IT WAS A VERY STRANGE MORNING!!!!!
I was headed to work and stopped by BP this morning so that I could pick up some caffine (mountain dew)to get me started. As I pulled into the BP this woman walks up to my car and asks for a ride. i apologized and told her that I really didn't have time because I had to get to work. she asked me which direction I was going and when I told her she walked around and jumped into the passenger side of my car. (guys, its not safe to keep your car door unlocked)
as I tried to explain that I was not headed very far she said that it would be awesome if I could just take her at least as far as i was going and then she would get a ride the rest of the way. So, I had a weird feeling already and decided not to go into BP (I wasn't just going to let her sit in my car as I walked into BP and got a pop).
As I was driving we began to talk. she said she was from florida, i told her about my wife, she said she wanted to get married someday also, etc. As the conversation continued she asked me how far it was to where I would drop her off. she said that was great and that we could have a little fun on the way. she then began to feel up my leg and went for my crotch. I told her to get the HELL off me and she continued. This time i stopped the car and yelled, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CAR!!!!!" she then kept saying, "what is wrong, aren't i pretty." and then kept trying to feel me up until i came to a stop and pushed her out my car and sped off.
it kind of freaked me out. I was shaking. not that I was afraid, I was in shock!
So, I called sarah (my wife) and told her the story.
As I thought about it throughout the day. I began to feel bad. I wish that there would have been some way that I could have gotten her to stop and then encourage her and tell her that she deserves so much more.
BUT... what else do you do when some strange woman starts going for your crotch?
Could I have been a better example of Jesus's Love? I don't know. Maybe, me pushing her away gave her a different picture of men. I don't know. I prayed for divine appointments this morning. didn't expect this, but I hope that God is able to use this adventure to impact this woman's life!!!
I began to pray for her - if you all can do this too, please do!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
Authenticity - quick thoughts, response to another blog
What does it mean for a community to be Real or Authentic?
I have been learning a lot recently what this really means. I have noticed that there are a lot of people who desire to be real and authentic or that commend various people for being real and authentic but many times they don't truly live that out. many times even when people claim to be Real they are still only choosing to be partially real or authentic. they are willing to disclose enough to sound that way but are still not totally being real?
What happens though when people aren't real with each other?
I have noticed that with me I find myself still dealing with issues on my own. I lose the freedom that comes with being able to share my struggles, share my questions, share my thoughts or my life with others. there is something powerful, healing, and freeing about truly being able to be real and authentic with a group of people.
I have also noticed that others are afraid to be real and authentic. they choose not to be real because they are afraid of how people will respond to them and many times this fear becomes a reality because people slam them or respond to them poorly for their true thoughts or feelings. Or people arn't completely honust with each other and then people's feelings get hurt or someone feels like others don't care. But, how was the other person supposed to know if you don't tell them.
So, what would happen if we all lived as God had intended - openly sharing our lives together as a community
Here is a comment that I wrote to a blog that I have been reading. It is a comment to a group of bloggers who all desire authenticity but have been arguing and fighting more than living out the jourey together. I never posted the comment because I just didn't feel that I had the freedom to do so. but maybe it will get us thinking?
I find this thing of authenticity very interesting. People desiring to be real or authentic and yet, i wonder, are these people being 100% real or choosing just how real they want to be and yet still claiming to be 100% real and authentic? Also, is autheniticy a 1 or 2 way road? Just as one person shares their life and heart openly shouldn't someone else listen and respond openly and yet without a judgemental heart?
I then look to our journey as Christians or disiples of jesus. shouldn't we all be on this journey of life and faith together? Desiring to grow, learn, challenge, encourage, ask questions, and seek out God's heart as a family or a gathering of God's people? Through this journey, shouldn't others be enticed and excited about jumping into such an exciting spirtiual and life adventure? So, i then wonder what we are doing here. Is this a blog/conversation/life that allows for true authenticity? Is it a blog that allows for people to ask tough questions and for people to agree and disagree - and then journey together to find and discover answers that are true to life and God? If people post anounoumously, does that say that people are afraid to post? is that a good thing? Even if this is a blog for controversal topics do we as people and as bloggers allow for these contraversal topics to be discussed or do we slam people for their ideas or thoughts.
