The Blog

When I was much younger my family lived in a condo in Huntington Beach, California, and right upstairs from us lived a girl named Amanda. Eventually Amanda became my little brother, Tyler’s, “girlfriend” which was kinda weird because she was two years older than me, which made her four years older than him, and four years is a lot when you’re five. Anyway they got “married” one year around Christmas when our banister was decorated with a fake garland, from that point on, until she moved away, Tyler stopped calling her his girlfriend and started calling her his wife. Who she was to him had changed.
In Mark 8:27-29 Jesus asks his disciples a question…

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

I want us to stop and reflect on that question for just a moment. Think about it, who do you say Jesus is? Is he your Master? Is he your Shepherd? Is he your King? In Hosea 2:16 God tells his people what their response to that question will someday be.

"In that day," declares the LORD,
"you will call me 'my husband';
you will no longer call me ‘my master’.

God is saying that the day is coming when we will no longer look at him as merely a master, but as a husband. The Bridegroom is a title that is used to describe Jesus. Jesus has many titles but the Bridegroom is a particularly special one. You see, the King has subjects, the Master has servants, and the Shepherd has sheep, but the Bridegroom has only one bride!
We are the bride of Christ, and He loves us. Not just, the Bridegroom loves his bride the church, but the Bridegroom loves you, his bride. Jesus loves us, and we are his bride but too often our relationships with him resemble that of a bad arranged marriage. Where we are introduced to Him, and marry Him. But beyond that we do not pursue intimacy with our Husband.
Have any of you ever been rejected before? I have, let me tell you. I was in middle school, and I really liked this girl. I liked her for more than a year before I worked up the courage to ask her to the barn dance at the county fair. I can still remember her exact words, “I’m not going to be mean, but I’m not going to say yes.” Ouch, that hurt.
I was devastated when she rejected me. I know now that it was just a middle school crush, but at the time it felt like there was no point in continuing with life, that’s how much it hurt. It’s the same way when we reject intimacy with Jesus. We are His bride. He chose us, He’s pursued us, He desires us, and we’ve accepted his marriage proposal but denied Him intimacy. He’s already doing everything that is necessary on His end, but still we hold back and then turn to Him and cry, “Why can’t I hear from you!” We need to give ourselves wholly over to Him, holding back is the only thing keeping us from true intimacy with Christ.

We had the amazing opportunity this last Thursday to be able to do a chapel service at Christ Center in Junction city. We have done many services there before and are always very excited and happy to see all of our friends.

This service was especially unique because Audrey shared the message with them this time. She spoke about who God wants us to be and how we are to go about it. She talked about being in the world but not of the world. We were also able to do some exciting illustrations along with what she was speaking to better help the kids understand. Everyone seemed to respond really good to what Audrey had talked about and almost all of the kids came up to get prayer so that they to could go into this world and change it, rather then it changing them.

We are always so blessed every time we are able to go and minister to this group of young kids who want the best that God has to offer. We can't forget to mention that they always make us the best brownies in the world after the service. Thank you so much to Christ Center, We love you guys.

