Effort is to Result as Oxygen is to Life

Ephesians-6:11-Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Philippians-2:13-For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

2 Timothy 4:7-I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith

James 2:22-You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

1 John 2:17-The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever...

We all know (according to the scriptures) that grace through faith is the path to redemption. The day Jesus Christ died for us, the sins of the world were mixed with His blood. The day he rose again, those sins were erased, and we were given the opportunity of a lifetime (in fact, the opportunity of eternity.) Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whoever believes and asks the Lord to live in their heart will be saved. When I say saved, I don't mean "kind of" saved... or "well, now I can join the republican/fans of Chuck Norris club!" When I say saved, I mean bona fide, eternal life, one hundred percent, never looking back SAVED! I mean, "Hell no longer has a hold on me... I have a place in heaven with the master of the universe and creator of the world" type of saved... and that type of saved is certainly not conditional or uncertain.

That being said, (and absolutely true) I have some things I want to point out with this post. The first one takes me back to when I first got saved (at the fresh young age of 4!) Although I was extremely young, I'd wager just about every new Christian experiences what I'm about to relate to you.

Admittedly, the day I accepted Jesus is slightly fuzzy in my memory (it was fifteen years ago after all!) but certain details have stayed with me. I remember bowing my head, uncertain of what I was about to do. I remember thinking that something great was about to happen... but I just didn't know what. I had heard stories and sermons about Jesus and Christianity my entire life, but this moment was different. I remember uttering the prayer of salvation, and suddenly not only did I know I was saved, I understood what it meant! I felt a burst of joy like none I had experienced in my young life, I felt loved and completed and reconciled... But do you know what I remember as the single most potent and intense detail of my experience? An overwhelming sense of gratitude, love and resolve.

Reason being? Well gratitude is the obvious reaction "hey, I just got saved from hell!" Love is the inevitable follow up to intense gratitude... But what of resolve? Where did this intense desire to suddenly do anything and everything I could for Jesus come from? Suddenly (in my own little kid brain) cleaning my bedroom seemed entirely appropriate. Doing the dishes was a treat as it helped to quench my ravenous appetite to do and accomplish.

Why the sudden hyperactivity? Well, I believe it's something the Holy Spirit uses to remind us of his pure and perfect will for our lives. Surely the will of the Holy Spirit is an overwhelming and powerful thing, reaching out from out hearts to the very tips of our fingers and toes. Before becoming a Christian, a man simply wanders about accomplishing what he sees fit... After his conversion, a man can now know in his heart his reason and his purpose. God's purpose. Take a few minutes to read a couple scriptures I've found on the will of the Holy Spirit and how it relates to us.

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

So, obviously, the Spirit's (God's) main goal for our lives is to make disciples of all the nations... but what exactly does that mean? Should we all don suit coats and become global megaministers? Should we all join a mission group and head off to the jungle? Should we invent new and exotic forms of conservatism and "not of this world-ness?" Well many have done this, and a lot of good is being done because of it (well, the first two... I'm not so sure about the third!) So, sure... those are good things. However, my thought on the subject is as follows:

What better way to show the world Who lives inside of us, than by succeeding at everything we set out to accomplish? Obviously, nobody is perfect (we're all pretty much kaput in that regard) but what if instead of trying to make everything in our lives a Biblical activity, we instead made LIFE a Christian affair? Because we are the Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts... and that is cause to work, accomplish and surrender.

If you're a runner, put that extra mile in and declare God's glory because of it. If you cook, experiment with that extra ingredient until your work finally pays off and declare God's glory because of it! If you're an author, pray about that needed twist or plot change in your book, and declare God's glory because of it! The world may begin to hate us (after all, we'll be accomplishing and rising above!) but God will give us more ground, more faith and eventually the unsaved will begin to long for what we have!

We are just humans (flawed, sinful and once damned to hell) but now we are Christians, and it's time to show the world what we're made of. Love, surrender, steel and flame. RESOLVE.

Effort is to result as oxygen is to life, and God is to both as He is to our very existence...

Dinosauria: Original Soundtrack for Dinosaurs and the Bible

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to write a quick post announcing the arrival of my latest score "Dinosauria-Original Soundtrack for Dinosaurs and the Bible." Abigail has done a really great job with the album art (above) and I'm really excited to see what God has for everyone involved in this project. 

