I don't know if you're near or far away
But I know that I'm thinking of you today
I don't know if I even know your name
But I know that I'm praying for you just the same
Someday we'll fall in love
You'll be mine and I will be yours
Our hearts will be one
And our love will ever endure
Then I'll need you, and I'll want you
And I'll find you someday
Then I'll love you, then I'll hold you
And I'll be with you always
Our love will be so strong and pure
You will make me feel like I have never felt before
You will be perfect only for me
You will make these eyes begin to see
Someday we'll fall in love
You'll be mine and I will be yours
Our hearts will be one
And our love will ever endure
Your faith for the Lord will be strong
Even though I know the wait is long
And though I'm young I still belive
That you're out there praying for me
Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find him
The one that God's chosen for me
And what if I find him but he doesn't like me
I guess that disproves destiny
But I should know better, the sea is much wetter
With plenty of fishes to see (for you and me)
And I know my Father has scoped out the water
And picked out a fishy for me
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef.
There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinate cold
But you sing to me over and over again
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
Sing to me the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again
And I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray-
to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
I give you my empathy
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs
I'm giving it back
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones
He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid:
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!
hey hey....forever and a day since i wrote on here last. I am busy, but it's good. God has been blessing me still. This week has been interesting. I had an awesome weekend of traveling and seeing lots of people I haven't seen in a month and others I haven seen in like 2 years. Met some new people and that was fun. It was one of those jammed packed weekends of random things, but it was good cause I needed away from school so very bad. God blesses, He knows what I need and knows my limits. Got to see the parents too and that was cool cause they helped me out a lot just within the few hours I was home.
Don't know what to write cause it's been so long. I have such a full schedule, not just class wise, but work and committee meetings and working out. I'm not complaining I like it, makes me balance time, but I usually end up fooling around and slacking off...I'm good at it...
Tonight I went to visit my friend and fellow student Daniel in the hospital and it made me realize how important people are. Even though we are really good friends, I really felt sad and down to see him sick and not feeling good, and have to leave him there by himself. I hate feeling helpless and not being able to help people. I'm praying for him, and hopefully whoever reads this will pray for him to get well enough to get out of the hospital.
Well...I don't have much else to write about...here's a song from Bleach, cause I'm really good friends with the lead singer, Davy :)
freeze the frame, memorize it
take the mistakes and dont go back
to where we've always been
the time has come that we begin, to shine
It's our time
It's now or never
we want today
We want yesterday
We are tomorrow
here we come, its our season
I swear that it's true
but it takes more than what we are
faith in more than what we are to shine, to shine
It's our time
It's now or never
We want today
We want yesterday
We are tomorrow
can we ever, it's now or never, it's our time
will we ever,
it's now or never.
hey everyone
I'm back at school. It's my senior year, hooray for that. I don't have much to tell. I'm busy, but God has blessed me so much. Everything I needed or wanted He has provided. IT's amazing. I'm trying not to stress and worry about stuff because I think it shows a lack of trust and faith in Him on my part. I know He is able. Also, when I start to worry I think about the passages in the gospels where Jesus says not to worry about tomorrow because we don't even know if it will come. Reading the end of Luke made me realize that tomorrow could not come...there is so much going on in our world that just points to end times. I'm not a prophet, just a thinker. What do you think?
tomorrow is labor day...or today rather...and i'm going back to school....
song to sing along with, "Landslide" by Seven Places
I feel crazy, hope is hazy right now but I won't freak out,
I won't freak out at the sound of the
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.
In my trouble I have doubled my prayers.
Because I need them, I need them like I need the air.
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.
Here's to Name above all names, I will trust You Jesus I'll be brave.
I will live my life day by day.
Because You're the only Truth, the only Way out of this.
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.
Here's to the Name above all names, here's to the only one who saves.
I will trust You Jesus I'll be brave.
i saw switchfoot. i got a shirt that says "i like switchfoot". they weren't on the carson daily show tonight, jerome said they are rescheduled for a couple weeks from now.
counting down to school.....5 days....
quote about me....
"I've known u for awhile and some of the pages get stuck together and then u have to go back and re-read some of the chapters in the 'book of Sam'" ~Heather
The thought it comes to my mind, to somehow intervene
But it could bring me trouble, and what can I do anyway?
It's hard to be effective when it happens so often
To see a life unraveling, through drawn venetian blinds
I'm sickened by compassion, I'm stifled by my limitations
Anesthetic apathy, come take the pain away
And my heart still beats inside
The blood runs in my veins
A remnant of life remains
And my heart still beats inside
Oh God, we need you here
We're sinking fast and we dont care
The evidence is all around me, on both sides of my door
Our hearts beat
ok....things are looking up...I get to see Switchfoot tonight! I try not to be one who is thrives on circumstantial happiness, but seeing Switchfoot is most definitely a circumstance to be happy in. I can't help it, they are a great band and really down to earth guys. Thanks for reading...and don't be jealous ;).
Oh oh oh....they are going to be on the Carson Daley Show tomorrow night so check the out!!!
hey...it's been a while...I am lazy at doing this...
Right now I feel as if I could explod all over this page with many words...happy words, sad words, angry words, confused words...so much going through my head and heart...but I am not going to explode, I have far too much pride to do that...
Lets start with Happy words~Awesome! Purple Door was awesome, especially Friday night. I just had a lot of fun jumping around and seeing Jeremy Camp, The Violet Burning, Pillar, and Five Iron Frenzy. Saturday was rainy but fun. Many thanks and hugs to my friend John who was my Purple Door buddy and put up with my crap...you're a good guy. Saturday was also fun because Heather came and I hadn't seen her in far too long. Bands that I got to see on Saturday included Brave Saint Saturn (yea!!!), The Benjamin Gate, Holland, Madison Greene, Over the Rhine, Cool Hand Luke, Relient K, Ester Drang, Anberlin. Blindside was suppose to play, but didn't be of the really bad storms, but the lightening was cool. I could write a lot more about Purple Door, but I'm not. It was probably the highlight of my summer, after Brasil of course. Check out some cool pictures here: http://cmradio.net/purpledoor/pd2003.shtml. I took a bunch but I am too lazy and impatient to up-load them...
As far as the other words swirling around in my head, I don't think I will disclose them quite yet, don't want to bring you down...I should probably talk some stuff over with God instead of just haphazardly cutting loose and dump it here.
Hello, good morning, how you do?
What makes your risin' sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new
So this is a way, that I say I need You
This is the way
That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
Hello, good morning, how you been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never, never thought that
I would fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad
I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
These abundant skies
This is a way that I say I need You
This is a way that I say I love You
This is a way that I say I'm Yours
This is a way
This is a way
That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that you and you alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
Yes I'm dying to breathe in
These abundant skies
I'm learning to breathe
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
Hello, good morning, how you do?
How you do?
How you do?
