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A Man is Known by the Company He Keeps

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Who are the most notorious people you can think of? Most of us think of people who exploit others.  People like drug dealers, pimps, gangsters, and child molesters are at the top of the list.  These aren’t the kind of people you would want to hang out with…unless you’re Jesus.


Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1–2)

Eating with people back then was pretty much an all day event.  There were no microwaves or frozen food quick meals.  Jesus was hanging out with some pretty nasty folks.  And the religious folks didn’t like it.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the kinds of people you would expect God’s son to hang out with.  They were interested in the scriptures, the law, church, and God.  They worked really hard at being good people and believed they were what God wanted.  No wonder they were so upset about the people Jesus chose to spend time with.

But grace is illogical.


For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6–8)

The ones who need grace the most, deserve it least.  And the grace they need isn’t obtained through anything they do.  It is revealed totally through and in Jesus.  Jesus is grace.  Grace is a person.  And he’s a person who likes to hang out with sinners.


I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. (Luke 5:32, NLT)

Making Jesus Famous

Fame is associated with the names and faces of celebrities who have made it.  They have a combination of looks, talent, and being cool, that our culture esteems and envies.  But the kind of accolade given to people who are famous is nothing new.

History is full of stories of men and women who had that certain je ne sais quoi that attracts and makes one popular.  And most often it was associated with some kind of natural ability or looks. 

Jesus was famous. 

But unlike the notables of society then, and unlike the celebrities of today, Jesus’ fame was happening because of the miraculous and supernatural things he was doing.  The Gospel of Mark tells us,


“Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” (Mark 1:27–28)

Throughout the gospels the same thing was recorded.  Jesus would go through different cities and communities, teaching and doing miracles.  As a result people would tell others and soon everybody had heard about Jesus.

Could Jesus become famous today?  The answer to that question is, and should be yes.  But what would make Jesus famous today?  I believe the same things that caused his fame to spread then, are the same things that will cause his fame to spread now.  And Satan knows this better than any of us.

We can modernize methods and approaches to evangelism and ministry, but Satan has lured the church far from the miraculous and supernatural elements that were common to Jesus’ ministry, and to the first groups of believers.

This absence of miracles has been explained away by some who believe God is no longer doing miracles.  Or by others who claim God is doing different kinds of miracles today (i.e. filling stadiums with young people, or reaching millions of people through internet simulcasts, etc.). 

Many of the clever, attractive, entertaining things happening within the church today are truly impressive, but lots of this stuff doesn’t need God to do them. And the adulation and notoriety of people and personalities in the church are often on the same basis that culture uses.

The single most important feature that should undergird everything the people of God do is the power of God.  The power that breaks demonic strongholds.  The power that heals.  The power that establishes God’s kingdom.  The power to see the miraculous.  All done in the name of Jesus.  This may not make it to the cover of a magazine, but it will make Jesus famous with the people who have experienced that kind of power.

Make Jesus famous!

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I See Something…Kinda

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There are lots of disagreements in the church, but probably the most heated one is over the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One side of the argument uses 1 Corinthians 13 where it states there will be a time when prophecies and tongues shall cease. From this word ‘cease’ is derived the term ‘cessationist,’ and a person who believes that all spiritual gifts have ceased is known as a ‘cessationist.’ It is verse 10 in particular that’s used to make the case for spiritual gifts having been already abolished from the Church age…


“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (I Corinthians 13:10)

“That which is perfect” is said to be the completed canon of Scripture – the Bible. Sometime between the end of the first century when all of the New Testament writings were complete, and the manuscripts were gathered together and in regular common use by the churches, and later when a ‘Church council’ agreed to what should be considered the whole canon of Scripture, cessationists argue that the genuine gifts of the Spirit ceased to be a part of God’s plan for the Church.

Taking a closer look at the theology of cessationism a simple question needs to be answered, does “that which is perfect” refer to the Bible, or to something else yet to come?  While the Bible should be, and must be, viewed as the infallible, inerrant, and inspired word of God, can one really argue that the fulfillment of our understanding has been perfectly met in it alone? 

The passage answers…


For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

The thought here is that all things will be culminated and made perfectly clear when we see Jesus—the Perfect One.  Until that day we stand on and trust God’s word, needing the Holy Spirit to bring to life the Word and empower our lives for ministry.  We are to study the Word, pursue it, stand on it, but also allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate thereby confirming what is written. 

