More Than A Conqueror

Love is real.

2009-08-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

When shadows turn to faces, and when faces take on names
When names tell us their stories, of their brokenness and pain
When love flows through the cities, through the grid of all the streets
Under bridges in the alleys, like blood through our veins

Love is real
Love will bleed
Love will heal
Love will need

When love is used like money, it turns into our greed
When love is more like water, then everyone will drink
So let it flow through all our cities, and flood them like the sea
Fill the souls that hunger, Lord give us what we need

Love change the world …Love change the world …
You can see it when
He walks around
You can feel it when He moves the ground

We’re all colored with a crimson stain
Can you see it now, can you see Him now
From the clouds to the world below
From the mountain to the city of gold

Love is coming like an urgent rain
Can you feel it now, can you feel Him now??

Above the Golden State --Streets
___________________________________________

I just got back two days ago from Europe. I was priviledged to get to serve on another mission trip with my little brother, Zach, again. ( Who is turning 18 tomorrow! Oh how they grow up so fast!! ) We traveled on July 17th, 2009 to Satu Mare, Romania, and we got back July 30th, 2009. We stayed there for 2 weeks and did Vacation Bible School with kids in two different villages, and also did construction on a camp that Stockcreek Baptist Church is working on building. This trip was incredible, to say the least, and i've made connections with people that, I pray, will last a lifetime!

Each day we'd get up early and go do VBS with the kids in Baba Novac, Romania. Then we'd go to the construction site in the afternoon and see if there was anything we could help them with. Zach was on the construction team and they worked so hard, everyday! The kids were special! That culture is different from anything i've ever experienced, but i really like it. Europe is so different! The worship services at the church lasted like 2 to 2 1/2 hours each time, and by the end of it, i really liked it! A lot of people were involved in the service, speaking, praying, singing. It felt like a real body of people, coming together and sharing ideas, rather than just a handful of people, putting on a show.

Travelling was not fun, for the most part. We travelled for two days (the 17th and 18th) and I didn't sleep for over 32 hours. People in Paris are rude, sometimes, though. Sheesh. I got pushed around in the airport and it was not fun.

I've posted all of my pictures on my facebook page, and all those who actually read this blog have my facebook page, so you all can look at them there.

I pray I can go back to Satu Mare, one day.

If you have any questions, let me know!!!

I love you all.

Love is real.

Leaving tomorrow.

2009-05-09T19:55:00.001-07:00

It's been too long since I've updated this thing. It's been a CRAZY semester. This school year has definitely been the hardest school year of my whole 3 years in college. And I'll bet next semester will only get worse with Psychopharmacology and Principles of Psych Research Lecture/Lab.... I hope summer crawls by!!

Speaking of summertime...

I'm going back to Nicaragua!! We leave tomorrow at 10 am to drive down to Atlanta, GA, where we'll fly out at around 6:40 pm, and arrive in Managua, Nicaragua about 3 1/2 hours later. We'll drive up to Somotillo (a 4 hour drive) and sleep at the mission house that night. The next day (we'll probably get in late, so it will likely be later that day) we will begin our mission work!! Can't wait! I'll have pictures when I get back, hopefully!

Please be in prayer for our team. There are 7 of us going, and we'll be going to different villages for the first week we're there, then we'll spend a couple of days at an orphanage in Carazo, a town outside of Managua. I have to admit, I am probably most looking forward to the time I'll get to spend at the orphanage. They support 51 children, from age 3 to 20.

I can't wait

CSM Drama 2009 "Puppet"

2009-03-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

This blog is short and pointless!

2009-03-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

It's spring break, and it's beautiful outside!! I love it.

Two roads diverged in the middle of my life
I heard a wise man say
I took the road less traveled by
And that has made the difference every night and every day.

--Larry Norman

That is one of my favorite quotes! And it's found in one of my favorite books, The Shack.
some of the adults in my church are starting a book club about this book, and it's going to be a great time of fellowship and growth. I love discussing things that are moving like this book.
We'll be looking at both positive aspects and negative aspects of the book, and discussing what we think about it and how it relates to our lives and who God is.

I have to miss this coming Monday, but i'll be at the rest of them, and i'm very excited about it! Anyone is welcome!

I have several CDs that I want to get..
Mat Kearney "Closer to Love"

The Fray "The Fray"

Coldplay "A Hundred Million Suns"

The Killers "Day and Age"

I even want Britney Spears CD because i'm really into dance music right now.

Anyone want to buy me one of these??

:-)

I am definitely in the mood for sushi.

Have a good weekend!

All Your hope, and all my pride...

2009-02-19T05:51:00.000-08:00

I had a great time in Atlanta this weekend! I got to see my Granddaddy for the first time in a long time and it was great! I love my family.

I also got to ride the bus.. and the MARTA (aka scary subway). I did not necessarily enjoy this part of Atlanta, but I'd still definitely visit again. Mostly because when I got to see Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels, it made up for anything else!

They were amazing, and I'll try to post pictures in a later post, no time today! I only took a few anyway, because I was way too into the worship and listening to the vision they have for Atlanta and the world. It's a beautiful thing.

I would rather be cast away.

Separated from the human race

if i don't bring You glory.

I want to hide in You

The Way, the Life, the Truth

So I can disappear

And love is all there is to see

Coming out of me

And You become clear

As I disappear

Do you ever get tired of things always being about you? I'm not pointing fingers, except at myself, I guess. It's so exhausting always worrying about what affects me. how I feel about things. how I can help myself, better myself, make others look at me. I go through stages like this, sometimes.
I honestly do not live my life this way, always being consumed with selfishness. I used to be that way, before I found that God has a great purpose for my life. Now, I try to live most days trying to do things for other people and love other people. And I don't say that to seem "spiritual" or "holier-than-thou." I'm not holier than anything, or anyone. I'm really just being honest, and trying to get out of this rut!

It's Not About Me

I think i'm going to re-read this book. Just to help me gain some perspective.

