Thursday, December 3, 2009

I Desire Him!!! cont. (To Know Him Is Life Everlasting)

I wrote this a couple weeks ago which shows how much I desire to know God more.

I have been, and still am to this very moment, unsatisfied with Satisfaction.
Who is this Satisfaction?
He is the God of the Universe.
The One who knows all, sees all, hears all, comprehends all, is control of all things, and holds everything big, small, and inbetween together.
I even heard it once said that, "He saved me from Himself, for Himself, and by Himself".
And it's because of this that have been able to enter into a relationship with Him.
Although I am with Him, and He with me, and though I hear about Him, doesn't mean I fully know Him.
So I say it's time that get to know Him, the one True God, more than what I've been told.
Yes, I long to know from the depths of my soul.
To know Him in every way humanly possible.
I thirst for Him as if I was a well that has been entirely dry for ages.
I long to chase after His heart. Love what He loves. Hate what He hates.
For there is no other I desire, nor long for.
He satisfies me; making me overflow way beyond the brim, yet I still can't get enough of Him.
Less of me, and more of Him.
For to know Him is life everlasting.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I Desire Him!!!!!!

Lately I have had this hunger, desire, this.....longing for God. To hear his voice, see his face, to be near His presence, and dig into His Word and devour it! No such feeling is better!
This song from Remedy Drive comes to mind (boy do I love my music): Get To Know You.

I heard so much of You I wrote a book
Thick with facts of You that I heard were true
The critic read my work and they reviewed
"He wrote of things he heard but never really knew."

I say its time that I get to know You
More than just what I've been told
I say its time that I get to know You
I wanna know from my soul

This is just the first verse and chorus. Yet from what you can see, it's easy to understand what the writer is trying to say. I feel the same way right now! I want to know God more than what I've been told, I wanna know Him from my soul!
Here's the phenomenal thing to ponder. The finite mind of man cannot grasp how GREAT and PHENOMENAL infinite nature and character of God! Even when we get to heaven we still won't be able to grasp it! Yet God being rich in His love and compassion, gives us just teeny bit of crumbs of Himself to us,. And when we receive these crumbs, and devour them, it satisfies us in a way that we have never been satisfied before! Yet we haven't even come anywhere near close of scratching the surface of Him. How insane is that?

I want You, Father
I need You, Father
My heart long for You, Father
All of You Father
Only You Father


Thursday, October 8, 2009

'Never Be Ready' pt 2 (This Road That Is Narrow Is The One We Should Follow)

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are MANY. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are FEW.--Matthew 7:13-14

The last phrase in the 2nd verse of Mat Kearney's song 'Never Be Ready' hits home to me as well. this is how it goes: "This road that is narrow is the one we should follow". How true is that? It's oh so relevant to Matthew 7:14. There's two roads in this life; and everybody will take one or the other.

Those who enter by the wide gate want to take the easy way out. Living life however they wish. Selfishly chasing after their own dreams and desires. Though what they don't know is that the end of the easy, smooth road will lead to their destruction as it say in Matthew 7:13. Also notice that there are MANY who chose to enter the wide gate and go down that easy road. It's like a crowd of people walking across a smooth desert ground heading towards a cliff. Many enter this wide gate unaware, or ignoring the fact that the way they chose to go will lead to their death.

Then there are those who enter by the narrow gate, who know that the way is hard, but it leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Yet note what it says at the end of the verse: "and those who find it are FEW". Yes it is sad that too few, way to few enter the narrow gate. It also says that the way is hard; yes those who chose to follow this road know that there will be much sacrifice, toil, hardships, and tears. In Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing and warning his disciples before He sends them out by 2. He tells them how they will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16-25), and also not to fear what man could do to them (Matthew 10:28). This also means that we must die to ourselves, our own fleshly desires every day, take up our cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16: 24). Letting go of the life you once lived, and embracing the life that He set out front of you to live. Losing your life for the sake of Christ to find true life (Matthew 16:25). This is what happens when you enter the narrow gate. At the end on this hard road is life. Dead to yourself, but alive in Christ.

You're ok here with me
Here in the silence
With all of the violence crashing around
Saying we can't go
Saying we don't know
This road that is narrow
Is the one we should follow

Thursday, September 17, 2009

'Never Be Ready' pt 1 (We Aren't Promised Tomorrow)

Mat Kearney has to be my favorite music artists right now. His first CD 'Nothing Left To Lose' is simply unique and phenomenal. His recent release 'City Of Black & White' is a bit different musically, but certainly not a disappointment.

