Quote of the Day #2

This one is from my Lifegroups study book by Ed Young, Jr.

"Be committed to spending time with your children--both quantity time and quality time, including quality conversation. Really listen to them, even when the content of their conversation seems trivial to you. It's not trivial to them. Make eye contact with them and communicate that their presence is important to you. If you listen to them when they are five, they will talk to you when they are fifteen and twenty-five."

That last sentence really sums it up. I hope I don't need to explain this quote. Have a blessed day!

Quote of the Day #1

I'm going to start this because I'm alway finding something great and I want to share the wealth : )!

"Popular psychology says that man's greatest problem today is low self-esteem. Jesus cautions that your problem is you think too much of yourself."
--Richard Blackaby (Experiencing God: Collegiate Edition)

John 12:25

"The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Quick thought for today. In doing my CORE discipleship study this morning I came across this verse. I could tell God was speaking to me when I had to reread it a few times. It seems that I can never maintain a long period of true consistency in the Word and my prayer life. I hate that with all my heart. As I look back I can see all the times when I turn my back on God. I go for awhile in good shape, memorizing verses, but I let it fall apart. Whether it's taking that second glance at something I shouldn't, letting that cuss word slip, or just the first impulse of my heart in a particular situation, I seem to always fall down again. It makes me despise my life and the person I am and feel like there's nothing good in my heart. But, God taught me something that I should've already known. I'm not perfect, and as long as I'm on this earth I never will be! There will be times in my life when I fail God and the ones I love because I am flesh, I don't always trust God completely and let the Holy Spirit take care of every situation. The important thing is that when I do fall, I have to get right back up and go to God. My relationship with Him is the only thing I can carry to heaven. I'm not saying you have to feel so bad about yourself that you hate your life to fulfill this verse. The key is that you cannot give up and let the things of this world become your focus. You have to be "Kingdom minded" and realize that this life is only a temporary stage which God has allowed you to live so you can be a part of His plan. If you choose to be a part of His plan, then keep at it. Don't give up if you fall down, but call upon the Lord, go to your Christian friends for counsel. Most importantly, pick that Bible back up and soak it in. If you are not praying and reading your Bible you cannot know God's will.

Quick Lesson from Job

So...I've read Job many times, but with so much redundancy spilling out of the mouths of Job's three friends in their judgements, it has always been hard for me to really pay attention instead of just getting through it. I've been studying Job for a month now, and I finally understood what one of the main points were, probably the point that applies most to my life. I have the New King James Version of the Life Application Study Bible. It's a great resource which provides great insight to many passages. At the bottom of each page are explanations and examples to help sharpen someone's knowledge of their particular study. Reading through chapter 33 of Job I came across the passage below which talked about verse 13: "Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words." They give a lengthy explanation of this verse, but what caught my eye was the end...and I will quote:

"If God were to answer all our questions, we would not be adequately tested. What if God had said, 'Job, Satan's going to test you and afflict you, but in the end you'll be healed and get everything back'? Job's greatest test was not the pain; but that he did not know why he was suffering. Our greatest test may be that we must trust God's goodness even though we don't understand why our lives are going a certain way. We must learn to trust in God who is good and not in the goodness of life."

I don't think any more words are required. They pretty much said it all. It's the basis of faith. We cannot see God or know His ways, so we must have faith. Remember that when you feel like God isn't giving you the answers you want, and trust that He has everything under control.

>>Also speaking about chapter 35: "Sometimes we wonder if being faithful to our convictions really does any good at all...God is still concerned even though he doesn't intervene immediately in every situation. In the broad scope of time God executes justice. We have his promise on that. Don't lose hope. Wait upon God..."

College Life

Hey guys...anyone who still reads this. I just wanted to give praise to God right now. It's not necessarily a prayer request...I mean, you can pray for me if you want. Anywho, I just want to say that God has exceeded my expectations as He always does. Leaving A&M was completely heartbreaking to me, and I still get a little depressed thinking about it sometimes. However, I knew God was calling me to leave College Station for something better and He has provided. I have been here at Tarleton for about 2 weeks. In that 2 weeks I am already getting to know many people in College Life and at my church Rocky Point Baptist. I love everyone I've met. It's not a spiritual high I see in everyone but rather a consistent, steadfast desire to be closer to each other and Christ. One of the things I love the most is Lifegroups. My group has about 35 people in it ranging from freshmen in college to Preston at the ripe age of 78. Everyone is so welcoming. I've never been so excited about church. I tried to get plugged in at A&M, but it never worked out whether by my own fault or not. Here things are different. God has opened so many doors for me, and He's keeping me busy. If you pray for me, pray that I remain consistent in the Word because to live by His Word we must know what His Word is! My relationship with Alyssa is still strong, though I wish with all my heart that she was here instead. Lastly, my living situation is incredible. I live with 3 of the most amazing guys I know. They are my best friends...plus Michael! We are keeping each other accountable in many ways. Each of us has a different walk and we are able to uplift each other and pray through things. Not to put anyone on a pedestal, but living with Jacob Rowe has given me a thirst that I've been missing. He preached at our church last Sunday and he rocked our socks off. He was so transparent and you could see Christ shining right through him. I want that for myself, and I believe it can happen. I hope that even after one semester here many of you will not recognize me. I want to be so radically changed. I want to be a leader, I've already stopped following. I want to be able to completely focus on God without distraction daily. Well, that's all I have time for now, but you will hear more from me! Thank you Father for all that You've done and are going to do. You have provided beyond my expectations already, and I can't wait to see what's in store.

Update on my sister!

For anyone who does not know...give thanks to God. My sister is healthy and her situations is manageable. The doctor determined that she has stage 1B melanoma. Basically, yes, she does have the defective gene and may for the rest of her life, but she just has to keep a close eye on things and make sure to notify the doctor if any spots come up on her skin. Every 6 months she has to be checked head to toe. So, it is manageable, she is fine. Thanks to everyone for your prayers.

Ten Big Lessons from Life

As part of her graduation gift to each of us seniors in the spring of 2006, my english teacher Mrs. Dunn handed us a booklet containing 10 lessons she has learned during her life that she wished to share with us. Almost anyone who graduated with me or even a year before me can tell you that she was their favorite teacher. She was definitely mine. She has a wonderful way of teaching that draws you in and makes you think and formulate your own ideas, not just copy down every word said so you can spit it back out later. Nothing ever gets past her, and if you were in my class, you know what I mean. I am glad to say that I have stayed in touch with this awesome woman of God, and I pray God keeps us in touch in years to come. Here are her lessons.

