Paris Reidhead
The philosophy of the day became humanism and you can define humanism this way: Humanism is a philosophical statement that declares the end of all being is the happiness of man. The reason for existence is man's happiness. Now according to humanism salvation is simply a matter of getting all the happiness you can
out of life. This group of my people the fundamentalists that say:
"We believe in the inspiration of the Bible"
"We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ"
"We believe in hell, we believe in Heaven"
"We believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ"
And remember the atmosphere is that of humanism. Humanism says the chief end of being is the happiness of man. And so it wasn't long until we had this, the
fundamentalists knew each other because they said 'We believe these things.' They were men for the most part that had met God. But you see it wasn't long until having said 'these are the things that establish us as fundamentalists', the second generation said, "This is how we become a fundamentalist;"
"Believe in the inspiration of the Bible."
"Believe in the deity of Christ."
"Believe in His death, burial, and resurrection."
And thereby become a fundamentalist. And so it wasn't long until it got to our generation where the whole plan of salvation was to give intellectual assent to a few statements of doctrine. And a person was considered a Christian because he could say 'Uh huh' at 4 or 5 places that he was asked to and if he knew where to say 'Uh huh' someone would pat him on the back, shake his hand, smile broadly and say:
"Brother, you're saved." And so it had gotten down to the place where salvation was nothing more than an assent to a scheme or a formula. And the end of this salvation was the happiness of man because humanism has penetrated. And so if you were to analyze the fundamentalism in contrast to liberalism of a hundred years ago, as it developed, it’d be like this: The liberal says the end of religion is to make man happy while he's alive. And the fundamentalist says the end of religion is to make man happy when he dies.
Until we find something like this;
"Accept Jesus so you can go to Heaven, you don't want to go to that old, filthy, nasty, burning hell when there's a beautiful Heaven up there. Now come to Jesus so that you can go to Heaven." And the appeal could be as much to selfishness as a couple of men sitting in a coffee shop deciding they are going to rob a bank to get something for nothing. It becomes so subtle ... it goes everywhere. What is it?
In essence it is this: that this philosophical postulate that the end of all being is the happiness of man has been sort of, covered over with evangelical terms and Biblical doctrine until God reigns in Heaven for the happiness of man, Jesus Christ was incarnate for the happiness of man, all the Angels exist in the... Everything is for the happiness of man! And I submit to you that this is un-Christian!
Christianity says... "The end of all being is the glory of God."
Humanism says, "The end of all being is the happiness of man." This is the betrayal of the ages!! And it's the betrayal in which we live and I don't see how God can revive it! Until we come back to Christianity. Isn't man happy? And God intends to make you happy. But as a by-product and not a prime product. Now I ask you, what is the philosophy of mission? What is the philosophy of evangelism? What is the philosophy of a Christian? If you’ll ask me why I went to Africa, I’ll tell you I went primarily, to improve on the justice of God. I didn’t think it was right for anybody to go to hell without a chance to be saved. And so I went to give poor sinners a chance to go to Heaven. Now, I hadn’t put it in so many words. But if you’ll analyze what I just told you, do you know what it is? It’s humanism. But I was simply using the provisions of Jesus Christ as a means to improve upon human conditions of suffering and misery. And when I got to Africa, I discovered that they weren’t poor, ignorant, little heathen running around in the woods,
waiting for, looking for someone to tell them how to go to Heaven. That they were monsters of iniquity. They were living in utter and total defiance, of far more knowledge of God than I ever dreamed they had. They deserved hell
because they utterly refused to walk in the light of their conscience and the light of the law written upon their heart and the testimony of nature and the truth they knew. And when I found that out, I assure you, I was so angry with God that one occasion in prayer, I told him that it was a mighty, little thing He’d done, sending me out there to reach these people that were waiting to be told how to go
to Heaven and when I got there I found out they knew about Heaven, didn’t wanna go there. And they (were) loved their sin and wanted to stay in it.
I went out there motivated by humanism. I’d seen pictures of lepers. I’d seen pictures of ulcers. I’d see ``pictures of native funerals. And I didn’t want my fellow human beings to suffer in hell eternally, after such a miserable
existence on earth. But it was there in Africa that God began to tear through the overlay of this humanism. And it was that day in my bedroom, with the door locked, that I wrestled with God. For here was... I was coming to grips with the fact that the people I thought were ignorant and wanted to know how to go to Heaven, and were saying “someone come and teach us” actually didn’t wanna take time to talk with me or anybody else. They had no interest in the bible and no interest in Christ. And they loved their sin and wanted to continue in it. And I was to the place at that time where I felt the whole thing was a sham and a mockery and I’d been sold a bill of goods. And I wanted to come home.And there alone in my bedroom as I faced God honestly with what my heart felt, it seemed to me I heard Him say, “Yes, will not the Judge of all the earth do right? The heathen are lost and they’re going to go to hell not because they haven’t heard the gospel. They’re going to go to hell because they are sinners who loved... their ..sin.. and because they deserved hell. But, I didn’t send you out there for them, I didn't send you out there for their sakes." And I heard as clearly as I’ve ever heard though it wasn’t with physical voice but it was the echo of truth of the ages finding its way into an open heart. I heard God say to my heart that day something like this: “I didn’t send you to Africa for the sake of the heathen. I sent you to Africa for My sake. They deserved hell but I love them and I endured the agonies of hell for them. I didn’t send you out there for them. I sent you out there for Me. Do I not deserve the reward of My suffering? Don't I deserve those for whom I died?” And it reversed it all. It changed it all and righted it all. And I wasn't any longer working for my cup and ten shekels and a shirt but I was serving the living God.
________________________________________
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Haystack Revival
It was 1806 and divine circumstances were about to reveal to the world its new unlikely heroes. Samuel J. Mills, James Richards, Francis L. Robbins, Harvey Loomis, and Byram Green were about to decide their destiny. These five students at Williams College in Massachusetts found themselves in a time when revival and awakening were sweeping across America and this small college town. There were many prayer meetings being maintained by students. One, to which these five men belonged, met in Sloan’s meadow north of the college. On a hot Saturday afternoon in August these five left to pray and discuss William Carey’s small booklet, An Inquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen. It was a controversial book that laid on all believers the weight of responsibility of world missions. There were threatening clouds in the distance, but the group met faithfully despite the thunderstorm that was approaching.
As they discussed world missions and specifically the needs in China, their attention was focused so intently on their responsibility to the unreached that they failed to notice the speed with which storm had approached. The young men were too far away to run for adequate shelter and were soon trapped by the angry thunder clouds. Within minutes the sound of the thunder was deafening and the pouring rain and strikes of lightening drove the students to scramble for the first shelter available - a haystack. Even as the storm rolled over the five continued their building discussion. Beneath the cover of the haystack, Samuel Mills, the leader of the group, continued to insist that the gospel must be taken to the lost in Asia.
All were inspired to act by Mills’ passion except for Loomis, who argued that it was too dangerous in China. “We must wait until they are civilized,” he maintained. Samuel suggested that they make it an issue of prayer, and they began to pray over the wail of the storm. All prayed except for Loomis. Mills, remembering the objections of Loomis, prayed, “O God, strike down the arm, with red artillery of heaven, that shall be raised against a herald of the cross.”
Finally after singing a hymn, Mills looked at the others, and over the roar of the drenching rain, and with flashes of lightening reflecting in his eyes, cried out, “We can do this, if we will!” Something broke loose in that moment within the hearts of all five. All pointed back to that moment as the one that changed them forever. The five later consecrated themselves to full devotion to the Great Commission and taking the gospel to all the nations. They felt that it was the job of the American church to send its own missionaries and proposed to the General Association of Massachusetts that the first American missions agency be created, later given the name “The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions” in 1810. Adoniram Judson was among the first five men that the American Board sent to Calcutta, India. Mills went on to inspire the creation of several other mission agencies and works such as The United Foreign Missionary Society, the American Baptist Missionary Union, and the American Bible Society.
This Haystack Prayer Movement became known all over the surrounding area, especially among college students. Samuel had began a group in 1808 called the Society of Brethren, which bound its members together by the single-minded purpose of giving themselves to extend the gospel around the world. Several missions societies began to spring up on campuses all across the U.S. in the footsteps of Mills.
Years later, several women purchased with one gold dollar, the spot of land which Bryam Green identified as the location of the haystack that day. Today the Haystack Prayer Monument stands at Williams college as a reminder of what God did, not only in the lives of the five, but also in the life of Luther Wishard 80 years later. Luther, inspired by the Haystack Prayer Movement, initiated the mobilization of 100,000 college students through the Student Volunteer Movement. That moment in 1806 under the haystack was the spark for the greatest missionary movement that the world has ever seen.