Breathe
Today I had a revelation of sorts. I am using the term "revelation" in a generic way cause it wasn't this huge monumental prophecy or anything, but it was something I realized. So maybe it was more of a realization then a revelation, but whatever. So I was reading Proverbs 14 and was good stuff, but I wasn't getting it, so I decided to take a nap and clear my head a bit. I woke up to the pouring rain and that was really cool and relaxing until I realized my car windows were down. So I went out and rolled up my windows, came in and decided to read some more of the Bible and pray; so I flipped to Psalms and read chapters 29 & 30. Chapter 29 focuses on how great and glory God is and as He is seen in His creation. Chapter 30 praises God for how He had brought David through great times of sorrow, which is summarized in vs. 11&12, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." The phrase that stuck out to me was "You have turned my mourning into dancing..." because, well it just did. I guess the "revelation" of sorts was that I have never been really down, I mean I have been hurt and sad from crap that has happened to me, but none of it ever made me truly hopeless; that in and of itself is a blessing. I mean I praise God for what He gives me, but shouldn't I praise and thank Him for what He hasn't give or allowed. Nothing has me down and I should be dancing with joy. Sure there are so many questions I have about where I am going in the future, so much uncertainty on my part, but I have hope cause I know God is already there. I just need to be joyful now; as well as to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. I hate complacency, apathy, but I find myself being led there more often then not because it's comfortable and my human nature likes that, which doesn't leave much room for the Spirit's leading and eventually I have to fake having joy and mistake fleeting happiness for joy. I guess that is the crap that gets me down, but I think God uses it all, which is weird cause He can use my own stupidity to glorify Himself.
Another good verse that I will stick in here randomly is Psalm 30:5,
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. So that is my revelation...ok so it's more of a realization...
Good morning! I know I posted only about 10 hours ago, but I feel the need to post again. What I am posting, I didn't write, but my friend Darla did and it blessed me a lot--really what I needed to be reminded of and think about as I go through this day. I know only a few people regularly read this and I pray especially that those faithful readers will be blessed by this post:
God has a hold of you! Last night I went to see Tony Evans. I don't know who all of you know or have heard of him. He's on the radio and TV. It is such a blessing how God knows EXACTLY what you need. Last night I thought, I won't go-but I just believed that, God I have faith that You can meet me where I am at and encourage my soul, with exactly what I need-so I went. Now I just wanted to encourage each one of you with some of what he said last night.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
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 a HOPE & a FUTURE.
Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me,
and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU.
You will seek me and FIND ME
when you seek me with ALL your heart.
I will be found you you,
declares the Lord,
I will bring you back from captivity.... ***********
God is up to something GREAT in your life!
Sometimes that is hard to believe, but He is. What are you struggling with? God can turn that something into something great. Do you believe that?
Hopelessness. Are you feeling that life couldn't get any worse? God wants to change that hopelessness into GREAT HOPE that can't be quenched. He meets you where you are so many times, but at times He has to bring us to our lowest point so HE can be most glorified.
Jeremiah, he was living in a hopeless situation, so it seemed. Jeremiah 29:11 is a GREAT VERSE, in a bad chapter, in a bad book. God's people were in exile and false prophets abounded. So many times I forget that the people He was telling this to weren't having the greatest time. In the midst of this, God said,
"I have plans for you!"
I am challenged in time and age when evil abounds, when truth is not treasured, when the world says there are no absolutes to be different. To know that God is my HOPE. I can be different b/c of Jesus Christ.
Hope- Joyful anticipation about the future
God says, "I have plans for YOU"
The problem- so many times you and I tend to look in the rearview mirror. Looking back at the past, we tend to live in the past, not focusing on the great hope we have today, in the future, the blessings God wants to give us, the opportunities we have in our relationship with our Savior.
WHERE YOU ARE GOING IS A LOT BIGGER THAN WHERE YOU'VE BEEN
Are you down and out about a certain situation in your life? God has been there before, with the down and out. He changed Moses from a murder to a AMAZING man of God, Peter, a man who denied Jesus, to one of the greatest teachers of all time. God's grace!!! He can take whatever you have been, where ever you are now and TRANSFORM you! He has not given up on you yet!!
So you may be saying, Ok God how long, what is the plan? You say You have plans for me, there is a hope for me, a future. To be honest, that is where I am now. That is where I was last night.
What was God's answer to Jeremiah, to the captive Israelites?
You must seek me, find me.
Don't look at trying to find the plan (that's what I so often do), seek me and I will bring it to pass. Go in hot pursuit of Him. Don't just seek information about Me. We can have a lot of that, but are you truly knowing Me? The Word of God can so often be an end in itself. IT SHOULDN'T BE. The Word of God is the means that we use to get to know our Glorious Savior, our Creator God. Am I content with information, or do I truly know the Author of the information. Is He changing my life?
Tony Evans was saying how he went through 4 years of intense study of the Word of God at Dallas Theological Seminary-graduated with honors. At the end he was worn out. You can know all the information imaginable but if it's not joined with a growing relationship with the Creator God-knowlege will wear us out. It will give pride room to grow. I need to seek Him, the Author of all things, not just information. Am I doing that? I think of the verse that says Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. May God make us humble, poor in spirit. The Word of God is only the doorway to knowing our God, our relationship with God, knowing Him is satisfaction.
Tony also gave the illustration of pizza, the dough is mixed, kneaded, punched, pressed down, twirled in the air-until the baker is pleased. THE DOUGH MUST BE PREPARED. The process takes time, but the results-mouth-watering.
God's preparing each one of us.
Sometimes He takes us to the bottom of ourselves, to make us realize we never want to be here again, be it complacency, be it an area of sin in our life. He is gracious-amen-I am reminded that He won't give You anything you and Him can't handle. So if you see a sister or brother in Christ struggling-be encouraged by that. He will be Your everpresent help in those moments. In the end you will see how great He is, how much you NEED Him. How small you are.
God sees all the junk in your junkyard and loves you still.
Like Cinderella, We've found the prince (Jesus),
we've fallen in love with Him.
and
the GREATEST NEWS,
THE PRINCE IS LOOKING FOR YOU!
Before you check out of the situation you are in now
CHECK UP-God is waiting to hear your cry!!!
In the morning, O Lord
You hear my voice,
In the morning
I lay my requests
before You
And wait in EXPECTATION!!!
Psalm 5:3
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of YOUR FACE shine upon us, O Lord
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I WILL lie down
and sleep in peace
For Your ALONE, O Lord
Make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:6-8
Let's be that light guys, in the midst of this sin-stenched world where people ask, what is hope, where is there any good? May the light of Christ be EVIDENT in our face, in our actions, in our responses-this can only come as we seek Him #1 above all other relationships. May we be able to say that:
"God has filled us with greater joy than anything the world could ever give us."
He is our joy, our hope, our ultimate satisfaction.
**********
I appreciate each one of your hearts and lives.
For Christ alone,
Darla
My comments are messed up but try to post one anyway if you want to....
I feel the need to post, although I'm not sure what I should post. I will just ramble. My life feels different and I'm not sure why. I am blessed and this past weekend I think God used me to be a blessing, so that was good. I finished reading John today. Yesterday I was thinking how I don't like the end of the gospels because it's the end of Jesus' time on earth and the end of what He did while He was here. But as I was reading and thinking more, I realized that the last chapters of John are the climax of the whole book. It's where Jesus was the example of true love and His death was really just the beginning of something much bigger. In His death, He was an example of humility (Philippians 2 talks about this); He was falsely accused but didn't defend Himself, He knew what He had to do. I also thought it was remarkable how even though He was taking His lasts breaths on the cross, He saw His earthly mother Mary and made sure she would be taken care of. It just boggles my mind because here is Jesus, Savior of the world, taking all the sins of the world and dying, closing the gap between God and man, yet still mortal man who is looking out for the needs of the woman who raised Him. As cheesy as it might be to say, I think it's a beautiful picture of Who Jesus was--God and Man at the same time. So over my head, but still so real. Well, enough of my ramblings, I'm tired and my bed is calling me. Hope this makes sense in the morning!
I will extol the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called and the Lord heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems His servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.
I have to post something, just to let everyone know that Sunday was an awesome day and God has blessed me so much. Sunday night at church I finally let go of some burdens I had and doubts that just kept me from being as close to God as I could've been. My doubts were not in God but were of myself and my faith, but I surrendered to God and told Him that from then on I had no doubts and I wanted Him to use me. And He did use me and blessed me with 4 accountability partners within that same hour! We're reading a Proverb a day, learning about wisdom.
Other blessings include the oppurtunities to travel and see some friends soon as well as go to Purple Door. God is so good, in ways I didn't expect. I am blessed and want to give back so much more.
Today I read John 13 which is where Jesus demonstrates what a servant is. He didn't just tell them to be servants,He showed them! John 13:34 & 35~
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, you also love one antoher. By this all will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. Don't just say "I love you," show it! I like what Toby Mac says "Somebody shut me up so I can live out loud."
He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. ~John 9:25
The more I learn about the Bible and such, the more I realize that I don't know very much. I was reading in John tonight and the verse I put up there is from a quote from one of the blind men Jesus healed. What an amazing quote...I just can't get over it. I could go into all the spiritual implications and such, but just think about it, this guy was seriously blind from birth and never seen anything. Jesus did something practical for this man, He healed Him. The Bible doesn't say that this guy believed in Christ before he was healed. The Pharisees weren't impressed by this miracle, nor by the man's testimony, pretty much condemned him and cast him out. This is when Christ comes to him again and the man asks Him, "Who is He [the Son of God], Lord that I may believe in Him?" So...what does this lead me to? It's time to act first, speak second.
Preach without ceasing and if necessary use words.
For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. ~John 4:44
At YouthStock, the speaker (Sean Patrick from Finishline Ministries) said something that has stuck with me, which is unusual cause I forget stuff, but he said (in my own lil paraphrase), "Remember the whole 'WWJD' hype. Well, forget 'What Would Jesus Do' and just do what Jesus did." That got me thinking, how can I do what Jesus did if I don't know what He did, so I am reading the Gospel of John for my Quiet Time and I love it. I'm learning so much about Christ and what kind of person He was. And as I have read the first 5 chapters of John this is what I have learned in order to DO what Jesus DID:
* He loved all people--the outcasts, the adulators, the rich, the cripples...He treated them all the same.
* He had holy anger towards those who made basically a "mall" out of the temple, His Father's house.
* He sought to give in practical ways--to give hope for the adulterous, to heal the cripple, new life to the old.
* He went against the flow--check out the verse at the top of this post. I really like this verse; it gives me hope for my future ministry abroad, but also not to give up in my ministry here.
I could write so much more and I did, but it got deleted, so if you wanna know more, just ask me, I am more the glad to talk about it, it's exciting stuff.
Preach without ceasing and if necessary use words.
YouthStock is over...but I'm not sad, just tired...oh oh...my team came in 3rd!!! This is exciting because the first night we were in 8th place (last place), then last night we were in 5th and tonight we made it into the top 3! I'm a bit competitive. I learned a lot during YouthStock which maybe I'll talk about at a later time...but right now I need ideas. The last Sunday I was at college before summer break, a guy named Kevin from my school challenged us at our little WV church to do 2 things this summer, he called them our summer assignments:
1. To get into God's Word.
2. To get God into the world. I am pretty faithful about having a daily quiet time, but I will admit I struggle during the summer and sometimes miss a day, but I know I can't take a vacation from God's Word even though I'm on vacation from school. As far as getting God into the world, so far this summer I've done a lot of ministries through my church such as going to Brazil (which was the highlight of my year, let alone summer), I've also helped with Vacation Bible School and most recently YouthStock. I need some other practical ways I can get God into the world during the next month that I am home. Click here () to give me your ideas.
Thanx for your help
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Night 2 of YouthStock went well with a record number of kids being there--275!!! I know some aspects of it could've gone better...a lot of prayer and preparation is needed for tonight. Just pray that God will really open up the hearts of a lot of the teens to His will. It was awesome last night to see a lot of people go forward to pray for God to help them overcome temptations and having boldness to witness.
Here are the verses that I am trying to memorize for tonight:
Romans 5:12 ~ Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Matthew 6:24-25 ~ No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. YOu can not serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Philippians 2:5-11 ~ Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Those last verses are awesome, basically says that your attitude, my attitude should be the same as Jesus', which was an attitude of humility. Hmm....wasn't I learning about that last week too....
P.S. Team 2 is coming back! From 8th place to 5th place!!!
Hello everyone! Praise God for how awesome He is and the ministry oppurtunity He has allowed me to have at YouthStock. Last night was an great time of games, food, singing, hanging out, and being challenged to take the ultimate risk--telling others about Christ. It was really cool too because some people accepted Christ into their lives.
I also wanted to post some of the verses that we are memorizing:
Wednesday John 3:16 ~ For God so love the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 5:11&12 ~ Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Colossians 1:15-18 ~ He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beinning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.
Thursday Romans 1:16 (our theme verse for the whole event) ~ I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Matthew 6:19-21 ~ Don not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Ephesians 4:229-32 ~ Don not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for the building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redeption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
So you can tell the creative juices are really flowing when I am posting song lyrics. I do have a lot to write but sometimes it's easier to post a song in which I can really relate to at the moment, plus it lets ya know what I am listening to...This is "On Fire" by my boys Switchfoot...Read it and Relate....
They tell you where you need to go
They tell you when you need to leave.
They tell you what you need to know
They tell you who you need to be.
But everything inside you
knows there's more than what you've heard
There's so much more than empty conversations
filled with empty words
And you're on fire
when he's near you
You're on fire when he speaks
You're on fire burning at these mysteries
Give me one more time around
give me one more chance to see,
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be near you.
When everything inside me
Looks like everything i hate
You are the hope i have for change
You are the only chance I'll take
And I'm on fire when you're near me
I'm on fire when you speak
I'm on fire burning at these mysteries.
I'm standing on the edge of me,
I'm standing at the edge of everything I've ever been
And I've been standing at the edge of me, standing
at the edge
I'm feeling pretty "weedy" right now... in a field of yellow flowers
underneath the sun
bluest eyes that spark with lightning
boy with shoes undone
he is young, so full of hope
reveling in tiny dreams
filling up his arms with flowers
right for giving any queen
running to her,beaming bright
while cradling his prize
a flickering of yellow light
within his mother's eyes
she holds them to her heart
keeping them where they'll be safe
clasped within her very marrow
dandilions in a vase
she sees love where anyone else would see weeds
all hope is found, here is everything he needs
fathomless Your endless mercy
weight i could not lift
where do i fit in this puzzle?
what good are these gifts?
not a martyr or a saint
scarcley can i struggle through
all that i have ever wanted
was to give my best to You
Lord search my heart
create in me something clean
...dandelions...
You see flowers in these weeds
gently lifting hands to heaven
softened by the sweetist hush
a Father sings over His children
loving them so very much
more than words could warrant
deeper than the darkest blue
more than sacrafice could merit
Lord, i give my heart to you
Lord search my heart
create in me something clean
...dandelions...
You see flowers in these weeds
"Dandelions" by the soon to be gone Five Iron Frenzy
OK well I need to write about how my VBS mission "classes" went. Yesterday I got to tell all the lil childrens about my trip to Brasil and told them about the country yada yada yada. I also made sure everytime to tell them my testimony, in fact, one time one of the kindergarten girls asked what a "Christian" was whoa...what an oppurtunity so I took it and explained to her what a Christian was and how she could be one. It was great...I'm not the best teacher/speaker in the world, but God helped me to just take the oppurtunity and serve Him and further His kingdom.
Next week is YouthStock--3 nights of games, food, music, and the gospel for teen--and I get to serve as a team leader, a huge responsibility that is really fun and exciting! Much prayer needed...
I'm so encouraged to hear about other people who are serving God around the world, and around the nation..."Go and make disciples..." ~Matt. 28:19
Jeff went to Lake Placid NY for a week of Servant Evangelism and God used his service of passing out bottles of water in awesome ways...
FiveIronSkanker: Bruce
FiveIronSkanker: Monday, passed out water to Bruce - he was working on Main Street, doing finishing work on a store exterior in the hottest time of the day
FiveIronSkanker: gave him the water and told him that God loved him and wanted him to have soem water
FiveIronSkanker: he was really blown away by it
FiveIronSkanker: so Tuesday...
FiveIronSkanker: I'm out walking again
FiveIronSkanker: and there's Bruce
FiveIronSkanker: go over and say, "Hey Bruce - good to see you again. Just thought I'd bring you another water by and let you know that I prayed about the request you gave me. Is there anything else I can pray for you about?"
FiveIronSkanker: and he said no - I reaffirmed that God loved him and headed out
FiveIronSkanker: Wednesday...
FiveIronSkanker: we're working Main Street again and I'm with Justin H and Lauren
FiveIronSkanker: this time, I go, "Hey Lauren, go over there and say, 'Hey Bruce -" and she did and he was, again, surprised that we remembered his name
FiveIronSkanker: but I wasn't there this time
FiveIronSkanker: I mean, I was watching from the other side fo the street
FiveIronSkanker: and then she got into some conversation with him and he was asking about the church
FiveIronSkanker: Thursday
FiveIronSkanker: Justin decides it's his turn
FiveIronSkanker: we walk to the Mission House to get the cross, and Justin felt the Lord leading him to go visit Bruce
FiveIronSkanker: but Bruce wasnt' around - but his stuff was
FiveIronSkanker: so Justin went to the book store, and by God's leading, picked up a Bible and wrote a message to Bruce about finding the truth and that we loved him
FiveIronSkanker: he went back and set it down
FiveIronSkanker: that was the Bruce story - we never saw Bruce after Wednesday, but the Lord still moved for that stuff to happen
SpAMspike: yeah for real
SpAMspike: you know some sow and some water, but God does the reaping
FiveIronSkanker: exactly
SpAMspike: i saw that first hand in Brasil
opportunities are knocking....will i answer the door? God is good, even when I'm not bearing any of those "spirit fruits" which are being taught at VBS this week...I can't even name them all without singing some kind of VBS-ish song and doing the motions. Let's see today was patience and endurance and the song was hilarious, but anyway, those are the too "biggies" I need to be practicing the most, especially now, in my present circumstances. I'm not saying that my circumstances are bad, not even, but...I don't know how to say it without sounding totally ungrateful and discontent, but right now is not what I want right now...but these circumstances are perfect for practicing endurance and patience...see I'm looking on the bright side, the glass is half full! Don't accuse me of being a pessimist...
My opportunities are right here--today, tomorrow, and next week--working with kids and teens, showing them Christ's love and what it means to be a Christian...I need two other "fruits," "H 'n' G" as we call them at VBS--Humility and Gentleness I'll tell ya how tomorrow goes tomorrow....
random things to put wrinkles in your brain... a quote...To steal ideas from one person, would be plagiarism, to steal ideas from many is called research.
For the nerd in you...wondering about metric. While I was in Brasil, someone asked me how tall I was--in meters! I told them, "I'm a stupid American, we don't use meters..." Sad to say, the U.S. is behind...
song that fit me today, first verse of "More then Fine" by Switchfoot:
When I wake in the morning,
I want to blow into pieces.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.
When I’m up with the sunrise
I want more than just blue skies.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.
Today...Sunday...I love Sundays...I really do, the only routine I don't mind...church and worship in the morning with my brothers and sisters and then family dinner and nap, followed by church. It's my favorite day and today was no exception. Tonight was a sad time though, I mean it was initially happy...well let me explain. Tonight at church we gave our Mission trip from our time in Brasil. It was wonderful for each of us to share what we learned and saw and had pictures to go along with the stories. I love to do presentations, especially this one because like I said in an entry a day ago, this trip confirmed in my heart that I am to be a missionary in a foreign field, so I shared that with my church family tonight. But the sad part is that this trip is over...like tonight capped it off, no more meetings, no more prep, just memories...
I jokingly asked my pastor to take up an offering to send me back to Brasil. I told them that I only need a one-way ticket and that I'd trust God to provide one for the return flight...my pastor said that I should provide the ticket and ask God to provide the one back--in His timing. Maybe I will...
I love this song, it's been out for a couple years, but it is truly timeless...not until we are in heaven can we quit imagining....
I can only imagine
by Mercy Me
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
well, well, well, I am finally posting because there's been a lot going on in my head lately and I think writing will help relieve some of the tension on my brain:)
I'm finally realizing I am home from Brazil, and readjusting I guess. It's was so hard to come home, everything in me was fighting against it, I wanted to stay so bad and I could've too...but I'm to darn responsible! More then ever I long for the days when I can be spontaneous and do what I want without being accountable to someone else schedule, but ultimately I realize, I will always have to answer to someone, one way or another. I am beginning to realize why it was so hard to leave Brazil, for starters, I really have nothing to come back to here at home--no exciting job and no significant other--I could've stayed the whole summer without missing out on anything, for the first time in my life I have the freedom to just go, leave without any restraint and I can't. Another reason that it was hard for me to leave Brazil was because I finally realize for sure that being an overseas missionary is what God wants me to do, so I got a small taste of the future and it's very good, a lil bitter at times but overall satisfying. I really want to be an overseas missionary now, but I have at least 2 years before I can go and it's been somewhat disheartening for me to realize that. I know that I am a missionary wherever I am and have many opportunities to witness especially in the next 2 weeks, but I want to go to the uttermost parts of the earth!
I feel like I'm having a wilderness experience--I'm some place between Canaan and Egypt, a place called the wilderness... Patience and Contentment definitely the traits I am being tested on right now... On Dec 12 I posted a poem that really describes what I'm feeling right now, with wanting to "go" when I have to stay...I must wait. A lot of people relate it to love, but I think it can be taken so much deeper then just that...there are so many things the each of us wants right now, but we have to wait and it's hard, but ultimately God's timing is best...sounds so clique I know.
I am lazy...here's the e-mail I sent out to tell about my trip...It's a good overview of what went on...I'll be posting more as time goes on and maybe some photos too....
Hello Everyone!
I can't believe that I am writing this e-mail already, the e-mail to tell you how my trip to Brazil went. It went fast, so many people told me that 10 days in Brazil was not enough time and they all were right!
I want to thank you all for praying for me and my team. God blessed us greatly with safe travels both to and from Brazil. We also had safe travels while we were in Brazil--driving there is really quite an experience, but God kept us safe!
This trip was an awesome experience for me in so many ways. Not only did we see a lady and several children come to Christ, but we were an encouragement to the believers at the church's that we visited. I think we were at 6 churches and also had an open air church service. The open air service was probably the most memorable for me because it was in a really poor neighborhood and we did our program on the front porch of a lady's house. I was also able to share my testimony at that service with Mrs. Weber translating in Portuguese and Mr. Weber translating in sign language (the Weber's are the missionary we were stayed with). It was also the open-air service where a lady accepted Christ as her Savior, Mrs. Weber had been talking to her since January and after 6 months of not being ready, she was finally ready to make a decision. It is such a blessing that God used us in the process!
The best part of all of the services was afterwards when we got to meet the people of the church and try to communicate despite none of us knowing Portuguese and very few of the people knowing English. But as one lady told me, even though we couldn't communicate with words, we still were in the same family of God and had that special bond of love. We met so many children, sometimes there were more kids at the services then adults.
This trip was truly the best experience of my life. I could've have stayed all summer--or even all year! I learned so much about people and about God. I also learned what it takes to be a missionary and know more then ever that God wants me to be a missionary, maybe not to Brazil, but maybe so, I really don't know and it's all up to Him.
Thank you all so much for praying. Oh, I know I asked prayer for me learning the handchimes and I think I did OK, it was fun.
Some follow-up prayer requests are: that Mrs. Weber will be able to follow-up with those who recently became Christians; that the one piece of luggage that ended up in Germany will get to the Webers soon (it contained most of our supplies for the kids and for the Webers Sunday School seminar); that the teens of our team will recover--a few are sick, but nothing serious, our only injuries were a chipped tooth and scraped knees and one boy ended up with 87 mosquito bites. Needless to say it was an interesting trip full of memories and many inside stories, but I won't go into them all!
so it's been a while since I posted something on here. I think this lack of blogging is due to several factors: (1) I haven't felt like posting anything (laziness); (2) I haven't really had anything extremely interesting to write about (boring life); (3) I haven't worked at the office as much which is where I usually do my blogging; and (4) I have been fairly busy. The countdown to Brasil is 6 days!! Honestly I can't believe it and at the present time I'm not overly excited due to being tired. I went to D.C. yesterday...more about that later, but that is the main reason I am tired. I think another reason I am tired, or at least feeling unmotivated is because of all the rain! I am very grateful for the beautiful day I had yesterday to take my lil road trip. It wasn't sunny but was overcast but at least it didn't rain!!!! But now it is raining....my cousin told me that someone else said that according to the "Farmer's Almanac" this summer is only suppose to consist of 11 days of sunshine, which is about 1 1/2 days of sunshine per each week of summer! That is depressing. I need sunshine. Also something that is ironic is that in Brasil they are having their rainy season! I know I'm not going down there for the weather, BUT it would be awesome to have just like 3 whole days rain-free. It is slightly assuring to know that the last time my church sent a team to Brasil during the rainy season they said it didn't rain very much at all. I'm a lil skeptical about this trip just because of how the weather is here, but I know God will work it all out!
Hello Sunshine! I have had 2 days of being able to sit outside in the blissful sun. It's true, you really don't know the value of something until it's gone...or shielded by clouds, whatever the case may be. It's just humorous how people, human beings are control freaks and in the case of the weather, we can not control it (at least not yet anyway). When it rains on Memorial Day, we are forced to have our picnics and cookouts inside and readjust. That is how I am trying to see my life right now, like a rained out BBQ. I have plans and I am expecting good weather, but come the day of my cookout, my expectant sunshine is a no show and is replaced with storm clouds, so I readjust. Right now it seems like my cookout is getting rained out before it even happens, if that makes a shred of sense. I am going somewhere with this. My point is my plans for my life, my desires and hopes will not always be met the way I want them to be met, but God is in control. Trials I have are merely readjustments I need to make in my life. Disappointments and let downs will come when I rely on people, it's to be expected. But, praise God that when people fail me He is still faithful and I can trust Him to be there always. It's good to remind myself of this before the rain comes. I hope it is an encouragement to you too.
Hey I've heard this song everywhere "Run" by a band named Kutless. I was listening to it wondering what it was about, so I looked up the lyrics, and it's sung from the perspective of God and it does contain truth. Here are the lyrics:
Why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know i
just, just want to be with you, to be with you
Looking down from above as you watch TV
Wondering why, oh you're ignoring me
Do you remember, remember when i came to you
And you loved me
And i'm waiting for you
And i'm waiting for you
Why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know i
just, just wanna be with you, to be with you
Hey, why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know
I just, just wanna be with you, to be with you...
Whatever happened to the love, the love you had for me
When you first came to me
Don't you know that i died, died so i could be with you
forever
And i'm waiting for you
And i'm waiting for you
Why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know i
just, just wanna be with you, to be with you
Hey, why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know
I just, just wanna be with you, to be with you...
Find a place of solitude, and i'll speak to you
As you pray to me
Don't you know i'm waiting here, waiting for you to
read and hear my words
I'm waiting here missing the time the times we shared
oh, please come to me
Why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know i
just, just wanna be with you, to be with you
Hey, why do you run why do you hide oh don't you know
I just, just wanna be with you, to be with you...
Things I don't know how to do but want to know how to do:
* Learn or at least understand HTML so I can make this page better (get my comments to work!!!!)
* Learn another language (Portuguese! Notice that my dates are now in Portuguese)
* Play a musical instrument (I'm sorta learning handchimes but that doesn't count, but I want to play the guitar)
* Walk the runway so I can be "America's Next Top Model" (just kidding!)
* Learn more about Photography so I can actually know what I'm doing
Stuff I know how to do but don't do as much as I would like to, so I actually want to do more this summer:
* Read the Bible more and memorize more of it
* Read more in general (Lord of the Rings trilogy)
* Write letters and keep in contact with those who don't live near me or I see that often
* Write more in general (journaling--it's a therapy)
* Pray
* Travel travel travel! (I love roadtrips)
* Meet new people
* Spend time with my grandparents on the farm
* Do something with my scrapbooks
* Enjoy the great outdoors (when will this rain stop?!)
well, that's all I can think of now, BUT you all need to keep me accountable and ask me if I am actually doing this stuff!
There's a place in the darkness I use to cling to. That presses harsh hope against time. In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves who only want to rob you blind. They steal away any sense of peace, tho I'm a king. I'm a king on my knees. And I know hey are wrong when they say I am strong. As the darkness covers me. So I turn on the light and reveal all the glory, I am not afraid. To
bear all my weakness, knowing in meekness, I have a kingdom to gain. Where there is peace and Love in the Light in the Light, I am not afraid. To let your light shine bright in my life In my life. There are ghosts from my past who have owned more of my soul. Than I thought I had given away. They linger in closets and under my bed. And in pictures less proudly dis-played. A great fool in my Life I
have been. Have squandered til pallid and thin. Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame. From darkness I know I've let win. Can you hear me? can you hear me?
"martyrs and theives " Jennifer Knapp
this is probably going to be a boring entery because I am at "work" and I am bored. And if you can even read this, it means that my blog isn't completely messed up. Anyway, back to the "work" it's boring, but don't get that confused with me being ungrateful for the job. Is there any such thing as having the "dream job"? Please tell me if you have yours. I think my dream job would entail actually doing something I enjoy that actually helps others. I'm finding it's hard to actually help others and enjoy it. I know I'm not looking for fame and fortune, so I know my dream job is not being a celebrity or anything like that. So what jobs could I do that I would enjoy and actually help people.....hmmm....well I've always wanted to be a roadie for one of my favorite bands. Touring would be awesome because I love to travel and I don't think I'd mind setting up and working merch, cause I'd be helping people, if that makes sense. So if there are anyone reading this that can hook me up with this, that would be cool. I'm not saying this is my life's ambition, but it'd be a cool job for a lil bit, not forever.
I must get back to "work" and then get my shots for Brazil! Yeah Brazil, No shots!