1. What you give is what you get. Eastern religions call this karma, but it is also a very biblical concept. The Lord says that whatever measuring stick we use with other people will be used on us by others. And He also says that we should treat other people the way we want to be treated. If you hope to have mercy when you are in the wrong, then you better be merciful when you are the one in power. This rule has all kinds of extensions. For example, this rule would encourage us to treat old people with respect--because one of these days when we are old, we will want to be regarded civilly by the young.
2. Don't make up rules and not tell the other players. Don't expect certain responses from those close to you without letting them know that such a response matters. Designing those little "tests" of whether "he/she really loves me" based on expected outcomes that are not communicated to the prospective sweetie--that stinks. You will be wounded for no reason and may cut off a relationship that might have been wonderful, all for a silly, silent rule. Remember the Duke of Ferrarra in Browning's "My Last Duchess"? Her happy demeanor annoyed him, but he chose not to tell her about his displeasure because that would be "stooping," and he was a man who chose "never to stoop," to humble himself. If it's a big deal to you, let the other person know.
3. Realize that no one is perfect--even you. Learning that you are fallible and human is a great relief. You are not expected to solve the whole world's problems. You're not even expected to solve all of your own problems alone. You will make mistakes, no matter how hard you try. But God is very forgiving, and He is interested in the direction of our life's travel, not each and every foolish detour we may take. And once you know you're human, you can be more tolerant of the rest of us mortals.
4. Don't waste your time in worry. Live in the now. Obsessing over the what-ifs of life can give you ulcers. The Bible tells us that we cannot add anything to our height by worrying, and every day has enough problems to keep us busy without having to take on tomorrow's tasks. There is a difference between planning or preparing and worrying. Worrying is fretting about things you cannot possible control--like other people.
5. The most important things cannot be bought. George Carlin's famous line is "Home is where you keep your stuff while you go out and buy more stuff." But most of that stuff does not bring us the greatest joy. That comes from our relationships with other people, from our musings in the midst of the beauty of nature, from the songs of birds on the electric lines outside our houses, from the 100% free sunset. If you list the facets of your life with which you are unwilling to part, you will find they are not things; a mother's love and a brother's loyalty are priceless.
6. Marry for life. Don't cut and run at the first sign of trouble in your marriage. You are not going to be starry-eyed in love with this person 24/7 the rest of your life. It doesn't go away forever, but it isn't a constant condition. If you find the romance beginning to ebb, do something about it. And remember that sometimes this person is going to gross you out or make you really mad. That doesn't mean you have quit loving. Kids will come along and take a lot of your time. Don't expect to feel like a giddy school kid in love your whole life. When people marry, they promise for life. Keep your promise.
7. Raise your own children. If someone else keeps your baby all day long, that person shapes your child's personality and outlook on life. To whom are you willing to trust that precious soul? People are often more concerned about the qualifications of the kennel in which they leave a dog than the credentials of the child care they use. Why not do that job yourself? They are little kids for such a brief time, and then they are in school and gone all day. By the time he or she is five, the personality is set. For better or worse, my kids were raised by me, not by some nineteen-year-old with no goals and no particular, one-of-a-kind affection for my precious baby. You can buy new carpet later. Drive the kid around in a ratty old car. He/she won't remember how nice that new stuff was. What the child remembers is Mommy cracked open a coconut on the patio with me today. Mommy watched me splash in a $9.99 plastic pool in our back yard. Mommy was there when I woke up from my nap.
8. Keep the friendship of someone who knew you when you were young. One of these days it will be nice to talk about old times with someone who was there. You will lose your youthful bloom, but someone will always remember how beautiful you were back then. I have known my best female friend for over 45 years. I remember when she had to give up the trumpet and come play drums in band with me because she got braces. I taught her how to play the snare drum--and then when we got in high school, she beat me at All-District band! We have double-dated with many different guys, and can laugh about all kinds of stupid stuff we did at ages 10 and 17 and 21. We still call each other by our kid nickname (we are both "Skipper"), and so if anyone calls and says, "Skipper, it's me," I know exactly who the lady on the phone is. In each other's eyes, neither of us is an old lady. We remember each other as kids.
9. Be careful what you read, see and think. The mind catches everything. As the creature says in Frankenstein, knowledge is like lichens on a rock. It clings, and sometimes it is unworthy knowledge. The Bible tells us to think on the things that are true and lovely and spoken well of. Don't fill your mind with garbage. Some books and movies have nothing to offer. This doesn't mean we shouldn't read or see things that can pique thought or unsettle our complacency. Without those things, we grow satisfied with the status quo. But remember that the author is manipulating reality; it is his or her version of how things are. Maybe he's full of baloney or something worse.
10. Establish a strong relationship with God. The Force is real. The Bible says He is a spirit, the spirit of love. Get to know Him through reading the Bible, and you'll find Him to be "a very present help in time of need." How other people manage without Him, I cannot understand. I just know I would be a total disaster without God. He is daily manifested in the good people around me.

Well...I don't think this needs any elaboration. Take what you can from this. I know that just by being who she is, Mrs. Dunn has helped to shape the man that I am becoming. I pray that something caught your attention, and that it either changes your life or helps you grow into a better person. Mrs. Dunn, if you ever read this, thank you for all you did in the 2 years we were in each other's company. I thank you for your lessons and your friendship. Ultimately I thank God for placing such a ray of light in the abyss we all know as high school! As a side note, don't judge if I have made grammatical errors, it's too early in the morning to be perfect! : )

Another Prayer Request

I don't know how many people are still reading this now that summer is here and you probably have better things to do with your time. However, if anyone is reading this, please pray for my sister. For several months now she has had an increasing amount of swelling in her lymph nodes, among other serious symptoms. After seeing a specialist we found out Thursday that she has melanoma. We do not know how serious it is at this point. The doctors cut a spot off of her scalp. The next step will be to biopsy the swollen lymph nodes. I do not know what comes after that, but this will determine what treatment or if it is even necessary. If the cancer has spread to an organ it become malignant melanoma for which there is no treatment. At this point the patient is in stage 4 of the cancer. The doctors put them in palative care (basically hospice...where they make you comfortable until the end). The life expectancy at this point is 6 months. Please be praying for my sister, who is only 26. She told me she is glad to know what the condition is, but she is scared the cancer may have already spread too far. We will not know until the biopsies. Regardless of what doctors say we know God is in control and that He can save her at any point. This doesn't have to be a death sentence. I will trust God no matter what the outcome, but please pray for healing in her body. Pray for peace, that fear doesn't grip her too much. Thanks to everyone who prays or is already praying for my sister. You will never know how much it is appreciated.

The Fool's Prayer -- by Edward R. Sill

The royal feast was done; the King

Sought some new sport to banish care,

And to his jester cried: "Sir Fool,

Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!"

