Matthew 6: 9-13 This, then, is how you should pray:
1) Praise: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
2) Submission: your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3) Provision: Give us today our daily bread.
4) Repentance Forgiveness: Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
5) Protection: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Pretty cool how easy it is.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Happy Birthday!!
Alas, October is here and in a few short weeks one of the greatest days in human history will be upon us: my birthday. Now ordinarily I dislike asking/receiving birthday presents. The whole exchange is awkward to me. I will throw a few hints at my mother since she seems to enjoy lavishing me with gifts, but I usually don't request anything.
But this year is different. I have decided that I would like everyone I know to purchase a gift for my birthday. Notice I said "for my birthday" and not "for me."
What I would humbly ask everyone to do is pick a charity and donate to it. Make sure it is for a organization that upholds strong, christian ideals and truly works for the service of others. Then, when you have contributed, pass this request along to someone else. We are so fortunate in this country to be blessed with everything that God has given us and we owe it to the less fortunate to help.
For those of you not sure of where to donate or support, I've done some research and become rather fond of several great organizations doing really great work. I would highly recommend supporting any of these places.
www.toms.com
Toms shoes work with the one-for-one philosophy. For every pair of shoes you buy, they donate a pair to a child in a third world country. How cool is that! Not only do you get to change the life of child, but you also get a little something in return.
www.miir.com
Miir water bottles work on a very similar premise as Toms shoes. For every water bottle you buy, they donate $1 towards clean drinking water in countries that don't have it. That one dollar will provide clean, healthy, safe drinking for someone for an entire year.
www.onedayswages.org
One Days Wages is just how it sounds. You donate one days worth of your yearly salary, they use it to fight global poverty. And one day's pay is only 0.4% of your yearly salary.
www.bloodwatermission.com
Founded by the band Jars of Clay, blood:water mission does awesome fighting Aids and providing clean water to people. They have lots of ways you can help. Check out their website.
www.charitywater.org
Another great organization working to provide clean drinking water to people who need it most. They have lot's of easy ways to donate too.
So in conclusion, yes my birthday really is in a few weeks, but please do not buy me anything. Don't even donate anything for me. Donate because you want to share the blessings that you have with others. And don't be selfish. Tell others about what you are doing and get them on board as well.
God Bless,
Eddy
But this year is different. I have decided that I would like everyone I know to purchase a gift for my birthday. Notice I said "for my birthday" and not "for me."
What I would humbly ask everyone to do is pick a charity and donate to it. Make sure it is for a organization that upholds strong, christian ideals and truly works for the service of others. Then, when you have contributed, pass this request along to someone else. We are so fortunate in this country to be blessed with everything that God has given us and we owe it to the less fortunate to help.
For those of you not sure of where to donate or support, I've done some research and become rather fond of several great organizations doing really great work. I would highly recommend supporting any of these places.
www.toms.com
Toms shoes work with the one-for-one philosophy. For every pair of shoes you buy, they donate a pair to a child in a third world country. How cool is that! Not only do you get to change the life of child, but you also get a little something in return.
www.miir.com
Miir water bottles work on a very similar premise as Toms shoes. For every water bottle you buy, they donate $1 towards clean drinking water in countries that don't have it. That one dollar will provide clean, healthy, safe drinking for someone for an entire year.
www.onedayswages.org
One Days Wages is just how it sounds. You donate one days worth of your yearly salary, they use it to fight global poverty. And one day's pay is only 0.4% of your yearly salary.
www.bloodwatermission.com
Founded by the band Jars of Clay, blood:water mission does awesome fighting Aids and providing clean water to people. They have lots of ways you can help. Check out their website.
www.charitywater.org
Another great organization working to provide clean drinking water to people who need it most. They have lot's of easy ways to donate too.
So in conclusion, yes my birthday really is in a few weeks, but please do not buy me anything. Don't even donate anything for me. Donate because you want to share the blessings that you have with others. And don't be selfish. Tell others about what you are doing and get them on board as well.
God Bless,
Eddy
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Bucket List
Never made one of these before, thought it might be fun.
