update | Jun 30 2007 1:26 AM
well.....i haven't updated my blahg in a while so here goes.
it's been a while.
about a month.
but things haven't changed much.
I've still been just here in abilene, chillin at my house, or with friends, or whatever. Doing fun things, doing things that honor God, and many times doing both.
We went to camp last week, and it was incredible, kind of different, but was still really good. I think God is starting to move in more and more powerful ways, and this was expressed in 40 + people from my church going to accept Jesus, or rededicate their lives...and most of them are still going with it.
I feel so burdened to keep as many as possible plugged in and active in the local church, and I want to see our youth group grow.
People have left, some have stayed, and more have joined. But our youth group hasn't changed much.
God is still growing us, and most of us are still running hard after God. most.
The cool thing is that though some things change, it's always progressing, things are always moving forward and accelerating. Worship is getting more and more good and intense. People are joining in, rather than sitting in the chair and watching. But it's not about the motions. It never will be.
A lot of times as I'm on the stage, I get caught up in what I'm playing, and trying to make everything sound perfect. I'm still worshiping in that, but I'm not getting everything God has for me. I'm not giving him complete Glory and Honor.
It's not about the motions, and it's not about jumping around and having a good time. It's still about honoring the King of Glory for what he's done and for who He is. Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth.
Sure, it's fun, and it's intense. Just ask anyone who has experienced it. But it's still not about "getting into it". Sure if you jump around and go crazy and that expresses your love for God, go for it, and encourage me to worship harder too. But remember what it's about.
Yes things are exciting right now. I want to see all these new Christians grow strong, take root, and feed themselves. I love this time, though my life at home has been anything but exciting...these days have been increasingly boring.
There is an increase in the move of God. He is on the move. But just as God begins to work in Abilene, the enemy does more and more also. So be on guard. I'm saying this to myself and everyone around me. The enemy has battered me with attacks this week, of all kinds. But I'm gonna hold strong to this shield of Faith, and wait for God's truth to pierce the Darkness. We do have a weapon. Let's use it.
Life is good right now. It is easy, it's not challenging. It is a time of unmeasured potential of growth...but it's time for us to change that potential energy into kinetic energy, if you know what I mean. Let's fight, let's get in the word, let's fellowship with other Christians, let's worship God, tell others, let's abhor evil and hold fast to what is good.
Let's run this race. Let's give that cup of water to the least of these.
Let's cross the finish line with humble pride.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Walk on Water | Jun 4 2007 12:03 PM
Walk on Water | Jun 4 2007 12:03 PM
Check this video out:
Mel Tari: Walking on Water
http://www.extremeprophetic.com/videoplay.php?id=http://www.propheticmedia.com/video/video_email_media/6_1_Weblist_MelTari_WalkingOnWaterHIGH.mp4
While you watch this video, pay attention to the fact that they were not seeking a miracle, but only God's will. When God told them to go, they went, and God gave them a miracle to facilitate their task. Like he says, "It is important for the people that hear this testimony to understand, we weren't there looking for a miracle, we weren't even expecting or thinking that this would happen: the mission we had was the lost, and God told us to go..." The miracle is not the end itself, it is the means, it is the tool, the help God has given us so we can reach point B and preach the gospel. The focus is always on Jesus and the mission.
I copied this from brett, if you want you can look at it on his page too.
This one is cool too:
Bill Johnson: Character VS Power
http://www.extremeprophetic.com/videoplay.php?id=http://www.propheticmedia.com/video/video_email_media/5_4_Weblist_BillJohnson_CharacterVSPowerHIGH.mp4
Check this video out:
Mel Tari: Walking on Water
http://www.extremeprophetic.com/videoplay.php?id=http://www.propheticmedia.com/video/video_email_media/6_1_Weblist_MelTari_WalkingOnWaterHIGH.mp4
While you watch this video, pay attention to the fact that they were not seeking a miracle, but only God's will. When God told them to go, they went, and God gave them a miracle to facilitate their task. Like he says, "It is important for the people that hear this testimony to understand, we weren't there looking for a miracle, we weren't even expecting or thinking that this would happen: the mission we had was the lost, and God told us to go..." The miracle is not the end itself, it is the means, it is the tool, the help God has given us so we can reach point B and preach the gospel. The focus is always on Jesus and the mission.
I copied this from brett, if you want you can look at it on his page too.
This one is cool too:
Bill Johnson: Character VS Power
http://www.extremeprophetic.com/videoplay.php?id=http://www.propheticmedia.com/video/video_email_media/5_4_Weblist_BillJohnson_CharacterVSPowerHIGH.mp4
Low Point | May 13 2007 3:12 PM
Low Point | May 13 2007 3:12 PM
I hope I can make this short because I need to get back to doing my homework, and because I honestly don't feel like writing...but we'll see.
Ok, we were praying in the car on the way back from Albany, and someone was praying that church should be the low point in our week, spiritually. And it's true.
We should be engaging God on a regular daily basis so that when we get to church it's just a celebration of all the stuff we've been experiencing with God throughout the week...you know? Sunday morning shouldn't be the time where we get re-energized for the week, but it should be a time to fellowship and talk with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I know in my mind that I can have as amazing times as we have at Unite in my bedroom, but I have trouble believing it in my heart. I really really want more intimacy with God though...
I hope I can make this short because I need to get back to doing my homework, and because I honestly don't feel like writing...but we'll see.
Ok, we were praying in the car on the way back from Albany, and someone was praying that church should be the low point in our week, spiritually. And it's true.
We should be engaging God on a regular daily basis so that when we get to church it's just a celebration of all the stuff we've been experiencing with God throughout the week...you know? Sunday morning shouldn't be the time where we get re-energized for the week, but it should be a time to fellowship and talk with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I know in my mind that I can have as amazing times as we have at Unite in my bedroom, but I have trouble believing it in my heart. I really really want more intimacy with God though...
Last Unite...incredible | May 2 2007 10:03 PM
Last Unite...incredible | May 2 2007 10:03 PM
Well, I just want to say that Unite was incredible last night.
Complete freedom in worship.
Wow. It was an amazing end to Unite for this school year, but there will be another "unite" next week that will be all worship!! So I'm pretty excited about that.
First of all, the worship was great to start out with. It was SO PACKED!!! There were so many people there!!! At the beginning they played a bunch of fast songs like For All You've Done, and Take It All, and Marvelous Light, and it was just a time to celebrate and dance.
Then, Cory Ayers gave the testimony of the girl whose legs got healed and got up out of her wheelchair and walked - after being paralyzed!!! (This happened on Saturday night in Albany.)
Then Brandon Spoke about taking our faith into "four wheel drive" and he talked about how this time that we're in is "open heaven season", where, because God's will is that his kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven, we can see things in the Kingdom to "grab" and take here to earth.
For example, no one in heaven is paralyzed, God's will is that his kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven, so God's will is that people will be healed. It's so simple!!!
After Brandon spoke we had some more intense worship, time just to seek God and give him honor. Me and a couple of others, including Brett, who has the gift of healing, prayed healing over my friend Justin who I invited to Unite.
Soon, Brandon came and encouraged everyone to get prayed over and so that they can find their "city", a metaphor he used to describe the calling in his life. God called him to be a revivalist of love, and so that is his "city". It's kind of confusing...
But anyways, I got prayed over by Toby, an amazing guy who gives testimony...he prayed all kinds of things over me, and I don't remember all of it, but I do remember that he proclaimed that I would be a leader among men. I knew this was definitely God speaking, because of the way he said it and the fact that God spoke it to him.
After this, we worshiped more, the worship progressing into more and more intensity. I started experiencing more freedom, in which I danced, spun around, jumped, and worshiped God with all I had in me. Soon, we broke out into Marvelous Light.
This is when the supernatural joy of the lord hit me.
Peanut led into it with some sweet guitar riffs, and when they began to play the intro, everyone went crazy!!! I jumped and spun, and as I looked around me, I saw my friends all worshiping with all they had, and I really can't describe it, but it was the best feeling ever. God just poured out his joy on me and I could not keep the beaming smile off my face. I jumped higher, spun more, and stayed true to the words of Hillsong's "Take it all", where it says:
"My God, I'll only ever give my all"
After God's joy hit me, I could not keep from shouting, or dancing, or anything, because that's what worship is. It's a natural response to GOD. They pretty much played that song for like 10 - 15 minutes, and by the end I would like to think that I was the sweatiest one there. And I'm pretty sure I was, because my hair was dripping with sweat, my shirt was totally soaked, my pants......well, you don't even want to go there. But I had sweat streaming down my face. I just want to say that it's truly a great feeling to be that exhausted from something that good.
In closing we all held hands, which was really really amazing, as a symbol of unity. It was extremely powerful, and just incredible to look around at all the united Christ-followers. I felt so sorry for the girl next to me!!! My hand was soaked and nasty.....oh well. She gave me grace.
Good night.
wait - one more thing....
my friend eric was at lunch today at a Chinese restaurant.
You know how Brandon talked about four-wheel-drive faith, and how when you have four wheel drive you can get to beautiful places no one else has seen? Well Eric got a fortune cookie that read "You are about to begin a four wheel adventure."
aamazing
Well, I just want to say that Unite was incredible last night.
Complete freedom in worship.
Wow. It was an amazing end to Unite for this school year, but there will be another "unite" next week that will be all worship!! So I'm pretty excited about that.
First of all, the worship was great to start out with. It was SO PACKED!!! There were so many people there!!! At the beginning they played a bunch of fast songs like For All You've Done, and Take It All, and Marvelous Light, and it was just a time to celebrate and dance.
Then, Cory Ayers gave the testimony of the girl whose legs got healed and got up out of her wheelchair and walked - after being paralyzed!!! (This happened on Saturday night in Albany.)
Then Brandon Spoke about taking our faith into "four wheel drive" and he talked about how this time that we're in is "open heaven season", where, because God's will is that his kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven, we can see things in the Kingdom to "grab" and take here to earth.
For example, no one in heaven is paralyzed, God's will is that his kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven, so God's will is that people will be healed. It's so simple!!!
After Brandon spoke we had some more intense worship, time just to seek God and give him honor. Me and a couple of others, including Brett, who has the gift of healing, prayed healing over my friend Justin who I invited to Unite.
Soon, Brandon came and encouraged everyone to get prayed over and so that they can find their "city", a metaphor he used to describe the calling in his life. God called him to be a revivalist of love, and so that is his "city". It's kind of confusing...
But anyways, I got prayed over by Toby, an amazing guy who gives testimony...he prayed all kinds of things over me, and I don't remember all of it, but I do remember that he proclaimed that I would be a leader among men. I knew this was definitely God speaking, because of the way he said it and the fact that God spoke it to him.
After this, we worshiped more, the worship progressing into more and more intensity. I started experiencing more freedom, in which I danced, spun around, jumped, and worshiped God with all I had in me. Soon, we broke out into Marvelous Light.
This is when the supernatural joy of the lord hit me.
Peanut led into it with some sweet guitar riffs, and when they began to play the intro, everyone went crazy!!! I jumped and spun, and as I looked around me, I saw my friends all worshiping with all they had, and I really can't describe it, but it was the best feeling ever. God just poured out his joy on me and I could not keep the beaming smile off my face. I jumped higher, spun more, and stayed true to the words of Hillsong's "Take it all", where it says:
"My God, I'll only ever give my all"
After God's joy hit me, I could not keep from shouting, or dancing, or anything, because that's what worship is. It's a natural response to GOD. They pretty much played that song for like 10 - 15 minutes, and by the end I would like to think that I was the sweatiest one there. And I'm pretty sure I was, because my hair was dripping with sweat, my shirt was totally soaked, my pants......well, you don't even want to go there. But I had sweat streaming down my face. I just want to say that it's truly a great feeling to be that exhausted from something that good.
In closing we all held hands, which was really really amazing, as a symbol of unity. It was extremely powerful, and just incredible to look around at all the united Christ-followers. I felt so sorry for the girl next to me!!! My hand was soaked and nasty.....oh well. She gave me grace.
Good night.
wait - one more thing....
my friend eric was at lunch today at a Chinese restaurant.
You know how Brandon talked about four-wheel-drive faith, and how when you have four wheel drive you can get to beautiful places no one else has seen? Well Eric got a fortune cookie that read "You are about to begin a four wheel adventure."
aamazing
Prayer: The most underestimated and unused weapon in our Arsenal | Apr 29 2007 9:35 PM
Prayer: The most underestimated and unused weapon in our Arsenal | Apr 29 2007 9:35 PM
Okay. We decided to have a night of prayer for our youth group on Saturday night, and God was really showing me how powerful Prayer is. I often think that prayer is just me telling God what I hope for and what I wish could happen, like "wishing on a star". But it's not like that. Did you know that when you pray, if you believe God will do it, and it's for His glory, and out of love, He will do it? I mean, this happened just last night in Albany Texas when a girl who had broken her back in January got up out of a wheelchair and walked!!! Just last night! Can you believe it? You better believe it, this is what our God is about! You see, the bible clearly shows us that we are God's sons and daughters. It also says that as a loving God He gives us good gifts. He is also all about His glory. So if you ask Him for something, He, as a loving Father, is gracious and will answer you!!! Man, we have royal blood! We're sons and daughters of the king!!! Our father owns all the cattle on all the hills!!! He'll give to us as He pleases, but all we have to do is ask!!!