The documentary the score is for (Dinosaurs and the Bible) is an evangelical stance on Dinosaurs and how there is proof (both archeologically and historically) that dinosaurs and man did in fact exist together. Jeff (the director) is still working out the details on distribution and getting it out there for everyone to see, so prayer for him and everyone involved would be tremendous! We're hoping to touch a lot of souls for Christ with this project.

If you would like to hear some samples of the 55 minute soundtrack... Hop over here:

http://www.soundclick.com/Store/digital/01_Shop_Album.cfm?bandID=925600&albumID=31527

 

Would You Buy A Copy of "Dinosauria" if it Were Released?

• Absolutely! Bring it on!
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• Probably Not
• No Way!

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The Source

            Usually once (or twice) per week, my whole family will grab steaming mugs of coffee, pack into the living room and watch a movie. Some of our favorites are “The Kid,” “National Treasure,” “Night at the Museum,” “Stardust,” however (as we are all movie buffs) there are a lot more we consider our favorites as well. 

 

            These are some of my favorite nights… I’m usually reclining on the floor at the foot of the couch with a couple little dudes on either side. Sometimes Harrison (my two year old brother) will even fall asleep cradled in my arms as the movie finishes. Nights like these are almost immortal in my mind.

 

            The other night (as we were doing this very thing) an interesting, and life- changing question entered my mind. Where does joy like this come from? I know joy comes from God and all that… but that’s just like in church and stuff… right? Of course, the answer is seemingly obvious (even childishly so) but the profundity of it shattered my reality for a few moments. Whenever I’m experiencing true and pure joy, my Savior is RIGHT THERE in the middle of it!

 

James 1:17 says "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

 

            If that’s true, than EVERY good and “perfect” thing in life, is straight from our Father in heaven. When you bite into your favorite meal, or crack open your favorite book and that rush of “good feelings” runs through you, that is your father in heaven smiling. I’m not saying (of course) that God wants you to always be chasing these “good feelings.” I’m suggesting that every time you feel that satisfied feeling in your heart and gut and ACKNOWLEDGE that the Lord is blessing you for giving your life to Him, you are experiencing the joy that only the Lord can give. 

 

            If you’re really enjoying that CD, or you’re really loving the book you’re reading, or maybe you’re enjoying a real closeness with your family and friends… why not stop and acknowledge the source of EVERY GOOD THING: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. Oh… and while you’re at it, use that gift as fuel for your testimony.

 

Express that joy! Smile as you walk down the sidewalk! Share with your neighbor! Leave the trash-man a plate of cookies! Even a glass of cold water given in the name of Jesus will bring a smile to God’s face. God gives us gifts as an example… let’s follow that example!

Still Alive!

Well, I'm officially the lamest "blogger" on the planet. Not only do I never update... but sometimes (dare I say) I forget I even have a blog! : ( As such, this post is really more of a journal entry... A "placeholder" if you will. Something meaningful or interesting to read is bound to pop up again on my blog at some point! ha ha : )

Quite a bit of excitement lately! I received my tangible, specialist certificate from Berklee (it had my name on it in super legit letters.) Abigail even sacrificed her framed photo of a random father and son playing soccer to better display my fancy sheet! That was a really nice stock photo too. XD

In other news... I'm working on a score for a documentary. It's called "Dinosaurs and the Bible" and it's over an hour long so there's been a lot to compose! (Come to think of it... there still is!) If you want to hear a preview (7 cues) of the score, feel free to listen here:

http://www.soundclick.com/store/digital/01_Shop_Album.cfm?bandID=925600&albumID=31527

Anyways, just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive and thinking of my next blog! Hopefully it's sooner rather than later! : )

In Christ,

Jared

Happy

Birds singing

Sun shining

Good Health

No Family Conflicts

Perfect Ratio of Work/Play

Abundant Gleanings from Morning Bible Study

Active and Functional Prayer Life

Control Over Weaknesses and Fears

I don't know about you, but when I've got everything listed above... I feel like a superhero on vacation. No worries, no problems, abundant energy, positive emotions... I think perhaps there is no way I could possibly be happier. I feel like that today. I'm getting ready to score my first film of the summer, I'm finishing up my last semester with Berklee School of Music Online, I had a great time in the Word this morning, I've been listening to exciting and encouraging music as I go about my tasks... I literally wouldn't change a thing about today. On days like today, I sometimes wonder: Why can't every day be like this? Why can't I always feel this GOOD inside?