- Skydive
- Bungee Jump
- Get a tattoo (at least one)
- Get a motorcycle
- Own/DJ for a pirate radio station on a boat anchored off shore
- Play in a professional band
- Attend Hillsong church in Sydney
- See Top Secret Drum Corp play live in Basil, Switzerland
- Visit Brouch, Luxembourg and drink a beer there
- Go back to Turkana, Kenya
- Visit all 50 states
- Get Packers season tickets
- See the Cubs win a World Series
- Write a song
- Write a poem
- Learn to surf
- Ride a horse
- Run a marathon
- Become nonallergic to cats
- Backpack across Europe (so cliche)
- Set a world record
- Set a Guinness Book of World Record
- Become a scratch golfer
- Go on a missions trip
- Live happily ever after
Friday, March 26, 2010
Roarin'!!
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to see a revolution come.
Now I'm lost in your freedom this world will over come.
My God's not dead, He's surely alive
A love so bold to see a revolution come.
Now I'm lost in your freedom this world will over come.
My God's not dead, He's surely alive
And He's living on the inside roarin' like a lion.
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead I need a resuuection somehow.
Let Heaven roar and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sound of revival.
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead I need a resuuection somehow.
Let Heaven roar and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sound of revival.
These lyrics hail from the most recent live DC*B recording on the newest Passion: Awakening CD. Daniel Bashta is the individual who was blessed with these words. The first time I heard these lyrics, my emotions had the same reaction that Miss Shields had to Ralphie's theme during his day dream in A Christmas Story; "shear poetry."
What would love exploding look like, bringing the dead to life, opening people's eyes and ears and hearts to true life. Or hope arising casting out darkness, removing the veil from our eyes and opening out hearts to the glory of God.
What would love exploding look like, bringing the dead to life, opening people's eyes and ears and hearts to true life. Or hope arising casting out darkness, removing the veil from our eyes and opening out hearts to the glory of God.
My God's not dead, He's surely alive.
Our God is not dead and he surely is alive. That line is great in itself, but then the chorus gets better.
God is living inside of you and me. Isn't the holy spirit amazing? That God can come and live inside of us. Then my favorite part.He's living on the inside
roarin' like a lionI love that imagery. God is inside us, roarin' like a lion, wanting to know and rescue all who have fallen and to be known intimately by everyone. We have the God of the universe, inside of us roaring. This sounds cheesy, but it's so true. We do not worship a silent, passive God. He is active and vocal, and when we allow him to dwell in us, his presence is unmistakable.
You can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmXD52oogRI
What do you think?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jealousy
Since going to church this morning, there has been something that I've been thinking about all day. The opening line from the song "How He Loves," originally written by John Mark McMillan and most recently recorded by the David Crowder Band. The very first line of the song is as follows:
He is jealous for me
What an amazing thing to think about. The God of the universe, creator of everything, all knowing, all powerful, the one who knows each one of more intimately than we ever could, is jealous for us, for you, for me. He loves us so much, he feels jealously towards the petty things in this world that we fill up our time with rather than spending time with God. We have pushed our savior to jealously and still he loves us unconditionally and wants nothing more than for us to come to him. A simple task, yet we are to scared to leave our comfortable lives that we have built for ourselves instead of pursuing God and living an even greater life than we could imagine.
In case you haven't seen this, here is the link to the David Crowder Band music video for the song. While the video itself is entertaining, pay attention to the words too. I hope they grab your heart like they have grabbed mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAk&feature=related
What do you think?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Motivation
This is some good motivation...
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/14358-preachers-and-podiatrists
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/14358-preachers-and-podiatrists
Sunday, January 31, 2010
What If...
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more
What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray
From What If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more
What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways
And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray
From What If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
My Favorite Song
This is, by far, my favorite song. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mvewRB9CN4
What's yours?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mvewRB9CN4
What's yours?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Always Yours
I was watching TV this evening when an Overstock.com commercial came on and the background song playing was "Always" by the band Switchfoot. The lyrics of the song were being used to make you think that you can have whatever you want. Anything can be "always yours" as the lyrics of the chorus say. But these lyrics have been sadly taken out of context. Rather than explain to you, in my own words, what the lyrics mean, I'd like to share with you the explanation of them by Jon Foreman. He wrote the song.
"I am continually searching for meaning in my life. Why am I here? Why is there so much pain? This cold, dark stream of sorrow runs through my life. Why does it run alongside of the warm beautiful waters of joy and beauty? Why do the two rivers collide and intertwine? The dark and the light. The death and the life... Most of my songs become outlets for these questions. The music becomes place for the cognitive dissonance to chew away at something other than a broken heart or an ulcer. The music becomes a place to sort through the dark and the light. I love crosswords, sodoku, solitaire- games with a simple victory that allows me the momentary thrill of setting the world right. But song- writing feels like a similar discipline to me. A puzzle of letters and math, theory and rule, expression and passion.