Check this out: James 5:16 says
16a: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
It's a command!!! And it doesn't say pray for one another so maybe if you're lucky you may be healed. It says pray for one another, that you will be healed!!!
16b: The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
God has made us righteous through Jesus's blood that he shed on the cross, so our prayers have great power. But not just great power sometimes, and not just great power, hoping that something will happen - no, it says as it is working.
In other words, the prayer of a righteous person is already at work!!!
So next time you're praying, remember that your prayers are:
1. Powerful
2. Requests of the Father, who enjoys giving us gifts
3. Already working!!!
Okay. We decided to have a night of prayer for our youth group on Saturday night, and God was really showing me how powerful Prayer is. I often think that prayer is just me telling God what I hope for and what I wish could happen, like "wishing on a star". But it's not like that. Did you know that when you pray, if you believe God will do it, and it's for His glory, and out of love, He will do it? I mean, this happened just last night in Albany Texas when a girl who had broken her back in January got up out of a wheelchair and walked!!! Just last night! Can you believe it? You better believe it, this is what our God is about! You see, the bible clearly shows us that we are God's sons and daughters. It also says that as a loving God He gives us good gifts. He is also all about His glory. So if you ask Him for something, He, as a loving Father, is gracious and will answer you!!! Man, we have royal blood! We're sons and daughters of the king!!! Our father owns all the cattle on all the hills!!! He'll give to us as He pleases, but all we have to do is ask!!!
Check this out: James 5:16 says
16a: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
It's a command!!! And it doesn't say pray for one another so maybe if you're lucky you may be healed. It says pray for one another, that you will be healed!!!
16b: The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
God has made us righteous through Jesus's blood that he shed on the cross, so our prayers have great power. But not just great power sometimes, and not just great power, hoping that something will happen - no, it says as it is working.
In other words, the prayer of a righteous person is already at work!!!
So next time you're praying, remember that your prayers are:
1. Powerful
2. Requests of the Father, who enjoys giving us gifts
3. Already working!!!
Blog (nice title, eh?) | Apr 20 2007 5:43 PM
Blog (nice title, eh?) | Apr 20 2007 5:43 PM
I know a lot of people who would be quick to say "I've 'called on the lord' so I must be saved" but they don't understand that they must believe, or maybe they don't believe. Whichever way, they live like everyone else and they think they will go to heaven when they die, but they probably haven't ever read this verse:
Matthew 7:21-23
Verse 21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
ok, so now we know that you can't just say a prayer and get your ticket into heaven. You must live your life pursuing God and doing His will.
Verse 22: "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’"
Wow. Have you ever driven out a demon?
Have you ever performed many miracles?
Think about it...then read this next verse...
Verse 23: "Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
Ok. Work with me now. I know you're probably thinking, "Wait a second Thomas. Did you just say people who prophesied and cast out demons won't get into heaven?" The answer is a very blunt yes. But think about it again - people who drove out demons, prophesied, and performed many miracles (IN GOD's NAME!!!) are being cast out of Heaven. God tells them 'I never knew you.' This proves the fact that we need a living relationship with God, not just religion - not miracles even! But one last thing...
Did you notice what God calls them? EVILDOERS! What?!?? God calls people who work miracles we couldn't even dream of (IN HIS NAME!!) evildoers. I think it's time we check ourselves, and make sure we're not on a highway to the biggest letdown in the universe. I encourage you in your quiet time to think about this verse, read it in context, and examine yourself so that you will know whether you have a relationship with God, or just a religion. So that you'll know if you are doing God's will, or just your will.
This verse should make us check ourselves more than anything.
I know a lot of people who would be quick to say "I've 'called on the lord' so I must be saved" but they don't understand that they must believe, or maybe they don't believe. Whichever way, they live like everyone else and they think they will go to heaven when they die, but they probably haven't ever read this verse:
Matthew 7:21-23
Verse 21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
ok, so now we know that you can't just say a prayer and get your ticket into heaven. You must live your life pursuing God and doing His will.
Verse 22: "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’"
Wow. Have you ever driven out a demon?
Have you ever performed many miracles?
Think about it...then read this next verse...
Verse 23: "Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
Ok. Work with me now. I know you're probably thinking, "Wait a second Thomas. Did you just say people who prophesied and cast out demons won't get into heaven?" The answer is a very blunt yes. But think about it again - people who drove out demons, prophesied, and performed many miracles (IN GOD's NAME!!!) are being cast out of Heaven. God tells them 'I never knew you.' This proves the fact that we need a living relationship with God, not just religion - not miracles even! But one last thing...
Did you notice what God calls them? EVILDOERS! What?!?? God calls people who work miracles we couldn't even dream of (IN HIS NAME!!) evildoers. I think it's time we check ourselves, and make sure we're not on a highway to the biggest letdown in the universe. I encourage you in your quiet time to think about this verse, read it in context, and examine yourself so that you will know whether you have a relationship with God, or just a religion. So that you'll know if you are doing God's will, or just your will.
This verse should make us check ourselves more than anything.
Endlessly | Apr 15 2007 9:59 PM
Endlessly | Apr 15 2007 9:59 PM
incredible. my favorite worship song since Easter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDbXZwVZd8Q
incredible. my favorite worship song since Easter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDbXZwVZd8Q
A Vision and a Prophecy (updated) | Apr 2 2007 10:43 PM
A Vision and a Prophecy (updated) | Apr 2 2007 10:43 PM
I'm excited.
Like, really really excited.
There was this prophetic vision this dude had at my church where he saw the united states in granite rock, and there were these cracks like lava was coming out of it, but it wasn't lava, just light. So he saw these cracks in a couple of places like I think one in Florida, and one in California. The cool thing is that the places these cracks were located at were places that revivals were happening - crazy stuff like healings and dead raised and stuff (particularly at the crack in California). Then he saw another crack - in Abilene Texas, this medium sized middle of nowhere town that I live in. This crack, however, was way bigger than any of the other cracks. like it made all the other ones look tiny.
Something huge is going down in Abilene, soon. And I'm a part of it. It's definitely only by God's grace I live here in this time, and that he has sovereignly placed me here. I can't do anything but praise God for placing me here.
so yeah. I know everyone who reads this is going to be jealous (if you don't live here in Abilene of course).
And if you don't believe that this vision is accurate...let me tell you this:
My friend had a broken relationship with this girl. She had moved away and turned her back on God, completely. She was in a horrible place, doing terrible things. Anyways, my friend had been praying for her this whole time. A couple weeks ago, the same guy who had a vision for the thingy I already told you about had a certain vision that had to do with this girl coming back to the lord. Well, my friend started giving out prayer requests and got a team together to pray for her, and the next morning, he got a text message from her saying that she was ready for change. In a matter of days she turned around, literally, 180 degrees.
I'm excited.
Like, really really excited.
There was this prophetic vision this dude had at my church where he saw the united states in granite rock, and there were these cracks like lava was coming out of it, but it wasn't lava, just light. So he saw these cracks in a couple of places like I think one in Florida, and one in California. The cool thing is that the places these cracks were located at were places that revivals were happening - crazy stuff like healings and dead raised and stuff (particularly at the crack in California). Then he saw another crack - in Abilene Texas, this medium sized middle of nowhere town that I live in. This crack, however, was way bigger than any of the other cracks. like it made all the other ones look tiny.
Something huge is going down in Abilene, soon. And I'm a part of it. It's definitely only by God's grace I live here in this time, and that he has sovereignly placed me here. I can't do anything but praise God for placing me here.
so yeah. I know everyone who reads this is going to be jealous (if you don't live here in Abilene of course).
And if you don't believe that this vision is accurate...let me tell you this:
My friend had a broken relationship with this girl. She had moved away and turned her back on God, completely. She was in a horrible place, doing terrible things. Anyways, my friend had been praying for her this whole time. A couple weeks ago, the same guy who had a vision for the thingy I already told you about had a certain vision that had to do with this girl coming back to the lord. Well, my friend started giving out prayer requests and got a team together to pray for her, and the next morning, he got a text message from her saying that she was ready for change. In a matter of days she turned around, literally, 180 degrees.
Unite | Mar 28 2007 4:04 PM
Unite | Mar 28 2007 4:04 PM
Check this out
http://media.www.acuoptimist.com/media/storage/paper891/news/2007/01/24/News/Students.unite.At.NonDenominational.Worship.Service-2670872.shtml
I went to this last night.......and I will never miss another one the rest of my high school/college career. I gurantee it.
Check this out
http://media.www.acuoptimist.com/media/storage/paper891/news/2007/01/24/News/Students.unite.At.NonDenominational.Worship.Service-2670872.shtml
I went to this last night.......and I will never miss another one the rest of my high school/college career. I gurantee it.
Steve Fee "Burn For You" | Mar 26 2007 9:45 PM
Steve Fee "Burn For You" | Mar 26 2007 9:45 PM
I bought a really cool cd off iTunes today. It's called "Burn for You", and it's a worship album by Steve Fee. I think you should buy their cd too...you know...I might ask you that myself one day...I hope. haha
Oh yeah if you want to check them out on myspace - www.Myspace.com/stevefee and you can listen to their music. Be sure to listen to We Shine....it's sweet and it's also on the bc San Francisco highlights video being played by Unhindered. Awesome go crazy worship song.
I bought a really cool cd off iTunes today. It's called "Burn for You", and it's a worship album by Steve Fee. I think you should buy their cd too...you know...I might ask you that myself one day...I hope. haha
Oh yeah if you want to check them out on myspace - www.Myspace.com/stevefee and you can listen to their music. Be sure to listen to We Shine....it's sweet and it's also on the bc San Francisco highlights video being played by Unhindered. Awesome go crazy worship song.
Let's live like we're alive | Mar 21 2007 11:06 PM
Let's live like we're alive | Mar 21 2007 11:06 PM
They say we cant make it through
Too young dont know what to do
This life is much too hard for you and me
They say we're living in our dreams
Black white nothing in between
This world is never as it seems to be
But
They don't want this
And
They don't feel this
But
This was never theirs at all
So here, I stand, I'm ready for anything
Just, a man, but I'm giving everything
We're here only for a second and then
We're gone when we least expect it
So do more than survive
Let's live like we're alive
They say stay inside the lines
We've drawn and you'll be just fine
Don't take chances with your life
C'mon
But
They don't want this
They don't feel this
But
This was never theirs at all
So here, I stand, I'm ready for anything
Just, a man, but I'm giving everything
We're here only for a second and then
We're gone when we least expect it
So do more than survive
Let's live like we're alive
We, as Christians, are the only ones who are alive. Seriously. Everyone else is dead. So why don't we live like it? Why are we depressed so much? Sometimes it seems like the world is more alive than we are! And sometimes we don't live like we're alive, but we're the only ones who are. Let's live like we're alive, being joyful in the grace God has given to us. We're the only ones who actually have something to party about! So when we're depressed, let's not get down on ourselves, let's be joyful for the abundant mercy God has granted us! That's something I've learned recently, and let me tell you, it has changed my life!!!!!
They say we cant make it through
Too young dont know what to do
This life is much too hard for you and me
They say we're living in our dreams
Black white nothing in between
This world is never as it seems to be
But
They don't want this
And
They don't feel this
But
This was never theirs at all
So here, I stand, I'm ready for anything
Just, a man, but I'm giving everything
We're here only for a second and then
We're gone when we least expect it
So do more than survive
Let's live like we're alive
They say stay inside the lines
We've drawn and you'll be just fine
Don't take chances with your life
C'mon
But
They don't want this
They don't feel this
But
This was never theirs at all
So here, I stand, I'm ready for anything
Just, a man, but I'm giving everything
We're here only for a second and then
We're gone when we least expect it
So do more than survive
Let's live like we're alive
We, as Christians, are the only ones who are alive. Seriously. Everyone else is dead. So why don't we live like it? Why are we depressed so much? Sometimes it seems like the world is more alive than we are! And sometimes we don't live like we're alive, but we're the only ones who are. Let's live like we're alive, being joyful in the grace God has given to us. We're the only ones who actually have something to party about! So when we're depressed, let's not get down on ourselves, let's be joyful for the abundant mercy God has granted us! That's something I've learned recently, and let me tell you, it has changed my life!!!!!
Tim Simmons | Mar 18 2007 3:10 PM
Tim Simmons | Mar 18 2007 3:10 PM
Since I just heard that Tim was following the Lord's lead and will be resigning as our junior high youth pastor on June the first, I thought it only fair to write this blog about what he's done in my life.
I first joined the youth ministry when I moved up into 7th grade. This was in 2003. I went to a disciple now where, even though I had been attending Beltway Park Baptist Church since I was 2, I made some real friendships within the church youth. Tim and Rick did all of the teaching (mainly Tim) and at this D'now I got involved with GPYM (going public youth ministries).
I soon began to help run sound and stuff back in the sound booth, and I joined the "junior high lead team", led by Tim Simmons. We met frequently and talked about different things about leadership.
Eventually, we went on a lead team retreat, which was one of the most fun trips I have ever been on. This trip really got me involved with the youth, and I made a lot of friends there (friendships that are extremely important to me even today). Tim was there, leading us in the purposes of GPYM and what his and Rick's vision was for the ministry.
