SPOKEN FOR

Loving Our Enemies

2009-05-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Matthew 5:43-45

Loving those who hurt us is hard. For me it isn't necssarily hard when someone is doing something to me but when someone is saying things or doing something that is meant to hurt someone I care about my first reaction is to want to do something about it. You want to react and say something back and it takes all of the strength that God gives me to fight doing that. The Lord says for one vengence is His. Two we are called to love our enemies.

We need to love those who have hurt us. We need in a sense to be the bigger person. When we do that the world around us takes notice because they don't understand. To a good amount of people it would make sense to them for us to fight back and do something about it. But honestly when we do that sometimes it brings on even more trouble at times. That is why vengence is the Lord's. He will take care of those who come against us.

So learn to love your enemies. Learn to love others with all that you are. Forgive them for their shortcomings. Look to Jesus and see that He forgave all of us when He went on the cross and took our sin upon Himself. As He hung their on the cross He cried out "Forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing." That is the way we need to be. We need to mirror Jesus. Who when being persecuted He said nothing against their accusations.

As long as we are right in God's eyes it really doesn't matter what everyone else is saying. God is with us helping us pull through each and every situation. We are just called to obey and follow His Word and when we do everything will fall into place and God's love will be what is seen.

Finally Back

2009-01-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

To say it has been a while would have to be an understatement. It has been a crazy long time since I have last posted on here. Things have gotten pretty busy and I have not had as much time to post on here lately, I also have been lacking some inspiration. I apologize for that and I am going to do my best to start trying to get back on a routine of posting again.

All last week I was away in the Dominican Republic on the Medical Missions Trip with The Chapel through Score International. What amazing and wonderful time that was. To say God moved would have to be an understatement. What God did there was amazing. Our medical team provided medical care to the people of the Dominican. We took three days where we went to different villages to provide that. I have no medical experience whatsoever but I was able to help out in the children's area which I found wonderful. I love kids and I love working with them and teaching them and showing them the love of Christ.

The people of the Dominican are amazing and I have come to learn that despite them living in a third world country they are by far happier then the average American. The Dominican's find joy in Jesus, their family while we Americans try to find happiness in what we have. It was very eye opening. To see the joy that these people just because they had Jesus in their lives was amazing. How many of us here in America live our lives with joy out of the simple fact that we have Jesus? Most of us don't I myself am guilty of that. I place so much at times on what I have that I lose sight of the fact that Jesus is truly all that I need.

I am so happy that I went on that trip and I look forward to going again next year if I can. This definately was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I will never ever forget about it.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry on how long it has been since I last posted. I have been busy and just haven't had a whole lot of time to post.

Anyways I hope that everyone has an amazing and wonderful Christmas. And remember to keep in mind and perspective why we celebrate Christmas. It isn't about the gifts, the music, the specials that are on or anything like that it is all about Jesus. We celebrate because of the birth of Jesus, God coming down in the flesh so He one day could save the world and take our sins on the cross. That is why we celebrate. Their is nothing wrong with having a good time or giving gifts to others or any of that we just need to keep in mind why we celebrate so we don't lose sight of what it really is about. The most amazing and ultimate gift is Jesus Himself. Nothing else can compare or take His place.

So I probably won't be posting again until after I get back from my trip to the Dominican Republic. Please be praying for me that God uses me how He wants to. I will be there for a week and I am ready to see what God does in me. I know I will come back changed. I cannot wait!!! Till then Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!!!

Luke 19:10

2008-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:10

This is what Jesus has done in my life and every single person who is a believer in Christ. He sought us out, called us by name into His amazing Kingdom. We are now no longer lost but found. We are saved through this amazing grace that God has blessed us with through His Son Jesus.

Is also what Christ is doing to all those who don't know Him . God loves everyone in this world and wants for none to perish. He wants all to come into His kingdom and accept Christ as their Savior. Unfortunately not all will choose that path but for those who know the truth and are trying to decide now is the time to make that decision. God loves you and He sent His Son to die on a cross for your sins so you can have an eternal life in Heaven. It might not seem important to you but it truly is.

For me being a believer in Christ has totally and completely transformed my life. My life was so messed up and crazy before Christ. I was depressed and trying to find happiness in a guy. Then Christ came into my life and completely and totally transformed me. I now have so much joy and happiness and I have learned to place all that I am into Christ. My life is amazing. It isn't perfect by any means and things aren't always great but because I have Christ everything is worth it and I know I can make it through anything because I have the God of the universe on my side.

So if you are someone who can hear Christ calling out your name, calling you to His Kingdom now is the time to take that final step into eternity. It is well worth it and you will never look back on that decision and wish you had chosen differently.

God's Grace

2008-12-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"
Romans 5:15

God's grace and mercy are absolutely amazing! The fact that He loves each and everyone of us so unconditionally is amazing. He loves us even after we disgrace Him time and time again. It is amazing that His gift of grace is free and available to anyone no matter where you are.

God loves you no matter wherever you are in life. He loves you even after you have crossed the line a million times or even if you have not made the decision to accept His free gift of grace. God's love for all of us is unconditional and it comes without strings. God doesn't love you because He wants something from you. All God wants is you because He loves you so much and He wants to pour His love into your life.

We are all born into sin because of Adam but we are all saved through Jesus Christ. Put your faith into Christ and allow your life to be transformed and renewed. Christ wants to change your life and nothing you have done is bad enough to keep you from Him. God can take anyone and change them anyone. No one is left behind unless they choose to deny Christ. But Christ wants all of us. Come into His kingdom and experience His amazing grace. Let go of your chains and you will be set free.

Chasing After The Wind

2008-12-04T08:04:00.000-08:00

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
Ecclesiastes 1:14

This is such a great verse and it is completely and totally true. While on earth we have this tendency to focus and place all our attention on pointless and meaningless things. We have this idea that the things of this world will bring us joy, happiness, and satisfaction. The thing is that the things of this world can bring those things but generally it only stays for a short period of time.

That is why their are some many failed relationships because people get married and then when they aren't getting what they want they move onto someone better. Their are so many other examples I am just using that one.

That is why it is so important for us to focus and place all of ourselves in Christ. Only in Christ will we ever feel fully satisfied. Only Christ can truly fill that void in our hearts and heal the damage that has been done. It is only in Christ where true joy and happiness can be found. Once we belong to Christ we find our purpose and we are totally complete.

Christ is everything to me. Their are days where I struggle and I know that I am not giving Him my best. But at the end of the day I know that He will always be there. He is never going to leave me or let me go. He is always there and because of Him I have found my place and I have such a joy and happiness. And I am doing all that I can to live for Him the best I can. I am by no means perfect but at then end of the day Christ still loves me and that is something that cannot be found anywhere else. I am choosing to seek after Him because nothing here in this world can give me what Christ can. Chasing after anything else is just like chasing after the wind.

Seek and Knock

2008-12-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Luke 11:9-10

I think we all can agree that God is the giver of great and amazing things. He blesses each one of us on a daily basis and He does it so amazingly. He pours His love out into our lives and for me I sometimes cannot believe all that God has done in my life and I cannot wait to see what He is going to do next.

We all are in search of something that we are waiting on God to do in our lives. No matter what area of our lives it may be we are all wanting God to move in some place or another. The thing is although God does know your heart and He knows everything about you if you aren't seeking Him out then how can He move? If you aren't taking the time to spend with God in prayer or by reading His word then how can He do anything for you?

Our relationship with God is not one-sided. It isn't all about God doing this or that and blessing you and you not giving anything in return. We have got to take the time as well to spend time with Him. We need to take the time to put everything else aside and spend those moments with Him. This is something I myself have got to work on. It takes sacrifice from some other things but in the end it will be worth it. We will grow in our walk with God and the answers we may be seeking might be answered.

If you are looking for God to answer you about something your first step should be to go into the Bible. All of lifes questions are in there. He has left nothing unsaid. So check it out and watch your life change.

Romans 8:10

2008-11-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

"But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."
Romans 8:10

As a believer in Christ we are set aside by God to be set apart from the world. We are called to live our lives differently from the world not doing things the way that they do. Yet at times we feel this need to have to fit in. I know this is true because I get like that at times about stuff. The thing is that when we start living our lives that way a lot of the times it will lead us into sin and to places we do not want to be. We find ourselves falling away from God and losing sight of what we should be focused on.

This happens to the very best of us and anyone who says it doesn't is lying. Because no one is perfect and we all lose sight of where we should be and what we should be doing. The thing is that if we start to become God minded instead of chasing after the world I think we will begin to see our lives change. When we begin to want to live for God everything else around us changes and our thoughts change.

This is how we should be living too as believers. Because the truth of the matter is this...when Jesus is living in us we are no longer ourselves anymore. We now have Christ living in us and we are now living for Him, wanting to please Him. That is the mindset that we have to try and have.

Life Is Good

2008-11-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

I really need to apologize for the fact that I haven't posted much this month. I have been very busy and have a lot going on right now. I will try to post as often as I can and as I am inspired but I might not be doing it everyday like I have been.

But yes life has been quite busy. I am taking an Evangelism class at the church on Monday nights, then on Tuesday I have Vintage which is awesome, then I have service on Sunday where every other week I am volunteering in the kids ministry King's World, and then now every other Friday I am doing this thing called the Prayer Walk where we go to different places in Buffalo and pray over them. It is really cool. But yes I am keeping quite busy which I like, it means I am out and about doing things and when it is for God it is always a good thing.

Then I've got a little more than a month before I go on my missions trip. I cannot believe how fast it is coming. It seemed so far away at first and now it is coming so fast. It is crazy! I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I know that God is going to do something awesome there and I am looking forward to it.

I have a lot going on in personal life too. God has been blessing me majorly lately and I am so excited with where things are going. God is good and He is good all the time. Everything He does is amazing and I am so blessed by Him everyday. Anyways that is everything and I hope all is well for everyone else.

Footprints

2008-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

When any of us are in the midst of trials and tribulations a lot of the time all we can see is the storm that we are in. The storm seems so huge and it seems like we will never come out of it.

The thing is that our storm is only as big as we make it. If we measure our storm up to the glory of God we would see that our God is way bigger than any storm that we are in. In the midst of the storm God is there to help pull us through. We have this tendency to believe that when we are going through trials that God isn't there with us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God is totally there, He is there holding His hand out to us waiting for us to take a hold of it so He can wrap us up in His arms. God says in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that is true. Believe me it is true. During all of my trials in this life and especially those that I had faced earlier in this year I could feel God's presence all around me. God was wrapping me up in His arms comforting me and loving me in a time where I felt like I was all alone.

I absolutely love this poem entitled "Footprints in The Sand" it is amazing and it reminds me how much God loves me and how He is always there for me and especially during the storms. Here is the poem.

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

Now if that poem doesn't make you emotional then I think you just learned something about yourself. Cause for me every time I read that I get pretty choked up. It is just so beautiful and the words are so true. We think at times that we are alone when we are fighting our storms but we aren't. God is always there, God is there to carry us along and to help us get through the storm. God hasn't forgotten about you or anything like that He is with you. Remember God is bigger than your storm, whatever that storm is. Let God in as you are struggling and you will find peace in the midst all of the craziness. Do it and believe me you will not regret it.

God Is Good

2008-11-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long wait since my last post. I was away most of last week in Boston with my family and didn't have time to post. Sorry about that. Things in my life have been crazy but good. God is amazing and He has been blessing me so majorly and I am so grateful for all that He is doing in my life.

I have a testimony to share with everyone today about something that happened to me today. So I was driving home last night, I was about five minutes from my house as I was driving I noticed my car was making really weird noises. I thought it was weird but at the same time I just figured that it might be because it was so cold outside. At the same time I also noticed that my car kept wanting to the left. I got home and just left it alone.

I woke up this morning and went to leave for work as I was driving I noticed the noise again. I started picking up speed as the speed limit changed and at that point I noticed that my car was making more noise. Then at a red signal light I stopped and picked up the smell of rubber and I realized at that point that my problem must be my tire. I got my car to parking lot and got out of my car. Sure enough the front tire to the left was flattened and was actually tore all around. It was crazy!

I thank God that I managed to not end up worse or something and I know that God was with me that entire time. I could have ended up in a ditch or something if my tire had blown entirely but thankfully I was okay. Thank God for that. I just want to say that no matter what is going on in your life God is there. You may not think He is but He definately is. He is always looking out for His children.

Gossip

2008-11-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts."
Proverbs 18:8

It is something that we see spread all over the tabloids, and those entertainment shows and even in our places of work or schools. Gossip is something that sells. For some reason so many of us have this need to know what is going in everyone's life and then we feel this need to share with tons of people.

The thing is that gossip is such a harmful thing. It is something that I try to stay away from especially as a believer in Christ because He tells us to. I wouldn't want to get involved in it anyways. Any sort of conversation that is done to bring someone else down to make ourselves feel better is completely and totally pointless if you ask me.

Plus why is it any of our business to know what anyone else is doing? Does it really matter is it going to change our lives? Probably not. Instead it could hurt someone else. You wonder why their are so many depressed people and people committing suicide I in my opinion I think that gossip is the source of some of that.

If you are a believe in Christ this is something that you need to be staying away from. If you hear people around you gossiping get away from it. Don't become involved because that isn't glorifying God at all, we need to flee and build people up not become involved in tearing people down to make ourselves feel better. This life isn't about us anyways it is all about living for Christ and bringing Him glory and honor. You never heard Jesus gossip our talk about anyone else and since we are to live like Jesus we need to act like Jesus. Spread words of life.

Jesus Messiah

2008-11-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing, love so amazing

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

His body the bread, his blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn

Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

All I hope is in You, all I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God, the light of the world

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

Chris Tomlin - Jesus Messiah

I felt strongly encouraged to post this as the election season comes to an end.

With the outcome I am sure their are many mixed emotions and all of that. But the thing that came to mind for me is this and that is that Jesus is the Lord of all. Yeah Obama might be the new President but no matter who is in that office Jesus is the Lord of All. Nothing is out of His control and nothing surprises Him. It isn't like He was shocked with the results He actually knew about them before they happened.

To me everything that happens in this world happens for a reason and I place everything into God's hands. He is the one who is in control and He has a reason and a plan for everything. We do not need to be concerned, worried, or mad because God is in control. He always has been and He always will be.

None of us know the reason for why things happen the way they do but what we do know is this...we can trust God. We can always trust God and put all of our hope in Him. Jesus is the Lord of All and nothing can change that, not even the new President no matter what your opinion of him might be.

The Long Wait

2008-11-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

I have to apologize for not posting in a week. I have had a lot going on personally in my life and during this past week it took a hit at me. I try not to let things like that keep me from doing work for the Lord but I just had a lot going on and I had to take a step back just for the last week to reflect on my own walk with God, seeking Him out and all that.

You know the thing I have seen over the past week is this. That in the midst of the craziness of this world where it seems like everything is going wrong God can do some pretty amazing things. I have witnessed that majorly in the past week. The cool thing is that during the midst of all that God has brought so much joy and happiness into my life. He has blessed me immensley and it can be so overwhelming at times. But it is just so amazing. God is good and He is good all of the time.

Last Tuesday we had this amazing event at our church through the Vintage group called Cultural Cafe where God worked a miracle there. Normally Vintage brings in about 500 college-age young adults. Last Tuesday we had more than 1000 people there. That is amazing and so out of this world!! Lives were changed and transformed through Christ that night and that is always such an amazing thing to see.