Take my heart, and wring it out
In Your hands and watch it all collapse
Take Your Love, and drive it in
Into my soul, and never leave again...

because I am so afraid that I’ll find myself alone
Looking for a savior, looking for a home
I am so afraid that I’ll find myself alone
Looking for a savior, Lookin for a home
So don’t leave me here alone

All Your hope, and all my pride
All this time to watch it all collide
When everyone seems to say, “You can work it out”
Under my skin, I’m shaking and I can’t get out

So don’t leave me here

This is not what You've said; it’s all in my head
And I throw my anger at You instead
So don’t give up on me, I want to believe
That You’ll never leave me, but...
I am so afraid that I’ll find myself alone
Looking for a savior, looking for a home
I am so afraid that I’ll find myself alone
Deep into the ages, deep into the fold
I am so afraid that I’ll find myself alone
Looking for a savior, looking for a home

So don’t leave me here alone
Don't leave me here.... alone....

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

2009-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak.... Won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray
Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord...Is you Lord

One more day and it's not the same
Your spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord...Is You Lord

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth

I need You.
I want You.
I choose You.

The next time you're driving down the road, and you see someone whose job it is to stand outside and hold a sign for a business, see it as an opportunity to love someone.

If it's hot, bring them a cold sweet tea to cool them off and maybe some food to keep them going.

If it's cold, bring them a hot coffee or cappuchino to warm them up.

You'd be amazed at how much you can brighten someone's day by taking care of a need.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

~~Colossians 3:14-17

How can we be silent?

2009-01-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

Compassion International
www.compassion.com

iHeartRevolution.org

www.heartsupport.com

Here are some of my favorite things:

See His Love

How He Loves

We Cry Out

Million Voices

All I need is you

Surely We Can Change--David Crowder*Band

So we must choose what our hands will do...

We're All in this together

2009-01-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

It is a new day, and a rainy one, at that. But I love it. It's keeping me very mellow today. Or maybe that's Jesus. Well, anyway, this blog will probably be super random. And pointless.

I've been reading a new book. It's called "Jesus wants to save Christians: A manifesto for the church in exile" and it's by Rob Bell. He is the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I hope I can go there one day. His preaching is wonderfully challenging to me. I differ in some of my beliefs from Rob Bell, of course, but man his preaching about the apostles and how he talks about God writing each of our stories is right on target. I love it.

Have you all seen those random survey things? I know you have because I've been tagged to do them after you do. I normally don't. Sorry. But if its on a blog and i'm bored, I might. But not on facebook. Facebook is for pictures, Grey's Anatomy quizzes, and communicating. Everything else is just fluff.

I hate junk mail. HATE IT. What's the point? I mean we could save so many trees if we just didn't print out all this junk to mail to ppl that most ppl don't recycle anyway.

Oh, and I was listening to Glen Beck this morning and he was talking about a guy in Greenwich Village, in New York City. This baker in Greenwich Village, decided to make chocolate cookies with red jelly eyes and exaggerated features resembling a black person, and call them drunken negro cookies. To top it all off, on the day of the inauguration, he called them Obama cookies. And then, when interviewed he goes, "Yeah, what's the problem with that?"

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/01/26/drunken-negro-head-cookies-in-nyc-bakery-profits.aspx

SERIOUSLY??

I mean come on. If someone has to tell you what the problem is with that, you just might be beyond help.

I just don't know where these people come up with this stuff. Who thinks that is okay? Cause I do not think that is okay. I think that is terrible. But, I think I can move on with my life..

In other news, our youth pastor did a sermon Sunday night called "State of the Youth" and gave us some numbers about how our church's youth has outreached. (how many ppl made decisions at one of our events, how many first time visitors, how many miles travelled, etc.)

Turns out that the top word of 2008 for our youth group was "Ballin"

So my question is, what was your top word for 2008? (Whether it be in your church, work, school, etc.)
Also, when you were in high school, what were the phrases or "slang" that was used the most?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EDIT~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh OH OH OH OH !!! The best news for me right now! Valentine's day weekend, on February 15th, I will be in Atlanta, Georgia, going to see Louie Giglio's new church that he's starting! I'm sooooooooo excited! Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, and Matt Redman will be his worship leaders. OH MY GOSH. I might move to Atlanta. "A church with Passion's DNA" WOW! That sounds incredible. I'll be going with my friend, Melanie and a few others. It's going to be fantastic. I honestly can't wait. I'm so excited just thinking about it!

http://www.passioncitychurch.com/

The best thing you can do any day, but especially Today... Go Bless God!

Umm... nope.

2009-01-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

I guess I owe you guys a late "Happy New Years!"

It's officially 2009, but I can't remember to write that on papers I have to sign. It's just going to be weird to write 2010..... 10. Weird.

I'm not making any "resolutions." If I lose weight, then that's cool. If I eat better, well it can't hurt anything. If I stop procrastinating.... BAHAHAHA, like that'll happen. My point is, I always break resolutions, so I'm just not making any!

I honestly have nothing to write! I don't even really have anything inspiring or important on my mind because I'm tired. But I wanted to make an update so you all don't give up on me!

School starts next Thursday, and I can't say that I'm looking forward to it. I'm actually dreading it. I am not really loving ETSU. It's not that it's not a good school, or that I don't like what I'm studying, I do. I just feel so called to serve God, but I feel useless sitting in the classrooms at a state school that is dripping with anti-Christian attitudes. It reminds me of when Donald Miller was talking about how he went to Radford after he became a Christian because Radford is known for being full of atheists. He went there specifically because he knew there would be a lot of people to learn from, and plenty of things to challenge him.

I wish I were that brave. I hate the fact that I feel like the only Christian on campus. Hate it. I wish I could go somewhere like Liberty University. I love that place. It drips with excitement and ministry! People are just waiting to pour into you, and give you great opportunities to pour into others. People find ways to channel their God given talents into productive ways to change the world.

I guess sometimes I wish for "greener grass," but I should be content where I am. I just wish I could find a friend at school who honestly loves God and doesn't change when they're around other people.

I feel God calling me to serve him in what some people call "full time ministry." I don't really even know what that means, though. I mean, the thought of working at a church like mine isn't very appealing. I love going to church to learn and teach others. If church was a job, would it still be place of learning and growth and fellowship?