Another important note is that the very first ultimate frisbee games I ever played were with Tim. When I think about it, he was the one (partly with Rick) who started the trend of ultimate frisbee in our youth group, and if you know anything about my youth, that is one thing that we LOVE to do.
I also began taking guitar lessons from Tim in the 7th grade. He taught me all of the basics and without him, I wouldn't be where I am today, as far as guitar skills go. He was an awesome teacher, and he kept me going when I didn't feel like playing.
In eighth grade, I played guitar on the worship team, and before we began practicing, he taught me what the heart of worship really looks like.
I kept taking lessons from Tim all the way until he got married to Ana Simmons in the summer after my 8th grade year. After he got married, he stopped giving lessons, but he started a "guy's night out" where he invited guys from the youth to come and hang out with him every week. We had some awesome times, and I remember continuing this all the way through my freshman year of High School.
When I think about it, it is absolutely amazing, how much time Tim put into our youth. He invested so much time just hanging out with us!!! He was the best role model I had. He really cared about us, evident in the hours he spent with us every week. This is what every youth leader should look like. I really can't get over the effort he put into planting seeds of leadership in our youth. I know randall, josh, blake, my brother, the salties, brett, and every other guy that has ever met Tim will agree with me that he was and still is one of the best examples of a Godly man that we have ever seen.
Thank you Tim, for the leadership you have shown us. Thank you for the Godly example you have been. Thank you for the purity talks you were always so adament about, and how the teaching you gave us then still affects us now. Thank you for being more than a leader - truly, a friend. And in that, being humble.
Above all, thank you for seeking Christ, following his lead, and being so much like Jesus in your time here.
Praise God and God Bless.
Since I just heard that Tim was following the Lord's lead and will be resigning as our junior high youth pastor on June the first, I thought it only fair to write this blog about what he's done in my life.
I first joined the youth ministry when I moved up into 7th grade. This was in 2003. I went to a disciple now where, even though I had been attending Beltway Park Baptist Church since I was 2, I made some real friendships within the church youth. Tim and Rick did all of the teaching (mainly Tim) and at this D'now I got involved with GPYM (going public youth ministries).
I soon began to help run sound and stuff back in the sound booth, and I joined the "junior high lead team", led by Tim Simmons. We met frequently and talked about different things about leadership.
Eventually, we went on a lead team retreat, which was one of the most fun trips I have ever been on. This trip really got me involved with the youth, and I made a lot of friends there (friendships that are extremely important to me even today). Tim was there, leading us in the purposes of GPYM and what his and Rick's vision was for the ministry.
Another important note is that the very first ultimate frisbee games I ever played were with Tim. When I think about it, he was the one (partly with Rick) who started the trend of ultimate frisbee in our youth group, and if you know anything about my youth, that is one thing that we LOVE to do.
I also began taking guitar lessons from Tim in the 7th grade. He taught me all of the basics and without him, I wouldn't be where I am today, as far as guitar skills go. He was an awesome teacher, and he kept me going when I didn't feel like playing.
In eighth grade, I played guitar on the worship team, and before we began practicing, he taught me what the heart of worship really looks like.
I kept taking lessons from Tim all the way until he got married to Ana Simmons in the summer after my 8th grade year. After he got married, he stopped giving lessons, but he started a "guy's night out" where he invited guys from the youth to come and hang out with him every week. We had some awesome times, and I remember continuing this all the way through my freshman year of High School.
When I think about it, it is absolutely amazing, how much time Tim put into our youth. He invested so much time just hanging out with us!!! He was the best role model I had. He really cared about us, evident in the hours he spent with us every week. This is what every youth leader should look like. I really can't get over the effort he put into planting seeds of leadership in our youth. I know randall, josh, blake, my brother, the salties, brett, and every other guy that has ever met Tim will agree with me that he was and still is one of the best examples of a Godly man that we have ever seen.
Thank you Tim, for the leadership you have shown us. Thank you for the Godly example you have been. Thank you for the purity talks you were always so adament about, and how the teaching you gave us then still affects us now. Thank you for being more than a leader - truly, a friend. And in that, being humble.
Above all, thank you for seeking Christ, following his lead, and being so much like Jesus in your time here.
Praise God and God Bless.
Battlecry...........haha that's a really funny title. | Mar 17 2007 3:02 AM
Battlecry...........haha that's a really funny title. | Mar 17 2007 3:02 AM
well, I was on battlecry earlier this week (when the battlecry event was going on in San Francisco) and I happened to start watching the live feed from the event. Ron Luce was speaking, and it was really good so I kept listening.
One of the things that stuck out to me was the different classifications of believers. He was talking about different types of people and how much they sought after God.
The first group was I think the students. They are committed, they study their word (pretty good) and they spend some time with God. They do seek after God, but not to an extreme.
The next group was I think the seekers. They are the ones who really seek after God, spending a lot of time with Him on a daily basis. They seek out the obscure facts about God that no one else knows about, like people do with their favorite sports teams, bands, etc.
The next group was the stalkers. They are the craziest. They are paralleled to the way a guy or girl stalks a guy or girl, being obsessed with them, finding out all kinds of crazy information, obscure facts, and having all kinds of secret info in their houses that no one else has seen. They are the kind that pursue God with a passion unheard of.
The last group he talked about was the reluctant seekers. Ron used the example of catching a fish. The fish go for the bait at first and are hooked. They love it. But then, as they begin to be reeled in, they are afraid to die.
This describes a believer who is on fire at first, but when they get to the real world, they're afraid to die for God, picking up their Cross and dying to their old way of life. They struggle against God's pull, and try hard to remain where they are.
This left me with a burning question:
What group would I be classified in, and where do I want to be?
Think about it.
And if you're a "reluctant seeker", don't be afraid to die to yourself.
It will be the most beautiful death you'll ever experience.
And after you die, you'll be more alive in this life than you ever have been before.
well, I was on battlecry earlier this week (when the battlecry event was going on in San Francisco) and I happened to start watching the live feed from the event. Ron Luce was speaking, and it was really good so I kept listening.
One of the things that stuck out to me was the different classifications of believers. He was talking about different types of people and how much they sought after God.
The first group was I think the students. They are committed, they study their word (pretty good) and they spend some time with God. They do seek after God, but not to an extreme.
The next group was I think the seekers. They are the ones who really seek after God, spending a lot of time with Him on a daily basis. They seek out the obscure facts about God that no one else knows about, like people do with their favorite sports teams, bands, etc.
The next group was the stalkers. They are the craziest. They are paralleled to the way a guy or girl stalks a guy or girl, being obsessed with them, finding out all kinds of crazy information, obscure facts, and having all kinds of secret info in their houses that no one else has seen. They are the kind that pursue God with a passion unheard of.
The last group he talked about was the reluctant seekers. Ron used the example of catching a fish. The fish go for the bait at first and are hooked. They love it. But then, as they begin to be reeled in, they are afraid to die.
This describes a believer who is on fire at first, but when they get to the real world, they're afraid to die for God, picking up their Cross and dying to their old way of life. They struggle against God's pull, and try hard to remain where they are.
This left me with a burning question:
What group would I be classified in, and where do I want to be?
Think about it.
And if you're a "reluctant seeker", don't be afraid to die to yourself.
It will be the most beautiful death you'll ever experience.
And after you die, you'll be more alive in this life than you ever have been before.
I'm 16!!! | Mar 7 2007 8:15 AM
I'm 16!!! | Mar 7 2007 8:15 AM
Today is my Birthday.
I am 16 years of age.
Today is my Birthday.
I am 16 years of age.
SLAM for March the Third | Mar 1 2007 11:32 PM
SLAM for March the Third | Mar 1 2007 11:32 PM
Hey guys, I was just told to let everyone know that SLAM will be at MY HOUSE this Saturday at 6:00 as we spend some time in fellowship and prayer. And if you're like Sarah Copeland and you don't know that me and Marcus are brothers...I'll tell everyone officially.
It's official, in case you were wondering, , Me (Thomas Wilson) and Marcus Wilson are brothers - you should have already known that because of the last name, but of course what two best friends don't have the same last name...I've never heard of any that didn't...but, anyways, there you go. We are.
In case you didn't get that, SLAM will simultaneously be at Marcus's house at the same time as it is at mine...so...I guess you can pick...which one you want to go to...which house...you know. It's going to be a great time.
6:00 everybody
PM me for directions if you need.
Hey guys, I was just told to let everyone know that SLAM will be at MY HOUSE this Saturday at 6:00 as we spend some time in fellowship and prayer. And if you're like Sarah Copeland and you don't know that me and Marcus are brothers...I'll tell everyone officially.
It's official, in case you were wondering, , Me (Thomas Wilson) and Marcus Wilson are brothers - you should have already known that because of the last name, but of course what two best friends don't have the same last name...I've never heard of any that didn't...but, anyways, there you go. We are.
In case you didn't get that, SLAM will simultaneously be at Marcus's house at the same time as it is at mine...so...I guess you can pick...which one you want to go to...which house...you know. It's going to be a great time.
6:00 everybody
PM me for directions if you need.
Mexcio and Student Life | Feb 27 2007 4:47 PM
Mexcio and Student Life | Feb 27 2007 4:47 PM
It's official. I'm going to Mexico this summer. And camp. Both of which I am so stoked for, I can't even begin to describe it.
I just thought I would write that.
It's official. I'm going to Mexico this summer. And camp. Both of which I am so stoked for, I can't even begin to describe it.
I just thought I would write that.
| A l b a n y | | Feb 25 2007 4:18 PM
| A l b a n y | | Feb 25 2007 4:18 PM
Amazing.
As usual.
Albany was.
We went there at 4:30, practiced, warmed up, got set up, then we went to eat at Dairy Queen. It tasted very good, even though they were out of chicken. Anyways, we came back, messed around some more, and then, finally, we prayed. The worship band plus Josh went into a big storage closet with the Fearless leaders and the college students, and prayed. Brandon Hawk was there. It was my first time to meet him or hear him, but he lived up to the hype surrounding the beginning of the "albany revolution" that started at the Dnow that Peanut and Brandon were at.
I don't know, there was just something about him that was good. I guess you could sense the spirit of God within him. He was extremely calm and chill, and told everyone what he felt God was wanting to do that night. We immediately began to pray, all at once, for us, Brandon, and the whole night.
Everyone was crazy. People would shout, yell, cry, and affirm each other as they heard what another was praying. It was really really cool. Eventually the youth pastor finished praying as he broke down while praying about the fact that God died for us. It was awesome to see because I just have gotten to used to the fact that GOD DIED FOR US. I don't know. It was really cool.
Then we began worship. Initially I was very apprehensive, and I felt really uncomfortable/weird, because it seemed as if (this isn't true, just what it seemed to be) Brandon Hawk had judged us as he emphasized that worship wasn't about a "show", something we all knew oh-so-well. It just made me uncomfortable, because on one hand I didn't want to do the things I usually do on stage (you can call it "rocking out" if you want to, but that is pretty rare as I have a hard enough time worshiping and playing my guitar and the right stuff at the same time. It's a hard thing to do, and it's very hard to get into it.)
It was, bottom line, awkward somehow. I don't really know how to explain it. Anyways, worship was pretty good, rough, musically, but pretty good. Then Brandon spoke about how we need to "rebel" against culture in a way that operates out of love and respect for our authorities. It was a good message. Then, we worshiped some more and this time, it was really good. It just felt really good to play naturally, not worrying if I looked too "showy", or worrying if I looked good. It was really really good worship, ending with some fast songs that everyone was going crazy to. Good times.
This morning was good too. I'm changing. I'm changing more into a man who will stand up and be willing to lose friends. I'm beginning to count the cost, and I'm beginning to have a perspective change, as well as an attitude change.
I'm going to Granbury soon, and then to Waco so Marcus can look at Baylor and stuff. So, battlecryers, have fun while I'm gone.
God Bless. Seriously.
Amazing.
As usual.
Albany was.
We went there at 4:30, practiced, warmed up, got set up, then we went to eat at Dairy Queen. It tasted very good, even though they were out of chicken. Anyways, we came back, messed around some more, and then, finally, we prayed. The worship band plus Josh went into a big storage closet with the Fearless leaders and the college students, and prayed. Brandon Hawk was there. It was my first time to meet him or hear him, but he lived up to the hype surrounding the beginning of the "albany revolution" that started at the Dnow that Peanut and Brandon were at.
I don't know, there was just something about him that was good. I guess you could sense the spirit of God within him. He was extremely calm and chill, and told everyone what he felt God was wanting to do that night. We immediately began to pray, all at once, for us, Brandon, and the whole night.
Everyone was crazy. People would shout, yell, cry, and affirm each other as they heard what another was praying. It was really really cool. Eventually the youth pastor finished praying as he broke down while praying about the fact that God died for us. It was awesome to see because I just have gotten to used to the fact that GOD DIED FOR US. I don't know. It was really cool.
Then we began worship. Initially I was very apprehensive, and I felt really uncomfortable/weird, because it seemed as if (this isn't true, just what it seemed to be) Brandon Hawk had judged us as he emphasized that worship wasn't about a "show", something we all knew oh-so-well. It just made me uncomfortable, because on one hand I didn't want to do the things I usually do on stage (you can call it "rocking out" if you want to, but that is pretty rare as I have a hard enough time worshiping and playing my guitar and the right stuff at the same time. It's a hard thing to do, and it's very hard to get into it.)