They were ordinary young men - college students. Life forced them to search out their life purpose, maybe before it was too late; before the world had a chance to steal away their passion and talents into other great endeavors; before the roots of careers, and comfort grew too deeply into the American dream. These five had no idea that all of history was watching that day and what weight of responsibility lay on them. God uses moments like this, not to test our hearts, but to reveal them. He is unveiling to us what holds our true loyalty. Neil McClendon says, “Life’s interruptions are God’s invitations.” Heroes like this are made, not born. Let us press on to know Him deeply and know His heart so that in times of testing and interruption it might be revealed that our heart has been replaced with His. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Out of the deepening of our passion for His renown and glory will come an overflow: our lives heralding a message to the world, “We can do this, if we will!”
As they discussed world missions and specifically the needs in China, their attention was focused so intently on their responsibility to the unreached that they failed to notice the speed with which storm had approached. The young men were too far away to run for adequate shelter and were soon trapped by the angry thunder clouds. Within minutes the sound of the thunder was deafening and the pouring rain and strikes of lightening drove the students to scramble for the first shelter available - a haystack. Even as the storm rolled over the five continued their building discussion. Beneath the cover of the haystack, Samuel Mills, the leader of the group, continued to insist that the gospel must be taken to the lost in Asia.
All were inspired to act by Mills’ passion except for Loomis, who argued that it was too dangerous in China. “We must wait until they are civilized,” he maintained. Samuel suggested that they make it an issue of prayer, and they began to pray over the wail of the storm. All prayed except for Loomis. Mills, remembering the objections of Loomis, prayed, “O God, strike down the arm, with red artillery of heaven, that shall be raised against a herald of the cross.”
Finally after singing a hymn, Mills looked at the others, and over the roar of the drenching rain, and with flashes of lightening reflecting in his eyes, cried out, “We can do this, if we will!” Something broke loose in that moment within the hearts of all five. All pointed back to that moment as the one that changed them forever. The five later consecrated themselves to full devotion to the Great Commission and taking the gospel to all the nations. They felt that it was the job of the American church to send its own missionaries and proposed to the General Association of Massachusetts that the first American missions agency be created, later given the name “The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions” in 1810. Adoniram Judson was among the first five men that the American Board sent to Calcutta, India. Mills went on to inspire the creation of several other mission agencies and works such as The United Foreign Missionary Society, the American Baptist Missionary Union, and the American Bible Society.
This Haystack Prayer Movement became known all over the surrounding area, especially among college students. Samuel had began a group in 1808 called the Society of Brethren, which bound its members together by the single-minded purpose of giving themselves to extend the gospel around the world. Several missions societies began to spring up on campuses all across the U.S. in the footsteps of Mills.
Years later, several women purchased with one gold dollar, the spot of land which Bryam Green identified as the location of the haystack that day. Today the Haystack Prayer Monument stands at Williams college as a reminder of what God did, not only in the lives of the five, but also in the life of Luther Wishard 80 years later. Luther, inspired by the Haystack Prayer Movement, initiated the mobilization of 100,000 college students through the Student Volunteer Movement. That moment in 1806 under the haystack was the spark for the greatest missionary movement that the world has ever seen.
They were ordinary young men - college students. Life forced them to search out their life purpose, maybe before it was too late; before the world had a chance to steal away their passion and talents into other great endeavors; before the roots of careers, and comfort grew too deeply into the American dream. These five had no idea that all of history was watching that day and what weight of responsibility lay on them. God uses moments like this, not to test our hearts, but to reveal them. He is unveiling to us what holds our true loyalty. Neil McClendon says, “Life’s interruptions are God’s invitations.” Heroes like this are made, not born. Let us press on to know Him deeply and know His heart so that in times of testing and interruption it might be revealed that our heart has been replaced with His. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Out of the deepening of our passion for His renown and glory will come an overflow: our lives heralding a message to the world, “We can do this, if we will!”
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Evil in the World
Why is there evil in the world?
The terrorized and troubled world exists to make a place for Jesus Christ, the Son of God to suffer and die for our sins. The reason there is terror in the world, is so that Christ could be terrorized. The reason there is trouble in the world, is so that Christ could be troubled. The reason there is pain in the universe, is so that Christ could feel pain. This is the world that God prepared for the suffering and death of His Son. This is the world, that the best display of Divine love could happen.
-John Piper
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love towards us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Two Dead, Two Wounded, After Gunman Opens Fire Inside Colorado Christian Missionary Center
The manhunt for a gunman who killed two people and wounded two others when he opened fire inside a Christian missionary training facility near Denver dragged on Sunday, as police appealed to the public for help catching a killer on the loose. The shooter entered a dormitory on the campus of Faith Bible Church, a Youth With a Mission training facility for Christian missionaries, in Arvada, Colo., a Denver suburb, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday and shot four people, killing two of them, before fleeing on foot. The gunman, described by witnesses as a white male in his twenties wearing a dark skull cap and jacket, who may also have had a beard and eye glasses, remained at large, Arvada Police spokeswoman Susan Medina told Fox News.
Authorities used reverse 911 early Sunday to warn residents that an armed and dangerous gunman was on the loose and to lock their doors and windows and stay inside. Police were also asking residents to report any sightings of fresh footprints or disturbances in the snow. About four inches of snow had fallen overnight, and authorities were hoping tracks left in the snow would lead them to the shooter, Medina said.
The four victims were all YWAM staff members, Peter Warren, director of Youth With a Mission Denver, told KUSA-TV. YWAM identified the victims who have died as Tiffany Johnson, 22, of Minnesota and Peter Krause of Alaska. The third victim, a male in his 20s, sustained a bullet wound to the neck and was in critical condition; the fourth victim, also a male in his 20s, suffered gun shot wounds to his legs and was in stable condition. Both were being treated at area hospitals. According to YWAM's Web site, the victims' families had been notified.
Warren said the group was just finishing a Christmas banquet when the shooter entered the facility and asked staffer Tiffany Johnson if he could be housed for the evening. When Johnson told the man that they could not provide him with a place to stay, he opened fire, Warren said.
Warren said he did not think the victims knew the gunman, but that the campus was open to the public for worship services.
A search of the area, both by canine and patrol officer units, had failed to locate the suspect, Medina said. Medina said the search area was quite large, a mix of residences and businesses.
About 50 people were inside the center at the time of the shooting, Medina said. The 45 people remaining at the center were moved to an off-site facility for questioning.
"There's no blueprint for this, we're just going to be honest and pray for one another, cry with one another," Warren told KUSA-TV. "Who knows what was going on in this young man's life," he said.
Mimi Martin, who lives near the center, said she received the warning call at about 9 a.m. warning neighbors to keep their doors and windows locked.
"Why would anybody want to hurt those kids?" Martin said. "I just pray for their families."
People bundled up against freezing cold arrived for Sunday services at the sanctuary, about 300 yards from the dormitory.
Darv Smith, director of a Youth With a Mission center in Boulder, said people ranging from their late teens to their 70s undergo a 12-week discipleship course that prepares them to be missionaries.
He said the center trains about 300 people a year. Youth With a Mission was started in 1960 and now has 1,100 locations with 16,000 full-time staff, Smith said. The Arvada center was founded in 1984.
Praise God He is in control. I can read this and just rejoice and fall to my knees in worship, because of the fact that our Father is still on the throne, and that God had in view, His Son, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Why? For us. In all the horror, pain, terror, and lost in this world, Christ died for it. In a time as now, with the fear of terrorism, suicide, and all wickedness and evil that may come to pass, our treasure, our hope is in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of His who died. Christs passion, His duty was to die. To redeem His people, from a world as this. In all trials, Christ is all. He Himself, paid for it. God has a plan, and in that plan, His Son died. God, in that plan has allowed such things as terrorism, pain, trouble, so His Son could pervail over all the evil that this world holds. God has not let the reigns of humanity slip from His hands. His sovereignty is still reigning. His love, power, and holiness is still in charge. In times as this, God will be glorified. In life or by death, His glory will fill the earth and will scream from all creation, and in this....we can say thank you. Thank you Father for your grace and mercy that you have shown to poor sinners as us. In this very fact of His glory being the foundation of our lives as believers should push us to love Him more. His glory is being revealed from His creation, His grace, and even His glory is being set forth by the death of His only begotten Son.
Please pray for the families. Please pray for the man who fired the shots. Please pray that God will be glorifed and His Son will be honored.
The terrorized and troubled world exists to make a place for Jesus Christ, the Son of God to suffer and die for our sins. The reason there is terror in the world, is so that Christ could be terrorized. The reason there is trouble in the world, is so that Christ could be troubled. The reason there is pain in the universe, is so that Christ could feel pain. This is the world that God prepared for the suffering and death of His Son. This is the world, that the best display of Divine love could happen.
