Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

Posted on September 3, 2009 - by Andy McMahon

The Prodigal Son

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.^[a]’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Posted on October 30, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Good Riddance

So, last night on the way home from church, we passed by the bar in which I used to work.  I am happy to say that this bar is now out of business.

For those of you who don’t know.  That bar was called the Blue Moose Tavern.  I literally lived at that bar for three and a half months.  That bar is where I did most of my doping, and a good bit of my drinking.  That bar was filled with deceit, hate, lies, backstabbing, and everything that was killing me.

Don’t get me wrong.  I am not blaming that place for my problems.  I am fully aware that those were my decisions.  But that bar did not help.  That bar did not make it easy. that bar had my soul for a very very long time, and most of the memories of that bar are very painful.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  That bar holds one very special memory.  That is the first time I ever laid eyes on the most beautiful girl in the world.  The angel in the room full of evil.  The shining light through the cloud of smoke.  The most talented barista in all the world. That is the first place I ever saw Andrea, (before she saw me, I’m pretty sure)  That is the place I spoke my first words to her, which were, “Hey baby, why don’t I take you outside and show you how a real man kisses.”

No. I’m not kidding.  I was a loser.

Because of that meeting, my life has changed, and I fully believe Jesus has a reason for everything.  The reason Andrea was hurting, and going to places like that for escape, may very well be to be a wounded healer for me.

Looking back, it’s almost hard to believe the person I was back then.  It’s impossible to imagine where I would be today.  I thank God for meeting Andrea, in that little piece of Hell.  I’m glad we both left that place.  God is good indeed!

With that said. Praise God!

Good riddance Blue Moose Tavern!

Posted on October 19, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

A Long Time Coming (Repost from 11/11/06)

The emptiness. The lost feeling. That void that just needs to be filled. That’s all it will take, Just fill this void, and everything will be OK. Right? How do I fill this void? What do I do to hide from the emptiness? How do I find myself?

These are the things that kept me hiding behind a bottle, or worse, for so many years. The temporary good feeling. The feeling that I’m not alone. If I get high, people can relate to me. If I get high, I can tolerate life. When I’m drunk, I’m a better person. These are all thoughts that I had, and I was serious about. People like me when I am drunk or speeding. I like me when I am drunk or speeding.

Slowly, my perspective changed. If I don’t get high, my life is miserable. I don’t drink that beer, my problems will find me. Sure, I drink a good amount, or, I do dope, but, no one can tell. I cover it up well. It makes me act like a normal person. It makes me want to live. I can kick this whenever I want. I just don’t feel up to it today. If I quit today, I’ll never be able to talk to all those people tonight. I quit today, I’ll sleep in and miss work. If I quit today, I’d have to get rid of my stash. Just too many reasons not to quit. Not my inability. Just too inconvenient for me. If people don’t realize that then who needs them? They don’t love me anyway. They are jealous that I have life under control. They are jealous that I found the secret. I’ve mastered the art of living with problems.

Ahhh the thoughts of an addict!

I’ve been off of drugs for ten months now. I honestly believe if I had used for another day, I would be dead. I think most people who knew me then would agree. I was in bad shape. I started going to church, and in May I got saved and quit drinking. When I got saved, I realized something. “ That emptiness. he lost feeling. That void that just needs to be filled. That’s all it will take, Just fill this void, and everything will be OK. Right? How do I fill this void? What do I do to hide from the emptiness? How do I find myself?” I found the answer. Christ. One word.

It’s amazing that it took me 23 years of self torture and mutilation to realize that that emptiness can’t be filled with ounces. That lost feeling can’t be filled with grams. My problems can’t be solved with a razor blade and a straw. My salvation isn’t measured by blood alcohol level. There is only one answer, only one word, only one person, only one. Christ.

I’m fortunate to find this out at the ripe age of 23. I still have a life to live, and believe me when I say, I am going to live this life. Not for me but for Him. Through Christ anything is possible.

23 years. **sigh** I contemplate this a lot. What I have to show for my life. What I have learned in my life span? Nothing extraordinary (I don’t think) I am nothing but a worker for Christ and I am 100% happy with that. There is nothing more important I could have learned. A 23 year lesson.

23 years. ** sigh of relief** Thank God it only took me 23 years

Posted on October 15, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

America-Poor.

Wikipedia says poverty is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.

Deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life.  That’s kind of funny, and open to debate.  Lately I have seen homeless people around here talking on cell phones.  Does that mean they aren’t living in poverty?  I don’t know.  What I do know is the definition of poverty in America is probably a little different than most of the world.