At some point we must ask and discuss tough questions together with the intention of finding truth or real answers. there must be some truth for the world to exist and continue to work. And if Jesus claims to be truth then through him we will find truth and answers that are true to life and faith. But it seems that it must be an adventure and a journey taken together.
I have been learning a lot recently what this really means. I have noticed that there are a lot of people who desire to be real and authentic or that commend various people for being real and authentic but many times they don't truly live that out. many times even when people claim to be Real they are still only choosing to be partially real or authentic. they are willing to disclose enough to sound that way but are still not totally being real?
What happens though when people aren't real with each other?
I have noticed that with me I find myself still dealing with issues on my own. I lose the freedom that comes with being able to share my struggles, share my questions, share my thoughts or my life with others. there is something powerful, healing, and freeing about truly being able to be real and authentic with a group of people.
I have also noticed that others are afraid to be real and authentic. they choose not to be real because they are afraid of how people will respond to them and many times this fear becomes a reality because people slam them or respond to them poorly for their true thoughts or feelings. Or people arn't completely honust with each other and then people's feelings get hurt or someone feels like others don't care. But, how was the other person supposed to know if you don't tell them.
So, what would happen if we all lived as God had intended - openly sharing our lives together as a community
Here is a comment that I wrote to a blog that I have been reading. It is a comment to a group of bloggers who all desire authenticity but have been arguing and fighting more than living out the jourey together. I never posted the comment because I just didn't feel that I had the freedom to do so. but maybe it will get us thinking?
I find this thing of authenticity very interesting. People desiring to be real or authentic and yet, i wonder, are these people being 100% real or choosing just how real they want to be and yet still claiming to be 100% real and authentic? Also, is autheniticy a 1 or 2 way road? Just as one person shares their life and heart openly shouldn't someone else listen and respond openly and yet without a judgemental heart?
I then look to our journey as Christians or disiples of jesus. shouldn't we all be on this journey of life and faith together? Desiring to grow, learn, challenge, encourage, ask questions, and seek out God's heart as a family or a gathering of God's people? Through this journey, shouldn't others be enticed and excited about jumping into such an exciting spirtiual and life adventure? So, i then wonder what we are doing here. Is this a blog/conversation/life that allows for true authenticity? Is it a blog that allows for people to ask tough questions and for people to agree and disagree - and then journey together to find and discover answers that are true to life and God? If people post anounoumously, does that say that people are afraid to post? is that a good thing? Even if this is a blog for controversal topics do we as people and as bloggers allow for these contraversal topics to be discussed or do we slam people for their ideas or thoughts.
At some point we must ask and discuss tough questions together with the intention of finding truth or real answers. there must be some truth for the world to exist and continue to work. And if Jesus claims to be truth then through him we will find truth and answers that are true to life and faith. But it seems that it must be an adventure and a journey taken together.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
A REAL CHURCH?
What makes a real church?
Many times I feel that people don't look at us as being a real church. We do look differently. We are not real big, infact we are tiny because we are only a couple of months old. We are about radically living life as disciples of Jesus. We are not about encouraging spectators but encouraing an adventure lived together for Jesus. An advenutre that encourages the life of a disciple as we passionatly live our lives for Jesus and we live out our God given gifts and dreams. We don't like to specify exactly what we look like because we want the people who are a part of our community to shape that (the idea of the body of Christ).
We get people who come to "check it out", or people who come after they have already gone to church, people who expect church to be planned out for them, etc.
but...
I feel that many people are stuck in a box of what church is. Even people that think outside of the box still see a box. I know what scripture says that church looks like and it always points to a gathing of God's people.
So, what makes a REAL church? What is church supposed to look like? Are we a Real church?
I know what God has taught me it means to be the church or live life as the church or what God has shown me through scripture.
What do you think?
Many times I feel that people don't look at us as being a real church. We do look differently. We are not real big, infact we are tiny because we are only a couple of months old. We are about radically living life as disciples of Jesus. We are not about encouraging spectators but encouraing an adventure lived together for Jesus. An advenutre that encourages the life of a disciple as we passionatly live our lives for Jesus and we live out our God given gifts and dreams. We don't like to specify exactly what we look like because we want the people who are a part of our community to shape that (the idea of the body of Christ).