The lyric of this song attempts to start at the womb and follow a human soul through life. And so it begins: the heart beats, the eyes open, breath floods the lungs for the first time- what incredible experiences! What extraordinary sensations! I wanted to write this from a father's perspective, from the eyes of the father of life. One look into the eyes of his son and the father is smitten for life. The possession that the young infant has over the father is complete. Always yours. The second verse speaks of the pain. This pain is always with us. We are born into a world of pain, the pain of losing a child, the pain of rejection, of racism, sexism, fears... these experiences rip us to pieces.
Everyone feels pain. I look to those who have been through more pain than I will ever know for guidance on the subject. The Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist Victor Frankl survived several Nazi concentration camps with his life and his hope intact. He lost more than I'll ever know... his wife, his parents, and his family did not survive. His understanding of pain is in direct opposition to our western world that is often found running from pain at all costs. Frankl’s “Case for a Tragic Optimism” speaks of turning suffering into human achievement and optimism in the face of tragedy. The memories, the pain, the scars, these are yours. Yes, the things that you and I have lost. These are yours and they have meaning. No, these could never be The Ultimate Meaning in our lives, but let these scars drive us towards "turning suffering into human achievement and accomplishment."
The bridge in the song is the acknowledgment of my own shortcomings. As a man born into beauty and pain, there is a moment of surrender where I lay down my life. This is a free volitional action, a gift, just as the father's love was given to me- this became the response. A simple surrender to the Infinite Maker of The Finite acknowledging that I need his love. The meaning in my life is often found in surrender rather than mastery."
"I am continually searching for meaning in my life. Why am I here? Why is there so much pain? This cold, dark stream of sorrow runs through my life. Why does it run alongside of the warm beautiful waters of joy and beauty? Why do the two rivers collide and intertwine? The dark and the light. The death and the life... Most of my songs become outlets for these questions. The music becomes place for the cognitive dissonance to chew away at something other than a broken heart or an ulcer. The music becomes a place to sort through the dark and the light. I love crosswords, sodoku, solitaire- games with a simple victory that allows me the momentary thrill of setting the world right. But song- writing feels like a similar discipline to me. A puzzle of letters and math, theory and rule, expression and passion.
The lyric of this song attempts to start at the womb and follow a human soul through life. And so it begins: the heart beats, the eyes open, breath floods the lungs for the first time- what incredible experiences! What extraordinary sensations! I wanted to write this from a father's perspective, from the eyes of the father of life. One look into the eyes of his son and the father is smitten for life. The possession that the young infant has over the father is complete. Always yours. The second verse speaks of the pain. This pain is always with us. We are born into a world of pain, the pain of losing a child, the pain of rejection, of racism, sexism, fears... these experiences rip us to pieces.
Everyone feels pain. I look to those who have been through more pain than I will ever know for guidance on the subject. The Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist Victor Frankl survived several Nazi concentration camps with his life and his hope intact. He lost more than I'll ever know... his wife, his parents, and his family did not survive. His understanding of pain is in direct opposition to our western world that is often found running from pain at all costs. Frankl’s “Case for a Tragic Optimism” speaks of turning suffering into human achievement and optimism in the face of tragedy. The memories, the pain, the scars, these are yours. Yes, the things that you and I have lost. These are yours and they have meaning. No, these could never be The Ultimate Meaning in our lives, but let these scars drive us towards "turning suffering into human achievement and accomplishment."
The bridge in the song is the acknowledgment of my own shortcomings. As a man born into beauty and pain, there is a moment of surrender where I lay down my life. This is a free volitional action, a gift, just as the father's love was given to me- this became the response. A simple surrender to the Infinite Maker of The Finite acknowledging that I need his love. The meaning in my life is often found in surrender rather than mastery."
It is unfortunate the the lyrics and meaning of this song have been misunderstood and misused. Rather than being used to express that fact that God is always ours, it is now being utilized to portray that we can have whatever worldly things we want. I hope that people will be able to see though the veil and understand what Mr. Foreman is trying to say and truly realize that God is always ours. What an incredibly comforting thought.
Here are the lyrics for your reference and a link to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85vi2pB1T5c
Here are the lyrics for your reference and a link to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85vi2pB1T5c
This is the start
This is your heart
This is the day you were born
This is the sun
These are your lungs
This is the day you were born
And I am always yours
These are the scars
Deep in your heart
This is the place you were born
This is the hole
Where most of your soul
Comes ripping out
From the places you’ve been torn
And it is always yours
But I am always yours
Hallelujah!
