So I went about my day not knowing much of what we would do; considering that my little cousin's soccer game was cancelled due to inclement weather, and also knowing that we'd be going back home the same day. It's not easy trying to continue your day wondering if your love for God is strong or not, and whether or not the things you see on television are truly what you're supposed to be watching (which in most cases is probably a negative). However I do know this; love for God should always be there and never hard to resurface, if lost, or found, if though to be hidden. But how do your actions and language constitute how much love you're showing for others? Time for another one of Uncle Clark's day stories!
I'm going to a University I've never really thought about, let alone considered when I was in my younger years of high school, but nonetheless it isn't a bad choice in my opinion. It might not be the best choice for engineering, but it's still an engineering school, so I refuse to treat it any less than what it's worth. Getting to the point, I didn't have any attire to at least show some kind of school spirit, so you can imagine I was overjoyed when we went shopping yesterday for some Tech shirts, and I found some great ones at pretty much half the price of the usual priced collegiate wear products, sweet! And being the crazy person I am that wears the same shirts every week, I had to get at least three Tech shirts to add to my new attire and wouldn't you know it, I felt like I was finally supporting my college. Granted, I probably wouldn't get caught up in those silly rivalries like Texas and Oklahoma, or A&M and Texas, (Yeah, I called them silly).
Anyway, going back to the lesson, story time ends here. I've obtained some new shirts and feel great wearing new clothing, always do. But subsiding my behavior on them (the shirts), I'm still not a big fan of materialism, even though I'm the person who always wants to spend my money on gifts for others soon after I obtain the money. But rather, the big lesson is bent upon when I found the verses of Scripture that are truly against judgmental actions or instances. Each speaking about not judging others, but one in particular stuck out to me the most.
"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"-James 4:11-12
In other words, how dare us be the ones to call people names, label people for their past mistakes and take them for who they've been in the past. You wonder why I make connections with others who I have somewhat disliked strongly in the past? It's due to the fact that I wish to further people by loving them and not simply destroying their self-esteem further as they probably often dwell on the mistakes they've made in the past. Granted, no one is perfect, and I've made my own share of mistakes, so has every other person in this wacky world.
Each and every one of us has a dark secret, a story that has never been told except to those whom we have given our time, love, and life committed to or at least expecting to stay with those people for a large margin of time or even in the span of one's entire lifetime. Take this as such, quite recently my closest friends made it as such to not keep any secrets nor anything bother us when we bring up any topic. The very essence of loving one another is to be forgiving of them for all that they've done, and build them up in such a way that will benefit their drive and motivation to turn away from such bad habits that hindered them in the past.
Of course, I never expected perfect friends, but rather than shun them for their past mistakes, I was rather happy and proud to call them my closest friends and brothers and sisters in Christ for turning away from their bad habits and going to God for their salvation and greatness in life. I'll love people, but if you're not willing to change yourself for God, then I won't become a close friend of yours and I won't confide in you as I do with my other close friends.
My three best brothers and I all share similar perceptions about how to go about our lives. However, we each differ with our own struggles, one buddy and I being similar but also different to a certain extent. And we grow closer on the strong basis of one ideal: We will not judge each other because it is not our job, and we will sharpen each other both in faith and fellowship, as we do not like others judging us, we shall not confide in the same practices as those against us. Of course, we realized that those who judged us did not build us up, nor did the friends who increased the harmful behavior did we choose to not associate with them any longer. I'm very grateful to say that with the gifts from God that I receive being these best friends and other close friends, I learned so much more about them and the trust keeps growing.
Take one thing from all of this: Don't judge others for their past mistakes; especially if they're doing something to change it for the better and going for God. Rather embrace them and be joyous with them as they develop in their new lifestyle for Christ and enjoy and cherish the growth with them.
Your love and compassion alone can further the growth of your close loved ones, and you guys can change the world.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love"-1 Corinthians 13:13.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
I Have Decided-May 9,2012
I have always had the strong feeling of wanting to get closer to God, but it always seemed as if something was holding me back. One would think, "Who needs to refocus on God? You're a good Christian man. I'm pretty sure you're covered". And can I say, just because you feel that you're covered doesn't mean that you've obtained enough of God. Those who are truly faithful to God desire to have more of God and continue to gain more of Him with a never ending thirst. Right? But it's not all that easy.
One would hope to have it easy when attempting to grow in their faith or always find time to spend with God, but some people fail to see that it's not easy at all. We'd be sinless creatures, non-human beings if it were truly that easy. Mistakes would be a thing of the past, and we'd never learn from what is perceived to be wrong or right. Maybe I'm taking more of an extreme approach, but I do know this: Staying dedicated can truly be a challenge in the midst of your life and one of the greatest beneficial aspects as well.
Being inspired from my youth group's Wednesday service, I found that once again I'm getting one of those guilt trips which always tends to make me feel heavier with the weight of the things I've done that I constitute as sin. Had it been a couple of months ago, it would feel even heavier, but truly, that is when the guilt trips started to begin. For the past month or so (excluding this past week), I haven't been letting God into all aspects of my life, my prayer habits have been incredibly unsatisfactory and lacking in much effort, and I've failed to really contribute much effort to my own life as well. However, after coming back from the band trip from Port Aransas, and with much credit to a situation that cautioned my focus on life last Wednesday, I've found that once again the calling of God is echoing in my heart and I wish to respond with my abounding faith and love for His word and all of us that He's created.
