why is it that the waiting is the hardest part?
Why is it as Christians we struggle when God tells us to wait. As humans we see this.
I am at one of those times when I can't wait to hear from God about which direction to move.
There is joy, but also I am impatient. I am learning more and more about focusing on Christ as I wait for Him to show me which direction I need to go.
But I am excited to see what God is going to do, because when He moves, He really does moves.
He can do something in five minutes what it takes us a lifetime and then some to do.
Praise God!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I RAN TODAY!!
DUDE!! it has been 5 days of no running, and it has been nothing short of a hell, literally. I am not my self when I do not run/workout. I get very impatient, moody, and I am just plain vile sometimes.
At least Erbie-my roomie and i went for a little jog around the block. I am so looking forward to tomrrow, my like 3 hour class is not meeting, so I can stay up work on my Thesis, sleep in, go to class, run, work on school stuff, and SMALL GROUP!! PRAISE GOD!!!
like 7.5 weeks till the Half-Marathon with dad!!!
Praise God!!!
At least Erbie-my roomie and i went for a little jog around the block. I am so looking forward to tomrrow, my like 3 hour class is not meeting, so I can stay up work on my Thesis, sleep in, go to class, run, work on school stuff, and SMALL GROUP!! PRAISE GOD!!!
like 7.5 weeks till the Half-Marathon with dad!!!
Praise God!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
5 Dollar Faith
I don't want to have a 5 dollar faith. Sometimes, well recently in some areas of my life, I have felt that way.
Pastor Craig Groeschel spoke at Catalyst, and it was intense.
Three things really spoke to my heart.
1) God Ruin me. I pray that God will continue to break my heart for what breaks His. Right now it is the homeless situation in this city. My heart is breaking for the people who are addicted to drugs, alcohol and who are going through hell right now. Yesterday I saw a guy who was so drunk at 8:30 in the morning that he just kept falling over in the middle of uptown. He was desperately trying to grab a hold of one of the crosswalk posts, but he kept missing. When I ran over to help him, he was just so broken inside, and so drunk. Luckily there was an officer who was near the scene, saw the whole thing and called the medics to come and take him to the hospital. I later found out from one of the other homeless guys that he was in the middle of the street at 4am punching and yelling at cars. That breaks my heart and God has put this vision of seeing homeless people who are broken healed by the sheer awesomeness of Christ.
2) God Heal Me. I need God to continually heal me as I struggle with the issues in my life. Broken relationships, daily struggles as a man of God fighting Satan, and the temptation to freak out when I get really stressed. I pray that God will continue to show me the issues in my life that I need to surrender to Him, and to run to Him, not from Him. I am human just the rest of us, and I have my own baggage as well.
3) God Stretch Me. God is really stretching me right now. With Senior Year Thesis stuff, work, Church, and pouring into people, I am stretched. It is such a blessing to be stretched for God's Glory, but honestly, it sucks sometimes. Gina yesterday, really encourage me yesterday at Fuel Pizza. Sometimes she said, it is God's will for us to love people from a distance...because we no longer are a blessing, we become a burden. This reminded me that I have to make sure that there are people pouring into me, while I am pouring into others. It's part of this process. Balance, Gina said is hard, but it is soo needed. It was such a blessing to spend time with Gina yesterday. She really spoke to my heart, and I am so thankful that she asked me up front, "so what are you struggling with." Even though God is stretching me, pulling me, growing me, He still provides people in my life who can come along side of me and encourage me.
(I took a nap, and now I feel so much better) Time for Small Group!! YAY!!!!
Pastor Craig Groeschel spoke at Catalyst, and it was intense.
Three things really spoke to my heart.
1) God Ruin me. I pray that God will continue to break my heart for what breaks His. Right now it is the homeless situation in this city. My heart is breaking for the people who are addicted to drugs, alcohol and who are going through hell right now. Yesterday I saw a guy who was so drunk at 8:30 in the morning that he just kept falling over in the middle of uptown. He was desperately trying to grab a hold of one of the crosswalk posts, but he kept missing. When I ran over to help him, he was just so broken inside, and so drunk. Luckily there was an officer who was near the scene, saw the whole thing and called the medics to come and take him to the hospital. I later found out from one of the other homeless guys that he was in the middle of the street at 4am punching and yelling at cars. That breaks my heart and God has put this vision of seeing homeless people who are broken healed by the sheer awesomeness of Christ.