I'm just ready for "church" to break out of the four walled building that I visit a few times a week. I want to travel. See more of God's creation. Meet God's people, and experience different cultures. Maybe it's whimsical or just a young lady's dream, but the more I travel outside of the tri-cities, the more I want to leave. The more I want to just serve in the parts of the world where they need clean water, or just hug children that need love.

I need out of the routine. Change.

I'm ready to trade a building, for the Body.

_____________________________________________

Wait, this could be fun! Answer these questions, blog readers. I wanna know...

Do you have a green thumb?

Are you a good speller?

What kind of critters are you scared / nervous of?

Do you collect anything? What?

What is something that makes you cringe?

Do you have any weird habits? What?

Name Something...

wonderful

wacky

weird

wild

wimpy

witty

wrong

well-dressed

wool

warm

weak

worn-out

wise

whole

white

worthy

wowzers

whimsical

There ya go! Have fun :-)

Random.

2008-12-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

This post has no point. But it's going to be so wonderful you'll want to engrave it in gold...

1. Where is your cell phone? Nightstand

2. Where is your significant other? who has time for one of those!

3. Your hair color? natural blonde... I swear.. that's what it said on the box... "Natural Blonde"!

4. Your mother? Lisa http://alliekat-alliekat.blogspot.com/

5. Your father? Mitchell, he's not a blogger, although he makes comments!

6. Your favorite thing? MISSION TRIPS.. oh and some local things.. such as drinking coffee with friends... having no homework... Will Farrell movies.. summer vacation/not having school... NOT work...

7. Your dream last night? I always have weird dreams. DON'T GO INTO THE SWAMP!

8. Your dream/goal? Serve God.

9. The room you’re in? bedroom.

10. Your hobby? probably video games or reading. either one. I love both.

11. Your fear? mediocrity.

12. Where do you want to be in six years? serving God on a long term foreign mission

13. Where were you last night? home, doing homework.

14. What you’re not? bilingual (but i'm trying to learn) and musician. although i'd love to be able to play the guitar. i'll learn one day.

15. One of your wish list items? umm.. to go back to Nicaragua. oh and to get my CAR FIXED.

16. Where you grew up? Who grows up! ha

17. The last thing you did? texted.

18. What are you wearing? tshirt and pajama bottoms

19. Your T.V.? small. Anchorman. "Hey Everybody! Come and see how good I look!" .... "You're like a miniature buddha covered in hair."

20. Your pet? two Golden Retrievers, Allie and Jeremiah! I love them. I want a little teeny tiny dog though! Like a yorkie or a chihuahua. Mom says no...

21. Your computer? Compaq, laptop. Graduation present.

22. Your mood? DREADING FINALS. sheesh.

23. Missing someone? my Nicaraguan family. Ericka, Jossiel, Otoniel, Papa Diomadez, Ray, Reuban, the homies on the block...

24. Your car? needs major work.

25. Something you’re not wearing? Socks. I hate socks most of the time.

26. Favorite store? www.c28.com oh man this site is WONDERFUL. Christian clothing and it's geared to sharing the gospel of Jesus with the world! I would love to have just about anything from this site.

27. Your Summer? Nicaragua, Australia... Africa?? Let's hope so..

28. Love someone? I love a lot of people.

29. Your favorite color? blue.

30. When is the last time you laughed? Tonight at church I guess.

31. Last time you cried? Wednesday at church while singing "How He Loves" by Kim Walker

___________________________________

Lot's of things to think about..
Trying to figure some things out.

Pray.

It's Birthday time in Tennessee.

2008-12-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

I'm turning 21 tomorrow.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

It's not about me, it's all about Jesus.

"He must increase, but I must decrease."--John 3:30

Revamp.

2008-11-20T20:04:00.000-08:00

The joy of your salvation.
What does that mean to you?

That joy that you felt when you first got saved. That jump you felt everytime someone mentioned God. That excitement that builds as you pray, trusting that God is hearing every word.
The worship that was fervent and real. The kind of worship that doesn't have rules or restrictions on it. I'm not talking about the hands raised, elbows in, worship that's guarding you from embarrassment. What about the praise that poured out of your life because you couldn't get enough of God, and couldn't wait for what He'd do next!

Maybe you've gotten into a habit. Maybe you have your daily quiet times, pray, or put on that smile everyday, so nobody knows what you're holding inside. But God knows. Jesus said I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

He meant spiritual life, a death to self that literally puts Christ inside of you, and puts you inside of Christ. But the "life more abundantly" part is not a promise to be fulfilled as you pass from this world into the next. It is a promise that God's plan for you goes beyond your wildest dreams. Beyond your spouse or kids or parents. Beyond those people you chat with at church and those people who are really your friends the other six days of the week. Beyond your routine of what time you'll get up, what time you'll get to work, how long til you can come back home.

Sometimes I get stuck. Sometimes I read verses and I don't feel that jump of joy. I pray and feel like my prayers are just words that float out of my hollow heart and disappear and no one ever knows.

But I ask for God to speak, and then I talk the whole time.

In the book "Praise Habit: Finding God in Sushi and Sunsets" by David Crowder, David quotes an author who was speaking with a couple of other authors about renewing your thoughts by looking at scripture differently. He says that if in the first line (Our Father who art in heaven), if "heaven" or "the heavens" means the place where God dwells, then we could just as easily say "Our Father who is closer than the air I breathe."

So I took this part of scripture that I'm sure everyone who's ever been to church has heard and probably knows by heart.. The Lord's Prayer. I looked at it and thought I'd make it my own... but i'm going to keep that first line.

Our Father, who is closer than the air I breathe,
Your name is so holy that it leaves me awestruck.
May the grace and peace of the life lived in Your abundance come down and fill our entire existence.
Guide my steps and help me find the path that You have delicately laid out before me.
Let Your truth be the nourishment that fills my aching, empty, soul that is so hungry for a glimpse of You.
Cleanse me of my shameful sin, and give me the strength and grace to extend forgiveness to others, so I can be more like You.
Engulf my life and transform my heart so I can flee from tempations.
I want to be so deeply buried in your sweet embrace that the evil of this world has no foothold in my life.
Everything that I will ever have or know is Yours.
Forever and ever.
Amen.

The Enemy.