Upon adding more Bible reading, getting back into the habit of praying often, and spending more time with God, I hope to be inspiring people once again but not for my own credit, rather for God's credit. I've felt God preparing me as somewhat of a communicator, somewhat of a persuader in a good manner, but even more so as a good listener and compassionate individual. I may not have the gift of strong intelligence, but I do manage well as an above average student. I may not have the gift of an athletic individual, but my endurance can really stretch. I may not have the gift of an excellent writer, but that doesn't mean people do not receive any insight from my own little writings and former Facebook statuses. My gifts are known within myself and I'm incredibly grateful, as we all should be for each of our own talents and gifts!
All in all, and forgive me for jumping around a bit, I made a decision last Wednesday that would of course be one of the greatest decision of my own steps into the journey of my faith. I'm getting baptized under my own choice. Now I'm not denouncing my faith under my previous denomination, of course not, but I feel it is an important step in my life and faith in growing closer to God to make this decision. So why not, right? Because no matter if I feel like it or not, I'm going to grow in my faith, and thanks to the assistance of my accountability partner, best friend and Christian brother, Sean, and my other best friend and Christian brother, Cody, I feel confident enough that I will be able to get back on my path while not swaying too much. However, I feel that I must also make my own decisions as an adult, of course, and with the growing confidence that God is giving me every day, I have decided to do just that.
Thanks be to God and thanks for reading.
One would hope to have it easy when attempting to grow in their faith or always find time to spend with God, but some people fail to see that it's not easy at all. We'd be sinless creatures, non-human beings if it were truly that easy. Mistakes would be a thing of the past, and we'd never learn from what is perceived to be wrong or right. Maybe I'm taking more of an extreme approach, but I do know this: Staying dedicated can truly be a challenge in the midst of your life and one of the greatest beneficial aspects as well.
Being inspired from my youth group's Wednesday service, I found that once again I'm getting one of those guilt trips which always tends to make me feel heavier with the weight of the things I've done that I constitute as sin. Had it been a couple of months ago, it would feel even heavier, but truly, that is when the guilt trips started to begin. For the past month or so (excluding this past week), I haven't been letting God into all aspects of my life, my prayer habits have been incredibly unsatisfactory and lacking in much effort, and I've failed to really contribute much effort to my own life as well. However, after coming back from the band trip from Port Aransas, and with much credit to a situation that cautioned my focus on life last Wednesday, I've found that once again the calling of God is echoing in my heart and I wish to respond with my abounding faith and love for His word and all of us that He's created.
Upon adding more Bible reading, getting back into the habit of praying often, and spending more time with God, I hope to be inspiring people once again but not for my own credit, rather for God's credit. I've felt God preparing me as somewhat of a communicator, somewhat of a persuader in a good manner, but even more so as a good listener and compassionate individual. I may not have the gift of strong intelligence, but I do manage well as an above average student. I may not have the gift of an athletic individual, but my endurance can really stretch. I may not have the gift of an excellent writer, but that doesn't mean people do not receive any insight from my own little writings and former Facebook statuses. My gifts are known within myself and I'm incredibly grateful, as we all should be for each of our own talents and gifts!
All in all, and forgive me for jumping around a bit, I made a decision last Wednesday that would of course be one of the greatest decision of my own steps into the journey of my faith. I'm getting baptized under my own choice. Now I'm not denouncing my faith under my previous denomination, of course not, but I feel it is an important step in my life and faith in growing closer to God to make this decision. So why not, right? Because no matter if I feel like it or not, I'm going to grow in my faith, and thanks to the assistance of my accountability partner, best friend and Christian brother, Sean, and my other best friend and Christian brother, Cody, I feel confident enough that I will be able to get back on my path while not swaying too much. However, I feel that I must also make my own decisions as an adult, of course, and with the growing confidence that God is giving me every day, I have decided to do just that.
Thanks be to God and thanks for reading.
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Facebook Vs. Life Comparison
Dear friends, acquaintances, or other people who usually read my status updates on Facebook,
I will say it has been quite a while, right? I remember when I first made the decision out of spite and anger and just depressed decision making. The more I think about it today and in the recent past days, I realized how much I get more out of life and now I can truly enjoy what experiences I have been somewhat missing in my life. But here's what I say to those who miss my status updates nowadays; you're probably missing some bright insight in your life, some optimism, or just a kind little bit of good news and honesty in this world, and quite frankly, I don't blame you.
Ever since I left on our band Spring Trip, I did a little getting closer to God thing, and living out His word and plans for my life. When I made the decision last Wednesday to go on the trip solo and not hang out with anyone else...Well, that was before I realized that my roommates are actually pretty incredible people. I always thought to myself, you're not close friends with them, so you're not going to be able to have a great time with them; but of course, Sean always kept telling me that two of them he was really great friends with, and for the most part, I trusted him, so of course I would be up for hang out time.
And boy was our room living it up! There were some of the greatest new experiences I've gladly called nowadays to be really something special and memorable. For instance, don't use olive oil to cook bacon on a stove that forgets that high temperatures burn things. Don't use sunscreen that fails to have a spray stream instead of a straight stream of sunscreen, or you might end up having cool sunburn designs. And most of all, don't forget to empty out your pockets before jumping into a body of water, or else you might end up losing one of your favorite electronic devices to that horrible thing called flooded by H2O. I enjoyed my time, most definitely, and I'm so very grateful to have the instances and opportunities I did get to have with my other friends as well as my best bud.
Only problem now is I get back to school and instantly there's an AP test smacking me in the face at 8 A.M. this morning, my job interview for Gatti Town had to be postponed due to my band director for jazz having to tell me to reschedule because I wouldn't be able to miss rehearsal yet again...Those commitments, of course I stick to them! And now that I currently still do not have a job, I have to raise money for the rest of my church camp fee, and I've got a load of make-up work. Honestly, now that I have no more Facebook for a little while, I feel I can get stuff done and there's nothing to distract me from reaching my goals now, with the exception of outer influences and other people's opinions and decisions I can't make nor control.