Then on Friday I went to the CreationFest Tour which was absolutely amazing. I got to see some amazing bands like Esterlyn, Fireflight (who were amazing!), Thousand Foot Krutch, and Kutless (who were my favorite and my favorite band!). It was such a great time to spend with Christ as well as a great time with some amazing friends!

That is one thing that God has blessed me with so hugely and that is amazing friends who are amazing! I don't know where I would be without some of them. I mean I know that I have Christ but it is also great to have people around you care about you for you and believe what you do.

So realize that in the midst of what is going on never forget to look for the great things that are around you. God works in amazing ways during the crazy and hard moments in life we just need to make ourselves open to them.

Unbreakable

2008-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight
Can't face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger

God, I want to dream again
Take me where I've never been
I want to go there
This time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me
Nothing can stop me

Sometimes it's hard to just keep going
But faith is moving without knowing
Can I trust what I can't see
To reach my destiny
I want to take control but I know better

Forget the fear it's just a crutch
That tries to hold you back
And turn your dreams to dust
All you need to do is just trust

Fireflight - Unbreakable

So this song is great and amazing and I just love the truth in the lyrics. This song is speaking into my life pretty strongly right now. We have all gone through things where we have been hurt and broken. Some of our dreams have been shattered and at times it can feel as though nothing is going our way.

But the truth and power in those words above tell us another story. That when God is control than we have nothing to fear or be concerned about. We can trust God with our lives completely and know that He will not let us down or do anything to hurt us. If our lives aren't going the way we want them to maybe it is because we aren't giving ourselves to God completely.

God wants to do amazing things in our lives and He has so many amazing things planned for us (Jeremiah 29:11). They are all good. God has no plans to harm us He never does. Truth be told normally when we are feeling down it is because of ourselves not God. We need to grab a hold of God and His truth. Knowing we can trust Him, giving Him full control of our lives instead of trying to control things ourselves.

In Christ and with God we are unbreakable and we cannot be touched. No matter what people throw at us it cannot touch the Child of God because like I said we are unbreakable.

Brand New Day

2008-10-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm waking up
The world is turning
The sun is shining again
I'm holding on
To things I shouldn't
It's time to let them go
I've been on a losing streak
Hit so hard I couldn't speak
But when I hear Your voice it fades away

And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
The pain goes away
I'm headed for the door
And I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home

Your love, it burns
Away my darkness
You guide me when I'm blind
You are the light
That shines inside me
Showing me I'm
So much more
When I've been on a losing streak
Hit so hard I couldn't speak
But when I hear Your voice it fades away

Take me into Your arms
My home lies within Your heart

Fireflight - Brand New Day

I love this song. I don't have much to say about it I just wanted to post it. This song has helped me get through some pretty rough stuff lately. It just puts a perspective on things for me. That no matter what happened yesterday that today I am starting off fresh and through it all God is there reminding me of who I am in Him. That no matter what I am going through that the arms of God are always wide open waiting for me to walk into them.

Strength of My Heart

2008-10-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:26

We can all agree to the fact that life can be totally crazy and overwhelming at times. At some points we can have so much rushing towards and we can become so stressed and everything. I can attest to that. I have going through that a lot lately. This past weekend I became so overwhelmed on Saturday and I just was feeling horrible. I was crying out to God getting before Him to help me deal with what I was going through.

And God provided in such an amazing and real way. I one went out that night and hung with some amazing people from Vintage who were there to help lift me up. I had almost thought about cancelling because I just looked horrible and I didn't want to bring anyone else down. But I had so much fun that I couldn't keep from smiling. Then as I was driving home I got before God in prayer and by the time I got home He just completely put this amazing peace in my heart and I knew that everything was going to be okay.

That is why I love that verse above. No matter what is coming at us in this life God is always there to help get us through it. God is our strength and when we are becoming overwhelmed and feel ourselves getting stressed we can lean on Him and know that He is going to pull us through. Everything else about us msy fail, but He will not God will never leave and He will never let us fall. God is so amazing and He is everything to me.

What Truly Matters

2008-10-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
24"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Luke 6:20-26

It is crazy how this world twists things so much. This world leads us to believe that the things in this life that really matter are having money, having the latest and greatest stuff, and being accepted by people. People who live like that are never satisfied because things in this world change so rapidly. What was cool at one point all of a sudden isn't. It is so crazy. It is impossible at times to even keep up.

But for those of us who are believers we are called to be completely different from that way of life. We are called to live for Christ apart from the rest of the world. Doing things differently then they do. For us having the most money and having the latest and greatest really doesn't matter because we already have the latest and greatest in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the ultimate prize and the ultimate treasure. Nothing in the world can even come close to Him. He alone brings the most satisfaction. You can keep looking elsewhere but you will never be satisfied with those things the way you can be in Christ.

Christ has touched and restored my life in a way that only He can do. I cannot imagine not having Him in my life. He is everything to me and all that He is to me is so much more amazing and fullfilling then anything else in this world.

Christ is what truly matters in this world. Believe me nothing else can come close to Him. I have searched in so many different avenues for love and have found that it is in Jesus alone that I have been satisfied. All of those other things left me empty handed and broken. Jesus has restored my life and my heart so completely. Their is nothing else better in this world than Christ. Nothing can compare to Him, nothing!!!

Decide today to give your life over to Jesus. You will never be satisfied outside of Him. He is the greatest treasure!!!

No One Else Knows

2008-10-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

My world is closing in
On the inside
But I’m not showing it
When all I am is crying out
I hold it in and fake a smile
Still I’m broken
I’m broken
Only one can understand
And only one can hold the hand
Of the broken
Of the broken

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again

I need no explanation of why me
I just need confirmation
Only You could understand the emptiness inside my head
I am falling
I am falling
I’m falling down upon my knees
To find the one who gives me peace
I am flying
Lord I am flying

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in Your arms
Again

I have come to you in search of faith
Cause I can’t see beyond this place
Oh You are God and I am man
So I’ll leave it in Your hands

Building 429 - No One Else Knows

This song has been speaking so strongly into my life lately. I have been listening to it a lot. The words are just so amazing.

We so often think that when we are hurting that we are all alone. We think that no one can understand what we are going through and we don't let anyone else know either. We go about living our day as we always do forcing a smile as we try to keep ourselves from falling apart. But the truth is that we are not alone, we are never alone for that matter. When we are hurting and we are in pain we have the Almighty God on our side wrapping His arms around us, consoling us telling us that it will all be okay.

How amazing is that? I find that just totally and complete amazing. To know that my God cares about me so much. That no matter what kind of mood I am in whether I am down and feeling broken or if I am happy and joyful God is always there with me. He is there to remind me that He loves me and that He will never leave my side. God spoke in Hebrews 13:5"because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The key word in their is Never. God says never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. That Word never is pretty amazing and pretty powerful. Whereas people in our lives will sometimes walk away during the hard times because they don't want to deal with it, God will never leave!!! He is always there. He is there through the good and the bad!!

We can have faith and confidence that we can get through any of the hardships that come our way because God is there right by our side pulling us through. He is their to guide us back into His loving arms to tell us that it will be okay. And it will be when we place our faith into God. He will never let us fall. He is there to pick us up and keep us on the path we are meant to be on. God is always there!!! When no one else knows or understands what you are going through remember that God does. He gets it and He understands it. Nothing is too big for God. I read this saying somewhere "Don't tell God how big your problem, tell your problem how big your God is." No truer words were spoken!

Flee

2008-10-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
2 Timothy 2:22

This is a verse that God has put on my heart and I think it is such a great one. I love the first word in this verse. It says Flee!!! Flee means to run get yourself out of there, have no part of. I think that is a word that we have to say to ourselves too. When we see that we are walking right into temptation we should be telling ourselves to flee. Yes Jesus was tempted and yes we are too. But we aren't supposed to walk our way right into it when we know beforehand that it is going to come. We need to flee.

Instead we are to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. If we want to be like Christ we need to truly think like Christ. We need to keep ourselves out of the places where we know that we are going to be tempted. Of course we can't always prevent temptation but when we know by going somewhere or by doing something we are going to be tempted wouldn't it just be better to keep ourselves from doing that. Sure it can be hard and all that. But if we get before God ask Him to help us keep ourselves out of those situations He will give us the wisdom and the knowledge to do that.

So the next time you know that you are heading down a path that is going to tempt you. One that you are fully aware of instead of continuing to walk towards it flee, run, get yourself out of there and instead go before God and seek Him out.

While I'm Waiting

2008-10-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

John Waller - While I'm Waiting

We all have that one thing that we are seeking God on. It can be anything. That is why I absolutely love this song. The lyrics and depth of the song is just so amazing too. It is speaking directly into my life right now.

I have been seeking God out on something and it can be so hard at times to just wait. But the thing is that everything happens in God's timing. God knows what He is doing and He knows when exactly He needs to be doing that. Nothing is ever out of God's radar He sees and knows everything and knows exactly when to do certain things in our lives. We always want things immediately but that just isn't the way that God works. Think back in the Old Testament when Hannah was praying for a baby for years and years and then one day God blessed her with Samuel. (1 Samuel) Another one would be Abraham and Sarah who were also waiting on God for a child. God had promised Abraham that He would be the father of many nations. Abraham and his wife were nearing both 100 when Issac was born. (Genesis)

God does know what He is doing and I know how hard it can be to continue waiting and waiting but we need to do that. And as we wait we need to make sure that we are continuing to obey God and His Word as well as serving and worshiping Him faithfully. Those things are all key. We need to stay focused on God during these times because if we don't we truly lose sight of things and sometimes make unwise decisions.

We need to be patient and wait upon the Lord. He knows what He is doing He truly does. We can trust Him with our lives completely.

Give Me Your Eyes

2008-10-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Looked down from a broken sky.
Traced out by the city of lights.
My world from a mile high.
Best seat in the house tonight.
Touch down on the cold black-top.
Hold on for the sudden stop.
Breathe in the familiar shock of confusion and chaos.
All those people goin somewhere, why have I never cared.

Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.

Step out on the busy street.
See a girl and our eyes meet.
Does her best to smile at me.
To hide what's underneath.
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie.
Too ashamed to tell his wife he's out of work, he's buyin time.
All those people goin somewhere, why have I never cared.

Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.

I've been there a million times.
A couple million lives.
Just movin past me by, I swear I never thought that I was wrong.
But I wanna second glance so give me a second chance to see the way you've seen the people all along.

Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.

Give me your eyes for just one second,
Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes

These song lyrics above are the cry of my heart. This is what I want God to do in me. Their isn't much more for me to say about that. But if you ask me this should be the desire that we All have. Too see what it is that God sees. Instead of judging people we should try to understand why they do the things that they do. And we should love of them the way that God loves them and the way He loves us. God's love is available for all!

So Lord, "Give me your eyes so I can see."

Shine Like The Stars

2008-10-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Is it real
What you feel
Do you burn inside
Is it true
Within you
Is your spirit alive

Tell me why do you fear
And try to disappear
If you've got nothing to hide

Shine like the stars
Wherever you are
Wherever you go
Be heavenly glow
Shine like the stars

I hear you say
You know the way
Still you live like you do
But compromise
Only satisfies
The dying part of you

Tell me why do you go
On hiding when you know
The world is waiting for you to

Don't fall down
Don't burn out

Stellar Kart - Shine Like The Stars

Last night at Vintage was another amazing and emotional night. The worship and the teaching were both just amazing! This song above kind of reminds me of what we had been talking about. The verse that Pastor Wes had used was "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
1 John 2:1

To me the song above and this verse sort of go hand in hand. That song talks about those people who claim to be believers but their lifestyles really don't speak that truth. They go about living their lives the way they want to doing things that they know that they shouldn't. They act all spiritual and Godly on Sunday at church but during the week their lives don't even come close to resembling Christ. The things they do and speak are just completely opposite from Christ.

That is why I think that verse goes with this as well. Because those so called believers are the ones who see how much they can sin without losing their salvation. They see how far over the line they can go. They think that because they are maybe doing a smaller sin and not one of the major ones such as killing that they are okay. Well the truth is that if that is the way you are living that is pretty upsetting. Christ didn't die on a cross for us to live our lives that way. He went to that cross and paid our debt so we could live free from the bondage of sin and yet, their are those who are living their lives trying to see how far we can go. That is hardly showing that you are thankful for what He did. It makes it seem like we could careless and that we really don't care about living for Him after everything He has done for us.

I realize and understand that we all slip up from time to time and sin. I do it and so does every other believer. The difference is that those who are truly in love with Christ and seeking Him out feel extremely convicted after they mess up. They go to Christ and ask Him for forgiveness and Christ gives it to them. Like was said last night Christ is up their defending us when we mess up reminding God that we are His. That is something that we should not take advantage of. We need to honor Christ with our lives giving Him our everything. Doing our best to live in the image of Christ, live like Him from day to day. Not living with our toes over the line seeing how far we can go. Christ died for all of us. He did it because He loves us it is about time that we show Him how much we love Him in return.

And if you are one of the ones who like to live over the edge to see how far you can go. If you ask me I think that you may want to double check to see where you truly stand with God. Realize that everything you do when no one is watching God can see. He can see all that you are trying to hide. Take a look at your life and what you do and if what you are doing doesn't resemble Christ then their is a possibility that really never were saved. Think about it and then take the time to get before God.

All My Needs

2008-10-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

This is the verse that I came upon yesterday while spending time with God. It really caught my attention and really made me think for a little bit. I am posting this verse because I think this is really great and to me it is in a way pretty helpful.

The above verse says God will meet all your needs. Notice that it says needs and not wants. I think we can all agree in the fact that we at times just think that if we ask God for something that we want that He will just give it to us. That isn't the case though. God will supply us with what we need, not what we want. Sometimes the things that we want really aren't things that are good for us and God can see that.

God will only give us those things that will glorify Him in our lives. That is why He gives us what we need. I know for myself when I at times want something it is based off of my emotions and really it isn't something that will do me any good. I am not meaning that what I am asking for is anything necessarily bad in the sense of it being a sin or something like that. It is just something that will not maybe glorify God and instead will pull me away from Him.

So before we start getting mad when God doesn't give us something. Maybe we need to go back and evaluate what our motives were when we asked and whether it was something we really needed. Because if it something that you need God will give it you, but if not then whatever the reason God knows what He is doing and He knows what is best for you.

How He Loves Us

2008-10-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Verse 1:
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so

Chorus 1:
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And the heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

Chorus 2:
He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Verse 3:
Well, I thought about You the day Stephen died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

Chorus 3:
Cause He loves us,
Oh how He loves us.
Oh how He loves us.
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

John Mark McMillian - Oh How He Loves Us

Last night I went to this event called Cultured up at The Chapel and had an absolutely amazing time. Very powerful time with God. God just came over me and I became so emotional again.

For Cultured their was music by the band Fee which was absolutely amazing!!!! These guys led such an amazing and wonderful time in worship. These guys have such an amazing anointing on their lives and they are so in love with Christ!!!! Then their was also teaching by Gabe Lyons who wrote the book Unchristian. He spoke on us as believers breaking out of the perceptions that people have about believers. Things such as us being hypocritical and judgmental. Which I know that we can all display perceptions like that at times, at least I know I do and it isn't cool!