2008-11-17T19:00:00.001-08:00

Bitterness is the enemy of love because it makes you unforgiving and unwilling to give love unconditionally.

It is the enemy of hope because you keep living in the past and become incapable of seeing a better future.

It is the enemy of faith because you stop trusting in anyone but yourself.

If we are not careful, we will lose the ability to see such things as beauty, truth, or even affection.

You may close your eyes to what your soul needs you most to see.

What do I know of holy?

2008-11-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

--Addison Road

This is an excellent song. And it's speaking to my heart lately.

What do I really know of holiness? Of God? of Christ's message to us in the Bible?

There will never be an answer for every question or doubt that I have, or that others ask me about. But I have faith that God gave us the gift of love. Love to conquer. Love to bind up broken hearts, heal wounds, and build up relationships that have been torn.

What you say out of your mouth reflects the contents of your heart. If your words are mean, or hurt others, what does that say about the state that your heart is in?

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

If someone has hurt you, in ways that makes you unforgiving toward them, what does this say about your heart?

Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Even when Christ was teaching the disciples to pray, in the very same chapter, part of it included "forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors."

In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother when he sins against him. He asks "as many as seven times?" But Jesus tells him of a man who owed a great debt to a king. This man couldn't pay his debt! It was huge! The king was going to have this man thrown into prison, and everything he owned and his entire family sold into slavery to pay for his debt.

That's a harsh sentence. But the king had pity on the servant, and forgave his debt completely! (What a picture of amazing grace.)

Then, this servant, who just had huge debt forgiven, goes and finds a fellow servant (someone who was his equal), and begins to choke him and demands that this servant pay him the small debt he owes. The man can't pay him. So the unforgiving servant throws him into jail.

The king hears of this and is outraged! How could a man who had such a large debt forgiven him, be so unkind to his fellow man. His equal.

The king said to the servant, "I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?"

I believe this is a perfect picture of what God does for us. He completely forgives us our debts, and gives us love. Agape love. Selfless, unconditional, kind, giving love. The God I serve looks at our hearts and our intentions and loves us anyway. Totally. Selflessly. Without measure.

It's so hard for me to grasp this kind of love. but one thing I do know, is that I have been forgiven of so much, and am still continuing to be forgiven of my daily failures. And as a representative of Christ, it is my responsibility to extend that love, that forgiveness, to others.

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.

Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.--Luke 6:29-35

Has someone wronged you? It is okay to feel hurt, angry, and upset with those people who should have treated you with kindness and respect, but instead was a source of pain in your life. It is perfectly understandable, and is our human nature to get away from things that cause us pain and discomfort. But God asks us to be different. He asks us to be set apart from the darkness of this world, where hatred, cruelty, intolerance, and indifference spurns.

Every day spent in holding a grudge, is another day that you let that person control you. You let that painful scar dictate how you treat them and others, as well. But, most of all, every day that you spend holding back your forgiveness from that person, a day spent in disobedience to the Most High. True freedom comes when you can look at that person who hurt you, but instead of pain, you feel God's love and grace.

Sugar and Spice and Everything nice.

2008-11-07T22:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSwgerG34s0

I hope you all can see this video, because it is vital to anybody who has children or who hopes to have them one day.

This teacher browbeats this little girl for saying that she'd vote for John Mccain in a fake school election. This is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen, and such a blatent attempt by this "teacher" to degrade her student for having a differing opinion.
This is wrong on so many levels. And it's very important to what I want to talk about.
Race.

I am having serious concerns about the conversations of race that are being talked about on the radio, in the television media, and in just everyday conversations that I'm hearing. It seems like nobody can stop talking about it, and it's become so prevalent in everything I see and hear, I wanted to get some other opinions about it. I was listening to the Glenn Beck show today, a lot of the day, actually. He is very funny about making his points and makes jokes about things that I have found very hard to laugh about, such as healthcare, the economy, and SOCIALISM or what Obama likes to call "redistribution of wealth."

http://morontrivia.com/playbyplay.php?gid=269

So anyway, race.

Take this teacher, for example. She is browbeating this young girl, but I highly doubt she'll be charged with harrassment or punished in any way. What if this was a white teacher? What if this teacher (who is now white) was browbeating a young black lady about wanting to vote for Barack Obama?

I would be willing to bet that this teacher would be hung out to dry by the ACLU, NAACP, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and all of the liberal news media (which is pretty much all of them except Fox News). She would be fired, people would protest in the streets, she would be sued... probably for violating the student's civil rights.

She'd be called a hatemonger. A fearmonger. A RACIST.

(OH NO! Don't talk about Race! People get offended!)

Would I call this teacher a racist? No. She doesn't say anything racist. But she is biased toward Barack Obama, and seems to be trying to start a class "discussion" about who they'd want elected for president. However, it becomes very apparent from the first "Oh No" she utters when a student says "John Mccain," she seems mostly interested in promoting her opinion.

The fact that she was harrassing a 4th grader is bad enough.

But the question that I have is this: If I voted for John Mccain because he's white, does that make me a racist?

I think that most people would say that definitely makes me a racist. I can hear them saying, "How dare you think someone is entitled to obtain a position of leadership just because of their skin color! You racist, you!"

So, what if I were black, and I voted for Barack Obama because he's black? Does that make me a racist?

I believe that the media's answer and a lot of liberals answers would sound something like this, "Why, No! It makes you a fair, open-minded person who wants justice and change!"

I mean, all this time, I thought I didn't want Obama to get elected because he's a radical left-wing Democrat who wants to implement socialism into our proudly capitalist nation! But all this time, I didn't want to vote for him because he's black! Gosh, I'm SO RACIST it's giving me a headache.

The correct answer to that second question is YES. A thousand times yes. If not voting for someone because of their color is wrong, then voting FOR that person because of their color is also wrong and very racist.

It seems that racism is only seen as being one way, though. I smell a double standard.

The reason that I'm heated about this, is because I have been told that I am racist and a bigot because I did not vote for Barack Obama. The fact that I disagree with his policies is irrelevant when my racism is so apparent.

So it's either my relationship with Jesus Christ making me too "closed-minded" to have an intelligent opinion, or my skin color making me too "blinded by racism" to make an informed decision about who's fit to run a country.