So in the grand scheme of things, it seems like a matter of refocusing on God and feeling His love and compassionate word take over my life for what it is and for what I've done and for what I'm to do in the very near future. And whatever God has planned for me before my high school career is over, well, I'll do what I can, and I won't slack off anymore. There's no more room for slacking, procrastinating excessively, or laziness. Time to get this show on the road and continue to improve my performance and motives and morals.
You've probably heard this once before, and now I will be saying this in the same mindset that others would say it: Facebook, you're pretty boring compared to life.
So thank You, God, for today, and a wonderful day to everyone else. To my Facebook readers, I sure hope you'll be reading these posts as these will be a nice substitute for my statuses, and I can certainly expand on thoughts that can be found on this blog rather than on someone's Facebook News Reel where it's probably not wanted or taking up space. More to come as I can now find time to keep up with my blog!
I will say it has been quite a while, right? I remember when I first made the decision out of spite and anger and just depressed decision making. The more I think about it today and in the recent past days, I realized how much I get more out of life and now I can truly enjoy what experiences I have been somewhat missing in my life. But here's what I say to those who miss my status updates nowadays; you're probably missing some bright insight in your life, some optimism, or just a kind little bit of good news and honesty in this world, and quite frankly, I don't blame you.
Ever since I left on our band Spring Trip, I did a little getting closer to God thing, and living out His word and plans for my life. When I made the decision last Wednesday to go on the trip solo and not hang out with anyone else...Well, that was before I realized that my roommates are actually pretty incredible people. I always thought to myself, you're not close friends with them, so you're not going to be able to have a great time with them; but of course, Sean always kept telling me that two of them he was really great friends with, and for the most part, I trusted him, so of course I would be up for hang out time.
And boy was our room living it up! There were some of the greatest new experiences I've gladly called nowadays to be really something special and memorable. For instance, don't use olive oil to cook bacon on a stove that forgets that high temperatures burn things. Don't use sunscreen that fails to have a spray stream instead of a straight stream of sunscreen, or you might end up having cool sunburn designs. And most of all, don't forget to empty out your pockets before jumping into a body of water, or else you might end up losing one of your favorite electronic devices to that horrible thing called flooded by H2O. I enjoyed my time, most definitely, and I'm so very grateful to have the instances and opportunities I did get to have with my other friends as well as my best bud.
Only problem now is I get back to school and instantly there's an AP test smacking me in the face at 8 A.M. this morning, my job interview for Gatti Town had to be postponed due to my band director for jazz having to tell me to reschedule because I wouldn't be able to miss rehearsal yet again...Those commitments, of course I stick to them! And now that I currently still do not have a job, I have to raise money for the rest of my church camp fee, and I've got a load of make-up work. Honestly, now that I have no more Facebook for a little while, I feel I can get stuff done and there's nothing to distract me from reaching my goals now, with the exception of outer influences and other people's opinions and decisions I can't make nor control.
So in the grand scheme of things, it seems like a matter of refocusing on God and feeling His love and compassionate word take over my life for what it is and for what I've done and for what I'm to do in the very near future. And whatever God has planned for me before my high school career is over, well, I'll do what I can, and I won't slack off anymore. There's no more room for slacking, procrastinating excessively, or laziness. Time to get this show on the road and continue to improve my performance and motives and morals.
You've probably heard this once before, and now I will be saying this in the same mindset that others would say it: Facebook, you're pretty boring compared to life.
So thank You, God, for today, and a wonderful day to everyone else. To my Facebook readers, I sure hope you'll be reading these posts as these will be a nice substitute for my statuses, and I can certainly expand on thoughts that can be found on this blog rather than on someone's Facebook News Reel where it's probably not wanted or taking up space. More to come as I can now find time to keep up with my blog!
Monday, July 18, 2011
The First Big Steps:Sacrifice - July 18, 2011
We always want something, whether it be a desire, a treasure, a passion, a want, a wish. Whatever you wish to call it, it is such and no one person is alone without at least one which drives them to do the many actions that build their lives.
But is it possible that we can be so driven by these so called desires that we lose sight of what is most important and essential to our lives? Is it not possible that many become selfish, greedy, obsessed, or crazy over such "important" ideals and thoughts? I am not saying that it is wrong to have them, but to be careful as they could be another way to corrupt and manipulate us from the awesome and amazing life that God has promised us. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."-Luke 12:34 Instead of wanting something that takes away the ability to benefit others around you; why not give up that want and help to better the lives of others? Surely, that way you can be happier knowing that you probably benefited another's life who also had a wish that seemed impossible. Because our treasures are in heaven, and therefore our hearts should be there as well.
My last blog post, if you read it, was rejoicing about how I finally confirmed that God finally answered my prayers in my life that I wanted so much. He gave me the best friend for life I had always wanted, the happiness that I had been searching years for, and the solace and peace that I struggled for knowing my friends weren't truly happy until a certain occurrence.
With bringing it up I make this point, I took God answering my most wanted prayers for granted and thought I'd have even more answered. I didn't realize until a little while after that I was being turned into the sulky sinful person I struggled not to become yet again. I became selfish and started to lose sight of what was important. God gave me an opportunity to realize my wrongdoings, yet I didn't listen. It wasn't until yesterday when talking to my best bud's girlfriend that I had finally gotten a smack to the face and a reality check.
I spent a few hours last night battling it out with the dark thoughts that haunted me and crying out to God apologizing and asking for forgiveness of my sinful thinking and my selfish desires. Just as I was feeling myself at the pit of despair, I made a realization and finally perked up. Emily came over and surprised me and suddenly I lost all bad feelings I had before. God had come through the darkness and given me a light to look at in my struggle. Later that night, I had a changed perspective and talked it over with my best bud, but we never discussed what had sparked my dark thoughts in the first place and finally it seemed like everything in my life was returning to that remarkable happiness that God filled me with a little over a month ago.