It was, bottom line, awkward somehow. I don't really know how to explain it. Anyways, worship was pretty good, rough, musically, but pretty good. Then Brandon spoke about how we need to "rebel" against culture in a way that operates out of love and respect for our authorities. It was a good message. Then, we worshiped some more and this time, it was really good. It just felt really good to play naturally, not worrying if I looked too "showy", or worrying if I looked good. It was really really good worship, ending with some fast songs that everyone was going crazy to. Good times.
This morning was good too. I'm changing. I'm changing more into a man who will stand up and be willing to lose friends. I'm beginning to count the cost, and I'm beginning to have a perspective change, as well as an attitude change.
I'm going to Granbury soon, and then to Waco so Marcus can look at Baylor and stuff. So, battlecryers, have fun while I'm gone.
God Bless. Seriously.
SLAM: TODAY'S THE BIG DAY!!! | Feb 21 2007 11:33 PM
SLAM: TODAY'S THE BIG DAY!!! | Feb 21 2007 11:33 PM
Slam today will be in the great city of ALBANY TEXAS, as we repay the visit they made us on Sunday. Exciting, eh?
Trust me, y'all, these guys are real. I'm praying for this to be a life-changing time for a lot of ppl, I hope everyone can make it out there.
I'm also praying that I'll have a page long blog to write about it. That would be awesome.
One last thing - If you can't get a ride out there... a group is meeting up at the church beforehand, I think at 6:00. They will have multiple cars (hopefully) and they'll all go at the same time, so be sure to check up there if you can't find any other way. Make sure you go if you can at all possible. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this. It's amazing.
Slam today will be in the great city of ALBANY TEXAS, as we repay the visit they made us on Sunday. Exciting, eh?
Trust me, y'all, these guys are real. I'm praying for this to be a life-changing time for a lot of ppl, I hope everyone can make it out there.
I'm also praying that I'll have a page long blog to write about it. That would be awesome.
One last thing - If you can't get a ride out there... a group is meeting up at the church beforehand, I think at 6:00. They will have multiple cars (hopefully) and they'll all go at the same time, so be sure to check up there if you can't find any other way. Make sure you go if you can at all possible. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this. It's amazing.
MAINSTAY "This Could Be" | Feb 18 2007 9:18 PM
MAINSTAY "This Could Be" | Feb 18 2007 9:18 PM
I was listening to this song and I decided to put it in a blog. It has a really good message, I'll put the lyrics in a comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlJoN54kZT4
I was listening to this song and I decided to put it in a blog. It has a really good message, I'll put the lyrics in a comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlJoN54kZT4
Love | Feb 15 2007 12:02 AM
Love | Feb 15 2007 12:02 AM
I really felt like someone needed to read these verses, so here they are, with my thoughts about them...
1st Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.
You can say anything you want, but none of it will be significant if you have no love.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Dang!!! If you have prophetic powers, crazy knowledge, or you can even move mountains, but have no love, YOU ARE NOTHING. I have never moved a mountain before, I don't know about you, but wow. Even if you can do that and don't do it out of love, you are nothing. Wow.
If I give away all I have and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
That's another hard one. If you are faithful enough to answer God's call and give everything away - not just a lot of money, EVERYTHING, and still don't do it out of love, you will gain nothing. Also, if you're willing to die like a crazy martyr and still don't do that out of love, you have just wasted your life.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrobgant or rude.
To be loving and to fulfill the more excellent way you must epitomize these verses. Have you been doing everything out of love today?
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
It doesn't insist on its own way. You must compromise, and not always get what you want to be loving.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
I think that one's self explanatory.
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when the perfect time comes, the partial will pass away.
Did you understand that? Everything will pass away!
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
So, are you acting like a child, or a man? Childish ways are characterized by the opposites of v. 4-7
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Man, I sure like the sound of that. Face to face with GOD!!!
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
I feel like someone needs to read that. It could be YOU!!!
I really felt like someone needed to read these verses, so here they are, with my thoughts about them...
1st Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.
You can say anything you want, but none of it will be significant if you have no love.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Dang!!! If you have prophetic powers, crazy knowledge, or you can even move mountains, but have no love, YOU ARE NOTHING. I have never moved a mountain before, I don't know about you, but wow. Even if you can do that and don't do it out of love, you are nothing. Wow.
If I give away all I have and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
That's another hard one. If you are faithful enough to answer God's call and give everything away - not just a lot of money, EVERYTHING, and still don't do it out of love, you will gain nothing. Also, if you're willing to die like a crazy martyr and still don't do that out of love, you have just wasted your life.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrobgant or rude.
To be loving and to fulfill the more excellent way you must epitomize these verses. Have you been doing everything out of love today?
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
It doesn't insist on its own way. You must compromise, and not always get what you want to be loving.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
I think that one's self explanatory.
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when the perfect time comes, the partial will pass away.
Did you understand that? Everything will pass away!
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
So, are you acting like a child, or a man? Childish ways are characterized by the opposites of v. 4-7
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Man, I sure like the sound of that. Face to face with GOD!!!
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
I feel like someone needs to read that. It could be YOU!!!
Where is satisfaction? I think I know... | Feb 11 2007 1:53 AM
Where is satisfaction? I think I know... | Feb 11 2007 1:53 AM
Just another of God's simple truths, that I thought I knew in my head, just hit me again. I think God's trying to show me, right now, how nothing else will satisfy me besides Him.
Nothing else will satisfy me besides Him.
It's a simple truth that I always thought I knew, but I guess I really didn't, with all of the stuff that has happened this month. It's crazy, only 11 days into February and this month already has taken a HUGE toll on so many people. It seems that I was doing so well a couple of weeks ago, and I was. Satan has been attacking me so hard recently, with all kinds of things, and it's like I just climbed up a huge hill, and then the enemy just shoved me all the way back down.
But, I know now how important that truth is.
Only God can satisfy. ONLY God.
If we all really knew what that line meant, we would not be the same people. Heck, this city would already look different. Because when you really know that in your heart, know it enough to act on it, then you can't be the same. Your life will stand out. You will have different morals. You won't want anything but Him.
Why?
Here's Why:
Right now we look for our satisfaction in: money, girls/boys, friends, good grades, having fun, weekends, sports, and anything else we think we'll enjoy. But until we Truly realize that that word is true, we will still do those very same things. And it will leave us sad, depressed and wanting more. It won't, can't satisfy our deepest longings. And we won't be happy.
Just another of God's simple truths, that I thought I knew in my head, just hit me again. I think God's trying to show me, right now, how nothing else will satisfy me besides Him.
Nothing else will satisfy me besides Him.
It's a simple truth that I always thought I knew, but I guess I really didn't, with all of the stuff that has happened this month. It's crazy, only 11 days into February and this month already has taken a HUGE toll on so many people. It seems that I was doing so well a couple of weeks ago, and I was. Satan has been attacking me so hard recently, with all kinds of things, and it's like I just climbed up a huge hill, and then the enemy just shoved me all the way back down.
But, I know now how important that truth is.
Only God can satisfy. ONLY God.
If we all really knew what that line meant, we would not be the same people. Heck, this city would already look different. Because when you really know that in your heart, know it enough to act on it, then you can't be the same. Your life will stand out. You will have different morals. You won't want anything but Him.
Why?
Here's Why:
Right now we look for our satisfaction in: money, girls/boys, friends, good grades, having fun, weekends, sports, and anything else we think we'll enjoy. But until we Truly realize that that word is true, we will still do those very same things. And it will leave us sad, depressed and wanting more. It won't, can't satisfy our deepest longings. And we won't be happy.
Word Spirit and Power Conference | Jan 29 2007 6:07 PM
Word Spirit and Power Conference | Jan 29 2007 6:07 PM
I'm sorry this blog is so long, but it's such a long story to tell that I can't really help it. Just bear with me, and PLEASE READ MY BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, if you haven't read my previous blog, read it before you read this one.
Friday, 6:30 P.M.
I came back to the church Friday evening, hoping for an experience similar to the one on Thursday, especially the worship. I didn't really know what to expect though. Well, when we got there, I could not worship, at all. I just couldn't concentrate, and they didn't play any good songs that I liked. Then the teaching started, but it wasn't really even teaching! Everyone just kind of gathered on stage and talked. Then, when R.T. finally started, I just got bored. It was during Jack's time that I got really bored. It was, honestly, not interesting. Charles had some really cool stories, but I got so bored I eventually went outside and walked around for a few minutes to try and concentrate and get some fresh air. Then, I went back in and made it through to the ministry time, barely, without falling asleep. I didn't know what was wrong! When the ministry time started, they called all people over 60 years old to come to the front. Then they called people under 25 years old to come up. I knew I should go, but I didn't. Everyone else around me left their seats and went up there, while me and a couple of others stayed. I felt like I really needed to go up, and join the multitude that was already gathered there, but I was too afraid. Then, worship started, and I could not at all worship. I couldn't. I had no emotion, at all. It sucked. So bad. I knew I needed to go up to have them lay their hands on me, but I was still too scared. I mean, I knew I needed to, but I was telling myself that God could anoint me with his Holy Spirit where I was. I believed that it was God speaking, so I decided not to go up. Instead, I went into the back corner and I started to ask God to fill me with his spirit. He didn't. I kept asking. He didn't. I begged him. He still didn't, and though I wanted more of Him far greater than anything else in the whole world, I did not shed one tear that he didn't answer. I was stuck in this hellish state in which I had absolutely no emotion. Seriously, I could not cry, I could not beg. I wanted God more than anything, but at the same time I didn't. I can't really explain what it feels like, besides that it sucks and it feels like you're in hell. I couldn't cry, if I shouted for God, I felt nothing in my heart. Eventually, I went back to my seat. Then I went off by myself at the top, praying and worshiping, but I still got nothing. I couldn't worship, and I knew I might as well go home and do something there. Eventually we ended, and went home. I can't remember what I did.
Saturday, 10:00 A.M.
The next morning, I came to church praying I would have a better time than the night before. I didn't want to waste my time, and God definitely answered my prayer!
When we got there, the worship was pretty good. It wasn't amazing, but I did enjoy it. Saturday morning's teaching was really good. R.T. spoke about how God sometimes says things He doesn't mean to see if we'll still follow after him. It definitely hit me that God was testing me through what happened on Friday. R.T.'s message really was excellent, and I encourage everyone to go to http://www.beltway.org/ and watch some of the teachings from the wsp conference. Anyways, when the ministry time began, they called anyone forward who hasn't come up yet. There were quite a few people that went, and at first, I didn't go. But eventually I overcame my fear and went up there. I knew I needed to. When I stood up there, I was nervous, but I was ok. Charles laid his hand on my forehead, and maybe others did too, I don't remember. I didn't fall over, but I immediately knelt down and started weeping. God broke my heart, and I just cried, worshiped Him for how incredible He is. Rick came over in a little while and prayed for me. Then he told me what he prayed and it was all I could do to keep from bursting out in tears. He shared some interesting things with me, like how he felt I would be a leader and that I would go into a place by myself to get closer to God, and then go out with the power of the Spirit. He also said some other things. I got on my face and cried some more, worshiped, and went to the back corner, where a few others were worshiping and praying in solitude. I burst out into crying again, and worshiped some more, it was amazing. Then this college guy came over to me as I was kneeling down, and shared a word with me, about how much God loved me and how his plans for my life are so much greater than what I could dream of by myself. It fit pretty well, and was so so encouraging. He was really cool, but I don't know who he was. After a while I sat down at my chair, worshiping more. Finally we left, I left, changed. We went home and then got some cd's and saw Brad at Family Christian. We hung out and went to part of the 2:30 session. R.T. talked about the "yuck factor" and how God uses things like falling down to see how much you are willing to look like a fool for him, before he gives you more of the Holy Spirit. It was really good, and, honestly, I wasn't the same person by the time we went to SLAM. Wow, the weekend really was amazing, and I haven't even gotten to SLAM yet!!! Praise God!!! Check back later to see when I put that blog up, thanks for enduring to the end of this freaking novel that I just wrote. I appreciate the fact that you want to see what's going on in my life and in my youth group. Make sure to leave some kind of comment. God Bless!!!
I'm sorry this blog is so long, but it's such a long story to tell that I can't really help it. Just bear with me, and PLEASE READ MY BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, if you haven't read my previous blog, read it before you read this one.
Friday, 6:30 P.M.
I came back to the church Friday evening, hoping for an experience similar to the one on Thursday, especially the worship. I didn't really know what to expect though. Well, when we got there, I could not worship, at all. I just couldn't concentrate, and they didn't play any good songs that I liked. Then the teaching started, but it wasn't really even teaching! Everyone just kind of gathered on stage and talked. Then, when R.T. finally started, I just got bored. It was during Jack's time that I got really bored. It was, honestly, not interesting. Charles had some really cool stories, but I got so bored I eventually went outside and walked around for a few minutes to try and concentrate and get some fresh air. Then, I went back in and made it through to the ministry time, barely, without falling asleep. I didn't know what was wrong! When the ministry time started, they called all people over 60 years old to come to the front. Then they called people under 25 years old to come up. I knew I should go, but I didn't. Everyone else around me left their seats and went up there, while me and a couple of others stayed. I felt like I really needed to go up, and join the multitude that was already gathered there, but I was too afraid. Then, worship started, and I could not at all worship. I couldn't. I had no emotion, at all. It sucked. So bad. I knew I needed to go up to have them lay their hands on me, but I was still too scared. I mean, I knew I needed to, but I was telling myself that God could anoint me with his Holy Spirit where I was. I believed that it was God speaking, so I decided not to go up. Instead, I went into the back corner and I started to ask God to fill me with his spirit. He didn't. I kept asking. He didn't. I begged him. He still didn't, and though I wanted more of Him far greater than anything else in the whole world, I did not shed one tear that he didn't answer. I was stuck in this hellish state in which I had absolutely no emotion. Seriously, I could not cry, I could not beg. I wanted God more than anything, but at the same time I didn't. I can't really explain what it feels like, besides that it sucks and it feels like you're in hell. I couldn't cry, if I shouted for God, I felt nothing in my heart. Eventually, I went back to my seat. Then I went off by myself at the top, praying and worshiping, but I still got nothing. I couldn't worship, and I knew I might as well go home and do something there. Eventually we ended, and went home. I can't remember what I did.
Saturday, 10:00 A.M.
The next morning, I came to church praying I would have a better time than the night before. I didn't want to waste my time, and God definitely answered my prayer!
When we got there, the worship was pretty good. It wasn't amazing, but I did enjoy it. Saturday morning's teaching was really good. R.T. spoke about how God sometimes says things He doesn't mean to see if we'll still follow after him. It definitely hit me that God was testing me through what happened on Friday. R.T.'s message really was excellent, and I encourage everyone to go to http://www.beltway.org/ and watch some of the teachings from the wsp conference. Anyways, when the ministry time began, they called anyone forward who hasn't come up yet. There were quite a few people that went, and at first, I didn't go. But eventually I overcame my fear and went up there. I knew I needed to. When I stood up there, I was nervous, but I was ok. Charles laid his hand on my forehead, and maybe others did too, I don't remember. I didn't fall over, but I immediately knelt down and started weeping. God broke my heart, and I just cried, worshiped Him for how incredible He is. Rick came over in a little while and prayed for me. Then he told me what he prayed and it was all I could do to keep from bursting out in tears. He shared some interesting things with me, like how he felt I would be a leader and that I would go into a place by myself to get closer to God, and then go out with the power of the Spirit. He also said some other things. I got on my face and cried some more, worshiped, and went to the back corner, where a few others were worshiping and praying in solitude. I burst out into crying again, and worshiped some more, it was amazing. Then this college guy came over to me as I was kneeling down, and shared a word with me, about how much God loved me and how his plans for my life are so much greater than what I could dream of by myself. It fit pretty well, and was so so encouraging. He was really cool, but I don't know who he was. After a while I sat down at my chair, worshiping more. Finally we left, I left, changed. We went home and then got some cd's and saw Brad at Family Christian. We hung out and went to part of the 2:30 session. R.T. talked about the "yuck factor" and how God uses things like falling down to see how much you are willing to look like a fool for him, before he gives you more of the Holy Spirit. It was really good, and, honestly, I wasn't the same person by the time we went to SLAM. Wow, the weekend really was amazing, and I haven't even gotten to SLAM yet!!! Praise God!!! Check back later to see when I put that blog up, thanks for enduring to the end of this freaking novel that I just wrote. I appreciate the fact that you want to see what's going on in my life and in my youth group. Make sure to leave some kind of comment. God Bless!!!
Wow, what a weekend. (please comment!!!!!) | Jan 29 2007 12:21 AM
Wow, what a weekend. (please comment!!!!!) | Jan 29 2007 12:21 AM
Ok guys, this weekend was seriously one of the best in my life, if not the best weekend of my whole life. I can't even begin to describe how far God has brought me in the past 4 days. I mean, I have so much to write about, I'll probably spend the whole week writing blogs on everything that has happened, so keep checking my page to see If I have a new one up yet...I just wish I could have like 5 blogs on my page, not just 2...oh well. here we go.
Blog #1: Word Spirit and Power Conference
A couple of months ago a friend named Chris Gomez was at my house, while he was in town. He is in kentucky right now, in college. Anyways, my brother and I were talking to him, and somehow, the subject of the WSP (word spirit and Power) conference came up. First of all, Beltway had this same conference 2 years ago. My church, for all of you who don't go to Beltway, is not charismatic. It's kind of in the middle. I mean, we don't have people falling over and laughing and all the stuff ppl would normally call weird, but our worship is loud, and ppl are free to do whatever. Anyways, this conference was very charismatic. These three guys, R.T. Kendall, Jack Taylor, and Charles Carrin, came and shared some great teaching, combined with a ministry time at the end, where they would lay hands on people and they would fall over, and start laughing, and doing weird stuff. It scared me, and my friends, because we had never seen anything like it. The point is, it stirred up a lot of controversy, and our youth worship leader got in some trouble and left, and I'm sure a lot of other people left too. This left me quite confused. I didn't understand how making people fall over was biblical. It just didn't make sense, and I didn't agree with it. Some people thought it was demonic, and noone really understood it.
This weekend, we held the same conference we had 2 years previous. I was not happy at first, praying it wouldn't stir up controversy. I went to the first session on thursday evening planning on simply coming and observing everything from a distance, but not engaging in it. I had an open mindset, but I wasn't planning on going up and falling over. The worship was amazing. I came in and just could taste the Holy Spirit's presence. It was undeniable. These 2 college guys were in the front just dancing and worshipping, and I started to worship too. It was really really good. Really free, unusual for the sanctuary where most ppl just stand still and sing. Then, the guys came up, with the exception of Jack, because he was still in another city. They introduced themselves, made fun of each other, and it was just a fun time of laughter and good, old-fashioned humor. R.T. talked about total forgiveness, a message that he had given last time that was really pivotal for many people. Charles also talked about the holy spirit. After this, we began the ministry time. They didn't put a guilt trip on us to get us to have hands laid on us, and they really handled the whole thing very well. I didn't really understand it, but I had a feeling this was from God. I couldn't worship though. I was so distracted by everything it was virtually impossible for me to worship. By the end, I was ok. I knew the beginning was really good. But the end was not. I went back into the worship center. The whole time I had been thinking about if any of my friends were there from school. I don't know if there were, but as I sat in the chair, God broke my heart about how far we've fallen. We Christians are so disconnected from each other. I was thinking about how badly I want to be able to talk to my brothers and mainly sisters in christ (I already talk to my brothers) about their walk and what they have been reading. I want to be able to so badly!!! I want to just share with my friends who don't go to beltway and encourage them in their walk and show them that CHRISTIANITY IS FUN!!!! GOD IS FUN!!! It seems like so many of our brothers and sisters in christ have forgotten that! I mean, God has been doing amazing things in our youth that other Christians don't even know about!!! It made me so sad I actually came to tears, praying I can be an encourager to those that feel like no one understands them and how they like to read their bible. I want to talk to my fellow Christians about what they've been reading and what God has been showing them. Anyways, all of this to say, God made a breakthrough that night, however small, and after praying a little more I left. I was glad the wsp started as well as it did. The next 2 nights were really the ones I want to write about, but every book has chapters that need to go in order, so I guess i had to make this the background info for the others I'll write soon. God Bless, please comment so I know someone actually reads these things. If no one does, why write? lol seriously though.
God Bless!!!
Ok guys, this weekend was seriously one of the best in my life, if not the best weekend of my whole life. I can't even begin to describe how far God has brought me in the past 4 days. I mean, I have so much to write about, I'll probably spend the whole week writing blogs on everything that has happened, so keep checking my page to see If I have a new one up yet...I just wish I could have like 5 blogs on my page, not just 2...oh well. here we go.
Blog #1: Word Spirit and Power Conference
A couple of months ago a friend named Chris Gomez was at my house, while he was in town. He is in kentucky right now, in college. Anyways, my brother and I were talking to him, and somehow, the subject of the WSP (word spirit and Power) conference came up. First of all, Beltway had this same conference 2 years ago. My church, for all of you who don't go to Beltway, is not charismatic. It's kind of in the middle. I mean, we don't have people falling over and laughing and all the stuff ppl would normally call weird, but our worship is loud, and ppl are free to do whatever. Anyways, this conference was very charismatic. These three guys, R.T. Kendall, Jack Taylor, and Charles Carrin, came and shared some great teaching, combined with a ministry time at the end, where they would lay hands on people and they would fall over, and start laughing, and doing weird stuff. It scared me, and my friends, because we had never seen anything like it. The point is, it stirred up a lot of controversy, and our youth worship leader got in some trouble and left, and I'm sure a lot of other people left too. This left me quite confused. I didn't understand how making people fall over was biblical. It just didn't make sense, and I didn't agree with it. Some people thought it was demonic, and noone really understood it.
This weekend, we held the same conference we had 2 years previous. I was not happy at first, praying it wouldn't stir up controversy. I went to the first session on thursday evening planning on simply coming and observing everything from a distance, but not engaging in it. I had an open mindset, but I wasn't planning on going up and falling over. The worship was amazing. I came in and just could taste the Holy Spirit's presence. It was undeniable. These 2 college guys were in the front just dancing and worshipping, and I started to worship too. It was really really good. Really free, unusual for the sanctuary where most ppl just stand still and sing. Then, the guys came up, with the exception of Jack, because he was still in another city. They introduced themselves, made fun of each other, and it was just a fun time of laughter and good, old-fashioned humor. R.T. talked about total forgiveness, a message that he had given last time that was really pivotal for many people. Charles also talked about the holy spirit. After this, we began the ministry time. They didn't put a guilt trip on us to get us to have hands laid on us, and they really handled the whole thing very well. I didn't really understand it, but I had a feeling this was from God. I couldn't worship though. I was so distracted by everything it was virtually impossible for me to worship. By the end, I was ok. I knew the beginning was really good. But the end was not. I went back into the worship center. The whole time I had been thinking about if any of my friends were there from school. I don't know if there were, but as I sat in the chair, God broke my heart about how far we've fallen. We Christians are so disconnected from each other. I was thinking about how badly I want to be able to talk to my brothers and mainly sisters in christ (I already talk to my brothers) about their walk and what they have been reading. I want to be able to so badly!!! I want to just share with my friends who don't go to beltway and encourage them in their walk and show them that CHRISTIANITY IS FUN!!!! GOD IS FUN!!! It seems like so many of our brothers and sisters in christ have forgotten that! I mean, God has been doing amazing things in our youth that other Christians don't even know about!!! It made me so sad I actually came to tears, praying I can be an encourager to those that feel like no one understands them and how they like to read their bible. I want to talk to my fellow Christians about what they've been reading and what God has been showing them. Anyways, all of this to say, God made a breakthrough that night, however small, and after praying a little more I left. I was glad the wsp started as well as it did. The next 2 nights were really the ones I want to write about, but every book has chapters that need to go in order, so I guess i had to make this the background info for the others I'll write soon. God Bless, please comment so I know someone actually reads these things. If no one does, why write? lol seriously though.
God Bless!!!
Frustration. And Epiphany. The Contrast. | Jan 18 2007 11:45 PM
Frustration. And Epiphany. The Contrast. | Jan 18 2007 11:45 PM
It sucks that I go to school every day, praying that I'll make a difference and that I'll talk to someone. It sucks that I go to church every wednesday, sunday, and saturday yearning to go and change my school and praying that I'll be able to talk to that one guy. It sucks, because I've almost gotten to the dangerous cliff of apathy. I mean, I'm right at the brink.
Trust me, I won't go over. Believe me, I won't. It's just I'm so tired of having this huge responsibility that has been placed in my lap that I have to get up and do something with, but never can.
I don't know how to do this. There was a time, in my 8th grade of school, when I was crazy about telling others about my savior. I mean, I was fearless. It also happened to be one of the best school years of my life.
But now, I'm so far from that.
I don't know how to do this. I can't do this. I admit, I confess, I'll blame all this on my selfishness, but, nothing changes.
Well, something does change - I have my guilt of not doing anything taken away. But other than that, I don't change.
I read in the book the challenge that consisted of me bringing 7 people to Christ this year. And 14 next year. But how do I do this when I don't know how?
I really don't know how to do this. Really.
The bright side, as dim as it seems right now, is that through Christ we can do anything. So commonly known by me. But, I don't really know it. Obviously, I don't.
If I did, my school would already look different. And maybe not my school, but I know my life would be different for sure.
I don't know how to do this, God.
I've told Him that more times than I can count. But, each time, it isn't enough to drown out the fact that I don't know how to do this. Did you understand that? Read it again. Read it again until it makes sense. It sure didn't make sense the first time I wrote it, just now. But read it again and you'll see my meaning.
Because none of us do know how to do this. If you're reading this right now, and you do, please tell me. I would give anything for a detailed explanation on how to live for God completely and tell everyone, yes, indeed everyone about God. I'm pretty sure that no one does know.
This is because we can't do this. Not only do we not know how to, but even if we knew how to do it, we couldn't do it. We need God to radically change us. AND MAYBE THAT'S THE KEY!!! Maybe God has been waiting for me to type these words tonight so that, now that I realize it, He can do something. I do realize now that there's nothing I can do to change the way I live for God at school (believe me, I do live for God at school, but I keep it private). Jeff Turner read a crucial verse out of I think Jeremiah (I'll have to find that after this) last night at D'groups that said that we need to learn how to live for God now, when it's easy, so that when it gets hard, we will be able to. It basically said that if we aren't living for him and we're stumbling in sin now, while we're in the easy season, how will we even be able to stand in the hard season?
