Myspace

I know I already have a great thing going with blogger (btw: sorry I haven't posted in a while schools got me busy!) but I have decided to pick up a myspace!

Don't really know why I chose to, oh yeah! It was because of my hyper-active friend Carly. She talked me into it and then she decided to DELETE HER'S! Grrrrr.

Oh well, who cares. Just one less friend. Darn. But she's on Blogger so I'm gonna start following her blog! She's really ramdom with her's! It's kinda weird sometimes...


... but hey, that's Carly!

What did we learn spiritually from this announcement/random ranting? Nothing. Nice, huh?

Judgement Day

It's true that if Jesus is in your heart you have no reason to worry. Our mistakes are covered by the Blood of the Lamb. Plus, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceeding for us (meaning that he tells the Father to forgive us when we do something wrong). Knowing these facts would be like getting the right to sin to an immature christian. However, just because we have the "get out of jail free" card doesn't mean that we can live life like the unsaved. You still need to be living right not out of fear for your life but out of love for your Savior.

"'On Judgment Day, watch out!'
These are the words of God, my Master. 'I'll turn off the sun at noon.
In the middle of the day the earth will go black. I'll turn your parties into funerals
and make every song you sing a dirge. Everyone will walk around in rags,
with sunken eyes and bald heads. Think of the worst that could happen
—your only son, say, murdered. That's a hint of Judgment Day
—that and much more.'"
-Amos 8:9-10 (theMESSAGE)

This was aimed at the Israelites who were sinning constantly and frustrating God. Yeah they were saved, they were God's chosen people, but they sinned. Their sins were like telling God that they didn't care about him and would rather please themselves.

This was how badly God felt. It's how badly he feels about you sinning now, but He has decided not boom in His anger like He used to.

Righteousness is not attained by works, but it's not attained by sinning either. Christ in you is the hope of glory. That's not referring to Heaven, but the glory of you being a righteous Christian.

PS: Can you find the prophesy of Jesus's death hidden in the verse from Amos?

Judge

"He was quite explicit: 'Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing' and 'God will judge his people.' Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me."
-Hebrews 10:26 (theMESSAGE)

I know that judging is wrong. I can't tell people that they're bad christians simply by observing them in and out of service. I can't label somebody acholic if I catch them stumbling out of the bar. I can't judge a book by its cover.

...how cliche...

My youth pastor, Pastor Chad, spoke last night on being half Christian. It was well presented and obviously a message close to his broken heart. As he gave the altar call his eyes swelled with tears and voiced cracked. Not many other people could tell, but Chad had seen with the eyes of God and noticed the mold on most of his concregations rotting hearts.

As about half the group got up to the altar, and the other half cringed in fear of being noticed for sins of the past; Pastor Chad prayed and fought spiritually. He interceded for his beloved teenagers with a determination and a fervency I'd only seen a couple times.

To further the spiritual hype, Jeramey Tamez, our worship leader, began the song I Surrender. This song was written by our band as they were led by the spirit on one night two years ago after Spring Break Camp. The chorus is simple, but quickly becomes an anthem of desperation:

I surrender
I surrender
Set me free!

Then to bring this awesome night to a crshing halt, I spotted one of the kids acting up. We were just getting to sing the chorus for a second time and there she was playing around with her friends.

I can't judge but I can't approve what she did.

Why I'm still at this

It's become pretty clear to me that just a few people read this blog. If people do read it, it's because I am close to them and they'd like to hear what's going on in my life. But instead of posting random things like "yesterday I got an icecream cone!" I choose to use this blog as a ministry. A slowly growing ministry. Real slow.

But I keep at it just as much for me as for the handful of friends who care enough to read about spiritually enhancing posts. I've used this as a public spiritual diary of sorts. I like the fact that it keeps me pouring over the Word to bring out something new.

I hope that you enjoy reading these posts as I bring to you more and more things that I've found in God's massive word!

Yod Hey Vav Hey

If you didn't understand the title of this post, you're not alone. But it's been right in front of you since you began to read the Bible. Have you ever been reading along in God's word and suddenly saw the word LORD in all caps? You probably thought that was wierd. Maybe you didn't think about it at all. Maybe you've never seen it cause you don't read the Bible! Haha! Jk! Can't be judgeing!

The word LORD is code for the name of God. If you look at the hebrew for it, Lord is the "Sacred Name". It was not allowed to be spoken nor written in the time before Jesus' death. Those who wrote it had to be cleansed, those who spoke it had to be killed. The name was holy. The name was and is power.

LORD is code for Yod Hey Vav Hey. Seen as a pictograph, the Hebrew word comes out Behold the Nail, Behold the Hand! It's not only showing the power of God, but the prophesy of Jesus' death. This name was seen in the scriptures as early as Genesis 2:4. How amazing is this?! Do you think that Moses knew what this name prophesied as he wrote down the name for the very first time?

There's even more to this wonderful name! At this name, the Sacred Name, all of Hell trembles. Because Yod Hey Vav Hey is a name that is ONLY given to God and his children. My first name is my identity, what people generally call me by. But my last name is my lineage. I am now part of the family tree of Yod Hey Vav Hey, and all the authority in that name is mine when I speak it and believe it! I am a child of Yod Hey Vav Hey! If oyu have asked Jesus into your heart then you have the last name of Yod Hey Vav Hey too!

Go out and conquer in the name of Yod Hey Vav Hey! Don't let the devil take your joy, your peace, your dominion over him and his power! Be a child of God!

Healing

My teeth are out of order. Braces seemed to be the only option. Dentists said it'd take at least 5 years. My famliy can't pay for those expensive braces. I don't want the pain of braces.

So I began to pray. For years I'd prayed. Nothing but prophesies and promises. Don't get me wrong, promises and prophesies are awesome, but my healing wasn't yet complete so my prayer didn't stop.

Finally, my friend's mom, Jo McGuffin, told me of an out reach my church had put together called the Healing rooms. I wasn't sure what they were and had heard of 'em but didn't they were for me. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

When I went I got prayed for by three people. One man I knew and two women I didn't. As they prayed the Holy Spirit gsve them visions and words of comfort. I learned that the Holy Spirit was doing work in my mouth. Not just to rearrange my teeth but to write songs. I've written a couple already and I'm really loving how the Holy Spirit inspires the lyrics. They also told me that I'd feel pain. My gums are becoming soft and moldable which also means very sensitive. I'm happy to report that I've been feeling slight pain since the thanksgiving break, but yesterday I felt it contstantly, and still do today!

"...by his wounds you have been healed."
-1 Peter 2:24

"Accidents"

Your mom throws away the tissue that Hollie "Hottie" Harrison blew her sacred bugers in.
"Sorry," she says.
Your little brother kicks the back of your leg as you walk up to meet your date.
"Oops" he says... as he's snickers quietly.
Your best friend steals your girlfriend.
"My bad" he says.

There are accidents (where one does wrong unknowingly) and then there are sins (when one does wrong, knowing it's wrong). The bible makes it clear that God doesn't like sin. But why do we?

In my experience with sin, I always felt that it was like a rush. I felt rebellious and kind of free, in an awkward way. I realized that my rush, my extreme self indulgence, was just me plummeting to earth. When I finally hit earth, it hurt, and my reality was horrible.

Sin feels good. You feel cool. You feel accomplished. You feel free.

But in reality it's not. You're not cool. When you're drunk, your friends make fun of you. When you have premarital sex your future girl friends look down on your purity. When you do drugs, you lose consiousness and leave your self open to demonic possession. For lack of a better phrase, sin sucks. There's nothing cool, or accomplished, or (especially not) free about it.

Subtle captivity is the most depressing, and most common form of captivity. It's Satan's favorite.
Don't leave yourself open.

River Rock

"Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
- 1 Samuel 17:40

So I have received a healing for my teeth. This healing is not one of those immediate ones, it's taking some time. But I rejoice in this time of healing knowing that I'm being made better everyday. I constently remind myself to thank God for the work he's doing in me through the Holy Spirit.

Last night, as I lay in bed feeling my jaw, I felt a broken piece of bone or something. It's not new, this piece of something has been there for years. But I was really messing with it yesterday. I tried to figure out what it was. i don't know WHAT it is, but I know what it feels like.

A river rock.

It may seem anti-climatic, but look back at the verse above.

"...five smooth stones from the stream..."

The "stone" in my jaw is God's promise for me. A promise to keep me and love me. A promise to help me conquer all giants in my path! This healing I need and am receiving is a giant, but God is the giant slayer!

Look out world! I have just been smaked with the realization that NO obstacle will EVER overcome me, not even DEATH!