I woke up this morning groggy and tired from the dreams that haunted me as if I was still struggling. So I went for a run and spent that constructive hour and ten minutes to think over what I had learned and what would be the right thing to do. Then suddenly my heart tugged at me and I found myself speaking the words "Help him, God. Help him to have his desires fulfilled. If it is in your will God, I will do everything I can to help if he so wishes it. I sacrifice all I want for the benefit of helping him so that he can continue to enjoy his happiness." A silent prayer under my breath that was spontaneously spoken without any planning beforehand. And as I walked back listening to "Lucky" on my mp3 player I soon realized, that is truly what I wanted. I am to live out my first principle again: Sacrifice your wants and desires for the benefit of your loved ones.
My faith has been held steady, I am strong and determined and courageous. No darkness can take me down; no shadow can extinguish the light of my life that is Jesus Christ. I am inspired by my burning heart that is ignited by the love and compassion and grace that is from God and Jesus. I care not for my life so long as I live out God's word and act as Jesus did. I want to be more like Jesus by helping others and that is my passion. I'd sacrifice the many things I want because I know God will create a better life for me along the way with the things He has promised me, my awesome best bud, my lovely girlfriend, and my amazing close friends who strengthen my faith everyday. I am dead to sin, and Christ lives within me, and I shall do my best to help out my loved ones as much as my limits and God will allow.
Thank you for reading, but keep in mind; sacrifice is just one step of many in continuing to follow God.
Monday, July 4, 2011
God Answers Prayers-July 4th, 2011
I'm long over due for a blog post! I've been inspired so many times, and yet I've forgotten to write. So here's something I felt the need to write that is also long overdue.
About a little more than two weeks ago, on one particular Wednesday, it was one that would change my life in something for the better. On that faithful day after Epic, I had to be understanding when it came to James not coming to church. I had just met this girl named Abby, who he seemed to really be fond of, and I barely knew anything about her, but strangely enough, she seemed really trustworthy even though I had only known her for a couple of days. So throughout our routinely night conversation on Wednesdays he was texting Abby and I was trying to be understanding and in the end I was getting happier by the second; even though originally I had been mad at James.
And then James pulls the ultimate card on me and says "Clark, I really like her. And you're my best friend, and I need your support on this. You're the only one who knows right now, and I must know what you think of her." My first thought was, "Wait a minute, he just called me his best friend. The very honor I've bestowed upon him and never got in return; until now. This girl, I mean Abby, must have really changed him somehow. Could it be that God has finally answered my prayers?" And then I looked into James eyes and said "I'm really your best friend? But you told me you'll never have any. When did you decide on this?" And he replied with a goofy smile on his face, "Well, I've always thought you were a good friend, but Abby convinced me about how much of a true friend you are to me. So now, you're my best friend." "You know, I think I'm really going to like this Abby girl, I owe her one." So we said our goodbyes and we both left with a huge smile on our face. I felt as if God was with me with each step I took until I got into my bedroom and decided to go to sleep early, but not before I prayed to God and thanked him for how awesome it was the he finally answered my prayer.
I had been awaiting the answer to my prayer for many years, and it was that day it was finally answered. I haven't been any happier since the first time I met James and knew he was the one God destined me to be best buds with and since that day, it's been ultimately confirmed. But the happiness didn't stop there, my friends, now he had a girlfriend, and I had to make sure this girl was all the James had told me she was and still is to this day.
A few days later, Abby and I had begun talking a little each day since we were practically forced to meet each other. As the days passed, my acceptance of her became stronger and stronger. But then I started growing fond of her as well, but int he friendly sense. She was becoming a great person to talk to and because I trusted her so easily we talked about so many nice things, and so I decided, wow I have a new friend. The more I thought about it and seeing how happy Abby made James, it came to me in so many ways...I prayed that God keep giving me understanding and I concluded, Abby was someone that God had destined for James to meet in his life. The exact purpose, I'm not entirely sure, but I could tell another prayer was answered.
Let's not forget one more important detail in my life, Emily. I had began to be fond of Emily again and again and I was so afraid of breaking my word that I would never date her again and being heartbroken again. I prayed every night since last banquet for God to give me a sign. The fact that James kept pushing me to be with Emily was not the sign I was looking for; and then James started liking Abby. This was the sign I was looking for as Cody also got into a relationship. My two best friends who were done with dating and lived the single life philosophy found exceptions and gave in to their feelings of love. I decided to stop being so stubborn and did the same. That same Wednesday night I found out I'm James' best friend, I asked Emily as soon as we got out of Epic. I said the lyrics to Falling For You by Colbie Cailat, and she was completely dumbfounded, but then we embraced and James drove around the corner so I made a run for it and said bye, talk to you later! I'll never forget how she laughed and just kinda shoved it off.
So yes, now thanks to God, I'm now James's best friend, in a relationship with Emily, and made a new friend who is also James' girlfriend, Abby. Life is great and I'm enjoying all the happiness I receive everyday. Thank You God! Keep answering those prayers of my friends as I've no more to be fulfilled now. Now it's my turn to help my friends to be happy with their lives, and I'll gladly lay down my life to this cause.
Short blog post, dang, but it's still something, so I hope you enjoy the read! Thanks for reading, I hope to make more blog posts again!