The jester doffed his cap and bells,

And stood the mocking court before;

They could not see the bitter smile

Behind the painted grin he wore.

He bowed his head, and bent his knee

Upon the monarch's silken stool;

His pleading voice arose: "O Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool!

"No pity, Lord, could change the heart

From red with wrong to white as wool;

The rod must heal the sin: but, Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool!

"Tis not by guilt the onward sweep

Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay;

'Tis by our follies that so long

We hold the earth from heaven away.

"These clumsy feet, still in the mire,

Go crushing blossoms without end;

These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust

Among the heart-strings of a friend.

"The ill-timed truth we might have kept--

Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung?

The word we had not sense to say--

Who knows how grandly it had rung?

"Our faults no tenderness should ask,

The chastening stripes must cleanse them all;

But for our blunders--oh, in shame

Before the eyes of heaven we fall.

"Earth bears no balsam for mistakes;

Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool

That did his will; but Thou, O Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool!"

The room was hushed; in silence rose

The King, and sought his gardens cool,

And walked apart, and murmured low,

"Be merciful to me, a fool!"

I'm hoping someone will ask questions or comment on this. There's much to take from this. I hope you like it, and that God speaks to you through it like He did to me.

The Holy Spirit

In my Sunday school class the past few weeks we have been discussing the first chapter in the book of Acts. Jesus has been crucified, and the disciples are hiding in a house together when He appears to them through a locked door. Over the next 4o days He appears to them periodically to give them instruction and keep their spirits up for the days ahead. What is important in this passage is that Peter and the rest of the disciples are about to receive the power through which they will establish the Christian church. Here is the passage:

"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So when they met together, they asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way yhou have seen him go into heaven.'" (Acts 1:1-11)

I will be speaking more on this passage, so I will post links to it. I want you to tell me your thoughts on this passage before I say more. Have a blessed day!

Jesus Warns Against Wrong Teaching

Continuing in Matthew 16 Jesus warns His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." The disciples thought He was speaking about the fact that they had brought no bread with them. They misunderstood His meaning.

Jesus said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Matt. 16:8-11)

Here's what my bible study says about it: "Leaven (yeast) is put into bread to make it rise, and it takes only a little to affect a whole batch of dough. Jesus used leaven as an example of how a small amount of evil can affect a large group of people. The wrong teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees were leading many people astray. Beware of the tendency to say, 'How can this little wrong possible affect anyone?'".

This made me think of my walk. Am I living in a way that shines for Christ, or do I committ small evils that completely destroy my witness to those around me who need to see what Christianity is truly about? I pray that God helps to keep me in check in moments like this. In all situations, really. I pray that I don't even have to think twice, that I will live more and more like Christ daily so that people will be drawn to Him through me.

Signs

I want to begin this with the admission that I am as guilty as anyone. I have asked God multiple times to reveal Himself to me with a sign. How ridiculous of me. I might as well be slapping Him in the face. Matthew 16 starts out with the Pharisees and Sadducees testing Jesus and asking Him to "show them a sign from heaven." Here is what Jesus responded:

"When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." (Matthew 16:2-4)

Basically, what Jesus is saying here is that He is not going to waste His time showing these people a sign because they were only testing Him out of skepticism. They would not believe even if He did, because they could not see the truth in what He had already done. He speaks of Jonah who was carried in the belly of a big fish for 3 days. In this Jesus was hinting at His upcoming death and resurrection after 3 days. When I read this, I was very convicted. To this day I expect God to give me a sign to point me in the right direction. It's not wrong to long to know God's will for your life, but to ask Him for a sign is selfish and unnecessary. What we must do is have faith and believe that He has done the things that are talked about in His Word. He has showed us more than 2,000 years worth of signs. Is that not enough? Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) If God gave you a "sign in the heavens" every time he wanted you to make a certain move, would you be walking by faith? I think we need to step out for His glory and He will give us direction along the way.

"Seeing Is Believing"

Funny thing...I went home from College Station a few weekends ago and stayed up late to do laundry. While I was waiting I decided to watch a little TV. Being the nerd that I am, when I see anything about space, I'm there. So, as I'm watching 'Supermassive Blackholes', I hear the narrator say that while a supermassive blackhole has never been seen, the evidence for their existence is undeniable. Hmmm! I wondered to myself for a short while. Something sounded really funny about that. These big-name 'scientists' are declaring that they believe in something that they cannot see. If that's the case, then why is it that they don't believe in God? Granted, this is a generalization. Some scientists are Christians. But, the ones who are trying to prove evolution and how the universe was created only believe in science. I'm sorry, that's a croc to begin with, because half of all science is theoretical equation anyway. I mean, go ahead, explain away how said galaxy was formed umpteen-billion years ago. But explain life. You can say we all formed from the same little atom or whatever. But, how do you explain personality and conscience? Our universe is not just matter. It is also life, death, good, and evil. Where do these factor in to their equations? My point is, if they can believe in black holes when they can't see them, why is it so hard for them to believe in God when the evidence of His existence truly is UNDENIABLE?

Any Progress?

On November 16, 2006 I wrote my first blog ever on my Myspace profile. I went back to it today as I was "rediscovering" that I even had a Myspace. Here it is:

"'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' - Matthew 7:24-27

I have never posted a blog before, but God kept me up late tonight for some reason. I haven't studied my bible in a long time. I mean, a really long time. Many of you know what college has been like for me so far, some of you don't. This will give you some idea of how it's been and the revelation I have come to. I wrote this in a notebook a few minutes ago and decided to blog it for some reason.

What this passage means for my life speaks for my faith. To date my faith has been, at best, inconsistent. This relates to my life in that, when I study the word and practice its teachings, I can resist temptation. My faith is like the house built on the rock, and I do not falter. When I go periods without study, even refusing to think about God for fear of conviction, I fall to temptation even worse each time. When I go through periods where I shy away from the Father, it is because I have fallen to temptation and I feel unclean or unworthy. At least, that is how it begins. Then, I stay out of his word so long that I begin to stop caring. I stop listening to the Voice of Truth and begin to do things on my own. This is impossible. I end up at a breaking point where I have to decide whether to give up or turn back to the One who indeed never left me. What I have learned is this: I cannot live by my own will; I must have God in all his wisdom. I cannot shirk my studies or I will grow weak against the evil one. I must put to practice the teachings of Christ, so that I know better how to run to Him when temptation and the memories of failure haunt me. College has been a roller coaster. I have decided that I will not let the low points slow me to a halt any longer. I will take what lessons God teaches me through my trials to become stronger. I will rise out of the pit time and again. I cannot say that the decision I am making now will keep me consistent. I will fall again because I am human. But each time, I will do my best to fall less and less with the ultimate goal of not falling at all. Where we Christians must come through is in those hard times. We must rise up again, stronger each time; rather, more able to place our faith in the one who will not forsake us. Each of us have a purpose in this life. Each purpose is not the same. But, we all have a duty to witness and disciple. 'Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near.' In the book of Matthew you hear John the Baptist, even Jesus himself, preaching this message. This is the message we must spread to the world. We cannot do this if we cannot trust God ourselves. Guard you heart. Practice the teachings of Christ and Glorify God in everything you do. That is our overall purpose in life. Store up your treasures in Heaven. Just believing is not enough. We must give up our lives to really gain them. We cannot be lukewarm. We must deliver the revival that this starving, sinful world needs."