I am known for my delayed reactions. It takes me a while to get things and sometimes I'm just not that bright. This, let's call a "condition", has spread into other areas of my life, such as being in the know about current events and entertainment. It's not entirely my fault because I do live a sheltered life when I am at school and rarely, if ever, watch TV or listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper. Occasionally I do check out the news while I am on-line, but usually just whatever pops up in the IM or MSN messenger box. However, I am home now and have access to all the modern conveniences of life that keep me in tune with what's going on, including music. As lame as it seems, I just "discovered" a new, well sorta new, band called "Brave Saint Saturn". Any Five Iron Frenzy fan who listens to the CD will quickly recognize the voice of Reese Roper singing, yes singing, about serious stuff. There's a bunch of other FIF members adding their talent to Brave Saint Saturn, but not the horn section, because this isn't a ska band, but what is being called "space rock." It's kind of like FIF (minus the horns) meets Joy Electric, but with a lil less electric (and sometimes joy). I know some FIF or JE or even BSS fan would kill me for making that comparison but it's the best I can describe them, and I like it. Brave Saint Saturn is just the thing for the kids who grew up listening to FIF and have mellowed out a bit, kinda like myself. And even though FIF is calling it quits at the end of this year, that void can find some filling knowing that the members haven't quit making music and Reese is still singing his heart away, though about more profound things then "kitty doggy". And as much as I love "kitty doggy" and "when I go out" and "kingdom of the dinosaurs," I am really digging how he sings about his own need for Jesus Christ, it puts music and words to the vulnerability I know I sometimes feel as a Christian.
Well, as I said, I am just "discovering" Brave Saint Saturn and been listening to their first album "So Far From Home." I came on-line to learn more about them and found out they have another CD out, "The Light of Things Hoped For" and I can't wait to get a listen of that. Here's a page you can check them out at http://www.bravesaintsaturn.com/band.cfm and I'll be posting more info as I find it out. I know it's hard to say good bye to Five Iron Frenzy, but at least we can say hello Brave Saint Saturn. Yeah, it’s a delayed “hello” on my part.
A promise is a promise....To my Future Dentist Friend, Kris Daia, I would like to dedicate this quote in honor of you: "Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you." Dentists are our friends:)
On a more serious note, I got this in an e-mail to day and it really makes me think--who holds the fate of an individual-God or man? who holds the fate of an unborn individual-God or man? As you will read in these cases it comes down to one man, a judge, is he God? Obvioiusly not, but yet he is deciding who will have life and who will not. This press release makes me think, what if I had been "Baby Doe"?
THE PLIGHT OF 'BABY DOE'
My good friend Mathew Staver, founder of the Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel, has been on a legal roller coaster this week, attempting to save the life of an unborn child in the state. In the case of Baby Doe, Mr. Staver and his team worked valiantly to save the unborn child. And for a brief moment, it appeared they had been successful. Judge Arthur Rothenberg had ruled Wednesday night to have physicians at Jackson Memorial Hospital perform a live birth, canceling the hysterotomy abortion that was scheduled for Thursday morning. However, the judge changed his mind and directed the abortion to be carried out. Mat Staver utilized this case to draw attention to the emergent culture of death that is gripping our nation. Following the abortion, he said, "The death of Baby Doe highlights the tragedy of abortion. Here we have a case where the OB/GYN physicians specializing in high-risk pregnancy stated that the baby was developing normally and there was no reason to terminate the pregnancy. But, when you place these facts in the context of a 'disposable' baby mentality and a non-adversarial guardianship proceeding (where the court's decision waffles based on the most recent ex parte contact), the end result is that the most innocent victim, Baby Doe, comes out the loser." He added, "Here the intended procedure for the abortion was an abdominal hysterotomy (the same in this case as a C-section). Baby Doe at 24 weeks had a chance at life. Give Baby Doe one more week in the womb and the percentage of survival would have dramatically increased." But abortion-rights advocates did not want to give this baby a chance for life and the same procedure that could have been used to preserve life was used to snuff it out. "I don't understand a system or a country that calls this 'choice,'" Mr. Staver concluded. In a related Florida abortion case involving a mentally-disabled rape victim, Gov. Jeb Bush and others had pressed for the appointment of a guardian to help in determining the outcome of that young woman's pregnancy. But abortion-rights advocates opposed the guardian appointment, leaning on a 1989 Florida Supreme Court decision, In re T.W., wherein the court said appointing such a guardian was "clearly improper." However, that case involved a 15-year-old youngster who was attempting to sidestep a state parental-consent requirement to abort her six-week-old unborn child. The High Court decision did not relate at all to this case. Prior to the abortion of that baby, Family Research Council President Ken Connor said, "Legally, this situation is clearly different from the 1989 case in that the mother here is mentally disabled and unable to decide what is in the best interest of both herself and her unborn child. Morally, the issue is the same - all life, regardless of stage of development or station in life - is deserving of protection." It is clear that the abortion-rights community will not listen to reason in these cases. In fact, since people were standing ready to adopt this baby, it simply made no sense at all to perform the abortion. And yet, this baby is dead. Two innocent lives are lost. Recall that abortion-rights advocates in Florida are so bent on advancing abortion, they have legally challenged the state's "Choose Life" license plates which state residents may purchase to help in the funding of adoption programs. Abortion-rights leaders want no hint of opposition to their cause. The abortion community is clearly and blindly resolved to the promotion of killing innocent life. I join with Mathew Staver in praying that the Baby Doe experience will rekindle the abortion debate in America. I thank God that leaders like Mr. Staver are there to valiantly lead the legal cause for life in our nation. The Baby Doe case was a battle lost, but one well worth fighting. Please pray for Mat, his legal team and pro-life leaders everywhere as they work to save other Baby Does who stand defenseless against the aggressive foes of life.
So I have let this place go for a lil bit and just to get it off my back I am writing an entry, FINALLY!
Hooray for tax cuts! Those are alway cool, especially when you are a poor college student.
Hooray for sunshine I am looking forward to more! Hooray for my friend Ricardo, you are such a blessing! Hooray for e-mails, much more would be appreciated, hint hint hint... Hooray for IM, which lets me keep in contact with all my precious friends.
Hooray for God keeping His promises! That's really what my life is all about... I really have tons more to put on here. Everyday I am learning something new....
SUMMER...well END OF SCHOOL is here...(summer doesn't officially start until June)!!!! I'm home and today I did something that I have not done in forever....nothing...I went outside and sat on a chair and just sat...that's it...no books to read, no exam to study for. It was just me and the sunshine, wind, and creek. I also took it as an opportunity to pray and thank God for things and I had a massive realization....victory is mine! What do I mean? As I was sitting outside relaxing, praying, and occassionally dozing, I started to think about extra classes I would like to take next semester since I have a pretty light schedule of 11 hours. Then I thought, "I hope none of my classes are really hard." And that is when I realized that even if they are I will get through them with God's help because I have already taken so many classes that I thought I'd NEVER get through and I DID and I WILL get through next year and the 20-some page counseling papers! I am already vicotorious, all I have to do is, well, do it! So, that made me realize how as a Christian I am already victorious, Jesus Christ has paid the price for my sin debt, forgiving me and allowing me to have a relationship with God, and the promise of eternal life in heaven with Him after this life is over. I mean that's so intense....I am already victorious, all I have to do is live! Living can be hard, but in the end, it's so worth it. I am so excited.......it's going to be a good summer.....and a great life! Be encouraged my friends!
hey~
I am a college senior! I'm finished all my finals and about to leave college for summer break.