About a little more than two weeks ago, on one particular Wednesday, it was one that would change my life in something for the better. On that faithful day after Epic, I had to be understanding when it came to James not coming to church. I had just met this girl named Abby, who he seemed to really be fond of, and I barely knew anything about her, but strangely enough, she seemed really trustworthy even though I had only known her for a couple of days. So throughout our routinely night conversation on Wednesdays he was texting Abby and I was trying to be understanding and in the end I was getting happier by the second; even though originally I had been mad at James.
And then James pulls the ultimate card on me and says "Clark, I really like her. And you're my best friend, and I need your support on this. You're the only one who knows right now, and I must know what you think of her." My first thought was, "Wait a minute, he just called me his best friend. The very honor I've bestowed upon him and never got in return; until now. This girl, I mean Abby, must have really changed him somehow. Could it be that God has finally answered my prayers?" And then I looked into James eyes and said "I'm really your best friend? But you told me you'll never have any. When did you decide on this?" And he replied with a goofy smile on his face, "Well, I've always thought you were a good friend, but Abby convinced me about how much of a true friend you are to me. So now, you're my best friend." "You know, I think I'm really going to like this Abby girl, I owe her one." So we said our goodbyes and we both left with a huge smile on our face. I felt as if God was with me with each step I took until I got into my bedroom and decided to go to sleep early, but not before I prayed to God and thanked him for how awesome it was the he finally answered my prayer.
I had been awaiting the answer to my prayer for many years, and it was that day it was finally answered. I haven't been any happier since the first time I met James and knew he was the one God destined me to be best buds with and since that day, it's been ultimately confirmed. But the happiness didn't stop there, my friends, now he had a girlfriend, and I had to make sure this girl was all the James had told me she was and still is to this day.
A few days later, Abby and I had begun talking a little each day since we were practically forced to meet each other. As the days passed, my acceptance of her became stronger and stronger. But then I started growing fond of her as well, but int he friendly sense. She was becoming a great person to talk to and because I trusted her so easily we talked about so many nice things, and so I decided, wow I have a new friend. The more I thought about it and seeing how happy Abby made James, it came to me in so many ways...I prayed that God keep giving me understanding and I concluded, Abby was someone that God had destined for James to meet in his life. The exact purpose, I'm not entirely sure, but I could tell another prayer was answered.
Let's not forget one more important detail in my life, Emily. I had began to be fond of Emily again and again and I was so afraid of breaking my word that I would never date her again and being heartbroken again. I prayed every night since last banquet for God to give me a sign. The fact that James kept pushing me to be with Emily was not the sign I was looking for; and then James started liking Abby. This was the sign I was looking for as Cody also got into a relationship. My two best friends who were done with dating and lived the single life philosophy found exceptions and gave in to their feelings of love. I decided to stop being so stubborn and did the same. That same Wednesday night I found out I'm James' best friend, I asked Emily as soon as we got out of Epic. I said the lyrics to Falling For You by Colbie Cailat, and she was completely dumbfounded, but then we embraced and James drove around the corner so I made a run for it and said bye, talk to you later! I'll never forget how she laughed and just kinda shoved it off.
So yes, now thanks to God, I'm now James's best friend, in a relationship with Emily, and made a new friend who is also James' girlfriend, Abby. Life is great and I'm enjoying all the happiness I receive everyday. Thank You God! Keep answering those prayers of my friends as I've no more to be fulfilled now. Now it's my turn to help my friends to be happy with their lives, and I'll gladly lay down my life to this cause.
Short blog post, dang, but it's still something, so I hope you enjoy the read! Thanks for reading, I hope to make more blog posts again!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Epic Sermon Notes: April 27, 2011-Loving & Caring
In life we care and have our priorities laid out before us in a fashion that's typical for us teenagers. There are things that, believe it or not, we really do believe we could care less about.
- Chores
- School
- Work
- "Nagging" parents
- And even God
The thing is, some of the most important things we don't care much are things we should in fact take into higher consideration. You say you could care less about school; whenever an education is required for practically most of every college and some kind of degree is required to obtain a standard job. You say you could do without your parents "nagging" you all the time; whenever they've lived longer and experienced more in twice the amount of time we have and they just wish to keep you safe and prevent you from going down a dark road with many consequences. You say you could care less about chores; whenever it gives you something productive to do and your benfiting the household's tidyness and your losing some of you laziness. You say you could care less about God; well I can't help you there. That's your decision, but if you're truly wanting to know what He can do for your life and you're willing; that I can lead you to find help with.
Sometimes we make big deals over the darndest things. Often what's important in our lives, most people don't care to even lend a helping hand or an ear to listen. You suffer and you feel alone and isolated and what do you do? Nothing, right? You probably do something, but you always have that bitterness, that scorn, that hatred, that sadness and depressed feeling that continues to haunt you no matter what you do. Can I just admit to you right now, you're not the only one. None of us are perfect, and we never will be. That's the beauty of being a human, but you don't have to do it alone.
It all starts with this: You wonder why you find it so hard to let go of all the sadness, the anger, the grudges, the betrayals. Think about it this way, we all know a person in our lives or around us who is rejected, exiled, bullied, or whatever term you wish to use to describe it. We humans are sometimes really sick and twisted people. It's hard to accept, but it's the truth. The one that everyone gossips about, the one that does drugs or smokes and everyone knows, the one who was just created uniquely and is often rejected for somethign they can't control. That one person who stabbed you in the back, or the guy/girl who dumped you and left your heart in pieces that no one could pick up. What do you do?