Praise God!

Average American Teenager

I just finished the lessons part of my Awesome Curriculum as you probably saw and so you decided to stop reading. But I'm done with that now and back to regular posting.

I'd like to talk about how boring it is to read the Bible. We live in a generation where things happen constantly. Camera angles change every 5 seconds on TV. Days fly by as activity after activity is crammed into around 13 hours of consciousness. Superstars and odd-named models float from crush to crash in a matter of days or less. Our culture moves fast, and shows no signs of slowing down.

As an American teenager, you try to do the right thing. Slow down, take a breath, open the Bible, and let it pour into your life. One word comes to mind as soon as you part the pages:

"BORING!"

Unfortunately we're used to things being a lot cooler, faster, and not so boring. For many people the Bible is worded to weird and doesn't make any sense at all (for those whom this applies to I would suggest reading the MESSAGE translation). It's just not as fun as chilling with your friends at a movie or mall or rave or whatever.

However, no matter how boring it is you need to read the Bible. Realize that although it's slow and boring it's getting you closer to God. Knowing the Bible helps you to withstand the "fiery darts of the enemy" (that's in the Bible... somewhere....)

I know how you feel, I'm an average American teenager too, but I listened to my Youth Pastor. When he said that we get a lot out of reading the Bible I gave it a shot, turns out he was right. Reading the Bible is very beneficial and perfect for the average American teenager.

Awesome Name

LAST LESSON! THANX SO MUCH FOR READING!

"...'In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!'"
- Acts 3:6

Awesome Name
a. (Pull out name book, explain that there are amny cool names, name off a few that you like)
b. There is one name above all other names!
c. Jesus' name is the coolest of all!

1. Salvation
a. We receive salvation in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38)
b. Jesus paid the heavy price for our freedom, when we call on His name we are saved!

2. Healing
a. Healing comes in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:6)
b. Show a piece of brown twine and have a spectator cut it in two. You hold the pieces far apart so that the audience can see clearly that the pieces are actually cut. By making a magic pass the string is restored.
You need a length of ordinary brown wrapping twine and some beeswax, sometimes called "magician's wax." Beforehand taper each end of the twine to a point with sharp scissors or a knife, and apply a daub of wax to each end. By rubbing it well, the wax will become soft, and it may be easily worked into the twine.
Now show the string, and have a spectator cut it in half with a pair of scissors while you hold the ends. Hold your hands far apart, one piece in each hand so that the audience can clearly see that you have two pieces. Switch the twine from hand to hand so that you end up with the waxed end of each up, one piece in each hand.
Now bring your hands together so that the waxed ends meet, and allow them to overlap. Squeeze the ends together tightly and roll them together between your thumb and fingers. This will cement the ends together because of the wax. Now take one of the free ends and hold it up next to the waxed ends, and pretend you are going to tie a knot. Say: "When I use the name of JESUS the worst problems are healed!" Let the center drop, still holding the one end in your hand and show that the string is restored.

3. Faith is Key!
a. Like with all things related to God, faith is key!
b. With no faith there is no result.
c. BUT! With faith like a mustard seed you can move mountains! (Matthew 17:20)

Altar Call
Ask that anyone with needs or worries come stand at the altar. Gather the other kids around those who need prayer and encourage them to pray in the name of Jesus!

Awesome Worship

"When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony."
- 1 Corinthians 14: 33

Awesome Worship
a. According to Da' Memo, when we worship the right way there's harmony.
b. What is the right way? (John 4:23)

1. Music
a. Music has become a key part of worship, even in the Bible days people sang to worship Jesus
b. Psalms encorages the use of song
c. If you don't like the song that has been chosen for worship, then sing your own song to God!

2. Spirit
a. Did you know that in some churches services can last til midnight or later for weeks on end?!
b. (Get a kid and give him/her an m&m. Ask him if he'd like another. Keep giving him m&m's until you feel that the point has been made.) We always want more of the Holy Spirit, and there's always more to get!

3. Truth
a. Even though God knows that He's Awesome, the wants to hear you say it!
b. Tell Him what you love about Him, thank Him for what He's done for you.

Altar Call
Take this time to have a worship spirit encouraging kids to put aside their friends and all other cares and praise God for who He is and what He's done for them.

Awesome Language

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
-Acts 2:4 (theMESSAGE)

Awesome Language
a. Have you ever seen Japanese? (Pull out a sheet of paper with Japanese/Chinese writings on it, have a kid come up and try to read it)
b. You have no idea what it says, but you know it says something.

1. Completely Consumed
a. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter's church met in the upper room where the Holy Spirit came upon them.
b. The bible says that it came upon them like tounges of fire!
c. Each one of them began to speak in other languages!

2. Completely Confused
a. People walking by heard all these different languages coming from the other room.
b. They were confused at first, then they mocked Peter's church.
c. Peter stood up for his church and his God.

3. Competely Crazy
a. It sounds funny when people speak in tongues if you've never heard it before.
b. Sometimes people speak in a language that NO ONE but God speaks!
c. The devil doesn't know what we're saying when we speak in toungues. We can come to God without him knowing and pray for anything!
d. Sometimes we pray in tongues to pray for things we didn't know were happening!

Altar Call
Pray with kids to be filled with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Thx for reading these kids sermon notes! Haha!

Awesome Power

Here's the first lesson to part 3, the last part. Thx for being understanding and not sending hate-comments (note: that's not a good idea). I should finish this thing on Wednesday of next week... I hope.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
-Acts 1:8

Awesome Power
a. (enter in superhero costume) Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us super-powers!
b. These super powers are better than flying, super-strength, or even shooting lasers from your eyes!
c. The power that the Holy Spirit brings comes from God for God.

1. Awesome Language
a. The holy spirit speaks through us in a super-language.
b. We don't always know what we're saying
c. God uses this language to bless and protect other people.

2. Awesome Worship
a. When filled with the spirit worship becomes something much better!
b. When we worship God with a hunger we'll feel His presence.
c. Some people get so lost in worship that they praise Him in Tongues!

3. Awesome Name
a. The name of Jesus has power over the enemy
b. We can conquer by the "blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony" (Rev. 12:11)
c. Neither God's name nor the name of Jesus is not to be used in vain.

Altar Call
Ask those who wish to be filled with the Holy Spirit to come to the Altar. Gather around each of them (helpers and all) praying for each child to be filled with the Holy Spirit, evidence of Speaking in Tongues. Those who don't come forward should assist from their seats, stretching one hand towards the person being prayed for, and pray for him/her.

Awesome Plan for the Future

Last Lesson of Part 2.

Memory Verse
"...Because you and you only are holy,
all nations will come and worship you..."
-Revelations 15:4

Awesome Plan for the Future
a. God's plan for the future will blow your mind
b. Some may think it's a bit strange or scary
c. if we're on God's side we don't need to worry.
(place a larger/stronger helper on one side of the stage, and a small/weak helper on the other side. Get a child from the audience and ask him who he'd feel more safe with. The child will obviously choose the larger one. Use this illustration to show that we're safe with Jesus!)

1. Our future
a. Those who believe in God have nothing to fear
b. We will go to Heaven to be with Jesus

2. Others' future
a. Those who don't believe in Jesus have something to fear
b. They will reveive judgement for their sins.

3. You choose your destiny now.
a. You make the choice of where you go.
b.You must Admit you are a sinner, Believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sake, and Confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior of you life.

Altar Call
Now that they've heard maybe a little of the End Times, pray your kids for Salvation. This is the last given oppourtunity with this curriculum for salvation (unless you choose otherwise).

Awesome Plan for Me

Here we go! Lesson 2, part 2! Enjoy!

Memory Verse:
"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."
-Jeremiah 29:11

Awesome Plan For Me
a. God is the Master Planner
b. God has a plan for you

1. Plans for Happiness!
a. God wants you to be happy
b. God would never plan for you to be upset.
c. sometimes we are unhappy, but that's not due to God's plan

2. Plans for Success!
a. God wants you to succeed.
b. God doesn't plan for your failure
c. We may lose sometimes, but, as we go with the plan, we'll win eventually.

3. Messing with the Plans
a. (pull out a blue print) Though God has a plan for us, we also make plans.
b. When our plans are different than God's we tend to do as we want. (begin to color on blue print)
c. Eventually, we get so caught up in our plans that lose sight of God's.

Altar Call
Pray with kids that they will find God's plan for their lives.

Awesome Plan (Lesson 1)

Here's lesson 1 of the 4 lessons in "Awesome Plan" (the 3rd of 3 parts in my curriculum AWESOME.)