I’m caving in
Hallelujah!
I’m in love again
Hallelujah!
I’m a wretched man
Hallelujah!
Every breath is a second chance
This is your heart
This is the day you were born
This is the sun
These are your lungs
This is the day you were born
And I am always yours
These are the scars
Deep in your heart
This is the place you were born
This is the hole
Where most of your soul
Comes ripping out
From the places you’ve been torn
And it is always yours
But I am always yours
Hallelujah!
I’m caving in
Hallelujah!
I’m in love again
Hallelujah!
I’m a wretched man
Hallelujah!
Every breath is a second chance
What do you think?
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Petition of Christian Conscience
Read this...
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/14164-a-petition-of-christian-conscience
What do you think?
http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/14164-a-petition-of-christian-conscience
What do you think?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I Miss Kenya
Check out this video on the latest that the VU Engineers Without Borders Chapter has been doing. This is some really awesome stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6ydtgLlZDg
Can you spot me in the video? I'm in it more than once.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6ydtgLlZDg
Can you spot me in the video? I'm in it more than once.
Monday, January 18, 2010
In Remembrance
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his works and sacrifice, I'd like to share this song with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9c24_lw_24
Here are the lyrics as well:
Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, sir
I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin
I tip my hat to the colorful arrangement
Cause I see the beauty in the tones of our skin
We've gotta come together
And thank the Maker of us all
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted place
We're colored people, and they call us the human race
We've got a history so full of mistakes
And we are colored people who depend on a Holy Grace
A piece of canvas is only the beginning for
It takes on character with every loving stroke
This thing of beauty is the passion of an Artist's heart
By God's design, we are a skin kaleidoscope
We've gotta come together,
Aren't we all human after all
Ignorance has wronged some races
And vengeance is the Lord's
If we aspire to share this space
Repentance is the cure
Well, just a day in the shoes of a color blind man
Should make it easy for you to see
That these diverse tones do more than cover our bones
As a part of our anatomy
We're colored people, and they call us the human race
[Oh, colored people]
We're colored people, and we all gotta share this space
[Yeah we've got to come together somehow]
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted world
[Red and yellow, black and white]
We're colored people, every man, woman, boy, and girl
[Colored people, colored people.
colored people, colored people, yeah]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9c24_lw_24
Here are the lyrics as well:
Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, sir
I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin
I tip my hat to the colorful arrangement
Cause I see the beauty in the tones of our skin
We've gotta come together
And thank the Maker of us all
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted place
We're colored people, and they call us the human race
We've got a history so full of mistakes
And we are colored people who depend on a Holy Grace
A piece of canvas is only the beginning for
It takes on character with every loving stroke
This thing of beauty is the passion of an Artist's heart
By God's design, we are a skin kaleidoscope
We've gotta come together,
Aren't we all human after all
Ignorance has wronged some races
And vengeance is the Lord's
If we aspire to share this space
Repentance is the cure
Well, just a day in the shoes of a color blind man
Should make it easy for you to see
That these diverse tones do more than cover our bones
As a part of our anatomy
We're colored people, and they call us the human race
[Oh, colored people]
We're colored people, and we all gotta share this space
[Yeah we've got to come together somehow]
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted world
[Red and yellow, black and white]
We're colored people, every man, woman, boy, and girl
[Colored people, colored people.
colored people, colored people, yeah]
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Deathbed
Check out this video someone made for Relient K's song "Deathbed." This is a great song. Watch the video all the way through, especially the last half. You'll like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhf-BO_2wGw&feature=related
What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhf-BO_2wGw&feature=related
What do you think?
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Sad Day
So as I was perusing the popular networking site "Facebook," I noticed some friends of mine were members of a group called "Have the President's speech moved so it won't mess with the Lost premier!!!" Following some basic investigatory work, I discovered people were upset that there is a chance that the President's State of the Union address will be held on Feb. 2, the same day as the Lost premiere apparently. When I read this, I was rather perturbed. Have we, as Americans, really become more worried about watching a fictitious television show, rather than what our nation has accomplished in the past year and where it is going in the next?
To you a little background, Lost is an American serial drama television series following the lives of plane crash survivors on a mysterious tropical island. Imagine Gilligan's Island on steroids. The State of the Union address is a speech where the President outlines where he(or potentially someday she) feels the country has been in the past year. they outline the good and the bad of what we has done economically, environmentally, militarily, etc. They also take the opportunity to outline their plans for the upcoming year.