I have been “american poor”.  I never ate dirt.  Being america poor, means bread and rice.  America poor means P.O.S car.  America poor, means hand-me-downs, and salvation army.  I went to Costa Rica.  You can find images of my trip here. From what I understand it gets worse.

What can we do to help?  I have written about it before, but I will write about it again.  Love.  If we all truly love each other, then would there be poverty?  Do I believe that?  Yes.  I believe that if true love were to take over our hearts and control our actions, then wealth would be spread.  If we would all allow the Love of Christ to shine through, there wouldn’t even be a question, the world would change dramatically.

The stock market is down?  So what?  I have food, my neighbors have food, my enemies have food. Gas prices are high?  So what?  My neighbors have a way to get from A to B, my enemies have a way to get from A to B.

You get what I’m saying?  Do something.  You don’t have to feed the world.  You don’t have to change the world.  All you have to do is change your heart.  One person could be affected by you.  One person could finally feel the Love of Christ because of you.  It is kind of our duty to do that…. right?

We are the body of Christ.  We are his hands, feet, eyes, ears, and heart.  Doesn’t always feel like it does it?

If you want to make a change check out Compassion, or check out my page to see what our community has done so far.

If compassion isn’t your bag of tea, then find something else to do.  For a list of things you can do to change the world and sperad the love, check out my Fiance’s site.  She’s got the whole shabang there.

Posted on October 6, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Dear Mr. People who are running for presidential office.

disclaimer:  I don’t like to write about politics.  I don’t like to say who I’m voting for.  Though, I think it’s pretty obvious.  I don’t want to debate politics, I want to spread the love of Jesus.  That is what this blog is for.  But, I have to write one more thing on the politics issue.

Is the election over?  Can it be?  I mean, don’t get me wrong, I think this is a very important election.  I think everyone does.  But MAN.  Let me say the negative politics really turn me off.  I want to vote.  I vote that everyone shuts up.  I vote that for once we put aside the differences and look at the failing WORLD economy in front of us.

I don’t care who kicks babies, I don’t care who wears white shoes after labor day.  I really just don’t care.  Trust me.  People do some jacked up things in their past.  Read this blog.  It’s proof.  But what does someone’s ties with someone in the past have to do with the price of tea in China?  Oh. Nothing.  That’s right, we’re ignoring the price of tea in china, or the APR of a home mortgage in Germany.  We’re focusing on old s***. (this is a reference to both the Obama and McCain Camp.)

When we do turn to the economy, it’s the repubs fault, or the dems.  You want my opinion, WHO CARES.  Blame doesn’t pay the bills.  Blame doesn’t stop the unemployment rate from rising.  I don’t think “Joe Sixpack” is really going to care when he’s sitting on a corner begging for a quarter to feed his family.  I don’t think it’s going to matter who did or did not support a bill, or who did or did not hang out with someone who is a convicted felon (or an acquitted terrorist). What is going to matter is the fact that people are hurting, the world is hurting, and all we can care about is winning.

Mr. Obama, Mr. McCain,

Stop the negative campaigning. Please.  I am getting sick.  I want to hear your plans.  I want to hear your goals.  I want to hear your passions.  I want to see this World, (not just America) thrive.  You guys shake hands at a debate and then throw razors at each other from all angles during the week.  BLAH!  I believe this is the most negative campaign in the history of the “Land of the Free.”

Why don’t you use your freedom of speech for something positive.  Use your Bill of Rights to be a positive influence and to be someone the people of this nation can look up to.  Right now, regardless of who I am voting for, I’m not impressed.  I’m saddened to see two (grown) men, trying to win so desperately, they are forgetting their values and morale.  Heck. Forgetting the values and morale of this entire country.  You’re our leaders.  Prove it.

Posted on September 28, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Who you Love (Repost from 10/02/06)

Today would be my older sister’s (Adrienne Lee McMahon) 27th Birthday. So.. I felt this was appropriate for my repost this week.

When asked,”what makes a person?” Most people might say, what they believe, what they’ve done, what they stand for, what they’ve seen, or maybe even, what they haven’t done. I don’t think that’s it at all. What makes a person, to me? Who they love.

Tons of people have seen the world, Christopher Columbus discovered a new world, traveled around the world, and saw just about the entire world. Still, ended up spending a good portion of his life jailed for embezzlement. In the end, who was he really? Just another person.