Memory Verse:
"God is sovereign, God is fearsome— everything in the cosmos fits and works in his plan."
-Job 25:1

Awesome Plan
a. God is the Master Planner.
b. He has everything timed and lined out as it should be.
c. His plan is always perfect.

1. Awesome Plan for Me
a. God has an awesome plan for your life
b. He wants you to succeed.
c. God would never plan for you to fail.

2. Awesome Plan for Jesus
a. God had a plan for Jesus
b. Because Jesus carried out this plan you can be forgiven
c. Jesus did want out of plan but ended up true to it.

3. Awesome Plan for the Future
a. Revelation talks about the future.
b. Those who are taken in the rapture won't die!
c. The rapture is coming soon!

Altar Call
Pray with kids that they'll ask God what His plan is, learn to see His plan as perfect, and that they'll follow it to the letter.

Awesome

Taking a break from Acts. I'm in the process of writing a children's church curriculum entitled "Awesome". I have 9 lessons to write before the end of the month, so I'll post some scriptures and notes here as we discuss, for the next couple of days, our Awesome God.

This first lesson is on God's Awesome love. The verse I'm using as my basis, otherwise called the memory verse, is Ephesians 5:2... well part of it.

"Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant."

Awesome Love
a. Christ loved us very much.
b. John 3:16 says that because He loved He died for us.
c. (Read Isaiah 43:1-4) Explain that Jesus would go through all he did again even if you were the only one.
1. Wimpy Love
a. man's love doesn't come close to the love of God.
b. (Pull out balloon) man's love is like a balloon. (blow it up) It grows over time. but the slightest accident (pop balloon) can shatter it.
2. Supernatural Love
a. God's love is anything but wimpy!
b. (pull out the taped balloon) God's love is like this balloon. God was swelling with love for you before you were born. (poke the tape on the ballon, it won't pop!) But God's love doesn't end!

Altar Call
Pray with kids who need Jesus, have ever felt unloved, and kids who have trouble showing love like Jesus did.

Thanks for reading my kids sermon! The curriculum will be written before long! I might even post some videos that'll be in use with it! Next we'll Talk about God's AWESOME PLAN for Jesus!

Master Plan

Before I begin I must confess that I have been tempted to stop my studies of the Bible for mere enjoyment. I have given my time to myself instead of my God, and I'm sorry.

Imagine a blue print that spans the width and vast expanse of time, each moment drawn out for every person exactly how it needs to be. God has your life planned out. He knows what needs to happen for you. But then you come in with your red pen and begin to draw in your own schemes. Eventually, you've completely altered God's vision for your life and now you are screwed. Things always work out well when God plans, but things don't always work out right when their our plans.

Saul had a plan for his life and he was living rich and large. But what he was doing was killing people. Blood money created his fortune. Saul was screwed. His future, that he'd created for himself, was Hell. However, Jesus appeared to him, on the road to Damascus and asked him why he killed Christians. Saul was blinded by the light and his followers had neither seen nor heard a thing. so they took him home. At his house Saul met Ananias, a prophet, who laid hands on him. God healed Saul (who changed his name to Paul) and Saul went out preaching and writing letters. About 13 of his letters made it into the Bible a great example is his letter to the Romans (the book of Romans).

Anyone can alter God's plans, but God can correct anyone's alterations.

Miracles!

At the time of Acts 8, Paul (then called Saul) was slaughtering Christians and so all the Jesus-followers were running for their lives. As they ran the ministered reaching as many as God provided for them. This may be why God allowed Saul to kill so many christians, because in running they got to spread the Word.

Phillip, on his fleet, rode in a chariot with an eunuch... don't ask... He was reading form Isaiah and had some questions and

The Messenger

"I wandered through the voices, the shouting, the screaming. They rose up like trees in a forest. I could barely tell where I was, much less where I was going. Then the trees parted and I saw my Target. I had a message for Him and He had one for me. I was all too excited to deliver it when I stole a peek at what it was."

Stephen was was in deep trouble after spreading the Word of God. Many people gathered against him and decided to stone him. Stephen didn't let their threats get him down or stop him. In the midst of them stoning him, he prayed for Jesus to take his life. Stephen got a reply: a vision. He saw Jesus, siting at God's right hand.

In the short story above, the messenger is Stephen's prayer. I used the story to help you see an interesting way of prayer. God comes to help us in our times of need. God loves us and hears us, finding our prayers through the cocophony of our world's insane ideas and beliefs.

Don't feel as though God won't hear you. Don't feel as though God wont come when you call. Stephen, though he died, was an example of an answered prayer.

To read the whole thing, go check out Acts chapter 7 at www.ibs.org.

Brace Up!

If you've heard of the band 21:03, then this song (Brace Up) will be ringing through your head all day. If you haven't go to iTunes and check it out.

In Acts 6, The people got to pick 7 people to be the leaders/teachers of the Greek-speaking believers. So they picked seven people who were "full of the Holy Spirit and good sense". One of which was Steven (the first martyr!).

Peter and the other disciples laid hands on the seven and asked God's blessings on their lives and ministries. And so the seven went out and ministered, doing really well.

I've already expressed to you the importance of being a campus missionary, now I'm telling to brace up! You have to be spiritually prepared for the attaks of the enemy. Satan doesn't want you to succeed, but his power is nothing compared to God's! When you ask God to prepare and help you as you minister you can be sure that he will.

Steven was brought into trial, falsely accused by bribed-actors, and yet the council couldn't pass judgement on him nor take their eyes off of him. Steven's face shone like an angel's because he was in God's hands of protection.

You can go out into the world knowing that you are protected because God is with you. Jesus loves you and holds you very dear to his heart. God wants you to minister, to show others His love, to help others in need. Don't be afraid but minister in love and compassion for the name of Jesus.

Just One Touch... if that....

I began reading reading Acts 5 and was happily surprised to find that it began with the story of Annanias and Saphira. I love that story because when I was in Elementary school, I saw a puppet show that portrayed it in a very funny way. But that's not what I wanted to talk about... sorry....

In Acts, chapter 5, Peter is ministering and reaching the masses. The power of God flowed through him and people desperatly sook his teachings. The bible says (In Acts) that people would gather on the streets hoping that Peter's shadow would touch them. Just Peter's shadow brought blessings and healing from God.

It's like this. If God blessed a blanket, people would gather beneath that thing and wear it out, deperate for the blessings. If God blessed a well, people would drink it dry. People want God's blessings.

BUT! Later on in the chapter, Peter was being arrested by the chief and his goons in the temple. There's no doubt that many who'd gathered beneath Peter's shadow were there. What did they do? Nothing. No, wait, they probably ran.

What I'm saying is that how can we ask God to stand up for us and help us out when we won't stand up for Him?

Great Wolf Lodge!

Sorry there's no spiritual teaching today. :( But I'm in the Gr8 Space arcade at Great Wolf Lodge. As the name suggests it's great! Internet access, Rock Band, and Madden 09 all in one room! Plus the secular music blasting through the sweet surround sound (I'm trying not to learn the lyrics tho). Overall, this is really awesome.

If you ever get the chance, check out Great Wolf Lodge in TX! It has a sweet indor water-park! It has a Pizza hut! It also has multiple activties, like an average arcade, a vitrual Magician game/movie-thingy, and a spa.

... anyways....

I'm having a blast celebrating my friend Evan's birthday and the deep spiritually moving lessons will return Monday! Have a great weekend, I will be!!!

the big Four-Oh!

No life lessons today or tomorrow due to lack of time and vacation. But I figured it would be cool to note that this post is my 40th post on blogger! I'm so happy! Thanks for reading my blog! New posts begin Monday!

Bold Colors

Have you ever walked into a room and the room was painted in the brightest, weirdest colors available at Lowes. Then on one wall is the word "COLOR". In black.

This person is making a statement, in a very odd way. But it is definitely bold. Very bold.

Christians need to be bolder; maybe not as bold as this color lover, but still bold enough to be called extreme, weird, or different.
We shouldn’t be afraid of being called different or ashamed of the truth that we are. We should shine a light knowing that others need to know Christ like we do.

So go ahead and make a statement! Be different! Be weird! Be extreme! Be Bold! God will help you out and strengthen you and you will be able to stand up and stand out. Take Peter as an example. He prayed, in Acts 4:31, for help and got it:

“While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.”
-Acts 4:31 (theMESSAGE)

-PS: sorry I didn’t post yesterday, my teacher cut me off from the web! Haha! Oh well check out the new Verse of the Week!

The First Sermon

Peter was the first Penecostal pastor in history. His ministry began in Acts 2 when he spoke up for the other disciples as they all spoke in toungues. Let me paraphrase here (for the full story go to ibs.org).

The Holy Spirit came down and filled the disciples. They began to speak in toungues and confused the passerbys. It was Passover, which means that people from neighboring countries came to the temple in commemoration of the day that the Angel of Death passed over the blood-stained doorways. They heard the disciples speaking in all these different languages and were completely confused. Some began to make jokes saying that the disciples were drunk. Peter heard this and went off!Peter began his sermon defending his fellow believers but it ended up preaching on what the death of Jesus brings to all who believe.

His first sermon was on sin and how belief in Jesus frees us from the bonds that it puts on us. That sermon, taught 2,000-something years ago, is still being taught today. This sermon, by God's annointing, gathered and saved 3,000 people! Peter began a revolution. Peter began a religion.

Amazed

We have finished the book of Romans! I have commented on many of the chapters, most of them I think, and I hope you've enjoyed it. This doesn't mean that I'm going to stop disecting scripture and bringing you God's words on the subjects. I will continue with the Book of Acts.

We begin Acts as all of Paul's books... greetings. He says hello, introduces himself, and then plunges into whatever he has to say. He tells of the going of Jesus here. Jesus' final words can be found in Acts 1:8 (you probably have them memorized!) But what I'd like to focus on is the following excerpt:

"These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes!"
-Acts 1:9-10

Paul simply puts a period (.) after expaining how Jesus FLEW! But then adds an exclamation point (!) after telling us what color robes the angels wore.

Paul did this because, though I'm sure he was impressed by Jesus' flight in a cloud, he wasn't surprised. As christians we have the oppourtunity to call on the name of Jesus and see our needs (that are in line with God's will and timeframe) met. Though it was really cool it wasn't as surprising as the angels.

Okay, so maybe you'd like to see a guy fly over a blonde kid in a white robe, I would too, but it was really cool to get an angelic visit. If you met an angel who gave you a message from God, don't you think you'd be excited?

Expect the miracles, signs, and wonders to occur. Rejoice at the messages given from God!

Hope you enjoy the rest of Acts!

When Praise Floats

I was reading through Romans 16 today and saw that the whole chapter was devoted to saying hello to his Roman friends. It encouraged the believers in Rome to greet openly the believers coming to Rome. Paul took the time to mention a few of them.

But what I want to focus on is the last two paragraphs. (The very last line is this week's verse>>>)

"All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter."

Paul calls us to worship. Joining all creation with the heavens in one accord. Singing songs of glory to an incredible God! Letting our praise float to the sky like millions of balloons filled with the songs of the saints waiting to burst at the feet of God!

Okay, the balloon illustration sounds lame, I know, but it bears alot of depth. When the Holy Spirit consumes us bringing us to that point of total love, we can't hold it in! We have to release it in harmonies and melodies of such beauty.

There's a song that says "even the mountains wish they could sing". How great an oppourtunity we have to worship Jesus, and yet how many of us take the oppourtunity? Next wednesday at my church is Elevation. It's a night devoted to Jesus and giving him glory. No sermon. No games. Just praise. It sounds boring to some, but the true worshipers arise and create it one of the most awesome events at our church.

Anyhow, when praise floats... blessings fall....

A long time ago....

Many people think that since the Bible is like a gagillion years old it has no meaning to us now-a-days. But I don't agree with that at all. Not just because it has been re-translated almost 100 times in the English language alone, but because the topics it discusses are still happening today.
Satan doesn't have any new tricks or any more brilliant schemes. He's just recycling the same junk he shoved upon people over 2,000 years ago. The answers for avoiding him is right before you.

"Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all."
-Roman's 15:4-6 (theMESSAGE)

Don't ignore the Word of God, believing that it is full of ancient junk. Read the Bible and take to heart the words of wisdom it brings.

Opinions....opinions....

There are many denomonations of Christianity. Many Christians believe in different ways, different traditions, events, choices, even Bibles. But as long as you have made Jesus your lover and Savior, who cares? I am what I am because I like it, and I feel it's the truth. I used to be a little stand-offish of other denomonations. I didn't think they were right but then in romans I discovered that that thought was wrong.

"For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat?"
-Romans 14:2-4

Don't tear others down for what they believe. instead pray that what they believe is heading them in the right direction.

Citizenship

Isn't funny how we always say "God, I just don't get it!" or "I don't understand!" It's true, we won't understand everything. But there are many things we can comprehend. God lays these things out for us plain and simple.

What better comparison to obeying God's laws than the comparison of obeying man's laws? We are so cautious to obey the law, to do right by it's commands, and not to go against it. How much more important, then, is it to obey God's laws?

"Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out."
-Romans 13:3-4 (theMESSAGE)

It's so plain and simple that a tard could pick it up within at least 5 minutes... maybe...

I believe that God loves object lessons and illustrations. Jesus taught in many different illustrations and stories. I think it's one of the most simplistic, yet effective, ways to tell someone about how to live for God. Look for these illustrations in the Bible, think on them, decode them, and then apply them.

Pay Back!

"Revenge is sweet" is a saying that has gone through all of our minds at one time or another. I believe that, though it was probably said by someone else origionally, this phrase came strait from the lips of Satan. He whispers it to our enraged and vulnerable souls, poisoning our minds with its deceitful joy. He lies to us, telling us that we will happier once we've gotten back at our enemies. All too often we believe Him.

Wether you're a bum on Broke Ave. or a stuck-up rich kid in Beverly Hills, you are in the pursuit of happiness. You're looking for that one thing that will bring you joy. That's why Satan pulls us in so easily by telling us that it will make us "happy".

Once you've achieved this happiness you are "happy" for a while, but the realization of what you've truly done is soon upon you. You are shocked by the realization that you've just sinned in the pursuit of happiness. Satan doesn't enjoy the sin you do but the shock of realization afterwards. We can't put on an enjoyable show for him any longer.

"Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. 'I'll do the judging,' says God. 'I'll take care of it.'"
-Romans 12:17-19 (theMESSAGE)

Why should we take matters into our own hands? All we do by fighting back is building up more rivalry. We can only stir up more hatred and more anger. By giving the situation to God we let God break that person. Not physically but by a more satisfying means. When God breaks you He humbles you...HARD. Even Jesus said that he wasn't on earth to judge! Are we so higher that Jesus?! Absolutely NOT! (Haha! Joke from Galatians! Haha!)

Be sure to check out the Verse of the Week to the side!

Happily Confused

School and life have kept me from writing here, but I'll post every now and then when God gives me something to say.

Today I found a verse in Romans 11 (yes I'm still trying to get through it).

It said:

In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.

Romans 11:32 (theMESSAGE)

I was really confused by this, but then it bagan to make sense. We get pushed through trials and troubles to show us our need for Jesus. When thought of it that way it almost seems like God likes putting us in almost impossible situations just to watch us fall. But He also said (somewhere in the Bible) that we will never be tempted beyond that which we can bear.

God loves picking us up when we fall but He'd much rather watch us turn to Him and stand up in our times of trouble or heartache.

If you're still confused, don't worry, you're not alone!

Romans 11 goes on to say:

Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?

We are all confused by God and some people can't stand dealing with that. But I am happily confused! I know that God knows all and is on my side. He watches after me and helps me out.
I don't have to see where I'm going, as long as I can hear my guide.

Unstoppable! (sp?)

I love knowing that God is a BIG God! I love knowing that he can conquer all my troubles! I love knowng he can take care of the obstacles for me! I loving knowing that His love for me is even bigger than He is!

Romans 8:31 says:

"So what do you think? With a God on our side like this, how can we lose? (theMESSAGE)"

I love that verse! (I'm feeling a lot of love today!)

But what does that mean? That we will never lose? Yes. Does it feel like we lose sometimes? Yes. Why do lose then? God only knows!

If He's bigger than your problems than He's surely bigger than you! He knows what you need and don't need, He knows what must and mustn't take place, He knows the past, present, and future, HE KNOWS!!!

Yet when we lose a competition or we lose a loved one or we lose a healing we were sure needed to take place at a certain time, we grumble and complain about God's timing.

I've prayed for years over my conjangled teeth, their still jacked up but I believe that God has a time set up for my healing. I anxiously await that healing knowing I haven't lost but I'm winning at the steady pace God's got me running.

Press on and WIN, because, though it may seem as though you're losing, with God you NEVER lose!

(I'm starting an all-caps revolution. Watch, it'll catch on!)

