Changes

There have been many turning points in history... events that seem to have made a huge impact on the world. From the fall of the Roman Empire to World War II and more recently 9/11, events have impacted the way we think and the way we act. Who would have thought 10 years ago, just before 9/11, that America could be so easily attacked... ON OUR OWN SOIL? But we were, and it changed our total mindset. That's what significant events do. But those changes do not usually stick. The memory fades and we begin to revert to our "old selves" again. It's a continuous cycle; event, change, revert. Over and over again.

However, there is one event that has changed the world forever; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you believe it or excuse it as a myth, there is no denying that it changed the world. It was such a significant event that our whole calendar was reset to reflect a new beginning. Nations have been founded by believers of Christ. Wars have been fought in His name. Not all of the change has been positive (remember learning about the Crusades), but the fact remains that this "man" who lived 2000 years ago changed everything. A simple carpenter from a small town, His teachings captivate us to this day. In 100 years, the earthquakes in Japan last month will be a footnote in history, 9/11 will be remembered but it will not affect daily life, the technological advances of today will be looked at as a novelty. But Christ has stood the test of time, that will not change. Can you think of any other man or event that has affected the world in such a profound way? It simply doesn't exist. This simple carpenter, who lived 2000 years ago, is still changing lives today. If you let Him, he just might change yours. He has changed my life in ways unimaginable.  I am proud to call myself a Christian and to boast in His name.  He is my Savior, my King, and my Lord.

A Hero's Influence

Welcome to my blog. The title Vertical Life comes from the never ending quest I am on to live my life in vertical fashion, i.e. pointed towards God. I don't know if anybody will read it, but if you do I hope you enjoy it. Now... on with the show!

When I was growing up, just like most of us, I had heroes that I wanted to be like. There were several but a few of them stuck out. I admired athletes, but since I wasn't very athletic those weren't a possibility. But I was also drawn to drummers and filmmakers. In particular, Rikki Rockett (of the band Poison) and Steven Spielberg. These guys were at the top of their game in the late 80's and early 90's and it was my dream to be like them. I actually learned to play the drums by listening to Poison tapes (cd's weren't very popular yet much less MP3s). Luckily, I never went so far as to adopt the “look” of Poison, but I was definitely into the music.

Spielberg, however, is probably the one I wanted to be most like. The creator of E.T., Indiana Jones, Jaws and Jurassic Park.... these were the pinnacle of the movie world. I've always wanted to be a part of filmmaking and, to some extent, I am. But making commercials, shorts and web video isn't quite the same. Even in those projects though, Spielberg has influenced the way I do things.

The point of all this is that we all have heroes. There is somebody that we long to be like, that we model ourselves after. Whether its a family member or a celebrity, heroes are the norm.My biggest influence has to be my grandmother. She sacrificed a lot to make sure myself and my siblings were taken care of. But, as I have grown in my Christian walk, I have realized more and more that Christ didn't just sacrifice a lot... He sacrificed His life. He is the One I should model myself after.

Over the past few months I have kept being guided back to Philippians chapter 2 and the idea that we are to have the same mind as Christ. My sincere desire is to be more like Christ every single day but its a struggle. Even with our best intentions, life gets in the way. We forget to give God time one day, then the next it becomes easier until you realize its been a while since you've had any interaction with the Lord in prayer or Scripture. That is clearly not the plan that God has for us.

Paul writes in the book of Philippians that, if we have gotten anything out of following Christ then we are to model ourselves after His example. In other words; If being a Jesus follower means ANYTHING to you, then you should make every effort to BE LIKE HIM. Being like Christ is an action, not just a thought. We must work at it or we will fail. Having a deep love for others, caring about them personally, longing to see there lives changed, putting their needs ahead of yours. This is just a small taste of what it means to be like Christ. I encourage you to meditate on this passage and ask the Lord to guide you into a deeper relationship with Him and to HELP you be more like Him. Its a process that will take my entire life, but to be more like Him and to serve Him in everything I do is all I want.

Philippians 2:1-5 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus