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Christmas & its Entirety

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:10:57 GMT

’tis the season for Christmas, New Years (& their resolutions), friends, family, food, & many other things. What I’ve learned in this past week is that we cannot celebrate Christmas without the Cross. Normally the Cross is associated with Easter, but in reality isn’t that what Christmas is about? Jesus came so that he could die on the cross. So I invite y0u to think about the Cross this year during Christmas. Let’s try not to get lost in the busyness of all this mayhem known as Christmas time. It’s a wonderful time of year, but its meaning can be lost sometimes. It’s not about the presents & who gets the coolest new gadgets & trying to out-do your neighbors with the decorations. It’s about Jesus coming to us in a manger so that He could die on a cross to save us so that we can spend forever with HIM. I may not be on until the New Year, due to the fact that I have Christmases galore & a birthday coming up. So I’ll be back in ‘09!! Wow..how weird does that sound? To those of you planning to make New Years Resolutions..Congrats! I encourage you to keep them & not let them fall through before February like I normally do. To those of you who are not planning on having a resolution..hm..maybe you should rethink that. Maybe even have a small one?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:58:17 GMT

Dear Bloggers,

For the very few of you that read this: Sorry for the unannounced break. I needed it though. I did some re-evaluating & settled some things that needed to be settled. I've also been out of town a lot lately. So with Christmas coming soon I don't see much time for settling much more. Anyway, here is finally another devotion.

A Call to Persevere
Hebrews 10:19-39
(Related verses: Deut. 32:35-36, Psalm 135:14, Hab. 2:3-4)

19-21So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.

22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

26-31If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he'll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing" and "God will judge his people." Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me.

32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

   It won't be long now, he's on the way;
      he'll show up most any minute.
   But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
      if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.
But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.

(THE MESSAGE version from www.biblegateway.com)

Questions.
1. What is your favorite part of the church service you attend?
-singing.

2. Note the four "let us" statements in verses 22-25. What does each one mean? What incentives are given?
-let us be cleanses by His Blood & be baptized in His Spirit. Cling onto your faith. Do not waver in your faith, keep strong, confess your faith. Encourage one another. Come together as followers. These are all things we need to do to strengthen our faith.

3. In rejecting Christ, of what three grievous sings would a person be guilty (v. 29)? With what consequence (v.31)?
-insluted the Spirit of grace, treated the sacrifice as unholy, & trampled The Son. Fall into the hands of God & His judgement.

4. After such a dire warning, how does the author encourage the people he was writing to (v. 32-39)? Which appeal do you find persuasive?
-we will be rewarded & saved not destroyed. do not lose confidence, etc. Encouragement.

5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
-stand my ground & do better. Encourage others in faith.

6. What can I do this week to help you in prayer?

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:26:36 GMT

this morning i woke up and listened to some good ol’ Louie Giglio. no joke, this guy is probably my favorite speaker of all time. ever. & i’ve heard plenty. my next two favorites are Stuart Hall & Jared Herd. they’re all pretty amazing, & coincidentally i heard them all at bigstuf. pretty sweet stuff. this morning as i was listening to Louie Giglio i decided to make some changes, & has only further inspired me to do something with my life. what is it that i’ve really done with my life so far? nothing. that’s it. absolutely nothing. sure i’ve given to some poor people, fed some hungry people, given to charities, sponsor a compassion child, but that’s all. i haven’t broadcasted him daily. i haven’t gone & done anything for him. nothing. tomorrow i have a sit-down with a lady from my church & my dad about kosovo, then we’re talking to my mom (well maybe not right after, but sometime remotely soon..) this is what i want right now more than anything, go over there in hopes of making a difference, dad & i are also talking about going to Ecuador as well. i want to do both very badly. & hopefully once my youth pastor gets details worked out, in a few years i’ll get to go to africa, my DREAM place of going to serve the Lord. tomorrow, maybe monday, anyways–SOMETIME THIS WEEK–i’m going to fast on these subjects & focus on the Lord in hopes of understanding a little bit more about this mosaic everyone has ever been & will be a part of.

Doing What is Good

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:13:46 GMT

Titus 3:1-25

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

1. What memory comes to mind when you think of being disobedient as a child?
     -being sent to the corner, or my room
2. Why do you think Paul again stresses "doing good" (verses 1, 8, 14)? What about human nature makes such reminders necessary (verse 3)?
     -if you have real faith you will do works-without works your faith will fall and we need to demonstrate our love for Christ to others; we are/were all foolish and deceived living in and of the world
3. What do verses 4-7 say about God's character? About His work in us?
     -He is saving, compassionate and merciful, He has done a miraculous work in us-cleansing us, making us whole, forgiving us, and making us heirs to His Kingdom
4. Over the past year, where do you sense growth in leading a "productive" life for God (verse 14)?
     -doing mission work, sponsoring a compassion child, being a light in my own school & youth group
5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
     -quit straying, come home & do what is good & shine his light
6. How can I/we help you in prayer this week?
     -KOSOVO

Again, these are just my opinions & my answers for these guided reading-like questions. You are not pressured to answer these questions, only if you wish to do so

GO! BE! LOVE!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:45:47 GMT

When Jesus was on earth, He made the earth look more like God’s Kingdom. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, fought injustice, & shared God’s love. Then He went to heaven & sat down at the right hand of God. In His physical absence, He left two things on earth to carry out His mission–His Spirit & His people.

