Not Without Hope

Can we really say that any person is really without hope while they are still alive?
I looked into the eyes of a terrorist on a video the other day; they were cold, dark and heartless. Immediately you want justice to be served on this man for things he has put his fellow man through: he is the enemy. We care greatly for the lives he is ruined, but he deserves death; we long to tell them about a Jesus who loves them, and can save them from a Godless eternity, but we save our harshest curses for him. I ask you, does it have to be this way, is he not a person too?!
As much as we would scowl at the thought, behind his mask, is a person, not so unlike each of us.
I can't excuse the horrors these men commit, but I have to believe there is hope for them, why can't we tell them, why can't our hearts break over them? Wasn't the cross for everyman? For whosoever will?
It is scary to think of carrying the gospel to such a man, this is a not a safe get inspired, summer trip, fun camp kind of thought. For those of us who carry such heart cries it may, and apart from the intervention of God, will cost us our lives; but someone must go where no one else will, to those who "can't be reached". This is the rumbling of my heart: let there be nothing you won't do for the cross. Let the love of Christ compel you, rather than fear restrain you.
"I know he's holding a gun to your head, hold the cross to his heart, and may the better win in the end!"-JB
Hungry for Him
Joshua Blakney

The Cry of y Hear is to Bring Him Glory

The cry of my heart is to bring him glory. I refuse to live a dream that has anything at it's motive deeper than Christ. How much does He mean to you? Would He understand if you choose to pursue a goal that didn't declare how great He is? Could you bear to walk a few miles in your preferred direction knowing Jesus was wanting to walk with you in the other direction?
I was reminded of my answer tonight: NO!!!! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!!! from the bottom of my heart I ay if He's in it I can't, I won't do it; no matter how good it might seem, I refuse to do something just because "I've always wanted to" Jesus need to be the heart beat of it all.
I want Him for than, life, more than fame, more than adventure, more than dreams, or success, more than anything I want Jesus!
I've been given talents and abilities so that I could accomplish much in life and give the credit to God; but I'm hungry for so much more than that. i refuse to slap the name of Jesus on my little package(not belittle the gifts and talents God does give to us) and offer Him that little glory. I must walk in the place were its His heart being expressed, His glory, His presence, HIm,HIm,HIm,Don't you see I'll never be content to simply live for anything but all of Jesus. the place where heaven touches earth, God invades the lives of people and they are forever changed, where people can't help but say that was God it had to be !!!
Who is Josh, only a vapor in the wind, let my memory be forgotten and my name erased from time; O but Christ, there is something to gloat in, someone to boast about, to cheer for, to fall in love with, O but Christ, He is the Hero the greatest, let His nam be echoed from the crowds any time I should stand before tem. Let His name be shouted out, at my every accomplishment!!!
Jesus its' all Jesus
When I go into a room i don't want it to fill with me, I want it to fill with Him
The cry of my heart is to bring Him glory.
not to me but to you r name be the glory O God

He Knew All Along

Have you ever wanted to see a movie and then your friend starts to tell you about it, and before you know it they've told you how it ends. I know for me it changes the movie, I spend the entire movie trying to figure out how everything play into the end, and I miss all the surprises and the plot twists become so predictable. It's never quit the same when you know the end ahead of time.
In light of that, I was just thinking about all the turns life takes. All the changes and decisions that we go through from the time we're born. If you stop and think, you come along way since you were born, you can eat different food, you wear different clothes, you have different friends, etc. I started to think about this as I was reading and typing an old writing journal from high school. I noticed how different my writing was then and how my attitudes had changed so much. What seemed so strong and profound then, seemed so hard and unwise to me now. You know always amazes me most though... He knew all along, God knew it all the whole time, everything that was going to happen, and He didn't rush the change.
God knew when I'd trust Him for salvation, and what it would take to get me to that place; He knew when I would surrender certain parts o f myself and let Him change me in that area. He knew when I'd and I grow out of some habits and what would change the way I see something. Knowing all this, He didn't rush me to any of those spots in life, but gently sovereignly guided me through and let change happen in it's own time.
Think of all the decisions we stress over in life ( things many times we can't change immediately anyway), did you know He knows the final outcome of them all. He knows how everything fits together, and how everything will turn out. But the great thing is (as some of you are no doubt thinking " I wish God would tell") God doesn't spoil the end for us He lets go through and grow through the process.
Well there is a lot that could be said on this one subject, but let me leave with this thought: how quick are you to rush someone by the process? Would you dare to take the risk of letting someone come through the learning process, rather than being quick to answer all their problems with solutions that rush them ahead in life? People need advice and counsel it's biblical, but just remember their story might not end like yours so don't be quick to give away the end.