-John Piper
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love towards us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Two Dead, Two Wounded, After Gunman Opens Fire Inside Colorado Christian Missionary Center
Sunday, December 09, 2007
The manhunt for a gunman who killed two people and wounded two others when he opened fire inside a Christian missionary training facility near Denver dragged on Sunday, as police appealed to the public for help catching a killer on the loose. The shooter entered a dormitory on the campus of Faith Bible Church, a Youth With a Mission training facility for Christian missionaries, in Arvada, Colo., a Denver suburb, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday and shot four people, killing two of them, before fleeing on foot. The gunman, described by witnesses as a white male in his twenties wearing a dark skull cap and jacket, who may also have had a beard and eye glasses, remained at large, Arvada Police spokeswoman Susan Medina told Fox News.
Authorities used reverse 911 early Sunday to warn residents that an armed and dangerous gunman was on the loose and to lock their doors and windows and stay inside. Police were also asking residents to report any sightings of fresh footprints or disturbances in the snow. About four inches of snow had fallen overnight, and authorities were hoping tracks left in the snow would lead them to the shooter, Medina said.
The four victims were all YWAM staff members, Peter Warren, director of Youth With a Mission Denver, told KUSA-TV. YWAM identified the victims who have died as Tiffany Johnson, 22, of Minnesota and Peter Krause of Alaska. The third victim, a male in his 20s, sustained a bullet wound to the neck and was in critical condition; the fourth victim, also a male in his 20s, suffered gun shot wounds to his legs and was in stable condition. Both were being treated at area hospitals. According to YWAM's Web site, the victims' families had been notified.
Warren said the group was just finishing a Christmas banquet when the shooter entered the facility and asked staffer Tiffany Johnson if he could be housed for the evening. When Johnson told the man that they could not provide him with a place to stay, he opened fire, Warren said.
Warren said he did not think the victims knew the gunman, but that the campus was open to the public for worship services.
A search of the area, both by canine and patrol officer units, had failed to locate the suspect, Medina said. Medina said the search area was quite large, a mix of residences and businesses.
About 50 people were inside the center at the time of the shooting, Medina said. The 45 people remaining at the center were moved to an off-site facility for questioning.
"There's no blueprint for this, we're just going to be honest and pray for one another, cry with one another," Warren told KUSA-TV. "Who knows what was going on in this young man's life," he said.
Mimi Martin, who lives near the center, said she received the warning call at about 9 a.m. warning neighbors to keep their doors and windows locked.
"Why would anybody want to hurt those kids?" Martin said. "I just pray for their families."
People bundled up against freezing cold arrived for Sunday services at the sanctuary, about 300 yards from the dormitory.
Darv Smith, director of a Youth With a Mission center in Boulder, said people ranging from their late teens to their 70s undergo a 12-week discipleship course that prepares them to be missionaries.
He said the center trains about 300 people a year. Youth With a Mission was started in 1960 and now has 1,100 locations with 16,000 full-time staff, Smith said. The Arvada center was founded in 1984.
Praise God He is in control. I can read this and just rejoice and fall to my knees in worship, because of the fact that our Father is still on the throne, and that God had in view, His Son, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Why? For us. In all the horror, pain, terror, and lost in this world, Christ died for it. In a time as now, with the fear of terrorism, suicide, and all wickedness and evil that may come to pass, our treasure, our hope is in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of His who died. Christs passion, His duty was to die. To redeem His people, from a world as this. In all trials, Christ is all. He Himself, paid for it. God has a plan, and in that plan, His Son died. God, in that plan has allowed such things as terrorism, pain, trouble, so His Son could pervail over all the evil that this world holds. God has not let the reigns of humanity slip from His hands. His sovereignty is still reigning. His love, power, and holiness is still in charge. In times as this, God will be glorified. In life or by death, His glory will fill the earth and will scream from all creation, and in this....we can say thank you. Thank you Father for your grace and mercy that you have shown to poor sinners as us. In this very fact of His glory being the foundation of our lives as believers should push us to love Him more. His glory is being revealed from His creation, His grace, and even His glory is being set forth by the death of His only begotten Son.
Please pray for the families. Please pray for the man who fired the shots. Please pray that God will be glorifed and His Son will be honored.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
...worship...
Jesus Just Wants to Give You a Hug?
Over thirty years ago, the great philosopher Paul McCartney asked, “What’s wrong with silly love songs?” Having given this over three decades of serious consideration (OK, at least several months), I have Sir McCartney’s answer.
It depends.
If you want to fill the world with silly love songs, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want to fill the church with them, I say, “Stop it!”
Tune into your “get you through your day” Christian music station and you will hear grown men, whining like love sick puppies, “Nothing else can take your place, or feel the warmth of your embrace.” Who are they singing to? The One who holds the universe together by the power of His word, or a chick?
Take the Quiz
Here are six phrases from six contemporary songs. Can you pick which phrases belong to secular songs and which to the sacred?
1. All I need to do is just be me, being in love with you.
2. My world stops spinning round, without you.
3. I never want to leave; I want to stay in your warm embrace.
4. I’m lost in love.
5. Now and forever, together and all that I feel, here's my love for you.
6. You say you love me just as I am.
The first three are from a popular Christian band called Big Daddy Weave, the second half are from Air Supply.
More and more of our Christian music is sounding one note: Jesus loves you soooooo much. Do I doubt for a second that Jesus loves His children? Nope, but it depends on what your definition of “love” is.
God “agape” loves His children. Agape love is not an emotions based, warm and fuzzy kind of love. Agape love is a self sacrificing, “I will help you despite how I feel” love.
William Tyndale was the first translator to use the word “love” for agape. Prior to the 16th century, the word “charity” best described agape. Leaving that debate aside, since Tyndale’s time, the English definition for love has expanded. Our modern day use of love ranges from a love for an object to physical love/sex (eros love). I love that new car. I love that girl. I love that God. That God loves me.
Not only do we use “love” in romantic ways to sing about God, we have added other romantic phrases to our Christian music repertoire: hold me, embrace me, feel you, need you. This criticism is not new, in fact, it has existed since Godly men began endeavoring to sing anything but the Psalms.
John Wesley considered an “amatory phrase” to be language that was more feelings based love than self-sacrificing agape love. John deleted “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” from one of his brother Charles’ collections because it was too romantic sounding.
Amatory Phrasing
Not only are musicians guilty of writing amatory phrases, but they are singing with amatory phrasing. Christian men sing with such romantic longing and neediness it makes me want to scream, “Man up!”
Christian women are singing with such throaty breathiness you would think they had just run from their home to the studio. To whom exactly are they singing? Brad Pitt or the Savior?
There are two consequences to this “Jesus is my boyfriend/girlfriend” music. Needy, emotional women continue to need more counseling, self help books and conferences where they can spread their wings and soar. Men simply are not showing up for church. It is my belief they simply can’t stand the mood manipulating worship times designed to help them “feel the Lord’s embrace.”
Musical Mermaids
Without theology in music, we are offering fluff that will not comfort when bridges collapse and test reports are negative. Songwriters could provide true hope if they would write about the sovereignty of God rather than crying about “how safe I feel when Jesus is holding me.”
Charles Spurgeon had the same criticism of “Hymns for Heart and Voice” published in 1855. He condemned the hymns as being “little better than mermaids, nice to look at but dangerous because they cannot deliver what they promise.”
Is there anything wrong with being reminded that our God is our help from ages past? Of course not, the Psalms are loaded with promises of God’s comfort. But unlike the Psalms (and theology based hymns), contemporary music is void of the reason why we should not worry. We do not worry because someone purrs that we shouldn’t fret, but because God is our shelter in the stormy blast and our eternal home. Our comfort comes from knowledge, not caterwauling.
If you enjoy a silly love song now and then, knock yourself out. But leave them where they belong, in the world or in the bedroom, not in the church.
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2749/Todd_Friel
Jesus, Thank You
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You
Sovereign Grace Music
Over thirty years ago, the great philosopher Paul McCartney asked, “What’s wrong with silly love songs?” Having given this over three decades of serious consideration (OK, at least several months), I have Sir McCartney’s answer.
It depends.
If you want to fill the world with silly love songs, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want to fill the church with them, I say, “Stop it!”
Tune into your “get you through your day” Christian music station and you will hear grown men, whining like love sick puppies, “Nothing else can take your place, or feel the warmth of your embrace.” Who are they singing to? The One who holds the universe together by the power of His word, or a chick?
Take the Quiz
Here are six phrases from six contemporary songs. Can you pick which phrases belong to secular songs and which to the sacred?
1. All I need to do is just be me, being in love with you.
2. My world stops spinning round, without you.
3. I never want to leave; I want to stay in your warm embrace.
4. I’m lost in love.
5. Now and forever, together and all that I feel, here's my love for you.
6. You say you love me just as I am.
The first three are from a popular Christian band called Big Daddy Weave, the second half are from Air Supply.
More and more of our Christian music is sounding one note: Jesus loves you soooooo much. Do I doubt for a second that Jesus loves His children? Nope, but it depends on what your definition of “love” is.
God “agape” loves His children. Agape love is not an emotions based, warm and fuzzy kind of love. Agape love is a self sacrificing, “I will help you despite how I feel” love.