Turning down desert

I was going to give a comparison I found in Romans 7 today that cracked me up, but decided against it. If you want follow this link to read all about it.
http://www.ibs.org/bible/verse/index.php?q=Romans%207&msg=yes&v_mode=on&t_mode=on

God was showing me today the similarity between sin and desert.
I don't think I'm the only person who chose not to finish their main course because they wanted some desert. You see it in the menu and it looks great so you ask for it. When you get it it tastes great (usually) but then the check comes and you forget all about how happy your tounge is and remember how broke your wallet is.

Sin is much like that. Satan dangles it in front of you through tv, music, or friends and then adds you to his list of choc-a-holic losers.
If you read the passage I set a link to above, you'll see that in verse 6 Paul says sin has "fine print" to it. In the desert illustration, the fine print is the price.

I went to Olive Garden in Charlotte, North Carolina, and got lasagna and a desert called called "Black Tie Moose Cake" I had ordered it at a previous visit to the resturant and liked it. So after I ate and got the bill I was unhappily surprised to see that the bill came up to $24! My family of 6 can eat for less than that at McD's! The price isn't printed nearly as boldly as the tempting picture of the sinful pie/cake because that would keep you from buying it.

I know how hard it is, but next time you're faced with the choice to do wrong or right do yourself a favor and choose right. It costs must less.

This can also illustrate hunger for God or sin. Instead of holding out for desert, like I did, fill yourself up on the Main Course (God). Hope this helped somebody out there!

Answer the phone!

Before I begin, I'd like to say that I did well in Charlotte, NC. I got a Superior for both my Children's Sermon and my Human Video Ensemble, Large. If any of you are familiar to the way scoring happens at Nationals then you know that it's okay but not good enough to put you through to round 2. Although with my Children's Sermon I got a 35.(something high) I was close to 36 points which would have put me through to the next round. Oh well.

On to the post for today. I was doing my devotion today (I'm currenly reading the book of Romans, Chapter 5). I came across a passage of Scripture that said the following:

"Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right."

Romans 5:18-19 (theMESSAGE)

While some people might say that it's taking the sentence out of context, the part that says "One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right" tells me something about ministering. when God calls you to tell someone at work, or school, or in the bathroom, or whatever and you say yes you could be saving that man/woman and the generations that come from him/her.

But if God tells you to minister to the person grunting away in the stall next to you and you say no, you've just made a horrible mistake. You could find out later that that person wasn't constipated but cutting himself. He made a wrong slice and bled to death. There were no reported attempts to stop the bleeding from the man because he knew of no reason to go on living.

Your one bad move or one wrong descision could not only affect the man at the present but the generations that follow him too.

Thankfully God is a God of multiple chances. He tells us to do something and when we say no, he keeps trying, and keeps trying, and keeps trying. It's like a phone ringing off the hook and finally someone who has gotten overly annoyed at your ingnorance to not answer the thing shouts, "ANSWER THE PHONE!"

But in the end it's your choice, will you answer the phone or let it ring until the Caller finds someone else to call.

Repetitious Lessons

Hi, it's me. If anyone still reads this, well, you're dedicated fan club I'd have given up by now.

I'll probably post more on my vacation about how things go (I was invited to comete in the National Fine Arts Competition for Assemblies of God churches). I may even post some stuff about school, pressure, witnessing, and the downside to being emo... as soon as I see what that's like....

But right now I have a different topic. I want to talk to you about repetitive lessons (I think I spelled that wrong, idk).

Don't hate it when your mom/dad tells you to do something over and over again? And when you get sick of it and blurt out, "OK! I GOT IT!" they always say, "If I don't remind you, you'll forget." That same thing can happen in your walk with God.

Lets's say your walking with Gdod and you stumble. God tels you what you hit and says, "look out for that hooker next time we go down Life Avenue." So go on and it happens again... and again... and again...

God keeps having to remind you of the trouble she's causeing and you keep having to say you're sorry. I have a feeling that God dislikes telling you to stop just as much as hate hearing mom and dad warn you like a broken record player.

There's a saying, it's "Live and Learn". Live life walking down Life Avenue (8,374,938 miles to go!) bump into that hooker and then Learn to say no.

"So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land"

-Romans 6:1 (theMESSAGE)

Healing Still Comes

I have two friends (well, more than two total but today we focus on just two). Their names are Gospel and Zach.

Gospel held a revival at my church last thursday. At this revival people were healed, prophesied over, and given spiritual blessings. God's presence met us that night in a way I'll never forget. During the worship portion of the evening, Gospel encouraged us to seek after God, to really press in on the Kingdom of Heaven. As we did we began to feel Heaven touch earth as our voices combined with the angels and we lifted these words to Heaven:

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God almighty

Who was and is, and is to come!

With all creation I sing

Praise to the King of Kings

And I will adore you!

That was "The Revelation Song" a song recorded in the Bible that the angels will sing for eternity! How awesome it was to join them and lift God up!

After that Gospel had his friend and fellow prayer warrior, Tasha, hand him his little journal. From that journal he read off spoken words. These are random things that God reveals to Gospel as he's praying or thinking about the upcoming service. Among this long list was dental miracles, family struggles, diabetes, and more. Those who needed prayer for one or more of the listed struggles or sicknesses took the first step of faith by coming up to the platform and creating a line. Gospel went through the line and God worked through Gospel's prayers.

Gospel describes it like this: "I do the praying and believing and God takes it from there. That's what Jesus did, he laid hands on people said 'you're healed' and they were! you see that all through the book of Matthew."

Gospel claims no power of his own he knows that what he's doing is interceding, praying on another's behalf. Moses did this same thing for Israel many times, and Jesus does that for us now.

"I'm doing what Jesus told me to do, to 'lay hands on the sick and the needy'."

We are disciples of Jesus the second we receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. Jesus told his disciples (us) that we would do greater things in His name than he did while he was with us!

"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do."

-John 14:11-14 (the Message)

Jesus said it plain as day there. We can and will do great things because of Jesus in us.

About my friend Zach, I hope this helps answer his questions. But as to why some people don't get healed Gospel replied "I don't know, that's God's part." We have to pray and know that God will do as He sees fit.

Genies

I know, you've heard it a thousand times: "don't pray just to ask for junk".

It gets pretty boring after a while, like watching the same news reel 40 different times in 40 different ways on YouTube. But maybe I can show it to you in a different light.

God is not your "Genie in a bottle". He is there for more than just material blessings. God wants to use your prayer times to encourage you, to show you his plans and even give you spiritual blessings at times.

God wants to meet with you, not get bombarded with your latest 50 "so-called" needs. He wants to talk to like a Friend or a Father. Why don't we share that same passion?

I'll admit it gets hard to talk with someone when they don't audibly talk back. For me, God usually talks in object lessons. Like the parables Jesus shared, God gives me story or examples to show what He's trying to say. I've  even received a vision from God. If you talk to him he'll talk back, just listen for it.

I really feel this is a hot topic among Christians these days. Mainly because we see how busy everyone is and how easily God gets put on the back burner. I should warn you not to take note of those who tell you how you should pray. Follow the Word of God's instruction on how to pray:

"... This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: 

   Our Father in heaven, 
   Reveal who you are. 
   Set the world right; 
   Do what's best— as above, so below. 
   Keep us alive with three square meals. 
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. 
   You're in charge! 
   You can do anything you want! 
   You're ablaze in beauty! 
      Yes. Yes. Yes."

-Matthew 6:7-13 (the Message)

Jesus is very reverent but simple when He talks with God. Many show-off christians will pray loud and publicly:

"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?"

-Matthew 6:5

Does that mean that when someone at the altar call is crying or talking aloud to God that they are trying to show off how spiritual they are. In most cases, no. That is a time of serious humility. In those moments their faces are usually covered and shame is written all over their faces. A "theatrical" prayer is loud and over drawn (OOOOOOH LORD! Give me a SIGN!).

God would rather we pray as such:

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."

-Matthew 6:6

See? God doesn't want a show but a friend. A one-on-one time. A Father-to-son talk. A lover-to-lover discussion. God just loves being with you. And the more you're with Him, the easier it becomes, the more He shows you, and eventually you take more out of your prayers than just earthly stuff.

Pointless debates

Hey guys, I'm back!

I've been following the blog for author Steven James lately. His blog recently gave a link for a debate on Christianity. These are usually very interesting to me, but this one disgusted me. Both people's knowledge of the subject was rather low. Of the hour-and-a-half of video there was, I watched only 40 minutes max.

Allow me to offer my opinion on these points. This could get interesting...

But before I do, let me say this: God asked Job "What makes you think you can understand me? Can you hold the stars in your hand?" This was an edited version by yours truly, but very close to the actual words (he names a specific constellation that I can't spell though). Look it up in Job. What God means is human logic will never amount to awesome mind of our Creator. God knows things we wont and His ways are usually unexplainable until you look back on them and the following events.

On to the discussion:

The Atheist said that Christianity is immoral. He said this because the cure for man's sin was "a man's death."

I'm going to confuse you who are trying to read this logically now. Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. I had the same thought you're probably having right now the first time I heard this. There's no way to be over 100% unless you change the scale. That's what Jesus did, he was the impossible. He is supernatural! Jesus was God before He came to earth, He was God on earth, He is God now in Heaven. He was only man on earth. So it was not inhumane or immoral to kill Jesus for our sins but, as the Bible so plainly puts it, the only way.

He also said that scientists now have a better theory or explanation for Creation. Here's the old one: Some micro-organisms popped out of nowhere, banded together, and created a force so magnificent that it exploded with a "Big Bang" and created the planets in our universe.

Here's the new one: There was obviously an intelligent creator but we don't know who.

I rest my case on this one. (If you really don't know leave a comment and I'll get back with you)

Next, he said that before the Jewish people got to Mount Sinai they thought that violence, adultery, and thievery were okay. He asked at what time does your morality set in and you feel like you've done something wrong?

Mount Sinai is were God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. This was the law, the don'ts list, the no-no sheet... er... stone. Before the law was given they didn't know. God didn't think he had to tell them. When you get a drink and you set it on the table and your 2-year-old picks it up and drinks it, has he done wrong? Yes. Did he know? No. Does he know now? If you're like me then you bet he does! In my opinion, God thought it was obvious not to do these things.

I liked how the Atheist said that they "wandered around" doing these things. He obviously didn't know they were walking in circles because they didn't follow God's road map. They kept that left turn going like a bad Nascar race. Only they didn't make it interesting by flipping over. Although some did die of the heat I doubt it was as entertaining. (I've really gotta stop these bad Bible jokes.)

The Atheist then said that we basically only believe this way to make ourselves feel better. As if we've created this fairy-tale simply to get a warm and fuzzy feeling. But being a Christian is anything but a nice feeling all the time. We are pressured, ridiculed, teased, and considered unintelligent because we have found the truth. Beyond physical pressures, I don't think he knows what it feels like to enter the throne room of God, by simply closing our eyes, just to fill Him in on the latest crime we've committed against Him. I only feel a warm and fuzzy feeling with God when I sit down and give Him praise, in fact that usually the only time I'm feeling really well.

I'd love to see anyone who thinks our religion gives us a fairy-tale happiness wear the label "Christian" for a week, following all the things we do (go to church, pray, read the Bible, be cautious not to sin, be a good example for others to follow). Oh what an awakening will occur.

SIDE NOTE:

Would you be able to wear a christian t-shirt and openly sin? Think of all the names you'd get called by other Christians. How soon do we judge others over showing compassion and lending help. (note: this was not an idea you should try as an excuse to sin.)

I got really steamed at the Atheist when he used the Muslims and Jews in his debate as if they were branches of Christianity. Jews don't believe the Christ ever came most gave up hope of his coming at all. The Muslims want to kill Christians for our dirty acts and yet theirs are part of their religion (such as having all the wives they want, having children with servants/whores, and abusing their wives for so much as looking at another fully clothed man!)

He also used the Bible and Koran in alteration. But the Bible is the only infallible religious text, and the Koran has many faults in it's continuity. This man attacked the "author" (as he said, though we know it was many authors) of the Bible as being extremely "lazy" in His writing. Though the Bible has no fault and he didn't list any that he supposedly found (at least he better have to make such a ridiculous comment) he still found this worthy of mentioning.

The Christian for this debate was no more impressive than that Atheist. His ability to focus on the points he had to argue was shockingly low. He began his 10 minute rebutle (sp?) to the Atheist's 20 minute lecture by sharing his life story.

I kid you not, his opening words were about his admiration for his opponent, then after that his next sentence started with "I grew up in Northern Ireland...".

Something as important as this subject should not be taken lightly. I wouldn't put it in a debate setting for the world. If I'm to defend my God I will do so without worrying about my opponents ego or his feelings. If you diss my God you diss me, and I don't take that lightly.

A pointless debate in my opinion is one where both sides are weak or where one side is weaker than the other. If I have to sit through an hour-and-a-half debate it better be good.

Take a stand for your God, your Creator, your Lover in a way as simple as C. S, Lewis did: I believe the sun has risen not because I see it, because I can now see everything else. He wrote awesome things to help people see the purpose, and the reason, and the necessity of belief in God.  

Or do something as extreme as showing people in a rather polite but firm and determined way that God is what He's said He is, and I am no retard for believing in Him!

Narnia: Prince Caspian

Today I got to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I won't spoil the movie, I'll just talk about one point in the film.

In this scene, Prince Caspian is found by two of the White witches loyal followers (though she died 1300 years ago). These two (a hag and a drunken bear) are named Thirst and Hunger, claiming that they can satisfy Caspian's needs. The two are ugly and frightening, yet their words overpower their appearance. Prince Caspian accepts their offer and "the Circle" is drawn.

This circle begins to glow and a wall of ice is formed before Caspian. Within the ice is the White Witch. She calls to him, and he replies (after being nudged and practically forced by Hunger and Thirst). He finally reclines after hearing the warning from Susan, and steps out of the Circle. But foolish Peter believing he can vanquish the Witch stands before her, sword ready. It isn't until too late that he discovers he is in the Circle.

And she calls to him. "Just one drop of blood and I'll be free, free to help you." she says. Peter reaches for her and just as their hands are just inches away....

You'll have to watch the movie to see what happens.

I'd like to say that I've never been in this position, but I know it all to well. The demons of Thirst and Hunger come at us, promising to help and give us what we desire. We listen, we step into the circle, we release the Witch, we suffer for it.

Another great detail is that behind the ice wall that held the Witch was a sculpture of Aslan. The Witch blocked the view of what we need with what we want. It's time to look past our desires and destroy the witch and all her lies, and look to the One whose promises are always pure and always kept.

Lead Me To The Cross

I found this amazing video today. It is for the backing track to Lead The To The Cross by Hillsong United. The video clips are taken from one of the many Jesus movies, but I love how these clips were positioned.

Before watching the video, please read the story I wrote about it.

Do you remember the woman, from the Bible, who had a disease that split open her skin and left her with bleeding sores? She was so weak from the blood loss that by the time she heard of Jesus she was crawling with very little strength. Once she reached Jesus' feet, she reached up and touched Jesus. That one touch healed her completely.

Later on in the video, that same woman watched as Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha, Place of the Skull. Jesus looks at her as if to say, "See? Your wounds are now mine." She was breathless as she took in the reality of his physical state. Bleeding. Covered in sores. Weak. Crawling. He took it all.

I don't think I can express in words how much that means to me. I've heard the story, I've sung the song (in my key of course), but I've never ever thought of it like this. Seeing Jesus bearing your load while you stand free is just unbearable.

She crawled to her own healing, He crawled to yours.

If what I've said , combined with this video, doesn't move you, I don't know much else that will.

Lead Me To The Cross

Just a Random Post

So, it's 1:15 A.M. right now (time thingy at the bottom is wrong). Zach Leasau, my personal friend and numero uno reader of my blog, is over here right now. He and my lil bro, Alex, are playing World of Warcraft (or something like that). I'm about to Jailbrake (or jailBREAK?) my iTouch! I'm happy and slightly scared... *~*

I played Laser Tag with a group from my church today, tons of fun. I ended up reaking while Alex won big time (1st out of like 40 something kids and adults)! Still, I managed to have a good time, and I'm proud to say that I've finally coughed out all the smoke that filled that maze of a playing field. =l

BTW: If my spelling is off today, I'm working without spell check and not really paying too much attention! I've come back to the editing bay about 5 times! ;)

Still, keep reading to find out more about my weird adventures and learn some interesting things that God is continually showing me. :o

(Now I've gotta rest up so I can get up at 8 A.M. and shine like the sun for my preppy, fully rested praise team practice! Yay me!!!!) Haha! Yeah, right. I'll crash at 4! :p

... I hate smileys...

The Real Walk

So, It's been 6 DAYS since I posted here, but I haven't forgotten you! In fact I have something very interesting to share with you that God showed me.

I always hear how life is a "walk". It the "Strait and Narrow", or the "endless journey", even the "road less traveled by"... no, wait, that's Shakespeare. That's why I titled this blog "My Random Walk".