It's funny to think back on how my life was when I wrote this. I wasn't doing too great, and like any 18 year old, I thought I had so much experience. I know I'm only 20 now, but a lot changes when you've reached the end of your second year of college. My hard times didn't stop after I wrote this. Yes, I did have a brief time of growth in my relationship with Christ, or rather a time of repair. It was all shattered again just a few months later, though. I got back into drinking and living the typical college experience. I asked myself, after reading this again, what has changed since then? I am very happy to say that God's grace is sufficient and things are drastically different in my life just a year and a half later. I am no longer living the typical college life. God really spoke to me through the Casting Crowns song Slow Fade in February. Since shortly before then, I have not been drinking. I have been tempted many times by that and other things, but I God has rushed in to offer me a way out. I won't say I haven't made mistakes, there have been plenty of those. I just know that who I am today is incomparable to who I was then. I have reliable accountability and an awesome, gorgeous, Godly girlfriend who I never want to fail. God has answered so many prayers in the last few months of my life. I know there is no going back for me. The change has come, many years later than it should have, but God does not fail us. If anyone who reads this is struggling with anything, any sin that has you chained and imprisoned, you can come to me. I'll tell you how the Father brought me back, and I have faith He will do the same for you. Just trust Him.

Can't Sleep!

Well...I am a night owl, but for the past few nights I've not been able to sleep at all. My mind keeps rambling on. My thoughts are so loud and I'm restless. There are several reasons for it. One is a girl. This comes as no surprise to some of you. Especially you guys. You know when you get hooked and your heart hurts whether you're with her or not. That's where I am, but there's more to the story. For the past few months I've been pursued by someone who is greater than life itself. God has been calling to me in a special way. I can't lie, I haven't been 100% consistent, but I'm growing in my walk with Him every day. I've been convicted, though. As my feelings grow for this beautiful woman that He has set in my path, I begin to realize where I fail Him. At this point, all I want is to be able to tell her how I feel and be reminded myself that she thinks of me too. As I long for this, I become sad at the realization that God wants that from us too. He loves us more than we could ever begin to imagine. We get so caught up in our own lives that we don't stop to think about that. He blesses us daily, and we don't even blink. Many people look at Christianity and don't understand it. They think we have this religious code that we have to follow, and that we have to act perfect. That's not it at all. It's not about religion. Our job as Christians, the reason we are here, is to have a personal relationship with God. He created us! When we get depressed about being lonely or we want someone to return our love, we must consider that God wants that too. He is pursuing us, and He wants us to return His love. There is no way we could ever meet Him halfway or even come close, His love for us is so great. As I thought about this tonight and how I'm falling head over heels for this girl, I realized that I want to fall the same way for my Creator. Jars of Clay sings one of my absolute favorite songs, and when I drive home tomorrow I'm going to blare it out the windows. It's called Love Song for a Savior. The chorus is simple, it just repeats this phrase four times: "I want to fall in love with you!" That is my prayer to the Father this morning. I want to be completely swept up in Him. I want Him to be my obsession, my greatest treasure. Only if I learn to love Him back, will I truly be able to love anyone in this life.

Heaven's Worth

My current study is in Matthew. This morning I came across another convicting parable. Two, in fact. One is the Parable of Hidden Treasure and the other is the Parable of the Pearl Merchant.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44)

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45,46)

My study says this: The kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have, and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. The man who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled upon it by accident but knew its value when he found it. The merchant was earnestly searching for the pearl of great value, and, when he found it, he sold everything he had to purchase it.

This is exactly what Jesus required of his disciples. They had to drop everything, jobs, property, possessions, even family, to follow Christ. That's exactly what they did. They relied on 100% on Jesus for everything. If you felt a calling from Him today, would you be able to give up everything in your life to follow Him? All of us need to be at a place in our walks where we can do this, but are we? I hope that I could, but I know I love my family. It would be very hard for me, but I pray God would strengthen my heart so that I could completely trust in Him. This is just another reason we are called to witness to others, including our families. None of us know when God is going to call on us, or what specific mission He will give us. It may require you to drop everything and travel to another country where you don't know anyone and may not even speak the right language. Therefore, pray daily and be prepared to go wherever Christ wants you.

Which Seed?

I've heard this parable many times, but after years of being an inconsistent Christian I read this over with much conviction. It is the parable of the Four Soils in Matthew 13.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 13:3-9)

Jesus goes on to explain the parable to his disciples.

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:19-23)

This is what my study had to say about this parable:
How easy it is to agree with Christ with no intention of obeying. It is easy to denounce worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth, and still do nothing to change our ways. In light of eternal life with God, are your present worries justified? If you had everything you could want but forfeited eternal life with God, would those things be so desirable?
The four types of soil represent different responses to God's message. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. How has God's Word taken root in your life? What kind of soil are you?

After reading this, I had to really seek out God and determine which seed I was and what I needed to do to become the seed that landed in good soil. I'm afraid I haven't been up to this point. I've been concentrating so much on getting my own life straight that I have neglected the Great Commission. I have come to learn that concentrating on yourself, even with good intentions, will not allow you to grow. When you dwell on what you think is wrong with you and how you need to fix it, instead of pursuing Christ and loving His children, you will only fail again. So place your focus where it needs to be, on Christ. Only then can you allow Him to transform you into that good soil.