When the word "accountability" comes to mind, many different things pop in my head. Experiences, lessons learned, and friends. The definition of "accountability" is the state of being accountable, liable, answerable. The responsibility to someone or for some activity. A story in the Bible that reminds me so much of accountability is David and Jonathan, we can find the story in 1 Samuel 18-20. As you read the story you understand that Jonathan's dad, King Saul, wanted to kill David because he is jealous and angry that God is using him more and the people like him better. When David asks Jonathan why his dad wanted to kill him, Jonathan replied in 1 Samuel 20:9 , " you know that if I had the slightest clue my father was planning to kill you, I would tell you at once!" After reading this it made me think about my walk with God and all the people I am accountable to and the people that are accountable to me. Spiritually am i doing all that I can to help them out? Am I willing to fight and do whatever it takes for my friend to live a little longer? As I looked more into the story and read it a couple more times, I saw that in the beginning of it, in 1 Samuel 18:4 David and Jonathan make a pact/covenant to be there for each other as they both try to get past this situation, they work together and do everything they can do TOGETHER to over come this. Jonathan does not just tell David, sorry dude your out of luck, my dad hates you. He tells him what can we do to get through this. They do it as partners. It just reminds me that I need to be accountable, not only for myself, but for the sake of my friends. To help them get through their tough times. To fight with them, to figure the way out just as David and Jonathan did. It also reminds me that not only do I have to give accountability, but I have to receive it. It cannot be a one way deal, it has to be an equal amount of both.
In Inste class, you sign a covenant with a spiritual growth partner or an accountability partner. During this time, you learn so much about each other. You go to each other when you need prayer, you correct each other. And you are just there whenever you need to talk. But it can not just be one sided or it wouldn't a benefit to bother partners. The whole ideal about two people to to help each other out. So in order for you to grow spiritually, You have to open up to them, tell them the things no one else knows about you. Accept their correction, intercede with them. Just allow them to be there for you as you do the same with them. That is how you are accountable to each other, and it is amazing when you look back and see how much you have grown in Christ, side by side. Accountability is something so much more than talking to your friends, it is opening up and allowing them to help you when times are hard and you cannot do it by yourself.

It’s easy to fall away from God because it takes almost no effort. In fact that is what usually enables our falling away from Him. Have you ever picked up a handful of sand? When you scoop it up you have to keep your finger tightly bound to keep a hold of it. Because the second your hand relaxes and your fingers loosen, the sand just falls right through…effortlessly. One minute you have a hold of something of substance, with pieces too numerous to count, and the next you look down and it’s gone. What is so scary to me is that just as easily as that sand sifts through our fingers God seems to slip away if we don’t make the effort to know him. It’s hard sometimes to focus on ourselves so closely hat we realize our grip relaxing. Most of the time we don’t realize that we are not pursuing our relationship with God till it has been so long since we have read His word, that we don’t even remember what it is that we read or how it effected us. That is why it is so important to have people in our lives that will hold us accountable in out walk with God. Someone who hen they see it will yell out, “HEY! That sand is falling through your fingers!” And who will not be afraid of calling you out when you choose to ignore those things. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “Better devastation and embarrassment than damnation.” (the massage) They should also be someone who is an encourager, who will push you to live in a way that is right, and turn you toward God every day. When you are struggling, go to them. When you feel callous and unaffected by God ask for prayer. Don’t just be ok with it. When you star to neglect knowing God through His word get someone to study it out with you. Because when you let go of the word what do you have to measure yourself by? How do you know up from down? All of these things play a crucial role in our lives and accountability is one thing that can help us keep ourselves living in God’s promises.

Written By First Year: Ariel Siufua

Being a first year in MC January 1, 2009 was my first "official" Corem deo. I did not know what to expect, so I went into the "restaurant" totally blind sided. The invitation was so cool, and they funny part was actually receiving the invite. It was a secretive, on pretty paper and it was so fancy and said to dress formal, I DO NOT DRESS FORMALLY. But I had to I guess, the next best part was getting ready in the locker room with Nae & Brit, and we all were getting all dressed up to go to "nothing" it was so funny. Then were all ready and we go into the house and we see the guys in suits and ties, and we all were going to "nothing." We all weren't talking about it because it said on the invitation, "do not talk about this to anyone." Then, one by one we walk up these stairs and awaiting us is our waiter, Jachin.