Luke 10:25-27- " On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26-"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27-"He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (NIV)
One of the most greatest points made, and yet one of the hardest ones to keep alive and omnipresent. I always struggle with this, no matter how much I desperately wish to talk to that rejected kid or give someone I don't know a friendly greeting. My fear of awkwardness steers me in the other direction. It needs to stop. No matter if we accept it or not; we all have at one point in our lives talked bad about someone behind their back, hurt someone either purposely or unintentionally, given someone a compliment, and loved someone. We all have our quirks and knacks and histories. But we are all one through Christ and surely God does not show favor upon situations in which his children are always at each others' throats! Greet that rejected person, go out of your way to help stand up for someone you witness is being messed up and no one else is doing anything. Be an example to others by putting yourself and your schedule behind you and helping others in front or ahead of you. You have time, you honestly do, to help someone and possibly change their life. But ultimately, God changes the lives and mindsets of those we love and care about the most and the ones around us.
Bring your worry, your hate, your sadness to God. Restating, not at Him, but to Him. God really can change your life for the better if you just trust in and love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The Lord of our lives and the One who reigns above all else in the world. The God who loves us unconditionally no matter what we have done in the past or what we believe in. Love that is everlasting and never goes away, a God that never betrays or leaves us alone in the dust like "friends" can. It all starts with believing and trusting in Him, and putting other before yourself, and most of all,loving them. Please I encourage you to have a heart, and give a care. Lend an invitation to those who suffer every day of their lives and wonder if God really wants this for their lives when He truly doesn't wish it upon them. Lead people in the right direction, and be an example to those around by showing them how to lead others in the right direction.
Love them, don't convert them. Love them, and don't reject them. Love them, and don't spit back in anger. Love them, no matter what.
Thus concludes my notes from last night's sermon. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed sharing it.
This is for you my blessed friends, and for the ones who we need to care about more often.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter and The Power of Miracles
Forgive my delaying of writing blogs for however long it has been since my last one. I've been very caught up in all this band business, but thankfully there's a short break now, and hopefully I can get back to blogging regularly again when inspiration strikes me. Let's start this thing off as so:
This past week and today have probably been part of one of the most life changing events in my life! So many positive things and so much happiness that has appeared as if out of nowhere and unexpectedly at the right time for my life. I had been praying to God over the Spring Trip in Missouri every single day for God to help me make my life a more exciting and better life to keep living, and when we came back, my prayers were answered.
The first thing that occurred was when I went to band rehearsal during my first half of the day at school, and my band director had decided to play us a new piece that she had in mind for the famous spring concert. The name of the piece, The Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed, and no doubt the first time I heard it, I felt this immense feeling of happiness well up inside me. This sort of warm, cozy feeling that gave you the feeling of the weather on a perfect spring day, and I knew then this would be my new favorite piece. A week later and here I am, technique and playing down and ready to move on to something better, but still a huge fan of the piece. God definitely was sending me a message that day to be more positive, and possibly more "springy" in my life without any need for awkward feelings or suspicions or even worry. Little did I know about this message until later in the week.
Then came Wednesday. I wasn't expecting anything momentous to happen or take place that day really; I recall being bored and wanting some kind of energized boost and a desperate want for God that kept persisting in my thoughts the entire day until school was done. Once school got out and I went to my best bud's house like the usual Wednesday, something changed about me that I'll never forget. I felt this heaviness drop itself on me, I felt loneliness settle in my heart and start ripping it apart, and soon dark thoughts started to prevail in my mind. It wasn't long before my best bud's mom started taking notice and tried to help, and soon enough my best bud realized it too at the dinner table when I didn't say a word. "Despondent" he called it. And it was true, I felt so heavy and depressed and it was because of some dumb reason I only half remember now. I walked to church earlier than usual because for one, it was part of my duties as part of the leadership team, and second, I felt I needed to get out before I really did something I would regret (not that I had any intentions to act on these thoughts).
I went on with my day and craved for something good to happen, I begged God to take the darkness away from my heart and to help me make amends with my friend. I went inside the church, almost dropping everything at the entrance and putting on a fake smile in the lighter environment that slowly started seeping its way into my heart. I kept not responding to my best bud at the beginning of service; not because I was mad at him, but that I was afraid of saying something to only make matters worse. I sat down in a different row as there was no room for me to sit on his. Then came the unexpected event that changed my night.
An old friend of mine whom I had never really spoken to very often sat down next to me, and I almost jumped in my seat. I was told he missed that day of school because his great grandparents passed away and he was at the funeral. Somehow, my heart lifted and the first thought that came to my mind was, drop everything that happened earlier today and be there for this friend. My mind was set on changing my thoughts toward a more positive outlook in order to help the grieving process of my friend. When the time for worship came, I felt little affect me, but I did feel God's presence around me as if He were waiting for me to take notice and do something different than the usual. We sat back down, and my friend started talking to me while the sermon was going on. He started talking about his great grandparents and their deaths, and even showed me a picture of them. I wanted to cry and give him a comforting hug that would be fully intended to help him because I saw the hurt in his face and I knew the reason he came to church, to ease the pain.
The sermon gripped my attention that night. If there was one thing in my life that I needed to let go of the most, it was my thoughts about my friendships and all the worries in my life associated with them, and how I depend on my friends so much. The sermon was about putting God first in our lives, and although I had heard the sermon preached many times with different words and scriptures, this one had the greatest impact on me. It was because that night my mind had been so preoccupied with my bond I had with my best friend, and it was something I had always worried about ever since we became best buds. But I felt God put His hand on my shoulder and saying, "let go of Him. Do not worry any longer; I will keep your friendship alive". At that moment, I opened my closed hand in the air and I felt the heaviness disappear instantly and all the worries associated with it. I tried to think of one negative thought about my best friend and I, and my mind wouldn't allow it, only the good prevailed! That was when I felt the presence of God once again comforting me and my sudden realization that God really can perform miracles for anybody.