But what really got me last night was the song lyrics that I posted above. I had heard this song before when we sang it at Vintage two weeks ago. Then right after Fee sang one of their other songs they started this song. And it just completely overwhelmed me and just broke me down. I at times just forget how much that God loves me and He has that same love for everyone. But last night I just couldn't get past that. This is something that God has been pouring out into my life a lot lately. He did during Vintage two weeks ago, during the Vintage Retreat last week, and He did it again yesterday.

I more often than not feel at times that I am alone which I know I'm not of course but at times I can get that way. After being in two relationships where I felt as though I was rejected that is how I feel. But then those words above were sung over me and I know that my God loves me so much and that He loves me unconditionally. He went to a cross for me and took my sin for me so I could be here today. So I could be here proclaiming how much He loves me and each and every person in this world.

When I get that when I truly and completely understand the love that Christ has for me it just makes me so emotional and it is so overwhelming. I went into Cultured yesterday knowing that God was going to do something big in me. Prior to going I had prayed and asked God to work in my life and to reach out to me and do what He had to. The thing I forget all the time is that when you ask God to do something you better watch out because He isn't going to hold back. And He totally didn't last night. He grabbed a hold of me and I came out of that changed and loving my God even more.

I was happy after singing that song above that we got into an upbeat song where I could just let it all out. I was jumping all around and having a great time with my friends who I know that God has blessed me with. All my friends are all so amazing and have the same amazing love for Christ!!!! Such amazing people!!!

This one last thing I want to say. That love that I am talking about and that is poured out in that song above is available to everyone. God loves you. He loves you so much that He died for you. He began by creating you in His image and no matter what anyone else might tell you God thinks you are beautiful!!! That is why God is calling you to come to Him and to allow Him to work in your life. Christ died on a cross for your sin, my sin, and everyone sins so we may have a relationship with Him. We are all born into sin and it is only through Christ's blood that we can be redeemed. So take this time to give your life over to Christ and allow Him to work in you. His love is unconditional and so amazing!!!! Don't wait another minute to make this decision because their is no greater time than now.

Our God Is Faithful

2008-10-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on my way home from work on the bus I saw the most beautiful thing in the world. It had begun to rain as we were on the 190 but it was sunny and as I looked in the sky there it was the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. Now I have seen rainbows but not like the one I saw yesterday. It was so bright and huge. I could see the rainbow from beginning to end and as I looked at it, it just put a huge smile on my face. That huge rainbow in the sky just reminded me of how amazing, mighty, and faithful our God is. That rainbow in the sky is God's promise to us that He will never again destroy this world with water.

"13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." - Genesis 9:13-16

That rainbow appearing in the sky displayed God's faithfulness in His promise to not destroy the earth. Although not everything in this world is going the way God wants that rainbow to me displayed the fact that our God is still in control. We will never completely understand why God does things the way that He does but it really isn't for us to understand. We need to let God be God and give Him control and understand that whatever is going on is all in His plan because it is. Nothing that happens in this world surprises God He already knew that it was going to happen.

I truly wish I could have posted a picture of that rainbow from yesterday. But I only had my cellphone with me and when I took a picture it was just white and you couldn't even see the rainbow. But as I looked at before me it reminded me that God is in control and that their is nothing to be concerned about.

Just The Way I Am

2008-10-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable, I’m blown away it’s true
By the matchless love that I’ve found in You
Undeniable, the change in me
I’ve never felt so free

It makes me want to dance
You make me want to dance
When I think about how

You love me, You love me
You love me just the way I am
You love me, You love me
You love me just the way,
Just the way I am

Ever patiently accepting me
You love in spite of everything I do
But oh so faithfully
You’re committed to the process that makes me like You
And I feel like I can dance
Oh You make me want to dance
When I think about how

Not when I’m good enough
Not when I clean my act up
Not when I cross that line the thousandth time
And become a better man
Your grace is more than enough
To cover all my sins You washed them away
So right here today
You love me just the way I am

Big Daddy Weave - Just The Way I Am

Just the way I am, that is how Christ accepts me. He doesn't ask me to change the way I wear my hair or to wear more makeup or any such thing. Christ accepts me just the way I am and to have that is so amazing. I have been in relationships before where the guy I was seeing wanted me to wear different clothes and didn't always like the way I did my hair and put me down all the time. It was a pretty hard thing to go through and it makes you feel as though you aren't good enough and all whole lot of other stuff.

But for Christ to accept me as me that is just so amazing. Before I knew Christ He didn't ask me to change the way I look or anything He accepted me for me. Then once I became a believer in Christ that was when I began to change and it isn't because Christ made me it is because their is no control over that. Once you enter into a relationship with Christ your life is going to be transformed and changed. When Christ enters into your life He does it so He can change you from the inside out. And through that it has changed the way I go about doing things.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

That is how we as believers need to treat those who are seeking God out. We shouldn't be looking at them strange or putting them down because we too were at one point the same way. We at one point were broken and lost and through Christ we were redeemed and changed. So when people came into our churches seeking hope we need to accept them for who they are because Christ does and since we are meant to follow Christ we need to truly act like Him.

How Many Kings

2008-10-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Follow the star to
a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we've projected
A Child in a manger?
Lowly and small the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl
Just a child
Is this who we've waited for? Cuz...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for His honor and frankincense for His pleasure
And myrrh for the cross
He will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

All for me, all for you
All for me, all for you

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

downhere - How Many Kings

The lyrics to that song above are just so amazingly powerful and overwhelming all th the same time. When reading those lyrics you can truly see how much different our God is from all the others who have claimed to be gods. While all of the others gods are all about getting power for themselves our God is one who humbled Himself and died for us. No other religion can point to a time where their god has done something out of their love for their people. Only followers in Christ can point back to a period in time when that happened through Christ.

The even more amazing part is the fact that God didn't do this so He could get something from us in return. No our God did all that He did to pour out His love. He came down from Heaven and died for us on the cross to show how deep His love for us is.

That is why at least for me I cannot turn away from God. He has shown more love to me than any other person has. He demonstrated that love through all of the amazing things that He has done, is doing, and has yet to do. He deserves all of my praise because He has done so much for me. That is why I want to let go of all of my pointless and selfish desires that have no place in my life. God deserves all of me. I mean He gave up His everything for me.

He was born into this world as a innocent baby and lived a sinless life where He was ridiculed at and tempted in everyway possible. Yet He went to that cross and was tortured, beaten, and spit at and He did that all because He wanted me to be here with Him today in this time and now.

God wants the same for every single person in this world. He is calling out to all of His children in hopes that they too will see how much He loves them. He does love you by the way. And nothing you have done in your past could keep Him from doing so. God's arms are wide open and He is waiting for you to step forward and walk into them. God will never let you go, He will hold onto you and be with you forever.

God's plan of salvation through Christ is totally and completely free for all those who are willing. It is a decision I made and it is something that I have not yet regretted since doing so. My life has been completely transformed and changed for the better.

If you want to invite Jesus into your life repeat this prayer. Says these words as your own and believe them with your whole heart.

"Dear Lord, I come before you now as sinner who wants to be transformed by You. Take this life and make me new Lord. I repent of my sin and thank You for Your forgiveness and love that surpasses all understanding. Take this life and make it new. I believe that You died on the cross for me Lord and I know that three days later You rose again. Thank You Father for Your amazing love. Thank You for taking me in and wrapping Your arms around me. In Jesus Name Amen."

If you said that prayer congratulations and welcome to the family. Right now the angels in heaven are rejoicing and celebrating. How amazing it will be when we get up there in eternity. If you have any questions or need to talk to anybody about the decision you just made please feel free to email me at spokenfor1583@yahoo.com anytime. Love you all and God Bless.

Awesome God

2008-09-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

We serve an amazing, holy, and wonderful God. He is more amazing than I can even comprehend at times. The fact that He is with me no matter where I am is amazing. And the very fact that He died on that cross for me is just so amazing! I just can't understand how people can go about saying that their is no God because the evidence of Him being there is just undeniable.

Let me explain. This weekend I was up at Circle C Ranch for a retreat with Vintage and I had been talking to one of my friends about something. I was just talking to her about different things and I was telling her whenever I start questioning something that I will always lean on one of my favorite verses from the Bible Proverbs 3:5-6 which says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." and I also brought up another verse from Jeremiah 29:11 which is another one that I always lean on during times of struggle and that says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Both of those verses have helped me get through pretty hard times in my life. And so on Saturday night as I was getting ready for bed I went into a different section of our cabin, I turn the lights on and on the walls their were bible scriptures written on paper. And don't you know two of the verses that were there hanging up were Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11. I looked at that and just started to laugh because God knew that I had to see that to let me know that I can always hold onto those truths. I don't for me that proves God's existence and that happens to me over and over again. Not in the same way but He just surprises me all the time.

So my point is that our God is an awesome God!!! He never ceases to amaze me and surprise me. He blows me away time and time again. He will do the same for you if you are ready and willing.

Vintage Retreat

2008-09-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

This retreat that I went on this past weekend with the Vintage group was absolutely amazing! God truly spoke into my life in such an amazing and unreal way. God's love for me and every single person in the world is just so unbelieveable and that is something that I truly discovered this weekend. My life was changed this weekend and I will not allow myself to be the person that I once was. I want to be all that I can be for God, doing all that He is calling me to be. God wants to be the Lord of my life in everything I do and I came home and cleaned out my ITUNES and deleted pretty much every non-christian band. I left some stuff on there that I thought was okay and that I knew that if I listened to it that it wouldn't pull me from God. It might seem a little extreme but how can I grow in my walk with God if I don't obey Him and give Him every part of my life?

Completely off topic from the retreat but if you have never listened to the Christian band Fireflight then I highly recommend that you do. They are absolutely amazing!!! Probably becoming one of my favorite bands. I bought their Unbreakable album yesterday and I have listened to it so much that I am starting memorize lyrics. Crazy!!! But it is just so good.

A New Random Post

2008-09-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Once in a while I just like to post very random posts about whatever. Well I am excited for this weekend because I am going up to Circle C Ranch with the Vintage group. Anyone who is in an e-group is able to attend. I am excited because it is going to be a great time with a bunch of awesome people it will be nice to get out for a little bit even if it is just a day. :)

Also excited because next Friday I will be going to this Cultured Event up at The Chapel. They are having a speaker and music with the Fee Band which I am so excited about. I have Fee's album and they are absolutely amazing!!! It is going to be a great time!!! If you are interested in going you can go http://www.thechapel.com and there they will have a link for that event. Tickets are $15 in advance and then $20 at the door.

Another thing I am excited about is on October 31st I will be going to Rochester for the Creation Fest Tour, Kutless is going to be there and I cannot wait!!!! Fireflight, Thousand Foot Krutch, Esterlyn, and a bunch of other bands are going to there as well. But I love Kutless and I cannot wait to see them again.

I think that is everything. Well I guess I will mention this now, not that I think I have to but I want to. You may have noticed that Clay Aiken has been pulled out of my favorite artists list and from everywhere. I need to state that my not supporting him has nothing to do with him as a person and really it isn't because of the news that came out about him. Although I don't agree with that sort of lifestyle, I'm not exactly going to just dislike someone and all that. I guess one of my huge reasons is the fact that Clay wasn't really honest about it. I spent years defending him and everything backing it up because he said he was a believer in Jesus and that was why I liked him so much. And I don't in a sense I feel like I had been deceived. Now I realize that we all make mistakes and we all do things we regret but I don't know. And it isn't like I wanted to date him or anything. I liked his music and I liked what he stood for but for me that all went on the window with the annoucement he made. I pray for Clay daily that God will open His eyes and all that and I hope for the best for him but I just cannot support him in the way I once had. I just can't. Now some may think that I was never a true fan but I really don't care. It was a hard decision to make but I had to do what I thought I needed to. With the beliefs I have and everything I just cannot support him anymore. Again I hope for the best for him but as far as it goes for me I am pulling my allegiance from him.

This time that is all. Thanks.

The Power Of Your Name

2008-09-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Since Tuesday I have been just completely and totally just overwhelmed for a lack of better terms. Vintage on Tuesday was just so intense and great all at the same time. I mean I know that God loves me, but His love is just so amazing and can be so overwhelming because I know that their are days that I don't love Him the way that I should be. God is just so amazing and He loves me for who I am and He just loves me with this amazing unconditional love and I just forget that at times. That when everything else is crumbling or going crazy God's love is there. That no matter what is going on with anything in my life that God is there. It is just so amazing and unreal.

These lyrics below describe how I want my life to be for Christ. This is the way that I want to be living my life for Him. Completely and totally sold out to Him and Him alone.

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Your Name
Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your Name
Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your Name
Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your Name
Holds everything I need

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Lincoln Brewster - The Power of Your Name

When I heard this song for the first time yesterday when listening to Lincoln Brewster's new album "Today Is The Day" I almost began to cry. Their is just so much truth and depth in this song. It really, really is overwhelming because that is how we should be living our lives as believers. That is where I want to be. I want to be completely in love with God. Completely doing what He has called me to. Allowing my heart to break for what breaks His and to want what He wants.

Losing Your Life

2008-09-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
Luke 9:24

This is a great and wonderful verse and it just speaks exactly the way the believer in Christ should be living.

As a believer in Christ we are called to surrender ourselves over to God completely, giving Him all of us, letting go of things of this world no matter what they maybe.

I know that giving something up can be really hard believe me I know. Letting things go can be pretty rough but the outcome of that decision is so much greater. The things God can do in your life when you completely give your life over to Him is momnumental. God will do so much in your life if you are willing to let go of those things that are keeping you attached to this world.

Let it go give it to God. If you are a believer in Christ your life isn't your own anyways. We belong to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and that is who we should be aiming to serve and please.

So give it up, whatever it is that is keeping you held back and watch as God works in your life.

God Is Always There

2008-09-18T08:03:00.001-07:00

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take."
Nehemiah 9:19

You know as I read that verse above it reminds me that no matter where I am in life, what I am doing, or anything that God is always there. Like He is there for Israel He is there for us as well. The only difference is that instead of being that pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire now He guides us through the Holy Spirit and He actually lives in us. Like God led Israel into the promised land He is also leading and guiding us. We have to continue learning to trust God. Knowing that whatever He is doing in our lives is for a reason and everything happens so He can have all of the glory!

This Mystery

2008-09-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

I hear it in your voice
Dreams are slowing down
Turning pages hear you saying this is still your choice
I see it in your eyes the weight of compromise
Treading water feeling farther then a last goodbye

And we all feel down need to be found
Found for the first time
Sometimes it's hard I know where you are

If you fail to see this mystery
Won't you see it for the first time
True love is here calling you near
Won't you see it for the first time
See it for the first time

Innocence was lost the taste was bittersweet
Lured into the cage tell me was it worth the cost
The day is almost done I'm praying that you'll find
That forgiveness is upon us brilliant as the sun

And we all feel down need to be found
Found for the first time
Sometimes it's hard I know where you are

If you fail to see this mystery
Won't you see it for the first time
True love is here calling you near
Won't you see it for the first time
See it for the first time

If you fail to see this mystery
Won't you see it for the first time
True love is here calling you near
Won't you see it for the first time

So don't fail to see this mystery
Won't you see it for the first time
Give up the fight come home tonight
Won't you see it for the

This Mystery - Esterlyn

Life can be pretty rough and complicated and at times you feel as though you don't know where you are going or why you are here. We get ourselves involved in things we know we probably shouldn't but because we want to fit in we do. We live life with no hope and no sense of direction and at times the emptiness can be so crippling.