William Tyndale was the first translator to use the word “love” for agape. Prior to the 16th century, the word “charity” best described agape. Leaving that debate aside, since Tyndale’s time, the English definition for love has expanded. Our modern day use of love ranges from a love for an object to physical love/sex (eros love). I love that new car. I love that girl. I love that God. That God loves me.
Not only do we use “love” in romantic ways to sing about God, we have added other romantic phrases to our Christian music repertoire: hold me, embrace me, feel you, need you. This criticism is not new, in fact, it has existed since Godly men began endeavoring to sing anything but the Psalms.
John Wesley considered an “amatory phrase” to be language that was more feelings based love than self-sacrificing agape love. John deleted “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” from one of his brother Charles’ collections because it was too romantic sounding.
Amatory Phrasing
Not only are musicians guilty of writing amatory phrases, but they are singing with amatory phrasing. Christian men sing with such romantic longing and neediness it makes me want to scream, “Man up!”
Christian women are singing with such throaty breathiness you would think they had just run from their home to the studio. To whom exactly are they singing? Brad Pitt or the Savior?
There are two consequences to this “Jesus is my boyfriend/girlfriend” music. Needy, emotional women continue to need more counseling, self help books and conferences where they can spread their wings and soar. Men simply are not showing up for church. It is my belief they simply can’t stand the mood manipulating worship times designed to help them “feel the Lord’s embrace.”
Musical Mermaids
Without theology in music, we are offering fluff that will not comfort when bridges collapse and test reports are negative. Songwriters could provide true hope if they would write about the sovereignty of God rather than crying about “how safe I feel when Jesus is holding me.”
Charles Spurgeon had the same criticism of “Hymns for Heart and Voice” published in 1855. He condemned the hymns as being “little better than mermaids, nice to look at but dangerous because they cannot deliver what they promise.”
Is there anything wrong with being reminded that our God is our help from ages past? Of course not, the Psalms are loaded with promises of God’s comfort. But unlike the Psalms (and theology based hymns), contemporary music is void of the reason why we should not worry. We do not worry because someone purrs that we shouldn’t fret, but because God is our shelter in the stormy blast and our eternal home. Our comfort comes from knowledge, not caterwauling.
If you enjoy a silly love song now and then, knock yourself out. But leave them where they belong, in the world or in the bedroom, not in the church.
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2749/Todd_Friel
Jesus, Thank You
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You
Sovereign Grace Music
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
...it's the most wonderful...
Christmas...everybody loves Christmas. I mean... hot chocolate, family, Christmas movies, Christmas music, lights, snow(if your in Texas ..ice..) and the list goes on....but we all know the meaning of Christmas is Christ. right? I mean come on, we live in America where you can hear the name of Christ thrown around like a rag doll. Of course everybody knows we celebrate His birth on Christmas. Everybody knows about Jesus....(just go witnessing), but why is Christmas so lacking in the true message?
"A day" last week, Melissa asked me if I wanted to go to Wal Mart with her to buy some Christmas lights and etc. Well of course I said "yes", and I said yes to going into Wal Mart during one of the craziest times one could possibly imagine. Saturday...now Saturday in general is crazy...but Saturday after Thanksgiving...insane. But we went. Now Melissa can decorate anything, so the first place we went was of course the place where all the decorations were. I stood by the cart as she picked out some stuff. *Next we went somewhere else, then we picked out a card for "lil miss Holt" who was turning 9 that day. After that we walked around some more...and more...then we finally came to a stop. By this time...honestly I'm tired of people, I'm tired of walking....but over all the voices...over all the colors jumping out at your eyes...above everything else....there it was. A song...I dont even remember the name or the lyrics except "Christ is born, God's own Son." That was from God....for me...
Why is the true message missing? Because we can walk through Wal Mart and see all these pretty things with our eyes, get upset by all the people and not focus on the things above. God allowed me to go through Wal Mart to hear this song that touched my heart. That's Christmas. Who knew that God could reveal something to you in the middle of Wal Mart? I'm so thankful that we can celebrate the birth of Chrst. God Bless and Merry Christmas.
*(I'm more than likely adding more to it for the writing effect)
By the way...Melissa had fun!
"A day" last week, Melissa asked me if I wanted to go to Wal Mart with her to buy some Christmas lights and etc. Well of course I said "yes", and I said yes to going into Wal Mart during one of the craziest times one could possibly imagine. Saturday...now Saturday in general is crazy...but Saturday after Thanksgiving...insane. But we went. Now Melissa can decorate anything, so the first place we went was of course the place where all the decorations were. I stood by the cart as she picked out some stuff. *Next we went somewhere else, then we picked out a card for "lil miss Holt" who was turning 9 that day. After that we walked around some more...and more...then we finally came to a stop. By this time...honestly I'm tired of people, I'm tired of walking....but over all the voices...over all the colors jumping out at your eyes...above everything else....there it was. A song...I dont even remember the name or the lyrics except "Christ is born, God's own Son." That was from God....for me...
Why is the true message missing? Because we can walk through Wal Mart and see all these pretty things with our eyes, get upset by all the people and not focus on the things above. God allowed me to go through Wal Mart to hear this song that touched my heart. That's Christmas. Who knew that God could reveal something to you in the middle of Wal Mart? I'm so thankful that we can celebrate the birth of Chrst. God Bless and Merry Christmas.
*(I'm more than likely adding more to it for the writing effect)
By the way...Melissa had fun!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
...what is the Gospel...
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
What is the Gospel
For it is written, not to be ashamed of the Gospel,1 even though it is foolishness to those who are perishing,2 but God gives a yes through the preaching of the Gospel which brings glory to Him,3 because the Gospel is not of man,4 but it is the message of truth, in which we are sealed by the Holy Spirit,5 resulting in conducting ourselves in a manner only worthy of that truth,6 because it is working in us and helping us understand the grace of God,7 only because the Gospel is not of word only, but by the Holy Spirit which brings conviction,8 but also a vengeance from God to those who do not believe its truth,9 even though the Law is for the sinner to show sin, and makes the truth "good news",10 because God saves us, calls us according to His own purpose by the light of the Gospel which abolishes death,11 and brings eternal life,12 even though we will face suffering, pain, and trials for its truth,13 but by the power of Christ, it purifies us from our sin.14
1. Romans 1:16; 2. 1 Corinthians 1:18; 3. 2 Corinthians 1:19-22; 4. Galatians 1:11; 5. Ephesians 1:13; 6. Philippians 1:27; 7. Colossians 1:5-6; 8. 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 9. 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 10. 1 Timothy 1:9-11; 11. 2 Timothy 1:8-11; 12. Titus 1:1-3; 13. Philemon 1:13; 14. Hebrews 1:3
Thursday, October 25, 2007
...missionaries...
We here at GFA do a lot of work...outside of the country. As you know, our focus is Asia. But a problem has flooded my thinking. What about my own country? Some of the things I'm going to say in this blog may shock some of you, so be warned.
I'm reading a book now called Persecution. It is talking about how the modern American socieity has pushed Christianity aside. More or less, True Believers are the minority. We have some many differents things here to catch our attention. Even inside the church. I went a church...well i guess you could call it that. They taught out of the bible, but everthing else was all worldly, and carnal. From the music....100s in the choir, trumpets, timpini, strings...and the big dramatic, over emotion, song leaders. My first thought.....door to door sells men and women. Then comes the video bragging about the pastor and his ministry....they mention the name of our Savior twice. Then the message...."weak gospel, who wants to accept Jesus into their hearts, well if so say this prayer." Then everyone left this monster of a building. Where is the humility??
What would Luther, Spurgeon, Wesley, Calvin, Edwards think about this form of "christianity"? Guys that spent their lives fighting for Christ....Better yet....what would Christ think? What is that verse....Rev 3:15-16? Enough said
What are our motives? I or Christ?
Let's just make everyone feel good, while their dying in their sins....no big deal. Tell them God loves you, when the cross is foolishness to them. It is this "pop christianity" focus and what God can do for us. Or like John Macarthur called it the Madison Ave Jesus. The Gospel is about freedom from sin, hell, and the wrath of God....not getting me a fluffy feeling, or a buzz off of Jesus. Like america is preahing. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions about america....i'm not anti american. i'm thankful God out of His grace let me be born here. i'm not proud to be an american. that is pride...which is sin. i will not place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegiance to a flag. My allegiance is to God and God alone! In Christ alone! God has commanded us to submit to the government....as i do. That is my conviction. america needs it's own missionaries.
Just like Tozer along with Ravenhill
" One man who isn't afraid to be called a hertic and a fool " why....for the True Gospel of Christ.