So, all I can do is get in the word, soak up every minute of peace I share with Jesus, and get to know Him better. And, pray unceasingly for him to change me. To take my heart and get rid of everything except His heart. Because that's all I want. It's all I need. It's what I need in order to care.
And that's another thing. I can honestly say that right now, I'm not the least bit concerned that my friends are all going to hell. You can't comprehend how hard it is to write that. But, it is the truth. Why does it hurt to write that? Because I know I should be distressed over my friends' predicament.
Ok. So, if I know I should be scared for them,
And I know that they are going to hell,
And I know that that is the worst, scariest, place anyone could ever experience,
Why am I not scared for them? Am I the only one reading this, thinking that it doesn't make sense?
So, what it all comes down to is this, this is all I know.
We have to ask. We have to pray for brokenness. That's all I know. I'm tired of keeping this joy and peace to myself. It seems so corny at school, but I'm going to get over it. I'm going to get over it. I'm going to get over it. It may - no it will be unpopular, uncool, awkward, but I'm going to get over it. And if I can't, then I'll beg God for it. Without brokenness, I am nowhere.
Think about this - Why tell your friends about God, who can save them from their doomed destination when you don't care? Why tell them when it's easier not to, because you couldn't care less? I'm pretty sure that is what it all comes down to.
It sucks that I go to school every day, praying that I'll make a difference and that I'll talk to someone. It sucks that I go to church every wednesday, sunday, and saturday yearning to go and change my school and praying that I'll be able to talk to that one guy. It sucks, because I've almost gotten to the dangerous cliff of apathy. I mean, I'm right at the brink.
Trust me, I won't go over. Believe me, I won't. It's just I'm so tired of having this huge responsibility that has been placed in my lap that I have to get up and do something with, but never can.
I don't know how to do this. There was a time, in my 8th grade of school, when I was crazy about telling others about my savior. I mean, I was fearless. It also happened to be one of the best school years of my life.
But now, I'm so far from that.
I don't know how to do this. I can't do this. I admit, I confess, I'll blame all this on my selfishness, but, nothing changes.
Well, something does change - I have my guilt of not doing anything taken away. But other than that, I don't change.
I read in the book the challenge that consisted of me bringing 7 people to Christ this year. And 14 next year. But how do I do this when I don't know how?
I really don't know how to do this. Really.
The bright side, as dim as it seems right now, is that through Christ we can do anything. So commonly known by me. But, I don't really know it. Obviously, I don't.
If I did, my school would already look different. And maybe not my school, but I know my life would be different for sure.
I don't know how to do this, God.
I've told Him that more times than I can count. But, each time, it isn't enough to drown out the fact that I don't know how to do this. Did you understand that? Read it again. Read it again until it makes sense. It sure didn't make sense the first time I wrote it, just now. But read it again and you'll see my meaning.
Because none of us do know how to do this. If you're reading this right now, and you do, please tell me. I would give anything for a detailed explanation on how to live for God completely and tell everyone, yes, indeed everyone about God. I'm pretty sure that no one does know.
This is because we can't do this. Not only do we not know how to, but even if we knew how to do it, we couldn't do it. We need God to radically change us. AND MAYBE THAT'S THE KEY!!! Maybe God has been waiting for me to type these words tonight so that, now that I realize it, He can do something. I do realize now that there's nothing I can do to change the way I live for God at school (believe me, I do live for God at school, but I keep it private). Jeff Turner read a crucial verse out of I think Jeremiah (I'll have to find that after this) last night at D'groups that said that we need to learn how to live for God now, when it's easy, so that when it gets hard, we will be able to. It basically said that if we aren't living for him and we're stumbling in sin now, while we're in the easy season, how will we even be able to stand in the hard season?
So, all I can do is get in the word, soak up every minute of peace I share with Jesus, and get to know Him better. And, pray unceasingly for him to change me. To take my heart and get rid of everything except His heart. Because that's all I want. It's all I need. It's what I need in order to care.
And that's another thing. I can honestly say that right now, I'm not the least bit concerned that my friends are all going to hell. You can't comprehend how hard it is to write that. But, it is the truth. Why does it hurt to write that? Because I know I should be distressed over my friends' predicament.
Ok. So, if I know I should be scared for them,
And I know that they are going to hell,
And I know that that is the worst, scariest, place anyone could ever experience,
Why am I not scared for them? Am I the only one reading this, thinking that it doesn't make sense?
So, what it all comes down to is this, this is all I know.
We have to ask. We have to pray for brokenness. That's all I know. I'm tired of keeping this joy and peace to myself. It seems so corny at school, but I'm going to get over it. I'm going to get over it. I'm going to get over it. It may - no it will be unpopular, uncool, awkward, but I'm going to get over it. And if I can't, then I'll beg God for it. Without brokenness, I am nowhere.
Think about this - Why tell your friends about God, who can save them from their doomed destination when you don't care? Why tell them when it's easier not to, because you couldn't care less? I'm pretty sure that is what it all comes down to.
The attitude of Christ / Calling brothers out | Jan 12 2007 5:40 PM
The attitude of Christ / Calling brothers out | Jan 12 2007 5:40 PM
I was talking to my good friend Eric yesterday, and God really started to convict me on how I don't live like I'm happy. We, as Christians of all people, should be the happiest people in the world!!! I mean, I am always in a good mood, I'm tired, but I'm in a good mood. But I realized how much of an opportunity Eric has to tell others about Jesus by how many people notice and ask about his good mood. I mean, he really is always in a really good mood and he's always smiling and stuff. I realized that if I really am happy, (which I most certainly am, I assure you) I should express it so that others can want what I have, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Come on, it is called the attitude of Christ!!! I really just don't show emotion at school, because I don't talk much (It's kind of a lie, because in some of my classes I talk nonstop, but I think you see my point). The way I am, and my personality, I just don't talk much because I hate offending people and I want everyone to like me. i guess. It sounds dumb, but I think that that's what it all comes down to. I mean, it really, really hurts to see brothers and sisters in Christ cussing and acting like anyone else, to the point that no one would know that they were Christians. Yet I still keep silent and just sit there thinking, I can't believe what they just said, instead of telling them, you know, if you really are a Christian then you need to start acting like it, because you're misrepresenting my savior and you're showing others that being a Christian doesn't mean anything. Of course, I would find a more loving and uplifting way to say it, but still...
I was talking to my good friend Eric yesterday, and God really started to convict me on how I don't live like I'm happy. We, as Christians of all people, should be the happiest people in the world!!! I mean, I am always in a good mood, I'm tired, but I'm in a good mood. But I realized how much of an opportunity Eric has to tell others about Jesus by how many people notice and ask about his good mood. I mean, he really is always in a really good mood and he's always smiling and stuff. I realized that if I really am happy, (which I most certainly am, I assure you) I should express it so that others can want what I have, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Come on, it is called the attitude of Christ!!! I really just don't show emotion at school, because I don't talk much (It's kind of a lie, because in some of my classes I talk nonstop, but I think you see my point). The way I am, and my personality, I just don't talk much because I hate offending people and I want everyone to like me. i guess. It sounds dumb, but I think that that's what it all comes down to. I mean, it really, really hurts to see brothers and sisters in Christ cussing and acting like anyone else, to the point that no one would know that they were Christians. Yet I still keep silent and just sit there thinking, I can't believe what they just said, instead of telling them, you know, if you really are a Christian then you need to start acting like it, because you're misrepresenting my savior and you're showing others that being a Christian doesn't mean anything. Of course, I would find a more loving and uplifting way to say it, but still...
Demons, and Our part in the War | Jan 9 2007 5:02 PM
Demons, and Our part in the War | Jan 9 2007 5:02 PM
We have reason to believe that Satan is beginning a full on attack on the spiritual leaders of our youth group. And not mentally or spiritually. Physically. Just read Rob Beckham's (Robbeckham) newest blog and see what I mean.
He was under attack 2 nights ago, when, after being woken up on his couch by his brother at 2:20, he saw something moving around in front of him. He disregarded it, but felt another presence with him as he and Michael went to bed. Eventually he went through the next few hours hearing noises and feeling the presence of something else, until he finally woke from a dream really scared. He got his bible and read Psalms, then went back to sleep. Soon, he awoke and looked at the clock, slowly seeing the red numbers blind him and he started to, literally, burn alive. He screamed, "God help me" and found himself sitting on his bed, okay, but his bible looked as if something had tried to rip it in half.
On Saturday night, Megan (MeganF) saw a demon at my house, and angels surrounding the room that we were praying in.
Randall (Relwof) has been thinking about this aspect of the spiritual war since Sunday, and thinks that Satan is beginning an all out attack on our youth's spiritual leaders, so, as you can expect, we're all a bit worried and stuff. I have realized that not only we shouldn't be afraid because then the enemy wins, but we shouldn't be scared because we DON'T NEED TO BE. Really. there is no reason for us to be scared, as we have the holy spirit and no demon can affect us.
Pray right now for me and my friends. This just shows how serious Satan is about stopping the Battlecry movement, and excites me to know that something so awesome is about to take place that Satan is sending legions of Demons at us to try and intimidate us.
lol don't you like how I made this sound like a special report about a terrorist attack? haha
We have reason to believe that Satan is beginning a full on attack on the spiritual leaders of our youth group. And not mentally or spiritually. Physically. Just read Rob Beckham's (Robbeckham) newest blog and see what I mean.
He was under attack 2 nights ago, when, after being woken up on his couch by his brother at 2:20, he saw something moving around in front of him. He disregarded it, but felt another presence with him as he and Michael went to bed. Eventually he went through the next few hours hearing noises and feeling the presence of something else, until he finally woke from a dream really scared. He got his bible and read Psalms, then went back to sleep. Soon, he awoke and looked at the clock, slowly seeing the red numbers blind him and he started to, literally, burn alive. He screamed, "God help me" and found himself sitting on his bed, okay, but his bible looked as if something had tried to rip it in half.
On Saturday night, Megan (MeganF) saw a demon at my house, and angels surrounding the room that we were praying in.
Randall (Relwof) has been thinking about this aspect of the spiritual war since Sunday, and thinks that Satan is beginning an all out attack on our youth's spiritual leaders, so, as you can expect, we're all a bit worried and stuff. I have realized that not only we shouldn't be afraid because then the enemy wins, but we shouldn't be scared because we DON'T NEED TO BE. Really. there is no reason for us to be scared, as we have the holy spirit and no demon can affect us.
Pray right now for me and my friends. This just shows how serious Satan is about stopping the Battlecry movement, and excites me to know that something so awesome is about to take place that Satan is sending legions of Demons at us to try and intimidate us.
lol don't you like how I made this sound like a special report about a terrorist attack? haha
New Year's Eve HEALING | Jan 3 2007 5:23 PM
New Year's Eve HEALING | Jan 3 2007 5:23 PM
So, on New Year's Eve, the band went to Albany!!! It was amazing, too. First of all, we left at 2:00. We played in a huge high school Gym. I was very intimidated when I first went into the huge open empty room. I could definitely imagine it full of hundreds of worshippers, though, and that's exactly what it became. We practiced forever because we hadn't played together before ( the band was: Bryan Jones-lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Kelly-Backup vocals, Marcus-bass, me and Kyle Tiner-electric guitars, Megan-keys, and Brett on the drums.) We basically just chilled in the gym, playing, tweaking, and most of all, praying for the night. I had some cool alone prayer time, as did all of the others. After eating at DQ with some of the rest of the Beltway crew that came, we prayed some more. Finally, we started. There were over 100 ppl there, I think, but as we started playing, it really seemed that something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it, but eventually Elijah (one of the Albany guys) came up after some people had given their testimonies and encouraged ppl to be free and to just worship without constraint. He said that he had felt that a spirit of constraint and apathy was present, and everyone prayed for it to leave. After that, we worshipped some more, but it still wasn't as good as it could have been. But, after a few songs, at least 8 people came to the mic and gave testimonies and asked for prayer. Then, everyone kind of split up and prayed over each other. Everyone in the whole room was praying with Bryan playing his guitar, and I saw Brett being prayed over by 2 girls. I joined them and saw them taking Brett's ankle brace boot thing off (he hurt his ankle really bad playing ultimate frisbee, and he could barely walk, limping everywhere). Confused, I stayed with them, and realized that they were praying for healing for his foot. This was really cool to me and I vigorously joined in. After a little prayer, Brett said his ankle didn't hurt quite as much as it did before. I wasn't satisfied, but we were about to play another song, so I went back. A bit later, I noticed Jesse, Josh, Marcus, and someone else praying for his ankle...excited and hopeful, I joined them and spent probably 7 minutes praying for his ankle. Kelly Parks also joined us. Sometime during that time, Jesse noted how he felt like his hand was on fire. I didn't hear him, but I did have my hand on his ankle, and I did notice that his leg was shaking and was warm. After this, we finished praying and Jesse said "that was crazy!! I've never felt anything like that, it felt like FIRE on my hand!!!" Brett said it felt a lot better...but i was wondering if he was just saying that to make us feel good, since he limped off to the bathroom before we played the next song.