Galileo. The first to argue that the earth does in fact does revolve around the sun. He believed that with all of his heart. In the long run, he was also jailed, and eventually forced to take back his beliefs. Maybe now, he is well respected, but in the end, he died, jailed, lonely. Who was he really? Just another person.

You see, I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus Christ lately. He also spend his last days jailed, not with “holy men”, but among sinners. In a cell, staring at a wall, by one of his own. He still loved everyone. With all of his heart, he loved everyone.

As a matter of fact, one of the last things he did on this planet was invite a prisoner to walk with him in the kingdom of Heaven. At a time, when many men have spit on him, hit him, and turned their back on him, Jesus still loved them. Still loved us. Jesus loved that prisoner, as much as he loved anyone. Jesus knew, it takes a lot to love a sinner, but the sinner, needs it the most.

See some people spend their entire lives trying to change the world. Trying to come up with new theories, methods or beliefs. Not me. The world’s been changed enough. I take that back, the worlds been changed too much. If people spent as much time loving as they spend trying to change the world, or prove things wrong, this world would closer to the place it once was. Jesus had the right idea. Why is it so hard to follow? You’d think it’d be easy, but it’s not. It’s something we all struggle with.

Love should be what makes the world go round, not money, success, theories, inventions, or hate. I know it sounds obvious but, is it?

Posted on September 21, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

I surrender (repost from 8/26/06)

When I think of the word surrender, I automatically picture a white flag. Normally being waved by a coward, in a foxhole or hiding behind something, because everything around him is collapsing and most everyone he knows has left or been taken from him. Only when I picture this, do I realize the power of the Word.
At first I thought surrendering to God is something I only have to do once, you know, just a one time thing. Now I know I was wrong. Initially, the surrender is easy, accepting Jesus as your savior, inviting him into your life, and confessing you are helpless with out Him. So the story goes.

When I try to explore deeper into my faith, it seems I have to surrender every time I turn around. I find an endless list of imperfections and flaws in myself, that I can’t look past without surrendering more to Jesus. I suppose it is because I am stubborn and prideful, and I can only let go a little at a time. My human imperfections blind me of just that, my imperfections.

Admitting defeat, (each time I have to) glorifies the Lord, renewing, and strengthening the true awesomeness of his love, power and forgiveness. So, although I might be weak, I may be a coward, daily I will wave my white flag. My flag not only shows my weakness, but also glorifies the Lord.

I am no longer afraid to be powerless, and to wave my flag. I invite you, young or old, new Christian or a “life long veteran”, black or white, male or female, to wave your white flag with me. What a beautiful way to glorify our Father!

Posted on September 17, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Some thoughts and a repost!

So,  I do think Sunday should be “Sabbath”.  More importantly, my Fiance thinks so too.  But, I also think it may be a day people are sitting at home, clicking around on the internet, trying to find something to read.  Maybe I’m wrong.  Who knows.

Anyway, I have come up with a solution.  I still have my old blog posted and I was going through it.  I realized a few things.  I am a horrible writer and, I can repost these, and a lot of people may not have read them before.  They are of a different style.. more devotional type.  So. Sunday devotional, or Repost Sunday.  Whatever you want to call it.  Anyway.  I started at the beginning of my blog, and pulled out the ones that I think don’t suck too bad.

Come check it out this Sunday. (Or Monday, if you are a “No Internet Sunday” Family)  I hope these blogs are thought provoking, and initiate some comments.  Ahh. Heck. I’ll post one of my old blogs right now.. so you get an idea…

I’m a Failure (repost from 06/04/07)

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.” I guess that also means the only man who never fails is the man who never does anything. I have been faced with the fear of failure a lot this week. Wednesday was my official “quit date”. Yes. I am quitting smoking again. Seeing as how I used the word “again”, you can see that this is something that I have failed at quite often. In the midst of quitting, I was confronted with a problem at work. One I have never dealt with before. If I failed at this problem, it wasn’t just my pride, it was my job.

I have failed tons of times before. And before each time, there was a fear that I was going to fail. I have succeeded many times as well. And before each time, there was a fear that I was going to fail. Basically, no matter what I do; somewhere in the back of my head, I’m afraid I will fail.