That is why those who feel that way need to come to Jesus. Through Jesus the emptiness and loneliness will be gone because with Jesus we are never alone. He is always there. With Christ our lives have a new purpose and a new meaning. Trust me it is something that is so worth it. I used to be in that place where I was lonely and depressed not knowing where I was going or what I was doing. It can be so painful but with Jesus I have found that I am able to get through whatever comes my way. My life isn't peachy or happy all the time but with Jesus I can make it through.

So if you have not accepted Christ into your life do not fail to see this mystery!!! Grab a hold of Christ. It is completely and totally worth it!!! Believe me it is!!!

Abounding In Love

2008-09-17T08:14:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah 9:17 NIV
...But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love . . .

The God we serve is absolutely amazing. The fact that He loves us as much as He does is without a doubt the most amazing thing in the world. I can never quite wrap my finger around the goodness of God. The very fact that I am still alive here on earth is an example of that. The mess I had made of my life and the path I was on it is amazing that I am still here. But it is because of God's grace that I am here. God forgave me of my sins wiped them clean and that is why I am here today and why I proclaim God's love so much.

But yet some of us take advantage of that love that God has displayed for us. We think that because we are saved we can do whatever it is that we want to. We think we can continue living our life the way we always had and we use Christ's death on the cross mainly as fire insurance. But the question I ask myself when people act like that is this...Is that person truly saved? I know I have gone here before very recently but this is something that bothers me so much. Especially when people on Facebook and MySpace proclaim Christ and their lives don't truly lineup with that.

For me the moment I was saved their was a drastic change in the way I lived my life. Sure I stumbled along the way and I slipped up at times but my life was different and it showed. People around me noticed the difference and that is the way it should be for everyone who truly is a believer in Christ. But if your life now is no different than it was before Christ then most likely you aren't saved.

Christ died on a cross for you not so you could continue living a sinful life but so you could have a transformed life. God's grace and compassion is not something that we should abuse or take for granted it is something we should be thankful for. God could have destroyed this entire earth after we had all messed up and instead He died and took our place. We need to be thankful for that and not take advantage of it.

Genesis 9:16

2008-09-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

"Genesis 9:16 NIV
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Just meditate on that verse above. So much truth so much depth. I love it. God's ways are so much higher, so much better than our own. To know that for eternity all those who believe in Christ will live in eternity with God is so amazing and so exciting.

If you have not made a decision for Christ, choose to change that today. Don't wait another moment because none of us know when our time on this earth will be done. It could be today, it could be tomorrow, or could be 50 years from now. Who knows? God does, He knows exactly when are time will be up on Earth. Don't wait because all of us will be spending an eternity somewhere and it is up to us to decide where that will be.

Be Still

2008-09-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

I remember all the times
the good times and the bad
(some good and some are bad)
I'm still holding on to you
some days I wanna run
and times I come undone
but I still belong to you
thats how I know that

When I feel like caving in
my heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
nothing seems at all to add up
can you hear me Lord?
my face is down upon the floor
its then you whisper in my ear
be still and know I'm here

I see a side of you my friend
the same struggles that I have
my heart goes out to you
I know its hard to feel alone
and this world's so unforgiving
I've been feeling that way too
but I can tell you

Is that you?
Is this me
It's sometimes hard to believe that
I am not alone

Its not just you
and not just me
we all need to believe that
we are not alone

When I feel like caving in
my hear my soul is wearing thin
I just wanna give up
Nothing seems at all to add up
I know you hear me Lord
When my face is down upon the floor

Story Side: B - Be Still

I love the lyrics to this song so much right now. One of my friends had played this song on her phone and I loved it. I went home and downloaded it off of ITUNES last night and I just love it. It is speaking so clearly into my life right now. I have so much on my mind right now and this song helped me put things into perspective.

The thing is everything that I am dealing with and going through I know that God already knows it. I don't even really need to say anything to Him because He knows. That is why this song is great because not only does God know what we are going through but He is there to help us get through it. His hand is their reaching out to us to guide us through it all. That is why that no matter what is going in my life I know that it will be okay because of God.

This truth holds true for every single person. Whether you are a believer or a non-believer. God is there reaching out His hand waiting for you to take a hold of it and trust Him. You can, trust me you can if their is anyone is this world that you can trust more than any it is God!

Genesis 9:12

2008-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

"And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:"
Genesis 9:12

All of us know the story of Noah's Ark. How God called Noah to build an ark because He was planning to flood the Earth. He saw that Noah was the only one left who still brought honor to His Name. During that time most people were living and worshipping other gods and sinning so terribly against God. That was why God decided to flood the Earth and destroy every living thing and person. Afterwards after the 40 days and 40 nights of the flood God used the covenant of the rainbow to declare that never again will He destroy the earth with water. It is so amazing at least for me to look at the rainbow and know the meaning behind that. I find that so cool. Before I knew Christ all a rainbow to me was this cool thing in the sky but now knowing the reason behind that I find it so amazing to just look at and it makes me praise and worship God.

We too once we become a believer are entered into a covenant with God. A covenant that came through Christ Jesus through His death on the cross. Through Jesus' blood we are now children of God and we are set for our eternity in Heaven. Their is time like during Noah's time where God will destroy the earth and those who have not accepted Jesus as there savior will not enter into that new covenant in Heaven. Without Jesus your name isn't written in to the Lamb's Book of Life and without that you can only go to one place and that is hell.

It is a scary thought if you don't know Christ. But you know right now their is still hope and you can make the decision to turn to Christ. Repent of you sin and declare Jesus as your Lord and Savior and watch your life be transformed as you enter into this new covenant of life. Then you too can be like that rainbow in the sky!!!

Turn, Embrace, Serve

2008-09-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

"for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

This is the verse that we focused on during Vintage yesteday and I really like it. This is also where the motto Turn, Embrace, Serve for Vintage comes from.

It is good stuff and can be applied to any believers walk of life.

We are called to TURN from our sins, away from those things that grab our attention and pull us from Christ.

We are then to EMBRACE Christ for all that He is and showing Him the love we have for Him. Showing love for all believers and nonbelievers alike loving them and treating them with respect. Allowing Christ to shine through.

Then because of our living for Christ and our devotion to Him we are to SERVE. Wherever it may be that God is calling you to don't deny it. Surrender to Him completely and serve wherever that may be. If you love Christ this is something that should come naturally and be something that we want to do.

So those are three things that I think are great to focus on. They are simple and easy. Don't wait to make the decision to live for Christ either. None of us know how much longer we have, so embrace what is in front of you not holding back one more moment.

Satisfaction In Christ

2008-09-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
2 Corinthians 5:15

This is something I believe as believers that we have to continue focusing on and telling ourselves and that is that true satisfaction is only found in Christ. We so often look to other things to bring us joy and happiness when really that joy and happiness lives in us through Christ.

We so often forget that after we became a believer that our lives are no longer ours. Ours lives now belong to the risen King, who was, who is, and who is to come. We put so much attention on such minor and pointless things and lose sight of what truly matters in our lives. We get caught up in having the right clothes, having the most things, having the most money, having the best job, and we lose sight of what really matters. We come to church on Sundays and act like these amazing people who love Christ and during the week we ignore Christ and are rude to the people around us, acting as though we are better than them.

We have to stop looking to things for satisfaction and we have to begin turning and leaning on Christ for that. True satisfaction can only be found in Christ. You will never ever find what you are looking for if you are looking for joy in a person, in a thing, in your money, or anything because that isn't where it is. Satisfaction is found only in Christ and we learn that as we begin to read God's Word on a daily basis and through prayer. If you are wondering why your relationship with Christ is dry it is probably because you aren't spending any time with Him. It is up to us to decide how close we want to get to God. God loves us and He is waiting for us to lean on Him. But that won't happen if you spend no time with Him.

But once you take the time to spend with God little by little, piece by piece all the things of this world will seem so minor and you will want nothing more than to get closer and closer to Christ. It is undeniable. So take this time to turn away from the world and all if it's fake kinds of joy and happiness and turn your focus and attention on Christ, it is only through Him that you will find what you are looking for.

Lamps

2008-09-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Ten-twenty, north twenty-third, this winter won't end
Cold's been creeping its way inside
This world without color finds a place on this street
To uncover this beauty in me

This life can be different
This life could be more
To take what's been given
To give even more
This life can be different
Forget what we know
It's not enough
Just to breathe anymore
To breathe anymore

Movement speaks to the still
Leaves have fallen with time
Walking forward while falling behind
In spite of this mind
I give You this moment in time
I'm ready to make things right

This life can be different
This life could be more
To take what's been given
To give even more
This life can be different
Forget what we know
Cuz It's not enough
Just to breathe anymore
To breathe anymore

I give You this moment
I give you this dream
I give you this feeling
So help me believe
That You are the only beauty in me

This life can be different
This life could be more
To take what's been given
To give even more
This life can be different
Forget what we know
It's not enough
Just to breathe anymore

This life can be different
Forget what we know
Cuz It's not enough
Just to breathe anymore

Esterlyn - Lamps

Sometimes I think as believers that we forget what this life is all about. We forget that this life isn't about us but it is actually all about Jesus. We forget that we are here to serve Christ and shine for Jesus. We go all about our days not even acknowledging Christ at times. We put Him on the backburner and we then wonder why we lose focus on Christ and why we forget about Him.

Well when we start making our lives all about ourselves we sort of in a sense crowd Christ out of our lives because we have this crazy idea that we know more than He does. That is completely crazy!!!! No one knows more about us than Christ does. In Psalm 139 it talks about how God knew us before we even came to be, and that He has ordained our days. Christ knows everything about us. He knew the day that we would be born and He also knows the day that we are going to die.

This life lasts for only a fraction of a second. It is over before we know it. When you stand before God are you going to do so knowing that you gave your all to Him, knowing that you served Him the best that you knew and didn't hold back. If you can't say that then you have just learned something about yourself and you shouldn't ignore it. Figure out what it is in your life that you have to let go of so you can serve Him completely.

If you haven't made a decision for Christ then you to have that decision to make. You have the choice to make as to whether you want to surrender your life to Jesus. It is a wonderful life changing experience. We all will stand before God one day on Judgement Day and it is up to you to decide what side you want to be on.

Please feel free to email me at christianclaymate4life@yahoo.com if you have any questions about anything. Love you all!!!! Thanks.

Being Open Minded

2008-09-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

I think as believers we have to get out of the mind set that things should be done a certain way or else it is bad. To me I find nothing wrong with a church having a live band playing or with them having a team come in and break dance. I do not find that offensive or anything at all. Maybe that comes from the fact that both churches I have attended since becoming a believer have had things like live bands and dancing and all sorts of stuff to me things like that are normal. Yet I know that their are those that find things like that wrong and that they shouldn't be done in a church.

You can say it is wrong and that things like that shouldn't be done but really the evidence that live band music and dancing shouldn't be going on the church is nowhere in the Bible at all. It says nothing against it. In my opinion I truly believe that God doesn't care about stuff like that. Take a look at the millions of Christian bands that are out there today. If we were against live band music we wouldn't have music like that playing on the radio touching peoples lives. I know that their are those who think the heavier rock bands like Skillet aren't appropriate in a Christian venue but the evidence of the number of lives changed proves the fact that it is good to have groups and things like that out there.

I really think that we have to start looking beyond what we believe is right and be open to things. The fact that their are so many people who are close minded about certain types of things is the reason that so many unbelievers want nothing to do with us at times. We have to be open minded. You can be against certain things going on inside a church but if the evidence of souls being won is there then I see no harm in that. It would be different if people were being manipulated and told that unless they do this or that God will not love them or if it was going against the Word of God, then that is where we would need to step in and worry. But if we see that lives are being changed and souls won then I think we need to take a step back and just realize that God can use whatever He wants to.

Being Holy

2008-09-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

"and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Ephesians 4:24

This is a question I ask myself as I view some of things that people who claim to believers put on their myspace and facebook pages. I take a look through some of the pictures and many times my stomach turns. We have pictures of ourselves at a party drinking or wearing clothes that really aren't in my opinion appropriate for a believer to be wearng. I just do not like it when a girl is wearing clothes that are cut so low that it reveals more than it should.

This sort of stuff bothers me because those so called believers who do this sort of stuff really make a bad name for all believers. They make it seem as though being a believer in Christ is no different than the way the rest of the world lives. But the truth is that we are supposed to be completely different than the world is. We are supposed to be so different that when people see us that they see Christ.

That is a question that I think all those who claim to be believers need to ask themselves. Is your life different from what it was before Christ? Because if you find nothing in your life that mimics that then you probably aren't saved at all. Think about this your myspace and facebook pages are out there for the entire world to see. And if your pages basically looks the way a person who doesn't know Christ's does how is a non-believer going to be able to tell the difference.

When we become believers we are called to be holy as He is holy we are supposed to be like Christ. But when you are posting pictures of yourself hanging all out of your bikini and posing in manners that are entirely inappropriate do you really believe that is being holy? Because it isn't.

Take the time really think about what it is you are putting out there for the world to see. Is it bringing glory and honor to Christ? Would Christ be happy to see what it is that you display on your page? Because if not then maybe you should change what it is that you have up there.

Believe me as you look through these facebook and myspace pages it is pretty easy to tell who the true followers of Christ are. So be holy as Christ is holy. Be different.

Birth Verse

2008-09-02T08:15:00.001-07:00

Someone at work sent me the link to this at work and I really liked it. It is a site that pulls up the Bible Verse that is associated with the Month and Day of your Birthday. I really liked it and thought others might want to check it out. The link is http://www.birthverse.com

Live and Outside

2008-08-29T08:17:00.001-07:00

If you love live music and are interested in getting together with a lot of college/young adults than this event is for you. Vintage is having its fall kickoff on Tuesday Sept 2 right outside The Chapel at Crosspoint in Amherst, NY. It is going to be a great time with music performed by the Vintage Worship team, their will be break dancing, as well as a powerful message. Please come and join us!!! The cost is free!!!! The event starts at 8:00 hope to see you there.

Double-Edged Sword

2008-08-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God is pretty awesome. It is totally able to cut through you and really make you stop and think at times. I find so much of what is in the Bible completely and totally amazing. From things like Noah's Ark where I don't know what I would do if I was told to build an ark because it was going to rain for 40 days and 40 nights craziness!!! But so amazing I can only imagine.

The Word of God is alive and breathing and has the ability to cut through us because of the fact that the word is alive through Jesus. The first few verses of John in the first chapter describe the word being with God and then the word being made flesh. The Bible has so much value because of that very reason that Jesus is alive and breathing today!!!! The Christian faith is the only faith that can point to an exact moment and time in evidence of God pouring out His amazing love. That of course was when Jesus died on the cross. No other religion can say that or point to a time like that.

You can go back and forth with me on how the Bible was written a long time ago but the truth of the matter is that God hasn't changed. If He was against abortion, homosexuality, living with someone else before marriage back when the Bible was written then He is still against it now. God doesn't change His view on things because He doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Back before Jesus went to the cross He went around speaking the Word of God sharing God's truth and the Word of God. So Jesus being the living Word walking around and speaking about what is and isn't right in the Kingdom of God and the fact that Jesus is alive now means that none of that has changed!!!!

