Weaknesses Are Awesome

by Tyler Zach



I was helping my girlfriend, Lindsey, study for a math test last night. Even though she is talented in a lot of things, math is one of her weaknesses. (Note: I will write a blog sometime on my weaknesses, but right now there isn’t enough server space to hold that kind of blog.)

She humbly asked me to help her to study and so I did. Through this experience, I really was inspired about weaknesses. Wouldn’t you agree with me that it is hard to be inspired about this topic?

Our society teaches us to hide our weaknesses and show our strengths. Why do you think guys don’t ask for directions? It shows weakness! Telling people that we are unable to do a task without them makes us feel inferior. It hurts our pride and makes us feel weak.

Then why does Paul write in his letter to the Corinthians say that God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses? That doesn’t make any sense. Show the world that we are weak and that will surely get people lined up at the church doors!

But then I think back to Lindsey asking me for help and my perspective of weakness surprisingly changes. I wasn’t blown away that she didn’t know how to do these math problems. I felt good inside that she asked for help. I admired the change that occurred in her heart. Somehow, the humility of putting aside pride and asking me for help – something that I was more than willing to offer her – made me feel good.

The process of me helping her brought about a couple of things:

1) Intimacy – a bond and connection
2) Companionship – allowed us to have fun doing something together
3) Support – I was able to give her something that she was lacking in

Why do I bring this up? Because this mirrors exactly our relationship with God. God gives all of us weaknesses so that it will strengthen our relationship with Him. Through asking him for help in every situation, we build intimacy, we enjoy companionship, and praise Him for his unending support.

If Lindsey and I had no weaknesses OR were too prideful to ask for anything from each other, then our relationship would severely suffer. When I look at how joyful and quick I was to help her, I am blown away at the thought of how God wants to do the same for me.

Sleepy Faith

by Tyler Zach



It is a very normal day today.

Looking outside through the windows of my beloved Panera Bread, I can see it raining pretty calmly. I’m really tired right now. Usually, I grab a coffee right away to wake me up but for some reason I didn’t today.

I am finding that it is a little hard to concentrate, a little tough to focus on what I’m doing. I kind of just want to sleep right here in my chair. But then I would doze off and forget to go to work in an hour.

My spiritual life is like that sometimes. If I don’t meet with God in the morning and have my cup of “spiritual coffee” then the rest of my day is just a blurb. It is really hard for me to concentrate on the reality of life and why I’m here. I lose focus on what He wants me to do for the day. I miss opportunities to help people and make a difference at work or school because I’m too tired and lazy. Most importantly, I’m too sleepy to worship my Master. I need a spiritual shot of espresso in my morning to align my life with God’s Will. Simply, I need to be inspired.

Have you ever wondered why some Christians seem to have so much joy and peace in their life, even if they aren’t rich or famous or popular?

It is because they spend time with God praying and reading Scripture. They are inspired 24/7 and it overflows from them onto every person they talk to. They live their lives not just to live, but to "truly live". They are the ones whose influence will transcend beyond their life into eternity. The weight of their words and actions will echo on forever.

Do you have sleepy faith? Now is the time for us to wake up and seek Him every morning.

"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." - Psalm 5:3

Away With Burning Bushes

by Tyler Zach

A friend once told me, "I will believe in God when God comes to me in a burning bush."

Interesting idea, huh? Doesn't that kind of make you want to pray to God and ask him to start burning bushes EVERYWHERE and start talking to people? Then the whole world would be converted and the end times would come! Right? Wrong.

Contrary to popular belief, Moses, in the Old Testament, did not start miraculously believing in God after He appeared to him in a burning bush. He already believed in God before that incident. My friend simply, but understandably, misinterpreted the story. A.W. Tozer, a well respected author and preacher, would give my friend this advice if he were here today:

"Do not seek to understand in order that you believe, but believe in order that you may understand."

Now I’m not saying that since God doesn’t show up in burning bushes, that He never reveals Himself. In fact, He HAS, DOES, and WILL ALWAYS reveal Himself to us everyday.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." - Psalms 19:1

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:20

Paul tells us that in the end when we come face to face with God, we will be without excuse for God has revealed Himself to us clearly. Creation, our moral conscience, and Jesus Christ are a few of the ways that He has revealed Himself. Jesus Christ is the most important revelation as Colossians 1:15 states "He is the image of the invisible God."

Bottom line is this: We need to do away with our "burning bush" theories. If we look for a certain amount of proof to satisfy our finite minds, it will fail every time. Paul went over this concept in one of his letters. He reminded the Corinthians that God doesn't save people with human logic, but by His power.

"You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you...I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did--Jesus crucified.

I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate--I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it-- and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (The Message)

Stop Dating the Church (Part 3) - Finding "the One" Church

by Tyler Zach

Is there a lot of snoring in your church? Do you look forward to going to church on Sunday or is it a hassle? Yes, part of the problem could be you. But let’s face it, there are a lot of churches out there that are not aligned with God’s purposes. Most of the churches out there are in fact dead.