That’s ->US<-

We are God’s plan to carry out His mission.

& we’ve been equipped for the job. Filled with His Holy Spirit, we have the same awesome power in us that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). & Jesus-the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords-goes with us wherever we go (Matthew 28:20).

We have the Holy Spirit’s power. We have Jesus’ presence. We have great potential. God has told us that He will give us all we need as we do His work. So we can’t fail. & the eternal clock that is ever ticking forward has put us centerstage in time. There are people who need help, & we are the helpers. Our time is now.

In the words of the great Dr. Bill Bright: “Are you interested in revolution? Do you want to help solve the social ills of the world? We invite you to join with us in following the Greatest Revolutionary of the centuries. He is alive.”

Let’s follow our King.

Let’s make our mark in His Kingdom’s history.

Let’s Go! Be! Love!

From YW Magazine. November 2008 Issue

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:19:20 GMT

I’ve been terrible at keeping this updated, & I apologize to the very few of you that have read this & visited this site. Last week was crazy with it being fall break, so I kinda took a break from the blogging world as well. But enough with the excuses.

Titus’ Task on Crete
Titus 1:5-16

5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer^[b] is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good (NIV version from www.biblegateway.com)

Questions for Thought

1. Who in your family or group of friends is the most disciplined?
-I’m not positive. But my dad is very disciplined, so..him?

2. Why is Paul’s list of leadership qualifications focused mostly on “being” & not “doing” (verses 6-9)?
-if you have a relationship with God & are sincere about it, then you will do the will of God, but first you must fix your mindset.

3. Which of the qualities in verses 6-9 do you feel you need to develop in your own life?
-all of them but most importantly: not quick tempered, disciplined, self-controlled

4. How in the past or present, have your actions not fit with your “claim to know God” (verse 16)?
-giving into the desires of the world, language, disrespect, lying, ect

5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
-develop qualities in verses 6-9

6. How can I help you in prayer this week?

Again, you don’t have to answer any questions. You can, however, if you want to. If you need someone to pray for you, then you can tell me & I’ll pray for you. We’re strangers, so no need to be embarrassed. God Bless.

devotional 1

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:08:47 GMT

it took a little longer than planned to get this going, but hey! that’s how life goes sometimes. so without further ado i give you the first devotional of this page:

The passage is 2 Timothy 4:9-18
NIV VERSION 9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Questions:
1.If you were in prison, who would come to visit you?
     my answer: well hopefully my friends & family, but lets not test this;)
2.Do you change friends easily or with great pain?
     my answer: dpends, but usually with great pain
3.When have you felt like nobody loved you but your mom? How did you deal with it?
     my answer: everyone seemed to be leaving at once & everything seemed to be going wrong. I prayed, asked others to pray, & talked to some friends & mentors about all of this.
4.When have you been deserted or sranded? Who finally came to your rescue?
     my answer: we ran out of gas on the exit ramp on a highway on our way home from nashville, luckily some friends went with us & were a few miles ahead, so they brought us some gas.
5.How can Paul’s words in verses 17-18 help you the next time you feel alone?
     my answer: no matter what’s going on in my life God’s going to be there & His will will be done even if it’s not the way I had it planned & He will deliver me
6.Where in your life do you need God to rescue you?
     my answer: falling into peer pressure
7.In your friendship with Jesus last week, were you more like distant acquaintances or best friends?
     my answer: casual friends

i by NO means expect any of you reading this to answer any of these questions. if you want to, great, if you don’t, great. it’s your choice. i just know that it’s sometimes hard to make time for God with a busy schedule & i know there are many out there that spend lots of time on the computer so this may be a convenient way to spend time with God. any suggestions, let me know.

new blog

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:32:53 GMT

this will be where i (maybe tomorrow) will add some devotionals for students. i'm hoping to do it weekly, if not more. i think it will be a good idea. we'll see how it works. i'm excited about it.

beccaxacceb is my other xanga. i also have a wordpress. hit me up sometime.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:31:19 GMT

I'm a student who worships The King. & I want the world to know about Him. I want to make a difference, through Him. I sponsor a child through Compassion.