The Scope of Eternity

2008-08-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

The quote below was said by John Cooper the lead singer of Skillet. I was reading through an article with him and I just loved what he said about the whole concept of us trying so hard to fit in with this world. Here is what he said.

"In the scope of eternity, will it matter that you were thin or rich or beautiful, for that matter. If life is really about living for Jesus and telling others about this great love we have, then does it matter if people think you are cool. Weigh the joy of coming before God's throne when you die and having God tell you that you did a good job and that you were a faithful servant with the joy that comes from having a sweet, new iPhone. It's absolute absurdity to compare the two, but we all get off focus. Know what's important in life, and live for those things. Then you will know who you want to be, and 'fitting in' will not be so important."

I just love this because it is total truth. We worry so much about making sure we have the right clothes and the right electronics and all of this other stuff. This goes for the believer just as much as he goes for those who don't believe in Jesus. Those who don't know Jesus have the excuse that they don't know any better because that is true. But for us as believers we should know better. I am just as guilty of this as any other person too.

We depend so much of our happiness at times based on what we do or don't have and we lose sight at the fact that this life isn't about what we have, it is about JESUS!!! It doesn't matter if we have the latest and greatest trend because we have something so much better than that. We have Jesus. What Jesus gives us is so much more than just a little bit of happiness. Jesus brings us an eternity of happiness. And the truth of the matter whether you are a believer or not Jesus' judgement on us isn't going to be different if we shopped at Kmart or at Abercrombie. He isn't going to care. If you shop at Abercrombie but live a life that is all about pleasing you then Christ isn't going to care. On the other hand if you have a pure heart and you go to Kmart or go where you can than your reward is awaiting you in Heaven and it is going to be so much greater than anything you can find at those high end retail stores.

The story of the sheep and the goats is a good idea of what I am talking about.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." - Matthew 25:31-36

Those verses above pretty much detail about what it is that Christ cares about and what He finds important. You see having everything in the world won't help you in the light of eternity. If you cared more about satisfying yourself then helping those in need and you ignored Christ in every way possible then your eternity is set. At that point Christ won't care at all where you shopped, how beautiful you are, how much money you have, or any of that because it doesn't matter. So think about it and decide which side you want to be on. Do you want to be one of the sheep or one of the goats??

It's Never Too Late

2008-08-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I went on YouTube to watch an interview with Seventh Day Slumber's lead singer Joseph Rojas from when he was on the 700 Club. After listening to his powerful testimony I was utterly amazed and just could not believe the power of God. Joe was addicted to drugs by the age 14 and his father had left when he was a young boy. He went in and out of rehab, was an ex-con, a thief, and he overdosed on drugs one day wanting to take his own life. But then God grabbed a hold of his life and transformed him. Joeseph is now the lead singer of a major Christian rock band who lead many young teens to Christ. How amazing is that????

That got me back to thinking about how God can touch the life of anybody. It also makes me want to mention to anyone reading this who hasn't accepted Jesus into their life as their Savior that nothing you have done with your life is horrible enough for God to not want you. He loves you no matter where you are in life. Even if you are a drug addict, thief, murderer whatever it is God still wants you in His kingdom. When we accept Christ every single thing that we have done prior to that will be completely and totally washed away because those acts you committed will all be wiped clean from your slate and they will no longer be there. God won't hold that against you He will forgive you accepting you with open arms.

If you think I am making that up take the apostle Paul for an example. Before God reached out to him Paul was heading up the killing's of Christian's. You can read all of that in the book of Acts in the Bible. And actually he was their cheering on the sidelines during the killing of Stephen who was matyred for his belief in Christ. But God reached out to Paul and grabbed a hold of his life and Paul is probably one of the most known apostles and he is the writer of a good portion of the New Testament.

God can grab the hold of anyone who is willing of His love. Realize He won't force you into anything but believe me your life will be transformed and made new. Your sins will be gone!!!! God grabbed a hold of my life and he grabbed a hold of Joe from Seventh Day Slumber's life, and He wants to grab a hold of your life. Believe me when I say this Jesus loves you and He will meet you wherever you are when you are ready!!!!

Before You Know It

2008-08-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

This life will be over for each one of us before we know it. Each one of us has an expiration date, the day when we die. Their is no escaping. For some the thought of that might just be so frightening to them and for others death to them it is the greatest thing. I am here to say that I stand in the area where I am not afraid of death. It is inevitable and the best part is that once that happens for me I will be in my eternity with Jesus.

Those who are afraid of death are those who don't have their solid foundation in Christ. When you are solid in your relationship with Christ death isn't such a scary thing because we know that Jesus has already conquered death and the grave. In John 11:25-26 it says "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" If you have accepted Jesus our Savior we do not need to fear death because that isn't the end for us. We will now be in Heaven.

The same is true for the non-believer too. We will each spend eternity somewhere. The believer in Heaven and the non-believer those who chose to ignore God's love in Hell. It is a harsh reality but it is the truth and if you choose to not accept God's free gift of love then you have made your choice as to where you will go. I know that Hell isn't a place that I want for no one to go because it is.

If you are someone who is trying to make a decision with Jesus realize that your days are numbered. In Psalm 139 it says "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." God knows exactly how much longer we all have, we don't. That is why it is crucial to make your decision for Jesus now before it is too late. Being a relationship with Jesus is wonderful and is definately worth it.

Every Saturday

2008-08-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Saturdays have never been the same
And I still can't believe your gone
So many things I wish that I could say
I guess the hardest part of moving on
Are these memories that have overtaken me
Once again i'm right here on my knee's

I'm barely hanging on
With all these empty feelings
I'm hurting in so many ways
Though I can't begin
To understand the reason
I still believe that your God

Saturdays have never been the same
That memory keeps epeating in my mind
The ringing phone i've called to change my world
And emptyness that words cannot define
Are these memories that have overtaken me
Once again i'm right here on my knee's

I'm barely hanging on
With all these empty feelings
I'm hurting in so many ways
Though I can't begin
To understand the reason
I still believe that your God

And as you cried I cried with you
I'll never leave i'll carry you through
And can't you see that I was always there
These ashes of pain will fade

I'm barely hanging on
With all these empty feelings
I'm hurting in so many ways
And though I can't begin
To understand the reason
I still believe that your God

I'm barely hanging on
With all these empty feelings
I'm hurting in so many ways
And though I can't begin
To understand the reason
I still believe that your God

Every Saturday - Seventh Day Slumber

A lot of the words in this song go along with a lot of what I had said yesterday. The chorus especially. If I had this song a few months ago when I was pretty down it probably would have made me cry but at the same time it would have confirmed to me that God is there through it all. That isn't a lie either. God is always there no matter what you have done or whatever is going on in your life the one thing you can always know is that God is there.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5

That verse right above speaks that truth out so clearly. God will never leave us or forsake us. He isn't going to let go. God isn't like people. People may get up and walk away from you when you are dealing with something because they don't want to deal with it. God however will never ever say any such thing to you. God isn't going anywhere in fact during our times of pain God is their crying with us sharing in our pain. God takes no joy in our times of suffering.

So remember this during your times of suffering instead of going to people. Get down on your knees and cry out to Jesus. He will be there for you and He will help you out. I know during those times we are trying to figure why that had to happen to us and sometimes we truly don't understand. Just remember that God is God and that He knows what He is doing and you can trust Him completely. I am going to leave you with the other part of the song that I love.

"And as you cried I cried with you
I'll never leave i'll carry you through
And can't you see that I was always there
These ashes of pain will fade"

During our times of pain those words above are exactly who God is in our lives. Thank God for that.

Give It to God

2008-08-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22

Each one of us whether believer or non-believer have those times where we are hurting or feeling depressed. We have those moments where something may have been said and it cut us deeply and wounded leaving us in pain and feeling broken beyond repair at times. During those moments sometimes it is hard to remember that God is there and that He is there reaching out His hand wanting to help us get through those pains and sorrows.

But reading those words above makes us realize that if we give our pain and sorrow to God that He will keep us going. By giving it to God it won't wipe that painful memory out of your mind this isn't magic. But God will help you get through it. A few months ago when I was hurting and go through things emotionally I knew that it was only through Christ that I was able to keep myself going on a daily basis. Their were moments that I wanted to stay in bed and just cry it out which sure I could have done. But I chose to keep going, refusing to let satan have any part of me. Refusing to let him take a hold of me. During that whole ordeal I held on to God so tightly and in the end He brought me out of that and made me more on fire for Him then I ever had been before.

In the verse above it says in that last part "He will NEVER let the righteous fall." I think that word never in that verse is so important and such a key to that. If you belong to Christ you never have to worry about God letting you and leaving you hanging. It is the exact opposite God will never let you go. God won't turn His back on you the way people of this world will. God loves you so much with an everlasting and unconditional love. He will not let you fall never!!!!! Take a hold of that truth and let it work through you.

If you are a non-believer think for a moment about giving your life over to Christ. This is such an important and huge step and an amazing and rewarding step. If you take it you will never ever be out of God's Kingdom and God will do more for you than you can imagine. Walking with God doesn't make life easier and to be honest it can make things more challenging at times. But a life with God is so rewarding and so fullfilling and it makes all the things we go through worth it to know in the end one day we will be face-to-face with our Creator. Take this time to reflect. God loves you and He is waiting for you.

Freedom and Confidence

2008-08-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Ephesians 3:12

Back before Jesus did you know that if you at all approached the throne room of God without the proper authority that you would die. It is true. That in a sense makes us now in our time realize how blessed we are. Through Jesus we are able to approach God and speak to Him in a way that people before Jesus never experienced. Back in the Old Testament those people heard from God through His prophets. Those like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Everything Jesus has done for us is so amazing. He died on a cross and paid our debt and died for our sins. Then He rose again conquering death and giving us an eternal future in Heaven, and then He also mended that bridge between us and God that had been broken by Adam and Eve. We can now go before God with confidence that He will hear us and that He will listen to us. That is something that God wants all of us to do. He wants us to come before Him and talk to Him, to be still before Him. We don't need to be afraid or wonder if He will hurt us because He won't. That is because of Jesus. Jesus broke down all the walls and everything that had been seperating us from God by taking our sins upon Him.

It really makes you so thankful and appreciative of what Christ has done for us. He His death on the cross means so much and it is something that changed everything for every single one of us walking this earth. What Christ did was monumental and could have been done by no one else. So take the time to thank Him for the freedom that He has given us to go before God. That in itself is as amazing as all the other amazing things Jesus has done for us.

Salvation Has A Name

2008-08-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

My plan was to post the lyrics from the 33 Miles song "Salvation Has A Name" because I just absolutely love that song and I love the powerful truth in it. But I couldn't find them anywhere. So, I can't do that. But I will try to post parts of it mainly the chorus because that is the main focus and the best part.

"Salvation Has A Name
Mercy Has A Face
Holiness was crucified and rose to give us grace.
Salvation Has A Name
Mercy Has A Face
Jesus our holiness worthy of all praise."

33 Miles - Salvation Has A Name

Like I say there is so much truth in those words. You know through Jesus the salvation of the world is found. Salvation can be found in Jesus and Jesus alone. And the depth of that love and salvation is amazing.

Looked up the definition of Salvation and here it is "being saved from or liberation from something, such as suffering or the punishment of sin." That kind of salvation is found in Jesus because He died for our sins on the cross taking the punishment that we deserved. Then not only that but He rose again and that is the difference between Jesus and all the others who claim to be the savior of this world. All those other people are dead whereas Jesus is alive and He will always be alive. He rose from the grave breaking the power of death and the power of sin.

So realize that if you are looking to anything else for your salvation then you aren't going to get far. Only Jesus can save you. It is in His name and through Him that we know that our future is set and secured. It is in Jesus alone that we can trust and place all of our faith in. If anyone else is telling you otherwise then they wrong. Trust in Jesus and The Bible which is the living word of God. And in there it says it in John 14:6 Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the light and no one comes to the Father expect through me."

So remember salvation has name and that name is JESUS CHRIST!!!!

God Abuse

2008-08-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

God is amazing we can all agree on that. At least I think we can. God is above and beyond understanding and He blesses us with more than we could ever deserve. He has given us new life through Christ Jesus which is definately the best thing. But God doesn't just stop there He continues to bless us more and more out of His love for us. He loves each and everyone of us so much and He wants to show that love by blessing us. Yet at times we abuse that power.

We think that because we have done this or that, that we deserve more from God and that He should be blessing us more. Yet nothing could be farther from the truth. God doesn't need to give us anything. We far from deserve all that He already has done. God sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross because of His unconditional love not because we deserved it but because He loves us so much. We time and time again take so much advantage of God. We expect Him to help us get out of times of trouble but yet when something good goes our way we take all of the credit.

God gives us unconditional love and He wants to continue blessing us and doing great things in our lives. But we have to begin to love God the way that He loves us. Giving our love to Him unconditionally. You wouldn't want to be in a relationship with someone who treated us like that nor would you tolerate it. If you were dating someone and all they wanted was more and more stuff you would get sick of it. Well now turn that around and think about how that makes God feel. He deserves more than that and He is definately worthy of more than that.

So don't take advantage of God but instead thank Him for all that He is doing in your life.

Paint the Town Red

2008-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

You know I feel there's something 'bout to break now,
You know I feel there's a city here to take now.
And it's not so tough for these ordinary hands,
When we trust someone with extraordinary plans.

You know I feel this heart's about to break now,
Cos I can see what the devil's trying to take now.
We've got this leather backed book and a freedom cry,
And we're an army of God who are ready to die.

You give us hope where hope is gone,
You fill the streets with a holy song,
We’re gonna paint this big old town red.

Oh, Here we come, here we come
Oh, Here we come, here we come

You know I feel this sky's about to break now.
You know I feel our city's gonna shake now.
And we hear you call every woman and man,
"Ring the mission bell" and storm the gates of hell.

Miracles run from street to street,
Rise up Church for a holy meet,
We’re gonna paint this big old town red
We’re gonna paint this big old town red
With the blood of Jesus!

Delirious? - Paint The Town In Red

I know I express myself through song lyrics a lot of the time but I really don't care. God's truth is spoken through these lyrics and Bible scripture can be found in a lot of Christian artists songs. This song in particular I heard during Kingdom Bound last year and fell in love with it. I pre-ordered the Delirious album with this song and everything.

I just love the words in this song. "We are going to paint this big old town red with the blood of Jesus!" how awesome are those words. That is what I want my town to look like how about you? I want God to have this city and I want the gates of hell to tremble because they will. You think satan enjoys God winning more and more towns of course not. He will stop at nothing to prevent that. That is why we need to do what we can to win it over for Christ. We need to paint over this town with the blood of Jesus so when people see where we live they see Jesus. How awesome is that??? Awesome. Paint the town red!!!!

Been A Long Time

2008-08-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't been posting on here lately. I was away last week and forgot to mention that. Sorry about that.