2) God Heal Me. I need God to continually heal me as I struggle with the issues in my life. Broken relationships, daily struggles as a man of God fighting Satan, and the temptation to freak out when I get really stressed. I pray that God will continue to show me the issues in my life that I need to surrender to Him, and to run to Him, not from Him. I am human just the rest of us, and I have my own baggage as well.
3) God Stretch Me. God is really stretching me right now. With Senior Year Thesis stuff, work, Church, and pouring into people, I am stretched. It is such a blessing to be stretched for God's Glory, but honestly, it sucks sometimes. Gina yesterday, really encourage me yesterday at Fuel Pizza. Sometimes she said, it is God's will for us to love people from a distance...because we no longer are a blessing, we become a burden. This reminded me that I have to make sure that there are people pouring into me, while I am pouring into others. It's part of this process. Balance, Gina said is hard, but it is soo needed. It was such a blessing to spend time with Gina yesterday. She really spoke to my heart, and I am so thankful that she asked me up front, "so what are you struggling with." Even though God is stretching me, pulling me, growing me, He still provides people in my life who can come along side of me and encourage me.
(I took a nap, and now I feel so much better) Time for Small Group!! YAY!!!!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
So I got a Twitter now. yay!!
TRI4HIM.
The name comes from Triathlons. I want to Race for Christ, but not just triathlons, but in life.
Just some random thoughts.
God is ruining me, messing me up big time. My vision to help the homeless, the addicts, the prostitutes is growing. There is a guy I know, Kevin who I pray is one of the ones who can get me further on the inside.
I would like to network with organizations in Charlotte, and get educated in the programs that are helping to deal with homelessness. It would be awesome to coordinate something with IMPACT Ministries on Campus, Elevation Church, and Homeless Helping Homeless, with the other churches and orgs, to reach these people for Christ.
I want to help these people, and call out their potential in Christ. How awesome would it be to see more homeless people get out of that hell, get plugged into a Church, and reach other homeless people for the Glory of God.
How awesome would it be to raise up and army in this city that brings hope and healing. The kind that only Christ can give.
TRI4HIM.
The name comes from Triathlons. I want to Race for Christ, but not just triathlons, but in life.
Just some random thoughts.
God is ruining me, messing me up big time. My vision to help the homeless, the addicts, the prostitutes is growing. There is a guy I know, Kevin who I pray is one of the ones who can get me further on the inside.
I would like to network with organizations in Charlotte, and get educated in the programs that are helping to deal with homelessness. It would be awesome to coordinate something with IMPACT Ministries on Campus, Elevation Church, and Homeless Helping Homeless, with the other churches and orgs, to reach these people for Christ.
I want to help these people, and call out their potential in Christ. How awesome would it be to see more homeless people get out of that hell, get plugged into a Church, and reach other homeless people for the Glory of God.
How awesome would it be to raise up and army in this city that brings hope and healing. The kind that only Christ can give.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
CATALYST-"Louder Than Words"
Andy Stanley has got to be one of the greatest preachers out there, and his messages really hit home. Not only does he incorporate humor, and real life stories, but the way he presents the Gospel is amazing. He is so easy to follow, but do not let that make you doubt. Andy Stanley really challenged me at Catalyst.
Here are some of the notes from his sermon "Louder Than Words," that really hit home in my heart.
1) Moral Authority means an alignment between our creeds and our deeds.
As a Christian, I want what I say about Christ, and being a Christian to align up with how I act out my faith.
2) INFLUENCE. Andy said that all we have is Influence. It is at exact value. In other words, it means that what we say and do can radically alter history. I believe that what I say and do impacts others around me. It is the determining factor in showing someone the love of Christ.
3)Moral Superiority= sacrifice & Obedience to Christ. As Christians, we need the Holy Spirit to move in us, to direct our steps, our actions. The Word of God has the final say in all things, but do we really see this as true. I know in my own life, I try to trump God's word with my own word, and those words of others around me. I sometimes doubt the word of God. This Moral Superiority is all about us using the word of God, praying for the Spirit to intercede on not just our behalf but others, and taking the steps to make our creed and deeds match.
4) Public alignment= the mission and the vision. What is our goal as Christians, and the Church(body of believers)? church(institution)? Do we project the message of Christ, or do we try to own it, make the Gospel serve our needs? For too long, I have seen churches and people take the Gospel and make it fit their needs. I my self have done the very same thing in the past. I pray that we(Church) can become one in Christ, and seek and save that which is lost, together. (Luke 19:10)
5) FORGIVENESS- our message should be that. Since we have been forgiven, then we need to forgive others. How can we live out our faith, when we have bitterness in our hearts. How can our creeds match up with our deeds, when we are walking around with bitterness?