Everybody fears. Everybody fails. You can’t judge a person by there failures, because, you will always be disappointed. Whenever you have a goal, there is a chance you will fail. But believe me, if used right, that failure could make you stronger than you could ever imagine. Look at Paul.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 3: 12-14

Paul is awesome. He wrote that from jail. He had been sent on his last mission from Jesus, before his ascension to Heaven. His mission was to witness Jesus in Rome, to bring his Gospel to the end of the earth. That is where he was arrested. So, while he was writing this letter to the Philippians, most would say he failed. How well can you spread the word from house arrest or prison cells? It didn’t stop Paul. He knew that if he gave up, there was no possible way he could succeed in Jesus’ mission. So he conducted his ministry as best he could in chains and shackles. How awesome is that?

How can we be like Paul? How can I make myself get back on that horse? The bigger question may be, when I do fail, how do I keep faith that I can still be something, someone, in Christ’s eyes? Because for us, failure is inevitable. (It’s probably what we are best at) How we deal with it is not inevitable. As Christ-followers, we need to remember that we are accepted by Jesus because of grace, not based on performance. If we fail, SO WHAT!? What is important is that we move forward in Christ’s plan, and glorify him to the best of our ability. Strive harder to be like Paul, learn from our failure and don’t let it make us afraid to try other things or move forward. Success can only happen when on the verge of failure. So, if you live your life scared of failure, you will live your life scared of success.

Posted on September 10, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Amazing Grace – a rambling of God’s love.

I feel like I have been seeing God a lot more lately.  I don’t know if I was doing something wrong before, or if I was just too blind to see him, but lately, it’s been “in-your-face-here-I-am amazing.”

I was talking to a guy named Larry at church a few weeks ago about the song “Amazing Grace”.  I can’t seem to not cry when I hear it.  I tend to be a person who hates songs that are played out, and if any song is played out, I think it’s “Amazing Grace” but, I have to say, that song penetrates the depths of my heart, and stabs me.  The words, the feeling, the meaning.  I mean.  Wow.  Right?  

I have been lost, and now I am found.  It’s a wonderful feeling.  At the same time, it’s scary.  It’s an intimidating feeling.  To know there is a God that will love you no matter what.  It’s like… I don’t know words to describe it, but it is slightly intimidating.

I do know that in a month and a half, I am going to be a husband, and finally I have an example of love.  I finally have a portrait of what true love should be, and what I need to strive to achieve.  That is soothing to my soul.  It takes away some of the anxiety.  Because one thing I am good at is screwing up, and with a perfect, loving God, I know I can do anything through him.  

I have taken on new passions, with God.  I have decided that I can do something good.  I decided that there is change needed in this world, and God has opened the door for me to persue that.  With the internet, with my words, and with my love.  I have a role model I can look up to.  I was blind, but now I see.  

Wow. Just look at these kids.  Four children have been sponsored!  Four children that are equal in the eyes of God, finally get a chance! Because of the internet, and possibly because I decided to put them on my Blog!  It’s a pretty insane feeling.

 To me, it makes all the politics minute, it makes my problems seem silly.  Just to look at these pictures, and think of the smile on their faces when they heard they were finally sponsored.  When they heard they might eat a meal a day.  When they heard, someone somewhere out in this crazy world, Loves them.  

The things we have done, not for love, but because of love.  The feeling God has placed in my heart, is overwhelming, and causes me to ramble.  Causes me to look in the mirror, and smile.  When I wake up in the morning, I want to rejoice.  I am still here.  Heck. I am more here than ever before.  A beautiful world, a beautiful life, and a beautiful God!

Jesus, thank You for the blood You shed for us.  Thank You for putting love into my life.  Thank You for the sweet sweet sound of amazing grace.  Lord, help us all to see Your light, truth and way.  With out You Lord, I am just a lost, blind man.  With you, I am found, and can see clear as day.  Help us all die each day to be renewed in You, Your grace, and Your Love.  Lord, I love You and I pray that You make Your Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Jesus, I love You.  I need You.  

Amen.

Posted on August 17, 2008 - by Andy McMahon

Weekend Review

Well, I will say that this weekend has been really weird.  For anyone who has been keeping up, I think it is official that the pains I was/am having are indeed Gall Stones.  My wonderful fiance did do A LOT of research, and find a way to break them down and pass them without surgery.  Which I am very grateful for!

The solution she found appears to be working, and we think with one more phase, I should be good as gold!

On another note, Toby and I have been doing some behind the scenes creative brainstorming, and I am very excited to say that I think we have come up with some really awesome things.  I hope to have him do some writing on this page for me at some point in time.

More to come this week!  I am constantly learning more about myself and Jesus Christ and I can’t wait to share about all of it.

IF you need some reading to do, Don’t forget to check out my Fiance and Toby!