My favorite song on 'City Of Black & White' has got me thinking. The last phrase in the First verse goes like this "We aren't promised tomorrow".

Yes, there are quite a few verses in the Bible that talk about how our lives here on this earth are short. Yet, this phrase in Mat Kearney's "Never Be Ready" really hit me hard, and got me thinking about how this applies to Christians and non-believers alike. Whether you are a Christian, atheist, muslim, agnostic, a Jehovah's witness........or whatever. Young, old, german, canadian, Scottish, Korean, Peruvian, Ethiopian etc. Regardless of how and where you grew up. This phrase applies to every human. on this earth.

So this appiles to Christians, in 2 ways. The first is that we don't know if when we're leaving this place to go home, so this phrase 'We Aren't Proimised Tomorrow' should remind and encourage us not to waste our lives. To live every day to the fullest, givng God our all, glorifying Him in everything we do, and not going through the motions. Read "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's such a phenomenal book that has also encouraged me to get down on my hands and and knees and dig in the dirt every day.
The second way the phrase 'We Aren't Promised tomorrow' applies to Christians is by our calling to embrace and obey the Great Commission. The phrase applies to the lost & unsaved. Millions of people die everyday who haven't heard of the gospel. I say this phrase every time I leave to go out somewhere like, running an errand for my mom, work, or out witnessing, so I can be reminded that there are many people out there who haven't heard of the Gospel, and today could be their last day. Also the the importance and cruciality of the Great Commission.

Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer

This Phrase applies to all non-believers out there too. I can't wait to see or hear the puzzled or confused reaction of a non-believer when I would ask them. "Hey did you know that we aren't promised tomorrow?" I think that it would get them thinking about life after death, and what they are living for, and ultimately draw them to repentance and trusting God with their lives. I wonder......

We Got our feet on the wire
Talking bout flying
Maybe we're diving in over our heads
Scared of what I'm feeling staring at the ceiling here tonight

Come on and lay down these arms
All our best defenses
We're taking our chnaces here on the run
If fear is an anchor
Then time is a stranger
If love isn't borrowed
We aren't promised tomorrow

Sunday, August 23, 2009

So Much So Fast!

It sure has been awhile since I posted a blog, and since my last blog so much has happened! To really summarize all that has happened over the summer to now is this: God is oh so worthy, and I am oh so unworthy.

God has given me oppurtunities to serve in couple places. Like for instance me, my friend, his brother, his dad, and a friend of our form a band to help lead worship at a inner city kids church every other Saturday morning (started yesterday). It's so awesome to be able to serve that way, and my prayer is that me and the other band members will get to know these kids that we will be ministering to through worship so well and point them to Christ. Another oppurtunity is that I am co-leading a small group for the 6th grade Sunday school at the church! I'm loving it, cause first off I will able to help these kids learn and point them towards Christ, plus these kids will be learning about apologetics, worldview, and doctrine this year, and I can even learn along with them. Haha, and well the truth is when I was in 6th grade, I never learned about this stuff so, I'm jealous for these 6th graders :)

Witnessing to the lost and unsaved has become a part of my life. Back in my senior year of highschool God has given me a heart for the lost and unsaved that they may embrace Christ's redemption, and have a relationship with the One True living God. Jesus had compassion for the lost and unsaved

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd--Matthew 9:36

Then throughout this summer I've been awakened to how important and crucial it is for Christians to witness, share the Gospel with the lost and unsaved. These three quotes helped me see the importance.

Most Christians are like a person enjoying themselves in a lifeboat oblivious that there are other people in the surrounding water drowning--Ray Comfort

I know it's sad that gift we have we keep it for ourselves most of the time--Wake Up by Leeland

Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer

Those first 2 quotes made me realize that American Christianity has become selfish thinking that why we have evangelists and missionaries. Yet the last quote is one of many things that helped me realize that all Christians are called to evangelize, not just the evangelists. So with these things, and actively witnessing every week, has drastically changed my Christian walk.