He asked if I had a reservation, and I said yes, he went to prepare my table then came back out to get me. I then walked into the boy's dorm (which is still under construction) and it was all pretty. It had black sheets along the walls, the lights were off, candles were lit, and there was 5 tables, just enough for every person apart of CMC. Three tables on one side of the room, set for two at each table, David and Brittany, Casey and Michael, Renae and I. Then on the other side was one table seated for four, two of which had kid's menus and place mats. Which seated Chris, Kori, Issac and Bella. The other table set for two for Danny and Audrey. It was like the settings of a real fancy restaurant, I'm not being sarcastic either, they even had soft music (when he decided to be soft) playing in the back ground. It was so beautiful and all we could do was take pictures. =)

Soon after I got seated our waitress Kathryn (Katie) came and asked us what we would like to drink. Like at a real food place. She even gave us the list of the different sodas it was so cool. She then came out with our drinks along with some French bread and some butter and honey spread. It was delicious. After that they our waiter Jachin came to our table and asked us if we wanted salad, and what kind of dressing we wanted and gave us the list of salad dressings, it was so cool. We got our salad and the waiters kept coming out to make sure our sodas were full, and to make sure we were doing ok, it was so much fun. After our salad, they came and got our plate, and brought us dinner it was so amazing. No lie because of the fact that it was decorated and it tasted super good. I didn't want to look at it that is how awesome it looked, but I ate it. We thought everything was done, but after dinner our waiter Jachin asks us what kind of flavors we wanted on our cheesecake. I was like you got to be kidding me, dessert too? But yes indeed, and it was delicious with cool decorations and squiggles on it. Katie did Renae's so cool, and Jachin tried on mine I liked it a lot! Ha-ha. Remind you that in between all this, they are continually coming to our tables asking if everything is ok and if we needed refills, or if everything was alright. So we thought after dessert our fun night was over, but boy was I wrong.

Danny stands up and starts talking about covenants and the promise we made, and everything. He then says," so tonight Chris, Kori, Audrey, and I have prepared our own covenants for you individually." I knew from that point, that the night has just started, there was going to be a lot going on. Then he said, "We are going to go around and pray with you and talk to you individually." I started to cry, because that is so personal. Chris gets up and starts talking about how in the Bible people used to carry around a little bag of salt and when someone made a covenant they would take a pinch of salt, and switch with the person in which they are making the covenant with. That was like the seal of the deal, trading salt. When someone made that trade, that meant they intended in NOT breaking that covenant ever. They spoke about being unreserved for God, it was so powerful. Danny went around and gave us our own bottle of salt, that said "unreserved 2009" Then they go around and start praying with us. Kori came up to me and Nae first and spoke to us, and prayed for both of us together. It was so awesome because she is like my second mom, when she says she loves me, it isn't something that is over said, to where now it doesn't mean anything. I can tell that every time she says she loves me, and anytime she hugs me it is with a mother's love. It is amazing. Chris came and prayed with me next, and he knelt down and he just started talking, and admiring my smile, and how I'm always so happy and he knows he can count on my smile every morning as he comes into the office. And that really meant a lot to me, because that meant that I don't know someone actually pays attention to me and how I feel. We prayed over me, then we switched salt, I began to cry because I don't know why, it was God all over me. And it felt so great. Danny followed after Chris and just came, got down on my level (for the first time I have ever seen eye to eye with Danny ha-ha) and he just looked at me and told me his covenant was to be there for me all the time. To check up on me, to make sure I'm ok and to be my friend all the time. He told me he is glad that I came to masters and he loved me. It meant a lot hearing it from Danny because Danny I don't know at times it is confusing to get how he is feeling it seems as if he is mad all the time ( but he's not) but you stay out of his way anyways. It was just good to know I am loved by Danny. He prayed over me then we switched our salt, but it was not just a pinch it he poured like half his bottle in mine, and then I did the same into his. Audrey came last, and she sat down and just started to tell me how much I meant to her, and how much she loved me, and by this time I cannot hold in my tears. I start balling, and we keep talking and man it was so strong, the love was so strong, in that place that night. Audrey prayed over me, and then switched our salt. After everyone was done, we all whipped our tears, and prayed together. We got our salt bottles, talked about it, thanked our waiters and took group photos. It was so much fun, and so much better than I could have ever expected. As my first official Corem Deo I will never forget that night, in all my years to come.