Well, what does a godly church look like then? Here are ten questions to ask yourself when prayerfully considering a church:

1) Is this a church where God’s Word (the bible) is faithfully taught? A lot of churches may appear to teach God’s Word. The test: Is the Word the 'meat’ of the sermon or the ‘seasoning’?

2) Is this a church where sound doctrine matters? “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

3) Is this a church in which the gospel is cherished and clearly proclaimed? “Do not go where it is all fine music and grand talk and beautiful architecture; those things will neither fill anybody’s stomach, nor feed his soul. Go where the gospel is preached, the gospel that really feeds your soul, and go often.” – Charles Spurgeon

4) Is this church committed to reaching non-Christians with the gospel?

5) Is this a church whose leaders are characterized by humility and integrity?

6) Is this a church where people strive to live by God’s Word? Can you see the preaching be applied practically in the members’ lives?

7) Is this a church where I can find and cultivate godly relationships?

8) Is this a church where members are challenged to serve?

9) Is this a church that is willing to kick me out? The church should always demonstrate godly discipline.

10) Is this a church I’m willing to join “as is” with enthusiasm and faith in God? Will you be enthusiastic about this church even with its current flaws and shortcomings?

Once you prayerfully choose a church, hop on board and stay committed! Do away with the flirting. Just as a husband or wife desires their spouse's whole heart, so does God desire yours!

[Much of this article’s content and inspiration was taken from the book “Stop Dating the Church” by Joshua Harris. The book was very life-changing for me and I hope that you will read it too.]

Stop Dating The Church (Part 2) - Attitudes of a Church-dater

by Tyler Zach

What the heck does "flirting with the church" mean? I mentioned that phrase in the previous article. Well, to get started, let’s look at a quick profile of a church-dater.

The three Church-dater attitudes:

1) Me-centered - the driving question is, “What can church do for me?”

2) Independent – they go to church because that’s what Christians are suppose to do. But they are careful to avoid getting involved too much, especially with people.

3) Critical – they are short on loyalty and quick to find fault in the church. They treat church like a product. They never stop church shopping - always trying to find something better.

I have been (and still am) guilty of having either one or all of these attitudes. I have been caught saying, “I like the worship a lot better in this other church.” Yeah, well, I guess we think that the grass is always greener on the other side.

If JFK were a modern day preacher he would say, “Ask not what the church can do for you; ask what you can do for the church.” My fraternity has always pounded the statement, “You only get out what you put into the fraternity” into our heads.

All of these statements stem from a bigger underlying truth that comes directly from God. God wants us to have a stronger commitment towards seeking Him and serving and growing in the local church. If we have the attitudes listed above, then we will never be able to make any long-term commitment. We will always be church-daters.

Remember that the church is not some plan or program invented by humans. In fact, the church is the only institution God promised to sustain forever. Churches exist because worship doesn’t. Missions is the means, worship is the end. We can’t ignore the church and expect to please God.

If you are flirting right now, ask God to point you to a community that you will be able to learn and grow in, no matter how flawed the church may seem. Love the people and the vision with all your heart. Invest your time and energy into making that community come alive to the rest of the world.

If you aren’t in a church community right now, it is important to seek one out right away! In part 3 of this article, I will go over ten questions that will help you in seeking out a godly church.

Stop Dating The Church (Part 1)

by Tyler Zach

Johnny pops the “big question”. Emily throws her arms around him and shouts, “Yes, yes!” They kiss like the movie stars, Johnny picks her up, puts her on his horse, and they ride into the sunset and live happily ever after.

While this is what I…I mean, girls dream about, reality has proven the opposite. Today, the divorce rate is outrageous. Over half of marriages in our country end in divorce. Commitment is taken very lightly and is ever-so diminishing. That is because commitment is hard! Ask any married couple. Dating is a lot easier and a lot less work than marriage.

Imagine what it would be like if your parents were still dating. What would their lives look like if they did not have their rings...or their vows...to love each other unconditionally no matter what? They could live freely, date freely with others, have less responsibility over you, and peace out whenever times get rough. That is unimaginable to me.

Not only is this weak commitment limited to marriages however, but also in our relationship with God. He has called each of us to commit to a spiritual community so that we can mature in our faith, learn to serve, and worship.

I flirted with the church for a long time. When I told God that I was committing myself to live for Him, He took me seriously but apparently I didn’t take myself very seriously. I went to church every Sunday because that is what a good Christian is supposed to do. Sometimes, just to impress God, I would go to the youth group so that I would get a little more brownie points – and I did, on my own personal chalkboard. But I totally wasn’t getting what God really wanted. I wasn't getting the big picture.