Racism, on any level is terrible, and stereotypes only serve to further seperate people, and make people afraid to interact with each other and break past those stereotypes.

People say that we'll never be past the "issue" of race until we can stop talking about it. But I don't think we're ever going to stop talking about it long enough to get over it.

Which is exactly my point.

Get over it.

oh, and a quick note to all you conservative Christians out there.. be prepared. As the radically liberal policies start coming out of the Obama administration, I pray that you will be prepared to stand up for things like Life and Liberty. But when you do stand up, know that you will be called a hatemonger. A fearmonger. A racist. Close-minded. Ignorant. Blind.

Know that these things are coming, but know that the world hated Jesus first, so they're going to hate us too, since we are followers of Christ.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."--Matthew 24:9-14

Fool.

2008-10-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an interesting day for me. I had a day of spiritual challenges, it seems. God gave me opportunities to talk to people about Him that I wasn't expecting. I got the opportunity to talk to a lady that I work with about the issue of homosexuality and what God says about it.

We got into the subject of how our school newspaper here at ETSU (the East Tennessean) is very secular, and people want it that way. There are letters to the editor constantly published about a particular young woman who writes a column called "walking by faith" where she talks about her faith and how it helps her deal with issues that college students frequently encounter.

People say that because she has a column that is regularly published, that the newspaper is biased toward Christianity and could be seen as pressuring people to be a Christian. I firmly believe that this school newspaper has no intention of endorsing Christianity. I can tell by the way they replace her spot in the newspaper with an article called "Athiest confronts religion."

I think that freedom of speech is a value of America that we should not take for granted. So I think it is very fair for an Athiest to have his say in the newspaper of a state-assisted university that is not a religious school. I do not like, however, when he and others attack the young woman who writes honestly and openly about her faith. It seems unneccessary to me.

But they also want to stifle her voice because she represents a Creator that they feel has nothing to do with them. The principles of Christianity make them uncomfortable because it goes against living their Hedonistic lifestyle. I admire her for writing the column and it has given me encouragement on more than one occasion when I needed it.

It seems that everyone has a freedom of speech except Christians.

I know that people are offended by Christians because there are many Christians who put words in Jesus' mouth that He never said. They say they represent a Holy, Righteous God, but turn around and are betrayed by their actions. Now I am in no way perfect, but I do get up every morning and try to make every step count for Christ. There are so many times (more than I'd like to admit) that I fall down. But He always picks me up, dusts me off, and wraps me in His loving arms again. Then He turns me back to the right direction... looking straight at Him.

I feel a deeply burning sad feeling when I think about the spiritual state of the people at ETSU. I know that there are people who go to school here who really love Jesus, and are earnestly seeking after Him. There are many clubs and organizations that represent Christians of many denominations. Those clubs help move people into the dorms, and do community service. It is just so hard to see those lights when surrounded by darkness. It seems that all I see in the school newspaper is things about Gay Pride day... how a homosexual guy was offended that their roommate wanted to move to a different dorm because he is gay.... that Athiesm is intellectual while Christianity is blind faith and ignorance.. that Christianity is a crutch. These are the things that I read in our school newspaper.

The attitude that disturbs me the most, is the attitude that being a follower of Christ means that you are ignorant. Blindly following a man in a suit asking for your money. Condemning others. Looking down on others. Narrow minded. Stupid.

I know that I have a lot more to learn, but I am not stupid. I am not blindly following a man in a suit. I am seeking God, and only God. I search scriptures for truth and pray for wisdom. I look at the world through God's eyes and try to use the gifts that God has given me to ameliorate suffering. Widows and orphans. James 1:27.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1

First I was young, now it's all just happening...

2008-10-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

This could be all about just letting go.
Or this could be all about just holding on.
I can't get my feet off of the ground.
I want to run but I don't know how.
Can You reach down here and pull me out?

I want to scream but there's no sound.
I want to fly to You somehow
Can You reach me here and pull me out?
Can You pull me out?

Blogging at school.

2008-10-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

So I now only have time to blog when I'm at school.

It is hard to have 2 jobs and go to school full time.
Actually it's just hard to work and go to school, at all, right Mom?
I don't know how she does it!

I have a confession to make. And what better place to do it than on the blog that your whole family reads.
I've been stuck in this complacent state of heart, for much longer than I have experienced in years.

At first, I thought it was because I was so busy. But I can make time for God if I really want to.

Then I thought that it was because I had so much information from school coming into my brain. But God says to hold His word in my heart.

So maybe it is because God's not giving me opportunities to minister like He did when I went to Nicaragua or when I go out with my friends and we minister together. But I have realized that God hasn't moved. And His plan for me hasn't changed. In Jeremiah 1:5, God says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Then, today, it's like God just said "Hello, Love. I've been here the whole time, you just haven't been looking at me."

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

I have been increasing myself.
Every day I get up and say "What do I have to do today? How can I get it done quickly? How can I find time to relax? How will I get all this done?"

But all that time spent increasing, much more must be spent decreasing. I must decrease so He can increase in my heart, in my life, in my family, in my church, in my school, in my work, in my community, in my state, in my country, in the world.

He must be increased above all else.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you Abba, for this revelation. Forgive me for my complacency and laziness. Give me the strength and resolve to decrease, as You increase. Lord I want to disappear as You cover every aspect of my life, and shine out of me like a beacon of hope to souls lost in dark hopelessness. I want people to see You when they look at me. Thank You for Your love and Your patience with my hopeless failures. Use me. Empty me. Let me sink into your love and grace and never look back. Please allow me to share the love that You have so graciously poured on me over and over. Let it overflow in my life and touch those around me.

Amen

See His Love.

2008-09-20T20:35:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine pointed me toward this woman, Kim Walker. She has an amazing voice, and I love to listen to a few of the songs that I've heard. I love this song, How He Loves us. John Mark Mcmillan originally wrote the song. It's great.

This is an amazing song.