When I pose these questions I am reminded of why I should be happy even when things aren't going my way. For instance, on those dreary evenings where I'm completely exhausted and battling a nauseating headache. Maybe I've been stressed and my panic disorder is flaring up. What kinds of things do you battle with? Maybe Bible time has been put off a little too long, and our spirits are  low. Maybe we've been arguing with a dear loved one and feel absolutely terrible about ourselves... Whatever the case, we are called as Christians to not only survive, but to THRIVE and be HAPPY. Perhaps there's a bit of insanity to that statement. What humanoid in their natural mind would thrive and actually have some semblance of happiness through dark times and sadness? Isn't it natural just to slip on a few choice words, don our "pessimist" caps and crawl into a bed of misery?

This train of thought leads me to the somewhat comedic, and yet inevitable conclusion that we (the followers of Christ) are called to an almost INSANE lifestyle of happiness that we not only feel inside, but reflect on the outside. You see, I think true happiness is in direct correlation with true love of the Truth Himself. And what is true love? Well, as demonstrated by Christ Himself, true love is SACRIFICE. Giving of ourselves for someone (or something) else. What is the key element of sacrifice? Humility. To serve someone else is a truly humbling thing. To serve someone is to lower yourself below them and become their servant (even if only for 5 minutes.) 

What do you think the benefit of your struggles in life is? I'm sure everyone has heard the classic saying "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Sure, that's true, strength is found in experience... but what if the saying went, "Suffering is the key to humility." Perhaps then we would all put the pieces together and understand that:

Suffering is the key to humility

Humility is key to sacrifice

Sacrifice is key to love

Love is key to happiness 

Happiness is integral (and a result) to serving God 

So next time you're a having day like I am... where everything seems perfect... where life is going you're way... where you are truly feeling happy... think of the One who invented happiness, the truth behind his sacrifice, and the beauty of partaking in his sufferings. Be ready, pain will come... and with it a deeper understanding of true love itself. 

The Truth About Pickles and Ice Cream

A Poem by Jared Kraft

I

I Can Do This

Crack it open

Bleed it out

Sin at its core

A faithless hell

Love that was broken

Bring about

Faith in the shore

With empty shells

Leaving it behind

I crawl away

The fragments, shards

Still trail my wake

And in my mind

I find a way

To play my cards

And save the day

II

What Have I Become?

Lost in the night

Nothing to show

I’ve returned to the shell

I once lived in

Longing for light

I used to know

When did my weary heart cave in?

III

I Am John Doe

Deny me my right

To feel alive

Take me wherever

You please

I’ve lost my sight

In will to strive

Forever

Mistaking this forest for trees

IV

“You are You”

The Father’s Plea

“I want you to feel alive

I’ll help you watch your step

I can’t watch you throw away

The purpose of My death

Loving me is only gain

A blessing, not a curse

Our love will last a forever

For the better not the worse

Bless the warrior

Bless the infant

Bless the meek

Bless the mild

Bless the strong

Bless the Wild

Bless the faithful

Loving child

V

Life Again

Returning light

The shell breaks

Flaming soul

Heart’s desire

The ceasing fight

As dawn breaks

Once frozen

Now afire

VI

On It Goes

Fear and faith do not mix

Yet both still live in here

Both continue restlessly

Inside my atmosphere

And so I crawl into my shell

To swim atop the pier

I guess I just can’t be myself,

I’ll take the name of fear

“I love you”

NOTE: The last part of this poem is a little cryptic... Don't take it as negative though. It's meant to illustrate that no matter how many times we crawl back to our "human" safety, God will always be there to love us and bring us back to Him.

NEW POST COMING SOON!!!

Due to some recent comments (you know who you are) : ). I've decided to post another blog very shortly... Now I just have to think of one! : ) As you probably guessed, I'm a terrible blogger (never on the ball) but I do enjoy writing!

Check in for an update soon!
~Jared