As far as college goes, well, things are coming together. In Sring of 2010, I will be taking classes at a local community college (and my awesome aunt is paying for those classes!). Just a couple basic class like english and algebra. Then next Fall I plan on going to the same college to study nursing. This is what God laid on my heart: Be a nurse in southern Africa. Like an amazing friend of mine told me "How would they hear if they're dying physically?" That is oh so true. Also, unlike my early years in highschool, I would just sit around and wait for God to make that idea or plan to happen. Though I learned that if God has laid something on my heart, I have to pursue it!

So that is what has happened over the summer and my senior year. I'm now starting to make my own choices with some wisdom from my parents. Basically I'm an adult now, but I'm still relying on God for guidance, strength, and wisdom in my life, and I always will. I am unworthy of His boundless love, but is worthy of my unashamed love.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Done Asking "Why.?"

I used to worry and freak out about things that happened to me, about why I God put me in certain situations, and other questions like those. These were questions that I asked God; questions that began with the word "why". I should know better than to ask God "Why?", cause He is in complete control of my life.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose--Romans 8:28


This verse (in particular) has helped me to stop asking God "why?", and trust Him with every area and detail of my life. Cause I know that He is with me always, and that nothing separate me from Him!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Prayer ( Acts)

I was at Twin Lakes Camp for my 4th and final time as a camper this past week. I had an awesome time making new friends, meeting new people, enjoying myself there. The theme of the this year is "Cowboy Up"........or to put it in more clear term, overcoming the challenges of the Christian life. The oh familiar Don Helton was the speaker of the week, and he spoke on the different spiritual disciplines (sweet stuff!!), like, devotion to God's word, generosity, evangelizing, thanksgiving, and prayer (not all in that order). It was awesome, to learn more about these spiritual disciplines that we touched on.

Out of these 5 though, only one is something that struck me in a certain degree. Prayer. Yes!

pray without ceasing--1 Thessalonians 5:17

I read this short verse before, and ended up with a partial understanding of what it meant. Though after last week at camp, I now have a complete understanding of what it means.

A-adoration
C-confession
T-thanksgiving
S-supplication

This is something that Don presented in the message of prayer one night. I thoughts that it was so useful that I had to write it down. Each of these are types of prayers that can be offered to God any time throughout the day. Not just before bed, during personal devotions, or at Church/youth group/Bible study.........but whenever!

Adoration--this a much another word for praise. It can come in many different situations, like safety in a storm, gazing at the stars in the summer night sky, or anytime God displays His power, love, mercy, etc. So there are many oppurtunities to lift up prayers of adoration to the God of the universe.

Confession--this is confessing your sin, which is like "duh", but here's the thing, this is a prayer that we lift up to God every now & then. Think about this for a minute or two: every time you sin, come before God to confess to Him of that sin and ask Him for forgiveness. This is also known as keeping a short account with God. We sin just about everyday, so this act of confession should be a daily thing.

Thanksgiving--this a prayer that should be the most common in the Christian life......or so that's what I believe. God gives blesses us with so much, and puts us in many different situations. So thanking God for rain, sun, shelter, food, family, friends, finding a lost wallet, the chance to hang out with friends, and many more things like these are easy to give God thanks for. Yet it does say in God's word, that we should give thanks to God for the hard, painful, rough, and trialing situations like the death a close friend or family member, being bullied everyday at school, losing your job, just to name among the few of many rough and painful times in one's life. 1Thessalonians 5:18 states--give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Also note that in Romans 8 Paul tells us that everything that God lets happen to us (good or bad), happens for our good. So when bad things happen, instead of pointing your finger at God blaming him, remember Paul's word's in Romans 8 and the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and thanks God.

Supplication--this is where you lift up specific requests you have to God. For example, an uncle who has cancer, a friend who isn't a christian, finding a good mother's day gift for you mom, a big chemistry test, pretty much whatever comes your way. As these needs come, we shouldn't hesitate to lift them up to God.