See His Love

See His love nailed onto a cross
Perfect and blameless life given as sacrifice
See Him there all in the name of love
Broken yet glorious, all for the sake of us

This is Jesus in His glory
King of Heaven dying for me
It is finished, He has done it
Death is beaten, Heaven beckons me

Greater love no one could ever show
Mercy so undeserved, freedom I should not know
All my sin, all of my hidden shame
Died with Him on the cross, eternity won for us

Such love, such love
Such love is this for me (repeat)

I'm going to try to learn how to play "How He loves us" on the piano. Is there anybody who wants to teach me?? :-)

If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

2008-08-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Well I wish I had interesting things to say, but i can't think of anything right now. So I guess you'll settle for THIS:

I've been working a lot. My mom says I should work a lot while I can, but I go more toward my dad's philosophy of work: it's just a JOB. It's not my life, just a part of it that happens to own my life during the summer. Don't get me wrong, I see the importance of working in order to get that ever-desired paycheck, but I just feel like I miss out on so much because I work a lot. Thankfully, this week I get 4 days off! But the only problem with that is, I work Saturday and Sunday 8:30 to 8:30. Which I'm not excited about.

Speaking of things that are not exciting, I start school on Monday morning!
Well I take that back, it's kind of exciting when I first start school, because I have all new classes. And even better, this year, I have a whole new school! I actually have a degree. I have an A.S. in Psychology. I wish I knew what to do with it...
The good thing is, since I finished all of my core classes at Northeast State, I get to take all Psychology classes!

Three cheers for Community College!!!

Well, to be more specific, it'll be 3 Psychology classes and 2 Sociology classes. I am taking Cognition, Behavioral Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, Marraige & Family, and Deviant Behavior.

It should be interesting.
Also, I've figured out a way that I don't have to take Calculus, which is a dream come true!

In other news, I absolutely love sushi. I just wanted to put that out there.

David Crowder Band's new Dvd of the Club Remedy Tour came out today! I didn't get to get it, but I'm so going to get it! I love David Crowder. It's really too bad that he tours mostly in Texas and the Western USA. He came to Lynchburg, VA earlier this year, but i was unable to go.

Since I have nothing else to add tonight, here is some stuff that I like. Enjoy.

I can't get this video to post from YouTube, but you should watch Armena Brown. She's Amazing!

Your Words:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI7Cl42UDWQ

Resurrection:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl40wVuCJUA

Too much change to write about!

2008-08-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

I got to meet Walt Morgan tonight! He came and spoke at a church that my frequent readers know well, Tri-Cities Baptist Church. He is awesome!

I love Nicaragua.

And I can't wait to go back.

But until then, I hope I can get up every day and lift my eyes to the Maker of the universe, and reflect His glory.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."-2 Corinthians 3:17-18

2008-07-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

I know a post about Nicaragua is looong overdue, but my schedule has been hectic since I got back home.

The trip was amazing. God moved in a way that was unbelievable.

I am forever changed.

It would take me years to tell you all of the things that happened, the amazing people who became like family to me, and the souls who were saved.
Since I don't have years to blog about it, I will just post some pictures that were memorable to me.

First... My Nica Family!

This is Papa Diomadez (left) and OCL (right). Papa Diomadez is the Pastor of a church, director of a Christian school, and has a Christian radio station that plays in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. He owns the mission house that we stayed in, and he is an amazing man of God. His vision for the community of Somotillo, and for all of Nicaragua, is a beautiful vision that reflects the way that Christ intended for the church and community to be.

I call him Papa because he adopted me into his family!

OCL (Jossiel Diaz), was one of our translators. I actually met OCL here in the United States at my church, Higher Ground Baptist Church, when we had a Breaking Free weekend. He came and spoke at the house that the college group was staying at, and he offered to take me to see my little boy I sponsor, in Honduras, through Compassion International.

OCL is great, and truly has the heart of a servant. I am grateful that God's given me the opportunity to get to know him and to work with him. He's amazing!

Oto was also one of our translators. He moved to the USA at a young age with his parents, and lived here until he was 27. He understood the culture of the Nicaraguans, and understood us as Americans, since he had spent a lot of time in both places. He is a very wise man, and I learned a lot from him! He's getting married in October, and actually invited us to his wedding, but I don't think I'll be able to make it, since it would require missing A LOT of school. Which, personally, I wouldn't mind.

Ericka Cruz Acosta was also our translator. She lives in Managua, and I love her so much! She was beautiful inside and out, and the kind of Christian woman who inspires me to better myself. I am glad she's my sister!

And, in no particular order, here's everything else...

...and one of my personal favorites, from the Atlanta airport....

I wish I were still in Nicaragua.

I can't believe it's time.

2008-06-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a long time since I've posted anything.

It's this month, it's been crazy. I have been very busy, and trying to fit so many things into my schedule. I get online, and get right back off. I have looked at my blog a lot, trying to gather my thoughts enough to write something down (or type something, I guess I should say).

And I have not had anything to say.

All I can really think about is leaving. I leave for Nicaragua in 2 days. 48 hours.
I can't believe it's here already.

I have such mixed emotions. I've been thinking a lot about what I will need to take with me, what I need to buy, and getting mission supplies.

But it's not about how many flip flops, school supplies, toys, or toiletries I bring to give to people, it's about showing people that Jesus loves them. It's about telling them that there is a God of hope, who created each of them.

So I've spent the last month also trying to focus even more on God.

Who He is.
Why He loves me.
Why He chose me.

It's an ongoing process.
And I know I'll never be able to answer all the questions that people have about God, or even the questions that I have about God and faith and life.
But I know that seeking God is my calling.

Christ has called me to be a disciple.
A disciple is more than a student. A student wants to know what the teacher knows, but a disciple wants to be like the teacher.
The way the teacher lives.

Can I live the way Jesus has shown me to live?

Can I love the way Jesus loves?

Can I show people Agape love?

I don't know all the answers, I don't know what the future holds.. but I know God, and He holds my future in His hands.

I don't know who or what I will encounter as I travel to Nicaragua.
All I know is that God has called me to go.

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." --Mark 16:15 (ESV)

Here am I, Lord.
Send me.

2008-06-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father,

I see Your fingerprints.
You are here.
Tears stream from seeking hearts, full of pain and sorrow.
You heal them.
Praises lift up from joyous, grateful hearts.
You feed their hungry spirit.
My eyes are dry.
I am still.
What about my heart, Abba?
Am I forgotten?
I watch.
This heart of stone is sinking quickly.
As it should.