Bring The Rain

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise you with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Could circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in you

This is the first verse of one of Mercy Me's deepest songs, Bring the Rain. It speaks of who we are in Christ, and why the only thing that matters in this life is that we praise Him through any circumstance. I have to say, I haven't done my part in this. I get so impatient and upset when things don't go my way. I even get to the point where I'm so convinced that something is God's will, that when things fall apart I stress out and give up. I don't want to be that way anymore. I want Him to transform my heart in such a way that I can not only praise Him for the blessings I've received, but also worship Him for who He is. In Exodus 3:14 God tells Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." (NKJV) Does anyone truly understand the gravity of this declaration? What kind of response would you have to someone if they told you their name was I AM? It is not a statement that we can say and make any sense of it, but God can. He is the Alpha and Omega. He created everything. There are infinite ways to describe our Creator, but it ultimately comes down to I AM. One of the most important things we can do as Christians is just take time to be still and just know that He is God. You can consider all the problems of this life all you want, but ultimately, the only thing we need to think about is God. Just take a moment. Don't even pray. Just rest a while in the awesome truth that God is God. He is our "exceedingly great reward." There is no better use of our time than this. For more on the subject of rain, check out Michael's latest blog. It will change your perspective, to say the least!

For The Single Guys

What I'm addressing here is loneliness, and the fear of being single forever. I've suffered from these feelings. I've despaired at times, because I didn't have God's Word written in my heart. There are so many verses in the Bible about waiting on God's timing. For example, Isaiah 30:18 says, "Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him." What this says is that He wants to bless us in so many ways, but we must wait on His timing. Nothing that He does not bring us is worth our time. This is the point where many young men say, "But, how long do I have to wait? What if He doesn't bring me anyone? Will I be alone forever?" I've asked all of these questions. First, there is no way of knowing how long you must wait. Some of us wait a long time, some of us don't. Just trust in Him that it will happen and don't give up. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." If we wait for His timing He will bless us for it. The third verse I want to share is Psalm 37:4 which states, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Guys, you will know if the Father has called you to live a single life like Paul. There will be no question in your heart. You will be so consumed with Him that an earthly relationship would never be on your mind. For the rest of us, God knows what our desires are. If we truly pursue Him first and foremost, He will bless us and give us what we desire. My brother taught a message on this verse alone before proposing to his wife one Sunday morning. If we grow to a point in our relationship with Christ that we are totally content in our relationship with Him, we will reap treasures. We must get to the point where we are happy with just Him, and that we are fine with being single until He brings us the right person. Just wait for it guys, and don't give any of yourselves away before His timing. We cannot imagine the experience we will have when God brings us our one and only, and we can give all of ourselves to them as well as God.

Worship

What does this word truly entail? Are we to just stand there and sing during the first part of a church service? Do we lift our hands in submission during the songs? Must we stand? What does it mean to truly worship? None of these and all of these. Worshiping the Father is not about whether we raise our hands and closer our eyes or not. It is about the heart. When we sing our songs of praise, do we really mean what we say? Have we lived in a way that glorifies Him throughout the week, or is this it, 30 minutes or less on Sunday morning? As Mark Hall of Casting Crowns asks, "Can you sign God's name to the end of each day?" I know I can't. Worship is more than just a song, or an act. It is about living for Christ and glorifying Him with our every thought and breath. Worship is the way we live. Last night at Breakaway Jeff Johnson sang his very deep song, Ruin Me. I raised my hands, closed my eyes, and truly spoke to Christ. But, did I mean every word I said? This song asks God to "ruin my life, the plans I have made. Ruin desires for my own selfish gain. Destroy the idols that have taken Your place 'til it's You alone I live for." Can we really ask God to ruin us? That's a scary thought. We creatures love our own plans. That is why we have anger problems and impatience. We want things to go our way, and hate it when they don't. So, can we truly ask God to just come in and take over to the complete extent that He ruins all our plans and destroys everything in our lives that didn't come from Him? I tell you what. In a previous blog I wrote about the transition I prayed God will make in me over this coming summer. I want to be radical and dangerous in His name. I want to be so sold out to Him that I can just let go of everything and get out of His way in my life. Only then will I be able to truly worship my Wonderful Maker!

A Man Fell In A Hole

Wow. In case you guys don't know...they make a "--tube" for everything. I've found GodTube.com to be amazing. I just saw a video that everyone needs to see. It is called A Man Fell in a Hole. I'm not going to say too much about it. Just make sure you watch every detail until the video is completely finished. Then, write to me what you thought about it. After I get a few responses I'll tell you what struck me. I'm including my email address in my profile so that you can respond if you don't have a Google account. I pray God impacts you through this video, as He did me.

Goals

Hey guys. I had an interesting conversation with a very special friend of mine last night. We love to talk about God and his holiness. I know from experience that his mercies truly are new everyday. We got to talking about the summer. I asked her what her goal was for her relationship with Christ this summer. Though I will not share it, her answer was great. It struck me, though, that I had asked her that question. I hadn't taken the time to consider what my goals were. I know this summer is going to be great. God has called me to several ministries, and I can feel Him pulling at the strings of my heart already. I thought for a minute when she returned the question. What is my goal for my relationship with Christ? Well, to begin, I want to be able to look back at the end of the summer to the man I am today and not even recognize who that person was. I'm not saying I'm a bad guy. I was born in sin, and redeemed by Jesus' precious blood spilled on the cross. What I mean is, I want to be "soaring with Christ!", as my friend put it. I want to be at a place in my walk with the Father that consistency is no longer a problem. I will not think twice about getting up a little early to start my day off in His Word. Guys, that is the way you grow closer to Him. I've struggled recently with the issue of relationships. I long for the beauty to rescue and look forward to a future with a Godly woman. I get to learn new ways, everyday, to show her that she is pursued and loved. I'm the hopeless romantic because God made me that way. How well, though, can we pursue our earthly partners if we have not learned how to pursue Christ? Is it not meaningless without such a foundation. As Ben Stuart of Breakaway Ministries said in his message last night, God wants to be our cornerstone. Though he used it in a different reference, I thought about relationships in that moment and how God needs to be the cornerstone in that aspect of our lives as much or more than any other. For Him to be our cornerstone, we must have a strong relationship with Him. I am growing steadily in Him, and it's been amazing the past few months. But, I'm not in the least bit complacent. I know I'm nowhere near where I need to be with Him. I need to truly see how He is pursuing me and learn to return that. It is my heart's cry. I want to be so transformed in Him that I don't recognize who I am today. I need to be more consistent, compassionate, loving, patient, and I need a pure heart that yearns to share my Great Love with everyone I come in contact with. (For more on that, listen to Tears of the Saints by Leeland!) There's more to this story, more details which I have not the time to convey. But, this is the core of the message: What is your goal in your relationship with Christ in a month, two months, the summer? Goals need to be set in everything we do in life. Our relationship with Christ is definitely no exception. Think about it!

Jake's Blog!!!

Hey you guys!!! If you haven't checked out my friends' blogs listed on the right I really recommend it. Especially Jake's latest blog from today. I think it's something we all need to hear and think about! If you've got a minute to spare...don't hesitate!