Last week I was off at Darien Lake for Kingdom Bound which a Christian Music Festival. It was such a great time with friends and worship to God. I saw great artists like Newsboys who are always amazing, Third Day, Hawk Nelson, Big Daddy Weave, Matthew West, 33 Miles (amazing!), Downhere, Delirious?, decembeRadio, Lincoln Brewster, Leeland (sort of only caught 3 songs!), and by far my favorite had to be Skillet!!!! This group was amazing!!!!! Loved them. Great group seeking out Jesus but at the same time totally rocking. Would love to see them again!!!!

It was a great time though. Kingdom Bound is always the first four days during the first weekend in August. If you are in the area you should definately come and check it out because it is awesome!!!!!

Ah! So Excited

2008-08-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am so excited!!!! I mentioned last Friday about the missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Well last week I still hadn't known for sure if I was going because I was waiting for the person heading it up to contact me. Well I got a letter in the mail yesterday saying I was accepted. So yeh!!!! I am now officially going to be heading to the Domincan Republic in January!!!! I really cannot wait. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use me there. I am a little bit nervous but I know that through God anything is possible and all I need to do is lean on His strength and He will guide me. Also excited because one of my good friends will be going too. She got her acceptance letter! LOL it sounds like college stuff.

I haven't blogged about this on here yet but I went to the American Idol Live Tour this past Sunday and it was awesome!!! I had such a good time!!! Both David Archuleta and David Cook were amazing!!!! They both are so amazing when you see them live. So good!!!

And Kingdom Bound starts in two days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited if you couldn't already tell. It will be so awesome. Kingdom Bound is definately one of my favorite things every year!!!!! Such a great time!!!! Looking so forward to seeing Skillet, Third Day, Lincoln Brewster, Hawk Nelson, Matthew West, and 33 Miles. It will be great. Hey if you anywhere in the Western New York area you should consider checking Kingdom Bound out. It is awesome and you definately won't regret it.

Also tomorrow I am going to a friends baby shower. Can you please pray that God gives me the opportunity to share Him with others and that He gives me boldness and strength to do it. Thanks.

Also this will most likely be my last post until the end of Kingdom Bound next week. I am going to be so whipped and everything. I will be back on Thursday though with a report!!!!

Beautiful the Blood

2008-07-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me

How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now

Never knew through these nails would love unfold
And never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I've never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me

[Repeat Chorus]

Now I'll sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me

[Repeat Chorus]

How beautiful you are
How merciful you are
How glorious you are
Christ the Savior

How beautiful you are
How merciful you are
How glorious you are
Christ the Savior

Beautiful the Blood - Steve Fee

You know I read lyrics like those above and it just makes me want to fall to my knees in complete and total surrender to God. God is so amazing. The fact that He did all that He did out of His love for us is just amazing. The way He suffered and died for us just so we wouldn't have to pay the debt we owed Him. It is so amazing. God deserves all of us. He deserves our complete surrender and our obidience. Anything He is asking of us is for our own good and will only make us into who God wants us to be. God wants to transform us into His image so He can look on us and see Jesus. That is what we should and what we need to be striving for. Christ gave up everything so we could live. We owe Him everything, like He gave everything for us. Through all of lifes demands make sure you take the time to reflect on all that has been done for you so you can live the life that you do. Jesus paid the debt we owed and if a believer you are now set free from that and no longer carry that burden because Jesus did that for you. If you aren't a believer surrender over to Jesus by accepting Him as your Savior their is nothing more amazing then that.

Faith

2008-07-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
James 2:17

Faith is something that as believers we use on a day-to-day basis. Faith can be a tricky thing. Sometimes it is easier to have faith and believe that things will work out and other time it is hard and we find ourselves doubting and not being sure if it will happen. Faith is an amazing thing when you do truly believe in what God has planned for you. In order to become a believer we had to have faith that Jesus died on the cross and that our sin was washed clean. That same kind of faith is what we need to use everyday.

The thing is that faith is not something that you just sit around waiting for it is something that we have to work towards. We can have all the faith in the world that we will get a new car or get a new job but if you are just sitting around waiting for it nothing is going to happen. You do have to work for it too.

It is something that I struggle with and have a hard time with. I am having faith and believe that one day God will bring the right guy into my life that I will marry one day. But that isn't going to happen if I just sit at home hoping that this guy will just come to the door or appear out of thin air. I still need to get out and do stuff. That may not have been the best example but you get where your are going.

Faith is one of the key things in the Christian faith. Basically without faith nothing much can develop for you. Have faith and believe in what God has for you.

Work

2008-07-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:23-24

Work is something we all don't always love. Sometimes are jobs can be quite stressful and we would rather do anything but that. We find ourselves getting irriated with co-workers, making annoyed faces, huffing and puffing when we are given work. It happens to the best of us. It happens to me and afterwards I always feel so convicted because I know that as I believer that isn't the way that I should be acting. That isn't pleasing to God by any means.

I believe that if we really took that verse above and put into our hearts and took it for what it means. Maybe our ideas of work would change. Maybe if we truly believed and got the fact that yes we are working a job for a company or whatever and we have a boss and all that. But truly any work we are doing we are actually serving God and working for Him. That is why it will get you no where to cheat or take shortcuts in your job to make things go faster or get it done quicker because do you really think that is what Christ wants you to do?

It is hard I know but at work we really need to put our all into what we are doing. We need to do the best we can to accomplish what we can at work. When things get stressful cry out to Jesus and He will meet you wherever you are and help you get through that. He truly will. We are to work as though we are working for Christ because when this life is over we will be rewarded for what we did here on earth. And well if we took shortcuts while doing our work and did as little as possible do you really think Christ will honor that? Probably not and why should He, He wants the very best from us in no matter what we are doing. We owe Him that.

Dominican Republic

2008-07-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

So in the first week of January I am going to be going to the Dominican Republic on a missions trip with my church. I am really excited about it and can't wait to see what God does there and the way He will use me there. It is going to be a really great experience and something that I know God is calling me to do right now. Their is no better time then now to do this because I have nothing holding me back and I have always wanted to go on a missions trip like this I have just been waiting to see where God is leading me.

Anyways for the trip I had to get a bunch of shots and all this stuff. I went to the doctor yesterday to get them and man are my arms are sore today. I can't totally lift up my right arm. Oh well. I think I am going to ice it later.

Also I have a prayer request. Can you all keep my grandfather in your prayers. He was admitted into the hospital yesterday and they think he may have had a minor stroke. I went and saw him yesterday and he looked good but prayer is always a good thing. So I really appreciate that. I believe he might be getting out today, they kept him over night just in case.

That is all for now.

I Am Willing

2008-07-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

What do you see in me
Cause I'm just a man
With all these insecurities
How can I even speak
When the words they seem to fall
So far away from me
All my life
I have felt your purpose bathed in me
To you I'm crawling now
So desperately

I am willing to be
Anything you want from me
Cause you have given
New life to Me

So many things unknown
The things that tore so deep
But in the end your will was shown
And I felt so drained
Last and blame
You pulled me out of that broken state
Cause this idle time I’ve spent to know my pointless ways
The past is over now
The past is over

I am willing to be
Anything you want from me
Cause you have given
New life to Me

For your hand I’m holding out
Staring at your bleeding brow always
Wanting to remember now
To live my life unselfishly
Breathe my breath so gratefully
I know
With you I’ll face this very moment

Cause I am willing to be
Anything you want from me
Cause you have given
New life to Me

Jeremy Camp - I Am Willing

This is how I want to be towards God. Willing to do all that He is asking me. Willing to run towards it with arms open and not run away afraid. Because truth be told nothing God asks us to do is impossible. If He is calling you to do something He isn't going to make it impossible for you to do. God will make sure you have all that you need to accomplish whatever it is that you need to do. God has given me an amazing life and has done so much for me and I am so willing to do anything and everything He asks me to. Can you say the same for yourself?

Running the Race

2008-07-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
1 Corinthians 9:24

What I am about talk about sort of reflects from what was said during Sunday service at my church. We are all running some sort of race in life. We are all running towards something trying to gain something and win something. The prize we are striving for depends on what we find the most important to us.

For the believers the race they run is one towards Christ. They are running towards Christ to please Him and serve Him. They do all that can to try and please Christ.

For the non-believer they are running a race towards whatever they find most important. It could be relationships, power, money, or anything. When you are running this race no matter what the outcome no matter how good it is it will never ever be enough. You will always want more and you will do whatever you can to continue getting whatever it is that you want and no matter how much you get it will never be enough.

In the other race the one where Christ is the grand prize once you have that your life will have complete fullfillment. Sure you will still be running the race because their is always more to gain in our relationship with Christ always more to learn but inside you know that you have already won the ultimate prize and nothing in this world can take that away.

Take this time to figure out which race you are running on. If it is the race toward stuff change your perspective and get on the race where you already have the ultimate prize!!

Which Path?

2008-07-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14

Which path are you on? That is a very good and important question to be asking yourself. Wide is the path that leads to destruction and narrow is the path that leads to life. So again I ask the question which path are you on?

The narrow path is the path where believers walk. It is the path that we get on the moment we accepted Jesus as our Savior. It is the path that will lead to life and an eternity in Heaven. It is the path that we should all want to be on. It is path filled with hope and joy. The only way to enter onto this path is through Jesus.

The wide path is the path with no hope and no joy. Sure at times you will find joy and happiness in things but that won't last forever. The wide path leads to destruction and will send you to an eternity in hell. The wide path isn't at all hard to find that is the path we are on the moment we come into this world because of our sin.

The great part is that you can move from the wide path onto the narrow path by accepting Jesus as your Savior and allowing Him into your life. Once you do that you will go onto the narrow path and your eternity will be set. Jesus is the only way onto this path you cannot work your way onto this path or buy your way onto it. You can only enter through Jesus.

It is the path I am now walking on and I would never ever want to leave it.

Yes You Have

2008-07-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Every tree and every stone
Every rushing wind that moans
They sing Your praise
My God, they sing Your praise
Every star and open sky
Tell of Your glory divine
They shout Your praise
They shout Your praise, yeah

You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes, You have!!

With Your love You set me free
Three nails gave me liberty
So I’ll sing Your praise
My God, I’ll sing Your praise
Oh, with Your love
You forgave my sin
Forgot my past
And brought me back again
So I’ll sing Your praise
I’ll sing Your praise, yeah

If I ascend into the sky
Or hide behind the night
I can not run Your love is chasing me
If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me
No one will take Your place
Because

This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You
You’re the King of the world
You’re the King of the world

Leeland - Yes You Have

I absolutely love this song! It is one of those songs that no matter what is going on in my life at the moment it can put a smile on my face. Their is just so much truth and joy in this song.

Jesus without a doubt has stolen my heart. No one in the world has shown me greater or more love than He has. He is my everything and He can be the same for every single person here on earth if they let Him. He took the chains that were binding me and broke them and He wiped and washed me clean of all the stains and mess from my sins. How amazing is that? That is why He truly has stolen my heart. Let Him do the same for you.

Be Strong and Courageous

2008-07-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Going forth and doing what God has called us to do is so hard at times. We have all of these constant fears of failure and that makes us not want to go forward and do whatever it might be that God is calling us to do.

The thing is we do not have to be terrified or discouraged because GOD IS WITH US WHEREVER WE GO. He will never leave us or forsake us He is always there. When God calls you to do something He isn't going to leave you high and dry and make you go at it alone He wants to be there for you. We never ever have to be afraid of asking God for help when we need it. God is seating up there waiting for us to call out to Him and seek Him out. God wants for us to succeed in all that we do. We can be strong and courageous because when God calls us to something He is always there backing us up and helping us get through it.

So be strong and courageous and go forth.

If anyone is need of prayer for anything too don't hesitate to comment or email me at christianclaymate4life@yahoo.com Know that your soul is important to me and I love you no matter who you are or where you are in life. You are important and I love you!

Heart Condition

2008-07-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23

Yes I am going back there I am discussing the heart again. Why? Because it is such a crucial and important topic. The conditioning of our heart is the defining factor as to what we truly believe and care about.We are always consumed with one thing or another. What should we be consumed in? God's Word most importantly of course. That is where we can go to clean out our hearts when they are filled with the darkness of this world.

If you are a true believer in Christ the condition of your heart should be something that you are examining. If you do not feel as though your walk with God is where it should be it might because your heart has not been completely transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our hearts when we become believers have got to be cleansed because of all of the junk that resides in there. It takes a lot of sacrifice but that journey to purification is amazing and rewarding. It can be hard too.

Sometimes in order for God to clean out our hearts He has to test our faith and we have to go through tests and trials. God does this out of His love for us so He can shape and form us into the men and women of God we are all destined to be.

If you aren't a believer then God does want the same for you. He wants you to invite Him into your heart so He can cleanse it and make it new. Believe me their is nothing more amazing than a relationship with Christ it is the most amazing and wonderful thing in the world. It is something that I will never ever look back on and regret. Being a child of the living God and having that relationship with Him is amazing and rewarding and such a blessing. So let God in and let Him purify you so He can make you into the person you are meant to be.

Baptized

2008-07-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

After being a believer in Christ for five years I have finally been water baptized. It is an amazing experience and something I am happy that I did. God has been encouraging me to do this for a while and everything fell into place for me to be able to do it and now I have.

This something as believers that we are all called to do and I encourage those who haven't taken this step of faith to do so. Of course do not do so if you don't really feel ready yet you will know when the timing is right. It took me five years and it makes no difference if you do it after being saved for a week or 50 years. Being water baptized will not save you and it doesn't get you into Heaven. It is just an experience that for myself that I believe has brought me closer to God.

So take the time to go before God and see if He may be leading you to do the same. Their is nothing wrong with outwardly expressing the change that has taken place inside of us.

Undo

2008-07-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've been here before
Now, here I am again
Standing at the door
Praying You'll let me back in

To label me
A prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who I've been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what I've become

I focused on the score
But I could never win
Trying to ignore
A life of hiding my sin

To label me
A hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface
Of who I've been known to be

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one
Who can undo what I've become

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

Turn me around, pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, I need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one who can undo
You are the only one who can undo
You're the only one who can undo
What I've become

Rush of Fools - Undo

What Life Would Be Like

2008-07-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

“He made the lame walk and the dumb talk
He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time
Yet He knows our deepest desperate need
And the world waits while His heart aches
To realize the dream
I wonder what life would be like if we let Jesus live thru you and me”

Big Daddy Weave - What Life Would Be Like

This is where we as believers all need to be. In complete and total surrender to Christ. Until we do we will never be completely satisfied.

Where Is Your Heart?

2008-07-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is a good question for every believer to think about. We all as believers have to take the time to examine our hearts and see what is truly in there. This topic is what last night's Vintage was about and it was amazing as well as really eye opening.

Did you know that the words that come out of your mouth are what is in your heart? That is the truth Jesus said it "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. " - Matthew 15:18-19 We always try to make the case of that when we say something we shouldn't or when we maybe do something that we know we shouldn't we always say that we didn't mean or that it was just a thought or something to that affect but truly all that we do comes from our heart. But as was said yesterday by Pastor Andy Stanley we know how to filter our hearts and keep those things from surfacing and when they do we just say that it slipped but really that is something that came from the inner parts of our heart. Evil thoughts aren't in your head they are in your heart and that is a problem.