We get people who come to "check it out", or people who come after they have already gone to church, people who expect church to be planned out for them, etc.
but...
I feel that many people are stuck in a box of what church is. Even people that think outside of the box still see a box. I know what scripture says that church looks like and it always points to a gathing of God's people.
So, what makes a REAL church? What is church supposed to look like? Are we a Real church?
I know what God has taught me it means to be the church or live life as the church or what God has shown me through scripture.
What do you think?
Monday, February 20, 2006
Fasting
God has really put it on my heart recently to begin to fast. Not just individually but as the church - with my community of passionate followers of Jesus.
But, I was struggling because i didn't understand what it meant to fast. Yeah, i was taught what the traditional heart behind fasting was but it seemed like more to me. I knew that you were supposed to not eat or drink for some period of time. or that you could choose to give something else up for a certain period of time. I was told that we need to fast, but why? I mean Jesus really doesn't talk much about fasting in the new tesament so why do we tell people that they need to fast. what is the heart behind it. so, i decided to study the heart behind what it means to fast.
what I have discovered is way cool and i am having fun on this adventure but i don't want to take it alone (God calls us to seek him out together as a community - so i want to encourage you to join me on this adventure of learning the heart of the fast and then fasting together and seeing how God moves.
I will be starting a message board section specifically dedicated to learning the heart of the fast and also for seeing how God answers our prayers and moves as we fast together as a community.
check out www.the-table.net and go to the message boards to join me on this adventure
But, I was struggling because i didn't understand what it meant to fast. Yeah, i was taught what the traditional heart behind fasting was but it seemed like more to me. I knew that you were supposed to not eat or drink for some period of time. or that you could choose to give something else up for a certain period of time. I was told that we need to fast, but why? I mean Jesus really doesn't talk much about fasting in the new tesament so why do we tell people that they need to fast. what is the heart behind it. so, i decided to study the heart behind what it means to fast.
what I have discovered is way cool and i am having fun on this adventure but i don't want to take it alone (God calls us to seek him out together as a community - so i want to encourage you to join me on this adventure of learning the heart of the fast and then fasting together and seeing how God moves.
I will be starting a message board section specifically dedicated to learning the heart of the fast and also for seeing how God answers our prayers and moves as we fast together as a community.
check out www.the-table.net and go to the message boards to join me on this adventure
Thursday, January 26, 2006
God gave me a band-aid
This God sighting seems small but impacted my life huge!
I have recently developed a bump in my arm pit which was hurting really bad this morning. I was going to teach gym today so I went to find a band-aid so that I could put it over the bump to keep it from getting sore and hurting a whole lot. i searched the entire house but could not find one. So, i finally gave up and went to go and chill with God. AFter i read a little i got up to pray and then went back to the pillow that I had been studying on (and I had layed on it the night before - and with my ADD i totally don't sit still - which means the pillow get tossed around a lot) but when I went back there was a band-aid right on top of the pillow. It was way cool. I kind of felt bad that I didn't immediatly ask God for a band-aid but later God revealed to me that he really does take care of our needs - even when we don't ask!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooooooooooo, GOD GAVE ME A BAND-AID - WAY STINKIN COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have recently developed a bump in my arm pit which was hurting really bad this morning. I was going to teach gym today so I went to find a band-aid so that I could put it over the bump to keep it from getting sore and hurting a whole lot. i searched the entire house but could not find one. So, i finally gave up and went to go and chill with God. AFter i read a little i got up to pray and then went back to the pillow that I had been studying on (and I had layed on it the night before - and with my ADD i totally don't sit still - which means the pillow get tossed around a lot) but when I went back there was a band-aid right on top of the pillow. It was way cool. I kind of felt bad that I didn't immediatly ask God for a band-aid but later God revealed to me that he really does take care of our needs - even when we don't ask!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooooooooooo, GOD GAVE ME A BAND-AID - WAY STINKIN COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Want to be: A Child
I've been struggling!
Not living life to the full!
I have allowed things, frustrations, conversations, worries keep me from living in the freedom of who God has made me to be. i have allowed these things to keep me from laughing, keep me from radically loving others, keep me from enjoying each moment that God has blessed me with, keep me from living freely, keep me from using my imagination and creativity, keep me from taking risks, going on adventures, loving others and so much more - I hate that.