Kosovo's Independence

Hey guys, this one might seem a bit unusual. I had to write a blog for my english class over a current event. I chose the independence of Kosovo. The reason I'm posting it here is because it has some religious factors. I'll explain more at the end.

On Sunday, February 17, the former Serbian province of Kosovo declared its independence. The US and other democracies immediately declared support for the new Albanian-led government. Russia and some European Union countries have denounced the act. This may mean that the ultimate outcome of this situation could affect not only Kosovo and Serbia, but US and Russian foreign relations as well.

In the wake of Kosovo’s declaration of independence there has been continuous activity and conversation on the subject. I have read many articles and blog posts, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the best solution would be for the Albanians to partition Kosovo and let the Serbs retain their religious sites. Also, I believe that US involvement in this crisis is wrong. I believe in supporting democracies, and I believe in supporting Christians. However, I believe that our support for Kosovo is wrong at the moment.

I cannot say anything against any declaration of support after the feud has calmed and a settlement has been arranged. But, for now, I believe the United States should stay out of it and let the Albanians duke it out with the Serbs. I don’t see any economic loss or gain to the US by staying out of the debate. Either we have a new democratic ally, or we have a friendly nation of Christians that we can relate to. I mean, our country is “one nation, under God” isn’t it? I also don’t see any military action imminent on the side of the Albanians. Keep in mind, this is all my conjecture based on what I have read. I am not personally involved in the matter.

I agree with one blogger, Benny, who says that the Serbs have no more rightful claim to the region of Kosovo than anyone else. They were cruel war-mongers in their past, whatever their claims are today. I see the rash mindset of so many in the destruction and violent protests in Belgrade.

Part of me does question this from the standpoint of a fellow Christian. But, I cannot help but see a parallel between the Serbs in Kosovo and the Israelites whom God left to their enemies after generations of them became more and more corrupt to the point that they no longer followed Him.

I believe this whole ordeal has been building up for a long time. It was inevitable, as one blogger said. It’s all a result of the feud between the Albanians and Serbs in that region, which was halted only by the intervention of NATO.

As for the involvement of the US, I have to side with many who say that it is a bit hypocritical of us. We really have no business in it. Just as one blogger states, I believe the United States should look at this from another perspective. As with almost every situation in life, we should place ourselves in someone else’s shoes and have empathy. It is not that hard to imagine this scenario in the US. The unnamed blogger uses Alaska as one of his examples, the other deals with the influx of Mexican immigrants in the southern regions of the United States. Though I don’t agree with him that this is the secret goal of these immigrants, it is not hard to imagine it that way. Imagine that the Mexicans are Albanians and we are Serbs. Now imagine that the Mexicans infiltrated to the point that they were the majority (which will happen in the near future in states like Texas), and a civil war breaks out between them and the rest of the Americans. The UN comes in and bombs the US to stop the fight, basically hands the reigns over to the Mexicans, and establishes a police force to maintain “peace” while the Mexicans gain power and set up their government. Again I must state, I do not believe this will happen in the US. I have my own issues with US immigration. I do not, however, feel any animosity toward Mexicans. I don’t know what their living arrangements were in Mexico, and we do claim that the US is the greatest country in the world. I love my Mexican aunts and uncles who have married into my family.

All that said, I do believe this is a nearly perfect illustration of what has happened in Kosovo. So, just as I would expect Russia and other world powers to either support us or stay out of our business in such an event, I believe it is wrong for us to so readily support the declaration of independence of Kosovo.

The key point I found in this was the reference I used to Israel. After years of power and insurmountable blessings from God, Israel lost its focus again. They became so corrupt that God finally left them to their enemies. They became slaves again. Though the Serbs in Kosovo have not been enslaved, there are some similarities. Just look at the wars and everything that have existed between the Serbs and other nations. As one of the bloggers I referenced stated, they have "worshiped war criminals." They claim the US and our allies are supporting an action that is trying to destroy the Christian Orthodoxy that the Serbs follow. Their reactions to US involvement is much like an extremist Christian group standing outside of an abortion clinic throwing things and insulting the young women who try to walk through the doors. Instead of loving people like Christ, we lash out against those who are different or don't act as we would have them act. The Serbs are lashing out because they are losing some land. It's not about their religious sites and buildings. If they truly desire to retain their lands and not be pestered by other nations and cultures, they should try living like real Christians. Maybe then God would save them and restore their power as He did for the Israelites so many times.

Lust

Well...today (actually yesterday, but not everyone's a night owl like me) I found out that I'm going to be leading a group of Junior High boys at a Disciple Now this weekend. I have never done this, so those of you who pray, be praying for me! I'm going to need it. Satan is telling me that I can't do this, that I am not good enough to be telling these boys to avoid a temptation that I struggle with daily. I need prayer as I seek out God and trust that He will give me the words to say. I pray that they will have the strength to make a promise to God that I could not make at their age. I couldn't deny my flesh. I've struggled with it for 8 years. Even when I accepted my ring at D-Now when I was 19, I could not inwardly mean what my mouth professed. I've made my own commitments to the Father in the past month, but this one has escaped me. However, I've always been the type that I cannot ask someone else to do what I would not. So, I am making my promise to God. I'm not ashamed to admit this and make it public. I hope that those of you who know me will keep me accountable in this and admonish me when I need it. God calls us to be accountable to each other and sharpen each other. This includes letting each other hear what we need to hear, when we need to hear it. The forgiveness and the reprimands. I will keep my ring on, now, as a reminder to me of my commitment - sadly, the commitment it was meant to be from the time I received it. As I hope my young brothers will do this weekend, I promise to devote myself to purity in Christ. I will take whatever measures to run from the temptation of lust. I have made this commitment because of the position God is placing me in this weekend, the bible study I have committed to, and the (very helpful and convicting) autobiography of Clay Crosse. Clay Crosse is a Christian music artist. You might recognize his greatest hit, I Surrender All. He was at the height of his career in the late '90s when it all came crashing down. God had used many people in his life to get his attention, but Clay could not deny his flesh either. Finally, God went to the extreme and took Clay's greatest asset away. In the middle of a concert tour Clay's voice was taken away. Though he can still sing today, he has nothing that resembles the commanding voice God had given him before. It is a reminder that you cannot sit on the fence as a Christian. You cannot lead a double life. Behind the scenes Clay had become addicted to pornography. It was beginning to affect his marriage. His is a story of redeeming and restoring grace that surpasses all imagination. It affects me so much because I also struggle with lust, and I use my voice daily to praise the God who suffered the cross so that I could be forgiven of my secret sin. I pray that He changes me as radically as He changed Clay Crosse, and that verses like Matthew 5:27-30 will be imprinted on my heart. I also ask you to pray for the boys I will be teaching this weekend. Pray that their hearts are opened to a relationship with God that surpasses their knowledge, and that they can make the same commitment that has taken me so long to grasp.