He may have left the room limping, but he came back running.
He came back excited and dancing, telling us that he was ok!!! He had some bruising still, and it still hurt him, but God healed him!!! As we played Marvelous Light, everyone in the room was jumping, dancing, and worshiping God with all they had, and it was amazing. God is amazing. I payed special attention to Brett's double bass action with his previously injured left foot...it was awesome...cool...bossanova...sweet...delightful...amazing... incredible...whatever you want to call it. Yeah. It was cool.
God is good!!!
Oh yeah I forgot another thing, Brett talked to the doctor the other day, after being told a few days before he had a hairline fracture, torn ligaments, and a bad sprain. That doctor said that his ankle was almost healed!!! He said there was no way it could naturally have healed so fast, and he said the ankle would be back to normal in a week!!!!!
So, on New Year's Eve, the band went to Albany!!! It was amazing, too. First of all, we left at 2:00. We played in a huge high school Gym. I was very intimidated when I first went into the huge open empty room. I could definitely imagine it full of hundreds of worshippers, though, and that's exactly what it became. We practiced forever because we hadn't played together before ( the band was: Bryan Jones-lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Kelly-Backup vocals, Marcus-bass, me and Kyle Tiner-electric guitars, Megan-keys, and Brett on the drums.) We basically just chilled in the gym, playing, tweaking, and most of all, praying for the night. I had some cool alone prayer time, as did all of the others. After eating at DQ with some of the rest of the Beltway crew that came, we prayed some more. Finally, we started. There were over 100 ppl there, I think, but as we started playing, it really seemed that something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it, but eventually Elijah (one of the Albany guys) came up after some people had given their testimonies and encouraged ppl to be free and to just worship without constraint. He said that he had felt that a spirit of constraint and apathy was present, and everyone prayed for it to leave. After that, we worshipped some more, but it still wasn't as good as it could have been. But, after a few songs, at least 8 people came to the mic and gave testimonies and asked for prayer. Then, everyone kind of split up and prayed over each other. Everyone in the whole room was praying with Bryan playing his guitar, and I saw Brett being prayed over by 2 girls. I joined them and saw them taking Brett's ankle brace boot thing off (he hurt his ankle really bad playing ultimate frisbee, and he could barely walk, limping everywhere). Confused, I stayed with them, and realized that they were praying for healing for his foot. This was really cool to me and I vigorously joined in. After a little prayer, Brett said his ankle didn't hurt quite as much as it did before. I wasn't satisfied, but we were about to play another song, so I went back. A bit later, I noticed Jesse, Josh, Marcus, and someone else praying for his ankle...excited and hopeful, I joined them and spent probably 7 minutes praying for his ankle. Kelly Parks also joined us. Sometime during that time, Jesse noted how he felt like his hand was on fire. I didn't hear him, but I did have my hand on his ankle, and I did notice that his leg was shaking and was warm. After this, we finished praying and Jesse said "that was crazy!! I've never felt anything like that, it felt like FIRE on my hand!!!" Brett said it felt a lot better...but i was wondering if he was just saying that to make us feel good, since he limped off to the bathroom before we played the next song.
He may have left the room limping, but he came back running.
He came back excited and dancing, telling us that he was ok!!! He had some bruising still, and it still hurt him, but God healed him!!! As we played Marvelous Light, everyone in the room was jumping, dancing, and worshiping God with all they had, and it was amazing. God is amazing. I payed special attention to Brett's double bass action with his previously injured left foot...it was awesome...cool...bossanova...sweet...delightful...amazing... incredible...whatever you want to call it. Yeah. It was cool.
God is good!!!
Oh yeah I forgot another thing, Brett talked to the doctor the other day, after being told a few days before he had a hairline fracture, torn ligaments, and a bad sprain. That doctor said that his ankle was almost healed!!! He said there was no way it could naturally have healed so fast, and he said the ankle would be back to normal in a week!!!!!
Raising the Dead | Dec 29 2006 4:11 PM
Raising the Dead | Dec 29 2006 4:11 PM
It doesn't seem that anyone has read this blog, or this article for that matter, so I'm going to edit it. PLEASE READ AND COMMENT!!!! It's really coooooooooooooooool
Here's a link to an awesome story about some missionaries in Africa and their experiences with God raising the dead
link- http://www.antiochhouse.net/Surpresa_Sitole.htm
It's really cool, and worth reading!!!
It doesn't seem that anyone has read this blog, or this article for that matter, so I'm going to edit it. PLEASE READ AND COMMENT!!!! It's really coooooooooooooooool
Here's a link to an awesome story about some missionaries in Africa and their experiences with God raising the dead
link- http://www.antiochhouse.net/Surpresa_Sitole.htm
It's really cool, and worth reading!!!
READ THIS-->SLAM | Dec 17 2006 4:52 PM
READ THIS-->SLAM | Dec 17 2006 4:52 PM
WARNING:
This account is from me, so it's freakin' long. Read it anyways, I go into a lot of detail, but trust me, it's worth reading.
IT IS LONG BUT READ IT ANYWAYS YOU HAVE TIME!!
So, another amazing experience at slam (students leading a ministry) last night. we started with some worship and prayer and it was alright...but then we all kinda got confused for what to do and people started getting REALLY frustrated. So people felt like God was telling them to go to the mall...maybe it was from God, maybe not...but either way it was not successful. At all. Others were going to go to Shotwell to evangelize after a state football game was over. They didn't go. We thought SLAM was failing and God was letting us down, but we didn't give up...and we received many blessings as a result. When everyone went to the mall and shotwell (though they didn't actually end up going there) God told me to stay. Others stayed, too, like Megan, Haley, Ashley, Caitlyn, Chelsea, Blake, Chris, Sarah T, and Michael, though he went and had some alone time. While everyone left, we didn't know what we needed to do, so me and Blake went and burned a hat that had a bad word on it. (random, huh!!) So while we wasted our time setting a hat on fire, the others just kind of sat around. Chris and Blake and Chelsea left, and then Sarah left. It was down to me, Mike, Megan, Caitlyn, Ashley, and Haley. We spent some time praying over the room, and that was fun. I had a good alone time with God. Finally, the others got back and told us the disaster that had just taken place. You can understand how disapointed we were that God didn't do anything by reading my other SLAM blog from last week and the Copeland's blogs and Brett's blog on SLAM. We were pretty depressed. I went outside and played "God of Wonders" on Michael's iPod and it was a really cool experience. Up to that point I had actually had a really good experience, nothing like last week, but I knew it was still worth it. I didn't realize how much better it could get though. I also didn't realize the pain and frustration the others were going through. This hit me when I wandered into the green room, where Marcus, Michael, Megan, and Taryn were desperately crying out to God for something more. WOW. As soon as I walked in I instantly felt a passion, literally, a burning, thick, present passion that was in the air. I seriously could taste the Holy Spirit inside that room. As people were praying we were all crying out and praying with them and we were DESPERATE. My comforting experience alone with God was instantly wiped away and their desire for more overflowed to me. About 10 minutes after I had come in, the room was filled with about 6 more people who had joined us. Finally, someone prayed and victoriously said how the enemy has already been defeated, and that even though he had been fighting to keep SLAM from being successful, we were claiming victory through God over him. We all proclaimed that he is done, defeated, and that we would fight for joy. After we had gone through that, we were FIRED UP!! We were passionate and we weren't leaving the church until we saw God move! I took Michael's ipod and played "Shout unto God" (by Hillsong) through the system.
The enemy has been defeated
And death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make Your praises loud
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up
In the black room we all were shouting and singing loud. I was so pumped up!!! Back in the sound booth I just let out a yell so long and loud that I couldn't do it again if I tried and I felt the Holy Spirit enter me. I now know that because I was willing to give it my all and even yell, which is not at all normal for me, God rewarded me with filling me with the Holy Spirit. From then on I went CRAZY!!! Me and Brett, who came in later, were going ballistic. At first I was just kind of jumping by myself in the sound booth. But as we went on, I started doing crazy things and spazzing out and flailing all my limbs. It was almost as if I didn't have control over my body, I was just expressing everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) That I felt. Eventually, I pretty much did a lot of what the "dancing guy" does in the video i put in a blog (you can go and watch that in a minute after you're done reading this.). I mean, I have seriously never had that much fun in my life. I would jump and spin and dance and do really weird things that I can't even explain. Then I would get too tired and kneel down and pour out my heart to God. The problem was that I was hiding. Me and Michael would switch off picking out songs. We started with soft ones and really just emptied out our frustration and had some intimate time with God. Then, as we started picking faster upbeat songs, I came out of the booth and I started REALLY going nuts. Me and Brett would spin around and roll on the floor, and my favorite, I would run laps around the room and jump off the stage. It finally got to the point that I had to wait in the hall for literally 3 minutes before I could get a drink because I couldn't catch my breath. And I just didn't have any energy or strength because I hadn't eaten since 1:00 and It was 10:30. I felt like throwing up, Brett did, 4 times. We gave it our all for God, and I have never experienced anything like it. It was the most fun I have ever had besides camp (in which i did the same stuff - It just goes to show that God is the only satisfaction we can ever attain) So finally me and Michael painfully went to Burger King to get food, yearning the whole time to get back to the action and fun. When we got back it was too late to continue since it took us 30 minutes. I was so sweaty. can't wait till next time..
WARNING:
This account is from me, so it's freakin' long. Read it anyways, I go into a lot of detail, but trust me, it's worth reading.
IT IS LONG BUT READ IT ANYWAYS YOU HAVE TIME!!
So, another amazing experience at slam (students leading a ministry) last night. we started with some worship and prayer and it was alright...but then we all kinda got confused for what to do and people started getting REALLY frustrated. So people felt like God was telling them to go to the mall...maybe it was from God, maybe not...but either way it was not successful. At all. Others were going to go to Shotwell to evangelize after a state football game was over. They didn't go. We thought SLAM was failing and God was letting us down, but we didn't give up...and we received many blessings as a result. When everyone went to the mall and shotwell (though they didn't actually end up going there) God told me to stay. Others stayed, too, like Megan, Haley, Ashley, Caitlyn, Chelsea, Blake, Chris, Sarah T, and Michael, though he went and had some alone time. While everyone left, we didn't know what we needed to do, so me and Blake went and burned a hat that had a bad word on it. (random, huh!!) So while we wasted our time setting a hat on fire, the others just kind of sat around. Chris and Blake and Chelsea left, and then Sarah left. It was down to me, Mike, Megan, Caitlyn, Ashley, and Haley. We spent some time praying over the room, and that was fun. I had a good alone time with God. Finally, the others got back and told us the disaster that had just taken place. You can understand how disapointed we were that God didn't do anything by reading my other SLAM blog from last week and the Copeland's blogs and Brett's blog on SLAM. We were pretty depressed. I went outside and played "God of Wonders" on Michael's iPod and it was a really cool experience. Up to that point I had actually had a really good experience, nothing like last week, but I knew it was still worth it. I didn't realize how much better it could get though. I also didn't realize the pain and frustration the others were going through. This hit me when I wandered into the green room, where Marcus, Michael, Megan, and Taryn were desperately crying out to God for something more. WOW. As soon as I walked in I instantly felt a passion, literally, a burning, thick, present passion that was in the air. I seriously could taste the Holy Spirit inside that room. As people were praying we were all crying out and praying with them and we were DESPERATE. My comforting experience alone with God was instantly wiped away and their desire for more overflowed to me. About 10 minutes after I had come in, the room was filled with about 6 more people who had joined us. Finally, someone prayed and victoriously said how the enemy has already been defeated, and that even though he had been fighting to keep SLAM from being successful, we were claiming victory through God over him. We all proclaimed that he is done, defeated, and that we would fight for joy. After we had gone through that, we were FIRED UP!! We were passionate and we weren't leaving the church until we saw God move! I took Michael's ipod and played "Shout unto God" (by Hillsong) through the system.
The enemy has been defeated
And death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make Your praises loud
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up
In the black room we all were shouting and singing loud. I was so pumped up!!! Back in the sound booth I just let out a yell so long and loud that I couldn't do it again if I tried and I felt the Holy Spirit enter me. I now know that because I was willing to give it my all and even yell, which is not at all normal for me, God rewarded me with filling me with the Holy Spirit. From then on I went CRAZY!!! Me and Brett, who came in later, were going ballistic. At first I was just kind of jumping by myself in the sound booth. But as we went on, I started doing crazy things and spazzing out and flailing all my limbs. It was almost as if I didn't have control over my body, I was just expressing everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) That I felt. Eventually, I pretty much did a lot of what the "dancing guy" does in the video i put in a blog (you can go and watch that in a minute after you're done reading this.). I mean, I have seriously never had that much fun in my life. I would jump and spin and dance and do really weird things that I can't even explain. Then I would get too tired and kneel down and pour out my heart to God. The problem was that I was hiding. Me and Michael would switch off picking out songs. We started with soft ones and really just emptied out our frustration and had some intimate time with God. Then, as we started picking faster upbeat songs, I came out of the booth and I started REALLY going nuts. Me and Brett would spin around and roll on the floor, and my favorite, I would run laps around the room and jump off the stage. It finally got to the point that I had to wait in the hall for literally 3 minutes before I could get a drink because I couldn't catch my breath. And I just didn't have any energy or strength because I hadn't eaten since 1:00 and It was 10:30. I felt like throwing up, Brett did, 4 times. We gave it our all for God, and I have never experienced anything like it. It was the most fun I have ever had besides camp (in which i did the same stuff - It just goes to show that God is the only satisfaction we can ever attain) So finally me and Michael painfully went to Burger King to get food, yearning the whole time to get back to the action and fun. When we got back it was too late to continue since it took us 30 minutes. I was so sweaty. can't wait till next time..