I would describe my walk with God as random. He shows me stuff at odd times (or at the perfect time) and he helps me get through, teach others, and feel better through His words. But He describes the same walk much differently.

He said I put myself in the place of Jesus. Trying to carry a 100+ lb. cross to a hill I can't even see. I can't see it because my face has been so beaten, my left eye is swollen shut, Satan's spit has filled the vision of the other one. The gaping holes in my back cry in agony with every step, and my whole body screams with horror at the sudden pain of an unexpected fall that hurls me to earth once again. He said "You remember all you've learned about Jesus' pain as He died for you? With every 'mistake' you make you put your spirit through that pain, as you try to carry your own cross and you own problems. Your walk is made difficult by yourself and your actions."

I hate it when He gets so real with me. He never ceases to show me what I've done or need to do in the most amazing (and in this case disgusting) object lessons. I've decided to change my walk. It won't be random (but I won't change the name of this blog) and it wont be painful. It will be determined and reliant on my Savior. I can't carry that cross anymore, Christ knew that 2008 years ago, so I've got to give it to him. It sounds easy, "Just give your cares to God, no big, right?" Wrong. We, as humans (though it's no excuse), want to be in control. But we can't be. God can run your life much better than you can.

I'm giving up the steering wheel. Turning in the reigns. Giving God my feet. I'm ready to travel the Real Walk. I can't wait to see where it gets me...

Style that Speaks

So Christian tees are sometimes pretty cool and other times pretty corny. Saying are common for these tees and usually say something common like "Smile: Jesus love you!" or unusual as "Outcast". Sometimes they dance the border-line trademark violation laws by by making shirts that say "Spirit" instead of "Sprite". Either way they are a subtle confession of faith, that I would recommend to anyone.

But how about those random tees you wear to school? You know the ones that star the cast of family guy or that bald headed, mischievous little kid who always looks like he's on a hang-over. Or the ones with random sayings like, "Hey, it's free to look".

Honestly, I don't really care whether you wear skulls or halos but I hope you do. As christians we shouldn't wear things that promote bad television shows or crude humor (like those tees for pregnant moms that say "baby feeders", 'nuf said). We should wear those Christian tees that collect dust in the closet everywhere, especially to school. Small things like wearing a christian T-shirt, like one you got at a church event, can help you strike a conversation with someone about your faith.

Take the "Outcast" shirt, for example. If you wore that to school don't you think somebody would ask you about it? Make the choice, and be the voice. (Hey, I should make that a design!)

Movies

Today, I went to see Iron Man. And, in case your wondering, it was awesome! The acting was smooth, the timing was perfect, the actors were well chosen, the effects were awesome, and there was some major tail-whipping too.

I'm not gonna give you this huge review and spoil the film, you can go and see how cool it was for yourself. I am gonna explain a few things about Christian movie going.

I know that I'll probably get shot by the BPM (Band of Protective Mothers) for this but I'm going to say it any way: I don't agree with the whole Christians can't go to any PG-13 movies. Go ahead, quote me. I think that when watching a PG-13 movie you should use caution though. For instance, only 30 seconds of this film was related to improper/crude humor (involving love that got kind'a out of hand). During that 30 seconds I buried my eyes in popcorn, yelled in agony at burning butter my brother applied to the popcorn, picked the kernels out of my nose, and flicked them at the loser lovers in-front of me, and BOOM the bad stuff is over.

I'd hate to miss the action and comedy of a PG-13 movie like Iron Man for 30 seconds of "questionable content". And sure there were the hints of the "questionable material" thrown around verbally throughout the movie, but that's to be expected.

Another problem that the BPM has with PG-13 movies is the language they use. Well, the cash register lady was really slow at the grocery store and I learned more there from the guy ahead of me than in 20 PG-13 movies. So, the obvious solution is to only let people over the age of 21 into the grocery store.

Listen, I have no problem with the people that belong to the BPM, but I do have a problem with them telling me what I can and cannot watch.

I am a Christian, I love God, I try my best to follow His commands. But seriously, is the world on the big screen any different from the world around us? I believe it was the apostle Paul who made it a point to learn Greek mythology so that when approaching those people he'd have something to talk about before he got into the whole "Jesus loves you" portion of the afternoon.

Well, that's all for me. gotta hit the hay. that's my random post. Take it or leave it.

Contacts!

I got contacts on Monday and since then I've been thinking of a good way to tell you. Since I have the ability to make pretty much anything into an object lesson, here's what I decided to do.

Before the contacts I had glasses, but they made me look like a dork so I didn't wear them. I just stuck with being half-blind for the sake of my rep and "okay" looks. I wanted to see, but I didn't like the glasses, so I was stuck in the middle. Half-happy, half-frustrated. I decided that contacts would be a good switch and so I tried 'em. I was right, I really like them and I can see! It's like being dropped head-first into a whole new world that you've lived in all your life.

I think that when looking for a church people go the same one their parents liked. But then they get older and their parent's church is no longer cool, so the just stop going. They'd rather be away from God than in a church that makes them feel lame. But when they decide to look for a better church, one that fits their style and personality, then they realize what they were missing.

Please leave a comment, telling me another thing you can illustrate with the contacts illustration. Or maybe you'd just like to say how this blog has affected you and your walk with God. Either way, I'd love to hear from you.

Christian Fun Day

Today I went to Christian Fun Day at Frontier City. Frontier City is a theme park that is western themed and kind'a fun, especially when you're with a whole bunch of your crazy friends. I wanted to ride this roller-coaster called "the Silver Bullet", but my friend was too scared.

"But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."

-2 Timothy 1:7

I used this verse to try and get my friend to go, but she wouldn't budge. I've been in that position of fear before, and seeing her stuck in the same rut that kept me down broke my heart. Thus, today's topic begins.

Fear is a harmful and helpful force that keeps us bound and keeps us safe. Fear of certain things is understandable, but being overly afraid is just not okay. Fear is a tool Satan uses to bind us and keep us right where he wants us. It can be over something as petty as not getting on a roller-coaster or as serious as not witnessing to a friend in need. Satan binds us with fear, using a lock we have the key to. The key is the name of Jesus. We can break the bonds of fear, but we don't and Satan laughs at our stupid and naive choice.

I know how hard it is to make the choice of leaving that fear. Fear can make us feel safe and secure, but it's really just holding us back from what we could be getting if we release the fear. Like helping a lost soul reach those pearly gates or getting a smile on your face as you dare to take on the big roller-coaster.

"What can man do to me?" is one of my favorite questions from the bible and I still don't know where it's found (some witness I am, huh?!). That's so true too! If we, as christians, die, we go to an eternal paradise! If we are persecuted, the persecutor is judged by God, so long as we do nothing back. Nothing can keep us down for long, so why fear?

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life / Whom shall I fear? / Whom shall I fear?"

This a line from a song by Andre Gonzalez, the words really touch me. It goes on to say that he will brave to do things for God that many Christians consider "scary" or "uncool". It also described, in the first verse, how God found Andre and His promise to keep him safe. This promise is given to us too. We are constantly under the eye of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father.

"He will never leave you nor forsake you"

Another verse from the Bible that I've heard all my life and can't give the reference for. Still, I know It's true. I've seen this verse play out in my life and the lives of others. God loves and the Bible says that He "... cares for even sparrow..." so, "... how much more does the Father love us?"

I understand if you have certain fears, I have had them too, and I have many more to face and conquer as well. But when I meet a new fear I remember the words of a Dennis Jernigan song from the '90s:

"What time I am afraid / I will trust in thee."

Video Production

Before you think I'm gonna get all nerd on you, This is going to be explained as simply as possible so that anybody should be able to understand. Besides, the point of this blog won't be "how to make a video", but close to that.

I make video announcements for my local church, and they don't look too bad in my opinion but I realize they're not really professional grade. Making a video takes time and effort, lack one of the two and you've just totally lost like 50% of the outcome's quality.

In video, you must take into thought the video (what you see) and the audio (what you hear).

The video can be movies or text (those little words that you have to read). Either way, video expresses a point by it's appearance. If I'm making a a video for a rock concert would I use little ponies and rainbows? No. I would need guitars, smoke, flashing lights, etc. Now if I'm going to make a video to promote Barbie dolls (as if) would I use those same things (guitars, smoke, flashing lights, etc.)? Not unless Mattel (or whoever makes Barbies) decided to come out with a Biker Babe Barbie for the tom boys.

Let's put this in real life terms. If I'm going to a bar for some fun am I going to wear my WWJD wristband? How bout my "Lose the Booze" T-shirt? Not unless I'd like to start a bar fight.