So yes! Now I have a complete understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5 :17. I thank God, that through Don Helton's message that one night last week, that my prayer life has improved greatly!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

He Has Me Where He Wants Me

Yes, it's true that I didn't take the SAT or ACT. Yes, it's true that I'll be spending most of my summer trying to finish my school. Yes, I'm taking a year off, then next fall plan or attending Crossroads to major in Theology or missions & evangelism. Yes, God is calling me to become a missionary, not even caring if I get shot up, hanged, or burned alive for sharing my faith. I don't care what others say and think to be honest with ya. Call me stupid, call me insane. I listen to the words of my Father, and walk in the footsteps of my Savior. I myself can choose to quetion Him or freak out about where I'm at in this life right now, but I choose not to. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11) "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Monday, May 25, 2009

Moving On Day By Day (Justin & Janet Taylor)

Yesterday me and my family got back down from southern Indiana. We had such a great time; it was amazing! We were down there for my oldest brothers wedding. Me and my other 2 brothers took a bus down to Louisville late Wednesday night and met up with our older brother, Justin. The next day was his bachelor's party which consisted of "Quills" coffee, a run to Goodwill, a few insane 4 on 4 games of paintball, amazingly good "Wick's Pizza", and Terminator Salvation.
Friday was the rehearsal, which went by quick, then afterwards was the rehearsal dinner at the bride's parent's place. Good food, good times. Saturday the day of the wedding, and really tiring and stressful day for many, but also really fun and exciting. Yes, it was am amazing weekend!
So as I sat there in the first row, my gaze on the young couple that were getting ready to be wedded, this came across my mind. Yesterday Jutin was 8 years old playing cops and robbers with me, Jordan and CJ, and now, he's 21 and getting married. Gosh it's amazing to see that he's has grown so strong and fast. It's amazing to see that he's grown up into and godly young man, and now....a husband. God has done a lot in Justin's life to get him where He wants him to be. Through the good and bad, highs and lows, sun and rain, joy and pain; Justin is where God wants him to be, and I clearly see that he's content with that. I'm glad to see that he is. Then there's Janet, what a beautiful young woman. I have to be honest to say that I don't know where she's at in here faith in Christ, or more so how strong she is in her faith, but I got a hint that she is strong in her faith, and that's good to know. I couldn't think of anyone better to be my sister-in-law.
I pray now that God will bless Justin and Janet, and their marriage, and that they will spur one another on towards Christ! May others see Christ in their marriage, and their individual lives. There's nothing more, there's never less, it's only Christ, and they are blessed.
Justin & Janet Taylor.....if you read this I want you 2 to know that I love you both, but you both know that God loves you more. Thanks!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

My Heart Is Burning

My friend and his mom were my ride last night, as we joined a few other in downtown Indy to witness. We had to leave around 9, but I wanted to stay longer, I knew....that I wasn't finished, so I asked myself last night, "Why didn't you ask someone who was staying to give you a ride home so you can stay longer?" Yes I could've, and I should've, but didn't. It's at this very moment that I want to go back down there, even if I have no one else beside me to go get into conversations with people, and share the gospel with them........the message that so desperately need to hear! Yet I must be patient, and wait; God will bring somebody across my path today.....yes that is my prayer.
I finished reading Mark Cahill's "One Heartbeat Away" this morning. Such an awesome book! Yet there was something at the end that caught my attention, and it was this:

FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

(An African martyr's last words)

I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ
I won't look back, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is
redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small
planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way
is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up
paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach
until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no
problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.
"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16)

This is burning in my heart, yes, I will not stop proclaiming the Gospel of Christ! I want the lost, unsaved, deaf, blind, lame, brokenhearted, sinners to hear of the Great Love that fills my heart! I want to see them in heaven, and so does my God, their Creator. I want the lost to hear, see, know, and understand who Jesus Christ is, and came to be. No nothing, and no one will deter me from obeying the "Great Commission"! They can take away my eyes, arms, family friends, money, house, job, even my life, but they can't take away my God!

Come close, come near, let me tell you of the One I love and fear
Come one, come all, let me tell you of the Great Love that fills my heart

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Love? Yes......Love!

Today I was reminded about what love truly is.....and what is not.

Love is going out on a limb
Love involves suffering
Love is laying down your life
Love is doing the unthinkable
Love is doing the uncomfortable
Love has no limits
Love is beyond human comprehension
Love goes the extra mile
Love is not of this world
Love gives hope to the hopeless
Love gives strength to the weak
Love gives sight to the blind
Love fills the void in our hearts
Love leaves us speechless
Love captivates our hearts
Love is all we need to live
Love is being different
Love is a sacrifice
Love is what we don't deserve
Love came down to put a dandy smile on our faces
Love came down to save us
Love came down to be our remedy
Love gives us life
All in all......God is Love.