I'm reading a book now called Persecution. It is talking about how the modern American socieity has pushed Christianity aside. More or less, True Believers are the minority. We have some many differents things here to catch our attention. Even inside the church. I went a church...well i guess you could call it that. They taught out of the bible, but everthing else was all worldly, and carnal. From the music....100s in the choir, trumpets, timpini, strings...and the big dramatic, over emotion, song leaders. My first thought.....door to door sells men and women. Then comes the video bragging about the pastor and his ministry....they mention the name of our Savior twice. Then the message...."weak gospel, who wants to accept Jesus into their hearts, well if so say this prayer." Then everyone left this monster of a building. Where is the humility??
What would Luther, Spurgeon, Wesley, Calvin, Edwards think about this form of "christianity"? Guys that spent their lives fighting for Christ....Better yet....what would Christ think? What is that verse....Rev 3:15-16? Enough said
What are our motives? I or Christ?
Let's just make everyone feel good, while their dying in their sins....no big deal. Tell them God loves you, when the cross is foolishness to them. It is this "pop christianity" focus and what God can do for us. Or like John Macarthur called it the Madison Ave Jesus. The Gospel is about freedom from sin, hell, and the wrath of God....not getting me a fluffy feeling, or a buzz off of Jesus. Like america is preahing. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions about america....i'm not anti american. i'm thankful God out of His grace let me be born here. i'm not proud to be an american. that is pride...which is sin. i will not place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegiance to a flag. My allegiance is to God and God alone! In Christ alone! God has commanded us to submit to the government....as i do. That is my conviction. america needs it's own missionaries.
Just like Tozer along with Ravenhill
" One man who isn't afraid to be called a hertic and a fool " why....for the True Gospel of Christ.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
...humility..
" That of His great goodness He would make known to you, and take from your heart, every kind and form and degree of pride, whether it be from evil spirits, or your own corrupt nature; and that He would awaken in you the deepest depth and truth of that Humility, which can make you capable of His and Holy Spirit."
- Andrew Murray
I've been studing a lot, thinking, and praying over books i'm reading, sermons i'm listening to and stories that impact my heart. This one subject has shown up everywhere i've turned.
Humility is the hardest, without a doubt, the hardest thing a human could become. I say become, in the sense that Christ Himself was Humility. So many times, i want to throw out my own tasks and say " look what i'm doing" or not even that, just say "i'm going to do this". how selfish of me. that is just mere flesh. True humility is from God. Murray says that humility brings on death. death to ones self.
some many times in Christianity we see the big names, hot shots, the ones that know it all. the ones that prance around the stage, pulling out knowledge, impressing everyone with their big theological views. Is God moved by that?
or would He take pleasure in one man preaching the simple Gospel, then being martyred?
- Andrew Murray
I've been studing a lot, thinking, and praying over books i'm reading, sermons i'm listening to and stories that impact my heart. This one subject has shown up everywhere i've turned.
Humility is the hardest, without a doubt, the hardest thing a human could become. I say become, in the sense that Christ Himself was Humility. So many times, i want to throw out my own tasks and say " look what i'm doing" or not even that, just say "i'm going to do this". how selfish of me. that is just mere flesh. True humility is from God. Murray says that humility brings on death. death to ones self.
some many times in Christianity we see the big names, hot shots, the ones that know it all. the ones that prance around the stage, pulling out knowledge, impressing everyone with their big theological views. Is God moved by that?
or would He take pleasure in one man preaching the simple Gospel, then being martyred?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
...what's important..
When you're sharing the Gospel with someone, what is the most important thing?
It is taking time out of your busy day to mention Christ? Showing someone love by hugging on them? Shoving hell, sin, and judgement down someones throut? Making someone feel comfortable in their own flith or darkness? Is it speaking in big words trying to blow peoples minds?
These are some questions that have been running around in my ignorance lil mind.
As I have been reading about some old guys ( Spurgeon, Whitefield, the Wesley boys, Edwards, etc ) they preached a very simple message.
God Himself became flesh and was named Jesus, who was Gods Son..born of a virgin. This man lived a sinless life, unlike us. This man Jesus was without blemish or spot, perfect. He suffered death, death upon a cross. On the third day after that death, God raised His Son from the dead. This Man Jesus, died for the sins of the world. He died because we are all condemned and going to hell because of our sins. Therefore, place your faith in this Man, and you have to forsake the things your once knew. Once you do that, live like this Man.
Why is it so hard today to get that across. Why??
No one wants to worship a Man who died upon a tree. This message is foolishness to the world!
When Edwards preached "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" he didn't preach in this loud booming voice.....he was monotone. It doesn't matter how big you can get the Gospel to be, God can use it!!
The most important thing is that God loved us while we were dead in sin. He sent His Son to die because God hates sin. He put His full wrath upon His Son, the wrath we deserve.
the Gospel is easy, Christ made it easy, preach it easy. God convicts, be a tool He can use.... Forsake your sin, and believe. Follow after the Lamb.....and live.
It is taking time out of your busy day to mention Christ? Showing someone love by hugging on them? Shoving hell, sin, and judgement down someones throut? Making someone feel comfortable in their own flith or darkness? Is it speaking in big words trying to blow peoples minds?
These are some questions that have been running around in my ignorance lil mind.
As I have been reading about some old guys ( Spurgeon, Whitefield, the Wesley boys, Edwards, etc ) they preached a very simple message.
God Himself became flesh and was named Jesus, who was Gods Son..born of a virgin. This man lived a sinless life, unlike us. This man Jesus was without blemish or spot, perfect. He suffered death, death upon a cross. On the third day after that death, God raised His Son from the dead. This Man Jesus, died for the sins of the world. He died because we are all condemned and going to hell because of our sins. Therefore, place your faith in this Man, and you have to forsake the things your once knew. Once you do that, live like this Man.
Why is it so hard today to get that across. Why??
No one wants to worship a Man who died upon a tree. This message is foolishness to the world!
When Edwards preached "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" he didn't preach in this loud booming voice.....he was monotone. It doesn't matter how big you can get the Gospel to be, God can use it!!
The most important thing is that God loved us while we were dead in sin. He sent His Son to die because God hates sin. He put His full wrath upon His Son, the wrath we deserve.
the Gospel is easy, Christ made it easy, preach it easy. God convicts, be a tool He can use.... Forsake your sin, and believe. Follow after the Lamb.....and live.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
..remembering 9/11..
6th years after 9/11 I still remember that day. I was sitting in Texas History in the 7th grade with my eyes glued to the TV. Really didn't know what was going on, but knew my world was about to turn upside down. From that day we still see the images of our planes rip apart lives on the day in New York. Sitting here yesterday at work I read report after report of events, prayer services, and other speaking and mourning memorials that went on. Remembering the feeling I felt. I remember wanting to join the Navy to go over there and get even with those terrorist. Watching news reports of and video of us going into Iraq and our boys and girls risking their lives to enter war. But I've grown up since then.
I'm not out to the get them, I can't do that anymore. No...I can't even think about taking ones life. they need Jesus. I feel a burden for the terrorist. The radicals that want to kill us. I can't join the army or anything but I have some thing bigger then the army. My Father in Heaven.
Not to be the super American but we better drop our heads before the Lord and worship Him because He betowed His grace upon us, letting us be born here. He didn't have to. I know that American Christianity has its downfalls and the Church has problems. That doesn't mean we should just give up on our nation. America has been blessed, but we have to remember that we aren't God's chosen nation either.
I live in a world that scares me. Watching the news gets me depressed. War, terrorism, murder, porn, and other evil acts. Lord Jesus come quick!!
But I can't run and I. I must embrace the battle. I can't do anything on my own. I must have the Lord. Pray for America, and for those who shattered our lives.
282,338,631 Americans
2,976 lives lost
19 hijackers
4 planes
2 buildings
1 True God
pray they'll experence the Lamb of God.
Monday, September 3, 2007
....standing in AWE...
Well this weekend it was the intern camping trip!! We left Saturday and didn't get back until Monday at around 2 or so. It was some much fun, but....
When you really meet with God, He wont let you go.
The place was Witchita Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Mountain, hills, wildlife, heat, and sleeping on the ground. But it was amazing to go up to the top of a mountian at sunset . The first night I sat down on a rock along with Nathan ( Intern leader, and one of the only other Texans at GFA) and watched the clouds roll over head. We sat there and didn't saw a word for at least 15 mins until I said " And people believe this happened by chance." ( talking about creation )
But it wasn't until the last night that God spoke to me. A group of us were on the same mountain watching the sunset and I saw the beauty that our Father had laied before us. God painted a picture right before our eyes. The colors, clouds, and the sight of Lords hand at work. As we sat there, we exchanged stories of the sunsets we've seen at home. The ones that I can remember are the ones driving back from Mels house to my house. On the bridge to the left, over the lake, there....God was painting before me a picture of His mercy, excellence, love, power.....
i am so little....and praise God i am.
When you really meet with God, He wont let you go.