Prayer Request

Hey guys! I have an urgent request. If I have any audience at all, please be praying. My aunt called me a week or so ago to tell me that her friend's 1-year-old daughter had an accident. She choked on some food and was deprived of oxygen for a dangerous amount of time. She's been in the hospital ever since, and we've all been praying for her. Some bad news was received today, though. Even though the little girl had been taken off of the machines, they were keeping her in the hospital to run tests. The test results came back today. Doctors say she is 75% brain dead. I cannot imagine what that news feels like to her parents. I am not fortunate enough to be in that stage of my life. I can't imagine there is anything harder for a parent, though. So I ask you to be praying for the parents. I know that with God we are a majority, and it is in His power to heal her if that be His will. But, we do not know the will of God. It is not for us to know at this time. What we can do is pray for everyone involved, and that this poor little girl is not suffering. We cannot despair, for there is always a purpose in everything God does. Let us consider that if this girl is not healed and God takes her, she will only be beating us to the finish line. It is a blessing to think that this child may see our Father so soon. It is not a hopeless situation, like an unsaved family member. There is at least the assurance that if she doesn't make it, her parents will see her again. So, pray for them. Pray that they rest in God during this, and that they do not despair. Let them seek out God in this most horrific trial. Please be vigilant in this. You would beg others to do the same if you were in their shoes. Thank you for your prayers. That is all.

Passion

Wow. I just got back from an amazing weekend. I went to the Passion Conference in Dallas. If you've never heard of the Passion Conference you should check it out at: www.268generation.com. It was indescribable. Louie Giglio is the speaker with such music artists as Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Kristian Stanfill, etc. It was amazing. I went last year to the one in Atlanta, GA. It was the most amazing 4 days of Christian fellowship I had experienced up to that point. Though they've switched to 2 day conferences so that they can have more in a year, I don't doubt the awesome power of God. They could have them for a month or an hour, God will still work in each person that attends. What's amazing about this conference is that it is for college students. There is a desperate need for our campuses to change. I know this first hand. I believe that God is limitless, and no matter how improbable it may seem that He can come in and change the kind of university I attend, I will not be the one standing in the way when He does. The goal of Passion is that the college students will begin their lives anew once they leave the doors of whatever auditorium they are in. Each one of us desires to be changed and let God shine through us so that everyone around us will see and desire the same. If you would like to know the schedule or listen to a podcast you can look at the website above. There is also a blog by Louie Giglio about Passion. I've added his link to my list of great blogs to the right. Check it out. God bless you all and may we see the change to come in this generation!

Perseverance

"So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharoah and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharoah said to his servants, 'Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?' Then Pharoah said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' (Genesis 41:37-40)

I found two incredible points in these verses that coincide. One is when Pharoah says of Joseph that he is "...a man in whom is the Spirit of God..." If you are a Christian, what kind of life are you living right now? Can others see Christ in you? Imagine the humility, sincerity, and wisdom of Joseph. Pharoah saw straight through to his heart like an open book. Have you ever even lived a day that you can say you didn't have anything to hide? You were so living for Christ that people could see straight to your soul? This is the kind of life Joseph lived in entirety. That is why he was chosen by God to become so great. The next thing I noticed was that Pharoah set Joseph in charge of the entire kingdom. He would be as powerful as Pharoah, only without the title. Wow. This young man had gone from being betrayed by his brothers and spending years in prison to becoming governor of Egypt. Joseph's story is one of the greatest testaments to God's awesome power that exists in all the bible. He took a young shepherd boy and made him into the ruler of Egypt. It seems pretty clear cut and simple when you say just that, but there was so much more involved in this story. Joseph lived his entire life in pursuit of God. Before even Christ had come to earth, Joseph was in favor in God's eyes. Imagine you were sold by your brothers into slavery. Then you were thrown in jail because you wouldn't succumb to your master's wife's seductions. Would you still be able to trust in God and persevere? I doubt most of us would have lasted beyond the last sight of our brothers. Yet, even in prison, Joseph was a servant for God. Everyone who knew him trusted him so much that they left everything under his authority. That's true perseverance. When everything in your life seems to fall apart again and again, but you still lay it at His feet and trust Him, you can say that you have persevered. It is this perseverance we must strive for in life. It is what we do as we strive to be more like Christ and wait for the coming of our Savior. If you think you've got it rough and you don't feel like God deserves your praise anymore, look at the story of Joseph. Nothing else needs to be said.

Praise Him In Every Circumstance

I'm reading this book, Lifestories, by Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns. In it he relates an email he received from a fan of the Casting Crowns hit, Who Am I. The young man tells an incredible story of loss. Here's the email: (this is long, but trust me you want to read it)

Thursday, October 14, 2004; 8:33 PM
Mark,
I am writing this in the hopes that this note along with my little story will reach you and the rest of the band. My name is Scott Devlin and I am 23 years old, residing in Warsaw, Indiana. I recently had a special young lady in my life by the name of Jessica. Jessica was an absolute example of what it means to be in pursuit of Christ. It is because of this trait that Jessica and I were headed down the road toward marriage. You see, Jessica also loved your album, especially Your Love Is Extravagant. She would play it over and over for me, singing the words every time with such passion. A little over a month ago, I was following Jess to her house on a dark stretch of road in the midst of a thunderstorm. It was only 60 feet in front of me that Jess lost control of her car and rolled top-first into a tree. As I made my way to the car and reached inside the twisted metal, I knew instantly that Jess was already with her Lord. I spent the next 10 minutes covered in mud, in the middle of a pouring rainstorm, complete with crashing thunder and flashing lightning, holding on to the hand of a lifeless and empty body that once contained the soul of a 20-year-old girl I loved. Your Love Is Extravagant was played for 500 people at Jess's funeral, where at least three people came to know Christ the way we do. I still cannot listen to the song without tears welling up in my eyes--not because of a loss, but because I remember the passion with which she sang those words. Your song Who Am I has been the reality of this experience for me. God is still God, and He is in control of His world. He gives and He takes away. I have seen evidence of both. The purpose of this e-mail is not to tell you a story about a car accident--something that happens many times a day. I am writing this e-mail to say thanks. Thank you for sharing your heart through your music, especially through Who Am I and your rendition of Your Love Is Extravagant. Jess could sing your songs and see God through them.... Please continue to share what you have special in your life with those who need to hear it. What you do makes a difference.
Press on and God bless,
Scott Devlin

I think this message speaks for itself. It may seem like everything I'm writing about pertains to Casting Crowns, but it is not my intent to praise them. I am simply sharing what God is doing in my life and others' like Scott Devlin. How truly amazing it is when God lifts us to a point in our relationship with Him that we can sing His praises in any circumstance. You see, the reason this story stuck out to me so much is because I lost a friend in this same way. My friend Danielle was driving home in front of her boyfriend on a rainy day. Less than a mile before her destination she lost control of her car on a 90 degree curve. Her boyfriend watched as a pickup slammed into her little car. Nothing could prepare us for the week-long battle for her life that ensued. Her body fought and fought in a coma until her brain finally gave up. We were devastated. It was the summer before we were to all be freshmen in college. My Christian friends tried to console me and remind me that we are not to mourn the way the world does, but I couldn't see any reason for God to let this happen. That was my unfortunate response. Then God floored me! I was informed that Danielle had accepted Christ in her life just two weeks before her fatal accident. What a miracle! If I couldn't see reason to praise before, I had one now.