Yet I remember the feeling.

I miss You.

A Psalm.

2008-05-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord, I need You once again.
Your beloved calls to You, now, O Healer.
This faithless heart has turned away.
These hypocritical eyes turned toward this dark world,
Trusting in another to hold up my spirit.
Oh God, my Refuge, to You I will run.
My Rock, my Fortress,
the rising and setting Sun.
You have proven Yourself over and over again,
Once again let me start anew.
Turn this faithless heart back to You,
Abandoning this world and all its empty promises.
I place myself back in your warm embrace.
Light this path You have set before me.
Guide me until I see You face to face.

Mud Slinging

2008-05-16T12:24:00.001-07:00

This is something I wrote a while back, and I'd like to know what you all think.

The idea of washing someone's feet I read in a Proverbs31 devotional that I get daily, and it took on a whole new meaning for me as I studied about how Jesus washed the disciples feet and studied more about what that meant in their culture, and what it can mean for me as a Christian.

Isaiah 1:15-20

When you spread out your hands,

I will hide my eyes from you;

even though you make many prayers,

I will not listen;your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;

cease to do evil,

learn to do good;

seek justice, correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless,plead the widow’s cause.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

When you step into a mud puddle, do you become mud or just muddy? You become muddy. You don’t turn into the substance of mud. You simply get a little dirty. It’s nothing that a foot washing can’t cure.

Once you and I have been cleansed from our past, present, and future sins through Jesus Christ, we become a clean, brand new person. Once in a while, we step back into that old sin, but that doesn't make us the person we used to be, it means we need a good foot washing.

In his gospel, John describes when Jesus washes the disciples feet. Jesus modeled the humble love of a servant, but he also was representing a spiritual cleansing. Every day, by confessing our sins, Jesus cleans the mud off of our feet, and we are spotless again.

Not only do we need a daily foot washing, our brothers and sisters do as well. Often when we’ve been sinned against, we want to sling mud at that person.

Instead, we should offer them the same love, humble service, and grace that we have received.

Daily, we should wash one another’s feet in the pool of forgiveness.

Feet that have been washed by the Savior are feet that will run swiftly to wash another’s.

For how can we condemn our brothers and sisters when we, too, have stood in the same mud puddle?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."-- 1 John 1:9

Jesus came, died, and rose again to give us life, not so that we could turn our backs on Him and walk around with dead hearts, barely beating, while we trudge through life. He came to give us life so we could have it more abundantly!

And with this life that He gave to us, we need to use our lives to spread His love and grace to others.

One thing I am working on in my own heart, is not slinging mud at others when they offend or hurt me. It's hard, but God's love is AGAPE... unconditional. He loves me no matter what I do, or how many times I do it. So my love for my fellow humanity should be the same: unconditional.

So here is my question to the blogging community, because I love getting different perspectives on this subject:

To you, What does it mean to be loved by God, and to show that love to others?

Do you know where your heart is?

2008-05-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

I'm back.
But I don't really want to be...

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see

They're tryin to come back, all my senses push
Un-tie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
But something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down.

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need

What u need, what u need.

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do u see what I see....

Stop and Stare--One Republic.

But the Lord is faithful.

2008-05-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

I had many doubts when I felt God calling me to go on a mission trip to Somotillo, Nicaragua. I had doubts about raising money, really. I dealt with these doubts for a while, and then, as God continued to show his awesome nature to me over the last months, my doubt dissipated. I had a rough patch where it seemed that everything was stacked against me, and then the stormy seas calmed and it seems that everything is now flowing more smoothly.

I got a text message from my mission leader, Shannon, who said that my trip is paid in full!
A parent of a boy on my Upward Soccer team that I coach said she wanted to do something nice for me since I had been so good to her son.

So my trip is paid for! I just need to gather school supplies, make sure I save enough for spending money, and get some new luggage, and I'll be good to go!

"But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."-2 Thessalonians 3:3

In other news:

My mother, Lisa, now has a new blog! She is a wonderful mom, and a great Christian role model for me! She also has been blessed with some of my wit.. haha jk mom!

It's so funny to have a "blogging" family.

Even more good news!!
I'm going to Lynchburg tomorrow to hang out with my friends for a few days and get away from the "daily grind," so to speak. I'll be back Friday or Saturday.

I keep getting distracted by other things like laundry and YouTube.

American Idol was great tonight! I'm wondering why the heck Jason Castro is still on there, though. I mean, he's got dreamy blue eyes and cool dreads, but I mean a Bob Marley song? Really? As if people didn't already think he was a pot smokin'-Bob Marley copying-hippie.
And David Archuletta is just... not. I mean, if you close your eyes, he sounds alright, but I dont see American Idol greatness in him. It's painful for me to watch him sing. I can't explain it.

As I've said before, if David Cook doesn't win, American Idol is rigged and I may never watch again.

I'm going to go pack! I may edit this later.

Lynchburg, here I come!

:::EDIT:::

This is a funny folk parody duo from New Zealand that I've seen do a few videos.
I find them quite funny.

The Flight of the Conchords

I wish I could just embed the video into my post. That would be great, but I can't get it to work.

I think it worked!

There are so few words that never grow old.. Jesus.

2008-04-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I've added a couple of elements to my blog, and I'm happy with the way that it looks, but I will probably make some more changes, when I figure more things out.

This post has no particular direction, just a jumble of thoughts.

A Wandering mind + coffee = random posts.

Today, Dr. Jerry Vines preached at my church, Higher Ground Baptist Church. (One of these days I'll figure out how to put a link to the website on here..) He was amazing! He preached on John 3:16.

It's often the first verse memorized as a young child, and the last verse forgotten. It has been called the center message of the bible. I really agree with that thought. Max Lucado even wrote an entire book centered around that one verse.

Whatever you want to call it, I call it amazing.

There are so many words in the bible describing God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. (In fact, I found a wonderful website that lists the names of God taken from the King James Version of the Bible. You should check it out, I use it quite often. )
As I was saying, there are so many ways to call God loving, but John 3:16 is one verse that shows how great His love is...