The place was Witchita Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Mountain, hills, wildlife, heat, and sleeping on the ground. But it was amazing to go up to the top of a mountian at sunset . The first night I sat down on a rock along with Nathan ( Intern leader, and one of the only other Texans at GFA) and watched the clouds roll over head. We sat there and didn't saw a word for at least 15 mins until I said " And people believe this happened by chance." ( talking about creation )
But it wasn't until the last night that God spoke to me. A group of us were on the same mountain watching the sunset and I saw the beauty that our Father had laied before us. God painted a picture right before our eyes. The colors, clouds, and the sight of Lords hand at work. As we sat there, we exchanged stories of the sunsets we've seen at home. The ones that I can remember are the ones driving back from Mels house to my house. On the bridge to the left, over the lake, there....God was painting before me a picture of His mercy, excellence, love, power.....
i am so little....and praise God i am.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
...values...
Gospel for Asia
"Our mission in life is to be devout followers of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission among the unreached in Asia through training, sending out and assisting qualified laborers in partnership with the body of Christ"
10 Core Values
2. Being a people of integrity and excellence
3. Living in submission to God's Word
4. Being a people of faith
5. Being a people committed to prayer and worship
6. Having a servant lifestyle
7. Being a people of grace and love
8. Serving sacrificially
9. Being a people sold out to win the lost at any cost
10. Being a people who work together with the Body of Christ
The first 5 address your private life
the last 5 address your outer life
If these 10 values were to be preached in america today, human nature would reject it just at the 1st value. But that's the only way for God to work through us.
I've been reading this book called The Calvary Road and i want to share a quote
"Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts"
People ( some believers ) read Revolution in World Missions and get this total misconception about GFA. Kinda to the point of were we have to sell everything, life in our cars, use half a stick of DO and only have one pair of shoes. ( and Buddy I'm not talking about you lol ) It's not that at all!! It's about being like Christ in every way possible. If that involves selling everything, then yes! But it doesn't matter about that at all, the only thing is that you reflect Christ, and you pray that God will save Asia.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
...yeah....
Well it's been a couple of days since I left home.
At first I was scared, just ask Melissa. Text after text to her for pray and encouragement....wow...so here is the run down
I was really intimidated because I am the youngest, one girl is 19 and then everyone else has been to college. They all have been on there own, all this super college level knowledge, and then me from lil mabank texas. I was laying there on my bed the first night asking God to close my eyes and soak up the tears that were about to start flowing from my eyes. But then ....praise God...He gave me peace.
verse after verse was coming to me. I texted Melissa, because she is going through the helpless, lonely feeling that I was going through as well and sent her verses that were encouraging and gave hope to both of us. I have a list of about 14 or so, and I imagine it is going to grow!
After that day everything has been great!! All the interns get along just fine, and all the GFA staff are like family already. It reminds me of Cornerstone a lot. It's all about building relationships with each other, and at the same time winning Asia! God is good....
Praises
1) Melissa is doing good at college, learning a lot...and I can't wait to learn from her!!
2) I haven't had any cokes for 5 days.
3) Interns are getting along well.
4) God is opening up my eyes through prayer, and reading
5) and I'm meeting people that remind me of home....which brings forth love
Please still be praying for Mel and I
At first I was scared, just ask Melissa. Text after text to her for pray and encouragement....wow...so here is the run down
I was really intimidated because I am the youngest, one girl is 19 and then everyone else has been to college. They all have been on there own, all this super college level knowledge, and then me from lil mabank texas. I was laying there on my bed the first night asking God to close my eyes and soak up the tears that were about to start flowing from my eyes. But then ....praise God...He gave me peace.
verse after verse was coming to me. I texted Melissa, because she is going through the helpless, lonely feeling that I was going through as well and sent her verses that were encouraging and gave hope to both of us. I have a list of about 14 or so, and I imagine it is going to grow!
After that day everything has been great!! All the interns get along just fine, and all the GFA staff are like family already. It reminds me of Cornerstone a lot. It's all about building relationships with each other, and at the same time winning Asia! God is good....
Praises
1) Melissa is doing good at college, learning a lot...and I can't wait to learn from her!!
2) I haven't had any cokes for 5 days.
3) Interns are getting along well.
4) God is opening up my eyes through prayer, and reading
5) and I'm meeting people that remind me of home....which brings forth love
Please still be praying for Mel and I
Friday, August 17, 2007
...sweetly broken...
Well tonight was something else. Something I really needed.
Melissa came down from DBU to hang out with me (well mainly because of High School Musical 2) what a blessing it was. We had lunch, talked a lot bit, had dinner, talked some more, watch HSM2, and then had a great time just praying, reading, and worshiping together for a couple of hours.
But I was taken back. I began to cry before we started praying. Not becausing I'm leaving. Not because I'm going to miss her ( which I will but we'll work around that ).... but because I felt weak, helpless, and broken. All I could do is cry. I know that God is totally going to break me. I'm scared....honestly because I know He will. Melissa and I both know it. That's why I'm weak.
Sweetly Broken
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
I ask, just pray for Melissa and I as we go off. That's it for tonight......
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Melissa came down from DBU to hang out with me (well mainly because of High School Musical 2) what a blessing it was. We had lunch, talked a lot bit, had dinner, talked some more, watch HSM2, and then had a great time just praying, reading, and worshiping together for a couple of hours.
But I was taken back. I began to cry before we started praying. Not becausing I'm leaving. Not because I'm going to miss her ( which I will but we'll work around that ).... but because I felt weak, helpless, and broken. All I could do is cry. I know that God is totally going to break me. I'm scared....honestly because I know He will. Melissa and I both know it. That's why I'm weak.
Sweetly Broken
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
I ask, just pray for Melissa and I as we go off. That's it for tonight......
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
....picky i would call it....
Gadsby's Hymns
William J. Irons 1812-1883
What sacred fountain yonder springs,
Up from the throne of God,
And all new cov'nant blessings brings?'
Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What mighty sum paid all my debt
When I a bondman stood,
And has my soul at freedom set?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What stream is that which sweeps away
My sins just like a flood,
Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What voice is that which speaks for me
In heav'n's high court for good,
And from the curse has made me free?
Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What theme, my soul, shall best employ
Thy harp before thy God,
And make all heav'n to ring with joy?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
"Gadsby’s Hymns, published in several stages during the first half of the 19th century, is a collection of hymns from multiple writers containing songs dating back to the 17th century. Some of the 1,156 songs in this hymnal are familiar, but most of these great lyrics have simply been forgotten in the modern church."
I've been listening to a band called Red Mountain Church. Instead of taking newer modern music and making it there own, they will take older hymns and put music to it. I think it is true godly music. I just believe many of the "christian" songs today are focused on becoming popular .....well sorry but the gospel of Christ isn't . Rather lifting the singer up in the lyrics than God. I grew up listening to hymns in a baptist church, and hated it i might add.(before I knew the Lord)... as I grew up in my teens and started listening to different music, I found that I enjoyed listening to metal.
Well once I was born again, the whole music issue was slammed in my face. I couldn't listen to that stuff anymore!! So I turned to "christian" metal.....(ummmm wow) It looked like the world, sounded like the world, I would guess they smelled like the world as well. The only thing that was different between them and Slipknot was instead of the cuss words the "christian" band would throw the name of Christ in there. So if I were to write the lyrics out it would look like this....
"I ( insert scream) love( insert really long scream) sin, ( insert someone growling) I (insert really high piched scream) cut ( you can't hear the lyrics here because of the drop d tuning on the guitar and the double bass drum) my (insert growl )wrist (insert someone screaming wrist) help ( add another growl) me, ( oh wait pause in the music) JESUSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!"
It just seems like everything that the world has, the Christian has the "christian" alternative
christian rock
christian myspace=His holy space
christian youtube= Godtube
christian business websites
christian coffie shops
christian this and that
"Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective." Rob Bell
Now some Christian alternatives are godly, but some well I doubt it. I guess I'm just showing my age. (18) ???? But honestly I'd rather listen to my hymns and a few select modern artists, have my bible, and pray Christ comes quick....
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
William J. Irons 1812-1883
What sacred fountain yonder springs,
Up from the throne of God,
And all new cov'nant blessings brings?'
Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What mighty sum paid all my debt
When I a bondman stood,
And has my soul at freedom set?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What stream is that which sweeps away
My sins just like a flood,
Nor lets one guilty blemish stay?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What voice is that which speaks for me
In heav'n's high court for good,
And from the curse has made me free?
Tis Jesus' precious blood.
What theme, my soul, shall best employ
Thy harp before thy God,
And make all heav'n to ring with joy?
'Tis Jesus' precious blood.
"Gadsby’s Hymns, published in several stages during the first half of the 19th century, is a collection of hymns from multiple writers containing songs dating back to the 17th century. Some of the 1,156 songs in this hymnal are familiar, but most of these great lyrics have simply been forgotten in the modern church."
