Mikessocalledlife

The new dream

Hey everyone maybe you read my post about killing my dream to become a full time paid "youth Pastor".  If you didn't feel free to give it a read.  But anyway I've been spending alot of time talking to God about what I am supposed to do with my life.  Right now I work Construction full time and run a Church of students in my basement.  I know it sounds like alot of fun and it is.  The only "problem" is it's not really a problem but we are growing and soon we will be to big of a group for my basement to handle.  I know this is a good thing but the problem is I need more time to do the stuff I would like 2 do with UNDERGROUND (the Church).  It seems to me that at some point something will have to break me, UG, my family, Something.  So I have been really asking God what to do.  So here is what I came up with.  Which very strangely is just like the stuff I wanted to do when I first became a Christ Follower. 
I am Mikes forgotten Dream!

I have decided to try to raise money to purchase a building.  Not  like Churches do were they purchase a fat building that sits for 6 days a week unused and useless a waist of peoples money but a place thats open for business 5 days a week were I and the other Underground workers work.  This will be our jobs.  The idea is to create a skate park slash hang out area.  Alot like my basement.  (tvs with game systems on them and a place to just be you)  The idea is to raise money so we can purchase the building so we can keep our prices low.  I would hate to create a place we someone can't come because of money.  So there it is.  It seems like a win win for me, my family, UG, and every who will work for UG.  I get to work with students for my job and have time to get the things done for UG that need to be done.  I am wondering what you think.  I am looking for input good or bad.  Please feel free 2 shoot me down back 2 earth.  Maybe I am crazy and totally missing Gods voice.  Please be honest and don't be afraid to hurt my feelings I'm a big boy.  If you have more questions like ideas 4 UG stuff or prices or other stuff just ask I'll be happy 2 share.  Thanks guys lookin forward 2 hearin from ya.

LATER,
MIKE

I LIKE SALT

Hey everyone sorry its been so long since I've posted.  I've been thinking of something we talked about in Underground.  There is a spot in the bible were Jesus talks about being Salt and a Light. Mathew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Now I've heard this preached so many times its hurts to count.  It is always preached with an undertone of you need to do better at living for God.  You need to live up to a super high standard or you are just useless salt that has lost its saltiness.  There is usually an altar call after for people to recommit there lives to God and try to do a better job being salt for Jesus.  I usually left feeling guilty for not being able to live up to this high standard and the really good speakers would maybe have me leaving a little excited about trying to live up to this standard.

Now as I read this a few weeks ago I looked at it from a different angle.  I think when Jesus was talking about being salt he wasn't talking about a huge giant standard that can't be reached by any normal person.  I think what he was saying is "BE YOURSELF"  You see God put you on this earth for a purpose.  He has a reason for you to be here.  You are here to be salt to the earth.  It isn't about a religious guilt trip to be a better Christ follower it is a call to throw off all the religious garbage and be you!  You see you can only be the kind of salt God made you to be.  If you try to cram yourself into standards, religious or not, that aren't created for you you are not being true to yourself.  By not being true to yourself you are becoming less salty.  I would say that the least saltiest people on earth are the ones not being true to who they are.  Now I'm sure there are more than just the religious ones but I look at it like this.  The more you start to follow the religious rules people tell you are about following Christ and stop seeking God the less salty you become.  You see I think the pharisees were among the least saltiest people because they were the ones who were the most religious. 

Then Jesus goes on to say You are the light of the world.  again always preached in a way that makes me feel guilty for not living up to "the call".  I think what Jesus is saying is that when you figure out who you are you become a giant light for those around you.  See you start to fulfill the purpose you are here for.  The purpose only you can fulfill.  The purpose God has you here for.  You then start to realize you have worth.  You are worth a great deal to God.  He didn't make a mistake by creating you he is just waiting to see you fulfilling your purpose in life.  Now this may sound like a guilt trip too to some of you but you see once you start to figure out who you are you start to fulfill your purpose because its built in.  It is usually the thing that makes you happy doing.  The thing that you feel like you can do and keep doing forever even if you don't make a dime doing it.   Once you do that you become the light to all those around you just by being you.  Hope you enjoyed my take on things and I hope this gives you some authority to Go figure out  who you are.  Don't just accept what people tell you you are created for figure it out. Start digging into you.  You are not an error and you have a great deal of wealth and potential not just from Gods perspective but also from the ones who get to experience your saltiness.

BE SALTY, BE YOU

Later
MIKE