I ask that you guys would be praying for me!!! God has me on a crazy adventure to reclaim this joy, lauhter, and child like faith (LIFE TO THE FULL)!
He has put on my heart to study his peace (shalom)and to spend time just enjoying Him, listening, and praising Him) - So far it has been a cool study and enjoyable to pour my heart out in song and in creativty. I want to once a again live passionatly with a an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 peter 1:3-11)
Not living life to the full!
I have allowed things, frustrations, conversations, worries keep me from living in the freedom of who God has made me to be. i have allowed these things to keep me from laughing, keep me from radically loving others, keep me from enjoying each moment that God has blessed me with, keep me from living freely, keep me from using my imagination and creativity, keep me from taking risks, going on adventures, loving others and so much more - I hate that.
I ask that you guys would be praying for me!!! God has me on a crazy adventure to reclaim this joy, lauhter, and child like faith (LIFE TO THE FULL)!
He has put on my heart to study his peace (shalom)and to spend time just enjoying Him, listening, and praising Him) - So far it has been a cool study and enjoyable to pour my heart out in song and in creativty. I want to once a again live passionatly with a an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 peter 1:3-11)
Friday, January 13, 2006
Better at blogging
Hello everyone,
sorry it has been so long since i have posted. I have been absolutly horrible at keeping up with my blog. So, I have committed to writing at least one blog a week. I have a lot to talk about or share but am just so bad at taking the time to sit and write out my adventures. so, I ask that you help to keep me accountable if you see that I have not written anything in awhile.
thanks
sorry it has been so long since i have posted. I have been absolutly horrible at keeping up with my blog. So, I have committed to writing at least one blog a week. I have a lot to talk about or share but am just so bad at taking the time to sit and write out my adventures. so, I ask that you help to keep me accountable if you see that I have not written anything in awhile.
thanks
Monday, November 07, 2005
the journey of living life as the church
The past couple weekends have been incredible as we have seen God move in incredible ways. God has very much been present with the people that show and the things that are discussed. But...the adventure as to how to teach is one that i don't yet understand:
For the longest time I have been bored in church as I sit down and listen to some preacher dude tell me what to belive. I get excited and have so much more fun however when I have an opportunity to encounter God through scritpure as he reveals his truth to me and as I get to discuss it with others (friends and strangers).
As we have started the table we have tried to avoid the "3 step how to live", or the "this is what you need to believe" and praying that God would move through scripture and conversation. God has blessed us with Christians, people who are not, people who have new ageish ideas but our deepest desire is to encounter God - not just to have a conversation for the sake of conversation.
So...How do you teach good Biblical teachings, heart behind the Jewish cutlture and what Jesus taught and allow for people to enconter God through that. As they discuss and live it out? This is way harder than I thought. I look forward to seeing that adventure that God takes us through and as he allows for this kind of worship to occur.
having fun as a passionate follower of Jesus,
scott sulek
The past couple weekends have been incredible as we have seen God move in incredible ways. God has very much been present with the people that show and the things that are discussed. But...the adventure as to how to teach is one that i don't yet understand:
For the longest time I have been bored in church as I sit down and listen to some preacher dude tell me what to belive. I get excited and have so much more fun however when I have an opportunity to encounter God through scritpure as he reveals his truth to me and as I get to discuss it with others (friends and strangers).
As we have started the table we have tried to avoid the "3 step how to live", or the "this is what you need to believe" and praying that God would move through scripture and conversation. God has blessed us with Christians, people who are not, people who have new ageish ideas but our deepest desire is to encounter God - not just to have a conversation for the sake of conversation.
So...How do you teach good Biblical teachings, heart behind the Jewish cutlture and what Jesus taught and allow for people to enconter God through that. As they discuss and live it out? This is way harder than I thought. I look forward to seeing that adventure that God takes us through and as he allows for this kind of worship to occur.
having fun as a passionate follower of Jesus,
scott sulek
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Amazed and Excited
I am continually amazed about how God's hand is on this adventure. A couple of weeks ago - Jillian (great woman of God/prayer warrior) got a word from God telling us that we don't need to worry about building the church but that God would bring the people - he would be the one to build the church. It has been amazing to see this happen. Many of the people that have come to be a part of this adventure have come from weeks of crazy adventures. some delivered directly to our front porch (no joke!!!)