I was watching a movie the other day where a US Naval pilot was trapped in some unfriendly surroundings. The soldier was talking to his commander, giving him the coordinates of his extraction point. The commander replied to the soldier that,” his position was not a safe zone and that the soldier needed to continue on route to the safe zone for proper extraction. The soldier with intensity refused and told his superior that his position was high enough and good enough. Unknown to the soldier his commanders hands were tied. The soldier continued to request that he be picked up right where he was at. The commander was compassionate towards the soldier and made a communication error. As the dialogue went back and forth the commander slipped and said the soldiers name over the radio. The commander was done talking about it and made a comment to the soldier and that comment has stuck with me to this day. He told the soldier to “FALL BACK ON YOUR TRAINING” and get to the safe zone.

It made me think and wonder, if it was me and my Commander told me to fall back on my training what would that look like. What would it look like for me to rely on my training of how to follow Jesus? What are the things that are foundational for anyone that considers themselves a Christian?

Everyday that we walk in this world, we are foreigners in a strange land. We don’t always have friendly surroundings and sometimes we want to get to a safe zone. But if in our pursuit to get extracted (to a safe zone) we were told to Fall back on our training, I fear that a lot of us would not have a strong foundation to rely upon because we were never trained properly. Or during our training we didn’t take it seriously. My pastor spoke a couple of weeks ago a message that was straight from a sermon that Charles Spurgeon had written several years ago. To sum up what both of their messages were about was that we should never leave the foundations of our faith. The foundation is the most important part of a house. Without a solid foundation houses sink, shift, get blown over…the list could go on forever. Our relationship with God is the same way. If we do not lay a firm foundation then we put ourselves in a position to sink, shift and be blown over. If we have no foundation, then we have no training to return to in difficult times. I encourage you, build a strong foundation in your relationship with God. If you are wondering what the basic foundations are, I want to encourage you to get involved with your home church, go to the different classes and services that they offer, pick up the bible and just begin to read it. Ask God to build the foundation within you!

What is the point of having a dream. Martin Luther King had a dream, our founding fathers had a dream. What did having a dream accomplish. For those men,havoing a dream ment that they saw the way they wanted things to be and they decided to do whatever it took to make thier dreams come true. They could have just sat back and let the dream pass for like a fantasy, but they didn't, they Fought.

What did they get for having a dream? First, they changed the world forer. However, our founding fathers were also considered to be eneimies of the state and traitors who were to be put to death. Martin Luther King was killed for his dream but not before he changed the course of history. They did what they knew was right no matter the cost. It says in James 4:17 that "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins." These men saw what was good and chose to do so, no matter the cost.

As for myself, I have seen the plans that God has for me. I have a dream and will do whatever it takes to fullfill the plan of God in my life. I want to be a world changer. I want to make my dream a reality, No Matter The Cost.

James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who know the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” That verse is incredibly overlooked. I can say that because things would definitely be different if it wasn’t.

We all get caught up in not doing the things we’re not supposed to do that we forget to do the things we are. If we really paid attention to James 4:17 there would be a lot more examples of people looking out for widows, orphans, and the needy. After all, the Bible says doing so is the righteousness.

The church, the body of Christ, meaning God’s people of every nationality and denomination, hasn’t done the best jobs following Jesus’ command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Most of us, myself included, seem to live by, “Love yourself and share whatever’s left.” Remember that God’s commands are more then suggestions or fuzzy, feel good concepts, but instructions and neglecting to obey is sin.

