HOPE IN THE HARD THINGS

Occupationally, and vocationally I think we as men don't do enough.  I have been feeling this for a long time and I often find myself in introspection in regards to my "manly-ness."  I find the scales lacking...I was never willing to pay the price to do what needed to be done, I was mediocre.

...But there is hope!

I recently find myself coming across the brain work of two young believers named Alex and Brett Harris which started with a book "DOING HARD THINGS." I was impressed....with the notion that I had a long way to go, but God could get me there. 

                   GOD....COULD....GET ME THERE!

Studying the bible has shown me that God directs his people, many times through hard things, and we too often run from them.  Recall Mose's dealings with God's people after Egypt. 

I talked to a young man just now....well I was texting with him, and the thought occurred to me that he could really bless what I am trying to do here on Connect FOUR and is like an ASSET WAITING TO HAPPEN. 


Isn't that true with all of us?  Most of us?  Maybe only ten out of a every few thousand, but that leaves many MEN not living to their potential in a city like Houston with a population around 10 million or more surrounding it's heart.  So what is surrounding your heart? 
Fear?
        Doubt?
                   Lack of confidence?
                                                  Precedent of past failure....
                                                                         past failure....

Where my LIONS at!?

                                                                         past failure....
                                                                         past failure?
                                                                                         No faith in God....or belief in...
                                                                                                                                                                                                             god-lite.

I am learning that God is the effect of any worthy cause you could ever trace your efforts too. All that means is that we need to take our fears, lacks, not to mention those past reports...just gird up our loins and walk in courage.  Ever feeding on the fact that God will keep us as safe as we need to be.

LOST IN THE WILDERNESS

I heard a faith man of God say that he was concerned that he had allowed fear to halt some steps that he felt God had been leading him to do, and because of that, it was perhaps too late for that season or ministry.  This concern was due to the fact that he had four kids and a wife to take care of, and the idea of being a missionary in a foreign land seemed unrealistic. 

I have been thinking about what I we discussed and it occurred to me that God specializes in the UNREALISTIC.

the issue is that we can even picture where income and finances needed to do the things most dear to your hearts can come from outside of a job.  It's not our fault, we are brought up this way and we are taught these ideals in education circles.  So many presently can t see the light at the end of the tunnel because they are going down the wrong tunnel.  Too many feel LOST in the recent recession, because they have been chasing after the wrong (sometimes right) things with an improper mindset. 

Here are some key facts to consider as you find your direction...

• Nothing is safe and secure (not even your job)
• There are always risk involved, even if you aren't taking them
• Long before the US had such and economy, people made a living.
• God is the provider of your income, and nothing else.

It is from God that we receive income, and our main job is to do whatever he ask of us, don't let fear of the unknown hold you back from the path God has laid before you.  OUR GOD IS KNOWN.

GOSPEL GANGSTA?

Still Thuggin Ministry

By Sebastian Pettes

Still Thuggin, this is something I often speak about in conversation, rap about in my music, and is also a ministry God has placed on my heart. I understand the images that may pop into one’s mind when the word thug is mentioned. At one time those negative images and ideas where true about me as I was thuggin in the street, but now that God has control of my life I’m thuggin for a righteous cause. You are probably asking, how could one thug for a righteous cause, when the definition of a thug is a toughie, and a bully – (The Freedictionary.com). Online Slang Dictionary.com defines a thug as a person who does their own thing and Urban Dictionary .com defines a thug as a person who will go to great lengths to protect his turf.

         Now when I say Still Thuggin, I don’t deny that I use to be all of these things before Christ became head of my life. I had a great passion and a devotion to the thug life and the mentality that came with it. By me saying Still Thuggin, that is just me saying that God can use that zealousness. He can take the passion and devotion I had, and others had or have to do wrong within the code of the streets, and use it for His good. The Free Online Dictionary.com describes a thug as a toughie or bully, and true enough when I was thuggin in the streets, it was a negative thing, but when you’re thuggin for Christ it’s a positive. Why can’t we say we are thugs for God? Being toughies, sucking up our fear and sharing the Gospel no matter where we are, no matter how rough the neighborhood is? Why can’t we with the power of the Holy Spirit say we are bullying our sinful desires and old ways by constantly killing our flesh? (Galatians 5:24) That misconception of Christians being weak is old. Christians can and should be tough, because toughness is needed in this war we fight. (Ephesians 6:10-12) God created us and the earth for His worship and His glory; therefore we should be going to extreme lengths to protect something that was meant to exemplify Him.-(Urban Dictionary.com) This world is becoming more and more evil each day (2 Timothy 3:1-3), therefore we as Christians must go to an extent to separate from it and do our own thing (Online Slang Dictionary.com), so that we are not conformed by the world, but transformed by the Word. (Romans 12:2)

     God used Paul’s zealousness. He took a man with devotion and passion, a man who used it for the 

  wrong purpose, changed his heart and used it for His Glory. I have a song where I state “Still 

Thuggin means I’m still a hood cat, I just got a different view about the state the hood at”. Basically 

this means I’m from the hood. I will always be from the hood and be able to understand the hood, 

both the negatives and positives of the mentality of those becoming victims of this environment. God 

is God and can do whatever He chooses with whomever He chooses. But I believe He can take and 

has taken people who He has saved from certain life styles, cleaned them up and used them to touch 

those still stuck in those situations. Still Thuggin in a nutshell means that God took those negative 

characteristics and the passion behind them and chose to use them for His glory. The Still Thuggin 

Ministry is about showing people that God wants to use you, and your testimony to touch others. He 

doesn’t want you to hide the past. He wants you to use it to be real and authentic to show what He is 

capable of doing.