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)

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!

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

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

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!

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!

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!"