I want to give God hugh praise for bringing me through this semester. So many times I pray for things and once they are over, I am quick to forget WHO to thank for helping me through. The hard classes, the huge exams, the never-ending reading, the 200 page papers, the BIG projects, they seem so life encompassing at the time, but I made it through and tried to do my best. I'm thankful for these things because they help me grow and truly rely on God. I really have it so easy....too easy...I need to remember that.
it's been a while....but the end is in sight....
when i'm not working....i'm working.....and then when i'm not working...i'm working....you get the picture....
anyway despite my selfish whining there is still so much going on....here's something I got in my e-mail today that makes me realize how corrupt our society is and there is tons more going on then what I am focusing on.
The value of a little girl Most of us know how corrupt and depraved Hollywood is, so we are not really all that shocked when outrageous news comes out about a movie star or a director. We have almost come to expect the scandals and disgusting behavior that are all too common in this industry. Even so, I didn't really expect to be quite so shocked by what happened at the Academy Awards show.
This year, director Roman Polanski was nominated for Best Director, which is scandalous in and of itself. What is even more disturbing is that he won the Oscar, and received a huge standing ovation.
But Mr. Polanski was not there to accept his award; if he had been, he would have been immediately handcuffed and escorted to prison. You see, Roman Polanski is a fugitive from them law. Twenty-five years ago he fled the country -- just hours before being sentenced for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.
Have we become so callous that we can overlook child molestation just because someone is supposedly a great movie director? Have we devalued children this much in our society that his artistic talent comes before the dignity of this little girl?
I shouldn't be surprised at all; in fact, I should expect this as a natural progression in the culture of death we live in. When society decides a child has no value as a human being for the first nine months of life, it eventually follows for that sort of attitude to extend to children's lives outside the womb as well. When Princeton University, one of our most esteemed colleges, can appoint eugenicist Peter Singer as head of its “ethics” department, you know we are in trouble. Singer thinks it's OK to kill a disabled child in the first month after birth if the parents don't think the baby's life is worth living. So honoring a fugitive child molester for his artistic accomplishments with the highest honor in his field should come as no surprise.
I have watched for several weeks now as Hollywood bigwigs have spoken out against war in Iraq because they don’t want innocent people to die. They talk about how horrible it is that children will die because of the war. I agree -- it is horrible whenever innocent children are killed. What I don’t understand is how can these same people then praise and honor a man who drugged and raped a young child?
The answer is simple; we have devalued human life and stripped away personhood for the first nine months of life, it just digresses from there. If it is OK to treat a little girl like a disposable object inside her mother's womb, then it logically follows that it is OK to ignore the dignity and personhood of a 13-year-old girl.
Roman Polanski should be in prison for his crimes. Instead, he is making millions of dollars and getting his profession's highest honors for his achievements. We as a society have sunk so deep into this culture of death that we can’t even see how disgusting this is.
As Christians, we must pry ourselves from our comfort zones and stand up. We must destroy the apathy that has enslaved us for so long. We must shatter our own silence and raise our voices in truth and love.
America is stained with the blood of millions of innocent children and engulfed in a darkness that has blinded our nation. Darkness is not the opposite of light; it is the absence of light. We must shine brightly the light of Christ into this dark world. We must boldly lift up His name without shame or hesitation.
I am strengthening my commitment to action and prayer, and I challenge you to join me.
As much as I would encourage you to avoid Roman Polanski’s films, I encourage you even more to pray for him.
For the voiceless,
Bryan Kemper
bryan@rockforlife.org
OK, so it's snowing after a week of beautiful sunny weather....only in WV folks! Today the sun was shining and it was snowing! I don't get this...the only thing I figure it is God's way of telling me to stay inside and do my homework! Yeah, I have been distracted lately by the the wonderful spring weather, but not anymore. Another thing I'm learning is that God is in control...and I really am not. 5 more weeks left of being a junior! I am almost finished college...wow I cannot even believe it. This part of the semester is hard because I want to give up and quit, but I know that I have done so much work there is NO WAY I am giving up and withdrawing now...especially out of Western Civ....oi. So, if ya wanna pray for me, I am a lil sore throat going on, I'd appreciate it greatly. Remember 2 Corinthians 9:6&7 (I teach on it next Thursday--good stuff).
i am now going to post according to what my mood ring says.
COLOR CODE: BLACK - anxious, nervous
AMBER - unsettled
GREEN - normal
BLUE GREEN - somewhat relaxed
BLUE - calm and lovable
DARK BLUE - very happy.
when i made up my mind
and my heart along with that
to live not for myself
but yet for God
somebody said
"do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
when i finally ironed out
all of my priorities
and asked God to remove the doubt
that makes me unsure of these
things i ask myself
i ask myself
"do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
i'm getting into you
because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you
because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life
when he looked at me and said
"i kind of view you as a son"
and for a second our eyes met
and i met that with a question
"do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
i'm getting into you
because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you
because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life
i've been a liar and i'll never amount to
the kind of person you deserve to worship you
you say you will not dwell on what i did but rather what i do you say
"i love you and that's what you are getting yourself into"
i'm getting into you (getting into you)
because you got to me (because you got to me)
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you (getting into you)
because i've got to be (because i've got to be)
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life
i'm getting into you (getting into you)
because you got to me (because you got to me)
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you (getting into you)
because i've got to be (because i've got to be)
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life
you said "i love you and that's what you're getting into"
that's "getting into you" from relient k's new cd "two lefts don't make a right...but three do"
check it out...it's great
This is something a fellow "alumnus" of WOLBI sent me and I thought it was worthy posting because it something I needed to be reminded of today. I pray it blesses all of you. Thanx Darla.
LOVE
1 Cor 12:31 And now I will show you the most excellent way.
This little phrase right before chapter 13 is easily missed. Paul is talking about spiritual gifts and he says, the most excellent way to put them into practice is by practicing love. W/o love-a good deed/sacrifice is nothing. This tells me something-love needs to be so much more evident in my life.
*Without the fruit of the Spirit, (specifically love) the spiritual gifts God has given us can't operate except in the flesh in which they become counterfeit and counterproductive.
*How do I cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (specifically love)? By walking in the Spirit, living by the Spirit.
Gal 5:16-17 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Gal 5:25-26 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. What exactly does walking in the Spirit mean?
Walking in the Spirit= day-to-day obedience to the Word of God and submission to the Lord
*The Corinthian believers did not lack any gift (we don't lack any gift as a church either) , but they (we) were terribly deficient in spiritual fruit. The main one they lacked was LOVE.
AGAPE LOVE FACTS:
*one of the rarest words in ancient greek literature
*one of the most common in the New Testament
*what is talked of in 1 Corinthians 13
AGAPE LOVE IS NOT...
* romantic or sexual love (eros) which does not appear in the New Testament
* mere sentiment, a pleasent feeling about something or someone
* a close friendship or brotherly love (philia)
* charity which in English has long been associated only with the giving to the needy
THE PROBLEM: Few people (many Christians) have any idea what TRUE LOVE is.
************************
I used to think of it as nice feelings, warm affection, romance, and desire. That is what we see in movies.
When, we say "I love you," we often mean, "I love me and I want you."
I believe that is why so many marriages end in divorce, we have a WARPED VIEW of love.
********************
There once was a young woman who came to her pastor desperate and despondent. She said, "There is a man who says he loves me so much he will kill himself if I don't marry him. What should I do?" "Do nothing," he replied. "That man doesn't love you; he loves himself. Such a threat is not love; it is pure selfishness, the very opposite of agape love.