God Is Mighty to Save

Sometimes I feel surrounded, like a giant stands on every side with a club in hand. I fight not be pummeled but my efforts only seem to bring them closer. It's easy to get so caught in the battle with these foes that I forget why I am traveling this road to begin with. I know there was a goal, a great driving purpose that once compelled me, if only I wasn't so busy fighting. Wait up ahead... is that a lamb I see...no not a lamb a lion! He's running this way, the great warrior king Himself , "Jesus rescue me" I can't help but shout. It seems with just a thought He drives back the giants and then we are left alone.

Alright dear reader, the point of that bit of metaphorical fun. Well I'm glad you asked! It's easy to get bogged down under any of the many pressures of life, so much so it can feel like every where we turn no matter what we do something is going on wrong or applying pressure to your life. These are the giants, and our attempts to handle these situations ourselves often only magnify the problem.
In the middle of all this fighting and struggling and surviving it's easy to loose sight of the real goal your pursue the real reason your living. In my life I want one thing above all else and one thing only: that is deeper relationship with Jesus. If your not a Christian that may not make sense to you and thats okay, as someone who has come away from depression, suicidal wishes, purposeless living, sickness, and a host of other things, I will gladly do my best to answer your questions. Just like life can hinder a relationship we have with another person, if we allow them these things can hinder our time and relationship with the Lord. But there is good news; my God is mighty to save!
He is a mighty warrior, The Lion of Judah. As well He is also a gentle and meek lamb, He doesn't wish to force Himself. Let me just leave you with this, if it's Him your pursuing be sure He wants you to catch Him. God will allow the things that press you to create an desire for Him in side of you; but when you sincerely come seeking Him with a whole heart He is able to deliver you, able to save you. My God is greater than the problems of life or the questions and cares of your heart, He is mighty to save, just trust Him.

In memory of the Lamb
J. Blakney

Your Dream Come True...?

The snow is blustering outside and I'm having a bit of a lazy start to my day so I'm online taking some personality tests. It never ceases to amazes me how God speaks in the clearest, most thought provoking ways at times when you just look for it.
The question was your dream come true would be... the first answer was a trip around the world which to me was a no brainer thats been my dream since before I even knew Jesus. It would have led me towards marine biology or after i meet Jesus a preacher and global ambassador of the gospel of sorts. Then it happened, ah I love Jesus...just had to mix things up a little,as i scrolled to the next question my eyes caught bottom anwser it said peace for myself and those around me. I instantly remembered the line to the new Casting Crowns song "Caught in the Middle"; it says would we trade are dreams for His are we caught in the middle. I'm surrounded by a sea of needs right here in my home city, I think of the conversations I've had with people close to me, the things I've been praying about, remember the clear call of Isaiah 58:6-7 don't turn from your own flesh. I wonder if I were to travel to every land and cross every ocean, to hear HIM ask in the end "Well world evangelist, what did you accomplish? What was it all for?" I'm afraid I'm not sure my answer.
So let me ask you what decisions do you face? How is God tugging on your heart? If were bold enough to ask Him to speak will we be bold enough to listen and act on what He says. What is really tucked in the center of your soul the thing you know is more important? You won't be truly satisfied any other way, will you trade your dreams for His?
With a piercing blow to my ambition I have to say the real completion of a dream come true would be to see myself and those around me at peace even if I never see the world(of course I still think I will, but mayey it's not as important as I think.)
Til next time
-JB