The point of this is, no matter what your circumstance, don't despair. God is the Maker of the Universe. We cannot understand why He works the way He does. But, we can always praise him. It should be duly noted that Scott Devlin's band, The Avenue, played two nights after Jessica's death. Her family was in the front row. Scott later said that he "would give her up over and over again if it meant people finding Christ." And, several people did through her story. Like Jeremy Camp, who wrote the song Walk By Faith at his wife's deathbed, we can always praise and not mourn the way the world does.

Casting Crowns

This is not a normal post. I just wanted to say that if any of you get a chance to go see Casting Crowns in concert, don't miss out on the opportunity. I went to their concert in Fort Worth this weekend, and I can't tell you in even 10 posts how much I got out of it. There's something for everyone, and God will teach you something in it. So, definitely do not pass it up if possible.

True Obedience

"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.'" --Matthew 1:19,20

There are few people in the bible who are more admirable than Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. He is spoken relatively little of. (Matthew 1:16-2:23; Luke 1:26-2:52) I don't think enough emphasis is placed on Joseph when discussing the Gospels. There are few better examples of a more obedient servant of God. Just imagine yourself in his shoes: Your brand new bride reveals that she is pregnant by someone else. Not only is it revealed to you, but made public to your friends, family, and pretty much everyone you know. Wouldn't you feel embarrassed, shamed, and angry? In today's world, it would be a matter of hours until the divorce was finalized, everyone sympathized with you, and you moved on with your life; all the while disgracing your wife and making a public spectacle of her. We are so far removed from the chivalry and integrity presented by Joseph. Even when he at first considers leaving her, he plans to do it in a secretive way that preserves Mary's honor. He still loves her and does not wish to inflate his pride by putting her down. How admirable! Though we cannot know what was in Joseph's heart, or exactly what kind of man he was, he must have been great for God to choose him as Jesus' earthly father. Imagine the weight of that, being so obedient to God that you put aside your image and go wherever he guides you. If only we could live like that today, instead of worrying about what other people think of us. Especially our generation! We have grown up online, displayed for all to see. Our concern for our own public image is disdainful. It's petty and ridiculous. We worry about what a simple human thinks of us instead of fearing the One who has the power to send us to Hell or usher us into the Pearly Gates. Maybe we should start considering the awesome power of our God instead of the opinion of some person who, like us, has no right to judge.

East To West

I know I haven't actually commented on a bible verse yet, but I'm also going to use songs. This particular one is very important to me. The song is by Casting Crowns (whose concert I'm going to tomorrow). The chorus of the song is:

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
I can't bear to see the man I've been
Arising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
'Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I first heard this song over Christmas break. It stopped me in my tracks. One of the hardest things to do, as a Christian, is to get back up when we have fallen. There is so much guilt and shame to bear when we choose to go against the will of God. It's almost debilitating sometimes. What's important though is that we do get back up, we repent, and fall on His grace again and again. Many who aren't Christians see the way many of us live our lives, and though it's not always a beacon of righteousness, we try to remain repentant. There is no excuse for it, and it's hardly fair for us to be forgiven, but the ways of God don't always make sense to us. When Christ died for our sins, he paid for all past, present, and future sins. If we just accept the gift, and the truth of it, he will save us from our self-destruction. It is this promise that is so hard to accept sometimes. When we have done something awful and completely against God, it usually is a while, for most of us, before we can humble ourselves to the point of laying it at His feet. I know I often, mistakenly, feel that I have to let His anger abate. This is not so. We must humble ourselves immediately and not go one minute more with a wall of sin between us and our Maker. Even when I am doing fairly well in my life (though, we should never become complacent) I look at the past with dread that I might return to that state which God had saved me from. It is a weakness of mine. I'm not trusting God to be my foundation, and help me move beyond the past so that I might grown in Him. That is why this song struck me the way it did. God says that he has removed our sin as far as the East is from the West. But, we always live with the memory. I can't bear the thought that the person I became my Freshman year of college, will arise in me again. This fear often keeps me from living a life. The second verse of the song starts out: "I start the day, the war begins; endless reminding of my sin!" This is why we must have a constant prayer life. We must have communication with Christ. When we don't speak to Him, we are allowing Satan to have a foothold in our lives. The fight is the Lord's, but we must arm ourselves against His enemy. We do that through prayer. We put on the Armor of God. By doing this, we can concentrate on the here and now. When we can do that, we will grow and become stronger in Him. Just remember that the next time you feel burdened with guilt from your past. Remember that God can remove your sin as far as the East is from the West.

Daring to Desire

I am starting this blog as a sort of devotional from my perspective. I want to share my thoughts about the passages I read in the Living Word. I will use text from the Bible and other Christian writings. Through this I hope to become closer to God, gain the wisdom that I seek, and be molded into someone who is wild at heart. I pray that He will bring about a change in me so that I become humble as Christ was. I hope that He will use me to help someone else. It is our mission in life to spread the gospel. This is just one way that I can start doing my part in the Cause of Christ. The title of this first blog (and the name of this site) stems from a book I read by John Eldredge. It's called Dare To Desire, and it speaks of the yearnings that God places in our hearts. From a man's perspective, it is not the mundane desk job that makes us feel alive, but rather the dreams of adventure and love. A hike through the mountains, or just a simple camping trip can give us the freedom from the world that we desperately need to better hear the Father calling to us. It is this desire that keeps me staring out my window when I should be studying, or daydreaming about the ocean when I'm about to be late to class. Though it is necessary to take care of our responsibilities, we have to get out and do something that gets our blood pumping. Being in college, a simple break from the routine would just about do it. It's when we dare to desire that we really begin to see God working in us. I will elaborate more later. I hope you will be blessed by what you read here and, ultimately, that God is glorified in this.