Sometimes I struggle with this one. The people in my past sometimes haunt me. The things that I have done, and the fights I have had with my friends sometimes haunts me. I am not an angry person, I just sometimes loose it. I have been better at forgiving, and asking for forgiveness from my friends in the past. It sucks, ya know, the people who really really wronged you, or the people you really really wronged. But lets face it, we need to get over it. Christ has called us to live in His Glory.
Jesus, I pray that You continue to convict me of my own sin, and that I can humbly lay it all down at the foot of the cross. Jesus I pray that You do the same to this generation, and that by Your Grace and Mercy, You, Jesus, make us one. Lead us in the path that leads to righteousness.
Thank You Jesus, Amen.
Here are some of the notes from his sermon "Louder Than Words," that really hit home in my heart.
1) Moral Authority means an alignment between our creeds and our deeds.
As a Christian, I want what I say about Christ, and being a Christian to align up with how I act out my faith.
2) INFLUENCE. Andy said that all we have is Influence. It is at exact value. In other words, it means that what we say and do can radically alter history. I believe that what I say and do impacts others around me. It is the determining factor in showing someone the love of Christ.
3)Moral Superiority= sacrifice & Obedience to Christ. As Christians, we need the Holy Spirit to move in us, to direct our steps, our actions. The Word of God has the final say in all things, but do we really see this as true. I know in my own life, I try to trump God's word with my own word, and those words of others around me. I sometimes doubt the word of God. This Moral Superiority is all about us using the word of God, praying for the Spirit to intercede on not just our behalf but others, and taking the steps to make our creed and deeds match.
4) Public alignment= the mission and the vision. What is our goal as Christians, and the Church(body of believers)? church(institution)? Do we project the message of Christ, or do we try to own it, make the Gospel serve our needs? For too long, I have seen churches and people take the Gospel and make it fit their needs. I my self have done the very same thing in the past. I pray that we(Church) can become one in Christ, and seek and save that which is lost, together. (Luke 19:10)
5) FORGIVENESS- our message should be that. Since we have been forgiven, then we need to forgive others. How can we live out our faith, when we have bitterness in our hearts. How can our creeds match up with our deeds, when we are walking around with bitterness?
Sometimes I struggle with this one. The people in my past sometimes haunt me. The things that I have done, and the fights I have had with my friends sometimes haunts me. I am not an angry person, I just sometimes loose it. I have been better at forgiving, and asking for forgiveness from my friends in the past. It sucks, ya know, the people who really really wronged you, or the people you really really wronged. But lets face it, we need to get over it. Christ has called us to live in His Glory.
Jesus, I pray that You continue to convict me of my own sin, and that I can humbly lay it all down at the foot of the cross. Jesus I pray that You do the same to this generation, and that by Your Grace and Mercy, You, Jesus, make us one. Lead us in the path that leads to righteousness.
Thank You Jesus, Amen.
Friday, October 10, 2008
CATALYST!!! "Bradelyn's Post"
So I just got back from an amazing CATALYST experience. I am really tired, and God has spoken to my heart so much these past two days. I have lots to say, but more importantly my vision is stronger, and more focused than ever.
Here is Bradelyn Levi's post. I really think yall need to check it out. I hope to be able to write some blogs with her soon. She is an awesome friend, a voice of clarity in my life. She is really on fire for Christ. I hope her post will encourage you and really challenge you.
Here is Bradelyn Levi's post. I really think yall need to check it out. I hope to be able to write some blogs with her soon. She is an awesome friend, a voice of clarity in my life. She is really on fire for Christ. I hope her post will encourage you and really challenge you.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Past Two Weeks
okay so I am sorry for not posting, but I have been going out of my mind.
for those of you who have not heard yet, two weeks ago I hydroplaned my car, only going 20miles an hour, and got into an accident. Everybody is fine with no injuries, Praise God!!
well my saturn is totaled. well not really, but considering the year and the miles on it, the insurance company said it would be cheaper for them to just write it off as totaled. So in the meantime I have been using a rental, and bumin rides from Ethan!!! Who is by the way, an awesome man of God, and one of my closest friends. I believe that he knows my better than anyone because of how long I have known him, and plus the fact that we intereact almost on a daily basis.