In the meantime we will see some great things.  Some powerful things.  But no perfect things…He’ll be here shortly.

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Fake Wrestling

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My grandpa loved professional wrestling.  Names like Dutch Savage, Lonnie Mayne, and Bull Ramos were in the sports hall of fame of my grandpa’s mind.

One evening in 1973 I was watching wrestling with my grandpa.  It was Friday night, and the broadcast was coming live from the Portland Sports Arena (Oregon). Grandpa was really excited and started telling me all about the different bouts scheduled for that night. 

The first match began.  I watched intently.  It was pretty exciting.  Guys jumping around and yelling at each other, to which my grandpa would yell back.  But something didn’t seem right.  They were hitting and punching, but I could see the blows were being held short.  The hits didn’t connect. 

“It so fake,” I said.

“What?!!!!” My grandpa yelled.  “Whadda mean fake?!!!!  These are some of the greatest wrestlers in the world!”  Then in a twelve year old kind of giggle I replied, “Grandpa, they’re not even hurting each other.  It’s rigged.”  He bounded for me, took me by the arm and sent me outside.  He was mad at me for the rest of the weekend.

Notwithstanding the athleticism of professional wrestlers, as well as the astute business savvy of the promoters, it’s all entertainment.  It’s fun to watch and follow, but it is by no means real wrestling.  Real wrestling is slow, almost boring.  And there are no theatrics.

During high school, one of my best friends was an Oregon all-state champion wrestler.  I can’t remember how many times I saw him wrestle, but I do remember the first time. 

The match started out with he and his opponent doing some pretty quick moves.  It was exciting.  But then my friend was thrown by his opponent, and held down on his stomach.  My friend fought, struggled, pushed, flailed, but nothing could break the hold.  This went on for an eternity.  Then the whistle blew and they both came off the mat.  After a few minutes they started up again.  And once again his opponent managed to throw him on his stomach and hold him there. 

Since it didn’t seem like I would miss much, I went to the restroom.  When I came back into the gym, sure enough they were in the same position they were in when I left: my friend on his stomach fighting, struggling, pushing, and flailing. 

But suddenly something shifted.  My friend freed himself.  His team, his family, and his friends (even this one) yelled.  Then within a couple of seconds my friend managed to throw his opponent on his back, and pin him for the win.

Spiritual warfare is described as a wrestling event.  Not like the aforementioned staged and planned kind, but much more like real wrestling.  Slow.  Tedious. Difficult.  In fact it can be so subtle at times we miss it.


For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)

This kind of wrestling and the opponents involved here are not flashy, hammy, or entertaining.  But it is real, and with much higher stakes. 

We battle with the forces of darkness who would love for us to think either we’re already defeated, or that we need to implement some kind of showy, dramatic style.  Capes, masks, boots, and shiny suits of a spiritual sort.  Running around.  Jumping.  Yelling.

But it’s fake.

The real battle is fought and won by…


“Being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Putting on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the strategies of the devil.” (Eph. 6:10-11)

Standing’s not real glamorous.  And wrestling’s not real exciting.  The enemy knows this and will try to lure you away.  You may feel like nothing much is going on.  Slow. Tedious. Boring.  But take it from the guy who went to the bathroom, but got back in time: God’s about ready to throw the enemy on his back and pin him for good!!!

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Do you agree?

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My dad could tell I was pretty discouraged.  “Let’s pray right now,” he said.  So we began to pray.   It was a powerful time of prayer.  I could feel a lifting of the discouragement and the strengthening of my faith.  When we were done my dad asked,

“Do you agree?”

“Yeah sure,” I answered. “Then say it!” He insisted. “Okay, I agree!”   He looked at me and quoted Matthew 18:19,


“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

Then he reminded me of the importance and power that the bible places on our spoken words.  No doubt God hears silent prayers, but the predominant idea in scripture is that prayer is verbal…

We are to speak our prayers (Psalms 55:17)

We are to call upon God with our needs (Psalms 145:18)

We are to make our requests known to Him (Phil 4:6)

And God promises that he will respond (Jeremiah 33:3)

It’s normal to finish a prayer by saying “Amen” (which means “so be it.”), however we’ve said it so many times we often don’t think about it.  But ask somebody to actually say they agree with you, and you will get some strange reactions.  