There's nothing more, there's never less, it's only Love, and we are blessed




Friday, April 24, 2009

A Purpose That Is Crucial And Key!

I was driving to work the other day, when I came up with line, that hits home and summarizes my purpose/reason for writing. This is what I came up with : "To encourage + challenge others Christians to boldy & passionately pursue and embrace the life that Jesus set before us to live" Yes, I believe it's a very key and crucial purpose, and that it's a good in-depth purpose for writing this book.
I have a hunch that Jesus says somewhere in the Bible that following Him isn't going to make your life more easygoing and laid back to live. No you're going to get your hands dirty and do things that are uncomfortable to you, and the world will hate you. Well He might not have said it in those words, but I'm for sure that it's in the Bible somewhere.
Once I came to that conclusion when I decided to write this book, I was hit something that echoed from a point that Francis Chan the author of Crazy Love gave. It is this : that most Christians nowadays play it safe, meaning they don't speak boldly about their faith, put others before themselves, and do other radical things for Christ sake. Basically....they go through the motions, you know go to church on Sunday mornings, be involved in a Bible study on Wednesday, then just live however they do. Well....I don't know if that really clarifies what I mean, but I would think it should. I've been challenged and encouraged to live passionately, boldly, and radically for Christ....living the life that He's called all His disciples to live! He's worthy, and we're not!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

No Time For A Break

Yesterday my mom kinda suprised me. She told me to write a list of goals I want to accomplish, and things I want to do next year, since I'm taking next year off. So I made a pretty sweet list of 12 things I want to accomplish and do from after graduation through to next summer. It's basically a rough draft, cause there will probably more I'll add, and I'll even go into detail on most of these things. So yes! I'm excited about the oppurtunities that God will have for me, and His perfect and pleasing plans!

~Intensely study God's Word

~volunteer @ church

~volunteer @ Midwest Foodbank

~Buy a car

~witnessing

~learn piano and more guitar

~International missions trip

~read more books

~travel

~get a passport

~finish my book

Some of these things listed, are things that I'm already working on, some are what I'm reasearching on, and others I may have to wait a will to act on, not to mention more things may be added. Over all I'm trying to make the most of my time off (with the exception of work), to serve God and others, and grow closer in my relationship with God. May God be glorified regardless of how this all works out, may my God...the God of Jacob be glorified!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Framework

A few weeks ago, on Sunday after Anchors Away (a worldview study), I was hit hard by what our guest speaker (a Christian lady who came out of a mormon background) had said. "Jim Jones, a man who came from here (Indiana) led 900 people to Guyana (I believe...maybe) and told them to kill themselves by drinking kool-aid (I believe), and did...and all died....what a horrible thing to do", she said. That hit me hard, so hard that I had a hard time figthing back the tears on way back to my friends house afterward.
Then again.......while in the car listening to Klove radio......."Did you know John that every 7 seconds a child dies of lack of hunger?" That day they were pleading with daily listeners to give up at least $13 a month to help feed a child for a month. Every seven seconds! Some one dies every second, and that person hasn't heard about Christ, and what He has done for them. God has been tugging at my heart to reach out to the lost and unsaved. I don't know why he has now put it on my heart to reach out to the lost and unsaved that they may hear of Christ, but I don't stop to ask...no. I now know for sure that witnessing/missions is part of the plans that God has for me....it's my calling and I aim to pursue and fulfill it with faithfulness! Too long has my heart been in a slumber; God has woken it up! The cries of the lost and unsaved will not be ignored! Hearts will be healed, the fallen will be raised, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the world will have an oppurtunity to spend eternity with their Creator who long for them to come back home! I have said "Here I am Lord, send me, I'll go!!"



Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all naitions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you....


Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I sewnd? And who will go for us? And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"



Thursday, February 26, 2009

No Need to Worry, No Need to Freak Out

I don't need to worry
I don't need to freak out
I just need to let go
And let You take control
For You are the good Shepherd
Leading me by still waters
And where You lead me
I will go

This is a chorus of a song that I have yet to finish. The scriptures that relates to this Psalm 24 & Isaiah 6:8. I was recently thinking about this....about how we at times try to play the role as the shepherd in our lives, because we want things to work out how we want them to....which to be honest is an absurd thing to do. If we try to be play the role as the shepherd in our lives then we'll more than likely end up where we shouldn't be ......or more so in a horrible or miserable situation. Overall the result of being our own shepherd will get us killed. Sheep are stupid animals....from what I heard. They're so dumb that they can put themselves is dangerous situations, so that's why they need a shepherd to guide and protect them. So we as God's children need the Lord (the Good Shepherd) to guide and protect us in life. We don't need to worry or freak out about what's next in our lives, cause when we do that then we usually find that we are trying to play the role as the shepherd. Yet if we let go of the role as the shepherd, and let God step into that role, and we take the role as the sheep then there would be no need to worry or freak out. Yes....we can trust that God will guide and protect us through our lives.
Also we must also seeking out God's will for our lives, to be willing to go wherever he sends us , just as Isaiah was willing. Ready to pursue and embrace the plans the he has for us....plans that are far greater than we can fathom!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

It's For The Better

I sit here with smile on my face, thinking about my amazing experience this weekend, or I should say the past 4 days (which includes today). Yes Ski Trip for my youth group, which was completely different this year than last year. I spent my 2 hours before our departure for the trip at Joel's house on Friday, and we both were really stoked about it; yet we both were hurting. Both of our pain was similar, yet different. I loved how Don Helton structured Saturday night, cause God was truly at work in the hearts of every single person in that room (for what I believe). It was so amazing, that after we were finished, we still lifted up praises to God, and prayed for one another. Sunday night hit me hard as well, cause Don was talking about being servants, by living a life of laying low (humility) which was based off of Philippians 2:1-11. Pretty much earlier in the day after talking with Joel, about the pain we were both in, I discovered about how selfish I was towards my friends, and it made me feel like was being a horrible friend. Not only that, but I was reminded about how much I felt I have hurt my friends by crossing the line of expressing humor towards them. Like I've told a couple people before I'm learning that humor has it's limits on certain people; yea everyone has a sense of humor, cause if God didn't have a sense of humor than we wouldn't have one. So yes......there is so much I have crammed in here....or so it seems, and there is so much more that I want to say about this weekend. So all I can say is that I am thanking God for teaching me so much these past couple days, and giving me a renewed desired to live a life that's glorifying and plasing to him, a life that revolves around Christ....with a heart...full of humilty and love.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Thinking Theology and Friends

Oh how I love my friends, more than they know, but they are able to comprehend how much I love them. Joel and Michelle, who are fellow seniors in highschool, are considered to be my best friends cause I feel like out of all of my friends they are the ones who I can be more open and honest with, the ones who challenge and inspire me in my faith in Christ.
The 3 of us are going seperate in a way by this coming autumn. Michelle is going to college in Texas, Joel is looking at either Purdue or Cedarville (he's not sure yet), and I'm staying here in Indy to go to a local college like the Art Institue of Indianapolis, IUPUI, or Crossroads Bible College. The three of us will not see each other all that often, and I will miss them both like crazy. It will be hard to adapt to life witout seeing them 2/3 times a week, but I just need to accept that this is God's plan for our lives, a plan that is perfect and pleasing. I find it crazy that it was almost a year ago that I got to really get to know them and over the rest of '08 I developed a strong Christ-centered friendship with them, and I've grown to love them both soooooo much. I want to spend as much as time with them before the 3 of us go seperate ways in fall, and I'm praying that my friendship both of them will continue on for years and years to come!
Aside of that I've been thinking about theology over the past week r so, and I'm starting to develop an interest in it. So this is more than likely what I'll be majoring in when I go to Crossroads, and I'm flipping excited about it!

On a branch note, I've written my first song of '09 today called "From Everlasting To Everlasting". It's a simple upbeat praise song!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Songwriting (A Gift And Passion From God)

Last March I wrote my first song called "Ballad of Grace", which is about God's amazing free gift of grace that he poured out on us. The first verse talks about the condition we were all in when God found us; basically we were nothing in God's eyes. Then the second verse talks about that now we're in God's grace we have a undying hope that we will be with our loving and gracious heavenly Father, and also that we are called to share God's grace to those who don't have it. There's the course which is simple, and that is pretty much saying that He poured His grace on us, and has given us much more than we deserve. Cause to think about it we really don't deserve His amazing grace, but his love is far greater than we can fathom, and because of that great love, God gives us much more than we deserve. Finally we have the bridge which talks about how we as Christians want to be no where else but in God's grace, cause that's what has set us free from our bondage of sin. I personally think it's a good song, cause it's covers the story of our disease (sin) and God's remedy for that sin (grace).
From March to the end of "08 I've written 17 songs, but I give all thanks and credit to God for giving me the words for each and every one of those 17 songs. Without God's I wouldn't have written all those songs; so yes I give Him al the credit! When I share these songs with others, I don't want others to see how talented and cool I am (which I am certainly not), but I want them to see Jesus in them. Here are the songs in order:

