Da Vinci Code

Yeah, I couldn't resist. I went to see it. I read the book, I did my research, so I decided to see the movie. It was action packed, exciting to watch, filled with mystery, suspense and controversy, everything our culture loves, everything the world loves.

I spent the majority of the movie just praying for the people watching it with me. The theatre was FILLED, not a single empty seat anywhere. Every show time for the night was sold out. So many people are hearing the lies of this film.

God's character takes a definate blow in this film. We are told that God is distant, Jesus is not God, God is heartless, and the church is based on a lie. We are told that our humanity is our God. In the film Silas, the Opus Dei monk, chastises himself, whipping himself in the name of God. This scene actually made me cry. All I could think was that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Mercy, not sacrifice. Mercy, not sacrifice. The whole film that is what played in my mind. Mercy, not sacrifice. The sacrifice has been made already.

At one point during the film, I started to cry out to God on behalf of Dan Brown. I had revelation that he is a modern day Judas. Dan Brown was raised in the church and I have no doubt that at one point in his life, he knew the Lord intimately. I also have no doubt he was very hurt by the church. Nevertheless, Dan Brown started as a companion, a lover, a follower of Christ and walked away. Not knowing the impact of his actions, he sold out Christ, with things he knew held no truth. In the moment, he enjoys the reward, but I see the sorrow that he will feel when he again sees Christ face to face. It is not his punishment that I'm concerned for, Christ has paid the price for him; it is the guilt, the true desire to turn back time and change everything. I can feel his sorrow on that day when he truly sees how he was used as a tool against the truth. I pray for him as he realizes the impact of his story, how he led many astray.

Dan Brown still to this day calls himself a Christian. This is an excerpt from his personal website. When asked if he is a Christian...

"Yes. Interestingly, if you ask three people what it means to be Christian, you will get three different answers. Some feel being baptized is sufficient. Others feel you must accept the Bible as absolute historical fact. Still others require a belief that all those who do not accept Christ as their personal savior are doomed to hell. Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious--that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress. " http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/faqs.html

Join me in praying both for Dan Brown and for each and every person, Christian or not, who will see this film. Pray also that this opens many doors to share our faith. Defend the truth, but do it in love. Remember always that God would not allow this if it weren't able to be redeemed. This is a forum to share our faith, so share it! And pray. Keep praying.

Life in Maui

God is busy in my life. He is very busy with blessing me. Life is awesome right now. Not only in the material world, but also in my spiritual life. (Which came first, I'm not sure.)

I've been going to work early and sitting on the beach beside my work. I've been spending just an hour every morning praying, reading the Word and worshiping God. It's been amazing! I go to work in the morning EXCITED to scrub a toilet. (Don't even ask me how that works!)

On Sunday, I bought myself a car. Three very special people helped me to get the money to buy myself a car. I bought a great little 92 Honda Accord. (Pictures to be posted soon as I take them!) After not driving for two and half years, and relying entirely on the grace of others for rides here and there, the independence is amazing! I've had it only a couple days, and I've already used a tank of gas, driving everywhere!

I moved in to a very large house in Kahului. It's a beautiful place with a great location. I'm staying here, (with a big screen T.V., amazing stereo system and jacuzzi) while I look for another place to live. Just today a family of 5 joined me here. They will be staying here as well. I'm praying that God opens up many doors for me to serve them.

I'm spending more and more time with the friends I've made here. Today after work we went down to a "locals beach" and hung out. We took a couple of great pictures, played frisbee, jumped in the water and stayed for a beautiful sunset.

Everything is going really well now. I'm realizing more and more how big God is and how small I am. I'm realizing how meaningless all the trials are and how glorious and powerful He is in our lives. I'm learning the meaning of surrender, true surrender, even at an emotional level.

The trials aren't gone, nor have they slowed down, but I've been able to see God during my quiet times with Him alone on the beach. I find myself constantly stirred to worship again. My heart is stirred to share about Him, to share the gospel and the freedom that comes with it. I am once again experiencing the joy in Christ.

Moving with the wind.

Well, I was forced to move once again. The new apartment/new roommate/a surprise second roommate didn't work out. I'm staying back on the other side again in Kahului. I'm basically staying in my dream home, in Maui. God's favour? I don't know anymore.

The last couple months have been intensely difficult. I've been hurt by more friends than ever before. Actually, I've been hurt by more faithful, church going Christians than ever before. The list is long of the hurts I've been through, (and the places I've lived...) in the last 5 months.

I started work a bit late yesterday, so I walked down to the beach on my way to work. I sat down and just prayed and spent time with God, (half crying and half laughing at the last 5 months.)

God gave me a vision of myself as a sailor. He showed me that the wind are all of these circumstances; they will push me where He wants me to go. I just need to harness the wind, take hold of it, journey with it and allow it to take me where He is going. God showed me that when we are in the open sea, we can't see the shore. North, East, South, West, it all looks the same on the water. You can't even know where to aim the boat, how to harness the wind, without a compass, which is His Word. By holding true to what I've been taught, pointing my boat and allowing the wind to take me, I'm walking in His way.

So, what's next for me? Well, God only knows where my boat is headed. I can't see the shore. The storm is strong and scary, but I know He has me, firm in His grasp. Right now, I'm just going to harness the wind, live for the moment, and press deeper into the God who directs my path.

Praise God that He knows the way. Praise God that He is never surprised by circumstance. He knows and knew about all of this. Let the wind take you.