What if I'm going to church? Am I gonna pop out my beer can and start chugging down during pastor's sermon?

What I'm trying to get across is that what we do affects the way people see us. You might say that's shallow of them, but how many times have you made an assumption about somebody based on what they did or looked like?

Now lets talk about audio. Audio can make or break your video. The right song and sounds are key in order to pull off a good video.

Our words can make or break us. The things we say have to be just right in order to reflect the Jesus inside us. The Bible says that the power of life and death lies in the tongue. When we see a Christian being persecuted should we join in or try to get them to stop?

How about a more simple example. When our friends are cussing up a storm and dissing everybody they know should you join in or try and change the subject?

As you can see, this wasn't about video production at all. But LIFE production. Your most precious masterpiece is made beautiful by you. Your choices can create something beautiful, or cool, or funny, or whatever you desire to be. Just be sure that what you make is pleasing to God, because his reviews can be pretty harsh.

Careful Little Eyes...

Quick Announcement: Before I plunge into the topic for today I'd like to inform you about a new blog I'll be starting soon. This thursday is a new Smallville, but instead of posting a review here I've decided to make a blog just for Smallville. Why? The reviews are really long, not everyone that reads this blog likes that show, and it has no spiritual value like most posts here do. That's mainly why I don't post often, I can't get a word from God to write. So any-hoo, I'll post the link to it when I get it started, just know it should be here before thursday. (Yes, I know the picture to the left is huge, just stay with me.)

On to the topic for today: I've noticed that many people today have no problem in committing sin. It's not just because they haven't read the Bible, but because they choose to ignore, what they call, their conscience. They do wrong, knowing it's wrong, and without care or concern.

A subtle example is cussing. "Do not swear/curse" is one the Ten Commandments, yet even some Christians blow their top and let the junk fly. They speak without thought and then have to experience a dreadfully humbling experience as they're chided by friends/family for their slip-up.

A common example is smoking or doing other forms of drugs. People just don't take care of their bodies. Then they go and blame stress or depression for their bad habits. In reality, they're addicted. After being drawn in by Satan for just one drop of his deadly poison they become desperate for more. The thing they think they can't live without is the thing that's killing them off.

A sickening, yet often subtly done, sin is public nudity. From extremes like strip clubs to subtle approaches like TV shows, it's there. People try to make it normal, as if walking outside with nothing on is perfectly okay. People are exposing themselves and making themselves less than objects for love, attention, or flat-out lack of morals. Should you ever cross this disgusting sin REPENT and pray that your mind doesn't hold to that image.

These are but a few of the many sick and disgusting sins that people have little to no problems with. Now, rest assured I've never done drugs or laid my eyes upon pornography, but I know it exists. I've let the "small" cuss word fly and I'm not proud of it. I've been watching TV and then been horrified to come across a "cleverly hidden" person.

I know that Satan will try to get you that one drop of poison. That small drip of seductive pleasure. That lick of reasoning that everybody does it or thinks it's okay. But when you see that drop, that beautifully attractive drop, remember that it's still poison and there's plenty more where it came from... too much more.

As you watch TV or tour the internet or hang with your friends, remember that cheesy little song your mom probably sang to you as a child:

Be careful little eyes what you see

Be careful little ears what you hear

Be careful little mouth what you speak

For the Father up above

Is looking down in love

So be careful little eyes what you see

Leaves

Here's a little devotional I wrote entitled Leaves

The leaves of a tree are so easily lost in the winter. They just snap off when the wind urges them to do so. After spending so much time growing and maturing they leave it all to answer the call of the wind.

            We are like leaves. We begin as buds, barely anything but destined to grow. And over time we do grow, we mature into beautiful leaves. But time goes by and we sometimes begin to loose sight of the marvelous tree that we’ve clung to for so long. Then Satan comes along and we listen to his enticing songs. They charm our souls and we long to follow him. Before we know it we’re plummeting to a grave, following the path of many other fallen leaves.

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

-Matthew 26:41

 

            Jesus warned us not to fall away from the Lord. He knew that our spirits are strong and our flesh cannot be trusted. But unfortunately we choose to listen to desires of our flesh over the desires of our spirits.

            Cling to the Tree, who is your Lord and Savior. Do not let the winds knock you over. Stay with God and you won’t fall prey to same fate as so many others.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

-Matthew 7:13

Elevation!

Elevation is the most spiritual event inside our church, a night of praise and worship without adding anything. No distractions. No time limit. No pressure. Just worship. This month Chase Nation Band is coming to our church for this event.

I make the advertisements for Ignite and I've never made anything this good (in my opinion). You can check out the video below.

Forgetful

I looked at the date of my last post and then at today's date and said "OH SNAP! 5 days!" Yeah, I'm sorry I forgot you guys, my faithful readers! (all 4 of ya!)

You know something else I've forgotten, I've forgotten to spend time with Jesus every day. It's really screwed up my life, too. I remember when I was in New Mexico and I would have a whole new view of my Savior because life was so unpredictable that He was all I knew to be certain. I remember receiving words from the Lord at Spring Break Camp, and thinking "man, I want to do this everyday!"

But I haven't.

I've not received a word from God since SBC, my worship has become a self-conscious worry about whether or not my singing is bugging the person next to me, my Bible reading is either forced or skim reading. We need to give Jesus time. We need His peace and presence in our everyday to save us from that everyday. Did you know that prayer to God, for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes or more, is better for your blood pressure than a full nights rest. Next time I have and all-nighter I'm just gonna pray it through! Haha!

Here are some ideas on how to make your "Quiet Time" easier:

Make a playlist of worship music - Using iTunes or Windows Media Player you can create hour long playlists and use those to put you in a worshiping mood. (Hillsong is the best for creating a peaceful, spiritual environment.)

Open your Bible - I don't follow one of those "read the Bible in a year" things, I just open the bible and thumb through till I feel an urge to read a certain page. It could be a headline or just a random page that I found a verse on. It sounds dumb, but the Holy Spirit guides my eyes to read what I need to hear.

Shut yourself off - No phones, no computer (unless you've got you playlist on there), no people/animals. This is a time for you and God, no one else. Let God speak to you and show you things. He CAN and WILL do it, I guarantee.

Give it your all - I heard from a very wise man that you only get out of worship as much as you put in. In case you don't understand, if you're not looking for God you're not finding Him. You got to apply yourself. Don't just listen to music playing and sit there. Sing, dance, cry, laugh, prophesy, heal, be changed... these things don't ONLY happen at the camps or revivals or black southern churches... these things can happen in your BEDROOM... if you let them happen...

I should really rename this page my random testimony/confession/sermon center...

Fine Arts RULES!!!

If you've been following this blog you know I'm in Fine Arts. If you missed that post, scroll down some. Any-who, I just got back from the FAF competition, and I'm beyond ecstatic!!!

My Large Human Video Ensemble ("He Is") is going to nationals, but didn't place. My drama ("Cellphones") - which asked the funny question of "What would your cellphone say about you?" - got nothing, no invite, no placement. But my Children's Sermon (on "the Great Commission") is going to nationals AND got MERIT at districts!!! All the hard work paid off and now I must regain the sleep I've lost over the past two nights! Haha!

PS: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been slightly busy. =]

I'll try to keep it up. Keyword: try! Haha!!! LOL!!!

Reality TV

I always hear pastors and christian radio stations diss Reality TV. Today, I could possibly agree with them. It's ugly and filled with drama. People cry cause they got "voted off the island", "fired", or "kicked out of the house". People cuss every other scene. Shirts, hats, tattoos, and some mouths have to be censored. These people take these games way too seriously, and they make me never want to participate.

So that's that. Ignore the TV shows and all the drama and ugly content they bear. Now step outside. Try ignoring that!

... uh, just kidding, don't become a hermit...

Life has all the junk that reality TV bears, you can't turn it off. True, we shouldn't draw attention to it, or set it on a pedestal, but we can't just act like it doesn't exist. Instead, I think we need christian television shows that addresses the issues of reality in a non-cheesy, entertaining, fun way that people will actually want to watch! People take a few looks at TBN or Daystar and find about 4,576 ways to make fun of christians and christianity.

Let's make Christianity what it is! It's not as cheesy as the saturday morning specials that they present for kids, or as boring as two old people discussing the latest news from last year. Sure there are people that enjoy those programs; but seriously,  it's time to update and create a powerful TV action series for adults; funny, entertaining shows for teens; and cool, cheerful shows for kids. 

Wake up Christian TV, the 21st century has arrived, and it's about time you hopped on board.