To think that people would rather get their fix off of a TV show rather than learn about the future of their own country baffles me. I just don't understand how people can choose to be so ignorant to what is going on around them. Our nation is going through major historical changes that affect everyone, and whether good or bad, the American people need to be aware of what is going on in their own country, state, and even city or town. I guess it doesn't surprise me that much though seeing as only 57% of Americans seemed to deem it important to vote in our last national election. People in other countries are intimidated, threatened, and even killed for voting. That is if they are even given the opportunity to. Here is American we would rather watch fiction rather than worry about what is happening in real life.
Now I have no problem with watching tv and following your favorite, but at some point, people need to wise up and start taking responsibility and pride in their country. We take what we have here for granted far to often and I pray that Americans would begin to take more interest in their country instead of their TVs. People need to stop being so self absorbed in themselves and their interests and begin looking at the bigger picture. Missing or moving the premiere of a TV show won't kill anyone. Get over it.
What do you think?
To you a little background, Lost is an American serial drama television series following the lives of plane crash survivors on a mysterious tropical island. Imagine Gilligan's Island on steroids. The State of the Union address is a speech where the President outlines where he(or potentially someday she) feels the country has been in the past year. they outline the good and the bad of what we has done economically, environmentally, militarily, etc. They also take the opportunity to outline their plans for the upcoming year.
To think that people would rather get their fix off of a TV show rather than learn about the future of their own country baffles me. I just don't understand how people can choose to be so ignorant to what is going on around them. Our nation is going through major historical changes that affect everyone, and whether good or bad, the American people need to be aware of what is going on in their own country, state, and even city or town. I guess it doesn't surprise me that much though seeing as only 57% of Americans seemed to deem it important to vote in our last national election. People in other countries are intimidated, threatened, and even killed for voting. That is if they are even given the opportunity to. Here is American we would rather watch fiction rather than worry about what is happening in real life.
Now I have no problem with watching tv and following your favorite, but at some point, people need to wise up and start taking responsibility and pride in their country. We take what we have here for granted far to often and I pray that Americans would begin to take more interest in their country instead of their TVs. People need to stop being so self absorbed in themselves and their interests and begin looking at the bigger picture. Missing or moving the premiere of a TV show won't kill anyone. Get over it.
What do you think?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year!
To anyone who said/thought that Brett Favre should have retired and was no longer good at football, I think you're a complete moron and shouldn't be allowed to publicly speak about sports.
With that said, welcome to 2010, the second decade of the 2000s. It's pretty crazy to think that 10 years has gone by since we all thought the world would end due to our computers changing dates. And now we are worried about it ending in two years because of an ancient civilization that is now gone and whose ancestors no longer follow said calendar. It's pretty crazy.
Anyways, I thought I'd say a few comments about what I've seen God doing in my life in the past year. I decided to do this based on the BreakPoint blog by Charles Colson and I highly encourage you to read it. (http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/13944-reflections-for-new-years-day)
I'll start in May because a lot began to happen then. 7 months ago I walked across a stage in front of several hundred people to be handed a blank folder and shake the hand of a man that I didn't know, and then take a very awkward picture as I was hurried down a ramp back to my seat. In America, we know this as graduation. 1 day prior to this, I walked across another stage, was handed a folder (this time with stuff in it), shook another hand of a man who I didn't know and again took another awkward picture. This occasion was more meaningful to me whoever as it marked my commissioning into the U.S. Air Force. These two events were a culmination of 4 years of hard work which provided me with a college degree and a job, both of which were completely God driven. As you may imagine, college isn't the easiest task to accomplish, and to throw ROTC on top of that makes it an even more daunting task. Looking back on those 4 years, it is easy for me to see where I failed time and time again and yet I continued to push forward due one reason and one reason only, the grace of God and his hand in my life guiding me on the path that he had in mind for me.
After graduating and commissioning, I had an entire summer to myself. Actually not really. God provided me with a great job with Youthworks! in Raleigh, NC working with youth from all over the country to minister and serve the residents on Raleigh and Durham, NC. I saw God move and work in so many ways throw myself and the youth that I lost count. To see God use 6th graders to minister to kids in YMCAs to the elderly in nursing homes is so incredible to see. Through those experiences, God showed me a great deal about myself and my weaknesses in following others and in my walk with him. It is only by his hand that I was able to have those amazing experiences and stories.