By Alan Redpath
AGAPE LOVE IS.... * Self-giving
* Demands something of us
* More concerned with giving than receiving
* Unatural to the human nature
* Sacrificial for the sake of others
(even those who may care nothing at all for us and who may even hate us)
* NOT A FEELING, but a determined act of the will
* The result is always determined acts of self-giving
* willing, joyful
* NO pride, vanity, arrogance, self-seeking, self-glory
* God's love
SUPREME EXAMPLE
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Rom 5:10a For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son Eph 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. How much more should we love our enemies.
"He loved them/us to perfection," or "to completion"
EXAMPLE IN ACTION
Jesus was facing the agony of the cross. His disciples, were arguing about who was the greatest. They were selfish, they were humanly unattractive, and in no way sensitive. Jesus response: He loved them supremely, teaching them to love not in word, but in deed, to flesh out what they said and not just talk.
TRUE DISCIPLE= One who shows agape love
Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 1 Thess 4:9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 1 Cor 14:1a Pursue love... Col 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 1 Thess 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment Phil 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind 2 Cor 8:8-9 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
IN SUMMERY 1. God commands us to love
2. As a Christian we already possess love
3. The norm in true Christian living is love
4. The Holy Spirit is who works love in us
5. For love to be real/genuine, it must be practiced
Footnotes
MacArthur New Testament Bible Commentary
I haven't posted much pertaining to me lately, but what I am posting is important to me....
Rock For Life Report Special Edition – National Pro-life T-shirt Day
The first annual National Pro-life T-shirt Day is quickly approaching! With less than six weeks left before pro-lifers everywhere unite by wearing the pro-life message into their classrooms and communities, it’s critical that every pro-lifer knows about this important event.
We’ve made it easy for you to let your friends, family, church, and classmates know about National Pro-life T-shirt Day by posting a printable flyer on our web site at www.rockforlife.org/special_events/tshirt_day.htm. Print this flyer out and distribute it to every pro-lifer that you know!
As a pro-life student, April 28 is your opportunity to exercise your Constitutional right to free speech with thousands of other pro-life students by proudly speaking out for the thousands of babies whose voices have been silenced by today’s culture.
This is your day to tell your world the truth about abortion!
In addition to your pro-life t-shirt, as a symbol of respect to our military men and women overseas, we would like everyone to wear an American flag pin on April 28. This flag does not symbolize support of the current war. Instead, it is a symbol of support for the men and women bravely serving in our military.
If you or someone you know is facing pregnancy alone and needs someone to talk to, please call America's Pregnancy Help Line at 1-800-672-2296.
----------
For the voiceless,
Bryan Kemper and Sara McKalips
Rock For Life
PO Box 1350
Stafford, VA 22555
info@rockforlife.org
www.rockforlife.org
Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is.
I'm not much into the news, but I do want to keep up to date with what is going on with our country. You'd think if there'd be anytime that I'd want to escape reality, it would be now, but war is real...so I read this on-line today, it'll probably end up in a text book one day...
March 18 — A defiant Saddam Hussein on Tuesday rejected President Bush’s ultimatum for him and his sons to flee into exile, making war virtually inevitable as nearly 300,000 U.S. and British troops geared up for their second confrontation with Iraqi forces in a dozen years. The White House declared that resisting the United States would be “Saddam’s final mistake.”
Something cool that I hope many people everywhere will participate in: It's only about six weeks away! April 28 is the day students across the country are wearing pro-life shirts to school. One teen writes to say she's definitely going to participate: "I'm wearing the 'I survived' T-shirt since I was about five minutes away from being aborted. The operation didn't work. Woo-hoo! Praise God! Thanks for doing this." American Life League is sponsoring the event through its Rock for Life youth outreach. www.rockforlife.org
as for me...it's back to school...it's the fight of my life (that phrase is borrowed from Insyderz)
I am back to school....this pretty much means I am cut off from society because there isn't TV here and I don't listen to the radio for all the breaking news. I am glad for the internet. Here are some interesting quotes I found from around the world about the "war" our country will soon be delved into. My opinion is not reflected in these quotes, I just found them to be thought provoking.
An Arab League ambassador said, "It's a very grave day. This is the day that international law has been shoveled away. War will not solve this problem. Unfortunately those who are going to war will find it will be very difficult to get out of it."
During a session of Canada's Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Jean Chretien said, "If military action [in Iraq] is launched without a new [U.N.] resolution, Canada will not participate."
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, speaking to Europe 1 radio, said "One country can win a war, but it takes more than one country to win peace."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said a possible war in Iraq would be "A mistake fraught with the gravest consequences which may result in casualties and destabilize the international situation in general."
Li Zhaoxing, the Chinese foreign minister, said, "We appeal for a political settlement to the Iraq question within the framework of the United Nations and urge all efforts to avoid war."
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan reiterated his stance that, should military action occur in the region without the blessing of the world body, "Its legitimacy would be questioned."
I trust our president to be a very wise and intelligent man.....pray for him...pray for our country....pray for peace.
hey I have the time to blog, but nothing to blog about...that's sad. Time flies when you are doing nothing yet have a lot of stuff to do, yet I boredom finds me while I am in the middle of 5 projects. I wish the days were longer just so I'd have more time to waste and actually accomplish a minute amount of something, anything, just to say I accomplished it. I'm halfway feeling motivated now. I guess I could research my report while I'm online and maybe some other stuff. Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do! Thanx for all your help. Later.
God is really good, He knows my needs better then I do. I've been spending this spring break at home, and originally I wanted to go somewhere other then home. After being home for the last seven days I am really glad I didn't go anywhere, not even for a day road trip or something. I am just seriously relaxing, staying up late and sleeping in, doing a bare minimum of homework, hanging out with my family. Anyway, I am just really glad that it worked out that I did nothing spectactular for this spring break. I was pretty burnt out and feel a lot more refreshed now. Who wouldn't after getting 12 hours of sleep a day?
well i've learned a lot by being home, let me share this wealth of knowledge with you:
If you are going to stay up late, don't watch TV, only thing on after 1am is either old sitcom reruns or those gross dating shows that could be considered soft porn.
The DMV (or MVA as we know it in Maryland) is the place to hunt mullets during daytime hours.
The world is utterly and totally obsessed with looks. We are all vain. Style is not cheap.
It's expensive to be a bridesmaid.
Home food always tastes better then school food, and it doesn't make you fat!!!
My mother is my mother. period.
I like my space. My room. My closet. My bathroom.
Some friends are better far away. New term soon to be added to your vocabulary "Long distance friendship"
The internet was the best mask ever created. We can all say what we want without having to face anybody.
Proverbs 3:5&6 is still something I need to learn! Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
"All" means ALL!!!!
and finally....something I learned from a very vibrant 4 year old:
So Monday was great! Tuesday was not....I barely made it through....and Thursday..woo-hoo....I made it!
I hate feeling like I have to "make it through" stuff. I feel like I am short changing myself, as well as God, when I strive to just "make it through". Who get's the glory then? No one.
But, I am getting a new start and am excited about the next several days. God is at work in me and in others....
there is HOPE
it is the by-product of faith
and the out-pouring of love
H
O
P
E
it's all around me
H
O
P
E
it's in me
awesome verses:
Psalm 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalm 139:23&24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be an hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
my future as told by www.playmash.com:
You will live in House.
You will drive a blue volvo.
You will marry Ricardo and have 2 kids.
You will be a missionary in australia.
and finally a somber thought as the days near war....
from my friend matt's away message:
"In peace sons bury fathers, but war violates the order of nature, and fathers bury sons."
-Heroditus, greek historian c. 484-425 B.C.
