vision and mission of Come&Live in an upcoming letter.

Please prayerfully consider this request and contact me if you have any questions.