New Life

Two important dates showed up on our calendar this week: April 4 (Easter) and April 5 (my 28th birthday). There was nothing real exciting about turning 28 but I did get an awesome date on the beach with my wife. Two of the college guys from church volunteered to babysit for us which was AWESOME, at least for us.  We went out for bbq for dinner then headed out to Tybee Island. The weather has been absolutely wonderful here and the sunset on the beach was beautiful.  Then again, we could have been walking in a thunderstorm and still loved just being away together for awhile.  My birthday was a great reminder that I have a wonderful life (it is life more abundant after all). Good friends, great city, beautiful kids, and a loving wife.

As great as my birthday on April 5th was it doesn't even compare to how great Easter was on April 4th.  While my birthday marks the beginning of my life, Easter marks the beginning of a new life that God offered to us through the resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. The thing is, most people completely ignore the fact that they have been given the chance at a new life...one that will never end.

I see it every day. Dope boys that hang on the corner all night rather than growing as disciples. Nine year olds that sing about "stacking money" and getting girls rather than singing about Jesus.  Old guys who spend more time drinking than teaching their grandkids about God. Businessmen who spend more money on their clients than on their neighbors in need. Each day people choose the life of this world - and it is attractive - rather than the life that God offered us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.   Seeing it breaks my heart.  When I see some of the kids in the neighborhood or talk with them at church I see that the culture of this world is steering them completely wrong. We have been giving life thanks to God's perfect will, but we have been given a chance for new life thanks to God's perfect grace.

This life isn't life without Christ.  As Lecrae puts it in his song, if I don't have Christ "I aint livin I’m just breathin to death!"

It’s like Im tired of life,
Lord I’m wrong, why I can’t get right?
And when it’s dark why I can’t get light?
And why it can’t be light?
It’s so heavy why my sins wont let me see the end,
Come get me, please come get me,
My thoughts, my mind, my ways all evil,
I’m supposed to be your people,
I’m supposed to see your sequel,
I said I’d never leave you,
But I’m so left,
I aint right Lord I’m sleepin with death,
Man, I’m cheatin with death!
Am I def? It’s like a don’t hear ya,
I say that I’m a Christian but its like I don’t fear ya,
I’m on a selfish island and I am nowhere near ya,
God, I really need you even though I don’t appear to!
I’m drinkin out of broken cisterns,
I can never hold water in
Im gonna get burned,
Though I try I never satisfy, You quench this yearn,
I hear you calling but it’s like a fight for me to just turn,
Lord I deserve to burn!


I’m feelin schizophrenic, maybe I aint saved,
Cuz I gotta get high, just to block out all the pain,
Seen death, seen hurt, seen a whole lot of things,
Instead of runnin from it, I’m runnin away from change,
It’s like I’m outside in the ice-cold weather,
The rain’s commin down, I keep getting wetter,
I know I’m getting sick and I can die any second,
But still I refuse to let your truths make me better,
Id rather eat flies and maggots instead of bread,
And it’s killin me slow, but I can’t get it through my head,
You were stabbed, your were murdered, and for me is why you bled,
But I spit on your bloody face, as if I never cared,
And Lord how dare I compare my pain,
Your Father turned His back, and you were left to hang,
I don’t know why you did it, that I can’t explain,
How could you love a sinner who’s desecrated your name?
Lord I deserve the flames!


I know I tell lies, I know I do dirt,
Apart from you I’m nothing, but you can give me worth,
I don’t know if I know ya, but still I know I should,
I know these days are evil, and only you are good,
I’ve come to this conclusion; I would like to change,
Cuz all of the world’s money and fame cannot sustain,
I know that I should turn, but that’s the hardest thing,
Cuz do I really feel it having Jesus as my King?
The world is so tempting, Satan is a beast!
He hypnotizes my eyes to say the least!
But Jesus be my treasure! To know you is to live!
And I am here dying tryin everything there is,
All I need here is you! Help me turn away from sin!
Lord give me grace to turn away the feeling I give in,
I know that I’m not perfect, but I can rest in Him,
I know I don’t deserve it, but still I take your hand,
Lord let me take your hand!

Help me Lord before there’s no time left!
I aint livin I’m just breathin to death! I’m just breathin to death! (x2)
Help me Lord before there’s no time left!
I aint livin I’m just breathin to death! I’m just breathin to death!
Your ways are perfect and they lead me to rest,
Mine are evil and they lead me to death! 

Spring is always a great reminder of the new life that God brings.  One of the great things about Savannah in springtime is the beautiful azaleas (not the sand gnats).