I've been listening to a band called Red Mountain Church. Instead of taking newer modern music and making it there own, they will take older hymns and put music to it. I think it is true godly music. I just believe many of the "christian" songs today are focused on becoming popular .....well sorry but the gospel of Christ isn't . Rather lifting the singer up in the lyrics than God. I grew up listening to hymns in a baptist church, and hated it i might add.(before I knew the Lord)... as I grew up in my teens and started listening to different music, I found that I enjoyed listening to metal.
Well once I was born again, the whole music issue was slammed in my face. I couldn't listen to that stuff anymore!! So I turned to "christian" metal.....(ummmm wow) It looked like the world, sounded like the world, I would guess they smelled like the world as well. The only thing that was different between them and Slipknot was instead of the cuss words the "christian" band would throw the name of Christ in there. So if I were to write the lyrics out it would look like this....
"I ( insert scream) love( insert really long scream) sin, ( insert someone growling) I (insert really high piched scream) cut ( you can't hear the lyrics here because of the drop d tuning on the guitar and the double bass drum) my (insert growl )wrist (insert someone screaming wrist) help ( add another growl) me, ( oh wait pause in the music) JESUSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!"
It just seems like everything that the world has, the Christian has the "christian" alternative
christian rock
christian myspace=His holy space
christian youtube= Godtube
christian business websites
christian coffie shops
christian this and that
"Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective." Rob Bell
Now some Christian alternatives are godly, but some well I doubt it. I guess I'm just showing my age. (18) ???? But honestly I'd rather listen to my hymns and a few select modern artists, have my bible, and pray Christ comes quick....
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
...wow...
Wow
1.an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like: Wow it's salmon.....
2.to gain an enthusiastic response from; Wow, another speeding ticket!!
3.an extraordinary success: Wow, praise God more support!
4.excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like: Wow, food on top of the hood of the truck!
Oh wow... can a word change a group of people and yes I believe it has.
See around your group, that's the cool thing to say.
That's Groovy...ummm no..
That's Rad....not really..
That's Tight.....ouch!
That's Bad....sometimes it is.
All you need is....wow
I picked this amazing word up from Trace Brown. He has a great way of using that simple three letter word! Some examples are to show excitement, praise, rebuke, and even conviction.....lol...wow...
But it's little words like these that could really brighten up your day.
wow
1.an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, or the like: Wow it's salmon.....
2.to gain an enthusiastic response from; Wow, another speeding ticket!!
3.an extraordinary success: Wow, praise God more support!
4.excitement, interest, great pleasure, or the like: Wow, food on top of the hood of the truck!
Oh wow... can a word change a group of people and yes I believe it has.
See around your group, that's the cool thing to say.
That's Groovy...ummm no..
That's Rad....not really..
That's Tight.....ouch!
That's Bad....sometimes it is.
All you need is....wow
I picked this amazing word up from Trace Brown. He has a great way of using that simple three letter word! Some examples are to show excitement, praise, rebuke, and even conviction.....lol...wow...
But it's little words like these that could really brighten up your day.
wow
Saturday, August 11, 2007
It is well....
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
I was sitting there last night, praying and reading really trying to search for the Lord. I had my ipod going and this song started playing. It is my favorite hymn, but really never understood what it meant. As the group started to sing the this verse, I asked the Lord to show me what it meant. After about 3 times repeating the verse, finally it sank in.
I bear it no more!!
I preached a message at Oakstreet a couple of weeks ago about Christ, how He became a curse for us. How Jesus Christ became sin on our behalf. I thought I understood what sin was. ( which i'll never fully know, cause i'm not God) but until last night...i didn't..but it finally hit me, now I understand it.
See... my sin, is a sickness. A deadly infectous virus that kills. The sin places me in a position where I'm utterly hopeless, sin loving, and God hating. But as our Savior was on the cross, He bore our sickness, every single bit of it! Not just the stuff that's really bad, but the whole sickness. My God said " Your sin is mine and I'll take it to the grave"
As I sat there, I realized that I don't have to sin anymore. The sickness has been washed away forever. I hear people say, "well everybody sins that's just what we do." NO!!!! Christ put an end to it. That's just like saying, " I don't have any control over my actions, all I do is sin." Well if all you do is sin, you need to find God. I'm not saying that I never sin. When I do I'm broken over it. But now I don't have to walk around with this 10 million pound ball of sickness on my back. Christ leveled it once and for all.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
I was sitting there last night, praying and reading really trying to search for the Lord. I had my ipod going and this song started playing. It is my favorite hymn, but really never understood what it meant. As the group started to sing the this verse, I asked the Lord to show me what it meant. After about 3 times repeating the verse, finally it sank in.
I bear it no more!!
I preached a message at Oakstreet a couple of weeks ago about Christ, how He became a curse for us. How Jesus Christ became sin on our behalf. I thought I understood what sin was. ( which i'll never fully know, cause i'm not God) but until last night...i didn't..but it finally hit me, now I understand it.
See... my sin, is a sickness. A deadly infectous virus that kills. The sin places me in a position where I'm utterly hopeless, sin loving, and God hating. But as our Savior was on the cross, He bore our sickness, every single bit of it! Not just the stuff that's really bad, but the whole sickness. My God said " Your sin is mine and I'll take it to the grave"
As I sat there, I realized that I don't have to sin anymore. The sickness has been washed away forever. I hear people say, "well everybody sins that's just what we do." NO!!!! Christ put an end to it. That's just like saying, " I don't have any control over my actions, all I do is sin." Well if all you do is sin, you need to find God. I'm not saying that I never sin. When I do I'm broken over it. But now I don't have to walk around with this 10 million pound ball of sickness on my back. Christ leveled it once and for all.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
this story...
"This story like any other story worth telling is about a girl"
That was the first line to my 10th grade TAKS essay. It was about a girl, who is very close to me. Well she was cheerleader, smart, beautiful, dated a football guy, and is perfect in my book. Me...on the other hand...well ummm...I was a band nerd. I spent more time drumming than studing for school. I still remember the first time I saw her, it was the 2nd day of the 6th grade and she was walking through the lunch line. *** awww what a day*** We went out off and on through middle school, but once high school came around I went my way...and she went hers. I made a lot of dumb mistakes, and she didn't. I didn't care, she did. She wanted to help, I didn't want it..... But what she didn't know is that the same feelings she had for me, I had for her. I wanted to ask her out, but I was to scared of rejection. Good reason too, she would have rejected me because I wasn't a Christian. Everytime I saw her I would get cottonmouth, sweat, and would want just run away. But just ever so often I would get the courage to talk to her.
She grew with the Lord....I was pushing myself farther away for Him...for 3 years we lost almost complete contact of each others life.
Until the summer leading into our senior year. God came and convicted me, and totally ruined my life ( for the better) lol...and then, praise God just then....I would be able to talk to her. It started with an instant message on AIM....and wow did God cross our paths.
My senior year was amazing because of God. He has given me a new heart, nature, and a desire I never would have thought of. He has given me people in my life, and I just thank Him everyday for this great and amazing young woman of God. She prays with me, reads the Word with me, encourages me when i'm down, and most of all puts up with me!
...but as I write this blog....just after walking her out to her car...I can't help to think about how are little lives are going to change. God is going to take control and total do a work on us. She is about to leave in a couple of days, and then three days I follow her lead. But I know God is in control, and that brings me peace. I have no idea about my future, nor do I know about hers, but one thing is for sure....God knows. He has relaxed my nerves about us, and I know according to His will everything will turn out!
While these tears help me write this, I remember all the ups and downs growing up together. The first date, the time my parents took us to Chilis for my birthday, when her parents took us to the State Fair for her birthday, late nights on the phone, middle school football games, movie nights in 7 points, high school games, indoor drumline practices, talks outside the band hall, break ups, back togethers, the first ride in the car, etc...
"....she was cool... I wasn't, but as I'm in the stands watching her cheer I just hoped that she would look up at me and remember...."
I know she wouldn't want me to take the glory from God... but it's because of Him that we are so close.
Thank you, and I love you Melissa
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
P.S. If you were wondering about the essay I wrote. I received a 4 ( the highest score you could get) I was one out of five in my class to receive it, and some of the english teachers to this day use my essay as an example to show students a good paper.......oh yeah!!!
That was the first line to my 10th grade TAKS essay. It was about a girl, who is very close to me. Well she was cheerleader, smart, beautiful, dated a football guy, and is perfect in my book. Me...on the other hand...well ummm...I was a band nerd. I spent more time drumming than studing for school. I still remember the first time I saw her, it was the 2nd day of the 6th grade and she was walking through the lunch line. *** awww what a day*** We went out off and on through middle school, but once high school came around I went my way...and she went hers. I made a lot of dumb mistakes, and she didn't. I didn't care, she did. She wanted to help, I didn't want it..... But what she didn't know is that the same feelings she had for me, I had for her. I wanted to ask her out, but I was to scared of rejection. Good reason too, she would have rejected me because I wasn't a Christian. Everytime I saw her I would get cottonmouth, sweat, and would want just run away. But just ever so often I would get the courage to talk to her.