Another story I just remembered, just as important as the first one. | Dec 12 2006 11:57 PM
Another story I just remembered, just as important as the first one. | Dec 12 2006 11:57 PM
EVERYONE READ THIS PLEASE IT'S SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!! _+880_____________________________ _++88_____________________________ _++88_____________________________ __+880_________________________++_ __+888________________________+88_ __++880______________________+88__ __++888_____+++88__________+++8__ __++8888__+++8880++88____+++88___ __+++8888+++8880++8888__++888____ ___++888++8888+++888888++888_____ ___++88++8888++8888888++888______ ___++++++888888888888888888______ ____++++++88888888888888888______ ____++++++++000888888888888_____ _____+++++++000088888888888______ ______+++++++00088888888888______ _______+++++++0888888888888______ _______+++++++088888888888_______ ________+++++++8888888888_______ ________+++++++0088888888_____
EVERYONE READ THIS PLEASE IT'S SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!!
Well, this guy came to church on Sunday and complimented 1st period about my guitar playing. I was excited to see that he had come to church, as he isn't a Christian. Excited that he might have found interest in God, I talked a little more with him about it. I guess he thought I was really good, because he complimented me again. I told him that God gave me those talents and I'm just using them to glorify Him. Then, this morning, before class, he was sitting by me and this other friend of mine who also isn't a Christian. He told this guy to come to church to see me play guitar, that he should "see me play". Apparently trying to invite him to church, he went on to describe another benefit of Beltway Park. He explained how the girls were all wearing short skirts and low cut shirts and he said how "awesome" it was. It totally broke my heart.
1. Because of the obvious reason - he's coming to church to look at girls!
2. More than that, though, it broke my heart that Beltway is, apparently, a place where the girls don't dress modestly. OUR CHURCH, ALONG WITH ALL CHURCHES SHOULD NEVER BE A PLACE TO GO SEE GIRLS DRESSED EVEN SLIGHTLY IMMODESTLY!!!
Girls, realize that I'm not ragging on you. I'm not giving you the typical modesty talk, but come on. When you hear words like those, you should know something is wrong. Please, if God convicts you about this, there must be change!!! You don't realize how hard you make life for guys when you dress like that. R u one of the ones that people like him come to look at because of your dress?
The main things i'm trying to say:
1. Pray for me and these guys. It's an opportunity to invite people to come to church...
2...but girls, don't make them come for the wrong reasons!
3. People don't think anything of church right now, see what it might become w/4%...
4. Our culture is JACKED UP and we need CHANGE. IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND. Not necessarily one big gigantic overnight change, but a gradual change involving lots of "little stands." Start fighting for your KING!!!!!!!!!
EVERYONE READ THIS PLEASE IT'S SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!! _+880_____________________________ _++88_____________________________ _++88_____________________________ __+880_________________________++_ __+888________________________+88_ __++880______________________+88__ __++888_____+++88__________+++8__ __++8888__+++8880++88____+++88___ __+++8888+++8880++8888__++888____ ___++888++8888+++888888++888_____ ___++88++8888++8888888++888______ ___++++++888888888888888888______ ____++++++88888888888888888______ ____++++++++000888888888888_____ _____+++++++000088888888888______ ______+++++++00088888888888______ _______+++++++0888888888888______ _______+++++++088888888888_______ ________+++++++8888888888_______ ________+++++++0088888888_____
EVERYONE READ THIS PLEASE IT'S SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!!
Well, this guy came to church on Sunday and complimented 1st period about my guitar playing. I was excited to see that he had come to church, as he isn't a Christian. Excited that he might have found interest in God, I talked a little more with him about it. I guess he thought I was really good, because he complimented me again. I told him that God gave me those talents and I'm just using them to glorify Him. Then, this morning, before class, he was sitting by me and this other friend of mine who also isn't a Christian. He told this guy to come to church to see me play guitar, that he should "see me play". Apparently trying to invite him to church, he went on to describe another benefit of Beltway Park. He explained how the girls were all wearing short skirts and low cut shirts and he said how "awesome" it was. It totally broke my heart.
1. Because of the obvious reason - he's coming to church to look at girls!
2. More than that, though, it broke my heart that Beltway is, apparently, a place where the girls don't dress modestly. OUR CHURCH, ALONG WITH ALL CHURCHES SHOULD NEVER BE A PLACE TO GO SEE GIRLS DRESSED EVEN SLIGHTLY IMMODESTLY!!!
Girls, realize that I'm not ragging on you. I'm not giving you the typical modesty talk, but come on. When you hear words like those, you should know something is wrong. Please, if God convicts you about this, there must be change!!! You don't realize how hard you make life for guys when you dress like that. R u one of the ones that people like him come to look at because of your dress?
The main things i'm trying to say:
1. Pray for me and these guys. It's an opportunity to invite people to come to church...
2...but girls, don't make them come for the wrong reasons!
3. People don't think anything of church right now, see what it might become w/4%...
4. Our culture is JACKED UP and we need CHANGE. IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND. Not necessarily one big gigantic overnight change, but a gradual change involving lots of "little stands." Start fighting for your KING!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE READ AND COMMENT | Dec 12 2006 11:05 PM
PLEASE READ AND COMMENT | Dec 12 2006 11:05 PM
So, I was talking to a friend of mine who goes to The Mission every once and a while. I have a feeling he thinks he's saved, but he's not because I see him every day cussing and rejecting God. I asked him about it when he was cussing today, and he explained that he's not a very "religious person". He also said he wasn't sure what he believed in (And not in a confused way either. He just didn't care) and then explained that the only reason he ever went to church was "an excuse to go skating". As I was talking to him, another friend explained that he hadn't been to church since he got baptized at a young age. I praise God for giving me the opportunity to talk to them. I just didn't know what to say. At least he knows what I believe in now. So:
1 .Pray for me and them - Tommy and Matt
2. What should I say and how? He doesn't seem to care and he thinks that he's got his ticket to heaven. He totally doesn't live for God, even if he is a Christian.
So, I was talking to a friend of mine who goes to The Mission every once and a while. I have a feeling he thinks he's saved, but he's not because I see him every day cussing and rejecting God. I asked him about it when he was cussing today, and he explained that he's not a very "religious person". He also said he wasn't sure what he believed in (And not in a confused way either. He just didn't care) and then explained that the only reason he ever went to church was "an excuse to go skating". As I was talking to him, another friend explained that he hadn't been to church since he got baptized at a young age. I praise God for giving me the opportunity to talk to them. I just didn't know what to say. At least he knows what I believe in now. So:
1 .Pray for me and them - Tommy and Matt
2. What should I say and how? He doesn't seem to care and he thinks that he's got his ticket to heaven. He totally doesn't live for God, even if he is a Christian.
DANCING GUY HILLSONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Dec 11 2006 6:58 PM
DANCING GUY HILLSONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Dec 11 2006 6:58 PM
Just keep watching it - trust me it's worth it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otjghQDyqtQ&eurl=http://battlecry.com/mybattleplan2.php?page=7
Just keep watching it - trust me it's worth it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otjghQDyqtQ&eurl=http://battlecry.com/mybattleplan2.php?page=7
SLAM - My Side of the Story | Dec 11 2006 5:37 PM
SLAM - My Side of the Story | Dec 11 2006 5:37 PM
First of all, the new meaning of "SLAM"......
It's the sound of GOD'S KINGDOM HITTING EARTH!!!
(Brenton Dowdy)
(if you didn't know what "slam" meant in the first place it means Students Leading A Ministry. we, the students, started it after summer camp in New Mexico.)
But, if you haven't heard, SLAM was awesome on Saturday night!!!
First we had some prayer and worship, but eventually felt led to go to Abilene Regional Hospital. I wont go into detail, but I will tell my side of the story. First, me, Rob Beckham, and Ronnie went around the hospital. A man was by himself sitting at a table, so Ronnie went and talked with him. It turned out that the guy was from Beltway but was feeling depressed. After Ronnie prayed over him, we went back the way we came, praying for the new outpatient center being built as we went. Then, before going inside, we tried to talk to a couple that was smoking. They didn't want us to pray for them, so we went in. By now it was just me and Rob. I felt led to go to the 2nd floor, but didn't hear anything else. However, as we walked, we met up with the Copelands, Camilla, and Tarren (sorry if I misspelled your name, I'm pretty sure I did), and we followed them. After passing hallway after hallway of offices and closed rooms, we were about to go back down to the 1st floor. Me and Rob got on an elevator to go, as the girls went back the other way. But when we got on, the elevator started buzzing loudly, and worried because the adjacent elevator was "out of order" we got off and ran to catch the others. When we met the girls, we were looking for a way down, but in following them we were able to go with them to pray over the old woman with the "wispy" hair!!! It was definitely God's doing, because in the first place, we "happened" to go to the 2nd floor and run into them as they passed an intersection. Also, the elevator "mysteriously" started buzzing. But anyway, the coolest thing about the whole praying thing is that after we were finished praying, the girls asked if there was anything else they could pray about. The woman replied by urging us very energetically and enthusiastically for us to pray for her son, a diabetic; while at the same time SHE is in the hospital for a HOLE IN HER HEART!!!! Overall, amazing.
P.S, any High Schoolers are very welcome to come to Slam on Saturday at 4:00 at the church!!!!!
Don't miss out, because if you choose to do something else, you will regret it! There isn't any better way to spend a Saturday night! (Sarah Copeland)
First of all, the new meaning of "SLAM"......
It's the sound of GOD'S KINGDOM HITTING EARTH!!!
(Brenton Dowdy)
(if you didn't know what "slam" meant in the first place it means Students Leading A Ministry. we, the students, started it after summer camp in New Mexico.)
But, if you haven't heard, SLAM was awesome on Saturday night!!!
First we had some prayer and worship, but eventually felt led to go to Abilene Regional Hospital. I wont go into detail, but I will tell my side of the story. First, me, Rob Beckham, and Ronnie went around the hospital. A man was by himself sitting at a table, so Ronnie went and talked with him. It turned out that the guy was from Beltway but was feeling depressed. After Ronnie prayed over him, we went back the way we came, praying for the new outpatient center being built as we went. Then, before going inside, we tried to talk to a couple that was smoking. They didn't want us to pray for them, so we went in. By now it was just me and Rob. I felt led to go to the 2nd floor, but didn't hear anything else. However, as we walked, we met up with the Copelands, Camilla, and Tarren (sorry if I misspelled your name, I'm pretty sure I did), and we followed them. After passing hallway after hallway of offices and closed rooms, we were about to go back down to the 1st floor. Me and Rob got on an elevator to go, as the girls went back the other way. But when we got on, the elevator started buzzing loudly, and worried because the adjacent elevator was "out of order" we got off and ran to catch the others. When we met the girls, we were looking for a way down, but in following them we were able to go with them to pray over the old woman with the "wispy" hair!!! It was definitely God's doing, because in the first place, we "happened" to go to the 2nd floor and run into them as they passed an intersection. Also, the elevator "mysteriously" started buzzing. But anyway, the coolest thing about the whole praying thing is that after we were finished praying, the girls asked if there was anything else they could pray about. The woman replied by urging us very energetically and enthusiastically for us to pray for her son, a diabetic; while at the same time SHE is in the hospital for a HOLE IN HER HEART!!!! Overall, amazing.
P.S, any High Schoolers are very welcome to come to Slam on Saturday at 4:00 at the church!!!!!
Don't miss out, because if you choose to do something else, you will regret it! There isn't any better way to spend a Saturday night! (Sarah Copeland)
Strong. | Dec 7 2006 9:10 PM
Strong. | Dec 7 2006 9:10 PM
Joshua 1:6 - Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
2 Samuel 22:33 - God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
1 Corinthians 4:10 - We are weak, but you are strong.
Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
you are never weak in Him. don't forget that.
(copied from joyinme1548)
Joshua 1:6 - Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
2 Samuel 22:33 - God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
1 Corinthians 4:10 - We are weak, but you are strong.
Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
you are never weak in Him. don't forget that.
(copied from joyinme1548)
Hola | Nov 8 2006 10:42 PM
Hola | Nov 8 2006 10:42 PM
Hello all. I am Thomas and I go to Beltway Park Baptist church in Abilene, Texas. I just made this account and wanted to check in and say hello.
Why doesn't anyone post comments on my blogs?
Am I not cool enough for y'all?
Hello all. I am Thomas and I go to Beltway Park Baptist church in Abilene, Texas. I just made this account and wanted to check in and say hello.
Why doesn't anyone post comments on my blogs?
Am I not cool enough for y'all?
PREFACE.
Preface: Go back 3 years. I'm 15, just starting to experience amazing things of God, growing in my faith, and experiencing beltway's massive youth ministry growth. This is what my life writings were like back then.
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