I later talked to my best bud that night with the biggest smile on my face I hadn't had since we were first friends. I could tell he realized it as well because soon it became contagious and he too began smiling like a total goofball. I said nothing that night that had any bad meaning or ill intentions. Just these words, "You're still my best friend, and I love you." And with that he seemed to beam with happiness and we did our handshake and said our goodnight farewells. I walked to the door with a kick in my step and a light in my heart, convinced that this night would mark one of the most pivotal changing points in my life.
The day after, my old friend I sat beside at church the day before messaged me on Facebook. It was totally unexpected, but I knew the reason behind him contacting me. Why me, I had no idea. He started pouring out his heart and thoughts to me, risking all he had left to lose. I took it upon myself to start talking to him about how much God loves Him and his great grandparents that passed away and that they will be happier living with God. My friend started opening up a little more, and I felt more words coming from my mouth that I didn't even realize I was speaking, but he soon told me it was as if he was hearing the words from God himself. Soon enough after a long encouraging discussion, my friend's attitude on faith and our friendship had drastically changed for the better. He soon realized how awesome God really is and how thankful he was to have friends that could support him. I felt so much joy out of helping him that night, and it gave me newfound confidence in my abilities to help people through God and also more assurance for God's calling in my life. I also gained a new friend somewhat, and I'm glad God continues to help me and my friends find new opportunities.
The week passed by quickly afterwards and nothing exciting really seemed to occur other than that my happiness was still beaming. Then after school on Friday, my distant friend in Arkansas had told me about his miracle that he had experienced. Apparently, he couldn't go on his band's trip to Florida because unfortunately he couldn't pay for it. I knew he had really wanted to go, and I felt that he should, so I had been praying for something to happen for quite a while. He told me that his band directors had told him that they wanted him to go on the trip, so he gets to go for free. Imagine! How often does this occur for high school band students? Extremely rare, as far as I know! I could feel the joyous presence of his voice emanating from the texts he kept sending in his ecstatic state. I felt like jumping for joy as well because it seemed as if miracle after miracle kept coming along and God was having a field day in not just my life, but my friends as well!
Easter Sunday. My life felt great and I immediately felt something I hadn't experienced in the Easters of the past 16 years of my life. God was there every step I took, and I knew today would be a great one. Now one comment before I go on, my dad's church is not exactly my idea of a great place to have church service but honestly you can't blame them for the surrounding ambiance of crappy high school auditorium. I didn't feel very moved when singing, but the sermon did open my eyes for me. John 19-20. Both chapters needing the other to provide us with the story behind Easter and the two chapters that really flipped my day upside down, in a good way. I was reminded of the suffering Jesus endured and my heart kept getting pulled and pinched by the compassion I felt for my Lord. Yet at the mention of His resurrection, I felt like jumping out of my seat and rejoicing the good name of the Lord for all to hear. Amen, and glory and thanks be to God and the king of all kings! For my week had been a miracle stacked upon each other every day and I knew that if it weren't for Christ I wouldn't be living such a wonderful life. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my today with one ending thought: Thank You God, and Thank You Jesus for dying for me and taking away my sin and now I will continue to love and worship you just as you love me.
And what do I do next now that my life has gotten so much better? I have given it much thought during the week, and I came upon this decision when reflecting back on the situations that used to be problems but were now resolved thanks to God. Now that my life has become better and I'm happier than I've been in a while, it's now someone else's turn. It's never about me, and it never was. It's about God and doing His work by sharing His love and compassion for those who are suffering that are closest to my life so that they too may experience God like I do now. God, the one who can change the lives of millions and millions on top of a million times a million people at the instant they start truly believing and trusting Him with their lives. Christ has risen indeed and He is proof of God's amazing miracles and God's awesome. For no one is greater than He. Praise be to You, God!
Thank you for reading this. God bless all of you.
This past week and today have probably been part of one of the most life changing events in my life! So many positive things and so much happiness that has appeared as if out of nowhere and unexpectedly at the right time for my life. I had been praying to God over the Spring Trip in Missouri every single day for God to help me make my life a more exciting and better life to keep living, and when we came back, my prayers were answered.
The first thing that occurred was when I went to band rehearsal during my first half of the day at school, and my band director had decided to play us a new piece that she had in mind for the famous spring concert. The name of the piece, The Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed, and no doubt the first time I heard it, I felt this immense feeling of happiness well up inside me. This sort of warm, cozy feeling that gave you the feeling of the weather on a perfect spring day, and I knew then this would be my new favorite piece. A week later and here I am, technique and playing down and ready to move on to something better, but still a huge fan of the piece. God definitely was sending me a message that day to be more positive, and possibly more "springy" in my life without any need for awkward feelings or suspicions or even worry. Little did I know about this message until later in the week.
Then came Wednesday. I wasn't expecting anything momentous to happen or take place that day really; I recall being bored and wanting some kind of energized boost and a desperate want for God that kept persisting in my thoughts the entire day until school was done. Once school got out and I went to my best bud's house like the usual Wednesday, something changed about me that I'll never forget. I felt this heaviness drop itself on me, I felt loneliness settle in my heart and start ripping it apart, and soon dark thoughts started to prevail in my mind. It wasn't long before my best bud's mom started taking notice and tried to help, and soon enough my best bud realized it too at the dinner table when I didn't say a word. "Despondent" he called it. And it was true, I felt so heavy and depressed and it was because of some dumb reason I only half remember now. I walked to church earlier than usual because for one, it was part of my duties as part of the leadership team, and second, I felt I needed to get out before I really did something I would regret (not that I had any intentions to act on these thoughts).