You look around you and everyone is working. Everyone is struggling. There is always some end that everyone is trying to achieve. Don’t get me wrong, it is great to have vision. Without vision, the people parish. But these people you see, fighting to meet some end, are they so caught up in tomorrow that they have lost sight of where they are? God has given us each a purpose and every day is crucial to achieve all that God has created us to be. In each day these are people we have been given to influence and to minister to and people to be changed by. Everyday we have a vision to birth and a vision to cultivate and help grow. Whether it be ours or our friends, or someone that God just reveals to us. I want to make the point that everyday is vital and everyday we should give all that we do and all that we’ve got. We can live half-baked lives hoping that tomorrow will come faster and neglect today. Or, we can live life as it comes, bearing our dreams in mind, keeping sight of our vision, and taking advantage of every opportunity today beings.

Before each Masters Commission school year starts the staff and I look for a theme that we feel God would have for the coming school year. A theme that will speak into our students lives as well as keep us on tract with fulfilling our calling and building the kingdom. Much prayers and devotion goes into this decision and we are excited to share with you the theme for Crossfire Masters Commission Class of 2009: “UNRESERVED!”

Our hope is that this year the idea of being “unreserved” is more than just a theme, but rather our heartbeat. The word reserved means: to avoid intimacy with others, and unreserved means: to be given without reservation. Simply stated: To give yourself without holding back intimacy. In life intimacy is a hard thing to give out. When you are intimate with someone you give them the right to your life, the parts that we don’t let most people see. The deep stuff! We don’t just give intimacy to strangers, but to friends and loved ones, people who we feel we can trust, people who we have developed relationship with. We know that the only thing we take to heaven are our relationships, but out of our relationships how many of them are unreserved? How many of them are intimate? Most Christians have a relationship with Jesus, but a lot have a hard time being intimate with Him. It’s hard to let Jesus into the deep stuff, the dark areas, the areas that we normally reserve.

This year Crossfire Masters Commission is pushing for relationships of intimacy. Throughout these next ten months we will be pushed into developing unreserved lives. We are committing to let Jesus in to all areas of our lives. Naturally this will also cause the team to be open with each other, developing healthy relationships of intimacy. Relationships that will push towards God, not pull away from Him.

In life when we face opposition or obstacles we can go to our friends or family for help. They can give us advise on the things that they would do. They can tell us what we have to do. Sometimes they can help fix us, or help us overcome difficulties. Some advice is good, and we all know there is bad advise out there. As Christians the decisions we make will help us grow in our relationship with God, or take us away. The truth is the best type of relationships, and the best type of advise is the one that will push us closer to God. People can say so many different things, but all it takes is one word from God to change the entire situation. As we give our lives to Jesus without reservation as individuals, we anticipate that as a team God will do great things in the next year.

If you take a good look around in your workplace, your school, sometimes even in your home; it doesn’t take long to see that we live in a self-centered society. At a very young age, school and family pressure taught me to value a good grade over an attitude of excellence. Coaches taught me to value winning over humility. My peers taught me to value material possessions (which would surely make me cool) over thankfulness for what I had. What do all these things have in common? They are all self-serving. They served me, by giving me the impression that I was good or I fit in. The culture that surrounds us teaches us that we need to serve ourselves, that it is vital to our survival in life. If we are not careful, we can merely become a reflection of our society rather that reflecting the image of God, who did not serve Himself, but rather came to serve us.

Recently in morning devotions we have been studying the idea of servanthood. What does it mean to be servant-centered rather than self-centered? I think God put it best in Philippians 2:1-8 when He said, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

You see, when Jesus entered the world He was not self-centered, He was servant-centered. He came in humility to serve us, so that we could be in relationship with Him. He did this by giving His life, not just by dying, but before his death too. During Jesus life He fed people, He healed people, He encouraged people, He cared for the poor and widows, He offended the proud so that they might see their error and trust Him someday, individual people were important to Him, He loved people regardless of social standing, and ultimately He took the punishment for our sins so that we could have an eternal relationship with God. The bible is rich with examples of how Jesus serves you and I.

I know how easy it is to get caught up in day to day living and to forget why we are really here. I encourage you to look at your life and evaluate whether you are living self-centered or servant-centered.