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

The word that makes the verse great to me, is one of the smallest words: "So"
God SO loved the world! That's me! God so loved me!! I'm still amazed by that. I've been saved for a long time, and the verses I've studied and memorized (even from long ago in my childhood) still move my heart. God doesn't just love the world, he SO loves us! So great is His love, He sacrificed His only begotten Son.

So that you don't have to perish.
So that I don't have to perish.
So we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

Dr. Vines is preaching again tonight at 6 PM on Heaven and what it will be like. I wish I could be there, but I have to work tonight.

On top of that, we'll be singing some great songs in the choir, and I hate to miss when I know that the songs we'll be singing are so wonderful. I love to praise God. It's one of the only things that can lift me up when I am down.

There is One Great Love. Jesus.

2008-04-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

I have had an awful week, really.
So much has gone wrong, and I was feeling so defeated. I questioned whether I was even supposed to go on my mission trip, because it seemed like everything was standing against me.

Just one of the things that went wrong, was that my passport was lost in the mail, somewhere between the courthouse and the place they mail it to, it was lost.
Good old USPS.
So I had to pay for it again, and pay for pictures to be taken, again, and fill out an application, again.

I went to work the next day. (Friday). It was a better day. God had given me much encouragement and comfort. He never lets go, even when I lose focus.

I get these emails every day, my work email, called TGIF and its short Bible lessons specifically geared toward working people. I read this email on friday (4/18) and it was dated 4/17, the really bad day that I had. The day I felt defeated and helpless.

Wanted! Dead or Alive.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

In the old west it was common to see a poster on the wall of the town jail or post office with a man's picture below the words: Wanted: Dead or Alive! These were the most notorious criminals who posed the greatest danger to society.

Let me ask you a personal question.

Is there a "Wanted: Dead or Alive" poster in hell with your name on it?

Are you a real danger to hell? Do you cause problems for Satan's legion of demons? Are you pushing back Satan's agenda on planet earth?

Are the unsaved in danger of receiving salvation through you? Will someone receive healing because you dared to pray for them?

Will someone's life be impacted because you chose to pray for them in your workplace during a difficult time?

Will a city be impacted for Jesus Christ because of you?

Millions of believers sit on the sidelines everyday having no impact on the Kingdom of darkness. Their names will never appear on a Wanted poster in hell because Satan sees that they are no threat.

However, God wants you to be a threat to Satan's kingdom. What are some things you can do that will pose a threat to Satan's agenda? Perhaps you can begin praying for one of Satan's most notorious talk show personalities. Or maybe you are called to visit an elderly home to bring the love of Christ into a lonely place.

There are many ways you can earn a reputation in hell.

Are you willing to be a force to be reckoned with by Satan's legions?

_______________________________

Difficult moments... Seek God.
Quiet moments... worship God.
Painful moments... Trust God.
Every moment... Thank God.

Thank God for trials that allow me to see His face more clearly.

Oh so tired...

2008-04-13T21:06:00.001-07:00

Well, I am worn out to say the least.

here's why I haven't posted a new blog in a while:

I'm trying to get through school, work enough to make money to save for my mission trip to Somotillo, Nicaragua in (June 26 - July 5), write many many papers, take a lot of tests and exit exams, and sleep. Oh, and try to keep my sanity! That's the toughest one.

But I know that this is just temporary stress, and I am not overwhelmed... Just over worked.
Soon School will be done with for this semester and I'll at least have this weight off of my shoulders... until it starts again in the fall. Is two years of college enough to be qualified to be "burned out?" I think it is.

well, here are some quotes that have touched me at one different points in my life.

"All truth, and no love, is called legalism. All love, and no truth, is called liberalism."-- Ergun Caner"

We are the only voice that stands for truth, in a world that suckers for lies." --Ergun Caner

^^^^Gosh, I just love Ergun Caner. He is the president of Liberty University Theological Seminary. He brings the truth of the gospel in a way that is very unique and powerful, and his messages are always worth listening to! He is one of the many reasons that I would LOVE to go to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Back to the quotes....

"Creatures are not born with a desire unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well there is such a things as food. A duckling wants to swim: well there is such a thing as water...if I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I wasn't made for this world....If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing."-C.S. Lewis

"Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That's the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world crying out to God, groaning for grace. That's the Christianity I have fallen in love with." --Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution

"I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, I believe in Love, even when I cannot feel it, and I believe in God, even when He is silent."-- written on the wall of a concentration camp during WWII.

And that's all for now, as I must go to sleep to try to keep some of the knowledge I've crammed into my brain the last few days of studying!

Hello!

2008-03-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

I've decided to become a blogger.

I'll start off my blog with a poem that reached me in a time that I felt like I needed God, but could not get through.

What's happening here?
I was once so ALIVE
but now I'm so full of dread
And almost dead
Show me your wounded head
that has lead to communion with the Father

But where did He go?
His presence seems Farther and Farther away, each day
But I'm trying SO hard to steer His way
Yet still lonely and confused on this cold hard ground I lay.
Speak to me wise mouth and say:

"It's all good, kid
It's nothing that you did
And though it feels like I'm not here with you right now
Just be still and listen for that sound..."

(Did you hear it?)

Listen again.

Did you hear it?

That silent voice that just spoke?

THAT IS ME!

I am listening to your plea
with open ears
Counting all of your tears
Flowing from your irritated eyes
Searching the skies looking for that HOPE
that beyond there lies.

YOU young worrisome sparrow,
find REST.
Lay your tattered head upon my omnipresent chest
And make it your nest.

No strong cold wind could ever blow
And carry you from this your HOME.
Look around.
See the LIFE Springing up from the ground
Spring colors springing forth in celebration of your trusting.

It's a constant process this is
Growing you into the person that you're to become
And when you sense the setting of the sun
Know that it is only rising and has just begun.

Now go forth!
Sing songs of faith!
Lift up others in the midst of this race
And if you can't keep the pace or lose sight of my face
Know that I am ALWAYS near so you NEED NOT FEAR.

(But don't worry about all that right now.)
Just sit here and enjoy the peace I offer in my silence.

When I am silent
I am listening.
and NOT abandoning.