1) Ballad of Grace--a song about God's amazing grace

2) Fake Smiles--a song to encourage fellow christians not hide the pain and darkness that they deal with, but to let it out.

3) My Adonai--a praise song

4) Reach Out--a song to encourage fellow christians to reach and share Christ with the lost and unsaved

5) Burn Away--a song that can be a prayer; it's about asking God to give us a consuming passion in our hearts for Him

6) You Captivate My Heart--a song about how God can use anything from a simple good deed to a gorgeous sunset to captivate our hearts; it can also be a praise song

7) Four Dollars Per Gallon--a song about high gas prices.....don't ask

8) You're The Reason--a song that is a reminder that Jesus is the reason we live our lives, can also be viewed as a praise song

9) Upon The Blood-Stained Cross--a song about who Jesus was and what He came here on this earth to do

10) Here We Stand--a song about how we as Christians won't be itimidated by anything Satan or this world throws at us, that we are willing to stand strong for our God

11) I Run Back--a song that is a basically about the prodigal son

12) Ballad Of Love-- a song about love and what it really is

13) Boundless Stars--a song dedicated to the boundless stars in the night sky, and how they display God's beauty

14) Stay Alive--a song that is based on a personal experience I have endured with God's help, it's about staying alive in your faith in Christ admist doubts and lies that Satan tosses into your mind.

15) Beyond Amazing-- a song about how Jesus is beyond amazing, beyong what we can fathom, also is a praise song

16) Can You--a simple praise song

17) In The Footsteps--a song to encourage other others to keep striving to be imitators of Christ

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Embracing Insanity

Yesterday I had finished writing the six chapter of my book, and I must tell you that I was stoked about writing! The chapter is about encouraging fellow Christians to have a passionate focus on living the life that Jesus set in front of us to live, a life that involves suffering and persecution. I was convicted to write it, cause I myself was encourage after reading a chapter in a book I finished reading yesterday called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, which was about suffering. I pretty literally encouraged about what he had to say; like for instance he said that most Christians like to play it safe and try to avoid doing things that are uncomfortable and extremely dangerous. Another thing he mention was how some Christians criticize their brothers and sisters in Christ who make the right choice and decision that will put them in situations where they will more than likely suffer and be persecuted for the sake of Christ.
I was sad as I thought about how he is so true about those things, and I am one of those Christians who play it safe. So I prayed to God that I will be convicted to take advantage of oppurtunities that will put me in a dangerous situation, or make others think I'm insane. Us Christians who have been redeemed by Christ's love, are called to live a life full of suffering persecution, and uncomfortableness. Yes we are called to toss away the life of sanity, and pursue and embrace the life of insanity.

Monday, January 12, 2009

One Day At A Time

This is my last semester of highschool, and then I'm done. So what next? I'm not exactly sure to be honest. I do have a plan floating around in the air, and that plan is this: I'll go to the Indianapolis Art Institute to get a degree in photography (which I imagine would take me 2 years to do), then take a year off to seek out God's wisdom and guidance, then after that probably go to Crossroads Bible College....for something (I'm not sure what yet). So this plan is floating around in the air, and more than likely will be what I pursue, but I'm seeking God wholeheartedly about this plan. God hasn't laid anything on my heart yet, buty I do know that he has a perfect and pleasing plan for me; a plan that is far greater than I imagine. So yes this year I have so much I'm looking foward to, but God has reminded me to live my life one day at a time. As the Bible says not to dwell in the past or be anxious about the future, but live in the present.......live for now!

God has me where he wants me, yes He is in complete control of my life. As a friend of mine told me once "The Lord is not through with you yet Joshua Aaron". That is so true. I'm living one day at a time, living to please and glorify my loving and gracious Father in Heaven, and live a life...that revolves around Christ, with a heart....full...of humility and love.