“Your life is much bigger than a good job, an understanding spouse, and non-delinquent kids. It is bigger than beautiful gardens, nice vacations, and fashionable clothes. In reality, you are a part of something immense, something that began before you were born and will continue after you die. God is rescuing fallen humanity, transporting them into his kingdom, and progressively shaping them into his likeness – and he wants you to be a part of it.”
– Paul David Tripp

Did you catch the big picture? And what does church or commitment have to do with this? Stay tuned for part 2.

This Is Really Cool

by Will Walker

You are not going to believe this: John Mayer just became a Christian! He met Bono (U2) at a benefit last summer and has been in an ongoing conversation about faith since then. For whatever reason, he finally gave his life to Jesus within the last few weeks.

Not only that, but Madonna and David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey and every famous person in the world became a Christian, too. Plus, I am completely making all of this up. I do not know about the faith of anyone I just mentioned. But I have been wondering why most people (including me) get very excited when they hear that someone famous is or has become a Christian.

In college I was a groupie of this really cool band. They were not Christians, but they were cool. Recently one of them became a Christian and I have told everyone I know as if their life depends on knowing about it. Most of the people I tell act very surprised. I guess they thought someone like that was unreachable or didn’t need Christ.

Identifying ourselves with the good-looking people of the world makes us feel better about ourselves. We would be Christians no matter what, but we are affirmed in our faith when it gets a booster shot of coolness. Something about it being cool makes it feel truer.

A few clarifications at this juncture: Getting excited about famous people coming to Christ is not wrong. Getting less excited about not-famous conversions may be.

Jesus was no more amazed or excited when Paul came to faith than when one of the women who heard him preach on the hillside that one day believed. He is not looking for anyone to validate his existence. He is not hoping for a few good recruits and a better season next year. He knows who he is and where he came from.

Save Them, No Wait, Save Me

by Tyler Zach

I just watched the movie “Saved” with Mandy Moore and the Home Alone kid. I intentionally rented the movie because I heard that they made fun of good Christians – like me. So I watched and prepared myself to pray for these movie makers to be saved for doing such a heretical thing.

I curled up on the couch and started the flick. Guess what? I was right, they were making Christians look really bad. It was like they took the most ignorant Christians on the planet and put them in that movie. However, as the movie went on my plan backfired. I started to find Mandy saying a lot of the things I did and acting a lot like I do. “I hope I don’t sound like that,” I kept saying out loud to the dog sitting next to me.

The truth is, Christians have a tendency to do what they see. Catholics genuflect when they see someone genuflect. Protestants pretend to read their bible because they see other people reading their bible in church. We are great “monkey see monkey doers”.

One day, a long time ago I heard someone say, “Lord, please save _____ because they are living in sin and don’t know You.” While that is a completely true and authentic prayer – what matters is our heart attitude.

Does your heart say:
a) Lord, you better make them believe in You so they can go to heaven OR
b) Lord, bring them closer to You by allowing me to love, serve, and actively be involved in their life - giving them a true reflection of You.

I know most of the time my heart attitude is (a). It is funny how God can use a Hollywood movie to ignite truth into us – especially when the easy thing to do is label it secular, pray for it, and move on to the next religious menu item of the day.

Quotes That Punch You In The Stomach

"If we are too busy to have an intimate time with Christ, then we are out of His Will."

"It is much easier to die for Christ than it is to truly live for Him."

"Those who make religion their God will not have a God for their religion."

"Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them."
- E. Paul Huvey

"You Christians have in your keeping a document (the bible) with enough dynamite in it to blow the whole of civilization to bits; to turn your society upside down, to bring peace to this war-torn world. But you read it as if it were just good literature and nothing else."
- Mahatma Ghandi

Jesus is Santa Claus

by Tyler Zach

Did you know that Jesus is Santa Claus? It’s true.

According to my new favorite author Donald Miller, to interact with Santa Claus we don’t have to maintain any sort of intimate relationship. He just slips into the house, leaves presents, eats half a cookie and then hits the neighbor’s house. There is no getting out of bed in the middle of the night to have a conversation with him because if we get up he might get scared and not leave us presents. Santa is simple. If we are good, we get good stuff. If we are bad, we get coals.

In parallel, we think that when we are good Jesus rewards us, and when we are bad, He gives us the silent treatment. I mean, that’s what I do to other people as a result of how they treat me. So, Jesus does that to me, right? Actually, that isn’t the case.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13

Jesus’ love remains constant whether I break his laws or not because He is a part of me now. When I got that for the first time it was a spiritual breakthrough. I can be very judgmental and guilty of treating people based on a scale system. When I found out that Jesus does not do the same, all my energies towards making myself look good to Him changed into making Him look good to others.

Santa is just one example of how we see God. Who is your Jesus imposter? As my pastor says, “Real worship begins when we start seeking the God WHO IS and stop seeking the God WE WANT .”

First Blog Ever

Hello! Welcome to Inspirvival. I created this blog site as an outlet to provide inspiriational thoughts for spiritual revival. Please feel free to comment as I'm sure most of the time your feedback will be more intriguing than mine.