I went on with my day and craved for something good to happen, I begged God to take the darkness away from my heart and to help me make amends with my friend. I went inside the church, almost dropping everything at the entrance and putting on a fake smile in the lighter environment that slowly started seeping its way into my heart. I kept not responding to my best bud at the beginning of service; not because I was mad at him, but that I was afraid of saying something to only make matters worse. I sat down in a different row as there was no room for me to sit on his. Then came the unexpected event that changed my night.
An old friend of mine whom I had never really spoken to very often sat down next to me, and I almost jumped in my seat. I was told he missed that day of school because his great grandparents passed away and he was at the funeral. Somehow, my heart lifted and the first thought that came to my mind was, drop everything that happened earlier today and be there for this friend. My mind was set on changing my thoughts toward a more positive outlook in order to help the grieving process of my friend. When the time for worship came, I felt little affect me, but I did feel God's presence around me as if He were waiting for me to take notice and do something different than the usual. We sat back down, and my friend started talking to me while the sermon was going on. He started talking about his great grandparents and their deaths, and even showed me a picture of them. I wanted to cry and give him a comforting hug that would be fully intended to help him because I saw the hurt in his face and I knew the reason he came to church, to ease the pain.
The sermon gripped my attention that night. If there was one thing in my life that I needed to let go of the most, it was my thoughts about my friendships and all the worries in my life associated with them, and how I depend on my friends so much. The sermon was about putting God first in our lives, and although I had heard the sermon preached many times with different words and scriptures, this one had the greatest impact on me. It was because that night my mind had been so preoccupied with my bond I had with my best friend, and it was something I had always worried about ever since we became best buds. But I felt God put His hand on my shoulder and saying, "let go of Him. Do not worry any longer; I will keep your friendship alive". At that moment, I opened my closed hand in the air and I felt the heaviness disappear instantly and all the worries associated with it. I tried to think of one negative thought about my best friend and I, and my mind wouldn't allow it, only the good prevailed! That was when I felt the presence of God once again comforting me and my sudden realization that God really can perform miracles for anybody.
I later talked to my best bud that night with the biggest smile on my face I hadn't had since we were first friends. I could tell he realized it as well because soon it became contagious and he too began smiling like a total goofball. I said nothing that night that had any bad meaning or ill intentions. Just these words, "You're still my best friend, and I love you." And with that he seemed to beam with happiness and we did our handshake and said our goodnight farewells. I walked to the door with a kick in my step and a light in my heart, convinced that this night would mark one of the most pivotal changing points in my life.
The day after, my old friend I sat beside at church the day before messaged me on Facebook. It was totally unexpected, but I knew the reason behind him contacting me. Why me, I had no idea. He started pouring out his heart and thoughts to me, risking all he had left to lose. I took it upon myself to start talking to him about how much God loves Him and his great grandparents that passed away and that they will be happier living with God. My friend started opening up a little more, and I felt more words coming from my mouth that I didn't even realize I was speaking, but he soon told me it was as if he was hearing the words from God himself. Soon enough after a long encouraging discussion, my friend's attitude on faith and our friendship had drastically changed for the better. He soon realized how awesome God really is and how thankful he was to have friends that could support him. I felt so much joy out of helping him that night, and it gave me newfound confidence in my abilities to help people through God and also more assurance for God's calling in my life. I also gained a new friend somewhat, and I'm glad God continues to help me and my friends find new opportunities.
The week passed by quickly afterwards and nothing exciting really seemed to occur other than that my happiness was still beaming. Then after school on Friday, my distant friend in Arkansas had told me about his miracle that he had experienced. Apparently, he couldn't go on his band's trip to Florida because unfortunately he couldn't pay for it. I knew he had really wanted to go, and I felt that he should, so I had been praying for something to happen for quite a while. He told me that his band directors had told him that they wanted him to go on the trip, so he gets to go for free. Imagine! How often does this occur for high school band students? Extremely rare, as far as I know! I could feel the joyous presence of his voice emanating from the texts he kept sending in his ecstatic state. I felt like jumping for joy as well because it seemed as if miracle after miracle kept coming along and God was having a field day in not just my life, but my friends as well!
Easter Sunday. My life felt great and I immediately felt something I hadn't experienced in the Easters of the past 16 years of my life. God was there every step I took, and I knew today would be a great one. Now one comment before I go on, my dad's church is not exactly my idea of a great place to have church service but honestly you can't blame them for the surrounding ambiance of crappy high school auditorium. I didn't feel very moved when singing, but the sermon did open my eyes for me. John 19-20. Both chapters needing the other to provide us with the story behind Easter and the two chapters that really flipped my day upside down, in a good way. I was reminded of the suffering Jesus endured and my heart kept getting pulled and pinched by the compassion I felt for my Lord. Yet at the mention of His resurrection, I felt like jumping out of my seat and rejoicing the good name of the Lord for all to hear. Amen, and glory and thanks be to God and the king of all kings! For my week had been a miracle stacked upon each other every day and I knew that if it weren't for Christ I wouldn't be living such a wonderful life. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my today with one ending thought: Thank You God, and Thank You Jesus for dying for me and taking away my sin and now I will continue to love and worship you just as you love me.
And what do I do next now that my life has gotten so much better? I have given it much thought during the week, and I came upon this decision when reflecting back on the situations that used to be problems but were now resolved thanks to God. Now that my life has become better and I'm happier than I've been in a while, it's now someone else's turn. It's never about me, and it never was. It's about God and doing His work by sharing His love and compassion for those who are suffering that are closest to my life so that they too may experience God like I do now. God, the one who can change the lives of millions and millions on top of a million times a million people at the instant they start truly believing and trusting Him with their lives. Christ has risen indeed and He is proof of God's amazing miracles and God's awesome. For no one is greater than He. Praise be to You, God!
Thank you for reading this. God bless all of you.
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