I have been uber busy with my Senior Seminar Thesis paper, which for the past two weeks has been kicking my butt. All the outlines, revisions, meetings with my class advisor, and my paper advisor. It has not been a pic nic. But at least I am doing the things that I am supposed to be doing.
anywho, my parents have been really supportive about this whole wrecking of the car ordeal. I really love them, and God is teaching me more and more about honoring my parents. I think it changes when you get older, independant like. I still need my parents, it seems is if I am always on the phone with them. I love the communication that I have with my parents. They love me so much and they see the potiential in me, probably more than I see it in my self.
I get my mom's blazer, which I am so excited about getting. Heck, I am just excited that I get a set of wheels. Mom gets a new car, yay!! good for you mom!!! Gas will not be cheap, but I'm getting a system set up.
I think I will start to read up on finances. I am not perfect, I am better off than most people my age. But I need to continue to deveolp good habits that I will use in marriage and the rest of my life. My dad is really good with money, and balancing. I hope to be half as good as him one day.
I am yearning more and more to raise up and army for the Lord. I yearn to be one of those people who can help lead people to Christ, and to present the Gospel in a way that is revelant to my generation, and generations to come. Whether or not I become a Chaplin in the US Army or not, I have known for a long time, that God has called me to be a leader. I am not prideful about this, in fact, it is overwhelming and scarry... I'll write more on that some day.
Anywho, I am growing in my faith, and it has been tough these past two weeks. Oh I have lost my temper, a lot, and it has been directed to this stupid paper, but God is working on my heart. There are still some things that I struggle with, I am like eveybody else, but God is doing more than I can ask or ever imagine.
CATALYST CONFERENCE this WED, THUR, and FRIDAY!!!!
Please pray for safe travel, and that God will just do some more amazing things in my life, and the lives of those who are attending. Please say a prayer for not only Pastor Furtick, but also for the other speakers and volunteers!!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
Sorry this is generic, but its only a recap
for those of you who have not heard yet, two weeks ago I hydroplaned my car, only going 20miles an hour, and got into an accident. Everybody is fine with no injuries, Praise God!!
well my saturn is totaled. well not really, but considering the year and the miles on it, the insurance company said it would be cheaper for them to just write it off as totaled. So in the meantime I have been using a rental, and bumin rides from Ethan!!! Who is by the way, an awesome man of God, and one of my closest friends. I believe that he knows my better than anyone because of how long I have known him, and plus the fact that we intereact almost on a daily basis.
I have been uber busy with my Senior Seminar Thesis paper, which for the past two weeks has been kicking my butt. All the outlines, revisions, meetings with my class advisor, and my paper advisor. It has not been a pic nic. But at least I am doing the things that I am supposed to be doing.
anywho, my parents have been really supportive about this whole wrecking of the car ordeal. I really love them, and God is teaching me more and more about honoring my parents. I think it changes when you get older, independant like. I still need my parents, it seems is if I am always on the phone with them. I love the communication that I have with my parents. They love me so much and they see the potiential in me, probably more than I see it in my self.
I get my mom's blazer, which I am so excited about getting. Heck, I am just excited that I get a set of wheels. Mom gets a new car, yay!! good for you mom!!! Gas will not be cheap, but I'm getting a system set up.
I think I will start to read up on finances. I am not perfect, I am better off than most people my age. But I need to continue to deveolp good habits that I will use in marriage and the rest of my life. My dad is really good with money, and balancing. I hope to be half as good as him one day.
I am yearning more and more to raise up and army for the Lord. I yearn to be one of those people who can help lead people to Christ, and to present the Gospel in a way that is revelant to my generation, and generations to come. Whether or not I become a Chaplin in the US Army or not, I have known for a long time, that God has called me to be a leader. I am not prideful about this, in fact, it is overwhelming and scarry... I'll write more on that some day.
Anywho, I am growing in my faith, and it has been tough these past two weeks. Oh I have lost my temper, a lot, and it has been directed to this stupid paper, but God is working on my heart. There are still some things that I struggle with, I am like eveybody else, but God is doing more than I can ask or ever imagine.
CATALYST CONFERENCE this WED, THUR, and FRIDAY!!!!
Please pray for safe travel, and that God will just do some more amazing things in my life, and the lives of those who are attending. Please say a prayer for not only Pastor Furtick, but also for the other speakers and volunteers!!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
Sorry this is generic, but its only a recap
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