Also during this summer, God introduced me to a very special someone. She was a youth leader for one of the groups that came and we throughout the week began to get to know each other. After they left, we continued to keep up correspondence via texting and phone conversations. One thing lead to another and what do you know, we're now dating. I couldn't ask God for a more amazing person and I'm so excited to see what he has in store for us in the future.
As the summer came to a close, my mind rapidly changed gears into getting ready for begin my job with the Air Force. At the end of September, I left Aurora to begin a new part of my life in Santa Maria, Ca, a state I had never previously made an acquaintance with. As it turns out, God was right with me there too. I have a great squadron that I work in with great co-workers and he showed me a great church that I know attend.
It's crazy, everywhere I look God is in everything that has happened to. It is incredible what a great and amazing God we serve.
These are only a handful of instances where God has had a presence in my life (seeing as who he does everyday). I encourage you to take a second and look back on 2009. What was good? What was bad? What did do in your life? How do you plan on continuing to follow his will in your life in the new year?
I hope that we can all look back on 2009 and be happy with the outcome of it, and I pray that everyone has a fantastic and God filled 2010.
And once again, you should really read Charles Colson's daily blog at http://www.breakpoint.org/bp-home
You won't be disappointed.
With that said, welcome to 2010, the second decade of the 2000s. It's pretty crazy to think that 10 years has gone by since we all thought the world would end due to our computers changing dates. And now we are worried about it ending in two years because of an ancient civilization that is now gone and whose ancestors no longer follow said calendar. It's pretty crazy.
Anyways, I thought I'd say a few comments about what I've seen God doing in my life in the past year. I decided to do this based on the BreakPoint blog by Charles Colson and I highly encourage you to read it. (http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/13944-reflections-for-new-years-day)
I'll start in May because a lot began to happen then. 7 months ago I walked across a stage in front of several hundred people to be handed a blank folder and shake the hand of a man that I didn't know, and then take a very awkward picture as I was hurried down a ramp back to my seat. In America, we know this as graduation. 1 day prior to this, I walked across another stage, was handed a folder (this time with stuff in it), shook another hand of a man who I didn't know and again took another awkward picture. This occasion was more meaningful to me whoever as it marked my commissioning into the U.S. Air Force. These two events were a culmination of 4 years of hard work which provided me with a college degree and a job, both of which were completely God driven. As you may imagine, college isn't the easiest task to accomplish, and to throw ROTC on top of that makes it an even more daunting task. Looking back on those 4 years, it is easy for me to see where I failed time and time again and yet I continued to push forward due one reason and one reason only, the grace of God and his hand in my life guiding me on the path that he had in mind for me.
After graduating and commissioning, I had an entire summer to myself. Actually not really. God provided me with a great job with Youthworks! in Raleigh, NC working with youth from all over the country to minister and serve the residents on Raleigh and Durham, NC. I saw God move and work in so many ways throw myself and the youth that I lost count. To see God use 6th graders to minister to kids in YMCAs to the elderly in nursing homes is so incredible to see. Through those experiences, God showed me a great deal about myself and my weaknesses in following others and in my walk with him. It is only by his hand that I was able to have those amazing experiences and stories.
Also during this summer, God introduced me to a very special someone. She was a youth leader for one of the groups that came and we throughout the week began to get to know each other. After they left, we continued to keep up correspondence via texting and phone conversations. One thing lead to another and what do you know, we're now dating. I couldn't ask God for a more amazing person and I'm so excited to see what he has in store for us in the future.
As the summer came to a close, my mind rapidly changed gears into getting ready for begin my job with the Air Force. At the end of September, I left Aurora to begin a new part of my life in Santa Maria, Ca, a state I had never previously made an acquaintance with. As it turns out, God was right with me there too. I have a great squadron that I work in with great co-workers and he showed me a great church that I know attend.
It's crazy, everywhere I look God is in everything that has happened to. It is incredible what a great and amazing God we serve.
These are only a handful of instances where God has had a presence in my life (seeing as who he does everyday). I encourage you to take a second and look back on 2009. What was good? What was bad? What did do in your life? How do you plan on continuing to follow his will in your life in the new year?
I hope that we can all look back on 2009 and be happy with the outcome of it, and I pray that everyone has a fantastic and God filled 2010.
And once again, you should really read Charles Colson's daily blog at http://www.breakpoint.org/bp-home
You won't be disappointed.
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