Those who have the mindset that because of God's amazing grace and love that they continue living their life they want to think that has nothing to do with their heart because God knows their heart and He knows that it is good. But I am sorry but if you are going around gossiping, getting drunk, living with someone before marriage then yeah you are right God does know your heart and He sees the evil and darkness that is in there. The question to ask yourself if you are still living life the way you had before you became a believer is whether or not you are actually saved because the true believer in Christ will have a life changing experience. Your life will not be what it was before you knew Christ. You will learn to stop going to parties to get drunk, your relationships with the opposite will change, and the way you speak will change because your heart will change.

Christ comes into our lives to change us from the inside out and that is a continual process that I believe won't stop until we are in eternity because of all that corrupts us on this earth. But truly when Christ comes into your life their is a difference. I know how hard it can be to let things go that you are holding onto but the reward is so much better. What God wants for you is so much bigger than anything that is keeping you from embracing that.

So take the time to examine your heart and see where you stand. Then allow Christ to transform your heart and get rid of all of the evil that has corrupted it. Then also get rid of all of the junk that is in your heart and replace it with the things of Christ. That comes by reading the Word of God. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." - Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart because our hearts are our source of life. That is what God is looking at and He wants for you to change and get rid of anything that is keeping your from Him.

The Slam

2008-07-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

God's in the spot you can like it or not
So rip the knob off the volume when you give this a shot
And raise your hands as the slam starts to thicken the plot
Openin' eyes to the lies of the enemies' lot
So run like the wind from the sin of your past
Keep your eyes on the prize when they put you on blast
It's the Christ on the cross, it's humanity's shot
It's a worldwide call to everything that we're not

This is the slam, this is the one
This is the slam, this is the one

This is the slam, this is the one
We gonna do it like it ain't been done before
This is the slam, this is the one
We gonna bring it like it ain't been brung
This is the slam, this is the one
We gonna do it like it ain't been done before
This is the slam this is the one
We gonna spring you like you ain't been sprung

They came from the cities and towns all around
To see the longhaired preacher from the desert get down
Waist high in water, never short on words, he said
Repent, the kingdom of heaven can be yours
But he stopped in the middle of his words and dropped
Down to his knees and said, behold the Lamb of God
He's the one, the slam, don't you people understand?
You're staring at the son, God's reaching out his hand

The father slammed it like Shaq
For Latinos and Blacks
Packin' them straps
And Caucasians hooked on Ecstasy and the crack
Stacked the sins of this world to his body
And conquered evil and hell
Then snatched the keys of death in one breath and unlocked the cell
He rose on the third
I'm tellin' you partner, its actual fact
Just like TOBYMAC and Boney Soprano up on this track
We slam dunkin' and keep it jumpin' like jumper cables
And keep the crowd rowdy like Jesus tossin' them temple tables

tobyMac - The Slam

This is a really great song by artist tobyMac and as I was listening to his Alive and Transported album he was talking about why he wrote this song. He wrote it after seeing The Passion of The Christ which is a great movie and I encourage all to see it whether you are a believer or not. Anyways Toby wrote this song because he said the only thing that came to his mind was that Jesus didn't just half way do it but He slammed it and really that is so true.

As Jesus roamed this earth prior to the cross, while He was on the cross, and when He rose on the third day nothing Jesus did was done half way. He went at everything full force not backing down never caring about what everyone was thinking or saying. Can we say that same thing for our lives or are we living half way? I believe that if we are truly serious about loving Christ and wanting to live for Him than we do all that He calls us to head on.

God pulled us from a horrible eternity in Hell through Jesus and we owe Him our everything. We shouldn't be just giving Him part of us but all of us. We need to slam like Jesus slammed. We can't be doing things half way because nothing will ever be accomplished through that. I am not just speaking this to those who read this but to myself as well. I know that this is something that I have to work on as well.

I have to allow myself to stay focused on what Christ wants to do in my life and when He asks me to do something no matter what I should be willing to put all that I am into it. It doesn't mean that if I trip or mess up that I will be punished but I believe if we are doing our best to put everything we are into it then God will reward that. But if we are doing things half way God won't be so pleased because we are acting as though things of God aren't important.

So go through this life and slam.

My Living Savior

2008-07-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

In this day an age we all can get caught up in celebrities and sometimes we find ourselves wanting to be like some of those people. We get so caught up in what they are wearing and what we are doing and before we know it value them more than anything in our lives. We look to them as idols instead of people which is bad. The thing is no matter how great these celebrities may be when they die how many of them will actually still be living in the flesh with their bodies? The answer is none of them will. They will just be dead like everyone else is dead.

People view some of these politicians as people who can save this country and this world because of all of the great things that they have planned but these people are just people and they too will die. So placing all that we are into them really is pointless because they don't have all the power.

That is why we should be focusing our concentration and all that we are into Jesus. Every other religion has their thing that they claim will save them and keep them going but the fact is that Jesus is the only one of all of those other people like Buddha and Allah who is alive and reigning. Buddha and all those others are dead and buried in the ground yet Jesus rose from the dead conquering death.

In 2 Timothy 1:10 it says this "but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer of this world. It is only through Him that we are saved and that we can know one day that we will live in Heaven with Him for eternity. Nothing in this life is frightening because of the hope that I have for my future in Heaven. My Savior is alive and living and He is the only who is. Their are no if ands or buts about that. Jesus is alive no matter what scientists or any other people in this world that try to diminish this simple truth. They have no way to prove that Jesus wasn't who said He was and that He didn't accomplish what He did in the Bible. Our calendar started after His death.

Jesus is alive and that is something that all believers in Christ can say Amen to!!!

On My Way

2008-06-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."
Philippians 3:12-14

Being a believer most of the time is an amazing and wonderful thing. We have a life full of purpose through Christ, our sins have been wiped clean, and when we leave this place we will be spending an eternity forever with Christ. All of those things are great and their are so many other great things that come from being a believer. Yet their are struggles too. We have constant temptations being thrown at us by the enemy and at times I truly believe that my life before I was a believer was easier at times. That is simply because at that time satan could have cared less about me. He had me right where he wanted me to be and I was no threat to him. Now though being a believer he will stop at nothing to keep me from bringing more people to God and drawing them near to Him.

Sure things can be challenging but for me but knowing who I am in Christ can at times make me realize what is that I am running for and why it is that I do the things I do. I do all that I can to keep my eyes on the prize pressing on towards heaven looking above to what lies in front of me. I stumble and fall at times along the way but Jesus is there when that happens to extend His hand out to me to bring me back up.

Their are those who claim to be believers who think that it is okay for them to sin once and a while here and they go all around telling everyone else what they can and can't do but they really are no better. Out in the open they go around talking about how much they love Jesus and then they go home and do nothing to indicate who they are in Christ they go on sinning thinking that no one will know. But God knows God can see everything their is nothing that any of us can hide from Him.

If you ask me the true believer doesn't have to go around telling everyone that they are a Christian and judging everyone they see because what they are doing is wrong. That is the wrong way to do things and those are the people who turn those who are checking God out away. They see the way these people act and they are turned off and who can blame them? If you ask me the true believer in Christ doesn't have to say anything because Christ shines through in their life and their is no need for them to yell at people telling them that they are going to hell. It isn't a problem if we want to share our testimony or go tell others about Christ but we do have to do it in a loving, and non-judgemental way.

Mirror

2008-06-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me

You don't define me, you don't define me

Barlow Girl - Mirror

The lyrics from this song pretty much tie in with what I was talking about the other day about us being formed in God's image. Each of us have the choice to choose what we are going to allow to shape and define our lives. Either you can let the world define you and never be satisfied with the way you look or what you do. Or you can allow yourself to be defined by God and by doing that you will always be satisfied. It is your choice what will you decide to choose?

Real Fruit

2008-06-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:19-25

As a believer something we should be asking ourselves everyday is who are living our lives according to? Are we living our lives according to the world meaning we are leaning more towards our sinful nature apart from God and His will? Or are we living according to what God and His Word says following the Spirit?

I know I at times fail in living according to what God's desire for my life is and we all do. I know that God has called me to live according to what Paul called the fruit of the spirit in his letter to the Galatians. We are called to love, be joyful, have peace and all of the others listed above in those verses but I don't always do that and isn't something I am proud of. When I get rude with people at times I know that I am not all living according to the way God wants me to. After acting in that way I get ashamed of myself and know that I am disappointing God. I am where I am and I am supposed to be a light in the darkness allowing the radiance of Jesus to shine off me. Well when I act apart from the fruit of the Spirit then I am disappointing God and possibly making people wonder why God is so great.

That is why if you are claiming to be a believer but are still drinking and getting drunk every night and going to parties and doing whatever you want to because you believe that you are okay then you seriously need a reality check. Just because you said a prayer it doesn't mean that everything is done and you are set for Heaven. If your life has not changed and been transformed then you just learned something about yourself and you best not ignore it.

I completely know and understand that we do all slip up and make mistakes because we do. But when we become believers it is supposed to make a difference in our lives and transform us from the inside out. I know it did for me. My life isn't what it used to be and I am so thankful for that. That is the question that you need to be asking though. Has your life changed??? Because if it hasn't then maybe you were never saved to begin with.

God's Image

2008-06-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Being a girl sometimes I can get so caught up in the way that I look. I wonder if my hair and clothes look okay and at times that can consume and just take me over. I can get so wrapped up with what those people in Hollywood look like wishing at times that I could look like that. It is crazy and I will never look like one of those Hollywood people but I have something that those people don't have and that is ten times more important then how I look or what I am wearing and all that. What I have is a relationship with Jesus Christ and an eternity set in Heaven. All the beauty in the world isn't going to get you into heaven. God isn't going to pass by you in judgment and just let you into heaven because you look good because He doesn't care about what you look like on the outside. God is concerned with the condition of your heart. Does the beauty you potray on the outside reflect to how your heart look?. Or are you so consumed with how you look that you are rotting from the inside out? Not a pretty picture.

In all that this verse from Genesis 1:27 reminds me of who I am in Christ and the way He created me to be.

"So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. "

God has created every single person living on this earth in His image. No one person who is born into this world isn't seen as beautiful in the eyes of God. He looks upon His creation and smiles at it and is happy with it. That is the way we need to view ourselves. We really need to begin seeing ourselves as Christ sees us. We need to stop looking at the ways the world perseves beauty and take a look at what the Bible says about it. To me true beauty comes from the inside. If you are completely and totally sold out and in love with Christ I believe that beauty radiates off of you and that alone will make people turn around and wonder what you have. That is what I am striving for. That is my longing. I don't care what the world thinks of me because I look to Christ.

That is where we all need to be. We are beautiful in the image of God.

To Know You're Alive

2008-06-24T08:08:00.001-07:00

This is the name of the new Kutless album that came out today. I can't wait to listen to this because I know it will be amazing!!!! They are my favorite band and it is alson awesome to be able to worship and praise God. Even if I sound horrible doing so.

Jesus Freak

2008-06-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

[What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?
What will people do
When they find that's it's true?]

Separated, I cut myself clean
From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
Been apprehended by a spiritual force
And a grace that replaced all the me I've divorced

I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
It took me a while to catch what it said
Cause I had to match the rhythm
Of his belly with my head
'Jesus Saves' is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
He stood on a box in the middle of the city
And claimed he had a dream

(chorus)
What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it's true
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak
There ain't no disguising the truth

Kamikaze, my death is gain
I've been marked by my Maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
Cause I won't live and die for the power they seek

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

(repeat chorus 2x)

People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger

(repeat chorus 2x)

What will people think
[What will people think]
What will people do
[What will people do]
I don't really care
[What else can I say]
There ain't no disguising the truth
[Jesus is the way]

DC Talk - Jesus Freak

I absolutely love this song. I think for all believers that this is something that we should be thrilled to be. I know I am. I don't acre what people think about me being a Jesus Freak either. I would rather be labelled that then something else. So yeah I am here to say that I am a Jesus Freak and I totally proud of it!!!

Real Riches

2008-06-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

It is when we can walk with Jesus when we find out what true riches are.

I pulled out that sentence from the devotional book that I am currently into. I really liked it because I pretty much think it sums up what a life with Jesus truly is. A life walking with Jesus is so meaningful and gives you a life full of purpose and meaning. The day I completely gave my life to Christ was the day my life was changed and it is indescribable. I have never known more love than the love that is found in Christ Jesus. His love is boundless and completely amazing! Without Him I am nothing! That is why it is up to me to completely give my life over to Him building up my treasures in Heaven not here on earth.

Like said in Matthew 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Meaning whatever we spend most of our time and energy doing is what we think will satisfy us the most. But understand this nothing in this world will ever satisfy you the way that Jesus does. Nothing will fill your soul more than spending time in God's Word and praying and talking to God. All the expensive clothes and cars and all that other materialistic stuff will never complete you in the way that Jesus can if you completely surrender to Him.

I am going to type in this last bit from my devotional because I think that this is good too. Christ brings us life, and He brings it more abundantly. He is the real treasure, and as long as our hearts remain with Him, our lives will be truly rich.

Put all that you are into Christ and give Him your heart and build up treasure for your eternity.

Psalm 42

2008-06-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

I am not going to post this whole thing because their is so much to it. But I highly recommend reading through Psalm 42 and 43 when you can. Both of these chapters in Psalms are great and they are the two chapters that we focused on at Vintage last night. It was pointed out how in both of these Psalms that the psalmist is down and going through some pretty heavy trials. Something we can all relate to. This one verse from Psalm 42 I am going to pull out and focus on. It is verse 11 in Psalm 42.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."

From that verse I want to pull out of that Put Your Hope In God something that a lot of us believers fail to a good portion of the time when we are depressed and suffering and going through trials. Instead of putting our hope in God we put it into a lot of other things that will never do anything for us. We have this tendency to believe that we if we talk to other people about it or get involved in other stuff that maybe that will help us get through whatever is bringing us down. That is not the case. I say this from experience too because I am just as guilty as every other believer for doing things like this. Years ago when a relationship I was in was going under instead of going to God and seeking His council I turned to a friend and they told me what I wanted to hear and instead of ending this relationship I continued in it because that is what my friend said I should do. Well not only did that bring on more heartache but it also really pulled me farther away from God. But thank God for His love and mercy and His forgiveness. God did get me out of that situation but if I had gone to God and seeked Him out first that would have saved me from a lot more pain that was totally unnecessary.

Now during this past year when I was going through a pretty down and depressed time instead of turning to people I turned all of my focus and attention on God and went to Him for help. I began to praise Him and glorify Him and the end result was that it brought me closer to Him and placed my focus on Heavenly things.

So when going through tests and trails run to God and put your hope in Him. He will get you through whatever it is that is attacking you. Remember God is bigger than any thing that you are going through. God is always bigger than your situation. He is God He made the universe and He can certainly be all that you need Him to be.

Kingdom Come

2008-06-17T11:09:00.001-07:00

I just finished this book the other day and I found it to be absolutely amazing. This is the final book in the Left Behind series which is basically fictional books based off of factual things that will take place one day based off of the Book of Revelation in the Bible. This last book Kingdom Come takes place during the millenial reign of Jesus Christ. Satan is trapped and will be let out after the 1000 years are up to try and conquer one last time. Of course he doesn't because God is all powerful and it says in the Bible that satan will lose and be thrown into hell for all eternity.

The crazy thing I found in this book is the fact that their were still those people who chose to not put their faith in Christ. It is crazy because for one Jesus was reigning on earth in all of His glory and splendor for two satan wasn't around to influence these people so they were acting on free will. It crazy to me that people seriously believe that satan will conquer one day. He has failed at every other attempt. He couldn't stop the cross where Jesus died and conquered sin and death when He rose from the dead. Yet during the time when this happens for real one day the same will happen here.