God has brought people to worship with us on sunday mornings, or hang out with us or live life as the church!!! these people are brining their God given gifts and dreams, they are passionate about God, some of them are confused or going through tough times and need to see light but open to God and discussing spirtitual things, everyone is amazed on the many many many God sightings (movements of God)
It is very exciting to see how God is building our Jesus community (church) and exciting to dream and imagine what it is going to look like as he brings people and their dreams that will create a working pic of the church that is true to what God desires for us to be -individually and as the church
I only wish I could describe in words or in a blog the dreams, the pics, the people and the impact that God has allowed to be come a reality as we live life as His Chruch.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am continually amazed about how God's hand is on this adventure. A couple of weeks ago - Jillian (great woman of God/prayer warrior) got a word from God telling us that we don't need to worry about building the church but that God would bring the people - he would be the one to build the church. It has been amazing to see this happen. Many of the people that have come to be a part of this adventure have come from weeks of crazy adventures. some delivered directly to our front porch (no joke!!!)
God has brought people to worship with us on sunday mornings, or hang out with us or live life as the church!!! these people are brining their God given gifts and dreams, they are passionate about God, some of them are confused or going through tough times and need to see light but open to God and discussing spirtitual things, everyone is amazed on the many many many God sightings (movements of God)
It is very exciting to see how God is building our Jesus community (church) and exciting to dream and imagine what it is going to look like as he brings people and their dreams that will create a working pic of the church that is true to what God desires for us to be -individually and as the church
I only wish I could describe in words or in a blog the dreams, the pics, the people and the impact that God has allowed to be come a reality as we live life as His Chruch.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 17, 2005
God is freakin awesome!!!!!!!!!!1
This past friday night was a ton of fun as a bunch of guys got together as "the church" to worship God as we hung out, played video games, ate pizza, talked about girls, pinched each others nipples, talked about God, talked about life and soooo much more. I LOVE LIVING LIFE AS THE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO, During that evening a lady named Tonya (who I had run into a couple of weeks ago came to the door to ask my wife and keiths to join her for a sat. morning Bible study. (check out my post a couple of days ago for the whole story of how i orginally met tonya).
anyway, I had met her while walking and I had just told her I lived down the street and she invited us to her church for her pastor to pray for us and what we were doing in clifton. Well we got lost on the way and we never made it and had no way of getting in contact with her.
on sat. she came to the door and asked for me, my buddy don came to get me and when I came to the door she yelled "this is totally God" I responded shockingly but had no choice but to agree. she had prayed that God would lead her to our house and he did. the first house she had come to was ours (again having no clue where I lived) she invited our wives to a breakfast bible study and again invited us to join her for prayer on wed. night. i don't totally know what God has in store for this friendship but I am excited to see what adventure God is taking us on!!!!!
GOD IS SOOOOOO FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!
This past friday night was a ton of fun as a bunch of guys got together as "the church" to worship God as we hung out, played video games, ate pizza, talked about girls, pinched each others nipples, talked about God, talked about life and soooo much more. I LOVE LIVING LIFE AS THE CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO, During that evening a lady named Tonya (who I had run into a couple of weeks ago came to the door to ask my wife and keiths to join her for a sat. morning Bible study. (check out my post a couple of days ago for the whole story of how i orginally met tonya).
anyway, I had met her while walking and I had just told her I lived down the street and she invited us to her church for her pastor to pray for us and what we were doing in clifton. Well we got lost on the way and we never made it and had no way of getting in contact with her.
on sat. she came to the door and asked for me, my buddy don came to get me and when I came to the door she yelled "this is totally God" I responded shockingly but had no choice but to agree. she had prayed that God would lead her to our house and he did. the first house she had come to was ours (again having no clue where I lived) she invited our wives to a breakfast bible study and again invited us to join her for prayer on wed. night. i don't totally know what God has in store for this friendship but I am excited to see what adventure God is taking us on!!!!!
GOD IS SOOOOOO FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!
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