She grew with the Lord....I was pushing myself farther away for Him...for 3 years we lost almost complete contact of each others life.
Until the summer leading into our senior year. God came and convicted me, and totally ruined my life ( for the better) lol...and then, praise God just then....I would be able to talk to her. It started with an instant message on AIM....and wow did God cross our paths.
My senior year was amazing because of God. He has given me a new heart, nature, and a desire I never would have thought of. He has given me people in my life, and I just thank Him everyday for this great and amazing young woman of God. She prays with me, reads the Word with me, encourages me when i'm down, and most of all puts up with me!
...but as I write this blog....just after walking her out to her car...I can't help to think about how are little lives are going to change. God is going to take control and total do a work on us. She is about to leave in a couple of days, and then three days I follow her lead. But I know God is in control, and that brings me peace. I have no idea about my future, nor do I know about hers, but one thing is for sure....God knows. He has relaxed my nerves about us, and I know according to His will everything will turn out!
While these tears help me write this, I remember all the ups and downs growing up together. The first date, the time my parents took us to Chilis for my birthday, when her parents took us to the State Fair for her birthday, late nights on the phone, middle school football games, movie nights in 7 points, high school games, indoor drumline practices, talks outside the band hall, break ups, back togethers, the first ride in the car, etc...
"....she was cool... I wasn't, but as I'm in the stands watching her cheer I just hoped that she would look up at me and remember...."
I know she wouldn't want me to take the glory from God... but it's because of Him that we are so close.
Thank you, and I love you Melissa
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
P.S. If you were wondering about the essay I wrote. I received a 4 ( the highest score you could get) I was one out of five in my class to receive it, and some of the english teachers to this day use my essay as an example to show students a good paper.......oh yeah!!!
Friday, August 3, 2007
...a time to
This morning as I sit here, I've been thinking about some things. But the one thing that keeps popping up is how life is going to change. Not only for me but for my friends. Just yesterday my best friend moved up to Arkansas to go to college. Today Pam Black went off to Wayland Baptist, and more people are soon to follow. Melissa leaves the 15th, and I leave 18th. But it's been good. On myspace I have been sending messages, getting phone numbers, telling people stories about the past growing up. Just like my friend said "it's a blur"
I was talking to Pam for about an hour last night and just sharing some things that have been happening in our lives. Blessing from the Lord, memories, etc. But she said " the old gang has moved on" Wow that's so true. The group of us that grew up for Central Elementary School are all moving away. We have all grown up. Some of us are going to college, missionary programs, some already have kids. But in the words of Dee "It's all good"
As for me, I'm not scared, nor that nervous. It's not like I'm going to a country where no one speaks your language ( well not just yet) I'm excited!! GFA is going to change my life and I can't wait to be drilled by God. My concern is for my friends that don't know Christ. How temptation is going to raise its evil head, and the some that know Christ, how satan is going to buffet them the most. I pray God will just guild them and show them His will. It's all in God's time.
Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Everything has a time, but it's all in Gods time.
I was talking to Pam for about an hour last night and just sharing some things that have been happening in our lives. Blessing from the Lord, memories, etc. But she said " the old gang has moved on" Wow that's so true. The group of us that grew up for Central Elementary School are all moving away. We have all grown up. Some of us are going to college, missionary programs, some already have kids. But in the words of Dee "It's all good"
As for me, I'm not scared, nor that nervous. It's not like I'm going to a country where no one speaks your language ( well not just yet) I'm excited!! GFA is going to change my life and I can't wait to be drilled by God. My concern is for my friends that don't know Christ. How temptation is going to raise its evil head, and the some that know Christ, how satan is going to buffet them the most. I pray God will just guild them and show them His will. It's all in God's time.
Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Everything has a time, but it's all in Gods time.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
What a day
What a day. A day of excitment, brokeness, and sadness. Along with a bit of....well lets just say Nathan.....
The exciting part about today was church. Wow how God a move throughout a little building. It is so amazing to see the fellowship grow. All the way from the kitchen table to a jam packed building! Praise and worship was awesome and Buddys sermon really moved a lot of people.....
Now for the brokeness. I came home to study and pray before I preached tonight at OSO (Oakstreet Outreach), and I wasn't sure what God wanted me to do. He gave me some verses and I prayed for God just to put me in a state of complete brokeness. Which without a doubt, He did. The Lord really moved upon me and showed me a lot. I praise Him for that!
What a sad night. Dad got a call from Dee at OSO and said that a girl over there couldn't stay. Well we took her to the Genesis Center in Kaufman, and got her a place to stay. I just pray that God would reveil Himself to her.
Nathan...what a character! Nathan is the son of Lisa, a woman that stays at OSO. I don't know what kind of disease he has but it really doesn't matter, he is something else. According to him, I'm MC2 and dad is MC1. Nathan and Lisa came with us to take the girl to GC. Also Lisa stayed at the GC for 2 months so she knew how things went there. But Nathan....wow ummm lets just say he is a chick magnet. Not only was he getting the girls at the GC, he was trying to hook me up with 2 of them! I found out that he loves to hot rod in cars, can't wait to kiss Jesus when he gets to Heaven, loves Christian rock music, and is scared to fall out of a truck. What a blessing it is to get to be around the guys at OSO. I love it, and God is good!
The exciting part about today was church. Wow how God a move throughout a little building. It is so amazing to see the fellowship grow. All the way from the kitchen table to a jam packed building! Praise and worship was awesome and Buddys sermon really moved a lot of people.....
Now for the brokeness. I came home to study and pray before I preached tonight at OSO (Oakstreet Outreach), and I wasn't sure what God wanted me to do. He gave me some verses and I prayed for God just to put me in a state of complete brokeness. Which without a doubt, He did. The Lord really moved upon me and showed me a lot. I praise Him for that!
What a sad night. Dad got a call from Dee at OSO and said that a girl over there couldn't stay. Well we took her to the Genesis Center in Kaufman, and got her a place to stay. I just pray that God would reveil Himself to her.
Nathan...what a character! Nathan is the son of Lisa, a woman that stays at OSO. I don't know what kind of disease he has but it really doesn't matter, he is something else. According to him, I'm MC2 and dad is MC1. Nathan and Lisa came with us to take the girl to GC. Also Lisa stayed at the GC for 2 months so she knew how things went there. But Nathan....wow ummm lets just say he is a chick magnet. Not only was he getting the girls at the GC, he was trying to hook me up with 2 of them! I found out that he loves to hot rod in cars, can't wait to kiss Jesus when he gets to Heaven, loves Christian rock music, and is scared to fall out of a truck. What a blessing it is to get to be around the guys at OSO. I love it, and God is good!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
...so I've been thinkin'
......how things come soooo fast in life, and you don't even have a chance to look back and see what really happened. As for me being an 18 year old, my life hasn't been just some ol' walk in the park. I have times where I've been asking myself questions and trying to figure them out on my own. Oh you know, with the whole growing up thing.... trying to figure out who I am..... what I'm suppose to do with my life.....what is the truth....what's for dinner....how am I going to get some money to take Melissa out to eat....why doesn't the regular skittles package have a blue skittle( you know taste the rainbow) ???? The normal things any teen/young adult goes though daily.
wow
But sometimes when I'm alone I have to think about this. Does that all matter? Do those things really matter? I know that I'm suppose to grow up and live the American dream, nice house, pretty wife, great kids, wonderful job....but why? How I am nothing. I don't have any special talents. I am just a worm, but I am something with God. Sometimes question can flood my mind, and get me side tracked but the most important thing is God. He is my everything. That's what I want to express to everyone. I just praise Him for wrapping Himself in human flesh and coming down and dying for me. When I am no good for nothing human being, God came to deliever me. People can answer all my questions, but I have the answer for them. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added to you.
That's the only answer to my question.
.....even though some of those little issues still stay in my little 18 year old mind I know one thing
"The best of all is, God is with us." -John Wesley
P.S. Please pray for Gospel for Asia, and me leaving Aug 18th.
wow
But sometimes when I'm alone I have to think about this. Does that all matter? Do those things really matter? I know that I'm suppose to grow up and live the American dream, nice house, pretty wife, great kids, wonderful job....but why? How I am nothing. I don't have any special talents. I am just a worm, but I am something with God. Sometimes question can flood my mind, and get me side tracked but the most important thing is God. He is my everything. That's what I want to express to everyone. I just praise Him for wrapping Himself in human flesh and coming down and dying for me. When I am no good for nothing human being, God came to deliever me. People can answer all my questions, but I have the answer for them. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added to you.
That's the only answer to my question.
.....even though some of those little issues still stay in my little 18 year old mind I know one thing
"The best of all is, God is with us." -John Wesley
P.S. Please pray for Gospel for Asia, and me leaving Aug 18th.
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