Jesus is Lord and King forever and right now it is up to you to make the choice to follow Jesus and accept His gift of salvation. The Bible talks about what will happen in the days when all believers are raptured out leaving behind those who never accepted Christ as their Savior. Believe me it is a time that you do not want to be a part of. You will face things that you can't even comprehend where God pours out His wrath. This may seem as though God is doing this because He doesn't love you but it is actually the exact opposite. During this time period this will be God's last ditch effort to get those who don't believe to believe and if during all of this they choose to still turn away from Christ then their eternity is set in the lake of fire. Not pretty.

Choose to turn your life over to Christ. It is well worth it.

Back From Vacation

2008-06-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

Hey I am finally back. I was on vacation in Delaware all last week. It was a good trip and fun. I had a really good time. We spent a good portion of our time in the ice rink their at the University of Delaware which is a beautiful university and one of the oldest in the country. The rink was cool because that is where my favorite skater Kimmie Meissner used to train before she switched coaches this year. It was still cool to be there and see where she had once trained. 1998 Olympic Champion Tara Lipinski had also trained there at one point. They had banners hanging around showing Kimmie's world and national titles and stuff. It was pretty cool. I also got to witness some new and good up and coming talent.

Delaware is pretty cool in the sense that is the first state in the US. In the UD library that had a collection of Abraham Lincoln stuff and a bunch of information on the history of Newark which is where I had been in Delaware. It is pretty small city but nice and I really had a good time.

So I will be back with normal and usual blogging tomorrow so be prepared. God has some big stuff in store.

Twilight Saga

2008-06-06T08:04:00.001-07:00

I don't know if anyone has gotten into this Twilight Book Series by Stephanie Meyer but if you haven't you should. These are by far the best books that I have read since the Harry Potter series and the Left Behind series. Very good. I have a hard time putting them down. I am currently on the third Eclipse and then the fourth and final book Breaking Dawn comes out in August. And you bet that I will be in line at midnight buying my copy.

Not giving too much away but the general synopsis is this girl Bella moves to the town of Forks and ends up falling in love with a vampire Edward. The writing in this book surrounding these two characters is just amazing. I mean seriously after you read this it is going to make you wish if you are a girl that a guy like Edward exists. So wonderful. I definately recommend this series to everyone. It is great!!!

The movie for the first one is being released December 12th of this year and it looks alright. The guy they have playing Edward actor Robert Pattinson though is perfect for that role. If you haven't heard of Robert he played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I am looking forward to the movie as well. That is all.

Psalm 86:13

2008-06-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

"For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave."
Psalm 86:13

Nothing in this world could ever compare to the amazing love that we receive from God. His love for us cannot be compared to any He has done so much for us. This verse above is a reminder of how amazing that love is.

God died on the cross and bore our sins and wiped us clean. When Jesus resurrected from the dead though He conquered satan and death. That is why once we become a believer no matter what trials we face we can always believe and know that nothing will ever change our eternal destiny in Heaven. Dying isn't frightening anymore because we aren't going to die and the grave has no power over us because Jesus defeated that more than 2000 years ago.

When we are in Christ everything He accomplished holds true for every believer because Christ is living in us. Therefore we too have conquered death and the grave because Christ has. See their is nothing to fear. All is well!!!!

My New Man

2008-06-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah I know this is a weird title for a blog but just keep reading.

So yeah I have a new man in my life. His name is Declan and weighs about 8lbs and is the cutest and most aborable thing in the world. I am talking about my nephew of course. The new bundle of joy. Declan came into this beautiful world on May 30th at 9:13 pm. He is so precious and I just love him.

I am so happy for my sister and her husband also. They are going to make wonderful parents and I look forward to watching their little one grow.

Self Concept

2008-05-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

What I am about to write below are some of the things that I learned about through Vintage last Tuesday about self concept and the ways that we perceive ourselves. Very good stuff.

Ephesians 2:10

- You will almost always live out of your self-concept/identity
- You will almost never live beyond your self-concept/identity

Option #1: The World's System - meaning you get who you are from personal apperance, positions, possessions, and performance.

Option #2: God's System - meaning you get who you are from God

Option #1: leads to behavior rooted in error - you will accept others assestments of you and make choices based on wrong information.

Option #2: leads to behavior rooted in truth, a solid source of truth.

John 14:6, John 17:17

We are not born with our self concept it is developed over the course of our lives.

Remember that God planned for everyone us and He prepared for us in advance. We are a valuable cause because God says so. We are here on earth to create God's vision for our lives.

1 Corinthians 5:17 - new creature in Christ
Thinking on that above will change how you perceive things.

We need to believe God's authority Word above all else. We cannot do more or less for God's love. God does what He does for us because of His love for us not out of spite.

1 John 5:3
We do things for God because of our love for God not because we think we have to.

Last but not least keep this in mind a true relationship with Jesus is meant to rip through our lives and transform us. Not keep where we always have been. It is going to change you whether you want it to or not.

Delight Yourself In The Lord

2008-05-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

Delighting in the Lord. Not always something that is easy to do especially when we are being attacked by the enemy or we are just struggling through things. But in all honesty delighting ourselves in the Lord is the thing that will I believe pull us through any and all of our hardships.

At times I believe that we all can place God in a box and believe that He can only do so much but the thing is that God does things above and beyond all understanding. On our end we need to stop questioning God and what He can do and we need to place all of our faith and trust in Him. Because God does great things and when the enemy is attacking us at any moment remember that satan was defeated more than 2000 years ago when Jesus conquered death and the grave through the resurrection. When we remember that it doesn't stop satan from coming at us but it is a great tool to use when he is. Remember satan is a nerd and he will do what he can to keep us from the joy and goodness we are meant to have in Christ. Fight fire with fire. When satan comes at you placing doubt in your mind fight back with the Word of God and all that God has promised you. Choose to delight yourself in the Lord!

I was reading this today and liked it. If we will just learn to accept a God Who is greater and more powerful than the limits of our minds can grasp, we will begin to experience God more fully. Faith is not without reason, but is always beyond reason. That is some good stuff right and so true. God is amazing and the question is never if God can do something because He can He is the God of the whole universe and He created this place so God can do anything. The question that we really need to be asking ourselves is if we believe that God can do it. Believing God comes from having faith and trusting Him. Keep that in mind and delight in the Lord because when you do that during your hardships that makes satan cringe and I know that I love it when I am making him cringe!

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just want to take this moment to thank all of those people in this country who are involved in the armed forces!!! Thanks to those who are presently fighting in the war and those who have served in any war!!! Thanks for putting your lives on the line for this country so we can have our freedom!!! I am forever grateful for all that you do and you are in my prayers!!!! Last but not least thank you to those who have lost their lives for the freedom of this country. You will forever be remembered!!!

Heart Disease

2008-05-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

I am doing this again because this was really good again. It talks all about how if we turn away from the things of God how we are hardening our hearts. Not too cool and not something I want to happen. Read this below and take the time to read Zechariah 7:8-14.

Scripture Reference: Do not harden your hearts. —Psalm 95:8

Pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars selling drugs that prevent hardening of the arteries, a condition that can lead to heart attacks, which kill thousands of people every year.

A more serious condition than hardening of the arteries, however, is hardening of the heart, and it cannot be prevented by any wonder drug. The prophet Zechariah warned the Israelites about it. They had hardened their hearts and refused to listen to the words of the Lord. Symptoms of this deadly condition were their refusal to execute true justice and their failure to show mercy and compassion (Zech. 7:9). As a result, the Lord became angry and stopped listening to them (v.13).

While it’s important to keep plaque from forming in our arteries, it’s even more important to keep our hearts from becoming callous to people who are important to God: widows, orphans, aliens, and the poor (v.10).

It’s crucial to follow our doctor’s orders to keep our arteries from hardening. But it’s even more crucial to obey God to keep our hearts from becoming hardened to the needs of others.

Ask God to bring to mind a person who needs the help of someone with a soft heart.

— Julie Ackerman Link

If I can right a human wrong,
If I can help to make one strong,
If I can cheer with smile or song,
Lord, show me how. —Kleiser

To love Christ is to have a heart for others.

And the new American Idol is...

2008-05-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

David Cook! Yes David Cook is our new American Idol and is single is already number 1 on ITUNES. Pretty awesome! It was a pretty tight competition. Both David Cook and David Archuleta were wonderful on Tuesday! I have to say I was on Team Archuleta and voted for him but I also love David Cook and am happy he won! Should be interesting to see how it pans out for both of these guys I for once actually like both of them and will be supporting both of them. So yeah! That is all from me today.

Psalm 27:14

2008-05-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14

Patience it is a virtue that we all struggle with and have a hard time grasping at times. At least that is the way I think. It can be so hard to wait for something that we want so badly. Maybe you are waiting for that right job or you are waiting for that person who you plan to marry some day to come along. It seems as though it will never happen. That is however where patience needs to set in. We need to realize that their is a time and place for everything and God knows when that perfect time will be. God knows what He is doing and He knows when and where He needs to do things in our lives.

In a day and age where we are all about getting what we want when we want it, waiting and be patient is one of the hardest things but that is exactly what God asks us to do. To wait for the Lord and trust Him also. When we completely trust in God it makes the whole waiting thing a tad bit easier. It makes us realize that we can believe and know that God will do what He said He will do in our life because He will. God will never go back on what He has promised He wants to give it to us but it has to be in the right time so His glory can be seen through in our lives.

So be patient and take heart and know that God is there and He is doing all that He can in our lives and the very best is yet to come.

Productive Pain

2008-05-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

I know I may be coming off as lazy for not writing this all myself but I read this during my devotions today and really liked this. It talks about sometimes when we go through pain how that can be used for God's glory and that is so true. Sometimes we don't know why we are going through something or why something had to happen but in the end if God receives the glory then it is worth it. So that is why I am posting this because I could totally relate to this having come out of a situation not too long ago where I was going through some painful moments. God is now the one whose glory is shining through and I have grown in my faith and that makes it all worth it.

Scripture Reference: "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." —Romans 8:28

I’ll never forget when our youngest child Matthew fell and broke his wrist. It was grotesque! His arm took a sharp left turn at his wrist and then turned again to resume its normal journey to his hand.

We rushed him to the hospital where the doctor began to set his wrist. I watched as the physician pulled and twisted Matthew’s arm. I wanted to jump up and pull him away from my son! But I simply sat and watched, knowing that the agony was necessary to make Matt whole again.

If we trust earthly doctors to do that for our children, how much more we should be willing to trust God, the Great Physician, to reset our broken lives “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). One of God’s purposes in pain is to brand the image of Jesus in our hearts. Can we weep with those who weep? God may need to stain our cheeks with our own tears so that we can genuinely empathize with others as Jesus did. Are we self-sufficient? God may need to strip away our security to conform us to the God-sufficiency that Christ displayed. Are we faithless? It may require a tragedy to teach us to trust the Father as Jesus did.

Next time you feel broken, don’t panic—praise Him! God is at work!

— Joe Stowell

Life’s fractures can be mended
By faith in Christ the Lord—
At first the pain but then the gain
And usefulness restored. —Hess

God’s purpose in pain is to brand His image in our hearts.

Prince Caspian

2008-05-19T08:08:00.001-07:00

I went and saw this movie yesterday with my brother. It was very good and I really enjoyed it. Amazing watching it how you can see all of the symbolism between that and the Christian faith.

How when we are dealing and battling through something instead of turning to God first we try doing things oure own way. Funny though that when we do that it never turns out the way it is supposed to and most of the time we make things worse. That happened when in the movie everyone decided to ignore Aslan and go about fighting the enemy their own way. What happened? It cost plenty of people their lives.

This goes for us too. Instead of doing what we want to and ignoring God we need to turn to God first and things will always turn out differently and better for us in the end. We will prevent pain and all other sorts of stuff by turning to God first.

The Fear Of The Lord

2008-05-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

I came across this verse and this saying that I really liked in my devotions today and thought I would post it. Think about it.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 1:7

Once we understand the power of our Lord, this fear enables us to be with Him, immersed in Him, but always respecting His might.

Good stuff right??? That is what I thought.

Romans 8:28

2008-05-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

This is such a great verse and the past month or so it keeps being brought to my attention one way or another. Either someone is emailing me it or it has come up in sermons but I think it is a really great verse.

You know if you are a believer all that is said in that verse holds true for you. No matter what is going on in our lives good or bad everything will work out for good if you belong to Christ. If you are a believer you are a part of God's plan and purpose for this world and He will never let a believer fall away or slip away.

Even during the moments where things seem completely out of hand think about this verse and it will remind you that everything will workout because God has got you in His hands and He is holding you up. We have nothing to fear because we belong to Christ. How awesome is that???

Fight Fire With Fire

2008-05-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

That is the new series for Vintage and it is good stuff. Here is some of the interesting stuff I got from yesterdays message. Stuff I do need to learn to put to practice too.

- Our Thoughts Affect Everything
- Everything Starts in Our Minds

Proverbs 23:7

- The conversations we have in our minds shape who we are.
- The average person has 50000 thoughts per day.
- We need to choose to believe the promises of God, over the lies of satan
- Let God's thoughts control our emotions

Our Thoughts Are the One Things We Can Control
- 2 Corinthians 10:5
- Philippians 4:8 - we choose what we think
- Psalm 42:1-5

- Satan can put thoughts in our minds but he can't read our mind
- We need to remember God's activity in our past, remember the victories during our hardships

Questions Based on Philippians 4:8
Ask these questions every morning, these questions will help you in starting to control your thoughts.

1. What are 5 things I am thankful to God for right now?

2. What are 3 of my God-given strengths and how can I use them today?

3. What are 3 of my best God-given victories so far?

4. What are 3 realtionships I can affect positively for Christ today?

5. What am I excitied about experiencing over the next 12 hours?

Good stuff that I think all believers need to put to practice.

Romans 5:8

2008-05-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

Sometimes it is so hard for me to truly grasp and comprehend the love of God and how amazing it is. The love of God is unlike anything that any of us could ever entirely imagine. His love is unlike any.

His love is so overwhelming too thE fact that He died for each and everyone of us on that cross is just something that at times I can't fully grasp. We in our humanity make people work for our love and prove it to us yet God died for us on a cross showing that He loves each and everyone of us unconditonally and that He would do anything for us including die. Is that something that you would be willing to do for those that you love? That is the kind of love that we need to have. The kind of love that is unconditional and doesn't come with any strings attached. We need to love one another in all of their faults. Everyone makes mistakes and does things they wish they hadn't and that doesn't make that person unworthy to be loved. We all deserve to be loved. We need to love one another uncondtionally the way Christ did when He walked up to that cross and died for your sin. Because as He was up there hanging on that cross He was there thinking of every single person on this earth, He was thinking you and me, all of us.

Sorry

2008-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that this isn't my normal blog today but I am so tired. I have an exahusting weekend and I just am exhausted. I will be back in full form tomorrow. To me though when I do the work of the Lord I take it seriously and if I can't give it 100% I don't want to do it because I don't want to dishonor God in anyway. I want Him glorified and if I am doing something halfway that isn't good enough. Hope that makes sense!