Strange reactions aside, there is power in agreement! 

Think about Israel entering the Promised Land.  They easily defeated the walled city of Jericho, and were beginning to occupy the land that God had given them. But then they suffered a major defeat at city called Ai.

Joshua was upset with God.  God was upset with Joshua.  Turns out a man named Achan had kept some of the spoils from Jericho for himself and hid them in his tent.  And when they had gone up against Ai, they only took a small contingent.  All of this led to defeat. 

God’s instructions to Joshua were clear:

1) Get rid of any sin that’s not in agreement with God’s word

2) Take ALL the army up to Ai; everybody was to be involved

Joshua obeyed God’s instructions and Israel easily defeated Ai. 

Another example comes from the first Christians.  Christ had been crucified, rose from the dead, gave them some instructions, and then ascended into the sky.   They were fearful, but expectant. They then gathered in an upper story room and began to pray. We are told,


When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1–2)

Both the story of Israel’s victory at Ai and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first Believers illustrate how powerful agreement is.  Whether it’s in the heat of attack, or when there’s a need for God’s power to be released, being in agreement is an essential part.

Do you agree?

Then say it!

Remember when skis were taller than you…and your friend? @craigtrujillo #throwbackthursday

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A Seared Comedic Conscience

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1976 was a pretty great year.  It was the year of bicentennial celebration of our nation’s independence.  Peter Frampton put out his unforgettable “Frampton Comes Alive” album.  And I watched my first episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) while spending the night at my friend’s house. 

SNL was called NBC’s Saturday Night, featuring The Not Ready for Primetime Players.  My friend and I laughed at the comedic genius of people like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner.  But I had a nagging little feeling of guilt because I was not allowed to watch this type of show at home.

I laughed anyways.

Those characters, Belushi, Aykroyd, then later Bill Murray, went on to do films that attained for them stardom and noteworthiness among the greatest comedians of all time. 

But they also seared my conscience.

I went from watching the inane and seemingly innocent sketches of SNL, to watching the movies starring the people from SNL.  Movies like National Lampoon’s, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Stripes, and Caddy Shack, just to name a few.  While these movies are really funny, and are classics which most people have seen and wouldn’t question their content, they are all “R” rated.

Jump forward to 2010.  The Golden Globe Best Comedy Film Award went to “The Hang Over,” starring Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, and Bradley Cooper.  Everyone has told me it’s hilarious.  I was about to watch it when I read a little review warning about the language in it.  The review went on to tell how much bad language was actually used:

91x – F-bomb
41x – “S” word
13x – “hell”
14x – “ass”
9 – references to the male anatomy
12 – references to the female anatomy
100 – references to sex
31x – taking God’s name in vain

I decided not to watch it.  But lots of people have.  Lots of Christians even.  To which I have one question, how can you call yourself a Christian and listen to your savior’s precious name being used in filthy language 31 times, let alone all the other spoken trash???

You may think I’m overdoing it a little.  But think about how something that was once a little risky to you (i.e. watching something, doing something, go somewhere) is now hardly a consideration.  This process is actually what Paul describes when he says,


“…having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2)

And it’s not just a personal issue, it’s a cultural one too.  Think about how degraded our entertainment has become…or maybe it seems normal to you. For a lot of people, even Christians, they see nothing wrong with watching or listening to shows, movies, music, that would’ve highly offended people twenty years ago, but now it’s mainstream.

This world’s culture will deaden our spiritual nerve endings if we’re not careful.  Listen to these words,


“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:2, MSG)

I pray nothing I’ve said slaps of legalism, but I do pray that we become more on guard for the subtle poisoning that can happen when feeling like something’s wrong gives way to not even noticing.

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Don’t Believe Everything You Hear

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Don’t believe the saying that goes…


“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”

Actually, the things people say to us can be devastating. The better way to say it would be, Sticks and stones may break bones, but words hurt forever.  Your body may remain unharmed, but your heart suffers the deadly shrapnel of painful phrases. 

David, who knew all about having people thrash him with their words,


“They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows” (Psalms 64:3)

If you are like most people, you can recall at least one of the toxic phrases that have been directed at you.  And with it, you can recall the pain that someone’s harsh words caused.  You might even still hear words from years ago, playing like an endless loop in your mind.  Echoing inside you every day are words like…


“You’ll never amount to anything.”

“I wish I never had you.”

“You’re nothing like your brother.”

“I’m sick of you.”

“I never loved you.”

“You’ll never change.”

These kinds of words can get etched in your memory and shape your life in many painful and debilitating ways. 

While you can’t control what people have said, or say to you, you can control whether or not you believe it.  When you hear the words of others you can choose to receive them as truth, or reject them as lies.

Because words can have such a destructive impact on you, you’ve got to passionately guard your heart against them. Doing whatever it takes to keep the poison out of your heart.  God says,


“Listen closely to my words…Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:20, 23)

When someone says something to you, or about you, it must be put in the light of what God says about you.  Are their words true? Are their words supported by God’s Word?  If so, embrace them.  Allow those life-giving words to minister to your soul and conform you to the image of Christ.

If their words are untrue, mean-spirited, and critical without being constructive, then reject those words.  Don’t let them into your soul.  Put them in the trash. Delete those toxic words and insert the truth.  Don’t believe what you’ve heard!

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Nine Brain Bleeds and Changed Thinking

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In 2008 I was in a bad bike wreck. Beyond road rash, I broke a bunch ribs and my left collar bone.  I also sustained a pretty severe head injury that resulted in nine brain bleeds (cerebral hemorrhages).

Among the many things that are affected by brain injuries, loss of memory is the most common.  My short-term memory has suffered.  But I’ve learned that I can remember things if I come at them in different ways.

For instance, when I forget someone’s name, if I can remember the name of someone related to them (i.e. a spouse, parent, friend), I am able to pull up the forgotten name.  

Experts call this neuroplasticity.

In our brains are millions of pathways that the brain uses to accomplish what it needs.  This would include things like movement, reaction, thought, memory, emotion, desire, and creativity.  Basically, neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to find a new ways of getting things done. 

This is what happens with people whose brains were injured, but it can also happen in brains that aren’t working right.  Brains that aren’t thinking right, that aren’t feeling right, that aren’t doing right.  And this special ability for our brains to adapt and change was God’s idea.


As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)

What you feed your thoughts is what you become.  Put garbage in and garbage comes out.  Put good things and good things will result.  This is why God’s word tells us,


Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

What’s so exciting is that we can change our thinking and thereby change our lives,


… be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
(Romans 12:2)

Here are some things to feed your thoughts that will transform your life, 


Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

This isn’t just a change in thinking; it’s a change in living.  It’s a change in habits, desires, actions, etc.  What you used to do no longer has to define or limit you.  You can do things that you never thought possible if you can think differently. If you can come at them from the direction of God’s word. It’s like spiritual-neuroplasticity.

Now if I could just find my keys.

Why did God create the world?

“The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1)

God gave us a hint of what he is like…the universe. The universe is declaring the glory of God and the reason we exist is to see it and be stunned by it and glorify God because of it.  Resounding through the whole Bible — from eternity to eternity — like rolling thunder is: God created the world for his glory.

Paul says in Romans 1:20–21,


His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God…

The great tragedy is that while human beings were made to glorify God, we have all fallen short of this purpose and “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man” (Romans 1:23).  Not little idols that sit on tables or altars, but ones who stare back at us in the mirror.

But none of this took God by surprise.

Sometimes people talk about God sending Jesus Christ to earth as if it was an afterthought on God’s part.  This kind of thinking leads one to believe that what happened in the Garden of Eden caught God by surprise.  But sin was no surprise, neither was grace.


[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Yes, the heavens declare God’s glory.  Sure this planet and the beauty of nature also bring God glory.  But the greatest glory comes from the lives and lips of those who have been saved and redeemed by His grace.  From those who know who Jesus Christ is, what the cross represents, and those who realize that it was all planned and determined before time began. 

Before sin or failure.  Before rebellion and the fall.  Before the darkening of men’s hearts and hell’s attacks, God planned a way of entering people’s lives whatever shape they’re in, however lost and hopeless they may seem, and bring hope, purpose, and the realization that there is a God who loves them so much.  And in return, they give him glory forever and ever!